And lots more photos to post, but Momma's energy is flagging. More pictures tomorrow, probably.
Well, many of you have already caught on to what's going on at our house. We are now well in to hour 52 of Allan without oxygen. It has been a lot of fun getting emails from people asking what's up with the pictures -- lots of folks have caught on. We haven't wanted to say any thing because we have just been taking Allan off without any real medical supervision.
Allan had been doing very well. Down to one quarter of a liter of oxygen most of the time. What the pulmonologist told us was that, basically, the cannula is going to block enough oxygen that we shouldn't try to go below a quarter with the cannula in. Fine. Jay has always been better than I am about knowing what it is that Allan can do. So we started taking him off of the oxygen entirely (still on the monitor that shows us how much oxygen is in his blood, though.) At first, Allan wouldn't make it for all that long. A few hours at most. Soon enough, though, he has been making it from the time Jay and I get home from work until Flora gets here. We've been doing that for a few weeks. Some times, during the night, when Allan gets completely relaxed, he will forget to breathe deeply enough and he will set off the alarm. Either we will jiggle him until he gets his sats up or we will put him back on his O2. Friday, though, we had an appointment with the cardiologist at 9 so Momma took Allan off the 0's at 6 on Thursday and he hasn't been back on since. He has done his PT for two weeks without oxygen and had no problem. Miss Julie couldn't be prouder.
The cardiologist was well-pleased with Allan's progress (everyone in the office commented on how much hair he had and how active he was). We don't have to go back for six months.
As far as the oxygen goes, we know that Allan isn't through with it for good. He is likely to have to go back on it in order to keep up with his activities (crawling is hard work!) and, if he gets a cold or any thing else, will likely need a little boost this winter. Still, if we can keep him healthy, by next spring, we will be out of the woods. How much fun is that? It is already so much easier to get around with a baby with only one cord(the sat monitor) as opposed to two.
Allan tends still to desat when he sleeps or when he is working really hard to crawl or stand or whatever, but he is light-years ahead of where he was.
What else is going on? I hate to make such a long post, but it is only 10:30 and who knows when I'll have this opportunity again?
Grandma and Grampy left on wednesday. It was hard to see them go, but we know they will be back ASAP. That also happened to be the night that Daddy worked late to get some furniture done so every one was pretty much off schedule.
Miss Julie came on Thursday morning and (I hate to sound repetitive) she was very impressed with his progress. Honestly, he seems to save his big efforts for her. We worked again on crawling and turning past midline and, generally, balancing. Allan has figured out how to stand up and pull toys off of the chair and couch so that he doesn't have to bother with all that balancing and standing nonsense. It is gratifying to see Julie recognize that, although Allan is perfectly aware of where the toys are that she wants him to get, he will try to get YOU to get them for him without going to all that effort of crawling or reaching or whatever. She would try to get him to reach with BOTH hands for whatever (turning so that you compromise your breathing is something that BPD babies, like Allan, avoid, when possible). Julie would try to get him interested in something off to his side and he would, instead of reaching with both hands, like she wanted, would either reach with one hand or, my favorite,would sit there, not doing anything. Then he would plop his thumb in his mouth and turn and look up, all big-eyed, at her, as if to say, maybe if I am really cute, you'll just give me the toy. (Miss Julie is hard to fool that way, though.)
What else has gone on? Thursday was the big football game that fizzled. The better left unsaid, the better. Period. Momma ended up with larnygitis and Daddy throwing out of the bed two nights' running for coughing.
Allan's cardiologist was delighted with his progress on Friday. We don't have to return for 6 months.
Last night Mom and Dad were so tired, it was pitiful. By the time baths were over (8 p.m.) it was all that we could do to put one foot in front of the other. Both boys were in bed by 8:30 and Mom and Dad had lights out by 9. There were quite a few interruptions, but a better night was had by all.
Dad got up and went to work far too early this a.m. After an unsuccessful bid to get the boys to sleep, Momma took them for a run ( this chest congestion slowed the progress seriously ). We made it about four miles with Griff periodically shouting "go, go!" and "yeah, yeah" and (to my extreme irritation, "Da, da, da...."
Dad took the boys to a rugby game, but it was too hot to stay for long.
It is now nearly ten and both boys are down. Dad is asleep in the downstairs bedroom and Mom is praying for a quiet night. More tomorrow, if possible.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Taunting me.
Griff drinking his bath water from a measuring cup. Little brat won't drink from a sippy cup of any variety, but he'll drink his (and his brother's) dirty bath water. I can't stand it.
Oh, well, that's really cool...
Both boys were very fascinated by Daddy drumming on the side of the tub.
I would like to play with that....
Allan reaching for the wrench.Look at his ears -- he really takes after his momma in some unfortunate ways.
I would like to play with that....
Allan reaching for the wrench.Look at his ears -- he really takes after his momma in some unfortunate ways.
The joys of dental hygiene.
Dad with his legs wrapped around Griff's middle and one arm holding his hands, trying to brush with the other.
Butting in...
Griff can't stand it and literally butted his way between Allan and the couch. Allan didn't mind. This time.
Trying to decide if it is worth it
Allan, kneeling beside the couch, trying to decide whether to stand or not.
Game night
The boys on the couch waiting for the game to start on Thursday night. As it turns out, all of us waited all night long for the offense to start the game. Unfortunately, it never did.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Loads of new photos....
Something for everyone.
Aunt KK sent a very cool beetle bug car puzzle and nesting blocks from her trip to Budapest. As you will see, the blocks were a huge hit (the puzzle is a little advanced at the moment). Both boys were fascinated with the blocks -- brightly painted (not in China, we hope) and nesting. And, coincidentally, on the very day that a paper was published indicating that kids who play with blocks score higher on IQ tests (15% higher) than kids who don't. Take that, Baby Einstein. The boys went at the blocks like it was their job. They were, generally speaking, pretty quiet, which is a feat in and of itself. We took the blocks apart, stacked them, put them one inside the other, put other toys inside, dumped them out, started all over again. Last night, Griff figured out that he could put one on his foot and this was good for lots of fun. It is only a matter of time before he works out the balance issue and launches it up over his shoulder and in to the TV, but no matter. Daddy has been wanting a flat screen for quite some time.
Grandma and Grampy have headed back over the pond. On their last night we all went over to Billy and Becky's to visit with Vivi and Stella. The boys could not have had more fun. Griff and the girls worked on the Little Mermaid stove and played under the kitchen table with the slinky forever. I'm pretty sure I know what Santa is bringing the girls for Christmas. Allan could not have been more animated. He was so excited by all of the activity -- he just kept laughing and bucking and jumping. It is so much fun to see him enjoying himself like that.
Both of the fellas started to meltdown about the same time and we only just made it home in time to salvage the situation with one last bath from the grandparents. Then Griff passed out for about 30 minutes before he decided he just couldn't stand it and had to come back down to play. Allan, on the other hand, snuggled down on Grampy and stayed there, quite content, for the next couple of hours.
The boys took a big walk with the grandparents this afternoon and played for a few hours before they had to head out for the airport. It was hard to say goodbye because every one had had such a good time. Griff seemed especially bereft tonight when left with just Mom. He kept throwing his ball over the kitchen gate, ready for a game. He could use a Grampy. And both boys were distinctly dissatisfied at bath time. Mom and Dad just aren't enough. Thing One and Thing Two have become accustomed to an entourage.
At the moment, though, Jay is off, finishing up some work. The dishes are done. Laundry is going. Both boys are asleep and the house is quiet. Ish. For the moment. Who knows how long this will last?
Going to take advantage of it while I can. Enjoy the pictures!
Aunt KK sent a very cool beetle bug car puzzle and nesting blocks from her trip to Budapest. As you will see, the blocks were a huge hit (the puzzle is a little advanced at the moment). Both boys were fascinated with the blocks -- brightly painted (not in China, we hope) and nesting. And, coincidentally, on the very day that a paper was published indicating that kids who play with blocks score higher on IQ tests (15% higher) than kids who don't. Take that, Baby Einstein. The boys went at the blocks like it was their job. They were, generally speaking, pretty quiet, which is a feat in and of itself. We took the blocks apart, stacked them, put them one inside the other, put other toys inside, dumped them out, started all over again. Last night, Griff figured out that he could put one on his foot and this was good for lots of fun. It is only a matter of time before he works out the balance issue and launches it up over his shoulder and in to the TV, but no matter. Daddy has been wanting a flat screen for quite some time.
Grandma and Grampy have headed back over the pond. On their last night we all went over to Billy and Becky's to visit with Vivi and Stella. The boys could not have had more fun. Griff and the girls worked on the Little Mermaid stove and played under the kitchen table with the slinky forever. I'm pretty sure I know what Santa is bringing the girls for Christmas. Allan could not have been more animated. He was so excited by all of the activity -- he just kept laughing and bucking and jumping. It is so much fun to see him enjoying himself like that.
Both of the fellas started to meltdown about the same time and we only just made it home in time to salvage the situation with one last bath from the grandparents. Then Griff passed out for about 30 minutes before he decided he just couldn't stand it and had to come back down to play. Allan, on the other hand, snuggled down on Grampy and stayed there, quite content, for the next couple of hours.
The boys took a big walk with the grandparents this afternoon and played for a few hours before they had to head out for the airport. It was hard to say goodbye because every one had had such a good time. Griff seemed especially bereft tonight when left with just Mom. He kept throwing his ball over the kitchen gate, ready for a game. He could use a Grampy. And both boys were distinctly dissatisfied at bath time. Mom and Dad just aren't enough. Thing One and Thing Two have become accustomed to an entourage.
At the moment, though, Jay is off, finishing up some work. The dishes are done. Laundry is going. Both boys are asleep and the house is quiet. Ish. For the moment. Who knows how long this will last?
Going to take advantage of it while I can. Enjoy the pictures!
Undivided attention
Allan couldn't be persuaded to tear himself away from the Liverpool soccer match on ESPN.
Can't tear himself away
Allan couldn't be persuaded to tear his attention away from the Liverpool soccer match on ESPN.
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