Today Eric and I took Talon to see the pediatrician for his 2-month checkup (though Talon is 11 weeks old).  I had heard with the 2-month checkup there would be a series of shots.  So, I mentally prepared myself...so I thought!  I am not the type of person who faints at needles or jumps when given a shot.  I just suck it up and get the shot over with!  And Eric is the type of person who when seeing a needle, he runs!  As a matter of fact, Eric told me he was going to be "busy" today so he wouldn't have to see the needle and/or Talon given the shots.  In the past, whenever I was given a shot and Eric by my side, he would squeeze my hand so hard that I would lose circulation.  Therefore, I thought I was going to have to be the strong one today as Talon got his shots and take care of both of my boys.    Boy, was I wrong! 

First, before the shots were given, we weighed Talon (10 lbs. 14 oz.), measured how long he is (23.5 inches), measured his head circumference, checked his hip movement and of course listened to his heart and breathing.  The pediatrician also checked Talon's vision and hearing.  The pediatrician said he was on track like a normal baby. 

Then, after the pediatrician completed the 2-month checkup, the nurse came in to give Talon his shots.  You know, make the nurse the "bad guy," not the pediatrician!  The first part of the vaccines was a liquid given to Talon via his mouth.  This is for rotavirus, which is a virus that causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever and dehydration.  This was the easiest of the vaccines since Talon thought he was eating something yummy.  Then came the series of 3 shots for Hepatitis B, polio and DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis).  As I held Talon's hands above his head, Eric helped the nurse hold his legs/thighs/feet and the first shot was given.  Talon didn't scream at all, but he immediately started crying.  He cried so hard that he wasn't breathing.  We didn't hear anything coming out of his mouth and then around his mouth started turning blue.  I was COMPLETELY freaked out and I started to tear up.  The nurse said it is common because the baby is shocked by the needle prick taking their breath away.  (I guess so!)  Then the nurse forewarned us that shot #2 would sting even more.  Eric and I both looked at each other thinking "even more than shot #1?!"  As Talon started crying again, tears rolled down his face and his face turned blue again.  More tears came out of my eyes thinking my baby is not breathing, this is not normal, do something!  I was in a panic, though I wasn't really showing it.  I really thought we would have to give CPR!  Shot #3 was given, and I immediately picked up Talon to hold him.  My heart just sank, I felt so terrible about the whole process.  How could we do something to such an innocent lil' baby?!  All I could do was hug and squeeze Talon and give him kisses.  What a heart-wrenching checkup!  And I thought I was going to be the strong one...ha!  Eric was the calm one, and I was weak and teary-eyed.

The nurse told us we would have to come in for 2 more rounds of shots.  I can't do this again!  Perhaps next time, I will have to prepare myself even more!

The nurse provided us with instructions on the next couple of days due to the vaccinations.  We would need to monitor Talon, give him baby Tylenol for the next 2 days and contact the doctor if anything is questionable or there is unusual behavior.

After the doctor visit, Eric, Talon and I went down to Newport Beach (Balboa Island) for a late breakfast.  As we sat outside in the beautiful weather, I fed Talon.  He seemed quite content, like the shots never happened!  It has now been about 6 hours since the shots and Talon has slept all day long.  Well, except for when I have to wake him up to eat.  He will then quickly fall back asleep.  The doctor visit and shots took a lot out of him.  He is such a good baby and big boy!

This week marks Talon's 7th week of his life, and I cannot believe how much he has grown (from head to toe)!  Talon's hair is getting a bit darker and more of it, too.  It feels so soft, almost like he just got a buzz cut.  People say he has Eric's hairline...hmmm.  Talon's eyebrows are also filling in and starting to take shape.  His eyes are still blue, but sometimes I see a greenish tint.  We wonder what color of eyes he will have; both Eric and I have hazel so quite possibly his eyes might turn green.  Talon seems to be able to focus more on objects, as well as follow our voices.  He has gotten a double chin, though it's more prominent when sitting.  I suppose that means he likes his meals.    Talon has grown in length and in weight.  Currently, he is about 22 inches long and a bit over 9 pounds.  His legs seem to have gotten more meat on them too, but mainly on his thighs.  He still has chicken legs.  Talon's hands and feet are big.  By looking at them, we believe he is going to be a big (tall) boy!  Does that mean he'll make a great quarterback (for the Giants)?!  Talon is quite strong too!  He holds his head up, especially when he's on looking over a shoulder -- he's like a rabbit holding his head up high and eyes open real big.  Talon also has a strong grip.  He clutches his fists together and if anything is in there like my hair or finger, he squeezes tight and won't let go!

Talon is more awake these days.  As a result, we must find ways to entertain him such as singing to him, dancing around, playing with his "friends" (the animals on his bouncer or in his pack n' play), tummy time (though he doesn't seem to like being flat on his belly because it frustrates him he can't rollover right away to his back), talking to him (and he seems to talk back, well, okay cooing, opening his mouth and making sounds).  I am just amazed at how much Talon has grown each and every day!  Eric and I could sit around watching/starring at him for hours on end...he is OUR entertainment!

