Well, we made it home again late yesterday afternoon. Here's hoping that it sticks this time. Allan looks really good, as you can see. This time, we had three days of stability at the hospital -- no changes in meds or treatments - before we left so we hope that they hit upon a cocktail of medicines that works. Now we just have to keep Allan properly entertained so that he doesn't decide that he has to go back to see his girlfriends in the NICU, PICU and on the floor. For his homecoming, I found denim overalls and a plaid shirt (Griffith got some similar ones). He looks like a little boy in them. Dad was just a little concerned. I think he is going to try to find a tweed jacket and a bowler to even the score (wait until he gets a load of the camo. We'll see how that stiff upper lip holds.)
Griffith didn't fuss too much about us bringing Allan home again. We don't know whether he's decided that he just can't win because we keep bringing him back or if he is just biding his time and waiting for him to leave again. As I have said before, we have two perfect only children.
No big plans for today. Flora is in her element taking care of multiples. and she has banished me to the upstairs so that they can all get used to each other. Of course, I already caught her calling Griffith Allan. That will not go over well. Looks like it is going to be a pretty day. When it warms up, I am going to take Griffith out back for a while and then switch off and get Allan out there, too. Time for him to get a little fresh air and sunshine.
Keep your fingers crossed that all goes well this time.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Allan in his overalls (II)
Allan in his going home outfit. Big boy coveralls and a plaid flannel shirt.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Griffith kept me a little busy yesterday so I didn't get back to update about Allan. Allan is doing very well and, if all continues to go well, we may get him home (again) tomorrow. We hope that the third time is the charm with him. In the month since we left the NICU, we have spent only 8 days at home. Not a very good record.
Flora spent Monday afternoon with Allan and all day Tuesday. She's supposed to be back here this afternoon so that she can get a head start on spoiling him. She came in and told Allan that Griffith said hello and he curled his little lip up in distaste. We have 2 perfect only children. Allan has learned to whack the beads on one of his dangly toys and yesterday was trying to reach up and grab the mouse that runs around on his elephant/mirror thingy. He is also trying (occasionally) to get his hand or finger in his mouth, but his success with (and interest in) that has been limited. We are still trying to get him rolling on the bottle-feeding thing and have had another OT (occupational therapy) consult and a visit by the Swallow Team. The bottom line seems to be that there isn't any thing wrong with his suck -- he just doesn't have the endurance for all the eating that someone of his age and girth needs to do.
He has made himself very popular in the PICU and, by all reports, is never alone for long.
Flora spent Monday afternoon with Allan and all day Tuesday. She's supposed to be back here this afternoon so that she can get a head start on spoiling him. She came in and told Allan that Griffith said hello and he curled his little lip up in distaste. We have 2 perfect only children. Allan has learned to whack the beads on one of his dangly toys and yesterday was trying to reach up and grab the mouse that runs around on his elephant/mirror thingy. He is also trying (occasionally) to get his hand or finger in his mouth, but his success with (and interest in) that has been limited. We are still trying to get him rolling on the bottle-feeding thing and have had another OT (occupational therapy) consult and a visit by the Swallow Team. The bottom line seems to be that there isn't any thing wrong with his suck -- he just doesn't have the endurance for all the eating that someone of his age and girth needs to do.
He has made himself very popular in the PICU and, by all reports, is never alone for long.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
The boys both seem to be doing very well. Griffith had a big couple of days as you can see from the photos. Caitlin came over Sunday night to spoil him. She hadn't seen him in a while and might not have recognized him had he not decided to howl at the top of his lungs about -- something -- who knows what? -- that irritated him. Ah, yes, THAT'S Griffith all right. Clearly he remembered her and was completely, comfortably racked out when we got home. Yesterday afternoon, Cheryl stopped by for a visit. Of course, Griffith had been playing and kicking and cooing and grinning all over himself, right up until about 20 or 30 minutes before she got here, at which point he passed out completely and stayed that way through her entire visit. Contrary little twerp. I can't really blame him, though, we had a big afternoon. He helped Momma in the garden all afternoon long. First he supervised from the bouncy seat, but got tired of that and started squawling. So then we tried putting him in the Snugli. He was pretty sure he was going to hate it, but after we put a blanket under his no-bottom so that he had a better view, he was just fine. We swept the deck, trimmed the roses and raked up leaves. Late yesterday afternoon, we listened to All Things Considered and repotted mums. That worked very well so long as he could see me. If I got out of his sight to put a pot somewhere or retrieve something, he immediately tuned up. Still and all, he's a great little guy and lots of fun. He wakes up with a big smile on his face and is starting to grin AT you and makes a little sound that sounds a lot like a chuckle. He usually does both in response to Word Up (since he often waves his hands in the air, like he doesn't care.....)
Speaking of tuned up, he's getting there now. It is lunch time. I'll update later with news of Allan.
Speaking of tuned up, he's getting there now. It is lunch time. I'll update later with news of Allan.
Cheryl and Griffith on the deck
After being all wide awke, cooing and cute all afternoon, Griffith fell asleep 30 mintes before Cheryl arrived and stayed that way until 20 minutes after she left. She didn't seem to mind.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Sunday 10/1
Big Al and I are hanging out this afternoon. We've just finished our baby yoga and are listening to Baby Beethoven. We have a new bouncy seat to try out later and Cheryl brought a couple of new books (The Poky Little Puppy and The Saggy Baggy Elephant) so it is going to be a big day all around. Tio Luis may be stopping by later so really, it is an action-packed Sunday. Allan seems to be doing pretty well and they are talking about discharge (again) some time next week. (He has won over the doctors and nurses in the PICU so his work here is done.) Keep your fingers crossed that we go home and stay there for more than a few days this time. Anyway, he's looking good (naturally) and weighs in at about 10 and a half pounds. He is working on getting his fingers in his mouth, but frequently loses interest after the first misstep or two. It just seems like rather a lot of effort. He has taken to winking this week as well. I can't say that it is purely volitional, but it does seem to happen a lot when a pretty girl is sweet-talking.
Dad has had to work all weekend so we have had to get some folks in to pinch-hit on the childcare. Yesterday Aunt Kathy came up. She and Griffith got along famously. They spent a fair amount of time learning about laminate flooring, apparently. (For the record, he is not opposed to it and thinks that it wears well, especially in high-traffic areas.) Then we spent a fair amount of time rearranging the pictures in the house while listening to Paula Deen and her boys talk about her cooking school. Griffith is hanging out with Cousin Jennifer this afternoon. When I called to check in they were getting along pretty well -- he's already got her dancing to his tune. They ate, walked around the back yard, and played in the bouncy seat. Just when she thought she had him settled down and pulled out some work to do, he began howling. He really does have radar for when you are trying to get things done. His latest tricks include howling as if you have stuck him with a hot poker when you try to burp him. And it comes as a complete shock to him every time we do it. As if we don't burp about 3 times every feeding, eight times a day, every day. I guess he's just an eternal optimist and always thinks that maybe, just maybe, this time will be different.
Dad has had to work all weekend so we have had to get some folks in to pinch-hit on the childcare. Yesterday Aunt Kathy came up. She and Griffith got along famously. They spent a fair amount of time learning about laminate flooring, apparently. (For the record, he is not opposed to it and thinks that it wears well, especially in high-traffic areas.) Then we spent a fair amount of time rearranging the pictures in the house while listening to Paula Deen and her boys talk about her cooking school. Griffith is hanging out with Cousin Jennifer this afternoon. When I called to check in they were getting along pretty well -- he's already got her dancing to his tune. They ate, walked around the back yard, and played in the bouncy seat. Just when she thought she had him settled down and pulled out some work to do, he began howling. He really does have radar for when you are trying to get things done. His latest tricks include howling as if you have stuck him with a hot poker when you try to burp him. And it comes as a complete shock to him every time we do it. As if we don't burp about 3 times every feeding, eight times a day, every day. I guess he's just an eternal optimist and always thinks that maybe, just maybe, this time will be different.
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