Gaining

We received some good news – Connor has gained a whole pound in one week!  I guess thickening his formula and baby food is helping! 

We’ve seen five new specialists in the last eight days.  All of them are looking for different reasons why Connor hasn’t been gaining weight like he should and helping us to teach him better form while eating baby food.  Of course, some of their advice contradicts each other and the therapists and specialists we’ve already seen so we’re doing a good amount of parental judgment as to what to try first, what to give up on and what to set aside for another time.  I’m hopeful that because he’s finally starting to gain weight some of these concerns will be behind us soon.

The nurse practitioner on the feeding team we saw thought Connor might be having some reflux issues even though he doesn’t really exhibit symptoms.  So now he’s on medicine for that twice a day.  It’s really nasty and he hates it, but I agreed to give it a try for a few weeks and see if his non-existent symptoms get better…not sure how they/we will gage that, but we’ll see!  The gastrointestinal doctor said from her point of view he looks good and the only additional thing she suggested was that he should eat more prunes. :)

Connor really seems to enjoy himself at Ms Carrie’s house (his sitter).   She has three kids of her own, so after school there are lots of people talking to and playing with him which he really loves! 

Getting so good holding his head up!

Connor is gaining ground with therapies, too.  He’s becoming a rock star at lifting his head while on his belly.  He also started sitting in a Bumbo seat with a Boppy wrapped around him for support.  (Never fear – we are smart enough to not put him in it on a table and then walk away)  Both therapists that see him weekly have commented this month that Connor is really starting to get opinions about what he likes and what he doesn’t like.  He has always been such a chill, go with it little guy and now he’s finally starting to let us know when he doesn’t want to do something.  Makes exercises and stretches a little tougher sometimes but I’m also glad he’s gaining a voice for himself.

The ever-helpful sister assisting Connor with
sitting in the Bumbo

In Clara news, she and the Tooth Fairy are communicating quite frequently these days as she has lost two teeth in the last two weeks and has three more wiggly ones.  She wrote the Tooth Fairy a note last night to include with her tooth and received a fairy size note along with her quarters this morning.  Pretty exciting stuff!  With the recent loss of two more top teeth, one of her grownup front teeth is finally poking through, so she, too, is gaining!

I Believe in You

While a part of me is bracing for the insanity that the fall will bring, the other part of me is glad August is done.  Our life is pretty scheduled and patterned.  As the primary maker of the schedule, I know what is going to happen when and usually have things planned out eight weeks in advance.  I work hard to make sure things are in place and that I have it all figured out so we don’t have too many surprises along the way. August was a topsy turvy month filled with randomness and last minute scheduling for all four of us.  Kind of hard for this Type A gal!  So I’m thankful for September and the rigidness it brings. J

Updates…

Dipping toes in the ocean

Vacation was awesome. It’s amazing what a few days away from it all can do to your family dynamics and your soul. We love the beach!

Connor’s ophthalmologist did a Teller Acuity Test for his vision.  He scored well when using both eyes but not so well when either was covered.  The doctor didn’t seem overly worried, but wants to see him in a few months in the hopes that he’s progressed.  We’re down to every other day for the eye patch now.

There is some concern that Connor isn’t gaining enough weight, so they are checking all sorts of things.  We had a visit with the EI Nutritionist to make sure Connor was getting enough calories.  She was a very nice lady, but kind of clueless when it came to babies.   I had to tell her twice he was too young for milk/dairy products.  We see the GI doctor, Speech Pathologist and Nutritionist at CHOP coming up in the next two weeks so that should give us more answers.

Smiley 10 month old

Connor had his (very late) 9 month check up.  He measured 29.5 inches and 19 pounds.  Such a tall boy!  That long torso will REALLY give him trouble as he tries to learn to sit.

August was frustrating related to OT and PT progress.  PT wise I think he’s doing ok – much better with head holding and he's giving us the smallest signs that he might be putting weight on his hands when he’s on his belly.  He seemed to slip backwards with OT stuff last month, especially with reaching out for things.  I think the crazy month just didn’t provide the consistency he needs therapy wise.  With vacation schedules for us and his therapists and the revolving door of care givers, there were many days when he was just along for the ride of whatever the day brought.  So my hope is that September will get us back on track therapy wise!

Connor looking not too thrilled about the new helmet

Little man is now sporting a blue cranium helmet.  It’s bulkier and heavier than his first one, but will make the head reshaping go a little faster.  Hopefully he’ll be done with it by his first birthday.

And our final update – Connor has a new sitter.  I am so thankful!!!  A wonderful and kind woman we know from church agreed to watch him.  It’s just the perfect ending to a very stressful situation.  She is excited and appropriately overwhelmed to have Connor and I know she will be a great addition to his life.  Halleluiah!

I continue to be so thankful for all of you.  Those reading these words, praying along with us, sending us well wishes and advice.  And I continue to be thankful for and amazed by my beautiful children.  Tonight Clara and I were doing therapy stuff with Connor.  He was lying on his back and she was holding his favorite “cause and effect” toy right in front of him.  We took his hand and hit the toy a few times so it would sing and light up.  Then we waited for him to do it, encouraging him with smiles and high pitched voices.  And then she started singing a little made up song to him…”I believe in you, I believe in you.  You can touch it.  Don’t be scared.  We want you to be smart.  Touch it and then you’ll be smart.  I believe in you, I believe in you.” 

Love you!

He didn’t reach out and touch his toy (probably due to my audible crying by that point), but I was again reminded of how simple and awesome the love for this little boy can be and that sometimes, I make it (and life) more complicated than it needs to be. Your mama believes in you, too, Connor!