Sunday, April 18, 2010
Great Visit
Today Brock got some snuggles from his Great Aunt Wendy and his Great Uncle Moe. What a lucky guy!
Brock - two weeks old
A few pictures of the Brockstar's week...
Mmm. Did someone say milk?
Meeting my Aunties Shannon and Halle
The largest balloon from Aunties Purnima and Crystal
Look at me in my crib...
It's been a rough week. I'm exhausted!
Mmm. Did someone say milk?
The largest balloon from Aunties Purnima and Crystal
Look at me in my crib...
It's been a rough week. I'm exhausted!
Unhappiest Baby on the Block
For the most part, Brock is a great baby but he definitely has his moments. Those moments usually occur between the hours of 1 am and 6 am.
Our friends loaned us a video called The Happiest Baby on the Block. We decided to try the five "S" techniques suggested in the DVD. Let's just say that Brock will NOT be the happiest baby on our block.
Here are the five techniques:
1. Swaddle. Brock HATES being swaddled. He fusses and fusses until he breaks free from his confined blanket. He literally kicks off his blanket and sleeps fully stretched out. Yep. H-A-T-E-S the swaddle.
2. Shhh. You are supposed to hold a long shhhh sound near the baby's ear to calm them. He just looks at us like we're crazy. And while it doesn't calm him, it also doesn't really do anything for him. He remains status quo.
3. Side sway. Placing him looking out and swaying back and forth, Brock, in theory, should calm down. Nope. Instead, he thinks we are playing and this gives him energy. Or, if he's not in the mood to play, this will set him off into a crying spell. He loves to be cuddled on the chest, not swayed from the hip.
4. Shake. Okay, do not shake your baby until his brain explodes but a gentle shake is supposed to be soothing. For Brock, however, the same effect as step #3 occurs.
5. Sooth. Basically throw a pacifier in the baby's mouth to calm them. To be fair, I am avoiding this step for a bit longer until we have the whole breast feeding thing locked down (this is another discussion for another time but I'm having a terrible time breast feeding and have been pumping/bottle feeding most of the time so he doesn't starve and I can heal from his vicious boob attacks). When Brock was in the NICU, they gave him a pacifier before he even breast fed. I am convinced this is one of the reasons breast feeding has been so challenging for me. Can we say nipple confusion?
Anywhoo...our kid wasn't meant to be the best student in the class apparently. But he is definitely the cutest!
Swaddle Schmaddle. Let me be free!
Our friends loaned us a video called The Happiest Baby on the Block. We decided to try the five "S" techniques suggested in the DVD. Let's just say that Brock will NOT be the happiest baby on our block.
Here are the five techniques:
1. Swaddle. Brock HATES being swaddled. He fusses and fusses until he breaks free from his confined blanket. He literally kicks off his blanket and sleeps fully stretched out. Yep. H-A-T-E-S the swaddle.
2. Shhh. You are supposed to hold a long shhhh sound near the baby's ear to calm them. He just looks at us like we're crazy. And while it doesn't calm him, it also doesn't really do anything for him. He remains status quo.
3. Side sway. Placing him looking out and swaying back and forth, Brock, in theory, should calm down. Nope. Instead, he thinks we are playing and this gives him energy. Or, if he's not in the mood to play, this will set him off into a crying spell. He loves to be cuddled on the chest, not swayed from the hip.
4. Shake. Okay, do not shake your baby until his brain explodes but a gentle shake is supposed to be soothing. For Brock, however, the same effect as step #3 occurs.
5. Sooth. Basically throw a pacifier in the baby's mouth to calm them. To be fair, I am avoiding this step for a bit longer until we have the whole breast feeding thing locked down (this is another discussion for another time but I'm having a terrible time breast feeding and have been pumping/bottle feeding most of the time so he doesn't starve and I can heal from his vicious boob attacks). When Brock was in the NICU, they gave him a pacifier before he even breast fed. I am convinced this is one of the reasons breast feeding has been so challenging for me. Can we say nipple confusion?
Anywhoo...our kid wasn't meant to be the best student in the class apparently. But he is definitely the cutest!
Swaddle Schmaddle. Let me be free!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Brock meets Papa McCormick
Brock had the chance to meet his grandfather, "Papa" McCormick. Papa and Bev came into town for lunch and a visit. It was so fun for us to see them holding Brock and cuddling with him. This is Papa's 11th grandchild.
Papa also delivered a hand knit blanket from Brian's Uncle Dante and Aunt Beth. The blanket is gorgeous and we already cuddled Brock up in it. He loved it, as he fell fast asleep in it.
Papa also delivered a hand knit blanket from Brian's Uncle Dante and Aunt Beth. The blanket is gorgeous and we already cuddled Brock up in it. He loved it, as he fell fast asleep in it.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Brock's first outing
During my entire pregnancy I really missed eating sushi. We try to hit our favorite sushi restaurant Kiku Sushi weekly with our friends the Kopeck's and during my pregnancy I had to modify my orders. It was determined early on that as soon as the baby was born, our first outing would be to Kiku.
Uncle Kevin hangs out with the Brockstar
My brother, Kevin, visited over the weekend and had the chance to see Brock for the first time outside of the NICU. They got along famously. Can we say future babysitter?
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Evolution of the baby bump
I've been reflecting on this entire journey to parenthood. It was a long, painful process; and worth every minute of it. It all started in early 2007 and now, early March 2010, our dream came true. Brock truly is a miracle and we are so thankful.
At the time I thought it was weird for Brian to want to take pictures of my expanding baby bump but I'm glad he did. It's weird watching your body morph into this robust vessel that carries life. What an incredibly rewarding experience.
This is my belly after 4 weeks recovery from IVF injections AND four weeks pregnant!! We started 11 with viable eggs. Two survived fertilization and eventually one embryo survived. That survivor is BROCK!
17 weeks. Ha, I thought my belly was sooooo big!
6 months
8 months
At the time I thought it was weird for Brian to want to take pictures of my expanding baby bump but I'm glad he did. It's weird watching your body morph into this robust vessel that carries life. What an incredibly rewarding experience.
This is my belly after 4 weeks recovery from IVF injections AND four weeks pregnant!! We started 11 with viable eggs. Two survived fertilization and eventually one embryo survived. That survivor is BROCK!
12 weeks.
17 weeks. Ha, I thought my belly was sooooo big!
6 months
8 months
9 months
18 days before the due date
Any day now...(40 weeks, 1 day)
41 weeks...really?
Baby Brock has made his appearance!
What an AMAZING journey...
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