Doctors, doctors and more doctors

It feels like I have been to dr. offices at least once a week since Duncan has been home; whether it was for me or for him. Duncan has been to a couple of specialists the last two weeks. Last week we went to a pulmanologist (lung doctor) who put him on breathing treatments 2-3x's a day. I knew this would happen eventually because any preemie that has been on oxygen for a long period of time I think even a short period of time has some sort of lung damage. So he is doing that and he actually doesn't mind it-for now anyway. Then today he had to go to a cardiologist and have his heart checked. They had to make sure that the hole in his heart was not getting worse. See that picture? That is what he looked like the entire time we were at the Dr. He was not a happy baby. He cried the whole time. I had such a pounding headache when we left there. The Dr. said that the hole was a pin hole size and was nothing to worry about and they would check it again in a year. So good news there. I wasn't really worried, but I made Justin go with me because I couldn't handle it if they said he would need surgery. But he is doing great. He is gaining weight, eats like 4-5oz now and loves to be held and cuddled-most of the time. He does have times when he doesn't want to be held. He has also developed tears. This is sad, when he cries and a little tear comes out of his eye. He is also starting to smile a lot more and he is even close to getting a laugh. He is extremely ticklish which will be fun for us later and torture for him.

Love the Fall

(this picture has nothing to do with this entry, just loved this picture).

I love the Fall. This is probably my favorite time of year. I love Halloween, and I love apples, and pumpkins and scarecrows and anything that has to do with this season. I usually get my "real" fall fix when I go to Boston this time of year, people decorate their front lawns with elaborate decorations for Halloween, huge pumpkins are decorated around some towns, fresh apples are on every corner and the apple cider! Oh how I want some apple cider. My parents are in Boston right now and they are going to Maine (that makes me even more jealous) I asked them to see if they could ship the apple cider here. I'm not kidding it is like drinking an apple. Last year after I came home I bought apple cider and it was so gross. It tasted nothing like apples. Oh, why do I live in Arizona?

Fall in love with Maine

Nubble Light house

Camden, Maine

the reason I need to go every year.

I am not going to lie, I am really sad that I don't get to make my trip this year. But I can't wait to take Duncan to meet his cousins-maybe next year.

Random pictures

I love this photo. It was really nice outside today, cloudy and not too windy-so I took Duncan out to the backyard in his stroller. He loved it! He loved being in his stroller. I just pushed him around the patio. He is wearing one of Aunt Elisabeth's onsies, yes they still fit!

Serious look. I think he was working on a poopy diaper.

I love this picture!! I bought this hat to go with his Halloween onsie-it is so cute. Justin asked if it was his pirate hat.

Chunky boy

Duncan is doing great. He is now at 10lbs 5 oz. He is eating, pooping and sleeping like he should. He is a good sleeper at night, just wish the same for me. My whole time frame is off and it is taking me some time to get it back on track. I'm trying by not sleeping during the day when he is sleeping. He is so cute and I just love him so much.

Easy Cheese Danish

I had this idea that being home would allow me to make all kinds of yummy things. This is not so. I have barely been able to make anything. Duncan slept for a little bit this morning by himself so I was able to finally make these. The Barefoot Contessa made them on her show and they were so easy. You can get the recipe at the Foodnetwork.com
under Barefoot Contessa type in the same title. They are soooooo yummy and so easy to make.

Wireless

Now you see me with oxygen. . .

Now you Don't!!!

Okay, it is proving to be difficult to get to the computer on a regular basis. Duncan gave us a week of, how do we say this sweetly, trail of patience. He decided that he wanted to scream at 2am for 2+ hours for a week. That was so hard. The screaming can really get to you-emotionally and physically. I was a little out of sorts for a few days, but we finally seem to have gotten it under control. I went out and bought the book The Happiest Baby on the Block- I would highly recommend this book for all first time mothers. It gives a lot of really great tips on how to handle fussy, colic babies. Not just fussy babies, but it also explains how to care for them the first 3 months. Very excellent book.

Now on with other news. Duncan is finally a wireless baby!! Yeah. I waited a couple of weeks to post that news because we weren't sure if he would be able to stay off of it. After his laser eye surgery I was worried about taking him off of it. Then that next week the tape came off his face on one side and I decided well, if I'm going to do it I should just do it now and not replace the tape. So off came the oxygen and he did great. We kept the apnea monitor on him and it only went off once, but he was okay. He is doing great. He is thriving like a normal newborn even though he is 4 months old. But until he catches up we will have to eliminate 3 months off of his age. He is almost 10 pounds and he eats like a champ. He has almost outgrown the newborn clothes, he can wear 0-3months. He is cute and loves to be held- ALL THE TIME! He won't sleep long unless he is being held, this is our biggest challenge right now, getting him to sleep in his cradle or anywhere that isn't my arms. He has a nurse that come once a week to check on him, make sure he is thriving and that his lungs sound clear and answer any questions that I have. She said that we should try either wrapping him or putting next to him a t-shirt that I have worn so he can smell me, because he is less fussy for me than he is for Justin.

I'm watching my maternity leave dwindle away and it makes me anxious. I really don't want to miss anything with him. It seems like the time when they start to really show their personalities is when you have to go back to work. I'm so grateful though that my parents are close and are willing to watch him for the remainder of my school year. Our plans for childcare went out the window with lung disease. He can't be around other small children or anyone sick. We are being extra super cautious this flu season-no one can come around him if they haven't had a flu shot.