THE ADAMS FAMILY: 2014

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Fowler- 3 and 4 months

I've let time slip away from me when it comes to posting. I've enjoyed just hanging out with my boys.

Fowler had his 4 month check-up on the 17th. The shots resulted in a slight fever and an entire day of sleep. Fowler woke up long enough to eat and was right back asleep. At his appointment he weighed 13 lbs 2 oz (I thought the nurse said 10 oz, but the dr said 2). This puts him in the 10th percentile. He was 25 inches long which means he is in the 40th percentile for height. He is a long and thin baby.
Currently he is:

establishing his nap routine. He takes a two hour morning nap and a two hour afternoon nap. He will take 2-3 30 minute power naps throughout the day. Those are usually him just drifting off while I'm cooking or while he is playing on his play mat. At night he typically falls asleep between 8-9 and wakes around 6. He eats and goes right back to sleep for about another hour or two.
He is eating rice cereal in the evenings and I just started offering green beans. Fowler wasn't a fan of green beans after about 3 bites.
He has excellent control of his head
He HATES tummy time, but is getting better at it. We slacked on tummy time up until a few weeks ago because his reflux was so bad. He still ends up spitting up nearly every time, but it isn't as bad.
He has been sitting in his high chair and for the most part he likes it.
He can grasp a toy and has even learned how to take his pacifier in and out of his mouth.
His favorite things are: his play mat, lights and music, his big brother, and just cuddling.
Loud/sudden noises scare him to the point of him letting out an alarming scream. It's pitiful. He is very sensitive to sound like his big brother Dylan.
His laugh and smile are contagious!

We are working on:

sitting up
increasing solids
getting him out and about more (Michael is working at our new house EVERY evening and all day on Saturdays, so we have been somewhat stuck at home).

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

My Boys

Baby Fowler- Two Months

My baby is 2 months old. I just can't believe how fast time goes the second time around. He is changing every day. He had is 2 month check-up this morning and had to have 5 shots! Our BIG boy is slowly become a tiny boy like his brother. He is still pretty high on the charts for height, but he dropped a good bit. I expected his weight to be lower simply because he just has really started eating well. He had really bad reflux (silent reflux) but after adding zantac we are good to go!
Weight: 11 lbs 2 oz (25th percentile)---getting to be a tiny little one (he was 59th)
Height: 23 in (60th percentile)--slowly declining on the charts (he was 98th)
Head: 16 in (50th percentile)
Clothing: He is wearing mostly 3 months outfits, but really needs 6 months in pants. His legs are so long. He is long and thin, but beginning to get those sweet chubby legs and cheeks.
Motor: He is still kicking his legs and "punching" his arms every where. He is very strong and is beginning to hold his head up more and more. He loves to look around. He can follow an object and turns his head when he hears my voice. He, like Dylan at this age, has learned to cry when he wants something.
Feeding: He is taking about ounces every 3-4 hours during the day.
Sleeping: We are still working on a routine, but he is adjusting and setting his little schedule. He has started sleeping ALL night. He typically has his last feeding around 10 or 11 and will sleep until 5 or 6! He wakes up just long enough to get enough milk to put himself back to sleep. He wakes up around 8 or 8:30 and stays awake until 10-1030. He takes a nap for about 2-3 hours and then is awake for about 1-2 hours. He takes another 2-3 hour nap and then awake until about 8:00. If he is awake later than that, his last feeding puts him to sleep. If he is asleep before 8, we wake him up to feed him one more time before bed.
Moments to remember: Fowler gave us his first smile at 6 weeks. He started "talking" to us around the same time. He is such a happy baby and loves to smile and coo. His sweet face melts my heart!

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Home Remodel

BEFORE

DURING

Just a sneak peak inside our new house. It's coming along, but still has a lot to go. Michael is working so hard painting. He has primed all the walls and trim. He is working on the caulk and putty on the trim and then comes... COLOR!! I can't wait to be in this house!!

Friday, April 11, 2014

30 Day Challenge

When I was pregnant with Fowler I realized how out of shape I really was. It was difficult towards the end of my pregnancy to stand for long periods of time or walk long distances. Of course, he was taking up every inch he could (all 21 inches of him). After having Fowler I knew I wanted to focus back on getting in shape. When Michael and I met I was in the best shape of my life (and also was at the heaviest weight). As we started dating and dinner dates became more frequent and spending time together nearly every day started taking away from my exercise time (I wouldn't trade it for anything), my fit body wasn't so "fit." Then came the proposal......I joined the gym and worked out religiously! After getting married I started back to school to embark on my second career and once again... the exercising stopped. Then came Dylan....no exercising....he became an active toddler....exercising came in a different form....I had health issues....slowed me down.....back to school again....slowed me down even more......baby Fowler was in the making........I became LAZY.....and here we are now!

I started a 30 day challenge yesterday and LOVE it. For thirty days I will focus on squats, leg lifts, and push-ups. I selected this plan (using my exercise science background) because I thought it would be a great way to jump start three areas of my body. The squats will focus on my legs, the push-ups will focus on upper body, and leg lifts will help me focus on abs. This is the chart I'm using:

I took pictures of myself before and plan to take pictures once I complete this plan. I will be home for 20 days of this plan, but return to work on day 21. I hope I can find the time before or after work to maintain my hard work. Until then, I hope to add some walking/running a few days a week. I'm motivated. After completing this challenge I will begin two more fitness challenges I found. One focuses just on legs while the other focuses just on abs. WISH ME LUCK!! I can't wait to share the results!

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

A Family of Four--Adjusting

Dylan wasn't so sure about Fowler when he met him at the hospital or when he came home. I will never forget our first night home as a family of 4. Dylan did great. He wanted to know all about his baby brother and wanted to love on mommy and daddy. He had spent the previous 3 nights with my parents. We all played and cuddled and involved Dylan in EVERY part of "the new baby." Michael and I tucked Dylan in bed that night and went to bed ourselves. The next morning I was already up with Fowler when Dylan came running in the living room. His first question, "Where is Fowler? Is he going to stay?" I guess he thought we were going to keep him for a few hours and send him back. LOL.
The next few days we enjoyed just being a family. We let Dylan stay home from "school" for two days simply because I missed him so much while we were in the hospital. side note----I already had a "guilty" feeling because I was going to have to share my love, but oh my! I would tear up every time I thought about Dylan while I was in the hospital. I missed him soooo much and wanted him to be right there with us.----- The more Dylan was around Fowler the more I could tell he just wasn't so sure about this tiny little baby that had turned his world upside down. Dylan refused to hold Fowler, but would sit beside one of us. He "forgot" how to do the simple things like putting his shoes on, getting dressed, picking up his toys, etc. It was tough. My sweet boy who loved his mommy was UPSET. I knew I had to do something and do it fast. It broke my heart that Dylan didn't "like" his mommy. Dylan helped us take Fowler to his first official doctor's appointment. No luck making him happy there. We had family pictures made. I think Dylan is in two of them. No luck making him happy then. BUT FINALLY...bath time! It was time to give Fowler his first bath. Guess who helped and is still helping with EVERY bath. Fowler is 7 1/2 weeks old and Dylan still doesn't want to hold Fowler but we are getting there. Dylan loves giving Fowler a bath, he thinks it is funny to watch Fowler have his diaper changed, and will help get anything we need for Fowler. I know one day I will look back on this post and laugh as I write about them playing together and becoming best buddies, but for now...we will simply take each day as it comes.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Home Makeover/Adjustments

Remember this post? Well, that was nearly a year ago. Our house is finally starting to look like a home. We should be moving in a few more months. There is still a ton of work to do, but it's getting there. Michael spends nearly every chance he gets painting. I've learned what it's like to be a single mom, but it will be worth it in the end. Dylan has learned to be very patient and has also been such a big helper. He loves helping me give Fowler a bath and loves watching Fowler have his diaper changed. We are very blessed with two sweet and precious boys. Here are a few pictures of the house.

