Today we saw the eye doc

Charlie had his first of many check-ups with specialists today...the eye doctor. Dr. N was looking at Charlie's retinas to make sure the high levels of oxygen didn't cause any damage to the blood vessels feeding the retina. After putting drops in his eyes and waiting long enough I almost fell asleep in the exam room, Charlie's peepers were finally dilated. Of course, he was totally sacked out, which made it much easier for Dr. N to look at them.

After a thorough exam, Charlie's eyes are just fine. All the blood vessels are totally normal and healthy. He has some far-sightedness, but that is very common in infants and usually resolves itself. Carter was farsighted as an infant (he had an exam for a different issue), and believe me, now he can spot a "Tom and Jerry" DVD on the rack at Target from 50 yards!!! Unless we notice something unusual with Charlie's eyes, he doesn't have to go back to the eye specialist again!!

Our next round of specialist appointments are in January with the hearing center at Cook Children's (routine hearing tests for all infants who were on ventilators) and the Child Study Center (to make sure he's hitting all his developmental milestones). Charlie certainly seems to be a perfectly normal baby -- thank you God for hearing all the prayers for our son.

Sweet Charlie

Baby Charlie has hit a fun milestone -- he's starting to smile at us. Jason finally caught his sweet grin this morning as I was holding him. How can he already be 8 weeks old on Tuesday!!!





How sweet are his little hands!!




My angel taking an afternoon nap in his crib.




The boys...Charlie wasn't too happy about this photo.




But he was more cooperative in this one:-0

Oh, to be 7 again

Griffin is such a special boy. And does he ever LOVE LOVE LOVE school this year. Tonight when we were tucking him in, he told us he was very frustrated. Jason and I braced for something about how we told him "no" again or fussing about Carter playing with his Legos. What was frustrating him shocked us.

He said he wished he could go back to school right then and that he was sorry tomorrow was Saturday!!! And he was even more upset that Monday is a holiday. He was going to miss a day of learning new things. Of course, we know the real truth. He has his first teacher crush on Mrs. D (I don't use full names on my blog to protect the innocent:-0) He told us he loves her and that she makes learning so much fun that he can't wait to get into her classroom everyday. Why can't all teachers have her enthusiasm and joy for their students. Every child should have teachers like Mrs. D. Now, how many 7-year-old boys do you know who love school or their 2nd grade teacher that much? Griffin blesses us every day with his sweet spirit. I'm proud to be his mother.

One of his latest Lego creations--he just sits in his room and makes them up as he goes. No instructions necessary!!

Carter is so proud

I received a wonderfully sweet and touching book from my friend Kay P. (fellow Southwest Christian mom) as a baby gift for Charlie. The book is about remembering your children's "lasts" instead of their firsts. For example, remembering the last time you help them tie their shoes or rock them to sleep at night. It makes me teary every time I read it as I know I've already passed so many "lasts" with Griffin and Carter. Thanks to this book and Kay, I'm taking more notice of these special moments.

So as luck would have it, a "last" happened for Carter this week. He decided he didn't want his safety rail on his bed anymore, so Jason took it off for him. It's been four nights (and naps) now, and we haven't found him on the floor yet!! He is so proud of himself for not needing the rail. I'm proud too, sniff, sniff, but how can he be almost 4 already? He was Charlie's size just yesterday, wasn't he??

Legos, Legos and more Legos!!

On Saturday, Coco and Papa took the boys on a surprise trip to North Park mall and the coolest store ever for boys...Legoland!! They were in hog heaven since both of them love to build things with Legos. We sent them with some spending money, so they each picked out a couple of sets to build. Griffin also bought extra wheels, tires and ladders, and Carter got extra Lego men. They fight all the time over the silly men, so we were glad to see a few new ones come home. This is a trip we will take them on again...but NEVER again on a Saturday. My dad said it was a zoo in that store with so many little kids and parents. He and I don't like big crowds, so our next trip to the Lego store will be during the week.

Here a few photos my mom took of the trip, including the boys standing near their favorite sculpture in the mall.

Photos pre-Charlie

These are photos my sweet cousin Amanda took of us the week before Charlie blessed our family. If you need a great photographer, she is amazing!!

Griffin is a yard boy

My boys are growing up too fast!!! The perfect example is happening in my yard now. Griffin has been begging to learn to mow the yard all summer. Jason finally decided it was time to let him try out his hand riding our zero-turn mower. I guess the years riding four-wheelers is paying off because he is doing GREAT!! He will be guiding the Dixie (as I call her) around all our trees in no time. Little does he know he'll have years to mow before he leaves our nest. Jason will have a full-blown lawn crew with our boys.

In fact, at dinner tonight, Griffin told him that soon he could sit on the back porch "like an old man" and watch he and his brothers do the yard. Personally, I can wait for few more years before seeing that around here.

Isn't my big man handsome!!




And this is sweet Carter when he's sleeping...too darling!!

Random thoughts and new photos

I spotted my first gray hairs last night while the big boys were showering/bathing. I can't imagine why I'd be getting any gray hairs with three boys, can you?? I'm so okay with getting a few grays. I have no idea what my natural hair color is anyway (does any woman really know??), so they will get covered up just like the rest by my wonderful stylist, Jan.

So I get home this morning from my 6-week checkup with my OB, and the big stool was out in the kitchen. I asked Carter why it was out, and he said, "Mom, I blowed a BIG HUGE booger out of my nose, and I had to use a tissue just like you always tell me." I guess the boy does listen to me every once in a while!!

Here are new pics that my sweet sis-in-law Sherri took last weekend.

Carter is funny

One of our neighbors, no, it's not one of our sweet Hillside Dr. neighbors, is burning leaves tonight. Our whole house reeks of the nasty smell (at least when we burn, it's mostly brush and dead tree limbs that doesn't smell too bad). The smoke was so bad at our house that one of our next door neighbors came over to make sure it wasn't our house!! Anyway, Carter told Jason that if Jason caught on fire, he'd melt like a marshmellow because he's so white. I guess it takes a marshmellow to know one...he he he. Those two sunburn so easily.

New pics of the boys

Griffin is my "baby wrangler" as I like to call him. He loves to hold Charlie and will help with almost anything I need. Carter is my diaper-changing helper. He likes to open up the diapers and marvel at the color of Charlie's poop.

Charlie's checkup and first outing with all three boys by myself

Charlie saw his pedi on Thursday for his 1-month checkup . The little piggy continues to gain weight -- he was at 9.9 pounds, which is one pound over his birth weight. And he grew an inch!! He's in the 95% for height and 50% for weight. So far, he's more like Griffin then Carter in how he's built.

On Friday, Grif and Carter had haircut appointments, and Griffin had "meet the teacher" at school, so the boys and I had our first outing by ourselves. It was a little daunting to get out the door by 10:30 a.m., but I'm proud to say we were on time to the salon for their haircuts.

Our good friend, Dawn, called on the way and asked if we were available for lunch. I had already planned to go to Tommy's Hamburgers for lunch as it's next door to the salon. Dawn and her sweet hubby have three boys too (8, 6 and 3) so our kids all love to see each other. Two mommas and six boys were quite the sight at Tommy's -- I walked out with all the boys while Dawn cleaned up our table (it was a hopeless cause). People at two tables asked me if the baby in the car seat (Charlie) was a girl. They actually looked a little sad when I proudly told them Charlie was a boy. Poor people, they have no idea how much fun boys can be!!

Check out the big boys' sleep over with Sydney

Susan was so nice to recap the evening and post pictures, so I had nothing to do:-) Thanks for having them over. They really did have a great time!!

Charlie and his baby sling

Here's how I'm able to update my blog while holding Charlie at the same time. He loves to sleep in this thing, and it's actually pretty comfortable.

Busting out of baby jail

It's been a crazy few days for us. My brother and his wife were in town to meet Charlie. We spent most of the day Friday and Saturday with them. Lauren loved her new nephew. She held him every chance she got. And Josh was quite busy with the other two. Griffin and Carter were so glad Uncle Josh was here...especially since their daddy hurt his back riding the Texas Giant at Six Flags last week and couldn't throw them around in the pool. The boys cried when it was time leave my parents' house as they wanted to go to San Antonio with Josh and Lauren. We promised them we'd figure out a time for them to visit.

