Four Months Old!!

Here are my four month pictures, Mommy took them with Daddy's help.

Highlights from this week...

I rolled over...this is the best picture mommy could get...

I love sleeping with my blanket over my head...don't worry, mommy always checks to make sure it's not covering my mouth...

We went swimming at Poppy and Granny's...

I love my exersaucer...

Casper Rolled Over!!

Back to front, three times in a row! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of their little guy!

Almost 4 months old...

and here's what I can do now:

I can suck on my toes...

I can do airplane...

I can play on my tummy for along time...

I can almost roll over, but practicing makes me so tired...

I'm just plain cute, even when I'm sleeping...

Cereal Anyone?

Boy have we been dealing with a fussy baby for the past couple of days. It seems like no matter what we do he is bound and determined to be unhappy and not nap...it's exhausting. Granny said she went to bed at 7:30pm last night because she was so exhausted from trying to deal with the fussy baby. The worst part about Casper being fussy is that he won't sit still...he's climbing all over you and squirming to get away.

We can't decide if his schedule gets messed up on the weekends, he's teething, it's a growth spurt, or he just isn't getting enough to eat. I have had a hard time lately keeping up with his feeding demands so, despite my hesitations, we have decided to start trying to give him a little cereal in the evening to see if that will calm him down. He has been acting like he's ready...he watches what we eat, he puts everything in his mouth, he acts like he's chewing, all signs point to it being the right time.

Tonight was the first night of 1 tablespoon of rice cereal to 4 tablespoons of breastmilk. He seemed to love it. He had no problem eating all of it and left barely anything on his face or bib. Several times he lunged for the spoon like he was starving to death. I think we made the right decision. Although, after dinner he was still fussy and not wanting to sleep...maybe they are unrelated, I am open to suggestions if anyone has any.

When I saw him tonight, in his high chair, eating from a spoon, I realized again how fast he is growing up. Sometimes he seems so old! Last night I noticed that he looks so much bigger in his crib. He used to lay on a waterproof pad in the center of the crib and would barely cover the whole thing, now only his bottom fits on the pad. We've also stopped swaddling which makes him look so much older...my baby is growing up and he's only 16 weeks old...what happens when he turns 16 years old?????

Update for this week...

Casper had a great week, here are the highlights...

We had a family get together since my Aunt Diane and Uncle Larry were in town for a couple of weeks. Here's some pics of us hanging out at Granny and Poppy's...

We finished remodeling the bedroom...

I sang with Poppy...

I planned an Antelope hunting trip with Daddy...

I sat in the highchair for the first time...

I learned to kick andsplash in the bathtub...

We went to the fair and played in the petting zoo...

It was a fun week, for more pictures go to www.thomafamilyphotos.shutterfly.com...

Your Baby Can Read

Granny & Poppy went to Arizona and all I got was this t-shirt!

Chris saw the infomercial for Your Baby Can Read and thought it was a great idea so we bought it. Casper loves to watch the videos, they keep his attention pretty well, his favorites are the Tiger and the Dog...I'm not sure if he can read yet or not but he's only had it for one week. This picture is of him watching his video...

Here's reading with daddy...they are reading the hunter supply catalog and teaching Casper about deer stands...

Poppy came over and sang to Casper this week, that was fun...(Never mind the junk in the background, we are fixing drywall and repainting the master bedroom and all of our furniture is in the living room)

Check out http://www.thomafamilyphotos.shutterfly.com/ for more pictures and some videos (they get kind of boring but you can see Casper laughing).

Casper's in the hospital

So, here's the story… On Monday Casper had a fever of 100.8. We went to his well baby appt. that afternoon and I mentioned his fever. Since he had no other symptoms they wanted to put him in the hospital on IV antibiotics until we found out why he had a fever. So far we think it's a virus but it might be a bacterial infection so we will continue with the antibiotics until Monday. His fever is gone now but peaked Tuesday at 101.5. He also got a rash as a reaction to one of the meds but the rash is almost gone now. Other than being sleepy he doesn't act sick at all. I have been staying with him full time except for a couple of hours yesterday when I went home to pack a bag. Thanks for well wishes and prayers, he is better!

Happy Days...

We celebrated Casper's 4 week birthday, one month birthday, and Mother's Day this weekend...what fun!!

On Thursday, Casper was four weeks old. I can't believe it's already been four weeks, and yet it seems like he has been in our lives forever. He is getting such a personality, it is so obvious he was meant to be a part of our family. For example, he always turns toward the picture window and looks out at the trees...he gets that from his dad. He's a little grumpy when he wakes up and doesn't like to go to sleep when he thinks he might miss something...he gets that from his mom.

Saturday was the ninth...his one month birthday! Mommy and Casper hung out together in the morning but he hung out with Daddy that evening while Mommy went to a wedding. This was the second time that Daddy was in charge and he did another great job. I really think Chris enjoys the time alone with the little guy..I can't be certain but I think they must talk about hunting. Chris has offered to do it again so mommy can go out with her friends sometime.

Sunday was, of course, Mothers Day which has historically not been one of my favorite days, but this year was so different. Last year I didn't go to church on Mother's day because it always made me feel so sad. Our church does an amazing job of celebrating mothers but I just didn't think I would be able to hold back my tears last year. This year was completely different! Thank you so much to everyone who went out of their way to make this a special day for me. So many folks said that I was one of the first people they wanted to say Happy Mother's Day to, I am truly blessed to have such wonderful friends. In addition, Daddy and Casper bought Mommy a mother's ring with all of our birth stones, I can't wait for the order to come in. I have always wanted a mothers ring - "someday" - and this is something Chris remembered me talking about even before we were married.

Also on sunday, a photographer friend from church gave us a wonderful gift of a photo shoot...I used it as an oppotunity to commorate Casper's one month birthday. They took some beautiful photos. It wasn't planned for me to be included but I am glad I was since this was also a great way to commorate my first Mother's Day. Check out the pictures at aviaphotography.zenfolio.com/casperboone. Also, please hire Avia Photography if you need a photographer (Avia means God is my father in hebrew). Thanks so much Brian and Mallory!!

Just in case you were wondering, I love being a Mommy!!

Whew...we've been busy

Wow, I can't believe how long it's been since I've updated. It feels like I haven't accomplished anything but I haven't been bored either. What have I been up to? Feeding, changing diapers, rocking to sleep, sleeping, repeat. I haven't figured out how to get anything done while taking care of this sweet baby. I try to do things while he's sleeping but I need to catch some zz's too...and he doesn't sleep that much anymore, at least not at one time. Amazingly, things like eating, taking a shower, and paying the bills take priority over updating my blog.

Besides the normal tasks of a new mom, we did have my Aunt Joann and Uncle Greg visiting for a long weekend this past week. That was a lot of fun. Aunt Jo was more than willing to take care of Casper while I took a shower or did anything else. Unfortunately, this week with him has been a little more difficult since I think he is missing the extra attention he got last weekend. He doesn't like to sleep in his crib anymore, he likes to be held, and he likes to have someone paying attention to him at all times.
Here are some pictures from recent days...for more take a look at our photo website, http://thomafamilyphotos.shutterfly.com/.

Happy 1 Week Birthday Little Guy!!

I cannot believe you have been with me for a whole week already...boy time flies. This has been the most life changing and amazing week ever! I am so happy to have you as my little boy. I thank God for you each and every moment of every day, thank you for being you! I love you!!

Announcing....

Casper Boone Thoma

April 9, 2009

3:56pm

7 lbs 3 oz

20 3/4 inches

We are so excited to announce the arrival of the most beautiful and perfect baby in the whole wide world. I have never seen a baby so smart, cute, charismatic, strong...I could go on and on. We are absolutely in love with this little man, I didn't know something could steal your heart so quickly! I am head over heels...is it possible to kiss a baby too much?

There are so many amazing pictures of our little guy that I decided not to post them on the blog and instead I have set up a family website on shutterfly to share with everyone. Please check out http://thomafamilyphotos.shutterfly.com/. You may have to become a member, if so you can do that on the site.

If you're interested, I have included a play by play of our first couple of days together...

Despite my valient efforts at visualization, walking, and other forms of internet recommended labor inducements, I was not able to go into labor without assistance. So, Chris and I reported to the hospital at 6pm on Wednesday night to be induced Thursday morning. On Wed. I was given oral prostagladins which work to soften the cervix. They gave me a new dosage every 3 hours and I started having some more significant contractions in the middle of the night as a result. I was in a hospital bed, hooked up to the fetal heart monitor but not terribly uncomfortable. Poor Chris had to sleep in one of those awful hospital "recliners" that are never quite big enough for him. He ended up pulling up another chair to put his feet on. We hung out for the evening with no real excitement, watching American Idol and Slumdog Millionaire.

