Inheritince

Somehow it has taken me nine weeks to check out Tyler's toes..........yep, WEBBED!!!  just like his mommy's!!  I cannot believe I didn't check them earlier, but his second and third toes on both feet are webbed up to the top nuckle.  Mine are a bit higher, but his are definately webbed.  So here is the rundown:
Dimples from Lexi
Ears from Addy
Head shape from Daddy
Webbed toes from Mommy
Tongue tied from Mommy
Stomach pains from Daddy
Blonde curly hair from Mommy

I am yet to assign his temperment.  Its awfully good for a baby,,, so I am guessing from.....hmmmmm...
If I had to place his clefts, I am sure those are from Mommy's crazy genes.  Oh, well.....

He is smiling now, but catching it on camera is hard!!  I told him to hold it for ten seconds........

Side note:  Tyler slept for eight hours last night..... it was either the squash he had for dinner, which he loves by the way, or it was because the baby whisperer put him to bed.  Either way it was much appreciated!!

BFF'S

Tyler doesn't even know it but he has a BFF!!  Lexi has appointed Tyler to be her BFF, until he is big enough to fight back.  After returning home last night we found Lexi leaning on Tylers carseat as it sat on a table.  Knowing this was hazardous I took Tyler out of the carseat and laid him on the floor for a minute.  Then left the living room,, that was my first mistake.  Lexi quickly ran to her room and brought her pillow out.  I then peeked around the corner at them and Tyler was laying on her pillow.  And Lexi had the biggest smile on her face, she shouted "I did it, I did it, I lifted him by myself".  Daddy was now having a heart attack and I was cracking up.  Tyler was laying there staring at the ceiling not knowing anything had happened.  We were very curious how this happened, so of course I prompted her to show me how she did it.  So I moved him to the floor again.  She then, put her hands under his arms and grunted three times, then not so gently tossed him on the pillow and said "see, he's heavy".  Daddy was still having a heart attack at this point and I was still laughing.  Tyler was still just hanging out, giving us all a weird look!!  A new rule has now gone into effect, Lexi cannot be left unattended with Tyler in the room.  But I love to watch the interactions between them and hope it continues throughout their lifetime!!

Little Piggy

After many weeks of weight checks, forced feedings, and parental worrying, I think we are finally done!!  Tyler was a hefty 11lbs 1oz this morning up from 10lbs 6ozs last week.  He is eating baby food like a champ and loving his bottles!  Finally, he is participating in his bottle feedings instead of screaming!  He just got done eating beans and bananas after his weigh in and is not happily sitting with Lexi in front of the tv.  This is his new spot, and Lexi never leaves his side.  I caught her this morning with her hands under his arms saying "I want to hold him, but he's just too heavy".  Thank god he is too heavy!!  Those two have developed quite the relationship and I have a feeling it will continue a lifetime!  She is his little protector and playmate.  The washer and dryer are very happy the reflux meds are working and mommy is very happy we avoided the feeding tube that Dr Brown (aka, u of m gastro, and I think that is an hilarious name for a gastro dr) wanted him to have.  He is looking like quite a stud in all his new shorts and summer clothes.  Thank goodness he has the weight to fill them!!
The Etue household is carrying on with their summer packed full of fun and family time.  With a little surgery thrown in the middle!  Mommy is back to work a couple days a week and loving it.  Daddy just finished one of two years in nuclear operator school with flying colors (first in his class, I am sure his SMCC teachers would faint!).  The girls are becoming more manageable, although we would like the middle one to pee on the toilet!  We will be hitting the lake this weekend and give Tyler his first pontoon ride.  Happy beginning of summer from the PARTY OF FIVE!!!

