A New Blog

Greg and I have made a big decision. Since Burke was born, it has been very clear in our minds what we were going to do, but we have made it official. I am going to tell you all about it and if you decide you don't want to follow our blog anymore, we certainly understand. The announcement of the new blog, by the way, is not our big decision.

For the past three years we have prayed very hard that God would bless us with a baby. We didn't pray, "please bring us our baby from China", we just said "please let us have a baby by whatever means you bless us with." When we found out I was pregnant last June I knew in my heart we would not be adopting from China. I felt maybe I should wait though before pulling our dossier and going public with our decision. When I held Burke I knew without a doubt I would not be adopting. I just wanted to wait a little longer before telling our agency. So, it is official we are no longer adopting from China. We are a very blessed family of three. We will be even more blessed if I should become pregnant again, but we will not be traveling to China to bring home a baby. Thank you all for following our journey to parenthood! I have made some great friends out in the cyber world and I am thankful for you all.

You can now follow our new blog at www.3jayhawksandabulldog.blogspot.com

Burkie is 4 Months Old!

Can y'all believe my baby boy is 4 months?! Time is just flying by. We saw Burke's Pediatrician today. The Doctor said Burke is doing fabulous! Burke weighed 14 pounds 4 ounces and was 25 inches long. He is in the 50% for weight and height. He is just perfect. So what has Burke been up to lately?

The biggest news is that Burke rolled over about three weeks ago! He has done it three times. Burke likes Tummy time now too. He prefers it over being on his back in fact. He also sleeps on his tummy now. With his Plagiocephaly we had to do something to get him off his head. It was so frustrating because when he was on his back it didn't matter how much we propped him when we would check on him he would be looking at the prop. Which wasn't helping his Plagiocephaly. We bought the Angel Care monitor which is basically a monitor that can tell Burke is moving and thus means he is breathing. Burke does not quite sleep through the night though. He goes to bed around 9:00 and wakes up around 4 or 5:00 in the morning. Also around 1:00 I hear him and get up and put his paci in. I am not tough. I can't let him cry. He is just too sweet to do that too! These first months go so quick. I just remind myself that someday I will miss holding him at 4:00 in the morning!

Burke LOVES his Bumbo! He loves to look around at everyone. Burke sits outside while I water the plants in it, he sits in when I cook, clean, wash bottles, he just loves it!

Burke enjoys watching Baby Einstein DVD's and he is just adorable when he watches that show. I never would have believed a baby can enjoy a video but they can! It will hold his attention for the whole 25 minutes. He only gets to watch it one time per day as I am kind of freaky about TV for my baby. Watching the DVD allows me sometime to get on the computer! ha!

Burke is smiling big time. He is talking a lot more too. He is still quite serious when he takes a bath, but I am getting more smiles. And a few splashes too!

My poor baby has allergies. They have been pretty bad. Mainly itchy eyes, sneezing, and congestion. He takes Benadryl about every other day until he is old enough then we will start Zyrtec. Poor little guy.

Burke had his pictures taken this week. The amazing Sarah Kealing, took them. I will try to share them with you if I can get permission. I've seen four of them, and well, they are adorable!

Tomorrow we are going to buy Burke's high chair. I had found the high chair I wanted when I bought the dream stroller. Well, Greg gave me the ok to get the dream high chair. I'll take pictures tomorrow! The reason we are buying a high chair is that Burke gets to start cereal! We just found out today by his Pediatrician. How exciting! I can't wait to see him try cereal!

Burke is a drooling maniac! He is drooling all the time. He also chews on his hand as often as possible. Along with my should, arms, blankets, etc. Anything that can go in his mouth he is trying to suck/chew on. The Pediatrician said he is probably starting to cut teeth, but it could be months before they appear.

I had a wonderful first Mother's Day. It was just the best. I thought a lot about last year and how I was so incredibly sad. How I had no idea that just a year later I would have my very own baby boy!

We had Burke's Dedication at the church on Saturday. Our good friends and neighbors came to the Dedication and then we went out for supper. It was a very special evening. On Sunday, we just stayed home. Burke got me a picture frame that I LOVE! Greg, thank you so much. You impress me more and more by how much you pay attention to my likes and wants. And then Burke and Greg got me an iphone! I have to say the iphone is amazing and there truly is an application for everything! Greg just pampered me all day. He got me donuts for breakfast and fixed me a yummy steak for supper.

We are going round and round with our insurance to get Burke's helmet approved. The helmet is NOT cheap and we really don't want to have to pay out of pocket. We have been denied two times. Each time they have wanted more information and they have now asked again. It really is ridiculous. I got very upset the other day. I can't take it personally, but I do. I am hoping third times a charm! Burke's PT continues to go well. He still prefers to look to his left. But his muscle in his neck is not as tight..which is a good thing. And he does turn his head more and more.

