Thank you for visiting my blog! If you are visiting because you have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss, let me say that I am so very sorry. I started this blog shortly after our Baby Grady was stillborn on November 12, 2008. Please visit the sidebar below called "Labels" to find the topic in which you are interested, or just read as your heart desires.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Matthew, 6 Months

My sweet boy is already 6 months old! (adjusted age: 4 months, 2 1/2 weeks) Halfway to his first birthday...it just doesn't seem possible.

Finally a picture with a sign like I've wanted.


And I had to take a picture of him with these signs, too. His big sisters made them for him.


I took him for his check-up yesterday. He weighed in at 16 lbs, 10 oz (35th%), was 25 1/4 inches long (18th %) and his head was 17 1/2 inches (75th%). While he seems big to us, he really isn't when you look at his numbers and percentiles. I was happy with all but his head circumference.

I hate it. There always seems to be a source of stress with this Little Bear. I just want to enjoy him and not be worried all the time...

Why am I worried?

His head measured 16 inches at his 4 month check up, which fell into the 15th percentile. He jumped a whole inch and a half in two months and went from 15th% to 75th%. His other growth was consistent, but not his head measurement. His head doesn't look abnormally big to me. My pediatrician said we would have to look at a few more measurements before we get concerned. But that conversation took place before I compared the numbers with his last check up. I'm concerned because his MRI showed some extra fluid in his head, but the neurologist's words were "That doesn't excite me". Well, I sure am glad that we go back to the neurologist next week so I can talk to him again.

Sigh.

I delayed Matthew's vaccines yesterday just because I felt like his immune system took such a big hit last week with RSV. Dr. E really didn't see the need to do that, but it made me feel better.

I'm still pumping about five times a day. He continues to get very little formula. Some days he doesn't get any, others he gets 2-4 ounces. It just depends on our schedule and how many times I can pump. I gave him his first taste of cereal last night. The girls were super excited to see him eat, and he was definitely ready. Of course I made it "soupy", but he did really well and enjoyed himself. I think he felt like a "big boy" eating at the table with us.


He's such a love.

He is drooling a lot! And tonight while we were at Target, I FOUND HIS FIRST TOOTH! Jessica said last week that when he bit her finger, she felt a tooth. I dismissed it because when I looked, I didn't see anything, nor did I feel anything when I rubbed his gum. Guess I was wrong and she was right!

He's very vocal these days. "Gee" (with a hard g) is his favorite word/sound although he "says" much more. Today, he perfected his squeal, and he loves to make a gurgling sound in his throat. He continues to be a very happy, "good" baby and smiles almost all the time. Seriously.

I love him more and more every day!

He hasn't been back for any physical therapy since his evaluation two weeks ago. They cancelled because of the weather last week, and they didn't want him there this week because of his RSV. So, he will have his first official PT session next week. During his evaluation, the therapist said that he definitely had some deficits but also said several times that he was "mildly affected". I love that word "mildly". He scored all over the charts on his development. There were three different areas that they looked at. I can't remember each of them, but he was at two months, four months and five months. The therapist did say that without the official diagnosis of cerebral palsy, his numbers alone would not qualify him for therapy.

We continue to see slow improvement in his right arm and hand. He loves being on his back under his activity gym and has started reaching for toys with his right arm. He continues to move it more in general, but I find it has to "wake up" each morning. He moves it very little after he first gets up.

The therapist also pointed out to me the fact that he doesn't look to his right side much. I knew this and purposely position him in his crib so that he must turn his head to the right to see his mobile, which he loves (he's looking at it in the top picture in this post)! But, he has started looking to the right more on his own, like when I change his diaper and when he is on his activity mat.

I have to work on getting him up to one hour of tummy time every day. That's a lot for him! His right arm drifts out to the side, and he gets frustrated very easily. I haven't done great with this because he was so sick, but we're gonna get cracking this week. When he is on his tummy, he tries to get his knees up under him which is very cute.

He is also working hard to roll from his back to his side and stomach. He can get his upper body to the side, but he can't get his hips and legs to follow. I help him some but then he's in that dreaded tummy position.

So, my new full-time job is to do therapy with him all day when we can. Thank you Lord for hiring me for this position. It's truly an honor.

Little Bear is still in 6 month clothes with some variation. He fits into some 3-6 month and 6-9 month outfits, depending on how they're made. We still haven't made our way through all the size 1-2 diapers, but he's definitely ready for the jump to size 3.

He is still sleeping well for the most part. He goes to bed around 8pm and sleeps until 6 or 7am. He does fight sleep, though, I guess because he doesn't want to miss anything. He is settling into more of a nap routine which is nice. However, since he got sick, he isn't going to sleep as easily by himself. That's okay. I think he will get back to it, and if not, that's okay, too. We rocked Jessica and Emma Grace for a loooong time...about 4 years each! (And I don't regret one second of it!) We will do the same for our Little Bear, too.

I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but that's all I can think of for now. A special thanks to my friend Nicole who is letting me borrow her old camera until I can get a new one. The pics above aren't too clear because I don't know how to properly use the camera yet. I'm just thankful to be able to capture these moments and not let them slip by.

And a few more pictures just because. These were taken for our electronic Christmas card.


There's something about this picture that I absolutely love.


And it's blurry, but he tried his best to help me hold his breathing treatment. Cute!


We love you sweet boy! Happy 6 month birthday! (even if we are two days late!)

3 comments:

  1. Tonya, I think he looks more like you than Gib... I don't know why:). Man he is precious! He just has adorable features! I loved hearing about all of his precious accomplishments. I can not believe that he is 6 months old already... It seems impossible. I know I say that all the time. Still just so happy for you!

    Miss you!
    Sara

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  2. T- I just love him! He is PRECIOUS!!! Every time I see pics of him I think about we have to get him and Lily together!!! Soon enough they will be able to play with each other. Miss you! SQ

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  3. Oh, my! He's so cute! I love those pictures! What progress he has made, Tonya. That's wonderful! I know you're so proud and happy about all he has done, and just b/c he is who is!

    love you friend,
    ebe

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