Category: Family

Life with the Murphy’s!

Family

Mommy Tears

The Merfett

The internet can be a cruel place. If you’ve ever spent any time on forums or skimmed through the comments on blog posts you know I mean. I see so much unkindness on the web, and so many strangers tearing each other down. I’ve heard countless stories of cyber bullying which often makes me wonder if the constant access to the internet and social media does more harm than good?

But then I see the good in the connections.

I started reading blogs 2 years ago. Health, Fitness, Family, Lifestyle…all kinds. I feel like I know these people, like the’re friends. I share in their triumphs and joys, and my heart aches for their challenges and losses.

One of those blogs is called Hormonal Imbalances, written by Diana Stone. She’s a Christian and a Mother. Through my pregnancy with Riley she was pregnant with their son, Kaden. Last year she lost her twin sons at 20 weeks gestation.

Kaden was born shortly after Riley. I cheered when I read the news of her delivery. Kaden was in the NICU with some minor health problems, but he would be released to go home soon. Upon his check out exam the doctors noticed his heart wasn’t working as well as they’d like. He needed to stay in the hospital. From there Kaden’s health declined. He was air lifted to Dallas Children’s Hospital, his heart was failing him. He needed a transplant. Then he got a serious infection.

With each wave of news the internet community around the Stone family would rally and pray. Myself included. I spent many of Riley’s middle of the night feedings praying for a miracle for Kaden, that his heart would be healed and all his health issues would become the background to an amazing testimony to the power of God’s healing.

Thousands of people prayed and spread Kaden’s story. #prayforkaden became the rallying cry on social media. God had to hear our prayers for this family. They already had 2 babies in heaven, surely He would allow them to have Kaden.

Yesterday, on his 3 week birthday Kaden left this side of Heaven. I cried. I know many others did too, along with the Stone Family. Why? Didn’t God hear us?

We may never know the answers in this lifetime. God had a very specific plan for Kaden, one that us as humans may never understand. All I do know is that the Internet can be a powerful and positive tool. It was amazing to see so many people surround this little boy and his family with love and support.

I have a beautiful, healthy baby boy. I am so blessed. In these early weeks with a newborn I’ve found myself thankful for the middle of the night feedings and the constant diaper changes. Kaden taught me to appreciate those moments. They are a blessing, and I should never take them for granted.

Family

Riley’s 3rd Week

The Merfett

Weight: He’s a BIG boy. Today we had his 2 week doctor visit and Riley weighted 10lbs 11oz!!!! He was 8lb 14oz a birth, and 8lb 11oz the day we left the hospital. In 2.5 weeks he gained 2lbs. The nurses and the doctor were very impressed. Hooray for breastfeeding! That puts him in the 90% for weight, and he’s still off the charts for height (23″). No idea what my weight is…I don’t even really care to know. It’ll come off in time. I am burning an extra 500 cals a day breastfeeding though :)

Health:   I told Merfman this morning I felt like going to his doctor appointment was like getting graded for a test I’ve been taking for the past 2 weeks. I think it’s safe to say we passed :) He still has some eye goop, but it’s getting better. He’s also has the mandatory baby acne :( I hate seeing all the bumps on his little face. I know it doesn’t bother him, and it’ll go away in time. His belly button stump it still hanging on. I thought for sure it would be gone by now…but the doctor said it can hang out for 42 days!
Sleep: He’s napping in pretty regular intervals during the day. Sleeping for 1.5 – 2 hours and waking up to eat. At night he goes from 2 – 4 hours between feedings. Last night I got a 4 hour stretch :) That’s from the start of one feeding to the next so if I need to pump after he feeds that takes me another 15 – 20 min so I’m up almost an hour from the time he wakes up, eats, diaper/outfit/bedding (leaks) change, pumping and the I get back in bed. I appreciate when he goes 3 hours. Sure I’m tired when he wakes in the middle of the night, but it’s not awful. I’m functioning fine and I try to get a nap during the day at some point when he’s napping. My morning coffee has become something I look forward to :)
Nursing: 2lbs of weight gain makes me think we’re doing just fine! I’ve started saving and freezing my pumped milk. In the next week or two I’ll need to see if he can take a bottle since I’ll be going back to work soon. Nursing is still a little uncomfortable. I’m looking forward to not being so “sensitive.” He has a good latch, but when he first starts it’s painful.

What Riley is up to: He’s more alert when he’s awake which is fun. He makes silly faces and looks around. I know Merfman is looking forward to him being a little more active. He’s also starting to hold it head up and he kicks his legs like crazy and waves his arms around when he’s awake.

PostPartum: I love getting out of the house at least once a day. Riley and I run errands and go shopping together. It’s fun to have a little partner and he’s so good when we’re out and about. I go a little stir crazy sitting around the house and I feel so much better if I can get a shower and dressed by a decent time…decent meaning before lunch :) Still can’t get into my pre-preggo jeans, but soon I’m sure. I’m eating right, drinking a ton of water and trying to stay rested and get sleep while I can. Overall I feel really good and I’m so thankful I had an easy recovery. 

