4 month shots...UGH

My poor boy!!!! He just had his 4 month shots (for immunizations they go by Evan`s birth age) and his first meningitis shot. 3 shots today. UGHHHH!!!! Poor kid!! When you aren`t used to hearing your baby cry like that it is HEART BREAKING!!!! He`s been sleeping ever since. But he did good. He cried for a while after but then after I fed him he seemed much more soothed. But we weighed him before the `trauma`` and he is weighing 9lbs 14.7ou!! SWEET!! OH, gotta run! Little guy is waking up. Time for some snuggles!

Smiles

Shirt says "50% Mommy 50% Daddy 100% Perfection" How true how true!!!

The shirt speaks for itself! hee hee hee

Happy as can be!!

What a smile!!!!!!!!!

Just had to share these pics of Evan from today! ADORABLE!!!! He was so awake and happy this morning. But he has literally been sleeping the rest of the day away!! Of course I want to panic because I don't know what's normal...but I suppose I have days where all I want to do is sleep too! Right now he is chilling beside me swinging in his swing nice and asleep. OK...maybe not...he's starting to wake up. So I better post these pictures and spend some awake time with the little man!

WOW

OK, last Wednesday Evan was 8lb 10ou. Today at his check up with my doc, he is 9 POUNDS 6 OUNCES!!!!!! WOWZERS!!!!!! He is growing like a weed! We've been increasing his formula amount in his supplemented feeds and seems to be working!!! I'm a proud mamma! But now he is "calling" so I better run! Just had to share my teenie tiny is growing!!

Update on Evan

OK, I'm typing one-handed here, so forgive any spelling mishaps! On Monday Evan had his assessments at the Alvin Buckwold Development Program. He was seen by three people all at once, a speech-language pathologist, a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist. Evan is assessed based on his corrected age on one month, not by his birth age because developmentaly he is technically one month. All three ladies were more than happy with Evan's development and no one has any concerns at this point. He is doing all (and then some) of what a one month old should be doing. He will continue to be tracked monthlt for the first while, and then a bit less frequently after that. They continue to watch closely the first year or two to ensure the kids are on track with developmental milestones, and so they can catch quickly any lags to correct quicker. So it's pretty good to know he will be watched closely. But it was nice to hear that they were so happy with where he is at. Then on Wednesday we had a follow up appointment with one of the neonatologists. He was really happy with how Evan is doing too, so he didn't have any concerns. He was sure to remind us though that with preemies, especially as early as Evan and Zac were, can still develop "problems" even though they receive a clean bill of health. But just as quickly commented that they don't HAVE to, but it can happen. So it was another reminder for the back of the mind. But he again said that at this point Evan is in the normal range for his one month corrected age (again, with these appointments they gauge by corrected age) and that he is really pleased with how he's doing. He also asked how we are doing with the loss of Zac, and he was really encouraging and supportive. He said that it's so good that we have pictures of Zac so that Evan can see him and know of his twin brother, and how important that will be. I had a really hard time keeping it together. It was tough, as it always is to move to another phase of life without Zac here. I miss my little guy. And I'm so happy with how Evan is doing...and that is what Zac fought so hard for. I couldn't be more proud of both my boys!! We will have to be careful with Evan again in the fall/winter with colds, etc. Evan will be vaccinated in November for RSV, but we will most likely be back in more of a hibernation mode and the cautions will rise again (not like they've lowered though!) The Audiologist was away on Wednesday so Evan's hearing test has to be rescheduled, but neither Dr.Wonko or the occupational therapist had concerns because they saw him responding, and so do we. Evan is losing his NICU ability to sleep through any noise...he's getting a bit more sensitive and notices noise more now that he is home. I had hoped that would never happen so that he wouldn't become sensitive to noise. Here's hoping some of that remains! The dietician following Evan wants to see him taking 4ou of formula a day between his 2 supplemented feeds. That's tough because the formula upsets his tummy. I've started trying to do 1.5 ounces within his bottle feeds (I need to get him to 2ou each bottle), and he has been more fussy, but I think he will slowly adapt to it. I just keep him more upright after his feeds and give him some Ovol and that seems to help. He just had a bottle about an hour ago and he has been melted butter sound asleep in my arms since!! He is getting heavy!! He was weighed on Wednesday and is up to 8lb 10ou!! I better start lifting weights again to get my arms strong and in shape. It's time to try to get back into the fitness routine!! Anyhow, that is the latest update on Evan!! Prayer request would be that his health would continue to remain well, his immune system would get stronger and stronger, that he will not be a preemie with later onset issues, his development would continue on this awesome path and that he will be able to tolerate the increase in his formula and that it won't upset his tummy. Thanks everyone!

Meet my nephew Mason

Mason and Evan (with his favorite NICU soother!)

Me and Mason at my house

Me with my liitle man Evan and my little man Mason at the hospital the day after Mason arrived. They are both wrapped up in their blankies that greatgrandma made for them!

Little Mason the day after he was born. "Snug as a bug in a rug". Welcome to the world Mason!!!

