Dominick: Week 3

Dominick actually turned 3 weeks on Monday (9/24), but I wanted to wait until after his appointment on Tuesday to get his stats. In 1 week he gained 1 lb 4 oz! Such a big boy!
Weight

Birth: 7 lbs 13 oz

Week 3: 10 lbs 2 oz

Length

Birth: 22 in

Week 3: 21.5 in

Diapers

newborn 
You've actually had a couple of blowouts this week which have lead to some fun diaper changes.

Clothes

newborn and some 0-3 (the smaller ones)

 Eating

You are still an exclusively breastfed baby. You did take about 1 oz from a bottle for the first time this week. You eat every 2-4 hours and are the messiest eater!

 Sleep

You still don't really care to take naps. You will wake up around 7-8 most days and be up until afternoon with an occasional cat nap. You will take around a 2 hour nap in your pack and play and then be up until 7-8 before going to bed for the night. At night time you'll sleep around 4 hours at a time before you wake up eat for about 5-8 minutes and go back to sleep again. I am so, so thankful you're doing so well.

 Likes
Going for walks
Car rides 
Your swing
Eating
Your activity mat
Cuddling and being held by your momma
Playtime with daddy

 Dislikes
Sitting in your car seat (you just get too hot)
Getting dressed
Falling asleep
Getting hungry 
Choking because of momma's "forceful" let down
Dirty diapers

Dominick,

I cannot believe that you're already 3 weeks old. It seems like time is just flying by and before we know it you're going to be a month old. Could you please slow down?

This week wasn't all that exciting. We stayed home most days, but we did get out to go for a few walks and be around friends. You also got to witness the last mission of the Endeavour as it flew over base and stayed a night here. Even though you slept for the entire fly over, you still were "there".

 We got your results back from your second testing from the newborn screen that you had initially failed. When I first talked to the genetics office at UCLA they said that both of our levels were low (barely low, but low). She said that the doctor that was on our case needed to go over the information that came back and they'd get back to me. She called me back that same day and she said that he will not need supplements, vitamins, further treatment and most importantly no more tests! It was a huge sigh of relief and answered prayers!

You are still such a good and happy baby and I am so thankful for that. We are becoming quite the team and working through all the kinks. Having you has taught me what it's really like to love another human being; it's like no other. Your daddy and I sure are in love with you!

Love,
Momma

Dominick: Weeks 1 and 2

Since Dominick will be three weeks on Monday, I should probably post his first two weeks so I don't get too far behind.

 Weight

Birth: 7 lbs 13 oz

1 week: 7 lbs 12 oz (at 4 days you went down to 6lbs 13 oz)

 2 weeks: 8 lbs 14 oz

Length

Birth: 22 in

1 week: 20.5 in (we're not really sure, but the hospital and the clinic on base sure are different)

2 weeks: 21.5 in

Dominick,

You've had quite the first 2 weeks. You were a labor day baby and we sure weren't expecting that, but we were glad that mommy didn't have to be induced. We spent 1.5 days in the hospital. You were tested for jaundice and your levels were high, we had to take you to the clinic on base to be tested again and your levels had doubled. You were pretty yellow and looked like you were glowing. We left with a biliblanket and you had to be under it pretty much 24/7 for 3.5 days. Mommy took you out to feed you and we would take you out a couple times a day to cuddle you. You did so good.

On your 1 week birthday we received a call from UCLA Children's Hospital saying that you tested positive for 1 of your newborn screens (the carnitine transport disorder) and that we would have to take you to the lab so they could take more blood. It was pretty awful since they took it from a vein in your arm. You were quite the champ though and barely cried. We have to wait 2 weeks to find out the results.

In your 2 short weeks of life you've been to the Los Angeles Farmers Market, Calico Ghost Town, outlet shopping, to many restaurants, the doctors office more times than we care, mommy and daddy's work and dropped of your Grandma and Grandpa at the airport (this part was the worst).

You are so long and skinny! You are still in newborn diapers and mostly all newborn clothes. We've had to put you in some 0-3 months because the newborn are just too short. And your cheeks...oh those cheeks! They're just so kissable.

You are such a good eater and eat about ever 2-4 hours. During the day you will eat closer to 2.5 hours, but at night time you will go 3.5-4. You are such a messy eater and we go through multiple bibs a day and you burp like a champ. Grandma was the official burper, but you really haven't been too hard on mommy and daddy since she left.

I really think if we let you, you could sleep 5 hour increments at night time. Since your newborn screen was positive you cannot go anymore than 4 hours at a time without eating (until we get good results back) so I have to wake you up to eat. It's always a fight and you'll only eat for about 5 minutes before you just refuse to wake up. You've been sleeping in your pack n play since you were 1 week old (pretty much as soon as you were off your biliblanket (prior to you were sleeping in your swing so we could keep the blanket wrapped around you easily).You also are awake so much during the day, I don't think you care to sleep. You're so alert.

You hate getting dressed/undressed and always cry but you quickly get over it. You also don't love bath time, but I think you're starting to like it a little bit more...or are at least tolerating it.

You rarely ever cry, you're such a good baby! When you do cry you sure make mommy and daddy pull out all of our tricks. Most of the time you are just a little gassy or tired. We don't mind cuddling you the least bit.

You are so strong. For quite some time now if we put you up on our shoulder you will push back and hold your head up. You love to look around. You really enjoy riding in the car and going for walks. You will fuss a little when we first put you in your car seat, but you soon get over it and normally fall asleep when we're driving. Another favorite of yours is being in your swing. You've started watching the mobile and really like it.

We are so thankful for you and love you more and more each and every day. We hope you never question how loved and wanted you are. You are a blessing and we cannot wait to see the little person that you become. I love you, baby man!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy