Psalm 139

Levi had a rather bad night Friday night after his shots.  We had a rest of the weekend though.  Kevin and I both thought that Saturday night was the best we had all slept in a while.  We even made it to church on Sunday morning - service and Sunday school.  The church has a "nursing room", and it has worked out so that I could feed Levi between service and SS both Sundays we've gone to church so far.  Believe it or not, both Sundays I have been the only person in the "nursing room".  I must admit I was a little surprised - but at the same time I have been thankful to have the room to ourselves.  

Levi did not eat very well starting last night though before bed.  I wasn't sure what was wrong, and I confess that I was afraid he was rejecting me for the bottle.  But he ate relatively well at the mid-morning (i.e. about 1 am) feeding.  Then at 5 am feeding, he got upset again.  I realized, though, that he was getting upset because he seemed to have decided he wanted to look at everything in his room rather than eat.  Actually, Levi was mainly interested in seeing the two pictures with all of the baseball team pennants.  He must really be able to see the colors now.  Anyway, I literally had to turn so that if he looked around he'd only see the back of the rocking chair.  That worked for this morning, but he apparently did much the same thing (not eating well) until this afternoon.  He's been eating more normally since.  He must have decided that eating was more important than looking.  

So, besides the baseball pennants, here are some other "favorite things" of Levi's: being propped up on the Boppy, "talking" to us, having his belly rubbed, the song "Father Abraham", laying in his crib to look at the shadows his light makes.  

As an aside, last night Kevin was watching an NFL game, and the broadcasters starting talking about the "Matt Bryant situation".  I asked Kevin what they were talking about; he didn't know, so he did a search on the internet.  What he read broke our hearts.  Matt Bryant's 3-month old son died earlier this week.  I had never even heard of Matt Bryant before yesterday, but my heart just went out to him, his wife, and the rest of the family.  I do not even want to imagine the depth of their sorrow.  Yet, their loss reminds me to enjoy every moment I have with Levi and challenges me to trust that God is in control and that He deserves all honor and praise regardless of life's circumstances.  "Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them." Psalm 139:16

Snoopy

Today, Levi went to the doctor for his 2-month wellness visit. He is an "average baby", weighing in at 13 pounds, 9 ounces, and measuring 23.5 inches. I say "average", because he is in the 50th percentile for weight and length. He is growing up so fast! I've added a whole bunch of pictures, so check them out!

After looking more closely, I realized that ANY pre-K program, whether at a school or a daycare, is considered a daycare. So, all those extra immunizations are required unless he is five years old and entering kindergarten. Any schooling before that means more immunizations. I tried to convince Kevin that Levi should just be home schooled and that Levi never needed to leave the house. But, then I figured out that Levi could still go to church, because he doesn't have to have vaccines to go to church. Kevin looked at me like I was crazy. Oh well, I tried. So, Levi got his first big round of immunizations while we were at the doctor. He ended up getting five shots; the only vaccine he didn't get from the list was the Rotavirus vaccine. Levi cried, and so did I. It was terrible, horrible. The nurse was very nice, but in order to "help" her, she had me holding Levi's arms down. So, Levi was looking at me through his tears while the nurse was poking him. It was so sad. But, Levi is such a trooper. Sure, he cried - but, he settled down rather quickly, in my opinion, after I held him for a while. And he acted wonderful tonight. He is such a sweet baby. Here is a picture of him all bandaged up after his shots. Five Snoopy band-aids, five shots.

Sick Baby

Yep, Levi definitely got the sickness, too.  The poor baby!  He had a very rough day yesterday.  Today he seemed to be doing some better, so I'm hoping and praying that tomorrow he'll be even more improved.  We did call the doctor yesterday, but since Levi has an appointment on Friday (2 month wellness visit) the doctor didn't want to have Levi come unless he was running a fever. I'm dreading the wellness visit, because it will be his first big round of vaccines.  All the vaccines kids have to get in today's world really scares me.  I've done some research to see what of the recommended vaccines I can decline - and there aren't many.  There are two different requirements in the state of SC for kids' required immunizations - one for kids in daycare and one for kids going to school.  The daycare requirements are much more stringent.  So, here are the ones Levi is supposed to receive on Friday and in parentheses is what requires it: Polio (d & s); pneumococcal conjugate (d); diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (d & s); rotavirus (neither); hepatitis B (d & s); haemopilus influenzae type b (d).  A big part of me want to decline those that are required by daycare only, since Levi is not currently in daycare.  Then, if he does have to go we could put him on the catch-up schedule for those.  He definitely will not be receiving the rotavirus vaccine since it is not required by either daycare or school.  Please leave me a comment or send me an email with your thoughts on these particular vaccines or vaccines in general!! 

Football Fun

Levi and I had a very nice day together yesterday, sickness and all.  Last night, we took Levi to his first high school football game.  It was particularly neat to be able to take Levi to this game, because it was his daddy's high school (and alma mater) playing his grandaddy Hughes's high school alma mater.  Levi was very alert and in awe of the lights and people during the first half of the game.  He fell asleep just before the half time show.  We stayed through the both high schools' performances and started heading down the stadium steps shortly after, with a sleeping Levi in Daddy's arms.  The other school's band was right in front of us, because they had been watching Kevin's high school band's performance.  They started their trip to the other side of the stadium.  Of course, their trip included banging their drums, and Levi's eyes about popped out of his head.  I don't know that he blinked until we got back to the car!!   

Sick and Tired

That about sums up how I feel - literally.  Kevin's sickness has definitely come to reside in my throat and nose.  I'm just hoping and praying that this sickness will not turn into an infection of any kind.  I do not want to have to 1) go to the doctor or 2) take any medicine.  I have been sucking on Halls Defense, getting tons of Vitamin C that way.  Hopefully that will help.  I am exhausted, too.  Getting up and going to work is taking a whole bunch out of me.  Kevin was a huge help tonight, cleaning bottles from the day and cooking dinner.  Levi is doing really well, even though he did seem slightly confused by my strange voice this afternoon.  He doesn't seem to be sick at all, other than the night time congestion.  He is really interacting with us, too.  He just grins and kicks; he gets so excited when Kevin "plays" with him, making funny faces and sounds.  Levi just loves his daddy.  Last night, Kevin's high school had a meet, so we thought it would be fun to go -- Levi's first swim meet.  The weather was really nice, and Levi really seemed to enjoy being outside.  He even seemed to look at the pool and the swimmers.  Perhaps we really do have a swimmer on our hands...  

Tuesday = Happy

Levi is really smiling and interacting with us.  He is so precious!  He really loves it when we either copy his noises or initiate noises like he makes.  That is how Levi and I spent a great deal of our day together - just talking to each other.  We read several books, of course, too.  He really seems to like Veggie Tales, especially that Laura Carrot!!!  Kevin and Levi were so cute tonight.  Levi would just "laugh" at almost everything Kevin did.  It was adorable.  I'm afraid that I'm getting a smaller version of Kevin's sickness.  Hopefully, Levi won't get it.  I've read that continuing to b'feed through my own sickness will lessen the chances of him getting the sickness.  However, if he does get it, the sickness will not be nearly as bad for him, because he is getting the antibodies from me to fight it.

Two Months

Levi had quite an eventful weekend.  Yesterday was Levi's two month birthday, and today he is nine weeks old.  We celebrated his birthday by taking bunches of pictures.  Kevin put some of the best in his album on the left.  If you need the password to view the pictures, send me an email.  I'll send a link later for pictures that are print-worthy.  According to Kevin, the ones in the album are not quite a good enough resolution for printing.  

Anyway, back to Levi.  We took pictures, played, and read.  Then in the afternoon, we went to another couple's house to watch the UGA / USC (as in South Carolina) game.  Levi had a great time.  Again, he didn't pay much attention to the game, but he was the center of the girls' attentions.  He was also enthralled with the family room's fan.  It had brown blades, and he'd never seen anything like that before.  While we were out, we also had our first experience of nursing in a location other than the hospital or our house.  He did really well; he just looked around and ate up!  

As an aside: we also filled up on gas on our way home so that I would be able to make it to work this week.  $4.49 a gallon.  We saw it as high as $5.29.  Yikes!  

Today, we took Levi to church, and he actually went to his own little class.  It was pretty hard to leave him, but he didn't seem to mind and won his teachers' hearts.  We also had another experience of nursing in a "strange place", and he once again did really well.  The ladies did say that he was crying before I fed him, but there was no more crying after that.  They all thought he was precious.  Then, Levi went out for a quick lunch to Atlanta Bread Company with Mama and Daddy and their SS class.  He slept through almost the entire meal and was very well behaved, of course.  

