On the path to good health

I feel like I'm back to myself. Finally. Three full days in bed, fever, body aches, and chills wasn't how I anticipated spending most of this week; especially on Dale's day off. Poor guy had to take care of Everett and myself after working 6 days a week and 12 hour days this past month. Today, I'm mostly back to feeling well and taking care of Everett again. I missed being close to him these couple of days. I hadn't been sick for almost 2 years. I hope it's another 2 years (or longer) before I get sick again. I was on a good no-sick streak.

Enough about me. Everett's personality has been coming out a lot this past week. He's been doing a lot of new stuff lately including: blowing raspberries, sitting up and rocking back and forth, back-arching to the point it's nearly impossible to hold him, breathing in and out really fast, and fake crying. He'll pretend to cry and the minute you give him some attention, he's smiles and giggles. He's such a turd.

He's been drooling a lot more lately and I think a tooth is about to push through. Could be the reason why he hasn't been napping well and has been getting up in the middle of the night. Also, he's been trying to put everything in his mouth; especially toys that are too large. He can't get them in and he gets so upset!

Playdate

With all this rainy weather that we've been having lately, Everett and I were able to get out of the house for a few hours today and meet up with Amber and Tiffany and their boys for lunch and a little bit of shopping at Gresham Station. It was a tad chilly but best part was no rain!

Nicolas was just staring away at Everett but he didn't seem too phased. ;)


The 3 little stooges


A video of the 3 boys all together.

Mommy Matinee

Today, Everett and I met up with Amber and her son, Nicolas and Tiffany and Ethan for a Mommy Matinee at the Kennedy School this afternoon. It's been a lot of fun getting to know and meeting up with other moms with babies that are Everett's age. Nicolas was born the day after Everett was and Ethan was born several weeks later. We watched Percy Jackson and the Olympians. I'd never heard of the movie but it wasn't too bad. It had some dark parts but nonetheless, it was a good children's movie. I was a little worried how Everett would do at a movie theater, with it being his first time, but he actually slept through most of it. He was a little jumpy and scared but he was due for a nap shortly after we got there so he napped during most of the movie.

On other news, Everett has just started sitting up. He's still a bit tippy and doesn't go long periods sitting up but he's gettin' there!

Splish splash, I was takin' a bath.....!

Everett's newest thing is going splash crazy during bath time. It's almost impossible to get him cleaned because he literally splashes like this the whole time. The last two bath times, I've been left soaken wet. And the weird thing is that he doesn't laugh or smile while doing it. He totally has a straight face and grunts with the water splashing all over his face. Silly kid.

New Discovery (Sounds)

Can you believe that Everett is almost 6 months??!! I realized that today and couldn't believe how fast time has flown by. I remember the first month or two of his life and I couldn't imagine him being 6 months old. It seemed forever away. Well, here it is right around the corner. As he gets older, the quicker he catches on to things; like his feet and how he loves to rub them together. And how he has realized that he has control of his arms too and how he will sit there with his right arm sticking straight out for minutes at a time. And how he grabs his right leg and sticks his toes right into his mouth. And how quickly he will now grab for things. Before, he really had to think and stare at the object for a few seconds and then go in for the grab but now, he'll immediately grab anything that is placed in front of him.

Yesterday, he discovered a new noise he could make and he did it ALLLL DAY LONG!

My First Mother's Day

A little late on the post but my first Mother's Day was just perfect. Things started off on a rough note with Everett having a stress-filled morning and being a little extra fussy which shortened my patience a tad but as the day went on, his spirits lightened up and we enjoyed some time out at my Aunt Carol's house for a Mother's Day potluck. We weren't there for too long because all the loud voices in combination with the lack of naps for Everett got him all worked up and I had a tough time calming him down. We left and went to a more baby-friendly environment to meet some new friends. Tiffany is a mother, as well, with a baby boy who is Everett's age and whom I got in touch with on a baby website. We learned almost two weeks ago that we are both in the same area. Her son Ethan is just 2 weeks younger than Everett. I wasn't able to get Everett down for a nap at her house but he was in a much more relaxing environment. It was fun having the opportunity to get our boys together and for me to develop a new friendship; considering since having Everett, my social life went out the window. I think a lot of people think that once you have a baby, you're too busy to spend time with others. Things are a lot busier and hectic, that's for sure, but the friendships are still desired and needed. I neglected to get any photos of the two boys together but here is one that Tiffany took:


Everett picked out a beautiful black and silver Coach bracelet and gave me a card that made my heart melt. Dale had to work all day Sunday but we enjoyed a greasy burger at Red Robin on Saturday in celebration.

