I'm either a little pig who wants to eat ALL the time, or just like to suck on things to self-soothe...
In other news, I'm really really close to smiling right at Mom or Dad (they're informally vying to see who gets one first ;-)
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
I am definitely tracking (for real this time!)
So I mentioned the other day that I showed a preference for looking at faces and following sounds, right? Well check me out below...you can see how good I am at it! (dad was a little overzealous before when he thought I was doing it at one week) Oh and I also found a use for my hand...
It's been a rough couple of days...I've had a large vomiting episode about once a day, which for me isn't so bad, but for my parents means they have to get me naked, dress me (again), and then get new clothes for themselves! Oh and do MORE laundry!
(and if you can't tell in the pics and videos...my eyes are a beautiful blue/gray hue)
It's been a rough couple of days...I've had a large vomiting episode about once a day, which for me isn't so bad, but for my parents means they have to get me naked, dress me (again), and then get new clothes for themselves! Oh and do MORE laundry!
(and if you can't tell in the pics and videos...my eyes are a beautiful blue/gray hue)
Monday, April 25, 2011
I am TOTALLY gonna fit in that new outfit by the summer!
At least as long as I keep packin on the ounces like I am! 7lbs 15oz today, and at my average of 1+ ounces/day, I'll be over 8lbs tomorrow! So...I am SO gonna show off my new bod when it gets nicer out. Right now a lot of my clothes just hang off me, but you just wait! If the boys are lucky, I might even get to show off my thigh rolls!
And...it's my 6 week birthday today! All these birthdays...a girl could get spoiled!
I've been developing in other ways too. I am now:
-responding to and looking towards noises and voices
-showing a preference for looking specifically at lights and even faces (you can see me gazing at Mom below)
-raising my head up. I've got no control over the dern thing, it's so heavy, but I can at least lift it!
-perfecting my drawn out scream for when I'm really unhappy. You know the one...after a really loud staccato crying episode, I get quiet for a second, and then it starts low and builds up and just keeps going....and going....
-working out how to use these USELESS things hanging off of me that mostly just get in my way when eating and being held (I think you call them "hands"). I get pretty frustrated, they don't really do much for me at this point.
And...it's my 6 week birthday today! All these birthdays...a girl could get spoiled!
I've been developing in other ways too. I am now:
-responding to and looking towards noises and voices
-showing a preference for looking specifically at lights and even faces (you can see me gazing at Mom below)
-raising my head up. I've got no control over the dern thing, it's so heavy, but I can at least lift it!
-perfecting my drawn out scream for when I'm really unhappy. You know the one...after a really loud staccato crying episode, I get quiet for a second, and then it starts low and builds up and just keeps going....and going....
-working out how to use these USELESS things hanging off of me that mostly just get in my way when eating and being held (I think you call them "hands"). I get pretty frustrated, they don't really do much for me at this point.
And here I am "watching TV" with Dad last night, pacifier doing it's job...not the most enthralling video, but kinda cute!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
My first real holiday!
What do rabbits, chocolate, eggs, and one of the most important days in the Christian religion have in common?
Yeah, I have no idea either, and I'm not allowed to eat candy or eggs...but anyway, Happy Easter everyone! Here I am in my little pink Easter outfit.
I got to spend my first "real" holiday with the Heitz family...Pops, DeeDee, and Uncles Brendan and Ashton. It was a nice weekend. Uncle Ashton LOVED me, as you can tell by the enamored look on his face below. He was GREAT...I put him through his paces, too, with screaming and spitting up and everything, and he never put me down if he didn't have to. He's gonna make a good Daddy someday...
DeeDee and Pops were pretty smitten with me too (I mean, really, who ISN'T?) DeeDee even posted to Facebook that I am officially the cutest little girl baby ever! I'm their first grandkid, so they kind of have to say that...but I take it where I can get it, so thanks guys!
Yeah, I have no idea either, and I'm not allowed to eat candy or eggs...but anyway, Happy Easter everyone! Here I am in my little pink Easter outfit.
