6 weeks and Counting

My little grin

Andrew showing me how to fill up a blanket

Andrew loving the newest male in the family.

Will someone please fire my stylist...NOW!!!?

Lots of activity lately - we have had quite a few doctor visits since his metabolic testing came back abnormal for galactosemia. This is a metabolic disorder where he doesn't have enough of the enzyme to break down the galactose sugar in milk. Since the enzyme is missing - the galactose builds up in your liver, eyes, brain...etc and can cause liver failure, blindness, mental retardation...so needless to say we are following the docs recommendation which was to switch to an all soy diet. We've been on it a little over a week now and it still smells horrible. Hopefully, we'll adjust. We don't have the final verdict, yet, on if he really has it or if he has the variant version where he has some of the enzymes, but not enough to prevent a buildup. With the variant version, he can tolerate the galactose later in life, but will have to be on soy for the first year until there is more variety in his diet other than formula or milk. I had to take him last Monday to get blood drawn and his urine taken so it can be tested. Talk about hard for a mom to watch - they had to stick him in 2 places to draw the blood, because his vessels are so small and then to watch her poking the needle around after she stuck him - trying to get the vein...I was almost in tears...well that and I was completely frustrated that they kept us waiting for over 2 hours while they argued over who was going to pay to ship the sample to the Emory Lab. Anyway, its done and we should get the results tomorrow. He also went in and had his 6 week check up - he is now 22.5 inches long, and weighs in at 11lbs, 6oz - well he did on Thursday, by now he's probably over 12 lbs... Everything was otherwise very healthy and normal. He is a great baby!!!

After all the doctor appointments, Jake and I headed to SC so Grandma B could show her newest grand baby off to all her friends. He had a great time being passed around at the "Meet & Greet" and loved being held and adored by so many grandmothers. They also were very generous and he came home with new clothes, diapers and lots of gift cards to Target to buy more diapers and formula!!! Also, while we were there, he got to meet his Uncle Marc, Aunt Marianne and his cousins, Andrew, Mary Mac and Emma. Andrew loved having another boy around to even out the numbers. He can't wait for Jake to grow a little more, so he can do more than dance on his blanket - though Andrew was determined to teach him some moves and show him how you will grow as big as your blanket one day. We left early on Saturday and hated to say goodbye to everyone, especially since Grandpa was having such a good time with him, but Dad really missed us and we needed to gear up for the UGA/Arkansas game.

Today, Andy decided it was time for Jake to start learning more about government and popped in the "School House Rocks - Election Edition" DVD and wanted me to share Jake's new favorite song with you...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEJL2Uuv-oQ

I don't know how much he got out of it, but he did seem to really like the music.


Lastly, Jake's personality is really starting to show. He is starting to smile at us and definitely takes after his mom, since he doesn't like to wake up, either, and it takes him a few minutes to join reality or he instantly goes back to sleep. We are enjoying all these precious moments with him and can't believe how fast the days have gone by. I only have 2 weeks left on my maternity leave...it is hard to imagine not spending so much time with him!!! Well for now we're off to visit the Electoral College...

Just a little video of Dad trying to work on my smiling technique!!

A Month Old Already

I am loving my reflection...I am a handsome devil!

Post Game Tantrum - Mom & Dad were crying, too!

GO DAWGS!!!

I am amazed that they have let us keep Jake for over a month now. But since we have survived and no one has any serious injuries...I guess this might work. The last couple of weeks have been tough, since Andy has seriously injured his back, but it has given Jake and I plenty of bonding time. We suffered through the first college gameday, where UGA was a big disappointment, but we'll rally to beat South Carolina this weekend. We survivied another trip to the pediatrician for a 3rd heel stick for the metabolic testing...and hopefully the last one. Finally in the last few weeks, Jake has been working on his dance moves. Its pretty funny the way he kind of winds himself up with his right arm shake, then the legs get going. One day he may be coordinated...at least we hope so! Sorry this is short, but I'm too tired to think in complete sentences and its feeding time again...

Our Dancing Machine...

3 Weeks Old - Time is Flying By!

Wow - we've already passed the 3 week mark and he continues to grow and change every day. We are still trying to get on a normal routine, but since he constantly seems to be hungry, it hasn't quite happened, yet. We are getting a lot more awake and alert time and he is starting to be mesmerized by things, like his Detroit Tigers Mobile. If only the wind up on it would last more than 5 minutes...and play more than the 1st verse to "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"...

We did have a great visit with Grandma MA. She broke rule #1 - "There's NO Crying in Baseball" immediately, but we gave her a break on this visit. :) While she was here we gave Jake his first real bath and the expert Grandma gave him his first shampoo! Grandma MA took us out to lunch with our friend Kim and her daughters Ava & Mia. Jake was the most well behaved child there, only because he slept the whole time! We even got in a little shopping tour of downtown Newnan! She also gave Andy & I a chance to go out to dinner alone. We stared at each other a lot and talked about what else...Jake! But, it was nice to relax for an hour or so. I don't think Jake was too happy we left, though, since he gave Grandma a hard time while we were gone! It was hard for all of us to see Grandma go, but hopefully she'll be back for another visit soon.

Since no more experts are around to help us out and keep us on the straight and narrow, we've tried a few things on our own. Andy and I gave Jake his first bath in the whale tub and Jake decided he wanted more movement in the water, so he created his own fountain. I warned Andy, but it was hilarious all the same and needless to say, the bath took twice as long, since we had to start over! We also managed to almost get through a pizza night dinner out at our neighborhood Partner's Pizza (on Friday night/pizza night, of course). We were on our last slices when he decided he wanted to make his presence known. I think he just got jealous that we were eating some good pie when he only gets tan water... We also had a fun night over at Kim & Ken's with the Knight's and Lameray's. Jake was the center of attention, as usual, and I think may have stirred up a desire for more babies in some of the ladies...

We're also at the almost halfway point of my leave from work - I can't believe it has gone by so quickly. It's a good thing I have a ton of pj's - since I basically have been living in them. Time to get back to baby land...thanks to Grandma MA for providing all the current photos...