Sunday, December 14, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
1-month-old!!
From the Start Healthy, Stay Healthy Gerber website:
During the first month of life, your baby will focus on learning how to make sense of his new environment using his eyes, ears, sense of smell, and touch.Through the love, comfort, and attention you'll provide, he'll bond even more closely with you. If you notice a lot of crying, realize that it's part of your baby's communication with you since he sees that you respond to his cries by meeting his needs. With your help he's learning new things and growing every day.
Your baby’s growth
At each checkup your doctor will measure your child's height, weight, and head circumference, plotting his development in percentiles. What’s most important isn’t exactly how much your baby weighs but that he continues to grow in a steady way.
Length for 1-month-old babies usually ranges from 18 inches (10th percentile) to 20.5 inches (90th percentile). Weight usually ranges from 7 pounds (10th percentile) to 10.5 pounds (90th percentile).
we have a Dr. app't on Monday...it will be interesting to see exactly how much Eli weighs...We think he's close to 11 lbs...and he was 20 inches long when he was born, so we'll see how much he's grown that way too! It will be fun 2 see his progress!
This month your baby may be able to:
· lift his head slightly as his neck muscles strengthen (he does this already quite a bit!)
· focus his eyes on your face as he begins to learn how to focus both eyes together (does this too!)
· visually follow an object that moves about 6 inches above his face (high-contrast colors such as black and white are what she can see best at this time) (does only when he wants too...he's pretty stubborn already!)
· blink at a bright light (he loves lights!)
· recognize familiar sounds and voices and respond by turning his head toward them (he recognizes mom & dad's voices!)
· grip your finger when you stroke his palm—part of his developing grasping reflex (sometimes...he really doesn't like to share his hands with anyone!)
· turn toward your finger when you rub a corner of his mouth (this rooting instinct is what helps him to latch onto your nipple for feeding)
· recognize you by your scent (he can smell your milk if you’re breastfeeding) (he does know mom's scent!)
What you can do
· Develop his awareness of his environment by stimulating his senses.
· Speak to your baby in a higher-pitched voice—he’ll best respond to this sound. (as corny as it sounds we do this a lot!)
· Stimulate his hearing by playing soothing music, hanging wind chimes outside his window, and providing soft toys that make interesting sounds. (he loves the Christmas music. We listen to a lot of that during the day!)
· Stimulate his visual development by hanging bright mobiles or soft sculptures in black-and-white patterns near his crib. (Babies this age seem to prefer black and white over other colors.)
· Stimulate his sense of touch by letting him feel age-appropriate soft toys and blankets. (we do this too, but need to more of it I think!)
Crazy to think that Eli is a month old already...wow how time flies! Yet is hard to imagine life without him...and it wasn't that long ago that he wasn't here yet!
During the first month of life, your baby will focus on learning how to make sense of his new environment using his eyes, ears, sense of smell, and touch.Through the love, comfort, and attention you'll provide, he'll bond even more closely with you. If you notice a lot of crying, realize that it's part of your baby's communication with you since he sees that you respond to his cries by meeting his needs. With your help he's learning new things and growing every day.
Your baby’s growth
At each checkup your doctor will measure your child's height, weight, and head circumference, plotting his development in percentiles. What’s most important isn’t exactly how much your baby weighs but that he continues to grow in a steady way.
Length for 1-month-old babies usually ranges from 18 inches (10th percentile) to 20.5 inches (90th percentile). Weight usually ranges from 7 pounds (10th percentile) to 10.5 pounds (90th percentile).
we have a Dr. app't on Monday...it will be interesting to see exactly how much Eli weighs...We think he's close to 11 lbs...and he was 20 inches long when he was born, so we'll see how much he's grown that way too! It will be fun 2 see his progress!
This month your baby may be able to:
· lift his head slightly as his neck muscles strengthen (he does this already quite a bit!)
· focus his eyes on your face as he begins to learn how to focus both eyes together (does this too!)
· visually follow an object that moves about 6 inches above his face (high-contrast colors such as black and white are what she can see best at this time) (does only when he wants too...he's pretty stubborn already!)
· blink at a bright light (he loves lights!)
· recognize familiar sounds and voices and respond by turning his head toward them (he recognizes mom & dad's voices!)
· grip your finger when you stroke his palm—part of his developing grasping reflex (sometimes...he really doesn't like to share his hands with anyone!)
· turn toward your finger when you rub a corner of his mouth (this rooting instinct is what helps him to latch onto your nipple for feeding)
· recognize you by your scent (he can smell your milk if you’re breastfeeding) (he does know mom's scent!)
What you can do
· Develop his awareness of his environment by stimulating his senses.
· Speak to your baby in a higher-pitched voice—he’ll best respond to this sound. (as corny as it sounds we do this a lot!)
· Stimulate his hearing by playing soothing music, hanging wind chimes outside his window, and providing soft toys that make interesting sounds. (he loves the Christmas music. We listen to a lot of that during the day!)
· Stimulate his visual development by hanging bright mobiles or soft sculptures in black-and-white patterns near his crib. (Babies this age seem to prefer black and white over other colors.)
· Stimulate his sense of touch by letting him feel age-appropriate soft toys and blankets. (we do this too, but need to more of it I think!)
Crazy to think that Eli is a month old already...wow how time flies! Yet is hard to imagine life without him...and it wasn't that long ago that he wasn't here yet!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
4 weeks...already!
Hi! Guess what...4 weeks ago I was still in Mama's belly and resisting my entrance into this world, but Mom & Dad had their way & I was born, 4 weeks ago!
Lots has gone on in the past 4 weeks. I'm gaining weight...I now weigh over 10 lbs! I go to the Doctor next Monday & then he'll weigh me officially and we'll see how much I gained! I have traveled some...to Dyer, IN...where my Nana & Papa live for Thanksgiving & for a celebration this past weekend with my cousins and Aunties & Uncles of the many birthday's in December! (Happy birthday Clayton & Peter, Auntie Dar, Uncle Pete, & Curtis!) I also had my 1st trip to Chicago! Saturday night my mom & dad took me to Grammie & Papa's condo in the Hancock building for the night. Our friends the Cohen's came over for dinner and to visit. They are great! I got to get to know Haley, and Haley's mom & dad. Haley's mom held me for a long time...I liked that. She has a baby in her tummy and he kept kicking me. I don't think he liked me on his mom's lap.
Sunday my mom & dad took me to a restaurant that they used to like which is just across the street from the condo...the Oak Tree. Lots of people checked me out while we were there, but I just played like I was asleep because I wasn't sure I wanted to get to know all those people! Mom & dad kept talking about how the restaurant has changed...they aren't sure that they will be going back there very much. I don't know...it seemed fine to me!
Oh, Friday I got to spend the entire day with my Nana. She read to me, held me, snuggled me, gave me a bath, and napped with me. It was a good day. My mom was kind of pesty though...she was judging at a student competition in Chicago and she kept calling Nana to check on me. Once she even woke Nana up from a nap. That wasn't so nice, mom! Nana is a pro...she can handle me! I liked being with Nana so much that I cried and cried when it was time to leave Nana's on Saturday. Mom & dad said I was being like my cousins. They never want to leave Nana's either!
Oh, I'm also growing out of some of my clothes. Mom has started a pile of clothes that no longer fit me.
Tomorrow is a shopping outing with mom & grammie. Mom said something about needing to do Christmas shopping. I guess she needs grammie's help to keep me happy or something. I don't know...I'm just a baby.
Lots has gone on in the past 4 weeks. I'm gaining weight...I now weigh over 10 lbs! I go to the Doctor next Monday & then he'll weigh me officially and we'll see how much I gained! I have traveled some...to Dyer, IN...where my Nana & Papa live for Thanksgiving & for a celebration this past weekend with my cousins and Aunties & Uncles of the many birthday's in December! (Happy birthday Clayton & Peter, Auntie Dar, Uncle Pete, & Curtis!) I also had my 1st trip to Chicago! Saturday night my mom & dad took me to Grammie & Papa's condo in the Hancock building for the night. Our friends the Cohen's came over for dinner and to visit. They are great! I got to get to know Haley, and Haley's mom & dad. Haley's mom held me for a long time...I liked that. She has a baby in her tummy and he kept kicking me. I don't think he liked me on his mom's lap.
Sunday my mom & dad took me to a restaurant that they used to like which is just across the street from the condo...the Oak Tree. Lots of people checked me out while we were there, but I just played like I was asleep because I wasn't sure I wanted to get to know all those people! Mom & dad kept talking about how the restaurant has changed...they aren't sure that they will be going back there very much. I don't know...it seemed fine to me!
