The Feat of Feet or Just Kickin' It

Last week the hands...this week their partners, the feet. We've expanded our kicking from the mobile to other toys. Our "Clip of the Week" is Callan trying out the baby version of Dance Dance Revolution...he's a natural!

Our biggest and best news of the week was from the Cardiologist. We learned that Callan's murmur is still present, his ductis is still not completely closed, but that it is very, very small and should close on its own by the time Callan is six months old. If for some reason it does not close it should not in any way effect his development, physical activity or health---phew!!!! The Dr. told me that if I left with any reason to worry about Callan's heart then he had not been clear enough. So I was able to officially cross that off the To-Worry list. One down, nine million seven hundred and six to go. ; ) And, since nothing says "thank goodness we have a healthy heart" like bacon, we went out to breakfast with my parents to celebrate! (guess who dressed him!)

Our runner up for best news is, drum roll...........................................................................EIGHT & A HALF HOURS OF SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Last night Callan slept from 10p until 6:30a. Holy cow do I hope that is the beginning of a new pattern and not just a fluke!!!! Next time it happens I will worry less (one more off the list!) and try to enjoy/participate more. I woke up at three and then spent most of the rest of the morning checking on Callan. Here's hoping I get another chance soon!

Callan is just growing so much, so quickly! As of last Friday he weighed 14.9 lbs and is officially wearing six month clothes. It is really amazing to realize that every day that goes by he is the smallest he'll ever be...every inch and ounce is one closer to laughing, sitting, talking---walking. I love watching how he changes and learns, and it reminds me to enjoy every second. Even the ones in the middle of the night. I'm sure it won't seem like long until he is keeping me up all night because he has missed his curfew.... I better enjoy the simple reasons like hunger and wet diapers while we have them!

We are looking forward to a great Labor Day weekend with lots of company. Aunt Angela and Uncle Joey, Great Grandma Gladys and my dear friend Amanda! Good thing Callan is getting lots of rest so he can be ready for all of the playing!

Here are a few other pictures from our week....

Callan trying out his new Bumbo (thank you Gerry!) while Vegas looks on. And one of my mom and Callan having a little conversation.

Hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday!

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SMITY!!!!!

Haha SUCKER!

Look at us--our first video!!!! Yesterday, my mom reported that Callan spent most of the day working on getting his right thumb into his mouth. While this was obviously exhausting work, he got quite a bit of practice in and is now very proud of his latest accomplishment---fist sucking. I'm not sure if this skill will be honed into thumb sucking or not, time will tell. I found it pretty entertaining to watch him try this (and my mom did too!!!) so I thought we'd try a little video...if there were sound you could here the sweet little suck suck suck he is doing. He is pretty enamored with this...last night I had to hold his hand just to see a smile without a fist in it.

In addition to finding his fist on a consistent basis, Callan has been working on a lot of new things. He is showing a lot more interest in his surroundings. He will follow people's movements across a room and is starting to enjoy his toys a little more; holding his rattles (see pic) and looking at pictures in his books. His favorite toy right now is the mobile--he loves to watch it and listen to the music...and according to Grandma Char, he also enjoys kicking it when you hold him near it. Of course we do not encourage such behavior!!! ; )

Since our last post I have "officially" returned to work and Callan has been spending his days with my mom. While I miss him like crazy, Callan loves my mom and I can tell he enjoys being with her. And Grandma Char thinks he is pretty special, too! Vegas is working on adjusting to the idea that she is not coming over just to see him...he has been experimenting with some attention seeking behaviors...such as borrowing Callan's bottle. While this is an improvement from diaper ingestion....it is still pretty irritating! I don't know if he thinks the bottle is the reason Callan is being held and cuddled and therefore if he has the bottle he'll get the same treatment, or if he knows it is food of some kind and just can't resist. I suppose the third possibility is he just wants to make trouble--but that seems so unlikely!!!!! ; )

I was talking to my brother Grant this week and he was telling me all the fifty things he did this past weekend and then asked me what I did and I said "besides hanging out with Callan, I went to Target!" At the time it was legitimately the only other accomplishment I could think of besides enjoying my time with Callan, but I felt super lame to throw Target out like it was a place to go for entertainment/socialization/recreation! I might find a grocery store with a cooler name so it sounds a little more adventurous. Or maybe I will take to lying...

