October 29, 2013:

 RJ playing away. First time in overalls. 

Can't believe how tall he's getting!!

 First day playing with the blocks.

Doesn't seem that interested at the moment.

 Having fun sitting at the table playing

The adorable crossed feet I referenced 

in a previous blog

 Someone likes the rings on his arms!

 Precious lil man! A Green Bay fan thanks

to our friend Laura Flannagan :)

Found the edge to naw on. Silly boy...

October 26, 2013:

What has happened to Fall!!!! This cold weather w/ mini hail and snow flurries is absolute craziness!!! I was hoping to still be able to get out on walks with RJ for a few weeks longer. It's just too cold for the lil guy. Well a whole lot has happend since I blogged last. Whew.... Lets see where shall I begin...

Last Tuesday RJ started getting a wet sound to his coughs and had an occasional wheeze, which is not normal for him. He's had this "drama" cough since coming home from the NICU, but never has it sounded wet. Thankfully we had already scheduled his 9 month checkup for Wednesday the 16th. On exam the NP said his lungs were clear and she didn't hear any wheezes. His ears were red and showed some extra fluid. She didn't feel he needed any treatment that day, but said to watch him closely b/c things could change quick, especially in a preemie. I asked about a humidifier and she said that would be perfectly fine. We started that Wednesday night. Thursday his cough was worse and more wet sounding. He wasn't coughing up the junk as much or sneezing as much so it was just making him sound awful. The wheezes were continuous all day. I told Robert if he wasn't better by Friday I was going to call the Peds office and take him in. I didn't want things to get out of hand over the weekend and heaven forbid need to head to the Peds ER. Dr. Boarman saw us on Friday morning. He said he was 66 and seeing the work of 4 doctors. He was a super duper nice guy and had the nurse give RJ a breathing treatment. He responded well and cleared up the wheezing. The Dr. said RJ probably had bronchiolitis (where there is inflammation in part of the lung passageways). He also prescribed some Amoxicillian for his ears. Usually the ear infections are caused by viruses, but they typically treat for that small percentage of infections caused by bacteria. Boy, that stuff is nasty. I obviously was scarred from my younger years b/c I destinctly remember the smell!! It's been a challenge giving RJ the medicine. I have a tiny dropper I place into his mouth. He probably gets 1/2 the dose, but is feeling better. We have one dose left tonight!! During these last multiple days RJ has been more clingy and not eating as much. I've been doing all sorts of laundry lately. I learned from the nutritionist this past wk at the NICU grad clinic that it's probably due to the extra saliva RJ is producing during the teething process that is choking him and causing him to vomit more. Oh mercy... We were doing the breathing treatments every 4hrs while he was awake. Yesterday was the first time I didn't give him any. He's much better and has started eating larger quantities again. Whew...

October 18th was the first time RJ really gave me a hug!! I picked him up from his crib after a nap and he wrapped his arms around my neck and squeezed. He's got a pretty good grip now a days and really pinches my neck skin. Ouch!! It's all precious though. I guess it was later that day that both Robert and I got RJ to laugh!! It wasn't a deep long lasting laugh, but it was a lil one. It's a start!! Some other random things include me having to cut off one of the seals flippers on RJ's activity mat. He pulled the heck out of it and it was fraying. When holding RJ in my arms, he likes to get in this crouched position like he's pooping. Sometimes he really does! I've noticed that over the past few wks he's been looking up at the ceiling watching the shadows early in the morning or late at night during feedings. Also on the 18th RJ started shaking his head back and forth like he's saying no. It was a lil worrisome to me. It started after getting the breathing treatments. One of the side effects is nervous twitches. He's been doing it since. I asked the NICU clinic doc and she said it's fine. Robert looked up on line what other parents said. Turns out it's normal. He's just learning what his body is capable of doing I guess. On the 19th we think RJ said his first word, "mama"!! He was on his changing table after bath time and RJ was babbling up a storm. All of a sudden Robert and I both heard him say "mama". Not sure if it was an accident, but we heard it. He hasn't said it since, but I'm counting it!! On the 22nd RJ sat in the tripod position for multiple seconds without crying!! He's getting some better core strength. Before we know it he'll be sitting all by himself. I've mentioned RJ and his plastic rings. Well he's decided it's fun to place the ring right on top of his face. I guess he likes to see his world in a different color. It's quite funny. RJ's always changing his routines. He decided just this wk that it's relaxing to suck on his paci before nap time. I feed him and then give him the paci to finish lulling him to sleep. He's such a goober.

