One Month With The Little Man

Today Maximilian is one month old! How can it seem like both an eternity and a New York minute simultaneously?

We have affectionately dubbed him, Grunt Master General! Awake, asleep, all day and night Max grunts. It's kind of cute during the day but at night it's a different story. I believe he may be evicted from our bedroom due to his lack of consideration for his tired Mommy. His grunting is very loud and wakes me before both he and I are truly ready to feed. I believe that he would sleep for longer periods (he sleeps about 31/2 hours between feedings, on average) if he were in the next room and I would only get him when he was entirely up and ready. Noelle loves to copy his grunting and says with a big smile "baby Max say grrrrrr".

Max has reached a big milestone these last few days, he has started to REALLY smile. I know he may be border line for age to truly respond to social stimuli, but darn it - that is my story and I'm sticking to it. He looked directly into my eyes and gave me a big gummy grin. I ran to get the camera and shouted to Noelle so that she could be a part of this wonderful display in newborn perfectness. We actually managed to get him to continue smiling at us. I was certain that the smile was a one time thing but he would look at Noelle and I and over and over smile at us. It was a show and he was the star! With all of these pictures of Max smiling how could it be gas? I am convinced he is now a smiling little man. Another favorite thing I love the is way he throws up his arms to stretch after a feeding, like a victory sign. His repertoire of funny faces, we call his "old man tendancies", keep us smiling all day long. He has also developed some pretty strong neck muscles. The little melon head stays up for awhile and then I can anticipate a pretty dramatic face plant into the nearest soft object beneath him! Tummy time is not his favorite, but each day the enjoyment factor seems to go up a bit.

I am surprised by the uncanny similarties between my two children. Max is very laid back as was Noelle. He is not a fussy baby (although he has his moments) and doesn't cry much at all. Noelle was also not a fussy baby. They both favor their left side. Noelle was diagnosed with torticollis and had to attend physical therapy for four months. I remember all the exercises that were taught to me and have been doing them with Max to avoid going PT. Max cranks his neck toward the left no matter what position you put him in, as did Noelle. Both Max and Noelle have the same blocked left eye tear duct that results in a left eye which periodically gets crusted shut. With Noelle it went away on it's own as I feel it will with Max. Both children seem very easy going and I hope it stays that way.

The biggest difference I have encountered is the spit up factor. I can count the number of times, on one hand, that Noelle spit up during her nursing career. Max does it a few times every day, and I have decided, with little thought, that I can do without it.

He doesn't even look like a newborn anymore — he's a bright-eyed infant, exploding with growth. I can't wait to see the change in the next few months and the comradery that developes between the two.

Visitors

Andy, Amanda, and 2-year old Olivia Feyes were a great addition to our usual boring weekends. They came in Saturday morning and stayed through Sunday evening and it was very enjoyable for all.

Noelle and Olivia are within two months of age and really enjoyed being around one another. Unfortunately, Noelle had a bit of trouble with the concept of sharing. When Olivia found something to play with, that instantly became the object of desire for Noelle as well. As the weekend went on she began to grasp the concept of sharing a little better. Resulting in a decrease of the god-awful cross between crying and talking that seemed to be her new way of communication.

Olivia is a very daring little girl and tried to teach Noelle how to jump off a stool onto her princess couch. Noelle looked a little awkward and when she finally did jump she cried and complained that it hurt. Olivia in contrast, backed the stool up even farther and attempted the jump while shouting "watch me Noelle!".

I liked having another adult women in the house to converse with and share mom-stories and tips and some good ol' fashion girl talk! Also, it was great to have another set of hands around helping with Max and household chores along with occupying Noelle's attention too.

Andy and Tom had went out Saturday evening. Being a nice guy, Andy bought Noelle some bath water color changing tablets that Olivia kept talking about because she loved them so much. We all thought that Noelle would also love having her bath water a pretty purple or blue or red or yellow. Sunday we tried it out and Olivia dove in the water swishing around, absolutely loving it and Noelle stood there crying. She just wanted out and stated "purple water go bye-bye peas" as tears poured out of her eyes. I guess that kind gesture by Andy was lost on Noelle! Maybe I'll enjoy having a purple bath one of these days.

When it was time to say good bye Noelle was upset to see Olivia go. Hopefully it won't be much of a span before we see them all again.

In other Noelle news, today we were discussing (can you really have a true discussion with a two year old?) the fact the only babies need fuffas (pacifier). Max was eagerly sucking on his as I was holding him and Noelle was snuggled up to me with hers in mouth. I was saying that she was no longer a baby and didn't need it anymore. Max was still a baby and he has little hands and little feet. She looked at her hands and said "No-well have yittle hands" I said that her hands were big. She looked at them and told me that "mommy hands big, well's hands yittle." She quickly followed that with, "well's yittle hands have fuffa too". I guess that makes sense in two-year old logic. We will wait a little longer to try and get rid of the pacifier! My goal is to have her be done with the fuffa dependancy by 2 1/2. It might be a loafty goal but I heard that the fuffa fairy will be making a stop by our house some time in June to take them away and give them to other children that are in need.

Comparison

Let me know what you think (Noelle is the top picture and Max the bottom):

Colds All Around

It's January 23rd and that means my little bro turns 16 (man, I feel old) today! Happy Birthday Alex! If any one is interested here is the link to his High School hockey team, Trojan Hockey. I am a regular to the website, always checking up on him because I don't get to see him very often.

Colds are running rampant in this Roehrig household. Noelle, Tom and I are all, to some degree, sick. That also means this, still recovering Mommy is a tid-bit cranky! I'm sure this won't last long and we will be back to health soon.


I would like to quickly rave about a product Noelle received for a birthday present. Crayola Color Wonder products are a great fix for those who hate the messy clean up. I love to do art projects with Noelle, but despise the aftermath. Schlepping Noelle from the table straight into the bath so that we avoid getting paint on everything near and far, is not all that fun. She is usually kicking and screaming because the ending of art time is very traumatic and I try to contain all the flailing arms and legs. The Color Wonder products avoid the mess. As seen in the picture Noelle is sporting a white shirt while painting! Her arm is draped across the picture and still the shirt stays white! They have many products and the special paper only allows the color to show up on it. I don't have to worry about spilled paint and turning my head for a quick second only to discover the table, floor, and booster seat have become the new paper.

In Max news we are just beginning to get him to smile at us. Although it just may be gas forcing the little smile, but nonetheless I caught him in the act and thought I would share the picture!

The rest of the week we are staying put, trying to get over our colds and trying desperately not to get Max sick.

Some Pictures To Delight In

Max in Noelle's doll bassinet:

Max and Grandpa Roehrig:

Max and Aunt Mary:

Daddy's Little Buddy:


Noelle playing dress up with her new coat from Great Grandma Babcock:

Max and his friend, Michael Mitzel (7 months old):

Week One, A Success!

It's almost been a full week of me and the two munchkins alone during the day. I didn't know what to expect for this first week. Noelle had been an angel (well, angel is a term I use very loosely at this point in time), taking the big life change with stride, but for all we knew that might flip flop as soon as Tom headed back to work.Tom was met with tears as he came out of the bathroom Monday morning. I wasn't ready for him to go, but after he assured me it would okay I reluctantly released my iron tight grip from around his neck and he headed off to work. 9am came and I could hear my very vocal child screaming from her room "daddy bear, no-well wake up!". I went in to get her and she was very upset to see me. I did my best to calm her down and hype up all the fun we would be having together. She eventually calmed down and all seemed fine. Thinking that her needs would be first and the concept of waiting until I was done would go way beyond her mere two years, I was worried as the first feeding period with Max approached. Noelle did very well and when she asked for some more milk I explained that she would have to wait. "More melk after Max eat mommy booby" was the response I received (I'm trying to teach her say something besides "eatin' mommy booby", we'll see how that goes!). Obviously, the concept of waiting was not over our tater-tots head, thankfully. When Tom came home I was feeling pretty good and didn't want/need to immediately pass off both children and dive into bed. Things continued to go well Monday night and into Tuesday.

Wednesday, Max's umbilical cord fell off. He was relaxing on his boppy pillow in only a onesie and I picked him up. Noelle spotted the little dried up stub and with a look of sheer shock planted on her face asked, "was dat mommy?" and her little hands reached out to pick it up. I explained what it was and she was very nervous and let out a whimper. I quickly disposed of it and tried to distract her but I could tell she did not like that one bit! Later in the evening Max received his first full bath and didn't seem too bothered by it. Screaming was kept to a minimum, only expelled when I took him from the warm water and exposed him to the chilly air. I can tell that many fun times will be had in the bath with him just as we had with Noelle.Today, we watched an episode of Barney in which they celebrated Barney's birthday. When lunch time rolled around I asked Noelle what she wanted and her response was, "birthday cake and blow candles!". I promised her that when she got up from her nap we would bake a birthday cake together. She went down for her nap very easily and when she woke the birthday cake was the first thing on her mind. I quickly fed Max and went to put him into the baby Bjorn carrier. As soon as I got it out Noelle wanted to wear it. I folded and put it on her and inserted Bear. They helped me bake the cake, and let me tell you that a two year old and a strapped on teddy bear offer a lot of help!

