I'm Getting SO BIG!

Hello there,

I have good news. I went to the doctor on Friday 1/26/07 and I now weigh 7lbs 12oz. WOW, I've gained over a pound in just a week. So, supplementing with formula is really working.

Hope to get some videos of me up here soon. Thanks again for all the prayers!

The Power of Prayer!

Thanks to everyone who has been praying for all of us. We went to a lactation consultant yesterday and found out I have gained at least 4 oz. Yeah! So I'm about 6lbs 13oz now (give or take as it's a different scale than the one I'm weighed on at my doctor's). So supplementing with formula is really working. We figured out that Mommy is only producing about 1/2 of the milk I need. They set her up with a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) which allows me to receive the supplemental formula and Mommy's pumped breast milk at the breast through a small tube. It's quite a contraption. We're hoping this will stimulate more milk production and that I'll help out too as I get bigger. But, whatever happens, formula or breast milk or a combination, I'm going to be just fine :-) Thank God for modern medicine, otherwise, Mommy would be looking for a wet nurse LOL.

So here's a shot of one of my cute little smiles from last Thursday, I was 6lbs 11 oz that day, so getting kind of tiny:



Annie has adjusted very well to my presence as you can see in this content photo of her:


But poor Herbie is not doing so well. In fact, Mommy and Daddy are starting to look for a nice home for him. He'd be great for a family with no other pets that enjoys playing with a lovable cat. He's really awesome, but he keeps trying to play with my feet and hands, and this just won't work. Let Mommy and Daddy know if you're looking for a great cat. I think this photo says it all, Herbie just can't take the lack of attention any more!

Well, keep up the prayers. My next appointment is Friday; hoping I keep gaining weight. Gee, I bet you all wish you could say that :-)

We are in need of prayers please.

Hi,

This is Stephanie, Xia's Mommy. Sorry we haven't posted for awhile, but we have been focused a lot on taking care of Xia's feeding issues. We had a doctor appointment on Monday 1/15, and Xia's weight dropped another oz. We made some changes with the breastfeeding and I contacted the lactation specialists and La Leche League for some ideas. We went back to the doctors Thursday 1/18, and she dropped another oz. I then was told I needed to think about supplementing our nursing with formula - something I REALLY wanted to avoid! Then we went back yesterday, Saturday 1/20 and she dropped another 2 oz. in 2 days, so we have started supplementing breastfeeding with formula. This pretty much involves round the clock breast feeding 6 min on each side, then feeding Xia what I pumped from the last feeding since she can only feed 6 min on each side which leaves some milk, then breast pumping, then feeding formula. She is to get 2 to 3 oz. formula, and really only is getting .5oz to 1 oz. each try. She's very sleepy and hard to wake up to feed due to all these changes, the increase in food, and her losing weight. She is now 6lbs 9oz. and we are all a little worried. The doctors says her health is still good, just have to really get some weight on this child. I will see a lactation specialist tomorrow morning with Xia and continue hoping I can get this formula into her (as much as I don't want to, I realize her health is more important and she needs the calories).

Sorry to run all this together in one blurb, but I'm pretty sleep deprived (all mothers understand AND fathers), and we're all under quite a lot of stress and worry over this and trying to stay positive to keep that good energy around for Xia. So please pray for us as we overcome this hurdle by God's Grace.

I will try to update when I have the chance.

Love,
Stephanie, Bill and Xia

I'm already over a week old!

Can you believe it. Today marks my 8th day of life. It really does go fast. I think I'm going to do a weekly post from now on, as this growing, feeding, making dirty diapers and sleeping stuff takes up a lot of my and my parents time.

I had my first doctor appointment on Thurday 1/11/07 and they are a little concerned because I lost 7oz. But it is pretty normal to lose weight that first week. Mommy and I have increased the feeding schedule and have another appointment on Monday 1/15/07 to see how I'm doing. Mommy swears I'm plumping up a bit and also feels like I'm pretty much attached to her breasts these days :-) It sure is a lot of work - but we have a lot of fun and love to look in each others eyes during these times.

Still meeting a lot of people who stop by, I never knew so many people wanted to see me in the flesh. We're keeping it low key with a visitor every other day or so. It seems I make a lot of people smile, make funny faces and funny noises at me. Wonder how I do that?

So, keep us in your prayers for good feedings to help me grow. We want to avoid formula at all costs, so I sure hope I'm putting on some weight.

Here are some photos of our recent days:

Mommy and Daddy are big into something called Baby Wearing or Attachment Parenting. So I'm learning to enjoy the slings they carry me around in:



Here's a shot of Mommy giving me a sponge bath:

And a shot of me and Daddy just hanging out. He sure is a lot of fun!

When all is said and done, I have a knack of really wearing Mommy and Daddy out - but in such a good way. Yesterday, Mommy and I enjoyed a nice nap together:

Getting to Know You and Day 4 at Home

I introduced you all to our 2 cats, Annie and Herbie, during my last days in the womb. Well, now that I'm out, it has been interesting. We came home to a very sick Herbie and he's in seclusion as he gets better - poor thing. But Annie & I have really been getting to know each other. Seems she likes to watch over me and is very protective!

It's nice to be so watched over.

Grammy came for a visit last night and we got a shot of 3 generations! Me, Daddy and Grammy.


So this is Day 4 and all is well. We are all getting into a rhythm here it seems. So, I'm going to go nap now and then feed and then get a diaper change, and then I'll start that all over again. A day's work is never done...

My Journey Home

I wanted to flash back to Sunday 1/7/07, the day I left the hospital and came home. Thus far, it was my most traumatic experience. See there are these things called clothes (barbaric things) that I was introduced to after really just having to put up with those confining things called diapers in the hospital. Then, just when I thought I would never survive all the clothes, I learn there are torture chambers called CAR SEATS that they won't let you leave the hospital without! I mean really! This picture relays to all of you what I think of these things...

Luckily, Mommy and Daddy calmed me down nicely once we came home. I really like this home place, a lot more comfortable than the hospital. We all got pretty relaxed quickly:


Today, which is day 3 at home, I've really just slept most of it away. I think all the excitement of being born is really hitting me today. I slept on Mommy on the couch for like 2 hours (she needed the nap too). Then Daddy held me as I slept in the evening. And both my Grammy and Grandma. Ahhh, life is good and relaxing.

Day Two at Home

We're all doing great! THANKS to everyone for the wonderful comments you've added to my blog. Too many to respond to individually now that things are a little hectic around here - you know, me needing fed every 2-3 hrs really keeps Mommy busy, of course there's the diaper changes too - I love the looks on Mommy and Daddy's faces at some of the beauties I've given them in that department. And they just won't quit staring at me - geez! Sometimes they even cry when they look at me, I guess they love me lots :-) Feeling pretty lucky about that. That's it for now as I'm feeling the need to feed again...

Before I wail to let Mommy know, here's a shot of us meeting for the first time right after birth and then one of my proud Daddy with me...