Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Oliver is 12 weeks old
My how time flies when you're a stay at home mom! Oliver has gotten so big - to us - not sure how much he weighs but he is getting heavy! We go to the doctor next Thursday so I will try to post an update after that letting you all know how big he truly is. Again, it is hard to fathom that he is 12 weeks old or 1 month :) depending how you look at it. Oliver is a bundle of joy and you can start to see some of his personality coming through.
Thanksgiving was truly a blessed day for us. My parents came to town and Kevin's came out for dinner. I cooked my first turkey and stuffing and they were a success, or at least everyone pretended they were. My parents stayed through the day Friday and did a lot of work around the house. I love you so much mom and dad, you have done so much and I know you will say it doesn't feel like much, but just having you here means the world. They refinished a rocking chair for us and it is a great addition to Oliver's room.
This past weekend one of my bestest friends in the whole wide world, Perkins, came for the weekend. She loved holding Oliver, which let me get some extra things done around the house. But more than anything it was nice to have a friend here for adult conversation - since Kevin was gone for drill. She also has started here attempts to brainwash Oliver to basketball (see Picture)!! He loves his Perkins just like mom.
Last Thursday was my first basketball game and extended time away from Oliver. It was hard but I managed, and since he will be going to daycare soon, a good little break in. It is harder now that we have started competition and are getting busier with our seasons, but we have tons of good willing help around. Katie has been a great help babysitting at home during practice time so we do not have to get him out in the elements.
Oliver is smiling, baby talking some, cooing lots, and more awake time. He seems to LOVE tummy time and amazes Kevin and I how much he can lift and hold his head. He is getting good at grasping things and his grip is getting even stronger, he's got quite the pull on mommy's shirt collar or hair. Oliver is also starting to have spurts of sleeping 5-6 hours, so we are getting a little more rest at night, not every night but he's figuring it out. His little eyes are so bright and full of life, he just brightens our world.
Next week I have to return to work. I feel so lucky, blessed to have had so much time at home and with Oliver since he was born. Its going to be hard those first days, but it's only 8 until Christmas break. Speaking of Christmas, yesterday was Oliver's first snow. I attempted to take some pictures but it was awfully bright for him. Still so many milestones to celebrated ahead!
I've been a mother for 12 weeks now and I really can't imagine not being a mom! Oliver has blessed my life in ways I never knew possible. I wish we were in a position where I could be a stay at home mom, maybe down the road. But to have had the mommy son time over these last weeks has be so cherished. Oliver loves mommy holding him, cuddle time when he first wakes up, and even my tone deaf lullabies. He is really an angel sent from above, all the sleepless nights, middle of the night feedings, wide awake in the middle of the night nights pale in comparison to the warmth I feel when Oliver looks into my eyes and then the times he smiles, tears!!!! I'm looking forward to walking this path with Kevin and being the best parents we can and raising Oliver together!!
Enjoy the pics!!
Thanksgiving was truly a blessed day for us. My parents came to town and Kevin's came out for dinner. I cooked my first turkey and stuffing and they were a success, or at least everyone pretended they were. My parents stayed through the day Friday and did a lot of work around the house. I love you so much mom and dad, you have done so much and I know you will say it doesn't feel like much, but just having you here means the world. They refinished a rocking chair for us and it is a great addition to Oliver's room.
This past weekend one of my bestest friends in the whole wide world, Perkins, came for the weekend. She loved holding Oliver, which let me get some extra things done around the house. But more than anything it was nice to have a friend here for adult conversation - since Kevin was gone for drill. She also has started here attempts to brainwash Oliver to basketball (see Picture)!! He loves his Perkins just like mom.
Last Thursday was my first basketball game and extended time away from Oliver. It was hard but I managed, and since he will be going to daycare soon, a good little break in. It is harder now that we have started competition and are getting busier with our seasons, but we have tons of good willing help around. Katie has been a great help babysitting at home during practice time so we do not have to get him out in the elements.
Oliver is smiling, baby talking some, cooing lots, and more awake time. He seems to LOVE tummy time and amazes Kevin and I how much he can lift and hold his head. He is getting good at grasping things and his grip is getting even stronger, he's got quite the pull on mommy's shirt collar or hair. Oliver is also starting to have spurts of sleeping 5-6 hours, so we are getting a little more rest at night, not every night but he's figuring it out. His little eyes are so bright and full of life, he just brightens our world.
Next week I have to return to work. I feel so lucky, blessed to have had so much time at home and with Oliver since he was born. Its going to be hard those first days, but it's only 8 until Christmas break. Speaking of Christmas, yesterday was Oliver's first snow. I attempted to take some pictures but it was awfully bright for him. Still so many milestones to celebrated ahead!
I've been a mother for 12 weeks now and I really can't imagine not being a mom! Oliver has blessed my life in ways I never knew possible. I wish we were in a position where I could be a stay at home mom, maybe down the road. But to have had the mommy son time over these last weeks has be so cherished. Oliver loves mommy holding him, cuddle time when he first wakes up, and even my tone deaf lullabies. He is really an angel sent from above, all the sleepless nights, middle of the night feedings, wide awake in the middle of the night nights pale in comparison to the warmth I feel when Oliver looks into my eyes and then the times he smiles, tears!!!! I'm looking forward to walking this path with Kevin and being the best parents we can and raising Oliver together!!
Enjoy the pics!!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
DUE DATE
So today was the original day that Baby Powell was to join us all. Funny how life throws you curves... Yesterday Oliver turned 8 weeks old and is doing unbelievable things, well at least they are to me. It's almost strange to think of life before Oliver and that he wasn't even to be here yet. I just can't imagine not having him. Life each day is a small journey in itself, even though we are just at home. How can such a small little person who can't even speak his thoughts yet inspire and evoke such emotions and feelings? He's so beautiful and sweet, even when he's spitting up and going through his fifth outfit for the day! I love him all the same. Today when I woke up and on my calendar pops up Baby Powell due date and here is baby Powell on my chest sleeping sweetly - little Oliver!!
He definitely feels like a baby, he's bigger and heavier and doing baby things. Tummy time is an adventure - lifting his head and legs and turning and looking side to side. He looks like he is doing some kind of workout move, which would only be appropriate. He's so strong, he's little arm and leg muscles are so visible. He's eating more and sometimes keeps it all down. He is now only on one med for his reflux, which is great for him and nice for us because it was a 3 times a day one and now we just have to do one med once a day! His apnea also seems to be fleeting, which makes me breathe easier, last Friday night was the last time we got an alarm, which we think was more related to the electrode having moved out of place. We switched him to the belt with the pads for his monitor and this seems to stay in place easier. The only downfall is that it seems to be causing a rash on his chest and back and little red marks on his sides where the electrodes are. Oliver doesn't seem to be bothered by it. Hopefully by Christmas he is off the monitor, I guess if not there is some sense of reassurance.
I have been going back to basketball practice and it is nice to get out of the house for a couple hours and have other conversation. However, I do not enjoy not being around the little lad. He's just so snugly and I Love our snuggle time. I am not looking forward to going back to work in December, but at least I still have what seems to be a lot of time left. That first day is going to be so tough, even though he is going to be with daddy!
Speaking of cuddle time, it is my most favorite part of the day. When he gets fussy about 6-7am I lay him on my chest where he falls asleep for another hour or so. When he starts to wake up again I lay on my side with him just watching him check out the room and his surroundings. Oliver loves laying chest to chest, he is truly a cuddler!! Mommy loves this!!
Its off to cuddle time!!
He definitely feels like a baby, he's bigger and heavier and doing baby things. Tummy time is an adventure - lifting his head and legs and turning and looking side to side. He looks like he is doing some kind of workout move, which would only be appropriate. He's so strong, he's little arm and leg muscles are so visible. He's eating more and sometimes keeps it all down. He is now only on one med for his reflux, which is great for him and nice for us because it was a 3 times a day one and now we just have to do one med once a day! His apnea also seems to be fleeting, which makes me breathe easier, last Friday night was the last time we got an alarm, which we think was more related to the electrode having moved out of place. We switched him to the belt with the pads for his monitor and this seems to stay in place easier. The only downfall is that it seems to be causing a rash on his chest and back and little red marks on his sides where the electrodes are. Oliver doesn't seem to be bothered by it. Hopefully by Christmas he is off the monitor, I guess if not there is some sense of reassurance.
I have been going back to basketball practice and it is nice to get out of the house for a couple hours and have other conversation. However, I do not enjoy not being around the little lad. He's just so snugly and I Love our snuggle time. I am not looking forward to going back to work in December, but at least I still have what seems to be a lot of time left. That first day is going to be so tough, even though he is going to be with daddy!
Speaking of cuddle time, it is my most favorite part of the day. When he gets fussy about 6-7am I lay him on my chest where he falls asleep for another hour or so. When he starts to wake up again I lay on my side with him just watching him check out the room and his surroundings. Oliver loves laying chest to chest, he is truly a cuddler!! Mommy loves this!!
