Benson's Play Mat

My mom found this really cute play mat for Benson at Target. He really likes it. He loves to just stare at the toys above his head and listen to the music it plays. It's fun seeing how interactive he is becoming.

Benson Not In A Sleeper

I decided this week that Benson was probably tired of being in sleepers all day. He has so many cute clothes and has grown just enough that they don't look that big on him anymore. He's still tiny and his clothes are big but not as big as when he was first born. I decided he probably didn't want to be in pj's all day and would like to wear real clothes. He looked really cute in his cargo pants, shirt that says "Good Things Come In Small Packages" and doggie slippers.

Our Little Park Ranger

On Friday not only did Benson turn 4 weeks old but we took him out for the first time to somewhere other than the doctor's office. Of course we had to dress him up and he looked super cute. We took him to the mall and then to Wal-Mart. We took him to the mall first so his first trip out wasn't to Wal-Mart. He looked really cute dressed up in his cargo pants, park ranger shirt and boots (thanks mom!)

My 24th Birthday

I had a great birthday on Tuesday. I can't believe I'm 24! My mom flew up for the day which was great! She watched Benson while Michael and I went out to dinner. It was nice for Michael and I to go out on a date.

We Are Sick Of The Snow!!

Michael, Georgia and I are sick of the snow. We are getting dumped on everyday! Michael got his car stuck in our driveway a few days ago and today I also got stuck. It took Michael and two of our neighbors about 45 minutes to dig out the car. Needless to say I didn't make it to my class at 8:30 a.m. We are ready for it to be Spring!!!

Benson Folding His Arms

Lately Benson had been folding his arms and fingers when he sleeps. It is so cute!

Benson Making Faces

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Benson has this really cute football sleeper and of course he had to wear it on Superbowl Sunday. Michael and I were both going for the Giants and they won! I really wanted them to win but I never actually thought they would. I thought for sure the Patriots would kick their butts but some how they won.

Benson & Mom

The Snow!!

We have been getting so much snow! It seems like everyday we are getting at least a couple inches. We got so much snow last week the university was closed Thursday and Friday, the first time in the school's history they cancelled school due to weather. These are a few pics I took of Georgia in our backyard. Poor dog has to brave the snow to go outside. I think we have about 2.5-3 feet of snow in our backyard. We can't wait until Spring is here and we hope it's soon.

Benson's Diapers

Michael and I are usually pretty careful about keeping Benson covered up while we change his diaper so we don't get peed on. However yesterday we didn't do that good of a job or maybe Benson just wanted to make us laugh. He peed on us four times and pooped once while we were changing his diapers. Not only did he poop all over my hand while changing him, the next diaper change he peed and it hit Michael in the foot and woke him up from his nap. We've been lucky today and haven't been peed or pooped on!

Benson Looking Around

I've been sitting Benson in my boppy pillow for a few minutes after each time I feed him to help him strengthen his neck muscles and sit up. He usually likes it and just looks around at everything around him.

Benson Is 3 Weeks Old

Benson turned 3 weeks old yesterday! I can't believe 3 weeks has already gone by. They really do grow up so fast! Benson is usually a good sport about me taking pictures of him. I usually take about 15-20 because he is just so cute. You can see by the last picture Benson had enough and fell asleep.

In the background of the pictures is Benson's "Little Flyer" blanket. I call it that because it has an airplane on it and says Little Flyer. Michael thinks I'm silly when I ask him to bring me Benson's little flyer blanket. He calls it his star blanket.

Benson Making Faces

I love to take pictures of Benson making faces. He is just so darn cute!

Benson's Hair

I was so excited when Benson had hair when he was born. He has a lot of hair on the back of his head and some on top and it's growing. It's grown enough that I can spike it a little bit on top. I tried to use a little burt's bee's hair oil and gel to get it to stay spiked which it did for a minute but then fell flat. I think as it thickens it will stay spiked.

Giving Benson His Medicine

We have to give Benson his medicine every night. We crush up a pill and mix it with breast milk or rice cereal. We try and give it to him right before he wants to eat because then he slurps it down.

Benson Folding His Arms

My mom was holding Benson when he decided to fold his arms and fingers. He looked so cute!

Benson At The Doctor's Office

Benson had another doctor's appointment this week, his fourth in two weeks. He also had to have his blood drawn for the fourth time in two weeks. He looks so tiny when they hold him down to draw his blood. It's the sadest thing ever! I can't watch but Michael is brave and usually holds his arms down so they can draw the blood as fast as possible.

Our Trip To Spokane

Our trip to Spokane was a little crazy because of the weather. We braved a snow storm to take Benson to his appointment at the Children's Hospital. Michael and I were so thankful my mom flew up the night before and rented an SUV that had 4 wheel drive. I don't think we would have made it to our appointment without my mom driving and the 4 wheel drive. Thanks Mom!

THANKFUL

We are so thankful for Dr. Shupe and Dr. Kishiyama and their expertise in taking care of Benson. We were scared to death when we found out Benson's thyroid wasn't working properly and have been so happy and grateful for the medical advice we have recieved. We are so thankful we were able to detect his thyroid problem as soon as possible and that there is medicine to treat it. We are thankful our prayers were answered, that Benson is ok and will have a healthy, happy, normal life!

Benson's Thyroid Levels

We got a call today from Dr. Kishiyama letting us know that Benson's thyroid levels were already within the normal ranges! He has only been taking the medication for one week and it has already regulated his levels. Dr. Kishiyama was hoping they would be regulated within three weeks so to have them be normal in only a week's time is great! His T3/T4 went up from a .47 to above a 2 and his TSH went down from a 333 to around 13. Dr. Kishiyama was so happy with the results that he has reduced the miligrams of Benson's medicine. We are so grateful for Dr. Kishiyama and his expertise.

Benson's Thyroid Problem

Our doctor informed us last week that Benson has a very serious thyroid problem. The blood work they took at his 10 day check up showed his thyroid levels were very abnormal. The thyroid produces two hormones T3 and T4 and the production of those hormones effect the production of the hormone TSH. His T3/T4 level was .47 and should be between .91-2.16. His TSH level was a 333 and should be a 4. Low thyroid levels in adults is not uncommon and does not normally cause permanent damage. However, in babies low thyroid levels is very uncommon and very, very serious. If untreated low thyroid levels do not allow the brain to develop and cause mental retardation.

Our doctor did follow up blood work to confirm his thyroid levels and started Benson on thyroid medication as a preventive measure. Our doctor called us back the next day to let us know that the follow up blood work confirmed his levels were off the charts and it was critical for us to keep giving Benson his medicine. The blood lab also sent back recommendations as to how best treat the problem. They included more blood tests and seeing a specialist, a pediatric endocrinologist.

Yesterday we drove to Spokane to see Dr. Kishiyama, a pediatric endocrinologist at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital. He was great, very informative and so reassuring. He did confirm that Benson has Congenital Hypothyroidism which means he was born with it (congenital) and that his thyroid does not produce enough T3/T4 hormone (hypothyroidism). He thinks it is most likely that Benson doesn't have a thyroid or if he does it is not working at all. He also confirmed that if left untreated it can lead to mental retardation but also said that as long as it is caught within the first 6 weeks of a babies life and the baby is put on medication the outcome is great.

With Benson it was detected as soon as it could have possibly been and he started taking medication right away. Dr. Kishiyama said Benson should not have any developmental delays and should live a healthy, normal life! He is hoping that Benson's thyroid levels will be within the normal range within 3 weeks.