I have also tried a feeding schedule for the past week.  In the beginning (for the first 2 days), it was VERY difficult!  I am following a schedule my girlfriend used on her little boy, and said worked wonderfully.  So, I am taking a stab at it.  Though, as I mentioned it was very hard to wait until the feeding time.  I have become quite good at finding ways to "distract" Talon from knowing he's hungry or wanting to be fed.  The distraction that seems to work best is holding him in my arms, pacing back and forth with his pacifier in his mouth humming songs in his little ear.  Sometimes I pace for 20 minutes!  But, I have tested this feeding schedule out now for 1 week and he seems to have caught on.  Talon has been so good!  He sleeps like a lil' angel, and not to mention Eric and I get our rest during the night. Our last feeding of the day is at 10pm and then Talon won't wake up until about 3:30-4:30am!  So far, so good.

Speaking of nighttime, we have started a bedtime ritual.  Eric will feed him while I read to both of them, whether it's a nursery rhyme or fairy tale.  Then, once Eric puts Talon into his crib, I read 1-2 more stories.  Then, Talon is out like a light.  Well, okay he'll grunt, move, wiggle, shrug, squeak and squirm a bit before he's completely out.  We have a video monitor to watch and hear Talon's every move.  Sometimes, I lay in bed just watching him on the monitor in amazement, as well as to see if he's okay.

Another ritual or routine we have is taking walks in the morning.  After our 7:30am feeding, we get ready for our daily 3-mile brisk walk.  Talon enjoys listening to the birds chirp, the bees buzz and people walking by.  Well okay, he's sleeping and doesn't know what's going on but it seems to soothe him and put him to sleep for a morning nap.

After our morning walks, we get ready for the day.  Sometimes it's not until noon or so until I get to take a shower.  But that is mainly due to trying to get on the stairstepper for 30 minutes, fixing breakfast, watching the news, pumping (for the next "meal") and feeding Talon.  However, it seems to be getting a bit easier whether it's because of our routines, or Talon growing up.

So far, Eric and I have enjoyed every bit of these last 7 weeks, even if it meant sleepless nights, functioning on 3 hours of sleep, endless crying moments or better yet the smiles, coos, and growth.  

Time for bedtime now...

Talon's first Fourth of July was spent with mommy (Brittany) and GiGi.  Eric is out on the East Coast touring baseball stadiums with Pops, Shane and Guy Lemmom.  They are going to baseball games at the NY Yankees Stadium (vs. Boston Red Sox), Philadelphia Phillies Citizen Bank Stadium (vs. NY Mets), Baltimore Orioles Camden Yards Stadium (vs. Texas Rangers), Washington Nationals Stadium (vs. Arizona Diamondbacks).  A boys trip while the girls and grandmas look after the babies.  Katie and Marcie are in Arizona looking after Vaughn, and Katie is managing the two Wienerschnitzels, while GiGi and I are taking care of Talon at "the compound."

The night before, GiGi and I decorated Talon's carseat and stroller.  We had such a good time!  We placed red, white and blue stars around the carseat with miniature flags coming from either side.  Then for the stroller, we placed a large festive ribbon on the front with a red skirt of streamers around the stroller, and (3) red, white and blue dangling stars from the handle bars.  Lastly, blue burst of stars came out the front of the stroller to look like fireworks.  Talon's stroller was all decked out for his first 4th of July!  He was stylin'!

We started the day out with the Woodbridge 5K walk/run at 7am - my old stomping grounds where I grew up and spent many 4th of July's.  Talon was dressed in a red, white and blue striped onesie with a big star on the front, along with red and white socks (that looked like boots!) and an Uncle Sam's hat.  He was sure festive!  Talon's second cousin, Jamie Grandi, also walked with us, along with his new friend Jack Stewart and his mommy, Devin.  I think Devin and I were on a "mission" because we seemed to be ahead of GiGi and Jamie the entire "race," or should I say walk.  That mission is to lose baby weight ASAP!  I believe we finished the 3.2 miles in about 45 minutes.  Afterwards, GiGi, Jamie, Talon and I went to Mimi's Cafe for breakfast.  Afterall, we deserved a nice breakfast after our workout!

We then came back to GiGi's house to layout in the sun.  Jamie left for LA to spend the weekend with her friend.  Talon slept in his Pack n' Play outside in the shade as GiGi and I got a tan.  Don't worry it was not hot.  As a matter of fact, there was a nice breeze blowing.

At about 4 o'clock we all got ourselves ready to go over to the annual 4th of July party at the Bartholomew's house in Newport.  Upon our arrival, Talon was greeted by many people.  He did so good during the party, even as he got handed from person to person.  I think he was intrigued by all the new faces!  By about 9:30pm it was the start of the Back Bay (Newport) fireworks show.  Everyone at the party went outside in the backyard as "God Bless America" music was blasted for that added touch.  The loud fireworks, music and people ooing and ahing didn't phase Talon; he slept through the show.  We then left to go home around 10pm to call it a day.

Talon's first 4th of July was so much fun! 

