Twenty Five and Twenty Six weeks old

Actual: Twenty five weeks (February 24th - March 2nd)
Corrected: Twelve weeks
Weight: 11 lbs. 3 oz (February 27th)

We had great news from the eye doctor this week. He said that Evan is out of the danger zone with his right eye (remember the left eye was cleared a few weeks ago). Up until this point, all of Evan's eye appointments have taken place at the Eye Clinic within the hospital. The eye doctor has his special instruments and nurses that can apply the eye drops. We've graduated from the Eye Clinic and will now see the eye doctor at his regular office, conveniently right down the road from us. The doctor said that Evan is too big to use the instruments (they look like torture devices to hold the lids open if needed - thankfully Evan usually cooperated and only had them used once). Throughout the appointment, Evan kept following the doctor which made it a little difficult for him to check the eyes. Evan was a champ and didn't even get cranky this time!

Evan hit another milestone this week: he slept for 6 hours and 48 minutes. (Not that we're counting or anything.) Andrew fell asleep on the couch, assuming that I would be rolling Evan out to feed him. Well, 4 am came around and Evan finally woke up! Maybe we've turned the corner. :)

During therapy this week, Evan also reached for his Eric Carle rattle. He was a little jerky doing it, but it was a definite reach! We're continuing to work on tummy time and tracking. Evan does a great job with tracking. He actively follows Andrew and I when we move. He also follows the phone during FaceTime!

I <3 robots.

Just doin' my leg lifts and crunchs. Gotta keep this body lookin' good for the ladies.

So I'm a first mate, but I'm not sure what that means. Hopefully it means I'm first mate of cuteness.

Oye, these photo shoots are getting reeeeeaaaalllllly old.

Why yes, this IS my B! It makes me happy.

I'm a happy little burrito.

Hair fuzz!

Actual: Twenty six weeks (March 3rd - March 9th)
Corrected: Thirteen weeks
Weight: 12 lbs. 1 oz (March 9th)

We had our six month visit at the pediatrician. Unfortunately, Evan received another round of shots. Thankfully, he calms down after a few circles around the room. The doctor is very pleased with his progress. Hopefully we can start rice cereal within the next month or so. Evan wore his sun glasses to the doctor's office. While we were waiting to go in, he put one hand on each side and pulled them off all on his own. I guess he's done wearing them unsupervised. Don't want him poking his eyes out after all!

Evan started "giggling" this week! Andrew does this weird hop dance thing while he's holding Evan. Apparently, Evan thinks it's the bee's knees. I can't quite get him to make the noises.

Got my sailboat outfit on, snuggling in my sailboat blanket. Man, I sure know how to match!

Fuzzy wuzzy was a bear, fuzzy wuzzy was a bear. Momma! When am I going to get hair?!

Nom, nom, nom. I love my B.

Goin' to the doctor's office. These bees are awesome!

Happy Go Lucky Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Sorry for the break on the blog... a certain someone prefers that I spend all my time snuggling him. It's hard to turn him down when he's being adorable!

With Evan's permission, hopefully I'll have time to post what I've been trying to get out for the last week! Wish me luck.

Anyway - Happy St. Patty's Day!

Love, Evan

Six months old SIX MONTHS OLD!

So I've had a few people ask me when we'll celebrate Evan's birthday. We will celebrate his birthday on the day that he was born - September 1st. (Plus there's a good chance every few years he'll have the day off for Labor Day!) Evan's due date was December 8th. Most full term babies aren't even due on their actual due date.

I can't believe that Evan is 6 months old. People say that it goes by fast and I feel like such a cliche by saying that it does. Thankfully, Evan is adjusted to 3 months, so I guess it's not going too fast. :)

Evan continues to amaze Andrew and I. The first time he slept for almost 6 hours, we were shocked; especially since I woke up to the dog peeing on the floor and not an angry baby. I wonder if Evan would have continued sleeping if I wasn't scolding Layla...

Evan loves to suck on his thumb. I know, I know. It's cute now, but not so cute when he's sucking it at 6 years old. Let him be cute now! We'll worry about the long term thumb sucking later. Ever since he started connecting with his thumb 100% of the time, the binkies have lost their charm. Kind of a bummer for those moments when he's so worked up even the thumb won't solve the problem.

I can't believe he's almost too big for the bassinet. I finally had to take the bumper and stuffed animals out to give Evan enough room to stretch out. I am so not ready for him to move up to his crib. Do you think it would be bad if I slept in the crib with him?

We're still working on taking naps. Evan is a huge cuddle bug. He is definitely a morning kid (just like his Momma) and is fine hanging out in his rock n' play or bassinet while I slam some cereal or take a shower. Once the bell tolls noon though, the switch flips and he has to be snuggled. Thankfully I can wear him in the baby carrier so I can still get things done around the house. He'll nap while I clean. He's a smart cookie and knows when I sit down. He helps keep me motivated by screeching every time I sit. "Okay Evan, I know I should be cleaning instead of taking a break." He's a good supervisor. I know my days of carting him around while I worry about my task list are numbered. Pretty soon he'll be ruling the roost 100% of the time. To quote Andrew though: "Dude! I'm old, I gotta sit down for a second!"

