1115. Tums - I don't have heartburn, but since I cannot eat/drink dairy I need an easy way to get calcium. They don't taste bad and they are a LOT cheaper than dairy supplements. So glad the Porter's GI specialist told me to do this!
1116. watching Ella Beth swim like a fish after months of not swimming
1117. seeing Landon walk right up to the diving board and jump off - he didn't make a big deal out of it, he just walked right up and did it :)
1118. the pride on my kiddos' faces as they swam all over the pool - Landon without floaties in the shallow end, and Ella Beth without hers ALL over the pool
1119. seeing others hold Porter - he's still so little so he still gets passed around a good bit, and watching others' faces makes me smile b/c it's just fun holding a new baby
1120. quiet mornings in the kitchen - a rarity
1121. a baby who is getting on a good sleeping routine
1122. celebrating the best Daddy I've ever known and thanking God that I married him
1123. Ella Beth reading library books that she chose for her Summer Reading Program
1124. a heart monitor that alerts us if/when Porter's heart rate or lung rate drops
1125. baby foot prints
1126. "big" kid handprints
1127. shiny lip gloss
1128. Landon chasing butterflies and grasshoppers in the yard
Psalm 107:8 "Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind."
Monday, June 18, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
12 weeks
Porter weighed 8 lbs, 0 oz on Thursday, and he was 22 1/2 inches long. He is still in newborn clothes. I never thought I'd get such use out of his tiny outfits. ;)
He has started taking very good naps.
He goes to bed around 9 p.m. after I feed him, and he will sleep anywhere until 3-5 a.m. I definitely prefer the 5 a.m. feeding, but since he's down to just one feeding during the early morning I really won't complain.
He still
He also really, really, REALLY dislikes having a dirty diaper. He screams this scream I've never heard from a baby as soon as he's finished making it. His face gets so red and he will wail until his tushy is clean. Once his tush is clean, he relaxes and you'd never know the drama that just unfolded.
Porter's favorite time of the day is bath time. He will stay in his bath for 30 minutes each night just kicking, splashing, and jabbering away. He always has an audience because it's just too precious not to watch and enjoy. Taking him out of the bath is another story! He screams a scream that rivals his dirty diaper scream. He absolutely does not want to get out of the bath tub. We have even put him back in the tub just to see his reaction, and he calms himself right down and goes back to splashing away. Apparently the boy knows what he likes and what he doesn't. :)
He nurses every 3-4 hours. If he is awake at the 3 hour mark, you'd better believe he will be hungry. However, if he's snoozing, his tummy will hold out for 4 hours. Of course, if he's had one of his famous explosions...he can only make it about an hour. It's really just hit and miss and all depends on his reflux "episodes."
Speaking of reflux, the GI Specialists have now given Porter's reflux a name: Severe and Severely Complicated GERD. Seriously. That's the actual diagnosis. It's just kinda funny to me.
He's a very sweet little baby boy, and he's generally a happy fella.
Oh, and he does have his Mama wrapped around his finger. OK, all 10 fingers really. :)
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
The Boys, part 2
My boys. Do you think they look alike?
Landon - 1 month (almost 5 weeks)
Porter - 11 weeks
It's definitely fun to compare whether they do or not. :)
Monday, June 11, 2012
Multitudes on Monday
1102. a short hospital stay with Porter
1103. a heart monitor to give peace of mind to Porter's mama and daddy
1104. whole wheat pancakes
1105. turkey bacon at IHOP
1106. consignment stores for an emergency run
1107. nap time
1108. smiles during the middle of the night when the baby wants to stay up for 2 hours
1109. car games with the kiddos
1110. watching and listening to Scott and Landon work on "projects" together
1111. encouragement during difficult seasons
1112. a nursing room at church
1113. Meredith's out-of-the-way visit to brighten my day and keep me company
1114. singing a new song for Porter as he falls asleep
1103. a heart monitor to give peace of mind to Porter's mama and daddy
1104. whole wheat pancakes
1105. turkey bacon at IHOP
1106. consignment stores for an emergency run
1107. nap time
1108. smiles during the middle of the night when the baby wants to stay up for 2 hours
1109. car games with the kiddos
1110. watching and listening to Scott and Landon work on "projects" together
1111. encouragement during difficult seasons
1112. a nursing room at church
1113. Meredith's out-of-the-way visit to brighten my day and keep me company
1114. singing a new song for Porter as he falls asleep
2 Corinthians 9:11, "You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."
Friday, June 8, 2012
Castleberry babies
It seems that Porter decided to fit the mold of a Castleberry baby. Read: Not Easy.
