Spring Fever

Having a baby who is medically fragile AND a preemie is a doubble whammy...adding a trach to that makes the months of September through April seem like they will never end. The common cold can quickly turn in to RSV in a "fragile" child. RSV is what we have been avoiding since September by staying inside, not going anywhere but the doctor's office, and even limiting the number of visitors to our home. We have been to church a few times, but I dont need 2 hands to count how many times we have left our home since September. Luckly it WORKS. Becoming a "hermit" and avoiding public places has kept Jackson healthy! A few weeks ago he got his FIRST cold at 17 months old, and it was gone before we knew it! Unfortunately he gave it to me and it is still lingering.

We had a check up with a Developmental Pediatriction on Monday. We have only seen this Doctor one other time and that was 9 months ago. She said that Jackson is making progress, a bit on the slow side with muscle tone, but it is still progress. She said that his social skills are right on track, and  he has great "fine motor" control (playing with toys in hands, holding his feet, waving bye-bye, etc.) We are working on "gross motor" control (sitting, bearing weight on his legs & arms, etc.) which seems to be the part that is lagging behind. It's not abnormal for preemies this early to have delays, and she wants to give him until the age of 3 before we start talking about a Cereberal Palsey diagnosis.  He is not the "typical" 25 week preemie, and has every right to take his grand ol' time.

Jackson has been doing great with his weight gain weighing in at 23 pounds (a little too good) and has officially been switched to a BIG BOY formula! He seems to be tolerating it very well, and it even tastes good too (although he doesn't taste it when we feed him via G-tube). The biggest perk being we don't have to mix formula any more, or carry around ice packs trying to keep formula cold. He was put on a bit of a diet after gaining 7 pounds in 3 months, and extra weight is just going to make it harder for him to learn how to use his muscles!

Waiting for the doctor...this smile didn't last long!

We got a dose of warm weather and enjoyed 4 days in a row outside! Unfortunately mother nature has a mind of her own, and it's now 36 degreese outside and we are back to playing in the house. Spring will come soon enough and we will be on a roll! We have LOTS of outdoor time to make up for!