Lilypie Second Birthday tickers

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Goodbye Vigilon

So the day finally came... we went back to see the plastic surgeon. We'd been counting down to August 23rd since Lewis left the hospital. Dr. Mann took one look at Lewis's back and said, "yep, that's healed." And I said, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" Ok actually I just said, "ok, good." But I was screaming and jumping inside! We knew it was healed; it had looked healed for weeks. But it was great to hear it from the doctor.

We had been changing the dressing on Lewis's back twice a day for 6 weeks. The dressing consisted of the vigilon gel sheet, a square of gauze, and a steri-drape that stuck onto the bottom of his back just above his butt so nothing nasty would get into his wound. Every time we picked him up, there were crinkling noises. And the vigilon... I had one sheet go through the washer and dryer and get permanently adhered to a towel. I had another sheet somehow get into the bathtub. I was taking a shower and the water wasn't draining so I assumed there was some sort of clog. Nope, just the invisible vigilon sheet clinging to the drain. I do have one sheet left, still all packaged up, and it's going in Lewis's keepsake box. I will not miss the vigilon, but because of it, we were able to bring Lewis home.

We're really enjoying this time. Lewis is just a little baby and he acts like all the other little babies. He's not walking... but neither are the other babies his age. We haven't gone to any of our appointments yet. No orthopedics, no urology... he's done healing and we don't have much else to deal with yet. We're loving it! I really wish summer would last another 3 months... I spent an entire month in a hospital so this summer felt way too short... but we're enjoying it while it lasts! Today we had a picnic with Kevin and Sarah, who also had a baby about a month ago. Sarah and I have been enjoying her maternity leave, we've already made and frozen some baby food. It's going to be a fun 6 months before she has to go back to work! Here are some pictures from our picnic. We got a new camera... so I was kind of snap-happy... :)

Ready for the picnic

Wish I had my eyes all the way open...

And a new onesie... because of a minor diaper-disaster.
Good thing I had another one on hand.

Oops... I guess you might like to be able to see...

He LOVES being outside!

Aww!

Lewis is sleeping... and Abigayle is awake. They were never awake at the same time. Which is why this is the best picture we got...

Also, Lewis has officially abandoned his pacifier. He only wants his thumb now. It is really nice not having to keep a pacifier with us at all times. And it's nice not to have to try to catch it before it hits the floor when he shoots it out of his mouth. But... we no longer have anything to use as a "plug." Come on, you know you all do it. When we're in church now and he fusses it's like, Quick! Shove his thumb in his mouth!


Friday, August 13, 2010

2 Months Old!

Happy Birthday Lewis! Sunday was Lewis's 2 month birthday and it also marked a month of being home. It's crazy to think that we've been home now for longer than we were in the hospital. The time in the hospital crept by so slowly while the time at home has gone by so fast! Lewis has done a lot in the last month. A lot of firsts... tonight will be his first Taste of the Northside... yum yum. We're going to walk there which is exciting because the stroller has cupholders... leaving both hands open to carry food!

We spent last weekend in Pentwater with Coleman's parents and sister. Lewis is becoming quite the beach bum! It was also our first overnight trip with Lewis... and let's just say we're glad that he has his own room at home. He's not a quiet sleeper. We had a lot of fun though and we really wish we could have stayed longer.

We had our first meeting with Early On this week. They came to the house to assess Lewis and have me fill out some paperwork. The assessment went really well. Lewis is doing everything he should be doing at this age and more. They said that if he didn't have Spina Bifida, he wouldn't qualify for Early On. But luckily SB automatically qualifies him. We have one more meeting to fill out more paperwork before the Physical Therapist will start coming weekly in September. While she was assessing/playing with Lewis she seemed pretty impressed with Lewis's leg movement. I'm not sure if we've ever talked about it on here, but Lewis does have movement in his legs. And it's not just twitches. His right leg kicks all over the place. Not like your average baby, but sometimes I do have to hold it down so I can change his diaper. His left leg doesn't move nearly as much. It's hard to tell what movements are actually coming from the left leg and which are just the left leg getting tossed around from the movement on his right side. The Physical Therapist held his right leg down to show that his left leg does move independently. I'll take any movement I can get! Movement means that things are connected and messages are getting sent so we have something to work with!! I'm not ashamed to admit that I tickle Lewis A LOT... half because I like to see him smile... and half because I like to see him kick his little legs!

Next week Lewis has an appointment to get his tongue fixed. He is tongue-tied so we decided to get it fixed so he can eat a little easier. It will also help with speech as he gets older. Lewis's doctor doesn't do it himself in the office so we're going to an Ear/Nose/Throat doctor to get it done. While we're there we're going to have them check out his stridor. It doesn't really affect him that much but we did find out that it can be related to Arnold Chiari malformation (more SB talk... basically it just means that the stridor could be related to SB.) Don't google any of this or you'll see scary things! Like I said, he doesn't seem bothered by the stridor so I don't think it's a big deal, they're just going to check it out since he'll be there anyway.

August is turning out to be a fun, busy month. Where has the summer gone? We're looking forward to lots of visitors before it's over!


On the Porch in Pentwater


Sometimes Lewis does stretches outside... while also doing his best impression of a zombie...


Sleepy baby... and look at all that blonde hair!

Hanging out on the beach with Dad


He loves to look out at the Lake... but it's just so bright!


Watching his tugboats go around and around... I've probably wound that thing 200 times in the past week.


Lazy afternoon in the backyard


Recently Lewis has started sucking his fingers. Mainly his index finger... unless his thumb is more convenient.

But if he accidentally loses it, he gets so sad


Look at that strong neck!
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