In actuality, we did have lots of fun last weekend because we had visits from both sets of grandparents! Callan was in such a great mood last Friday when my folks were here....he smiled almost all night long. He was such a little prince my mom, dad and I would all three go to change him just so we didn't miss out on his smiling and cooing. Such a fun day must have worn him out---he wasn't quite as happy on Saturday for Roger and Elaine's visit...he was much more interested in eating than he was in visiting. Here's a picture of Eric's dad (the Cubs fan!) and Callan in his Cubs outfit (courtesy of Aunt Angie and Uncle Joe). After looking at this picture and the one of Eric and Callan--I think our son might be a bit of a chameleon...looking a little bit like whoever is holding him!

This week we are looking forward to visits from my friend Monica who will be visiting us from Kansas City, and Sarah who will be visiting us from Connecticut. We also have our Cardiology appt. on Friday....wish us luck!

Happy Birthday to us!

Callan is celebrating his 2 month birthday today!!!! We celebrated his birthday the only way we know how---with shots. Not quite the way we used to do it...there is still the element of physical pain (but more instantaneous) but this version comes with much more emotional pain (at least for me). During our check-up our pediatrician graciously answered my LONG list of questions/concerns, and we learned that we have grown two inches taller and gained almost 4 pounds!!!! Callan is getting so big!!! And he is really starting to get social! He is cooing and jabbering away! (He said "Hi" at my mom and dad's this weekend. I swear! We have witnesses!!!) He smiles often and is starting to grasp toys and rattles. He can see quite a bit further and can track our movements from across the room. It is really amazing how much he has grown and changed in the last 8 weeks. The time has gone by so quickly! TOO quickly! (here's a picture of Callan from this weekend versus one from his first day...amazing!) We have had a fabulous summer! We've gotten to see and spend lots of time with our families, and friends and introduce Callan to all kinds of new things and people. We are very lucky!

Callan's two month birthday also means that I have to go back to work tomorrow...and while I am lucky to be going back to a great job, I will really, really miss spending all my time with my baby boy! However, it is a tremendous comfort to know that Callan will not be missing me, since he will be spending his days with Grandma Char! And, as Eric reminded me, I am not very good at camping and would probably not fare well living out of our car if I chose not to go back to work. He's so funny it is painful sometimes. ; )

Speaking of Eric and work...Eric bought his first items of clothing for Callan! He ordered Callan a set of "uniforms." (Eric has a work uniform=khakis and polos, and a home uniform = shorts and Tshirt) So, like father like son, Eric found this onesies at his company's store and thought that Callan could use a few. They say "Daddy's Little Apprentice." Considering the running joke in Eric's family is that he has been working since he was two...the onesies were a hit at his family party a few weeks ago. And I guess maybe it is time for Callan to get to work, too!

We did get a bit of concerning news today. Our Dr. heard Callan's heart murmur again. So to determine if it is truly the same problem that hadn't resolved itself as we thought it had, or if it is something new, or (our third and clearly favorite possibility) something was wrong with the Pediatrician's stethoscope and it is nothing; we will be going to the cardiologist sometime next week.

One final note for today....Vegas has become a very good big brother. He got a special treat last night---a nearly empty peanut butter jar. Here's a picture of his struggle to get his tongue all the way to the bottom.

A clean baby is a happy baby...

most of the time. We love bath time, however, we do not enjoy getting out of the tub. Note the before and after shots here. The funniest thing about these pictures is what you don't see--Callan's audience! Seven adults watching one baby take his bath. Oh to be loved!!!

And the world smiles with us!