It's been a whole month and I've survived my parent’s learning curve of taking care of me. In fact my mom is back to her workout routine and dad’s surfing at least once a week already. Things are going pretty smoothe…and get this, if I don't like the way something is going I cry. It's pretty cool. I eat and sleep when I want and dad is lightening quick with the diaper changing thing so I’m a happy camper. Back to my B-day, it's been a month so I decided to throw a party. My crib was bumpin' at 8pm and by 10pm I had so much milk that I almost passed out, but I didn’t, I stayed up till 11pm. It was wild! You can check out my cool cake and invite on the photo page of the site. So until next time I’ll see you all later.

Talon 

It was another fun filled weekend! Nana and Gramps flew in for the weekend and hung out with Talon for a couple of days. Nana definitely has some baby skills because Talon crawled up on her chest and went to sleep for over 5 hours straight! On Saturday Steve and Devin Stewart came over with little Jack and we BBQ'd some steaks. On Sunday Talon's Uncle Brad, Aunt Tracy stopped by with Cousin’s Rachel, Owen and Caroline. All the kids took turns holding Talon and Caroline actually helped Eric feed Talon. It was a fun weekend and it was great seeing Nana and Gramps. So until next time… 

It was the perfect weekend to not only celebrate everyone's first Father's Day, but Shane's, Katie's and my birthday.  So we took a road trip to Arizona -- this was Talon's first trip.  My mom, dad, Talon and I drove out to Arizona on Friday, while Eric met up with us on Saturday evening.  Eric had to work on Saturday.  Talon did so well in the 5-hour car ride -- not a single peep.  We only stopped one time in order for us to eat lunch.  We arrived at the Lemmon's Buckeye, Arizona house before going out to dinner at the local pizza joint.  The house is about 2 miles away from Shane & Katie's house, making it quite convenient for visits.

Saturday morning we got up for an early morning walk.  At 7am, it was already about 90 degrees!  So we had to hurry to get our exercise in.  My parents, Talon and I walked the neighborhood for about 2 hours.  Then the boys went golfing, while the girls went out to lunch and shopping.  Poor Talon and Vaughn, they probably rather would have gone golfing!  My mom, Talon and I picked up Eric from the airport in the evening.  He was so excited to see his son -- this was the first time being away from him overnight!  That evening, we all went over to Shane and Katie's house to BBQ and celebrate the 3 birthdays.

Sunday morning, we all got up early to walk before the heat and before we had to cook brunch for the father's.  Again, we walked the community for about 2 hours as well as lounge at the local coffee house.  It was about 9am and the temperature felt 100+!  It was blistering hot -- well, at least for a Southern California resident!  Time to fix brunch...My mom and I cooked breakfast, placed it on the table for a nice Father's Day brunch, and then all of a sudden both babies (Talon & Vaughn; no, not Eric & Shane ) started to tune up because they were hungry.  So much for eating together -- nowadays, Eric and I eat in shifts, so we are used to it.  Despite the craziness, brunch was delicious!  The boys then decided to play golf in the blistering heat, while the girls stayed inside with the babies.  Later that evening, we BBQ'd burgers for one last FIRST Father's Day hooray!

Monday morning we packed up our belongings and headed back home.  Again, Talon did quite well.  We only had to give him a bottle one time during the 5-1/2 hour car ride.

I am happy that we went to Arizona for Talon's first trip, but most importantly I am so glad we have the memories of our first Father's Day altogether!

Today we visited Talon's new playmate, Jack Preston Stewart, at Hoag Hospital.  Jack was born on my brother's birthday, June 11.  Jack weighed 8 lbs. 13 oz.  

Devin was 1 week ahead of me during our pregnancy.  But Talon was too eager to come into this world and came 3 weeks early.  Jack and Talon are 2 weeks and 1 day apart.  

We look forward to the play dates and fun memories ahead!

Today is Talon's 2 week birthday and unfortunately we had to "celebrate" with a follow up from our ER trip with our Pediatrician.  It was Eric's first day back to work after taking 2 weeks off, so he was unable to come to the doctor's appointment.  Instead, GiGi came with us.

First, Talon was weighed.  He gained 1/2 lb. since birth.  Talon is now 6 lbs. 4 oz.  Then, the doctor came in to examine Talon.  The weight gain has been good, he said.  But the doctor was still worried about Talon's jaundice so he ordered another blood test.  

GiGi, Talon and I walked downstairs to the lab and the nurses fell in love with our lil' peanut!  In fact, one nurse had to pick him up and cuddle!  Unfortunately, Talon had to get pricked again on the heel for the jaundice test.  He cried but once it was all over with, Talon was a good boy.  Poor lil' guy!  The nurse said the doctor would call the following day with the results.

Results: The Pediatrician called early Wednesday morning and said the bilirubin (aka jaundice) level had increased from 12.7 to 14.  (It is concerning when the level gets to 20.)  As a result, the doctor asked that I stop breastfeeding and put Talon on formula for 2 days.  Then get Talon re-tested (more blood work!).  There are numerous types of jaundice.  Talon might have "breastfeeding jaundice."  This type of jaundice occurs when a baby is not getting enough breast milk.  It is quite possible that if Talon's jaundice level decreases, I will not be able to breast feed.  We will probably get another round of results on Monday, 6/16.