Nate's Doctor's Appointment

Nate survived his two-month check-up!

He's 13 pounds 9 ounces and 23 1/2" long. He can now officially be referred to as "Hoss." He had three shots today which included 5 vaccines, and I've been informed that I get to go to the 4 month checkup to help "hold him down." :-(

Overall, the doctor was pleased with his progress. (Which also means we've passed the two-month parenting test, and he won't be calling social services on us!)

I posted many new pictures to the website, so feel free to check them out. There's a Nate folder, and Nate 200408 folder, and I'll keep making news ones for each month.

Take care,

Craig

Good Nights sleep!

Wow - we had a great night last night. Actually a lot the last week or so. Last night Nate slept for 7 hours! That is the record. WE've had a few 6 hour nights in the last week and were happy with those. Now we just have to get those hours a little later - typically its 3 or 4 am when those 6-7 hours end. But we are still happy with all of those.

He's now trying to get his lunch and sleep for the afternoon. He hasn't had much of a nap this morning, so he's due for a good nap this afternoon. Getting into a little pattern, so we'll take it. We are confident we'll get more or a routine once we start day care in a week. Looking forward to that as well.
Gail

2 Months Old today

HI everyone - thought its been a while I better put out a little update. Its been a busy few weeks with visitors. Over labor day weekend, Nate was able to meet his Grandma Liz! We all had a great time - went to Bronner's in Frankenmuth, visited the day care to get things set up and even had a BBQ with some family and friends! Nate had a grand old time - he really enjoyed meeting and getting to know grandma Liz. Lots of pictures were taken, so when we get some time, we'll get them all posted to the site for all to see.

This week Craig has off for vacation so we are hanging out as a family - its a lot of fun too! Today we are meeting some people for lunch and tomorrow Nate and I go visit SArah and Tommy. I worked with Sarah and Tommy is her little boy - he's a month older than Nate. We figure they can be close buddies as they grow old.

Next week Nate has his 2 month check up and gets some shots. That should be interesting - grandpa Doug is going to go with us to that. Giving me the moral support mostly! I'm sure they'll tell us he's growing fine and the thrush is going away too!

I go back to work on the 20th - so wish me luck! I'll be back at Oxford and probably need to travel a lot in October.
UPdate more next week
Love the Backus'

Just an update

Hi all - just an update for everyone out there. Last week I had my doctors appointment and I'm good to go! This coming Friday will be 8 weeks! Can you believe our little man has been around for 2 months almost! But I"m planning on going back to work on the 20th. We'll see how that goes (rumor is that the company will file Chapter 7 and close the doors on October 2nd) - so who knows.

The whole house had a cold last week, so dealing with a baby that has no idea what's wrong was tough. He didn't let us sleep too much at the end of last week. But the saline drops and the bulb thing help to clear out his nose. We ended up at the doctor with Nate yesterday for thrush in his mouth - so now we have medicine for that. Poor little thing. But he seems to be doing really well - no fever (or very little the doctor was not too concerned) and his chest and lungs sounded good! He's a little chunck now - weighing in at 12 pounds 6.5 ounces! We go back in 2 weeks for his 2 month check up and start all the immunization shots then as well. So that will be fun- planning it so either dad or Craig can go with me. Not sure how well I'll hold up with all the shots! But Nate is having a good old time- he's so much more attentative and trying to be active. He loves to play on the floor mats and kick his legs. Especially during changing time! Its his new little game - even did the "ride the bike" dance for the doctor yesterday. He's starting to smile too! Its the cutest thing I've seen, but of course, I'm prejudice! He was adorable yesterday morning when Craig went to say good bye for the day, he just smiled up at his daddy! He just loves his daddy and looks like him too.

WE had our first over night guests this weekend too - Rob, Janet and the kids were here - so that was fun. Rob and Janet are Craig's friends from Rochester, NY - we had a lot of fun. This weekend grandma Liz is coming for a visit. We aer all excited and desparately trying to clean house (its getting there). Nate can't wait to meet his grandma - that will be fun. WE have some plans to take her to Frankenmuth and then have a little BBQ over at our house on Monday! And what ever she would like to see - we're up for it.

Better run - talk to you all later.

Nate's Hearing test

Nate was a little trooper yesterday and survived the hearing test. He was a great little guy and slept through it all. The technician didn't really care for his noises (he's a noisey sleeper just like his daddy). But she told me he passed and his hearing was ok. I'm not 100% confident that she knew what I asked and what she was saying - there was a slight language barrier - but I decided to take the positive road. Grandpa Doug was also great to help us out yesterday getting us to the doctors office and back! He even stayed and we all met for dinner (Marcus, Craig and us)

Today - Nate had another adventure, He went to see where daddy works and to meet his co-workers! Everyone thought he was adorable and so calm. Guess we need to takea video of Nate at 3 am fussing. I've been up since about 3 am with only a few hours of shut eye since then. I'm exhausted (and fighting a cold). Tomorrow Nate has his first baby-sitters officialy. Both grandpa's are coming to watch him while Criag and I go to a wedding! So that will be fun - fun for us to get out.