Its off to cuddle time!!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Oliver at 7 weeks old
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| My first stroller ride and walk with mom and dad |
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| He was forced into this and eventually spit up on it. GO CUBS GO! |
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| The Mossman's - 4 generations |
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| My favorite spot |
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| BOO! |
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| Let me think about this... |
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| 3 generations of Redfearns - Oliver does have the Estabrook forehead |
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| Happy Halloween |
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| My frist bathtub bath and I loved it! |
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| Mommy and ME |
We got a 7 pounder here
Three weeks of successful parenting under our belt or at least I think it has been a success. Oliver seems very happy and content now that he is home. He has gained one pound six ounces since coming home so at least he is still eating well. He goes through clothes like a bandit, but that's okay since he will grow through them all so fast! I'll have to take some pictures of his little legs and arms how much he has filled out! It's so cute. Oliver is truly our little angel!
After he broke the 7 pound mark the doctors decided to take him off one of his reflux medicines so hopefully he does okay without it. Seems to be so far, some of it is still related to immaturity as his due date is next Wednesday yet. As he is growing so much he seems to be out of the preemie clothes and filling into the newborn ones. They are still a little big but not as much.
We had a shower this past weekend and received some really awesome things and some extremely useful ones as well. Sunday he took a bath in his new bathtub and seemed to actually like it. Pictures to come! He just kind of laid there and enjoyed, which made mom and dad's job a lot easier. He was so relaxed he let "old faithful" put on a show. Humorous!
It is getting a little easier for me to get some, not many, thing done during the day and not just hover over Oliver. I do hold him as much as possible because all too soon he'll be too big for mommy to hold him. HE LOVES it right now, especially on my chest. He is eating a little bit more, at time, but still fluctuating on his schedule. Dad takes the middle of the night shift so that he can get a little more sleep before he has to get up for school. Maybe by the time I go back he'll be sleeping through the night. Probably wishful thinking! Oliver makes the sweetest noises and faces. He is really changing and learning to do more. He loves to look and observe things and the rooms he is in. Noises don't seem to bother him, which I think relates to all the noise that he heard while in the NICU.
Most of the day I spend either washing bottles or dirty spit rags. He seems to go through both at a world record pace! I feel bad for him and hope that the spitting up isn't very painful for him. It's hard to watch but he seems to be a "happy spitter" most of the time. He's gotten me twice this week, which has been to my amusement. He and Kevin have boy time when I go to basketball practice, but next week Grama Ruthie is going to watch him since our practices start going at the same time. I did find a student to watch him for the remainder of first semester until we take him to day care after the first of the year. Oliver will be at practice being watched which will make me WAY more comfortable. I have not enjoyed leaving at night for just a couple ours, and he's with dad. I just love being with him. Looking at him, holding him, feeding him, all of it! He is such a good baby boy and I am so happy with being a parent!! I know I say this a lot but I really feel we are blessed that God gave us Oliver!!
Hope the next entry is a reporting of 8+ pounds!!
After he broke the 7 pound mark the doctors decided to take him off one of his reflux medicines so hopefully he does okay without it. Seems to be so far, some of it is still related to immaturity as his due date is next Wednesday yet. As he is growing so much he seems to be out of the preemie clothes and filling into the newborn ones. They are still a little big but not as much.
We had a shower this past weekend and received some really awesome things and some extremely useful ones as well. Sunday he took a bath in his new bathtub and seemed to actually like it. Pictures to come! He just kind of laid there and enjoyed, which made mom and dad's job a lot easier. He was so relaxed he let "old faithful" put on a show. Humorous!
It is getting a little easier for me to get some, not many, thing done during the day and not just hover over Oliver. I do hold him as much as possible because all too soon he'll be too big for mommy to hold him. HE LOVES it right now, especially on my chest. He is eating a little bit more, at time, but still fluctuating on his schedule. Dad takes the middle of the night shift so that he can get a little more sleep before he has to get up for school. Maybe by the time I go back he'll be sleeping through the night. Probably wishful thinking! Oliver makes the sweetest noises and faces. He is really changing and learning to do more. He loves to look and observe things and the rooms he is in. Noises don't seem to bother him, which I think relates to all the noise that he heard while in the NICU.
Most of the day I spend either washing bottles or dirty spit rags. He seems to go through both at a world record pace! I feel bad for him and hope that the spitting up isn't very painful for him. It's hard to watch but he seems to be a "happy spitter" most of the time. He's gotten me twice this week, which has been to my amusement. He and Kevin have boy time when I go to basketball practice, but next week Grama Ruthie is going to watch him since our practices start going at the same time. I did find a student to watch him for the remainder of first semester until we take him to day care after the first of the year. Oliver will be at practice being watched which will make me WAY more comfortable. I have not enjoyed leaving at night for just a couple ours, and he's with dad. I just love being with him. Looking at him, holding him, feeding him, all of it! He is such a good baby boy and I am so happy with being a parent!! I know I say this a lot but I really feel we are blessed that God gave us Oliver!!
Hope the next entry is a reporting of 8+ pounds!!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
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