Well Wednesday the 23rd we went to the NICU grad clinic for his 6 mo appt. It was an exhausting day. We waited in a room for 1.5hrs before seeing either the doctor or nutritionist. It was awful!!! I was already exhausted from lack of sleep and then try to keep a 9 mo old entertained, fed, and diaper changed in an exam room is not fun. Grrrr. Over the next hr we got our meal plan to start solid foods and had some developmental testing done. The physical therapist came in as well to assess him and gave us a few exercises to work on. We have to work on his rolling over and sitting up. He's doing great with picking things up and transferring them from hand to hand. We need to work on holding somehting in each hand at the same time and picking up small objects. Otherwise he's right on track. We don't have to go back until April of next year!!! He'll get more developmental testing at the 1yr adjusted age. We're making progress!!!!

So the new recommendation is to start meats first. Since we are vegetarian our options are to start with tofu, beans, and soy products. I watned to wait till Robert could be here for the first feeding and wanted to make sure we took a video. He got home super late on Wednesday, so Thursday evening we tried blended up plain tofu!! It was quite the mess. RJ was very unsure. Since then he hasn't been the biggest fan. I tried warming it up today and adding some onion powder. He still didn't like it. The nutritionist recommended trying a new food every wk. Since RJ isn't the biggest fan of tofu right now, I'm anxious to try something different. I don't want him to develop a hate for it from the getgo, so think I'll beans tomorrow. We shall see.

It's crazy how fast he's growing up. He's getting more and more alert every day. He was all wide eyed during Sabbath school today. He doesn't want to miss anything. He's also decided to stay awake for 2-3 hrs now between naps. I'm blogging on the couch in the living room right now and RJ is sleeping on daddy's shoulder on the couch opposite me right now. It's simply precious. I feel so blessed right now. What an amazing lil family I have. Whew... I think that concludes this blog. I hope everyone has a wonderful coming week.

Thanks again for all the prayers, love, and support.

October 15, 2013:

We are just two days away from RJ turing 9 months old!!! That is incredible to me. It's so hard to believe we have a lil boy, let alone a 9 month old. Wow.... such a lil blessing he has been. Our miracle baby continues to grow bigger and stronger. I believe he's going to be a skinny tall dude. He's in 3-6 month PJ's b/c he's getting so long. He's right at the tip of outgrowing the straight 3 month PJ's. He is still in 3 month clothes otherwise and sometimes those are a lil big. He did hit the 13 lb mark the other day, and then subsequently he's had multiple poops, so he's lost a lil. He's hovering around the 12.5-13lb range now. He has a Pediatrician appt this Weds and NICU grad clinic next Weds, so hopefully he will weigh in officially at the 13 lb mark. I have found that when we go on vacation and he gets out of his routine, he tends to eat less which of course causes a drop in weight. It's been great getting him out and about and visiting family, it just gets tricky for RJ's schedule. I'll be glad when it's easier to travel and he's eating real people food. :)

Speaking of food we get a menu/schedule for starting solids next week at the Grad clinic appt. I'm looking forward to starting something new. I'm tired of warming up the bottles to just the right temp. He has gotten better w/ nothing requiring them to be as warm, but it's still a challenge. We have a warmer for the vehicle that plugs into the cigarret lighter and then the warmer in the house. I have to take the warmer to church and use it a couple times. I feel so silly plugging in this warmer when other moms just hand their kids the bottle. Oh well, what we do for our lil ones.

