Dec. 31 a.m. Well, out with 2002 and on with 2003 and all it's delights and challenges. John still doesn't want to sleep much at night, which is driving mommy mad! He goes down easy enough, but wakes easily. I've tried letting him just try to work it out and it turns into a scream, scream, screaming match and when you're not supposed to let him cry it out it makes it hard. So it's zombie land for me again! I even tried a bit of cereal for him (yeah, I know you're supposed to wait until 4 months, blah, blah, blah, but I was desperate!) He'll take some if it, but it doesn't seem to make much difference. On a good note though, he sure giggles cute and is generally pretty happy and smiles plenty. He tries so hard to reach for things now and is working on coordinating his hands. He can roll over now (not consistently, but he can) so he can't be on the couch unsupervised anymore!. I swear he can say "Ho Ho Ho". ....cuz when I say "What does Santa say?" he goes O O O O O almost in a santa way. He gets very excited! Unfortunately, when he laughs too much, he gets hiccups which make him very mad! No more Christmas tree here! Mom and I took it down yesterday. Now it's on to making our former dining room into a baby safe play room. It's a nice sunny spot with the deck doors being there. I want to have a place where he can be and where he anything he touches is pretty much o.k. I know I'll have all sorts of prints on the deck doors, but hey, the cats leave their nose prints there now! December 25th Merry Christmas to all our friends and family! Well...there's not much under the tree this year, except for John's stuff. We've cut back due to my mat leave and upcoming costs due to travel for surgery etc. Doesn't matter though, because we have the best Xmas present ever with our little boy!! He's a delight! John is truly his daddy's son. He's a t.v. junky already and I must admit I caught him watching The Simpsons with daddy already! His fav. programs seem to be Martha Stewart (hehe..he loves watching the mixer) and Sesame Street (Elmo's World). He sits in his chair and talks away to the set. Will I let him be a couch potato? I'll certainly try not to, but right now, he can't do much anyhow. We still have our playtime, but it's hard to keep him amused sometimes. John's sats were good yesterday (100%) and he weighs 12 lbs now. He's still gaining, but really slowly. The kid is almost impossible to feed. He gets mad when he sees his bottle. Now, this is totally unlike Derek and I!!! (Dad cries when he ISN'T fed) Dec. 21 p.m. Today was John's baptism. He did very well, only needing to take his sucky and for mommy to go bouncy, bouncy. He didn't mind the water on his head, but didn't like the anointing part on his chest. We got a lovely prayer plate from his godparents, Wade and Cindy. Daddy even got dressed up for the occasion (which he really really hates), and John didn't recognize him. Jackie and Lhea came to the ceremony as well. Lhea enjoyed crawling around the big expanse of the church. John had an excellent day yesterday, sleeping two big naps. We're working on getting bedtime to be a tad bit later. Mommy doesn't like going to bed at 6:30. Dec. 18 - p.m. Well..it's been a rough couple of days. John developed a cold. He's been coughing and sneezing and quite on the miserable side. I'm not getting much sleep, as he's wanting to be held and cuddled and can't seem to settle to nap much either. We had him checked at the ER yesterday to make sure it wasn't something more serious. His blood oxygen saturations were still good at 100%. We're looking forward to John's baptism on Saturday. Of course, John's been clawing at his face, so he has some nasty scratches (Yes I did cut his nails) for the pictures..typical! Dec. 14 p.m. Well, mommy and daddy got their first night of uninterrupted sleep last night. Grandma and Grandpa traded us houses and looked after John through the night. John was a good sleeper, however, went on a bit of a hunger strike. He just didn't want to eat much for Grandma. Mommy came home at 9 a.m. to feed him his bottle. He took a record-breaking 5 oz. and then another 3 1/2 oz a couple of hours later. Stubborn boy, just like his dad! Grandma and Grandpa bought a life-saving device yesterday, a vibrating bouncy seat from Fisher Price. John absolutely loves it! Mommy can now get a few things done around the place. I drag it into the kitchen and he plays with the toy bar while I cook, or clean or whatever. He also sits in it to watch his Baby Einstein movies. It really does seem to calm and soothe him. I must make sure I keep a good supply of batteries on hand! Tomorrow is Uncle Wade's birthday and we're going to Grandma and Grandpa's for snackies. Daddy has to work :( I'm bringing the bouncy seat!!!! Dec. 10 a.m. Well..John was quite cranky last night after his shots. He didn't scream too badly when he had them done, but that nurse was sure rough. He had blood on his sleeper afterwards poor lovie. His oxygen sats were 100% and he now weights 11 lbs 8 oz. He gained 8 oz in two weeks which isn't bad considering his health concerns. We will go in another couple of weeks for another oxygen sat test. Everyone at the hospital knows me now and asks about John. His nurse yesterday was the nurse who gave him his first bath! I told her this explains why he had so many problems latching. I'm trying to go through the boxes of hand-me-downs to pick