All clear!

We made the trip to see the pediatric surgeon on friday. Drove across town, nervously watching the clock to make sure we were on time for the appointment. Navigated the Clarian North Hospital parking lot, professional office building, and of course - the elevators, with a big bulky stroller. Waited in the Riley Children's office waiting room for over an hour (thank you Aidan, for deciding to have a nice big poopy diaper, and making the nurse skip us to the next waiting family, since Mommy was in the restroom changing your diaper when our name was called!).

And we find out.... it is NOTHING! Dr. Rouse was so nice, with a soft voice and a great bedside manner. And he explained the possibilities that would require surgery, but assured us Aidan has none of those. His belly button is just taking longer than normal to heal, but it looks just fine. A few small dabs of silver nitrate, and we were out the door. No surgery needed! Of course we are relieved. And his belly button is almost completely healed - apparently Dr. Rouse had the magic touch. We are so glad this scare was only that and nothing more, thanks for all the good luck wishes, they worked!

Belly button woes

We got some surprising news last week at the doctor's office. We took Aidan to be seen, because he is still having some drainage out of his belly button. His umbilical cord had fallen off without incident, but at his 2 month appt. was not completely healed. At that time, Dr. Moore did a silver nitrate application on it, in hopes of getting it to heal completely and end the "leakiness" it had. That worked for about a week, and then it started draining again, worse than before. Now, at 3 months, the dr. has decided there may be an issue internally that needs to be corrected. We've been referred to a pediatric urologist, and we see him on friday for a surgery consult.

Obviously, surgery is the last thing we expected out of an issue like this, so we are a bit overwhelemed at that possibility. All we can do is think good thoughts, and have confidence that he is in excellent, capable hands, and we hope to get through this. If surgery is the route we need to take, we'll keep you updated on our plans.

The first boy in the family...

There are good things and bad things about being the first boy born into a family in quite a long time. After several granddaughters, of course the grandparents were overjoyed to hear we were expecting a little boy when we found out last fall. Finally - someone to buy cool "boy toys" for (those were Dad's thoughts!) and someone to go fishing with Grandpa.

However, there is one major drawback to being the first boy, after a few girls have grown up in the family. Grandma can't part with pink, ruffly socks.

Yes, this is a picture of Aidan's feet. After spending the day with Grandma.... sigh. He will never live this one down.

Welcome Spring!

We were able to get outside for a little while, since it is finally starting to warm up! Here is Aidan, feeling the wind in his face for the first time ever - he wasn't too sure if he liked it or not!

Look at me sitting up in the Bumbo! And still rockin' the double chin, of course!

Aidan has been growing so much, it is amazing. He is sleeping longer stretches now at night - 8-9 hours, taking a quick bottle, then going back down for another 3-4 hours. He's also been smiling and cooing, and is starting to reach for toys now. His favorite is his play mat with the bird that flies overhead and plays music - he tries to grab the bird, he is just not quick enough yet!

Happy Easter!

We spent Saturday morning coloring Easter eggs - this was a first for Ava, and she LOVED it! It was a little tricky for her to figure out how to get the eggs into the cups of dye without a big *kaplunk!* and some splashing, but by the end she had mastered it!

She was very focused, putting stickers on her eggs "just so"!!

Then of course, we all had to have an egg! Ava tried one and loved it. When she took a few more bites and got to the middle yolk part, she yelled "Yay - cheese!" (She was pretty disappointed and decided eggs were not so yummy once she figured out that on the inside, it was not really cheese!)

Showing off her Easter outfit, complete with new pink shoes, and a sure sign of spring - no socks!!

We headed outside on Easter morning to go hunt for some eggs that Mom had hidden around the front yard!


There's one!

Looking cute, with her Easter basket full of eggs!

Grandpa Whetzel, with Aidan, on Easter sunday.