Oh, Friday I got to spend the entire day with my Nana. She read to me, held me, snuggled me, gave me a bath, and napped with me. It was a good day. My mom was kind of pesty though...she was judging at a student competition in Chicago and she kept calling Nana to check on me. Once she even woke Nana up from a nap. That wasn't so nice, mom! Nana is a pro...she can handle me! I liked being with Nana so much that I cried and cried when it was time to leave Nana's on Saturday. Mom & dad said I was being like my cousins. They never want to leave Nana's either!
Oh, I'm also growing out of some of my clothes. Mom has started a pile of clothes that no longer fit me.
Tomorrow is a shopping outing with mom & grammie. Mom said something about needing to do Christmas shopping. I guess she needs grammie's help to keep me happy or something. I don't know...I'm just a baby.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
1st snow & 1st bath an eventful day!
When we woke up this morning there was some snow on the ground...the 1st real snow of the season & Eli's 1st snow. Looking out our back window we saw that the neighbors had all been out early to enjoy the snow...some making a huge snowman, others just running around in it (I think!)
Eli & Mom went to our church for the 1st time today too...daddy wasn't feeling good so he stayed home. Eli was a big hit at church. Everyone who saw him thought he was cute & since he slept part of the time they all thought he was so good! He was really good while we were there. I fed him and then he was awake for most of the sermon. He fell asleep right before we had communion and slept until we got home.
Just a little bit ago he had a pretty big BM and so daddy & mommy gave him his first bath. Mom did the washing & dad took the pics. Since Eli doesn't really like to be naked we didn't think he'd really like this experience either, and he did let us know he wasn't too pleased, but after the bath he was pretty calm and enjoyed some time hanging out in his hooded towel.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
My 1st road trip...
We went to go see Nana, Papa, Auntie Dar, Uncle Joe, Uncle Pete, Auntie Rachel, all my cousins and a bunch of other relatives this week...Mama said it was for something called Thanksgiving, and I heard her and Daddy talking a lot about how thankful they were for me! I think mommy even cried a little in church when they were singing thanksgiving hymns. I really liked the music in church, but it didn't make me cry!
Mommy called the Doctor to see if we could fly in Daddy's plane to go see Nana...and the Doctor said it was OK to fly in Daddy's plane...just not in a commercial plane yet. But we ended up driving in our SUV because Daddy was too tired to fly. He also said something about not having flown for a while (which I know was due to me...sorry Dad.) and how he wanted to take the plane out with out me before he took me up in it. I'm ready to try flying though, Dad. As long as mom gets to sit in the back of the plane with me to feed me and entertain me I think I'll like it!
When we drove to see Nana I slept the whole way then when we got to Nana's she fed me and hugged me and cuddled with me while mom & dad got all settled in. I love Nana. She kisses me a lot and sings to me and cuddles with me. I think that she'll be one of my best friends before too long like she is for my cousins. Papa likes to hold me too, and surprisingly he's pretty snuggly with me.
Thursday was a little crazy. I met a ton of new people..who all kept kissing my head! There were a bunch of other babies there too...I can't wait to be big enough to play with them someday! I think we'll have fun!
Yesterday mom & dad just let me veg at home...it was great! I was really pooped out from all the activity earlier in the week. I did have some visitors though - Scott & Amanda Panno came to see me and Cindy & Stu Smith also came over to see me. They all told my mom & dad how cute I was. Scott & Amanda got me this nifty onesie...dad really wanted it for me...it says, "I like boobs". I guess I have to wear it when dad takes me to Uncle Marty's for Crappy movie night. Too bad Uncle Patrick won't be there...
Tonight I'm going to grammie & papa's to celebrate Uncle Luke's birthday. Mama hopes I'm a happy baby for this outing. By night time I'm often kind of crabby...it is hard to be a baby...don't you know?
Mommy called the Doctor to see if we could fly in Daddy's plane to go see Nana...and the Doctor said it was OK to fly in Daddy's plane...just not in a commercial plane yet. But we ended up driving in our SUV because Daddy was too tired to fly. He also said something about not having flown for a while (which I know was due to me...sorry Dad.) and how he wanted to take the plane out with out me before he took me up in it. I'm ready to try flying though, Dad. As long as mom gets to sit in the back of the plane with me to feed me and entertain me I think I'll like it!
