Then our mouth was filled with laughter - Psalm 126:2

There are all sorts of new sounds going on in the Clay household this week (and no it's not Preston singing or attempting to play the piano;). With Kaz coming up on 5 months, he has just started finding humor in the world. Giving him something as simple as a grin, could get a cute giggle back to let you know he's paying attention. Preston has been smiling non-stop the past few days...this new talent is like a new toy to him and he can't get enough of entertaining such a cute face:)

Kaz has also started to grab for toys and things in front of him. Since he was pre-mature...and the fact that I am the type A (paranoid/worried) mother, I am always monitoring all of his developmental progress. Thus far, he seems to be hitting most of his milestones right on with his birthdate...only lagging behind a few weeks in an area or two. Every single thing that he accomplishes, no matter how big or small I am so grateful...especially when thinking back to just 3 months ago when he had trouble remembering to take a breath.

We visited the plastic surgeon to discuss Kaz's head this week and on a positive note, get to hold off on a helmet for the time being. We will go back in 3 months for a follow-up to see if the problem has resolved itself and will be praying for that in the meantime.

Me and my boy have been working on a little Halloween surprise for our friends and family. It's just a little craft, no big deal really...but I'd forgotten how much fun it was to be a kid:) It's all coming back...the excitement of the holidays and fun stuff that comes along with it. I look so forward to these years ahead!

4 months old today...

The big boy is 4 months old today! He weighed in at 15lbs. 15 oz. and almost 24 inches tall at his appointment today. We made it through another round of shots and an almost flawless checkup. We are visiting a specialist in the next few weeks to discuss Kaz's head. Currently his head is growing at the rate it is suppose to, however he seems to prefer one side over the other, which has made the back on one side quite flat. There is a possibility he will have to wear a helmet to help push positive progress in formation. Although it is disappointing and a headache to think of making yet another trip to UK hospital, we once again have so many things to be thankful for.

Kaz continues to be determined to talk at an early age it seems:) He has started putting new syllables in front of his "aaahhh" and "ooohhh" sounds and basically has a perma-grin. Oh and did I mention he carries around a major double chin - which makes him even more kissable! He has just started to enjoy his entertainment center and has discovered the television. He could probably stay locked for hours watching sports with daddy and staying glued to Baby Einstein/Baby Beethoven.

We went on our 1st shopping trip to the mall together last night. Kaz put on a little fashion show in Gap where we bought some fall clothes and toboggans. We also found a sweet pair of fall shoes:) I love fall and hope Kaz takes after me (and not his father, the grinch;) by getting excited about the festive seasons to come.

Finally, one more 1st to mention....we will be making our first long road trip to Tennessee this weekend to visit family - wish us luck;)

Not a "PREEMIE" anymore!

Daddy and Kazer @ the Woodland Art Fair

On our first golf outing as a family....

Sometimes he really likes being on his tummy...this was one of those days:)

Checking out one of his favorite entertainment pieces in the house....the ceiling fan

Church'n it up

When people say "babies grow fast" they are talking specifically about my child! Mr. Kaz is large and in charge these days. He is a whopping 14 lbs. and hasn't even reached the 4 month mark. We have had a wonderful summer together and although there has been many hoops to jump through I can honestly say I have enjoyed every second. (Yes, even the nights when I had absolutely ZERO sleep because his monitor was going off non-stop).

We have really been enjoying Kazer the past couple of weeks with the entertainment of his coos and giggles. He is smiling always and even on-command. He also seems to enjoy receiving and giving kisses...opening his mouth as wide as possible:)

With school in full swing, I am (as every mommy) afraid of missing out on the "big milestones" while I'm at work. The pictures from Miss Jess (Kaz's keeper:) keep me going through the day and we are so thankful to have been fortunate enough to have such a patient, loving lady keeping our little man.

I am looking forward to the next few months coming up...I love the holiday season! Family, food, and fun are in store for us and I'm so excited that we get Kaz to enjoy it with us. As always, everyday, I thank God that he loved us so much to give us such a wonderful blessing, our son.

Hanging with his Uncle Logan....

and getting some love from Grandpa Clay.....

Leaving "Stay-at-home mom" status

This week begins my first official days back at work since having Mr. Kaz. The thought of it all is very bittersweet. For 1 - I love being a mommy and to be separated from my son will be very hard. However, I do look forward to a little normalcy and sticking to a more consistent schedule as well as meeting all my new students at RSMS. Whoever labeled the job of "Stay-at-home mom" as "easy" got it ALL wrong. It is by far the hardest job that I have ever been assigned. That being said, I admire you all who take on the challenge daily. Preston and I are fortunate enough to have a friend keep Kaz in our home through the week once I'm back in the swing of things. This makes our jobs as working parents much easier getting to keep him at home base and with someone we are very comfortable. This summer by far tops the charts as my "Most memorable summer"! It is amazing to look back just 3 months ago and think of how far Kaz has come. We continue to be thankful for every blessing and yearn to serve such an amazing God.

All is well:)

Since my last post so much has changed!

We had a surprise pop up a few weeks ago when Kaz was diagnosed with Pyloric Stenosis. This is a muscle below the stomach that blocks food from getting through to the intestines. That being said, he stayed sick until we figured out what the problem was. Once this was confirmed he was sent straight to UK hospital for surgery. It was a rough recovery time that first 24 hours while the anesthesia wore off but after a day stay in the Pediatric ICU we were released from the hospital. Since then things have been much smoother....he has been eating well and seems to be completely healed from surgery.

We also received great news from the cardiologist this week. Kaz was born with a PDA which is a flap in the heart that should close at birth. His stayed open for quite some time...even up through a few weeks ago the doctors could still hear a murmur. That was until this week when we went back for a follow up and the doctor told us that the problem had resolved itself and the PDA had closed on it's own - praise God:)

Kaz is now 11 weeks and growing like a weed, now over 10lbs. - so hard to believe. He is over 22 inches long and continuing to beg for more and more milk daily. He is now sleeping between 5 to 6 hours every night and in his "big boy" room.

Some other good news is he has been off his apnea monitor for almost 2 weeks now. It has taken a little getting use to but we are finally confident in him and his breathing to go longer than a few minutes without sticking our finger under his nose to be sure that he is breathing during a long snooze:) He has begun to spend more time on his tummy...and is doing a great job at lifting his head up, turning it side to side, and has even gone up on his elbows a couple of times! Like most babies, Kaz loves riding in the car. It seems to be an automatic soother. Whenever he is upset and we head out in the car he is quickly calmed into an immediate sleep. One of my favorite new things is his smile:) This week he has started smiling back and it's such a joy to see a happy face. Preston and I continue to be so thankful for how far our little guy has come and for all the great things God has planned for our family in the future.

6 weeks old!

Kaz turned 6 weeks old this Friday...since most people haven't been able to meet our little guy, our friend Jessica Farley was kind enough to put together a short video birth announcement to introduce him:) Hopefully in the next few weeks the doctors will allow us to bring him out more so that everyone can meet him face-to-face finally.

Enjoy! Just click on the link below:

http://vimeo.com/25326533

Home and Growing!

Well, after 4 1/2 long weeks in the NICU hooked up to everything under the sun Mr. Kaz has finally made it home! He has been here a week now and every day is an adventure. He seems to continue to get stronger and more like a true "newborn" every second. He is taking feedings like a champ and has kept up with a great sleeping schedule. We are very lucky parents! He does still continue to be on a monitor which tracks his breathing and heart rate. We expect him to be on this at least another couple of weeks. The doctors have asked us to keep him away from large crowds for another few weeks. We look forward to introducing our little guy to all of the important people in our lives very soon!