9 month stats & 9 month foot checkup

Height - 27 inches (12th percentile)

Weight - 17 pounds, 10 ounces (9th percentile)

Head Circumference - 17 inches (26th percentile)

Good bill of health from Dr. Taylor. We were a little worried about your coloring, but Dr. Taylor reassured us that we were just giving you foods with too much beta - carotine. So we'll cut those out.

I was very nervous for your appointment with Dr. Tuck - it had been three months since we last saw him and we had a few very rough patches. I was determined to get you to 60 degrees and was successful two weeks ago and you adapted VERY well. Maybe if we had it there all along we wouldn't have had so much trouble...

Your appointment couldn't have gone better. Clubfeet levels are ranked by points. 0 being perfectly corrected feet, 6 being the worse. Both of your feet are at 1/2 point. They aren't good - they are excellent for a 9 month old. We go back in three months. Dr. Tuck was telling me how he just discharged a 6 year old - I can't wait for him to release you.

If you are wondering, Levi will be in the snowboard (12 hours a day) until he is 2. No compromise. Think of it as a retainer after braces on your teeth. It's to prevent relapse. We're almost half way done :)

9 months in...9 months out.

Providing for you when you were in my belly wasn't hard. I did have to make a few adjustments (drop the wine, increase the calories) but generally speaking, I had a very easy pregnancy. Providing for you out in the world - well, let's just say it's been one of the most bumpy, emotional, rewarding experiences I've ever been through....

At first, you didn't latch on. I tried to stay calm, but was panicking inside. Once you latched, you didn't want to let go - to the point where it become extremely painful. I would cringe the second the clock struck feeding time. The agony (and I'm not exaggerating) was more than I could bare. After speaking to the doctors at one of the very early appointments, she suggested I pump one feeding to give myself some relief. So I did, and I never looked back. I pumped for a month straight. I got sick of cleaning bottles and parts, so we tried again and you latched right on (you were a PRO!). I got mastitis. I healed. It came back with a vengeance. But we made it through....and we never looked back.

Looking back it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

We got the hang of it - and soon (just as the woman told me at the first breastfeeding class I ever went to) you were latching on yourself without me having to do anything. I went back to work in September and began pumping three times a day (9am, 12pm & 3pm) at work in a bathroom. I pumped driving to meetings, I pumped sitting outside of buildings. I pumped at a lunch break in a bathroom stall at a restaurant in Gaithersburg.

As you began to eat solid foods, I noticed a drop in my supply and started to get worried. What if I can't keep up? I rarely would leave you on the weekends in fear that my supply in the freezer would dwindle to nothing. As your 9 month birthday fast approached, I realized that almost every day I had to pull from the stash to make sure you had enough milk for daycare. I knew it was time.

There is something about being the only person that could provide you the milk that you needed - something about our evening routines where it's just you and me and I watch you drift off into a dream. While I know there will still be these nights, my heart is sad that we're done with our breastfeeding journey. It's a feeling I really can't put into words beyond this explanation. It hasn't been easy, but I wouldn't change a second of our bumpy road that ended with smooth sailing. I know you'll need me in many other ways throughout your life.

9 months in...9 months out. I've enjoyed every second of it and can't wait for what's in store.

My New Years Resolution...

...is to update the blog. When I first went back to work it seemed nearly impossible to even eat dinner let alone sit down to update you on Levi's happenings. We were so busy after work but now we have gotten into a routine and I like to consider myself a pro at this "working mom" thing.....

Levi has had a really good three months. Here is a short recap....

He LOVES his daycare provider, Mrs. Feny. Levi is one of two kids that is at daycare. The other child is Mrs. Feny's son, Kaysan, who now considers Levi his brother. Michael and I feel extremely lucky to have found such an amazing daycare provider. Feny provides us with a daily log telling us when he ate, slept, pooped and anything else that went on during his day. Reading what he did all day is the best part of my day (other than seeing his smiling face when I get home). When I picked him up before Winter Break started, Mrs. Feny said to Levi, "Bye Levi! I'll miss you so much - please don't forget who I am!" She wrote us a sweet note that expressed how much she enjoys having Levi every day and what a good baby he is. We couldn't be more proud. One day when I picked him up, Feny opened the door and here is what I saw:

Mr. Cool having so much fun! Kaysan is really into music and we have found that Levi REALLY likes listening to music and when we sing. Maybe he'll take after his Uncle Eric & Uncle Daniel and be a musician!

Levi's feet are doing extremely well. He still wears his snowboard every night for 12 hours. We do have nights when he fights it, but Michael and I have a united front to take charge and make sure he's in his brace as often as he can stand it. Levi had an excellent checkup with Dr. Tuck at his 6 month appointment. One important point for us to watch is to make sure his heels don't turn in when he stands on his feet (well, stand on his toes - he doesn't stand flat on his feet yet). So far so good. We have exersaucer time every day - which Dr. Tuck says is a really good exercise to loosen up the tight tendons in his feet. Here is a recent picture of Levi in his brace right before bed time. He is much more aware of the snowboard...which is probably why he still isn't sleeping through the night....

Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hannukah, Christmas & New Years were a blast! It was so great to be with family and to start traditions with Levi. While some points of the holidays were a bit overwhelming for him (omg, the presents!), he was super excited to participate in his first holiday season! Here are some fun photos....

Levi the Lion - we went to Todd & Erin's Halloween Party as the Tin Man, Dorothy & the Cowardly Lion...it was a hit!

Levi & Isaac at the "new" kids table at Thanksgiving!

Celebrating Hannukah with Mommy & Daddy...he LOVED the flames!

Opening presents at Christmas....at times, he seemed more interested in eating paper than the actual gift!

Party animals at Uncle Eric & Aunt Erika's house for New Years.

Isaac outlasted Levi by 3 hours....Levi was down for the count at 5:30 pm and Isaac at 8:30 pm. The REAL party was the next morning when the boys were up for good at 8am...after their Mommies and Daddies partied into the wee hours of the morning.....

2010...you were too good to us. You brought us the most amazing little gift on May 23rd. Our lives will never be the same, and we will never forget this year. Happy New Year (and hopefully you'll be hearing from me again real soon!)

Love,

Stephanie

Levi's First Haircut

Stephanie has been trying and trying to get me to agree. "But look at it! It's all over his face. He can't even see!" I still didn't want to cut it. It's falling out everywhere else but the very top. Why cut it off when there's only that one patch on top?

But over the past week or two, several random strangers have made comments about our cute little "girl." The straw that broke the camel's back was the guy at Great Beginnings calling him a "princess." That's enough. Time to trim the troupe.

I would love to make a slideshow displaying the evolution of Levi's hair...but right now I don't have time. However, at 4:00 today we will be broadcasting LIVE from Levi's house for his first ever haircut. If you want to witness this momentous occasion, just click on this link a little before 4:00 today (November 14).

www.justin.tv/midoggett

I've been waiting for this!

When I was younger, I used to be a huge Dave Barry fan. His witty yet painfully corny humor kept me laughing for hours. A while ago, for Father's Day I think, Steph bought be Dave Barry's newest book, "I'll Mature When I'm Dead." In a letter to first-time-dads-to-be, Barry describes a very special experience that every father has with his son.

"It will happen when your baby is around three months old. He or she will be lying on his or her back, making random baby movements and sounds, as though communicating with invisible space aliens. Suddenly you and your baby will make eye contact, and something will pass between you. Then you will lean over and -- as millions of fathers have before you -- you will place your mouth on your baby's belly and blow in such a manner as to make a sound like a musk ox breaking wind. This will have a profound effect on your baby. This will strike your baby as the funniest thing that he or she has experienced in his or her entire life. Your baby will laugh, and it will be the purest and best laugh you ever heard. You will laugh, too, and you will have no choice but to re-flatulate the baby's belly, and your baby will think it's even funnier the second time. So you'll do it again, and again, and again, and it will get FUNNIER EVERY TIME. You and your baby will be laughing and drooling like a pair of morons. Which you are, but in a good way."

