Micro-Managing.. My life as a NICU mom

More pictures? More pictures!!

2009-08-16T22:15:00.000-07:00

Why yes, I DO love me some eggs and toast. Why do you ask?

Merry Christmas!!!

Hands off my present, sis!!

And lastly, a little something that isn't Aiden related. But I have to include it because I find it hilarious...

The rapid flows of the river TIME

2009-08-05T09:43:00.000-07:00

This is Chuck here. The blogs haven't been updated in a long time for a variety of reasons, but don't panic. The kids are doing wonderful. I'll be pulling more of my own weight here and updating the blogs much more frequently over the next few weeks, to get it back up to speed. So keep checking in!

Jess told me to start with last year's Halloween, so here we go:

You can see he had a grand old time dressing up and riding around in his train. He even left his hat on for a while, which if you know Aiden is something he almost never does. We didn't really give him any of the candy, so we gave it to Mommy instead. (And then Daddy ate it all anyway.)

March 27, 2009

2009-03-27T03:22:00.000-07:00

It's been so long since I have posted.. As the kids get bigger it seems we find less and less time to keep up with some things.

Aiden is doing fab with his E.I. he currently has it every day at the house and still has play school on fridays for 2 hrs. We have now transitioned into him taking the bus on friday for his class. I cried when I knew it was his first day. Partly cause he is becoming such a big boy and partly cause it's just scary to let him go on the bus.

He is learning so much from his sisters and them from him. Watching them play together is the funniest thing sometimes.

WE have his evals coming up for pre-school in April. I can't believe he will be in a "real" school.. Geesh who said they could grow up so fast.

Another changes is.. He got glasses.. I changed eye doctors cause as I said before, the previous one never let me get past the suggestion of glasses. I then found out that the doctor who did his ROP laser surgery when he was in the NICU was at the satilite office a few towns over.. YAY
I had him switched right away and on our first appt she suggested glasses.. Glad someone listened to me. He doesn't wear them all day cause it's a struggle, but I've learned that if I get them on him right after a nap that he is still droggy enough to not care and then forgets they are on.. He looks soooo cute..

Other then that all is about the same.. He is finally saying more words, can pick out animals on his own and objects which is a plus, but still no sentences.. It's coming though.. You can see it and he tries so hard..
As I keep telling myself.. In all due time.. Besides, Einstein didn't talk at all until he was three..

January 8, 2009

2009-01-08T19:23:00.000-08:00

I've been MIA but it's not for any bad reason other then we have just been busy and mommy's been lazy with blogging.

Happy Holidays to everyone!! a little late I know..

Aiden is doing wonderful, he currently has E.I. services now at home 4 times a week and play school once a week for 2 hours. He is learning and growing and oh so much fun. he has become the little man of the house. He even learned to blow his flute whistle the other day. Someone at my work got him for a gift bath tub water flutes. You add the water to different levels and they make different sounds. He had no ide what to do with them other then stick them in his mouth lol.
After about two days of seeing us blow them and trying to get him to do it, he did it. Daddy blew the flute and gave it to his and waa-laa he did it like a champ.

For a little boy who went through so much in such a short time which is surrently equal to just about a third of his life, he is such a blessing and a great child to be around. He loves people and is so into exploring and learning. Now if I could only get him to stop beating up his sister.. haha

I will post pics soon.. I'm just too tired tonight and still have to update the girls blog..

October 31, 2008

2008-10-31T20:00:00.001-07:00

Happy Halloween !!!

Tonight we went trick or treating and Aiden was a pirate.. We had a blast and he loved it all.. He's becoming such a "big kid" now..

I will post pics soon..

For a recap on him: He is doing well with play school and E.I.
He has E. I. at the house on Mondays and Wednesdays for an hour and then goes to play school on Friday for two hours. His E.I. worker is the one who runs his play school class so he gets some good one on one time with her too. He has finally started to pick up a few words.. There a bit cloudy I guess you could call it, but there words. So far we have Play, Baby, Buddy.. It's a start..

I know in due time. It's just hard when you sit back and look at the fact he is two and doesn't talk yet. I know the words are in there. i can see him get fustrated at times wanted to say it and he can't. We just have to push along and help him get them out.. SO here is to fighting the battle.

Other then that he is a wonderful two year old. He gets into just about everything lol and loves to run, jump, climb, and fall.. lol He is doing better with a fork and spoon now and makes less of a mess.. ha ha.. but what fun is that right.. (to him, not me)
The only other worry I really have is he still mouths things.. EVERYTHING goes in the mouth. I call him my PICA baby, and if you know what PICA is then you know why. Sometimes I wonder, but I'm told not to worry about it yet. So it's just another thing I watch and re direct to not try and eat everything.

Well it's been a long day, so once again Happy Halloween to all my trick or treaters out there and I hope you all had a great, fun, happy, night..

September 26, 2008

2008-09-26T18:46:00.000-07:00

Aiden is now receiving E.I. at home twice a week and then going to play group aka school on fridays for 2 hours. He LOVES it. They do crafts, learning skills, go out side, have snack and have lunch.. A lot in two hours but he is doing really good.
He is such a smart kid in so many ways but I still worry about him so much. i worry that he does things a two year old should not do ie: put EVERYTHING in his mouth. Toys, paper, leaves, anything he can pick up. Its fustrating. He still isn't talking either which is hard. I am hoping that the words will start slowing soon and once the girls start talking he will pick up more.
His last eye appointment went well and the doc said that his eyes are actually better then before, so that was good, he will probably still need glasses later but as I always say, that is a trait in my family so it's no big deal. We see the pedi in a few weeks, the girls went today, with aiden as a tag along. (That was such a bad scene, thre over tired kids in the pedi office when they are running way behind) UGH!!
That's about it for now.. Here are a few pics of Aiden taste testing his sisters cake at the party sunday..

August 9, 2008

2008-08-09T19:19:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I posted but things have been crazy.. Aiden got 7 teeth in 3 days so we are now up to 13.. Five which are molars and those are 5 of the 7 he got so he was not a happy camper, got a terrible fever and wasn't sleeping very well.
I think I also posted in the last post that we had our first ear infection and big cold. Then this week was my birthday and like I said it's just been hectic. The weather has been humid and rain which prevents us from going out too much too and we have still been trying to nail down a schedule with Early Intervention.. UGH...

As for my little man he is going good. learning, growing and just being a 2 yr old.. He climbs everthing he can, eats everything he can and chases his sisters all over the house. If he isn't chasing them he is running them over with his wagon or trying to stop them from climbing on HIS box that he uses to see out the window.. Oh it is too funny how much he is NOT a baby anymore.

On another note (about me sorta) there has been a tattoo I've wanted to get for the last 3 years. I wanted Chase's footprints tattooed with his name and birthday and eventually I was going to add the rest of the kids. Well I came up with a design and FINALLY got it done.. YAY

I forever have Chase in my mind and in my heat and now forever carry his footprints with me..

I know it's a little shiny but it was right after i got it done... It says...
Charles Preston III
"Chase"
6-23-05

Aiden Kristopher
6-11-06

Morgan Kennidi ~ Riley Lorene
9-22-07

It has wings and a halo around Chase's name as you can see and has Chase's actual footprints, size and all...

July 21, 2008

2008-07-21T17:14:00.000-07:00

It's been a while but I needed a break.. Not that blogging takes a lot but with 3 little ones to chase now and a new house and a new commute to work, I've just been to lazy to update..

So we moved in and have gotten settled. Aiden loves the new house. He has so much room to run around like a crazy kid compared to the old apartment we lived in. Best part is he has his own room, and yes his own TV.

OMG I let my child have a TV.. lol, I get a mixed reaction to that one but hey it's my child and he likes his cartoons. Besides he plays a lot and only gets TV a little during the day and at night.

We have a new pedi and we like him a lot. We also had our first ear infection. Part of the reason I didn't blog too was cause the bug ran through the house. Actually he stayed a while with me, Aiden, Morgan and Riley.. UGH..

All is back to normal now after 2 rounds of antibiotics and a few trips to the doctors office. I'm so glad mine is open 7 days a week.. YAY

Last weigh in was right after his birthday and we were 26 pounds 1 oz and 32 inches tall..

We have also gotten back into the E.I system for this town. They started up today. We has the intake, and the eval and today was his first appointment. They will come once a week to work on everyday skills and then a speech therapist will come once a month to evaluate him. Although as of the other day we now have two words. Duck... and Baby... that's about it, and just try to get him to say it on your terms.. Haaaa.. Duck was a surprise.. He picked up the rubber ducky and said DUCK! lol now he laughs if you try to get him to say it again and just when you give up he says DUCK!!! lol As for baby, well he knows Morgan & Riley are the babies and he says baby and kisses them, it's so cute..

I do have some pics but you will have to wait until later this week.. But thy will be up soon..

June 23, 2008

2008-06-23T02:48:00.000-07:00

1096 days ago today was just another ordinary day until 5:25pm.. My son Chase rushed into the world to be with us for the longest 28 minutes of my life.

Chase,
There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you. I see Aiden everyday and wonder what crazy things you two would be getting into together... I truly believe that a part of you is in him and that makes me smile. I will never understand why things had to happen the way they did nor will I ever except that you were not meant to be here. You were such a little person but changed me and my life in such a big way. You taught me the meaning of unconditional love and so much more. My world and my life will never be the same again...

I ask the angels to carry you my kisses.. Know that every day I LOVE and MISS YOU soooo much... You are the missing piece in my heart that will never be filled..

Until we meet again..

Happy 3rd Birthday Chase !!!!!!!!!!!!! xoxo Love Mommy

June 22, 2008

2008-06-22T12:11:00.000-07:00

Here are the pics from Aiden's bday before my camera died.. Grrr
One is his actual bday and the others from his party of him eating cake.. Mmmm

June 11, 2008

2008-06-11T21:47:00.000-07:00

At 2:22pm, 730 days ago my little boy came into the world weighing 1 lb 6 1/2 oz..
After five months in the NICU and an emotional roller coaster ride and he came home and I am happy to say that today he turns 2!!!

Aiden,
I can not express how much I love you in words. Not a million kisses and a million hugs would ever be enough. You are a wonderful, smart, beautiful little boy and you mean the world to me. I cherish every moment you give me, every challenge and every smile. You are a piece of my heart that makes my world spin..

Happy Birthday My Little Superman!!! I love you soooooooo very much!!
xoxo
Mommy

June 6, 2008

2008-06-06T20:17:00.000-07:00

Just in time for his 2nd birthday we got two new teeth today. My little man has been cranky pants on and off for the last 2 weeks. Some restless night, sleepless days, falling down and bumping all over. Just a complete whine bag and all because of those teeth (so I think, cause it's so not like him) and some days he just wouldn't eat and my child likes to eat.

He is doing great though. HE LOVES the new house, the outside, and the fact he sees his Nonny a lot more.

We have not started our new E.I. so I am going to call them Monday and see what is up. I think we fell through the cracks cause no one has called us yet. I wasn't in a rush cause I am still unpacking, but now I am well over 70% done so there is now room for them to work.

I'm still in awww my little man will be two. I wish my dad was here to see him and to see the new house. He'd be proud that we finally did it and I'm proud we finally have OUR home too!

That's about all to report for now. I will be sure to post pics of the party next week.
Happy almost birthday baby boy!! I LOVE YOU!!!!

May 25, 2008

2008-05-25T10:02:00.000-07:00

We are all moved and FINALLY have the internet back. It was tough (moving I mean) It was such a lot in one day. People coming to hook things up, trying to unpack and find stuff you need right away, getting the new place painted, and not to mention watchng the 3 kids while doing most of it. My sitter had an emergency and so Mommy had to be a Mommy while moving, and unpacking and waiting on the new couch, comcast, and Lowe's to all show up..

I thank eveyone who helped us... It was soooo appreciated !!

Now although we have our internet back and didn't change carriers, somehow comcast lost my entire address book and all my old emails. YES I am ticked off and they said they will work on getting it back for me. i had things in my email that I've had in there for a while that are important to me. I had pictures that I can't get back, and I had my address book of email addresses of blog moms i try to keep in touch with, all Aiden's nurses from the NICU, friends, family and none of them I know off the top of my head and the bad part is I have no way of getting in touch with those people to get the info back. Email was our communication and lets just say if comcast doesn't get back my info I will be one ticked of momma bear..

So if your reading this, and you are one of the people that I use to email here and there. That read Aiden's blog or the twins Please email me your email address. You don't have to comment, cause I wouldn't want everyone having your info, just email my normal email at ChuckJess@comcast.net so i can resave them...

Thank You!!!

As for settling in, we are getting there. Aiden now has his own room and he likes his little space. He also loves the fact he can run up and down the hall and around the kitchen. He loves he can look out the front window and watch the traffic go by, and he loves being able to go outside and walk around (our yard is fenced in) and I love the fact he loves it and that we have a house now.

As for the new E.I. we have not heard from them yet so I am waiting another week and I'm going to get in touch with them. I need the break to finish unpacking and find the paper work and just breath a little before booking appts with them. We already have the new pedi who we see next month and we still have a few specialist who we have to see in Boston, Waltham and Peabody that we have to keep. Well the Waltham doc (his eye doc) I am looking to change, I am not happy with her any longer. I strongly think she should of put Aiden in glasses long ago so he could get use to them and she wouldn't. At this point even if they help him see I think all he is going to do is pull them off and it's only going to get harder until he is old enough to understand that he needs them and they help him. by then his eyes could be worse and that is so unfair to him. If anyone has a really good kids eye specialist who has seen kids who formally had ROP and is in the south shore area please let me know, or even at Children's in Boston.

Well I think the little ones ar up from there nap (just as mommy got tired enough to try and take one herself) and Daddy isout doing errands, so i will touch base later.

May 12, 2008

2008-05-12T21:19:00.000-07:00

Happy Late Mother's Day to all my blogger friends out there and to all my other friends and family, and most important to my mom.. We LOVE You!!!!!!

Also Happy 6 year Anniversary of being together to Chuck! (which also fell on Mother's Day this year) I love You Spanky!! xox Can't wait to get married, it's getting close..

here are some recent pics I promised every one.. We move Saturday into the new house so we might be MIA for a little while..

YES my mom put me in red to match my sisters AGAIN!!! lol

Happy on the swings..

Funny Kisses.. I Love this face..

The Easter Egg Hint.. he LOVED the bunny!

Aiden with my broom thinking he is cute sweeping, but he's more like a bull in a china shop LOL

Hey Look NO MORE G-Tube!!! Yay!!

May 7, 2008

2008-05-07T20:53:00.001-07:00

Kill the bug already would ya!!!

The bug has come to visit again and attacked Aiden. The poor kid, he finally gets his tube out and then gets the flu or what I thought was the flu but man it lasted a lot longer then 24 to 48 hrs. It started last tuesday and then I got him to the docs this tuesday when he still was sick. Over the week end I thought it was going away. Saturday he got up felt better ate some, played, had a little lunch and then about 7pm it started all over again. Severe poops and puking. He had the poops so bad that I was changing him every 30 mins at one point if not more. I don't know how he lasted if it was me I would of been such a bigger baby then he was. So Tuesday we took him to the pedi and they drew blood to see if he was dehydrated cause he really wasn't eating. I was pushing fluids the best I could, and he could keep down crackers, toast, and as funny as it sounds coffee rolls from dunkins, so when I could get out we'd get him some. I gave him pedialyte but he refused it after the first one, then I started with the vitamin water cause he likes them. Well the doc said to keep up what I was doing, that he wasn't dehydrated, and his weight was fine, he weighed in at 25.2 after a week of hardly eating and poopin it all out.
So as of today we only pooped once, and he is back to eating, but still not 100% himself. By night time he gets worn down cranky and whiny. He gets clumsy too and it sometimes takes a little snuggle to get him to sleep. Tonight was worse then most nights. He fought it and then was just cranky but finally went down at 11:21pm.. THANK YOU..

Here is hoping he is back to himself by the week end. I hate when my bug is sick.. Grrrrr

And a Happy Birthday to my Oma (from Aiden) That is grandma in German, today is her Birthday and we had intentions of stopping over but with my bug having the bug and me tripping over toys, kids and packing boxes I never did get out of the house after Chuck went to work.

April 21, 2008

2008-04-21T18:09:00.000-07:00

SO.... Can we say GOT G-TUBE?

And the answer would be NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!

It's gone, it's out and thank god... Pictures to be posted later cause I am just too lazy to load them on the computer and post them now.. Sorry

Other news is Aiden has been doing well with E.I. , however we had to push a bit to get a speech therapist. We finally got one out to do the evaluation and she will be coming back to write up his IAP. As usual once we finally get something we want, something puts a kink into it. We also got something else we wanted ( a house) which means Aiden will now be put into a new program in the new town when we move. We close on the house May 16th so I am hoping he will have E.I. until we move, and then we will have to wait and see how long the waiting list is at the next place. The good part is, that his IAP for speech will already be written and that means he will get a speech therapist from the next place a lot faster. YAY for that!

I know they said once he started walking it is very common for talking to take a back seat, but it has really taken a back seat I think, and I'm his mom. I see him more then anyone so I think I'd notice more then E.I. would.

Before he'd say Momma, Dadda, Nanna, Cat, Buttons, Up, Ya, Aiden, and a few times we got hi, cup, pup (for puppy), and baby. Now we are down to Momma, Dadda, Ya, and Nanna. Big bummer.. You can say a lot of things to him and he knows what you mean, or ask him to say words he use to say for example "buttons" which he said all the time, and now he just smiles and laughs this cute little laugh like I can say it but I'm not going too.

