August 20, 2013:

I guess I'm keeping true to my blogging every couple weeks. I promise I'm not doing it on purpose. It's just the way the cookie crumbles. What a funny phrase. Anyways, lots has happened in the world of RJ. He has hit the 10 lb mark for real this time!!! I can feel him getting bigger and heavier when I carry him. I was just watching him this afternoon as he was sleeping in my arms and marveling at how big he's getting. I think he might be hitting that quick growth spirt we've been hearing about. I guess 10 lbs is supposed to be a magic number in the preemie world. Yesterday he took around 14 oz of breastmilk/formula!!! That's a record for him!!

He did hit the 7 month mark this past Sabbath. I can't believe he's already 7 months.... Where has the time gone!! It's exciting to think that RJ's been home longer thant he's been in the NICU. :) We are getting into a pretty good schedule. He likes to shake things up for sure. Last Thursday we had a NICU Grad clinic appt at 9am. I like to get up and feed him at 4:30am, pump, and then stay up to get dressed, have worship, and eat. Well he decided to stay awake and be fussy. It took me 2 hrs to get him back to sleep so I could then take care of myself and get us out the door. Thankfully we made it to our appt on time. Last week he was going through a segment of not wanting to take naps. It was very frustrating b/c that's the time I'm able to get things done. The past few days have been getting better again.

We went to the lake w/ some friends for a long weekend and RJ slept in the pack n' play for the first time!! He did great and wiggled all around. He seemed to enjoy the larger space. Sunday morning it was super cute to wake up to him making noises w/ his mouth. A gurgling of sorts w/ his mouth and tongue. :) He was content just playing by himself. Sunday RJ didn't get a lot of solid naps. He was a pretty tired boy by the time we got home and settled. He ended up sleeping from 9:15pm-6:30am and missed 2 feedings!! I knew he was tired, so didn't want to wake him. Then he slept for 3 more hrs on my chest! We were both tired from the lake weekend. We are back to missing just one feeding at midnight. :)

I've been having RJ sleep in his own room for the past few weeks, but had the co-sleeper in the bed as well so he would feel more secure. Last night I took it out and he slept in his big bed free to move around. I was surprised that he didn't stray much from the position I layed him in. He's growing up. :) We are so proud of him and all his accomplishments.

The other day we were eating some ice cream w/ some friends. I got some strawberry yoguart and put my spoon up to RJ's mouth. He wasn't too impressed. Just thought it would be fun to see what his reaction was. He's been more interested in what we've been eating lately. According to the Grad clinic nutritionist, we can start introducing solids at 6 months adjusted age. That would be mid October. According to the new recommendations they introduce meats first and then rice cereal and the other foods. I was shocked. I let the nutritionist know that I'm an ovo-lacto-vegetarian and that I was planning on raising RJ that way. I read a bunch of articles on line and know that RJ can get all the protein and iron he needs from legumes, tofu, tempe, and gluten. The nutritionist said she was going to do some research and put together a plan for us. I was afraid she was going to be more stand offish when I told her I didn't want to give him any meats. Thankfully she pretty understanding.

August 21, 2013:

So RJ has started making more fun sounds with his mouth. He likes to make bubbles and then gurgle like I mentioned before. He also made a motor boat sound and we talked back and forth. He was mimicking me I think. Whatever it was, we were having fun.

The other night Robert was snuggling w/ RJ and I asked if he wanted to give the midnight bottle. He hasn't been able to have RJ truly fall deep asleep on his chest. I told him that right near the end of the bottle RJ would close his eyes and fall asleep and then when moved to Robert's chest for burping would just lay there. Robert let me know that it was super precious and it all happened just like I said.

A couple weekends ago Robert and I went shopping at SAMs and I held RJ in the baby bjorn. He was facing out so he could take in all the sights and sounds. Without warning he fell fast asleep. We took a couple pics. It was so precious.

Over the past month RJ has decided it's time to take shorter naps during the day, then go longer at night between feedings. The nap thing has become a little more tricky. It's not as easy to get things done. I find myself staying up after his 4:30am feeding to get some of my stuff done and then staying up later after he's in bed. I need to find a good balance. I'm having to not be as annal about the cleanliness of my house. That's a hard one. :/ I'm trying to soak up all the moments I have with RJ though. Sometimes I hold him a little longer or even for his full nap, just starting at him and admiring him. Today I actually fell asleep for 2 hrs with him. He's also become a lot more alert and curious. He studies everything and watches what we do. I carry him around the house and tell him what I'm doing. :)

After his 6 month shots, RJ decided that he liked rocking in the lazy boy chair in his room all snuggled up after eating and sleep. Some moments that make me smile. I absolutely LOVE snuggling w/ RJ. He's our precious boy.

Things are going to start getting more challenging for Robert at work over the next few months. I'm so thankful that he adores his son so much and is willing to spend time with him even after long days. We are so blessed.

We had our next Grad clinic appt on the 15th. It was awesome that Robert was post call and was able to go with us again. He's always so good at asking questions and helping me keep track of what they told us. We met with the nutritionist, physical therapist, and doctor. Here are a list of the different things we were told:

No plush toys- use only hard ones such as blocks
Don't need lots of toys- a good set of blocks and shape finder
No jumpers, walkers, or bumbos
No battery toys, no screens (TV, iPad, iPhone, etc.) until 3 yrs old
Tummy time/activity mat should be 50% of his awake time (boy this is super tricky when you want to get things done around the house)
Exercises: help roll from back to tummy, support him sitting up, keep hands in front when holding him
Feed ad lib- increased calories to 27 to make up for when he breastfeeds
Start probiotics to help with bowels- Happy day he had a poopy on his own Saturday and today!!! I've kind of given up on the dilation. It didn't seem to be working. I think the probiotics, which I started this weekend, are really working!!!

Welp, it's time for me to shower and crawl into bed. Robert is on a super long call tonight that started at 10am this morning and goes till 7am tomorrow morning. Poor guy. We've texted a few times and I've sent pictures of RJ and myself to cheer him up. He's been super duper busy. Here's hoping he gets some amount of sleep tonight.

Thanks again for all the love, support, and prayers. Keep em' coming!!