I find it interesting that Dylan is quite into his books. I read the same amount to both boys and truth be told, probably more consistently to Zach. Zach has always been one for routine and would never let us skip 2 stories at bedtime. Dylan is an easy sleeper and hasn't cared too much about the routine (although lately his big monkey has to be in the bed and his blanket has so be laid over him, not next to him at night). Therefore, if the night was running a little late, books were possibly overlooked a time or two. He has started carrying books all over the house. Every room in the house has a different one or two board books that Dylan has insisted come down with him in the morning. It's really kind of funny. He says, "book" very clearly and tonight said Ba Ban for Brown Bear...a Ward family favorite.
So maybe I'll have someone in the family to have literary discussions with after all!
Showing posts with label Dylan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dylan. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Dylan Dialogue
I forgot. 12-24 months is all about speech acquisition. Not only is Dylan working on saying any and every word he can, he is also learning all about non-verbal communication. He is a huge "nodder."
"Dylan, do you want to go to bed?" He's curled up in my lap, rocking in a quiet, dark room with his pacifier in and his blanket all curled up.
He will shake his head no.
"Do you want to rock with mommy?"
Nod yes.
It's really cute and I love it! :)
He can point to most of his body parts when you ask him "Where's your...?" questions. He likes his tummy and he's learning knees and elbows right now. He also can tell you a lot of animals and what they "say". He really likes cow and duck sounds too. I asked him today, "What does a mommy say?" He put his fingers to his lips and made the shushing sound. Not that I do that a lot, but in the Wheels on the Bus song the Mommy on the bus says sh, sh, sh.
Another cute little story about language acquisition...you never know how much they understand until something like this and then it's an ah ha moment of realization.
We were playing with some coins in a jar on the floor. Dylan was picking them up and pushing them around on the carpet. I kept saying, "Dylan, put them in here." He would take the penny and look like he was putting it in his ear. He kept doing this and I couldn't figure out what in God's name was making him try and put a penny in his ear. Until I realized what I was saying. "Dylan, put them in "HERE". Not put them in your "EAR"."
Too funny...he was just doing what he thought he heard me say. I can just imagine him thinking, "not sure why she wants me to put it in my ear, but okay." :) Once I said it clearly and showed him - not "in your ear, but in here." He did it. I'm sure he was thinking, that makes more sense lady! :)
One more funny 18 month story.
He loves being tickled and has such an infectious laugh that we love tickling him. His toes, his tummy and under his chin are sure fire ways to get a giggle. The other day I was tickling him in the kitchen. (Which can be scary because he'll fall to floor laughing and it's hard ceramic tile in there!) Anyway, he was laying on the floor laughing and I stop tickling because I'm always afraid he can't catch his breath or it's not fun anymore (if you have an older sibling, you know it can cross a line quickly). So I stopped. He finally caught his breath and then pulled up his shirt pointed to his belly and said, "Mo, Mo". He was ready for More! Absolutely adorable!
"Dylan, do you want to go to bed?" He's curled up in my lap, rocking in a quiet, dark room with his pacifier in and his blanket all curled up.
He will shake his head no.
"Do you want to rock with mommy?"
Nod yes.
It's really cute and I love it! :)
He can point to most of his body parts when you ask him "Where's your...?" questions. He likes his tummy and he's learning knees and elbows right now. He also can tell you a lot of animals and what they "say". He really likes cow and duck sounds too. I asked him today, "What does a mommy say?" He put his fingers to his lips and made the shushing sound. Not that I do that a lot, but in the Wheels on the Bus song the Mommy on the bus says sh, sh, sh.
Another cute little story about language acquisition...you never know how much they understand until something like this and then it's an ah ha moment of realization.
We were playing with some coins in a jar on the floor. Dylan was picking them up and pushing them around on the carpet. I kept saying, "Dylan, put them in here." He would take the penny and look like he was putting it in his ear. He kept doing this and I couldn't figure out what in God's name was making him try and put a penny in his ear. Until I realized what I was saying. "Dylan, put them in "HERE". Not put them in your "EAR"."
Too funny...he was just doing what he thought he heard me say. I can just imagine him thinking, "not sure why she wants me to put it in my ear, but okay." :) Once I said it clearly and showed him - not "in your ear, but in here." He did it. I'm sure he was thinking, that makes more sense lady! :)
One more funny 18 month story.
He loves being tickled and has such an infectious laugh that we love tickling him. His toes, his tummy and under his chin are sure fire ways to get a giggle. The other day I was tickling him in the kitchen. (Which can be scary because he'll fall to floor laughing and it's hard ceramic tile in there!) Anyway, he was laying on the floor laughing and I stop tickling because I'm always afraid he can't catch his breath or it's not fun anymore (if you have an older sibling, you know it can cross a line quickly). So I stopped. He finally caught his breath and then pulled up his shirt pointed to his belly and said, "Mo, Mo". He was ready for More! Absolutely adorable!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
I want to go to SCHOOL!
It's my last week before I got to work full time so I tried to enjoy the kids a little more this week. Here was my view Thursday morning as Zach went off to preschool. Dylan insisted on finding a backpack of his own (the closest I could find, but his Aunt and Uncle got him one with his name on it, we need to find). He put on the backpack and waved out the door to his big brother. You could tell he was wishing the entire time that he could go with him.
Do they let you take pacifiers to preschool????
Sweet Baby Dylan, there is plenty of time to go to school and grow up. Please stay my baby a little longer! Big hugs and kisses from Mommy!!!!
Do they let you take pacifiers to preschool????
Sweet Baby Dylan, there is plenty of time to go to school and grow up. Please stay my baby a little longer! Big hugs and kisses from Mommy!!!!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Summer Activities 2009
Zach has had a fun summer this year, since his Mom has not been growing a baby in her tummy all summer like last year. Last year, that seemed to be about all I could manage (oh, and moving houses). This year however, we managed to do two sessions of swim lessons, make it to the library about every other week and some times every week. We have had a weekly swim play date with our friends at the Davis' house. And managed to fit in two weeks of day camp at the YMCA. It's all about keeping a little 3 year old busy and wearing him out. We even managed to make it to family swim night at the Aquatic Center last night. Zach and I got to take a ride around the Lazy River while Daddy and Dylan watched from the "shore". I hadn't been able to take Zach before because there was no one to hold Dylan and I couldn't manage both of them in the river itself. I brought my camera to the pool to take pics and was bummed to find out I left the memory card in the computer. No fun pics at the Froggie pool (as Zach likes to call it).
Swim Lesson Certificate - 2009
Swim Lesson Certificate - 2009The library has a summer reading program like most libraries and we have taken full advantage of it. We missed the end of the season program they do, but Miss Gayle was nice enough to let Zach pick out a book when we were at the library yesterday and he got some crayons and a certificate for reading so well. He really was excited to go every week and get his weekly prizes for reading 10 picture books. This summer Zach has really gotten into reading books about insects, beetles, fish and sharks. I think this is a fun new area to explore in the library. I like watching Zach get excited about discovering the world around him through books and of course, the internet and the best part "hands-on discovery" (i.e. digging in the dirt in the backyard and catching all kinds of bugs). Little boys really are so much fun to watch!
Fun Little Monster Craft from Library Story time
Certificate for Summer Reading program
Zach w/cape and the pickle
At least he can wrestle with the pickle without getting hurt.
Super Zach
Caught this pic mid-run around the living room...what a ham!
Dylan has enjoyed watching Daddy mow the grass and Zach "help" by driving his car around. He has literally stood/sat by the front window watching them go back and forth for 20 minutes. You just know he can't wait to get out there next year!
Here's the fabulous Mater that Aunt Shannon got Zach for Christmas and now Dylan is using it to ride on too. Too bad Mater is "broken" and you can't hear all the great sound effects he makes. :)Zach's first year of preschool will start at the end of the month, so just a couple weeks left of summer for us!
Monday, July 13, 2009
The best part of my day
The best part of my day lately has been Dylan waking up in the morning and after his naps. The smile that greets me when I come in the room is pure sunshine. It's so fun when they still think Mom and Dad are the best two people in the world.
Although a close second today was Zach worrying that Daddy and CeCe aren't going to feed him dinner while I'm gone this weekend. Going on a girls weekend trip to Colorado and I've been telling Zach about having his Grandma watch him and Daddy and somehow he got concerned he wouldn't get dinner. You can tell who does the cooking around our house! :)
Loving my boys!
Although a close second today was Zach worrying that Daddy and CeCe aren't going to feed him dinner while I'm gone this weekend. Going on a girls weekend trip to Colorado and I've been telling Zach about having his Grandma watch him and Daddy and somehow he got concerned he wouldn't get dinner. You can tell who does the cooking around our house! :)
Loving my boys!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Guilt Post
Okay, every time I hang out with my friend Christel, I feel like a blog slacker. Add that to the fact that I took some fun pics of Dylan yesterday and of course, here I am updating my blog.
Dylan has been busy crawling everywhere he can manage. I forgot how fast they can crawl, especially when they shouldn't be going there. He's also mastered pulling himself up on everything and he's even attempted to push a little footstool around the kitchen. He just gets 1 or 2 steps, but it scares me to think he'll be trying to walk soon. (Scare, in a good way.) His little personality just keeps developing a little more every day. He seems to be so relaxed and laid back. He hardly ever cries except when he's really hungry and you are not getting the picture or Zach yanks a toy out of his hands. He is easily distracted though and okay with whatever toy you replace it with! A couple of people have asked if we forget about him sometimes. I hate to say we "forget" about him, but he is easy to get sidetracked from...yeah, I've forgotten him sometimes. Not actually left him anywhere, but more like forget to get his food while he's in his highchair b/c Zach has asked for 15 things or I'm making my coffee. He quickly reminds me with some cooing and grunting that he's hungry.
He is super ticklish too. Under his chin and his toes are sure ways to get him to smile and I love it! He is starting to be a little more cautious about smiling at everyone. He definitely gives them the once over before giving them a smile. Still such a joy to have around even when he's crawling straight for the toilet for the 15th time.
Zach has been going to an "adventure" camp at the YMCA. He loves it. He did a craft every day and got to play outside in little pools this week. He made a visor with his name on it and decided we should take a picture of it. He was very proud of his work.
Dylan has been busy crawling everywhere he can manage. I forgot how fast they can crawl, especially when they shouldn't be going there. He's also mastered pulling himself up on everything and he's even attempted to push a little footstool around the kitchen. He just gets 1 or 2 steps, but it scares me to think he'll be trying to walk soon. (Scare, in a good way.) His little personality just keeps developing a little more every day. He seems to be so relaxed and laid back. He hardly ever cries except when he's really hungry and you are not getting the picture or Zach yanks a toy out of his hands. He is easily distracted though and okay with whatever toy you replace it with! A couple of people have asked if we forget about him sometimes. I hate to say we "forget" about him, but he is easy to get sidetracked from...yeah, I've forgotten him sometimes. Not actually left him anywhere, but more like forget to get his food while he's in his highchair b/c Zach has asked for 15 things or I'm making my coffee. He quickly reminds me with some cooing and grunting that he's hungry.
He is super ticklish too. Under his chin and his toes are sure ways to get him to smile and I love it! He is starting to be a little more cautious about smiling at everyone. He definitely gives them the once over before giving them a smile. Still such a joy to have around even when he's crawling straight for the toilet for the 15th time.
Zach has been going to an "adventure" camp at the YMCA. He loves it. He did a craft every day and got to play outside in little pools this week. He made a visor with his name on it and decided we should take a picture of it. He was very proud of his work.
Zach is turning out to be a great big brother. He helps me a lot with Dylan and is always quick to help make Dylan happy by offering toys or playing a game with him. The other day I was picking up Dylan's room so I put him in his crib to keep him in one safe place. I threw a couple of toys in there to keep Dylan occupied and Zach saw what I was doing and threw the rest of the toys in the toybox in and jumped in with him. They were having a blast. Zach of course turned it into a pirate ship and a spaceship and all sorts of adventures while Dylan chewed on everything in sight. Meanwhile I grabbed the camera and took some pics and even managed to get the laundry put away and the trash can emptied. Not bad at all.
We have also gotten a chance or two to go to the pool. Dylan is quite the swimmer. He loves the water and loves getting his face wet and splashing all around. Zach is warming up to the water this year and I'm looking forward to swim lessons for him. I think the friendly peer pressure and instructor other than me or Craig will be helpful.
Craig and Dylan
Zach enjoying poolside
We have also gotten a chance or two to go to the pool. Dylan is quite the swimmer. He loves the water and loves getting his face wet and splashing all around. Zach is warming up to the water this year and I'm looking forward to swim lessons for him. I think the friendly peer pressure and instructor other than me or Craig will be helpful.
Craig and Dylan
Zach enjoying poolsideVideo of Craig and Dylan enjoying the pool
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Borrowed Camera
Brotherly Love - capture it while it lasts!
Okay, so I got to borrow a camera that I can't afford on my own and got to play around with it. I got some cute pics of the boys and thought I'd throw them on here. I wish I could find a reason that I needed a $600 camera other than taking cute pics of my kids, but alas, I can not think of one. The good news is, I think my source will let me borrow it again should the occasion arise. These are just playing around pics and I think it got the goofiness of Zach and the sweetness of Dylan. Perfect for the ages that they are right now. Next month, may be totally different. :)
I think this series was hysterical....Zach was just being silly and I just kept taking pics.
Okay, so I got to borrow a camera that I can't afford on my own and got to play around with it. I got some cute pics of the boys and thought I'd throw them on here. I wish I could find a reason that I needed a $600 camera other than taking cute pics of my kids, but alas, I can not think of one. The good news is, I think my source will let me borrow it again should the occasion arise. These are just playing around pics and I think it got the goofiness of Zach and the sweetness of Dylan. Perfect for the ages that they are right now. Next month, may be totally different. :)
I think this series was hysterical....Zach was just being silly and I just kept taking pics.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Things I took for granted when Zach was born...
I just found this post that I originally wrote on 10/9/08...I didn't publish it at the time because I thought it was kind of a downer. I read it today and it brought tears to my eyes again. I NEVER want to forget how lucky we are to have this precious little boy in our lives. Even when he's up at night and not sleeping so well. :) I'm publishing this so it will always be a part of his baby book...how precious he and his brother are to us!
Written 10/9/2008
I've been wanting to write these down since this whole thing with Dylan first happened. These are things that I swore to myself I would never forget thinking while Dylan was in the NICU. At one point, Craig and I were walking down the hall and a guy passed pushing his baby back to the nursery. We just looked at each other and both said how we just wanted to stop everyone and tell them how lucky they were to have their babies with them.
Written 10/9/2008
I've been wanting to write these down since this whole thing with Dylan first happened. These are things that I swore to myself I would never forget thinking while Dylan was in the NICU. At one point, Craig and I were walking down the hall and a guy passed pushing his baby back to the nursery. We just looked at each other and both said how we just wanted to stop everyone and tell them how lucky they were to have their babies with them.
1. Hearing your baby cry when he/she is delivered - The most important and probably why I want Dylan to cry so badly.
2. Holding your baby right after delivery - especially not having to wait 24 hours
3. Holding your baby whenever you feel like it. - Couldn't hold Dylan except at the scheduled times - every 3 hours - we would show up dutifully to get our time with him
4. Changing diapers - even this was a great treat in the NICU - really.
5. Bathing baby - I was so excited when the nurses said we could give him a bath. Especially when he had all the goop from the EEG in his hair. (it might make a good sculpting gel for bed head styles.) Thanks to Janelle our nurse for scrubbing it out for me the first night. She was able to really get in there and get that stuff out!
