whiny baby tales

I can't believe he's 2 weeks old. Wow.




On Tuesday this week Zach's pediatrician sent us for x-rays of his arm. I told her on Friday I wasn't happy with the lack of improvement he's showing, and in fact he was using it less every day. So, the protocol was go for x-rays and the office would be contacting our insurance to get physical therapy started. I went to the x-ray place, all told it took almost 2 hours there. But the good news is they found out the reason behind the lack of use in his left arm!




Zachary, in his infinite hurry to be born, fractured his left humerus, above the elbow joint. Thankfully it's already healing, but damn. My BABY, my NEWBORN BABY, has a broken arm. We were called into the orthopedic doc's office immediately Tuesday afternoon, me all in a panic that they would have to re-break his arm and set it or something equally as icky and painful. Turns out the doc is quite pleased with the healing progress and didn't want to do anything...except see us back in 3 weeks. Thank God! I asked if we should continue to "make" him use his arm, have him squeeze our finger in his hand and anything else we were attempting to do to keep his muscles working, and was told to just let him rest it as much as he needs to...he'll begin to use it again when the pain subsides. My poor baby!




He's doing really well with his arm, he's moving it more and more every day. But I can tell he's got muscle loss already from the first 2 weeks of non use. So I'll be keeping on top of that physical therapy request...once he is using his arm a lot more and doesn't have pain when "stupid mama" moves it wrong. Worst mother EVER...making the baby cry because she can't remember (in the middle of the night mostly) to NOT move his arm too much. It's damn tricky to nurse a newborn baby when he's needing to lay on a broken arm...but we're doing well. The boppy pillow has become my BEST friend. And nights are getting easier, Zachary finds his way to the nipple in the dark just fine! LOL




So...what else is new in baby-land? Hmm... Oh, he was weighed and measured yesterday.




Birth stats: 8 pounds 4 ounces, 20 inches long


5 day stats: 7 pounds 11 ounces, 21 inches long (seems WAY too long to me, but what do I know? LOL)


2 week stats: 8 pounds 9 1/2 ounces, 20 1/4 inches long (that seems a bit better measurement, doesn't it?)




Little boy seems to be growing just fine to me! That magic mama milk, I'm sure. I'm so glad he's as good of a nurser as he is...my other kids had me flabbergasted for a while. I gave up with Micheal at 4 weeks old, I always had WAY too much milk for him and he never seemed to get enough to eat. Didn't know squat about lactation consultants and Le Leche League way back then. With Haley I nursed her the first 2 months, then did formula and nursing for another 5 months. Gave up nursing her when she got her first teeth...again didn't have a clue to ask questions or anything! Zachary and I will not quit until HE is ready to quit. Mike is very supportive of nursing this first year, maybe two years. We both get the willies thinking of nursing a 3+ year old...but we'll see what our future holds as it happens!




I've also been thinking I really wouldn't be opposed to doing the pregnant thing again. Not right away (unless that's God's plan for us) but in a year or so. I really didn't hate it as much as I thought...or is that lack of sleep and the delivery amnesia talking? LOL I was MISERABLY uncomfortable, could barely walk and all that, but it's SO worth it in the end. All the anxiety over losing Matthew, every step of the way to have Zachary here with us was TOTALLY worth it. Staring into those sleepy blue eyes (I have a blue eyed baby! I know they may change, but the others never were blue like Zachy) seeing that satisfied booby milk coma smile. Totally worth the journey. This little boy has changed my life in so many ways, ways I don't think I can ever describe. I feel whole again, healed in places I was sure were way off limits to healing.