So needless to say, I had been waiting for this moment. And finally today, Saturday, October 9 it happened.

Grandma Jean

Levi is a very popular guy. He's a superstar on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Yahoo, etc...everybody wants a piece of the little guy. I'm thinking about scheduling some autograph sessions for him.

But one of his biggest fans is his Great Grandma Jean. She follows Levi wherever he goes on the interwebs. Recently, she saw a video of him and immediately called my cell phone. The voicemail she left me was too precious not to share. I'll transcribe it word for word:

Michael, this is Grandma. I just cant stop thinking about that little Levi David. He is the cutest thing on two legs. That last video of him rolling over and you two exclaiming and clapping and joyful and he looks up at you and says "what the hell is going on?" with that quizzical look in his face. He is so adorable I just could eat him up. And I just love you taking all these little videos for me. This is just such a delight I just love that little thing!

Anyway, I just had to tell you I can't stop thinking about him. He's so precious. Aight, take care. I hope you're both well.

I love you,

Bye

Grandma, this blog post is dedicated to you. And here's another video for ya!

A letter to my little guy....

Levi David,

16 weeks ago you entered my life and turned it upside down. I could have never imagined loving someone as much as I love you.

This is our first turning point - you'll be in daycare full time and I'll be a full time working Mom. Right now, I can't think of another time in my life that I'll have 16 weeks to be home with you.

I've enjoyed every second. You are my world.

Love,

Mommy

First of many...

I'm pretty sure many moms remember the first day their son or daughter went off to daycare. They have this gut wrenching feeling - will he remember me when I pick him up? Will the daycare provider know how to soothe him? Will he be happy?

With two dry eyes, I pulled into Mrs. Feny's driveway and let out a big sigh. Levi was screaming in the back seat (maybe he was crying for both of us). As I pulled all of the stuff out of the trunk, Mrs. Feny was practically running down the driveway - "Good Morning!! Levi! I'm so excited to see you!" Again, a big sigh...this time of relief. I have a VERY good feeling that Mrs. Feny is a perfect match for us. She seems very genuine with Levi. She was so concerned when she saw his brace when she met him earlier this summer and was SO happy to see him this morning.

After informing her of Levi's antics, I said my goodbye to my smiling boy and walked back to my car. I turned around one last time only to see that Levi wasn't smiling anymore. He was staring at me with a furrowed brow and if he could speak I think he would have been saying, "where are you going, Mommy?" It was heartbreaking.

I promised myself I wasn't going to call and check in. If I let myself - I would probably have called every hour. After watching a LOT of meaningless, trashy television that had built up on my DVR and a quick lunch with my boss, I jumped out of bed at 3:40 to go and pick up Levi. As much as I enjoyed the time to myself, I missed my little man.

Mrs. Feny writes a report of the daily happenings in a spiral notebook that now has "LEVI" on the cover:

Welcome to the First Day in Feny Daycare (9.7.2010)

WHAT I DID TODAY:

When I came, I seemed to be: HAPPY.

I ate at:

8:30 am (3oz)

10:30 am (3oz)

12:30 pm (3oz)

2:50 pm (3oz)

I changed at:

9:30 am

11:15 (dirty diaper)

2:15

I slept from:

8:50 am - 9:15 am

12:30 pm - 2:10 pm

During the day, I enjoyed the following activities:

- In the morning, I had tummy time for 10 minutes.

- I liked looking at my black and white book during tummy time.

- I was happy to see Kaysan (her son) say "hi" to me.

- We went for a walk at the park.

- I liked looking around the park.

- We played music and Mrs. Feny sang "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"

- I love when Mrs. Feny talks to me. I was happy & laughing.

- We read the book about "Eye Spy an Octupus"

While Michael and I go and make money to support this little guy, I have confidence that Levi is in good hands....and there is nothing better than knowing what he's doing all day :) This woman is good - she actually got Levi to take TWO naps in the crib.

I'm happy to report that we survived our first of many first days.....

Dealing.

