DIAGNOSED

Dalton was diagnosed with Diplegic Spastic Cerebral Palsy on Sept. 17th. Despite the news, he still amazes me at how capable he is. He can pull up to a standing position, and he tip toes around the couch without me helping. He doesn't mind the braces for short periods of time, but he is not exactly crazy about them. He has the funniest laugh, and is chatter-boxing like crazy. My friend has a little boy with a speech problem and she understands alot more of Dalton's chatter than I do. Just the other day he said "put me down mama" I didn't catch it but she did, and when he said it again it made since..lol. He eats like a grown man. He likes mash potatoes and gravy, beans and rice, scrambled eggs with cheese, avocados, spinach, and his favorite snack is wheat crackers. I have really lucked out on the feeding aspect of having a preemie. I blog with other micro-preemie moms and feeding problems seem to be one of the major issues with former preemies (once again Dalton has to be different). We go for the MRI in the morning and I am nervous about the sedation due to his history of apnea. My aunt (who is a Pediatric RN) keeps reassuring me it will be fine. We also are having a Nuero Physiology test done so that we know what areas of his development we should devote more time to, and a Barium Swallow Study because of his refluxing. So we have a busy couple of days coming up, and once again I am reaching out for prayer. Please pray for good results for Dalton this week. God Bless!

GROWING UP SO FAST!!

Dalton is 15 months now and weighs about 30lbs. He has glasses that he is wearing to prevent a crossed eye. He is such a determined little boy and gets into everything. He does seem to have some developmental delays due to the tightness in his muscles (that has kinda been a concern from the begining). He is being fitted for braces on his legs, and I am hoping that will correct some of the problem. He is crawling and pulling up, but not trying to walk just yet. He has such a personality and has my trademark attitude...lol. He is the light of grandma's life and my whole world. I think back on all we went through when he came into this world and I cant imagine what life would have been like without him. I can still see the little Hispanic lady's face every night when I am putting him to sleep. She was truely an angel and I am so grateful that we crossed paths that night. I have recently signed up to work with the March Of Dimes in thier walk to prevent babies from being born like Dalton . Please help me reach my goal www.marchofdimes.com/dalton1lb11oz .

Sorry it has been awhile since update...Dalton is doing so great. Since we were released he has gained 5lbs which puts him at 12lbs! He has learned how to roll and is starting to crawl. He has such a personality, and spends alot of time snuggling with grandma. November was kinda rough...he got a virus and we ended up back at the hospital. A week after we were realeased for that he came down with RSV (even with the vaccination). He did really well though and only spent two more days in the hospital. I dont take him in public and thier are not any kids in my family so I think he got the RSV when he was at the hospital the first time. ECI comes to the house and they think he may be behind in his developmental goals. I have to make an appointment with a nuerologist to follow up with the one he had at discharge. He does alot of the things that the therapist is concerned about when she is not there, so I am not worried that there is a problem. He just dont like her...lol. I am excited about his first Christmas and have spent too much money allready. I am back online and will try to stay updated more often. Hope you have a HAPPY HOLIDAY!!! GOD BLESS!!

GOING HOME!! THANKYOU JESUS!!!

We are going home today. Dalton and I finally get to start our life together. God is so good! The MRI showed that everything looks good (no bleed). They think his PDA has closed because they cant hear the murmur anymore. He passed his hearing test and he is being circumcised before we leave. He is being released without any medication and with a monitor that only I felt he needed. My son is living testimony that with prayer and faith anything is possible. His primary nurses come to wish him off. This is a part of their job that must be very hard for them. There is no way I could ever repay them for the love and support that they have shown Dalton and me. I love you ladies!! This one day has made the last four months worth it. I am so proud of my lil man! Thanks for all of the prayers. God Bless everyone!

NO TUBES....NO IV!!

We are on the 8th floor. Thank You Jesus! He is nippling all of his feeds and taking three ounces at a time (he is such a lil piggy). He still has the occasional brady, but they are getting less and less. Now when I look at him it is hard to believe that he was so tiny in the begining. He looks like a normal, healthy baby. He seems developmentaly correct, but I am still nervous about the MRI that he is due for. He has some tightness in his muscles and I am worried about CP, but I know God will pull us through anything. Please continue to pray for my lil boy.

Moving Along

Dalton is doing great. He recovered from his surgery and he is slowly but surely going back up on his feeds. Hopefuly soon he will be off of IV fluids and we can move to the 8th floor. He still drops his heart rate (brady) from time to time, but he should grow out of that soon. He has started nippling and is doing good. He has to be paced because he tries to drink too fast, but I have learned a few tricks from a level 2 nurse and they seem to be working. It is still so hard to believe that anything so strong came from me. I know that God has been so present in our lives, and he continues to reveal his plan to me everyday. After 31/2 months I am so tired, but I thank God everday that I am still here fighting. Things could have been alot different for us, and I could have went home alot sooner without my boy. Please continue to pray. Godbless!

Kangaroo Care!

My son was a month old before I was able to hold him. I would say that was probably the happiest day in my life. I was so full of emotion I had the Chaplain come and pray just to thank God for this gift. I think that was the first time I really started feeling like a mom. It is so hard to bond with a child you cannot hold. We couldnt swaddle him because he was too tiny. We had to do what is called Kangaroo Care. This is where the baby has to be skin to skin on your chest. My body heat kept him warm outside of his isollette (I call it a bread box). He could hear my heart beat and it soothed him and made him feel like he was back inside the womb. The nurses ask that you hold your baby for atleast an hour because it is alot of trouble getting a baby that tiny out with all those wires and tubes. The first time I was able to hold him was for six hours. My eyes were floating I had to pee so bad, but I was on a mission. I was determined to bond with my son. Now he is so spoiled he thinks I should hold him all the time, but he deserves it.