7 1/2 Hours!!!!!!!

Much has happened since my last post, but I have to start with the most exciting news. Yes, Shane slept for almost 7 1/2 hours two times!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!! The first time was Tuesday night. I put him down at 11 and at 3:30 I woke up because Shane hadn't. He was waking at 3 am like clockwork. Of course, I panicked. Even though we have the "Angel Care" monitor that will alarm if no movement occurs for 20 seconds, I was sure it had malfunctioned. So at exactly 3:38 am I made my way to Shane's room and stared at him until I was sure he was breathing. Then I went back to bed. When Dan got up at 4:45 he could not believe Shane was still asleep and at 5 am he went in to make sure he was breathing! Shane started to wake up around 6 am, but was cooing to himself and not crying! I let him do that until 6:20 when I went to get him. He woke up at 4:15 the next night, but last night we had a repeat performance of sleeping through the night!!!!!!!!! I am so excited - can you tell?
The probiotics are still working and even though the doctor told us we could stop them now, we would not dare. I did make sure they were safe to continue and they are. The doctor is just sure that they have already worked their magic and that they are just an added expense now. When I told Dan what the doctor said he looked at me like I had suggested Shane be a USC fan! (Notre Dame and USC are huge rivals and Dan is a huge ND fan) Needless to say, Shane's $2.00 a day probiotic habit will continue. We will try and cut it down to once a day in a week or so and then eliminate it at 4 months when colic usually disappears on its own. Shane has been really happy lately and other than his meltdown on my sister's birthday, he has been great. We went to my parents for Jorie's birthday and Shane was so irritable that they had to get out the vacuum cleaner to calm him down (It works like a charm!). As I vacuumed my parents condo with Shane in my arms, I had visions of this conversation occurring between Shane and us in about 18 years.
Me: Shane, which college do you want to go to? You are so brilliant that every school in the country wants you!
Dan: He wants to go to Notre Dame to play football, right Shane?
Me: He wants to go to whatever school will best prepare him for his future presidential career.
Shane: I just want to clean houses - there is something so calming about the sound of vacuum cleaners!
Dan: What??????
Me: Sobbing and unable to speak...
When I jokingly shared this with the family, my dad said he thinks Shane will be a pilot or an astronaut based on his affinity for loud noises. Who knows... we will love our little bugger no matter what he does! It is so funny to watch him screaming and then see it turn off as soon as the vacuum is switched on!
On Monday our wonderful friend John came over to help us plant. He must think we are such losers, but we totally need him. In fact, on Saturday I was shopping at Home Depot, sans Shane who was at home with daddy, and I kept thinking WWJB (What would John Buy?) Of course I failed miserably and John and Dan went back to Home Depot on Monday. John likes to choose plants for us that "thrive on neglect." What does that say about our gardening skills? In fact, he had to keep reminding us that we needed to water the plants. The funniest part is when Dan is always trying to throw out the perennial plants because he thinks they are weeds! Dan is into neat, trimmed, compact... if you know Dan, you know what I mean! In fact, I wanted John to look at the plants that we were given when Shane was born - the plants that the hospital nurses told me it was impossible to kill. Geri suggested I put them outside because I kept forgetting to water them (maybe that is why John feels the need to remind us to water?) and they were burning. When I went to show John, they were gone. When I asked Dan where they were, he pulled them from the garbage! John has saved them and they are on the road to recovery! As you can see, we do owe him big! It is because of John that we have anything other than tomatoes growing!
Yesterday I took Shane to my school to meet my students from last year and the teachers that had not seen him yet! He was a star! I on the other hand, was a mess. In fact, as I left school I realized that I left his changing pad & bottle cap in Caroline's room and his bottle in Jen's room - oops! Thankfully, I remembered Shane! It was sad to see my school without Dr. Hersh (my principal who died suddenly this year while I was on leave.) It was also hard to imaging that I will not work there anymore. I just extended my leave to stay home with Shane this year and that meant that I lost my position at that school. I would not have gone back there now anyway - too far - but there was something comforting about knowing that I could. Anyways, it was great to see Kim, Caroline, Debbie, Jen, Alison, Margaret, and everyone else who I miss!
The pictures of Shane include him with John, Shane and his daddy in their Yankee gear (that came to us from Shane's "Aunt Lisa" in Pennsylvania. Lisa has a trans-abdominal cerclage like me and had her beautiful daughter Emily 10 days after Shane. Shane and Emily will be getting married one day!), Shane smiling away, Shane and my mom playing on the floor, and Dan kissing Shane!