Fowler at 1 Month

I'm obviously a little late posting, but I would much rather be spending tons of time with my boys! Fowler turned a month old on March 15. He is such a sweetheart. As Dylan says, "He eats, sleeps, and poops!" That's enough to make us all happy. We didn't really hear Fowler cry until he reached the "month" milestone. He is easy to please and always seems to be content.
Eating: He is eating 2 1/2 ounces every 3 hours. We can set a clock based on his feedings.
Sleeping: He sleeps about 18-20 hours a day. He typically wakes up, eats, looks around for 10-15 minutes and is back asleep. He will go 4-5 hours at night without waking (this makes mommy very happy).
Motor skills: Right now Fowler kicks his legs and "punches" his arms. He turns his head and looks all around and is trying VERY hard to hold his head up. He loves watching Dylan.
Weight: We didn't have a 1 month check-up, but estimate he is about 9 1/2 lbs
Height: He is long. I'm not sure of exact measurements, but Fowler may be tall!

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Fowler's Birth Story-Part 2

On Valentine's Day I had an appointment to determine when my induction would take place. I would either be going in that night (if my body was showing little to no signs of progress) or on Saturday, February 15. I had spent the most part of the week in bed, so any sign of contractions pretty much went unrecognized. I simply got up enough to shower, use the restroom, and grab any food that appealed to my appetite. To my surprise, I was 4 cm. dilated and approx. 80% effaced. My orders were given and I was told to arrive at the hospital at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday.
So....... after not sleeping very much due to being uncomfortable, a full moon, an earthquake, and knowing I was meeting my little boy...Michael and I were up at 4:00 and headed to Athens by 5. Thank goodness I wasn't really "in labor," because Michael was so tired and drove very slow. I had to keep talking to him to be sure he wasn't falling asleep (looking back I probably should have been the one in the driver's seat).
Once we arrived at the hospital, the night shift nurse got my IV started and had me read for the induction. When the day shift nurse arrived (the same sweet nurse that took care of me when I went the week before) the pitocin was started. Shortly after 9:00, my OB came in to check me. I was at 6 cm, so she broke my water. The contractions went from tolerable to "knock my socks off" painful! I couldn't breathe through them and sent Michael on a hunt for the nurse. I needed an epidural and needed it NOW. About an hour later I met my BFF (the anesthesiologist). Once the epidural was in, I instantly felt the warm cozy feeling. I was able to rest for a few hours. The nurse came in to check on me about every 30 minutes. My OB was in constant contact. She came in to check me around noon and told me it wouldn't be long. An hour later I was told it was time to begin pushing. I pushed for a little over an hour with NO progression. Sweet Fowler wasn't coming down the birth canal. I couldn't feel any contractions and was being told when to push. I didn't even know if I was really doing it right. My OB decided that it was best to try to let gravity take it's course and let me rest for a little while as I was weak from the flue and Fowler's heart rate had dropped some. I was given an oxygen mask which totally freaked me out and told to rest. An hour later we were back at it! I pushed for about 45 more minutes and was making very little progress. My body was beginning to swell around Fowler's head which caused concern. I could tell by my doctor's face that she didn't want me to try much longer. She kept asking how I felt and told me to let her know if I was just too tired. She tried to be very positive when I would ask if he was coming down any. He just couldn't get under my pubic bone. By this time they had turned the epidural way down and I was feeling contractions enough to know when to push. I was giving it everything I had and just simply couldn't do it. So...my options came. We could try to suction him out with the help of pushing and if it didn't work I would have to have an emergency c-section. I really wanted to deliver simply because I had already been trying so hard and was already sore (if you know what I mean). My doctor told me she would give me 3 pushes and if he didn't come that was it. I pushed once and NOTHING...on the second push I felt a big pop and out came Fowler's head, and one push later I saw and heard the most precious little boy! I do have to say that when I felt the big pop I raised my arms in the air as if I had one a gold medal....and yes, I believe I did win gold with Fowler.
Fowler Samuel Adams arrived into our lives at 3:50 pm on Saturday, February 15 weighing 8 lbs and 2 oz and measuring 21 inches long. He was given a perfect score on the APGAR test. We just love our precious "little brother" and could not be more blessed!

"Resting"