Fourth of July Parade

Today our neighborhood had their annual Fourth of July Parade. They had a local fire department bring a fire engine and lead the kiddos on their decorated bikes and wagons around the neighborhood while the sirens were blaring. Honestly, I was unsure as to how Camden would do with this because he is not fond of loud noises. But, as he usually does, he surprised me! He loved the fire truck and had a great time following the fire engine around the block while walking with his flag (he did not want to ride his bike). Casen rode in his stroller and slept during all the festivities. Unfortunately we were not in patriotic colors for the parade, as someone is insistent on picking out their own clothes and if it doesn't have a sports theme on it, he doesn't pick it!

Camden bringing up the rear

Casen slept through the parade, sirens and all.

Camden in the fire engine

On the back of the fire engine.

 

Happy Fourth of July

Three Weeks

It is so hard to believe that Casen is 3 weeks old today. I forget just how fast the time goes by when they are so little. Luckily, he has survived his big brother as well as a mommy and daddy who are trying to remember all the things that go along with taking care of a newborn! Up until today, he has been doing fantastic. He has really only gotten fussy when he was hungry or fighting sleep and he has slept well at night. I have been holding my breath, wondering if he will have gastric reflux or dairy and egg intolerance like Camden did.

Well today, after a day full of fussiness, I started questioning if he had any of the same ailments that Camden did. Being selfish, I kept praying that it was just colic that started all of his fussiness and he was not reacting to anything I ate, however he is so gassy and his stomach is steadily growling that it is hard to determine the cause. I am definitely thinking reflux can be causing a bit of his issues, even though he really does not spit up unless I can not get him to burp (which has been a struggle). He frequently spits up in his mouth and you can hear him swallowing it and sometimes it causes him to cry. I plan on going and purchasing Colic Calm, which is an herbal treatment for digestive issues, colic, reflux and gas. We have been giving him Mylicon, but have not seen the relief that we had hoped for. Hopefully by the time he is four weeks, I will have better news to report!

Regardless of the issues, he is still just as sweet as ever and I can't get enough of him!

Brotherly Love

Camden absolutely loves his baby Casen. He is constantly loving on him, giving him kisses and talking to him. I am so grateful that he does not act jealous of Casen. He even helps me with Casen by throwing away his dirty diapers, talking sweetly to Casen to help soothe him and getting the pacifier when I can't reach it or drop it. I enjoy watching Casen respond to Camden's sweet voice by calming down when Camden talks to him - I think that is rather neat!

I can only pray that this sweet brotherly love continues as they grow up together. I know that there will be many fights and disagreements, but pray that they will be close and watch out for one another through the years.

A Week of Blessings

This past week has been a week of answered prayers and reminds us just how truly blessed we are!!! It started with Shane having a job interview at Northpoint Middle School in Tomball for a fifth grade math and science teacher. He had his reservations about interviewing at a school that is not economically disadvantaged since he has a heart for the kids that generally come from low income families or from families that have no real male role model. However, after having multiple conversations with the principal as well as having a great interview with the principal and two other teachers, he seemed really excited about the position and had a really good feeling about the position. Shane realized that the principal was a great Christian man who would allow him to have an after school program with students using Christian beliefs and fitness together to help mold them into kids with good moral standards. (This was something he wanted to do at his previous job but his administrative team showed no interest in his idea). He also found out from one of the teachers that many of the students have dads, but they are absent from the student's lives. By Thursday, he heard from the principal and was offered the position. What is great is, not only does Shane get along wonderfully with the principal, but the school is maybe 3 miles from our house - much better than the 45 minute drive he had one way to his previous school. So now both of our jobs are very close to home.

Another exciting thing that happened was I got a new vehicle this week. We have been looking since before Christmas, and at one point were very close to buying a Tahoe, but something just didn't seem right about it, so we walked away from that deal. When I put Casen's car seat in the car and realized that I was driving with my knees up under my chin, I knew we were going to have to get a new vehicle ASAP. So, after much looking, I went by myself on Wednesday, while Shane watched the boys, and bought a Honda Pilot. We now have what I consider a family vehicle!! We can take my vehicle on road trips now and have plenty of room - unlike before when we would have to take Shane's truck since everything would not fit in my vehicle (and that was just with one child). I absolutely despise buying a vehicle, but luckily, did not have a bad experience. Today we went on our first outing as a whole family to church. Casen did great and slept the majority of the time. It was nice to get to go church as well as go on our first outing as a family in my new vehicle!

And of course, since Casen's doctor's appointment went well, that added to our week of blessings. He has been sleeping very well at night. He usually goes between 3 and 4 hours between his feedings at night, and what is even better, is after I feed him, he generally goes right back to sleep! That is very nice for this momma!

