We have spent the last week at the beach. We had a very relaxing time even though we didn't spend any time on the beach except for a quick photo op.
Baby Tommy has learned to roll over from back to tummy!!!! Since learning this he has not slowed down!!! Diaper changes and getting dressed are no longer an easy task. He also wants to be held sitting up and will try his hardest while he is buckled into his car seat to sit up like he is trying to get out of his seat. I am so thankful that he is doing these things. Before he was born we were not sure of what he would be capable of. As of right now he wants to get into everything and move constantly. He gets so frustrated when he is on his tummy that he can't crawl. I have a feeling that once he learns to crawl there will be no stopping him. I can't wait!!!!!
Tommy has also become quite the laugher and talker. He always has something to say. He has the sweetest smile. It melts my heart every time he looks up at and gives me a huge grin. It makes everything we have gone through worth it!!
We go back to therapy this Wednesday and I cannot wait to show Ms. Debbie everything that he can do. She is going to be so proud!!
Thank you all for your prayers and support.
Holli
Friday, June 4, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Our Busy Week
This week has been very busy with doctor's appointments. We started Tuesday with PT. PT is going great!! I love his therapist she has been such a huge support and resource for Baby T. She told me that from what she could tell she thought he would NOT be severe. Praise God!!!!
Wednesday he had a cranial ultrasound. The Ped. Radiologist seems to think that if the ventricles and cyst have changed they were only slightly larger. I was relieved to hear that but every time we have a scan I am always hoping and praying that they will tell us that he is healed. I will always have hope for that.
Thursday we were off to Atlanta to meet with his Neurosurgeon and Neurologist. The neurosurgeon wants us to have a MRI next month, June 17, because his head size is off the charts but he is not showing any other signs of developing Hydro so that is why he didn't feel the need to do a scan that day. I always love going to see Dr. Boydston because he is such an awesome doctor and person. He is very loving to both Tommy and us. I know that he will always do what is best for our precious baby. After we left there we went to the Neurologist. Once we got into our room they hooked Tommy up to 21 probes for his EEG. He did not like the nurse putting all of those on his head. It was so sad seeing him cry and me not being able to comfort him. We first thought he would have to have the probes on for 45 minutes but they were able to get what they needed fairly quickly. After the EEG Dr. Personality came to read it and said that it was uneventful and that everything looked normal!!!!!!! There is nothing like hearing everything is NORMAL!! He then told us he didn't know why he was shaking his head and that it could be Sandifer's Syndrome (has to do with reflux) or something else which pretty much means we bore him and that is why he does that.
Next Tuesday we will have our 4 month appointment(with shots) and meet with the GI doctor and then OFF TO THE BEACH!!!!!!! I am hoping that I will be able to relax there but something tells me that I will be more worried out of town than at home.
Thank you for the support and prayers. You all have no idea how much it means. I know that prayer is how we have gotten through this and I believe that the reason why Tommy is doing so good is because of all the prayers that have been said for him.
Proud Mommy,
Holli
Wednesday he had a cranial ultrasound. The Ped. Radiologist seems to think that if the ventricles and cyst have changed they were only slightly larger. I was relieved to hear that but every time we have a scan I am always hoping and praying that they will tell us that he is healed. I will always have hope for that.
Thursday we were off to Atlanta to meet with his Neurosurgeon and Neurologist. The neurosurgeon wants us to have a MRI next month, June 17, because his head size is off the charts but he is not showing any other signs of developing Hydro so that is why he didn't feel the need to do a scan that day. I always love going to see Dr. Boydston because he is such an awesome doctor and person. He is very loving to both Tommy and us. I know that he will always do what is best for our precious baby. After we left there we went to the Neurologist. Once we got into our room they hooked Tommy up to 21 probes for his EEG. He did not like the nurse putting all of those on his head. It was so sad seeing him cry and me not being able to comfort him. We first thought he would have to have the probes on for 45 minutes but they were able to get what they needed fairly quickly. After the EEG Dr. Personality came to read it and said that it was uneventful and that everything looked normal!!!!!!! There is nothing like hearing everything is NORMAL!! He then told us he didn't know why he was shaking his head and that it could be Sandifer's Syndrome (has to do with reflux) or something else which pretty much means we bore him and that is why he does that.