Well RJ had a record last Friday the 11th. He ate about 26 oz!!! Subsequently he's been having more trouble w/ his GI system. He's pooped 3 days in a row which is another record, but he's been crying and fussy w/ each one. They are formed and squishable w/ a wipe, not sure why the fussing. I guess he just has to learn how to poop. Sorry if that was too much info. You have to remember this a journal for me too. :)

RJ loves to cross his lil legs. It's sooo adorable!!! I took some pics yesterday. He's been pushing over the arch on his mat more often. Sometimes it's with his feet and other times with his hands. He's getting so strong. He's got a death grip w/ his hands already. He'll grab at my arm or neck and it actually hurts. He's gotten tricky in that he will arch his back when in your arms and throws himself off balance. You have to be quick that he doesn't do a back flip out of our arms! So far I've been quick enough. He's also gotten into batting at me when going to sleep for naps. It can be quite dangerous those flailing arms. I have to secure them in the blanket to keep from getting knocked out. :) Another funny event that happened last week was RJ almost wiggling out of his swing. I was cooking dinner and kept looking over to check on him. I kept seeing his lil legs get further out of the swing. When I finally went over he had his blanket pulled up so just his eyes were showing and his lil legs were dangling. It's was hilarious! I'll try to post a pic.

I am so grateful he loves to snuggle. It's such a rewarding moment when he falls asleep on your shoulder and just hunkers down for his nap. It's so precious to see that peaceful sleeping face as well. I often will take naps w/ him either in the mornings or afternoons or sometimes both! Yesterday I wanted to be productive, so I let him take his morning nap in his crib. He ended up sleeping for 2 hrs!!! I was very impressed and got lots accomplished. If he's fussy when you are trying to put him down, you just have to start singing "Jesus Loves Me". It's his favorite song I believe. It calms him right down. Robert discorvered how well it worked.

Robert and I keep trying to repeat "Mama" and "Dada" hoping he will say them soon. It hasn't happened yet. :) He is pursing his lips together acting like he's going to say something. I'm afraid he might be trying to say poop or something ridiculous. When we go to pick him up, it seems that he might be starting to reach out for us. It's happened w/ one hand a couple times. We are excited for him to really reach out both arms. :) He's always changing his routine, so his new thing this week is to sleep till around 7:30am and then stay awake for about 2hrs before going down for a nap. We shall see if that happens again today.

Oh to give an update on my health status, I had a repeat CTA last Tuesday. I got my results on Thursday and turns out my aneurysm is about the same or "slightly better". It was hard for the doc to tell, since CTA's aren't as high resolution as an angiogram. Needless to say, it's not getting worse. I will stay on the high dose 325mg Aspirin for 3 more months when I will have another CTA. It just so happends it was scheduled the day before RJ's first birthday!! :) How appropriate. :) If' all is well w/ that scan, then I can follow-up w/ another CTA in a year and go down to an 81mg Aspirin a day. My doc just wants to be extra cautious. I have to be careful of preventing reinjury. No massage of the neck for pretty much ever unless I do it. No chiropractor ever and be careful when lifting heavy objects over 25lbs. I thank God for the healing he has given me so far. I'm truly blessed.

Thank you for all your prayers, support, and love. Keep it coming!!

October 11, 2013:

Here are some old and recent pics. I forgot to post a pic of RJ with his Great-grandma McLennan from our July/Aug trip. Now he has only one more great-grandma to visit and his tour will be complete in that department. :)

He's not about 8.5 months!! Times a flying

RJ loves patty-cake

Visiting Great-grandma Pires

He was a wiggling and she was afraid he was
going to wiggle right out of her lap.
Dont' worry, we were close by.

This is a great smile!! First time grandpa (my dad)
had seen him since the NICU.

