4 weeks old!

     Merritt is a month old today! While it seems like such a short time to most people, not sleeping has made it seem like an eternity to me. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything in the world! This afternoon he kept looking up at me with this sweet little look on his face and making gurgling noises. Talk about melt a mama's heart. There is nothing on this earth better than having your own children! He also had his one month checkup at the doctor. Below are some of the stats :)

Month at a Glance

Age: 1 Month

Height: 23.5 inches (grew over an inch from his appointment 2 weeks ago), 80th percentile.

Weight: 9lb, 10oz, 50th percentile.

Head: 38

Milestones: His eyesight this past week has really developed. Merritt looks around at everything and is very alert! He started having playtime in his crib and pack-and-play with toys and books. 
Sleep: Merritt sleeps a lot during the day and we put him to bed around 8:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. most nights. He wakes up every 3 hours, but if I'm lucky (like the other night) he will wake up every hour!
Best Moment: When he smiles while he's eating or sleeping. 

Worst Moment: Waking up in the middle of the night, changing his diaper, feeding him and then feeling him have another blowout - not only can I hear it, it leaks through to my pajamas. I had to change his clothes and diapers 3 times that night.

Health: He is healthy! We have been referred to a Pediatric Cardiologist because he was born with a small heart murmur. Today at his Doctor's appointment the Doctor couldn't hear the murmur so I am praying that it closed on it's own! 
Eating: Merritt likes to eat every 2 hours during the day and about every 3-3.5 hours during the night. 

Teeth: 0

A New Mama's Lifesavers

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Our newest addition!

We are now a family of three! What a wonderful, crazy, chaotic past 3 weeks we have had. But before I get into that I'd like to introduce you to our newest addition.

Merritt Camden Foster

Born August 31, 2012 at 8:43 a.m.

8 pounds, 3.8 ounces; 21 inches long

Merritt was born at 38 weeks and was really ready to make his entrance into the world. So ready in fact that my labor was from start to finish about 5 hours. I woke up that Friday morning to what I now know was transitional labor pains and headed to the hospital at 7:00 a.m.. He debuted at 8:43 a.m. and had a little bit of a rough start. Because things moved faster than expected he ended up having Meconium Aspiration which in simple terms means he pooped before being delivered and therefore it was in his stomach and lungs. In addition to that he also had fluid in the left side of his lungs and a small heart murmur. He ended up being taken to the NICU (or the penalty box, as the nurses liked to call it!) and stayed there for 8 days.
Looking back on that first week I have no idea how we got through it. I know that it was by the grace of God and family and friends support and prayers.

Merritt is now home and turned 3 weeks old this past Friday. He is the best thing that has ever happened to our family. Everyday I wake up and thank the Lord for blessing us with this little boy. While we aren't getting much sleep and some days are hard, I wouldn't have it any other way. It is an amazing thing to be a mom. My heart is full.

Thank you to all of you that have loved us by coming to visit, brought us meals, gave us gifts and for being there for us as we have made the transition home.
We love and appreciate each of you!

Until next time (when I have a free moment!),

Merritt's Mama...it's official now!