They will make great parents, won't they!!

Charlie had another weight check on Friday, and he's up to 9 pounds now. As often as he eats, he ought to be about 20 pounds. Today was the first time I was able to get out of the house without a kid, and guess what exciting place I went. No, not for a pedicure or massage (I wish!!). I went to Albertson's for groceries. Jason asked me if I was glad to be out of baby jail, and honestly, it was nice to be by myself for an hour with no one hanging on me. Charlie slept in our room while Jason worked, but of course, five minutes after I got home, he woke up hungry. Imagine that!!

He has a checkup with his pediatrician Thursday afternoon, which I'm sure will go great. The only problems he's having are spitting up quite a bit after feeding and not burping very often. If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears. Our other two were burping champs.

The boys and their "Big Girl" Sydney

We are so blessed to have Sydney B. in our lives (not to be confused with our other sweet Sydney, our cousin -- pics of her coming with the boys soon). I have known Sydney's mom, Susan, for more than 9 years. She helped me when I was interviewing for my job at RadioShack in March 2000. She was pregnant with Sydney at the time. Our bond grew once Griffin was born, and by the time Carter came around, we were very close friends.

Sydney and Griffin have been friends since they were toddlers, and she's loved it as we added Carter and Charlie to our family. Sydney loves babies!! They came over to spend the day with us on Monday. It was so nice to have them here. And Susan made a wonderful pasta salad for our lunch. Note, she added feta cheese to it which was yummy!! If you need a great salad to take to a party, try it!!

Here is a photographic chronicle of Sydney and the boys:

Sydney (almost 3 years old) and Griffin (20 months old)



Sydney (5 years old) and Carter Magee (1 month old)

And finally from Monday, Sydney (who just turned 9 last week, sniff, sniff) and Charlie (3 weeks old). Charlie was hungry, so he wasn't very happy, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE the expression on her face. It's classic Sydney.

New pics of Charlie

We bought two awesome new lenses for my camera, so bear with me as I try some new things with my photos.

Pedi appt, visitors, church -- it's been busy the last few days

It's been a busy few days for us. Charlie had a follow-up appointment with his pediatrician Friday afternoon. He gained 5 ounces, so he weighed 8.8 pounds, which puts his almost at his birth weight (I'm sure he's over it by now since it's Sunday afternoon). One thing she HIGHLY encouraged us to do is keep him away from lots of people touching him and other children as best we can. While he's not on "house arrest," we will be limiting his exposure to crowds over the next several months, or at least until the springtime, so we can make sure his lungs stay as healthy as possible. He goes back to see her on Aug. 13 for his next check-up. I think we'll be seeing her a lot in the coming months as she wants to make sure he's progressing as he should be.

We've had lots of visitors this weekend, and our family, friends and neighbors have given us many wonderful gifts for Charlie. I promise I'll be getting around to thank you notes soon, so don't think I've forgotten about you!! He still has his days and night somewhat mixed up, so he and I are awake most of the night. Last night, the longest stretch he slept was two hours...sigh. While it's very frustrating to be awake so much, I know this is part of having a newborn, and I remind myself constantly during those 3 a.m. feedings what it was like to have him in the NICU for 12 days. My pity party quickly vanishes once I do that, and I'm able to focus on the important job of caring for this sweet angel.

For the first time in six weeks, we went to church last night. It was the first time all five of us have been in the truck together. It felt so good to be at church among our friends and family. It was "Snack Saturday" as Griffin calls it when we have communion. The boys love to take communion with us (which our church highly encourages all children to do if they'd like).

When our pastor saw us coming up to take communion, he swooped in and took Charlie from Jason. Pastor Rick held Charlie, introduced him to the congregation and briefly told them Charlie's story. His message was about God's promises, and he held Charlie up as an example of His promises. Of course, I had to hear what Rick said second-hand as I was busy helping Carter fish his bread out of the juice cup -- thank you Summer for taking it all in stride!! Regardless of whether I heard every word or not, it touched Jason and me that Rick would use our baby as an example to drive home his message. God is GOOD!!

