The Scholtens: September 2011

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

September 28, 2011

It isn't the best picture in the world, but it does represent a typical day in the life of Peter (pretty comfy, but just a little crooked). . .

OK, that isn't true . . .

Today was Peter's 4 month well baby checkup. Dr D was very pleased with his progress. He said his lungs sound perfect and developmentally he is right on track. He did get his 4 month immunizations today. There was minimal screaming involved. However, he was a pretty grumpy monkey this afternoon (nothing a little tylenol and an ice pack didn't resolve though). Peter weighs in at a whopping 11 lbs, 5 oz today and is 22" tall (almost two feet!!!). He is "talking" up a storm these days and is just the smiliest little guy. He is very strong so we have to be careful about where we leave him for fear that he can push himself around. We have removed the Boppy from our repertoire of "roosts" for Peter as he almost hit the floor a week or so ago when he pushed himself up and over it (YIKES!) Macabe and Bennett graciously brought their Bumbo this weekend. Peter isn't quite ready to sit in it unassisted, but he's almost there. The final note about our day is that Peter has been moved to the "normal" baby pediatrician schedule. We don't go back for 2 months. We will still visit the NICU follow-up clinic next week, but won't be returning there until December. They like to do a comprehensive visit with Occupational Therapy included to assess where the babies are milestone-wise.

Grandma & Grandpa headed home early this morning as Grandma had to teach Christian Education Class this afternoon . . . Peter so loved having them around (Mommy & Daddy did, too as we got to go out ALONE on several occasions!)

Sunday, September 25, 2011

September 25, 2011

We celebrated Peter's baptism this morning . . . Grandma & Grandpa Flesher, Auntie B, Uncle Kurt, Aunt Whitney, Macabe and Bennett were all able to be there to share in this special day . . . GrampS & Grammy and Uncle Drew & Aunt Allison weren't able to be there . . .

but they sent some really pretty flowers to decorate the sanctuary

Mommy can vouch for the fact that this was a super yummy cake

I like to hang with Uncle Kurt . . . I think he is jealous of my socks!

Uncle Kurt, Aunt Whitney, Macabe, Bennett, Mommy & Daddy . . . and Me!

The Flesher's (minus Greg . . . we missed you)

After all that excitement I just needed to chill out in my owl hat!

September 24, 2011

We had an action-packed Saturday . . . just thought I would share some pictures . . .

This is Peter's version of SO BIG . . .

Goofy Boy

Hi! My Name is Peter . . . What's Up?

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin . . .

I'm almost 2 feet tall . . . OK, not really, but I am getting closer

What's over there, Mommy? I think I need some of those . . .

I Love my Auntie B . . .

I think I like chickens . . .

Daddy, can I have that one?

Thanks for the AWESOME pumpkin hat, Grammy!

Friday, September 23, 2011

September 23, 2011

I got a call yesterday that we had a gift at a store in downtown Bay City . . . they offered to deliver the gift, but Brad was on his way home so I told them he would pick it up . . . boy, am I glad I did!

First, a little backstory . . . .

When Brad and I were newly married we were big fans of Collin Raye (we went through a country music phase) . . . we had all of his tapes (yes, we're that old) . . . however, we happened to come across one that we hadn't heard of . . . a children's tape ("Counting Sheep") . . . we LOVED it . . . we always said if we ever had kids, this would be the tape we would play at bedtime . . . well, having thought that ship sailed, we forgot about the tape . . . however, when Peter came along, I searched high and low and found a copy of the cd to buy (it is incredibly difficult to find) . . . we have been singing Peter the songs from that tape since the day he was born (I think our NICU nurses knew the words to "I'm Gonna Love You" by the end of our stay!)

So, back to yesterday . . . .

Brad noticed that Collin Raye was performing at the State Theater last night . . . and, there were tickets available in the completely empty balcony (a shame because Collin Raye is not only a great performer, but totally family-friendly) . . . he rushed home, spent a little time coercing me into taking Peter into a public setting and off we went . . .

The concert was great . . . totally acoustic (just Collin, a guitar, his pianist and a piano) . . . he played all the great songs (even a Christmas one!) . . . Peter behaved perfectly . . . he was happy, smiley and seemed to enjoy the music . . . we brought Peter's cd in hopes that we would be able to get it signed . . . . let me just say now . . .

WE LOVE COLLIN RAYE!!!!

Proud Daddy. . .

Not sure what's happening here (I don't think Peter's sure either)

That's right . . . COLLIN RAYE is playing with Peter!!!

The first words out of his mouth when we introduced Peter (the promoter had given him a head's up on Peter's story) were don't worry, I'm not sick . . . .one of my kids was a preemie . . . . I understand the germ thing!!!!!!

It is possible that this will be our Christmas card this year

This picture was taken this morning . . . Peter is still sleeping off his rockin' night!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

September 22, 2011

Today you are 432 months old . . . I am 4 months old . . . It is super cool that our birthday falls on the same day!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

September 18, 2011

Just thought I would share a few pictures from the past week . . .

Hi Daddy! What's up?

With the hat? . . . Without the hat? . . . .

This would be the progression of a "photo shoot" between Peter & Samantha . . .

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

September 13, 2011

Today we visited the pediatrician for a follow-up visit since Peter is no longer using oxygen support. Dr D was very happy with Peter's respiratory statistics . . . he is satting (oxygen saturation) in the high 90's, his respiratory rate has slowed and his heart rate was in the 140's . . . these are the numbers he should have so we were very happy with that . . . Peter now weighs 10 lbs, 10 oz . . . so, Aunt Whitney, Peter is finally bigger than you were than you were born :)
As for developmental progress, Peter is such a strong little guy. As you can see, he can hold his head up during tummy time and is still doing well with head control. The other night we put him to sleep unswaddled (as it was pretty warm in his room). He managed to move himself from one end of the crib to the other . . . he shouldn't be able to do this yet . . . we may have a little caterpillar on our hands. Peter is more consistently treating us to social smiles these days . . . and, he is very responsive to his environment . . . whether that means cooing at smiling faces, squealing with delight or screaming at the injustice of a wet diaper!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

September 7, 2011

*A caveat for all the preemie mommies out there...you cannot fathom the volume of handwashing that had to occur before I let anyone interact with Peter...paranoid, maybe :)

Here are some highlights from Peter's first family vacation . . .