Wee 4 Peters: February 2008

I apologize that it's taken me a while to update the blog. Every day I say, "I'm going to update the blog" and I never get a chance. My only free time is when Jackson takes a nap or when he goes to bed for the night. As you can imagine, when he goes down for a nap...it's clean the house time, laundry, feed Audrey, bond with her, etc. At night, well, I don't have an excuse other than I'm just exhausted. I check my email and my MoGo message boards, then I'm ready for bed.

Audrey had her 4 week check up was on Monday and she was 8lbs, 13oz. Holy weight gain is what Dr. DeTriquet said! He was very impressed with her weight gain. I measured her at the house and she is now 21 inches long (she grew 2 inches). Ironically enough, this evening Dan weighed Audrey naked and she was 9.5 pounds. I told Dan just before he weighed her, "I swear she feels a lot heavier today." Sure enough, I was right. For her to be at least 9lbs, 8oz (9.5lbs) -- she has gained well over 1/2 lb in 4 days (our scale at home only measures in 1/2 lb increments)! Mommy's milk must be good stuff huh? Little piggie that Audrey is!

Jackson is into everything! He's decided he is the climber this week. He's been climbing on the kitchen table, the kitchen table chairs, the coffee table and end tables, his highchair, he pushes the kitchen table chairs around the kitchen to reach items on top of the countertops. He climbed into the fireplace yesterday. I was at my wit's end and had several "tearful" moments. It's just so stressful to constantly discipline him all day long, while I am exhausted and breastfeeding Audrey. Of course, the little booger decides to climb only when I am breastfeeding (to get my attention away from Audrey). I know he knows better than to climb on the table and chairs, which is why, after the 3rd time he does it, I get so annoyed. He is disciplined with a pop on his hiney, mainly to protect him from harm. So, he's been quite the challenge lately. Raising a toddler has been....interesting!!

My dad is doing great! His pain level is under control now and he is on an anti-depressant. He's a totally different person compared to 2 weeks ago. My dad is going out and about, running errands. You wouldn't believe that he had a major organ removed a month ago. He's lifting Jackson and playing with him. I give God all the glory and thank everyone who has lifted my father up in prayer. He goes back to Duke on March 4th (almost 2 weeks) to meet with the thoracic oncologist radiologist, Dr. Marks. He will be the radiologist who completes Dad's radiation. Dad will have 5 weeks of radiation (Monday-Friday for 20 minutes each day). We're unsure when it will commence but I assume he'll receive that information at his appointment on the 4th.

Tons of pictures, for your enjoyment!
About 2 weeks old:

Looking like her Daddy

About 3 weeks old

3 week birthday

Trying to catch a smile at 3 weeks old (yep, she's an early smiler!)

Both of 'em, knocked out

Jackson and his bacon -- he loves bacon...LOVES!!

Audrey & I

4 weeks old

We have some pictures from Valentine's Day but they are uploaded on Dan's computer. I'll see if I can add those on here in the morning, when I get a free moment (haha, riiiightt...). I can barely find a free moment to eat breakfast!!

EDIT -- Here are the Valentine's Day pics:
Another smile...sort of

Audrey & Jax

And some from 5 weeks old (today!)
Dan & Audrey, snoozing...

Getting sooooo big...

So, who do you all think Audrey looks like? A spitting image of Dan with a little bit of me? More me this time compared to Jax? Give me your thoughts!

Hope all of you are doing well! Sorry it took so long to update this. I promise I'll try to be better about it!

Audrey had her 2 week check-up on Friday. She weighed 7lbs, 2oz, was 19 1/4 inches long and her head circumference was 35cm. Her head is in the 75th percentile (whopper head!) and I think both her height and weight are about in the 30th percentile. However, her height for weight (or weight for height, whatever it is) is around the 75th percentile. So, she's doing well! She's gained almost a pound since birth. Actually, since every baby loses weight after birth (Audrey was 5lbs, 15oz at her 3-day check-up; don't know what her discharge weight was before we left the hospital), she's gained more than that pound. Hopefully she'll continue to gain weight so well!

Audrey does have reflux, just like Jackson. She doesn't have as bad of a case as Jackson did but we did ask for Prevacid to help. She's spitting up through her nose and I can tell it's painful for her so hopefully we'll get that Prevacid in her and that will take care of it.

Jackson is doing well, still all over the place and into everything. Just yesterday he fell off his toybox and hit the side of his face. I think we're going to have to put a helmet on him just so that he can run around and play in our home. He's all boy, that's for sure. He's still in awe of Audrey, for the most part. He comes over and rubs her head and is fascinated by her fingers and hands. Of course, I say that -- however, he did try to kick her in the head this morning. Little rascal!

We had a Super Bowl party here last night. Mom & Dad, as well as my Uncle Norman, joined us. Josh & Katrina stopped by for a while to visit as well. We didn't do anything too special. Lots of laughing, conversation and rooting for the Giants to win (well, all of us except Dan!).

Here are some pictures for your enjoyment:

Dan says this is Jackson's "modeling picture/pose:"