Baby J's NICU follow up!

Today was out NICU follow (ok rescheduled follow up that was supposed to happen a month ago).  Actually Baby J has advanced so much since last month, I'm glad it was pushed off.   My parents were kind enough to go with us and I took the day off so we could trek to Topeka.  Our NICU follow up included measurements, a visit from a PT and a visit from one of our NICU doctors.   We knew baby J was eating A LOT more lately, but we were kind of blown away by her measurements today.   My parents weighed

her January 18 at their doctors office at 11lbs  5 oz.  Well she has grown...Today she was 12 lbs 12.5 oz.  That's a big jump.   She is now 24.5 inches long and her head circumference was 41 cm.   One of the advantages of having a preemie is we do get weights and measurements a lot more than full term babies from all the doctors and other visits.  
The other thing that happened is they did two tests on Baby J to see how she was developing and both she was doing really really well on.  One was just measurements by her adjusted age and she passed all of them.  The other was in-between adjusted and actual age.  On all the markers she was at or very close to actual age.  I told Baby J she had to show off and not be a dud.....she is doing so much now.   And she did not disappoint.  She was so active while we were there and showing off.   We also saw our NICU social worker, our Nurse Practitioner, and a few nurses.   They were all so very happy to see her and said she looked so good.  She was in a good mood the entire time we were there.   While we were waiting we put her on a table and she figured out she could scoot around.  kind of an army crawl...but mostly

backward.  She loved that.  
I wish we could have seen more of her nurses but we hit lunch time/feeding time for their babies and it was pretty busy in the NICU.  I'm glad we got to see some people.  Everyone was so empresses by her.
We also stopped by the Ronald McDonald house.  I have always felt so bad I didn't get an opportunity to take her by when we were discharged..but it happened so late at night.  Thankfully someone we knew was there and we

visited today and also took some DVDs for their family room.

Poor Baby J was so very tired by the time we were done and was asleep within seconds of being in the car.   In fact I was the only one awake on the way back home.  I got to control the radio that way.  haha.  

In other aspects of Baby J's life....She has really figured out this rolling from tummy to back, but hasn't quite figured out she can keep rolling and get somewhere.  She is trying so hard to crawl...but will probably walk/run first.  She loves to stand and loves dancing.  She has sort of reached a stranger danger phase and is ok as long as she can see me.

She wasn't to sure about the kids last week at school...but I'm sure that will improve as we get back into rehearsals.  They did have her dancing and that was pretty cute.   She has been very vocal almost all of the time now.  She also loves her bouncer and enjoys spending time in that.   She is also slobbering like crazy so maybe a tooth is coming in soon.  Baby J LOVES food - except Pears.  Especially sweet potatoes.  We have almost made it all the way through the different level one foods.  She is so close to being able to sit unassisted, but still has some balance issues.  I don't think it will be long.   It's hard to believe she is almost 8 months.   Just two more weeks.   I love spending time with her and can't wait till this summer when I have more time.  

We are rolling!

right after she rolled the first time from back to tummy!

Today Baby J finally made a huge gain.  She rolled from back to belly and more than once.   I'll be honest I was starting to worry a little bit which I shouldn't.  She is 7 months 1 week, but that makes her only about 4 months adjusted so I shouldn't worry.  She is actually doing very well.   In fact if you hold her hands she will take a few steps....I hope she crawls first...but we keep expecting her to just take off walking.   She loves to stand.  Baby J is very close to being able to sit on her own and can on laps and things that aren't flat.  It won't be long.

Yummy Carrots

We finally got over the bronchiolitis and thankfully she has stayed well.

Baby J is now eating like crazy and has added baby food into her diet.  So far we've had peas, green beans, squash, and carrots and of course cereal.   We tried before she got sick, but stopped and now have really started to try new foods.   I feel like all she does is eat now.   I'm anxious to see if she is making gains in her weight...she is due fir her synagis shot next weeks so I will find out then what her weight is.

