Moving Ahead

Time heals. Time will tell how we tackle Porter's congenital heart defect. Bi-weekly checkups with specialists will monitor his progress and growth, and eventually they'll know for sure what kind of surgery he needs. While this process plays out, having a sense of normalcy is needed.

Jacqui has been getting into the mommy-groove at home - feeding the little man when he's hungry, changing diapers, and sleeping. The breastfeeding is going very well, however, since Porter gets tired pretty quickly at the boob, he has short, frequent feedings. That means feeding him every 1-1.5 hours. Thankfully, he enjoys his sleep and wakes only every 3-4 hours at night. And who would've thought that poop would be so exciting?! Color, frequency and amount are monitored religiously. Really, we're just happy as pigs in shit (sorry, couldn't let that one go) that he's pooping! This means he must be putting on weight, which is what the doctor ordered. We have also switched to cloth diapers. What a difference from disposables! With disposables we were having trouble figuring out whether they were wet or dry, but with good 'ole cotton it's easy! Porter likes that (he HATES having a wet bum).

He has been smiling more and more each day, and has predictable active and cranky periods. I say 'active', but don't think he's up dancing around or anything. Active means bright eyed, staring at high-contrast objects (he loves ceiling fans), and letting out an occasional coo. He loves movement of any sort, so we have a regular rotation of the Moby wrap, swing, bouncy chair, and going for walks in the stroller. Here's some pics:

Think he's strapped in enough?
Mullet
Active time...hanging out on the awesome quilt Chris Brittany & Levi sent us
The one thing dad can do...burp Porter

Speaking of dad, last week Brian received an assortment of packages in the mail from the US Department of the Interior, Branch of Harvest Surveys. Earlier this year he contacted the head of the survey to inquire about taking part in their woodcock and rails survey. The survey provides data to managers to better understand the population status and reproductive success of woodcock and rails. He also 'happened' to be selected to participate in their waterfowl survey. This is supposedly a random selection through the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program.

American Woodcock

Virgina Rail

The survey asks that hunters donate one wing from each bird they bag this season. Immature birds have distinctive wing feathers that let managers distinguish them from adults.

Last year was an epic year for woodcock in Eastern NC. An early cold winter last year evidently pushed alot of woodcock down from their normal wintering grounds. Over 7 hunt trips, Maple had 38 flushes (not counting the birds that flushed twice, or even three times), and 14 retrieves. That more than made up for the poor duck season. Its been years since he and Maple have targeted rails. Maybe an opportunity will present itself this year...

Saturday Brian got the green light to head west and scout out the farms he has permission to hunt north of Wallace, NC.


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This is the same farm he shot one of his turkeys this past spring...which just happened to be freakishly huge --> 22.5lbs, 11.5" beard, and matching very thick 1.5" spurs.


North Carolina's Wildlife Resources Commission recently passed a regulation change finally allowing Sunday hunting on private land....but with bow only. So with a bit of background info already in the memory banks from turkey season, finding a few spots to set up for deer season wouldn't be too difficult. This year the farm was mainly planted with soybeans...

The new family mobile/hunt'n truck

Soybeans as far as you can see

The Sunday hunting, along with the annual Pungo deer hunt in Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge should give ample chances to kill the 3-4 deer we try to fill the freezer with each year. Which is usually the norm...