Although I’ve been at this mommy thing for almost a year, everyday continues to be an adventure. This morning I had to do a product launch for Apple and at the same time I was changing Trent – my cell phone rang with the password to the files I needed. Unfortunately I had dropped his bib on the kitchen floor when getting out the meds to make the bottles and managed to slide out on the bib on the kitchen floor as I ran for the phone. Needless to say the person who called me thought she caught me in the middle of exercising and Trent got to enjoy being naked boy in his crib while I wished my cell phone was a speakerphone.
Unfortunately today we also ran out of his prilosec this morning. I had ordered a refill on the prescription on Saturday but last night when I went to get it, they had told me the doctor hadn’t called back in time and since the med requires compounding – they needed 48 hours to make it. I was so stupid, I should’ve called before I braved the horrible rainstorm to go to the compounding pharmacy but I didn’t – and so it wasn’t ready when I got there and Trent had to go without it today. I’m so mad at myself for not planning better. I should know by now that the meds lose their effectiveness at the bottom of the prescription. Poor Trent, his tummy was so upset last night and today. The mix of the 3 drugs is really the magic formula for him and his belly certain knows when he doesn’t have all of them.
Tomorrow the babies have physical therapy. I can’t wait for the therapist to see their progress. She’s going to be so thrilled when she sees how well they can both sit up. I just know crawling is around the corner.
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The babies continue to struggle with their colds. The pediatrician had told us to expect it to last 10 days. Hopefully she’s correct and we’re heading towards the end. Sophie girl has now figured out that if she takes a few sips of her bottle and then pulls it out, she can still eat and breathe. It is so hard to seem them struggling. This morning she was up at 4am complaining about her stuffy nose and she and I just rocked for 2 hours. I was telling her all about the new dress we’ll get her for her first birthday and that we’ll even get some rumba panties for her. Clearly she’s my daughter, as the discussion of a new outfit seemed to improve her mood immediately.
Given Trent’s continued congestion we decided to move out Trent’s hearing test until next week. I spoke to the audiologist on the phone and she said given the mixed results we’ve gotten in the past- its best to postpone it until he’s well to ensure an accurate reading. We are so lucky to be working with someone who is so caring and understands how important this test is for Trent and us. We do believe there has been improvement with his hearing though. Much like his sister, he’s turning into Mr. Chatty and was having quite the conversation with me tonight.
Today the babies attended our neighbor (and friend) Jenifer’s 40th birthday party. They were very lucky to be held by many of our wonderful neighbors and clearly enjoyed seeing all people and being part of the celebration. Unfortunately their both still struggling with stuffy noses and no amount of nose cleaning helps. I wish there was something we could give them to help. I had really thought Trent would be over this by this week but now I am wondering if I should move out his hearing test again. This test is so important and we just want to make sure that he’s not dealing with congestion -to ensure we get an accurate result.
I’ve been watching Sophie’s movements closely as the doctors had mentioned the strength difference on the one side of her body. She’s come so far but I can see there is a different. As times when she in her standee play toy it looks as if she’s trying to do the soft shoe routine with one foot but she never does it with the other foot. She also taps and the arm on the same side. I know that this is something we just need to work on and almost force her to use both sides of her body equally. Tonight I was trying to figure out how to make it into a game to get her moving. I think the ability to make up silly songs and dance routines must be part of the mommy gene.
The babies continue to struggle with stuffy noses. We’re now beginning to wonder if its allergies since they’re showing no other symptoms that would typically accompanies a cold. This morning when we went for our family walk we were sitting out in front of Willow Glen Coffee Roasting house and Trent was so enamored with the wind chimes. He was completely transfixed by them. It’s the small things like that makes us very hopeful that his hearing has improved and he can hear soft sounds- like those coming from wind chimes.
Tonight we had Grandma Carol and Grandpa George over for Grandpa’s birthday. Trent and Sophie just loved playing with Grandma and Grandpa and showing off their new moves. Trent still hasn’t completely mastered the crawling thing but is trying really hard but everyday we see improvements with their sitting and their ability to hold themselves up.
I can’t believe we’re getting ready to celebrate their first birthday. It’s truly been an amazing year.
