Week 15

This past week was much better than the previous week...it seems Aubrey got over her viral infection, so that was good. Monday we went to the GI doctor who was very nice and sympathetic as his son had the same issues. He said that he thinks her acid reflux is controlled on the Prilosec and that she has really painful gas. He said that the official diagnosis is "it's hell," and we have to wait it out. She should outgrow this at four to five months, so we shouldn't have too much longer. At least we know nothing is seriously wrong with her! She gained almost a pound this last week, putting her at 12 lbs, 4 oz. We are very pleased with her weight gain - she is starting to turn into a chunky monkey! Last week she was straining to sit up, this week she is able to sit up by herself from a reclining position. We are so proud of her accomplishment but at the same time miss the sweet baby who liked to recline against us and cuddle! She constantly wants to be sitting up or have us help her stand up - she can't wait to be independent! She has also been getting distracted by the patterns on her clothes and letters on our clothes...she pretty much wants to eat any polka dots or letters, so it's solids for everyone for awhile! That's about it for now...who knows what she'll be up to next week!

Week 14

This past week has been a difficult one for us...last weekend Aubrey started eating less, anywhere from 1 to 3 ounces at a time. We just assumed that it was because of her acid reflux, so we called the doctor on Monday and she told us to come in. The doctor said she can't increase her Prilosec any more and that we need to go ahead and go to the GI doctor. Then she noticed a pink spot on Aubrey's face and became concerned that she had a sinus infection. She told us to watch it over night and if it spread up to around her eye to call her on her cell. Well that freaked us out...so we watched her all night and while it didn't spread up to her eye she developed a funny pink spot on her arm and little spots on her cheek. So, we took her back to the doc on Tuesday and she said that it is a viral infection, not a sinus infection. Essentially there is nothing we can do about it except wait for it to go away. We made an appointment for the GI doc for Monday, so hopefully we will finally get to the bottom of what is going on with her tummy. Dr. Kennedy was happy with her weight gain though, she weighed eleven pounds, seven ounces. As of right now she seems to be feeling a little better but not quite herself. Needless to say, nobody is getting much sleep at my house and my mom is getting a lot of tearful phone calls from me!

On the up side...Aubrey is growing so fast! She is very alert and constantly looking around, she loves rolling around on the floor, she talks A LOT, and she is sticking everything in her mouth! The other day we saw her trying to get her knee in her mouth...I have to admit, it was pretty amusing! She is starting to hold things in her hands and has gotten really good at holding a ball between her feet and lifting her legs. She is too cute! The past two or three days she has started lifting her head and shoulders and straining to sit up. I swear she is dying to get up and run around! She also loves looking at picture books, especially ones that are brightly colored. She is changing and becoming more independent with every day.

Pics to follow...

Happy 3 Months!

Today is Aubrey's 3 month birthday! The past 3 months have been very emotional for us - we were so happy to meet her, scared to be new parents, tired from lack of sleep, frustrated with acid reflux, thrilled at each new milestone. She is definitely the best thing I have ever done and I can't imagine life without her!

Last week was my first week back at work and Aubrey's first week spending the days with Bitsy. Aubrey did great - We get up at 5:30 am and eat, get dressed, and head to Mr. Royall's. I spend about 30 minutes with here there before leaving her with my mom. They hang out and take care of Mr.Royall, and then they head to our house in the afternoon. When I come home mom leaves and Aubrey and I have alone time before Justin gets home. Once he gets home we eat dinner, do laundry (every day!), pick up around the house, feed Aubrey a few times, and then go to sleep at 11:30. Even though we've only been doing it for about a week, we have a pretty good routine going.

Aubrey is doing great - we have started adding rice cereal to her formula to help with spit-up. I'm not sure it's helping all that much but she seems to like it okay. It seems like her acid reflux is a little worse, but I've heard month 3 is the worst. I can't wait for her to outgrow this! She is getting longer by the minute and is outgrowing all her footie onesies. She is becoming more interested in toys and is starting to hold onto them. We have started reading her books with brightly colored pictures, which she seems to enjoy. She is changing every day!

We are starting to look into preschools for when Aubrey is 3...it's hard to believe that it's time to start figuring that out and getting on wait lists! I think we have picked one out but we still need to check it out in person. We finally scheduled her christening for June 27th at First United Methodist Church in downtown Dallas. It is the church we got married in so I am happy to be able to have her christening there.

Not much on the schedule for this week except for a play date with baby Dean, and maybe a little yard work...and a trip to the bookstore for more picture books...and maybe the Arboretum...

Week 12

This past week was a big week for us...on Sunday Aunt Martha, Uncle Dennis, Grandma, Michael, and Daniel all came for Easter lunch. Grandma had met Aubrey before, but it was everyone else's first time. Aubrey looked adorable in her Easter dress and made it through most of the afternoon without spitting up on it! Lunch was yummy and it was great being able to catch up with everyone. The very next day was my first day back at work...the tears started on Sunday and didn't stop until I got to work Monday morning. I knew that Aubrey would be fine but I wasn't sure how I was going to do it. I knew it was going to be a big change going from being with her all day, every day, to just being with her in the evenings and early mornings. It turned out that as much as I missed my baby on Monday it was good getting to be with my work friends. I did however appreciate the many updates and pictures that my mom emailed me throughout the day...that is a definite perk to having my mom watch the baby. We are so lucky to have my mom around and available to take care of Aubrey, I can't imagine what it would be like to leave her with a stranger every day. Now my only concern is that Aubrey will love my mom more than she loves me! Being back at work is okay, the days have gone by quickly as I have been pretty busy. I do look forward to coming home to baby - even though the past two days I have come home to a fussy, screaming baby. We had been adding rice cereal to her formula to keep her from spitting up as much, but it looks like it is making her fussy so we stopped that today. Other than that Aubrey is doing fabulous. She has really started talking and responding, and she has started to hold on to things when you put them in her hand. Bitsy has started a new game with her where Aubrey kicks up her feet and she kisses the bottom of them, then Aubrey pulls her feet back in, then repeat. It is pretty cute but Bitsy is now afraid that she might try that with a stranger and wind up kicking them in the face!
We don't have a lot of plans for week 12...maybe go to the Arboretum this weekend but that's about it. I can't believe little Miss Aubrey will be 3 months old next week!

Week 11

This past week was off to a good start when Aubrey started sleeping eight hours at night. The first night it happened I kept waking up and looking at her in fear that she had stopped breathing, but no, she was just sound asleep! Justin and I were so grateful to her! The past two nights however she has been sleeping an hour less each night, so I'm thinking we are going to be back where we started pretty quick, although I hope not. Over the weekend she got to see some more friends and she did wonderful. Her mood has been exceptional since we went up on one of her meds last week. She is happy and playful and loves rolling around on her mat. She is very alert and enjoys watching what is going on around her, which quickly tires her out. She is very engaged when we talk to her and we enjoy this very much. We went to the doctor today for a weight check and Aubrey has gained eleven ounces in a week and a half, putting her up to ten pounds, nine ounces. The doctor was very pleased with her weight gain and won't need to see her again until her four month appointment. Right now we are getting ready for Easter, which we will host at our house. My family from Austin will be coming up for lunch on Sunday and we are looking forward to spending time with them.