Ian's Monthly Updates

I have been keeping these little entries on my computer since Ian was born.  I just can't believe my baby boy is almost 8 months old.  Time really does fly and I have to say that I don't really like it. It probably sounds crazy to some, but in some ways I'm already ready to go through it all over again to have another! :-)

Here are my entries for 1 week through 7 months:

Ian at 1 week:

-7 lb. 4.5 oz. (25%)

-20 1/2 inches tall (63%)

-HC: 14 inches (35%)

- so good to have our baby home!

 

1 month:

-still wearing newborn diapers

-still wearing newborn size clothes

-started routine at 5 weeks

-smiling and laughing/crying (in his sleep)

Ian at 2 months:

-11 lb. 7.5 oz. (25%)

-23 1/2 inches tall (51%)

-HC: 15 3/4 inches (33%)

-starting to wear size 1 diapers

-wearing size 0-3 clothes

-sleeping through the night swaddled at 9 weeks!

Ian at 3 months:

-starting to wear size 2 diapers

-wearing 3 month clothes/some 3-6 months towards the end

-weighs 13 lbs. 2 oz.

-rolled over both ways at 16 weeks

-cooing, laughing, spitting

- sleeping without swaddle

-eats 5-7 ounces of milk every 2-3 hrs.

-still spits up a lot/started drooling this month

Ian at 4 months:

-laughing a lot!

-13 lbs. 10 oz. (25-50%)

-25.5 inches long (50-75%)

16.54 inches (25-50%)

-likes to grab things

-favorite toys: elephant teether, music box

-wearing 3-6 month clothes

-at 20 weeks: started nap routine during the day. He got it down after a few days!

-he likes to put everything in his mouth and grab everything!

-Ian got his first cold at 19 weeks.

-he’s sitting up more with support.

-he did great on his first, long road trip to WV! (April 2012)

Ian at 5 months:

-14.6 pounds and still wearing size 2 diapers

-he’s starting to wear 6 months clothes now, but can still wear some 3-6 months.

-he’s on a nap schedule and doing great!

-he’s really trying to crawl and moving to get toys.

-he’s sitting up great in the boppy and bumbo and even sitting on his own for a short amount of time.

-Ian really wants everything you have –food and drinks especially.

-He is teething really bad now – drooling, low-grade fever. He likes to chew on toys, teething rings, blankets, bibs, and wash cloths. J

-He likes to watch the Backyardigans!

-He likes to play peek-a-boo

-Week 22: Started playing in the Jumperoo – he loves it! (Thank you Hannah and Brien).

-Ian was dedicated on Mother’s Day  (May 13, 2012) at Graystone!

-Starting to sit up unsupported! He did it for a minute today (May 14, 2012)!

-Sitting up on his own at 25 weeks!

-Started getting up on his hands and knees to crawl at 23 weeks. Crawled for the first time on June 5, 2012!

-Started eating cereal and baby food at 24 weeks. Ian loves oatmeal!

Ian at 6 months:

-15 pounds, 8 oz 

-27.5 inches tall (75-90%)

-17.2 inches (25-50%)

-He’s still wearing size 2 diapers

-He’s wearing mostly 6 month clothes right now, but can wear some 6-9 month clothes.

-He’s gone through all the vegetables and almost all the fruit (we’re on peaches right now – June 20, 2012).

-Ian started pulling up on things (ottoman, gates, etc.) at 27 weeks! Yikes! He wants to walk already and gets frustrated because he can’t just yet! He’s so cute! Mastered crawling at 27 weeks!

-He pulls up on Mommy and it melts her heart!

-Ian loves to hear the Hickory Dickory Dock song, Head and Shoulders, Hokey Pokey and Elmo’s song.

-He loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse right now!

-We had to lower his crib all the way down to the lowest level at 26 weeks.

-He started to cruise a little bit at 27 weeks – I wonder if he will be walking in a few months?? It’s all going by so fast!