Probiotics rock!!!!!

When I last wrote in this blog, Shane had been diagnosed with colic and we were heading off on a road trip to Champaign, Illinois to watch our nephew Jack graduate from the University of Illinois. I was so nervous about how Shane would behave in the car, in the hotel, and at the graduation. In fact, before we left Jorie told me she felt sorry for anyone in the room next to us. However, Shane was a champ! He slept the entire way to Champaign-Urbana. Then, when we arrived we went out to dinner and Shane was really good in the restaurant. He fussed a bit, but if Dan or I walked him around for a few minutes he calmed right down. Then we got to the hotel, set up the pack and play and visited with John and Geri. Shane was a bit fussy, but aunt Geri had the magic touch and he settled down. He slept great in the pack and play - he went down at 11, was up at 2:45, went back down at 3:30, and stayed in his pack and play until 7. We put him in the sling for the ceremony and he slept through the whole thing! Phewwww! After the graduation there was a luncheon and Shane was terrific there as well! Jack looked great in his cap and gown and we are so proud of him! He graduated with a degree in Special Education and we know he is going to be the best teacher!!!! If anyone in the Chicago area knows of any special ed openings, please let me know!!!!
We drove home on Sunday afternoon and Shane had a great night at home. He slept from 11 to 4:30!!!!! Then, we packed him up and took him to Dan's school so we could build the inflatable space shuttle and space station with his students for Space Week. He was really good at the school and Dan loved showing off his son! On Monday night he also slept from 11-4:30!
Tuesday night was not as good for sleep - we went back to a 2:45 wake up, but he went back down until 6:30 so I still feel pretty good! Tonight we are going to Dan's school to help out at space night. I did not want to bring Shane, but I have no choice. My parents are on vacation, Dan's parents are going to watch our niece Sarah's high school graduation, and no one else will be home when I would need to drop Shane off (I have to be at Dan's school by 3:15.) My sister, Jorie, is going to try and come to the school and watch Shane. She can take him into another room away from the 200 plus students that are expected. That will be a huge help!!!!!
I am really starting to believe that the probiotics work! In fact, I found several recent studies that concluded that they improve colic in babies. I sure think they did in mine!
In other good news, we found out that Dan won the ICTM (Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics) Middle Grades Mathematics Teaching Award! I nominated him for the award in the days before Shane was born! Dan's principal, co-worker, and students wrote letters on his behalf! Shane and I are so proud of him!!!!! Jack's graduation also fell on Dan's 6 year transplant anniversary! Shane and I got Dan a new briefcase for school to celebrate! We are so thankful for Dan's good health!!!
I am including a photo of Jack on his graduation day, One of Dan's good friend's from work, Jan, holding Shane, Dan and his friend Alan in the photo booth for Space night (made by a parent!), and the three of us in front of the space shuttle and space staion. It is not a great picture of us, but it is the best one we have of the space shuttle and space station!