LOOK what we have here! These little smiles are abundant in the morning and scarce in the evening. (Go figure--my new boss is a morning person.) However few or many, they are endlessly entertaining to me!

Communication

Callan has added a fourth hunger cue--hand to mouth! So now we have 1. He's awake. 2. The baby bird face. 3. Hand to mouth and occasional hand sucking and 4. CRYING! (I have a feeling that there is a fifth universal sign, but luckily he doesn't have enough dexterity to give me that one, yet.)

We're getting better at this so usually we can fill his request by the time we reach stage 2....but sometimes Mom is just not fast enough. Here's a little picture of his new sign language.

It's Tricky...

Callan's Aunt Beth came to visit us a few weeks ago and took his 1 month pictures for us. We (the adults) had a great time--the pics turned out fabulously! Callan didn't mind the photography, as long as there was meal time between takes. It did prove a little more tricky to get Callan to look at the camera instead of out the window. Here's one of my favorite pictures w/Callan in a bib from Uncle Ethan and Aunt Liza.

P.S. Bonus points for those connecting the post title and the bib! ; )

P.P.S. Double bonus points for anyone who can help me find a black nursing bra. Seriously.

An Overnight Visit

OK, this is a really belated post, but it was a milestone sooo here it is anyway!!!

Exactly one week after arriving home, we had quite an exciting evening...
We were getting Callan ready to go to his first party, when the windstorm hit. We lost power for about 15 hours. I decided that I wasn't rugged enough to be able to care for Callan w/out electricity. Something about changing a diaper while holding a flash light under you chin just didn't work for me. So he and I packed up and headed out to spend the night at my parents house. Since it was already late in the evening (10p ish) we didn't have enough light at home to get the Pack'n Play loaded up, so I left w/a portable swing hoping that would work for the night. Once we got there and my parents helped us settle in, I couldn't stand the way Callan was sitting in the swing so I decided that he should sleep in his car seat instead. Once I got him nestled in there, I spent the night worrying that his chin might be resting on his chest and obstructing an air way. So I spent most of the time worrying and occasionally flicking on my flashlight (in place of a nightlight) to make sure all was well. Callan slept like a champ...in fact until two nights ago I believe that was his longest stretch of sleep on record--nearly 4 hours (and I spent it awake and watching him. good plan) . What I learned from that experience is that Callan will be fine, and can pretty much make himself comfortable wherever he might be...it's me I have to worry about!

A Tale of Two Great Grandmas

It was the best of times, it was...just really the best of times! Callan was lucky enough to get to meet two of his Great Grandmas a few weeks ago.

My Grandma Gladys, Callan's Great Grandma (henceforth to be known as GG)...drove down to visit us (I say us, but we all know who I mean). She joked before hand that she had been working out lifting ten lb. bags of flour to prepare for holding him! Lucky thing since I roped her in to watching Callan while my mom (Thank you MOM!!!) and I cleaned the house. Callan was being so

spoiled by GG, that Vegas felt a little short changed. So when ever GG sat down with Callan, up came Vegas. An 11 pound baby on your lap doesn't leave a lot of room for a 15 pound dog, but Vegas found a way!

We also took Callan out to Wahoo to visit his Great Grandma Francis. She was delighted to see him, even though he spent most of our visit loudly announcing his presence. He also showed off by dirtying three diapers in about 30 minutes. It was an eventful day!

P.S. A careful observer might notice two new things about Callan from these pictures. His HANDS! After forcing Callan to spend the first three weeks of his life with his hands in mittens or, when in a bind, socks, so that he didn't scratch his face....I was finally given the confidence to trim his nails! A group of friends came to visit and reassured me that I wouldn't be able to maim him for life with the safety trimmers. Thankfully, they were right...or at least so far.

Lessons learned!