Now next week we need to plan a trip to my office for Nate to meet some of my friends.
UPdate more next week
Gail

Quick note

Well we are having a much better last few days. The weekend was really rough with the new formula - thought it was working on Saturday because Nate slept great - but realized it was just having him out side all day at the two birthday parties. Nate got to meet the Wilcox clan so taht was fun, he napped for most of it. And then he met Craig's co-workers at another birthday party.

Anyhow - very early Monday morning when I was up around 3 am and didn't get back to sleep at all - I realized the gas issue was still bad. The poor little guy seemed to be in so much pain - it just wasn't fair. I had been told by many people that Nestle's Good STart worked well for your kids and I also talked to the nurse at the doctors office. She recommended something called Nurtamigen (which is more expensive). I looked at the prices at the store - the Nurtamigen brands were pretty much double in price of anything else we have used. Therefore - I decided to take advice from all of you and try the Good Start first. And heck - good advice so far. The last 48 hours he's been on it and still trying to get the other out of his system. But the gas pains seem less severe and less frequent. He'll always have gas - we all do - so I figured as long as its not too painful - we'll keep trying the Good Start! Yeah! Now I want all of you to keep your fingers crossed that it will work.

Yesterday we had another big outting - my friend Kris and her family came up from Indiana and hung out with us all day. so that was nice. Tomorrow dad comes to help me take Nate to the hearing test -again cross your fingers that he sleeps through it so we can get it completed and pass! If not - we'll deal with what we need, it can't be that bad.

I'll try and update the site later this week once we know more on his hearing.

Nate's ENT appointment

Well as expected, not much happened at the specialist today. He said its very early to really determine any hearing loss. HOwever, he understood all the nurses and Nate's doctor want to have him retested. So basically, we will go to another office next Thursday for them to do another hearing test. Please pray he'll be asleep for the test so that it can be completed. That was the problem at the hospital.

Other than that - all is well. He's sleeping now and trying to get used to this new formula - we'll see how this one works or go back to the other.

Nate's 1 month checkup

Hi everyone,
Nate was 1 month old yesterday and had his 1 month check up today with the doctor. He's doing really well - gained weight and length. He's now 9 pounds 9 ounces and 20.5 inches long! The doctor is very happy with both.

He did recommend trying a lactose free formula to see if that will help with his constipation and gas issues. I hope so - poor little guy - and from what I have read if he is lactose intolerant now - its probably something with his hormones and he'll out grow it.

we have the appointment for his hearing tomorrow - wish us luck! (even though the probably won't know anything without testing).
Gail

August 9th

Well its been a while since I posted last. We are all doing well - Nate has had a lot of good and a few bad days. Last week he slept really well for us at night - the last few nights, he would sleep all day and then be up all night. Just being fussy. He's been awake a lot today - so we'll see how he does tonight.

He even survived his first big garage sale last week. He and I helped dad out at the 3 day event. Didn't do as good as we would have hoped - but better than nothing I suppose. Nate was able to meet a lot of people those few days - many people came out just to meet the little guy. He did very good till Mr. Lutz held him and Nate's little diaper just couldn't hold out any longer. Oops.

Right now he's sleeping and we are about to go do laundry. Kyle is over painting in his room again - Nate already loves the work - he sits and stares at the waves she has painted.

WE have his one month check up tomorrow morning and then an appointment with the hearing doctor on Wednesday. Not sure if they will even do a test on WEdnesday or just chekc him out and send us downtown. WE shall see.

Big weekend

Well Nate had a big weekend - Friday we spent the day out at dad's house trying to get ready for the big estate/garage sale this week (Thursday - Saturday if anyone wants to come by and say HI - we will probably be there in the afternoons).

Yesterday we went to his first birthday party for our friend Jimmy who turned 4 and then today back out to Howell to help dad with a few more things. Good thing Marcus is out in Howell now - he helped dad a TON yesterday going through things - now lets hope he can help dad lug all the stuff up into the garage for us! Now that would be good. We have so much stuff - lots of antiques - so come and shop! It was actually better than I thought it would be finding a lot of things mom had saved or bought for us - stuff like that. But today I found some additional love letters between mom and dad and pictures she saved from her senior class trip! And a bunch of photo albums - the first one I found - pictures from when I was born - actually the baby shower family gave mom when she was having me! So that was pretty cool to look at. Still a lot to go throug, but I think we all agree the stuff in the basement isn't as important as the stuff upstairs. We can go through that stuff - someday! When we are ready.

