GO TRIBE!

We here at the Hammersmith household are cheering for our Cleveland Indians!

A mess only a mother would...love?

Yesterday I had the worst diaper change experience yet. Seth had totally filled a diaper with poop. So much so that it had spilled out the front and started to soak through his sleeper (which has feet, mind you). So, I get him on the changing table and try to carefully remove the sleeper without getting his legs and feet into the pool of golden goo. He likes to bring his legs and feet in close when his diaper is off, so it was quite the struggle! As I get Seth wiped up and reach for the new diaper, he decides to pee. It happened so fast, and it was aimed right for his ear! His head was turned and the urine started to fill his ear. I quickly turned his head to empty his ear and the urine stopped. Whew. I begin to position Seth to get the diaper on when he decides to finish peeing. At this point, placed on a plastic mat, I just let him finish. Now I had him lying in a pool of urine.

It was bath day anyway, so I decided now was the time. I cleaned up the urine, stain treated the sleeper (the yellow goo is brutal), and gave Seth a bath.

Five minutes after the bath, Evan walks in from work. I could have used his extra hands a little earlier!

Not my brightest motherhood moment.

Too cute!

This photo was so cute I had to post it. This is my 3-year-old niece, Adrianna. She is in preschool a couple days a week. Last week was the school Picture Day. She let my sister do her hair in curls and when she was all ready, she knew she looked good.

Two days later she fell down some concrete stairs at their house and got a black and blue eyelid and a scraped-up cheek. She's had broken arms etc. She's not afraid of anything...which gets her into trouble at her body's expense. Anyway, you'd never know it by this photo!

One month old!

Yesterday Seth was one month old, it was also Evan's 28th birthday.

We went for a 3.5 mile walk through the Metroparks on Saturday. It was a beautiful day to walk, hopefully we can go again when the leaves are changing.


A photo of Seth on his 1 Month birthday. I think he is practicing for his senior picture pose. It's also hard proof that he does in fact open his eyes. Most people see him when he's sleeping, now you know he does wake up occasionally.

Somehow we forgot to get a photo of Seth and his daddy together with the raspberry pie (Evan's must-have birthday treat).

Here's a shout out to Grandpa George who is far away in Florida. Seth says hi!

The weigh-in

Today was Seth's weigh-in to see if he had gained any weight since his last appointment on Sept. 14. He weighed 6lbs. 9oz. which was his birth weight. So, he gained 10 oz. in 10 days. Yay!!

Our pediatrician was out sick today, so the nurse just weighed him and we left. I assume I am to continue what we've been doing so that he continues to pack on the pounds.

Update

Friday was Seth's first pediatrician appointment. The good news is that he grew almost 2 inches in length and is nice and strong...he can lift his head pretty well! Everything is great except his weight. He has not gained any weight since his home check-up on Sept. 6. He is still 5lbs. 15oz. (10oz. below his birth weight). The Dr. said that she likes to see babies be back at their birth weight by this appointment. She said for me not to worry (ha!) because this is fairly common with preterm babies.

So, the new plan is to give him 1-2oz. of pumped milk at each feeding in addition to what he gets on his own. This has been challenging. It's not only more time-consuming, I'm finding out that I don't produce much milk. One ounce is about all the extra I can give.

We went up for prayer this morning at church and I realized once again there is nothing more I can do. I have to rely on Jesus to give Seth what he needs, and to help me supply more as well.

Please pray that he shows a weight gain at his next appointment on Sept. 24.

Two weeks already!

A little picture capturing our life. This was taken last night after a nice walk through the neighborhood. You'd think that it's Evan getting up with him throughout the night. ha. Evan & I are both sleep-deprived. No one can escape the noise when you live in an apartment.

Today marks two weeks since Seth's arrival. It has been challenging, but we're making progress. Thanks to everyone who commented, emailed me, and called me to give encouragement. It certainly helped!!

Tomorrow is his first check-up. I'm hoping he's gained some weight. A week ago he was 5 lbs. 15 oz. So, hopefully he's above 6 lbs. tomorrow.

He sleeps great all afternoon, and will even sleep in his bassinet for some of it. At night, this isn't the case. He wants held. He definitely is wanting held more often than not. It's difficult for me to get much done. I've also resorted to using a pacifier a few times to get him to fall asleep between feedings. He sucks on it at first, but after that it's like it's just a comfort thing. It works, though. He falls asleep once it's in. Sometimes he'll spit it out while sleeping and of course, I don't put it back in. Mostly, I must remember that he is actually just under 38 weeks old. I can't expect him to be on track with most newborns. He is catching up though, I think.