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Today the babies had their RSV shots and monthly weigh in. We’ve spent too much time with the pediatrician’s office and our care has required such different care than typical new burns that we are beginning to feel like a member of the pediatrician’s family. They have several nurses who have come to know the babies over the last several months but there is one nurse Chiooka who is a former NICU nurse who has cared for them continually ( and can take Sophie’s bp- which was right on today!). Today when she arrived she told the other nurse that she “always” has looked after the Keene babies and would do so today. You could tell from both her smile and our pediatrician’s happiness after the weigh in and exam – that they enjoyed their jobs today. After all these long months, Trent has finally caught up with his sister and weighed in at 16lbs 2 oz, Miss Sophie girl weighed in at 16lbs 7 oz.( that cat weighs 20lbs so we still have a way to go to catch Zeek) We are beyond thrilled! The additional meds and solid food have made all the difference for Trent. Unfortunately for the babies, the great size meant that they had to have a shot in each thigh.
Overall Dr. Loeb felt both babies are showing the right things in terms of development. She was absolutely thrilled to hear that he’s trying hard to crawl and said that type of movement is not something a child with cerebral palsy would do. Although this doesn’t mean he’s totally in the clear- we’ll certainly take it as a hopeful sign. For Sophie- although she appears right on intellectually, we’re still concern about Sophie’s physical development in terms of sitting, crawling etc. But as Dr. Loeb reminded us, the effects of her hydrocephalus are unknown and we just need to take it day by day. The doctor did muscle exams to try to figure out if there is an issue with her head control (because I mentioned the head bopping thing) but she said all appears fine. I guess its just one of those things to watch.
Unfortunately the shots the babies got today do have side effects and between that and their colds, today was not too great. Its so hard to seem the suffer and cry after their shots. April cannot come soon enough- and then we’ll just be back to normal boosters.
Today was a tough day at the Keene house. Sophie woke up again at 5am screaming and only calmed down after an hour of “chick time? with me in our wonderful borrowed slider rocker. I think her early wake up had to do with her very stuffy nose. Poor little lady. I so wish we could give her decongestant to make her feel better but due to her elevated blood pressure, she can’t have it. Her bp continues to be stable (I still take it every other night or so) but for now- any meds that could impact her bp are off the table. Trent on the other hand can have it. Unfortunately it’s not really helping. Today I came home at lunch and boy was he having a TOUGH day. Nothing I could do could make him eat. He just didn’t feel up to it. It kind of made me realize how early it starts that men don’t do illnesses well.
I’m still on the fence with his hearing test. Right now I’m planning that we’ll postpone until Tuesday and allow his congestion to clear so his ears can be CLEAR! However if tonight’s sleep combined with the ever-present vaporizer works magic and he wakes up a new baby tomorrow, we’ll keep the appointment. We are so blessed to have an audiologist who is invested in Trent. The other day when I called Packard to attempt to reschedule the test, the scheduler told me their next appointment was the end of April! I can’t imagine waiting that long to get an updating on his hearing. However, I asked to be transferred to Dr. Yamashita and she answered and said she could fit us in next Tuesday. She recommended I keep tomorrow’s appointment and Tuesday’s and just call her directly tomorrow am and let her know how he was feeling so we could make a plan. She said by the time the scheduler figured out we were double booked, we would’ve cancelled one of the appointments. I’m so glad we have an option if necessary. WooHOO!
Tomorrow we also go to the pediatrician for our weigh in and RSV shot. Given their colds, the appointment couldn’t come at a better time since I’d probably be calling the doctor anyway to see if there was something we could for their discomfort. We’re praying for a big FAT number for their weight and length!
Today was a better day for the Keene’s. I think we all pretty worn out from a tought week. Both babies slept through the night and seemed better today. They’re still stuffed up but are both feeling more themselves. The physical therapist was also came to visit them. Since I couldn’t be here today, Grandma Carol came to observe the therapist with Doris our caregiver. Both babies showed improvement- Trent more so then Sophie. His upper body is stronger and he’s just about to take off as a crawler. Sophie girl though doesn’t have the same strength he has and although she’s trying to sit up more- she’s not showing the need to crawl. Unfortunately she also didn’t feel the need to “demo” her head flop for the therapist. Tonight when we were feeding her she kept doing it and Aaron reminded her that as mommy I had eyes in the back of my head and knew she was doing the head bop when she wasn’t suppose to.
On Friday we have our monthly weigh in and Trent has an appointment up at Packard for his hearing recheck. I spoke to the audiologist today and she and I agreed to postpone the test if necessary to prevent a false negative result due to his congestion.
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