Gannon, 4 months

Holy moly...4 months... here we are.

You are looking like less of a baby and more like a little man each day. Your smiles and giggles just make my day though. Seriously. That's the best.

You would stare at someone for hours. We talk and you just stare, smile, and coo back. You love the conversations.

Your sleep is still about the same. Occasionally sleeping through the night, but usually getting up around 3:30, then camping in bed with mom until you are up for good at 6:30-7. 

Your naps are getting more regular. Short one in the morning, longer one mid-day, and short one in the evening... to bed for the night around 7:30-9.

We quit the Zantac. You are happy now with or without it, and it's torture for all of us giving it to you twice a day, as it is peppermint flavor and you act like it's the most disgusting thing ever (which I can believe from how it smells)...and more is spit out than actually digested...  I really do think you have reflux, however, I don't think that it bothers you an awful lot. We will see how you do without it for awhile. 

You developed mastitis and got your first trip to the ER! (why are there no urgent care or after-hours walk-in clinics around here!?) The weirdest thing I have seen in a baby, and didn't even think it was possible for a baby (boy) to develop mastitis. I've never even had it. But that's exactly what it was. The Doc we saw had never heard of it either, and had to "google it" (yes, he actually told me that).

You had your 4-month well baby checkup today...

17lbs. 2oz. & 26.5in  

(Grady was 7lb 5oz & 25.5in; Drew was 14lb 8oz & 25.25 in)

The laryngealmalacia has improved significantly! However, you still have a soft murmur. Your pediatrician anticipates it will be resolved by your next checkup at 6 months, but if not we will follow up with a cardiologist to get it checked out.

Otherwise, you are very happy and healthy!!! <3

Awareness

April is autism awareness month. And today (April 2nd) is National Autism Awareness Day.

It was just released that autism now affects 1 in 68 children (previously 1 in 88).

I know we have a long way to go, to the day where people really understand what autism is all about, but we are headed the right direction.

I know when I got out, people stare. They see him flapping (or stimming), and wonder what is going on. They see him screaming in a restaurant, and his parents pulling out an iPad to try to calm him down (because seriously, this is the only way we can have dinner out as a family), and judge us. It bothered me initially, but not so much anymore. People just don't understand. But I don't care. He is who he is and he is amazing... I wouldn't change him for the world. I just want others to understand. To understand that my child is just a child. He is still smart. Smarter than anyone will ever give him credit for. He is still loving. The biggest love bug of all my boys. He is happy. So happy. I see him for who he is every single day. He is growing, learning, and fighting. He is growing into an amazing little boy. He makes me smile. Makes my heart happy. Makes me a better person.

Love my baby <3

Phoenix

My mom and stepdad own a home just outside of Phoenix, where they stay for the winters. My friend Alicia and I planned to meet up there the beginning of March. I haven't seen her since we moved from Washington a year ago, so it was SO much fun to see her again finally. And, we've both had little babies since then, 3 months apart. So, we just took the little ones with us.

The winters can get really long, in both SD and WA, so it was great to get away from it all and spend some time in the sun and warm weather! It was also nice to be able to spend some one-on-one time with Gannon, since he has to share my attention with the other boys all the time. He LOVED it. I know he's young, but I could tell. He was so good...so happy...so cuddly. This mama loved it too :)

We spent some time with my mom, stepdad, and family. Went shopping in Scottsdale. Had lunch at an awesome little restaurant. Went hiking around Lake Pleasant (saw a huge snake!) & had lunch at an interesting biker(ish) bar {great burgers}. Went also went to happy hour at a little joint just next to the Mariners/Padres training field. 

And although Alicia and I chat through texting almost daily, we got to do some great catching up as well :)  Look forward to seeing her again this summer when we visit in Washington.

Lake Pleasant

Took a lot of iPhone pics - need to upload and post those as well :)

Pretty flower - Not sure what they were

 Jerek was just turning 6 months. I wanted to take a few pictures of him. He is so stinkin cute!! 

I took these few, then Alicia and I BOTH stepped on a cactus and that was the end of that. She was pulling out thorns from her flip flops...I was pulling out thorns from my foot.  Fun times ;)

Orange Tree

So sweet mama and baby Jerek

 just shy of 3 months... trying to hold his head up.

Grandma Dawn and Grandpa Jim 

He knows he's cute :)

 Orange Blossoms

iPhone pics

Drewski and I before I left for the airport

Kristin sent me this picture the first day

Gannon and I the airport - he slept. A lot.

Our flight was delayed - still at airport.

Cute new outfit and sunhat for AZ

My toes haven't seen the light in a long time.

sleeping. he's good at that (this week anyway).

Alicia and I at Olive and Ivy

Babies ready for the day

 Lake Pleasant

The Wild Horse biker bar place we had lunch at when we left Lake Pleasant.

Boys playing. Jerek really wanted to crawl on top of Gannon. I think Gannon was sad he couldn't move to play with him, too.

More sleepy Gannon...

Lunch at Olive and Ivy in Scottsdale.

 Me, my mom & Gannon having lunch at PF Changs

 Out shopping...

so serious!

Selfie by Gannon ;)

My mom's back yard 

Sleeping through dinner at my uncle's the last night in AZ

 At the airport headed back home... sleeping again.