...so far, and it is not even Thursday. On Monday Harris had a doctor's apt -- a weight check. He is weighing in at 11lbs, 2
ozs. This was a slow week for weight gain, probably because we have not yet mastered the eating situation! While Harris likes the
Similac Sensitive he is still having some
gastro concerns and so the doctor suggested two more switches. Between Monday and this morning we have made the changes. The first new formula - Harris gagged (immediately). The second he is not so fond of, but we will see! In the mean time Harris has decided he has absolutely no interest in nursing, and continues to have a very upset stomach. Needless to say it is frustrating for Mommy and Daddy and our little man is very upset - hungry and uncomfortable is NOT the way the little man enjoys feeling.
On Tuesday,
September 1st I returned to work. I continue to have very mixed emotions - sad to go and leave him home, but excited at what lies ahead for me at the office. Harris has been in amazing hands with all the grandparents this week, and beginning on Friday he will be with his new Nanny - Martina.
And here is where it all intersects...
Yesterday while I was at work I got a call from Grammy and Pop that Harris was gagging on the new formula and that he would/could (here again I am not sure if this is a choice or an ability) swallow. Also it seemed as though he had to go to the bathroom and just couldn't. My poor parents held out for a long day of fussing.
I came home and took my little man in my arms, and though I was tired, and though it had been a long day, and though I hadn't eaten, and Daddy was out I knew I had to go out and get the last chance formula. So I packed up Harris and we headed off to Babies R Us. They had one can of this special formula - the price tag lets you know it is extra special! Harris is content in his stroller so I take the opportunity to look through a few more things. We pay. We go to the car. I pick Harris up and I think WOO that is a lot of gas, and then I realize his bottom is squishy. UH-OH!! OF COURSE!!!
Days of Harris not being able to go have all culminated in this moment, after a long day of work, in the parking lot of Babies R Us, at just about bath and bed time. It was an explosion to end all others, it took all the wipes (both dry and wet) I had in the diaper bag, three diapers, a change of cloths and some fancy rearranging of items to free up the Babies R Us bag for the dirty ones - all under the soft glow of the street light, in the way back of our car, right next to my work bag - to ready us for the ride home.
Now that is a working mom moment!
Harris turned 4 months last week. On his birthday we started off the day going to the pediatrician, not for his 4 month apt, but for a weigh in so that he could start Zantac, which seems to be the final piece of the puzzle! So we are on the up and up and then our little man got the sniffles. It started with sneezing and then some congestion and then some more sneezing. I managed to hold off my own anxiety and not take him immediately to the doctor. And believe me "manage" took every ounce of my will power. I had to dig deep inside and not immediately jump to the "I know it is pneumonia or RSV" - but the honest to goodness truth is that he didn't seem sick and the only sign I could see was a bit of congestion, and a slight fussiness after he laid down. So, instead I settled on some warm baths, which he seems to developed a love for (and they also seem to calm him down) and lots of suctioning!
So on Tuesday Harris, accompanied by Mommy and Martina, went to the doctor, for two reasons 1. To check out the sniffles and 2. To get the 4 month check up. We went in and the apt started as all others have - the nurse weighed and measured the little man -- Harris weighed in at 13lbs 1oz (10th percentile for his age) and measured 25 inches (50th percentile for his age). So in size he is catching up quickly!
Then the nurse moved on to the developmental checklist - first question is he cooing? YES! Answering YES to the first question felt great. Second question: Is he smiling? YES! Wow two yeses in a row, I could barely contain myself.
Third question: Is he laughing? Not really, I mean he smiles wide mouthed and looks like he is laughing but there are no sounds. Is he reaching 
for toys? No.
Will he play with toys if put in his hands? No.
Is he rolling over? Nooo.
Nurse looks nervous, and I feel like I have to offer the obligatory explanation - you remember he is a ex-30weeker. We go on like that for a few more questions and to be honest begin to think it is comical, the questions get harder. Well, with the exception of does he lift his head on his stomach- that was a clear yes!
When the doctor came in we had a great conversation, Harris has passed all his "gestational" age milestones and 4 months is a big jump and so we will keep looking for him to do more and more, and keep up the exercises focusing more on his arms. The Doctor said we will continue to check in with what he can and can not do and right now he thinks that Harris is progressing nicely. I beamed!
In the middle of the conversation the doctor put Harris on his stomach to see him lift his head. Harris lifted his head and torso and flipped over!! The doctor chuckled looked at me and said I thought he doesn't turn over yet. I looked at our little man in amazement - the funniest part was that Harris started to cry - seems as though the first time he turned over made mommy glow and scared Harris half to death!
Since then Harris hasn't turned all the way over again but uses his new found ability to turn on his side in very creative ways, and often to Mommy's dismay. Mostly, Harris seems to use the side position to suck on his hand but last night he contorted himself around to watch TV - UGH!. My totally obsessiveness with keeping him away from television is a blog for a different time!