I got to spend my first "real" holiday with the Heitz family...Pops, DeeDee, and Uncles Brendan and Ashton. It was a nice weekend. Uncle Ashton LOVED me, as you can tell by the enamored look on his face below. He was GREAT...I put him through his paces, too, with screaming and spitting up and everything, and he never put me down if he didn't have to. He's gonna make a good Daddy someday...
DeeDee and Pops were pretty smitten with me too (I mean, really, who ISN'T?) DeeDee even posted to Facebook that I am officially the cutest little girl baby ever! I'm their first grandkid, so they kind of have to say that...but I take it where I can get it, so thanks guys!
Friday, April 22, 2011
More family!
Yay! More family coming to visit! I FINALLY get to meet the "Heitzs" :-)
Dad's dad and stepmom (I still don't know what I'm supposed to call them....) are coming all the way from Austin Texas tonight, along with my Uncles Brendan and Ashton...I'm so excited to finally meet them!
Hm...what should I do? I know! I'll sleep, cry, poop, eat, sleep some more...it's gonna be AWESOME!
Dad's dad and stepmom (I still don't know what I'm supposed to call them....) are coming all the way from Austin Texas tonight, along with my Uncles Brendan and Ashton...I'm so excited to finally meet them!
Hm...what should I do? I know! I'll sleep, cry, poop, eat, sleep some more...it's gonna be AWESOME!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Whoah! What a night!
The wind began to switch....the house, to pitch...!
So I learned a little meteorology last night, and I'm not sure I'm a fan! When I woke Dad up so he could get Mom for my 12:30 feeding (by "wake Dad up" I mean "fuss enough that given his almost complete lack of sleep to that point, he finally gave in and handed me off to Mom"), it was eerily calm outside but there were weird sirens blaring. Dad explained what those were, and we all decided to head to the cats room...otherwise known as the "basement" where we weathered the tornado warning, hail, and high winds (who needs a deck umbrella, anyway?) It was pretty crazy! Everyone and everything is ok; we never lost power (or internet) and sustained no damage.
I've been doing a lot of growing up lately! If I've kept up my 8oz/week rate, then I hit 7lbs on Friday and am on my way to 7 1/2 pounds today! Mom says I finally look like I've got a little bit of chubbiness to my legs (like babies SHOULD have), and Dad's left arm is definitely starting to get more sore from holding me all the time. He's not complaining though :-) I'm generally more awake, and have at least a couple of predictable periods where I'm up and looking around, taking in the whole world. We went to Troy's Cafe the other night for the their weekly wine-tasting buffet, and Dad got there before Mom (she was at the gym). Since he doesn't have the infant car seat, he had to carry me in until she arrived...let's just say I was the hit of the place! At least 4 people came up to look at me and ask how old I was, what's my name, etc. I liked all the attention :-) The whole time we were there, I was eyes-open just taking in this big wide world...
Oh, and just in case anyone was under the impression that all I do is smile, sleep, and generally be cute:
So I learned a little meteorology last night, and I'm not sure I'm a fan! When I woke Dad up so he could get Mom for my 12:30 feeding (by "wake Dad up" I mean "fuss enough that given his almost complete lack of sleep to that point, he finally gave in and handed me off to Mom"), it was eerily calm outside but there were weird sirens blaring. Dad explained what those were, and we all decided to head to the cats room...otherwise known as the "basement" where we weathered the tornado warning, hail, and high winds (who needs a deck umbrella, anyway?) It was pretty crazy! Everyone and everything is ok; we never lost power (or internet) and sustained no damage.
I've been doing a lot of growing up lately! If I've kept up my 8oz/week rate, then I hit 7lbs on Friday and am on my way to 7 1/2 pounds today! Mom says I finally look like I've got a little bit of chubbiness to my legs (like babies SHOULD have), and Dad's left arm is definitely starting to get more sore from holding me all the time. He's not complaining though :-) I'm generally more awake, and have at least a couple of predictable periods where I'm up and looking around, taking in the whole world. We went to Troy's Cafe the other night for the their weekly wine-tasting buffet, and Dad got there before Mom (she was at the gym). Since he doesn't have the infant car seat, he had to carry me in until she arrived...let's just say I was the hit of the place! At least 4 people came up to look at me and ask how old I was, what's my name, etc. I liked all the attention :-) The whole time we were there, I was eyes-open just taking in this big wide world...
Oh, and just in case anyone was under the impression that all I do is smile, sleep, and generally be cute:
Monday, April 18, 2011
In one end...
...out the other. Hey everyone...Natalie's dad here. Although I'm sure she'll eventually glare at me hatefully through dyed hair and nose piercings for this, I decided this was just too much not to share (and Mom might side with Natalie.) Let's just say she was VERY hungry...and every single sound is actually made by her little self...
(things like this are probably what will push her to dyed hair and nose-piercings...)
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Wait...WHAT?!?!
They've never done this before??? There's not a class or any sort of license? They're "learning as they go???"
Saturday, April 16, 2011
A walk in the park
It has been a really nice week, until the last couple of days when it started raining! Dad took vacation from work, so he and Mom were able to take Charlie and I for a couple of nice walks in the park. Here I am "enjoying" my walk. They also let Charlie Brown take a turn walking me. By "they" I of course mean Dad ;-)
All in all, a good week...
All in all, a good week...
Friday, April 15, 2011
A little head control practice...
2 minutes of head control practice, crossed eyes, and a few smiles at the end
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Um...'Scuse me everybody...
PAY ATTENTION TO ME!!
That's better. Guess what...IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!! I turn one "official" month old today! Yay! All you medical people know what that means...I'm out of the "sepsis admission" window if I get a fever. I'd probably still get the workup, but not the automatic admission. Whew!!!
It's been a fun week, and promises to be a fun weekend too. We've been to the park for a long walk...it's been gorgeous weather...Mom's been feeding me out on the deck in the sun while Charlie Brown lounges in his "outdoor dog bed" (otherwise known as the lounger that doesn't have a person in it). We will probably go for more park walks too! Don't think I'm getting any cake...something about "choking hazard" and "not until I'm older" and these things called "teeth" about which I know nothing...but Mom says she'll have some for me!
Ok back to sleep...
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
More news from the heart docs...
I forgot to mention some other things (sorry, my little brain can only focus on eating, sleeping, pooping and fussing...all this heart stuff is overwhelming!)
Due to the amount of PS that I have, my doc thinks that most likely I won't get to the point that I'll need to be on medications for heart failure like Lasix or anything else. Mom and Dad were REALLY happy to hear that...it's gonna make the babysitter's job SO much easier when Mom goes back to work.
I also got to show off my eating skillz at the lactation consultation today (Mom has seen her a couple times due to my initial stubbornness.) I ate like there was no tomorrow and apparently sucked down 4.5 ounces of milk! They do weights "before" and "after" and use the difference to see how much milk got in my belly...
By the weigh (get it?), depending on which scale was used, I'm either 6 lbs 13 or 15 ounces today! Moving on up the growth charts...on the WHO scale, that's 3rd percentile, and on CDC, 5th...yep, I'm still a bit small...
All in all, it's been a good couple days for the Nat ;-)
Due to the amount of PS that I have, my doc thinks that most likely I won't get to the point that I'll need to be on medications for heart failure like Lasix or anything else. Mom and Dad were REALLY happy to hear that...it's gonna make the babysitter's job SO much easier when Mom goes back to work.
I also got to show off my eating skillz at the lactation consultation today (Mom has seen her a couple times due to my initial stubbornness.) I ate like there was no tomorrow and apparently sucked down 4.5 ounces of milk! They do weights "before" and "after" and use the difference to see how much milk got in my belly...
By the weigh (get it?), depending on which scale was used, I'm either 6 lbs 13 or 15 ounces today! Moving on up the growth charts...on the WHO scale, that's 3rd percentile, and on CDC, 5th...yep, I'm still a bit small...
All in all, it's been a good couple days for the Nat ;-)
And the big question...
When's my first surgery? Well, we had our cardiologist appointment today with another echo. If y'all remember from yesterday's post, the question that they were trying to answer was whether or not I'd need surgery in the next few weeks to tighten my pulmonary artery, to keep me from getting CHF (heart failure, or too much blood flow to the lungs.) I'm sure you're all tired of the suspense, so the answer is: no PA band needed! The width of my pulmonary artery is small enough that it keeps too much blood from getting to the lungs!
Rock on! Yay for me and my messed up anatomy! Party at the Heitz house!
(huh? What's that? No streamers and champagne just yet? Oh, well I guess I should tell them the rest...)
This is a mixed blessing. Not getting surgery soon is a GREAT thing, don't get me wrong...but the fact that I've got this narrowing (called pulmonary stenosis, or PS) means that at some point, I'll start sending some more of my "blue" or deoxygenated blood into my aorta and out to my body, and my oxygen level will start going down. This will happen as my heart grows but the PS doesn't. When that starts to happen, then we'll need to start figuring out how soon I can have "THE" surgery, where they fix me. Low oxygen is not a good thing...while mine is 85% now because I do send some of that blue blood to my body (remember that big hole and cockeyed arterial setup?), that's ok for the time being, but they don't want it too much lower than that (mid-70s is acceptable).
The cardiologist wants to see me monthly, mostly just to check out how my oxygen levels are doing and how I'm growing (which so far is AWESOMELY!) No more echocardiograms until the pre-op one to make a final determination of what exactly will be done. Dr. C thinks that I'll make it somewhere between 6 months and a year before I get "too" blue and need to schedule surgery.
What a nice little pre-birthday-eve present :-)
Rock on! Yay for me and my messed up anatomy! Party at the Heitz house!
(huh? What's that? No streamers and champagne just yet? Oh, well I guess I should tell them the rest...)
This is a mixed blessing. Not getting surgery soon is a GREAT thing, don't get me wrong...but the fact that I've got this narrowing (called pulmonary stenosis, or PS) means that at some point, I'll start sending some more of my "blue" or deoxygenated blood into my aorta and out to my body, and my oxygen level will start going down. This will happen as my heart grows but the PS doesn't. When that starts to happen, then we'll need to start figuring out how soon I can have "THE" surgery, where they fix me. Low oxygen is not a good thing...while mine is 85% now because I do send some of that blue blood to my body (remember that big hole and cockeyed arterial setup?), that's ok for the time being, but they don't want it too much lower than that (mid-70s is acceptable).
The cardiologist wants to see me monthly, mostly just to check out how my oxygen levels are doing and how I'm growing (which so far is AWESOMELY!) No more echocardiograms until the pre-op one to make a final determination of what exactly will be done. Dr. C thinks that I'll make it somewhere between 6 months and a year before I get "too" blue and need to schedule surgery.
What a nice little pre-birthday-eve present :-)
Monday, April 11, 2011
4 weeks!
I am just growing up so fast! I'm four weeks old today...next thing you know I'll be DRIVING! (ha...didja hear that? Dad said "over my dead body!") In two days I'll be a whole MONTH! Does White House/Black Market make things in my size? Cuz it's gonna be MY BIRTHDAY!!!
I got weighed again today when the nurse came over to give me my Synagis vaccine (preemies and other kids for whom lung infections could be bad get it to protect against RSV)...I packed on 8 whole ounces this week! Go me...6 lbs 12oz! I'm almost as big as most kids are when they're born!
Tomorrow is my next cardiology appointment, hopefully the last for a little while. Another one of those ultrasound thingies to look at my heart and decide if any surgery is needed in the near future. Wish me luck!!
Oh and more random cuteness...you know you want it...
I got weighed again today when the nurse came over to give me my Synagis vaccine (preemies and other kids for whom lung infections could be bad get it to protect against RSV)...I packed on 8 whole ounces this week! Go me...6 lbs 12oz! I'm almost as big as most kids are when they're born!
Tomorrow is my next cardiology appointment, hopefully the last for a little while. Another one of those ultrasound thingies to look at my heart and decide if any surgery is needed in the near future. Wish me luck!!
Oh and more random cuteness...you know you want it...
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Wow...great weekend!
Sorry it's been a few days since I updated the blog, but I've been having so much fun with Mimi and PopPop that I've gotten behind! Well, that and Dad's worked 4 shifts in 5 days and did 4 hours of medical student stuff on the 5th day... ;-)
They were a great help to Mom and Dad...they cooked a ton of excellent food, they cleaned the house from stem to stern! They held me, they bathed me, they took care of me while Mom and Dad had a little "date night" and went to dinner. They also brought me some really neat cards and drawings from my cousins Will and Caroline...thanks guys!
Here are some shots of Mimi and PopPop holding me...my PopPop can be pretty silly sometimes (he and Dad get along pretty well, as you can probably guess!)
They were a great help to Mom and Dad...they cooked a ton of excellent food, they cleaned the house from stem to stern! They held me, they bathed me, they took care of me while Mom and Dad had a little "date night" and went to dinner. They also brought me some really neat cards and drawings from my cousins Will and Caroline...thanks guys!
Here are some shots of Mimi and PopPop holding me...my PopPop can be pretty silly sometimes (he and Dad get along pretty well, as you can probably guess!)
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Mimi and PopPop are here!!
It's been a while since I had any family visitors...today my Mim and PopPop came! All the way from Charlottesville, Virginia! I know I'm not their first grandchild (not like Gigi), but they seemed pretty psyched to me nonetheless.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
One of my favorite things...
...is snoozing on dad's chest...(I suspect he kinda likes it too)...
And hey, check out one week's worth of my diapers...can you believe something so little can make so much of a mess? (gotta love that diaper genie) Amazing, huh? I'm pretty proud of my accomplishments :-)
And hey, check out one week's worth of my diapers...can you believe something so little can make so much of a mess? (gotta love that diaper genie) Amazing, huh? I'm pretty proud of my accomplishments :-)
Getting more awake...
As I begin to eat more and get a little older, I like to be awake more than I was before. Twice today I was awake the entire time between feedings! Hmm...maybe I'll start taking longer naps at night...
Dad noticed that as he would move me, my eyes would track back and forth kinda like a doll's. He likes messing with me...those of you who know him will not be surprised by that! Here, see for yourself:
Monday, April 4, 2011
Just. Wow.
9 mos in utero: $1000
48 hours in the NICU (IV fluid, chest xray, 2 echocardiograms): $18,030. Yes you read that right.
Bringing home a beautiful baby: priceless.
Well, ~$500 in copays (we hope)...let raise a glass to good health insurance!
48 hours in the NICU (IV fluid, chest xray, 2 echocardiograms): $18,030. Yes you read that right.
Bringing home a beautiful baby: priceless.
Well, ~$500 in copays (we hope)...let raise a glass to good health insurance!
And in the heavyweight category...
Aw yeah!
I made weight today...it only took one extra week than it should have (which at this point is a THIRD of my life!) 6lbs, 4oz...3oz more than the day I was born. Speaking of, this is my three-week birthday! Happy birthday to me...
We had some family tummy time this afternoon
And I was making funny faces at the doctor's office
Here's more of my cute faces (and some more hiccups, of course...)
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Dad took me SHOPPING!!
Well, it was just to the grocery store, but still...we had a good time! He put me in the Ergo and I snoozed the entire time. He got asked about me only 3 times..."Is that a real baby?" "OMG there's a baby in there!" and "Wow look there's a tiny one!"
I did get to ride in the fancy convertible car seat, too!
I did get to ride in the fancy convertible car seat, too!
My first real outing!
So we went on an adventure today! Mom and Dad are getting a little stir-crazy (well, mostly Mom) and they thought Charlie Brown could use some muddy playtime at the dog park! We bundled me all up as you can see below and went for some fun. I couldn't even tell it was cold out, it's so warm in the Ergo against my mom's warm body!
Unfortunately, Charlie got roughed up as soon as he arrived (Dad said "your dog has never done that before my A--!"), so we left and just went for a chilly, windy walk around the lake instead. I was nice getting out...and doesn't my mom look so cute with her short hair all windblown and her comfy outdoor clothes? Dad thinks so ;-)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Unfortunately, Charlie got roughed up as soon as he arrived (Dad said "your dog has never done that before my A--!"), so we left and just went for a chilly, windy walk around the lake instead. I was nice getting out...and doesn't my mom look so cute with her short hair all windblown and her comfy outdoor clothes? Dad thinks so ;-)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I'm a night person...
It's 2am! Dad was taking 2nd shift and I thought I'd explain to him that what I wanted was to be held, not put down to "sleep!" I do that all the time! I was fine once he held me...at least for a few minutes...
Friday, April 1, 2011
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