The week is almost over and I'm not dead with exhaustion. I am pleasantly surprised how well the week did go. Both children are still alive and might I add, happy! It gives me so much strength and helps me during the last stretch of recovery. I still have a rash covering my arms and legs, but I can deal with the itchiness as long as I take a few minutes each day to scratch the itch. I have found that the battery cover from our TV remote has just the right sharpness around the edges to totally satisfy me! Yeah, I know that sounds gross, but trust me it feels so damn good and frankly, after what I went through I feel that I am entitled to some good scratching once a day!

That's it for now...this weekend we have Grandpa Roehrig and Aunt Mary coming to our house to meet Max and see Noelle, it will be wonderful to have some visitors.

Max Update

It is the third full day home with Max. So far it's been wonderful! Max is a champion nurser, eating about every 3-4 hours at night then back to sleep he goes. That means I have only had to get up with him twice during the night. I am at the point where Tom does not even have to help. He just sleeps on as I get up and take Max out into the living room to tend to his needs then back to bed we go.

We still have not mastered coping with this new thing between Max's legs. He pees everywhere and on everything! No matter how quickly or how carefully we cover him at least three times a day we have to change outfits. Most of the time when it goes off I just start to laugh and forget to react and the mess could have been lessened. Oh well, pee is sterile!

Being at home has also had a very positive effect on my body. I am no where near back to "normal", but I can finally look at the incision and surrounding areas without gagging! That has to count for something.

Noelle is still an angel when it comes to coping with our new arrival. She continues to be very interested in Max and asks to be involved in most tasks that include him. Only time will tell if this loving big sister behavior will continue, or when the inevitable jealously will set in. Hopefully I can continue to give her all the attention she deserves and the transition from Mom and Noelle to Mom, Noelle, and Max while Daddy is working will be easy enough. Monday will be Tom's first day back to work and I am looking forward to the challenge of two children.

Noelle quotes:
* While nursing Max, Noelle walks up and says "Baby Max eatin' mommy booby"
* Tom took Max to his well baby visit and when he came home: "Baby Max all bewer"
* Max decided it was time to go to the bathroom during a diaper change as Noelle was watching "yucky, Baby Max pee all ober mommy"
* Whenever Max is asleep Noelle goes over to him and gently strokes his face and says "ahhhh, Baby Max"
* "Keen Baby Max ear wax" as she tries to stick her finger in his ear
* As she is putting on vaseline on her bear "put wasolean bear pesis"



P.S. Max had his well baby visit on Friday and weighed in at 6 lbs., 12 oz. and 19.75 inches!

Home Sweet Home

Wow it's been a whirlwind of events since I last posted! Christmas came and went. I will expand and add pictures from our Christmas at a later date, but this post is going to be all about our new addition and all the events surrounding it.

I never expected that a routine doctor's appointment on December 31 would yield a New Year's Eve baby, but it did. I went in to the hospital at 7am to get some blood drawn and drop off a specimen so that the results would be ready for my 11:40am OB appointment. I dragged my tired pregnant butt to the lab and then drove home, only to dive into bed for a much needed nap while Tom watched Noelle. After a wonderful nap I readied myself for my doc appointment. I had a terrible headache that had creeped into my head a few days before and continued. While at my appointment I mentioned the headache and with the combination of high blood pressure and amniotic fluid that dropped below the "normal" level the doctor said that it was time to take the baby.

Frantically, I called Tom and he began to pack. I spent the entire drive home calling people and sharing the exciting news. Once I got home I jumped into the shower enjoying it for the last time before they cut me open. Noelle sensed something was up and we explained that she was going to go to our friend's house and play until Aunt CeeCee and Grandma came to pick her up. She repeated over "Mommy go belly doctor". She was excited to say the least. We dropped her off and headed to the hospital.

At 5:42pm Maximilian Charles Roehrig made his entrance into the world. Slimy and healthy, weighing 6 lbs, 8 oz, and 19 inches long. His cries filled the operating room and I was overcome with joy. After they sewed me up I was wheeled into recovery, and waiting there was my Mom. What a wonderful surprise! It was so perfect to have her be the first to see Max. She stayed very briefly and then headed to our house to watch Noelle.

