Michael The First 12 Months

Michaels hospital picture.

Michael and I got to come home from the hospital when he was three days old. I remember how excited I was when we put him in the car. When we got home my mom and dad where there waiting for us. My sister had left the day before we came home but before she left she put up this huge banner on the garage that said "It's A Boy". When we got home we got a call from our pediatrician saying that they ran a test on Michael right before we left and that he has jaundice. They were going to send over a Bilirubin blanket that he has to wear at all times. The only times we were able to take it off of him was to eat and the change his diaper. I called him my little glow worm because it was so bright. They also told me to put him filtered sunlight, so I would put his bouncer by the sliding glass door and let the sun shine on him. The doctor figured he would only have to be on it for a couple days. With the bilirubin light also came a nurse that would come out each day to prick his little foot for a blood sample, weight him and do a quick little check up. His jaundice was not getting much better so what was suppose to be a few days turned out to be 2 weeks. I felt so bad for him because every day he had to have his little foot poked for blood.

Michael at 8 days old on his first outing!

Michael was doing better about a week after we got home from the hospital but I had to go see a Lactation consultant because breast feeding was not going so well. Since she was going to show me how to breastfeed better I had to bring him with me, which meant he would be off the light. The next day the doctor called and said his bilirubin number had jumped up. I was so worried, I decided that I was not going to take him off that light again until I got an okay from the doctor. At two weeks he was able to get off the light and I was so happy. I know it might sound stupid but I had all these little outfits that were so cute that I shouldn't put on him while he had that stupid light on and now I was able to dress him up.

Michael at 2 1/2 weeks

Another picture of Michael around 3 weeks.

When Michael was a month old we took our first trip out of town, it was a Easter weekend and we went to Bakersfield. He did okay on the trip, we had to make several stops along the way to feed him. All of his cousins and his uncle Garin were able to meet him. It was nice being able to show off my son. He got an Easter basket full of baby rattles and baby things.

Michael on Easter day.

Here is Michael in his outfit he wore for his 1 month pictures.

Michael was such a good baby. By the time he was a month old he would sleep through the night. I read a book on how to get your baby to sleep longer and it said to create a routine. Mike and I had a routine we would do with him every night and from the time on it was so easy to get him to sleep. Not only did he sleep good he ate really good. He had a ferocious appetite. He out grew all of his outfits fast. We were always having to buy him new clothes. At a month old he was wearing 3 months clothes. Not only was he gaining weight he was also growing.

Michael at 1 month supporting the home team.

At two months old Michael weighed a little over 15 lbs and had grown 1 inches. His doctor told us there that he was going to be a big boy. We had so much fun together everyday. We would make up songs and I would hold him and dance. I loved taking him to the store because all the ladies would stop us and talk to him, they would tell me how cute he was. It made my heart so proud.

Michael at 2 months old in his swing.

First trip to San Francisco.

When he was two months old we took him to his first trip to San Francisco. My mom and dad were in town and we decided to go met some friends in the city for lunch. He did so good at lunch, just sat there looking around. My friend Susan had a set of twin girls 6 months before I had Michael so we would get together on Tuesday afternoons and go downtown to listen to music in the park. Her girls had just learned to crawl and Susan had her hands full.

Michael listening to the music.

At three months old Michael weighed 19 lbs and was now 25 inches tall. He was wearing 6 months clothing and had to go from his infant car seat to an bigger car seat. This was a little nerve racking because he didn't sit up on his own yet it was hard to take him places. Shopping was hard because he couldn't sit in the cart, so I would bundle blankets all around him to help keep him up. Going out to eat was even harder he couldn't sit up in a high chair so we would only go to places we knew we could take a stroller in with us. He was three months old when Mikes first fathers day came around and I wanted to do something very special for him so I went and bought a talking picture frame. Michael was really babbling at this age so I put the frame down by him and he babbled into the mic as I recorded it. The frame also had a place to put a hand print so I put the clay in the frame and got a hand print from Michael. Then the fun began taking a picture of Michael. We finally got a good one.

The picture of Michael for Father's Day.

Michael at 3 months old, he loved to smile!

Michael was such a joy to have around, he was always laughing and playing. He was also still growing very fast. He was now in size 9 months clothing. All the cute little outfits I bought for him before I had him he only wore a couple of times because he grew so fast.


We didn't get him measured in his fifth month because we didn't have any doctors appointments but you could tell he was growing. It was in his fifth month that he started getting up on his knees and rocking back and forth. Mike and I knew that it wouldn't be long and he would be crawling around the house. We lived in a tri-level house at the time and worried about him trying to get up the stairs so we got a gate and were ready for what lied ahead. Towards the middle of the fifth month we started giving Michael food, he loved it. I think it was right about that time that he really started taking off growing even faster.

Michael eating peas, yummy!

6 months came along and he was crawling every where. At his check up the doctor said he weighed 26 lbs and was 28 inches. He was in the 99th percentile. I couldn't believe it he was such a big boy. People were always shocked when they asked how old he was and I told them 6 months.

Michael at 6 months, he loved taking bath and still does.

Michael crawling.

and again Michael crawling.

Michael at 6 months.

The months between 7 and 8 were just as awesome as the other ones. He was learning really fast and you could just sit there and watch him as he tried to figure things out. We lived in a cul-de-sac and for all the holidays we all got together and had potluck dinners so when Halloween came along it would be no different. However things were different, we ended up spending the day at the ER because Mike had gotten a kidney stone. We had this great day planned, we were going to take Michael to the pumpkin patch and then got the potluck and pass out candy there. I thought all was ruined but Mike being the terrific dad that he is popped a few pain pills later in the day and we got to take Michael to the pumpkin patch. He did not like them. He cried almost the whole time we were there. Later we went to the potluck for a short time. It turned out better then we thought it was going to. Mike passed his stone that night all was good.

Michael not liking the pumpkin patch.

Roooooar! Michaels first Halloween costume.

Thanksgiving we went to Bakersfield and saw the family. Once again the family could not believe how big Michael was getting. Towards the end of his eight month he started learning to walk. He would take a few steps here and there.

The only way to keep him in one spot!

When we got back from Bakersfield we put up our Christmas tree and lights. Michael loved the tree he would just stare at it and then smile.

Michael taking a few steps in front of the tree.

At 9 months Michael now weighed 31 lbs and was 29 1/2 inches tall. It was a good thing Christmas was around the corner because he needed new clothes again. He was wearing 18 month clothing.


I wanted Christmas to be very special for Michael. I know he was so young that he would not be able to remember but it was the first time I was a mother at Christmas and I went all out. I made Michael and outfit for to wear for Christmas that was just adorable. He was an elf. I also made Mike a Santa suit to wear so that he could hand out presents. We always go to Bakersfield for Christmas so I thought it would be cute for him to wear it there when we gave everyone their gifts. I made everyone new stockings to hang and by everyone I mean the whole family. 18 of them. We usually do the family thing on Christmas eve, we have a dinner and then hand out the gifts to the family. I got the perfect gifts for Michael. I had to go to 4 stores to find on of the gifts I wanted for him. That toy was in high demand. Everything was going to be perfect.

Michael as the elf.

Michael and daddy oh I mean Santa.

The week before Christmas I was in a mad dash to get everything wrapped and packed so that we could take it all with us. Then the most awful thing happened, I got very ill. On December 20 my stomach started burning and nothing I took would make it any better. On the 21st I went to the doctor and she gave me some pills to take but even those didn't help. Later that night I had Mike take me to the ER where they ended up admitting me so that they could give me pain medication and strong medication for the burning feeling. They ran all kinds of test and they never really found out what it was. They said that my stomach was very red and inflamed. My mom and dad came up to help Mike with Michael, when I saw my mom I just cried. I told her I had ruined Christmas, that I tried so hard to make everything perfect. I knew there was no way we could make it to Bakersfield. On Christmas eve the doctor finally let me out of the hospital and I was so happy to be home. It was the first time I was away from Michael and I was missing loving on him. That day my mom and dad went to the store and bought stuff for a small Christmas dinner there at my house. On Christmas morning I woke up and we went downstairs to open presents, it was great to see how excited Michael was over all the stuff he was getting. He didn't know what it was just that he got to rip into paper. Mom and I made breakfast and then started our Christmas dinner. I set the table up with all of my finest linens, plates and crystal. It was very pretty. Turns out I didn't ruin anything, perfect was found right at my house with my husband, son, mom and dad. We ended up going to see the family the week after Christmas.

At 10 months old Michael was really moving around. He liked the fact that he could walk and was going to walk as much as he could. He was also loving all kinds of food.

Here is Michael after a dinner of spaghetti.

Here is Michael at 10 months just looking cute!

At 11 months we were packing for our move to San Jose, CA. It was hard packing with Michael because when I would put things into a box he would take them out. I wanted to make things as easy on him as possible so I waited to pack his toys till the last minute.

What a cutie!

Michael took the move very well. He liked the new house because he wasn't confined to any area. Our old house had stairs and I had a gate so he couldn't go up or down them. This house was one story and he moved all around it.

Here he is checking out the new digs.

I think he liked it even better when it was empty, there was a lot more space to run.


Michael enjoying breakfast.

At 12 months old Michael was off the charts. The doctor actually had to use a form for an old child to chart his height and weight. Our son was 33 lbs and 31 inches. He was wearing 2T clothing. At his doctor appointment we talked to the doctor because we were afraid he had a speech delay. He didn't talk as much as most kids his age. The doctor assured us that the reason he didn't;t talk so much is because of his size he had to concentrate more on the physical things then the verbal things. By 12 months old Michael was walking, running, jumping, he could get on and off the couch. He wasn't your typical 12 month child.

It was also right before his birthday that we decided he really needed a haircut. He was looking a little rough.

Michael playing with Grandpa in the back yard.

After this picture we really knew he needed a haircut!

Michael waiting his turn at the salon.

During his haircut!

My baby didn't look like a baby anymore!

Michael showing of his new haircut!

