As we mentioned elsewhere, there is a three step process to checking out Nina’s neck issues, and one of them involves checking to make sure she doesn’t have any skull issues. We’d noted that she has a flat spot, so this was important to us as well. It is pretty simple the way this happens… weak neck makes it so that her head is comfortable in one position. Despite our best efforts (when we figured out what was up) her skull, like any others in that situation, developed a flat spot.
So. We went to a… uh… skullologist… Melissa will have to help me remember what the real name is, but upon measuring of her skull, they determined that she was one of those “maaaaybe??” situations. To clarify, we have our choice, she can have a helmet now, or we wait a month and see how she does on her own. We decided on the latter, as she has been doing better and better with both her neck (to the point that when we get done with this three step process, I think her neck will no longer be an issue, just her skull) AND her skull, and the opportunities to lay her on her belly or her side, or sit her up have become much more plentiful. So we’ll give her a month and if she gets better on her own, we should be all set. If not? Helmet for 3 months.
(Wow, this is poorly written… I’ll need to fix this up later.)
About a month ago:
“I press the popcorn button the buh-mote.” (The remote has a button with a DVD and popcorn on it for “play DVD.” He knows his way around on the remote enough to start a movie, and to start the next episode of Dora.)
Ian’s three, and I realize that’s young, but I guess I’ve still been using this phrase regularly enough with him that he shot it back at me last week: “How many times I hafta tell you?”
I threw something across the room and Ian used a raspy voice to say “Now you’ll NEVER find it!!!” (This is a line from “Swiper the Fox” on Dora the Explorer.)
I’ve also got a fun little quote he said when he woke up this May 25th, but it basically isn’t suitable for a family blog. Well, alright if you’re still reading then you must not care, here’s a clue: Suffice to say some of his plumbing wasn’t being cooperative in the aiming department due to a gravity-defying issue. “It won’t go down!”
Here’s another one that might be considered less family-friendly. File this under “he meant what he said.” Melissa walked around the corner to find Ian holding on to his diaper. “I went poop.” She checked him out, he was fine, and clean. Off to daycare he went. A couple hours later my co-worker and friend Brandon showed up for work at the Rockford office (Melissa and I’s house) and when he went to use our facilities, he found that Ian had in fact left him a present in the potty, without flushing. I’m still incredibly proud of him for being so good about the potty. He’s been brilliant!
Nina had her 5 month cardiologist appointment on the 26th… Melissa beat me to the punch on writing down how it went, so I’m going to take advantage of her handiwork and copy/paste that update here:
Nina had her regularly scheduled cardiology appointment today. This visit included the standard EKG and check-up by the physician, but also a repeat echocardiogram to see if any progress (i.e. improvements) have been made with regards to the holes. I am so proud (and humbly thankful) to report that the two small holes in the wall separating the lower chambers of Nina’s heart have closed! This is such incredibly good news and an answer to many prayers. Praises to God! The large hole between the upper chambers remains, and unless God intervenes with a miracle it is not likely to close on its own. However, because the lower holes have closed, our cardiologist was very encouraged and said that the surgery wouldn’t need to occur until spring or summer of next year. He is also very pleased with how well Nina is gaining weight… he even commented that she’s pudgy. 🙂 Nina’s weight today was 13 pounds 14 ounces, so she is now just over twice her birth weight. Amazing. And the final piece of good news from the cardiologist is that our next appointment isn’t until October. That seems so far away and such a nice change of pace from the frequency we’ve been used to!
Other Updates
Nina is still recovering from her cold that started last week. We are almost through the 10 day antibiotic cycle and she is sleeping much better, however, she is still very congested. Nina also woke up on Tuesday morning at 5 a.m. and vomited repeatedly for two hours. I was worried that she was having an allergic reaction to the antibiotic, but thankfully that doesn’t seem to be the case. I think she must have just swallowed so much mucus overnight that it made her sick. Once she got all the nasty stuff out of her system she seemed fine. She nursed well the rest of the day without any more throwing up and has been fine ever since. Hoping all the cold/sickness is almost out of her system.
Final Nina update is that we still haven’t heard anything regarding scheduling for her neck therapy. I’ve followed up twice, but the office is still working on the paperwork. Hopefully we’ll be able to get things moving here shortly.
Finally, I just want to say thanks again to everyone who has been following Nina’s journey on this CarePage, for all the messages and words of encouragements we have received, and especially for all of the prayers that have been lifted on behalf of our entire family. We are so blessed to have such an incredible and far-reaching support network. Thank You!
