4 month check up

Jude had his 4 month check up today. Once again, the doctor said he was doing really well. Last time he was in the 50% for everything, but this time he was in the 30-45%. It seems like he is in something new every time we go. He grew an inch and a quarter and is now 241/4 inches. (35%). He gained 2 lbs and is now 13 lbs 10 oz. (30%). His head is 161/2 inches and 45%. By the way, what is the point of the head measurement? Does it mean his brain is growing?

We skipped the vaccinations again. Here s one of my posts on why. We will start them when he's 3 most likely. We have a lot of peace about this decision. Plus, it's always nice to find more reasons why we belong in a great hippie city like Denton. Jk- that would be a ridiculous reason to not vaccinate. Incidentally, since choosing vaccination delay, I've heard a good bit about it, as well as discovered some blogs about it. Nice to know we aren't alone.

We were glad to hear that he is doing excellent with his motor skills and is even above par for sleeping at night. Apparently most don't start sleeping but 4-5 hours at 4-6 months. Yay for Jude for sleeping 4-5 hours at 1 month. He's now up to 7-8 hours at night with occasionally stretching it to 9-10 hours. I'm hoping the 9-10 hour stretch becomes more frequent.

We were given the go ahead for rice cereal, but we think we are going to wait until 5 months. The doctor said it really doesn't affect sleeping through the night, so who cares. I'm slightly hesitant to add solid feedings when I don't have to due to milk supply. With working, I really don't get to maintain my nursing schedule like I would like. So far I have been really blessed with a steady, productive supply. I don't want to jeopardize that just yet. If I don't have to, why bother. Plus, the longer I nurse him the longer he eats for free. We spend so much on this kid, I'll take free any way I can get. Anyway, we'll probably start rice cereal with him around 5 months. Not anything crazy. We're just going to wait a little bit to make sure he really is ready for it.

Anyway, we don't go back to the doctor (hopefully) until April 19th. Until then, we are going to enjoy this beautiful baby who's goofy personality is coming out more and more, enjoying how much he can play now, and wondering when he's going to actually roll over.

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2 month visit

Jude had his 2 month doctor visit yesterday. The doctor said he was doing great! She said he's really strong as far as being able to support himself on his tummy, standing on his legs, and of course holding his head up. He's such a wiggle worm, so I wasn't really surprised by that.

We talked about his clogged tear duct, which apparently can remain clogged for up to a year. Looks like I may potentially be cleaning eye boogers for a long time!

She thinks his continuously stuffy nose may actually have been less of a cold and more like allergies. I blame Michael's genes for this. His allergies are horrendous.

Jude is a completely average baby. He was in the 50% for height, weight, and head circumfrence. He is 23 inches and 11 pounds, 13 ounces.

After our preliminary research, we decided to pass on the shots for now. I don't think we are going to be completely hardcore and never vaccinate. For now, we are planning on waiting until Jude is 2-3 years old.

We enjoyed hearing everyone's opinions and perspectives. However, we decided to wait because the only people who could support their claims with evidence and research were those who said "wait". So we are waiting, at least until we have time to do more thorough research. I am planning on starting with talking to the Denton County Health Dept on the prevalence of the vaccinated diseases and deaths. If a particular disease (and causing deaths or serious side effects) is actually common in our area, it would make sense to vaccinate. If not, there really is no need.

Regardless, we are waiting. When we do decide to vaccinate, we will only get one shot at a time and wait a couple weeks to give the next one. We possibly will be driving to Dallas to do this because so far I only know of a pediatrician down there who is willing to seperate out vaccines. IE one vaccine for measles, then a couple weeks the vaccine for mumps, then another couple weeks for rubella, etc. This seems to be the most responsible choice. The reality is none of the drug companies ever test to see how this process affects infants, so why risk it?

I know other people have different opinions, and that is fine. We have chosen to wait. I am going to continue researching Denton County and vaccines in general. Eventually, I will post my findings for your information to use as you like.

I do think every parent should truly research this topic BEFORE vaccinating their child. Just asking your doctor his or her opinion does not really constitute getting the full story....

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate

That's the question in our household this week anyway. Thanks to an old friend, I was put in contact with someone who is anti-vaccination allowing us to get the other side of the story. He told me about this natural doctor, Dr. Tenpenny, whose video we watched this evening to begin thinking through this process. There's a lot of information out there and even more money in books we could spend. We are not sure yet where we are in this process as far as long term is concerned. We don't think we will be vaccinating Jude at two months though. At most, we will chose one vaccine to administer. The question becomes which vaccine, if any, is important for Jude's health and well being currently. Michael is completely anti-vaccine. I'm leaning toward administering DTp only simply because it has been around for years and actually involves things Jude might actually come in to contact with. Currently praying about this decision and attempting to devour any and all available information. I don't normally ask for feedback from readers. However, this issue is important to me and I would love to know what you think or have experienced in regards to this. Prayers are also coveted as we try to make the best decision for our family.

Panic! at the Doner's

I know my previous post referred to Monday as being the hardest day of my life. I spoke to soon. Last night was the WORST night of my life. You may recall that Jude has been sick with a cold and runny nose. The doctor told us to put saline drops in his nose to loosen it up to help suction it out. I've done this several times and it has gone fine, other than Jude really hates it. Last night at his 3:00 feeding though, it did not go so well. I'm not sure if I was just tired and not paying attention and put too much of the drops or if Jude was tired and not prepared for it down his nose. Regardless, Jude just froze. He just quit breathing and clamped his mouth shut. His eyes started watering and his face turned red. I can't get his scared little face out of my head. He just looked absolutely terrified. I've never felt like such a horrible person in my life. I couldn't get him to snap out of it. Michael was still at work. I started panicking. Sadie started panicking and threw up several times. I called 911. While I was on the phone, he did snap out of it, thankfully. (This all happened in a span of 2 minutes.) He finally spit up everywhere, and starting crying while I was on the phone. The paramedics did still come, but luckily Jude was fine. It may not have been as big of a deal as I made it and Jude would have been fine if I didn't call them. I just panicked. Regardless, Jude was fine. I was not fine however. I'm not sure I'm even fine now. Like I said, I can't get the look of my terrified baby out of my head. I really didn't go back to sleep last night. Great thing since I have work in the morning. I just can't imagine the other scenario. Jude is such a huge part of my life now. Praise God for being faithful and there for my little boy. I hope I never have to deal with anything like this again.

Here is Jude today doing good and sleeping with Dad. I'm so thankful for these two!

Doctor's Visits

This week has been a hectic week of doctor's visits. As you may know, Monday we attempted to go to Jude's 2 week well child visit. Unfortunately, we got there too late and had to reschedule. It wasn't too bad though because Jude had to go to the hospital for a PKU test. In the long run it was probably easier to do one one day and the other later. I try to keep our outings as short as possible.

The PKU test was very heartbreaking because they poke his little foot and smear blood in five circles. Gross and I can't imagine losing that much blood as a little guy. I don't know how long it takes to get those tests back, but I doubt that there is anything wrong. He's eating and growing which would be an issue if he actually had PKU.

Wednesday we went to our well child visit- and drumroll- we made it on time. Hallelujah! Jude's in the 40-55% with everything. I don't know how big of a deal these measurements are or even what the point of them is. Anyway, from my understanding, I guess he's close to average. Michael is thrilled Jude is in the 40% for weight. He's hoping that he will get my metabolism genes.

Today I had a doctor's appointment. As you may recall, I was induced due to high levels of liver enzymes in my blood and something to do with my gallbladder. My doctor has been monitoring these since I got out of the hospital. I had my blood tested last Friday. My enzyme levels are supposed to be at a 40 and they were at a 43. Thus, I had to go back today and get tested again. Hopefully this time they will come back normal. For one thing, I am sick and tired of being pricked. Enough already. For another, liver issues are never a good thing.

After this week, we should be done with doctor visits until Jude's 2 month well child and my six week follow up. Currently praying that I am done with the nasty blood drawing. And of course that I am healthy. However, thankful that Jude is healthy!