New Year's Day rolled around and in the evening Noelle came to meet her new little brother. She was instantly smitten with him and wanted to hold him, while proudly exclaiming "ahhh...yittle baby Max"! After a brief visit they all left and we watched the football game and rested.

On the ride home Noelle kept saying she was cold and wanted the heat on. Wednesday morning she woke with a high fever and spent the day sick. My Mom decided that it was time to take Noelle in when her fever could not be controlled with medicine. Sure enough my little angel was sick with strep throat! I was very upset that I couldn't be there to hold her and make her feel better. Aunt Ceecee and Granma stepped in and took very good care of her.

Meanwhile, while I was trying to recover the nurses and doctors noticed a very strange rash starting to form right around my incision. As the day and night progressed so did this very weird reaction. Thursday came and I was hoping that I would be able to come home, but my doctor decided that one more night was needed to keep an eye on things. We came home on Friday and it was wonderful to be back in my own house. Also, Noelle's fever had subsided and she was on some antibiotics so she was no longer contagious.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning I loved being home sleeping in my own bed being around my wonderful daughter that I dearly missed. I did notice the rash was still spreading and I was not feeling all that good. I decided to make a quick call to my doctor erring on the side of caution. He said to go to the ER. Well, we packed up some stuff and headed to the hospital thinking a quick visit and maybe a change in antibiotics was in order. WRONG! They decided that I needed to be admitted. Max could spend the time with me because I am nursing him, but another adult had to be present 24/7 to care for him and we had to provide our own supplies (well the nurses ended up being wonderful and gave us all the supplies we could ever want and/or need and even sent us home with many diapers and other things).

Tears streamed from deep inside me. Who was going to stay with me? Who was going to care for my little girl? I was so upset, to say the least. Luckily, Charlotte dropped everything and headed over to stay the night with me and my wonderful friend Karen would care for Noelle until Tom could pick her up.

One simple night turned into THREE, if you are keeping track that makes SEVEN nights in the hospital. Charlotte stayed the first night with me then she took Noelle the second night and Tom stayed with me. The third night Karen, being a savior to us, took Noelle again.

I was put on an IV and had numerous doctors visiting me and scratching their heads at this peculiar rash the was spreading around my body. After many consultations from a couple of infectious disease doctors, dermatologists, and my OB it was concluded that I had a severe reaction to the mastisol that is used to secure the bandage over the incision. The reaction became infected and my body reacted to everything which made my rash spread all over my midsection, to my face, breasts, legs and so on.

I was miserable. I missed Noelle more than words could ever express. It was nice to have Max with me so that I could continue to nurse him, but I needed my home and my Noelle. I cried every time some little thing reminded me of her. Every phone conversation I had with her left me weeping and drained. My usual sunny disposition was beginning to fade quickly with every passing hour that I was left not knowing what was going on and how long I had to stay. Every doctor kind of gave us the run around and left us with more questions than answers. Food was something that I had to force down, and I was sinking fast. Noelle's cute little voice saying "lub jew mommy" and "miss you mommy" over the phone only made me miss her more. Tom did his best to hold me and let me soak his shirts with tears while he whispered words of encouragement into my ears. I knew that things could be worse and I was blessed to have a healthy baby and toddler, but it didn't help me. Prayer was something that did keep me going and I knew God was watching over me.

Wednesday came and even though the rash was still spreading my doctor came and said I could go home! I was elated. A smile was glued to my face as Tom and I began to gather our things. Still being on the mend didn't stop me from trying to rush to get out of there as fast as I could move! When the nurse came in to remove my IV I basically helped her rip it out of my arm. We left around 2pm and I begged Tom to speed over to Karen's house. I was finally going to be able to hold my little girl and see her beautiful face.

Well, we are home and it is the greatest thing in the world. My rash is starting to subside and my spirits are back. Our first night was wonderful and Max slept like a champ, waking to nurse about every 3 1/2 hours and went back to sleep. Noelle is adjusting beautifully, loving everything about her brother and being a little "happy helper". For dinner she refused to let go of my hand as she ate. One hand was glued to mine and the other worked at operating the fork. Every time I let go so that she could have an easier time eating she would grab my hand back quickly. It was precious and I loved it!

Here are a few pictures and I promise to add more as I take them, but from what you have read we are trying to recover and take it easy for the time being!