Other then that he is the typical child. Into EVERYTHING, tries to eat EVERYTHING, and just is a delight to be around. He is very well natured, smiles and giggles all the time. Loves, I mean LOVES to play peek-a-boo, or I'm gonna get you.. It's hilarious..

As for the tube, I don't even think he knows. It hasn't changed anything he does, (however I have noticed he eats more at times. Like today he had dry cereal for breakfast, then 20 mins later a beechnut banana pudding and 1/4 of a cin/ras bagel. Then for lunch at 3 he ate 2 whole hotdogs himself, he didn't share any with the cat lol. At 6:30 since right after lunch I took him to the park for 2 1/2 hrs I figured I'd treat him to Mc D's (daddy's no no) and he ate 1/3 of a double cheese burger, 2 chicken nuggets and a small fry.. You would think the kid is huge but he is still skinny to me. He has gotten taller so he thinned out a lot (he was a fat baby) lol.
He now floats back and forth between 25 and 26 pounds.

Well that's about it. I'llpost more pics soon.. I promise..
Hugs to all..

April 1, 2008

2008-04-01T01:22:00.000-07:00

It's been a rough week.. We had pop's wake (my dad) on Thursday. Aiden and I went down to my moms after I got a sitter for the girls on Monday and saw my dad before they took him away. Aiden as he always did went over to him and kissed him. It broke my heart!
We came home that night and then the kids and I went down on Wednesday and stayed until Sunday. I took this week off from work too. I am so physically and mentally exhausted. Sunday night I went to bed early but it took me a while to fall asleep. I kept waking up so in the morning I was still so tired. I set my alarm to go to work and slept through it. By the time I got up and could function it was too late to attempt to get ready and make it to work in time. I figured since I had to take off Wed for Aiden's GI check up and then I was already taking Thursday and Friday off to go back down to moms and spend with her, what was the point of going to work for just tuesday so i took the week off. I'd like to say it will give me time to rest but with three little ones it doesn't ever seem that real rest is possible. Tonight I did however get a few hours to watch a movie and it was nice to just forget about everything for two hours, not have any crying babies and just veg out. Thank you to Chucks parents for taking the kids. They are going to watch them Sunday too for a few hours so me and Chuck can go to a movie. It will be nice to spent time with just me and him. I miss him, and we don't ever seem to have any alone time at all any more.

Before I was down at my moms as much as I could be with the kids so my dad could spend time with Aiden. I'm grateful he got that before he passed. He loved that little boy and Aiden always made him smile. Now with him gone, I want to spend as much time with my mom as I can until things settle a bit. It's going to take her a while to get back into the swing of things. She was with my dad for 31 years and 90% of everything she did was to take care of him. If it was making dinner or getting his meds ready. Running to the store or takign his blood sugar readings. Everything my mom did was for my dad and it's going to be so different and so quiet with out him. I still wait for him to be there when I get there. To wake up and have it all be a dream. It's weird and although he isn't with us anymore I'm not ready to say good buy yet. I have my pictures and I look at them like he is still here and it's not registering completely that i won't see him again. It hurts and it kills me even more to see my mom go through it.
I can't imagine. I know what it felt like when I lost Chase and I only had him alive for 27 minutes, I can't imagine having him and being with him every moment of 31 years and then it all being over and him being gone.
My heart broke when I lost Chase, it's still broken, and it hurts to think about. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss him and want him here with me.

I know my mom will never forget and a part of her will be changed forever, I just hope she is ok at the end of all this. I could not imagine her not being here with me. She is my best friend, my everything, she is my mommy and I only hope my children will love me like I love her. She is the one who made me who I am and I would not be the same with out her.

As for my dad, we had many differences and he was a hard parent to grow up with. At times life was aweful, but in the end he was my dad and for that I love him, and I miss him. I hope now he is in a better place with out all the suffering he had while he was here.

RIP Dad.. I love you and I will miss you and I promise I will remind Aiden of you often. Watch over mom and tell Chase I love him so much.

March 24, 2008

2008-03-24T23:44:00.000-07:00

Today has been a rough day.. It was my first day back to work after 8 months of being home on either bed rest due to being pregnant with the twins and then extended maternity leave. I enjoyed the time I got to spend with my kids and family.
Then I got the phone call.. My dad passed away today..
Ironically he told me on Friday when he came home from the hospital that not to worry, he knew Monday was my first day back to work and he would wait til Monday to pass so i would get my four free days off. Both me and my mom have state jobs serving the public and get four days off paid for the death. My dad thought it was funny and I told him to shush cause he wasn't going any place just yet.. Boy did he know something cause I got out of work at 2pm and he passed at 2:30pm

Me an my dad had our differences but he was still my dad and the one thing I can say is that no matter how he treated us kids he made up for some of it with the way he treated mine. He loved my kids and enjoyed Aiden more then any kid I have ever seen him around. It kills me that Aiden will not remember that.

In memory of my dad I am posting and old pictur I took with my cell phone camera. It was when Aiden was littler and I didn't get a chance to take a recent one. It's bad quality but it's all I have.

I love you dad, and thank you for being my Daddy!

March 10, 2008

2008-03-10T10:28:00.000-07:00

Bit by the BUG!!!!
I haven't posted because it's been a crazy week at the Russell household. I got the bug which I thought was food poisoning until Aiden got it and the the girls.
Lets just say I felt so bad I wanted to run into on coming traffic. I spent the day in bed miserable and unable to keep anything down. Then the next day when I felt some what better Aiden got it. The poor little guy puked and puked all night. It's the first time he's been sick like that so he didn't know what to do when he kept throwing up. I felt so bad for him. The day after he stopped throwing but then got the poops. Man, it's been nuts here and he still has them. He still isn't himself. He's very clingy, whiney, and just not my little Aiden. I hope it's gone soon and he's back to 100% cause this has been a week from HELL!!!!

February 28, 2008

2008-02-28T07:54:00.001-08:00

Well here is the out come of yesterdays appointment. Sorry for not posting sooner. I seem to be getting another cold and just felt ikky yesterday.

Aiden had his doctor appointment with GI and it was to discuss having his tube out. The doctor told us that they usually make a child wait 6 months of not using the tube before they remove it. UHHHH NO!! Please take it now.. !

So with that said, they agreed that Aiden has to go back April 2nd for another check up and if he is still not using the darn thing then they will schedule to take it out the following week.. YAY..

It would be one thing if it was the button but it's the original tube and it's long and a pain in the butt. I have to pin it to his diaper, he is always pulling on it when I change him, every so often the pin comes loose and falls off. Besides that it always looks nasty around the site no matter how many times you clean it.

Most kids have the button put in after a year but they chose not to since we assumed he would not have it much longer.
The doctor said that the hole will close up with in just a few days and thats it. It will be gone and healed and over with.. I can't wait to be able to take him to the beach this year and in the pool with out having to wear a swimmie, shorts, and a onsie to cover the tub.. What a pain in the G-tube.. haha.. Ok that was a bad joke..

February 26, 2008

2008-02-26T15:33:00.000-08:00

Well Aiden has started EI with the new place and so far we have had one session. I like the new person, she works really well with Aiden and is very nice. Too bad once we find a house we will be moving and have to shift to a new company once again since we will be about 40 miles south of here. So for the time being we have EI on Thursdays and Swim on Wednesdays. Then we will be having PT but I'm unsure on what days yet.

A few new things.. We got a new tooth that FINALLY cut through the gums. It's taking it's sweet time showing but it's there, so now we have 3 teeth at almost 21 months old.. (that's just funny to me) We can also stand up from a sitting or crawling position without crawling to something and pulling up on it. My boy is now off and running.. (well he attempts to run... lol)

Not much more new news. We have an appt with GI tomorrow to talk about getting the G-tube removed YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This we are all siked for, I can't wait and neither can daddy, or nonny, or anyone else. Aiden on the other hand may miss playing with it, the kid is insistent on playing with it when I change his diaper and fights with me to let go of it. I told Chuck we're going to have to cut him a piece of tubbing to keep..

So that is about it, I'll post more tomorrow and let you know how the GI appt goes but in the mean time here are a few older pics I just love..

February 14, 2008

2008-02-14T22:37:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day !!

February 13, 2008

2008-02-13T19:23:00.000-08:00

We had our first swim session today. Daddy took Aiden for 9am and when they got home he said "He Loved It!" I knew he would, he loves the water, so now the plan is to go every Wednesday morning for the 30 min session.
We meet tomorrow with the new Early Intervention agency too. So after that we should have a rough idea of who will be working with Aiden and on what days. I am hoping that if he is going to have PT, OT and Speech that two of them can at least come on the same day. If they all com on a different day and we have swim on wednesdays then we are going to have a hectic week every week and feel like we are always stuck in waiting for E.I.
Guess I'll know more tomorrow...

February 11, 2008

2008-02-11T20:12:00.000-08:00

What a busy week it's going to be.. We have either appointments for Aiden, us, or the girls every day this week. Today we saw the eye doctor. I didn't get to go, I stayed home with the girls since they kept me up most of the night. I was just too tired and knew if I went to the appointment with Aiden and Chuck that I'd get no sleep until after Chuck got home from work and the gym tonight which is midnight. So the bad part about not going to an appointment is that I don't get the full mouth full of what she said. I usually get the short version. The VERY short version, lol. Chuck said that the doctor didn't mention that Aiden's eyes got any worse, which is good. However since wearing the eye patch wasn't a big hit with him. (He's just peal it off) we are now going to put eye drops in his right eye once a week, which will dialate the eye and force the other eye to work more to see close us. (So it helps the lazy eye get stronger) The doc said that kids react different to the drops. Some kids the drops last for 24 hours and others it last up to 3 days, so for now we only have to use them once a week and then we go back to see her in 3 months.

As for the rest of the week, well we will be meeting with the new Early Intervention team this week to set up a schedule. We also start swim on Wednesday mornings at 9. It's at the YMCA but the calss is held by his E. I.
I was going to take him but gave Chuck the option to go and he wanted to and i think it will be good Aiden and Daddy time. Besides Aiden loves the water so I think it's going to be fun for both of them. Then to finish the week up, tomorrow we meet with the realtor, wed is swim as I said, Thur I have a eye appt and we meet with the E.I. team, and Friday my little Riley has an appointment with the foot doctor.

Next week however we have nothing scheduled except Mommy gets to go out on the 23rd.. YAY for mommy.. I love my kids but man I need a break and some serious Adult time with no crying, no diapers, no messes, and no stress... and I'd take a few nights of great sleeping in something comfortable since my bed and my futon are no longer cutting it for me since I had the girls.

SO that's about it. We are still house hunting and hope to find something we love and can afford soon. We are still not sleeping, and we are still loving the fact that we have 3 beautiful healthy kids who in the end will make up for all this not sleeping business.. LOL

February 5, 2008

2008-02-05T17:55:00.001-08:00

SO we are under construction too.. As we have updated the looks of the girls blog, Aiden's is getting a face lift too.. I uploaded the header of what it will look like and will be doing the rest soon.. Stay posted to see the new look. It should be done by the end of the week.. And a BIG THANK YOU to Hilary.. Our Blog friend who helped out.. You Rock Hil!!!!!!!!!!!!!

February 4, 2008

2008-02-04T12:13:00.000-08:00

We lost weight!!! That is a first, and I will chalk it up to Aiden's cold but we are now 24.2 pounds... I'm also chalking it up to the cold and MAYBE a few new teeth coming that Aiden hasn't been eating oh so well this week. Even the things he LOVES he sometimes won't budge after a few bites. From the look of things, his two front teeth look like they are pushing there way through the gums. They are not yet at the bottom to push through or feel ridges, but you can see the "bumps" there. If they're anything like the two bottom teeth, they will take forever for the final cut through.

Other then that, I think his cold might be on it's way out (knock on wood), he seems to not cough so much which is good, and the fact that I have had two humidifiers running in my small little apartment 24 hrs a day on and off with vicks in them seems to have helped us all.
Mr Man also got his RSV shots today. I know its for his own good but I'll be happy next year when he doesn't have to get jabbed with two needles every month, not to mention if he has to get any other vaccines.

We have a few more appointments this month too. We see the eye doctor on Monday the 11th and then I made an appointment with GI to talk about and schedule Aiden to FINALLY have his G-tube out!! YES OUT!!!! The doctors told me before once he was drinking a normal amount on his own and staying hydrated then we can have it out. They don't usuallu like to take them out during winter in case a kid gets a cold, it's the easiest way to get them liquids with out forcing them to drink when they are sick. BUT since Aiden just had his first cold ever in 19 months and did fine drinking and I haven't used his G-tube since November I think it's time.
On a good day he'll drink 24 ounces on a bad 12 ounces, and some days more then 24. Either way he's done fine keeping hydrated and healthy so we will see what GI says.. This I am so excited for this. I can't wait for him to have this thing removed for good.

He's also walking so much more and so much better. He's so cute when he does it that i can't help but smil ear to ear and he is so proud of himself. He's such a happy kid and loves to laugh. I look forward to him talking more and more in the future too.

We are currently on the waiting list for the new EI place. I'm hoping it happens soon and doesn't take forever. I have a feeling it's going to take a while and by the time they get things going and we get a routine running we will have found a house and be moving, then we'll have to do this all over again and it's going to Aiden who suffers. That just sucks!! I want him to get the services he needs and should get and not have to wait weeks on end for the "system" to kick into action and get there crap together.

January 28, 2008

2008-01-28T14:16:00.000-08:00

I'm a bit bummed out.. Today was Aiden's last day with the E.I. program we had been working with. Because he needs speech and we are not in there service area we had to switch companies. We will now be working with the company that services Wakefield. We were lucky enough to keep the people we had because they live in the next town over and didn't mind coming to Wakefield on there way out in the morning or home in the afternoon. I know it's all in the best interest of Aiden, but it just stinks to lose two very special people. Nancy and Jean, you both gave Aiden so much. Thank you so much for all you have done, all you have taught him, and for as much as you have loved my little boy. He will have you both smiling at the end of all this, when he is talking up a storm, running all over, and telling me what he wants to do next.. haha
You both will be missed not only by Aiden but by me and Nancy i will miss our little talks. It was good to have an "outsider" to talk to. I do hope you both keep in touch.

On another note, Aiden's new word is "buttons" and today he said "up" for Nancy (on her last day how nice). He is doing so much better walking too. He will now walk from room to room with out holding onto anything. It's so great to see him so proud and excited about it too.

We are all currently battling colds. I have had one for almost 2 weeks and shared it first with Aiden and Morgan and now Riley. We are all doing better but still have them. Not too bad though considering Aiden is 19 and a half month and this is his very first cold. Hopefully it will be gone soon and it will be another 19 months before he gets another one.. :)

January 22, 2008

2008-01-22T15:28:00.000-08:00

Nose Picking, Colds & Sniffles, 3 kids, and a sick Mommy..

That is a recipe for a much needed vacation I tell ya.. I've been battling this cold for a week and still have it. i now have my voice back and the"junk" inside is breaking up but I shared it with the kids. Aiden's got a runny nose and Morgan has a junky nose and a little cough with watery eyes. I feel so bad for them. The only one so far not effected (besides dad) is Riley.

As for Nose picking, it's Aiden's new thing. He has discovered he can stick his finger in his nose and does so often. He doesn't actually "pick" it, but just puts his finger there and sits there waiting for who knows what.. lol

He's getting better and better at walking now too. he will let go and walk across the kitchen and from the bath room to the living room with out falling.

He's drinking like a champ, most days 12 to 24 ounces all on his own. I've finally got him drinking milk again too because he was starting to prefer juice or water. Today he drank 8 oz of strawberry milk with no issue and now is drinking coffee milk. I figure that if I have to flavor it, it's not a big deal, as long as he drinks it. Besides he's not over weight, he's not even chubby anymore like he was when he was a baby so I'm not worried about it.

All in all he is a normal toddler to me. He even tried to say I Love You, which is a big deal considering he is behind on speech. i think he'll catch up soon though. He's come so far, my once tiny little boy.. Now look at him...

January 11, 2008

2008-01-11T21:08:00.000-08:00

Aiden is 19 months old today, can you believe it!
It's been a crazy 10 days or so. Last week we had our appt with the pedi and he got his boosters and RSV shots which meant he got poked with 5 needles that day. :(
Then Wed of this week we had his scheduled MRI. He wasn't allowed to eat 5 hrs prior or drink anything 3 hours prior so I tried to set a schedule to get him fed and full at the very last minute I could fit in. Well we all know my schedules never seem to stay on track. He woke up early on his own (too early) 4am, and finally after 2 hrs of being awake and not getting him to go back to sleep I fed him at 6 (I was planning 7:30-8:00 since his MRI was scheduled at 1:15).
He didn't eat much, had some juice and finally fell back to sleep at 6:30 so i wan't going to wake the poor kid up at 7:30 to try and feed him again. He got up at 8:30 and I squeezed in an apple sauce (what a few minutes and i didn't want him to starve) He ate it right up and had some more juice. We got ready and Nonny (my mom was here to watch the girls) and we planned to leave about 10:30 since he had an appointment with the child shrink at 11:45 first (part of the MRI study they are doing along with his regular MRI)
Well Daddy was wiped out and exhausted cause the girls were up all night and as much as he wanted to be there he ended up staying home with the girls (assuming they would sleep since they were up all night) and he could get some rest too, so Nonny went with us.
We left the house at 10:15, got to Children's Hospital at 11:20 and checked in. We had our appointment with the "shrink" and that took about an hour and then we walked over to MRI to check in. We waited a little bit and then they came to tell us they are an hour behind cause one of the scans are broken so we could go get something to eat. (Not Aiden though, the poor kid)
Me and my mom went to the cafe with Aiden and grabbed a bit and I was so happy that he didn't fuss for food, he didn't really care which was good cause it would of broken my heart even more to not be able to feed him if he was really hungry. We went back to MRI and waited about 45 more minutes and they called us in. We weighed him, talked about this and that and prepped for the IV. (I was not looking forward to this since it's been a wile since he has had one and he use to be such a hard stick. i have a 2 stick minimum before I refuse to let them poke him.
They got it in on the 2nd stick which almost got pulled out cause he was fighting and the nurse holding him who I guess is really good at it, didn't anticipate him being so strong for such a little kid.
SO the IV is in, Aiden now thinks they are all evil I am sure and he is getting some love from Mommy and Nonny. Then about 15more mins and they come to put the meds in. Those took about 4 to 6 mins and he was out like a light.
Off he went to sleepy land and into the MRI for 2 hours. All went well til the end and the last set of films (a 7 min series) he woke up for so they had to redo them which meant they had to give him a little more sleep stuff. The got the films all done and we waited in recovery. he had to wake up, drink some juice and be awake for about 15 mins before going home. Well he didn't want to wake up and it took a while
Well after all that we finally got to leave the hospital at 7:15pm.. 9 hours people... Oh what a day, I am glad Chuck didn't go cause even if he wasn't tired he would of never lasted 9 hours there.

We should have the results in a week or so and I assume all is fine. They did it as a follow up because of the bleeds he had in his brain when he was born as 98% of preemies born that young do, and they did extra films for the study they are doing about kids who have the bleeds and how they progress through the years. We figured he had to haev the MRI anyways so why not let them take a few extra pictures if some place down the line it could help out another little kid.

On the EI side of things, Aiden was suppose to have his 1 year eval on Thursday at 8:15 in the morning. Well since we didn't know the MRI was going to mess up the entire day and his entire sleep schedule. (She was in and out of it all night til about 10:30pm and then awake til 4am) So EI showed up and we all talked but let AIden sleep and rescheduled to do it next week. In our talkes we talked about getting him a PT and speech. PT to help build mor trunk muscles which are tied into speech believe it or not and speech because, well he's delayed.
The problem with this is that Tri-City the company we go through doesn't service our town since we moved, and the only reason we still have them is because his 2 awesome EI workers that come every week live one town away and have no problem keeping us. However now that we need and want speech we can't get a speech person willing to travel to wakefield. It's not far from the service area but what can ya do. This means we have to switch to Criterion and get all new people and lose the people we have which kills me but I know we have to do it cause it's the best for Aiden to get him the services he needs.
Other then that he is doing fab with EI and learning new things all the time. He is now walking better then last week and I am sure in the next few weeks he'll be walking all on his own.

We've come so far, it's hard to believe he was my less then two pound baby that almost didn't make it and spent 5 months in the NICU before coming home. He's an amazing child, and wonderful son, and i love him more then life. (even when he is tearnign apart the living room and the computer desk as I try to type)

I will have more pics soon, I've taken tons just haven't put them on the computer yet.

January 6, 2008

2008-01-06T08:08:00.000-08:00

Aiden & Riley

Go Pats!!!!

I think at this point the girls have had enough... They are looking at each other like Hey when is this over..

It's now a new year.. Can you believe it? How time flies by is just crazy...
Aiden had a wonderful Christmas and was SPOILED ROTTEN by my parents. (What is an 18 month old going to do with a drum set) Oh Lord!!!! So lets just say the closet is enjoying a few of the toys until we find a bigger place to move to (hopefully by summer).
He really wasn't into opening presents like I thought he'd be. He like to tear paper and make a mess so I thought it would be right up his ally, but nope.. Maybe next year.. Eh...
We still had a nice Christmas though. We spend it and have dinner with my family and then the following weekend we have a mini Christmas with Chuck's family. Both were nice days.

Aiden is walking a lot better. I wouldn't say he is officially "walking" yet because he still falls and still needs assistance by holding a hand a lot, but he did walk across my moms kitchen Friday night and Saturday morning all by himself. The funny thing is, he thinks it is hysterical. He cracks up laughing and then gets himself going that he laughs so hard he can hardly stand up. It's the funniest sight and ends up making me laugh so hard I cry. He is such a giggly kid, i love it.
As for EI, he is doing wonderful with drinking. We haven't used his g-tube in a few weeks to bolus him with fluids at all. He's done enough to keep himself hydrated all on his own. What a kid! He learns so fast sometimes. All you have to do is show him someting once or twice and he has it down packed. Like getting on and off his bouncing zebra (by fisher price) at first he didn't realize you had to hold yourself on. Then once I showed him, he did fab and learned to get off it with out falling on him bum with no trouble at all.

In doctor news, he now weighs 24 pounds and 12 ounces and is 31 inches. He is no longer my Chubby baby. He's still got some meat on him, but nothing like his baby chub he had and the boy can eat when he wants to. He's just a happy healthy boy, what more could you want..
He got his booster shots and RSV shots on Thurs. I felt so bad I almost broke down. The poor kid had to get 5 needles.. FIVE!!! all at once.. Oh my heart broke and HE CRIED!! but soon after he was ok. He did however stare at his nurses for a while when we were making our next appt as to say "back off ladies, i don't like you two anymore"
He also has an MRI this week on Wed. He was enrolled in the study for preemies who had brain bleeds when they were born. Most preemies do, but not all i the area he had them in. When they asked to enroll him, me and Chuck agreed figuring it's not going to hurt him and if it can help out someone else going through what we did then why not do it.
The only kicker is for the MRI they have to sedate him. It's always scary when a little one gets sedated for something, but we will be there right by his side and my mom is coming up to stay with the girls til we get back since we'll be at the hospital for about 4 hours or so.

Other then that there is really nothing new. He's just a "normal kid" doing "normal things" as far as I am concerned. Oh and we have a new word.. CAT!! After me saying it 1000 times a day he finally says it. I might have mentioned it before but I can't remember.
he doesn't say much still, but I know in time it will come. It is the one thing he is a bit behind on (talking) I think, but EI isn't worried about it so i guess I shouldn't either.
out words are (of course) DUDDA!, and then sometimes MUMMA (not as much as he use to say it), NUNNA, YA, HI, CAT, actually none of them he says a lot, besides Dudda, but we talk to him all the time and you can see him trying to copy you. I think once he does talk we are not going to be able to get him to shut up.. LOL

December 24, 2007

2007-12-23T23:13:00.000-08:00

Always KISSING my sisters..

It's Christmas Eve already.. It's 2:14 AM and I just finally got AIden to bed after 2 hours of crying and screaming. I got fed up and rocked him to sleep with a little bit of a fight but not much cause he was so over tired and worn out from crying. I thought we were getting a handle on this (just this past week) cause he started going down between 9:30 and 11 pm which is FINE with me!
No such luck, once again the last few nights he's been up late and that is with no late nap. He usually naps about 4 hours after he gets up in the morning for 30 mins to 2 hrs, depending on how tired he is and how early he got up, and how late he was up the night before. Now he still does that but hasn't been taking a late nap which means from 1 or 2 pm he is up and active until 2am. I don't get it. By this time I am exhausted I don't know how the kid does it or what he runs on but give me some.. REALLY!!!! LOL
Every one keeps telling me to let him cry, but when your stuck in a one bedroom apt (til summer only we hope) and you also have 2 three month olds, it's hard to let him scream it out. Like I said it went on for two hours tonight and one of the twins slept through it (Riley) the other (Morgan) was awake and not happy either so it was not fun. In the mean time Chuck was trying to sleep to so he could get up early and let me sleep since one of us is always up at night cause the girls still don't sleep through the night.
Added to the fact I have been trying to make my homemade truffles for xmas which consist of hand dipping each one in chocolate. This is not fun with 2 crying kids and at one point all 3 were up in arms. UGGHHH!!!!
So anyways.. My christmas shopping is done which is good considering I wasn't sure we'd be able to really do christmas presents this year. With me still out of work on leave (with no pay) we only have the one income so it's tough at times. Christmas is a big deal to me and I LOVE to buy gifts for everyone, but this year I sucked it up knowing that it wasn't going to happen. Then I came into a little bit of money that I didn't expect so it gave me a little cash to get a few gifts for the kids and Chuck and my parents. YAY!! Now if I could just finish these truffles it would be nice. With two down and one still awake I'm still not able to get much done since Morgan doesn't want to sleep and is a bit fussy. Let's just say her scream cuts right through you.. Eeekkkk..

As for my littel Aiden, he is doing wonderful. He is drinking SO much better and I am positive we will have that G-tube out come spring. We hardly ever use it to bolus him now.
The other news is.... He took 5 steps.. FIVE !! They were tiny little steps but he still took 5! It was awesome and the most he has taken. He'll stand on his own but usually won't take a step, he'll whine or sit and crawl cause he's scared. He walks well holding just one finger most of the time too and if he can just muster up the guts to take off on his own I think he will be off and running. I can't wait!! People keep telling me I don't want him to start walking with 2 little ones but trust me I do. To be able to put him down and just have him stand for a second would be so helpful just getting out of the car for example. It's tough loading up the car (alone) with two in infant car seats and one in a big boy seat. Just thinking about it makes me tired (not to mention these darn snow banks that make it such a hassle now but that is another story.)

Elfed....

2007-12-05T17:40:00.001-08:00

I Elfed the kids... Watch them go.. It's so cute..

Aiden, Morgan & Riley.. Elfed

December 5, 2007

2007-12-05T15:04:00.000-08:00

Aiden took two steps today all on his own. He is getting better and better AND he stood up with out holding onto anything for 56 seconds, then started "dancing" which is more like bouncing in place lol. He was just amazing and made me smile.

We had a pedi appt last week and he weighed in at 25 pounds 4 ounces. He's gotten so much better with his juice box cup and now we are just working on quantity.

Today we had his neurology follow up appt. He is also enrolled in there study. We figured if it can help someone else out why not. The appt was quick. They asked questions like what is he doing now and is he walking and talking, then did a few eye following exercises and reflex checks and then we were out of there. We have to go back and have an MRI done for the study and Aiden has to see they "shrink" for the study too. That part kills me (in laughter) cause as I said to the doc what does a psychologist do to interview and "shrink" a 17 month old.. He was a bit stumped there too and said really i have no idea. He's so young that I don't know what they see him for. So I guess i will find out when they schedule the appointment. I keep you all posted on that, i am still baffled by it.

We also went to the mall last week to see Santa. Aiden loved him. He sat on his lap with the girls and was just amazed by him. I was waiting for him to try and pull his beard off (it was real) but he never did (thank god).

Aiden 17 Months
Morgan & Riley 2 Months

November 26, 2007

2007-11-26T17:04:00.000-08:00

Happy Late Turkey day!!

We spent the holiday with the in laws (Chuck's family) and it was a nice day. Then we went to my moms (me and the kids) on Friday as usual. (We usually try to visit twice a week. It gives me a break "sometimes" and also lets me see more then just the 4 walls of my own house which is always enjoyed)

Aiden had a doc appt today but it was canceled and rescheduled until tomorrow. he'll be going for his RSV shots. He hasn't been drinking too much the last 5 days or so since his teeth have cut through so hopefully he'll pick back up to drinking more like he was a week ago. This is an obstical that is growing to be such a pain. Not in the sense that we have to work with him, just in the sense that he doens't seem to be a kid who likes to drink a lot. He doesn't seem thirsty very often and with out him drinking at least 12 ounces of fluid on his own every day he can't have his g-tube out.

We are also now struggling even more with is sleeping pattern. he is more and more like his dad and wants to stay up all night..
Before the girls came home he'd go to bed about 10:30 and wake up about 8:30am. Now he is up until 1 to 2:30 am and doesn't wankt to get up til 11am. I'll wake him up at 9 anyways to try to kick him back into a schedule but it doesn't seem to be working. I've held back naps to try to gethim into bed early and it might work to get him to sleep by 9 or 10PM but then he's awake at 11 or midnight and wants to play. If we leave him in his crib he just cries and cries and cries.
I know we need to let him cry but it's easier said then done. He gets to the point that he is all red and sweaty, his nose is running and he is just unbearable. This will go on for over 2 hours if you let it.. Til the point that I can't take it anymore.. With two little little ones and a 17 month old crying to the point I think he might explode, one person can only take so much and that about breaks my limit.

I don't know what else to do.. My new plan is to (for one week) stick it out, crying and all and put him to bed at 10 (I know that is late for some parents but I can deal with 10, it works for me) and hopefully after a week he will "reprogram" and know bed time is at 10 and that is all there is to it.. Wish me luck and if any one has any advice let me know. You need to know that we are in a tiny apt so that makes it even harder when you only have one bedroom.
Boy I can't wait to buy a house.. Fingers crossed cause it's going to be a LONG week !!

November 20, 2007

2007-11-20T23:31:00.000-08:00

It's official we have two teeth.. YES TWO!!!! They broke through the gums and you can actually see them a bit (if you can get in there).. YAY!!!

Other then that life is the same. Aiden is learning everyday and growing up to be such a big boy. We are still working on drinking, walking, and all those other things kids do at 17 months (14 months corrected) He is an awesome kid.. Now if we could just get some words out of that mouth besides mumma, dudda, and nunna.. LOL all the rest sound like he is clearing out a hair ball in his throat. I think once he does start really talking, he's going to be a chatter box..

He is also becoming quite the big brother. He's been giving the girls kisses (when he isn't trying to find there teeth) lol

November 19, 2007

2007-11-19T21:53:00.001-08:00

Just some random pictures of my favorite little guy

November 19, 2007

2007-11-19T14:00:00.000-08:00

I've been tagged by Sarah & Jen which means I now have to post 7 random facts about myself.

1. It absolutly drives me crazy when someone leaves the shower curtain open.. IT MUST BE CLOSED!!

2. I am a very impatient person, i very much like instant gratitude. When it comes to my kids though, people tell me I have all the patients in the world.

3. I have a hard time asking for help! ( i am my mother's daughter) and will fall on my face before asking anyone to help me out, weather it is with the kids, money, or just life, i try to do EVERYTHING on my own!

4. I love Chocolate and have something chocolate everyday and think it can make almost anything better at least for a second.

5. I love to scrapbook (although I have no free time to do so) I love taking pictures and creating beautiful books to look back on.

6. As crazy as it sounds I want two more kids. It's hard, it's fustrating, and it's expensive, but I want a big family and don't ever want my children to feel alone.

7. My mom is my best friend and i could not live with out her, however I have not talked to my biological dad in 8 years. i often wonder though if he misses me, but I surely doubt it.

November 18, 2007

2007-11-18T03:41:00.000-08:00

TEEEEEEEEEEEEEETH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG I think we may have a tooth.. I feel ridges!! 17 months and 1 week old and we may have our first tooth (or even first two teeth) ! Give the boy a steak already.. HA HA

Although he has steak for the first time last week (ground up in a chopper) but it still looked like meat and wasn't puree cause that would just be nasty.. Ewww

However he LOVED it. He ate a good amount and half of a baked potato with sour cream. He's such a good eater and becoming such a "big boy"

We had out appt with GI last wed. Got what a joke! I know they can't remember all there patients, they must see hundreds, but read the damn charts before you come in and say something stupid.
That's all I'm saying about that. We go back in 6 months unless Aiden gets the drinking thing down before then. if so we can make an appt and talk about removing the G-tube.

He's doing better with the drinking and drank 3 ounces in one sitting for me yesterday. How happy was I... It's one of those things that are going to take time but once he "gets it" he's going to do fine with it. Right now he is starting to "get it" another few months and we should have it down I think.

Not much new news other then that.. We did go for out first picture session. Aiden and the girls.. It's didn't go too well, although we got a few good pictures.. Maybe next time..
I also posted some under the girls page..

November 11, 2007

2007-11-11T11:10:00.000-08:00

Can you believe Aiden is 17 months old today and as of Nov 6th he has been home from the NICU for 1 year!!. It's seems like it's been so much longer..

He is doing wonderful with learning new things and learning to drink from him juice box cup. We have an appt with GI on wed that I made for a check up and to talk about his G-tube sight. It's looks a little "funny" to me and I want it checked out before i start to really worry about it.

He has learned how to open and close every cabinet and door in the house. how to turn the lights on and off, how to empty the diaper cabinet and to make super messes.. He is coming along just fine. We are now working on putting things into a bucket and then taking them out (this he has down with no problem except his "putting into the bucket" is more like winging them with full force into the bucket) We've worked on turning pages to the book, and being nice to your sister. (Which consists of stop pulling there hair and trying to grab there face) He is determined to stick his finger in there mouth and look for teeth like he does to every adult that picks him up) LOL

It's so nice to see him learning new things and tweaking the things he has already learned. Both is E.I worker and OT say that you would never know he was a preemie. He has come so far, learned so much and is really smart.

As for the teeth, well, still NONE!! Not a single one.. ha ha
They are there and they are coming and I think MAYBE by turkey day he might finally break through the two bottom but we will see.

And walking.. Still No, so close but not yet. He crawls up a storm, forward and backward, and will cruise from object to object. He'll try and climb anything he can but still doesn't seem to have that balance quite yet to stabilize taking more then a step with out falling down. He'll get there and when he does, OMG watch out world. This kid is going to be all over the place.

As I look back at pictures from last year at this time I wonder where the time went and realize that my little boy is no longer my "little" boy. He's growing up...

Aiden November 2006

November 1, 2007

2007-11-01T07:10:00.000-07:00

Boo!!!!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhh!! Happy Halloween........ Trick or Treat....
It was a fun night and great weather.. i am happy to say that Aiden kept his hat on (which is NOT like him since he hates, I mean HATES hats on his head.. We trucked along in the wagon and had a great time.. The girls slept through most of it all cozy in there chicken costumes, and Aiden and his friend Makayla had a great time.
Aiden was a scarecrow, Makayla a duck, and the girls chickens.. It was a site to see.. lol

A trial run with the hat...

Nonny helping Aiden put on his costume over his PJ's...

Aiden's all ready...

Morgan's all ready...

Riley's all ready...

...And we are off...

October 29, 2007

2007-10-29T15:47:00.000-07:00

Bumps and Bruises and lots of tears... I am not sure if those tears are mine or Aiden's or both, but we sure are at the age of falling down, pulling things over and getting hurt. I know it's how kids learn but no one wants to see there little one get hurt. And when you have a stubborn kid (like mine) who doesn't learn after the first or second time it makes it harder I think.
He's so smart and amazes me when he figures something out, like how to get off the futon "safely", or how to open and close the cabinet (after he empties all the diapers in it).
Yesterday he learned he has enough strength to pull over the entire rack of TV trays. There solid wood and heavy and YUP he pulled him over on top of himself. Then not an hour later he did it again. Now there tied up so he can't pull the entire thing over and so far he has left it alone. Then today he decided to slid off the futon but instead of turning around and going feet first he went head first and "knock" on the floor he went.. Tears and all, he was not a happy camper!

I swear people are going to think I beat him up with all the bumps he gets. Most of the time it's just a little bum here or there and in minutes it goes away, but in the last few days he has gotten a few good ones that I though were going to leave marks, but so far he only has one little scratch and a mark near his eye (from yesterday)

I am sure all parents go through this stage and just to think I get to go through it again with the twins, hopefully they will be a little less of a clutzy mess as my little Mr. Destructo!

It is good to see him do things that "all other kids do" and i am very lucky. I have three wonderful happy kids. For all he's been through (I can't say it enough) he amazes me and keeps me smiling. He is just a wonderful kid!!

October 25, 2007

2007-10-25T14:14:00.000-07:00

We got shots today.. Aiden went in for his RSV shot and he was NOT happy!!

Our morning starting out with a very tired boy. He refused to sleep last night and once again was up late. This time later then he has ever been awake.. 3AM !! UGH!!
He then had to get up at 8:30 for E. I. this morning with his OT (for drinking). So Mommy made him some pancakes and got everything ready and Jean the OT fed him and worked with him and his cup. He didn't eat as much as he normally would but did very good drinking (hand over hand).
We stopped early and had a little play time cause he was so tired.

I figured after she left he'd want to sleep but he stayed awake which was fine with me, i want to get him back on track. We had a doc appt at 2 and he was in a really good mood when we got in the car. We arrived to see the doc and he was smiles and playing until the shot came. He was still on the table as they "cleaned the site" with there little alcohol pad, and then at the same time each nurse gave him a shot in the leg. This way it's all at once and he doesn't get poked one after another. He flinched and then cried and cried. I felt so bad as I picked him up and gave him a big hug. He calmed down after about a bit and was fine.
I had the doc come in and check him too. i wanted his ears checked cause occasionally he'll pull at his left ear, but they were perfect. He also woke up with two little spots on his leg today. My first thought was OMG my kid has ring worm, cause it's kinda what it looks like, but then I though, he hasn't been around any pets but ours and none of ours have it. Better safe then sorry i had the doc check that too. Well he said it looks fine, and that there is a "funky" virus going around that is causing kids to get spots like this. It's nothing to worry about and if he gets more then two just to give him some benadryl.
All in all it was a good check up I'd say. We are almost 17 months old, weighing in at 24 lbs 12 oz and we are just about 31 inches. So far not a single ear infection, no RSV, no colds, unless you count the 24 hrs we had the sniffles, but I think we have done really well.

Now it's just getting the sleep schedule back on track, learning to drink more from the cup or the bottle, and learning to walk... Then the big one.. Getting the G-tube out...

Oh can we add getting a few teeth in there too.. ha ha, although his gums are puffy and I really really think they are going to pop through very soon. Maybe in the next few weeks.. Maybe this has something to do with him not sleeping well either.. Grrrr them darn teeth..

.. And Aiden has discovered where we keep the diapers.. he thought he was funny (and he was) but we won't let on.. ha ha

October 23, 2007

2007-10-23T18:00:00.000-07:00

Bottles, Cups, Straws... We have tried it all..

For a year we have tried different things and all it took was bringing home some babies. ha ha
As funny as it sounds I just had a feeling from him seeing his sisters take a bottle that maybe, just maybe, he would try it.

So I put some chocolate silk in a bottle (that is what mommy drinks and he likes it too) and handed it to Chuck. After the look I got I said to him, just give it to him I want to see what he does.
Can you believe he took an ounce and a half.
Now I know to any new people reading this, that is not a lot, but if you've been around with us for a while then you know for Aiden it's fantastic. He has been really good with it since. He won't really hold the bottle on his own very well but if you hold it with him he'll drink from it. So far, chocolate soy milk, regular whole milk, and water. He has also done really well with the juice box type cup we were training him with. he know can suck up the straw.

Let's just say with all this, when his OT showed up on Thursday morning last week she was siked. She said we made her month. THAT'S MY BOY!!!! Making people happy..

So now if we can get him to take the cup with a straw or a bottle (either one) on a regular basis then BYE BYE G-TUBE!!!! Now that is music to the ears...

As for him adjusting to the girls, well it took a bit. A few days went by and he was use to Morgan being here, then we added Riley to the mix. I'm sure he must of been thinking "what the hell" "are they going to get one of these things every week??"
But so far so good. No super major break downs. i will say he has been a little more clingy and his sleep schedule is all messed up (not due to the girls making noise, it's just he now decides he doesn't want to go to sleep) but I am hoping we get him back on track. He was already a kid who went down late (usually by 10:30pm) but the last 5 days he has been nuts and you have to fight with him to get him to pass out by 1am, sometimes 2.. Grrrrrrrr

As you can imagine this is not adding to us getting any sleep and with Daddy going back to work on Monday (cringe) it's going to be a rough week alone with 3 little ones.. I'm sure I'll have a few breakdowns.

Speaking of which, Aiden is in his swing (yes at 16 months he still loves the thing) and is over tired, talking to himself and every so often yelling out a fake cry like I'm beating him. That is what he does when he is super tired.. So I am going to attempt to get him into bed before 10:30 which gives me a little over an hour and we will see how it goes..

Aiden and Daddy at the Pumpkin Festival...

Waiting for Mommy to give me a fry...

I got one... haaa haaaa

Going for a walk with my Mommy and my sisters..

And.... We're Off!!!!

October 14, 2007

2007-10-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

Can we say a bit jealous! I was surprised but YES he was a bit on the jealous side. We got home from the NICU (we all went together to pick up Morgan) and Aiden fell asleep in the car. We came in the house put him down for his nap and all was ok. When he woke up, Morgan was already awake ad i was about to feed her. I put her in her crib to get Aiden and she started to squack the cry a tiny little cry. As soon as Aiden heard her she layed on the bed like I tossed him away and just cried. Full tears and all. I felt so bad, my little boy all of a sudden didn't want to share his mommy. We've now had two overnights and we will see how he is this morning, but yesterday he was much better. I can only imagine in a few days how things will be when Riley comes home too. The poor little guy is going to think these tiny little squeeky things are multiplying. Awww
Don't worry little man, you will always be Momma's little boy and I love you sooooo SOOO MUCH!

October 11, 2007

2007-10-11T16:18:00.000-07:00

Aiden did very well agin today with E.I. and drinking. I think he is getting his bottom two teeth soon so that may be why he was cranky yesterday too. His cheeks have been red on and off and the kid is chewing on EVERYTHING. Well he puts everything in his mouth any way, but the last few days he is chewing really hard on things.

We have some adjusting to do now too since his sisters will be home by the end of the week end. Morgan tomorrow and Riley by Sunday. I thin he'll be just fine though.

I posted some pics there not new but ones I liked and forgot to post previously. Check out Aiden in his new wagon. We copied our blog friend mommy who has triplets and has the wagon.(The Guinn's) I always loved it and once I found out I was having twins I searched the internet looking for it. I lucked out and got the wagon and a trailer before they stopped making the trailer. Then lucked out cause they got them in stock again and I ordered another trailer (for friends or storage) just about 6 weeks ago. Now there not available any longer.
Anyways he loves it and the great thing is the infant car seats fit in them too, so halloween will be a blast. The other pics are random too, like I said just pics I liked. Enjoy

First day with the new wagon

At the baby shower, getting a ride..

Getting a tubby at Nonny's

The face Aiden made when we were at the zoo and saw the Chimps.. lol

October 4, 2007

2007-10-04T07:06:00.000-07:00

Aiden had his first OT session today for "drinking" and did fabulous with his new cup and exercises he will need to continue doing. He sat in his high chair, ate his breakfast, drank his milk, and it was like any other day. The key to this drinking thing since it is a new straw cup and he is working with a new person is to keep it fun. As long as it stays "fun" then he doesn't know it's work and will just become natural to him. His E.I. OT worker said he did really really well and that she anticipates that he will do fabulous with this. In 6 months we may be rid of the g-tube for good. We'll see, butt that would be nice.

He also got his flu shot the other day and two boosters so he has been a little cranky but all in all in a good mood. We just got the paper saying he qualifies for the RSV shots this year too which is great considering we have done well to stay away from colds and we will have two new little ones home from the NICU soon, maybe in the next two weeks.

He is now 24 1/2 pounds and 30 inches and growing. He's still crawling up a storm and cruising on everything and anything. It's also bumps and bruises age, cause I sware he is a clutz like his mom sometimes, but he is learning and to see that is just amazing. I try to picture 6 more months from now when the girls are home and he is even bigger. It blows my mind that he is growing so fast. Time really flies when you have kids! just as long as I don't turn around and I'm 53 and he's 21, THEN I think I'll lose it.. LOL

September 28, 2007

2007-09-29T02:43:00.000-07:00

Happy 1 Year Aiden...

Today Aiden is one year old corrected age!! I can not believe it has flown by.. He is doing wonderful, and will be starting his Early Intervention with the feeding specialist. Hopefully that will go smooth. I don't have much else to update since he was at my mom's since Sunday, the day after I had the girls.

I will say this.. It was soo good to have him home and have him see me and know who I was and just smile and want to hug me right away. It's such a good feeling that he's getting bigger and misses you and knows you and just simply loves you.. I wanted to melt, it was so sweet.

SURPRISE!!

2007-09-22T18:11:00.001-07:00

Quick update from Dad while Mommy recovers...

Say hello to:

Morgan! (3lbs 14 oz, and the elder by 3 mins)

Riley! (4lbs 7oz)

And one very excited (and now very tired) daddy. More updates later!

September 21, 2007

2007-09-21T22:55:00.000-07:00

A quick update...

We got the person we wanted for OT. Aiden happen to already be on the waiting list for speech (it was suppose to be for drinking) so that got him in and we got Jean!! YAY i am so excited!!
She will be coming every Thursday in the morning with his other EI worked Nancy now and will work with him to transition to a cup and help us learn new techniques.

YAY YAY YAY!!! Is all I can say..

September 20, 2007

2007-09-20T10:22:00.000-07:00

Aiden had his eval with OT today for "feeding issues". As you all know he eats like a champ, it's drinking that is a problem. First off he will probably have the g-tube for at least 6 more months. YUK! but we got some good tips and ideas from the OT and she is trying like heck to get him on her case load but since there are other kids waiting, we know how that works and well it probably won't work out. It stinks cause she specializes in feeding and drinking and works a lot with kids that have gtubes, but they can't pick and choose, so keeping our fingers crossed we can get the lady we saw today (who was fantastic with him) I'd be oh so happy..

We have some mouth exercises to do to create stronger muscles in his mouth. Aiden has learned to eat with his head back a bit (chin up) which if you try it, makes it hard to swallow. It's easier if you have your chin a little down (I know you are all trying it now huh)
So we are going to work on him keeping his chin down a little. Also working with a new cup that I am going to try and hunt down today. Then when he eats off a spoon we need to alternate putting the food on the left side of his mouth then the right. Back and forth for a bit then a normal bite. This will exercise his tounge which works well but is a little weak.

I will say this, the OT was VERY amazed with him. She said for a 24 weeker he is doing fantastic and my fears of him being autistic should be out the window. He is on track with so many things, he focuses on you and tries to repeat or copy. He's eating and trying to walk, he crawls. He is doing so much and so well and i just wanted to cry I was so happy.

It's normal mommy worries I think I have and as for the drinking well it will come. We just have to keep eating and drinking fun and not crunch down on him or he will look at it like a negitive thing and start pushing away and then the real struggle begins. Once they get to about 12 to 18 months is when it's hard if they decide they don't want to do something. Aiden is already there, cause when he doesn't want to do something HE DOESN'T WANT TO DO IT!, but "keeping it fun" like she said helps them like eating, drinking and/or what ever else your doing.

So we will see what comes in the next month of working with the new exercises and cup and seeing if it helps. OHHH She did also say it is very common for gtube kids to take longer with things like this AND also the fact that he gets liquids during the night when sleeping will contribute to him not drinking during the day too. SO we are going to stop his overnight feeds (we alternate formula and water, 16oz over 6 and a half hours) we will now bolus him 4 ounce of fluid after a meal, depending on how much he drinks on his own)

The good think, no more detaching tube during the night, and wet milk smelling baby at 3am, which consists of washing and changing him, and changing everything in the crib.. UGH!!!

Wish us luck!!

September 13, 2007

2007-09-13T21:57:00.000-07:00

SO.. my little bug is a night owl all of a sudden. The last few nights he has been up til the wee hours. This seems to have nothing to do with his napping during the day. We have gone all day with only a 30 minute nap and he was up til 2:30 in the morning. The next night he was up until almost midnight, and tonight , it is now almost 1am he is in his swing with hopes he falls asleep. He is just about out, and I am sure over tired, but as normal I am sure he will be up in the morning no later then 9am. He is usually up about 8 but if we are lucky he sleeps a little later.
I am not sure what he is running on, but maybe he can pass some on to me. I could use the energy.

Other then that there isn't much to update. Still no teeth lol, and still no consistent cup drinking. We talked to E.I. and his worker if going to talk to the girl who does OT and see if she will be willing to come to Wakefield (where we live) and work with him. If not, since Wakefield is not in there district, we will lose our E.I. worked who has been with Aiden since he started E.I. and have to switch to the company that services Wakefield.
I don't want to lose the person we have cause she is really good with him, but he needs to learn what a cup is for and to drink from it. Obviously we (me and Chuck) are not doing something right, or not enough, or what ever, but to get the G-tube out, my little bug needs to use a cup.

He's also getting braver at letting go of things, he did it twice today and tried to walk to me. It was awesome and of course he fell on his bum, but just that he tried was so cute.

He truly is an awesome kid. He's come so far and has learned so much. I know I worry about everything when it comes to him, but I'm his mom that is my job right? And besides, anyone who has traveled down the road I've been down would worry too. It's normal I think, and who doesn't want only the best for there child...

I'll have more pics soon of our first trip to the Southwick zoo a few weeks ago, and of Aiden in his new wagon that I got in June for him and the girls and just put it together. We are also going to a trip to Franklin Park zoo this sunday so I'll post them pics too.

August 29, 2007

2007-08-29T08:05:00.000-07:00

I never did post the pics of Aiden practicing with his sippy cup. He looks like a pro in the pics. We are getting a little closer but I still think it's a ways off..
There are also some pics of his 1st mac & cheese dinner, and him on the swings. We took him to the park the other day and I put him on the swings for the first time, he loved it so much i had to bring him back yesterday to take some pictures.. Enjoy..

OREO LOVE

2007-08-20T14:27:00.001-07:00

YES BIG NEWS!!!!! WE DISCOVERED OREOS!!!! LOL and clean up was fun too..

August 20, 2007

2007-08-20T14:05:00.000-07:00

So, we had our eye doctor appointment today and one eye is the same and one got a little better.
Aiden's right eye is far sighted but has become a little more near sighted so that means it's improved a tiny bit. His left eye, the one that turns in a bit at times, he is near sighted in, and it has stayed the same. The fact that neither is worse is a good thing, but the out come is in the future he will need glasses. Right now there isn't a point unless he starts to favor one eye more then the other or it effect his every day activities. Also if his "lazy eye" starts to turn in more and more often then that is a sign he will probably get the glasses a lot sooner them we anticipated the doc said. She also suggested we can patch his right eye an hour a day, with hopes he keeps the patch on, and that will exercise his left eye. This could help it to stay centered better.

Other then that little man, or should i say big man, is doing well. He is sitting up with no issues any more. He is crawling all over the place, and pulling up on every thing and anything. He's cruising around holding the edges of the table and futon and doing pretty good with that now too. He's also started to go forward rather then just backwards in his walker. (he only gets to use that at Nonny's house, we don't have one here there isn't enough room)

We still don't have any clear, clean cut words besides dada and mmm, oh and every so often mummmmma.. But I still don't think he associates them with us yet.
We are trying buh-bye, up, and hi (he does get hi every so often too) so maybe soon we'll have some new words popping out..

I've also discovered that playing in a bucket is a good thing. He plays with his toys and seems to like it so far, well 3 out of the 4 times he has done it, and he can't get out yet so I know he's right where I put him if I have to pee.. LOL

Things are good, my boy is getting big, and still has no patience like his mother ha ha, and amazes me every day.. I am excited for him to walk and be able to hold my hand.. SO cute, and helpful since the twins will be here in about 7 weeks.. YIKES!!

August 8, 2007

2007-08-08T18:55:00.000-07:00

Fussy Baby!!! UGH!!!

So What do you get when you add hormones, a huge belly, sore hips and back, lack of good sleep and a fussy 1 yr old?? A mommy who is about to go crazy!!

Yes that is me. We have been trying to change Aidens schedule so he goes to bed at 8:30 rather then 10:30. Some nights it works other nights not so much. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it either. Even if he is tired and has had his nap held he still refuses to go to bed. Other times he will go right to sleep. Besides that, he is a fuss bucket at night the last few days and I"m going coo-coo. Part of the problem is now that he can crawl he thinks he can walk and stand too (and he cant) As I have said, he has the balance of a drunk man, so pulling up on something is one thing, even though he still falls doing that and sometimes not so graceful. But trying to hold on with one hand and do something with the other or step away is another thing. I know kids need to fall but he already has a bruise on his forehead that is finally going away and well no one wants there kid getting hurt all the time either.
So I set up the pack and play since our apt doesnt have the space for him to crawl and not fall into something that will somehow hurt him (I just know it) and he will play in that and pull up and cruise the sides, until he get board and wants to get out and have a free for all.
He doesnt want the jumper, or the swing, or the pack and play. He wants to go go go, or for you to rough house with him and toss him all over creation like daddy does. (Which is the best sight cause he laughs his little butt off) however Mommy in the present time is just not able to do the same. I have not gained a ton of weight but enough to feel it, and this belly is bigger then I have ever had. Bending as most of you know is not easy so the up and downs with him is limited. Once daddy goes to work, its tough. He is such a strong kid with such a strong will and wants to do so much. I feel guilty at times cause I am not able to be so rough with him and chase him around as much as I would if I was not carrying the double mint twins.

I guess its gong to be time for more outings to Nonny"s house so he can be better entertained. Gas may kill me going back and forth so much but its worth it to have a happy baby.

Other then that he is doing really well, if only we could get that damn cup down. Every day we try and I have now started to just give it to him and not do the hand over hand so much. He drinks from it and then plays with it and dumps it. Ya know how kids are.. To be honest, I think he might have his tube just a wee bit longer then we want him to have it for the simple fact that the kid has no interest in drinking.. I think once he is a little older he will take to it just fine, once he can understand the concept of a cup. For now well its day to day, and that is all we can do.

I took some new pics today.. hope you enjoy

PICTURES

2007-07-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

Pics were added also to the July 13th posting and here are some from the 4th of July.. DOn't worry the corona was closed.. LOL

July 23, 2007

2007-07-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

I know I owe everyone new pics so here they are.. AND.....

We FINALLY got our first hair cut today... YAY!!!

July 18, 2007

2007-07-18T09:16:00.000-07:00

Guess who is crawling with No issues now.. Yup! Our little man is off and crawling full force..
Now we just need to work on balance and patience.. Ha Ha
He gets so upset when he wants to get from one place to another and can't get there fast enough or something is in his way. He's so like his mother I tell ya.
Right now he is at his 2nd ever sleepover at Nonny's house. My mom took him last night and probably for tonight to give me time for my foot to rest. It's a bit tough having a 1 yr old and a sprained foot with torn ligaments. He is having a fantastic time going for walks and playing with my brother. It's just amazing how much he has grown and changed in the past 2 weeks. I look forward to the next month to see how close he gets to trying to walk.. Now that is going to be fun :)

July 13, 2007

2007-07-13T11:59:00.000-07:00

Well guess who is trying so hard to crawl.. It's great and exciting to see him roll all over the place and get up on all fours and just look at you and smile like he is saying "Hey look at me".
Now he does that, then wiggles the bum, and off he goes, or tires to anyway. He gets here and there with a combo of rolling and semi crawling, but still has a little work to do.. ha ha

He also had his first "real" breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast. He did really well considering any other time I tried to give him real food he'd gag or choke. So we went slow, or shall I say I went slow and he tried to scoff it down. No chocking No gagging. YAY
Then then following day for lunch we tried a grilled cheeses and he, once again, did fabulous. He's now tried pancakes, toast, eggs, grilled cheese, fish, and meatloaf. All he's ever had before was hard bread and french fries.. It's very exciting for me to be able to try new foods and things with him and have him eat them with out having major issues. Now if we can only get the sippy cup down so we can PLEASE get out that damn G-tube, I would be a very happy mommy.

Things have been looking up and in 2 weeks I am in aww at how much he has changed and learned. He is truly amazing in my eyes and I can't wait for him to take his first step all by him self. I can only imagine the feeling of accomplishment he will have.

I will post new pics soon, as we just moved so I've been a little behind putting them on the computer and what not. I do have breakfast pics to share so just hang tight. They will be up soon, probably tomorrow.

Pics Added Finally of Aiden eating his first breakfast...

July 3, 2007

2007-07-03T04:17:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhhhhhhh.. Sigh.. The move is over.. Now it is just unpacking the million boxes and trying to get this apt looking like a home. Talk about tired and overwhelmed..

It's much much smaller then our old place, and I have to say it was hard leaving and turning the keys over. I walked into Aiden's room and tears started. His first room and now it will probably be painted over and some other kids room.. :(

Well we moved cause we had too. The owners sold the house, but by the grace of god things fell into place again and we got to move into Chuck's sisters house. She has a 1st floor apt that was empty and they live upstairs. Liek I said it's much smaller BUT, it is giving us an super op to save some more money for the next year and have a good down payment for our own house.. YAY! :)

Now onto Aiden...

We had out 1yr check up yesterday (a little late I now) but he is doing great the pedi said. He got two shots in his arm and cried cried cried.. I felt do bad he was getting them and knew he was going to cry that I made Chuck hold him and then after the shots tried to steal him away to give him love and kisses.. So wrong of me, I know, cause that makes "daddy" look like the evil one.

So we are now weighing in at 22.3 pounds (although I think the 0.3 was his diaper, lol, cause he needed a change) and we are 29 inches. That puts us at 50% for height and weight now.

As for his new little skills. He is now saying Ma, Da, Ba, and Mmmmm..
and all then Ma, Ba, Da's nave Mmmm in front of them, of courxe he wouldn't do this a week ago for his Early Intervention evaluation. Ha Ha
He is also rolling up a storm and can do belly to back (that has been a while now) and back to belly. He gets into the crawling position too on his own with no help from us and tries but seems to face plant more times then he can get those hands and feet going. LOL

This has all been in the last week to few days. I am so excited, I can't wait for him to crawl and pull up on things and walk. As for the big "W", well walking I think is going to be a bit longer. he will walk if your holding his hands, but his balance is still WAY off. Not surprised since I was a Clutz-o-matic as a kid, it's only normal for mine to not have the balance yet to stand on his own, and I'll take sitting up on his own first please.. He does ok but still falls over. Once he is down he tries and tries to pull himself back to a sitting position but so far those tummy muscles are not strong enough. He looks like someone struggling through then 100th sit up.. (Almost there but just can't get it) Unless you give him your finger then he'll pull all the way up, BUT would rather try to stand then sit.

I also asked the pedi about the divit in the roof of his mouth. He said most likely it will grow in more if not all the way, but agreed that it did probably have something to do with him not taking to a bottle and havign some issues with swallowing. I am surprised no one noticed it before (besides me). I did mentionit in the NICU and told it was common, but no one seemed to follow it or look at it again. I also think it is the reason he has trouble with some table foods I try here and there. Depending on what it is, like bananas or something that can stick to the roof of your mouth, he gags. It gets stuck and he doesn't like that. (Who would? )
But try try again is all we can do.. It would be nice to get him off baby cereal and onto some good mushy foods like pasta that he could hold, but then again cereal is so much neater.. HA HA

Either way at the end of the day, after everything he has been through. I am more then greatful that he is here with us and a happy kid. So he is a little behind.. Ya So!! He'll get there, and when he does, watch out world cause here comes Aiden!!!
He is already a handful, once he gets rid of his sea legs, he is going to be a monster.. and we have two more on the way.. UGH!!! Lets hope the girls are calm and relaxed LOL

Oh and I forgot to mention.. Aiden had his first over night last week. A double overnight at that. My mom was going to take him overnight to give us a chance to pack more and get the new place painted. Well she called the night before and asked to take him one night earlier. With hesitation I said OK, i knew we had a lot to get done, but this was the FIRST time ever Aiden would be away from me for an overnight. His first sitter, one day I had to work and Chuck was too sick to watch him, was hard enough. AN OVERNIGHT and now 2!!!

Well we survived, he did fab, and loved it, I on the other hand could NOT sleep the first night. I was up til 3:30am and then woke up for good at 7am. I tried not to call every hour and did good since I was at work I was distracted some.

It was funny cause after the two nights over there, my dad called and said bring him back cause now he couldn't sleep with him not there.

Yeah you can tell, this kid isn't loved at all.. Not even the tiniest bit..

June 24, 2007

2007-06-24T13:49:00.000-07:00

Some new Pics of Aiden and his new duds.. He's all ready for Golf with Daddy and Uncle Eddie.. lol

June 23, 2007

2007-06-23T11:37:00.000-07:00

Happy 2nd Birthday Chase !!

We LOVE & MISS YOU more then words can say

xoxox

Mommy, Daddy

Aiden, Morgan & Riley

June 22, 2007

2007-06-22T17:24:00.000-07:00

It's getting to me and emotions are high. I tried so hard to get to tomorrow with out a break down, and I am sure that being pregnant with hormones raging, trying to get things ready for the move next week, and dealing with a 1yr old who is teething and not dealing very well with the fact that mommy is getting to big to pick him up and rough house is not helping.

Tomorrow is the anniversary of Chase's Birthday, which is the same day he passed. In my mind it's as fresh as if it just happened a few hours ago. Two years later and it's not any easier to think about. I miss him so much it breaks my heart. I look at Aiden and my mind constantly plays the "I wonder and what if game". Yes I know I shouldn't do that, but it's easier said then done, and if you have never lost a child then you have no idea.

The loss gets easier day to day, but you NEVER forget and you never stop missing. You never stop hurting at times like this. A parent should never have to bury a child and I would not wish this loss on my worst enemy.

My only comfort is knowing that he is at peace, he is our angel, and will never feel pain. In my heart I feel like he watches over us, and knows that we love him.

With all my heart I love you angel baby, and I send you up kisses. One day I will see you again and until then know you are forever a piece of my heart that no one can ever replace.

June 11, 2007

2007-06-11T12:31:00.000-07:00

Aiden...

One day you may read this and i want you to know that I love you. You are the greatest gift any parent could ask for. You are my heart, my soul, and my life and every ounce of struggle has been worth the pain to have you here with us today.

Your an amazing child and i am so proud of you. You have gone through so much in such a short time and come so far. Your a happy, loving, baby who just loves people and attention.

My birthday wish for you is that you grow up always knowing I love you more then words can say. That all your dreams come true, and happiness is yours for the taking.

Happy Birthday my beautiful baby boy... I Love You Bug xoxox

Mommy

2:22PM HAPPY BIRTHDAY AIDEN !!!!!!!

Born June 11, 2006
Due Sept 28, 2006

1 pound 6.5 ounces
12.5 inches

Currently

1 year old
adjusted age 8.5 months

21 pounds
28 inches

June 10, 2007

2007-06-10T04:37:00.001-07:00

All Done MOMMY !!!

June 9, 2007

2007-06-10T04:19:00.002-07:00

My quilt everyone signed while I was in the NICU

Our 2 NICU buddies Duane and Darius

Sitting with Daddy opening presents

Happy Almost Birthday to our baby Boy.. AIDEN !!!

Aiden's party was a blast... He enjoyed himself all day. The one day that he was held the entire time by one person or another. By the time is came down to going to bed he was so tired, but kept getting up thinking he was still missing something. It's like he knew it was his day and he wasn't letting a second go by with out him.

Cake time was a blast.. Aiden of course had his own little cake that in the begining he wasn't sure he wanted to eat it. Then he tried some and still wasn't sure. After a minute or so, he all of a sudden dug in and went for it.. He was so sure at the end and gave me this look like on mommy I'm done now, and I got the perfect picture of it..

I am sure there will be more pics as he will have cake tomorrow for his actual birthday..
June 11 at 2:22pm he will officially be a year old..

I love you but, I couldn't say it enough, i only hope I can be the best mommy for you and that all your dreams and wishes come true. xoxo

June 8, 2007

2007-06-08T11:59:00.000-07:00

So Aiden went to the "funny head doctor" and he said that is head is not that far off from the normal. yes he has a small spot in the back but the size and shape of his head is nothing to worry about and as for a helmet he thinks in his professional opinion that it would be more trouble then it's worth for something that is not bad and has corrected so much already on it's own.

So there will be no helmet and someone agrees with me that my kid doesn't have "a funny shaped head" and it's the doctor who does this for a living and deals with children all the time that need correcting.

Other then that we are just getting all the last minute things does for his birthday party tomorrow. YAY for Aiden.. and yes I am sure I will have plenty of cake face pictures to post.

Happy Almost 1 Aiden..

We love you so much Bug!!! xoxo Mommy & Daddy

June 6, 2007

2007-06-06T17:25:00.000-07:00

Ok It's official, I am tired of doctors saying my kid has a funny shaped head.. Grrrrr
His damn head is fine.. Sorry to be so rude, but enough already. First it was funny shaped when he came home from the NICU in November from sleeping on his back so much. Even though they rotate the babies, Aiden always found his spot and didn't care how they moved him. Once home he did the same for a while then started to sleep in all different positions. Now he doesn't even sleep on his back often. He may fall asleep like that for a second but 99.9% of the time he sleeps either on his left side or his right and always alternates. His head is "normal" in my eyes and he has a tiny flat spot on the back. Nothing that effects him and once he gets more hair you won't even see it. Even if he grows up and has really short hair.
Believe me I am very idiotic about things like that. i know people are mean, and so are kids and I don't want there to be ANY reason anyone can pick on my kid. Even his g-tube I cover so people don't ask questions or stare. Well questions I could handle, it people who stare and don't ask that bother me, as they would anybody I think. So if his head were odd, I'd be the first to say something. Trust me, in the NICU I commented about it all the time to Chuck, to his nurses, to anyone who saw him. No one wants a messed up melon.

NOW TODAY the neurology doctor noticed the flat spot. Ok fine, and then the 2nd doctor comes in (there is always two) and he says yes i see what you mean. He said something about this head being funny shaped and flat on the top and something about the sides.. (to be honest I was so annoyed by this it sounded like the teacher on the peanuts going whaa whaa whaa) Thank god Chuck was with us. Then they decided that he will be sent to see a special doctor who deals with helmets and kids with funny shaped heads.. (believe it or not that was the doctors words) He the asked if anyone in our family had funny shaped heads like Aiden.. Unn ok, what are you seeing that i don't. So Chuck said well i have a flat spot, and then i said my mom does too, but neither on I think looks funny. Y.ou can't even tell

AGAIN his head is not funny... I have posted a ton of pictures of him on here that people see all the time, we just saw his NICU nurse yesterday, everyone I know sees him all the time and No one thinks he has a funny shaped melon. AND the top of his head is fine, and NOTHING is wrong with the sides..

Is it me? Am I just not seeing it because it's my child? But if that is the case, why do so many other people agree with me.

So with that said, we got an appt with the "head doctor" lol this Friday. She had someone cancel on her so she put us in. If not for that it would be a few months. They have a cut off for helmets which is 12 months of age because by then it's so much harder to fix, but for a preemie they go by there "adjusted age" so Aiden still has time. Although I have talked to his E.I. worked and she knows kids older that have had helmets and they worked.

Either way I don't want him to have one but if there going to do it then I wish they would just get it done. From what I am told it would be about 8 weeks he'd have to wear it for it to "round" his head to a "perfect" head.. I can live with that.. I can't live with anymore talk of my baby having a funny head, when I think it's ok..

Ok i am done ranting..

Other then that, the appt went well. The doctor thought he was doing awesome, and right on target for his corrected age as for following and tracking things, for transfering things from one hand to the other and grabbing the things he wanted from the doctor. He said as for sitting up he seems to be getting it and with a little more time he'll do fine. With crawling he said do not be surprised if he doesn't crawl, he really thinks Aiden is going to bypass crawling and just go to walking. I guess we will see. The only other thing we need to work on his muscle tone in his legs. He has lots of muscle but is a little tight still so we got to work him out and loosen him up a bit. Being tight is common for preemies and more common with preemies who have had brain bleeds (most 24 weekers do)..

To sum it all up, he is a happy healthy baby boy turning 1 on June 11, (adjusted age will be exactly 8 1/2 months). He is a wonderful son, and loved more then anything in the world. He is a joy to us and so many people and doing things on his own time schedule as far as I am concerned. And he has plenty of time..

