The Higgins Family: The House of Higgins: October 5

Embry's Birthday

Embry's birthday celebrations continued this week! Tuesday Embry and Kiki baked and decorated cupcakes for Embry to take to school on Wednesday!

Then Thursday, we went to Northpark Mall to spend a gift card at Build a Bear. She had a blast and it was so funny to see her pick out her stuffed animal. She pretty much picked out the biggest, goofiest pony...NOT what I would have picked for her at all! Hah! But it was so fun to see her decide on it. Then we met up with her "besties" for lunch at Chick-fil-A! That evening Jacob came home from work early and we opened presents and had more cupcakes! It was the perfect birthday!

In case you missed it, here is Embry's 3 year old update!

Medical Updates

Last Monday (September 28), I got my staples removed at my OBGYN and it was fantastic! They'd started to bug me over the weekend so I was relieved to have them out. BUT, while there, I learned alarming news that my blood pressure was REALLY high...like 160/105. Scary stuff. Blood pressure is the ONE thing I don't have issues with, ever, even when pregnant. In fact the pre-op nurse told me I had one of the best blood pressures she'd seen for a lady about to go into a c-section the day Todd was born! Ugh!

Today, October 5, I had a follow up with my OBGYN and she wants me to see a cardiologist to get to the bottom of this. My blood pressure has stayed pretty high and she wants to make sure nothing serious is going on.

Wednesday September 30 we went to Todd's urologist to hopefully have his circumcision done. Well, bummer, it wasn't done. The good news is, I pretty much am in love with the doctor...he was one of the most down to earth doctors I've had. He sat with us for a long time, totally explained EVERYTHING and just overall made me feel totally comfortable with our decision. He explained that they use some sort of tool to do the circumcisions (some sort of clamp or something) when it's standard...but when the foreskin doesn't go completely around, like in T's case, they have to do it totally by hand. And since that's the case, they like to wait until 6 months old to when baby (and penis) are bigger and it's easier to do. He was glad our OBGYN didn't try to attempt it because he said he's seen it before where they try and then it needs to be redone at 6-9 months anyway. T also has something called hydrocele, where the scrotum has excess fluid in it, and it typically takes care of itself and goes down over the first few months. Also, again, nothing to be concerned about, just a not so uncommon issue that takes care of itself mainly. But another benefit of waiting to do the circumcision is that if the hydrocele hasn't taken care of itself, he can take care of it during the circ. The downside is that Todd will have to be put under and it'll be done at Children's hospital....which also means, medical expenses for the millionth year in a row for us. Blah. Regardless, we're comfortable with the decision and confident in the doctor.

Finally, Friday October 1 we had Embry's 3 year well check and Todd's 2 week well check.

Embry:
Our big girl weighed in at 32.6 pounds (70%) and is 39.25 inches tall (92%). They no longer do head circumference, but they start blood pressure and urine samples...which....was hilarious taking Embry into the bathroom and having her pee in a cup....

Besides getting her stats and answering the ASQ questionnaire (she passed all developmental categories with flying colors!) we were told she is right on track! Our pediatrician said her vocabulary seems great and she was super talkative during the appointment....but I'm still going to get her speech evaluated for annunciation.

The downside...she had a DOUBLE ear infection. It didn't surprise me too, too much and almost made sense because the previous few days, she was super crabby! In fact she threw a huge fit walking into the doctors office because I wouldn't carry a ton of toys inside for her. So she's on antibiotics and on the mend!

Todd:
Todd weighed in at 9 pounds 8 ounces, which means he gained a full pound since the week before. That put him in the 75%. They got his length still at his birth length, 20.25 inches which puts him in the 45%. They said how inaccurate length is at this age, and T especially hates to have his legs stretched out. His head circumference was 37.5 cm, which shockingly is the 55%. Who would have thunk I'd have a baby with an average size head, hah!

He's been awfully congested, but the doctor explained how babies who gain a pound in a week are basically over-eaters and still trying to get a hang of getting the right amount. That tends to back them up, congestion wise, which is totally true for him. After a lot of feedings he'll have milk come out of his nose...which is then causing congestion. Nothing to be concerned about, just a bit of a pain.

Dr. Hart was happy we saw the urologist and is happy with our decision to have the circumcision done late winter!

The Rest of Our Week

Sunday September 27, Jacob's mom, "Kiki", arrived to help for the week! We had a great time and it was so nice to have someone to entertain Embry, help with cooking, chores, etc. So thankful that our moms each were willing to spend a week to help cater to us!

Embry and Kiki

Nursing her baby

Rat tail potential

Three sleeping babies!

Saturday morning before she went to Austin, Daddy took E to the zoo!

One of my besties, Emily, was in town for a baby shower and came by to meet Toddy!

Embry's farewell lunch!

Eliot at Todd

His post bath hair kills me!

T had his first bottle Sunday night! Jacob stayed up to give it to him at 11pm, so I got a solid 5 hour stretch of sleep.

Embry in Austin!

Saturday after lunch Kiki left to head back to Austin and took our girl with her. Embry is staying there until Wednesday when I pick her up in Waco from my mom! It's been so nice to ease our way into life with a newborn, with no help here, and get to focus on Todd. Bonus, she's having an absolute blast at Mimi and Papa's house!