Happy 5 Months to Liam!

Liam is five months old today...where has the time gone? I feel like it was just yesterday that we were welcoming Liam. He has changed so much.

Liam loves playing in his Jumperoo. He can turn himself to all the little toys, and push the buttons to make the lights and music come on. He just recently started actually jumping in it.  I'm amazed at his neck control, and how well he sits in it. 

He has mastered the Bumbo, he enjoys listening to stories, playing with toys on his tray, and ripping the tray off.  He has tried escaping the Bumbo, too! Eeek! 

His toes are constantly in his mouth, but what isn't? Everything he touches goes straight into his little mouth! I've been hoping for a tooth for awhile now, and nothing!

On his four month birthday we started baby food. So far, Liam has had green beans, peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, apples & peaches. He LOVES green beans & carrots. He isn't too sure about the fruits, I think because they are so sweet, so he mostly eats veggies. He loves eating off the spoon, he opens his mouth for it and everything. He started to close his mouth after, and we say "mmmmmm!" 

I can't believe the hand-eye coordination that Liam has. He is also rolling all over the place, and sitting with a little bit of assistance.

Tummy time sometimes isn't his favorite, but he does like to army crawl, and roll, and roll, and roll...

Liam has been attending physical therapy for his torticollis. Torticollis means "twisted neck" and when a child has this condition their held will be tilted to one side, while their chin is turned to the other. About 1/250 babies has torticollis. L's physical therapist & ped believe his torticollis is congenital, meaning he was born with it. (My labor did not progress because his head was turned to the side.) His physical therapist says his is not that bad, because he just has the tilt, and his chin does not turn to the other side. Liam tilts to his right, so we are working on exercises to get him tilting to the left, full rotation of his neck, and just getting him off the left side in general. Some days Liam cooperates with me while we do the stretches, other days he scoots away or arches his back. He is a little angel for the physical therapist, Kim. He let her do anything to him. She is impressed by all of his motor skills, because a lot of times children with torticollis cannot roll over, sit up with a Bumbo, or stand. So although Liam's case isn't that bad, I'm glad we caught it when we did. Torticollis is 100% treatable. Kim said we would start seeing improvement right away, and we have. It should also be completed treated by about nine months to one year old with proper stretching & re-positioning. 

I'm proud to say Liam is sleeping in his crib or the bottom of his Pack 'n Play. Most of the time it's in his Pack 'n Play, because we're not ready for him to be in his own room, by himself. 

Liam loves playing with Gerri his giraffe, his Taggie football, Fischer his bear. He also really like his oil drum stress ball that Grandpa Mark brought him from work. 

Liam loves when Daddy gets home from work, he's usually eating his bottle, and as soon as he hears the door & Breck talking he stops eating, and smiles. He also tries to sit up so he can see Breck. So cute! :)

Liam doesn't go to the doctor this month so I have no idea what he weighs, I'm guessing about 17.5-18 lbs and prob about 23 inches long. He seems like he has gotten a lot taller! 

So much slobber!

Four months

We celebrated Liam's four month birthday on Tuesday! ...he spent a lot of time celebrating, waking up every three hours throughout the night. (He NEVER does this..and hasn't since! Knock on wood!)

On Wednesday Liam saw Dr. Uthe for his four month check up! Here are his stats:

Weight: 16.5lbs 71%

Length: 25.5in 77%

Head circumference: 17 3/8in 91%

His check up went really, really well. She was impressed with his head control & alertness. L thought she was silly--he laughed at her. He was infatuated with her stethoscope too, grabbing it several times. 

Liam is being referred to a physical therapist, as his pediatrician is concerned about him favoring one side of his neck. He has made many improvements from his two month check up. Although I am very nervous we want to nip it before it is harder to "fix" and so it does not become permanent.

We believe he does this because when he was "engaged" during labor, he had his head turn back to one side (the same side he favors, which is ultimately why I ended up having a c section. Liam does fantastic holding his head up during tummy time & when he sits in his Bumbo. The problem is when he lays flat on his back, and keeps his head to the left more often than not.

Liam has the BEST laugh ever. It's so cute & contagious.
You can often find him with his legs in the air & fingers in his mouth.
He loves when daddy "eats" his piggies.
We read a lot of books.
Liam tries to sit up when he's laying on his Boppy or our laps. He just lifts his head & chest a little.
He likes to scoot around during tummy time.
He can now roll from his back, but doesn't do it often.
He eats 5-6 ounces every 3 to 4 hours.
So far we have only tried: rice cereal, oatmeal & green beans (last night)

Will it really matter to Liam?

As many of you know I am an avid reader of all things baby, whether is be "What to Expect..." or random posts on BabyCenter.com--yesterday I was reading a post on a community I belong to on Baby Center. The mother was upset that she had to switch to formula, from breast feeding...other mom's even were  so extreme to tell her she was a bad mom for quitting, and gave her tips to continue. I know that there are proven benefits from breast feeding, but will any of these little things ever matter to our children, in about five years?

When Liam goes to Kindergarten will he care whether or not I quit breast feeding after one week, or will he remember he always had formula, a fully belly and continued to thrive. He will know it didn't work for his mom, and she quit to be the best mom she could be to him. 

Will ANYONE care whether or not I circumcised him? If they do care, why? Breck was there to show him love and to comfort him during the procedure. Also, it's Liam's penis, he has to deal with it the rest of his life, and for now, we are responsible for cleaning it. Who cares!?

When Liam grows up, will it ever matter WHERE he slept? (Crib, bassinet, with us, in my arms in the recliner..)  No. He will care that he had a warm, comfortable, safe place to sleep. 

In his life, it will never matter whether he wore cloth diapers or disposable diapers. He had a clean behind, and he was always changed when needed. 

No one will care that he was vaccinated at two months. Breck & I are confident in our decision to vaccinate him. YES, we have read that he could become autistic, but I would rather deal with autism than LOSE my son to a horrible disease that could be avoided. 

Recently we switched Liam to generic formula...guess what? The FDA regulates formula, so it turns out that everything that is in Enfamil, Similac, Gerber, etc is in fact in his Target formula. Once again, in five years, no one will care about what Liam ate, as long as he was being fed.

Before I had Liam, I often said, "Oh, I will NEVER do that." In most cases, I HAVE. A person I am close with, a mother of two brilliant, thriving children shared with me that you have to do what will make YOU be the best mom you can be to your child. If Liam needs to sleep on me because he is fussy, then he will. It turns out we both need sleep to function. This is so true across the board. 

Rolling, teething & man'pris!

On July 13th, we were playing with Liam on floor, while watching TV. Liam was on his tummy just chattering away, when he started swaying back & forth. Breck had turned to watch something on TV, so I got his attention (without Liam noticing). About 30 seconds later he just ROLLED OVER! We clapped and celebrated and of course, Liam looked at me like I was crazy! Its such a bittersweet moment for us, we're so excited he's growing up, but sad he's not our little baby anymore!

Teething...ahhh! I've worked in a day care center since I was about fourteen, mostly with infants through one year olds. I didn't like it then, and I don't like it now! (Teething that is..) I feel so bad for Liam, it seems like he just can't find relief. He's constantly chewing on his first, blanket, burp cloth & toys! Did I mention he's drooling..? All.the.time. Recently I've been giving him cold/damp wash cloths & teethers that have been in the fridge. He seems to like it, but makes a funny face the whole time! He's also been sleeping & eating a lot! I just want one to pop through for him, and then hopefully he'll get a break for awhile! 

Yesterday I put Liam in an outfit he's never worn before, a one piece 3 month outfit...The top part looks great, the bottom, not so much. My poor guy's bottom half must have suddenly grown! He used to be short, but the outfit was way too short. Liam sadly had man capris! All I could do was laugh...What's even more sad is that I let him wear it, we weren't going anywhere & I wanted Breck to see! At least I can say he wore it once...right??

A Happy Heart!