When we drove to see Nana I slept the whole way then when we got to Nana's she fed me and hugged me and cuddled with me while mom & dad got all settled in. I love Nana. She kisses me a lot and sings to me and cuddles with me. I think that she'll be one of my best friends before too long like she is for my cousins. Papa likes to hold me too, and surprisingly he's pretty snuggly with me.
Thursday was a little crazy. I met a ton of new people..who all kept kissing my head! There were a bunch of other babies there too...I can't wait to be big enough to play with them someday! I think we'll have fun!
Yesterday mom & dad just let me veg at home...it was great! I was really pooped out from all the activity earlier in the week. I did have some visitors though - Scott & Amanda Panno came to see me and Cindy & Stu Smith also came over to see me. They all told my mom & dad how cute I was. Scott & Amanda got me this nifty onesie...dad really wanted it for me...it says, "I like boobs". I guess I have to wear it when dad takes me to Uncle Marty's for Crappy movie night. Too bad Uncle Patrick won't be there...
Tonight I'm going to grammie & papa's to celebrate Uncle Luke's birthday. Mama hopes I'm a happy baby for this outing. By night time I'm often kind of crabby...it is hard to be a baby...don't you know?
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Wanna meet me?
Hey there! Here's my birth announcement...
made by my Aunt Mandy. She LOVES to take pictures of me...and so far I'm not too bothered by that. Thanks Auntie!
Everyone says that I look like my daddy in these pictures...what do you think?
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
40 weeks...wait...doesn't that mean I'm supposed to come out now?
No sign that Eli is ready to come out of the womb and join the real world yet...but to quote Papa Stephens - soon he'll be evicted! If he doesn't appear of his own free will between now & November 12th...Dr. Dabrowski plans to induce labor on the 12th. Mom & Dad are hoping to see Eli before then, but he's already being stubborn like his daddy and all the other Stephens men. So we wait...
Thursday, October 30, 2008
39 weeks...in utero
Hey! I'm 39 weeks along now...and my mom & dad (and everyone else who knows about me) are READY for me to make my arrival! But I'm hanging in there...not sure for how much longer, but while things are tighter in here than they were before...my mom is pretty comforting, warm, and she bounces me around a lot...so it is not like I'm bored or anything! Plus, it is kind of fun to keep all these adults guessing! -E.W.
From 3D Pregnancy: One uncomfortable complaint of late pregnancy is frequent hiccups. No, not you, your baby. Because there is no air around your baby, when he practices breathing, it can cause amniotic fluid to get into his windpipe, resulting in those regularly spaced thumps that make you think you're carrying a jumping bean in your belly.
From Cousin Vicki DeBoer: "Hey thought you'd like this.....I had a dream that we were all at Fennema Thanksgiving with ALL the new babies, and you kept calling your son "Boo" cuz he was born on Halloween. So good luck with that!!"
I already cast my vote for President...figuring that if I didn't he'd arrive on November 4th & I'd not get to vote at all...a tragedy for a Social Studies teacher!
From 3D Pregnancy: One uncomfortable complaint of late pregnancy is frequent hiccups. No, not you, your baby. Because there is no air around your baby, when he practices breathing, it can cause amniotic fluid to get into his windpipe, resulting in those regularly spaced thumps that make you think you're carrying a jumping bean in your belly.
From Cousin Vicki DeBoer: "Hey thought you'd like this.....I had a dream that we were all at Fennema Thanksgiving with ALL the new babies, and you kept calling your son "Boo" cuz he was born on Halloween. So good luck with that!!"
I already cast my vote for President...figuring that if I didn't he'd arrive on November 4th & I'd not get to vote at all...a tragedy for a Social Studies teacher!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
36 weeks old...in utero
I decided to start a blog for Eli, even though he's still hanging out inside of mommy's womb yet. He's really been busy lately, lots of pushing on mommy's insides and he's getting pretty heavy to carry around. We've got everything basically ready for his arrival...and since we had been told that at 32 weeks he was a little over 5 lbs I'd say he's plenty big to arrive any day now.
His bag is packed. Mommy's bag is packed and ready to go. The car seat is going in the car today...anytime he wants to arrive is cool!
We'll be putting pictures and videos and all that good stuff on this blog...that way friends & family far away can all check in on the progress of our little guy! We hope you enjoy it!
His bag is packed. Mommy's bag is packed and ready to go. The car seat is going in the car today...anytime he wants to arrive is cool!
We'll be putting pictures and videos and all that good stuff on this blog...that way friends & family far away can all check in on the progress of our little guy! We hope you enjoy it!
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