2 month check up

Lucas had his 2 month check up.  He is growing like a weed. 

Measurements:

Height: 24" (87%)
Weight 12 lbs 4 oz (47%)
Head 16.5" (100%)

He got 3 shots in the leg and one oral vaccination.  Poor boy cried hard, but I'm sure it was harder on me then him.  He did run a fever for a couple days but it didn't seem to affect him too much.  He is sleeping better at night and loves his Rock n Play sleeper and loves to be swaddled.

2 and 3 week photo shoots

We had a girl that is going to school for photography come to our house to take some pictures.  However, Lucas was not very cooperative at that time so we didn't get a lot but what she did get was pretty cute.  I wanted a lot more pictures so I ended up taking Lucas to JC Penney for some more pictures at 3 weeks of age and we had some with Mommy and Daddy since we did that with each of the other boys when they were newborns.  Again Lucas wasn't the most cooperative but we did get some pretty cute pictures!

ACID REFLUX!

Lucas is a pretty easy going baby for the most part, but he cries A LOT!  It's not so much the crying that has us concerned, it's the constant arching of the back, straightening of the legs, choking while nursing, etc.  At first I thought maybe my milk flow was too fast and he couldn't keep u which would account for the gagging/choking.  But he screams in pain a lot and he is not constipated at all.  I finally decided to take him to Sioux Falls to see a pediatrician who would be more familiar with Acid Reflux as I had suspected it.  The doctor examined him and concluded that he thought it was more than just a case of colic!  He agreed he probably has Acid Reflux or in Lucas case "Silent Reflux" because he doesn't spit up much.  He put him on Zantac and said it would take up to about 4 days before we notice a difference.  In the meantime he said we can give Lucas adult over the counter Maalox when he's in pain.  We can give it to him every 4 hours as needed and he gets 1/2 tsp.  He also said that if the medication does not work it could just be a bad case of colic or something in my diet. 

We started the Maalox that day and we noticed immediate improvement after giving it to him.  He would basically relax after giving it to him and stop screaming.  It is so hard for a Mom to see her baby in pain.  After about a week we noticed a big difference in his mood and sleep.  He was a much happier baby when he wasn't in pain all the time.  The doctor said if we saw immediate improvement with the Maalox, that was a sure sign that the culprit was Reflux.

Hopefully this will be the end of his tummy troubles and the meds will continue to work for our little guy.  On a side note:  at Lucas appointment he weighed 9 lbs 12 oz and in the 52nd percentile!  Skinny boy!

A smile is worth a millon bucks!

Lucas started smiling at 4 weeks old.  I caught a few good pictures of him smiling.  I couldn't even remember when the other boys started smiling but I thought it was more like 6 or 7 weeks.  You could tell he recognizes me because as soon as I look at him and smile he smiles right back.  He hasn't done it to anyone else yet so that makes Mommy pretty proud!  He is growing fast and such a happy baby when his acid reflux isn't acting up.  Love you baby boy!

I just had to post this picture of Caleb!

Caleb was getting ready to go with Grandma and Grandpa Kooiker to Village West for a couple days.  He had his coat on waiting for her and then he picked up his dart gun.  He told me he was looking for some rabbits!  I thought it was the funniest and grabbed the camera.  I told him to say "I'm wooking for some wabbits".  I should have captured it on video.  Oh Caleb Benjamin you make me smile!

Happy Valentine's Day....Love Lucas!

Oh how I wish I was good at taking pictures....oh well.  He's pretty cute no matter what!

Okay pictures are done now!!!  It's so cute, when he gets mad the

birth mark on his forehead gets redder and redder!

Lucas is 1 week old!

Things at home are well...crazy!  Isaac doesn't want to let Lucas out of his sight and is in his face constantly.  Caleb doesn't  pay much attention to him but seems to be feeling a little left out I guess.  Ross has been a big help in taking at least one of the boys with him so I don't have all 3 of the boys at home.  Lucas has been a really good baby.  He sleeps a lot right now and I have to wake him to eat during the day.  At night he goes about 4 hours between feedings so it's not so bad right now.  He likes to be tightly swaddled and close to us.  We can't get him into the pack n play.  He doesn't sleep well in there.  Right now he's sleeping in a safe and secure cozy travel bed between Ross and I.  He certainly likes the closeness.  Nursing is going surprisingly well.  Hopefully it continues.  Lucas did have jaundice levels when we were discharged so we had to go to Rock Rapids and have his bili levels checked a couple times.  Thankfully it normalized on it's own without needing to do anything.

Here's a few pictures of our newest little guy!

This guy is so skinny that all his clothes are too big

Precious boy with his ducky outfit

First smile caught on camera!

Zonked out in his cozy sleeper!

Big eyes!

A little jaundice but so cute in red!

Hanging out in his bouncy seat!

Introducing Lucas Harrison

Lucas Harrison Kooiker
January 24, 2013
6:18 PM
7 lbs 15 oz
21 1/2 inches

  Birth Announcement!

 Welcome to the world Lucas!

 Mommy holding Lucas....at last you're here!

 I think he's happy to be here!

 So glad Grandma got to be here for your birth!

 Meeting Grandpa!

 I think he's a keeper Mom!

Proud Daddy and big brothers!

Grandma Kooiker came to visit!

Aunt Gina and cousin Caden

A little uncertain just yet...

Okay I think I like him!

I've been waiting for you F O R E V E R!

I love you little brother!

Warm and snuggly!

Adorable Lucas!

Snoozing away...look at those long skinny fingers!

The Birth Story...welcoming Lucas!

Ross and I were supposed to be at the hospital at 6:45 am to check in.  As typical Kooiker fashion we arrived almost 15 minutes late.  We got checked in and were in the room by 7:10.  The doctor on call was supposed to come visit with me right away but she ended up having to deliver a baby in the next room so she didn't come to my room until about 9:30 or so.  The doctor was really  nice and I really liked her a lot.  She told me for induction she had 3 recommendations.  I knew how each one worked but wasn't sure which way to go.  She recommended having my water broke to start since this was my second baby and since I was already dilated to 3 cm.  So at 9:45 my water was broken.  I had already been contracting when I got there but they weren't real painful.  I started to feel the contractions a little more after my water was broken but they weren't very close together and not super painful.  The doctor came in around 12:30 and checked me again.  I was dilated to 5 cm so she wanted to wait and see if I kept on progressing.  At 3:30 she came back and I was dilated to 6 cm.  My contractions were still pretty far apart but they were getting quite intense so I asked for my epidural.  Then they started the pitocin after I received my epidural so I didn't feel anything after I got my epidural which was really  nice.  Around 5:30 I started to feel some pressure so the nurse checked me and I was dilated to 9 cm.  It went pretty fast after that.  I started pushing at 6:05 and Lucas Harrison was born at 6:18 pm.  I only had to push for 13 minutes which was amazing to me because with Caleb I pushed for an hour and a half.  My Mom was able to watch Lucas being born and I think she enjoyed the experience  I was glad to have her and Ross there with me as we welcomed Lucas.  This 9-10 lb baby everyone expected only ended up weighing 7 lbs 15 oz.  He was smaller than Caleb!  He was 21.5 inches long so I think his length is what made everyone thing he was so big.  I had another 2nd degree tear but I didn't care.  Lucas was here, he was beautiful and I finally felt like my family was complete.  We love you Lucas!

38 week check up and growth ultrasound!

Today was a fun day with my parents.  Ross needed to do some work so Grandma Kooiker picked the boys up from school and watched them.  My parents and I headed to Sioux Falls a little early and did some shopping.  Then I had my ultrasound and my check up with my OB. 

At 35 weeks (just 3 weeks ago) baby was 6 lbs 15 oz.  Today at 38 weeks 1 day baby is 8 lbs 12 oz.  Of course there is no way to know how accurate the ultrasound is.  It could be off a pound in either direction.  Lets hope if it's off that baby is less than 8 lbs and not nearing 10 LOL.  Baby was quite a stinker yet again and had his feet in front of his face the entire time so no good pictures at all.  The ultrasound tech showed us all the white around his head and said it's hair, so he won't be bald that's for sure.

I then met with my OB doctor.  She said baby is measuring big and it was her recommendation to induce at 39 weeks.  I felt confident with that because instead of just 1 cm like I was a week ago, I'm now dilated to 3 cm.  I'm hoping/praying induction wouldn't be quite so bad.  The doctor said the nurse would call me with a date for induction.  I was super happy when we left knowing that in a week we will have a baby!

Not too long after my doctor's appointment the nurse called.  I am now scheduled Thursday, January 24th at 7 am.  I can't wait to meet this little guy.  There is still a chance I could go into labor on my own before then, but at least I know that we'll get to meet him by Thursday at least.

Everything is pretty much ready other then a few minor things.  I'm getting the boys care and schedules coordinated with Grandparents and we should be all set for Baby Boy #3!

37 week update/Birthday

Today was my 33rd birthday so we made a family event to Sioux Falls.  The boys, Ross and I went to Sioux Falls so I could go to my check up at the clinic.  Everything looked good.  Still hard to believe I'm 37 weeks.  My blood pressure was a little elevated but not bad.  I saw the PA instead of my own doctor this time but the appointment went well.  I only gained 1 lb this time so I was happy about that.  She checked me and I am 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced so that means things are starting to happen.  I hope I don't have to be induced but I guess I will know more after my appointment and ultrasound next week.  We know this baby boy is going to be a big guy so I guess they want to find out exactly how big we're talking!  With the gestational diabetes they aren't too surprised.

After my appointment Isaac had a check up at the Children's Hospital and he's doing so good that we don't need to go back for another 6 months.  His 12 week play therapy session really helped a lot and he's changed so much this past year.

After Isaac's appointment we all went to Texas Roadhouse and had a good meal there.  The boys didn't eat too much but they were pretty good overall.  It was a good birthday and I enjoyed spending it with my family.

Christmas Celebrations of 2012

2012 has come to an end and the Christmas celebrations have ended.  We always enjoy spending time with family and seeing the excitement in the boys eyes but it's also nice to get back to routine.  December 23rd was our first Christmas celebration at my parents house.  It was a fun day.  We went over early so the boys could have some time to play with their cousins Bjorn and Norah.  Bjorn is just 6 weeks younger then Caleb and both Isaac and Caleb get along so well with Bjorn.  Norah is 6 and a girly girl but she's been known to tag along with the boys once in a while :-)

Grandpa Johsn came over to celebrate with us which was nice.  It was also a bittersweet feeling.  It was the first Christmas without Grandma and still hard to grasp sometimes.  It's hard think that she's not with us anymore but she's not in pain, that's what matters most.  Grandpa was quiet and took it all in.  We're hoping next year and the years to follow will be a little easier on everyone.

Chad was there as well and he brought his girlfriend Jamie and her son Gibson.  Jamie is really sweet and I think she's a great match for my brother.  We all really like her and think she is a "keeper".  Gibson is 9 and the boys loved playing rough with him.  A 9 year old boy is the best in the eyes of a 4 and 5 year old! 

For Christmas Isaac got a Cat combine from Grandpa and Grandma B and Caleb got the big John Deere loader tractor he had been asking for.  Both were quite excited when they opened them and we had to get them out of the box right away.  Norah drew Isaac's name and he got Ice Age 3 which was good because he's a movie boy and one we hadn't seen.  Emily drew Caleb's name and he got a fun alphabet and number tracing book and a John Deere small tractor. 

Christmas Eve I worked until noon and then spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning up the house a little.  The Children's Christmas Program was at 7:00 pm.  Both boys knew their parts so well.  I was a little worried thinking Caleb would be too nervous to say his part but both boys amazed me.  They sang their hearts out and said their part loud and clear.  It's too bad Isaac couldn't have stayed up with the rest of the kids to sing the other songs because I think he knew the songs better then some of the bigger kids, ha!  My boy loves music!  After the program we went back to our place and Grandma and Grandpa Kooiker, Grandma and Grandpa Bronson, Uncle Nolan and Great Grandpa Winter came over for pizza and snacks.  It was a fun evening.  We let the boys open one joint present and another small one.  Caleb got a John Deere baler, Isaac got a small lego set and together they got a Spiderman basketball bath toy.  We then set out cookies and milk, carrots for Rudolph and sprinkled food outside for all the reindeer.  The boys were super excited Christmas morning.  They got a bunch of fun stuff.  They each got a movie, a book, a wind up car, socks, Fisher Price ixL gaming system, Isaac got a transformer (Santa must not have realized when it says for 5 years and up, it's really for older kids).  Caleb got another small John Deere Tractor with loader and a haybale and I'm sure there are some other things I'm forgetting.
Christmas night we went to Great Grandpa Winter's house for pizza and snacks.  The boys got a game for their Fisher Price iXL system from Great Grandpa and their $5 grab bag gift was Knex blocks.
Our final Christmas celebration was held December 30th at Grandma and Grandpa Kooiker's house.  The boys got a lot of fun things.  They got winter coveralls, swords, Bible book, big truck and dart guns.  They were super excited to get everything and we had a nice time with family.  Ross got his gift from Gina and Brad which was frozen meals that will be great for after baby is here and box tabs to get a free pizza.  Erin drew my name and I got an Itunes gift card and a monogrammed bag.  It was all great.

Here's a few pictures from the holiday celebrations: