I realize that is has been ages since I have posted. Since our last post, lots has happened!! Jack is now almost 15 weeks old. He has made tremendous progress, and we are so thankful for the changes that we have seen in him. Unfortunately, the WHOLE month of December wasn't exactly easy on Jack. Early in the month Jack was readmitted to Cincinnati Children's because we were having so many difficulties with him while trying to feed him and having to stimulate him to breathe. This was and is clearly not normal. One episode he wasn't breathing and it did not occur while he was eating which was extremely scary. After they admitted him, they wanted to do a swallow study and make sure that he was swallowing like he should be and not aspirating. Fortunately, it proved that his swallowing was great and there were no issues with that. They also did an ultrasound of his brain to make sure that he didn't have a condition that occurs in a tiny population of babies with acid reflux. Again, we were blessed with great results and everything in his brain appeared to be normal. Jack slept through that whole procedure, which made it easy for them to see his brain. By the way, the ultrasound of the brain is definitely something worth seeing. Steve stayed the evening with Jack at the hospital, and did an amazing job of taking care of Jack, especially since he was not allowed to feed him. While there, they fed Jack a different formula than we had been using. Jack seemed to be happier feeding on this, and with the medicine change we were seeing slight improvements. He ate all day at the hospital with no complications, so we were able to go home 24 hours later. We decided to stick with the change in formula at home, even though it was more costly, it was making it easier on him, which is all we cared about. I must say, it's NO FUN at all having to worry about your baby breathing while he is eating and having to stimulate him so that he takes a breath. Fortunately, that is all past us! Jack was certainly ready for a break and we were praying like crazy that he could just feel like a normal, happy, healthy baby should. We thought that we were in the clear after this hospital stay, but unfortunately the week prior to Christmas, Jack was starting to show signs of distress while eating again. Not in the sense of breathing, but with comfort following feeds and during. After a long week of a very upset, crampy, unhappy little boy, we found ourselves at the hospital again on Christmas Day. We ended up going to Coldwater Community Hospital, near my hometown, because we were there for the day. It was completely fine, but we certainly appreciate what Cincinnati Children's has to offer. After doing several x-rays, blood work, an exam, it provided answers to why Jack was so upset ALL of the time. Jack's intestinal track and stomach was filled with extreme amounts of gas. Unfortunately, there is nothing that they can do for this, other than give him Mylicon drops before all feedings and on a less gassy formula. So, we are now on the MOST expensive formula out there, use Mylicon drops each feeding and Jack seems to be much happier. There are still times when he is fussy, but it is not to the extent or severity that it was during the month of December, and for that we are thankful!
Since the new year, lots has changed! I went back to work after being off for 12 weeks. IT WAS TOUGH!!! (and still is!) Steve stayed home for one week and he decided that he could never be a stay at home dad, nor does he have the desire to. On the flip side, it's a week that allowed Steve some very special time with his son, and I appreciate his willingness to stay at home for the week. Following that week, Jack was able to stay at home one week longer because my mom was so gracious and kind to take vacation for us and watch Jack for 1 week. She was amazing. With her taking care of him, it was the true test to see if Jack could go to our sitter's house or if I needed to go back home and stay with Jack until he was ready for the sitter's house. Of course, she was wonderful with him! Jack enjoyed his time with her as well! Without my mom's support, I wouldn't be able to do what I do! She is such a solid source of strength for me, and her willingness to take a week from her very busy schedule to be with us means more than we can share and express. Since Jack did so well with my mom, he went to the sitter's house this week for the first time. All reports have been good, and best of all, Jack seems happy there. I certainly wouldn't expect anything different because of the amazing woman/mom that Tracy, our sitter, is.
As for Jack, he's about 12 pounds and doing well. I still say stupid reflux about 10 times a day because it still sucks for Jack. It's been improved with his medication change, but I wish it were gone!! I'll post more later...but until then, I hope you enjoy the pics of Jack and Madeline.
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