lots of pictures

Well I'm getting better at taking more pictures of the kids. Maybe because Todd is getting more animated now and photogenic. I just have to remember to keep posting them so I don't end up with so many to post - like this week. Claire put the Christmas bow on his head - she thought it was the funniest thing she'd ever done - and we did too. Claire actually wanted to hold him for the first time ever in the second and third pictures and now she wants to hold him all the time - except for when he's crying - then she says "mommy I want you to feed him!" hahaha.
We had a pretty good doctor's visit a couple weeks ago with the urologist. They were going to do a test called a renalgram or renogram, but couldn't get an IV started so we're going back on Friday to get it done. He did get a couple images taken of his kidneys and his kidney actually looks a lot better (meaning not as dialated) so I'm sure he's going to be fine. It sure is a lot to go through with an infant though. But as you can see from the pictures he continues to be a fountain of smiles and sweetness. We're heading up to Michigan on Saturday. It'll be Todd's first plane trip - and I know he'll be happy as long as he has his mom and her you-know-whats to accompany him. Love to you all, Erika.

Crib Moments

Well Folks, it's been a while since my last post - even the pictures I took are a week old, BUT we have all been sick with some kind of weird virus (except Todd - he only got about a zillion vaccinations last Tuesday). We're all better now though. The night I cam down with it was also the same day Todd had received his vaccinations - which had caused his legs so much pain from the shot points that he couldn't lay on the Boppy pillow to nurse. So I had to improvise and ended up sort of laying down on the couch with him almost on top of me to nurse. But thankfully the shots caused him to lose most of his appetite and unfortunately be awake all night. Oh the joy of children!
I showed you some pictures of him in his crib because that day he #1; put himself to sleep in it for the afternoon and #2; he really enjoys talking to the red flowers on the bumper. It's hilarious to hear him coo and gobble at innanimate objects - just like daddy! The two of them make a cute pair. The second picture of him on the boppy I took right before he starting fussing since he didn't know what he was doing there without eating. sort of like laying on top of the dinner table - only at this dinner table you have to eat by smashing your face into the plate!
Tod is weighing in at 14 lbs 4 oz and measuring 23 1/4 inches long. So we've basically got a two month old the size of a 6 month old. I don't know how we'll pick him up once he actually reaches 6 months of age - hope he's going to enjoy the floor! Maybe we'll invest in a hydraulic jack to get him in and out of the crib - haha. But he's a very happy baby - all smiles and drool. He has much better head control now so he doesnt try to launch himself out of your arms - a good way to throw out my back you can be sure. Hope you all enjoy the pictures - the second one is my favorite! Love to you all, Erika.

chubby little fatso

Well folks, the picture proves it - we've got a chubby little fatso on our hands. It's been almost seven weeks since little (haha...little) Todd entered this world, and I have to say it's really been a blast so far. I think it must be that with the second one you're pretty prepared for most things that occur so you get to enjoy the little things much more. With Claire I was so worried about every little thing that it prevented me from just sitting back and enjoying the peace that motherhood can give you if you just relax!
So I weighed myself last Thursday (Todd's six week birthday) and then I held Todd on the scale with me to see how much he weighed. Now I won't tell you what I weigh, but the scale said he was 13.4 pounds - yow! We are just thrilled to bursting to have such a fat healthy baby boy.
I think I'm going to need a bigger Boppy pillow - hah!
He's also started smiling all the time - and at everyone - most people think he just has gas...hahaha. But I finally got a picture of that too. Love to you all, Erika

Pictures from Last Week

My parents visited last week and here's some pictures since Easter Sunday. Todd is still growing like a weed and Claire is as cute as ever. Oh, and my parents are doing well too - loving the new little man. Love to you all, E

Todd's test results

Right now I am nursing Todd on the boppy pillow while I post this new blog - see? A mom can do two things at once - and that's pretty much how I get everything done nowadays.

Well I mentioned that Todd had an ultrasound scheduled in my last posting and I wanted to give you all a heads up on the results of that ultrasound - plus all the other things we've managed to find out as a result of this.
Todd's ultrasound revealed a couple of things. Number one, he has a VESICOURETERAL REFLUX in his right kidney. It is a grade II, which means that he has urine backing up into his right ureter, but not into his kidney (the right kidney looks very healthy). In his left ureter (the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder), he has a blockage (like a bubble in an old garden hose) that has pushed itself into his bladder. This is going to have to be treated with non-invasive surgery. They will go through a catheter to puncture this blockage so the kidney can drain. He is taking a low dose antibiotic to prevent any urinary tract infections because if he gets an infection it can cause some pretty nasty problems. The reflux should go away on it's own, but he will be monitored by ultrasound every three months to check for further dilation of his kidneys (which would mean that it's getting worse). He'll be going back in another month for an ultrasound because the doctor doesn't want to rush the procedure of removing the blockage in his left ureter since he'll have to be put under anesthesia - and the older he gets the better it will be for him. All in all, it gets pretty confusing, but the most important things are that number one, the doctor says it is a very mild case and that he's going to be just fine. And number two, that we really need prayer for him right now to be protected from infection, and for his reflux to go away as he gets older and grows. I think the procedure of removing the bubble is probably unavoidable, but I know God can perform miracles - I've got a little one sitting in front of me right now - you'd never know he had any of these issues. If you want more info just email me or zach, love to you all, Erika

The last two weeks

So now we have hit the two week mark and things are still going fairly well. We are all having to get adjusted to our new life together. I'm still getting caught up on sleep (an ongoing battle - usually losing more than gaining) but Todd is doing well at night, sleeping about 4 hours at a time. Everything we've had to adjust to still doesn't compare to being pregnant (thank goodness that's over with). We celebrated Claire's birthday last Saturday and took the family to the zoo. This coming Monday we'll take Todd to Vanderbilt children's hospital for an ultrasound on his kidneys since they noticed something on my 40 week ultrasound that they want to re-check. I can't imagine anything being wrong since he's a neverending fountain of pee. haha. Well anyways, here are some more pictures from the last two weeks. He's really starting to look like a baby now and less like a little pink raisin! Love to you all, E.

at the doctor

today was todd's first visit to the doctor. it was just the normal newborn checkup. after some poking and prodding, the doctor told us that he's perfectly healthy.

here are the statistics:
weight: 9 lbs. 2 oz. (90th percentile)
length: 21" (90th percentile)

as you can see, he really likes to eat and is packing on the weight already.

sorry for the lack of additional pictures. we've been trying to figure things out, stay up on our sleep and not go insane now that we have two wonderful children! we'll get more up just as soon as we can.