Michael at the playground.

Michaels birthday party was a blast to plan and throw. We did a Sesame Street theme. He loved the attention he got and he especially enjoyed the presents he got. I worked really hard to give him a great party and after all was done and said I knew I had succeeded.

Here is Michael wearing the "I'm the birthday boy" t-shirt I made him.

Michael getting to eat his cake!

Oh what a mess it was, he enjoyed it, Can you tell?

Shortly after he turned one Michael started growing verbally. It was as if he thought okay I have mastered everything physical now I will talk. The first 12 months of Michaels life were absolutely amazing. Watching him grown and learn is something I will never forget.

Lets Start At The Beginning!!

Since I only began to blog I thought I am going to go back to two of the happiest days of my life. The days my sons were born! I guess you could say there were actually 4 happiest days, the days I found out I was pregnant and the days I had my sons.

Lets start with Michael. Born March 18, 2004 at 5:24 pm

The day before I found out I was pregnant with him I was going to drive to Bakersfield and back home, two of my nieces and a nephew were visiting and I need to take them home. I woke that morning so sick to my stomach and feeling like death was knocking on my door. I drove the kids home and came back to Concord where we were living at the time. The whole time I was so nauseated and thinking to myself could I be pregnant. The next morning I woke up to get ready for work and I went downstairs to use a test. After I took the test I thought to myself, "why did you take that stupid test, you are not pregnant." So I took the test back upstairs with me to take my shower. As I was turning on the shower water I looked over and saw two lines. I couldn't believe it. I ran over to the bed and woke Mike up and told him. We laughed and cried. Then we decided that we better test again just to make sure, the problem I didn't have another test at the house. So we decided that I should just get ready for work and stop at Longs Drugs store to get a test and just use it at the office. So that is what I did, another problem arose, I couldn't go pee. It took me sometime and I finally did and there it was two lines again. I was finally pregnant.

I called to make a OB appointment and they didn't want to see me until I was 10 weeks along. So at 10 weeks I went into the office and they confirmed I was pregnant and did an ultrasound. From the ultrasound I started calling him casper because that is what it looked like to me.



Pregnancy was not real nice to me, I had so much morning sickness. Every morning till I was in the middle of my 6 month. The toilet and I became close friends. Mike would ask me ever time if I was alright or if I needed something. When I was 14 weeks along we go to the heartbeat for the first time. That was awesome. Then came the big ultrasound, we were going to find out if it was a boy or a girl. I knew before hand that I was having a boy, I could just feel it.




Here is a picture of me getting ready that morning that Mike took. Pregnancy also did this awful thing to me, for some reason it made me nose so red!!! Okay not just red but big.



Here is the ultrasound picture that showed he was a boy! The ultrasound tech had to laugh at the baby because he was really showing off in there. He wanted to make sure we knew he was a boy!

In December Mike and Cheryl painted the babies room and I was not allowed to be around. It came out great. I am such a control freak that I was not pleased about not being able to paint. So instead I just slept.

Here is a picture of the bedding we used on the crib.

Here is a picture of me when I was 6 1/2 months pregnant.

Here I was when i was 34 week pregnant. I could hardly get up the stairs. I just kept growing and growing. My mom and Dad came and stayed with us my last month of my pregnancy. I was off work and bored and needed help. It was great having them.

When I was 37 weeks pregnant I started feeling a lot of pain and pressure down yonder. It was so much that I couldn't sleep, sit or stand. I called the doctor and they had me come into the office that day. They checked me and no dilation, then they did an ultrasound and discovered that the babies head was not going to fit so they were going to have to do a c-section. The doctor though maybe I was carrying a 10 pound baby and wanted to do it the surgery next day.

So I called Mike and told him, we were so excited. We were going to finally see the little man inside of me that had been kicking his mom all around. I called my sister and she headed in from Bakersfield. We spent the evening eating pizza and watching Survivor and American Idol. My c-section was planned for 5 pm so I could not eat anything after 8am in the morning. That morning I woke up way early and made everyone take me to Ihop for breakfast.

It was time to head to the hospital and I was really excited. Here is a picture of me about to leave.

Everything was going great until they wheeled me into the OR and then I lost it. I was going to have natural childbirth, I didn't want drugs because I didn't want a needle in my back. So now that I was having a c-section there were no other options but to get that needle. During the surgery I had a panic attack and said a few comments to the doctor that Mike still laughs about today. I also got very sick and threw up during the surgery. Then Michael was born.

Here he is... 8 lbs 13 oz and 21 inches long.

Mike was so cute watching Michael be born. After they got him out he went over to were the baby was and when he could he brought him over to me. I had to have him take him away because I was throwing up. He stayed with the baby as they took him to the nursery to run test and clean him up.

Here is Mike showing off Michael to my family.

Mom just handed me Michael.

Finally I was holding my son. I had this overwhelming feeling. I told him I was going to be the best mom I could be tohim and that I was happy to have been blessed with him. I loved him when I was pregnant with him but the love I experienced when I held him was a thousand times greater. I was finally a mom and couldn't be happier!