1 Month Old!

Fletcher turned one month old last Sunday! I still can't believe how quickly the time passes. I think he's starting to look different, and he's definitely a LOT more alert and awake. Jesse and I are really looking forward to Fletcher smiling and being able to interact with us more. But for now, he's still a lot of fun :)

We received some good news right after Fletcher's birthday! When he had his original newborn blood work done, his thyroid screening came  back high. The doctor called us a couple of days later and asked us to come back to the hospital to have it re-tested. His re-test came back on the elevated end of the normal range, but the doctor was satisfied that everything was fine. Since we're moving to Japan this summer, I asked to be referred to an endocrinologist for a second opinion and third test. If Fletcher ended up having a thyroid issue, we would have to make sure the base in Iwakuni had an endocrinologist and the medications that he would need, and I wouldn't want to waste time once we're there trying to figure it out. Better safe than sorry! So Jesse and I took him to see the specialist. They used an IV needle in his arm to draw the blood. He screamed bloody murder and I tried not to cry. It's so sad! Once the needle was in, he stopped crying and was completely fine. He definitely handled the situation better than I did! The doctor called the next day to say that all of his results were WNL and we were good to go. He recommended Fletcher get tested again by his primary care doctor at his 4 month check-up. 

 The Commanding General's wife made this blanket for Fletcher. She goes above and beyond to make Marines and their wives feel at home at Miramar. It's so neat that out of the thousands and thousands of individuals she interacts with at the base, she not only remembered that we were having a baby, but she remembered Fletcher's name AND took the time to make him a special gift.
She is one amazing woman.


Fletcher Month One 
 
Weight: 11lb 7oz
 

Length: Around 22.5 inches

Sleep: 7:30pm-2am, 2:30am-5:30am, pretty consistently. Sleeps swaddled in his crib at night, and naps sometimes in his crib and sometimes in his living room bassinet.

Milestones/Developments: Pulling Mom's hair

Losing his button

Feeding every 4 hours during the day

Only waking 1-2 times at night 

 

Adventures: 

Being born

Visits from MeMa, Aunt Jen, and Phranma

Visiting Dad at work

Earning Derby's approval

 

Discoveries: 

Alone time in my crib isn't so bad!

 

Favorite things: 

Car rides

Stroller rides

Eating

Paci

Singing songs

Reading books

Costco

 

Not so favorite things: 

Tummy time

Bath time (it's hit or miss)

 

Visitors/new friends this month:  

MeMa

Aunt Jen

Phranma

Nichole

Megan

Dr. Koerner

Next doctors appointment: June 3rd (for shots!)

Other news: Grandpa is coming to visit!

Fletcher 4 Weeks Old

The time goes by so fast! This was my first full week alone, and I was ready. The help was amazing but I was ready to settle into something that resembled a routine. We also have SO much to do to get ready for our move to Japan, and I needed to get started. The amount of paperwork and appointments is crazy!

All three of us needed new passports. Jesse's had expired and mine had my maiden name on it. We got that accomplished. I couldn't apply for Fletcher's until he received his social security card and birth certificate. I was anticipating a paperwork nightmare trying to get his birth certificate, but I managed to get same-day copies this week just by going to the County Recorder's office. I went to Costco to have Fletcher's picture taken and it was quite entertaining. They just put a white towel over his car seat and had me lay him on it. The challenging part was getting him to look straight ahead, with his eyes open. He decided to cooperate after about 10 minutes. The results were well worth the wait!

All three of us also need medical clearance to move. Jesse got his accomplished pretty easily on his own (something about being the priority ha). I had to go to the Point Loma Naval Health Center and request a PCSing packet in person. They told me I needed to have a form signed off by my dentist saying that he didn't foresee me needing any major dental work over the next three years. Once I had that form signed, I had to go back to Point Loma as a walk-in, show my face, and say "hi I'd like to schedule an appointment". I have no idea why they wouldn't let me do it over the phone. They scheduled the appointment with the doctor two days later. So, Fletcher and I went back again to Point Loma to see the doctor. She asked me if I could think of any reason why I shouldn't move to Japan. I tried not to hesitate when I answered 'no'. Then she let me know that, despite receiving all of my pre-natal care through the Navy, I was not current on a few things, and would need to come back. Sounds about right. She sent me to the lab to have blood work done because she needed proof that I received the polio vaccine as a child. Once that comes back, I have to go back to her to have the packet signed off.  Fletcher can't have his medical clearance completed until he receives his 2 month vaccines. He also has to have a dental exam in order to move. We're crossing our fingers and hoping our move/vacation isn't delayed due to his clearance being so last minute.

I spent a lot of this week trying to get the two houses set up for us to be so far away. We already have a property manager for the Florida house, so I contacted them and the current tenant asked to renew for another year (phew!). I have been managing the Virginia condo on my own since we moved out, and it's been relatively stress-free due to having an awesome tenant. Unfortunately she's moving out at the end of August, and we'll already be in Japan. So we hired a property manager for the condo this week and are hoping that we don't have any issues finding future tenants.

It was nice having so many errands to run this week. San Diego experienced a heat wave and we don't have air conditioning. Being home during the day when it's 100 degrees outside would have been miserable!

This weekend, Fletcher went to his first pool party (in the shade, of course). He was a trooper! It was nice to relax with friends, and the weather was gorgeous! It was even hot enough to go swimming.
On Sunday, we took Fletcher out to breakfast to celebrate his 4 week birthday. Then we headed downtown. We walked through a farmers market and along the water. Fletcher enjoyed his first gyro, and we picked up some crawfish on the way home. Great weekend!

Fletcher and I hanging out in Little Italy after we dropped Phranma off at the airport

Bath time isn't our most favorite thing...yet!

Fletcher loves his play mat!

Tummy time is least favorite thing to do next to bath time :)

New shades from Aunt Kathryn!

Jesse made a nice profit when he sold the Scout, so he treated himself to a new toy.

He even let me give it a try. This thing goes FAST!

Enjoying crawfish after out day downtown

3 Weeks Old

Phranma was here last week and Fletcher was VERY busy. I really felt like I needed another week of help, so it was nice to have someone here. It was especially nice because Jesse started working 12+ hour days, and didn't get home some nights until midnight. We had a great visit with Phranma. Fletcher was on his very best behavior and showed Phranma a great time.

Chew beads from MeMa

Encinitas Street Festival

 New kicks from the Easter Bunny! (They're a little big :) )

  

Tootsies in the Pacific Ocean!

This is me yelling at Jesse for getting his pants wet

 

My flipity flops washed away while I was complaining

 

Scrabble at BNS Brewery

 

In big news, Fletcher's button fell off this week!

First real bath

Fletcher's First Baseball Game

Phranma arrived in San Diego on Easter Sunday. Before we picked her up from the airport, we took Fletcher to his very first baseball game. To say Jesse was proud would be a serious understatement. It was an awesome day. We started out at Mission Brewery (baby's first brewery, yay!) which is one of our favorites.  After a few beers, we walked across the street to the Padres stadium to watch the game. It was an awesome time!

 101 Squadron Easter Event

 My first beer :)