Ethan is 1 month old

 

It is hard to believe that a month has already passed. Our baby boy is now one month old! Is it possible that he has slept through the first month? Just kidding, but he truly is such a great sleeper. Ethan is typically up in the mornings from either 6:30-8:30am or about 8:30-10:30am after one of his feedings then will go back to sleep and be up again in the evening typically around dinner time 6pm until 8-8:30pm when he will nurse and go to bed for the night. At night (starting around 3 wks old) it is typical for him to go 4.5-5hrs after being put to bed before nursing again then following that with 3-3.5 hr feeding. A few nights ago he actually switched and did 3 hrs first and then 5 hrs after which I was hoping would stick around, but has not yet repeated at this point. He wakes to feed 2.5-3.5hrs during the day then is back to sleep. Usually his first feeding after being awake from the night is shorter, but throughout the day 3hrs is very normal.

Ethan is not a huge fan of his car seat. In general, if he is sleeping he is okay with it, but he is often startled awake or gets a burp in his tummy or something and will go crazy until you pick him up and take him out of his car seat. This is obviously not ideal. This past week I tried swaddling down his arms after he was strapped in which has seemed to help a great deal unless he is simply hungry then it's best to just get him somewhere that I can feed him to make him happy.

At 2 weeks Ethan was 9lb 5.5oz and 22 inches long. At Ethan's 5 wk appointment he weighed 11lb 4oz!! Wow! He is certainly a growing boy. Exactly 3 lbs gained in the first 5 weeks of his life. He was also 22 & 3/4 inches long. (Gained over 2 inches) Ethan was wearing newborn diapers until 4 weeks old when we ran out and he now wears size 1 which fit great. He also wore NB clothing until then, but now I have put NB outfits and onesies away and he is wearing 0-3 and 3 month clothing (mostly Carters brand it seems).

Ethan smiled at me for the first time on my birthday, October 3rd. It was so sweet. Since then he has chosen to smile at many people especially in the evenings. He is a happy guy! At 3 weeks old he started noticing his mobile on his swing for the first time as it went around. It was so cute to watch him as he looked so fascinated by it. He also enjoys swinging at the animals on his bouncer and probably has the most fun laying flat on his activity center hitting the animals and kicking his feet. He is also very happy just to lay on a blanket on the floor and kick.

From the start Ethan recognized Ryan's voice which was so cute. He turns toward him whenever he is in the room and now will smile at him also as if to say "I'm so glad you're here too!" It is absolutely precious. While in the delivery room about an hour after he was born when Ryan came to meet him it was obvious that he knew Ryan's voice and would turn to him then which was so neat.

I'm not quite as good about giving him "tummy time" as I was with Ryan other than laying him on my chest. I am trying to be better about it at least once or twice a day. He is great at lifting his head while on someone, but on the floor he lifts it a little for a few minutes maybe then seems to not be interested and would rather just lay there sometimes sucking on his arm or hand. I'm sure he will master this in time. One morning while giving him tummy time he was lifting his head high and rolled tummy to back 3 or 4 times. So strong! He has not yet repeated it though.

There's my little Ethan update. I am really not good about blogging anymore, but trying to get better. Enjoy a few 1 month photos. Thanks to my bestie Melissa for the cute monthly stickers!

~Emily

Ryan's 2.5yr post

This post is a little over a month delayed, but better late than never. Photos are from August 2012. I wanted to provide an update for Ryan now that he is 2.5 yrs old!

• Ryan can count 1-20 in order (although, 17 is often fiveteen and sometimes he goes from 16 to 19, 20!)
• Memorized and recited first memory verse Eph 6:10 "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."
• Finally figured out the "Go Frogs" fingers just in time for football season!
• Has large repertoire of songs and sings often (while working on puzzles, around the house, sings himself to sleep...)
• Large vocabulary of words with new sentences everyday including repeating whatever people say. If he doesn't understand what you say he will look puzzled and say "what mommy??" until you explain
• He is crazy observant in general, but also has a great sense of direction when it comes to where people live. We taught him a few months ago the cities where people live so for example, you can ask: "Where do Gramma and Papa live?" to which he will say "Paino" (Plano- just wrote phonetically how he says it)
• Weighed 32.4lb at a Dr appt 9-18-12
• He loves to "perform" singing songs on the fireplace. Especially when his Daddy "presents him"
• McDonald's is "old bah-Donald's" and he Follows seeing the golden arches sign with "old badonald had a farm. EIEIO"
• Ryan became a Big Brother 9-14-12 and is in love with his Baby "Efan" (Ethan) He always asks to hold him and thinks it is his job to bring a new diaper every time Ethan has a "poo poo or tee tee"
• Started his first day of 2 yr old preschool at Church on Rush Creek 9-4-2012. He goes Tues/Thurs 9am-2:30pm
• Ryan is working on his days of the week and is always interested in what day it is. He almost has them down in order. He knows Dad works Mon-Fri and that "no work" Sat/Sun
• Currently LOVES Mickey Mouse and anything Thomas the Train (these are also the only 2 shows he watches)
• Loves hide n seek, playdoh, chalk, coloring, bubbles, puzzles, playing in his water table, swimming, using markers on a marker board, going to the park, walks around the neighborhood, waving to the garbage men, and picking out new books at the library among other things.

