3%

Somtimes a little is all it takes.

Courtney had another weight check with the doctor yesterday. She now weighs 9 pounds, 3 ounces. That puts her in the 3rd percentile for full-term 3 month olds. Now remember, sure she's 3 months old now (14 weeks as of yesterday, to be exact), but if you go by her due date, she's only 5 weeks old. But, the goal of all of the medical folks is to get her to catch up to other kids her age...physically, mentally, developmentally, emotionally, etc. So, she's on the weight charts when compared to kids her own age.

We also had some developmental people stop by recently to test reflexes and motor skills and such. They were pleased with what they saw. I'm not sure how they figure it out, but she tested at 2 months. Good, considering she's 5 weeks by due date, but again, they want her to be a real 3 month old. So, they'll get back to us and there may be some developmental therepists (PT's, OT's...who knows what else) just to help her to catch up a little. Doesn't sound like a big deal, and really, couldn't we all use a little help with our coordination sometimes?

And she's starting to smile. Liz and I love that...we just melt. I tried to get a quick picture of one and just missed. Then she refused to smile again for me. Oh, well. She's still cute.

No News is Good News...Right?

Courtney is getting bigger.

Yup. That's it. Not much else is going on. I wish I could tell you something exciting like she is walking or cured cancer or something, but not much has happened lately. She's eating fine, starting to get into a sleeping routine, and we're all settling in pretty well. She's only getting up once at night...we feed her around 9 or 10, she's up around 2, then again about 6 when I'm getting up for work anyway. So all in all, not too bad.

I guess her weight is the only news. She's up over 9 pounds. Well, we think she is anyway. The visiting nurse made her last visit last Thursday and she weighed in at 8 pounds, 14 ounces. We're assuming she gained another 2 ounces in the last 4 days. Basically, we're rounding up.

So that's it. Other than a random smile that we get once in a while, things are pretty slow going. For now.

I'm In the Club!

I know I'm a day late, but I just wanted to wish all of my fellow fathers out there a happy Father's Day.

It was pretty cool to have people wishing me a happy Father's Day yesterday. This whole parenthood thing is still kinda sureal. But when certain things happen, it makes me take a second to think, "Hey, I'm a Dad! Holy Crap!" Yesterday was one of those things. Every time someone would say "Happy Father's Day!", I'd say thanks, but really I'd be thinking..."Me? Oh yeah. I guess I qualify now."

Anyway, hope all of you daddies out there had a great day. I for one am looking forward to many more to come.

No Rest For the Weary

I went back to work yesterday. I had been out for a little more than 3 weeks to help all of us ease into our new situation. I do have to say that even with the lack of rest, it was good to spend time at home with our newly expanded family. We have started to get into a routine...that is subject to change at any time. Liz and I are getting around 6 hours of sleep. Unfortunately, they tend not to come more than 2 or 3 at a time.

Courtney continues to pack on the weight. She's just over the 8 pound mark. She's starting to get stronger too. She's starting to hold her head up by herself a little, and when we put her on her tummy, she'll push herself up with her arms and legs. I call them her baby exercises.

And another hurdle was cleared. We had an appointment with the eye doctor. With premees, there's a risk of the eyes not developing fully. It has to do with the blood vessels in the back of the eyes not fully forming which leads to vision problems. Again, more stuff I never thought I'd need know. Anyway, her eyes were dialated, and the doctor got a good look (after her eyelids were held apart with little spreaders...not fun!). He gave her a 100% and she won't have to go back for another year.

So all is well. Except for, like I already said, the fact that I'm back at work. Now I remember how much my job really sucks.

Here's some new pics...she got to meet Uncle Steve for the first time and Uncle Dan (in the Red Sox shirt) and Aunt Jenn just got back from their honeymoon in Tahiti...must be nice.

Cat's First Night Out

Liz and I were offered the opportunity to go the the Red Sox/Yankees game tonight with a couple we know from church. So our little girl will be spending some quality time with Memere and Pepere (Gradma and Grandpa for you non-French speakers). As the tentative new parents that we are, we're a little worried about leaving her while we're out in Boston, but my parents are veterans of 4 children, so I'm sure everything will be fine. Of course, cell phones will be on just in case.

Here are some more pictures. That's Pepere feeding her for the first time, and the others are from her first tub bath. What a cute little ducky, right? At 10 weeks, she continues to get bigger. 7 and a half pounds and no signs of stopping!