Is there anything else to tell you? Humm...Well a little about me. I've been asked about how my RA is doing. Well, about six weeks ago it came back. Darn it! And unfortunately it still hasn't calmed down. I am back to taking Remicade. But it hasn't started working yet. My RA is mainly in my hips right now. That is where it was when I first was diagnosed and when I had some discomfort in my pregnancy. I am fighting through it. I try not to think about it. I am a mom and Burke is my first concern. These old joints will eventually get better. They always have...

Oh and I had two of my friends come see Burke and I! We had a great time and it was wonderful to see them both!

My sister and her family will be here for Memorial Day weekend. We are having friends over for a BBQ so it should be a fun time!

I hope you all are doing well. Thanks for stopping by!

Love,

Alicia

Guess who is 3 Months?!

Hello friends! I'm sorry it has been a while since I last updated. Blogging just isn't the same now that I have my little man. I would rather spend my time hanging out with him rather than typing on the computer. I hope you all understand! I am going to start updating once a month or so for now on. Of course, if there is something oh so cute that Burke has done or a fun picture I will post, but for now I will post only once a month.

Happy 3 Months Burkie! It is hard to believe you are already three months! You are so much fun and such a cutie pie. Here is what you are up to lately!

- You love your bath or so we think. When you get in the bath tub you become completely serious. I mean no smiles all business. You don't cry or fuss you just don't smile. It is so funny.

- You love to hang out in you room. In the evening if you are getting fussy I will take you to your room and lay you in your crib. You will smile and coo and just kick your legs. Very cute!

- You are smiling more and more and it is the cutest smile I ever did see. You really smile for Daddy.

- You are trying hard to giggle and squeal, but you can't do it quite yet. You have your mouth open and your smile on, but nothing comes out, but a little coo. Also super cute!

- You decided you don't like your Miracle Blanket anymore. You started kicking and struggling when we put you in it, so no more swaddling.

- You are still a little peanut. You wear size 1 diapers and you are just starting to outgrow your 0-3 month clothing. You weigh 12 pounds!

- You don't like to take naps in your crib. You would rather sleep on me. I love to have you sleep on me, but I don't get anything done!

- You are turning your head to the right more and more each day. You don't really like doing your Physical Therapy, but if you have your paci you will tolerate it.

-You are holding your head up very well. You like to be held and show off your neck muscles!

-You like to look over my shoulder. That is your favorite position

-Running water soothes you. I find myself running the water a little longer than I should, just because you like it.

-Your eyes are big and blue and gorgeous...we are pretty sure they are going to stay blue.

-You HATE tummy time! I mean you HATE it. You get so upset and I can't stand to see you this upset.

-You found your fist this week. You really like your fist to suck on, but it also frustrates you when you can't keep it in there.

-You love your Paci.

-You look just like Daddy. In fact, Grandpa Pete says, you don't look a thing like Mommy. Grandma says you have my nose though!

-You went and saw the Neurosurgeon last week. The doctor thinks you need to wear a helmet to help your head shape. Mommy is very sad about this, but it is only temporary and we wouldn't want you to go though life with a misshapen head!

-You like to sit outside! Yeah!

-You have NO schedule. This week Mommy is going to try to get you on a schedule. Please pray for me friends!

-You like to go on lunch dates with the girls. You are such a good date!

-You like car rides as long as we aren't in stop and go traffic. Which we are a lot of times in Houston.

-You had your first road trip to San Antonio for Easter weekend. You were a great little traveler. You slept the whole way! That is four hours for those not familiar with Texas.

-You went back to San Antonio this weekend.

-You don't sleep well at all at night. You used to, but just recently decided you don't want to.

-You never cry if Mommy can help it. People tell Mommy that you need to spend some time crying and I laugh and say "I waited 14 years for him and I'll do all I can to keep him from crying". I think that is why you aren't on a schedule, you don't sleep well in your crib, and you like to sleep on me! Oh well....

I am having a great time with Burke. I am so blessed to be a stay at home Mom. I wouldn't trade these days for anything! I love my little man so very much!

I hope you all have a great month! Enjoy the pictures!

Love,

Alicia

10 weeks tomorrow!

Burke's Hippo Chair



Aunt Jinny and Burke



9 Weeks!


Momma and Burkie in the Blue Bonnets

As you can see this whole blogging thing is last on my priority list. I'm sorry to my loyal readers. Burke is just keeping me busy and to be honest I don't spend much time not holding Burke. I'm not good at typing and holding!

Burke's Aunt Jinny came to see him last week. Jinny and Greg have been friends since grade school and her and I have been friends since high school when I met Greg. Jinny lives in Denver and came to see us for four days! We were thrilled to have her and for her to meet our son.