out appropriate outfits. He no longer fits his 3 month sleepers. He's a very long baby! I don't think I'll get much done today though as John was running a very low grade fever from the shots and was wanting my attention a lot! Dec. 8 p.m. Well..it's cold beyond belief here in my opinion. I'm working at getting some of my Xmas baking done. I've done shortbread and chocolate chip cookies so far. John now has some new DVD's. I used Grandma Memory's piggybank money to buy Baby Mozart and I used my cash to by Baby Bach. These baby einstein DVD's are a huge lifesaver right now. I like them too! Got out to church this morning, but John screamed his head off for one hour apparently. He was a zombie and went right to sleep when I got home. Poor daddy! Tomorrow John goes for a checkup and to get his oxygen saturations done and his shots. I am definately not looking forward to dealing with him after that! I hope he doesn't fuss for days, develop a fever etc. etc. If you don't hear from me for a while, that's why!! Dec. 5 - p.m. Today we put up our Xmas tree..well, mom and I did and John watched. He likes the lights and the disco ball ornaments. He's starting to grab for things now and has realized that his hand opens and can hold things like rattles. He also laughs at himself in the mirror. It's hilarious. He continues to like his Baby Beethoven DVD and watched it a total of about 3 times today. Grandma Lorraine babysat while I went to waterfit. His new bedtime seems to be between 6:30 and 7:00 which I find early because I like to go to sleep when he does. Oh well... you can't keep him awake if you try. We have our cardiologist appointment scheduled in January. It will be January 14th. We'll go up on the 13th and return the 15th. Dr. Mazurski has been in touch with the clinic and will be monitoring John here for us. Dec. 4 a.m. John's started noticing the television. I saw him staring at Newsworld this morning so I stuck on his Baby Beethoven DVD and he sat in his swing for a whole 20 minutes and watched it. Oh bliss! He had a better night last night. We went to Jackie and Guy's for dinner and he was sleepy there. He cried in his car seat on the way home, but quickly settled and fell asleep at 6:30. He stayed asleep until 11:30..so that's good! I went to waterfit and daddy enjoyed a beer (imported from England no less!) at home. That's his preferred way to have John while he's parenting! (definately) John sleeping and daddy watching t.v. and having a beer! Page 1 Go To Start Of Document Go To Top Of Page Dec. 3 a.m. It's been a rough couple of days. He just doesn't want to sleep!!!! He can be happy one minute and like Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde, a total monster the next. I feel somewhat tortured because I just get to sleep and he wakes up....I've never been one to fall asleep quickly! On a positive note, he's growing!!! He's out of a couple more of his sleepers. Sort of too bad, because they're really cute ones. We received Grandma Memory's parcel yesterday. Thank you! He laughed for the first time yesterday. Looked right at me and smiled and laughed. He probably thought: "Who's that neurotic lady who's looking at me all the time?" It's true. You do become somewhat neurotic when you have a child with a medical condition. I check his colour constantly to see if he's blue, count his respirations, count the number of poops, pees, etc. etc. We went to the ER on Saturday because I thought he was rather pale and I wanted his oxygen saturation checked. The cardiologist suggested monitoring that. It was 97-100% (dads was only 97%), and of course, once we got there, he instantly looked better and was cooing and sleeping! They were quite willing to admit him for 24 hours of observation, but the locum doctor said that considering all the germs in the hospital, he'd probably do better at home. I'm really neurotic about him becoming ill. Another woman in town has a baby with Tetralogy and he became sick with influenza and RSV. He was in the hospital for five weeks (surgery combined). She said if she were to do it again, she would expose him to less people and have anyone who comes into contact with him wash their hands. So that's my new protocol. To handle him, you must wash your hands. I don't want anyone over who is ill as well and we're avoiding crowded places where he could get something. Mind you, we have to go to the clinic next week, and that's probably the best spot to pick up something. I won't sit next to anyone! Nov. 29 - p.m. John's sleeping. He's had a sleepy day today, but is drinking very well so far. I'm trying to get him to nap in his big crib because he's getting too big for the cradle. I'll do it gradually and put him when he's really relaxed into the big crib. Yesterday I went to see Father Luigi to set up John's baptism. It's going to be on Dec. 21 at 1:30. Wade and Cindy are the proud godparents. As far as the fancy suit goes, I think I'll just buy him something really cute in white. That way, he can wear it more than once. I do have a couple of hand-me-down suits which I'll try to dig out and see if those fit him. It'll probably be more difficult getting daddy to dress in something other than Simpsons t-shirt and jeans! Luigi didn't make us take baptismal preparation class. I told him I had my Religion Specialist and could probably teach it for him. John slept 5 hours in a row last night. I woke up at 2 a.m. and