Random Ryan stories:

• At mom and dad's house in early Aug, he and Naomi were playing and both rushed into the room and grabbed Mike and said there were "monsters in the other room, hurry hurry". To which Mike replied, what should I say to them? Ryan quickly exclaimed "let my people go!!" which brought out much laughter from the rest of the family. We had recently covered the Bible story of Moses and Pharaoh reviewing from his Sunday School class. Such a cutie!

• One day while getting ready I observed him through the monitor "reading" his bible for boys. I was surprised how much he remembered from just looking at the pictures. Here is what I heard: "Zaccheus you come down", "let my people go" moses, Pharaoh said "no", "Jesus is Alive! Yay!" (followed by clapping)

 

Some sentences we hear often or that were funny and I wrote them down:
 

"oh well, maybe next time"

"alright Dad, I not do that anymore"

"Mommy I need to have a Kleenex, (me-do you have a runny nose?) No, I just have boogies in my nose. "

"everybody hide, shh... Tip toe tip toe tip toe"

"Daddy, be careful! There are monsters outside"

"Daddy, you count, I'll hide"

"Yes, I do want to have it"

"You no help me Mommy, I do it by myself!"

 

Lastly, Ryan is a sweet boy with lots of emotions which include humor, being loving/cuddly, kind, helpful, and sensitive, but he also definitely has a hot little temper and some typical "terrible twos" moments. We are trying our best to teach him to be respectful to his parents and elders and to listen and obey when given a direction. This requires a lot of "action" and immediate correction on our part. We also have our work cut out for us at times redirecting his anger/temper into communicating with his words instead of hateful actions and are currently battling some "biting/pinching/hitting" moments.

No one said parenting would be easy and it can definitely be tiring work at times for Mike and me, but we trust that God has not given us more than we can handle and are choosing to believe that He will guide us through the challenging moments. We pray our actions would ultimately glorify Him and lead our son in a way that he will one day seek to know Jesus as his personal Savior. If you are looking for a specific way to pray for us this Fall it would be that Mike and I remain calm in challenging situations and exhibit patience and understanding with Ryan. Also, that Ryan would make good choices and choose to be obedient. Prayers that we continue to keep up our daily prayer and Bible study time would be great as well because we know it makes a difference for both of us in our day. Thank you for your partnership and friendship!!

Love,
The Campbells

Welcome Baby Ethan!

 

 

 

 

 

Ethan Robert Campbell joined us Friday, September 14th @ 8:13 p.m. weighing 8lbs 3.9oz and 20.5 inches long. He already has many features that resemble his big brother, Ryan, and he is such a blessing to us! We love you Ethan and are so glad you are here!

Love,
Mommy, Daddy, and Big Brother Ryan

Preschool on the Creek

Ryan started his first day of 2 yr old Preschool today at the Church on Rush Creek. He will be attending Tues/Thurs 9am-2:30pm. His teacher is Mrs. Janis and the helper is Mrs. Kristin. We are looking forward to a really fun year. I am happy to have at least the first day of school "kid free" and am trying to get caught up on things around the house (including blogging). Later, I plan to get out and do some shopping. After this week, this will be my "Ethan only" time as I recover from delivery and learn more about my newest little boy.

Ryan was very excited this morning about preschool and wanted to carry all of his things inside (and in the car on the way there). He saw one child before him crying as she went in and seemed a little hesitant for a moment, but Janis and I stayed happy and I told him how much fun he was going to have. I gave him a kiss and he waved and smiled and went right in. I can't tell you how big of a change this is for him just as of 5-6 months ago. He is growing up so fast and getting to be such a big boy. I'm so proud of him!

It is hard for me to imagine 5.5 hrs without him twice a week as he's never been away from me at a childcare type thing for more than 2 hrs his whole life and I usually have a commitment (aka church, mops meeting, etc) during that set time frame unlike right now. He has of course done overnights with my parents and had his other grandparents and one sitter watch him for a few hours. I know he will do great and just hope he obeys his teachers and asks to go potty when he needs to. He was already telling me this morning how he was going to "share with his new friends today". Let's hope this is true! ;)

Here are some photos from the first day of school!