May 30, 2007

2007-05-30T16:36:00.001-07:00

I am not even sure how to start this post as I sit here in tears. Not because of Aiden, or the current pregnancy, but for a baby and a family I don't even know.
The past few days I have been following a few new blogs. This particular one is a family who had triplets roughly about 3 months ago. They were also 24 weekers (2 boys and a girl).
When I found the blog, the family had already lost there little girl and one of the boys, and were fighting with everything they had for there 3rd little one Jaxon.
As I read more and more, it hit so close to home. That some days I had to stop due to getting too emotional and being pregnant with twins right now makes it harder. I just feel so connected to them, and it doesn't help that some of them pictures remind me of Aiden.
They had lost the first 2 babies 6 days after they were born, and lost Jaxon yesterday morning.
My heart hurts for them. He was going through so much and a lot of it was the same things Aiden went through. Unknown infections, NEC, laser surgery for ROP, low blood pressure, and the list goes on.
When I read today he passed, I had a feeling before I even looked, but it tore me up inside.
So I am asking to please pray for the McConathy family. I know oh so well what it's like to lose a child, and what it's like to fight your way through the NICU. I can not imagine losing 3 with in months..

As I read there blog http://www.babysites.com/sites/mcconathy1
I feel very blessed to have Aiden here with us. With all we went through, and all he fought his way through, in the end he survived and as the obvious situation shows, that doesn't always happen.

I know my son is strong and went through so much, but it could have turned out so differently.
He has changed my life, and I could not picture my world with out him. My only wish right now is that no baby would ever have to go through all these things, and that Aiden's brother Chase was here with us too.. God I miss him so much.

I'm also asking you to pray for the Fox family.. They also had triplets (3 girls) and have lost two (Georgia & Livia) to NEC, what Aiden had twice and almost died from the first time. Right now there doctors are watching Nina for the same thing. They are not positive she has it, but taking every precaution. http://foxmiracles.blogspot.com/

2007-05-20T18:59:00.001-07:00

May 15, 2007

2007-05-15T17:56:00.000-07:00

Not too much to update here.. OT came to evaluate Aiden last Thursday and will come back in 2 weeks. The lady is really good and gave a lot of suggestions to do to help with him learning a bottle or a cup. I think (and so does she) that we may just by pass the bottle all together and go right for the cup. In the mean time we (me and Chuck) have been working with him using his sippy cup and he's doing pretty good for just starting to realize what it is and what he should do with it.

Today was the first day that he picked it up and took a few sips with out pouring too much in his mouth. He does ok when we guide him, but today he did it all by himself. He didn't sputter or cough once. He drooled a little out but hey, he's a drooler now any ways. I'll take it!

Other then that it's just working with him more and more and I know he'll get it. He's taken to it pretty good so far. He's also doing better at standing when being help, and when you say stand up he knows what you mean. He still loves to bounce though. We should of named him Tigger!!

He's also doing better at sitting up on his own. At times he'll get situated and sit perfect for 15 seconds. Then he gets so excited and pushes back and wants to stand that he falls over.
Another thing I remind myself in all due time, he'll get it..

For the most part he is a very happy kid. He has his moments, like yesterday when he is a screaming banchie, but part of that was I thin he has bad gas yesterday and was just not happy.
Although today he is a totally different baby then yesterday, and trust me that is a GREAT thing.

Well the great thing is calling, and it is about time for bed for him, so until next time..

March 7, 2007

2007-05-07T17:45:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy week end, we had the March of Dimes, Walk america on Saturday and then looked at houses for sale on sunday, all in all it was a good week end.

The walk was great. I did the best I could but didn't want to over do it so I was slower then some. Aiden enjoyed the time out in the fresh air and a funny thing happened to us.
As most of you know we started doing the walk in honor of Chase. Well as he is always on my mind he was even more so on Saturday, in my heart all though the walk honors Aiden and all preemies, it helps me do something for Chase who isn't here with us..... Or is he..
I say this cause this year they changed the route we walk and added on another mile. The new route brought us down roads I've never been down before. With Chase on our minds and in my heart, as we walked a sign popped up. It said CHASE Inc.
Now how weird is that?? So me being who I am made everyone who made it, on our team take a pic (one person is missing and we thank you Elisa for taking the pic)
To me this was my sign from Chase saying "don't worry Mommy I am here with you all"
I almost cried but instead smiled. Although I did cry later thinking about it. It just makes me miss him more and more.
So i am posting some pics of the walk, hope all you enjoy..

On another note, all is going great with Aiden. I forgot to mention in my last post that he had his eye appt and in one eye he is a bit near sighted. They are going to watch it and see if it gets better or worse. If it worsens well that just means he'll have to wear glasses when he is a little bigger. Right now it also causes him to have a bit of a cross eye. You don't really notice, or I don't, unless he is super concentrating on something or if he is really really tired. It's actually kinda cute, but I do hope it corrects, cause I don't want to have to beat any kids up later in life for picking on my little man.. ha ha ha (Don't mess with mamma bears cubs!)

He also has OT coming for the first time to evaluate him on Thursday with his PT. She is going to work with him with a sippy cut and possibly a bottle, which at this point I can do with out the bottle, it's less to ween him from later. He now knows what the sippy cup is and what to do with it just from me working with him, but still doesn't get the concept that he has to suck the juice out. He will tip it toward his mouth but gets mad when nothing comes out and if I take the stopper out he pours too much in.. So every day is a new try. But he is learning and that is what counts.

He also stood for me today for about an entire minute, then did it again for about 30 seconds. i was holding him of course, but you have to remember this is the kid who refuses to stand and just wants to bounce and jump every second. So today was a really good day for us, and we got to go to dinner with his Oma and Grampa and family for Oma's birthday..
Happy Birthday Oma, from Aiden and the clan xoxo

Well enjoy the pics and I will post more soon..

April 23, 2007

2007-04-23T10:33:00.000-07:00

Some new pics taken today...

April 21, 2007

2007-04-21T04:07:00.000-07:00

Aiden's pulmonary doctor was amazed at him. He said this kid is doing awesome look at him. (and I am sure daddy was smiling) He told CHuck that he thinks we should talk to early intervention and have them start Aiden with OT as soon as possible. That they will help him learn a sippy cup and or a bottle if we prefer, but that the cup is fine.
They will also work with his other "skills" which is fine with me. The more help and skills the better he'll be off. He also mentioned that he was going to talk to Aiden't pedi to set up something for "head forming" it's a pillow type thing that he'll sleep with. NOT A HELMET (that cost $1500 of 8 weeks) that still blows my mind.. Grrr
Either was it makes me laugh cause to be honest his head is fine. Yes my little one has a bit of a flat spot. BUT he is far from having FHS , and once he actually grows some more hair I don't think you'd even be able to tell. If it thought it was a major deal I'd be the first one to worry.

I use to worry when he was smaller, his head was round but a little off, and then he got a flat spot from being in the NICU and always wanting to sleep facing the same way. Once he came home in Nov. he was more active and i was always moving him and in time it got better. The spot on the side went away and the roundness of his entire head shaped up well.. So now it's the small flat spot in the back and the slight, ever so slight imperfection of complete roundness of his head. But come on, who has a perfect head.. I've seen some messed up melons out there in the world and my kid is far from having one of them. It doesn't have any effect on brain function and even my mom has a big flat spot on the back of her head.. You would never know unless you felt for it, but she is perfectly fine.. So I guess I will keep you posted on this situation..

April 19, 2007

2007-04-19T21:15:00.000-07:00

Well tomorrow is the day of the cerclage, however to not take away from "Aiden's Blog" i made a new one for me. if your interested the address is www.jessicakoren.blogspot.com

As for the little man, well he is doing fabulous. He had early intervention today and she is just amazed at him and how far he has come. He has a pulmonary appointment tomorrow and an eye exam on monday. Other then that, our plan is to re-coop and enjoy the awesome weather we are suppose to have this week end. I am sure there will be plenty of Daddy and Aiden time as mommy is in bed.. But that's ok as long as my babies are safe and my little man is happy.

April, 16, 2007

2007-04-16T16:23:00.000-07:00

Well my cold is just about gone (I think) which is a good thing since the cerclage is scheduled for Friday and I don't want to be sick or I don't think they will do it. I have an appt on Wed for an ultrasound and can't wait. I'm excited for that. Everyone else (Daddy and Aiden) are doing good. No colds for Daddy but Aiden has been a little cranky. It's been on and off, but last night his appetite wasn't so great and he felt a little warm to me. I gave him so tylenol and for his feeding at 9, instead of formula I gave him some pedilyte. Then this morning he seemed 100% better. Eating like a champ again. Chuck said he was i a great mood all day (as was he yesterday) then got cranky about 3 o'clock today. Kinda the same as yesterday too. I've also noticed he isn't taking any long naps. He usually takes 2 half hour naps and then one nap for atleast 2 hours sometimes 3. Lately thought he's only been napping 30 mins here and there. So that could be part of it too. I could tell he was tired at 3 today and he finally went down but only for 30 mins. THen we went for a ride to see Daddy at work and he dozed off on the way home, about 10 seconds from the house. I felt bad cause I knew he'd wake up as soon as we had to get out of the car. AND he did! That was about 5 and he fell back to sleep at 6. It's now 7:30 and he's still out cold. So it will be one of two things. He will either be up by 8 to eat or he'll sleep through the night. He's done it before and then in the morning is FULL of energy.. HA HA
But just like us, I am sure they tire themselves out and just need that one day of tons of sleep.
Sweet Dreams my baby boy.. Sleep well, if anyone knows what it's like to run ragged it would be me. Thursday I was so sick chuck stayed home to take care of Aiden and I actually fell asleep at 6pm and slept til 7:30am...

On to another subject I wanted to let everyone know Team: Chase's Angels is walking again for the walk America on May 5th, 2007. This time we are also walking for Aiden. I wanted to change the name to Chase and Aiden's Angels but didn't know how.
Well if you would like to walk with our team let me know, or you can donate under our team name at www.walkamerica.com/jessicaferris

And to everyone else who is walking.. Good Luck to you!!

I'm now going to go check on my little man so until next time. xoxo

April 11, 2007

2007-04-11T18:32:00.000-07:00

Happy 10 Months Aiden!!!!

And today we weighed in at 19 pounds... Don't ask how long he is cause I have no idea. I couldn't take him to the appt today cause I was working so Daddy took him. Well Daddy doesn't pay attention to those things so he had no idea either, which erked Mommy but what can ya do. I'll just make sure he checks at his next appt next week.

We have also learned to roll some and move all over the place on our back. It is the funniest thing because he almost looks like he is doing the stair stepper, but then gets going and he is off. One second he is right where you put him and the next he is two feet away. He'll be just like me, crawl backwards first. I did exactly the same thing he is doing now.. First moved all over on my back then finally crawled, but not forward.. Backwards.. Hey I was a little off (which I never grew out of) ha ha.

Tomorrow we have EI after a little break again, so we will see what she says when she sees him. I think he has learned so much in the past month and OMG is so wiggly..

April 9, 2007

2007-04-09T18:27:00.000-07:00

Easter was a really good day.. We stated off a little late but everything still went well.
We took Chase his Easter Bunny and easter egg and left it on his stone, said our "we miss and love you's" and then headed to my moms.. Dinner was great and it was a pretty good day for Aiden too.
I took some pictures of him with his Easter bunny (both him and Chase got the same ones).. I think the bunny may be bigger then he is LOL but he was all smiles..

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday..

April 7, 2007

2007-04-07T06:06:00.000-07:00

Well Aiden passed his swallow study on Thursday, and I knew he would, but they had a heck of a time getting him to drink that bottle. He drank off the spoon, he drank from a cup, but every time they put the bottle in his mouth, he's suck like his binki, realize something was coming out of it and want NO part of it. THe girl said he is stubborn and at the age that if he has no interest in something, then he isn't going to do it. SO! it's onward with training with the sippy cup so we can get him to drink enough and have the g-tube out. Since the only reason at this point for the tube is to get him fluids.. UGH!!

He's come so far though, and I look back at pictures and think of everything we have gone through and it still makes my jaw drop. For all we have battled we should be some of the strongest people in the world. Well if that saying what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, is true.

Easter is tomorrow so for all who celebrate it, Happy Bunny Day!, We will be going to Nonny's house (my moms) for dinner and time with the family. I just wish the weather was better. It is finally at the end of RSV season (Aiden gets his last shot next week) and it's so cold out that it makes you just want to stay inside. No kid should have to still wear a winter hat in April.. Grrrr
That's not to say I don't take him out, cause he loves the outside, but I just wish it was warm and sunny, not cold wet and 40 degrees. Enough already Mother Nature, bring on the sun..

I also took some more pictures, so here they are... I now he's cute huh.. LOL
I'm such a proud mommy.. but who wouldn't be.. I still can't believe in 2 months he will be 1. My little man will be a year old. Being such a preemie though he is still smaller the the "normal" 1 yr old, so I get my "little" babu for a little bit longer.. Hey, I don't want him to grow up too fast, and it does happen really fast.. I use to listen to moms say it all the time, and it did seem as kids would grow so quick, but when it's your kid it seems even faster..
And just think, two more coming.. Three in diapers.. WOW will we be BUSY!!! (and poor) LOL

April 3, 2007

2007-04-03T12:06:00.000-07:00

Well we are officially a "big boy" ! Today was our check up with surgery and all went well. We weighed in at 18 pounds 14 ounces... Yes my boy can eat, and the doctors are happy since a lot of preemies are usually really little. Some at a year old, only weigh in at 12 to 15 pounds... Not our kid.. And he is getting taller (finally) He can reach the floor in his jumper with flat feet (before he needed a 2 inch box under him) and that has come about in only a few weeks..
Although I think he will out grow his infant car seat by weight before height. The limit on ours is 22 pounds and although I am unsure of the length, I think he has a ways to go..

Other then this there isn't much new news to post.. He is won't take enough from a bottle to matter so we assume he will have to keep his G-tube for a bit longer in fear that with out it he'd get dehydrated. We will see what the doctors say. All in all he is learning, growing, and just being the best baby ever. Well if you pick him up and bounce him 24-7.. HA HA
I've never seen a baby who likes to bounce as much as Aiden does. He even refuses to stand. He'll automaticly start bouncing as soon as his feet touch anything.. You, the floor, the bed.. ANYTHING!! He cracks me up, but sometimes it gets hard cause your arms can only take so much..

As for me, well I might start my own blog to post updates on how things go with this pregnancy and the twins. I don't want to intrude too much on this one since it's more of "Aiden's Blog" in my eyes. Once I get that situated I'll post the link, but so far so good. I am almost 10 week, I'm currently on meds to keep me from being so queezy and vomiting, which is working, and I'm just taking it one day at a time. Thinking positive and looking forward (with a little fear too) to my next ultrasound on the 18th. Then I go in for the cerglage on the 20th..

Well Aiden is calling, and before he starts "demanding: my attention I will let you all go..
Til next time.. Keep positive thoughts coming.. xox

March 26, 2007

2007-03-26T17:53:00.000-07:00

Pictures Pictures Pictures... See I make good on my promises..

March 22, 2007

2007-03-22T16:12:00.000-07:00

Well we got even more surprising news... I went for my first doctor appointment yesterday and because of my history with having early babies I always get an ultrasound at every visit. So we went in her office sat down and went over anything that has changed since last time, any questions, talked about something to help with this terrible morning sickness and nausua and then off we went into the exam room.. No popcorn but the lights were dim and we had an audience. Aiden and his godmother were with us. It was an internal ultrasound so the doc did her thing and nothing was on the screen.. Then finally the pic popped up and what was the first thing I saw..
TWO BABIES.... OMG there are two... Holy crap... and I'm not sure what else might of squeezed out. Can we say shock.. No one in our family has twins.. What are the odds.. It was just surreal, kind of still is...
SO yes all, we are having twins... They moved our due date a few days so it's now Nov 3rd..
They gave me something for the nausua and puking (thank god) but I think my body knew cause all of a sudden it is feeling better and I have only had to take the medication once so far in two days. I still got queezy but just a little and nothing like the past two weeks and I only tossed my cookies once today.. Yeah I know TMI, but that won't stop ya from reading.. ha ha ha

SO all I can say now is we are taking it one day at a time. I go in the hospital on Arpil 20th to have my cervix stitched up to help me carry longer but the odds are not as high now that there are two babies in there, but it still helps way more then if we do nothing.

Once again we are asking for them prayers.. I see how far Aiden has come and although the NICU stay seems so long ago on some days, all I have to do is read my blog or anothers or hear a story from someone and it ALL comes rushing back..

I am sure if both twins make it and do ok that we will, regardless, be in the NICU for at the very least, a small stay.. Here is hoping and praying that this time it just goes the way it is suppose to go.. I sware god is forever testing me. With the miscarriage, then with Chase, then with Aiden, now with twins.. Just please let that be the last of it and these babies be happy, healthy, strong and stay baking for at least 32 weeks...
I figure I was a 32 weeker and I'm pretty normal.. HA HA (although some would beg to differ..
For those of you requesting pics, there will be some soon... Sorry this past 2 weeks have been NUTS!!

March 19, 2007

2007-03-19T05:33:00.000-07:00

I guess it's been about 3 weeks or so since I've posted and thit time we actually have news to share. We had a rough few days with Aiden being really fussy and ended up taking him to the ER for his belly button hernia. It got "stuck"! After being there from 2AM until 11AM they sent us home telling us it should be fine and that if it got stuck again then we'd have to bring him back and they might have to fix it, but that they thought it would still correct on it's own in time.
Well happy Aiden lasted for about 6 hours and then it was stuck again. It seemed that any time he ate cereal or food, a few hours later he was having trouble with it. So we called the surgon and left a message to call us in the morning and why. He then settled down after we got it "unstuck" and went to sleep. Morning came and no call, so we called again at 8:30, then again at 11, and yup again at 2pm. WE finally got a call back at 2:30 but not by the doc, but by the lady who was taking all our messages. She said since we didn't hear from him that she was going to make us an appt for next week... NEXT WEEK!! Are you kidding, umm NO we need to be seen today! So she said she would call us back again.. and she did, telling us to bring Aiden in to see a different doc, which was fine with me.
We packed up and off we went and the result was they agreed with us. He had to have the hernia fixed. The admitted us to the hospital and Aiden had surgery that night at 7:30.. He did great and now no more belly button knob.. He now has a belly button, which is a bit strange to me still to not see the knob, but I am sure I will get use to it..
We have to g oback in 2 weeks to have the bandage removed and I'll be able to see it for the first time. Aiden himself is doing much better.. He seems happier and not as cranky as he was before (unless he wants to be picked up and held) OMG he is so spoiled some times..

As for "other news" well we are pregnant!! Yup, once again back on that roller coaster ride of fear.. I am excited but at the same time so soooo scared. Scared of what could happen and scared of having two babies. I am just getting use to having one, I have no idea what my world will be like with two.
Well i know it will be crazy, but you know what I mean.
I'm still unsure how this happened though. Yay after 3 pregnancies I know all about the birds and the bees, but when ya sleep in two different beds and two different rooms and work different shift, it's a bit amazing how things happen.
One of us is always with Aiden and one sleeps in our bedroom, so if not for the terrible morning sickness all day long I'd have to wonder if I was just crazy...
I guess I'll confirm my craziness on Wed when we go to the docs for the first time (I'll be 9 weeks then)

Well the little monster is up and "requesting my attention" so I will post again soon..
Take Care!!

February 26, 2007

2007-02-26T15:05:00.000-08:00

It has been a crazy few weeks with Aiden, he seems to be having a growth spurt and a cranky faze. Trust me the kid has every right to be cranky, i just wish someone could tell me for sure if he is teething. That seems to be his problem most times. Its either gas or he has sore gums. I assume he is teething but so far no real word on it. He does have his 9 month check up coming on the 7th when he gets his next RSV shot so we will see what they say.

As for the "bottle" its been crazy. Some days he will take 2 ounces at a time and other days one. Then some times he wants no part of it. The kid has no problem putting toys in his mouth of sucking his binki, eating from a spoon or chewing your shoulder, but when it comes to a bottle he just doesnt want to drink from it long enough to get a full belly.. At this point I dont know what to do and we are just taking it one day at a time. When he drinks from it he doesnt choke or have a problem at all, he even does better with thin liquid now too but he just wont take a full feed. I think the only part that bums me out about this is that he will have to have the gtube longer. Its not a hassle and it makes things easy at times but it gets ikky and sore from rubbing and i am sure that Aiden would like it much better if it were gone.

As for his Early Intervention, he is doing wonderful. He is just a fun talkitive baby and just seems to love people (most of the time) unless he is having one of them "moments"
All in all he is doing great. I am sure he is not ahead of schedule as some of the preemies I know but hes doing really well and that is all that matters to me.

February 15, 2007

2007-02-15T17:48:00.000-08:00

Well Happy Valentine's Day (a day late as usual) to everyone..
We survived the snow and ice storm we got and stayed warm in the house. Aiden had Early Intervention today and was in a much better mood then he was last week. He still is going through spats of major crankiness but we deal.

He's getting really good at paying attention to peoples faces when there talking. He listens and concentrates on there expressions and lips moving. He's going good with his exercises and grabbing too. His EI therapist said he is doing really really well and that it's amazing how hard he tries. I told her he is a fighter. From day one he has always tried so hard to accomplish so much and look at him now.

As for mommy and daddy well we are ok. I think we need so quality time together perhaps but we manage. I guess sometimes you feel a little disconnected from each other with everything that is going on. Or I know I do. With being back to work, and trying to keep the house orginized, which seems like a forever failing battle, and keeping up with the rest of life, always falling on completely different schedules and never getting really good sleep anymore takes a toll on you.. I think we both need time to spend with friends and time to spend together without a screaming baby. Don't get me wrong I love my little man more then ANYTHING in this world but you just need quiet and a break sometimes ya know.. It seems like I don't get that very often. Not to sound bitchy but I think the men have it so much easier.. They may not see it like that but if we wrote it down on paper my list I'm sure would be much longer then most guys. I am pleased I do have a guy who does bother though cause some guys don't even do that.

Well we took some new pics, then again I am always taking pics.. And they came out so cute.. One of the Aiden has this face and it cracks me up. I tried to cover his G-tube in them all but this one he moved the paper heart so momma got creative and airbrushed it.. LOL

February 12, 2007

2007-02-12T22:07:00.000-08:00

A day late but Happy 8 Months Aiden!!!

Well it's official, he is 16 pounds now.. Not so bad of a weight gain in a months time (14 ounces)
If you remember he was gaining a pound a week on the high calorie formula, so 3 1/2 ounces a week isn't half bad at all..
There isn't much new news besides the fact he has been REALLY cranky lately. Since Thursday he has not been the happy go lucky Aiden. Thursday, Friday Saturday and even part of Sunday he was very cranky, over tired at times, fussy and crying so much I though some one was trying to hurt him. I felt so bad. Part of the problem is I think his gums are hurting. He is chewing on everything he can, his hands our shirts, toys, fingers, and drooling up a storm. Then he was a bit constipated so it seemed, and wasn't poopin nearly as much as he usually does. A dose of prunes, apples, pears, and corn within two days did the trick to get him to go easier, but it was tough seeing him so upset and know there wasn't really anything i could do but baby him. And believe me, I do, Chuck did, my mom did! It has been a exhausting few days.
He's getting back to normal, that happy giggling smiling baby, but still has fits of tears and cries. I also think he is very colic. He's burping a lot but you can tell it's bothering him too. So I went out and got him the gas drops and they seem to help a bit. We'll see how it goes, that's all we can do.

February 5, 2007

2007-02-05T18:45:00.000-08:00

Aiden is doing so well, it is still amazing to see him grow. It's happening too fast!
He is learning new things every day.

He is still not doing 100% with the bottle but some days are better then others. I take into consideration that he has had 7 months of not eating from a bottle so it's going to take him a bit to get use to it. When he does take one most times he dose great. We give him 2 ounces at a time so that way we are not wasting the formula since we have to get it by perscription. Most of the time through out the day we feed him PO ( by mouth) on demand. He takes what he takes and then also gets his cereal and baby food through out the day and night. So come mid night he is feed through the gtube while he sleeps. If he didn't eat much through out the day then we can give him extra at night, If he eat plenty then we just give him the normal dose. Although he isn't always taking a lot from a bottle, he does awesome eating from a spoon, so the kid is far from starving.. ha ha

We had an appt with the Neurologist last week and he said Aiden is right on target for 4 months which is his corrected age so that is fine. The two thinks they wanted to watch are the tightness he has in his legs and arms, which can be helped with stretching exercise, it's a common issue with preemies who have had brain bleeds that damaged the white matter of there brains. Also he has a tremor when he gets excited, and that is also very common with preemies. Both he can grow out of, but they will keep and eye on it anyways to see how it goes. All in all, the doc said he looks great and is doing fab ! It was a doc appt full of good news.

We see the pedi Wed for shots (RSV) so we will have an updated weight. I am guessing about 16 pounds maybe 16 and a half. Considering we cut his calories from 30 cals an ounce to 20 and his feeding schedule now that he is bottling isn't always 3 1/2 ounces every 4 hrs, not to mention the cereal and baby food he gets, he shouldn't be gaining as fast as he was before. AND by looking at him, he looks longer and a bit thinned out. Well not the cheeks.. LOL there still chubby as heck, but I love them that way..

We also got him a jumper, that he LOVESSSSSS!! I let him play in it about 10 mins once or twice a day.. I don't keep him in it for long periods until he builds more leg strength because I've learned that it's not good for there hips until they get more muscles..

He also has Early Intervention come every Thursday. His PT/OT lady is awesome. She has a 3 yr old so she knows how to play with babies and she jsut has a wonderful personality. I think she is going to fit in perfect. So considering she will be working with Aiden for 18 month at least, I'm glad we get along and Aiden does well with her.

As for me, well I made it through my first week of work. It's hard leaving in the morning, and I'd much rather be home, but on the flip side it's good to be away for a few hours a day. I can just about handle the 4 to 5 hrs a day I work, but if I had to do a 8 to 10 hour day I'd go out of my mind.

Chuck seems to be doing ok too, for his first week of Daddy duty with out Mommy. He's not quite the multi tasker while watching Aiden but I'd much rather Aiden be taken care of then the house clean. Well for now anyways... ha ha
If we can do dishes and laundry and vacuum while taking care of the baby, and the grocery shop and make dinner, I think the boys can at least do dishes and toss a load of laundry in right..

One day at a time and I'm sure we will all get a schedule done packed. Well I hope so.

The newest news is every one around me is getting prego. NOT ME! Don't worry, but I think there is something in the water, so be careful what you drink.. Chuck told me I'm not allowed to drink the water. I don't think he could handle two little ones right now. It's ok though, with 4 friends all due in May and 2 in Sept I am sure I will have plenty of babies around for Aiden to play with. And maybe next year we can work on that little sister for him..

January 28, 2007

2007-01-28T20:08:00.000-08:00

Aiden is over his little bug and doing better. He had a few days he was very cranky and then one night he threw up a few times and had the poopies. Well he hasn't thrown up since then and isn't as cranky but still seems to be a bit poopie.. And let just say my son has the talent to clear a room..

He is doing so well though. He is now laughing more and grabbing at things. He'll lay in his bed and just giggle and talk out loud. I sit and listen and just smile and laugh with him.

He has also learned that he likes to stand. So when your holding him, no matter if your sitting or standing, he wants to be held up so he can stand. With that said, I went out and got him a jumper last night. I put it together this morning and stuck him in it. His feet can't reach the floor yet so I put a bin under his feel and he was going to town. Bopping up and down and moving all over. It was so funny to see him grow so much.
This is why I am dreading tomorrow morning. It will be my first day back to work and away from Aiden for part of the day. I'm going to miss him so much. I know it's good to "get away" but it's tuff when you have been there every day, all day, or as much as you can for the past 7 plus months. I am happy though that he will be able to have daddy time and will be with chuck while I am at work. It's still going to be a very weird morning tomorrow, considering it still has not sunk in that I have to actually go to work in the morning. Lets just hope my sleeping baby sleeps the night or it's going to be a really tough day.

Well not only did Aiden get a new jumper chair but he got a new bath chair too. Can you believe he is getting too long for his baby tub already. We went so long with him staying at a length of 21 inches and now at 22 1/2 plus, he's just about too big for his tubby. So it is off to the big boy tub with a new net chair. And since he loves the tub and water, being in the "big" tub means more water and more room to splish and splash.. and boy doe she.. HE LOVES IT

January 18, 2007

2007-01-18T08:44:00.000-08:00

Well blogger was not working right for me to post yesterday so for anyone waiting to hear the news I'm sorry about that.

As I assumed Aiden would pass the study, he did just that for thick liquids. He did however have have trouble with thin. He didn't asperate it into his lungs which was good, but it went all over. I was up his nose, in his mouth, down his throat. He got flustered and irritated. So this means he can have a bottle but we have tothicken the formula with either thick-it or rice cereal. As for thin liquids, well we have to go back in about 3 months and have another study done.
WE also go back to GI in 3 months too. Aiden is currently off all meds besides prilosec, and doing really well. His weight was 14 pounds 14 ounces and he is now...(drum roll please) 22 1/2 inches, which means he grew an inch and a half in the past month.. Yipppeeeeee

We asked the swallow team to book the study BEFORE we see GI so if he passes we can then make plans to not change out Aiden's G-tube to a "mickey" but to make plans to get it out all together. By the way a "mickey" is a tube that is flatter to the skin and not as bulky as the peg tube he has. It's wat kids get when they are gooing to have them longer then 6 months. Since our swallow will be at the 6 month mark, I want it before at least a week before we go to the GI appointment so that way we can have a little time to see how he does with the thin liquid.

My hopes are that once I can find a nipple he can actually get the formulat and cereal out of, he will then take his feeds by bottle with no problems and we won't even have to worry about the tube at all... Please all keep your fingers crossed and Aiden in those daily prayers.

As for other news, well I go back to work on the 29th, which is bitter sweet. It will be nice to be around people and get out of the house, but it is already killing me knowing I can't take Aiden with me. In some ways it's a break from the daily grind of being a stay at home mom which is a lot of work, but it's a break that I'm not so sure I want now. I'm afraid I'm going to miss all the little things he does while I am at work. On the flip side, we need the money and have finally gotten to the bottom of the barrel of anything I have managed for us to save up. Thank god for Chuck working or we would never make it, so I know for a time I have to go back, but it's killing me inside.

I'm posting new pics taken just a few minutes ago of baby Hef.. LOL in his Hugh Heffner robe.. HA HA (thank you auntie shelly for the robe and slippers... all I need now is my pipe..

January 16, 2007

2007-01-16T21:58:00.000-08:00

Well tomorrow is the big swallow study day. I truly think Aiden is going to ace this with no issues at all. He is eating from a spoon like a champ so I really can't see taking a bottle being a problem.
He's gotten so big so fast, I look at him and wonder if that is my little 1 pound 6 1/2 ounce baby.

He's now standing better with help and kicking up a storm when he's excited. He's also bringing his hands together and ALWAYS playing with his fingers, which is something Early Intervention wanted him to have as a goal.

He giggles on occasion when I play with him and laugh with him but he is smiling all the time now. He is a really happy baby for the most part, but he has his moments that cause me to want to pull my hair out.. We are still not sure if he is teething but it is a possibility. He likes his gums rubbed at times and seems to be drooling more then he use too.

WE have also discovered stage 2 veggies and fruits. There is a bigger variety and he seems tolove everything we have tried besides the green beans, but I'm not a green bean girl either so maybe he just takes after his mommy.

Well it's late and I have things to get ready for the morning so I will post tomorrow and let you all know how the swallow study went.. Keep them fingers crossed...

January 11, 2007

2007-01-11T13:39:00.000-08:00

Happy 7 Months to my Chunky Monkey!!
Who by the way is doing wonderful. Now that we no longer have the visiting nurse coming we will have to wait for his doctor appointments to find out his weight. His last appt he weighed in at 15 pounds 2 ounces BUT she weighed him with his clothes on and a full pee pee diaper. I was hoping she'd weigh him after I changed him but she didn't. His real weight was no were near 15 pounds considering he was just 13 lbs 12 1/2 ounces 5 days earlier and has had his calories cut down.
We'll see what they get for a weight on the 17th, but I have to say he does feel so much heavier then he use to a few months ago. Now you NEED a little muscle to pick him up. HA HA
He's doing fabulous eating from a spoon and we have now moved to stage 2 foods so he has more of a variety, although I realized today we still have not tried peas or green beans.. I guess we will have those for dinner and see if he likes them.
The 17th is the swallow study and I assume as does everyone else at this point he will have no problems. If he can eat from a spoon he should be ale to drink from a bottle. I also think a bottle will be better. With the G-tube he is not learning nothing. He now knows when he is hungry he cries and then he gets fed. He knows what to do as fas as taking it off the spoon and swallowing it and knows to keep his mouth shut when he doesn't want any more. With the g-tube however it just goes into his belly and it seems that even when he has had the entire does he still wants a bit of something before he will settle and know he is full. It's not that the formula isn't filling him up, it's more like he needs that oral sensation of something in his mouth and to swallow for something to click and say "ok I'm good I'm full".. Does that make sense cause it's the best I can explain it.
As for learning, well EI will be coming 2 times a month starting in a few weeks or so. He's done better with standing up now when being held, before he'd just sit, he didn't want to stand at all. He's done better with recognizing toys and swatting at them to make them move. He has a really good grip, which he has always had, and is now starting to put his hands to his mouth more. Even once today he held his binki and fixed it when it was falling out.

Another awesome moment was I got him to laugh out loud for the first time the other day. i was so happy I cried. He probably thought I was nuts but it was the best moment. last night he made me laugh too cause he was taking a tubby and i sware when he is in there he thinks he is an olympic swimmer. The kid is all over the place, splashing and kicking and just loving it. He actually cries when i take him out cause he wants to stay in longer..

He is truly awesome and amazing and very attached to his mommy and daddy. It's funny to see him somedays want me and only me and other days want daddy time. He loves people and doesn't seem scared of new faces yet but I am sure that will come later.. Speak of the devil, he just woke up from his 30 m in nap so I will catch you all later (with some pictures too)

Ok I came back on to post a few pictures one from Aug 7 and a one from today Jan 11. In both Aiden has his little teddy bear. You can finally see just how much he has grow with the bear in both pictures..

January 5, 2007

2007-01-05T06:52:00.000-08:00

It's a new year and so far it's started of great.
Aiden is off his oxygen 24 hrs a day now, (he has been since Christmas) and we called the pulmonary doc to let him know. He was pleased Aiden is doing so well. WIth that said, his visiting nurse called the pedi also to update him and to get the ok to discharge us. No more visits from English Joan. We will miss her, but promise to keep in touch and send pics.
It is amazing all the friends we have made along the way. All ove the US and even our great friends Jen and Ronin in Canada (who we promise to visit some day after the new baby) her new baby not mine lol.
We have also cut Aiden's calories down. We were playing with his feedign schedule too and pushing it to every 5 hrs rather then every 4, but to be honest, every 5 is just a pain in the butt. It's not consistant like 8, 12, and 4 is, so I went back to every 4 hours. The calories are still cut from 660 (formula calories) per day to 500. This whould help in the rapid weight gain he was having. It was my only concern when we talked to the pulmonary doctor. He said to try and keep it every 5 hrs, cut that amount he was getting and lower the calories. Some of which I already did on my own.
We are now adjusting and re-adjusting, but currently at 1oo ml's of formula per feed every 4 hrs at 25 calories and ounce. He was gettin 110 ml's every 4 hrs at 30 cal an oz. So this should help.
This doesn't count the cereal and fruits and veggies he was getting and still is.
The nurse did say what ever I was doing on my own for the last week and a half was working. Aiden was gaining almost a pound a week (and tha tis way too much) and once I changed things up on my own, he only gained 1.5 ounces in 5 days.. That is exceptable and not going to put him in shock of gaining too fast or having a weight loss. He is still gaining weight, and it being good weight, not fluid, but at a normal rate.
Speaking of fluid, he has also only had lasix once in about 2 weeks. How amazing is that.. YAY
His actigal he should be off completely at the next GI appt on the 17th too.. Then the only thing he takes is prilosec for the reflux and iron.

Early Intervention came and worked with him and there evaluation was that on some things he is at a 5 month old level and other things a 1 month old. That he should catch up just like most preemies do, but it will be on his schedule. They also said that since they worked with him after waking him up and while he was a bit fussy, it's hard to evaluate him on what he does for us and wouldn't do for them at the moment. Which I knew and that is fine. I knew he was behind on some things and ok with others, but I also know he'll learn and grow and be just fine in the end.

All in all, it's been pretty good. He is now almost 14 pounds. His last actual weight was 13 lbs 14 oz. He is a chunky monkey, but MY chunky monkey.

December 30, 2006

2006-12-30T05:27:00.000-08:00

It's been a nice week.. We had a wonderful Christmas and santa was very good to us all. We got thebest present ever. To have Aiden home with us..

Aiden is getting huge, he is now 13 pounds 12 .5 ounces. Now weare just waiting for another growth spurt to gain some inches so he can grow tall like his daddy.
We celebrated Nonny's birthday yesterday (my mom) and spent time with her and my god mother who is visiting from Georgia, which was nice. The other day we visited our friend Beau from the NICU. He's getting big too, but Aiden now has a pound on him. It use to be the other way around so it's kinda funny to me. In the end it will all come out in the wash I am sure. To see them together is just amazing though. To know how tiny they were and how good they are doing now.

Aiden has also come off his oxygen. Technically we are suppose to still be on the ween, and up to about 6 hrs a day off and on while he is sleeping. However for the life of me I can't keep it on his face. Tape doesn't work anymore cause he just pulls it off. I can put mittens on him, but he learns to wiggle them off to so he can then pull the tube off his face. If he decides to let it be, then he just wiggles and wiggles until the oxygen canula is above his nose and not in it. So at this point, since I've monitored his sats and he has always been 97 to 100% (usually 100%) even while sleeping, I just let him be. Even his nurse said he looks great and sounds fine.

I'll probably get hell from some people who read this thinking what is she doing, but honestly, Aidenw asn't on the oxygen for trouble breathing. It was a precaution so he didn't get pulmonary hypotension, which he doesn't have.
He truly is doing great and all in all been off the better part of the time since christmas.

We are also still working with our fruit and veggies and cereal. It's helping so much. He does wonderful with a spoon and eating and it help tie him over til the next feeding since formula just isn't cutting it anymore. YES this is another thing I have not gotten the green light for yet. BUT as some people say, no one knows my baby like me and it's true. The doctors know some stuff but they are not with him 24 hrs a day like I am. They don't see what I see.
If he had a problem trying to eat, or swollow and breathing, then obviously I wouldn't give it to him. BUT he doesn't.. He eats like a normal new born does, swollows then takes a breath, just like we would. I am assuming that on the 17th (his next swollow study) he is going to ACE it.. Since he basiclly passed the last one, but they wanted to wait for his cold to clear before they gave the green light and chose to give it 6 weeks and do another study, I think he is going to sail through and laugh at them. He's just come so so far and accomplished so so much. I still look at him and cry because I am so proud and just love this little man so much. He truly is awesome, and wonderful and my world is a better place for having him in it.

Here are the pics from the other day when we visited Beau. They both fell asleep near the xmas tree. It was the cutest thing..

And to everyone who follows us, Have a wonderful safe and happy new year!! Can you believe it is going to be 2007 already.

December 23, 2006

2006-12-23T20:03:00.000-08:00

IT's been a while since I've posted, and so far all is well. Aiden is getting huge and doing really well on the oxygen ween. He is actually off it more hours then he is "allowed" but I have emailed the doctor to tell him this and so far it's been ok. I would keep the oxygen on him if he didn't pull it off his face all the time. At this point it is just pointless. It's not helping him any considering he sats at 99 to 100% when ever checked, and seems to breath exactly the same with it on or off.
He is gaining weight like a champ and is now 13 lbs 1.5 oz.. I don't know what happened to our little peanut but he is now not so little. It seemed to happen with in just a few days. He went for 8 pounds to 13.. YIKES and he is growing and growing..

Well I hope everyone has a Happy and Wonderful Holiday.. Best wishes from our family to yours..

December 15, 2006

2006-12-15T22:07:00.000-08:00

Well good news Aiden passed his hearing test. When we got there they did an initial test that measures the movement of the ear drum and for both ears she was getting a flat reading, or no movement. She said that usually means the child has fluid behind the ear drum and to make sure I mention it to our pediatrician.
Then it was the regular test. The night before we had to keep him up late and wake him up early (if possible) and then hold his 8am feed so he'd be hungry when we got there.
We did our best to keep him tired and he was definetly hungry (the poor kid, his app't was at 10:30 so the last time he ate was 4AM) After they did the ear drum test, we hooked up Aiden's feed and they put us in a sound proof room and dimmed the lights. We had to try to get him to sleep, which I thought was going to be hard after they scrubed his head and spots to stick the probe stickers on, which kept coming off. Eventually he fell asleep and actually for the most part stayed sleeping for the entire hour. They checked the left ear and told us his hearing was in the normal range so that was good and we moved on to the right. Then she camein at the end and told us he passed, that both ears have hearing in the normal range and she was surprised considering he has fluid in his ears.
So all that stress in the NICU thinking he might be deaf cause he failed both hearing tests then. i am so so glad that he has passed. One less worry and one more thing this child has seemed to come through with flying colors. He still amazes me..

He is doing well and gaining weight like a champ. I picked him up today and I sware he is 5 pounds heavier then yesterday. He's getting big and now wants to eat more often then every 4 hours so I have increased the amount he gets every 4 to see if this helps rather then changing to every 3 hour feedings. So far so good, and we see the nutritionist next week so I am sure some adjustments have been made. It does seem like formula is not holding him over as long though. I can't wait til they tell me I can feed him cereal. Which to be honest we have tried a spoon or two. We have also tried a spoon or two of peaches and today bananas. HE LOVES IT!!!
I just won't give him enough to really consider a meal, it's more like a taste and so far it's only been once for each. I'm just waiting for the green light from the swollow study people, who said that he would probably do great on cereal. At the next test they are actually going to spoon feed him too. I k now maybe I am foolish for even letting him taste test things like that, but if he failed the last test I wouldn't even think about it, but considering he passed it, I figured just a little taste would be nice. You should see the smile I got after. It was enough to melt your heart.

December 13, 2006

2006-12-13T14:59:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to Daddy! aka Chuck.. Can you believe he is 30 today haaaaa and now the world knows.. For his it's no big deal, When I turned 30 I cried, Go Figure...
Well Mr Aiden gets a Happy 6 months, he turned 6 months old on the 11th and as of today weighs 12 pounds. He is a 12 pound turkey, tee hee..

We had a pulmonary check up today and have begun to ween his oxygen which I am sure he is going to do fine with considering he is active now more then before so that darn thing is forever popping out of his nose. If it's not popping out he pulls it off his face, so he probably only has oxygen half the time he should. I can't keep up and trust me I try.

We also saw the GI doc and didn't I feel like a goof when the only problem was the spin bar on his tube needed to be tightened. I wish someone showed me that a month ago. 6 hours in the ER and a doctors app't to find this out. Now that I think of it, why didn't the ER just tell me that, there solution was use tape.. UGH!!!

All in all, Mr.Man is doing fab. He's gettin bigger, moving more, and interacting with people. He's come to like his little swing more then the big one and has learned that he likes to watch TV which is really funny. He will lay on the bed with me and turn toward the TV to watch what ever is on. He is so funny at times and so amazing..

We have our hearing test on Friday so I will keep you all posted on how that goes. We are now off to make Daddy a birthday card. (Well Mommy is, if Mr Man will let me be for long enough ha ha)

December 10, 2006

2006-12-10T22:32:00.000-08:00

Always something huh..
Well we spent about 6 hrs in the ER once again.. This time it was because I hooked up Aiden's midnight feed and went to change him and well his g-tube was out about an inch or more then it has ever been. Yeah it was a bit scary. I stopped his feed (he'd only got 8 mins worth) and off we went to the ER. It took forever, try this try that, then they decided to send him to get a g-tube study. It was off to xray and they put in some contrast to make sure it was going into his tummy. Sounds simple huh. Well this took 6 hours.. YES 6! For them to finally decide what to do and not send us home still questioning if it was disconnected. Which then meant that Aiden missed his midnight feed and his 4AM feed and was NOT happy. We finally got to go home and Aiden got to eat. The doc said to keep the little bas that spins on the outside of his belly taped down, but considering that it is suppose to move and be turned everyday, taping it makes no sence to me. So I will be calling GI tomorrow to see if they can get us in and take a look. I know it's not leaking, or well I've been told, and he has been tolerating his food fine, so that is good. I just want to make sure that it's not the tape keeping it in place so when I go and take it off the damn thing comes out. Or if I give him a bath, cause that would really scare me.

I finally can't wait for the tube and the oxygen to be gone. Parents that don't have there kids hooked up to 1000 things have no idea how lucky they are. Iknow the g-tube is easy to use and oxygen isn't a big issue. But when your out and have a baby and need to feed him and carry his oxygen around and the feeding bag. Making sure the bag doesn't tip so air doesn't get in his belly. Trying to chang his diaper when there are lines every where. And then getting the oxygen perfect on his face and he pulls it off. Not to mention that the tape at this point is giving him dry chapped cheeks. For his sake and ours I can't wait until he can drink from a bottle, eat off a spoon and not have to carry a tank around. Considering it it off his nose more then it is on from him moving and pulling, I am pretty sure he will be fine with out it.

On a holiday not I took some pics of Aiden today at my moms in front of the tree for xmas BUT since I am putting them in cards I can't post them yet.. Sorry all.. You will have to wait. I do however have pics from yesterday of him in his car seat all ready for some football.. Well once he wakes up that is LOL.. Enjoy!!

December 7, 2006

2006-12-07T14:12:00.000-08:00

So our little boy gained some more weight, or it could be that it was just a different scale at a different doctors office, but he was 11 lbs 7 oz and 21 inches. I might of already said this before, but it's hard to imagine that some people have newborn babies this big.. OMG Noooooo!! OUCH!
As you know we saw the pedi, Aiden got his 6 month shots and his RSV shot and the doc said he had a bit of brocholitis. He ended up getting a bit of a fever that night and was a bit fussy then slept a lot once I gave him some tylenol and the next day was a bit better.
Today on the other hand he sounds better but still a bit junky. He's sleeping a lot today but that may have something to do with his staying awake til 5AM. Once again we will be trying to flip his awake and sleep time. It seems like every time I get him close to a schedule of awake during the day and asleep at night, he decides he is going to change it up on me and stay up later so he will be tired and sleep all day. I've tried to wake him up about 10 times already but no luck. It last about 10 to 15 minutes and he is out again. If I try to wake him too much he crys cause I am aggrivating him and I just feel bad..
Yeah I know he already has me wrapped around his little finger..
Oh and I was semi right about the GI doc. They cut his Actigall in half until they get the labs drawn next week and then they will cut it altogether at the next appt in January or they will adjust it again. Most likely they will cut it..
I'll keep you all posted on how the "little" guy continues to do... Until then hav a good one..

December 6, 2006

2006-12-05T07:09:00.000-08:00

Only 19 days until Christmas people... WOW I need to get a tree.. ha ha
Soo on to better things.. Aiden had his swollow study yesterday and technically passed thick liquid. They did not try him on thin. He didn't asperate any of the liquid into his lungs but towards the end pooled it near the opening of his wind pipe, but then directed it toward his belly like a big boy. They were very pleased with this and so was I.. No choking, couching, nothing, just down the shoot it went and right to the belly. However they chose to keep him off bottles until he doesn't have the "pooling" issue. So we will have another test in a few weeks and they will then also try him with a spoon for cereal and fruits.
I think some of it may have had to do with him just getting tired too because (and they agreed) he didn't pool until the very end and he also has a cold so he was pooped out a bit. Either way, what is a few more weeks... We did 150 days in the hospital, I can handle another 30 with no bottles and stand on my head at this rate.
...and YES you heard me he has a cold. All the keeping him in, making sure people stay away, washing hands, no kids around rules didn't stop it from coming. It's not a bad one so I am sur ethe "rules" helped out, and who knows part of it may have to do with one day it being 60 out and the next being 30. back and forth to doctor appt's causes us to be aorund sick people and kids so I am not surprised by the least. It started with the snuffly sound in his noise, which he has always had cause it's a common thing with preemies. Now it just soundsed more junky. I kept his nose clean, and lets say he just loves me for that. (He see's the boogha bulb and runs for the hills.) and we kept him cosy and warm and in doors as much as possible but on nce days did bring him out for a bit of sun and air which he LOVES.
He started to sound like he was getting a sore throut too but part of that I think has to do with theis damn reflux. Some days he is fine and other days he can throw up every other feed. That has got to do a job on your throut and I'm sure it's sore, but a little baby tylenol seems to help him no cry when he coughs.

We see the pedi today for his 6 month shots and his RSV vaccine so we will discuss the issue with him too. We did talk to the pulmonary doctors they gave him a dose of lasix yesterday to help him with the wetness and breathing (that seemed to work great) and told us that colds in babies, full term or preemies, seem to last 10 days so to hang in there and if we have any problems to let them know. To also talk to the pedi about it, which as I said I planned to do anyways.

He is now off his diuril and pottassium all together and his lasix has been cut from every other day to twice a week. We see GI tomorrow and I am thinking they will take him off his actigall too because he no longer is jaundice and seems fine, we will see what they say.

Now for meds all we have is Iron in the morning, Prilosec in the morning and at night, and Actigall in the morning and at night but like I said that may be done with as soon as tomorrow. Then his lasix twice a week.. Ahhhh so much better for his little tummy I am sure, cause who wants a belly full of meds every day.. YUK..

Well the monster (who's last weight was 11 pounds 3 ounces on Friday) is waking up again, so I am going to go tnd to my baby boy and as usual I will update you all again soon..

November 30, 2006

2006-11-30T08:44:00.000-08:00

Well can you believe that it is just about December.. It is almost 2007 people, where did the year go?? Well I know where we were yesterday... Mommy (me) took Aiden to his doctor appointments. We had an appointment with pulmonary and GI, we however only made it to pulmonary. It ran late and made us miss the GI appointment so we rescheduled it for next week.
As for the pulmonary doc, well they cut Aiden's diuril to half and his potassium to half. Then tomorrow I have to call in and let them know how he is doing with that, if he is doing fine then starting Friday he is off them all together. They also cut his lasix from every other day to twice a week. We have to go back in two weeks and if all is well we will then start to ween him off the oxygen too. We'll start with a few hours a day then go to all day and he'll be on it just at night, then we will go to being off it all together. YAY.. One less thing to tape to him and drag around.
I think he will do just fine with out it. He takes it out of his nose so much now and is on such a little amount that half the time it's like he isn't on it any way. Another change was his zantac. They took him off it and put him on prilosec. He will start that today and hopefully the reflux will let up and he can eat better with out gaging and couching at times from it..

He's getting so big so fast. I pick him up now and he feels heavy, how funny is that. I love having him little but at the same time can't wait for him to grow up to see what he will look like and how he'll interact with us more. I also can't wait for him to slepe through the night. I have to say out of it all. The NICU stay, the meds, the g-tube, the lack of sleep is the hardest part. Last night Chuck stayed up with him cause I had just baout had it. I was over tired and grouchy again and for the life of me can't understand where this baby gets the energy to be up all night. I thought crying was suppose to make them tired and burn energy.. Haaaaaa
Not that I let him cry it out that often but for the love of god when this kid wants to sleep he sleeps and when he wants to be up he is UP.. The other problem we are having is he wants to be held for comfort all the time. I know in my head that it's a bad habit, but he'll just cry and cry and cry the second he is not with you. If he is tired he'll fall asleep in your arms too and you can hold him for 10 minutes or an hour it doesn't matter, he'll stay asleep until youput him down and he is WIDE awake and fussy.. So if any of you want to volenteer for the night shift come on over. I am sure me and chuck could use a few nights of normal sleep ha ha..
It makes me wonder, although I want more kids, I dunno about that.. I knew having kids was hard. I've helped friends, I did day care, but having your own at 3am when your tired and need sleep and have no one to help you is really tuff. So all of you out there who have help, make sure you thnk those people when ever you can. For all the ones who don't, well god bless you..