My Sweet Puker

Ah, Tyler,,, you are aquiring many nicknames these days.  You started out as "little smoker", christened by Aunt Jennifer for the way you hold your pacifier hanging out of your mouth.  You often hear me call you "buddy", "son", and Lexi's cute "baby Tyler".  But lately, you have been renamed "little puker".  The laundry piles says it all!!  We have ruled out any pyloric stenosis problems, and are now just stocking up on detergent.  This is Tyler, maybe a puker, maybe a screamer, or even occassionally a nice calm boy.  He is always leaving us guessing.  Anyone who says feeding their baby is a bonding experience, needs to feed Tyler!  Its more of a wrestle mania expo while trying to force the bottle in his mouth and deciding when to stop without wearing the few ounces he just swallowed.  But non-the-less, Tyler is Tyler and this might be him for the entire first year of his life.  Derek and I are aware of our situation, embracing it, and are flowing along with the ups and downs.  On the upside of Tyler,, he sleeps more hours per day then any of the girls did!!  Yea, for sleep!!
Today I went back to work just for small, infrequent shifts.  It felt good to add keep social security going, as my father-in-law would say.  There were no tears this morning as everyone got to their destinations.  The girls headed to Aunt Jennifers daycare.  They love it there with their friends.  Tyler went to Grandma Sheryl's for a little one-on-one care.  He did great there, ate well, barely slept (good for mommy later!!).  I will be working a few hours a week until Tylers first surgery in July.  Then I will take off as much time as we need as a family to get back to a routine again.  I am guessing I will be off about a month this summer, not to bad for a little warm weather vacation time! 
As I am blogging, I have put one child to bed three times.........Good Night Lexi......Thank God for Tubal Ligations.... And Dam Aunt Jennifer for giving her a NAP!!!

Blog Catch-up

So much has been happening since the last blog,,,, let's catch everyone up.
Tyler has been a handful!  He has been dealing with reflux, pneumonia vs thymus shadowing (on xray), and breathing issues.  He's had his first shot of antibotics like a rock star.  I am pretty sure all his issues stem from reflux which we are trying to get a handle on, but really will not be better until he grows more.  He is back to only taking three ounces in a bottle.  Guess he decided five ounces at a feeding was too expensive.  He took his first spoon bites of rice cereal this morning.  He ate like he's been doing it for years, despite his obvious obstacles both inside and outside his mouth.  Only a few drops came from his nose, which is totally normal with clefts.  He is continuing to breath like he has smoked two packs a day during his short life.  I am guessing this is just a cleft thing too, since it comes and goes, with taping and positioning.  I am starting to just ignore the raspy sounds, although others around him think he is dying.  It will be interesting when I get back to work in the ER to see if I tune out the noisy breathers there too.... could lose my job for that though!!!  haha!!  Tyler is growing like a weed despite his issues, he was 10 lbs 6 ozs at last check.  He is completely out of his newborn clothes and on to the 3-6 month ones.  And his size 1 diapers are very snug, but he has about 100 left to use up, suck it in kid!!  (overstocking!!)  We have a surgery date for July, which has changed since last blog to three days later.  I am quickly learning U of M calls the shots, and we mearly agree.  The only plus to waiting until July for surgery is the dreaded pacifier!!  Tyler cannot have it, and yet wants it.  It amazes me with the defects he has, the taping, and the difficult breathing, he can keep the pacifier in his mouth for comfort.  I should take his pacifier and potty train lexi all the same week just to torture myself!

The Etue Estate is buzzing with spring chores.  The driveway is in line to be paved in a few weeks.  The lawn is perfectly green and the trees are blooming despite last years frying.  We have decided against a garden this year, and plan on stealing from the family again.  The girls have a new sandbox, and thus a new love.  Its keeping them from tearing up the house, fighting, and driving mommy crazy.  However, they are still learning the rules about shoes in the house, and sometimes even pants!!  They are looking forward to warmer weather, Addy says "she's going to the beach and the lake".  Amazing what she remembers from last year.  Daddy is just finishing up his schooling for this spring and will be back on swing shifts in a few weeks.  I cannot wait to have more days off with him (yes, that translates into him being around more to help with the kids!!)  I am also heading back to work next week.  Yea, for mommy time and paychecks, even small ones!!Summer, the Etues are patiently awaiting your presence, surgery-camping-lake---FAMILY TIME !!

ah, good breakfast Mom!!