Cards, Concerts, & Colic

Sorry for the lack of updating this week. It has been very busy!
Cards - Sunday was Mother's day and I was overwhelmed with the cards, calls, and gifts that I received. We had our parents over to celebrate the day. It was a bittersweet day for me. It was especially hard when I was wished a Happy 1st Mother's Day by some. Yes, it was the first Mother's Day that I had any reason to celebrate and yes, it was my first with a living child. However, Madeleine is also my child. Unfortunately, I have to visit her in the cemetery. Of course everyone meant well. Sorry, I am still grieving her loss and I am angry about all of the things that Madeleine was robbed of... Dan gave me a beautiful Mother's necklace that shows a mother and child and has the birthstones of Madeleine and Shane. I absolutely love it!!!! I am also feeling so incredibly lucky to have Shane here happy and healthy! He is the light of my life! I am so thankful to the doctors that helped me get him here and to the TAC (trans abdominal cerclage) which kept him safe and sound until he was delivered.
Concerts - Well as you know I am here with Shane every day, all day and have been for the past 9 weeks (yes, my sweetie is 9 1/2 weeks old!!!) I have run to the store while Dan is with him or while our parents are here, but I have never left him for more than an hour until Tuesday. We were given the chance to go to see Bruce Springsteen on Tuesday night and we went. I was so nervous! My parents and Dan's mom babysat. They came over around 2 and we went over my extensive instructions. I think they thought I was crazy, especially when I showed them the vacuum cleaner cd that we play when Shane goes to sleep. I also think they thought I was exaggerating when I explained just how fussy he was at night. I had to laugh when Dan's mom was talking about how she was going to watch Dancing with the Stars and when my mom was asking what snacks I had for the evening. Little did they know that they could put the TV on but they would not be able to hear anything over the loud screams of my little man or that there is no time for snacks... I called home every 45 minutes to an hour before the show started. Dan and I had a nice dinner before arriving at the United Center and I admit it was nice to be away for a bit. Once we got in our seats around 8, I called home again and heard Shane in the background keeping his grandparents on their toes. Then Bruce took the stage. Our seats were smack dab in the center of the row and of course, everyone was standing. Normally, this would not be a problem for me because I never leave during a show. However, I have never had a baby at home before. By the time Bruce was on his second song I realized that I forgot to remind them that Shane sleeps on his back. Of course we have discussed his sleeping position many times, but I did not remind them of it that day. Of all the things to leave off of my list. I instantly tried to text Jorie asking her to call them and remind them. I am not good at texting and my first message was accidentally deleted. I finally got the message sent, but realized I needed to call myself. I climbed out over the row of screaming fans and called home. Of course they knew Shane slept on his back, but I had to call. It turns out that Shane cried from 6-10. I felt bad for the grandparents, but also felt a bit relieved. We are not crazy and we do not cause the screaming, it is just what Shane does. Thanks to the grandparents for babysitting!!!!!! Are you free next week?
Colic - Shane went for his 2 month doctors visit on Wednesday and Dan took the day off. I had heard nightmares of babies reactions to all of the shots and I was glad to not have to deal with it all alone. Shane weighs 12 pounds and 2 ounces and he is 22.25 inches long! He is healthy and growing perfectly! YAY!!!! The doctor also said that he has colic. There is really nothing that can be done for it. He did give us a sample of a probiotic to mix in his bottle twice a day, but did not seem to think it would help. He said to expect relief by 4 months. 4 MONTHS???? IS HE OUT OF HIS MIND? I thought relief came at 3 months. On a positive note, Shane had an awesome day on Wednesday and Thursday! In fact, we hardly had any crying Wednesday and Thursday night (45 minutes to an hour)! I swear Shane hears and understands the doctor - maybe he is the baby whisperer. After our 1 month appointment when the doctor told me to not let Shane feed for an hour. He said I should cut him off after a half hour, but I never had to cut him off - he just ate faster on his own. It was like he knew! Maybe this will be the same thing, he will be a normal fussy baby now. A girl can dream can't she? I have high hopes that he has turned the corner (Yes, I am knocking - no make that banging - on wood.) We are driving down to Champaign this weekend for our nephew Jack's graduation and I am hoping Shane behaves. I'll let you know next week. We are also planning on taking him to Dan's school on Monday so I can help the Space Shuttle get built. That should be interesting...

Mr. Smiley!

Shane is starting to really smile! He has happy time in the morning, as opposed to his evening scream fest, and I finally got some good smiling pictures of the little man! My camera seems to hesitate a bit between the time I push the picture button and the time it actually takes the picture so I feel like I am always missing the smiles! I think it may have to do with the lighting in the room. No sure... However, I finally captured a few this morning! He wakes up in a good mood, eats, and is happy to smile and play for an hour or so! It is my favorite time of the day! He is also pretty happy after his early afternoon bottle. On Thursday I took him for his two month pictures right after the second bottle and we got a few smiling ones! YAY!!! I know most people don't do monthly pictures, but Shane is changing so fast! I decided that I will use a good portrait studio for his 3, 6, 9, and 12 month shots and just use Walmart for the in between months. They run specials where I can get a one pose package for $7.99. I am holding myself to the one pose and one extra sheet and I got out of there for under $15.00 with my coupon. Dan was shocked that I didn't spend way more! I pick them up on the 15th and can't wait to get them! I had Shane wear the outfit he wore to the shower because he looked so cute that day and I hardly got any pictures of him.
Yesterday, I decided to take Shane on a walk to Walgreens which is slightly over 2 miles from our house - bad plan! The walk there was really warm and Shane was probably boiling in his car seat. The second we walked into Walgreens he started to scream! Not good. I took him out of the car seat (the car seat attaches to the stroller) and held him, but as soon as we had to leave Walgreens, he had to go back into the stroller. He screamed most of the 2 mile walk back home. I was sure that Dan would be home from work before we made it home because I had to keep stopping to comfort the little cutie. I have learned that an hour or so in the stroller is all that he is good for.
As if the day was not filled with enough excitement, Dan and I decided to take Shane to our favorite pizza place last night even though we knew his witching hours begin around 5 and do not end until 8 or 9. We were hoping that he would be so enchanted by all of the people and the kids that he would be good. Not so. The fact that he cried the entire way there should have tipped us off. When we got there Dan picked him up and he fell asleep in his daddy's arms. We thought we would be OK so we went in. Shane was fine while we got our drinks and ordered and he even let us have some bread. In fact, he was so sleepy in our arms that we decided to put him in the car seat - bad move! He woke up screaming and did not stop. Dan and I took turns eating pizza while one of us walked him around outside of the restaurant. It was not fun. In fact, he has been so fussy in the evenings that I started to wonder if he did do better on the Good Start formula after all. Dan and I stopped and purchased a weeks worth and we are going to take notes on how he does. I doubt it will help as I didn't think it helped last time, but I am getting desperate. I'll let you know what happens. I am looking forward to him reaching the magical age of 3 months when everyone tells us he will calm down. We'll see...