So my baby brother now has a baby of his own!! My brother and his wife had a little boy, Mason, on July 6th!! Evan has a partner in crime his own age now!! Oh boy, I can already see it now!! These boys are going to keep us on our toes!! Mason has the most awesome big hands!! They are adorable...but definately either a football player or basketball player hands! :) He is too cute! And has a nice head of dark hair!! He's just under 7 pounds right now after his post-birth weight loss, but his weight is already on the rise! I have a feeling this little guy is going to turn out to be one tall boy!!!! Just like daddy!

It's crazy because now all the first born grandkids on my side are boys, and we only have one girl. Poor Brighton! :) But she will be well protected by her brother and cousins! And all the kids are born on the 6th of a month. Finley and Mason are both born July 6th (how crazy that both my brothers first born boys are born the same day!), Brighton is born Sept 6th and Evan and Zac were born on March 6th!! Easy enough to remember bdays now!!

Anyhow, just wanted to share a few pictures of my newest adorable nephew!

Where oh where has time gone?! hee hee hee

"Pimp my ride" onesie.

At the Forestry Farm with my nephew Finley at his 4th b-day! That's his friend beside him! She wanted to be in the picture too! Evan totally oblivious to what was going on!

My bright-eyed boy!!

Smiles for everyone!!!!

This was the cake top from my church shower. The booties signify Evan...the boxing gloves signify Zac...he had to be a part of the night too! Thank you Nadia for such a perfect design! It was more than I expected!!

Oh my...my time has become so very limited these days! Evan is having more awake time during the day which means less time for me...which is fine by me! But I haven't been able to update the blog, or journal as much...or brush my teeth for that matter! hee hee hee.

So, here are some updates. Last week we had 2 baby showers. One was at our church. It was really really nice! My mom decorated and my inlaws helped with the food. My sister in law did games. Evan got LOTS of nice stuff!!! I'm excited for him to be able to use some of the things he got. Not that I'm wishing him to grow up quickly...but it will be fun when the time comes.

I was especially touched by the way people helped to honor Zac and allow my little fighter boy to be a part of this night. I had asked that if people felt led that they would donate a preemie sleeper in memory of Zac that I will be taking to the NICU. There were so many sleepers, and it warmed my heart...and I felt Zac smiling down.

It was really hard for me to have the shower at first because it hurt so much not to be walking in with BOTH my boys. But knowing how loved Zac was through each of these ladies prayers helped me. And to see the excitement they had to see little Evan was wonderful. Thank you to each and every one of you precious women who were able to attend, and I'm sorry that some were unable to attend, but I'm sure we will see you soon!

The following night I had a shower by my work people. It was at one of the doctor's houses and it was so nice and laid back. It was good to see the girls who were able to make it. And for those of you who sacrificed seeing Evan because you were under the weather...I thank you for understanding that Evan is still in a fragile zone for illness and that you all cared enough for this precious little bean not to come. I was sad that I couldn't see all of you, but we'll stop by the office soon! The gifts were wonderful, and again thank you to those who donated sleepers, and a huge thank you to the doctors for the donation to the NICU! That was unexpected, and touched my heart deeply! I know the NICU will be touched too!

The week had been a busy one for Evan, so it was nice to have the weekend to recuperate. This week is semi busy too. Today Evan has an appointment with the Alvin Buckwold Development Program. All preemies go through this progam to be monitored for developmental tracking. Today he will be seen by an Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist and Speech Pathologist.

Then on Wednesday we see one of the NICU neonatologists for a follow up. It will be fun to see how they think he is doing. WE think he is doing REALLY well!! Strong little guy!!

I weighed Evan on Friday and he is 8 POUNDS 3.5 OUNCES!!!! YAAAAAAAA, we've passed the 8 pound mark now!! And outgrowing outfits! In a way it is sad to know I have to start packing up his smaller sleepers! don't get me wrong, I'm THRILLED that he is growing and gaining...that is the ultimate goal...but there is this strange "sadness". But it's fun too because that means more shopping trips!! I love searching out good deals!

On Saturday we went to the Forestry Farm. It was my nephew's 4th birthday. Brett and I took Evan through the animals. I couldn't stop thinking about next summer and how Evan will be starting to really notice things and just to watch his expression as he sees all these animals! I totally want to take him to the Calgary Zoo!!

But while we were walking through the park we watched a dad with his two children...one in a wheelchair. I believe the child had Cerebral Palsy. It broke my heart, and I wondered what life would have been like had Zac survived. Would he have suffered? Would he only have been partially aware of the world around him? Yet a piece of me felt selfish and couldn't stop thinking that at least we would have had him with us, no matter how difficult it would have been.

Then as we continued on our walk through the park I watched a mom with her three boys...two being twin boys. Again, my heart ached for what has been taken away from us. I found myself clinging to Evan a little more.

All in all the day was a lot of fun, and Evan did great! Lots of fresh air. He slept lots yesterday! I think he takes after his mom! Too much fresh air makes me very sleepy!!

OK, Evan has now awoken. He has been in his swing beside me so I've been typing like a crazy person in hopes to get this update done!! Fortunately he is remaining patient and happy in his swing...but that could change mighty fast :)

I suppose I should bring this to a close. I will try to update more frequently. I will update after Wednesdays appointment and that way I can fill everyone in on todays appointment and Wednesdays all at once.