Porter is the perfect mix of his big sister and big brother. The perfect mix of their "challenging" baby qualities.
Ella Beth had horrible, explosive GERD. Porter has horrible, explosive GERD. And unfortunately it's worse.
Ella Beth had colic for 13 weeks. I don't know if Porter has colic, but he cries a lot. It just started recently, so it's hard to know.
Landon had to be swaddled every time he went to sleep. Porter absolutely must be swaddled. His little arms just never quit moving unless they are pinned down to his sides. Thank goodness for the miracle blanket.
Ella Beth was never a self-entertaining baby. She always needed an audience. Porter will cry if he thinks anyone has walked away from him. He can even tell when my voice moves a farther distance across the room, and his screams give way.
Landon always wanted to be toted around. As soon as Porter is big enough, he will be riding around in the baby carrier. He hates to be put down, but I am so looking forward to having my hands free. (Especially now that Porter is on a heart monitor and I have to tote that thing around every where we go, too.)
Ella Beth had a hard time "lasting" between feedings. Porter is the same way. Unfortunately, it all stems from GERD because of the quantity that they spit up. The amount of milk that shoots out is staggering. However, it's hard to create any type of schedule. I can feed Porter at 7:30 a.m., but if he has a huge explosion he will be hungry just an hour later. Since this scenario happens multiple times a day, getting on a schedule is nearly impossible.
However, as difficult as many days seem to be lately, it's not all difficult.
There are smiles and coos.
Porter typically takes decent naps.
He is very adaptable to being out and about.
He will take a paci.
He loves his bath each night. (Yes, he gets a bath every night. I know it's not typical for little babies, but after his daily, multiple explosions the little fella stinks.)
He is super cute, and very sweet when he's not crying.
He has blue, blue eyes that are easy to get lost in.
And I know that he is a gift. Not a day goes by that I don't remember the pain it took to get him here.
A song comes to mind often these days. A very simple song of promise and hope.
He's got the whole world in His hands.
He's got the whole world in His hands.
He's got the whole world in His hands.
He's got the whole world in His hands.
He's got the little tiny baby in His hands.
He's got the little tiny baby in His hands.
He's got the little tiny baby in His hands.
He's got the whole world in His hands.
Though these times are tough, though I fail to give everyone the attention they want and need every time they want and need it, and though I think I may not make it through each day when I'm going through it - I am thankful. I truly am.
It is through my children that God has taught me the most about myself and His unconditional love. He brings forth my own weaknesses daily that I may further rely on Him for strength. He fills my heart until its seams almost burst with love for my children in order for me to understand how much He loves me. And I am so thankful that He's got the whole world in His hands.
Porter is the perfect mix of his big sister and big brother. The perfect mix of their "challenging" baby qualities.
Ella Beth had horrible, explosive GERD. Porter has horrible, explosive GERD. And unfortunately it's worse.
Ella Beth had colic for 13 weeks. I don't know if Porter has colic, but he cries a lot. It just started recently, so it's hard to know.
Landon had to be swaddled every time he went to sleep. Porter absolutely must be swaddled. His little arms just never quit moving unless they are pinned down to his sides. Thank goodness for the miracle blanket.
Ella Beth was never a self-entertaining baby. She always needed an audience. Porter will cry if he thinks anyone has walked away from him. He can even tell when my voice moves a farther distance across the room, and his screams give way.
Landon always wanted to be toted around. As soon as Porter is big enough, he will be riding around in the baby carrier. He hates to be put down, but I am so looking forward to having my hands free. (Especially now that Porter is on a heart monitor and I have to tote that thing around every where we go, too.)
Ella Beth had a hard time "lasting" between feedings. Porter is the same way. Unfortunately, it all stems from GERD because of the quantity that they spit up. The amount of milk that shoots out is staggering. However, it's hard to create any type of schedule. I can feed Porter at 7:30 a.m., but if he has a huge explosion he will be hungry just an hour later. Since this scenario happens multiple times a day, getting on a schedule is nearly impossible.
However, as difficult as many days seem to be lately, it's not all difficult.
There are smiles and coos.
Porter typically takes decent naps.
He is very adaptable to being out and about.
He will take a paci.
He loves his bath each night. (Yes, he gets a bath every night. I know it's not typical for little babies, but after his daily, multiple explosions the little fella stinks.)
