The only words I can even begin with are, Long Time No See!! God it's been a long time! A really long time, over a year kind of loooooooooooooong time. I often thought about coming back to the blogging world but thought is there time? Will anyone remember me and my story? Will I be welcomed back into the small blogging circle of far away friends I got to know so well in such a hard and trying time in my life?
Well, as you may know, I am never good with timing... Here it is 10:47 on a weeknight and I am delving into a past love that I haven't touched in so long. Did I happen to mention I am also so not a morning person??? Don't fret! I will be reminding my self of why I am so tired tomorrow as my entrusted Blackberry friend wakes me at 5:30 am. On time as always....
Well, now that I am here, how can I possibly fill you in on the past 13 months of my life????
I think I will go back to my original first ever post idea (you should go all the way back and check it out) and start by saying... once again.... "In A Nutshell....."
Starting with the most important and then throwing the rest all in as if I were making an all about me stew... Hang on! Here goes!
The good news :)
My son Evan Vincent is now 21 months old ( as of this past Sat)
He is the happiest little boy alive!!!!
He is still on continuous feeds through his "Mickey" feeding tube. We are up to 42 ml per hr now.
His comprehension and vocabulary and language skills are amazingly high!
He can sign a few words on demand and on his own such as (more, thank you, please, ball and all done and down)
He can follow 1-2 step directives when asked.
He loves his red car, his popper, his ice cream truck (basically all push toys) boats, trucks, cars (he makes the "vroom vroom" noises) He loves going on walks and hitting bumps on the sidewalk and road.
He is a little over 18 lbs... I am thankful he has been growing- although slowly.
He loves Sedona, our dog and tries to love a little too much on him at times....
He loves to kiss and hug, waves to everyone in his sight and loves when I sing to him and shake his bottles while I dance for him in the kitchen like a COMPLETE DORK!
He goes to PT and Speech 3x weekly.
On a good day, he can down a jar or 2 of stage 2 baby food. (we have a hard time with stage 3 due to all the carrots or corn ingredients that a short gut diet cannot tolerate)
Still has nursing care while I am at work and during some evenings a week. (Yes, I am back at work full time since Jan 2010)
We celebrated his first Birthday- Oops! I meant to say "Bird Day" in January on his actual day, which was very special to me. We invited all of our family, friends and nurses from home health as well as our old friends from the NICU.
We visit the NICU aka "Home Away From Home" every so often to say hello and make donations to the babies and families in the unit.
He loves to play with his friends. Loves to be included in everything and loves to laugh!
Evan is walking and at times running now!!!
He is getting into EVERYTHING!!! Loves my tupperware cabinet the most.
He recently began standing on his tippy toes and tried to turn the door handle to get to his ride on red car... I told you, he loves that thing!
There is so much more, but I just can't think straight this late at night...
His speech is still the issue... Momma and Dadda are about the only things you can understand.
He is still tube fed continuously and has remained on the Neocate diet. (I was hoping to go one and off every few hrs by now...)
He is a little over 18 lbs... a very slow process. AKA Failure to thrive.
He gets the worst gas pains at times and you feel like you can't run to get the gas relief meds fast enough.
He had his first cold a few weeks ago. Excess mucus, clear runny nose, chest congestion and cough) (this is actually a good thing, but it is something that puts me into hyperventilation mode to just think of it) A rising fever only means one thing for us.... Re admittance and GI issues....
Momma still has slight attachment issues that make me want to call in to work every now and then... it is so hard missing out on his therapy sessions and play time during the day!!
And finally... the one warning given to parents of sick children... the one that has absolutely nothing to do with the child...
Separation. Yes! I said the S word for those of you who remember how stressful yet happy life was during such a trying time, I always had the support of a caring, strong, loving husband. He is still the best daddy in the world to his little boy. I remain a momma who needs to be reminded that all I need is a little time, encouragement, strength and love from the people in my life. A momma on the mend....
Thanks for listening... I hope you are all doing well. I know I have a few of your Blogs to catch up on!