Grandparents are the best!!!!!!!

Shane is so lucky to be so loved! He had my parents here yesterday and Dan's mom here today! He went on walks both days, which he loves! I was able to run errands and get some things done around the house, which I love! Oops, my little man is waking up in his swing so this post is going to be super short!
This morning Shane was so happy and playing on his activity center so I took some video for the blog! I love it when he smiles!!!!

We have a duck & Shane is 8 weeks old today!!!

Though I am loving being home with Shane, I miss teaching and I especially miss this time of the year. Testing is over and the fun stuff begins! If I were in my classroom now I would be doing two things that I love. The first is preparing for Space Week and the second is hatching little chicks! I will be experiencing Space Week through Dan who will be having one, but though I tried to convince him to hatch chicks, he says there is not enough upper level math involved. Then, just as I was missing the chicks, a duck appeared on our front lawn. YAY!!! She decided to lay her eggs and nest by a tree in our front yard! We have a lake in our park that is about a block away, but she chose our lawn. I love it! Thunder, Shane & I are her protectors as the little kids on the block are very interested in the eggs and the duck. Thunder barks when someone walks by and Shane and I tell them to leave her alone. Duck eggs take about 28 days to hatch (versus chicken eggs which take about 21 days) and she has been here about 5 days. I can't wait for the little baby ducklings!
Now on to the real reason you read this blog, Shane. Well, Shane is off of the expensive formula as it did not help the crying. In fact, he had his first major meltdown in Babies R Us on Saturday while still on the Nutramigen. Dan and I went to return some shower duplicates and purchase some things that we needed and Shane was not having it. Dan and I think that he, like his parents, is just sick of the place. We walked in and the screaming started within five minutes. I was able to calm him down by holding him for a bit, but then as we were checking out he became hysterical! Nothing either of us could do would calm him down. Dan finally took him to the car and drove around the parking lot to try and make him relax and even that did not work. Usually he falls asleep as soon as the car starts moving! Finally, Dan took him home and fed him, but that only calmed him down while he was eating. As soon as the food was gone, he started screaming again! Saturday was rough. On Sunday, I tried yet another new formula. Kristine swears by Good Start and I had heard that many people felt like it calmed their babies down so I figured why not. We thought he seemed a bit calmer on Sunday night, but he did not sleep well at all. I put him down at 12 and he was up at 2. He went back down at 3 and was up at 5. I tried to calm him in his crib and he would have none of that! He was not hungry because at 5 he just passed out on me as soon as I picked him up (and no, I can't put him down after that - he starts screaming again). I was hoping Sunday was a fluke, but Shane offered up a repeat performance last night. I am getting very tired. I thought he was supposed to sleep more as he aged, not less!!! To top it off, he seems to spit up more on Good Start. In fact, this morning he spit up all over me and my hair. Normally I would just ignore it, but this spit up smelled so badly that as soon as he fell asleep in his swing I actually showered! This is rare for me these days! Currently, as I type, Shane is screaming bloody murder with my parents downstairs... We will be going back to Enfamil and hoping Shane outgrows this fussy stage soon! He has been reaching for more objects and smiling more (mornings only - he is a morning boy. He is at his happiest before noon.) However, no matter how much my little angel cries, I can't imagine life without him! He is the cutest, sweetest baby in the world and Dan and I are so lucky to have him! Sometimes, I kiss him so much that I am sure he is going to have raw skin!!!!
Tomorrow, his Grandma Carolyn is planning on stopping by. Hopefully she gets to spend time with happy Shane.