July 13, 2013:

What an eventful week we have had!! We saw the Grad clinic on Thursday and daddy was able to come after his 24hr OB shift. They were very impressed with is progress. He's 8 lb 11.5 oz and 21 inches long!!! He's uped his weight gain to 18grams per day from 16grams. He's meeting his milestones appropriately for a 2 month old. He will be 3 months adjusted next wk on the 17th. Him being able to roll from stomach to back is advanced and not normally seen till 4 months, so that's awesome!! Since I've had to start supplementing his feedings w/ some straight formula, they gave me a recipe to make it 24 calorie like I do when I fortify my breastmilk. We have also dropped a bottle to add a breastfeeding. The speech therapist saw him and observed him sucking on his bottle. She said he has an inefficient suck since it makes a smacking noise. I thought that was a good thing. :) Anyways, there's an exercise we can do w/ the paci to help that. He's still eating great and gaining weight, so I'm sure he will grow out of it. We were able to stop the Beneprotein powder, so one less powder to mix!! Counting them down!! We roughly tried to figure out how much he drinks her day w/ bottles and breastfeeding. The nutritionist gave us the estimate of 10.5 ounces per day and 5 breastfeedings. Since being home I've decided that I can get the 10.5 ounces in, but can only get about 3 breastfeedings in w/ his new sleeping. He hasn't been eating as frequently. He's even decided to give me a 5 hr stretch during the night. I thought it was a fluky thing since he didn't get much of a nap on Thursday, but he's done it the past few nights!!

Today was a super special day. It was RJ's first time to church!! Today daddy got ordained as a deacon. RJ and I slipped in after most all had sat down for the service to start and darted out at the closing hymn. Robert was able to get the pastor to come out to the truck and say a special prayer of Thanksgiving. It was special. My mom, Bruce, and Emily were able to be here this weekend as well. We even had a special Sabbath lunch that RJ will get remnants of. I made a Tofu Parmesan that was delicious w/ Kale and bussel sprout salad. Both are winners!!

I keep forgetting to mention that RJ has outgrown the nipple shield!!! Now feeding is much less messy and we don't waste any milk!! That's been going on for about 2 weeks now.

This morning as we were getting ready for church, I decided to give RJ a lil tummy time while still in his PJ's. He rolled over for the grandparents to see in person!! He did it a few times. We tried it this afternoon after lunch and he just laid there. Silly boy.

It's such an incredible feeling to hold him and snuggle w/ him during feeding times. I love how he holds my finger during our breastfeeding sessions... Melts my heart. It's so sweet his lil smiles while changing his diaper or when waking up in the morning. It almost feels like he's hugging me sometimes. :) I'm totally and completely in love...

This week the bumbo was delivered. It about swallows RJ up. He's getting used to it. On Friday while I was eating lunch I sat him in it. I was wiping his face w/ a paper towel and he kept smiling so I kept doing it. :) I waited too long to take a video b/c then he really spit up and it made him cry. :( Poor lil fellow.

This coming week my lil sis Emily is going to be here w/ us to help take care of RJ. Time for a baby-sitting crash course!!

Thanks again for the continued prayers, support, and love. RJ is doing fantastic and making great progress.