4 Months Old

Robert Tyler is 4 months old!  Unfortunately, most of this month was spent getting sick, being in the hospital and trying to recover at home.  We also had 4 month vaccines to get through.  Even with all of that going on Beau still managed to be a happy baby, laughing and playing and reaching some new milestones.  This month he has mastered holding his head up, making raspberry noises, reaching for toys when on his belly, grabbing his feet (oh what fun!), and he even rolled over from his back to his belly!  

We also started to work on naps in the crib.  Up until now Beau had been napping in his bouncy seat, swing, on the couch, or his favorite spot, Mommy's arms.  It took a few days of crying and rocking and patting and shooshing but we are making a lot of progress.  Although naps are pretty short right now, only about 30 minutes long, 4 times a day.  We are making a lot of progress with nighttime sleep too.  When we got home from the hospital, Beau started waking up every 3 hours to eat.   He had a lot of catching up to do.  Now he is sleeping a long stretch of 6-7 hours.   

Every day I am surprised at what this little guy has learned to do!  It seems like every time I turn my head he has a new skill or trick that he's working on.  Good job, Robert!  You amaze us every single day.

 Visit from Aunt Becca and Uncle Tyler

Baby's First Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas filled with family, lots of love and baby bliss!  

Merry First Christmas, Robert Tyler!  

You are everything that Mommy and Daddy want and need.  Your birth is a gift that fills our hearts with so much love and joy on this special day and every day!

 CHRISTMAS EVE

 Reading books with Mommy

 New exersaucer from Grammy and Grampy!

CHRISTMAS MORNING

 Special Christmas coins from Daddy

 Train music box from Mommy

Snuggling with Daddy

 Heading to the Hursts for Christmas brunch

 Cousins!

 Hanging out with Mimi

 Life size Sock Monkey from Aunt Minde, Uncle James, Caroline and Wilson

 Lots of new fun toys from Mimi

 Hanging out with Uncle James

 Cheeeeeez!

Wooden Train

 Rocking Horse

Sports Rocker Chair so I can relax and watch games with daddy!

Merry Christmas!

Virus, Virus Go Away

On December 10, 2013 Robert was admitted to East Tennessee Children's Hospital.  A week before, he started throwing up after eating several times a day.  We saw his pediatrician and at first he thought it was a virus that would pass but just in case it might be an allergy to something in my milk he started Robert on a combination of pedialyte for potential dehydration and a hypoallergenic formula.  After a few days of Robert continuing to throw up we went back to the doctor.  He felt confident that it was not an allergy to breast milk so we were able to go back to nursing.  He thought it might be a reflux issue and wrote us a prescription of Zantac to start immediately.  He also wanted us to get some blood work and x rays done just to cover all of our bases.  A couple hours after we got home from getting blood drawn and belly x rays taken the doctor called and told me to immediately take Robert to the ER at ETCH because his levels were abnormally high.  That was the start of the longest, hardest, saddest and most blessed week of our lives.  Our sweet little boy had to endure a catheter, an IV, a spinal tap and more x rays...and that was only on day one in the ER.  After nothing came of all of those tests, the ER doctor recommended that Robert be admitted because his white blood count was still high and he was still throwing up.  So we carried our baby and made our way up to room 244 with tears in our eyes and hope in our hearts.  He had blood drawn every day, a few doses of antibiotics, fluids, and his vitals taken every 3 hours.  Robert lost weight while in the hospital, which was very scary for mommy and daddy.  He also had to endure a swallow test and a kidney ultrasound.  Robert was so brave and continued to try to be the happy, loving little boy that he is.  The nurses and doctors were wonderful and were so sweet to Robert.  He had lots of visitors and prayers from friends and family, near and far.  Grammy and Grampy and Aunt Kristie came to town to be with us.  Mimi came to visit every day and Grandpa and Aunt Minde came to see Robert too.  After 7 long days we were told their best guess was that a terrible virus got a hold on Robert and his little body was just working really hard to get rid of it.  We were discharged on Monday, December 16th.  Robert still had some recovering to do once we got home.  He is doing so much better now.  It has been over a week since he has thrown up and he has gained back his weight and even more I think!  Jack and I are so thankful that our sweet little boy is happy and healthy again and we are so thankful for all of our family and friends.  We felt so much love and support with your prayers and well wishes.

 Heading to the Doctor

 Waiting at the lab for blood work and x ray

In the ER waiting for it all to begin

 Getting my vitals checked

 Another dose of antibiotics

 Playing with Mimi

 My new sock monkey from Mommy and Daddy for being the best brave little boy

 Playing with Aunt Kristie

 Big Stretch!

 Looking at fun flash cards with Grampy

hospital friends

 Reading books with Daddy

No more IV!

Visit from Aunt Minde

Kidney ultrasound

 Smiling at the tech 

 A pink poodle came to visit all of the children!

 Heading home!!