At Liam's two month ped appointment, she found a heart murmur. We were referred to a pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Becker.

Yesterday we went to our appointment. I was very impressed with the nurses, but Liam was not. After getting undressed & getting measured, they took him to do a chest x-ray. One of the nurses picked him up to take him, L looked at her and immediately started bawling. I could not go with him during the x-ray, so I had to listen to him bawl. It was awful, I've never, ever heard him cry like that, not even during his shots. (I'm beginning to think Liam is getting stranger anxiety.) 

After the x-ray, I had to hold his arms down so they could perform an EKG! It took about one minute! 

Then we were off to our room to wait for Dr. Becker!

Dr. Becker explained that the x-ray & EKG looked great, and he could not find anything to be concerned about. Then he listened to Liam's heart with his stethoscope, in different areas for about fifteen minutes. 

He said the heart murmur was a low sound, and he could hear it, but it was not extremely audible. He explained it is a functioning heart murmur, which means his heart is functioning like it should, the blood is moving through the heart like it should. THANK YOU GOD!

He also said we don't need to pay any extra attention to it, that it probably isn't always audible, it just depends on the position of Liam and/or the stethoscope! Liam can do every activity as usual, and doesn't need any special extra attention! He said if his pediatrician was still concerned at his fifteen month check up to come back, and he would take another look!

We are so relieved & extremely thankful that Liam is just as healthy as we thought he was! 

He already weighs a whopping 15 lbs even and measures 25.5in long! 

Recently I have been researching how to make homemade baby food. It seems very healthy and definitely more cost efficient than buying jarred baby food. I'm extremely excited to try it out, but sad, because it also means that L is growing up--way too fast! 

I am so curious as to what he will like, and what he won't like. I'm also a little nervous about food allergies!

Liam is SO funny! He loves to smile & laugh! Recently he has been splashing in his bath tub, it's hiliarious! (Will post video later!) He's also been trying to roll over, from back to tummy, and tummy to back! He's SO close, but he gets so mad when he cannot do it! He loves sitting in his Bumbo, and is sitting without a floppy neck! He just sits there, turning his head from side to side checking out everything around him. We also read a lot in the Bumbo!

This Friday I am taking Liam to his first singing & signing class at the library! :) I am SO excited. I can't even begin to explain how important I believe signing is for babies and toddlers. I know a lot, but I think Liam will like the singing part & being entertained by someone other than Mommy!

Have a great week!

3 Months, "Talking," & Laughing

We've been super busy lately! 

Last week Liam got to meet his Great Aunts (Breck's aunts). We enjoyed spending time with them at the GG's! 

For Liam's first Fourth of July we spent the day with our friends Tom & Jenni, going out to eat & just hanging out at their house. I made sure Liam was all rested up for the fireworks, the 4th of July is my favorite holiday & I did not want Liam to miss out! We went to Norwalk and eventually found the perfect spot to enjoy them! Liam seemed to like them, he starred at them the whole time, he did get a little fussy though! I am glad the weather was nice for us! Not to mention, L did look adorable in his First 4th of July onesie! 

Liam has been doing so many things lately...my favorites: laughing & "talking!" He loves when Breck & I talk to him, or sing to him. Liam seems to laugh at anything that is repetitive and also seems to laugh more for Daddy than Mommy! 

Every morning I wake up to Liam talking! The boy loves to jabber! I wish I knew what he was saying! I really enjoy talking to him and having him "talk" back! Just today, I was changing him on his changing table talking to him, and he gave me the most serious face ever! So cute!

I am estimating Liam weighs about 15 lbs, and is probably about 24 inches long! He is wearing Size 2 Huggies diapers, and they're still a little big! He wears mostly 3 month shirts & onesies, but is still wearing 0-3 month pants/shorts! 

Liam is still sleeping through the night, most nights. Sometimes he thinks bedtime is playtime. He will smile & jabber to me, and sometimes even through huge fits before giving in. I recently read that "hyperness" really means that a baby is tired...who knew!? 

He is eating 4 ounces during the day & 5 ounces before bedtime! Last week we also moved him up to a medium flow nipple! This works alot better for us! We've cut a feeding down from 25-30 minutes to about 15! I also tried giving him a slow flow nipple the other day, and he was very angry! :)

L still enjoys playing under his activity gym, he grabs toys & immediately shoves them in his mouth! He has also been super drooly lately. I am beginning to think he is working on getting his bottom front teeth! So yesterday, I introduced him to the teether, at first he put it in his mouth & gave me the dirtiest look. After awhile he seemed to like it!

Today he actually took a nap for the very first time in his crib! He's only been in his crib a few times while I've picked up his room, or made a bottle, etc. The nap only last about 20 minutes, I'm not sure if it was because he wasn't that tired, or if he just didn't like the crib! We'll keep trying! My goal is to have him out of our room & sleeping in his crib by about five months. (I have to give myself a deadline or I will never make it happen.) I am so afraid something will happen, or I won't hear him. I'm just really anxious about the whole thing!

Last night I made some homemade wipes! They seems to work very well. They're EXTREMELY inexpensive to make, and I know exactly what is in them! 

Tonight we will celebrate Liam's 3 months with out usual trip to El Azteca! Three month pictures tomorrow! 

Have a good weekend! 

Liam Addison is two months!

On June 9th Liam celebrated his two month birthday! 

He is getting so big, it seems as though he is learning/doing more everyday!

6/10/2011 Liam went to Dr. Uthe's for his two month check up and the dreaded shots! 

I gave him tylenol about a half hour before we left the house. Our appointment was at 1:10, and we got there about 1:00, did I mention you have to walk clear through the parking garage and across the hospital? We waited until 1:20, then the receptionist told us Dr. Uthe was behind and we would need to come back...at 3:40. I was so angry, before Liam this wouldn't have bothered me at all, but I changed our whole schedule around to fit the doctor in, fed him early, made him nap earlier, annnnd, carried him all the way there! Ugh. I tried to be nice and ask if there was any way they could squeeze us in, because of the inconvenience, sure enough..no.

Liam and I went out for lunch, had a quick diaper change in the car, and ate his afternoon bottle in the lobby. This time I put him in his travel system! :) 

Liam weighed 12lbs. 12oz. and was 22.75in long! 

She said Liam is growing well, and instructed us to do some neck exercises as he is favoring one side of his head, she was just worried about his head becoming too flat! So we do it 3 times/day for two minutes!

He then got his shots..I have only see Liam cry to the point where there are tears in his eyes once, this was the second time. I felt horrible..poor thing! He was a little tired that night, and woke up once during the night to eat. I'm glad he wasn't super fussy!

That Sunday Liam and I went to Grinnell and Brooklyn. 

We attended Jamie's baby shower & met Mr. Sully, hung out with Granny Lorraine, and went to a friend's 3 year old birthday. Liam also got to see his birthday buddy! 

On June 16, I went back to work. Our new routine consists of me waking Liam up about 4:45 to get dressed and eat a bottle, then he goes back down until he and Daddy leave for the day. I cried on the way to work, I just felt so guilty leaving him! My coworkers did welcome me back, and made the morning a lot easier! 

At 10am, I called to check on him, and Miss Sherrie said he was having a great day, but when Breck called again at around 2, she said he was a little fussy...He only slept 40 minutes all day. I was so sad that he didn't/couldn't stay awake to play that night. 

I got off work early (thank goodness!) I was so happy to see Liam! ..it still hasn't gotten any easier leaving him! His provider is wonderful, and Liam seems to really like her. I really miss spending all day with him, and watching him smile & play. I'm just too afraid I will miss out on a milestone! 

6/19 Liam and Daddy celebrated their first Father's Day together! During the day Breck went to a race with his dad, Liam and I hung out & made Daddy's card! Then we went to Grandpa Mark's to have supper with him, Wendi & Daddy! 

I love watching Breck with Liam. He is such a good dad. I love the way he talks to him and has tummy time with him! I am truly blessed! 

Pictures soon!