I'm off to catch a quick nap while the two youngest boys sleep. Wish me luck:-)

Quotable quotes from Carter Magee

Yesterday, Carter saw a commercial on the Food Network for cheese from California that talked about the "happy cows making happy milk". He turned to me and said:

"Mommy, you know, cows make milk. And you've turned into a cow."

Then in usual Carter-fashion, he went back to playing with his toys while I was left to laugh over his latest revelation. Perhaps he's watched me pump one too many times...

And this just in... Carter wanted to sleep with his daddy tonight, so Jason told him go on into our room. Carter said he wanted to watch TV. Jason said, "I have a better idea, let's watch the backs of our eyelids." Carter jumped up and down and said "I love that show Daddy!!" Ah, to be 3 years old again.

Charlie's first pedi appointment

Charlie's doc appointment yesterday overall was good. She was very pleased and surprised with how quickly he turned around. She was watching his progress each day via his online chart (the beauty of using a Cook Children's network d0c), so she was totally up to speed on everything he went through in the hospital. He gained one ounce to 8.3 pounds, so she asked us to bring him back on Friday for another weight check.

She doesn't think we need to follow up with the pulmonologist at this point, but just to be on the safe side, she did ask us to make an appointment with a pediatric eye specialist. She is treating him like a premature baby since he was on the ventilator, so that's why she recommended the eye doc. In her words, she isn't worried, but wants to be "anal" about making sure everything is good with Charlie, and we appreciate that. She wants to follow his development very closely over the next year or two to make sure there are no delays with reaching developmental milestones, but again, she's not overly concerned, just being cautious. She doesn't believe he was on the vents and oxygen long enough to cause any major delays (neither did his NICU docs), but we'd all rather be safe.

Last night we actually got him to sleep a few hours at a time in his basinette. And my sweet hubby heard him crying at 4 a.m., so he came into the living room to take over and sent me to bed!!! It was so nice to get three hours of sleep in my own bed instead of the couch.

My sister-in-law Shashe is back in town after being gone to visit her hubby's family in Wisconsin for 10 days. She hasn't seen Charlie since he was hooked up to all the tubes and wires, so I can't wait for her to come over today and see her nephew. My brother and sis-in-law will be here from San Antonio next week for a visit. He came up and surprised us for Charlie's birth, but he never got to see the baby since Charlie was sent to the NICU so quickly. They have been checking on Charlie every day, so I know I will have to wrestle Aunt Lala for the baby once they get here:-)

Charlie is happy to be home

Baby Charlie is SO happy to be home. He is a good-natured baby who doesn't cry unless he's hungry (which is every 2-3 hours round the clock right now). Charlie is making up for the two weeks away...he does not like to be put in his bassinet or bed. As long as someone holds him, he's quiet as a mouse. So, as you can imagine, I've been holding him practically day and night. I'm glad we have a very comfy chair in the living room as that's where he and I have slept the last two nights!!

Griffin is a model big brother. He loves to hold Charlie, and he helps with every diaper change. Today, he restocked diapers for me, and held him while I made our lunch. Carter is mildly interested in Charlie and still calls him "New Baby". As I remember, Griffin wasn't too interested in Carter when he was born, so Carter's reaction doesn't surprise me too much.

Charlie has his first appointment with his pediatrician tomorrow. I'm anxious to see how much he weighs so we'll know if the breast feeding is going as well as it seems to be to me. He weighed 8.2 pounds when we left the hospital on Saturday. Hopefully, he's maintained his weight or gained a few ounces. I promise I'll update tomorrow with news from his appointment.

Charlie got his first bath at home tonight, and he hated every minute of it. I think all newborns cry during their baths, so we didn't take it personally. We worked over his scaly feet, and they look much better now!!

The house still looks like a bomb went off in it, and I never did get a shower today, but hey, that's par for the course with a newborn. And I'm thrilled to have him home. I'd much rather be sleep-deprived wearing yesterday's clothes as a result of taking care of him then from being at the hospital.