Austin's 1st Doctor's Visit

(I started this post yesterday but got distracted so I am resuming as if I finished writing it yesterday.)

This morning was Austin's first visit at Parkside Pediatrics. We met 2 of the 4 pediatricians at this practice in the hospital and visited with the third one today. So far we are very impressed and really like all three doctors a lot.

Well, our sweet little boy decided to make a poopy diaper right as we went back to our room at which time we had to change it in front of the watchful nurse. I didn't realize how nervous it would be to have a medical professional watch you undress your child and change his diaper! Anyway, we went to weigh Austin and he weighed in at 7lbs. 7.2oz. They said he is gaining weight back very well and should reach his birthweight soon. His temp. was fine and heartbeat was strong. Austin measured 20 inches at this visit which is 2 whole inches taller than at birth!! We hope this growth spurt continues so he has a chance to be tall like his daddy!

Austin was very good during this visit and impressed the doctors and nurses. However, since he left the hospital with a little jaundice, they had to stick his heel and draw some blood. He didn't mind the stick so much but really hated the nurse squeezing on his foot to collect the blood. He screamed bloody murder for about 5 minutes, but as soon as she was done he immediately quieted down and was calm again.

After we left the doctor's office, Ryan dropped me and Austin off at the house and he went into work. They doctors called about an hour later to give us the result of his tests. I missed the call because I was in the middle of feeding Austin and when I called back they said Ryan was on the other line scheduling an appointment. I waited anxiously for a minute and called Ryan at work to get the news. Much to our dismay, his bilirubins had gone up to 16.5 which is considered high-intermediate risk. It is still too soon to start phototheraphy, but they suggested we expose him to direct sunlight for 15 minutes at a time, three times a day and try to get him as much indirect sunlight as possible. We have also been timing his feedings to exactly 3 hours apart to encourage bowel movements which dispels the bilirubins from his body. We have another appointment tomorrow at 1:30 to do a re-check. Please keep your fingers crossed that Austin's jaundice goes down and he gets back to normal as soon as possible!!

Austin Update - Day 1

So, Austin is a day old now. He and Jennifer are doing great. She's still sore obviously, but without getting into the gruesome details (I'll let her do that if she wishes once she gets home) everything is healing and progressing very well.

Austin, was circumcized this morning. He took it a heck of a lot better than I would have. He was also weighed shortly afterwards. Not suprisingly, he lost 5 oz. from his birth weight. I attribute all 5 oz. to the circumcision, but the nurses seem to think its normal fluid weight loss after birth. :)

I've changed probably a half dozen diapers now (never changed one before). He had a "blow out" earlier today. I took the diaper off and used half a pack of wipes to clean him up. In the process, Austin decided that Daddy needed a shower and proceeded to "make it rain." I had to clean him, me, and half the room up after that. After blowing up in his diaper and peeing all over me, he seemed quite pleased with himself:

Here's a few more pictures...I'm sure once Jennifer gets to feeling like sitting and "computering" the blog will turn into a baby photo album.

Here's a picture of me and Ben with Austin and Tyler (5.5 months old). I have a feeling Tyler and Austin are going to get in a lot of trouble together:

Grandma Jo Ann with her grandson (still image from video):

Here's 3 generations of Harris's. The nose seems to be a dominant trait:

Here's the proud new Mommy with baby Austin:

The Banks' family with Jennifer, Austin, Grandma Banks, Grandpa Banks, and Aunt Catherine.

The following are a few pictures that are still images from some of the video I recorded throughout the day. I'm really glad Jennifer decided to take a while in labor so that I could figure out how to work the camcorder (all video recordings are PG-13):

Here's Daddy cutting the umbilical cord. Simply awesome....they caught me off guard so I didn't have time to really adjust the camera:

Here's Austin fresh out of the womb getting cleaned:

Mama getting to meet Austin for the first time:

Here's Austin getting his feet printed. Hopefully this'll be the only "printing" Austin will have to do in his lifetime:

Proud Parents....

We are overjoyed to announce the arrival of Austin Ryan Harris. Austin was born October 15 at 1:00 am. He weighed 7 lbs. 9 oz. and was 18 inches long.

Both Austin and Mommy are doing fantastic. Here are a few pictures of our bundle of joy: