All About Andrew

Today's post is all about this big guy.

Thats what we call him around here..

The big guy..

He is named for his large size..ha..

I always say this but I cannot get over how big he is compared to Samantha.

He is already in some 9 month onesies, and outfits..

This was him in the morning on 4.14.12.

He's definately good natured in the morning, smiling and talking up a storm.

It helps me wake up cheerful I guess..

He sleeps pretty well, although he's with us.

He'll wake up at least 2 times per night.

And I've noticed he isnt nursing as long at night at all..

Last night for example, he only nursed on one side and fell back asleep for another 4 hours.

Monday 4.9.12 we went to the Dr's for his 2 month checkup

A little late.. and he got his first round of shots.. poor guy

He squealed for about 1 minute and then he was surprisingly silent the entire car ride home.

He was a little fussy that evening.. but never had a fever, or any side effects that we noticed.. thank the LORD!!

His stats were quite impressive as well.

He's a solid 15 lbs.. already!

Samantha wasnt 15 lbs. until she was 4 months old.

He's only 2..Woah.

The doctor was so impressed with how much better he was doing.

We also saw the lactation nurse who has been with us since the beginning... and also made some house calls when Andrew was in so much pain (we thought)..and she said.. His "case" was in the top 10 worst that she's seen .. I dont know if that makes me feel better about how far we've come, or worse?

At any rate ... life is getting a little easier around here.

I can put him down a LOT more.. and he'll even fall asleep some days by himself.

We hardly rock him anymore at all. We've stopped his acid reflux meds, and other colic meds to see if he even needs them anymore

But poor guy is still super gassy.

He farts like a truck driver some days.. and you hear it and you cannot beleive something so loud and obnoxious is coming from an infant!

He's a real charmer this one.. watch out ladies...

And he's my little snuggle bunny..

I just love his squishy nose in this picture.I had to show you all the precious christening outfit that my sis-in-law had sent this past week

I cant wait to put him in it!

And a sweet hat and booties to match.. ugh!

I love it!So I just wanted to dedicate this post to our little Andrew George.
Thank goodness life is a little easier with you...

Week 3 with Andrew George

Week 3

Andrew's reflux/fussiness continued, he took to the formula, and we tried different things to calm him down from one of his "meltdowns" - to put it nicely..

Im tellin ya.. this kid cried ALL THE TIME, and not just a fuss, a shreiking, pinching, painful tear filled cry. The bath took it away (temporarily)...
First warm bath in the sink. He was quiet for about 3 whole minutes.

It was a rough week.. Me sleeping on the couch with him, holding him, crying with him.. Mathew would come down and releive me and try to calm him.. we'd get him down, and he'd be up again sometimes in 10 minutes, sometimes in 1 hour.. he wasnt sleeping at ALL...

Neither were we... I probably got a good 2 hours every night last week.. I was feeling like I was loosing my mind.. I couldnt function, and I also couldnt take care of Samantha.. which was making it even more emotionally draining.. ALL I was doing was holding him, calming him down all the time.. round the clock

Mid-week I got this adorable package of goodies from my dear friend Leslie in TX

It was a very nice surprise and pick-me-up... I just love all these squishy baby clothes!

Love you Leslie!

This was the ONLY way he'd calm and take a nap, and give me a break...except he was ON me, so I was a prisoner on the couch till he woke up...
But only for a maximum of 30 minutes, before he'd wake up screaming like this..

I felt bad taking a pic, but I will (hopefully) look back and rememeber all we'd gone through with our poor little baby.. who was in soo much pain, and I didnt know and still dont know how to fix him.
So that was our week.. I pretty much stayed in my pajamas, lived on the couch, slept a few hours a night, and slowly am loosing my mind.. just kidding..(or am I?)

Update on Andrew {Boobs are on Vacay}

Here's a little update on my sweet baby...

So recap, Andrew has been miserable, screams and cries ALL DAY LONG.. we cant put him down for more than 10 min, at MOST, he'd wake up screaming.. he'd scream while I was nursing, during and after.. but still wanted to latch for comfort.

We were without a doubt loosing our minds.. Colic?Gas?Something else more severe?

So I called my dr's again.. and he said I should come in and get some samples of formula to try..

NOT WHAT I WANTED TO HEAR,...

Everyone has their own plan and what works best for their situation and as a mother, but for me, Breastfeeding was ALWAYS the plan... so I had a little breakdown.. okay many breakdowns and many tears yesterday at home, car and at Dr's office.. Bless them for they could see I was a mess.. I literally drove there in my pajamas... and later noticed I didnt even latch up my nursing bra.. so one boob was almost hanging out of my bra the entire time.. nice.. real nice..

But seriously I couldnt pull myself together.. and I was a hot hot mess.. and going on 2 hours at BEST of sleep snippets during our horrible night/morning and afternoon.

But my baby was in pain.. that was obvious.. and I had to come to terms with the fact that my milk just wasnt agreeing with him right now. So the plan is trial and error right now, to see what works for baby.

This is what they gave me, and I went home and basically was sobbing the entire time I was giving him a bottle, and whispering to him how sorry I was.. and feeling like such a failure.
But he took only 1.5 ounces.. and slept for 2 hours straight..
This was HUGE for us.. seeing as he hasnt slept past 10 minutes for days....
I was thinking... does this stuff really work that fast???
And I guess it did, because he slept pretty good overnight, waking 2 times, and he's been taking good naps all day today..
So Im coming to terms with this stuff, and realizing its whats best for my little peanut right now.
We're taking him for a synthoscan to make sure his belly is ok, and Im pumping and freezing my milk.
The plan is to NOT give up breastfeeding, but to pump and store right now, and re-introduce it to him ... All this is breaking my heart but to see a whole new baby today.. well, its worth it.
So my Boobs are on vacay.... but hopefully not an extended one..
Its been a rough week, but hopefully we can figure out a formula (no pun intended) that works, that involves my breastmilk.

Family of 4 {First Week}

Our first week as a family of four was ... eventful.. tiring..fun...new...emotional...exciting.. so many emotions.. I'll stop now...and Im just speaking for myself!

Overall it has been great. I feel so blessed to have 2 healthy wonderful children.. and although this time is "glorious and hard"..(in the words of my dear cousin Jeanne)... I wouldnt trade it for the world.

Andrew George is doing well.. sleeping like a newborn should.. waking every 3-4 hours for feedings..pooping, peeing, crying, cooing, and smiling a lot!

{AG - 5 days old - Feb 5th, 2012}

We had a doc's visit to make sure his weight was up since leaving the hospital. He was born at 8lbs, 2oz. When we left the hospital he was 7lbs, 50z, so the docs were naturally concerned. So we ate and ate over the weekend, and he weighed in at over his birthweight on Monday, Feb 6th (my due date) ha! My lactation lady is wonderful, she has helped me soooo much, just learning some tricks and methods that NO ONE ever told me about with SJ.. so I feel like I have a better grip on breastfeeding this time around with Andrew. He's a really good eater.. and he latched on IMMEDIATELEY after birth .. which is something SJ didnt do till day 4 at home.. what a releif!

{2-6-12 - weight check}

We've had a lot of gifts and visitors arrive at our house this week.. bringing so many yummy treats and meals, and gifts for both Andrew and Samantha..

{gifts from Auntie Shauna}

And even thought its freeeeeezing outside.. I managed to get him in the warm sun through the window the other day.. I
He even went some long stretches of sleep his fiit rst week at night.. A few times he slept from 10pm-2:30am... woah..it was lovely.

More loot...

My Aunt Maureen brought us some delicious Chicken Stew (Ina Garten recipe) and Banana Coconut Cake one night.. I am definately trying this recipe.. it was so good..

and she sent me flowers in the hospital as well.. I had to take a pic, they were so pretty

SO...our first week was really good.. momma's a bit sleep deprived, but it doesnt seem that extreme this time... im used to not sleeping sound anyways since SJ was born.. so this time it isnt that big of an adjustment for me ... but some days I am dragging more than others.. and I have hubby home till tomorrow...Im nervous for taking care of two ...especially since Andrew is so dependent on me for nursing, holding, changing.. etc.. Okay and so is SJ.. minus the nursing! ha!