I preface this post knowing that Levi is a healthy baby boy and I know there are babies out there that are far less fortunate than he is. When I'm having a hard time dealing with his snowboard, I try and think about those who don't have it as easy as we do.

That being said - it doesn't make my day-to-day any easier. Yes, I know this will pass. Yes, I know that Levi won't remember a thing. Yes, I know that all this hard work will result in perfect feet. But it's hard to keep my eyes on the prize when Levi can't soothe himself back to sleep in the middle of the night. When his foot slips half way out of his shoe and causes him discomfort. When he can't kick his left foot independently from his right and screams in frustration. When it's obvious he's unhappy with the snowboard on because when we take it off it's instant calm, coos and smiles. While the day-to-day is hard for me and sometimes Levi (he's starting to have more fun with the bar - see previous post), I do have to keep in the back of my head that it is working and all of the words of encouragement from friends and family.

Here is a picture of Levi on our way to his first doctor's appointment. He is five days old.

Here is Levi (day 97) coming home from Michael's first scrimmage (he's the JV Soccer coach at QO - Go Cougars!).

Important to note - Levi is sleeping in both pictures. At Day 5 (and many days after that), he pulled his feet in and held them there for comfort. You'll see at Day 97 - he's comfortable with them sitting in the "correct" position. Huge progress. Huge.

A new toy....

Proud Mama

Levi rolled over once before he got his snowboard on....Michael hadn't seen it and I didn't catch it on film.....but I caught it on Thursday! Four days shy of his three month birthday, Levi is mobile!

Here are some still shots from Thursday morning (8.20.10)

And a video from Wednesday afternoon (8/19/10)

Confession

It's 7:16 am. I took the snowboard off at 3:15 am.

I feel so guilty but he was so sad and I couldn't take it anymore.

Going to put them back on now.....

Overcoming a Dreadful Feeling...

As most of you know - I played field hockey at UNC. Similar to labor, my body was pushed to the limit every August when we reported for preseason and had to run the Guantlet (A mile in 6 mintues, a minute rest. A half mile in 3 minutes, a minute rest. A quarter mile in a minute and a half, a minute rest. 200 yards in 35 seconds, a minute rest. 10 40 yard shuttles in under 10 seconds with a 30 second rest in between). Just writing about it makes my stomach turn. I DREADED the Guantlet more than anything I've ever dreaded in my life. I'd spend all summer gearing up to run this fitness test, only (sadly) to never pass (I wasn't far off...just didn't hit all of the times that were required). Ask me to do it today and HA - I'd simply laugh in your face.

I experienced this similar dread earlier this week. No, not because I had to run a guantlet (who would EVER just run that for fun??) but because I had to attach a bar to Levi's shoes that will keep his feet locked in position for 23 hours a day for 6 weeks. How do you explain to a 3 month old that when he wants to bend his left leg, he has to bend his right as well? You don't.

Here is a picture (from the internet - this is not Levi) of (what we're calling) his snowboard:

After Levi woke up from our drive home from seeing Dr. Tuck to get fitted for his snowboard, the crying ensued. He cried for 7 hours, only breaking to eat. We couldn't take it anymore and against the doctor's orders - we took it off. We decided we would call Dr. Tuck in the morning - something just didn't seem right. Tuck instructed us to remove the bar and to have Levi wear just the shoes for three days to get him used to having something on his feet. Once we attached the bar again, Tuck wanted us to position Levi's feet at 40 degrees for a week or so, instead of 60 degrees where he first placed them. Again, let's gradually get him used to this new norm.

Levi was back to his old self and like him, I was smiling again. While smiling on the outside, the feeling of dread was growing as the three days came to an end. We had to do it. We had to reattach this bar. It's the only way to make Levi's feet "normal" so he's able to run, jump and go snowboarding with his Daddy later in life. It's in our hands to adjust his feet. He doesn't know it - but he's counting on us to make them better. So on Sunday, August 8th around 9pm, I put on a brave face and watched Michael attach the bar while Levi slept. I waited for the screams - but there was nothing. Maybe the decrease in the angle was making the difference. Maybe Levi has just come to accept this as his norm. Who knows - but in my eyes I have one brave little guy for a son.