had to go and check to make sure he was still o.k. That's the maximum time in a row so far. Nov. 27th a.m. Well, soy isn't making a big difference. In fact, it just gave him a diaper rash, so it's back to what we were using before. That's what's recommended. John was cranky last night for daddy while mommy went to her fitness class. He's had a pretty happy morning and is sleeping right now. John is the happiest when you change him. He thinks it's really funny when I say "peeeeoooo! stinky baby!" He just grins and coos away. He continues to grow (slowly) and I'm digging out new clothes for him to wear! He continues to hate wearing a hat and his snowsuit makes him mad! Thanks again to Auntie Cathy and Uncle Brad for the pack and play. It sure came in handy during our Winnipeg trip and we'll use it again when we go in January. I can assemble and disassemble that sucker in mere minutes. Nov. 25th p.m. We talked to the cardiologist this morning. It looks like we're monitoring John at this time. He has another app't in Winnipeg in January at which time they'll refer John to Toronto for the surgery. In the meantime, we're trying to get him to gain some weight. I've switched to soy formula (a higher concentration) as I think he could be lactose intolerant. He seems to take it nicer than the milk-based ones. His oxygenation is good right now and we'll keep a close eye on things. If things deteriorate, he'll have to go sooner. Lots of people are praying for him. So, it's status quo for the next 6 weeks. Maybe we'll actually have time to enjoy him more! Nov. 24th a.m. We haven't written in the baby diary for a while because a lot has been happening around here. John had a pediatrician app't on Tuesday because of his heart murmur (heard at birth). The pediatrician wanted him whisked off to Winnipeg's Heart Centre asap for assessment. So, Derek and I packed him up on Thursday and headed to Winnipeg on the bus. John was very good on the bus (slept), but very cranky in the hotel. At the Variety Heart Centre, we met with Dr. Divekar. John had an EKG, pulse ox., blood pressure and 30 minute echocardiogram. I had to put him to sleep for this test as he had to be quiet. So, Derek and I spent about 30 minutes with me singing Up on a Housetop and Derek eating the echo tech's candy! Finally John fell asleep and the tech. was able to finish the test. Unfortunately, Dr. Divekar got called away on a pediatric emergency. He had to accompany a blue baby to Edmonton for immediate treatment. He is supposed to call me tomorrow, but we do know that he has elements of a condition called "Tetralogy of Fallot". Basically this affects the pulmonary artery (narrowing), a moderate ventricular septal defect (hole in heart), thickening muscle tissue, and displaced aorta. It's going to require surgery which is usually done in the first year of life. I don't know when yet, as I have yet to hear the features from the cardiologist myself. If left untreated, this would diminish his life expectancy, so it's a MUST! If you want to know more about this condition, there are many good websites out there! I'll update the diary when I know exactly what the next step will be for John. For now, he is on Lasix (a diuretic which makes him constipated), and a high caloric infant diet. He's growing, but not as fast as expected. It takes a lot of energy for him to eat, and he gets tired quickly. We have to feed him often and it takes a long time. Needless to say, mommy and daddy didn't expect all of this, but we're trying our best to just take things one step at a time. Oh, on Monday, before all this happened was our baby shower. We received some wonderful gifts of toys, clothes, books ... you name it! John will receive his surgery likely at the Sick Children's hospital in Toronto. It's top-notch for treating these conditions. This way, mommy has the support of her family members who live down there. Nov. 16 - p.m. We took John out for breakfast today. Of course, he had to be mom's little sucky baby and sit on her lap. He's not like normal babies who will sleep in the carseat, mostly because he hates his hat and snowsuit! I'm getting really good at eating with one hand. He didn't want to sleep at grandma and grandpa's either. Mr. Nosey was more concerned with what was going on. Of course, he's going to be the kind of child who responds well to routine, but who you can't just plop down anywhere for a sleep. Takes after his mommy that way I guess. Dad has some photos to post soon, but he is working lots this week. He will post them as soon as he can! Nov. 13 p.m. I hope John is really down for his nap now! We've been playing up and down for the last 3 hours or so. He is tired, but fighting it. Of course, mommy was trying to set up the new playpen (or as daddy puts it, baby jail) for baby John. Thanks so much to Uncle Brad and Auntie Cathy! It's really a clever device. You can collapse it so easily and it all folds up into one convenient bag so you could take it anywhere. Now to see if he likes it hehe. He has no choice sometimes though and it's a nice safe place to put him when I have to go downstairs for laundry etc. The cats have not figured out how to get in it yet! They'd better not!!!! Nov. 12 p.m. Well it snowed quite a bit last night. I watched it come down while I was up at 2:30 a.m. feeding John. Good thing I got the Christmas lights up on the hedges yesterday while it was warm. John