2 Week Appointment

Today Casen had his two week check up with Dr. Worrall and I could not be prouder. He weighed 8 pounds 4.8 ounces and was 20.75 inches long. His head circumference was 14.09 inches. He is in the 53rd percentile for his height and 37th percentile for weight and is progressing well. I was thrilled, because looking back, Camden had only gained a few ounces and Casen is 2 ounces short of gaining a pound since his birth. He is definitely my eater and I am a much better milk producer this go around, which is a blessing for my obsessive compulsive self.

Dr. Worrall decided not to recheck his bilirubin because his color was good and the whites of his eyes were more white now than yellow. They did, however, still have to do a heel stick for the required state testing they do. Also, when he checked Casen's penis, he noticed that the skin was trying to grow back so he pushed the skin back, which made Casen cry a little, and instructed me to apply vaseline to the area for a few days. He said if it did keep trying to grow back, we would have to re-circumcise him. NOT what I want, so I will make sure that the skin stays back (although he told me not to pull it back like he did because it was still healing in some places.)

His next appointment is scheduled for July 31st, at which time he will be getting some of his immunizations. That is not an appointment I am looking forward to, but a necessary evil. I will however be anxious to see his weight at his next appointment.

Today Casen also went for his first walk. Shane took Camden to the neighborhood pool and Casen and I walked to the pool to make sure the boys were having fun - which they were!

Casen in his stroller at the pool

Camden at the pool

Camden and his daddy



Casen's First Bath

I have been more than ready for Casen to receive his first 'real' bath since he has become quite the snake. Bless his heart, he is just peeling all over and a sponge bath just isn't doing the trick in helping him shed all of his excess skin. His ring from his circumcision fell off on June 14th, and during the night last night his dried umbilical cord fell off, so that gave us the green light to give him his first real bath. He did fantastic!!! He hardly cried at all and really seemed to enjoy the warm water on his body. Hopefully he will remain a good bather!

Some Favorites

The past two weeks have just flown by. It just amazes me how fast the days go by when you have a newborn. Since we are on such a schedule, it seems that all I do is feed Casen and change his diapers. Now I know that is not all I am doing in a days time, but it definitely consumes the most of my time.

I have been taking lots of pictures and decided I needed to share some of my favorites from the past two weeks.

Grandma Key and Casen - I love how they are looking at one another

Camden trying to produce something in the big boy potty

Me and my boys

Camden holding his baby Casen

Grandma and Grandpa Key with the boys

My sweet angel

Casen's hair - he has two cowlicks (what looks like two eyes)

Camden holding his baby brother (they are both in University of Alabama attire)

A family picture taken prior to Casen's arrival

Water Fun

Camden is in his terrible twos and being cooped up in the house is NOT bringing out his best. So we have been trying to do different things outdoors in order to get him out of the house. Due to the heat, spending time in the pool or with different water sprinklers has been fun for him.

Happy Father's Day

Today is Shane's first Father's Day as a father of two!!! Camden and Casen are very blessed to have a daddy who loves them so much and is so involved in their lives. I am extremely blessed as well to have a wonderful husband and father to my children. The best thing I did was marry a man who wants and desires to be in every aspect of his children's lives. Happy Father's Day Shane!!!!

Mommy and Camden Time

It is not very often that I get to go on a date, so taking a little bit of time for Camden and I to go on a date was a very nice change. I needed to run to Walgreens to pick up some pictures, and decided I would take Camden with me as to get him out of the house. Before we left, Shane suggested that perhaps Camden and I go and get some ice cream after we run our errand. What an awesome idea!!! So after we went to Walgreens, we headed to Baskin Robbins. Camden got one of his favorites, mint chocolate chip and I got my old stand by, chocolate almond. When Camden tried mine, he exclaimed, "I like it!!!" Definitely my child!!! We had a great time chatting and enjoying ice cream. Perhaps more of these types of dates are in order!

After we returned home, Camden was full of energy so he and I headed down to the neighborhood park where he ran and went down the slide multiple times. Unfortunately our time at the park was cut short due to dark clouds and rain, so we hurried home and played inside.

Jaundice Follow-Up

Today Casen had his follow up appointment with his pediatrician Dr. Worrall. He weighed 7 pounds 6 ounces (2 ounces more than when we left the hospital) and his bilirubin was up at 11.7. The doctor told me to give Casen breast milk exclusively and we would recheck his bilirubin at his two week check up. He said that he had jaundice probably due to the fact that I am O + while Casen is A - but he thought he looked great!