Now, I can't say it's been that easy. Levi still gets frustrated. He's not sleeping through the night anymore (yes, he was on an amazing 9am - 5/6am schedule). But relatively speaking, he's doing great. I know he's not going to remember any of this....I think most of the time, I'm the one who has a harder time with it. Hey, you never know. Maybe we have the next Shaun White on our hands.....

I know there were be many times in Levi's life where I will have this feeling of dread...but I'm proud to say that I've overcome the first one. And...the best part of all this hard work - look at his progress!!

Father's Day - June 20th

Hanging out with Mommy - August 10th

A giggle and a roll....

After 5 consecutive nights of sleeping from 9pm to either 5am or 6am, Levi broke his habit. Last night the little guy was up at 1am for over an hour and up for the day at 5:30 am. Maybe one day Michael and I will learn that going to bed at 11:45pm isn't very smart when you have a newborn who doesn't have a regular sleep pattern. Sigh....

Levi is always super fun in the morning. Not that he isn't at night - but he is just a happy happy camper when the day starts. So this morning I was playing games with him to get him to crack a smile, when low and behold the familiar "I stick my tongue out at you and hope you mimic me" game turned funny. I heard the sweet sound of my baby boy laughing....

While beaming with excitement, I decided since Levi was in such a good mood, I'd put him on his tummy for tummy time. After holding his head up for what probably seemed like an eternity to him, Levi put his head face down on the mat, buried his shoulder and ROLLED from his tummy to his back. I'm not sure if his own amazement or me shrieking that made him look like he was a deer in headlights once he landed on his back. We tried to make him do it again for Michael to see, but no such luck.....

It's amazing to me that I caught both of these milestones in the same morning. Here's to a lifetime of laughs (and rolls from stomach to back???)!

It's a trip, not a vacation....

were the last words I heard as I left my Baby and me class last week..... I beg to differ....

Levi's first vacation to the beach was a huge success! We packed our car full of the essentials: clothes, diapers, wipes, strollers, bathing suits, pack and play, bouncy seat, activity mat, golf clubs, diaper bags, books, and a bathtub. You name it. We had it. Levi was snug as a bug in a rug as we left my parents house early Sunday morning....

We left an empty seat in the back to keep Levi company if he needed it....which he did (ok, maybe he didn't, but I felt bad for him sitting back there for so long staring at nothing). One of us was back there pretty much the entire way down to the OBX. But generally speaking, Levi did a FANTASTIC job - he slept the majority of the way!

We arrived at "Our Fant-a-sea" (our house which we renamed the Bomb Diggity) and were blown away. Eric and I grew up going to OCMD every summer - a place full of people, people and MORE people. Every square inch of OCMD is built up - whether it be a Sunsations, a Putt-Putt course or an apartment building. Don't get me wrong, I love OCMD and all the memories, but bringing two infants to the crazy world of the eastern shore just didn't seem like our cup-of-tea. I had heard if you wanted to really relax, head to the Outer Banks. And so we did, and boy did we relax.

Bomb Diggity was HUGE - each sub-unit of our family had their own floor. The house was within the community of the Pine Islands - which offered a pool, tennis courts, a fitness center and beach access (which was only a 3 minute walk away). Each day, we loaded up the BOB stroller and headed down to the sand. Levi was definitely skeptical of being outside for so long every day, but he seemed to adjust each day to being out in the sun (obviously we had him under umbrellas!)

We all had an amazing time on our first vacation to the Outer Banks. Can't wait to do it again!

Here are some of my favorite pics....

Levi and Daddy passed out on the beach....

Family picture!

First swim in a pool...

The boys passed out on the beach....

Erika & Isaac swimming in the pool...

My Mommy & Daddy!

Eric & Isaac

Isaac is one cool dude

So adorable...

No caption needed.

Bye Bye Outer Banks - we'll be seeing you again - no doubt about it.

