Pumpkin Carving

Nursery Follow-Up Clinic

Today went to her first appointment at the nursery follow-up clinic.  At this appointment she is seen by her pediatrician, a behavioral/developmental specialist pediatrician and a physical therapist.  The purpose of the clinic is to look at her development more closely and check to see if there are any areas that might need attention.  Sophie appears to be right on track for her adjusted age.  The physical therapist gave us some activities and exercises we could do to help with some of the stiffness typical in preemies.  Everyone was very enthusiastic about how well she is doing.

Sophie also got the first in a series of Synagis shots which are given to micropreemies to help prevent RSV, Respiratory Syncytial Virus.  RSV is a very common virus that leads to mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and older healthy children. It can be more serious in young babies, especially to those in certain high-risk groups, including preemies.  In these high risk groups, getting the virus can mean serious respiratory issues that can require hospitalization,  oxygen or being put back on a ventilator.  The virus can not be treated by antibiotics.  The Synagis shots are not a vaccine, but instead a dose of antibodies that would help fight the virus if she were to get it, keeping her from getting a serious case.  She will have to have these shots once a month for 6 months during the RSV season.  She also got a flu shot and will have to get one more shot in a month since this is the first time she has received a flu shot.  She disliked both shots equally.

Sophie weighed 15 lbs. 12 oz, was 25.5 inches long and her head circumference was 17.32 inches.  Her doctor was thrilled with her growth.

Growth Percentiles
Adjusted age (4 mo. 3 wks)
weight/59th percentile
height/55th percentile
head/92nd percentile

Actual Age (8 months)
weight/9th percentile
height/5th percentile
head/58th percentile

        

Disney on Ice

Today we took Dylan to Disney on Ice in San Jose.  Sophie stayed with Grandma and Papa, so we were able to have a special outing for the 3 of us.  We all had a terrific time.

Rice Cereal

Who is the boss?

Dylan (age 4) to me last night in response to me telling him to brush his teeth, “ Mom is the boss.”
Me to Dylan, “Well, I am also the boss, and if I ask you to brush your teeth, I need you to do it.”
Dylan to me, “We’ll see who is the boss when I am a teenager.”

Pumpkin Cousins

Dylan and Sophie met up with their cousins in Livermore for our annual family pumpkin patch tradition.  The kids all had a great time.

Soccer

Grandma Barbara game to watch Dylan's last soccer practice and game.

Pumpkins!

On Saturday we had a fun day at the pumpkin patch.  Saturday evening we got all the Halloween decorations up.  Dylan said, "Mommy, this is the spookiest day ever!"  I think this is going to be a great Halloween.

Gratitude

Today Sophie is 4 months adjusted age, meaning if she was born on her due date, she would be 4 months old today. Just over a year ago I found out I was pregnant and was calculating that due date, June 8. We were so excited, the date also is the wedding anniversary of my parents and Lynda’s grandparents, a lucky day, we thought. A baby with a warm weather birthday, we envisioned BBQs and park parties, baby bathing suits.

I remember seeing the date along with the physicians and nurses on duty on the whiteboard in the delivery room and thinking, “February 22? My baby’s birthday is going to be February 22 or 23? How is that possible? I didn’t plan for February!”

So we have this wonderful baby with dualing birthdays. There is the day she was born and the day she was supposed to be born. What is and what should have been. A Pisces instead of a Gemini. Interesting that while she is younger than she is, I feel so much older than I am. I wonder if preemie parents get a corrected age too, you age about a year for every week your baby is in that hospital. On the upside, I am sure in a few years she will be campaigning for multiple birthday parties.

What have I learned? Well, I have learned there isn’t much in life you can control. All you can control is how you respond to it. The common sense part of me always knew that was true, but the rest of me really wanted to believe I was in control most of the time. Now, I know better. I have also learned how truly amazing people can be, how they will “show up” for you in all the right ways just when you need them the most. I have learned I hate hospital imitation Jello and that I will likely never be any good at crocheting. I have learned that the Winter Olympics really shouldn’t be watched in their entirety. I have learned that there is no pain you can feel from getting an IV, a shot, a blood draw or a medical procedure that compares to the pain of watching these things done to your baby. I have learned that I need to appreciate my health, the health of my children and the health of the people I love every day. I have learned that life is really a miracle and I need to be present and grateful every moment. I need to give more hugs. I have learned how truly blessed I am.

Some numbers…

175 days my pregnancy (280 days would have been full term)

90 days time Sophie was in the ICN

37 weeks, 5 days Sophie’s adjusted age the day she came home

135 days Sophie has been home

7 months, 3 weeks Sophie’s actual age

52 degrees average temperature in San Mateo County for February

70 degrees average temperature in San Mateo County for June

3.2 inches average precipitation in San Mateo County for February

0.1 inches average precipitation in San Mateo County for June

10 average number of rainy days in San Mateo County in February

1 average number of rainy days in San Mateo County in June

Weekend Fun

Our Amazing Girl

These are video clips and pictures we took while Sophie was in the hospital,  February- May 2010.

Sophie 9.19.10

Basketball

Soccer!

Dylan has been playing soccer in the under 5 group this year.  We go every Friday evening and the parents help run a practice for the kids followed by a game.  Most Fridays Sophie and I are able to go watch- she hangs out in her stroller while I sit in my camp chair on the sidelines and take pictures and video.  Dylan has been having a great time and he often reminds me when I should be taking video.  When did our little boy get so big?  When did I turn into a soccer mom?