~Emily

5 Year Anniversary!

Mike and I were happy to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary this past Saturday, Sept 1st. (Ethan was nice and didn't come that evening and spoil our date night) We spent the first part of the day with Ryan and began with donuts and presents for breakfast. Mike and Ryan played while I was able to get ready in peace and then at 3:00pm he went to Nana and Grandaddy's house to attend a friend's wedding that evening and spend the night.

Mike and I had dinner reservations at 6pm at Eddie V's in Fort Worth. We actually decided to arrive a little bit early and watched the end of the Tulsa game in the bar and just sat visiting with one another. We had an order of their calamari for an appetizer. Mike had a manhattan and the bartender made me a special fruit "mocktail" concoction that included pinneapple juice, orange juice, pomegranate, lemons, limes, marachino cherries, & sprite etc. It was very tasty!

At 6pm we sat at our table and they had a card wishing us a happy anniversary and the server spread out red rose petals across the table which I thought added a nice touch! For dinner, Mike ordered the Seafood Trio that came with 2 crab stuffed shrimp, 2 scallops, and a small filet. I ordered the Chilean Sea Bass Hong Kong style with a side of spinach. Both entrees were wonderful and certainly did not disappoint. For dessert, the restaurant provided bananas foster which was absolutely incredible! We ate every single bite!! It was even on the house in celebration of our anniversary. Our evening was really very nice as we were able to sit and enjoy uninterrupted company of one another and some really incredible food. It is not very often that we dine without our precious 2.5yr old, but it is so much more relaxing when it is just us two. We are glad we got this opportunity before baby Ethan joins us sometime in the next week. Eddie V's did a nice job setting the atmosphere and everyone who waited on us was excellent.

After dinner we enjoyed some relaxing alone time and then picked up a Redbox movie on the way home and just enjoyed the peace and quiet of our own home. It was really a very enjoyable evening together. Thanks Mom and Dad for watching Ryan for us!

I am so very thankful for my sweet husband and the 5 years we have spent married to one another. It seems like just the other day that we were on our honeymoon relaxing in Hawaii (can't wait to go back) and now we almost have 2 kids! Time flies when you are having fun. :) I am certainly enjoying life with my spouse and can't imagine life any other way. I love you Michael and pray for many more years of happiness and partnership with you! xoxo

~Emily

It's September! 39 weeks pregnant!

I apologize that I have really done a pretty terrible job documenting this pregnancy on the blog. Ever since we have moved the computer upstairs I rarely get on it anymore. I typically only check email and facebook through my iPhone. Therefore, blogging has really taken a backseat. However, as we are expecting Ethan to arrive any day now, I thought I would catch up with the latest Dr's appointment and where we are currently.

On Friday, August 31st, I had my 38 week Dr's appointment. Dr. Daum performed a sonogram so that we could get an estimate/idea about baby Ethan's size at this point.  Based on the sonogram, weight estimate from measurements was 7lb 14oz (+\- 15oz). Dr Daum said he was surprised he was measuring so big, but we weren't. I had actually guessed about 7lb 8oz before we went into the appointment. It is of course approximate, but likely pretty close to accurate I think as I expect him to be in the mid 8lbs like Ryan. He was measuring 69th% on the growth chart. Leg measured 39wk 4day, all Other measures 38wk 3-4day, I was currently 38wk 2day. Regarding "progress" I was dilated 2cm, and had gained 2lb in just this past week for total of 22lb. Baby is head down facing my back so he is in the right position which is definitely a good thing! I am hopeful that Ethan doesn't want to hang around until my due date like Ryan did, but there is really no telling. God likes to teach me patience over and over again (I'm a slow learner), and I know that the longer he is in there the healthier (and potentially heavier...) he will be. :) I think it's the thought of the later that makes me feel anxious.

Continued prayers for safe and healthy delivery for Ethan and me are very much appreciated. Hope to be sharing some good news soon!

32 week appointment

I had my 32 week appointment today and gained another 2 lbs, so almost 17 total now. Luckily, gaining weight has been very steady and no dramatic jumps like last time. It looks like if I go to 40 weeks and maintain at this same rate I will wind up only weighing about 2-3 lbs less than my pregnancy with Ryan. My belly measured at 33 weeks, so more in line with the sonograms showing that he is growing and going to likely be tall like Ryan. The particularly good news was Dr Daum determined that he is finally head down. Hooray! Ethan is still very active and no concerns from me or the Dr. Next appointment scheduled August 6th.