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14
For I am the Lord, who heals you. Exodus 15:26
Glorify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:3
https://outoftheirminds.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ootmd-logo-dark-wings-3Asset-15.svg00vrbfwhttps://outoftheirminds.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ootmd-logo-dark-wings-3Asset-15.svgvrbfw2010-05-28 22:06:402010-05-28 22:06:40Quotable Ian
We kept Nina out of daycare this week, her temperature hit the magic number and we had to pick her up… She seems to be doing much better now, although she’s still up crying enough to cause Mommy some sleepless nights.
Those of you keeping score on Ian’s potty progress will be pleased to note that the accidents he had on Monday and Tuesday of last week were the only two… we’ve been getting those daily sheets from daycare and the potty section has just said “He did GREAT!” three days in a row.
I’ve got a good bike follow-up video to show you someday… in it I just say “we’re pedaling, we’re pedaling… STOP!” and Ian hits the brakes on his bike. As a parent I can say that perhaps this is one of the most important things I’ve taught him so far.
And now more pics from way back on the 4th of May…
Did this kid just successfully use the potty again? Probably not the day this was taken… but not long afterwards. See this image larger.
https://outoftheirminds.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ootmd-logo-dark-wings-3Asset-15.svg00vrbfwhttps://outoftheirminds.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ootmd-logo-dark-wings-3Asset-15.svgvrbfw2010-05-21 22:59:082010-05-21 22:59:08May the Fourth Be with You
Nina’s Symmetry
As we mentioned elsewhere, there is a three step process to checking out Nina’s neck issues, and one of them involves checking to make sure she doesn’t have any skull issues. We’d noted that she has a flat spot, so this was important to us as well. It is pretty simple the way this happens… weak neck makes it so that her head is comfortable in one position. Despite our best efforts (when we figured out what was up) her skull, like any others in that situation, developed a flat spot.
So. We went to a… uh… skullologist… Melissa will have to help me remember what the real name is, but upon measuring of her skull, they determined that she was one of those “maaaaybe??” situations. To clarify, we have our choice, she can have a helmet now, or we wait a month and see how she does on her own. We decided on the latter, as she has been doing better and better with both her neck (to the point that when we get done with this three step process, I think her neck will no longer be an issue, just her skull) AND her skull, and the opportunities to lay her on her belly or her side, or sit her up have become much more plentiful. So we’ll give her a month and if she gets better on her own, we should be all set. If not? Helmet for 3 months.
(Wow, this is poorly written… I’ll need to fix this up later.)
Quotable Ian
About a month ago:
“I press the popcorn button the buh-mote.” (The remote has a button with a DVD and popcorn on it for “play DVD.” He knows his way around on the remote enough to start a movie, and to start the next episode of Dora.)
Ian’s three, and I realize that’s young, but I guess I’ve still been using this phrase regularly enough with him that he shot it back at me last week: “How many times I hafta tell you?”
I threw something across the room and Ian used a raspy voice to say “Now you’ll NEVER find it!!!” (This is a line from “Swiper the Fox” on Dora the Explorer.)
I’ve also got a fun little quote he said when he woke up this May 25th, but it basically isn’t suitable for a family blog. Well, alright if you’re still reading then you must not care, here’s a clue: Suffice to say some of his plumbing wasn’t being cooperative in the aiming department due to a gravity-defying issue. “It won’t go down!”
Here’s another one that might be considered less family-friendly. File this under “he meant what he said.” Melissa walked around the corner to find Ian holding on to his diaper. “I went poop.” She checked him out, he was fine, and clean. Off to daycare he went. A couple hours later my co-worker and friend Brandon showed up for work at the Rockford office (Melissa and I’s house) and when he went to use our facilities, he found that Ian had in fact left him a present in the potty, without flushing. I’m still incredibly proud of him for being so good about the potty. He’s been brilliant!
Nina had her 5 month cardiologist appointment on the 26th… Melissa beat me to the punch on writing down how it went, so I’m going to take advantage of her handiwork and copy/paste that update here:
May the Fourth Be with You
Sorry about that title. Are you over it? Good.
We kept Nina out of daycare this week, her temperature hit the magic number and we had to pick her up… She seems to be doing much better now, although she’s still up crying enough to cause Mommy some sleepless nights.
Those of you keeping score on Ian’s potty progress will be pleased to note that the accidents he had on Monday and Tuesday of last week were the only two… we’ve been getting those daily sheets from daycare and the potty section has just said “He did GREAT!” three days in a row.
I’ve got a good bike follow-up video to show you someday… in it I just say “we’re pedaling, we’re pedaling… STOP!” and Ian hits the brakes on his bike. As a parent I can say that perhaps this is one of the most important things I’ve taught him so far.
And now more pics from way back on the 4th of May…