08/07/2007

I wonder how many of you out there are awaiting updates now that we are home. It's been one week today since we left the NICU and started our new journey. It has been the longest/shortest week of my entire life. I like to read blogs. I started perusing them when Emery was born because I wanted to find a baby out there like Emery who survived. I never did find another baby like Emery. I don't think there will ever be an exact same case, but what I did find were several micopreemie moms who blogged about their babies, and all of their babies have some sort of special needs whether it be feeding tubes, reflux, lung issues, cerebral palsy, sensory issues, or brain bleeds - you name it. It doesn't mean that all preemies have these issues. I just found a bunch of blogging moms with surviving babies with special needs and their journeys and I fell in love with all of the kids. Turns out, I'm part of a small group of people, a 'club' so to speak who understand micropreemie parenting. That being said, though all of our children are different, you can bank on the fact that we have ONE thing in common - growth! We want our babies to grow and the darn babies mystify us when it comes to it. I thought I had escaped this issue because tank has grown so well, surpisingly well for an IUGR baby, and Erik and I both swear he's gained at least a pound since he's been home, but it's not the case. When we left the hospital he weighed 13 pounds 10 ounces. When I went to the doctor 2 days later he weighed 13 pounds 14 ounces. Now, he's 13 pounds 12 ounces as of last night. It's not that big of a deal, I know, but I had asked Dr. A if his weight gain was supposed to be tapering off yet, and he didn't think so. He's obviously getting enough oxygen. I'm not even using the continuous oximeter all night. The few times I've used it he's been satting 97% to 100% and never dropping, and even in his VABS episodes he still keeps his sats up, so I know he's getting enough oxygen. I know he's eating enough, too, becuase he gets continuous feeds throughout the night and I swear I'm filling him to the rim! We'll see what next week's doctor's appointment yields. They are not worrying about it and said they will be changing his feeds regularly to keep him growing (one of the joys of G tubes - kids gotta eat, they have no choice). Wish us luck for a contininuing growing baby. In other news, Emery had a VABS episode while the nurse was here last night, and she's convinced he's going to be popping a tooth any day. He still hasn't rolled completely over without my help, but he gets himself to his sides without any help from Erik and me. The physical therapist also told us to put him on his belly in his boppy pillow to work his legs and arms, and when I did it yesterday he pushed himself out of it and smashed his face on the mat so I had to take him out. I had wanted to start an actual blog about Emery complete with videos, but I just don't seem to have the time yet. I also tried to download videos of him onto the computer the other night, and it took over an hour for a 30-minute disk, which I have yet to find on the compueter. Don't worry. Eventually I will have videos for everyone. He might be 12 and have to teach me how to do it, but by golly it WILL happen!