Colton went to see the neurosurgeon yesterday. The doctor was very happy to see how he was doing. He has no explanation as to why his soft spot is so full, but said sometimes it just happens (even in non-shunted kids). So for now, we will watch it. And, even with this little bump in the road, Colton's neurosurgery check up will be in another three months. Before that visit, he will have a "fast MRI." As the doctor explained it, a "fast MRI" is a quick MRI used to get some basic shots of the ventricles, it doesn't require him to lie perfectly still or be sedated and there is no exposure to radiation.
A fellow NICU mom, whose baby is still in the NICU, asked about why Sean qualified for Early Intervention (EI). Both boys were evaluated because of their prematurity. Colton is actually right where he should be for his adjusted age. Because if this, Colton qualifies for their prevention program. This means they will do monthly check ups to make sure he remains on track. But, poor little Seanie is behind where he should be based on his adjusted age. What does that mean? He isn't doing what other 2 month old babies do. This means that Sean meets the requirement for EI services. Seanie will get weekly visits from the developmental specialist who will work with him, making sure he continues to progress. He won't necessarily catch up in a few weeks or months. He may continue to be behind for a few years. So, for him, it won't be important that he is meeting milestones based on his adjusted age. It will be important that he is progressing towards meeting each milestone and that he does eventaully meet them. Now, as I have said before, Sean is a little guy who likes to do things on this own terms.
Sean did get his PT evaluation today at Kaiser. The PT didn't tell me anything I didn't already know about little Seanie. She said, yes, physically, he's behind. She gave us some suggestions on how to work with him: more tummy time (LOL! He hates tummy time and protests by falling asleep!) and play with him while he is on his side (encourages him to bring his hands in front of his face). So, poor little Seanie may protest but he has to do his PT activities.
I also mentioned to the PT that the neurosurgeon had encouraged us to get Colton to sleep looking towards the ceiling to help get rid of his preemie head. She looked at his head and pointed out that it's not just that, but he puts pressure on the side of his head opposite of this shunt and that his little head is lopsided! OMG! Now we need to make sure he sleeps with his head straight and play with him to encourage him to put some pressure on the shunt. And, so far, it's going great! He is lying in bed with wedges next to his head to keep him looking forward. LOL! He hates it! He is in there with a look on his face that says, "You can make me lie like this, but I am NOT going to sleep!" Great! The kid is as stubborn as me!
After the PT visit, we stopped by and the boys got to meet one of my favorite midwives (or midwitch - as she calls herself). I did find out that she is going to be a Nana this fall and one of the other midwives, who we also visited with, is going to be a Mama in the fall. I warned her to double check to make sure there weren't two babies in there. LOL. We had a nice long visit and I thought, at the end, she was going to try to take one, if not both, of the boys with her. Good thing I brought Bubba with me as my muscle. :)
Off to enjoy one of those delicious lactation cookies and snuggle with the poor baby that is being tortured by his positioning wedges. Bad mommy . . . I've already given in . . .
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Lactation Cookies
Since I was talking about my lack of milk production, I thought I would tell you about the lactation cookies I eat to help with my milk production. Oatmeal, flax seed and brewers yeast all help with milk produciton and these cookies contain all three. I copied this recipe from recipezaar.com. I make them with the 4 tablespoons of brewers yeast. Bubba, who hates oatmeal cookies, will eat these. Oh, and since I LOVE chocolate, I make sure my one cup of chocolate chips is very generous! :)
This recipe is great for mothers who are breastfeeding. It helps to keep your milk supply up or increase your milk supply. Use more brewers yeast and oatmeal if you are wanting to increase your milk supply. You can use more chocolate chips if you like or any kind of chips.
by BridgetMarie
27 min
15 min prep
SERVES 54 , 4 1/2 dozen
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
4 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons flax seed meal
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups oats
1 cup chocolate chips
2-4 tablespoons brewer's yeast
1.Preheat oven to 350°.
2.Mix the flaxseed meal and water and let sit for 3-5 minutes.
3.Beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar well.
4.Add eggs and mix well.
5.Add flaxseed mix and vanilla, beat well.
6.Sift together flour, brewers yeast, baking soda, and salt.
7.Add dry ingredients to butter mix.
8.Stir in oats and chips.
9.Scoop onto baking sheet.
10.Bake for 12 minutes.
11.Let set for a couple minutes then remove from tray.