It is back to work tomorrow.  Although I am not excited, I was very convicted during today's sermon that I need to have a better attitude about work.  I have been allowing myself to throw my own pity party, when I need to be thankful and "work ... as working for the Lord" (Col. 3:23).  I know that I will not be successful at this attitude change every second of every day, but I will strive to at least not send out invitations to my pity party...

Poor Levi

Levi had a rough day.  We think his tummy was acting up.  According to Levi's grandma Hughes, he would get so agitated that he couldn't even take a good nap.  When I got home, he looked like he'd been through the ringer.  He came around to a more normal Levi - just in time for us to play and read a little and then give him a bath, feed him, and put him to bed.  Levi was starting to get upset right before bath time.  We put his little body in that tub, and he settled right down.  He really seems to love the water!  I'm hoping that he will have a better day overall tomorrow, but it will probably be a sleepy day.  That is fine, too, though - I just want to be here even if it means watching him sleep!  I am so grateful to have a three day weekend - more time to spend with Levi.  Kevin is starting to feel better, so we're planning to watch the USC / UGA game (aka "The Border Bash" around here) with some other couples from our Sunday school class.  What a fun way for Levi to spend his second month birthday!  We're also planning to take Levi to church - and his own SS class - on Sunday.  I guess we'll have to see if Levi goes along with these plans...

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Levi and I ventured out to watch Kevin play softball tonight.  Levi had a wonderful time.  Unfortunately for Kevin, Levi didn't seem too interested in the game.  In fact, he didn't watch the game at all, but he got held by Ms. Alice and Ms. Kimberly.  He was so cute looking around at everything (except Kevin's game) and feeling the breeze on his face.  Before tonight, Levi's outdoor experiences had been limited to walks around the neighborhood in his stroller or being carried from the front door to the mailbox.  He really seemed to enjoy being in the Baby Bjourn and being held while being outside.  

Levi and I had a great time yesterday, just the two of us hanging out.  I missed him terribly today while I was at work, and I know I will tomorrow, too.  But, then we have the three-day weekend together.  I can't wait!

Working Mama

I never hoped to be one, but today I became a working mama.  Please do not misunderstand.  I have always wanted to be a mom.  I just always wanted to be a stay at home mom - to be able to see every little smile, to hear every little cry.  But, today, I re-entered the workplace and left my little man at home.  I cried on the way to the plant this morning, and I teared up a few times while there.  I couldn't even bring myself to call to check on him for fear that I'd cry and not be able to stop.  But, I made it through the day by God's grace and strength - and countless prayers on my behalf (thank you, my prayer warriors!).  I got home, and he was fine, of course.  Levi is such a wonderful baby; such a joy.  We are so blessed, and I have to keep reminding myself how fortunate I am to be able to spend the majority of each week with him.  Most working mothers do not have that.  

I am looking forward to having all day to spend with him tomorrow.

Eight Weeks Old

It is hard to believe, but Levi is eight weeks old today.  Time sure is flying!  Kevin is definitely sick; so it has been a challenging weekend.  Having Kevin here but not wanting him to touch Levi is difficult to say the least.  Levi and I managed to make a Wal-Mart trip yesterday.  I carried him in our Baby Bjourn, leaving plenty of room in the grocery cart.  That was much nicer than carrying that car seat!  Levi was very sweet while we were at Wal-Mart.  He's actually been before, but this was the first trip when he actually opened his eyes to see where he was.  Kevin and I took Levi to the Verizon store on Friday night, and he woke up for our visit to that store as well.  Perhaps we're turning a corner on the once asleep in the car asleep at least until the next feeding.  Guess we'll see.  

Levi was very alert all day yesterday, so today has been a very drowsy day.  I had been planning to take Levi to church this morning.  Our church has placed a call to a new pastor, and he was preaching this morning.  I really wanted to be there to hear him.  I was feeding Levi before we were supposed to leave.  He was not very cooperative, and he spit up everywhere.  We weren't dressed to go, but there was no way we were going to get to church on time.  Kevin is frustrated because we haven't managed to get Levi to church for his class yet.  Hopefully next Sunday will be better.  

Tomorrow I return to work.  I am absolutely dreading it.  I do not want to leave Levi.  Even thinking about it now just makes me want to cry.

Another First

This afternoon, Kevin gave Levi his first bottle.  Kevin said he ate very heartily.  Levi has also eaten straight from me twice since then.  So far, so good!  Looks like he'll be able to handle both bottle and me without confusion or preference.  

A terrible bug has been going around Kevin's high school.  He is afraid he's getting it.  Last school year, he always seemed to manage to get sick over the weekend.  Guess it will be the same this year.  Hopefully, Levi and I will not come down with it, if Kevin really does have it.  Say a prayer for us all!!

Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho...

I work at a nuclear power plant. There are strict rules and regulations for everything - including returning to work after extended leave. Considering I have been away from the plant for eight weeks, I qualify for "extended leave". One of the items that must be completed prior to returning to work officially is an FFD (Fitness for Duty). In other words breathalyzer and urine tests.

When the nurse called yesterday to set up a time for me to have an FFD, she asked if I was going to bring Levi with me. Well, I had never really thought about taking Levi out there, but when she mentioned it, I thought, "Why not?" Kevin was agreeable; so Thursday morning, Levi and I went to the plant. Levi met the Vice President and several managers and supervisors of the plant. Levi also had the pleasure of meeting several of my friends from the plant; a couple of them watched him for over an hour while I waited to do my FFD (thank you!!). Levi had a great time!! Well, he actually slept through most of his visit, but it was really nice to take him with me. I started thinking that maybe it will help my transition back to work... Yeah, right!

Yep, my maternity leave is almost up. I head back to work on Monday; Levi will be 8 weeks old. Truth be told, I am absolutely dreading going back to work. However, I am blessed in that the company agreed to let me work part-time: three days a week, 8 hours a day. The unfortunate part is that the drive to the plant takes about an hour one way, so a "day" is really 10 hours. The plant was also good enough to set up a "lactation area" for me, so that I can pump at work and store the milk until I head for home. Levi and I got to check it out during our visit to the plant. While nothing special, it will work. Especially since the purpose of the area for me is that Levi will still get breast milk, and I am very glad about that.

Levi still has not received a bottle. We plan to introduce that to him Friday - and give him at least one every day this weekend. I have been hesitant to give him one, just because I have this fear that he will prefer the bottle over me. I've been told that that rarely happens, but I just have that fear. Regardless of his preference, though, I do have to return to work, so he does have to get a bottle. If he decides he likes the bottle better, I at least can pump and still provide milk for him. I absolutely love being home with Levi. I am going to miss him terribly when I am away.

Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde

Levi can be alert and active one day and a slug the next!  He can be happy go lucky one second and crying at the top of his lungs the next.  Today, Levi was in rare form.  He was very sleepy (while Tuesday was an "active" day).  The majority of the time when he was awake was spent crying.  He was very gassy and very unhappy.  With his tummy feeling like that, he would be just fine and then all of a sudden cry out.  It was very sad, but I was hesitant to use the gas drops.  When Kevin got home, he made Levi take some Mylicon drops.  They worked, at least while we had visitors.  Kevin's parents and aunt stopped by on their way to church.  Levi was very good while they were visiting, of course.  Then, he got fussy again.  Oh, well, that just seemed to be how the day was meant to be!!  

Levi is having more and more experience with his bathtub, and he still loves it!  Looks like we might be able to keep him clean after all!

Labor Day Itself

Levi was very alert until Monday when his great aunt Joy and great uncle Wes came for a visit. They still thought he was wonderful, and we had a great visit with them.

Labor Day Weekend

Levi had a few more visitors this weekend besides Mama K. His aunt Audry and Q (my youngest sister and dad) made it to our house late Friday night. Saturday was AA's birthday. We watched Levi and a little football this weekend.

Levi spends a great deal of time during the day on pallets on his back. He tends to favor looking to his right, so we were trying to get him to also look to his left. We reposition his head and also tried to get him to follow us and our voices from one side to the other. Q was the winner, though, by actually getting Levi to follow him from Levi's right to left.

Last Wednesday and Thursday: Quick Summary

The past week and weekend were very busy and very fun. I will write a couple more posts to break the week/weekend into more manageable (and readable) chunks. My mom (Levi's "Mama K") came last Wednesday night. I had my follow-up appointment, and she was willing to come to watch Levi while I went to the doctor. Levi had a great time with Mama K on Thursday morning while I was away.

Thursday afternoon, Mama K and I took Levi to his doctor. He has been very congested at night, and Kevin and I were worried. There is not much we can do for the congestion, but we're praying that it doesn't go into his chest. We did get one piece of information that I found VERY wonderful. Levi weighed 11 pounds, 4 ounces, and wasn't even 7 weeks old!! He really is a bigun, as his Mama K says.

Thursday night was USC's first football game, so Daddy made sure Levi "saw" his first Carolina kick-off. I dressed him for the occasion.