Formula Update

Who knew that becoming a mom meant monitoring every feeding and every diaper this closely?? In my life B.M. (Before Mel), I think I had more interesting things to talk about. Maybe I'm wrong.

Our new formula - the "gentlest formula on the market," according to some posters on babycenter.com - seems to be working magic. Little Melanie laughs (okay, smiles REALLY big) when she's happy, and it's a lot more frequent than it used to be. Things that make her happy - her bouncy seat, her mommy pretending to sneeze, a clean diaper, being naked, .... and many more things. As predicted, the proportion of fun baby to the dwindling amount of time of my maternity leave is a negative correlation - the more personality she gets, the less time I have on my leave.....

Thank you for all of the prayers and good thoughts for Mel. I'm trying not to get too far ahead of myself by saying this formula is "the one" - because I've thought that before - but she is very happy right now, and that makes me happy.

Happy Two Month Birthday!

Miss Melanie is two months old today! So far in her short life, she has met a lot of people and been a lot of places - although, only out-of-state once. We weighed her today, and were surprised to learn she is only 9lbs, 2oz -and that was with her onesie on. So, in the last two weeks, there has been virtually no weight gain. Similarly, her Mom has probably had virtually no weight loss. However, she seems to be eating and feeling better on her new formula. We'll see if that continues.

Today, as I was buying special "Sensitive Stomach" food for my cat, I realized that, despite the fact I can order extra hot sauce on my Chipotle tacos (and that sauce is HOT!), eat the Habanero Jack cheese from The Cheese Shop (even the people who work there say it's the hottest), and eat virtually anything I want, I sure am surrounded by some bum stomachs. There's Jeff, who had surgery for his, Melanie, who has been on three different types of formula in two months, and Lucas, who needs special food. What's up with that, I ask you??

Keep your fingers crossed that we can get Melanie on a predictable eating schedule by the time she enters day care! As of now, she is eating more times a day, and less amount each time, than she should - It will definitely be hard to predict what types of bottles to prepare for her when she's with someone else who might not be into feeding her every hour!

One more update for Mel's two-month birthday; we are very lucky that she knows her nights from days. Even when she sleeps a lot during the day, she knows when it's night time, and she only wakes up for feedings (that, too, I hope to overcome by the time she goes to day care - as that is when I go back to work!) She gets up, eats, and is right back to sleep!

We continue to feel very blessed for our little girl; and we are very excited for her to get two cousins this summer!

Take Three! (or four, depending on how you count)

Mel is now on the next level of formula, we'll see if this one will work! Before Melanie was born, I was polling my friends to see who used what type of formula. My friend Annie said, and I quote - "He (her son) then went to Similac Alimentum which is the step prior to prescription formula. May you never have the formula drama that we had!!!" Well, despite Annie's wishes for us, we are having some drama. This formula (Alimentum, what Annie's son was on and now Melanie is) helps break down the proteins, and we're hoping this will help her little tummy. It did seem to be getting better for a few days on the soy, but now we're back to the random tantrums and the stomach pains. Keep the little peanut and her tummy in your prayers!

Trip to Chicago!

Melanie took her first interstate trip this weekend; we went to Yorkville to stay with Jeff's Aunt Sandy, Uncle Rick, and cousin Becky. They threw Miss Melanie a shower, and she had a great time! She got to meet lots of new friends, including 9-month-old Sadie and some of Mommy's friends. She got to spend time with both sets of grandparents, Aunt Cory & Uncle Randy, and see cousin Charlie again. It was great to see everyone, and we were very happy that Melanie behaved wonderfully, during both car rides and overnight! Daddy even had a good time, since he got to play golf, smoke three cigars, AND eat at Monical's on the way back! Fun for everyone!

Nine Pounds!

Melanie's two-month well-baby visit was today. No, she's not two months old yet, but whatever, there we were, so we got lots of things done in our TWO HOUR appointment (thirty minutes were spent with just Mel and me hanging out in the room....)

First. Melanie is in the 10-25% for her weight, which is 9 pounds and a quarter of an ounce. The doctor seemed fine with that. She is in the 50% range for her height, which is 22 and a quarter of an inch. She passed all of his developmental checks, and he was pleased with her progress all around. She got her two-month shots, and she did awesome with them. She cried a little when she got stuck, but she calmed herself down very well. Overall, for being in the doctor's office for more than two hours, she did great - didn't really throw any kind of fit.

Now for her stomach problems.... based on everything I told the doctor (who I continue to love), we decided to change her formula; we're still on Similac, but just a different version. The can promises to "reduce gas and fussiness in just three days" - I'm counting on it :) I'm supposed to follow up with the doc in a week and let him know how she's doing - I really hope that this helps with her crying fits she has. He agreed it didn't seem like colic, since it happens at all times of the day (church, or lunch, or dinner...)

We had a nice long walk today, to Target, Walgreen's, the doctor's office.... it's gorgeous out!!

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Melanie joined the Doan girls on Saturday morning for the Susan G. Komen walk for the cure. We intended to do the 5k walk, but got started late since we were seeking shelter deciding if the weather was going to cooperate. So instead we did the 1-mile family walk, which I think Julie was more satisfied with anyway, this far along in her pregnancy! Of course, add on the mile we walked to and from the car, and we still got quite a walk in! It was another great Indy turnout, and we had a good time despite the weather!

Saturday night, Grandma & Grandpa babysat while Jeff and I went to dinner (after Julie and I got to catch a movie). One of the questions the pediatrician asked me today (see other post) was if Jeff and I had gotten a date night yet. I guess he wasn't expecting to hear about our once a week outings and the fact that Mel had already spent the night away from us! He said that as long as we weren't going to Vegas every weekend, he wasn't worried!

Sunday was Mel's first trip to church, and it didn't go so well. We may wait until she's a bit older - or more predictable - before trying that again!

Melanie on the town

As expected, Melanie survived quite well at Grandma & Grandpa's on Tuesday night. We picked her up on Wednesday night with a yummy meal in Frankfort, and brought her home to somewhat of a restless night of sleep, but nothing too bad.

Thursday was baby-on-the-go. We went to my VP's 50th birthday celebration at my office, and then to lunch with Laura (where she had a meltdown - Mel, not Laura!), then down to a shady part of town to pick up our packets for the Susan G. Komen 5k on Saturday, then home for a two-hour nap (together). Then it was up and on a walk on the beautiful day - we ran errands culminating at Target, then home to see Dad. Then for a walk to Marsh to get dinner, and a nice grilled-out dinner. Last night was an awesome night of sleep - she only needed one overnight feeding! I'm not getting too far ahead of myself with that one, it was probably a fluke. But it was awesome nonetheless. She didn't even wake up for her first-ever earthquake, measuring 5.2 on the Richter!

Today, we went to Jeff's work to show off Miss M. Then we headed up to see Grandma, who was shopping at Clay Terrace (this was the second day in a row Melanie got to meet her Grandma out shopping!! Lucky girl, living so close to her!). After a few more errands, it was home to eat and then get dropped back off with Daddy while I went out with my coworkers for an extended birthday celebration for my VP (who I hope is feeling halfway decent tomorrow morning - it was getting ugly!!)

Tomorrow Julie, Mom, Mel and I plan to walk the Susan G. Komen 5k; hopefully we'll stay dry!!