Foster 2 month and Stella 3 year check ups.

Foster had his two month check up on April 20th, 2017. He was pretty exhausted after getting a round of vaccinations. 

Although he was slow to gain weight the Doctors are pleased with his progress. Weight 10.7lbs (10th percentile) Height 23.5" 

Stella had her 3 year check up on 5/1/17

Doctors were pleased with her check up as well. Weight: 28lbs Height 36.25"

Both of them are growing fast! 

Stella loves her little brother and Foster is very interested in what his big sister does. 

More conversations with Stella

Stella enjoys the newly placed door to the half-bath which opens into the living room.
Stella: I need to go potty. I can watch [the news] right from here!

At bedtime
We used to sit in the chair in her room until she fell asleep and are not doing that now. Still, she asks us to "sit in the chair" each night after her story.

stella: you sit in chair?
mom/dad: no boogie. I need to feed baby brother/clean the kitchen/do laundry/get ready for bed. I'll come check on you in a few minutes though.
stella: how 'bout this. Here's the deal...you go feed baby brother, then clean the kitchen and get ready for bed.
mom/dad: ok, that sounds good
stella: here's the rest of the deal
mom/dad: oh, ok
stella: you go feed baby brother, then clean the kitchen and get ready for bed, then you come sit in chair.
mom/dad: ok, that's a good deal. I'll be back after I feed baby brother and clean the kitchen. Good night Stella. I love you.
stella: good night. I love you
...5 minutes later she's fast asleep

Having dinner...her favorite, spaghetti
Stella: I'm having peanut butter spaghetti
mom/dad: oh you are?
Stella: its chocolate spaghetti
mom/dad: that sounds good!
Stella: you like chocolate spaghetti?
mom/dad: i would like that
Stella: or pineapple spaghetti with juice?

Butterflies at Echo

Echo has a special Butterfly pavilion and exhibit for the next few weeks.

The four of us went over to check it out.

At first, Stella was afraid of the butterflies. She didn't want them to land on her and seemed to think they might bite her.

Within a few minutes, she was more comfortable but still didn't want them to land on her.

It helped that dad was brave enough to let one land on his hand and Stella could see it up close.

Foster's weight checks

At Foster's 1 month, the doctor said he'd like Foster to gain weight a little faster than he has been gaining. The goal is to gain 1 oz per day.

On 3/21, he weighed 8lb 4oz so by his next check in 2 weeks, they would like to see him at 9lb 2oz.

The Lactation Consultant, Alice, helped us come up with a plan to supplement pumped breastmilk.

When we did a follow up weigh with Alice 5 days later, Foster weighed 8lb 9oz. He gained exactly what he needed to in that time!

A week after that, he weighed 9lb 5oz - a 12oz gain in only 7 days!

At his official weight check at th doctor's office, he weighed 9lb 4oz which is a whole pound more than he weighed at his 1 month check.

Stella's vocabulary

Stella's vocabulary has been growing significantly in the past few months. Lately, we've had several good conversations with her. 

She gets a treat whenever she uses the potty. So, now if we have treats, she won't let anyone have one until they use the potty. A typical conversation goes like this when dad gets a treat for himself: Stella: "you didn't go potty yet."Dad: "I don't need to go potty right now."Stella: "you need to try. You don't want to have an accident. Just try." Dad: "ok, I'll try." Stella: "then you get a big treat."

After Dad goes potty, she usually claps and says "you did it! Now you need to wash your hands, you touched the potty. Now you can have a treat!"

She loves to go camping and for several weeks, every night before bed, she would say enthusiastically "we're gonna go camping! I like marshmallows. Do you like marshmallows (daddy or mommy)?"

In the evening, we usually watch the news and then Jeopardy. She has her favorite shows (Dora, Bubble Guppies, Blues Clues) and will negotiate how many of her shows she can watch before she will "let you watch the news."

she reserves her beloved blankets for Mommy, Daddy, and baby brother. She likes to lay out the blankets to "make you more comfortable" or folds the blankets to make pillows.

Usually Stella will make something at daycare and show us. Conversation about a drum she made - "Look what I made! It's a drum." Dad: "Wow, nice job Stell!" Stella: I painted it, look it's orange! I missed a spot right here."  Dad: "That's ok we can paint that spot when we get home. You did a great job!" Stella: "It's beautiful!" Dad: "It is, you'll have to show Mommy when we get home. Tell me how you made it?" Stella: "I painted it (can), then we put a band on this (fabric).....Look I'm going to play it. I'll sing wheels on the bus" 

These are just a few examples of the conversations with Stella. She definitely makes us laugh! 

Bath time at the Bakers

Foster had his first bath at home this evening.

Stella had a bath in the big tub at the same time. The folks at the hospital did a pretty good job cleaning him up. Since he has now lost his umbilical cord, he needed a little extra washing.

He was very patient during his sponge bath and while Daddy held him for a shampoo.

He did have a little peepee accident on Daddy's lap though.

Foster and Stella had fun copying each other's poses after their bath.

Foster's weight checks

Since Foster is breastfed, the doctor pays careful attention to the amount of weight lost and gained in the first few weeks after birth.He was born weighing 7lbs 15 oz. At his newborn check 5 days later, he was down to 7lb 7ozA few days later he had gained 1 oz back and in his second weight check, a week after that, he gained 2 more ounces.

The doctor was delayed for his second weight check so, he had a snack. The doctor weighed him again and found that he weighed 2oz more after he ate. 

The doctor was pleased with his progress and even said he could go longer between feedings if he wanted. He probably won't go that long between meals though!