RJ and his Great-grandparents! His only
Great-grandpa that's alive.

We caught one last pic together
before it got dark. 

Turns out RJ likes to play footsie :)

This summer out in Monterey, CA. Four
generations represented.

Visiting Great-grandma McLennan for the
first time.

Great-grandma still has the touch :)

October 7, 2013:

Where has the time gone. It's almost been 2 weeks since I last posted. I think the weather has officially gotten cooler. We bundled RJ all up this evening on our walk. He looked so cute with his lil red hat on. He was all fussy before we walked out the door. Being outside and in the baby bjorn calmed him right down. He loves to look around and see everything. His lil head is constantly turning from left to right and all around.

This past weekend was a big one for RJ. He got to see my dad for the first time since being out of the NICU and he got to meet my grandparents. My grandma was thrilled. We surprised her and when she saw him she kept saying "My baby, my baby." It was special. She had a stroke 9 years ago and is pretty much confined to a wheelchair and has no use of her left arm. She was so thrilled to be able to hold RJ. I stayed close by b/c he's a lil wiggle bug and she was afraid he was going to fall out of her arms. He did so well. It was a successful weekend. :)

The week of September 22nd RJ successfully put his plastic play rings on both arms and during a seperate time put one on his leg! It was quite impressive. Of course he did it when I wasn't looking. I was curious if he would take them back off again, and the stinker did it when I wasn't looking. :) He's since done it multiple times and I've been able to witness the event. I haven't seen him put the rings back on his legs again.

RJ has officially started grabbing at his bottle deliberatly. His lil hands are still not the most coordinated, so they kind of bat at the bottle. He's slowly getting better. Today I thought he almost had it. He'll open his lil mouth in anticipation. I then will take some control and guide the nipple to his mouth.

Sometime last week RJ decided to randomly breastfeed. It was funny. He was sucking on my shirt so I tried and he took the boob for a lil while. That was short lived. :) I honestly can say I don't miss the pumping. I don't really think much about the breastfeeding anymore. I've come to terms with it.

RJ hasn't rolled over by himself in quite awhile. I think he stopped when he started gaining more weight. He would much rather stand up. He loves to hold our fingers and stand up. It brings the biggest smile to his face. He wasn't enjoying trying to sit up on his play mat, but I've recently sat him on the counter while I heat up his bottle and let him play with the Keurig. He is getting closer to sitting on his own I think. Got to get that core strengthened.

His lil twinkle toes have become one of his favorite new toys! He loves grabbing his toes. Today I saw him totally on his left side holding his toes. Maybe he'll start getting the clue to roll over. :)

Last week we were officially discharged from Peds Surgery clinic. RJ is pooping on his own now since adding the probiotics to his milk. One less doctor to see!!!

Yesterday afternoon we were sitting on the couch and RJ started playing footsie with me. It was so cute. Robert took some pics. I need to download the camera so I can show everyone.

Oh, while we were at my grandparents house this past weekend, RJ found himself in the mirror. He was very focused on the baby in the mirror. He kept batting his hands at the other baby. My dad caught it on video. He learns something new every day. :)

One way to get RJ smiling is to play patty-cake with him. He gets the biggest kick out of it. I'll start clapping my hands and he will put his on the outside of mine. He doesn't get the rolling and marking part quite yet. :)

He gets all excited when daddy comes home from work. He gets all smiley. It's adorable. When we got back from our trip yesterday afternoon, he was super excited to see daddy. When we had facetimed Saturday night, it almost looked like he was grabbing at the screen to touch daddy. What a precious lil guy. We love him to pieces. It's so much fun to see him getting more interactive and expressive.

Thanks again for all the prayers, support, and love. We are going to have his baby dedication on November 2nd at the Lexington SDA Church. Our immediate family is coming into town, so that will be a memorable weekend. It will be quite the weekend of celebration of our special lil miracle. Till next time. :)