Plugging Along

We are still here just plugging along. Both babies have been sick so things got crazy for a while. I'm not even sure if I got sick... didn't have time to think about it, I guess.

We had a wonderful visit from my Mom and she surprised me by having my sister in tow. How great was that??? I haven't seen my sister since Margaret was fresh home from the NICU! There are no words to express how much fun it was having a shopping day with my Mom and Steph. I had forgotten how nice it is to have girl time. ... now I'm craving it... (Steph, please come back soon!!!!)

In not so fun news, I am having to get surgery on both my hands. I am going to try to schedule it two days after Christmas since recovery will be long and painful. I don't want to have to feel bad during the first Christmas that Margaret *may* "get it". I'm having two procedures done on both hands. First is a carpal tunnel "release" and second is to fix the extreme tendonitis in my thumbs. The pain has gotten so bad that I can't sleep at night. I can also no longer open things that twist off or grip and lift things with my hands. This poses a major problem since William isn't going to be motivating himself anytime soon. AND he is a big boy. So, I thought I'd better do this while he is still 20 pounds rather than 40. I will not be able to use my hands for six weeks. I am having to schedule grandparents to come help for weeks at a time. Thank goodness we have parents who are willing to do this.

Margaret had her first trip to the dentist a couple of weeks ago and it went well. As I suspected, she has enamel hypoplasia on her top front four teeth. So we have to be extra careful with the sweets, juice, etc. And, of course, we need to use flouride toothpaste for extra protection.

Margaret has been going to "school" for about a month now and she loves it. She doesn't even care when I leave in the morning! And before we get there, she is singing her teachers' names at the top of her lungs in the car. (this is very cute, btw) We have received lots of colored pictures and paintings and glue projects from her. Even though I would love to keep every single thing she ever does, I know this is not practical, so we are limiting ourselves to the favorite one of the week.



William... what an amazing little guy. What is he doing, you ask? Nothing too much different but the little things mean so much. We got our very first belly laugh and squeal the other day. I have it on video but I'm afraid to post it as it looks like we are really being rough with him... but he obviously loves it. He adores being jostled and bounced and tossed about. And I love the reaction I get.

He also is improving in his ability to get his fist in his mouth. He can get it there about 1 out of 3-4 tries but then he gets so excited that he gets spastic and loses his hand. If he can just happen to be quick enough to start sucking, he calms down enough to keep his hand there for a few seconds. I've seen him do this a few times and I'm always so happy for him!
Tummy time (over the boppy to keep his arms forward) is going well. The past few days he has started pushing up on his arms some. And yesterday this pleased him so much that he started his "chuckle" and "talk" while he was doing it. Usually tummy time ends because he starts moving his legs like he is crawling and does a face plant. This little boy wants to crawl. I am still trying to figure out a way to help him. I tried holding him at his ribcage, but this just causes him to drop his head and freeze there. I'll keep working on it.


I swear, his vision is getting better. Yesterday he tracked Margaret when she walked through the room. He has visually noticed the TV. I know the structures of his eyes cannot improve but I really believe that his ability to use his vision is getting better every day. We did find out at the second Ophthalmologist appointment that he is moderately farsighted and may need glasses at our next visit in six months. How cute!

So, we are doing really well here. Margaret is a sweetheart and William amazes us every day. Mommy and Daddy are doing well. The house, though, it is a total wreck! (it is one of the last things on my mind these days... )

(I wanted to add that I got Margaret's Proud Preemie shirt from http://www.brightlittlebeginnings.com .)

Harder than I Thought

As the months roll on, it is becoming more apparent that William has some serious issues with his motor function. We knew this would be the case, but, still, it is very hard to watch your child fall farther behind his peers. Much harder than I thought it would be.

It is hard to see other typical babies around town. Sometimes it even hurts to look at Margaret and think that William will probably never be able to do the things that she does.I have taken the habit of telling the Pediatrician's staff not to ask any developmental questions about William when I bring him for his well baby visits. So I get to avoid having what he is NOT doing shoved in my face.

Yesterday was unavoidable, though. It was time for William's six month review with EI. The questions were terrible even though they were asking them based on his adjusted age of 6 months. I hate saying "no". I did get to say "yes" on some things related to speech and a few "sometimes" answers for a few fine motor things. Overall, though, he is behind. I don't know why, even though I expected it, it is so hard. I've been pretty weepy since then.

I hurt for my boy who wants so badly to do the things he just can't. I can't imagine that it gets any easier as he realizes there are more things he wants to do. For now, he would be happy to be able to hold a toy in his mouth, suck his thumb, or sit up.

Does it make me "anti disability" to wish I could heal him, that he didn't have to struggle? No, I don't think so. It makes me a Mom. I want both of my children to be able to do whatever in life that they choose to do. And today, William wants to chew a toy.

Cerebral Palsy sucks.