I guess I should update here every now and then...

It's been a wild ride since Ethan was born almost two months ago. He's a laid back baby; too laid back, actually. He doesn't have an effective suck, so he starved for a few weeks before I figured out that he should be outgrowing some outfits and he wasn't. At 4 weeks he weighed less than he did at birth by a few ounces. His doctor told me to offer a bottle after each time I nursed him. He didn't drink much from the bottle at all, so I assumed that he wasn't hungry. He was doing great on his routine for the most part. Ten days went by and he still hadn't gained weight and he was starting to fuss more. In that time I tried many solutions. If it's made by Medela, I probably own it. I saw the lactation consultant at the hospital who was very supportive and helpful. But in the end, his liver enzymes were elevated and he started showing signs of dehydration so I knew I would have to let nursing go. It also dawned on me that the bottle nipples that I had used once and rejected because they were too fast and he spit up a lot were the ones that I would need to use. If the nipple requires suction he won't drink out of it. He would rather starve than eat. Silly boy! It reminds me of the hymn "How Sweet and Awesome Is the Place" -- verse 3.

1 How sweet and awesome is the place
With Christ within the doors,
While everlasting love displays
The choicest of her stores.

2 While all our hearts and all our songs
Join to admire the feast,
Each of us cry, with thankful tongue,
"Lord, why was I a guest?

3 "Why was I made to hear your voice,
And enter while there's room,
When thousands make a wretched choice,
And rather starve than come?"

4 'Twas the same love that spread the feast
That sweetly drew us in;
Else we had still refused to taste,
And perished in our sin.

5 Pity the nations, O our God,
Constrain the earth to come;
Send thy victorious Word abroad,
And bring the strangers home.

6 We long to see your churches full,
That all the chosen race
May, with one voice and heart and soul,
Sing your redeeming grace

Now that I know exactly how to feed him, he's doing great. His liver enzymes have returned to normal levels and he's finally gaining weight. Since he wasn't effectively nursing, my milk had dried up quite a bit and I'm supplementing with formula and in the process of relactating. Relactation is a challenge, but I'm making slow and steady progress.

The older kids love Ethan. Anna Grace loves to hold him. David loves to kiss him. Brian loves to feed him, but not burp him. Acid reflux and a fast flow nipple on the bottle makes for a messy combination! We're so glad he's here and healthy and look forward to seeing him grow up. Mommy is also looking forward to him sleeping through the night!