1 in a Million (literally): Another check in...

We had a mini-medical marathon on Thursday for Auggi's one month check up.

Our day started at the pediatric cardiologist, where we were scheduled for an echocardiogram to follow up from the one performed in the hospital. After listening to his heartbeat and some other inspections, Dr. Frantz told us that the test would not be done at this time. He says that the murmur Auggi had at birth is still present. His Patent Foramen Ovale remains open, adding that he also has a Pulmonary Valve Stenosis issue. He says while neither of these concerns have resolved, neither has worsened. Thus, no further evaluation is needed until Auggi hits 6 months, at which time tests will be repeated. It's not fun to sit in an office and talk about malfunctions in your new son's heart, but Dr. Frantz assured us these issues will, more than likely, come to nothing... adding that vigilance and care are proactive at this time and will be preventative for any future problems.

Later that afternoon, we headed to the pediatrician. Auggi weighed in at 8 lbs, 15 ounces (25th percentile), 22" long (75th percentile), and with a 38" head circumference (50th percentile - can you stop mocking now, Jess?)... I'm not sure what to do if we have a skinny, tall child as I have never been tall or skinny. However, he is healthy and demonstrating positive growth. (On a separate soap box, he is also demonstrating that the anti-diuretic Pitocin and IV fluids exaggerated his birth weight, which should have been 7 pounds and change instead of 8 pounds, 7 ounces.) I love our pediatrician, who is a supportive woman who is knowledgeable and kind. We spoke about protecting Auggi's fair skin, cloth diapering, Moby wrapping, traveling, co sleeping, nursing concerns, and anything else that came into my mind. Also, she told me that next appointment is the one where we begin discussing vaccinations. While Nathaniel and I plan to do whatever is medically necessary for our little boy, we are NOT going to simply go along with a pre-determined schedule without evaluating each and every drop to which we are exposing our boy. Dr. Young is completely amenable to arranging a schedule that makes us comfortable and protects our little boy. As he is not going to nursery anytime soon, the urgency is greatly diminished in our scenario.

In less medical, but still very exciting news, Auggi now smiles regularly... and it's no longer gas. He smiled at my dad the other day and made him melt. He's also begun vocalizing and cooing more frequently. He attends to faces and will track both sounds and sights. He is awake MUCH more of each day, although he's headed toward the weeks I fear most: 6 - 12. Every evening, he becomes a bit cranky. Thankfully, we have a few tricks for calming him - the Moby wrap, rocking in his rocking chair, and being outside. He's wearing Newborn clothes through 3 months - he fills out nothing in terms of girth and EVERYTHING in terms of length.

We are planning a trip to NY for a family reunion over Memorial Day weekend... it will be Auggi's first plane ride. Then, Grandma and Grandpa Eschler are coming for TWO WEEKS!!! YAY!!!! Our pool will be open by then as well! It's all very exciting and going to make the summer start off so sweetly.

I have my 6 week check ups this week. Once I'm done, I will never go to an OBGYN again. I am ready to be done with them! I am intending to start the Couch-to-5-K regime once I'm given medical clearance and figure out how to burn calories for body toning without compromising my milk supply. Also, we've started back to work... Auggi's a big hit at the office, but getting work done is going to require massive amounts of efficiency...

That's it for my random musings. I'm still a bit too sleep deprived to get profound, so I'll let his face do the talking: