Here are some updates and photos since the last post:
Health and Medical Update
Joey has had one cardiology appointment this month. He did really well with his echocardiogram again (fingers crossed this continues). He is cleared for three months and we don't have any cardiology or pacemaker appointments until September! His scars are all healing really, really well. The bump he had has smoothed out and everything is lightening up in color.
Just this week Joey had his circumcision procedure done. (They didn't want to do it until all of his chest incisions had healed.) We had to go to a pediatric surgeon to do it and more anesthesia was needed than if they had done it at birth, but he is doing well with the recovery. The first few hours when the numbness was wearing off were really no fun, but we are managing his pain with Tylenol.
As you can see in some of the photos and videos, his belly button is still herniated. It is actually smaller than it was before, but it remains something that they are just watching and monitoring.
Joey hasn't had a pediatrician appointment since the last update but he goes in next week for his three month checkup and first round of immunizations. I'm not sure which shots he will be getting, but he is behind so I'm sure there will be a few. At the past appointment the doctor prescribed a lidocaine-type ointment to put on the injection sites before we leave the house to get his shots because his doctor said, "in this day in age, I don't think that kids should have to feel their shots!" Sounds good to me! Hopefully there are not too many adverse reactions and that he handles them well.
Firsts and Milestones
Joey continues to hold his head up really well and he looks around all the time. He has also begun to smile when you talk to him, which is really fun. I can't wait until he can giggle!
He still likes tummy time and we practice rolling over every day. He can do it with the help of the little incline of the couch and with a little push from Mommy or Daddy. He loves to play on his play mat and kick and move to his music.
He has definitely found his hands this month. They are always in his mouth and he is very close to sucking his thumb. His hands also grab onto hair, necklaces, toys and blankets.
On Memorial Day, Joey went swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's for the first time and he loved it. He has since gone in one more time. He is still a little too small for his floaty, but he loves floating on his back in the water and Mommy even dunked him all the way under! I have a feeling that this boy will love the water and be a natural swimmer!
For quite a while now we have been blessed with Joey sleeping through the night. He usually goes to bed around 10pm and sleeps until 5 or 6am. Sometimes he even sleeps past 7 o'clock in the morning. Every once in a while he will have a bad night, but for the most part he is an excellent sleeper!
For quite a while now we have been blessed with Joey sleeping through the night. He usually goes to bed around 10pm and sleeps until 5 or 6am. Sometimes he even sleeps past 7 o'clock in the morning. Every once in a while he will have a bad night, but for the most part he is an excellent sleeper!
Joey finally got to meet his Uncle Nick this week. He was also visited by Marla and got to meet the Palillas on Memorial Day. He met all of his Uncle Tim's friends when he attended his first wedding. And Nora's first birthday party was a fun time too!
We also enjoyed some family outings to the Monrovia street fair, LA Zoo and the Natural History Museum!
Likes and Dislikes
Joey continues to like bath time and getting snuggly in his jammies. He LOVES to stretch in the morning when he wakes up. He likes his playtime music and when people make funny faces and sounds. He loves to be carried in mama's wrap and will soon try to be carried by dad in the Ergobaby.
It is safe to say that Joey's favorite thing this month is watching TV! No matter where he is, he will twist his neck towards the TV. He loves watching the bright colors and flashing lights of our giant new TV.
Family Update
Scruffy continues to do really well with Joey. He still has some bouts of jealously, but that is to be expected. Scruffy has also started to howl and cry when the baby cries, especially when he cries and no one is in the room to help him, Scruffy will just cry and look for someone to help his little brother. It is the funniest thing most of the time. EXCEPT when Joey and the dog are wailing and you can't get either of them to quiet down, it really is no fun!
Grandma went back to work and had some trips to Pittsburgh and Boston, so I was at home by myself whenever Jamie was at work. Thank goodness Joey is on a pretty good rhythm and schedule so the days weren't too difficult on my own.
Jamie started his new position at work as a Closer and we are still getting used to his new schedule. He is doing great! He works very hard, long hours and so whenever he has a day off we try to go out on a family adventure.
I postponed going back to work for three weeks, so my first day back is the 27th of June. It will be a sad day when I have to leave him! But he will be in good hands with Grandma!
Joey is a big, strong, cute, and happy three-month-old now. We are so thankful that we have not had any complications with his heart so far and we hope that it continues that way. Our next hurdle will be immunizations and Mommy going back to work! We can't wait to celebrate Jamie's first Father's Day! See you all back here in July! Joey can't wait to see the fireworks!