She has also started to sleep less during the day.   Keeps us all busy playing.   I can't wait till summer when I can spend all day with her every day.  This next week we start a show so she will be back with the high school kids some in the evening.  I'm sure they and her will enjoy that (though she's been going to sleep about 8pm so it will be interesting to see if she changes her schedule much.)  She's growing so fast!

Baby J's First Holidays!

Our two week time is almost to an end.  I have loved getting to spend time with Baby J, I feel a little sorry for my Mom when she has to come back to babysit cause baby J has become a little bit of a momma's girl.   Our time together started out busy with an evening at a friends, Christmas shopping and then the holidays.   I took Baby J to Christmas eve service where she decided to participate in the majority of the service.  She thought everyone should know she was in the room.  I couldn't stop laughing.   Also discovered she is blowing raspberries which confused me at first because I know I am not teaching her that, Grandma is.  

I have loved watching her over the past two weeks.  She is growing each day and trying new things.  She talks all the time or kind of yells. Laughs a bunch, reaches and plays with all her toys.  She is starting to get favorite toys.  And although we have to have something under her she is now bouncing some in her bouncer.   Overall baby girl is a very happy little girl.   She's even started eating some foods (though we stopped during her sickness).  She eats cereal and has tried green beans and squash.  She loved squash but it seemed to make her a little more pukey...so we will wait and try it again later.  She is 10lb 12 oz now.

I moved her into her crib in her own room and she slept there for a
week.  But then her cold got bad and we moved back downstairs for the night time so she could sleep in her rock and play.  It's also where the air cleaner and humidifier are.   It has not been fun watching her be sick.  She had bronchiolitis and between that and the weather we have stayed inside most of the past week.   Had to visit the doctor a couple of times and a special clinic to get her suctioned out, but she is finally on the uphill.  Just wish that her sleep was more restful, but I'm glad I've been able to be with her while she is sick.

Having a little one for the holidays is so much more fun than being alone.   I love love love time with my family and wish we got together more, but there has been a sadness in me every time because they all have these lovely families.  I didn't feel that this year, since I have a beautiful daughter.   (I mean I still wish I weren't single, but whatever).   I'm so lucky to have her.

So as the New Year comes to a close I am so thankful for where the year has taken me and it's been huge changes.  I left a job with an abusive psychotic boss and found a place I really enjoy teaching.   I do miss my coworkers and former students but am enjoying my new coworkers and students.  I live in a different place which allows me to spend more time at home.   The best part of this year though was getting baby J.   I spent months in the NICU and got to bond with her before starting my new job and she has been overall a healthy little girl.  I have seen what prayer can do this year and how much support I have in the world.   This year may have started as one of my worst but it ended as the best year ever.   I'm so thankful for friends and family who continue to stick through the years with me especially during the down times.

First night in her crib..slept all night

Yummy squash

Always has to sit up or stand...she's trying so hard to sit up.

During 2016, I can't wait to see baby J grow and to watch her discover things.  She means the world to me and I hope each day I remember to give her the love and support she deserves.  She is a very special girl and I won't forget that.   I also plan to work towards being happy with what I have.  i know I'm blessed and lucky, but sometimes I become envious of others and that's ridiculous.   I need to love my life at all times.  I hope you all have a fabulous start to the new year.  I'm going to enjoy my last two days with Baby J before the craziness of work takes back a majority of my time.

Playing with the puppy

Baby J - Woo hoo we've made it a semester

It's Official!  Baby J and I have made it to the end of the semester.  I think this year has brought the biggest changes of my life and all at once...and we are living through it.   I'm so excited to finally get to spend some time with my baby and some time at my apartment to arrange things.   If you don't remember, I brought home baby and moved into my apartment a couple weeks after starting my new job and the same week I started a show.  It has been a crazy awesome ride this last half of the year and I have loved it all.   I'm so lucky to have such a supportive family that has helped me out so I can be a full time working single mother.   And I'm so lucky and blessed to be a mother to a beautiful adorable baby.

I can't believe that my first semester at my new job is over.  And I got a couple really nice cards/christmas gifts from students that had the nicest comments on them.  I've been so very fortunate to start at a new job where for the most part the kids have accepted me or at least make an effort to work with me.  Stepping into an arts program is hard, especially if the teacher before has been there for any amount of time and this time around it has gone rather smoothly...not that there haven't been a few bumps in the road, but over all it's been a fantastic job and I love being at the school I'm at.   So much better than the situation at my last job.  

Baby J is growing so fast and starting to do new things each day.  She still refuses to roll from back to tummy (and yes I can say refuses...she doesn't even want to try)....but she now tries to sit up, sits very well assisted, and laughs all the time.  She makes lots of noises- especially when talking to Grandma. We even brought her bouncer out and while she's still trying to completely figure it out...she loves it.  However she is to small to reach the ground so we have improvised and set it up so she can touch something.  She is getting pretty good at making it bounce some.

We have also finally started to get some of the spit up under control.  The doctor said we had to wait on food for a couple weeks, but Baby J shows all the signs of readiness and so we have tried Cereal now and green beans.  She eats very little, but is able to do so.   We have also started to put some cereal in her bottles...very little, but it has helped in making her feel full and has lessoned the spit up.  She has even gone full days in the last week where she wore the same outfit all day.   That is a huge deal!  Her meds were increased and that seems to be helping a lot too.

Speaking of which-insurance is horrible and confusing.  And unfortunately for some really stupid reason, my deductibles run Jan-Dec, even though my insurance runs Dec - Nov.   ACK.   Synygis is expensive and we are paying a lot out of pocket, but I feel like she really needs to stay on it.   Unfortunately she will not be getting this months on time due to insurance switching over.   Feel free to continue to use my amazon link- all of the proceeds still go towards the adoption costs I still owe---it's on the right of this blog.

Poor baby has a cold again.  It doesn't seem to be as bad as the last one..but it's still sad to see her sick.  Thankfully she is still mostly happy.  Baby J is all smiley and laughs a lot.  It's so cute.  I'm so excited to get to spend two weeks with her.   Last week we went and saw Santa and tried to sell Jewelry at a craft show.  Baby J dressed up for the occasion.  It was fun, but it was a little to long of a day for her.   Oops.

Tonight we have made a big change.  Baby J is currently asleep in her crib.  I never intended to be a parent that slept in the same room as the baby...but she has either slept in a rock and play or the bassinet in my room since she came home.   A lot changes when you don't have the healthiest baby in the world and at first it was because she choked still.   Then it just became habit..but it's time she started to sleep in the crib...plus I really need to move her out of the rock and play a lot more and just use that for travel.  My plan is to move the basinet downstairs for use with Grandma.  She went to sleep with me holding her hand....but she was laying in the bed.  Hopefully she will make it most of the night...she has been getting up more to eat while she's been sick.

Christmas is next week, and I'm so excited to spend it with family and my little one.   May all of you have a wonderful Christmas, Hannakuh, Kwanza, or what ever holiday you may celebrate.   Most of all that you have time to spend with family.

Baby J- 6 months

Happy 6 month's Baby J.  It's hard to believe that Baby J is now 6 months.  Current weight 10 lb 3 oz (only 3% for a 3month old- but hey she's growing quite nicely and she's still on the charts)  Height 23 inch (26 %) That's a 2.5 inch growth in 2 months. And a head circumference of 38cm (12%).

Baby J is starting to babble constantly, be awake more during the day (pretty much narrowing it down to about 2 naps on average) and sleeping well at night.  She LOVES music, can sit assisted, and is grabbing toys now.   She is following and focusing really well with her eyes.   She loves to talk with Herbie and he has become closer to her.   Baby J is also working on fine tuning the art of manipulation and I believe has it down very well with Grandma.    :-)

Overall healthy and happy.  I think the Doctor is still a little impressed by how well she is doing. She asked 4month visit questions today (since Baby J is 3 months adjusted) and she is doing all of them.   The doctor did say we need to wait another month before starting food.