and I went for a walk too, although he got really fussy at the end of it. I tried to reason with him, but he wouldn't listen (hehe). We went to Thorley's house for dinner last night. John was a good boy and enjoyed spending time with Ed and Judy. Ed, of course, thinks he doesn't ever cry. Of course, he got in a screaming fit in his carseat on the way home (hates his snowsuit and hat) and I was really very tempted to call Ed at 8:30 (when I said he would fuss) and hold the phone up to John's screaming mouth. John slept very well once I did get him settled and I had a 4 1/2 hour sleep (in a row!) Well, off to have my shower before he gets up again! Nov. 10 p.m. John slept pretty well last night. He went down at 8:00 p.m. which is an hour early for me, but I took advantage and caught some shut-eye too. He's a very strong little baby. He holds himself really well upright and sits quite well in his swing now. He had a two hour nap there this morning. He still continues to be gassy, but hopefully his digestive system will get itself sorted around soon. Thank God for Jake Chenier's music tape because it really seems to calm him down when he's upset. I have borrowed a couple of music tapes from the toy library, but they don't seem to amuse him quite like Jake. Nov. 7 - p.m. John had a good sleep last night. Not too much fussing, although he had a bit of a hissy fit before he went to sleep. We hope that stops soon! Today John made his own "bubble bath" with lots of toots in the tubbie. It was hilarious! He had a visit from Great Aunt Shirley and Great Grandma Ann. He was a sleepy boy when we took him to the Trans Canada restaurant for lunch and didn't make a peep. In the afternoon, Grandma and Grandpa paid a visit and Auntie Cindy too! We got a couple of presents for John. Brandi (a little girl I taught in kindergarten last year) brought over a nursing pillow, baby swimsuit and two outfits! Cousin Jacquie from Brantford sent up some pooh items - album, baby book, bib and babysitter memo pad. She also gave us a new CD of gospel lullabyes! John sure loves his music! Nov. 5 p.m. Today was John's one month check-up at the doctor's. Everyone made him mad, because all he wanted to do was sleep! Of course the appointment was scheduled during his big nap time. He was a good boy in the waiting room (drank his bottle), but got mad when they weighed/measured him and when the doctor examined him. He is now 10 lbs 8 oz and still 22 inches. The doctor said he looked fine and was impressed that his skin was so clear and non-rashy. He rode home like a total zombie in the carriage and went right to sleep in his cradle when he was done. It's amazing how many people talk to you when you have a baby. All the old people in the clinic were busy gooing and gahing at him. I was waiting for him to pee on Dr. Mazurski when she took off his diaper, because he has the tendancy to do that when he's bare-nudie. Darn it! She escaped! I giggled when she asked me if he had a good stream when he pees! Nov 4th early pm. Check out on the Menu for the new Birth Story button for Wendys experience in her own words of the story of the birth of John - from what she can remember anyway. Also there are 11 new baby photos! And for you that care - two new rail photos. Nov 3rd am. John did well during the night. He slept from around 8:30 pm to about 1 am, up for a feeding, then down for about 3 more hours. Only problem is that he was crying from 3 pm to whenhe finally went to sleep around 8:30 pm! That was a looooong day! Dad was at work for all of that crying tho. Dad does have several new photos to post, but with him being back to work now, there isn't a lot of time to work on the site. On Monday, dad doesn't have to go to work, so at that time he can post new photos. There is definately enough for a full new page. Check back on late Monday, or later Tuesday for sure to see new photos! Nov 2nd am. - I'm putting this here as I didn't know if anyone notices the 'updates' on the bottom of the menu. You might have noticed a slight change in the look of the site. Despite what the flash intro says about looking better at 1024 x 768, I changed the site a bit to look a little better at 800 x 600 screen resolution as at this moment 65.85% of the viewers of my site use a screen res of 800 x 600, where as only 29.26% use a screen res of 1024 x 768. This may also help the 2.43% of you that use a screen res of 640 x 480 - I have no idea what the other 2.43% are using for a screen res. When I have more time, I will adjust the flash as well. Hopefully I can fix that too - or I can remove it! Need some feedback on the site everyone! Nov. 1 p.m. - Well, there weren't too many trick or treaters around last night..too cold I guess, so mommy and daddy get the leftovers. John sure likes music! We were dancing to our Jake Chenier tape last night and he settles quite well with the music! Maybe I'll have to put the stereo in his room for a while so he can nap with his Dinosaur songs. He definately likes having his hair brushed and I must say it's growing really fast. Mommy will have to get out the barber scissors soon if it keeps up at this rate. He slept a whole four hours in a row last night so mommy got to come a little bit out of zombie land! Well, I'm off to get him at grandma's house (we dropped him off so we could do lunch!) © 2002 Derek Kennedy

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