A lot of the same

We have been doing a lot of the same around here.  Our normal day revolves around Brian and his eating/pooping.  Sad but true.  But look how cute he is! 

We went to see our doctor last week for his 2.5/6 month check up.  He needed his 6 month shots, so that was sad.  Poor buddy did the most pathetic little cry...but really just needed a hug and he was all better.  We found out that Brian is now in the 60% percentile for a normal baby his size.  YAY!  His last weight was 14 lbs and he continues to grow like a champ. 

Because of how well he is growing, our Doctor encouraged us to give Brian a "tube free trial."  Meaning, we took out his feeding tube and let him decide how much he wanted to eat and how often, kinda like a normal baby!  It went great for a few days...  I was doing daily weights and recording every teaspoon he ate.  But after about five days our little man got too tired.  He lost about 6 oz and his urine out put even dropped off.   Back in went the tube.  

So now we know he IS able to eat well at times, but just not quite ready to tackle everything on his own.   Feeding is such a big deal for our little guy.  Feeding means nutrition and nutrition means he is growing and healing.  We have another 4 weeks or so before we can try and introduce some solids and get him really going on the bottle.  If he still can't take in enough calories to grow, it would mean he would need surgery to place a more permanent feeding tube into his stomach.  We really hope we don't need that!

Brian is getting was more active these days.  He is smiling like crazy and only takes a few cat naps during the day.  

He loves to sit up with some help and look around at all the lights.  He is tracking his toys and loves going out for walks.  (It might really be his mom loving the walks, but we pretend he likes them too) 

Brian's girlfriend Juliet came over.  It is really hard to get a good picture of two 3 month olds! 

This is how he likes to sleep.  Silly boy. 

Hi Buddy!! Look at the smile :) 

These boys love each other.  Brian was doing tummy time and Carl figured he could get a little neck rub out of it.  They were both having fun!  It's a nightly occurrence now.  

He is outgrowing his cute plaid shirts.  I'm probably sadder about this than I should be.  

I think he likes me.  I really like him! 

Carl's mom came to visit this weekend.  So Brian got a LOT of extra snuggles over the past few days. 

Brian is not always thrilled with our weekly tube free photo shoots.  But we love them!  

Tons of pictures, I know.  But those are really the best part anyways!  We have no doctors visits or therapies this week.  Last week we have physical and speech therapy.  He is meeting all his milestones for a 2.5/3 month baby, so that is great news!  Brian continues to struggle with feeding, but we are planning on meeting with the speech therapists at least twice a month.  I was hoping they would be able to magically fix him, but they said to continue on with what we are doing.  Offering the bottle first then putting the rest down his tube.  Nothing can fix our issue but time.  Time to heal his reflux problems and time to get his muscles stronger and more coordinated.  

Patience Lauren, Patience!