6. Rooming in at the hospital and wheeling your little bassinet down the hall from the nursery. We finally got to wheel the bassinet on the night we roomed in before going home.
7. Nursing...I nursed Zach within 2 hours of him being born and couldn't even try to nurse Dylan for several days. It was such an empty feeling to just use the pump and not get to actually nurse. I'm no LeLeche member or anything, but I didn't realize how special it is until I wasn't able/allowed to do it. The first time he latched on brought tears to my eyes.
8. Leaving the hospital with your baby - as bad as I had always imagined it would be - leaving empty handed. Wednesday was a very weepy day for me.
9. Dressing baby - I heard a lot of the preemie moms get excited too when you can put outfits on the little ones. It was funny having the nurses search for clothes that were big enough for Dylan. Again, they aren't use to 8lb babies in the NICU. :)
10. Big brother being able to visit/hold his little brother. - It was hard watching Zach stand at the window every time and just want to see his little brother and touch him. He's making up for lost time now!
Added today (02/17/09):
11. Being together as parents during the delivery to share in that great moment...we each have very different memories of Dylan being born.
Added today (02/17/09):
11. Being together as parents during the delivery to share in that great moment...we each have very different memories of Dylan being born.
Everyone go give your little ones a squeeze and think how lucky we all are to have them in our lives. Healthy children are a wonderful gift not to be taken for granted!
Our baby in the NICU
This is how Zach got to see Dylan for the first time, he's standing outside looking in the window with Craig's parents.
TODAY! YEAH! Look at this happy little baby!
Don't mind my lack of makeup, but Zach took this picture...pretty good for a 3 year old. We can't even manage to get Dylan smiles with the camera.
Our baby in the NICU
This is how Zach got to see Dylan for the first time, he's standing outside looking in the window with Craig's parents.
TODAY! YEAH! Look at this happy little baby!
Don't mind my lack of makeup, but Zach took this picture...pretty good for a 3 year old. We can't even manage to get Dylan smiles with the camera.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Our non-existent Black Cat
If I had a black cat right now, it would be in a lot of trouble. I would completely think it was sleeping on Dylan's pillow when I wasn't looking. All of his hair is falling out as he rubs his head when he sleeps. We just have transitioned him to a sleep positioner which is like white fleece and I just noticed a ton of black little baby hairs on it. Seriously looks like a cat is sleeping on it. :)
People still think he has a lot of hair, but it's nothing compared to when he was first born. He had sideburns, I swear.
People still think he has a lot of hair, but it's nothing compared to when he was first born. He had sideburns, I swear.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
My Miracle Angel Baby
Okay, so I think it's safe for me to say that Dylan is turning out to be my "angel" baby. This is no reflection on me. I believe this is luck of the draw. I also believe this pertains only to the infant stage, no promises for future angelness (just made that word up).
The no crying thing has turned into a reflection of his general state of laid backness. He wakes up and grunts at you and then will cry if not attended to within a reasonable amount of time. He still only cries when he is ignored for too long or is really hurt. Unfortunately, he had an incident with a Thomas the Tank Engine train hitting him in the head for us to realize this. Zach literally decided to throw the train out of the clear blue and it managed to land squarely on Dylan's forehead. He let out a big wail and it managed to just leave a little red mark for a day or so. Zach felt terrible and so did I. I wasn't aware I should create a forcefield around him to protect him from Zach. But part of me was relieved to know he did cry at appropriate times. Zach did immediately run to the freezer and get the little kid ice pack for Dylan's head. He knows from experience what to do with those Owees.
Tonight I realized the ease of putting this baby to bed. We literally have put him in a dark quiet room in his car seat (he doesn't like laying completely flat) all swaddled up and his pacifier and he will just drift off to sleep on his own. What a beautiful thing! It doesn't work every time, but a lot of the times it does. I remember with Zach we would walk around the room bouncing him around or shushing him to get him to stop crying and close his eyes. The minute we would think he was asleep and lay him down - the eyes would come open and he'd start crying. We'd start all over again completely exhausted. Please God let Dylan remain this laid back forever! (It can't hurt to ask, right?)
