What's red and white and wet all over?

Mars (with impetigo and thrush) in the bath tub, of course! As you'll hear, Jeff and I are complete fools over Marley's smile. Can you blame us?

March for Babies

It's kind of last minute, but we decided to do The March of Dimes: March for Babies this Sunday at Qwest Field. The March of Dimes helps fund important research on premature babies. Marley's entire course of care was based on this research, and we are forever grateful for all they have done.

Nearly half of all premature deliveries have no known cause. The March of Dimes Prematurity Research Initiative funds promising, innovative research into the causes of prematurity. The goal is to translate research findings into actions that will help prevent early births.

If you'd like to donate to our walk, visit our website. I've set our fundraising goal at $100 since we only have one week, but I'm sure if we raise more they won't turn it down! Thank you!

And The Rash Goes On

So, it turns out that my previous exclamation of "All Better" may have been just a little bit hasty. Marley's rash seems to be in a holding pattern, not willing to go without a fight.

The new assessment is that 19 days of antibiotics did a great job of killing all of the bacteria, maybe too great. Yeast was able to run rampant with no bacteria to keep it in check. So, we're going to try an anti-fungal, Nystatin, and hope that it does the trick.

The good news is that Marley is perfectly healthy, otherwise. He seems to be feeling okay, too. And his dermatologist assured us that the rash's days are numbered, and that the rash better watch its back, and if she were the rash she'd get out of town. That's not a direct quote, but it was something to that effect.

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!