Wellness Update-3/10/09

Just a health and wellness update that Bruce is doing great! He had his first visit with his pediatrician today and all is well. He now weighs 6lbs, 0.8oz (it's normal that they lose some weight in the first week). He has a little bit of facial jaundice so they want us to go back on Thursday for a look. Bruce was also born tongue tied. This is when a baby's frenulum (the skin under the tongue) is too forward (too close to the tip of the tongue) and it prevents them from fully being able to stick out their tongue. It can affect breastfeeding (but we are not having that problem) and it could possibly affect speech. We are going to have it clipped/fixed in the next couple months. It is supposedly very common and apparently they used to fix it in the hospital by default, some times without the parents even knowing. It is very minor and otherwise everything with his exam was just fine.

At home he is doing really great too. Breastfeeding is going surprisingly well, feeding about every 2-3 hrs. He took to it right away and mom loves the bonding time. He goes through several diapers a day (see poll on the right; we'll take an average of the first week and let you know the results!). He's most active/fussy at night, which makes it tough, but we take shifts and are applying some incredibly helpful techniques from a book/DVD called "Happiest Baby on the Block" (Thanks Trisha and Gunther for sharing that tip). Guess that's all to report now. Pretty much he eats and poos like a champ! Oh how the conversation in the Heier houshold has changed (well I guess not really...).

Mom and Dad are hanging in here ok too. Sleep is at a minimum, but trying to sneak in the 30-60 min nap when we can. Mom's healing is going ok too, stairs in the townhouse can be tough so the help from Robb and Grandpop Green are much appreciated. Finally snuck in time for showers and that made a big difference, feeling a little human again. He's totally worth it, he's been so good.

Bruce and Dad at his first doctor appointment