Hi everyone! Sorry it's been so long... It's been a busy couple of weeks :) It's a good thing... But I have a lot of updates...
We'll start with the current star (soon-to-be-co-star) of the show... Dax is doing FANTASTIC. We had a pulmonology appt last week and they continue to be extremely pleased with his lungs. They changed his potassium schedule from 3x/day everyday to 3x/day every other day, with hopes of weaning him off of it soon if he's able to hold his potassium levels on his on while remaining on the diuretic. His potassium levels have consistently been slightly on the high side so we'll see...
Oxygen levels remain good, with his settings remaining on about .1 to .25 liters at all times now. He's okay on such a low setting, but he still needs that little whiff of air to keep his sats in the high 90's... But looks like he won't be on the oxygen a whole lot longer now if we can just keep him healthy and keep those lungs growing!
He still eats like a champ, although we are having a little trouble transitioning him to chunkier foods due to a very sensitive gag reflex from all the tubes down his throat for so long. We still use the feeding tube at night to make sure he's getting a good volume of the special high-calorie, high-nutrient formula he's on that is made specifically for preemies... Since he still can't drink thin liquids without choking this helps him get in all those nutrients and calories he'd otherwise miss out on, or have to work super hard for. (Don't feel sorry for him... He gets the yucky formula by tube, and peaches and oreos by mouth. It's a pretty sweet deal if you ask me!)
As far as milestones, he's pulling up on everything and experimenting with letting go with one hand while holding himself up with the other. He's cruising around his toys and furniture slowly but surely, and can get anywhere he sets his mind to via his "Daxton-ized" commando crawl. He's getting stronger and more coordinated everyday... And never ceases to amaze us! We're still working hard on Baby Boot Camp Phase 2... You remember his goal is to be taking steps by July 27 (his original due date, and corrected 1-year birthday.)
We also now have, count 'em, FOUR gold teeth, and will have two more any day now. We were hoping just his first two teeth would be discolored, but looks like they're all going to be that way. Oh well, he has the cutest yellow smile you've ever seen! It's like a mouth full of sunshine (or plaque, but sunshine sounds better ;P)
And finally, after lots and lots of work on our part, and lots of ambivalence and noncompliance on his part, Dax now has two baby signs in his repertoire: "daddy" and "mama." Of course, he signs "daddy" more often, and during the most random activities, but I'm seeing "mama" a little more often... Like when I came home from work yesterday and was saying hello to him and his nurse... And then I asked her if he'd pooped that day and her eyes got big and she turned to him and said, "Whoooo had the biggest, stinkiest poop ever today?" to which he replied immediately by taking his thumb to his chin and signing "mama." Oh, what a comedian.
He is also now saying his first word verbally, and it's not daddy OR mama. Oh, no, someone much more important, who has been much more instrumental to our child's welfare and development. You know, Cookie Monster. Oh, yes, Dax will clearly, and perfectly, say "coo-kie" with all the rasp and phlegm that Cookie Monster himself musters up when he says it... Its very cute, and very sweet, and, as with everything else he does, I will one day catch a video of it if he ever lets down his "camera radar" that causes him to limp and lifeless anytime anyone within a 20-ft radius turns on a camera.
Sooo, I think that's all for Dax for now... As for Ty, he's still hanging out where he should be and we're officially 32 weeks now :) Forty-ahem-something pounds up, and I've started getting swollen ankles and spider veins and even a stretch mark or two :) Why the smiley face, you ask? I never been this pregnant before! I just hope some of this wreckage is salvageable after the fact :)
The house is coming along well! We're living here now and enjoying the extra space. We're very thankful for our friends and family who have and continue to help get wallpaper down, paint up, and cleaning done... As much as we love the house, there was, and remains, a lot of work to be done before it's finished... But I guess you're never finished!
And FINALLY, even though it seems like we might have enough on our plates right now, some of you are aware we had been contemplating taking in a local homeless baby once our new house came through and we had enough room. Well, all parties involved were in agreement that Shep and I are capable of providing a comfortable, happy home for the little one, and we officially welcomed the baby to our home yesterday. He seems quite taken with us and he is adjusting to his new home and family as quickly as can be expected. We look forward to providing him with the best and happiest possible home life we can!
Just for some background, his mother has several little ones and she is unwilling to care for them any longer. His father's whereabouts are unknown, although it is obvious that he is mixed heritage.
And his name is Jasper :) And he's the sweetest kitten ever :)
Love you all. Hope you're doing well!
Dax on his Elmo crotch rocket. Maybe for his 2nd birthday he can get an Elmo Harley :)
Dax and his new toy, the ever-patient Jasper. Thank goodness that kitten has a good temperment!
Lounging in the pool in his hat and his sunglasses under his shade with his 5ospf on :) What you can't see is his adorable little booty in his very manly speedos :)