The week before Jinny arrived Burke had his two month check up! As we suspected our little peanut is still quite small. He was in the 25% for weight and height! He weighed 10 pounds 12 ounces and was 22 inches long! We also found out Burke has torticollis. Torticollis is a big word, for a kink in the neck that started in my uterus. I am a short person and it is believed he didn't have much room in my uterus to move his head around. I started noticing Burke always turned to the left. So, we have started Physical Therapy. We also will see a few more doctors. It was awesome to have Jinny here because she is a Pediatrician doing her fellowship to be a Neonatologist. So, she came with us to PT and did a thorough examination on Burkie. She also had a heart to heart with me and reassured me it was nothing I did wrong. I have raked myself over the coals about this. Burke and I do lots of stretching through out the day and LOTS of tummy time! At first Burke didn't like tummy time but he is doing better.

While Jinny was here Burke decided he didn't really want to sleep at night. He fought his binki all night. If it fell out he would wake up screaming. He wouldn't go to bed until after midnight and wake up around 5:00. I was so tired. Burke wasn't because he would just sleep all day! So, on Saturday Greg said he wanted to put Burke to bed his way. Normally we do bath, then bottle, burp, and then he lays/sleeps on my chest until I am ready to go to bed. Greg put a stop to that. We started bath, bottle, burp, and then straight to bed. This routine made me sad, but I wasn't sad one bit when I slept from 10 p.m. until 5:30 a.m.!!! We catch up on cuddle time through out the day though! Tonight will be four nights and hopefully daddy's system continues to work!

Burke is almost giggling! In fact I think he does just real softly! It is precious to hear him coo! So sweet!

I know I have said this before but Burke loves bath time. He now likes to float (I support his head and tushy)he just lays back and enjoys himself thoroughly. So cute!

Tomorrow my friend Lori will be here to meet Burke! We are looking forward to seeing her! Burke is quite a popular guy!

I hope this all finds you doing well!

Love,

Alicia and Burke

Burke is smiling!

I do not know how people keep up with their blogs. This blogging is getting harder by the week. I have this cute little boy who takes up my time and I don't like to do anything other than tend to him! Actually sometimes I enjoy getting on the computer but I find myself looking for baby clothes, burp clothes, pacifier clips, etc!

Burke is smiling!! Talk about melting my heart! It is an adorable smile and the pictures don't do it justice! He usually smiles after his bottle and when he is getting his diaper changed in our bedroom. He is so stinking cute!

Burke is now sleeping in his crib! No longer is he in his bassinet! This is HUGE for me as his bedroom is upstairs and ours is downstairs. Thank God for baby monitors. And for the fact that I am not a deep sleeper. I hear him more now that he is upstairs than I ever did right next to our room. He wakes up about once a night around 3:00 or so and then around 6:00. He is quite dependant upon his paci though and when it falls out he is not so happy!










And I had to include this picture. As I told you, Burke doesn't like blankets. He wants his "piggie's free", as my friend Wendy said. This afgan that his Great Aunt Barbara made him is just perfect for keeping his piggies free!

I have Poker tonight at my house so I must go, to get groceries bought and the house cleaned! Enjoy the pictures of my little sweety!

Love,

Alicia

Mugshot Monday

Burke is 5 weeks already! He has been keeping me very busy, but I am enjoying every minute! The gas got worse last week and it broke my heart. I called our Pediatrician here and they suggested Mylicon and then Gripe Water. Neither worked. So on Saturday Mommy had it and made a call to our own private Pediatrician. Greg and I have a dear friend, Jinny, who is a big shot doctor, a Pediatrician, who is becoming a Neonatologist. She is simply amazing and has done so much! So Saturday I called Jinny and said "help". We made the decision to switch Burke's formula to a gentler one on his tummy. She told us it may not do a thing, but that it was worth a try. Although, I caution to say it is helping...we do think it is. Thank you Jinny!! We can't wait to see you this month!

Burke kind of has his nights and days mixed up again. We are not sure how this has happened, probably the gas. As the nights seem worse on his tummy. Hopefully we will get back on track.

Greg did his feedings on Saturday night and I slept horrible. I missed my little guy. So I think I will be doing his feedings for the most part. Greg is great help and does a great job with Burke, but I missed seeing Burke and couldn't wait for my feeding at 5:00. Crazy huh?!

We still don't take Burke out much. We took him to Chuy's last week and all the staff loved him! We ate at Chuy's the night I found out I was pregnant so it is a special place for us!

Burke is starting to have facial expressions when we talk to him. He is almost smiling! He had his first bath tub bath in his sling and he likes it. He is still a little fussy, but I know I am not a happy camper when my stomach hurts. Enjoy the pictures! Isn't he adorable?!

Mugshot Monday

I can't stand video games, but this is too cute!



Burke and his play mat...he loves to look at the fish and grab at them



Mommy loves Burkie



My cutie pie!



My poor baby is battling gas and constipation. He has had a rough 48 hours. I called the Pediatrician today and they told us to start some gas relief medication. It is over the counter and I can't remember what it is called. But poor Burke has been getting all red and kicking his legs up and just not being his usual happy self. Please pray that we get this solved as I can't stand to see him hurt or get upset. Especially over GAS!!! Here are a few of my favorite pictures from this week. Enjoy!