I am SO blessed to have been given this beautiful baby boy who fills each day with such love and happiness!

Talking

As the days go by, Everett is trying to talk more and more. I love hearing his coos and babbles. It puts such a big smile on my face!

He was doing pretty good here before he was interrupted by the hiccups and a sneeze:


Here, he got a little distracted once I put the camera in his face and once he caught sight of his buddy, the fish:

Jumperoo Time

There's Jumperoo time at the Connors' house everyday!

Junk Finder

Junk Finder. That was Everett's nickname for today. My 5 month old has discovered his little man parts (junk) and received such thrills in grabbing them today. Every single time I took off his diaper to change him, his hand magnetized to that spot. I give him a little bit of "naked time" each day where he can frill around diaper-less and this opportunity led him to this new discovery.



On other news, Everett went from hating rides in his car seat to loving them. Well, I wouldn't say that he loves them but he no longer fusses and cries. Thanks to a suggestion from a fellow mommy with a 5 month old, I purchased him this toy bar and I think it helps ease the once-hated car rides.



I look forward to each and every new day because I am so blessed to observe and witness all the new things that Everett discovers and the milestones that he reaches on a daily basis. I look forward to tomorrow and what new things it'll bring!

A Visit to Emanuel Children's Hospital

Yesterday morning, Everett gave me quite the fright! As I changed his first two diapers of the day, I noticed some dark orange coloring.

I didn't think it was blood and wasn't too concerned with the first diaper but when it was in his second diaper, I starting thinking that red blood mixed with yellow pee could possibly be causing this orange coloring. I called a local urgent care and they said that this was too serious of a condition for them to handle, especially him being 5 months and said that they would not take him but advised me to take him in immediately to Emanuel Children's Hospital. I also called and left a message with his Pediatrician's office and the on-call nurse advised me as well to take him in right away to Emanuel. She mentioned that when blood is present in urine, it can be a sign of a kidney infection, which can be serious for a child so young. So...off to Emanuel we went. Dale was at work but he met us there shortly. We were there for over 6 hours but Everett was a happy camper the whole time.

He looked so adorable in his mini hospital gown. His little, diapered tushy peaked out from the back.


While the nurses took his vital signs, he was being such a flirt and smiled and giggled when they talked to him.


They attached a tiny pee bag to Everett to collect a urine sample. Dale and I opted for this and was willing to delay the time spent there to wait for him to do his business rather than have them place a catheter in his little man part. Anything to avoid any pain for our little man!


We were in the 12x10 patient room for over 6 hours so we did a lot of taking turns walking in circles and holding him.


After a urinalysis, the orange coloring in his diaper was the result of urate crystals/highly concentrated urine due to dehydration. The doctor said that this isn't uncommon and sent us home relieved.

Everett is 5 months today!

-He has one tooth that has made it's entrance and has 2 more coming in.

-He is drooling more than a dog with gigantic jowls and munches on his fingers at any possible opportunity.

-He has developed a little bit of separation anxiety and will start to cry if he can't see me or hear my voice.

-He LOVES his Jumperoo in short periods of time but goes crazy in it.

-He is eating 5 ounces every 3-4 hours.

-He can grab and hold onto things.

-He goes through phases but naps well for the most part as long as Dale or I hold him or is placed in his swing.

-Has been sleeping about 9-10 hours lately.

-He LOVES to be held and will put up a fuss if no one is holding him.

Happy 5 month birthday, little man!