Henry is now three months old and it looks as though our little man is going to have his Momma's big blue eyes. This week has brought some new developments, including the beginning of the drooling stage. Its a good thing most baby-related items are washable!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Mr. Blue Eyes
Henry is now three months old and it looks as though our little man is going to have his Momma's big blue eyes. This week has brought some new developments, including the beginning of the drooling stage. Its a good thing most baby-related items are washable!
Strong Little Bugger
Henry first rolled over at 4 weeks old and freaked us out. He didn't do it again until about 8 weeks. Now, going from tummy to back is old hat. He holds his head up with ease and is becoming less bobble-headed. He also scoots from one end of the crib to the other when on his back and just this week has managed to rotate himself 90 degrees so that his feet stick out of the crib when he's in there playing with his dangly toys. We're still a ways off from real mobility, but we had best be thinking about getting around to child-proofing the house.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
He Slept Through The Night!!!!!!
What a good baby. He slept from 8:30p last night until 7a this morning! Major milestone!! He is also cooing and babbling like crazy, rolling over immediately anytime we put him on his tummy and smiling all the time. He loves to bat at his toys in the crib, too, as documented by Grampa Merald in this excellent photograph. Once it gets above zero, we'll be outside for walks again. I can't wait.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Henry's Birthmark - Good News
Henry saw the Pediatric Dermatologist today. His birthmark is definitely a hemangioma. This is good news as most birthmarks of this type resolove themselves by the time children reach school age. The doc also seems to think that it is a rapid involuting type of hemangioma, meaning that it is likely already starting to get better. We will do a few more tests to be sure, but it doesn't sound like we will need to pursue any type of treatment. We will just continue to watch it and document it as it changes. Hooray for good news!
CHANGE-New President, New Year, New Direction
2009 is going to be all about change. Obama ran on a platform of change and he is facing incredible challenges as he and his administration looks to right the disasters that W has left to him. I am optimistic, yet fearful, as I realize that things are likely to get worse before they get better.
My life has changed dramatically and looks as though it will continue to do so. I am faced with challenges of my own as I was laid off from my job today after just returning from maternity leave only a week and a half ago. And I was just getting used to the whole boob pumping thing!So, in addition to being a new mom, I am facing unemployment. I will have to rethink my entire plan. I have been working in radio for my entire adult life and now have the opportunity reevaluate that career path. But, I love public radio! I hope to find a way to continue, maybe finish, the Master's degree that I started at Hamline University. My fears of returning to work in my previous post are at once alleivated and magnified. Perhaps I should go in a completely different direction - start my own business? Learn to tango? Do like every other unemployed and long cubeland-stifled creative person and pledge to write the great american novel?
Most of what transpired today hasn't even sunk in yet.
My life has changed dramatically and looks as though it will continue to do so. I am faced with challenges of my own as I was laid off from my job today after just returning from maternity leave only a week and a half ago. And I was just getting used to the whole boob pumping thing!So, in addition to being a new mom, I am facing unemployment. I will have to rethink my entire plan. I have been working in radio for my entire adult life and now have the opportunity reevaluate that career path. But, I love public radio! I hope to find a way to continue, maybe finish, the Master's degree that I started at Hamline University. My fears of returning to work in my previous post are at once alleivated and magnified. Perhaps I should go in a completely different direction - start my own business? Learn to tango? Do like every other unemployed and long cubeland-stifled creative person and pledge to write the great american novel?
Most of what transpired today hasn't even sunk in yet.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
The End of Maternity Leave
I am filled with mixed emotions today as I face the reality of going back to work full-time tomorrow. It has been 91/2 weeks since Henry was born and it seems like it all took place in a thirty second movie montage set to lullabies. Blurry, quick-cut, short snippets - over fast - and not really a good summary of the plot.
Sigh.
On the one hand, I look forward to getting back to work. I love my job and my collegues and I miss the adult world. I look forward to having conversations about things other than diapers and milk production and the pros and cons of brands of butt paste. I enjoy being busy. On the other hand, it will be very hard for me to leave this beautiful little boy. I do not look forward to becoming best friends with my breast pump and I fear that I will blather on annoyingly to anyone who will listen about diapers and milk production and the pros and cons of butt paste. Will I become on of those moms who talks incessantly about her kid? Will my cube become a shrine to the baby, every inch of wall space covered in pictures and drawings? Will I freak out, quit my job, forget about my Masters degree, take the baby and run for the hills?
Maybe I'll be okay. Maybe this blog will occasionally once again feature posts on something of interest other than the baby. Maybe.
Sigh.
On the one hand, I look forward to getting back to work. I love my job and my collegues and I miss the adult world. I look forward to having conversations about things other than diapers and milk production and the pros and cons of brands of butt paste. I enjoy being busy. On the other hand, it will be very hard for me to leave this beautiful little boy. I do not look forward to becoming best friends with my breast pump and I fear that I will blather on annoyingly to anyone who will listen about diapers and milk production and the pros and cons of butt paste. Will I become on of those moms who talks incessantly about her kid? Will my cube become a shrine to the baby, every inch of wall space covered in pictures and drawings? Will I freak out, quit my job, forget about my Masters degree, take the baby and run for the hills?
Maybe I'll be okay. Maybe this blog will occasionally once again feature posts on something of interest other than the baby. Maybe.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Henry's First Christmas
Henry's first Christmas was a good one! Christmas Eve and Day were spent in Stillwater with Grandpa Merald and Grandma Ann. We attended Christmas Eve service at Trinity Lutheran and then enjoyed a lovely dinner of Steak Diane. Everyone slept well and Christmas morning Henry got a bath in Grandma's kitchen sink :) We then had brunch with Great Uncle Maynard and Great Aunt Charlene before heading home.View the Christmas bath video!
The Ness side of the family, minus Grandma Carol and Grandpa Lowell who are in Texas for the winter, gathered at our house on the 27th. 
Cari, Nathan and Henry
Brent, DeAnna, Cari, Nathan, Rahul and Shelly all in our new vests from Mom!
Cari, Nathan and HenryBrent, DeAnna, Cari, Nathan, Rahul and Shelly all in our new vests from Mom!The girls, youngest to oldest - Cari, DeAnna, Brenda and Shelly.
With Shianne and Nadine.
Too much Christmas for such a small boy!
Too much Christmas for such a small boy!HeMan-Master of the Livingroom
Now nine weeks old, Henry has discovered his hands and proceeds to stick as many fingers in his mouth at one time as possible. He also raises his arm straight in the air with force and vigor as though to declare HeMan-style that he "HAS THE POWER!" Also, he often comically bonks himself in the head in the manner of a salute, earning himself the nickname "Sargent Bonk."
The kid's brain development is coming along. He continues to dig music and will now entertain himself for long stretches in his crib by batting at his toys. His breath gets quick and he wildly flails his arms and legs. He clearly sees across the room and will follow people and objects. He charmed the whole family over the holidays with lots of smiles, coos and giggles. Momma and Henry sing a version of a Police song, but our lyrics go "A goo goo goo, a ga ga ga..." and meander from there about poop and milk. It's Henry's first Hamster song!
Henry's 2 month check up was on Tuesday. He weighed in at 14 lbs 3oz and was 24 3/4 inches long, keeping him right in the 95th percentile for both height and weight. He also endured his first vaccines-three shots in the thigh and one squirt of vile liquid down his throat. The nurse was startlingly quick and ninja-like and it was over in an instant, but the boy still let out a significant howl of pain. I'm proud to report that neither Nathan or I cried, but held tough for our little man. We scurried home and Auntie Shelly loved Henry up with snuggles, kissed and baby Tylenol.
Hemangioma or port wine stain?
We continue to monitor the birthmark that's taking up quite a bit of real estate on Henry's left arm. The pediatrician is not sure now whether it is a port wine stain or a hemangioma. We have an appointment to see a Pediatric Dermatologist in January to get a definitive assessment and decide what needs to be done, if anything.
The kid's brain development is coming along. He continues to dig music and will now entertain himself for long stretches in his crib by batting at his toys. His breath gets quick and he wildly flails his arms and legs. He clearly sees across the room and will follow people and objects. He charmed the whole family over the holidays with lots of smiles, coos and giggles. Momma and Henry sing a version of a Police song, but our lyrics go "A goo goo goo, a ga ga ga..." and meander from there about poop and milk. It's Henry's first Hamster song!
Henry's 2 month check up was on Tuesday. He weighed in at 14 lbs 3oz and was 24 3/4 inches long, keeping him right in the 95th percentile for both height and weight. He also endured his first vaccines-three shots in the thigh and one squirt of vile liquid down his throat. The nurse was startlingly quick and ninja-like and it was over in an instant, but the boy still let out a significant howl of pain. I'm proud to report that neither Nathan or I cried, but held tough for our little man. We scurried home and Auntie Shelly loved Henry up with snuggles, kissed and baby Tylenol.
Hemangioma or port wine stain?
We continue to monitor the birthmark that's taking up quite a bit of real estate on Henry's left arm. The pediatrician is not sure now whether it is a port wine stain or a hemangioma. We have an appointment to see a Pediatric Dermatologist in January to get a definitive assessment and decide what needs to be done, if anything.
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