Today was the first time I really got overwhelmed by the cost of a baby.  Dr. prescribed a new medicine for reflux and to help stop the spitting up.  Went to the pharmacy and because Baby J is now on my insurance I got the sticker shock price of $275.   A little out of my price range for an acid reflux med.   While baby J is spitting up still, her current medicine has stopped it from hurting her and she is still gaining weight.   Apparently despite the fact that I now pay over $700 for insurance every month, I still have extremely large deductibles.  I will NEVER understand insurance and the medical stuff- but it does remind one why so many people struggle in the states.   After having a little mini breakdown over this (especially knowing that I now will have to probably pay full price for her synagis shot (the one for RSV), the doctor called and we have changed our approach at least for the acid reflux.  She is going to up her current medicine until Baby J does start eating regularly and then I can do OTC Prilosec and just break the capsules and give her part.  WAY WAY cheaper.   Of course when I have to pay full price for the synagis this will all have been in vain.  And I am fully aware how blessed we are that this is the only health thing we are dealing with.  And I know I shouldn't  complain.

Part of the problem is my insurance runs December through November...but my deductible runs the calendar year.  Yes this makes absolutely no sense.  But for today, the problem is solved.   Poor Baby J has been sleeping since we got home.  She got 4 shots today.  :-(  Not fun.  And she was asleep when they were given so that was a shock to her.  I tried to wake her up before hand, but she was so tired.

 
On Saturday, my friend took pictures of her and I  so  I had a few decent pics.  I then came home and took 6 month/christmas pics of Baby J.   She is adorable and I'm so lucky to be her mommy.  She is the best thing ever and even with the financial stuff- I love her to pieces and I'm so glad she is in my life.   I am looking forward to the Christmas season with a child.  I learned a few years ago how different Christmas season is with a kid and it is so much more fun.   While this year it won't phase her much, we have many more years to look forward to and that is awesome.

 
 

 

Baby J- We've Survived

I'm sure after the long, freezing, wet Thanksgiving weekend everyone is on the edges of their seats...Did they survive?  How was actually being with your baby for 5 whole days?  Did you drive each other insane?   Did you get cabin fever?

Well I'm happy to say everyone is alive and well.  I loved being home with baby girl all weekend...though not necessarily really being home...the weather pretty much kept us in all weekend. However...my nephews showed up with my brother in Kansas and they spent a night with me.  So one night I had 4 children to myself and we did wonderfully.   It was awesome and totally unexpected that they came to visit.   I'm glad my parents were willing to give them up for one of their nights here. It was also the first time all the littles (my nephews, cousin's kids and mine) were all together and that was a lot of fun for our family Thanksgiving...and a little loud.  Baby J loved being around all the kids.

Before swimming

After Swimming

 We also went swimming for the first time.  She enjoyed it and we stayed in the water for almost an hour---till she was getting to cold.  

Baby J is starting to eat more and do more.  Today we started feeding her 6oz at a time and she spits up about as much as she does with 4, but seems more satisfied.  Ok well maybe a little more....perhaps we should do 5 tomorrow instead. She has been eating pretty nonstop lately.  She is grabbing toys and has even switched toys from hand to hand some.   In the past few days she has been awake a LOT more during the day and is basically down to 2 big naps.   She is still pretty much sleeping through the night.  Especially if we play on my bed for awhile before I put her in her bed.  She then drifts off to sleep before the first song on her bear is done.   The early childhood person said she was falling right where she should with everything...some closer to the 6 month mark and some closer to her adjusted age...but she is basically where she should be for all adjusted or better.   Baby J loves to sit up and tries to do it without help...we are not there yet though...She also likes to stand.   Tonight I got to show her off at my work christmas party (yea a job that has a christmas party---and socialization).  

Tonight I was just messing around trying to take cute christmas photos...it failed.   These are some of the most hilarious after shots.  Enjoy.  PS yes I know these are not 'good' pics.

Mid spit up.  Herbie's look is hilarious

Sebastian decided he did NOT like Herbie's outfit

So he helped him take it off...They had it off pretty fast.