An Ice Cream Cone...

Sorry that I haven't posted sooner, but better late than never, right....

Our feedings with Carson have improved; he is taking close to 2 ounces and the gagging has decreased. The first 3-5 days of feedings were scary because he seemed to gag and choke and then spit-up. We were rushing to get the bulb syringe sometimes 2-3 times per feeding - difficult during the middle of the night. He probably weighs close to 6 pounds. We'll know for sure on Monday at his first doctor's appointment with shots (ouch!). Carson is more alert, but still sleeps often. He usually eats and goes back to sleep except for one feeding per day. At that one feeding, he stays awake between feedings. He can sleep through the vacuum cleaner, television and Ella's screaming so I think we have a good sleeper. He enjoys his bouncy seat with vibration and his playard with vibration; I think it helps with his gas. His formula is rich in everything so he seems to have lots of smelly gas. When you look at his size, most would not expect his strength. He can hold up his head while laying on his stomach and while on my shoulder. And today, he rolled over from his stomach to back. We were late in giving tummy time to Ella and she hated to lay on her belly; Carson actually prefers his belly. He still sucks on his pacifier, but he seems to be trying to suck his thumb. We had a second eye doctor appointment and his eyes improved, but we still go back in two weeks. Thanks for all the prayers!

Ella is amazing with Carson. If he cries, she runs to get his pacifier and brings it to me. She also attempts to console him by saying "otay, Carson" meaning it's okay Carson. She loves to hold his hand and buckle him in. We've let her hold him a couple times and she is very pleased with herself. We just have to remind her about limits because she wants to do everything we do with him. She wants to pick him up, feed him, burp him and carry him by herself. She is a proud big sister and constantly wants to know where he is.

We celebrated Ella's birthday with my family and she had a few funny stories. My sister Amy gave her an outfit with a necklace and socks. Who would have thought that Ella's favorite part would be the socks? We had a meltdown when I tried to remove the socks for bedtime; she slept in them. My dad got her a fire engine; she loved it. She woke everyone up the next morning with the siren. My dad brought Carmen with him. Although Ella can say Carmen, she sometimes called her Caramel. Since Ella can repeat anything I say, I decided to ask her to say some bigger words such as Mississippi and Colorado. For some reason, she now refers to Carmen as Mississippi. Where'd Mississippi go? Mississippi has also been accused of taking mommy's coffeepot (I don't have one) and her lollipop.

What are aunts for? Introducing nieces and nephews to new foods such as Cheetos and ice cream. We usually get our ice cream in bowls so a cone was a new treat for Ella. As Vic was leaving Aunt Debbie's, Aunt Debbie gave her an ice cream cone - cookies and cream. Since Vic didn't bring the wagon, he had to carry her with an ice cream down the street; they both were wearing it by the time they arrived home. It didn't matter - she LOVED it!