Caleb Update: 4/4/08

Hi Everyone (at least those who still actually check the blog). Life is going well for us. I thought I would send a little update as to what is going on with our little Buddie. Well, I went back to work at the end of February and Caleb is currently being watched by Grandma (my mom) on the days I work. I work just two days now, which is great, Tuesday and Wednesdays. That has been going really well. I don't mind being at work knowing that my mom is with him (and probably spends more time playing with him than I do).

We just had our 4 month check up for Caleb. He got more vaccinations and the Doctor said he is doing really well. He no longer uses the preemie growth chart and is just using the normal one and comparing him to other 4 month olds. He is almost on the chart for height and weight, and is in the 2% for head circumference (that is inevitable, since he has the Howell Family Huge Noggin Syndrome). The doctor thinks that next time he will actually be on the chart for everything and he is catching up I guess. He was 10 lbs 10 oz! To be honest I think he has gained more in the past week though. He feels heavier everyday.

Caleb also started smiling at the beginning of March, which has been so fun to make him smile. He also loves to talk and tell us all about his world. Unfortunately the concept of turn taking is lost on him and he will only talk when some one is actually talking to him. As soon as you stop to hear him talk he stops as well. He'll learn! This past week he also started lifting his head up when laying on his stomach and will look around to see the world. He is not too thrilled about that and usually gets angry pretty quick but it is a good step.

That is all I have for now. I will try to do better about keeping up on this. Especially now that he is doing so much more fun stuff.

Adrienne

Caleb Update: 2/4/08

We had his 2 month doctor's appointment last Monday and the doctor said that everything looks normal and Caleb's where he should be in terms of growth and development. He got 3 immunization shots that day, but handled them well and hardly fussed at all. He definitely takes after his mother in that area.

We were looking forward to the appointment mainly because we wanted to weigh him. We felt that he defintely has gotten heavier, and he was. He weighed 7lb 2oz, which is a gain of a pound in only 3 weeks (that's a gain of 5oz a week). If he keeps up that rate of growth he'll be a chunk in no time. Look out cousin Markus, you may have some competition on your hands. We're glad that he's doing so well, but we're also sad that he won't remain our small little guy for long; so we're trying to cherish these moments.

Alas, after 2 wonderful weeks at home with my family, I head back to work today. It was definitely hard to get up this morning and get back into my normal routine. I did get some of the house projects done that I wanted to, plus I made great progress in my CPA studies. I think I'll be ready for my test come the end of the month, but I would appreciate prayers for that.

Adrienne's time at home is quickly coming to an end as well. She is slated to go back to work Feb 18, just 2 short weeks away. She's working hard at finding a suitable daycare for Caleb, but it's been difficult to find a place who will take him because he's still so small. Thankfully, Grandma Dede has offered to watch him until we find a suitable place. Also, Adrienne is only returning to work on a part time basis (2x10's), so it will be nice to have her home for the majority of the week.

God has really looked out for us throughout this whole ordeal. If you recall, we were really worried about our finances because Adrienne left work earlier than expected, plus the medical costs. However, we haven't really felt as much of a pinch as expected. We just received a check for more than expected for Adrienne's short-term disability and, thanks to Caleb, our tax refund is much larger than expected. The only thing we had to pay for this whole thing was a $400 copay for Adrienne--that's all! And our flexible spending account from work will cover that. Plus, it turns out that if your child is in the hospital over a month then the state picks up all the expenses that your insurance doesn't cover. So we didn't have to pay a copay or anything! PTL!! We received the detail of his hospital bill this last week, and I have to say thank the Lord for insurance, because it totalled over $130,000!!! God is really looking out for us and has come through once again. I don't know why we keep doubting Him and worrying about stuff like this, I guess it's human nature.

TTFN (ta-ta for now) as Tigger would say

Ryan

P.S. How about that Superbowl game? I can't believe the Giants pulled the upset.

Caleb Update: 1/23/08

Caleb has adjusted very well to life at home. He is eating, sleeping, and yes, crying well. He usually only wakes up once during the night which is great for us, but he occasionally has a night where it seems he doesn't sleep at all.

He is growing everyday and is packing on the chub like newborns do. Last Saturday was his due date so he is officially allowed to be here and has shed his preemie past and entered the newborn world. We can tell because he is making the transition from the preemie clothes to the bigger newborn clothes.

I have gotten through another hectic year-end close at work with most of my sanity. I struck a deal with my boss where I would work the first two weeks of January, even though Caleb had come home, and help out during the busy time and I would get the last two weeks of January off. So I am at home for the next two weeks and am loving it. I get to spend all day with my family going for walks, running errands, finishing up house projects, and of course, studying for that last CPA exam coming up in February. It's been a wonderful time so far.

Here are the latest pictures of Caleb:

Home Update

Hey Everyone, it's me again. I just wanted to give everyone an update. Caleb is doing great at home. He is just sleeping and eating and doing what babies are supposed to do. I have decided to more or less follow the schedule that the hospital started with his feeds and everything. That has gone pretty well, and I think has helped to make the transition more smooth. It is nice to not have to go anywhere everyday! I must confess that Friday and Saturday I barely got out of my PJs (oh yeah, and yesterday too!!). It has been so much more relaxing.

You guys may be wondering about sleep patterns. He is a good sleeper and to be honest sometimes I have to wake him up to eat. The Dr. said for now try to get him to eat on a 3-4 hour schedule even if he doesn't wake up himself, some preemies won't wake up to hunger. That has gone really well. I am not sure how long that is supposed to last, since his is technically not a preemie anymore, but I see the Dr. again at the end of the month so I will ask him then.

That's pretty much it for now. Life has been pretty uneventful at home (which I love!!).

Adrienne

CALEB IS COMING HOME TODAY!!!!

And just like that, with little warning, last night they gave Caleb the green light to come home today. We're not exactly sure what time because there are a few things that need to get done, but definitely sometime today.

He is eating all of his food, he is showing no signs of infection or any other maladies, he is just a healthy little boy. So we finally get to bring him home. Praise God!!!

Caleb still needs to get a Hep B shot, a precautionary second hearing screening (because he was on an antibiotic that may cause hearing loss) and he needs to get circumcised. It's nice that they wait until the last day to do the circumcision so we can go home with a grumpy baby who is in pain.

We would love to have everyone come over and see him (and hold him), we would just ask that you give us a call first and schedule a visit a little ahead of time so we're not overwhelmed by a bunch of people all at the same time (it will give you more time with him too). We would like a few days to get him settled, but after that let us know if you would like to come visit.

Thank you all soooooooooo much for all of your prayers, support and love for this boy and our family. It is a true testament of God's faithfulness, blessing, and answer to prayer.

I'll continue to update the blog, but on a less frequent basis now that he's coming home. So check in from time to time when you need a Caleb fix.

Please come visit soon!

Ryan