-At 29 weeks:  Ian is eating stage 2 foods now (eats solids three times a day) and has about 25 ounces of formula per day.   He loves swimming and splashing the water! He is constantly pulling himself up on the ottoman and baby gates.  He really wants to walk!  He loves turning the lights off!  I weighed him today -(6/29/12) and the scale said he was 17.4 pounds (with clothes and diaper on).

Ian at 7 months:

-17 pounds (unofficial)

-Still wearing size 2 diapers, but they are starting to get a little snug!

-He’s wearing some 6 month clothes, but mostly 6-9 months (a little big).

-He’s sitting up by himself in the bathtub and he loves bath time!

-Ian said “dada” for the first time on July 6, 2012

-Ian said “mama” for the first time on July 7, 2012

-He will lean in and give an opened mouth kiss! He reaches for mama and dada!

-He loves mommy or daddy sneaking up on him from behind! It makes him laugh like crazy.

-Ian loves Bauer! He laughs at him a lot!

-His favorite books are: So Big (Elmo) and But Not the Hippopotamus

-He’s teething really bad right now, but still doesn’t have any teeth!

-He loves sweet potatoes and any fruit! The only thing he doesn’t like right now is peas!

-Ian’s laugh is contagious! 

-Ian is starting to figure out how to get down after he pulls himself up.  I love him so much!!! I can’t believe he’s closer to one year now…don’t go too fast, boo bear!

-Ian is really getting around (32 weeks).  He can climb up the stairs! We have to get it on video soon.

-He can give you a "high five!" 

Our Little Miracle: Ian Daniel!

I know I haven't really done a very good job keeping this blog up to date, so I'm going to try to make up for lost time by sharing each little journal entry I have made for Ian every month (and sometimes weeks).  I also haven't shared Ian's birth story, so I'm going to share that first. I guess it's better late than never!

Ian's birth story:

After 2 and a half years of trying to start a family, which involved infertility testing, surgery, months of waiting, months of shots and 41 weeks of pregnancy…Ian Daniel McInnis is finally here in our arms! He was definitely worth the wait!

Ian Daniel McInnis

December 8, 2011

7 lbs. 6 oz.

19 inches long

10:52 am

December 8, 2011:

Jason and I got up at 5:30 am to get ready to go to the hospital for my scheduled c-section.  My parents arrived the previous night from West Virginia and went with us to the hospital.  We were all so excited to finally be meeting Ian today!

We arrived at the hospital pretty early, so we ended up waiting in the waiting area for about an hour and a half before going back to pre-op.  For a little while, we thought I might go into labor on my own as I was having some contractions.  We hoped that I might be dilated some, but once I was checked again, there was no change! The c-section was a go! 

We waited for about an hour in the pre-op room, just going over stuff with the nurse, doctor and anesthesiologist and signing paperwork.  Jason got his scrubs on and we were all ready to go. Our family was there to support us and pray for us before we left. 

Jason had to wait while I had my spinal put in, but once I was prepped and ready for surgery, Jason was allowed to come in.  I was so happy to see him.  Now we were ready to meet our son!  We couldn’t wait to hear him cry.  About five or ten minutes after they opened me up, they were ready to pull Ian out.  My doctor said the cord was wrapped around Ian’s neck three times! He said we would have ended up here even if I had been induced. We felt like this was the Lord protecting Ian.  When my doctor pulled Ian out, I remember Jason saying he was coming and then I heard the most beautiful sound in the world! This cry was the BEST sound I have ever heard in my life. Jason and I immediately started crying tears of joy.  I will never forget it.  Jason wanted to stay with me, but I told him to go over and see Ian and then he could bring him to me.  When Jason brought Ian to me, I couldn’t believe how perfect he was.  He was crying, but when Jason would put him to my cheek and Ian would hear my voice, he would stop crying.  It was wonderful! I gave him a kiss and they took him to get cleaned up.