HI! We are severely tardy in our posts. SORRY! I don't have a very good excuse except the usual. I have to face the facts that showering is a major accomplishment---updating the blog ranks up there with completing the Iditarod. It's pretty freakin' impressive (if I do say so myself). I got ambitious last week I wrote about 8 paragraphs to catch everyone up on our goings-ons...but of course, I left the computer to do something and it rebooted and erased my work. In an effort to avoid a repeat performance, I have decided to make each post separately, even if they are no longer in the correct order....so these are the "events" as I recall them. We'll get caught up eventually!!!!

Home Sweet Home

Phew. We have been home since Friday morning and I feel like we are just catching our breath. And by we, of course I mean mostly me--everyone else had less trouble. Callan is doing great! And I am starting to get a hold of myself--I had no idea my true capacity for worry!!!! My personal milestone today was that I allowed myself to get in the shower while Callan was sleeping. I am learning that it is possible for him to continue sleeping without my constant supervision. Who knew?

One person who might be having a little trouble adapting is Vegas. He is very curious, about the new noises, the new smells (he ate a diaper our first day home---as if they weren't gross enough to begin with--strewn across the carpet they are entirely unpleasant.) Every day seems a little better.

We had a Dr.'s appt. today, and another one on Friday. Our first outing went well. Luckily my Mom was able to with us...just having Callan in a car that I am driving made me nervous! I don't know if she would admit it, but it may have made Mom nervous too...considering it was my first time behind the wheel in almost two weeks--that factor combined with my usual tremendous driving skills. But we all survived and Callan had a great check up.

We are very glad to finally be home!

Blue Light Special

Well, one more day down in the NICU. We hope to be "released" on Friday. On Sunday, Callan got his feeding tube removed and was able to start mouth feedings...that was a very good day! One less tube or wire is a welcome relief...we are looking forward to having a cordless baby soon!

Callan has spent the last few days looking like he's at a beach. He has been under a special light to help control his jaundice. He gets "sprung" in about an hour---back to a crib instead of an incubator. Which also means he can wear clothes! Which is probably more exciting for Mom than for baby!

Today, after a second EKG, we got a better idea of what it was that was causing Callan's breathing problems. It appears to be a very common problem in many infants that deals with the closing of a duct near his heart. The physicians expect that it will close on its own in the next few weeks, and if not, it can be treated with medication. We were extremely relieved!!!

We are looking forward to finally bringing our boy home later this week. I was released from the hospital on Monday and after a lengthy bout of hysterics (on my part) was convinced that I couldn't properly recuperate by sleeping in the recliner in the NICU. Eric was right---I feel much better having had a few hours of sleep in my own bed. I also forgot that I hadn't been outside in 5 days...I missed the fresh air! I was also very glad to see Vegas! That guy has a few changes in store for him...life as a big brother!

Thank you all for your support and prayers! They seem to be working just the miracle we needed!

Love,

Callan, Eric & Joslynn

Inside out. BOY, you turn me!

Introducing Callan James Gonnerman!

The most important and thrilling thing to write is that our son is healthy and resting comfortably tonight!

It has been a long 36 hours....

We arrived at the hospital for a scheduled C section yesterday morning. The operation went fine, it took a little longer than expected as the anesthesiologist had to try 5 times to find my epidural space. I'm sure you are all aware of my love for needles, so that was a super thrilling time for me...needle hitting my spine. Callan was born at 9:53 a.m. and weighed 10 lbs. 7 oz and is 23 inches long. He was the biggest baby in the nursery....his total weight beat the cumulative weight of a new set of twins---what an over achiever!

We spent the rest of the day yesterday introducing Callan to his family. He was able to meet everyone with the exception of two uncles and one cousin....what a lucky boy!

Unfortunately, last night at about 11 p.m. Callan began to have trouble breathing. He was breathing about twice the normal rate. Because of his rapid respiration, he had to be fed through a tube. About 6a this morning they ran labs and took an x-ray, and determined he needed to go to the NICU. Once in the NICU, they told us he needed an echo cardiogram to rule out a congenital heart defect. There aren't words for how frightened we were! Luckily, the cardiologist was able to rule out any heart abnormalities. So we are left with two possible culprits for his breathing difficulties, either pneumonia or fluid aspiration during birth. The treatment for either is similar---IV antibiotics and monitoring. So our son is spending the next 7 to 10 days in the NICU, but we are so relieved that the problem is temporary and fairly easily remedied. It's not the start we hoped for, but it is truly the best case scenario from what we were looking at this morning.

Two days ago, before coming to the hospital, I spent a few minutes crying to Eric, worried that I wouldn't feel like a mom since I wasn't going to have the birth experience I hoped for. I was worried that I wouldn't bond with Callan. Now, having only been a mom for less than two days, I am so overwhelmed at the instantaneous nature of the mother/child bond. I love that little boy so much it makes my heart ache to think of him. I can't believe how hard it is just to have him two floors away instead of in the bassinet in my room. I can't wait to heal him and have him come home to his family! What a love he is!

Also, I have to brag for a moment... besides having the most handsome son in the world, I am a lucky girl to have such a terrific husband. Eric has been taking care of his emotional basket case of a wife, his new son and our dog...and making it look easy all the while. Some how he has still managed to avoid changing a diaper (so far!), but he is a wonderful father, and it is so fun to see him with Callan. Thank you, Eric!!!!

Here are a few pictures of our boy...some from yesterday, some from today. One of our favorite shots is the picture of his footprint---another centimeter bigger and his feet wouldn't have fit in their stamp pad! We grow 'em big!

New Edition in the Family

The brilliant Liza Monroy, my brother Ethan's kind, beautiful and talented girlfriend releases her debut novel, Mexican High, tomorrow(June 10). I can't wait to read it!!!! If the copies I ordered show up on their expected arrival date, I just might have time to read it before the baby arrives! (Then again, I may have time to read it several times before the baby arrives!)

Here's a link to a Q&A with Liza from this weekend's Wall Street Journal, and an excerpt from her book.

We wish her much happiness and continued success!

the ELEPHANT and the ROOM

This is where I plan to post the news when it happens, so I thought I would test it out by posting a few pictures. A test of the Emerging Baby Broadcast System...


Here are a few of the nursery. I love the way it turned out especially because it is filled with gifts from people we love! Everyone has been so generous, especially with their time and talents! My patient and wonderful parents painted the nursery for us, and my Grandma Gladys made the curtains and bed skirt. Not to mention all of the beautiful clothes, books, toys and other gifts we have received. We are so lucky to have such wonderful families and friends! Thank you all!!!!!!

We are officially two days past due...hopefully this is a sign that our son will have his mother's leisurely attitude towards time. (I am not certain Eric would agree on the hopefully part--but she who controls the keyboard...)

I have a Dr.'s appointment today--perhaps we will get some news. Eric would appreciate news that involves a specific date and time. I hope he is not holding his breath! I am not feeling impatient yet. I am still as comfortable as you can be with the feet of an elephant and camel hump (too big for "baby bump") so big that it makes people think I am having twins. Ah, the beauty of having a 56" waist! I can tell that I am starting to get so big that I am scaring people. Especially when they learn I am past due...I think a lot of people really think it could literally be any minute--- and most don't want to share that minute with me!!!

Mother's Day!

Today is Mother's Day! Our first blog entry! It's hard to believe that last year at this time Baby HonGon wasn't even a twinkle in our eye(s)...and now he is only 23 days from his expected arrival. I got heart palpitations typing that thinking about all the things I feel like we have left to do. If our little guy decides to take after me and be a little late---I think we'll be fine! If he takes after his father and decides to arrive a little early---well, I'm sure it won't be the last time he sends us scrambling or catches us slightly unprepared!

Last night at my folks' house we looked at some of my baby pictures--an album of my first year. It is so amazing how fast the time goes! I looked a lot like my mom as a baby. I wonder who our son will look like? And I would like to wish my Mom an especially Happy Mother's Day. She is an inspiration to me---if I can be half the Mom she is, we will have a very lucky boy!