2 month check up

Levi had a VERY busy 2 month birthday. We started out Dr. Tucks office to get his second set of casts removed. Yay! His feet look good - although, I'm still concerned that he's pulling them in. We've made progress, but we have gotten him fitted for boots and bars (think of a snowboard). Dr. Tuck said he'll go in these, but we're not sure for how long and for how long each day he'll have to wear them. Again, making progress, but I'm not sure we're there yet. We are seeing Dr. Tuck on August 3rd for an evaluation - so fingers crossed he's happy with the progress!

After Dr. Tuck, we were off to see Dr. Taylor for Levi's 2 month check up. Here are his stats:

10 pounds, 12 ounces (28th percentile)

22 5/8 inches long (40th percentile)

36th percentile for head circumference (I didn't get the measurement!)

All in all, Levi is doing great! Alberto the nurse gave him three shots (2 in one leg, 1 in the other) and an oral vaccine. I left the room for the shots because, well because I did.

Next adventure - we're off to the beach with Meema, Deeda (Lisa & Geof), Eric, Erika and Isaac! The Fuller's have ALWAYS gone to OCMD, but we're heading to the relaxing Outer Banks for some R&R. Can't wait! Levi is ready to take some naps under the umbrella that Deeda bought to keep him safe from the sun!

Levi's Surprise

Levi's nicknames...

L Man

L Dogg

Little Man

Big Boy

Booger

Booger Monster

Boog

The Boy

What's so funny - I called my son Poppy (his first nickname) for 39 weeks and since his arrival I haven't said it once.

(side note.....Levi doesn't have an abundance of boogers in his nose...I have no idea where Booger came from but it's stuck. I'm sure he'll hate it when he gets older)

So brave....

Michael and I have been working on correcting Levi's positional clubfoot every day since our first appointment with Dr. Tuck after the little guy was born. At first, we were instructed to do the exercises after every diaper change. This was fine - except Levi despised getting his diaper changed and wasn't very relaxed, making the exercises not very pleasant. At our first follow up, Dr. Tuck said we had made some progress - but he was still concerned that the horizontal crease on the bottom of both of Levi's feet was still present. If in four weeks the creases weren't gone, Levi was most likely going to have to get casts on his legs and feet.

We were sent home with the same assignment - exercises regularly throughout the day - but this time, pick a time when Levi is relaxed. So instead of doing them after his diaper was changed (which he now LOVES), we switched to after he ate. We had four weeks to make progress - our goal was to get the creases to go away. As the next appointment approached, I knew deep down that casts were in sight. The creases just weren't going away and as often as we did the exercises, Levi was naturally pulling his feet in for comfort.

My thoughts were validated yesterday (7/8/10) when Dr. Tuck confirmed my fears. Levi was going to have to have a set of casts put on....tomorrow. As any mother would do, I started to think of all the bad things - would he be comfortable? would it hurt? would he be able to be swaddled at night? would he be able to swing in his swing? I'm sure deep down Michael was thinking these things - but he repeatedly reminded me that in a few weeks this will all be over. His feet will be perfectly normal and we can put this all behind us. I keep trying to remind myself of this.....

Levi was a champ today. With a full belly and a room full of interesting things to stare at (a light, a venetian blind, Dr. Tuck), he laid quietly as Dr. Tuck positioned his foot and wrapped the casts on. He actually cooed and cracked a smile, while I sat and wiped away tears. I couldn't believe I was doing it - but I actually took pictures while Dr. Tuck worked his magic. I figured that later in life when this is all behind us, they'll be nice to have.

Here are the series of pictures of my brave little man.....

Waiting for Dr. Tuck in the waiting room. His feet are slightly cut out of the picture, but you can see how he pulls them in:

"Hey, Mom! Why are you crying?!"

"I'm fine! Dr. Tuck and nurse Beth are going to make my feet all better!"

Half way done...

On our way home....sound asleep....

Levi,

I have no doubt in my mind that you will do great the entire time these casts are on your legs. You are one brave little boy and I love you so much.

xoxo,

Mommy

Levi smiles