Boy Wonders

We're not seeing any signs of slowing in the Martin household... especially when it comes to Baby Frankie's appetite!  It's no secret this baby loves to eat, but it became even more evident at his one-month checkup.  He weighed in at 10 lbs 10 oz... that's 4 pounds more than his first doctor visit (since his weight dropped slightly after birth.)  Baby Frankie went from the 18th percentile in weight to the 60th, and he achieved a weight gain typically seen in 3 months, in just 5 weeks.  Dr. Berston was quite impressed!  The doctor was also blown away Frankie's strength -- saying he has the head and neck control of a two month old.  Afterall, he better be strong to carry all that weight he's packing on!  Other than eating a lot, Baby Frankie is staying awake longer, and becoming more and more alert.  He follows our voices and tracks our faces, and he especially loves to listen to his brother.  He's also giving us REAL smiles, which simply can melt hearts.

 

TJ came to the doctor with us so he could get his 3-year checkup (he missed his initial one because he was sick on his birthday!)  TJ was such a good big brother -- helping Baby Frankie and holding his hand while the baby got his Hep B shot.  It was so sweet.  TJ was also a big boy at his doctor.  He's perfectly healthy as well, and Dr. Berston was blown away by TJ's language and comprehension skills, saying he is at the level of a 5 year old.  It's so fun to hear him have conversations with us, his baby brother, and he loves to carry out conversations between his cars, superheroes and other toys.  He knows all his shapes, colors, and letters.  TJ is very into "spelling" out the words he sees all over the place (street signs, the grocery store, everywhere) and asking what that spells.  It's amazing. His teachers at school say not only does he know all these things in English, he knows them in Russian as well.  They'll ask him what a shape or color is in Russian, and he'll answer back correctly in the Russian language.  Crazy boy.  While at the doctor, TJ got his annual TB test.  It took him by surprise, and when we were driving to school after his appointment, he told me the next time he goes to the doctor, he's going to wear a long sleeve shirt, so he doesn't get poked in the arm.  Now, that's deductive reasoning! 

It's been a fun past week around here.  Grandma AND Pa flew in last Thursday night (Frankie's one month birthday) for a short trip.  It was wonderful that Pa came out to meet his newest grandson and see him hold Baby Frankie.  TJ loved having both Ga & Pa out here... not just because they made a special trip to the toy store where he could pick out a talking Batman!  TJ snuggled with Grandma, played Avengers with Pa, took them to In-N-Out and his favorite breakfast place, and the beach for a quick trip to show Pa the ocean.  No matter how long they stay, it's always too short, but we all cherished the time we had with Grandma & Grandpa.

On Sunday, we packed up the car and headed over to the East Bay to meet Gianna and her family at Tilden Regional Park.  It was a beautiful day, and we had a great time with our friends exploring the giant area.  TJ & Gi had a blast riding the carousel, and playing outside.  TJ also loved feeding the cows, goats and sheep at the little farm at the park.  It was nice for us Colorado folks to experience some "country" in the middle of the city!

This week we plan to play it low-key... and next week we're excited for Aunt G to come visit!

March Madness

Baby Frankie's early arrival has definitely created its own kind of March Madness in the Martin household.  And although he was exactly two weeks early, his timing was impeccable.  Mommy's goal all along was to work until delivery.  That's what she did with TJ, and that's what she did with Frankie.

Mommy went to work on Thursday after learning she was already dilated at her appointment the day before.  Grandma was flying in from Denver that night, and the contractions started coming during lunch that day -- nothing regular, about 15 minutes apart for a little while before dying down.  Grandma was supposed to land at SFO at 10:20 p.m., but the pilot failed to show up in Denver, delaying her arrival til 1:30 a.m.  Mommy was getting a little nervous since the contractions were coming off and on throughout the evening, but Frankie managed to stay in through the night. 

Mommy had Friday off since the NCAA tourney canceled her newscast that day.  So, we all headed to Toys R Us, and Grandma delivered on her promise to get TJ a Lightning McQueen bike for his Big Brother Gift.  He absolutely loves the bike, and he rides it really well.  While he took Grandma & Daddy on bike rides around the block, Mommy's contractions picked up again, but by bedtime, they had calmed down again.

Then, came Saturday.  Mommy & Grandma took TJ to gymnastics, then stopped by In-N-Out for chocolate milkshakes on the way home.  TJ, Grandma & Daddy went to the park to ride bikes and play while Mommy's Colorado girlfriends threw her a Skype Baby Shower.  It was so fun to get to see the girls, and they were so generous with their gifts for Mommy & Baby Frankie.

After the shower, we went for a walk, then headed to the nearby shopping center to wander around in hopes of "getting things going."  That worked.  Mommy ended up going to the hospital to get checked out Saturday night, and while talking with the nurse, the water broke!  We were admitted to the hospital, then we waited and waited and waited.  Labor was 17 hours, but it wasn't a grueling 17 hours.  The doctors and nurses kept everything moving slowly as to not stress Mommy's heart because of her SVT.  The delivery was easy -- Mommy only had to push 20 minutes, and we were all joking and laughing with the doctor (Lesley Meister) and amazing nurse (Tina) in between pushes.

Then, at 5:01 pm, Robert Frank Martin II was born!  He was 6.14 lbs 19 3/4 inches long, and practically perfect in every way! 

A few hours after he was born, TJ & Grandma showed up to meet him.  TJ was so happy his baby brother was finally here, and every day it has been a joy to watch him with his little brother.  Nana flew in the next day for a quick trip to meet Baby Frankie, and after two nights in the hospital, it was time to come home and be a family of four.

So far, things haven't been too overwhelming, but that's mainly because Grandma has been here helping us out, cooking, cleaning, and keeping us all sane.  Daddy points out, the first few nights were quite a shock because we were "out of shape."  But, it's like riding a bike, and we're getting the hang of things again!

Baby Frankie is a good little guy.  He's a hearty eater... by 9 days old, he hadn't just reached his birthweight, he was 7 and a half pounds!  He's an easygoing baby who doesn't fuss much (only really when he's getting his diaper changed.)  Even when he's hungry, he doesn't do much fussing... just a lot of grunting!  He grunts, squeals and whimpers while he's eating and sleeping -- it's so funny!  He's a very sweet boy who picks up his head and moves it around, and he loves to follow his brother's voice.

And that big brother, TJ couldn't be a better big brother.  He is always helping with diaper changing, feedings or anything Baby Frankie needs.  If he sees his blanket has fallen off, he runs over and gently puts it back on Baby Frankie.  TJ is sweet and loving, and he says things out of the blue like, "I love my baby brother."  "He's so cute and so tiny."  We haven't seen any jealousy.  Instead, TJ gets upset when Mommy puts Frankie down in his playpen or bassinet.  TJ wants him to be next to him always, and he loves to put Frankie in the "baby chair" (our bouncer) so he can sit by TJ and watch him play.  It just melts our hearts watching the two together.  We can't wait to watch the two grow together.

Welcome Baby Frankie!

Robert Frank Martin II made his debut on Sunday, March 24th at 5:01 p.m.
He was 6 lbs, 14 oz, 19 3/4 inches long and practically perfect in every way.

Big Brother TJ loves his little brother, and we are all happy and healthy!

(More to come soon)