Another Day at the Doctor

We are no strangers to doctors' visits. Now that we have another munchkin, we get to see the pediatrician even more often! Brogan had his two-week-old appointment, and he continues to be healthy. Blessings abound!

At seven days old, the following were Brogan's stats:

 Height: 20.5 inches (shrunk .25 from birth?)     Percentile: 75th

Weight: 8 lbs 4 oz (down 3 oz from birth)     Percentile: 50th-75th

At fourteen days old:

Height: 21.25 inches     Percentile: 75th

Weight: 8 lbs 9oz     Percentile: 50th-75th

The goal was for Brogan to exceed his birthweight, which he has done by 2 ounces. (We don't pay too much attention to the height numbers; the process of getting a baby's height is FAR from scientific!) We also wanted confirmation that his jaundice has improved, which it has. We don't need to see the pediatrician (for Brogan) for six more weeks.

As Promised: Ayden's Room

Why dragons?

We made this same photo into a canvas print for Ayden's wall.

This is Frank the Dragon, Ayden's first WubbaNub friend. This dragon served as comfort for Ayden shortly after ECMO in June of 2010. He has also gone with Ayden when we couldn't. Frank is special to our family for the hardship, joy, tenacity, and triumph he represents. He remains one of Ayden's favorite pacifiers.

As mentioned in the beginnings of this blog, Ayden's name means "little fire." When one considers the trials our oldest son has been through (and all that is to come), his name seems a significant testimony to his perseverance and strength. Likewise, the image of the dragon conveys might, courage, and power.

And, if I'm honest, I just like dragons. There is just something bold and beautiful about the fantasy of a giant winged reptile. (Yes, I know they aren't real.)

 

I initially did NOT want a play area in Ayden's room, but it's been nice to have one for when Bryan and I do chores upstairs.

 

I couldn't completely abandon the storybook idea. This print depicts a boy reading a dragon book. Other details in the room include children's books about dragons. 

I wish you could see some of the special pieces better in the pictures. For instance, the garbage can has a handpainted Pete's Dragon (Aunt Susan), and the window treatment (Auntie Courtney) have a brown scale-looking fabric.

Ayden has seemed to really enjoy his new room. He knows where his things are (he picks out his own socks and puts his dirty clothes in the hamper), and he relaxes well in his cozy chair...

I wonder what crazy theme and decor I'll come up with next!

Out and About

For the first few weeks, the rule is apparently to not take a newborn out into public. One would think we'd be accustomed to such restrictions, but with the weather being so nice over the last week, it's been impossible to not venture out in some way. Our compromise has been to stay away from confined spaces and just go to the local park.

A couple days ago we met up with some close friends for an impromptu picnic. As you can see, Ayden was more than happy to have his "picnic" consist entirely of playing in the grass with the boys. His favorite form of entertainment quickly became to throw the ball in whatever direction the boys were not and then watch them run after it. On several occasions he was laughing so hard we thought for sure he would throw up. Thankfully, that didn't happen. The last month has been quite tumultuous for Ayden. Not only did he need to have some real fun, we needed to see him being so happy.

   

While Allison and Brogan were still in the hospital, it was important to us that Ayden get out and have some fun. We wanted to maintain some sense of normalcy for him and for him to feel like he was still getting some attention.

Of course, there has been fun inside as well...

One Week Checkup

On Monday, Brogan made his first visit to the pediatrician's office. We had plenty of questions for her (she's also Ayden's pediatrician - we highly recommend her to any expecting parents living in our neck of the woods), as we are very much newbies when it comes to taking care of a newborn. One thing I'm still trying to come to grips with: what's left of the umbilical cord will just fall off at some point during the next several days. She was pleased with what she saw and what we told her about how he's been acting. Babies are supposed to be back to their birth weight within two weeks. After one week, Brogan was only a couple of ounces short, so he should make it.

Brogan had been a bit jaundiced (anywhere from significantly yellow to maybe slightly orange), but it wasn't to the point where it was anything to worry about. It wasn't deemed necessary to draw blood to check the level of jaundice. We might do this next Monday at his two week appointment if it hasn't improved.

At any rate, it is such a blessing to have a healthy baby. After everything we have gone through - and still have left to go through - with Ayden, we've learned the hard way to not take that for granted.

Comparison

Brogan is on the left. Ayden is on the right. If not for Ayden's feeding tube (and that some were obviously taken while he was in the hospital), I think some people would have trouble figuring out which one is which in some of these side by sides