Sick Kids

Update on the Sick Kids (3/27): 
Wesley started wheezing early this morning so we decided to take him to a doctor.  Good thing we did - he has some sort of bronchial virus.  He's now on breathing treatments, which we had to get a fancy contraption for (and are keeping our fingers crossed that insurance will pay for it).  So far he seems to like the breathing treatments.  We are continuing the saline and aspirator for his congestion just like we were before.  We don't have to treat anything else because he doesn't have a fever and his rash was just as we thought (just a component of his illness but nothing to be concerned about).  Adalynn is fine now so since she's good and Wesley is stable, we should be able to take Eddie out for his birthday dinner tomorrow night.  Oh, and one more thing- Wesley is now 10 pounds 11 ounces!  He's 40 days old today.  We brought Adalynn home from the hospital when she was 40 days old, and she was 5 pounds even that day.  What a difference!

It is inevitable that multiple times throughout the years we will have two kids sick at the same time.  But did it have to start this soon?  I suppose I shouldn't complain because the time will come when they are simultaneously puking, and the good Lord instead started us off with the common cold last week.  I'm thankful for that.  Adalynn is handling her sniffles well being older and having survived some pretty nasty illnesses last year, this is nothing in comparison.  Wesley, on the other hand, is having a difficult time with his congestion.  The poor guy can't get comfortable so he's quite restless in his sleep, and of course being a newborn we're pretty limited in what we can do to help him.  I'm now wishing that we had a doctor's visit for him coming up instead of having to wait until he's 8 weeks old.  I know they won't do anything for a cold, but Wes also has a rash that we're somewhat concerned about.  I say "somewhat" because Adalynn had rashes galore as a baby, all of which we contacted the doctor for only to find out they were usually nothing to worry about.  She was notorious for getting a red bumpy rash all over every time she was sick but it was never accompanied by a fever; the doctor had said it was her body's way of warding off the fever.  We're thinking it's the same thing with Wesley - his rash is just like hers was and he doesn't have a fever either.  I don't want to blow off his rash or congestion, but at the same time I hated to be that parent who went to the doctor for every little thing only for it to be a wasted trip.  So unless it gets worse, I think we'll just hang in there ourselves for Wesley's first illness.

Here are some pics from a few good moments we had the past several days:

I think it's funny how Mom seems to think I need a makeshift loincloth every time I am exposed!

I'm tough just like my Daddy's Cardinals!

Hee hee - this shirt has me pegged!

My big sis is so cool.  She says we have these Mom and Dad people wrapped around our fingers.

Amazing how much less stressed I feel with this thing plugged in my mouth.....

Happy Due Date!

It's here -- Wesley's due date!  He is now "official" and no longer a preemie.  (Although, admittedly, I could never really refer to him as a preemie anyway).  Tomorrow he is 4 weeks old, and it's hard to believe that four weeks have already passed since his birth.  It's amazing how much quicker time flies when you are a parent.

Wesley has reached his predicted birthdate!

The past four weeks have been quite stinky and filthy.  If Wesley isn't having one or two blow-outs a day, he has 15 small poopy diapers daily.  He's still peeing all over, and he hasn't had a bath yet that hasn't had urine in the water.  He's the messiest little eater as well, and we go through bibs and burp rags almost as much as diapers in this house.  But despite the fact our environment is smelly, I wouldn't trade being the mommy of a little boy for the world.  (Can the other boy mommies out there tell me this doesn't last forever though?!)

Wesley is starting to fill out.  He has a little bit of meat on his legs and tummy and has grown a second chin.  He has also developed a case of baby acne.  His eyes are still dark gray, but I can see a tinge of brown so I'm guessing he'll end up with his daddy's and sister's eyes.  His hair has lightened up a tad.  Wesley still hates to have his diaper changed, his clothes changed, being lotioned up, or getting a bath.  He screams bloody murder during all of those inconveniences.  The only thing that settles him down is a bottle.  Like my friend Becky said - he's a typical man with food being the only way to his heart.  :)

Not only handsome but also tired like daddy....

Mac and Cheese

As much as we love our new addition, our oldest cannot be forgotten.  The most commonly asked question we get now is - how is Adalynn doing?  Overall, she's great considering she has to share everyone's attention with a new little person.  She loves her little brother and smothers him in hugs and kisses, which is quite a sight considering she's unaffectionate with the rest of the human population.  Admittedly, Addy has had a couple of meltdowns..... like when we brought out his swing ("No, I like swings.  This isn't the baby's swing, it's mine.") and when we told her not to throw things around the baby (to which she got mad, stomped off to her room, and slammed the door) and when we went to the mall and put him in her old stroller ("This is MY stroller.  I want to ride.") and the time when we told her she could only hold the baby sitting down, not standing up and walking around (cue the sniffling and pouting).  But aside from those incidents, Adalynn has been a trooper. 

She's turned into a little helper and likes to read books to Wesley, get his diaper ready when we're changing him, brush his hair, lay out his blanket for tummy time, and pick out his hats and bibs when we need one.  (Although she will challenge me over which onesie best matches his sleeper at night, and Eddie has witnessed us having this argument).  Adalynn is also our candidate to go on the elusive pacifier hunt when needed.  She does like to hold Wesley, but will only do so for a few seconds before announcing "that's enough."  She does get frustrated with him when he cries too much and will yell "Stop crying, baby, I'm trying to read!"  But she can also be an encouraging big sis and root for Wesley when he lifts his head and turns it during tummy time saying "Good job, Wessaly!" 

We have noticed some similarities between brother and sister.  Check out these photos of Adalynn when she was a baby in comparison to Wesley now.  Keep in mind that Adalynn is 2 MONTHS old in these pictures while Wesley is 2 WEEKS old.

Addy sleeping

Wesley sleeping

Addy "sitting" up

Wesley "sitting" up