We are all tired tonight -well Nate's been sleeping most of the evening - so lets hope he still sleeps good tonight. He's been doing better the last few nights for us - so taht is good. He's also been able to meet a lot of friends today! Elizabeth Snider (Reed), John Reed, Mrs. Grill, Mr. Wilson and then the Shadekers (hope I spelt that some what close). So it was fun -

Better go - need to get some rest before my mornign wake up calls - we have a great system going - Craig gets the late night feeding and I get the early morning ones.

Pictures online

Ok - here you all go - click on the Family PHoto's Link over to the left and you can access a ton of our pictures - even Nate photo's. 

Have fun - wish us luck tonight - Nate's been fussy the last few nights.  But we have now ventured into pacifier land!  It seems to work wonders - if he won't breastfeed - guess why not!

July 28th

Nate, daddy and I are doing well.  Nate and I had our first big adventure yesterday.  We traveled to Okemos to meet my friend Sarah and her new baby Tommy (6 weeks old).  It was fun - we hung out for a few hours and just had fun.  Then we went to grandpa's house and out to dinner in Howell!  Nate even met Billie - Uncle Marcus' big dog!  Billie did pretty well - more curious as to what this new little "thing" was.  Sniffing and licking Nate's little feet!

MOnday Nate also had a big day with Grandpa - he was able to babysit for a few hours while I got out of the house to run a few erands.  Which was really nice!  Thanks dad!

Today - we are just chilling out - we had to switch his formula last night - so he's adjusting to that today.  I think he's down for a little nap right now.  He had me up this morning before 5 am!  So I'm a little tired.

Gail

two weeks old

Well Nate's now two weeks old and doing good.  Getting a little more fussy and wanting to eat a LOT more.  We were able to see a lactation specialist this week and it may not be easy for us to breastfeed.  Even though he's done it twice now - its not enough.  One - he's not a good "sucker" and I'm not getting enough milk for him. There are a few things we are going to talk to my doctor about so we'll see.  Wish us luck!  Still pumping to get what he can - but its not enough.

Nate's starting to stay awake a little more too.  Which is fun - and his eyes are starting to change color too. Still blue just not as dark - they were almost navy blue before!  Very pretty - but they are getting a little ligher.  Can't wait to see what color they end up - probably a blue or green with the colors in the family.

We also had our first restaurant dinner last night and our first dinner at friends is tonight!  Lets hope he's a good boy for us!

Better run - trying to get a few things done before we leave tonight.  Sorry we are so busy have a hard time updating every day.  Emailed out some pictures Kathy took last week - very cute.  Craig says it is very difficult to post to this page - but one of these days we'll probably get more posted to the www.craigbackus.com website.
Gail

Toxemia update

Good afternoon all - I'm taking a few minutes while Nate is still sleeping.  He had a difficult time last night and just wanted to be held to sleep again.  Hopefully tonight will be different.
 
Anyhow - I had my doctor visit today and found out I have lost 21 pounds since last Monday!  Yeah!  So I'm definately down below prepregnancy weight!  So I'm excited.  I still have "a good amount" of swelling in my legs according to the doctor, but he's happy to see I'm still loosing all the water.  My blood pressuer today he said was OK - even though it was about the same as it was when they sent me in to have Nate.  Guess not being pregnant, they don't consider it high now.  So that was good.  He's just checking the one liver enzyme today and we should have the results tomorrow.  He said last week it was very slightly elevated and nothing to be worreid about.  High is 34 and mine was like 58 - he would be concerned if it were 600 or 2000.  However, he still needs to monitor this level to ensure that it is going down below the 34.  So just like Nate's jaundice, just keeping an eye on things.  Can't complain about that.
 
Today is Nate and my first day alone - so far so good.  He's been sleeping and even ventured to Meijer with me to pick up a few things.  Tomorrow is his next doctor appointment, mostly to check his weight and be referred to an audiologist for his hearing.  Doctor didn't seem to worried about it last week - so that was good too.
Enjoy the day!
Gail

Nate News (good too)

Well Nate had a big day today!  He was in his first "traffic incident" at the medical office parking lot (he slept through it all - thank goodness).  As dad and I were driving out some woman just backed out and hit us!  No big damage to the van, just cracked the plastic around the front blinker (luckily)!
 
Next he went to the grocery store!  Whoo hoo! 
 
He had only one visitor (grandpa doesn't count as a visitor) today and a lot from the family yesterday - so that was fun. 
 
The doctor called and told us the jaundice is going away!  Yeah!  So he's doing good on that front.  And my excitement is he finally got the hang of the breastfeeding today!  He got something - so that is better than the last week of trying.  I owe it to my friend Sarah who just had her little Tommy in June - to just keep trying!  It takes a week or two!  So hopefully things will slowly progress towards that better end of things!  Yeah!
 
Well I think daddy is putting him down for the evening (before the next feeding).  I think we will go relax and watch last weeks episode of Monk! 
Have a good weekend everyone.