I am feeling very emotional this evening. It's Christmas eve, and tomorrow is the babies' very first Christmas. I cant put into words how having Joe and Harry here with us makes me feel. This time last year things were looking very grim indeed for them and no-one thought we'd make it as far as viability, but here we are, almost eleven months on with two very special little boys sharing our lives.
Merry Christmas to all our friends and family, from all of us xxxxx
Friday, 24 December 2010
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Bad ear for Harry
I cant remember if i mentioned in my last update that Harry has been having a problem with one of his ears. It has been discharging nasty pus and oozy stuff for over four weeks now and hasn't got any better despite oral antibiotics and ear drops.
I took him back to the gp yesterday about it as he is generally getting more and more irritable and is having problems eating now which i hope is associated with the pain in his ear. We were sent straight to the hospital to be reviewed by the ENT specialists who say that it looks like a very nasty infection in the actual ear canal which is very rare in babies, and more common in adults who swim a lot. The last swab that was taken has shown a bacteria called psuedenomas which normally affects immune-compromised people so he has been given antibiotics and ear drops specifically to fight this bug. We have to go back in just over a week for review and if it's no better then he will be put under anaesthetic to have a proper look.
The dr said they might have problems finding an anaesthetist happy to work with him due to the hole in his heart, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Fingers crossed the new medicines make it better because quite frankly I need my happy baby back.
Time to wake them up from their morning nap now. They have already been asleep an hour and a half after deciding five thirty was a good time start the day! Someone needs to remind those babies that the day doesn't officially start until at least seven am.
I took him back to the gp yesterday about it as he is generally getting more and more irritable and is having problems eating now which i hope is associated with the pain in his ear. We were sent straight to the hospital to be reviewed by the ENT specialists who say that it looks like a very nasty infection in the actual ear canal which is very rare in babies, and more common in adults who swim a lot. The last swab that was taken has shown a bacteria called psuedenomas which normally affects immune-compromised people so he has been given antibiotics and ear drops specifically to fight this bug. We have to go back in just over a week for review and if it's no better then he will be put under anaesthetic to have a proper look.
The dr said they might have problems finding an anaesthetist happy to work with him due to the hole in his heart, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Fingers crossed the new medicines make it better because quite frankly I need my happy baby back.
Time to wake them up from their morning nap now. They have already been asleep an hour and a half after deciding five thirty was a good time start the day! Someone needs to remind those babies that the day doesn't officially start until at least seven am.
Friday, 10 December 2010
It's been a while
So it's been a while since the last update. My laptop has died a painful death and typing on the iPad is a real pain so I will use that as the reason for not filling this in sooner.
The babies both continue to thrive. That's the main crux of things I guess. They are eating loads, sleeping lots, and being as adorable as ever. In the last couple of months their different personalities have really developed. Joe is by far the baby who demands more attention. He sleeps less, smiles are harder to get and he likes to be entertained more than Harry. Harry laughs and smiles at anyone, he is truly such a happy, easy baby and as long as he is fed, is happy to just go with the flow.
We had an appointment last week at the Child Development Centre and they are very happy with both boys' progress. They are both rolling from tummy to back, bringing their hands to the middle, and passing toys from hand to hand. Sitting is coming along nicely, with Joe being able to support himself for a minute or two now and Harry isn't far behind him. They aren't concerned about Harry's stiffness, although they did agree he is quite tight in his arms and upper body they say it is still on the spectrum of being considered normal.
The boys were both weighed today and harry is up to 16lbs 8oz and Joe is right around 15lbs. Joe physically feels very light and slight compared to Harry, but i think he actually eats more. Harry is still struggling to move on from very smooth foods and tends to gag easily. I'm not really too concerned yet but it's something to keep our eyes on in the coming weeks. Both babies are still on their prescribed premature baby milk but i suspect at our next hospital appointment that that will be coming to an end. They aren't really keen on normal baby milk as we have tried when we ran out so i will use my persuasion skills to try and keep them on it for a bit longer yet.
Next month it is their first birthday. I just cant believe it. I know i end nearly every update by saying this, but i really, really cant believe or understand why we have been lucky enough to get two 23 weekers who appear to have emerged unscathed. They are absolute miracles. I cherish every day with them knowing how hard they fought to be here.
The babies both continue to thrive. That's the main crux of things I guess. They are eating loads, sleeping lots, and being as adorable as ever. In the last couple of months their different personalities have really developed. Joe is by far the baby who demands more attention. He sleeps less, smiles are harder to get and he likes to be entertained more than Harry. Harry laughs and smiles at anyone, he is truly such a happy, easy baby and as long as he is fed, is happy to just go with the flow.
We had an appointment last week at the Child Development Centre and they are very happy with both boys' progress. They are both rolling from tummy to back, bringing their hands to the middle, and passing toys from hand to hand. Sitting is coming along nicely, with Joe being able to support himself for a minute or two now and Harry isn't far behind him. They aren't concerned about Harry's stiffness, although they did agree he is quite tight in his arms and upper body they say it is still on the spectrum of being considered normal.
The boys were both weighed today and harry is up to 16lbs 8oz and Joe is right around 15lbs. Joe physically feels very light and slight compared to Harry, but i think he actually eats more. Harry is still struggling to move on from very smooth foods and tends to gag easily. I'm not really too concerned yet but it's something to keep our eyes on in the coming weeks. Both babies are still on their prescribed premature baby milk but i suspect at our next hospital appointment that that will be coming to an end. They aren't really keen on normal baby milk as we have tried when we ran out so i will use my persuasion skills to try and keep them on it for a bit longer yet.
Next month it is their first birthday. I just cant believe it. I know i end nearly every update by saying this, but i really, really cant believe or understand why we have been lucky enough to get two 23 weekers who appear to have emerged unscathed. They are absolute miracles. I cherish every day with them knowing how hard they fought to be here.
Thursday, 9 December 2010
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From Sarah, using BlackBerry® from Orange
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