He is super cute, and very sweet when he's not crying.
He has blue, blue eyes that are easy to get lost in.
And I know that he is a gift. Not a day goes by that I don't remember the pain it took to get him here.
A song comes to mind often these days. A very simple song of promise and hope.
He's got the whole world in His hands.
He's got the whole world in His hands.
He's got the whole world in His hands.
He's got the whole world in His hands.
He's got the little tiny baby in His hands.
He's got the little tiny baby in His hands.
He's got the little tiny baby in His hands.
He's got the whole world in His hands.
Though these times are tough, though I fail to give everyone the attention they want and need every time they want and need it, and though I think I may not make it through each day when I'm going through it - I am thankful. I truly am.
It is through my children that God has taught me the most about myself and His unconditional love. He brings forth my own weaknesses daily that I may further rely on Him for strength. He fills my heart until its seams almost burst with love for my children in order for me to understand how much He loves me. And I am so thankful that He's got the whole world in His hands.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Multitudes on Monday
1089. a reflux baby sleeping - because it's rare these days
1090. a 5-hour stretch of sleep at night
1091. little boys who sleep through crashing thunder storms
1092. a little girl who still needs comfort through the storms
1093. a hair cut to "freshen up"
1094. beautiful drives through beautiful mountains
1095. board games for family time
1096. days without humidity
1097. baby owls
1098. buy-one-get-one-free deals
1099. fingerprint art lessons
1100. recipes with only 3 ingredients
1101. grilled dinners from the bar-b-que
1090. a 5-hour stretch of sleep at night
1091. little boys who sleep through crashing thunder storms
1092. a little girl who still needs comfort through the storms
1093. a hair cut to "freshen up"
1094. beautiful drives through beautiful mountains
1095. board games for family time
1096. days without humidity
1097. baby owls
1098. buy-one-get-one-free deals
1099. fingerprint art lessons
1100. recipes with only 3 ingredients
1101. grilled dinners from the bar-b-que
Ephesians 5:19-20 "Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Saturday, June 2, 2012
FUN times with friends!
Over Memorial weekend, our friends the Kinseys went with us up to my mom's house. My mom lives on the lake, and it is always a blast to have great people to enjoy the lake with! My mom spoils us with delicious meals, the kiddos wear themselves out, we all get a healthy dose of Vitamin D, and smiles abound. :)
Porter took his first two boat rides.
The kiddos caught fish...of course!
Landon caught the most, but Ella Beth caught the biggest. Not that things are ever a competition in our house. ;)
Andy baited the line for Elliott.
My hands were almost always full, but I wouldn't have them any other way. :)
So were Andy's.
LOVE this picture! So thankful Ella Beth has a "grown up" friend (of 8 years old) who is so kind and respectful to look up to. :)
It's never a complete weekend at the lake without juicy watermelon. This watermelon was seriously the best I've ever tasted. Didn't last long!
Arms full, sweet little tongue, and I'm thankful that Jenn was there to capture a couple of pics of me. :)
Snack time after swimming.
Then it was time for tube rides. The kiddos (except for Landon this time) couldn't get enough!
And neither could the daddies. :)
As always, Landon falls asleep on just about any boat ride. Makes me smile every time.
We had such a GREAT time, and are looking forward to going again. Landon has literally asked every single day since Tuesday (we left Monday) when we are going back to Mimi's lake. I guess we'd better go soon!
Porter took his first two boat rides.
The kiddos caught fish...of course!
Landon caught the most, but Ella Beth caught the biggest. Not that things are ever a competition in our house. ;)
Andy baited the line for Elliott.
My hands were almost always full, but I wouldn't have them any other way. :)
So were Andy's.
LOVE this picture! So thankful Ella Beth has a "grown up" friend (of 8 years old) who is so kind and respectful to look up to. :)
It's never a complete weekend at the lake without juicy watermelon. This watermelon was seriously the best I've ever tasted. Didn't last long!
Arms full, sweet little tongue, and I'm thankful that Jenn was there to capture a couple of pics of me. :)
Snack time after swimming.
Then it was time for tube rides. The kiddos (except for Landon this time) couldn't get enough!
And neither could the daddies. :)
As always, Landon falls asleep on just about any boat ride. Makes me smile every time.
We had such a GREAT time, and are looking forward to going again. Landon has literally asked every single day since Tuesday (we left Monday) when we are going back to Mimi's lake. I guess we'd better go soon!
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