Thursday morning Dr. Trammell arrived at about 7:00 am to see how I was progressing. I was much more effaced so he went ahead and broke my water and started me on Pitocin to start contractions. Mom and Dad arrived around 8:30 or 9:00 to hang out for the day and Chris's mom came a little bit later. The Pitocin definitely worked to get the contractions going. The nurse and I discussed pain medicines...my original plan was to try to go with IV pain meds only but after three weeks of contractions, I was waivering on this decision. We started some IV pain meds around 10 o'clock and all that did was make me dizzy...it didn't do anything for the pain. About an hour later the nurse told me that I was dialated to 3+ cm and so I could do an epidural anytime even though it was only early labor. I progressed a little further then asked the nurse if it was too early to do the epidural...she said that all of the other induced mommies for the day had gotten it much earlier...I was the last one holding out, so I gave in. Although the process of getting the epidural put in is not fun, it definitely changed the course of my labor and delivery. From that point on, I didn't feel anything...in fact my legs were almost completely numb. I had to have Chris pick them up every once in a while and move them toward the center of the bed so they wouldn't fall off.

At about 3:00pm the nurse checked my cervix and decided that I was getting close to 10 cm. and about ready to start pushing. She paged Dr. Trammell and we started prepping for the delivery. I still couldn't feel my legs but I was starting to feel some contractions so I used my epidural "booster" button which was just the right amount. At about 3:30 I started some practice pushes and they actually got things moving. My contractions were still three minutes apart but that gave me plenty of time to rest and push the next time. All in all, I pushed for 25 minutes...about 6 contractions and Dr. Trammell showed up just in time for the last two contractions. Chris said I made it look real easy...I think it went easier than I could have ever imagined. I think Chis was really proud of me since he sounded so amazed during delivery and he brags to everyone that I made it look so easy. Although I didn't realize it at the time, I did tear a little and that is sure causing me some problems now...but it's all worth it. We are overjoyed with our little boy!

We spent Friday in the hospital and saw lots of visitors both Thursday night and all day Friday...we are blessed to have so many friends that want to spoil our baby. we went home...I think earlier than the nurses intended but I was ready to go. Both nights we were in the hospital Casper spent some time in the nursery, but not much. Neither Chris or I slept much on Thursday night since we would just lay there and watch him sleep. On Friday, Chris had to work some and also had an early morning delivery on Saturday so he didn't spend the night Friday night. Casper and I had fun in the times we were hanging out together, alone. We just snuggled and cuddled. Friday night was a little tough, we were trying not to use a pacifier but after a couple of hours of trying, I gave in and am glad that I did. I was afraid that it would hurt his nursing but it didn't bother him at all.

After Chris got back from his delivery on Saturday morning, we went home...I think earlier than the nurses intended but I was ready to go. We spent that day at home with just the three of us - napping, snuggling, changing diapers - it was perfect. We tried to have him sleep in the pack and play in our room but we were jumping up at every little noise. Halfway through the night we moved him to the nursery and turned on the monitor...that worked much better. I didn't get much sleep over those first days but I hardly noticed, I just slept whenever I felt like it and that worked well for me.

Sunday was Easter but we satyed home and just enjoyed each other again. Granny and Poppy came by and brought us Easter dinner and some presents for Casper. Then Mommy gave Casper the Easter basket that the bunny had left for him. He liked alot of his new toys. On Sunday night Chris had to go to bed early to do his route on Monday at 4 am so Casper slept in his room and I slept in the spare bedroom...except I started watching a movie and didn't try to get to sleep until right before he was ready to eat. I only got about 2 hours sleep total that night, but we were awake to say goodbye to Daddy when he left in the morning. I know, I know, sleep when the baby sleeps...I'm learning :) In fact, I am starting to enjoy our naps together...I don't think I am spoiling him by holding him for every nap and cuddling together.

Nursing has been going as easy as the delivery and I am very thankful for that. Casper weighed 6 lbs 11 oz when we left the hospital and had gained 3 oz when we went to our first doctor appointment on Monday. Dr. Holly thought he was doing wonderfully! He was slightly jaundiced so we had to get some lab work done...which was not fun at all, for Casper or Mommy. Then we had to go back again on Tuesday to retest. I prayed that his billirubin would be low so that we wouldn't have to do the lab work again...it's so hard to watch him go through that. Thankfully his levels were stablized and we didn't have to do anything special and his jaundice was not progressing.

I can't think of anything to report...all is well with the world. My life is a dream come true!!!