It's all Relative!

Today we had another weigh in for Colton. The good news is that he gained weight but the bad news is that it just wasn't quite enough - should be 1/2oz per day. The goal was 8lbs2.5oz and he was 8lbs1.5oz. Our pediatrician is still optimistic though. He thinks little Colton's tummy just doesn't seem to be taking in the milk/formula and digesting it well. He has gone back to having too many bowel movements even with the lactaid drops. So...the new plan is to give him a special (even more special!) formula alone for one week and see how he does. This formula is still milk-based but it is pre-digested and therefore does not have enzymes in it, etc. It's pretty fancy and expensive but it is definitely worth it if we can beef up our boy! This will make the 4th type of formula we've tried and we're hoping its a winner. I'm supposed to continue to pump this week in case we go back to nursing + formula or some other derivation after this week. We are disappointed that he is not in the clear but we have an amazing pediatrician and we trust him to closely monitor our little guy. We know the Lord is watching over him and will help us figure out how to help him gain weight and be healthy.


On to more exciting things and the reason for my creative title! Below is a picture of Colton with his new little buddy, Jackson Bankhead. Jackson is the offspring of our dear friends, Sue and Todd. We had an opportunity make another short trip last week to visit them and meet Jackson. Jackson is about a week old in this picture and he is a tiny guy at 5lbs (Colton is 5.5 weeks). So you see, it's all relative! Jackson makes Colt look like a giant! Although with Sue and Todd as parents, this may be the last time Colton is bigger than Jackson. Jackson is a future pro footballer if you ask his dad but right now he is about the size of the football! What a sweetheart he is.
Me and Sue with our boys! Doesn't she look great for having a week old baby! By the way, in case you need a little help, we are holding each other's kids, not our own...It was great to see them and know that this will be a friend Colton has for life! We love this family!

Monkeying Around

We took a day trip to the central coast to introduce Colton to his great grandparents. We had a lovely time and Colton seemed to really enjoy being held by his Great Grandma Cake (aptly named because she always has a homemade cake ready whenever the grandkids are around). Here are Colton and Clark having some quality time (with the monkey).
So one day I put all of Colt's stuffed animals around him in his crib. At first he seemed to be interested in one tall giraffe like fellow. However, after a few minutes it seemed quite clear that the monkey is the only one he had eyes for. Because he chose to stare at monkey for so long, we have tried to bring him along wherever we go. Colton never fails to stare at him. (hopefully it is because he likes the monkey and not because he's scared of him or something - its hard to tell what he's thinking!)
Handsome just like his dad!
Well, hello, Mr. Monkey! Look at that smile! (Colton's not the monkey's)

The Littlest Gainer

Colton made his weight! (That is a wrestling phrase borrowed from his dad's high school wrestling days). Colton weighed in at 7lbs 15.5 oz - 1/2 oz more than his goal. We are very excited and encouraged. Doc says we aren't completely out of the woods yet and we need to keep monitoring it but it looks good. So we go back Monday for another weigh in and the goal is 8lbs 2.5oz. (in other words, he should be gaining 1/2oz per day). Dr. Saul says to continue things exactly as we have been (but we can let him sleep an extra hour at night - hallelujah for mom and dad!)

Praise God for fattening up our kid! We appreciate your calls and prayers. We love you! Here is a picture of Colt from his first Easter and his first trip to church. He had a great time and seemed to like the singing.

Wee One

I'm borrowing the term "wee one" from my friend, Holly (currently living in Scotland where that word seems to be used liberally)! We had another appointment with the pediatrician on Friday. Colton weighed in at 13.75 oz. Last time we were at the doc's office (last Monday), he weighed 7lbs13oz when the nurse weighed him. Then the doctor calibrated the scale and in between Colton had a small bowel movement. When the doctor weighed him, he said his weight went down even more but did not tell me exactly what it was. He didn't make a huge deal out of it so I assumed it went down an ounce or less. Well, apparently Colton weighed 7lbs9oz! That is only 2oz more than his birth weight. Okay, I learned my lesson - always ask! So it is difficult to know what Colton's true weight was last Monday so therefore it is difficult to know how much he actually gained.

Our impression from the doc is that we need to continue to monitor Colton's weight but we shouldn't worry too much yet. We are to continue doing all that we have been doing (formula supplement after every other breastfeed and lactaid drops before each feeding) and return on Tuesday for another weigh in. It's like we're on that show "Biggest Loser" but instead, it is "Littlest Gainer" we're shooting for! The doctor is very hopeful that Colton is on his way to getting on track but he says Colt only has until Tuesday's appointment to prove he is gaining enough. The good news is that the lactaid drops seem to be helping a lot. He's had less gas and fewer bowel movements (so he's retaining more of the nutrients from his feedings).

After that appointment, if Colton isn't weighing at least 7lbs15oz, we will need to do a barium X-ray and see if there is anything more serious going on internally. We are praying that we will not have to do that so our poor little guy can be at peace! We appreciate your prayers too and we will definitely keep you updated after Tuesday's appointment (at 2pm).

Is That a Smile?

This face was made while he was wide awake and without any gas being emitted! Therefore we think it is a smile. It happened a few days ago and hasn't happened much since. But I'm glad I was able to capture it in a picture!

