Ethan

8/9/2001

As of today he is 10 weeks and 6 days.  He is getting chunky!  We went in for his first shots on July 26th.  He was all happy until the nurse stuck a nice needle in his leg  3 times!  He
did really well considering.  He was a tad cranky that night and the next
day, but he's strong and took it like the little man he is. So here's the
stats...

Birth weight = 8 pounds
Birth height = 20 1/2 inches

Two months later..

13 pounds 8 oz. & 22 1/2 inches!

Can you believe it?!?!  Initially, we had a weight gain issue.  NOT
ANYMORE!!!  His doctor said that if he keeps gaining weight like he is, then
we may have to start him on cereal sooner than most babies. He was eating 5-6
oz. every 3 hours.  We also had him on a preemie nipple because he was having
problems sucking, but it got to the point where he wasn't having to suck to
get the milk to come out, SOOOOOOO, I switched his bottle to the Playtex
nurser.  He hated it at first, but is doing much better with it now.  He is
wearing a size 3-6 months, but I still try to get him into some of his 0-3's
just because he is growing too fast!
Ethan starting sleeping through the night a few days before I had to go back
to work.  What a good boy!  He knew that Mommy was having a real hard time
thinking about having to leave him to go back to work, so he decided to let
me sleep.

On that note, I am back at work.  Work has been incredibly supportive.  They
know how hard it is for me to be away from Ethan.  My member's at the credit
union always ask how he is doing and always want to see his pictures.  I get
to brag all day long.  I do take comfort in the fact that Ethan is in great
hands.  I have to drive across town to get to his daycare, but is so worth
it!  I trust her and that's what is important.  We have our little routine
every day.  Ethan wakes up at the same time every morning (6-6:30), which is
perfect because Scott can feed him while I get in the shower to get ready for
work.  I take him to Miss Susie's, go to work, and Scott pick's Ethan up from
Miss Susie's.  Scott brings him in to me every Friday, so I get to love him a
little before leaving work, and I get to show him off to everyone.

My mom figured out that Ethan loves pigeon noises.  He almost always calms
down when you make those sounds to him.  In order for me to get him to drink
some water, I have to squirt it in his mouth.  We got that one on tape.  It's
too cute!  We took him up to Mammoth Pools (I have been going there since
childhood) for the first time for a day of camping.  Grampa stuck his feet in
the creek (he didn't like it very much).  He liked the sounds of the boats,
which is good because when we become rich, I will have one!  I got to go out
on the speed boats a couple of times.  Such a rush going that fast on the
water!  Ahhhh...back to Ethan.

He doesn't have the big smile yet, but he does grin a little.  His faces
crack me up.  I just dropped off a roll of film, so I will send those to my
friend Brian so he can add them to the website.  You all need to sign his
guestbook!  Well, I think that's about all for now.  See what happens when I
don't send these out in a timely manner!  It goes on and on...sorry!  We
would love to hear from you!
 

Oh, one more thing, for those of you who are wondering...YES!  His umbilical
cord FINALLY came off.  July 23rd to be precise.  Almost two months after he
was born.  His doctor had to put silver nitrate on it so it would shrivel up
and fall off.  If she hadn't, he would probably still have it!  Now Ethan can
enjoy his bath time!