The sad thing going on right now is the Baby Acne. GASP! It's so sad to look at. He's got little acne all over his face. It's not the little white bumps that all babies get at birth. Those have faded and now they are red acne marks all over. Again, it's my fault. The mother's hormones pass through to the baby at the end of pregnancy. See, it's always the mother's fault. Get use to it, right? They say it should clear up by the time he's 6 months old....really?!?! Surely, it should be sooner than that. Luckily, it's not that severe and seems to have stopped getting any worse. Oh well, it's just appearances and doesn't hurt him. We shall carry on!
The no crying thing has turned into a reflection of his general state of laid backness. He wakes up and grunts at you and then will cry if not attended to within a reasonable amount of time. He still only cries when he is ignored for too long or is really hurt. Unfortunately, he had an incident with a Thomas the Tank Engine train hitting him in the head for us to realize this. Zach literally decided to throw the train out of the clear blue and it managed to land squarely on Dylan's forehead. He let out a big wail and it managed to just leave a little red mark for a day or so. Zach felt terrible and so did I. I wasn't aware I should create a forcefield around him to protect him from Zach. But part of me was relieved to know he did cry at appropriate times. Zach did immediately run to the freezer and get the little kid ice pack for Dylan's head. He knows from experience what to do with those Owees.
Tonight I realized the ease of putting this baby to bed. We literally have put him in a dark quiet room in his car seat (he doesn't like laying completely flat) all swaddled up and his pacifier and he will just drift off to sleep on his own. What a beautiful thing! It doesn't work every time, but a lot of the times it does. I remember with Zach we would walk around the room bouncing him around or shushing him to get him to stop crying and close his eyes. The minute we would think he was asleep and lay him down - the eyes would come open and he'd start crying. We'd start all over again completely exhausted. Please God let Dylan remain this laid back forever! (It can't hurt to ask, right?)
The sad thing going on right now is the Baby Acne. GASP! It's so sad to look at. He's got little acne all over his face. It's not the little white bumps that all babies get at birth. Those have faded and now they are red acne marks all over. Again, it's my fault. The mother's hormones pass through to the baby at the end of pregnancy. See, it's always the mother's fault. Get use to it, right? They say it should clear up by the time he's 6 months old....really?!?! Surely, it should be sooner than that. Luckily, it's not that severe and seems to have stopped getting any worse. Oh well, it's just appearances and doesn't hurt him. We shall carry on!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
My Miracle Baby Update - Sunday
I can't believe it's been a week since we had Dylan. It seems more like a month. Days are busy and filled with visits and milestones but tiring with recovery for me and pumping to keep up with Dylan.
To update on his status, he's come off of all IV's as of Friday. They have been able to take blood via his foot and give medicines orally. He really started opening his eyes and looking alert on Thursday/Friday. He was able to try and breastfeed on his own on Thursday, but was too sleepy with meds to really try. Friday we tried again and he latched on but didn't last long when he found out the bottle was much easier. Saturday was also frustrating with little interest in breastfeeding, but a lot of interest in the bottle. I was beginning to see my future of pumping and bottle feeding which would be nearly impossible with a 2 year old at home. This morning he "made me happy" (as Zach would say) b/c he took the breast for 20 mins (just like a typical newborn) and THEN finished his bottle of 2 1/2 oz. I keep saying, "He didn't get to be 8lbs 11oz by being shy about eating." He has a great appetite just like his big brother did. Feeding is going great. The Neonatologist said that the most complex thing a baby does is suck and swallow. He's doing that really well so that's a great sign for his overall health.
MRI was done Thursday and we just found out the results yesterday afternoon. It showed only swelling. Which is good. There were no signs of stroke or any major concerns at this time. Whew! He will need a follow-up EEG on Monday to evaluate improvement from last week. The doctor that examined him on Saturday said that if you didn't know his history you wouldn't know there were any concerns. He's acting just like a typical newborn. Double Whew!
