Photoshoots are a family affair in our household!
Holden is 4 months old!
Well, sorry, Friends! We got a little busy today and I just had time to snap these [poor quality] photos of Holden for his 4 month pictures. Our little guy is doing so good since he's had his distractors removed and g-tube put in! He's so much happier! He smiles more and is, overall, just more content. He still loves his bath time. He loves clenching his little fists around whatever he can get a hold of. Especially the skin on your neck and hair! We literally have to pry his little fingers open one by one. He has the sweetest, little giggles and loves to be tickled. He coos a lot. He already adores his big sister so much, and smiles whenever she walks in the room or goes near him. We have the best time ever just laying on our bed taking turns tickling him or doing really anything that will make this little guy laugh. He also loves his binky! He's started drinking more out of his bottle again. He was doing half-feeds and then, after his last surgery, he didn't want to have anything to do with it and we were worried that maybe he'd developed an oral aversion. But the past few days, he's drank more out of his bottle than he did before surgery. Tomorrow we have appointments with his doctors at Riley and he'll have another swallow study and they may introduce pureed foods! I'm so very grateful for his progress and that God blessed us with this sweet, little boy! We love you, Holden!
Holden's G-tube Update
You guys. First off, I hope you're never
in a situation where a G-tube has to be an option for your child. But. If it is, DO
IT! Seriously! I fought it pretty hard because I didn't want something that was
so temporary that would leave a permanent scar. I thought the NG-tube was the
safest option because one, it doesn't require surgery. And two, it wouldn't leave a
scar. But I cannot tell you what a difference it's made! This is the first bit
of normalcy we've had since Holden's been born! The day after we got home from Riley,
we conquered the zoo and grocery shopping. That was literally unheard of before.
Poor guy was so uncomfortable with his feeding tube that he just cried all the
time. Now he'll cry a little when we first feed him, but I'm guessing it's
because his little belly is still a little sore from getting his tube put in. Aside from
that, he's so much more content. Again, I hope you're never faced with this
decision, but if you are, you will not regret it!
Holden's Distractor Removal and G-tube Surgery - Part 2
Well, Bud. It's been about 24 hours. It's been pretty uneventful for the most part, which means you're getting your rest, so that's good!
Yesterday, after Dr. Gerety finished his part of your surgery (distractor removal), we went back into the consultation room to meet with him and the first words out of his mouth when he walked in were, "Everything went great!" (So, basically all I needed to hear at that point!) He did say that normally the distractors slide right out (of the hole in your jaw that they screw them into), but yours didn't, so he had to unscrew yours. Which was no biggie, but just took a bit longer. We talked to him for a few minutes, asked him some questions, and then returned to the lounge. We're so grateful he's your doctor. He is truly amazing!
About 15 minutes later, the doctor who put your g-tube in came out to the lounge and said everything went great and that you were back in recovery and that we'd be able to go back in about 20 minutes.
We were so excited when we got to go back and see you. The nurse said you were pretty unhappy when you came out of surgery, so she'd given you some Morphine.
A few minutes later, you were wheeled up to your room.
You slept for most of the afternoon, crying here and there in between. Mommy and Daddy both got to hold you a bit, but you seemed to be more comfortable laying in the hospital bed.
When you had your first feeding from your g-tube, you cried a lot. I'm sure opening/closing the little button hurt pretty bad for the first time. The nurse left the tube in, so we don't have to keep opening/closing it until it's healed a bit more. (Normally you take part of your feed by bottle, but you didn't seem to want to do that. I'm guessing your jaw hurts pretty bad right now.)
You continued to sleep throughout the night (even through feedings, the nurses checking your vitals, etc.), which gave Mommy and Daddy a chance to catch up on some sleep, too. So, thank you! :)
The doctors have all been in this morning and say we get to go home today! Your jaw is pretty swollen (more than usual), but the doctor said it's likely since he had to unscrew your distractors and as long as your breathing continues to be good (it's been fine so far), then we're good to go!
This trip sure has been different than the last time we came down here. Everything has gone so smoothly and there haven't been any tears from Mommy - yet. I just can't wait until we're all back home with Sissy. Love you, Bud.
Update: We're going home!!! Update: Here's some pictures of us leaving Riley and little man swollen from distractor removal. The swelling only lasted a few days.