© 2009 Recipezaar. All Rights Reserved. http://www.recipezaar.com
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies
by Noel Trujillo Recipe #192346 This recipe is great for mothers who are breastfeeding. It helps to keep your milk supply up or increase your milk supply. Use more brewers yeast and oatmeal if you are wanting to increase your milk supply. You can use more chocolate chips if you like or any kind of chips.
by BridgetMarie
27 min
15 min prep
SERVES 54 , 4 1/2 dozen
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
4 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons flax seed meal
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups oats
1 cup chocolate chips
2-4 tablespoons brewer's yeast
1.Preheat oven to 350°.
2.Mix the flaxseed meal and water and let sit for 3-5 minutes.
3.Beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar well.
4.Add eggs and mix well.
5.Add flaxseed mix and vanilla, beat well.
6.Sift together flour, brewers yeast, baking soda, and salt.
7.Add dry ingredients to butter mix.
8.Stir in oats and chips.
9.Scoop onto baking sheet.
10.Bake for 12 minutes.
11.Let set for a couple minutes then remove from tray.
© 2009 Recipezaar. All Rights Reserved. http://www.recipezaar.com
Long Overdue Update
I have been so behind on updating the blog. I really need to become more organized in life, in general. Having two little guys in the house keep me busy, but I am lucky that I only work three days a week.
We have had our first ED visit. When we woke up Saturday morning, Colton's fontanel (soft spot) was swollen. For him, it's normally sunken in (not normal for babies, but normal for him since he had his shunt placed). His behavior was 100% normal - no crying, no fussing, not lethargic, no doll set eyes, no vomiting (all symptoms that the shunt isn't functioning). So, off to the ED we went. He got another head ultrasound which showed his ventricles look beautiful! :) But, we left the ED with no answers. Colton will see the neurosurgeon tomorrow.
Colton is now smiling and cooing. He loves to flirt with the ladies while in public. He kicks his legs when he gets really excited. He also rolls over on his own. He sleeps well at night - at least 6 hours. He loves to get into bed with Bubba and me and breastfeed. He is a champion breastfeeder. Since I don't produce a lot of milk, he gets formula in the daytime. Whatever I pump during the day, Sean gets. Sean acts like breastfeeding is torture. He looks at me like, "Why are you making me do this?"
Sean has qualified for Early Intervention. Babies qualify when they are not keeping up with their milestones. It was expected since he spent so much time on the vent and in the NICU. What this means is that Sean gets a weekly playdate with a developmental specialiast from Easter Seals. He sees the physical therapist at Kaiser this week. I am interested to see what she says about him. If she thinks he needs more physical therapy than just monthly, we will have to arrange that as well. Sean has just now started smiling.
After all that we have been through, we are very fortunate that the boys are extremely well behaved. They have a great schedule that they actually set. They don't cry unless hungry or they need their dirty pants changed. I think we've earned some good behavior, don't you?
Night all! :)
We have had our first ED visit. When we woke up Saturday morning, Colton's fontanel (soft spot) was swollen. For him, it's normally sunken in (not normal for babies, but normal for him since he had his shunt placed). His behavior was 100% normal - no crying, no fussing, not lethargic, no doll set eyes, no vomiting (all symptoms that the shunt isn't functioning). So, off to the ED we went. He got another head ultrasound which showed his ventricles look beautiful! :) But, we left the ED with no answers. Colton will see the neurosurgeon tomorrow.
Colton is now smiling and cooing. He loves to flirt with the ladies while in public. He kicks his legs when he gets really excited. He also rolls over on his own. He sleeps well at night - at least 6 hours. He loves to get into bed with Bubba and me and breastfeed. He is a champion breastfeeder. Since I don't produce a lot of milk, he gets formula in the daytime. Whatever I pump during the day, Sean gets. Sean acts like breastfeeding is torture. He looks at me like, "Why are you making me do this?"
Sean has qualified for Early Intervention. Babies qualify when they are not keeping up with their milestones. It was expected since he spent so much time on the vent and in the NICU. What this means is that Sean gets a weekly playdate with a developmental specialiast from Easter Seals. He sees the physical therapist at Kaiser this week. I am interested to see what she says about him. If she thinks he needs more physical therapy than just monthly, we will have to arrange that as well. Sean has just now started smiling.
After all that we have been through, we are very fortunate that the boys are extremely well behaved. They have a great schedule that they actually set. They don't cry unless hungry or they need their dirty pants changed. I think we've earned some good behavior, don't you?
Night all! :)
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