The best news, we received this morning. He's being fed by bottle/breast 100% of the time starting this morning. They took out his feeding tube and his oxygen came off too. No more tubes! He only has some monitors that are just stuck on like stickers. If the EEG goes well and he continues to feed orally and no oxygen problems, he can come home on TUESDAY! That's much earlier than Craig and I had ever expected! We are so thrilled to be able to take him home and start our new family together. Part of me will be very nervous to have him without monitors to tell me he's breathing fine and his heart is at the right rate, etc. But I'm sure we'll be just fine once we get settled into our little routine. :)
I'm posting two videos with this posting. The 1st video Craig took the evening after he was born. I wasn't able to get to the NICU b/c of my recovery and he took video so I could see him again for myself. He has on the ear muffs to keep out noise, the intubation to help him breath and his head has an ice pack on it to keep the swelling down. He's also swollen from all the fluids they needed to give him. His hands are clenched unnaturally too. Craig also calls him Zach in the video. He's quit doing that now. :) The 2nd one we took today and it's Dylan looking absolutely fabulous. The videos next to each other are quite remarkable.
The nurses really do call him a miracle baby. None of them thought he'd do as well as he has done. Amen! Look for another post of all my thank you's for all the prayers, emails, etc!
To update on his status, he's come off of all IV's as of Friday. They have been able to take blood via his foot and give medicines orally. He really started opening his eyes and looking alert on Thursday/Friday. He was able to try and breastfeed on his own on Thursday, but was too sleepy with meds to really try. Friday we tried again and he latched on but didn't last long when he found out the bottle was much easier. Saturday was also frustrating with little interest in breastfeeding, but a lot of interest in the bottle. I was beginning to see my future of pumping and bottle feeding which would be nearly impossible with a 2 year old at home. This morning he "made me happy" (as Zach would say) b/c he took the breast for 20 mins (just like a typical newborn) and THEN finished his bottle of 2 1/2 oz. I keep saying, "He didn't get to be 8lbs 11oz by being shy about eating." He has a great appetite just like his big brother did. Feeding is going great. The Neonatologist said that the most complex thing a baby does is suck and swallow. He's doing that really well so that's a great sign for his overall health.
MRI was done Thursday and we just found out the results yesterday afternoon. It showed only swelling. Which is good. There were no signs of stroke or any major concerns at this time. Whew! He will need a follow-up EEG on Monday to evaluate improvement from last week. The doctor that examined him on Saturday said that if you didn't know his history you wouldn't know there were any concerns. He's acting just like a typical newborn. Double Whew!
The best news, we received this morning. He's being fed by bottle/breast 100% of the time starting this morning. They took out his feeding tube and his oxygen came off too. No more tubes! He only has some monitors that are just stuck on like stickers. If the EEG goes well and he continues to feed orally and no oxygen problems, he can come home on TUESDAY! That's much earlier than Craig and I had ever expected! We are so thrilled to be able to take him home and start our new family together. Part of me will be very nervous to have him without monitors to tell me he's breathing fine and his heart is at the right rate, etc. But I'm sure we'll be just fine once we get settled into our little routine. :)
I'm posting two videos with this posting. The 1st video Craig took the evening after he was born. I wasn't able to get to the NICU b/c of my recovery and he took video so I could see him again for myself. He has on the ear muffs to keep out noise, the intubation to help him breath and his head has an ice pack on it to keep the swelling down. He's also swollen from all the fluids they needed to give him. His hands are clenched unnaturally too. Craig also calls him Zach in the video. He's quit doing that now. :) The 2nd one we took today and it's Dylan looking absolutely fabulous. The videos next to each other are quite remarkable.
The nurses really do call him a miracle baby. None of them thought he'd do as well as he has done. Amen! Look for another post of all my thank you's for all the prayers, emails, etc!
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