Here is the latest on little Colton based on Monday's one month check up. When I say "little" Colton, I mean it! Unfortunately our little guy is not beefing up the way he needs to. In fact, he was born 7lbs7oz and he is now only 7lbs13oz after 4.5 weeks of life. Our pediatrician says he should be gaining 1 oz a day at this point and he only gained 6 oz in 19 days. Colton is in the 4th percentile for weight for a baby of his age. (That means only 4% of kids his age weigh less than him). He is in the 25th percentile for height, having grown only .25 inches. He is in the 6th percentile for his head circumference.

For the past two weeks, Colton has been breastfeeding really "well" but it has been tough because he will try to feed for 1.5 hours or more and he is constantly "rooting" for food. He often chokes or needs a break because he is gasping for air. Mealtimes are not the most fun! Doc says Colton's lazy voicebox or narrow trachea are not allowing him to suck efficiently enough to get all the food he needs. Also, he is having too many bowel movements and seems to be losing the nourishment as soon as he takes it in. Doc thinks he may be lactose intolerant.

So we are now supplementing every other feeding with soy formula and giving him lactaid drops before each feeding. We will return for a special visit this Friday to check on his weight. Our goal is for him to gain 2 oz by Friday. A tall order for our little guy! Please keep him in your prayers, we need to get to the bottom of this very soon. It's very puzzling and it's like I told Colton - "Your parents don't have any trouble gaining weight...where did you get this trait?" We are confident in our pediatrician's ability to monitor and care for Colton so we aren't too worried yet, but we feel bad for our son (who is probably hungry all the time!)

This last picture shows how he is growing older. Do you notice it? We do, but then again, we are with him all the time.

Colton's New Pal

Today Colton's new and long-awaited pal, Jackson Thomas Bankhead, was born to our dear friends, Sue and Todd. He was a tiny guy but no doubt will grow big and strong like his parents! We are so excited for the Bankheads and we know better than anyone that they have a challenging but wonderful road ahead of them! We love you three!

My boys

Clark is an amazing father. I have been so impressed by his love and care for Colton and for me. He genuinely wants to be home to help with Colton and he misses him when he is away. Clark doesn't shy from changing diapers, cleaning the kitchen, rocking the baby or anything that needs to be done. Also, Clark reads to him every night! Yes, it is pretty adorable. In fact, Clark started reading to Colton while we were still in the hospital. Clark is also just shamelessly loving of his son which I adore. I'm so blessed that the Lord brought us together. Clark is a great husband and an incredible father. Colton has a good example of a man to look up to.

Second Blog of the Day!

For some reason I can't post more than 3-4 pics in one blog - yeah, it really bugs! Anyway, here is a good pic of those chubby cheeks I talked about last blog. I kinda bit his cheek because it is so cute. Don't report me, I just gummed it softly! But I couldn't help myself - could you resist if you were around them all day?
He often sleeps like this - his ultrasound pictures were very similar. Guess this is his comfort-sleeping pose.
Just too cute - I took this picture about 5 minutes ago! You can't see it, but his shirt says "Hug Me". I think I will go do that!

Me Again!

My days are filled with Colton! He's growing up - I can't believe he is 3 weeks already! He's actually 3 1/2 weeks today. I think he is getting chubbier, certainly his fingers are chubbier. These are things only parents notice I'm sure! He is becoming more aware, staring around and taking it all in. This picture is a good example of this!
Colton was so sweet sleeping in his Nana's arms. His cheeks are getting bigger too!
Just the two of us...ALL DAY LOOOOONNGGG! I love my son but I miss interaction with grown ups - basically anyone who talks.
Okay, so football season is over but we had to put this onesie on him before he outgrows it. He and Clark just hung out instead of watching the game. They were still really cute though!

My days with Colt

I'm usually the photographer so I don't have many pics of me and Colton but here is one that I made Clark take! He's such a cute bundle!

This is a great pic of his beautiful blue eyes (or as my niece, Alicia, says Beautiful Smokey Blue Gray Eyes). It will be interesting to see what color his eyes end up being. I never would have dreamed my son would even be born with blue eyes and such light hair! Did I have anything to do with making this kid?

Oh my goodness, I had to take a picture. Every day I pick out his little outfit, it is one of my favorite things to do. This outfit is courtesy of his Teta Katy (fyi Teta is Auntie in Croatian). These jeans are so huge on him though! Doesn't he look like an old man? Shortly after this picture, we nixed the jeans and went for a more casual look :) But it was very fun to try them on - sort of like my own personal dress up doll. Poor kid!

It's a Small World

Yes, it is a small world - my world, that is. I am embarrassed to talk with my friends because I literally have nothing to say unless you want to discuss my adorable son or American Idol. That's right folks, American Idol. It is amazing that Colton doesn't think Ryan Seacrest is his father because he heard his voice as much as Clark's while in utero. I listened to Ryan's radio show every morning on the LONG drive to work. Now, thank goodness, American Idol allows Colton to hear his alternative dad's voice three nights a week.
I think it is very sad but I absolutely cannot wait for Tuesday night when I can watch the show again. Whenever anyone comes to visit me, I offer them a viewing of the most recent show that I of course have Tivo'd. (Warning, you may not want to visit me!) And in case you're wondering, I love David Archuletta and Michael Johns - watch the show!
Anyway, I just thought I would share this/confess this to you all. If you are a friend and haven't heard from me much lately, it is not just that I am busy with my baby but also that I am shamelessly boring. I don't want to be "that person" who only talks about her baby (and American Idol).

Irresistible

Yep, he's cute. We agree.