The rest of the day was spent recovering from surgery and holding our little miracle.  That evening Jason and I decided to take care of Ian in our room by ourselves! We should have listened to everyone and had some help, but I think we just were waiting for this moment for so long, we really wanted it to be our little family that night.  The night was rough because I could not get up and get Ian when he cried.  I had to keep waking Jason up to pick him up for me!

The next day was not anticipated at all.  Ian was getting low readings on his glucose tests and his body temperature was a littler lower than it should have been. The doctor wanted him to lie down under a heat lamp to get his temperature up.  This seemed to help temporarily, but he continued to get low glucose readings and he was not eating well.  The doctor decided to take Ian to the nursery to monitor him a little closer.  We didn't really think anything was seriously wrong at the time.  I didn't like the fact that Ian was taken away from me, but I thought it would only be for a short amount time.  Very early the next morning while we were asleep, the doctors came in to tell us that they were moving Ian to the intermediate care nursery due to a possible infection.  I felt like my heart stopped beating after they left.  I was devastated.  Now, I'm sure my hormones were through the roof, but I have never felt more pain before in my life.  A parent's love for their child is indescribable.  I just wanted my baby to be ok.  I felt helpless and I didn't understand why the Lord was allowing this to happen after all we had been through to get him here.  I just kept crying out to God and asking Him what we were supposed to do.  It was so hard not knowing what was wrong and what was going to happen.  In these moments I honestly think the Lord just wants us to completely lean on Him.  That's all we could do!

Jason was so strong and supportive through all of this. He was positive and right there with me through all of the infertilty, IVF and with Ian.  I remember all I wanted was my mom to be there. Jason called my mom to come right away!  I couldn't have gotten through the next few days without her. I love you, mom!

The next five days was a roller coaster! We had to deal with nurses and doctors telling us one thing and then another.  We were so ready to take Ian home and get out of the hospital.  It just seemed like some of the nurses wanted Ian to stay there for some reason!  It turned out that they didn't really know if Ian had an infection or not.  We were so thankful for the many prayers that were lifted up for Ian and us.  All I can say is that we will never take Ian for granted for a second.  I'm not sure why the Lord had us go through this little rough patch, but He certainly has blessed us to have Ian here healthy and strong.  I can't describe the love I have for my little boy.  All I do is thank the Lord every single day for him!

National Infertility Awareness Week

This week is National Infertility Awareness Week...I thought that this was as good a time as any to start blogging again.  I have several friends who are on this infertility journey. Some have just entered into this journey, some are in the middle and have to continue to wait, and others have just suffered heart breaking loss. My heart and prayers are with all of you.

I can say that I have gone through the waiting and heartache that goes along with not being able to have children on your own. I've been there and I know how that feels. Jason and I would not wish infertility on our worst enemy.

We now have Ian, who I consider a miracle. I truly pray that the Lord grants those who long to be parents the desires of their heart. The truth is, I don't know that it will happen for everyone. That is one thing that made me think twice about when someone would say that to me. I know they meant well and they were just trying to be positive, but the Lord is in control and He knows if it will happen for you.  What I do know is that in Romans 8:28 it says: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. He said that it would be good, but the hard part is that it's not always easy.  Infertility certainly doesn't feel good, but His promise is that your journey will have meaning in His plan. I truly believe that if the Lord gave you the desire to be a parent - to love and to nurture, He will use that for His glory - whatever the outcome.  He wraps His loving arms around you in the middle of the hurt and promises that He will use it for His glory.   He can do that.

So, all of that being said...for this week I'm going to be posting about infertility to raise awareness.  

Every year in the United States, there are 60,000,000 women in the childbearing years of 15-44 :

• 6,000,000 women deal with infertility
• 2,000,000 married couples are infertile
• 1,995,840 pregnancy losses

Year after year over 2,000,000 women do not have the opportunity to become Mothers.