Evan and I can't wait for Spring. I think by the end of the month we'll be out in public (slowly and weather dependent). I know I won't be running errands like I used to, but it will be nice to take him places so I don't have to save up all my outings for Saturday or Sunday. We've got a fun shopping cart blanket to break in! Should his first outing be to Target or Wegmans? I feel like this is a big decision. I'm also looking forward to putting some serious mileage on the stroller. The library is right down the road (and just a block further is Dairy Queen). Evan is going to love the fresh air.

I'm so excited to see what our little munchkin is going to do next. From day one he was a fighter (literally - he kicked the doctor on the way out!). I just know he's going to continue to amaze us all.

Thank you to everyone for their continued love and support. I feel like Evan's successes are in part to all of your support. Andrew and I were held up by all of you, which in turn made us stronger for Evan when he needed us the most. If he hasn't paid you back in snuggles yet, let me know. He is an excellent snuggler and would love to snuggle you.

Hugs!

Day One - September 1
The journey begins...

One Month old - October 1
Look at all his hair!

Two months old - November 1
Just came off the ventilator from his hernia surgery the night before.
This was after his first feeding in about 48 hours.

Three Months old - December 1
The two seconds he was okay with being shoved in the basket.

Four Months old - January 1
Playing video games with Daddy.

Five Months old - February 1
Holy cats! He's growing right out of the bassinet!

Six Months old - March 1
Happily tracking the rattle that Daddy is shaking like a mad man.

Twenty Three and Twenty Four weeks old

Actual: Twenty three weeks (February 10th - 16th)
Corrected: Ten weeks
Weight: 11 pounds 4 ounces (February 16)

We had a busy week this week. We started off at the ENT doctor. Andrew and I are so happy that Evan's zombie noises have not come back. We knew that the doctor could potentially hear something via the stethoscope, but we had high hopes Evan would have clear breathing. Thankfully the doctor didn't hear any issues with Evan's trachea! We'll go back in another 8 weeks for another check up.

Evan also had a head ultrasound scheduled this week. This ultrasound was to check up on the connatal cysts that were present in Evan's brain at birth. The NICU doctors always told us that they were benign and wouldn't present problems for Evan. Evan's pediatrician just wanted to see if the cysts were still present. Evan was a champ for the test. He took his bottle while the technician styled his few wisps of hair with goo. The unofficial report when we left was that the cysts appeared to have disappeared! We had to wait another several days to get the official report that told the same story. We are so relieved.

February 16th was my 30th birthday. Uncle Owen and Stephanie came up the night before to babysit Mr. Pants. I'm happy to report that a good time was had by all. Andrew and I managed to get away fro about 4 hours. We had an awesome dinner. I called home only because I felt like it was a requirement - I knew Evan was in excellent hands with Owen and Steph.

Here's Mr. Pants lovin' his thumb.

A green lamb huh. Well I'll be.

So this happened. No, that is not Evan. This is Layla, our chihuahua.

I'm not sure I can be a Yankees fan without Jeter!

Grampa is funny!!

Boop bee boop. Just practicin' my robot speak.

Now I'm practicing throwing my football.
Oh, Momma says that's all I'll ever get to do. Practice. Football is not chess club.

Gma, tell me more about this Little Penguin!

Uh, so there's a smell. And I'm pretty sure it was the dogs. Definitely not me.

Evan proves once again he can sleep anywhere that is not his bassinet.

You may commence with the washing Momma.

Actual: Twenty Four weeks (February 17th - 23rd)

Corrected: Eleven weeks

Weight: 11 pounds 7 ounces (February 23)

Evan just had his regular PT and OT appointments this week. He did manage to roll from his right side onto his stomach during his OT on Friday. We think it was intentional, but he has yet to do it again. Maybe he figures he's already done it once. We're really working on his head movement. He has a black and white striped "B" that he is just entranced by. I'll hold it up in front of his face and move it across his line of vision. He has been getting better with moving his head back and forth. Great progress! :)

On the 18th Evan was officially home longer than he was in the NICU. Evan was in the NICU for 81 days (including when he had to go back after his weekend visit home). Woohoo!

Evan is also exclusively breast fed. I put my pump away (just in the closet for now so it's not too far away). Evan is sleeping for 4-5 hour stretches at night. He seems to have mastered getting enough to eat. With his weight gain, I'm confident that he's taking enough. I have yet to see if breast feeding will help with his reflux. It certainly hasn't made a difference with his toots!

Ugh, Daddy never lets me lead when we dance!

All smiles cuz I'm about to Facetime!

Monster Monday. Planning out my day.

I really don't think I'm cut out to be a basketball fan.

I like snuggling with Daddy cuz he doesn't make a scene when I fart in bed.

Ready for summer on the Bay!

Aw man! That smell is down here again! Momma, tell the dogs to stop farting when I'm playin'.

Hehe. Just wait until I get teeth Momma!

Happy Lovey Dovey Day

Hi Everyone! Happy Lovey Dovey Day!

Thank you for all your love and support as I grow big and strong. I wish I could hug and kiss all of you... well, the healthy ones at least!

I'm so happy I get to share my story with all of you. Thanks for following along.

xo,
Mr. Pants

PS Sometimes I'm on Instagram during the week. Find me at mrpantsrocks.

I'm a hug magnet. And a cuddle magnet.

I love you thiiiiisssss much.
I'd love you more, but my arms aren't long enough.