Friday, May 15, 2009

Colby's First Word

Our little monkey said his first word! I can't believe he is already old enough to be talking. We were having dinner the other night, and in a moment of silence (which doesn't happen around here very often), Colby said "da-da." Jason and I just kind of looked at each other in amazement, unsure if we had really heard him right. Colby quickly repeated "da-da" very clearly and got the biggest smile on his face. He was so proud! I guess he knew he had done something great. Brody got excited too! He started clapping and screaming, "Good Job Colby! Good Job Colby!" It was such an awesome moment! I am so happy that we were able to hear the first "da-da" as a family and then capture the next few on video!

Funny fact: Brody's first word was also "da-da," and he said it while we were having dinner at a Mexican Restaurant. We just happened to be eating Mexican food when Colby said "da-da" the other night, too. I guess our boys like Mexican Food, just like their momma!!


Colby is having so much fun with his new word, repeating it all day long. I keep trying to get him to say "momma," but I've had no luck yet. I think "da-da" must be his favorite person. I don't care what he says, as long as I get to hear him talk. It is such a sweet, sweet sound!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

9 Months Old

Who would have thought 9 months could pass so quickly? I sure didn't! When our pediatrician came in to examine Colby for his well check-up, he said he double checked the paperwork before he came in the room. He could not believe that little Colby was already 9 months old. Time really does seem to be flying.

Colby's well check-up went great! Dr. Hudson once again told us that Colby is healthy and happy. He is still meeting all of his developmental milestones, which is a big relief for me...I have been worrying about this more lately. He is also continuing to follow his own little growth curve. He is not on the actual growth chart yet, but his weight is perfect for his height. This is why he looks chubby, even though he is a little guy! His weight was 14 lb 11 oz, so he has gained 1 1/2 lbs since his 6 month check-up. I realize that this is not great, but it is at least a gain! He also grew 1 1/2 inches and is now 25 inches long. It is no surprise to me that Dr. Hudson said his head circumference is still around 30% on the growth chart, measuring at 17 1/2 inches. I choose to believe Dr. Hudson when he says his head is only big for his body because he is so smart!! He has to have room for his big brain!

Luckily, Colby did not have to receive any immunizations with this visit! The only painful thing that happened was having his toe pricked. At 9 months, our pediatrician checks all babies for anemia. Colby is in the clear on this. Surprisingly, Colby really did not even cry when she pricked his toe. Debbie is the best nurse ever! She sang "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" while she was doing it, and then Brody took over and sang his "Zoe" song. Colby was so entertained that he forgot he was supposed to be fussing.

In the past three months, Colby has mastered a few more skills. He is sitting up great! In fact, that is how he is the happiest. He spends most of his awake time sitting up playing with toys or books and watching Brody run around him. He recently started leaning forward for toys and ending up on his belly. He quickly rolls over to his back, though, because he is not a big fan of being on his tummy! Colby also enjoys us holding him so he can stand up. I guess really he is happy in any position that allows him to see everything that is going on around him. He is a very curious baby and does not want to miss out on anything. In the last few weeks, he has started voicing his opinion on things going around him as well. It is funny to hear him "talk." I just love listening to all of his different sounds and volume changes. I am in big trouble when he starts actually talking, especially if he talks as much as Brody does!

We have been trying lots of new foods with Colby in the last couple of weeks, and our pediatrician gave us the okay to give him meats and table foods now. So, we will be trying to feed him as much as we possibly can, because any additional calories will be helpful! Colby does not do too well with baby foods, though. For some reason, he does not like eating from a spoon. He prefers to feed himself finger foods. His favorites are bananas and Gerber Cheese Puffs, which are a lot like Cheetos. He has also eaten some Cheerios, Gerber Meat Sticks, toast, peas, teething crackers, potato, kiwi, watermelon, pears, and Gerber cookies. He continues to take around 25-28 ounces of breast milk a day, fortified with the corn oil. He doesn't really follow an eating schedule...we are still just giving him milk whenever he will drink it. His biggest intake time is between 8:30 and 11:30 at night. It is strange, but it is working for now. We hope that he will continue to get better at eating different foods and start packing on some pounds. I have definitely been much more relaxed about him trying foods than I ever was with Brody. I am not sure if that is because he is the "second child," or if it is because I know he desperately needs to take in some more calories each day.

As I have said before, Jason and I are really taking time to celebrate each of Colby's milestones, no matter how small they may seem. Colby and the other heart babies that we have grown to know and love have taught us just how precious life is. We are just so thrilled that he has been doing so well. He has been exceeding all expectations up to this point, and that makes us so very happy and thankful. God has blessed our family!




It is crazy to look back and see just how much Colby has grown and changed in 9 months. It is truly amazing! 2 Weeks Old

3 Months Old

6 Months Old

9 Months Old

Check out his new hairdo. It is getting so long and sticks straight up!

Colby's First Tooth

After several months of very swollen gums and chewing on anything and everything, Colby finally got his first tooth. His bottom left tooth came through just a few days ago on May 1st. Then, two days later, his bottom right tooth appeared. It is hard to see these tiny teeth in the pictures, but trust me, they are there and very sharp! Colby is hilarious trying to feel these new teeth with his mouth. He has been doing what we call his "old man face" where he sucks in his bottom lip. It looks very similar to a man that has just taken out his dentures. Too funny!

Our little old man

Monday, May 4, 2009

Spring Fling 2009

Primrose School of Hendersonville's Spring Fling was a huge success this past Saturday! It may not have been ideal weather for a carnival, but that didn't stop everyone from having a great time! Lynn Johnson, Ashley O'Nuki, the McGees, and all of the staff at Primrose did an awesome job! I think this was the best Spring Fling yet, even with the rainy weather. They raised $5,000 during the day. This means that the Vanderbilt PCICU will receive a donation of $2,500 in Colby's name. I think this is pretty incredible!


Brody and Colby had so much fun. Brody rode the ponies, dunked Mr. Jason in the dunk tank (with a little help from dad), bought some cookies from the bake sale, and rode the "choo-choo" train SEVERAL times!! Colby even got to ride on the train with Brody a couple of times, which I think he really enjoyed. There were so many other fun things to do...an inflatable bouncer, a big slide, games, face painting, build a bear, and activities. Brody was so focused on the ponies and train, though, that he didn't make time to do anything else. He didn't even eat a hot dog, which is really unlike him!



The silent auction items this year were great too!! There were several that I would have loved to have bid on, but Jason and I decided we should probably stick to just one. Luckily for us, we won it!! It was a basket called "Foods Around Hendersonville." It is loaded with gift cards from several of our favorite restaurants here in Hendersonville! With as much take out as we like to do, this is the perfect basket for us!






I want to thank the McGees and Primrose once again for doing this year's Spring Fling in honor of Colby. It means so much to our family! I know that Vanderbilt PCICU will be so grateful to receive this donation. Thanks for a great day filled with fun!