And the winner is...

No one! None of you made a guess as to how much Mars would weigh at his 4 month appointment, so you all lose! Okay, so maybe you just made the guess in your head, but you're going to have to get your own prize.

Well, our big boy weighed in at exactly 12 lbs - that's the 4th percentile for full term babies his age. His length was 24.25 inches, the 23rd percentile! Marley did NOT like the shots (he had four immunizations and a blood draw), but he seemed to be doing fine this afternoon. His face is still quite rashy and we continue to put ointment on it daily. It's hard to tell if it's getting any better. We go back to the dermatologist next Tuesday. Hopefully we won't need to make too many more trips there.

All Better!

Well, mostly. Mars still has a bit of rash on his face, but it's WAY better. We went to the dermatologist this week just to make sure that the infection was clearing up. A culture showed that the bacteria were gone! She prescribed more stuff to put on it and a different antibiotic. His mood has been much better, too. Thank goodness!

Poor Baby!

Last week Marley's face started getting kind of dry and flaky - normal infant stuff. But, on Tuesday we noticed that it was looking more red and rashy. It seemed to worsen throughout the week, and on Thursday night he was unusually fussy. Friday was a tough day. Mars was really feeling lousy and he let us know. Jeff came home from work so he could help take Mars to the doctor.

The diagnosis: Impetigo. I was surprised, expecting eczema or something. But the doc pointed out that in addition to the crusty rash on his face, he also had small sores on the back of his neck and in his diaper area. She prescribed oral antibiotics and a topical ointment. We will give it too him for ten days, but he should be feeling much better within five and will no longer be contagious after taking the meds for 48 hours.

Impetigo does not agree with Mars at all. He has been exceptionally cranky and difficult to soothe. In fact, there are only three things that have made Marley happy in the last day or so:
1.) His mobile, 2.) Jeff making fart noises with his hands (this actually got a laugh!), and 3.) Doing the Humpty Dance.

Enjoy!

Happy (belated) Easter!

Swedish Home Care came and gave Mars his synagis shot on Friday. He weighed 10 lbs 6 ozs! His 4 month doctor's visit is on April 15th and his next synagis shot is on the 17th. Go ahead and place your bet for his 4 month weight. There may even be a prize for the closest guess!

We had a fun Easter. Saturday was spent down in Steilacoom with Jeff's family and Sunday we were up in Arlington with the Husons and the Funkhousers. That was probably the biggest group of people we've been around and Mars was very well behaved.

Marley is smiling socially now, so Jeff and I spend most of our day trying to get a smile out of him. Of course, he only does it when HE wants to and NEVER when we want him to. But, he's doing it more now, so it's getting easier to catch him in the act.

Compare this video of Mars gazing at his mobile to the first one I posted. What a difference!

It's an Easter Miracle!

For over 24 hours we have been able to successfully latch on without using the nipple shield - EVEN in the middle of the night! Yippee! Mars and I went to a Breastfeeding Support Group at Swedish yesterday. It was more like group therapy for hormonal nursing mothers. It was exactly what we needed! A lactation specialist was there and helped us so much! I can't believe that a few small adjustments could make such a big difference. She had me make slight changes in the placement of my hands, Marley's position, and the motion I used to insert my nipple into his mouth (starting with nipple towards his nose rather than aiming it straight at his mouth).

It's hard to explain, which is exactly why having her demonstrate was SO helpful. I've had lots of phone consultations (even with this same nurse), but I guess I didn't REALLY get it until yesterday. Also, Mars weighed in at a whopping 10 lbs 6 ozs - before eating!

Swedish Home Care never showed up today to give Mars his synagis shot. I don't know what happened - Jeff called and left a message, but they never called back. So, he's unprotected, yet again, from RSV. ARGH!

3 Months Old

Believe it or not - Marley turned three months old this week! He's out of his newborn size clothes and rapidly filling up his 0-3 month clothes. He gets his next synagis shot on the 20th and will be weighed then. Any guesses as to how much he will weigh? Anyone think he will make it to the big 1-0?

One step forward, Fifty steps back

Okay, so maybe it's not quite THAT bad. But, when Mars is starving and I'm trying to wrestle him onto my breast and he's refusing to latch on - it sure feels like it. We had a really rough patch last week where he didn't latch for nearly three days! There were lots of tears (from both of us), but eventually he figured it out again.

I just don't understand. Sometimes he gets it so quickly, and other times it just doesn't happen. I keep trying to figure out if I'm doing something differently. Jeff made a really good analogy. He said it's like in bowling when he's throwing strikes and then he gets a gutter ball, even though he feels like he's doing the exact same thing. I just wish Marley would have a few less gutter balls!

In other news, we added some pictures from my parents' visit to our Picasa site (link on the right). It was so fun watching them with Marley. We were sad for them to leave!