What I'm thankful for...

Update:  Craig has been sick with a cold for over 3 weeks (he's just about completely over it) and I've been sick for the past week so you know what that means....Clayton now has it.  We went to the doctor today.  He weighs 7 lbs. 7 ozs.  Now, on to the post at hand....

I'm so very thankful for my mom.  She is an incredible help to me.  I'm still trying to convince her to move in with me....

I'm also very thankful for all of Clayton's nurses.  Each nurse took care of him so lovingly and kindly.  I was fortunate to have created wonderful relationships with several of the nurses--mostly because I was up there bugging them everyday :)  Here are some of his nurses.....unfortunately, I didn't get pictures of all of them (and not very many of the night nurses at all).

Christy

 Lori

 Lindsey

 Rebecca

 Callie

 Kim

 Susie

 Mary

 Karen

 Diamond Debbie

 Lindsey...again

Andrea

 Angela--she put in Clayton's PICC line

 Carolyn

 Terrie

 Yolanda

 Jamie, the secretary--she was so much fun.  If Clayton talks with a deep southern accent, Jamie will be to blame :)

Shampoo or hormones?

Ok, I need your help!  After I became pregnant, my hair became VERY oily.  I switched shampoos (from Pantene to Pert Plus) and that helped.  Now, my hair is doing it again.  I switched back to Pantene from Pert Plus, but that hasn't helped at all.  Will changing to another shampoo help or is this hormones?  How long will it last?  I guess it's good that I don't get out of the house much...looks like I don't wash it.  Gross.

A good day...

Alas, Clayton has taken two full feedings in a row with a killer nap in between.  Who knew that 2 hours to myself could be so glorious?  I got lots accomplished...even ironing.  He can be so cute when he's not screaming :)

Speech/Physical Therapy

This past Friday, Craig and I took Clayton for his first speech and physical therapy evaluations since we left the hospital.  It was so nice to see Lauren (speech) and Morgan (PT) again.  Everything is going well.  Lauren was happy with the progress Clayton has made with bottle-feeding.  He regulates himself now without us having to pace him much.  Morgan said he's in the 50th-75th percentile for gross motor skills for his corrected age.

Speaking of corrected age....
Many people believe that once a premature baby hits their due date, they have caught up and are just like every other baby.  Not so.  Clayton (as are all premature babies) is at great risk for developmental delay.  He should be caught up by age 2 years.  When looking at his development, you have to look at his corrected age--his due date (Oct. 27).  For example, this week, he'll be 3 weeks old. 

Here are some pictures from our appointment...

What a day...

I knew when Clayton woke up 20 minutes early this morning that he was going to throw off his schedule.  I know, 20 minutes is not a big deal...but it was today.  The day just avalanched from there.  Clayton didn't want to sleep today--he was more interested in keeping himself awake by screaming.  It kills me when everyone says, "Make sure you sleep when he sleeps."  When is that?  What good will 30 minutes do?  That only makes me mad/impatient/mean to be asleep for a few minutes before he starts screaming.  I'd rather be a zombie--at least I'm a nice zombie. The whole sleep thing can wait  for another post...

The missionaries in Peru our congregation supports have returned for a 2 month furlough.  Some people from church got together at someone's house for dinner to welcome them home.  I wanted to go, but at the same time I didn't want to go.  Craig was going to stay home with Clayton so I could go.  I felt horrible leaving Craig home with Mr. Screamy while I went off and socialized.  I'm also dreadfully tired, which usually leads to tears.  Because I wanted to see the missionaries and I had obligated myself to take brownies, I went.  I'm so glad I did.  It made me happy to see my friends.  The sweet, sweet woman who hosted the dinner is incredible.  She encourages me to be a better person each time I'm around her.  I was standing next to her refrigerator and saw her copy of Clayton's Halloween picture.  It made me so happy to see that she had it up.  This was also the first time I've gotten to be around her new son, Jack, outside of church.  I loved seeing him run and play and interact with other people.  I was especially happy to see him eat ice cream :)  

There is nothing like a church family.  I grew up in a wonderful congregation and am so happy that we have found a congregation here that we feel so close to.  It truly is a wonderful thing to spend time with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Thanks, Brandi, for dinner.  It was exactly what I needed :)

A little game

Clayton has a new game he likes to play.  Here's the basics:  take only half of a feeding and then scream an hour later during nap time.  Apparently Clayton isn't too keen on the schedule thing.  It means I can't sleep during the day, or at night for  that matter, but I also can't get anything accomplished because he isn't napping.  I'm hoping this too shall pass. 

Went to the pediatrician today to get round 2 of synagis (RSV vaccine).  He weighed 6 lbs. 12 ozs.  We'll go back for the next round in a month.  We have our first out-patient speech and physical therapy appointments tomorrow.  I'm glad Craig will be out of school to go with us--it wasn't fun lugging the car seat, diaper bag, monitor, and case of formula (from doctor's office) by myself. 

Bath Time

My mom and I gave Clayton a bath tonight (Craig is sick and is keeping his distance).  After he finished eating, I took disconnected the monitor and got him ready.  This was the first bath that he didn't scream; he actually seemed to enjoy it.  As I lifted him out of the tub, I handed him to my mom who was waiting to wrap him in a cute monkey towel.  As she was holding/drying him, he threw up all that he had just eaten--all over himself and the towel.  We had to stick him back in the tub, but I couldn't get the throw-up towel off of him without getting it all over me.  So, I just stuck him back in the tub wrapped in the towel.  Eventually, we got him all cleaned up.

I love this little duck sleeper!  Thanks, Katie :)

**Side note:  We went to the eye doctor on Friday and his nerves have fully formed (babies 31 weeks and younger are at risk for the nerves not fully forming, leading to retinal detachment).  We'll see a pediatric eye doctor in April just as a precaution.  Hooray for sight!