Second Opinion

Yesterday Henry and I took Preston for a second opinion on his hip at the Children's hospital.
The Surgeon we met recommended that we get the surgery done next month not wait until he is 9 months adjusted as recommended by the previous surgeon at the Swedish. I guess I am little confused why two doctors have such a difference in opinion about when is the best time to treat. I really think the earlier he has his surgery the better he will be off. More things to think about...

Funny story- so while the doctor was examining Preston, he flipped him on his tummy and to my surprise Preston did a mini push up and kept his head up! :) The doctor was commenting on what a good head control he had. I just laughed b/c in the past couple of weeks I have been freaking about him not being able to hold his head up! You guys are probably wondering why I am so obsessed with his head control. I worry about Cerebral Palsy- Preemies have much higher chance of Cerebral Palsy due to premature birth and one of the sign is delays in gross motor skills. I know there is nothing we can do if he had CP and they don't diagnose until about 12 months to 24 months but I think it just a control thing. I sometimes wonder if I would be this worried and vigilant if I had a healthy, term baby. I think being a nurse doesn't help either- I think I just know too much. I am trying to really enjoy every milestone and not get my burried in worries. I guess it's good that Henry is so much laid back about all this. He just keeps telling me Preston will do it on this time.

Gettin back into a routine

So for the past couple of days, I feed Preston at 5am and go to the gym. It has worked out really well and I feel so much better after working out. Then I treat myself to a vanilla latte with whip cream! hee. hee Whatever I burned off working out makes up for the latte! :) Got a enjoy little things in life!

Also this past week, I met up with Barbara and Julia.
Barbara and I were both on bed rest at Swedish and had similar situation with one of her twins (ruptured membrane). Both of her boys (Truman & Spencer) are doing great and it was cool to look back at what we went through this past year.
Julia's son Oscar and Preston were roommates in both the NICU and the step down nursery. We become friends as we both were always visiting our boys and of course we were always pumping in the pump room! kee. kee. It was so great to catch up and share how the boys are doing.
Because of the risk of RSV, we have to wait until spring to get together with the babies but it will be all worth it! Thanks ladies for the good time!

Grieving

The other day, I stumbled onto a blog of a mother of twin girls who were born at 24 weeks. I read an entry called "Grieving" and cried my eyes out! http://micropreemietwins.blogspot.com/2007_11_01_archive.html
I could so relate to what she wrote about "loss of Ideals" and feeling guilty about their rough start in life. As I was bawling, Preston looked at me and gave me the cutest little look as though he knew his mommy was sad and wanted to make me smile again! :) He's such a sweet boy.

Tummy Time Update

In the past week or so I have been adamant about Preston getting his tummy time at least 5 times a day (see my earlier post). At first he would just cry and bury his face on the floor or just fall asleep. He has slowly started to use his neck to pull himself up!

Some friends told me to put interesting toys or mirror to entice him but he never paid any attention b/c he would just cry. Last night I decided to put my laptop in front of him and it worked! He got so into looking at the laptop he actually stayed on his tummy for couple of minutes without crying!
Here he is looking at the computer :)

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Few minutes later...back to crying

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I feel really good about his progress though...:)

My Twin?

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting Here are some pictures of me when I was a baby--- Do you think Preston looks like me? :) Sorry, the quality of the pictures are not great b/c they are scanned pictures.

Letting yourself go

Okay...I have been home with Preston for the past month or so and I think I have let myself go...yes already! :)

Here is Why...
1) I find myself still in my pajamas at 4 o'clock in the afternoon
2) I have not had a pedicure/manicure in couple of months
3) I rarely wear make up now- I never really wore that much to begin with but still
4) My hair is always up or in a ponytail (mainly b/c my hair is falling out soooo much- those post pregnancy hormones)
5) Taking a nap supersedes taking a shower! :)
6) I go to the gym maybe once a week- I used to go at least 5 times/week!

As Dr. Phil would say, you can't fix a problem unless you know what your problem is.
So to start things off, I have made an appointment for pedicure and manicure this Friday:)! And my goal is to go back to working out more regularly to loose my last 10 pounds!

Do we always want more???

I guess I do...
I have been driving myself crazy b/c Preston can't lift his head off from the floor and he is 3 months adjusted. I have to add, he does hold his head up when we hold him over our shoulder and he is very interested in looking around. (Just not when we put him on his tummy- actually he HATES tummy time!!!)

I know that preemies have developmental delays as result of being born so early but when I hear people telling that he should be able to hold his head at 3 months, I still get upset. I think partly I feel somewhat guilty for him being born so early and I think something is wrong. I KNOW deep inside it wasn't my fault but at the same time I feel somewhat responsible for his rough start in life.

That said, I have to say I am amazed at how well Preston is doing and I am soooo thankful. I have to keep reminding myself that couple of months ago, I wasn't even sure if we would ever bring him home. He is doing so great- he is eating well, gaining weight and meeting other milestones. And here I am freaking out b/c he can't hold his head up!!! I just have to put everything in perspective and let Preston meet his milestone on his time table.

This entry also reminds me when I was childless and my friends who had babies would rave about their kids rolling over, sitting up etc. I remember being not interested and thought they were way into their babies. And look at me now! I am one of them... kee. kee.

On the positive note, Preston finally breastfed without the nipple shield. Every time I tried without the shield he would just stop and look at me as though he didn't know what it was. kee. kee. Last night, he was looking as though he wanted to breastfeed without the shield so I tried and he went to town!!! :) Another milestone!

No Spica Cast...

Preston did not get the spica cast yesterday. After full anesthesia and intubation, doctor felt his hip was too stiff to do a closed reduction. We have to wait until May to get the open reduction and the spica cast. Open reduction is more invasive procedure but she felt this would be the best.

I guess I am little bummed b/c I wanted to get it over with but on the positive side of things, we can enjoy him little more without worrying about the cast.

Here are some pictures of Preston before surgery. He was soooo good, he didn't cry or act up although his last milk was at 10pm the night before.


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And here is my little boy after he woke up from anesthesia. Still in good spirit!

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Sleeping soundly...

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We came home that night as Preston did not have any apnea episodes. I was so proud of how well he did with the anesthesia this time around. Here is nicely swaddled down for the night in his crib!:)

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The Last Bath

Tonight we gave Preston his last bath. After the spica cast tomorrow, his next bath will not be until March! Yikes! :(

He is going to be super cranky tomorrow morning before the surgery b/c I can't feed him after 2am. I am debating if I should wake him up at 1:30am and feed him!

I am very nervous and anxious about tomorrow. I am praying that all goes well with the surgery and he recovers quickly! Good night...

Bad Dream

I had a dream last night that we were really late to Preston's Surgery- I was freaking out! You think I am little nervous about his surgery tommorrow? :)

Weight Update at 3 months adjusted: 12 pounds 8 oz.

babbles...

Preston has been "talking" a lot lately... He loves to talk to his "friends" :) As you can see he is so focused

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RSV Shots

Preston had his Synegis Shot yesterday. This shot is given to protect him from RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). This is really important shot for Preston b/c RSV can make him very sick and he can hospitalized again if he gets RSV. Preemies are more prone to getting this virus as they have weaker immune system. He has to get this shot every month until April.

We also have be very careful about taking him to public places and around other kids. We are pretty much locked in until the spring time. But that's okay, weather is no fun in the northwest during the winter time and with his spica cast (which he will be getting on Thursday), Staying in might not be a bad idea.

Thankful...

Here are couple things that I am thankful about...

1) I am thankful that Preston is here home with us. Couple of months ago when he was first born, I wasn't sure if this would be possible.
2) I am thankful for my family and husband.
3) I am thankful for my friends.
4) I am thankful for my health.