Houston's 6 month wellness visit

Today Jason and I took Houston to his 6 month wellness visit. His doctor was so impressed at how well H is doing and the progress he has made since his last visit.

Here are the stats:

Weight: 16lbs 2oz; 97% percentile on a preemie curve; 25% on an average full-term baby curve

Height: 25"; 96% percentile on a preemie curve; 7% on an average curve

Head Circumference: 41.5cm; 76% percentile on a preemie curve; 5% on an average curve

Most preemies have a problem with a smaller head and bigger body, but not our boy. His little head is the perfect size for him. Praise God!

We are so happy to see that his preemie stats are high and that he is now on the average curve for a full term 6 month old on all levels. Even if they are low, but that is expected.

We got the go ahead to start foods. Starting with vegetables and then the fruits. He has already been eating cereal by spoon for a few weeks and LOVES it, so I cant wait to see him enjoy the real stuff this week.

Houston has been on Similiac NeoSure formula, which is a very expensive formula made especially for premature babies. Since his weight is so high on both curves his doctor gave us the go ahead to start feeding him normal milk based Similiac formula. ;o)

The doctor was a little concerned that H is still curling his toes and griping a fist. She explained to us that most newborn to 4 month old do this and most grow out of it. Since H is only suppose to be a little over 3 months, were just going to watch him for the next 4 weeks and see if he grows out of it. If he does not grow out of it then he will have to have some sort of Physical Therapy. Basically his brain has not told his muscles to relax yet. So I pray that the fisting and toe curling fixes itself.

This little muffin top got 3 shots today in the leg and a dose of Tylenol, so its bedtime.

I praise God for the health and well being that he has instilled in our little miracle boy.

We love you baby Houston!

Happy 6 months Houston

Yesterday our little miracle child turned 6 months old. It's been half a year since our little 2lb 7oz preemie entered our world so unexpectedly. The 67 days he spent in the NICU seemed like they would never end and thinking where would we be 6 months from that point seemed to far out of our grasp. Fast forward and here we are, with our little guy 6 months later and I think about how quickly the past 6 months have flown by.

Houston LOVES his exersaucer

and he LOVES his BIG brother

Houston loves to watch Landon play and I know they will be best friends one day. I'm sure Landon will show Houston a few tricks down the road

I just thought I would post this. The diaper on the left was his preemie diaper he wore at 2lbs 7oz and today he is in a size 3 diaper and weighs 16lbs.

Hard to believe he was small enough to fit into this preemie diaper

My chunky monkey

He goes in for his 6 month wellness exam Tuesday so I don't have exact measurements, but I will update then so I will have for my records

Weight about 16lbs, if not more

Size 3 diaper

6 month clothes

He has discovered his tongue and LOVES to stick it out all the time

Still has blue eyes and I hope they stay blue

Smiles and talks more

rolls over from belly to back

eats rice cereal by spoon

takes a 6oz bottle every 3 to 4 hours

sleeps from 8pm to about 4:30am or 5am everyday

Starting to drool so maybe teeth are on their way

Gets excited when he sees or hear someone he knows

He still goes to Mrs.Judy's house while mommy and brother are at school and he just loves her

Houston's personality is just starting to come out more

He's so calm and laid back

He still will not relax his fingers or toes enough to hold toys

He has been home for 4 months

At the end of this month we go back to the NICU for a 6 month follow up to meet with a Neurologist, Physical Therapist and a Nurse Practitioner just to follow up since being released from the NICU. They like to see the babies since being released to keep up with their progress.

He is a healthy, happy and thriving baby who has not looked back since entering this world at 26 weeks. We love him more and more everyday and has completely completed our family. The first 67 days of his life were a challenge for my family and I and we had lots of what ifs, why us and doubts of his future. I would do it all over again if needed for this sweet precious face.

This is me holding Houston for the first time at 5 days old and a little over 2lbs. exactly 6 months ago
Seems like it was just yesterday.
We have come ALONG way

Happy 6 months Houston!

Thankful Tuesday

Today and everyday, I am thankful to be the mom to these two precious boys that have brought so much joy in my life. I truly live for them and Jason

Chattanooga Weekend

Last weekend we took a little drive to Chattanooga, which is only about 2 hours from Nashville. I am originally from Chattanooga and call the city my hometown. I lived there my whole life up until 8 years ago when I moved to Nashville. I attended UT of Chattanooga and so did Jason and that is where we met.

We stayed at the historic Chattanooga Choo-Choo

 GG went along with us

Future train conductor?

Our hotel had an indoor pool. Landon would have been just fine staying in the pool all weekend

The indoor pool. For several years when I was younger my parents would rent a room at the choo-choo and I would have my birthday parties at the pool. I have a February birthday so I always wanted a pool party. The pool has not changed much, but there use to be a staircase going up to a slide and a waterfall. That was the best part of the pool, but its gone now. It was great having birthday parties there and now going back with my own children.

The fish at the hotel

Another special spot at the hotel for me is this gazebo. Jason and I were engaged right at this exact same spot under the gazebo 9 years ago.

Engaged here April 2004

Monday we were off to the TN Aquarium

Sting ray petting

Butterfly exhibit

Penguin's were next. These are not real

These are ;o)

Sharks

Landon underwater

Houston decided to wake up for the freshwater fish

LOVED the Otter's

Houston loved looking at the fish

We met up with one of my sorority sisters there and this is her son Mason. Landon and Mason are exactly one week apart in age

Last thing on our list for the short weekend was to ride the carousel. Landon picked the tiger

We had a great time and I love going back to visit my hometown. So much has changed since I moved away 8 years ago. We were not able to do everything we wanted to do in the short amount of time we had there. I look forward in going back soon.

Date Night

A few nights ago Jason and I were able to go out on a date all by ourselves. We don't dress up much, but we went to a special event our church hosts every year around Valentines Day. I only snapped a few shots right before we left. I just wanted to show you how handsome my husband looked that night.

Someone had to get into the picture

I'm so ready for the weekend. We are shopping for a new patio door and front storm door this weekend. Please don't be to jealous of our crazy weekend ;o)