Sunday, July 6, 2008

Goop and a rash.

Hi Cal,

Before you were born, Daddy and I did some research to pick your doctor. We wanted to make sure you had a really good pediatrician to help us take care of you. Auntie Erin recommended Dillan's doctor, so about 2 months before you arrived we had a meeting with him. His name was Dr. Hom and we like him very much. He also had a nurse practicioner working for him named Annette. She was Daddy's nurse when he was a little boy! She remembered him well!

Your first few doctor's appointments were routine. You had a check up at five days, one week and two weeks. At all of these appointments you were doing great. You were small, but gaining weight. You were strong and healthy!

Shortly after your two week appointment, Daddy and I noticed you were having some trouble with your right eye. It was really runny and goopy. When you woke from a nap, it was often stuck shut! I called the doctor's office and they wanted to see you right away. Nana was sure it was a blocked tear duct, but I was nervous it was something worse. Like usual, Nana was right. It only took Dr. Hom a few moments to diagnose is, and he gave me some ideas on how to make it better.

The day I took you for that eye appointment, I noticed that you had a small rash starting on your face. It didn't look too bad and the nurse said it was just baby acne. Very common and nothing to worry about. Well, within two weeks, it had spread to all over your face and onto your neck and chest. It was so red and looked sore- but it didn't seem to bother you. I called the doctor a few times, and finally I insisted that they look at it. As soon as Annette saw it, she knew it wasn't just acne- it was eczema! She said it was most likely caused by overheating and she told Mommy not to dress you so warm. She also recommended a cream to put on it. It took almost a month, but it finally cleared up.

After the rash, I thought we would be able to stay away from the doc until your next check up. No such luck. As soon as the rash started to clear, your LEFT eye started to get goopy- even worse than the right had been. Another blocked tear duct!

All these things happened between your two week and two month check up! So many visits to the doctor in that time, I was afraid they were going to think I was a crazy mom, or a worry wart. But, by the time of your two month check up you were back on track- healthy and strong! No rash, no goop. Now we are waiting four your four month check up!!

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Cousin Dillan

Dear Cal,

Your first few weeks of life went by in a blur! You didn't sleep very much at night, so neither did I. I was pretty exhausted, but wanted to take full advantage of the time I had with you when I didn't have to work, so we had some busy days. We had lots of adventures with Nana, especially when Cousin Dillan was around.

You met Cousin Dillan for the first time at the hospital. Auntie Erin and Uncle Sean brought him to visit and he was VERY excited to meet you. He had just turned two and you were his first baby cousin. His excitement changed, however, when Auntie Erin held you. He wasn't so sure how he felt about his mommy holding another baby!!

After that first meeting, it took Cousin Dillan a little while to figure out how he felt. You saw him several days a week at Nana and Granky's. The first few times he wanted me to take you away. He didn't want HIS nana paying attention to you! He also didn't like that you were sleeping in the cradle that he had slept in. Quite a few times we had to take him out so we could put you in!

Over time, Dillan got used to having you around. He became more interested in you and wanted to touch you. He even started to share toys with you. By the time you were a month old, he was always looking for you and wanted to make sure we didn't leave you behind if we were going some place. Many times he even wanted to help me carry you in your carseat!

Not only did Dillan start liking you better as time went on, he also started to like your stuff. He stole your pacifier, got into your carseat and loved playing with your floor mat. You didn't care! You and Dillan were on your way to becoming good friends! You spent lots of time together in those first few months! I hope you'll stay good friends as you get older. And soon, Dillan will have a baby brother or sister to join in the fun!

Easter

Dear Caleb,

As your due date drew closer, I hoped that you would arrive early enough that we would be home from the hospital in time for Easter. I really didn't want to be in the hospital on Easter, and since Easter was after your due date, I was really hoping you would be here before that. Luckily, you arrived over a week early, so you were here in plenty of time to celebrate your first holiday. Let me tell you, it was a BUSY day. Everyone wanted us to bring you for a visit!

We started the day out by going to Auntie Linda's in Bridgewater. This was your longest car ride yet and you did awesome. We spent a few hours there hanging out with Abba, Auntie Linda, Joe, Kate and Tommy. Tommy got his first pair of roller blades from the Easter Bunny and he had a blast trying them out around the living room.

After Auntie Linda's, we went to Auntie Nancy's for a quick visit. There were a lot of people there and they were all so excited to meet you. You were taken out of my hands when we walked through the door and I didn't see you again until it was time to leave. Your cousins were especially glad to see you- glad for another boy to play with. We couldn't stay at Nancy's for too long, though, because Auntie Erin was waiting for us at her house. This was our last stop of the day, and that's where we finally had dinner!

It was such a great day for Daddy and I. We were so proud to show you off to all of our family! You were so awesome- you barely fussed a bit! We were all exhausted when we got home, but your first holiday was a big success!