Sick day

Felix and I were both sick today, fortunately mom was home to wipe noses and feed us. Three cheers for mom. Aside from a scratchy throat and stuffy nose, it was a great day with lots of fun time with Felix. We played, went for a nice autumn walk and stayed in our pajamas nearly all day (the walk would have been a bit weird in my PJs). Even in his slowed state he was a serious handful: crawling, pulling himself up and trying to stand on his own. It is amazing to watch his progress and imagine future Fe and so much fun to soak up every present moment.

Gradually... sunddenly.

Felix continues to reside in the 90th percentile: 18 pounds, 27.5 inches! Though cliched, the phrase, "They grow up so fast," really hits home. Not that I have noticed his exponential growth day-to-day, but on reflection of our time in the hospital and looking at pictures, it is quite shocking to see the difference that is right under my nose. I think I favor the less cliche, though completely banal: "It happened gradually, then all of a sudden." This is preferable to me because it is so applicable to so many aspects of life and can be said without employing a grandmotherly tone while requisite cheek pinching. However you slice it, "Life comes at you fast."

Tap, Tap... Tooth!

We've been singing the Yum, Yum, Yam song (something I made up) lately and Felix has been drinking a bit of water from a metal cup with his meals. Fe is a really good eater and drinker, and when he takes a sip of water from his cup, he will kind of munch on the rim. Just a couple days ago, I heard a tap, tap while he was sipping, and I didn't think much of it until Alex asked "does he have a tooth?" when we heard the tapping together yesterday. I immediately stuck my finger in Fe's mouth to feel for it, and sure enough there was a sharp spot on his gum! We have yet to get a good look at it - just glimpses because every time we try to peer into his mouth or gently pull his chin down, he'll stick out his tongue. I'm surprised that he hasn't been more crabby through this tooth cutting, but I'm not disappointed! I hope they all come in this easily. On another note, the Big Latch On was today, and it was really fun to be in a room full of mamas and babies. Fe latched on right away, and I checked the blog later - Portland had 518 mothers nursing simultaneously!

Laughing Out Loud

I filmed this right side up, but somehow the file is upside down. Either way, I hope you enjoy some Felix giggles. I know I do!

Poolside

90+ degree weather today, so the Gillet Family hit the pool. Felix befriended a squirt-y whale and sting ray. Apparently he bites his friends, and he cracked us up by making the ray squirt with every chew.

Onesie weather

A very proportionate boy

Outside of posting a picture here and a video there we have not been very dilegent much here; I blame Facebook, so here's some words. Yesterday we went to the doctor for Felix's four month check-up to address our list of mild-but-concerning items and get him imunized for diseases that probably haven't been around since his grandparents were kids (thank you immunizations). I have to admit that I was reluctant to go (the list of chores/ appeal of a quite morning/ why send two people to do a one person job) but obviously went along and was very happy to have the family time. The best part of going to the doctor is the uneventful, banal feeling that- despite how weird you think you are- most doctors will shrug it off unless there is something really wrong. It is amazing that a doctor can look at a spot and say, "Oh, that's just a thing that kids get," and this makes me all feel at ease. So after brushing off all of Felix's little imperfections, taking his measurements and squeezing his fat little appendages Dr. Endo deemed Felix to be a stong and "Very proportionate boy." Each of his measurements fall right in between the curved lines pointing to 75 to 90th percentile:
Weight: 17' 2.2"
Height: 27"
Head Diameter: 17"
IQ: Profound Genius

We're rollin!

More milestones this week!

The other day I was playing the piano one handed while holding Felix in my lap, and he reached out and set his hand on my hand. We played his song (Pachelbel's Canon - the one I learned and played while he was in my belly) together, and Alex snapped these pics.

Just a few days ago, Felix rolled over from his back to his belly. It is really cute how lately he'll swing his legs over to one side to roll onto his side and from there either chill with a toy or his hands in his mouth or (twice now) roll all the way over onto his belly. The first time his arm got stuck under him, so I had to help him out, but the second time he hung out on his belly for a while and seemed a little surprised at how he got there!

Yesterday, Felix had a little laughing fit! He was in his carrier, belly to belly with me, and I was joking around with Kristin and her brother Ryan, and there was a lot of laughing going on. Felix was on the verge of sleeping (we all get a little giddy when tired, don't we?), and he looked up at me and just started giggling with a big grin on his face. I think he could both feel and hear me laughing, and was mimicking me! It was absolutely adorable, and I think we spent the rest of the night making fools of ourselves being goofy and trying to get him to do it again.

Felix has graduated to the big boy bath (he is too big for the newborn hammock attachment now). Here are a few cute photos of him at bath time.

Milestones

A friend of mine said recently, "It's all milestones from here." What a great piece of wisdom for anyone, but particularly apt for a new parent. Today was a small but awesome milestone: the urge to rock!

Earned the wings

With the wings, harness and the confident grin, Felix is definately looking like a little Sully Sullenberger!

Milk delivery for Mr. Bear

...and that's what babies do.

Baby faces

Dos de Mayo

Bambinos! We went to a friend's house yesterday for a Cinqo de Mayo party. There were lots of babies there! Here they are lined up in order of age. Felix and his buddy Max are second youngest to the 2 week old laying next to Felix. Aren't they cute leaning up against each other? Soon after this photo was taken, a few of the babies started wailing (Felix included) probably in response to the terrifying amount of attention, flashes, and loud ooohs and aaaahs.

Tidbits from the week-end

In the kitchen while Mom bakes Banana Walnut Biscuits with chocolate chips. Playtime.
Snuggled up to Dad in front of an old locomotive outside of the Forestry Center at the Hoyt Arboretum. Eating on the go.

Smartie pants

I was fixing myself some breakfast a few days ago and had laid Felix in his crib with the musical mobile twirling, when I looked over and glimpsed his little foot up in the air over the side of the crib. I walked over to see what he was doing. I could hear him cooing, and as I approached it looked like he was trying to kick the owls as they were spinning by. I think he realized that they were out of reach of his hands, and so he tried batting at them with his feet. Such a clever boy! I tried to capture this on video, but by that time he was too distracted by me watching, though the video is cute none the less!

Belly time

Felix and Mom exercise every day. He starts out on his belly, which he quickly gets frustrated with, and ends up on his feet. I help him of course. Here he is at the beginning of belly time, moving his head side to side.









Next we do sit ups where he lays on his back, holds my hands and I help him pull himself up to sitting. From there he will sometimes push himself up onto his feet!

What a strong boy!

Felix lashes out

Check out those eyelashes! They seem to have grown overnight.

Baby talk

Felix in Forest Park

Felix is now 6 weeks old, and we decided it was high time that we went for a hike in Forest Park with Felix "on the outside". While I was pregnant, we trod this trail system almost every week, and while in the hospital, that was one of the first things that we dreamed of doing once we were released. The sterile hospital atmosphere and the fact that we could not leave made us crave nature with every cell in our bodies. Once we did leave the hospital I realized that I needed more time to recover from my c-section before attempting a hike, so we stuck to walks around the neighborhood and to the park until now. This woody afternoon was sunny, and Alex and I fell into our natural routine of walking and talking, and Felix fell into his natural routine of sleeping through almost every outing. Although... who wouldn't want to sleep to a lulling pace out in the open air of the forest with the sun warming you and snuggled up to your Dad's chest?

Cave hieroglyphic

I came across this drawing in the parking "cave" at OHSU when we were taking our birthing class. Just like its ancient predecessors, it tells a simple, timeless tale an anonymous author. The anthropology of it- however interesting- is to me not as gripping as its stark, yet hopeful aesthetic.

Moving picture

That's my boy!

Felix is becoming more aware of his surroundings every day. Just today he figured out that he can kick his feet and make the bouncy chair bounce which makes the hanging woodland animals swing toward him. I saw him do this and reach out and touch the raccoon. He also has been looking more directly at people when they are nearby, moving, or making noise. He even smiled at me when I planted a rapid fire kiss attack on his cheek this morning. Every day we play on the floor and he pulls himself up to sitting (with my help), and then eagerly looks around from this new perspective. He is so adorable. How can you not love this kid!

Ultrasound

So weird to go for an abdominal ultrasound after giving birth - but I've been having pain on my right side and my doctor wanted to rule out appendicitis. Basically what they found is that I have a clot in the vein leading away from my ovary on the right side. Ovarian Vein Thrombosis. The vein is totally blocked which is why I am having pain. They have me on an injection of lovenox for 5 days and warfarin pill for 6 weeks (I guess it takes 5 days for the pill to kick in - which is why the injection at first to thin my blood right away). They also gave me a shot of antibiotic - all deemed safe for breastfeeding on a molecular level. This condition is very rare, and usually caused by a long labor (stress on the vein). It's just one thing after another these days. I am blessed though because usually this is caught and treated within two weeks of giving birth, and here I am 5 weeks out and no pulmonary embolism (which is the biggest risk if untreated). How am I feeling? First of all tired. I'm tired of being unwell. And secondly, I'm really disappointed in how I do my best to stay healthy, and my efforts to pursue a natural birth and a natural way of life have lately led me to a drastic increase in medical intervention. At least I have a healthy baby, and am on my way to recovery. I am thankful for that - but I am a chicken when it comes to giving myself a shot. At 4PM yesterday they showed me what to do in the doctor's office and 12 hours later I sat there (at 4AM) motionless with the needle poised in my hand and pinching the skin on my belly for probably 20 minutes before I woke Alex and had him do it for me.

Felix, Poo Cannon

Last night I was awoken by Dani trying to get my attention from Felix's room, by saying "Felix pooed". Groggy and bitter, I think to my self, 'Really, that seems so unlike him?' and 'Why does it take a team to change him in the middle of the night?' When I turn the corner to enter the bedroom I see what has occurred will take a team: any area directly south of Felix has been sprayed with his yellow lentil soup. Many have warned of the tiny fountain that comes with little boys and its predilection to fire when exposed to the air, but no one has warned of the other, deadlier weapon just inches away. His tiny poo cannon was able to shoot an amazing six feet before hitting the door about 2 feet from the floor! We quickly mopped up the filth, laughing in utter amazement thinking: who's child is this?

What a pair!

Side view

Felix has the sweetest little profile.

A walk in the park

Felix and I went for a walk in the park today. It was a lovely walk - the sun was shining, and the trees and flowers are in full bloom. We stopped under this tree for a short break, and the petals were falling around us like snow. Just like on our other outings, Felix slept through almost the whole thing, but I think he liked feeling the sun on his face every once in a while, and the gentle motion of the stroller, because he smiled in his sleep a few times.

First bath!

Once Felix's cord stub fell off, we were excited to get him into his first bath! He didn't cry at all when we submerged him in the lukewarm water, and appeared to actually enjoy the activity. He busily sucked the water off of his hand while Alex scrubbed him down. When we pulled him out of the tub, he expressed his disapproval by screaming his head off. I think the air felt cool on his moist skin, but once he was clean, dry, and in a warm pair of PJs, he was happy again. And hungry. He is such a good eater - Great Grandma G would be proud. At his pediatric visit on Monday, he weighed in at 9 lbs 4 oz and is now 21 1/4 in! That's quite a growth spurt from his birth weight and height (7 lbs 9 oz, 19 3/4 in), and he's not even 3 weeks old yet!