Baby Gear: Swing Chair. I put him in the swing while I take a shower and it keeps him happy long enough for me to get ready. We have it upstairs in our room so I leave the bathroom door open so I can hear him while I get ready. Britax B Agile Stroller. We really love our stroller. It’s easy to maneuver, light and folds up easy. And it totally fits in my Mini Cooper! People think I’m crazy, but Riley and I do just fine in my car.

Thoughts: I read lots of different blogs, and this one has had me grabbing the tissue each time I read. We are so blessed to have such a happy and healthy baby. Even before I was pregnant I was very concerned about the health of our baby. SO many babies are born with complications. When I was pregnant and everyone asked if we wanted a boy or a girl we would always say we just want a healthy baby. That was the number one prayer. The other night when I was bending over his crib settling him down to sleep I prayed and thanked God for every cry, every middle of the night feeding, and every diaper. Even when it’s hard or I’m tired each of those things are a blessing and a reminder that we have a healthy baby.

Family

Riley’s First 2 Weeks

The Merfett

Weight: He was 8lb 14oz at birth, and 8lb 11oz before we left the hospital. We haven’t weighed him since. He’s eating well and has PLENTY of diapers so I know he’s hydrated and fed. I have no idea what my weight is…but I have a feeling that I’m down at least 8lb 14oz ;)

Health:  He’s a champ! He doesn’t event spit up or really burp after feedings. He did have some eye goop that we Googled. It was like serious eye crust. I knew it wasn’t pink eye because it wasn’t red, but it was goopy. Google told us that he had a clogged tear duct. We needed to wipe his eyes clean with a wet soft cloth as often as needed, and then massage his ducts (just under the corner of his eye). I could also put some expressed milk on his eye. Breast milk has a ton of antibacterial properties. It’s already much better than it was 2 days ago. I love the internet. We’re so spoiled that we can google-parent :) 
 
Sleep: At night he’s up about every 2.5 – 3 hours. His naps during the day are a little inconsistant, he’s been fighting sleep during the day. He’ll have such sleepy eyes and nod off, only to wake up 5 min later. We’re napping in the nursery during the day, and sleeping in the Pack n Play in our bedroom at night. I’m up about 30 – 45 min for each feeding/change at night so it’s not too bad. He goes back to sleep pretty well too. We try not to let him sleep on us too often, and he’s really good about soothing himself to sleep most of the time. We’re following the Baby Whisperer’s EASY routine…Eat, Activity, Sleep, You time. It’s really helpful because we can know when he’s hungry or just wanting to suckle to soothe. We started using a pacifier for sooting since we figured it was cleaner than having him suck on our pinky finger. He’ll soothe with the pacifier and then we’ll pop it out before he’s totally asleep. 
 
Nursing: Getting the hang of it. In the hospital I saw two Lactation Consultants. Riley was latching on one side, but not the other, and the side he latched on I could tell it wasn’t a good latch because it hurt. He’s a big hand sucker so he’ll suck on the front part of his mouth, which isn’t ideal. After some stoping and starting I can correct him and he’ll latch better. If he’s HANGRY he’ll latch wrong, but we’re getting better. He’s efficient and nurses for about 10 – 15 min. I do have to work to keep him awake so he gets a full feeding but I think we’re doing well. I was so lucky that my milk came in 2 days after he was born. I’ve pumped a little to help keep from getting engorged, and hot showers help a ton too. I haven’t started saving my milk, but I will in another week or so. I don’t want to cause myself to oversupply. 

What Riley is up to: Eating, Pooping, Sleeping :) That kid can make some serious diapers. He LOVES to mess up a clean diaper the second you slide it under him. We’ve had some epic diaper changes. And I’m getting much faster and better with keeping a washcloth over him when we do a change. He’ll get you if you’re not quick enough! Every day he’s a little more alert. I love sitting with him when he’s looking around. He makes the best faces. 

PostPartum: I’m feeling more like myself each day. No signs of the baby blues…not sure if I’ll avoid those? I haven’t had a hormonal meltdown, but getting decent sleep and having a very helpful Merfman makes all the difference. I tired on a pair of my pre-preggo jeans, but they didn’t quite fit. Maybe in another week? I can’t wait to get cleared in a few weeks to start working out again. I’ve missed that. 

Baby Gear: Huggies. We’re doing disposals for the first bit, then we’ll switch over to cloth. We’ve found that we prefer the Huggies style over Pampers. Aden + Anais Swaddling Blankets, they are bigger and lighter-weight than the receiving blankets. Fisher-Price bouncy chair, we put him in his chair when we’re in the living room and he loves hanging out and looking around. Sometimes he’ll nap in it too since it tips back and locks into a mini-crib. 

 Thoughts: He’s awesome and such a good baby.  I never thought I would love the baby-baby phase, but I really do love hanging out with him. Yea he’s small and needy, but he’s getting bigger each day. He already looks so much different than he did last week. I’m DREADING having to go back to work eventually. I don’t want to miss all those daily moments with him. I know we’ll find a child care solution, but I’m not looking forward to it. We’re pretty relaxed parents, we’re cool with people holding him and taking him out to dinner or to the store with us. We’ve been out quiet a few times and he’s been so good. I know it’s easy now because he sleeps so much and he’s really portable.