2 weeks old

Ethan is 2 weeks old today! Mammaw came to visit, we hung out at home, and this evening we had present time with Ethan and opened up his belated Christmas presents. He wasn't too wild about the wrist toys yet!

First time on the playmat!

Meeting Seth, Jenni, and Lexi!

Aunt Jenni, Uncle Seth, and Lexi came to visit and brought us dinner tonight. Thanks, guys!

Ethan is also doing really well holding his head up during tummy time!

Happy Birthday, Grandma Joy!

Happy Birthday, Grandma Joy! We went to Ethan's first church service today.

Then this evening, we went to Grandpa Jim and Grandma Joy's house to celebrate her birthday with the family

First dinner out

After our busy day yesterday, we slept in and had cuddle time in bed :)

We had our first dinner out tonight with Aunt Heather and Uncle Brian at Applebee's... not so easy! Ethan was hungry too :)

First visit with Dr. Leanza!

Ethan is one week old today and had his first pediatrician appointment with Dr. Leanza. His weight is up to 6 pounds, 14.5 ounces! He has gained six ounces since we left the hospital on Monday :) Dr. Leanza says he is perfect and we don't have to come back until our one month appointment in February. Ethan was not a happy camper when we had to take his clothes off to be weighed! But he fed really well after we were finished with Dr. Leanza.

After our appointment, we went to visit at Daddy's work, and then we went on our first trip to the mall and walked around Cincinnati Mills. Mommy tried on slings at the Treehouse Kids store and bought our first Hotsling. Ethan slept the whole time, even when trying out the slings! After we left the mall, we went to visit Aunt Sheila and Uncle Rod. Unfortunately Aunt Sheila fell and broke her leg, so she wasn't able to come to our house. I smiled for the first time at Aunt Sheila's house!

First sponge bath

Ethan got his first sponge bath today in the sink. He can't have a full bath until his umbilical cord falls off, so we used the bath sling. He did not really care for the water yet!!

Much better after we got all wrapped up :) We also caught Ethan sucking his thumb for the first time!

First trip out!

This morning Ethan had to go to the Children's Outpatient Lab in West Chester for a repeat bilirubin draw. He did pretty well with his heel stick. He just wanted to eat :)

Then we went to Perkins for our first family meal out, and went to Kohl's to buy Ethan some newborn sleepers... all of his clothes are pretty big!!

Aunt Danielle and Uncle Jon also came to visit!! Ethan did not make a good first impression... he tooted on Aunt Danielle, lol!

First step as pro-active parents...

We had an unexpected visit back to the hospital last night because Ethan's bilirubin levels had crept up and he needed some light therapy... less than 24 hours later his levels had cut in half and we came back home this evening. Our pediatrician, Dr. Leanza and the other peds at Springdale Mason Pediatrics, did not have privileges to see Ethan at Good Sam, but they kept in very good contact with us on the telephone and offered so much support and advice for us. They encouraged us to continue breastfeeding, which was so important to us. Ethan did so very well and is eating like a champ!! The pediatrician at Good Sam wanted us to stop breastfeeding and formula feed instead, but our parent insticts kicked in and we questioned their opinion. We feel very strongly about breastfeeding and feel like it is best for Ethan. We called Dr. Leanza's office and our midwife office that delivered Ethan, who both recommended to continue breastfeeding. We really felt pressured by the Good Sam pediatrician to quit and we had a long, emotional night. He was placed in a phototherapy box for light therapy, and they did not want us to take him out of it for any reason. Mommy was so upset about it! She didn't even want to take a picture of Ethan in the box. But this morning, Ethan's bilirubin levels were down to 13.4 from 19.2 on admission! He was able to be placed on a "bili blanket" at that time and his repeat bilirubin level this afternoon was down all the way to 10.4! We were able to come home this evening without any further light therapy needed :)
Ethan with the bili blanket - our little glow worm :)

Dr. Leanza even called this afternoon to check in and see how Ethan is doing. He said he was very happy that we had second guessed the Good Sam pediatrician's opinion regarding stopping breastfeeding and that we had called the office. Dr. Leanza also felt like breastfeeding was the best way to go, and he said a short stay at the hospital should not need to interfere with our total breastfeeding experience. He basically told me that the jaundice is a very minute complication and risking losing out on the breastfeeding experience by stopping while we were at the hospital was not a risk we should have taken. I'm so thrilled with his opinion and that he was happy with our decision!! We will go for a repeat bilirubin level tomorrow at the Children's Hospital Outpatient Center, and then we will see Dr. Leanza in the office on Thursday for Ethan's first newborn checkup.
Ethan took a bottle very well for the first time (Mom's pumped milk)

Let's go home!

Ethan knows he's home now - kicked back and relaxin!!

Not so great news...

Ethan had his home nurse checkup today. He weighs 6 pounds, 8 ounces, which is normal for babies to lose a little of their birth weight. Breastfeeding and diapers are going well. The nurse did a bilirubin draw, and we will wait for the results to come back. Ethan's face is a little yellow and we have been sitting him in the pack and play in front of the window so he can get some sunlight. After the nurse left, Aunt Sheila came to visit with us and brought Ethan super cute monkey pajamas! He is looking forward to wearing them :)

We were having a great afternoon, hanging out in the family room in front of the fireplace and Mommy and Daddy were playing some Scene It. We got a call from the pediatrician's office that Ethan's bilirubin level was 20.1, and they needed us to go back to Good Sam so Ethan could get some more aggressive light therapy.

First night at home

The first night home was not at all what Mommy expected! She was so tired at the hospital but couldn't sleep, and she thought that once she got home we would be able to get some rest. Ethan was sleeping good but any time that we would set him down to try to go to sleep ourselves, he would wake up. It seemed like he just wanted to be held, but it was around 3am, and finally we just needed a break. Grandma Joy came to the rescue and snuggled with Ethan so Mommy and Daddy could get some much needed rest. Thank you, Grandma Joy!!

We felt much better after some sleep and a shower! Mommy was silly using all kinds of pillows to feed Ethan... she completely forgot about having the Boppy until Aunt Mandi reminded her!

Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Brad came to visit! Ethan can't wait to meet Shawn!

Mommy and Daddy are going to put Ethan's birthday cake to good use :) This will taste good after the yucky hospital food! A little sugar for Ethan's super skinny legs!

SO ready to head home

We had a long night at the hospital last night and we are very excited to go home today! Mommy unfortunately had a nurse that kept her up a lot and we are very tired. Now I know what my patients mean about not getting any sleep at the hospital!! We had a busy morning with a visit from the Good Sam pediatrician who said that everything is perfect with Ethan. Then he had his hearing screening which was just fine :) Then Ethan had his hospital pictures taken!

We waited around until mid-afternoon for Ethan to have his circumcision done, then we were finally able to get ready to head home :)

Welcome, Ethan Christopher!

Ethan Christopher Gabbard joined us this morning, Thursday, January 3, 2008 at 4:19 am :) He is 7 pounds exactly, and weighs 20 1/4 inches long. He is beautiful and has the sweetest little cry - if you could even call it that!! He has a little bit of dark hair and blue eyes. We love him so much!! Labor started Wednesday morning around 8am and I ended up pushing for about an hour before he joined us this morning. He is quite a trooper and even ended up being able to breastfeed wonderfully before he was even an hour old. Mom, Dad, and Ethan are all doing very well, just tired from all of yesterday's activities.
The very first pictures of Ethan:

Daddy holding Ethan for the first time:


Mommy and Daddy had "new parent" presents for eachother and opened them up before bedtime - Mommy cried, of course!

Daddy also changed Ethan's diaper for the very first time!