Next Tuesday we will have our 4 month appointment(with shots) and meet with the GI doctor and then OFF TO THE BEACH!!!!!!! I am hoping that I will be able to relax there but something tells me that I will be more worried out of town than at home.
Thank you for the support and prayers. You all have no idea how much it means. I know that prayer is how we have gotten through this and I believe that the reason why Tommy is doing so good is because of all the prayers that have been said for him.
Proud Mommy,
Holli
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Update
I have not posted in a while so I figured I would give everyone an update as to what has been going on in our life. Baby T is still sleeping through the night except when he wakes for his pacifier. He seems to be a much happier baby which makes for a much happier mommy. He loves to smile, talk, and laugh to anyone who will talk back to him. He is such a loving baby and loves to cuddle.
On April 18th he got baptised. Thank goodness the preacher did it at the beginning of church because he was very sleepy. After he got baptised we went to my moms house and had a lunch with our family and close friends. Baby T was a bit overwhelmed at all of the people so he was very attached to Tommy and I.
He has had a cough since taking him to church but I think it is just his reflux which is still pretty bad. We took him on May 14th to have an Upper GI. He only ate two ounces of the Barium. The radiologist told us that everything looked good and was doing what is was supposed to be doing and that he saw some mild reflux. My thoughts were "You should come and try to feed him and then tell me it's mild!" So we are now waiting on an appointment with Dr. Isreal who is a ped. gastero doctor.
On Thursday May 13th we went to Atlanta to meet with a ped. neurologist. Tommy has been shaking his head no again pretty constant so we met with him to see if he knew why he was doing that. He said it may be Sandifier's Syndrome which has to do with reflux. Did I mention that the neurologist has the personality of a brick wall. He was not very talkative and was not offering up any information. He told us to come back next Thursday for a EEG and to bring a recording of Tommy shaking his head. Of course as soon as we left his office Tommy woke up and starting shaking his head again.
This next week May 17-21 we have physical therapy (which he is doing great at) on Tuesday, a cranial ultrasound on Wednesday(praying for stable ventricles and for him to say he is healed), and on Thursday we go back to Atlanta to meet with the neurosurgeon to go over the ultrasound and the we go over to the neurologist for the EEG. Then next Tuesday we have shots for his four month check up. I know Baby T will do get with everything because he is much stronger than his Daddy and I.
On the bright side after all of these appointments we will be going to the beach for a very relaxing and much needed VACATION!!!!!!
I will keep everyone updated after all of our appointments. Thank you for keeping Tommy in your prayers.
On April 18th he got baptised. Thank goodness the preacher did it at the beginning of church because he was very sleepy. After he got baptised we went to my moms house and had a lunch with our family and close friends. Baby T was a bit overwhelmed at all of the people so he was very attached to Tommy and I.
He has had a cough since taking him to church but I think it is just his reflux which is still pretty bad. We took him on May 14th to have an Upper GI. He only ate two ounces of the Barium. The radiologist told us that everything looked good and was doing what is was supposed to be doing and that he saw some mild reflux. My thoughts were "You should come and try to feed him and then tell me it's mild!" So we are now waiting on an appointment with Dr. Isreal who is a ped. gastero doctor.
On Thursday May 13th we went to Atlanta to meet with a ped. neurologist. Tommy has been shaking his head no again pretty constant so we met with him to see if he knew why he was doing that. He said it may be Sandifier's Syndrome which has to do with reflux. Did I mention that the neurologist has the personality of a brick wall. He was not very talkative and was not offering up any information. He told us to come back next Thursday for a EEG and to bring a recording of Tommy shaking his head. Of course as soon as we left his office Tommy woke up and starting shaking his head again.
This next week May 17-21 we have physical therapy (which he is doing great at) on Tuesday, a cranial ultrasound on Wednesday(praying for stable ventricles and for him to say he is healed), and on Thursday we go back to Atlanta to meet with the neurosurgeon to go over the ultrasound and the we go over to the neurologist for the EEG. Then next Tuesday we have shots for his four month check up. I know Baby T will do get with everything because he is much stronger than his Daddy and I.
On the bright side after all of these appointments we will be going to the beach for a very relaxing and much needed VACATION!!!!!!
I will keep everyone updated after all of our appointments. Thank you for keeping Tommy in your prayers.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Good Times
I know I have been updating only about the Dandy Walker things that have been going on in our life so I feel like we need some positive. In March 20 Tommy rolled over from tummy to back twice!!!! I was lucky enough to catch it on video. But of course he has only done it once since then. He is such an angel baby and a definite Mommas boy (which I love)!!
Another plus is that on April 2 he slept through the night for the first time and has been doing it ever since. Big Tommy and I are so glad to be getting some sleep. Although he refuses to sleep in his bed during the day. So he ends up having someone hold him. I have been trying to put him down in his crib but after a few minutes he wakes up and realizes that no one is holding him and he just can't handle that.
We are starting to get his colic and reflux under control, I think, so hopefully he will be a much happier baby in the near future (fingers crossed).
He is an absolute miracle and I am so luck to be his Mommy. He has made me such a better person and I am forever grateful to him for doing that.
Another plus is that on April 2 he slept through the night for the first time and has been doing it ever since. Big Tommy and I are so glad to be getting some sleep. Although he refuses to sleep in his bed during the day. So he ends up having someone hold him. I have been trying to put him down in his crib but after a few minutes he wakes up and realizes that no one is holding him and he just can't handle that.
We are starting to get his colic and reflux under control, I think, so hopefully he will be a much happier baby in the near future (fingers crossed).
He is an absolute miracle and I am so luck to be his Mommy. He has made me such a better person and I am forever grateful to him for doing that.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Scared
This past week I have noticed a fluid spot on the back of Tommy's head. A couple of days later he got another one on top of his head. On Friday we went to see our pediatrician. She was not sure what it was but thinks it may be CSF (cerebral spinal fluid). She tried to get in touch with our neurosurgeon but he was in surgery. The thing that is so frustrating about Dandy Walker is that no one really knows much about it.
On Saturday afternoon our pediatrician called and talked to the neurosurgeon that was on call. The neurosurgeon seems to think that it is CSF and that may be leaking through his sutures(spaces that haven't fused together in the skull). If that is the case Tommy may be developing Hydrocephalus and the reason he doesn't have any symptoms just yet is because the leaking of the fluid is not causing pressure on his brain. So as of right now the plan is to go to Atlanta next week and meet with our neurosurgeon and get another ultrasound done. On Monday we have an appointment with our neurologist. This will be the first time he has met us so I am hoping he will have some answers for us.
Needless to say we are on pins a needles and feel helpless. I am so scared of what our baby will have to go through and hate that there is nothing we can do to make it go away. It is not fair for a child to have to go through so many procedures and so much pain.
Please continue to pray for Tommy and please pray that he has not and will not develop Hydrocephalus.
Thank you all for your love and support. We are so lucky to have such good family and friends.
On Saturday afternoon our pediatrician called and talked to the neurosurgeon that was on call. The neurosurgeon seems to think that it is CSF and that may be leaking through his sutures(spaces that haven't fused together in the skull). If that is the case Tommy may be developing Hydrocephalus and the reason he doesn't have any symptoms just yet is because the leaking of the fluid is not causing pressure on his brain. So as of right now the plan is to go to Atlanta next week and meet with our neurosurgeon and get another ultrasound done. On Monday we have an appointment with our neurologist. This will be the first time he has met us so I am hoping he will have some answers for us.
Needless to say we are on pins a needles and feel helpless. I am so scared of what our baby will have to go through and hate that there is nothing we can do to make it go away. It is not fair for a child to have to go through so many procedures and so much pain.
Please continue to pray for Tommy and please pray that he has not and will not develop Hydrocephalus.
Thank you all for your love and support. We are so lucky to have such good family and friends.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Dandy Walker/ Hydrocephalus Awareness month
Governor Purdue has approved our request to make May 2010 Dandy Walker/ Hydrocephalus Awareness month!!! For more information on Dandy Walker visit www.dandy-walker.org.
ER
On Friday, March 12, the neurosurgeon's nurse called and I told her all of Tommy's symptoms and she told me that she wanted us to bring his scans and him and check into the ER at Scottish Rite. She wanted us to do this just in case he need a shunt right away. She also told us that our neurosurgeon was out of town and that we would see one of his partners. We were very worried about that because we had never met him or heard anything about him.
Once we checked into the ER they put us in a room to wait for the surgeon. They told us not to feed Tommy and that the doctor was in surgery and that it could be an hour or it could be five hours. Poor Tommy was so hungry so we kept having to put sugar water on his paci.
Once the surgeon came in he told us that it was Dandy Walker Malformation (we were told it was the variant). He also said that he did not have Hydrocephalus right now but could develop it. He also told us that there was fluid but that it wasn't causing pressure on his brain. Tommy does have a corpus collosum but it is thin(not sure how having a thin one will affect him as opposed to a normal sized one). After he left the room we were more confused than ever. We felt like we were back at square one. After attempting to answer our questions he told us that we could leave and to make an appointment with our neurosurgeon in a couple of weeks.
I have talked to our doctors nurse and she wants us to come in a couple of weeks and have a cranial ultrasound and then meet with his surgeon to discuss what the next plan is. In the meantime we have to watch for signs that he is developing Hydrocephalus. If we notice anything we have to take him to Scottish Rite to be assessed.
Thank you so much for all of the support and prayers. Baby Tommy is so strong and I truly believe it is because of all of the prayers. He is such a gift from God!!!
Once we checked into the ER they put us in a room to wait for the surgeon. They told us not to feed Tommy and that the doctor was in surgery and that it could be an hour or it could be five hours. Poor Tommy was so hungry so we kept having to put sugar water on his paci.
Once the surgeon came in he told us that it was Dandy Walker Malformation (we were told it was the variant). He also said that he did not have Hydrocephalus right now but could develop it. He also told us that there was fluid but that it wasn't causing pressure on his brain. Tommy does have a corpus collosum but it is thin(not sure how having a thin one will affect him as opposed to a normal sized one). After he left the room we were more confused than ever. We felt like we were back at square one. After attempting to answer our questions he told us that we could leave and to make an appointment with our neurosurgeon in a couple of weeks.
I have talked to our doctors nurse and she wants us to come in a couple of weeks and have a cranial ultrasound and then meet with his surgeon to discuss what the next plan is. In the meantime we have to watch for signs that he is developing Hydrocephalus. If we notice anything we have to take him to Scottish Rite to be assessed.
Thank you so much for all of the support and prayers. Baby Tommy is so strong and I truly believe it is because of all of the prayers. He is such a gift from God!!!
MRI
On March 9 I took Tommy to his pediatrician because he kept shaking his head no. His doctor was not sure why he was doing that so he ordered an MRI. So that Thursday morning we went to the Children's Hospital to get the scan done. We were nervous wrecks!! After we got checked in they put an IV in. Baby Tommy didn't cry at all! He did much better than his daddy and I. We then took him down to radiology. This seemed to be the longest walk because we didn't know what to expect. Once we got down there they put him on the table and Tommy and I got to stand next to him and hold his hands while they put him to sleep. That was the saddest thing I have ever seen. No child should have to go through any of this. He was in the machine for 25 minutes. Once they were done we went to the table to get him and he woke up before we could even pick him up.
After the scan was over we went back to our room to try and feed him. We had to stay for 3 hours after the scan was done so they could monitor his vitals. While we were waiting to leave his pediatrician called and told us that the ventricles have grown since the CT and that there is more fluid in the back of his head. So needless to say we were heartbroken once again. He then told us that our neurosurgeon would call us later that day or the next morning. So we went home and waited for someone to call so we would know our next step.
After the scan was over we went back to our room to try and feed him. We had to stay for 3 hours after the scan was done so they could monitor his vitals. While we were waiting to leave his pediatrician called and told us that the ventricles have grown since the CT and that there is more fluid in the back of his head. So needless to say we were heartbroken once again. He then told us that our neurosurgeon would call us later that day or the next morning. So we went home and waited for someone to call so we would know our next step.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Baby Tommy's first cold
This week has been a hard week for baby Tommy. We have been back and forth to the pediatrician and found out that baby T has reflux and colic. We have tried him on every formula imaginable but nothing seems to work with his tummy.
Wednesday night he was up most of the night coughing and then the next morning he had his first projectile vomit. Needless to say we got dressed and headed back to the doctor.
Baby T has gotten his first cold and he is just so pitiful. It breaks my heart that he is in so much pain and that there is nothing I can do to fix it. So needless to say it was Nana to the rescue.
Hopefully he will get over this nasty cold in a couple of days.
Wednesday night he was up most of the night coughing and then the next morning he had his first projectile vomit. Needless to say we got dressed and headed back to the doctor.
Baby T has gotten his first cold and he is just so pitiful. It breaks my heart that he is in so much pain and that there is nothing I can do to fix it. So needless to say it was Nana to the rescue.
Hopefully he will get over this nasty cold in a couple of days.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Pediatric Neurosurgeon Appointment
God is so good!!!! We went on Thursday to Atlanta to meet with his pediatric Neurosurgeon, Dr. Boydston. We both were very anxious and scared about the appointment and what news may hear.
My mom, Tommy, and I left Macon at 6 a.m. to head to Atlanta. Baby T did so good on his first road trip. Once we got there we were the only patients in the waiting room which was a relief because I have been such a germ freak.
Once we got back to a room we gave the nurse the video of the CT for Dr. Boydston to go over with us. The video would not play in their computers so he sent it over to Scottish Rite for their radiologist to look at. After the doctor talked to him he told us that it is Dandy Walker Variant, the milder of the DW, and that Tommy had some vermis and vermis tissue. He then proceeded to tell us that it would be rare if he developed hydrocephalus and that seizures shouldn't be a problem. There may still be some developmental delays but that is something we will have to wait and see. So far everything that he is doing and his muscle tone is good. What a relief!!! He wants us to get an MRI in May to make sure nothing has changed and to get a better look at what the CT couldn't show us.
We have been so blessed to have such a compassionate neurosurgeon. He spent so much time with us and loved on Tommy. He told us that we probably wont need to see him again but that he would like to look at the MRI once we get it done. I love that we probably wont have to go back to him but he is such a great doctor and person that I wish he practiced in Macon.
When I called my friend Lauren last night to tell her the news she told me that it sounded like I had a load of bricks lifted off my chest. She also told me that I sounded like the old me. Since September I have been preparing myself for the worst and was constantly stressing and worrying about all of the what-ifs. I am so thankful to be able to breathe a little easier.
There is no way to explain all of our good fortune expect for the power of prayer. There is no doubt in my mind that all of the prayers for Tommy have healed him. God has made Tommy and I stronger in our faith and he has made us realize that the power of prayer is an amazing thing.
Please continue to lift Tommy up in your prayers.
God is good!
Holli
My mom, Tommy, and I left Macon at 6 a.m. to head to Atlanta. Baby T did so good on his first road trip. Once we got there we were the only patients in the waiting room which was a relief because I have been such a germ freak.
Once we got back to a room we gave the nurse the video of the CT for Dr. Boydston to go over with us. The video would not play in their computers so he sent it over to Scottish Rite for their radiologist to look at. After the doctor talked to him he told us that it is Dandy Walker Variant, the milder of the DW, and that Tommy had some vermis and vermis tissue. He then proceeded to tell us that it would be rare if he developed hydrocephalus and that seizures shouldn't be a problem. There may still be some developmental delays but that is something we will have to wait and see. So far everything that he is doing and his muscle tone is good. What a relief!!! He wants us to get an MRI in May to make sure nothing has changed and to get a better look at what the CT couldn't show us.
We have been so blessed to have such a compassionate neurosurgeon. He spent so much time with us and loved on Tommy. He told us that we probably wont need to see him again but that he would like to look at the MRI once we get it done. I love that we probably wont have to go back to him but he is such a great doctor and person that I wish he practiced in Macon.
When I called my friend Lauren last night to tell her the news she told me that it sounded like I had a load of bricks lifted off my chest. She also told me that I sounded like the old me. Since September I have been preparing myself for the worst and was constantly stressing and worrying about all of the what-ifs. I am so thankful to be able to breathe a little easier.
There is no way to explain all of our good fortune expect for the power of prayer. There is no doubt in my mind that all of the prayers for Tommy have healed him. God has made Tommy and I stronger in our faith and he has made us realize that the power of prayer is an amazing thing.
Please continue to lift Tommy up in your prayers.
God is good!
Holli
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Tommy's 2 week check-up
For the past three nights baby T has had an upset tummy and has gotten little sleep which also means we have gotten little sleep. After the first night of his tummy ache I was in desperate need of my mom. She spent the night on Sunday and let me get some sleep. She has been amazing!!! I would not be able to function without her coming over everyday so I can nap since Tommy loves to "play" during the night.
I was excited about having his two week check up to ask our pediatrician if there was anything we could do to help his tummy issues. We went today and thank goodness he didn't have to get any shots this time. He now weighs 7lbs and 5ozs and is 19 inches long. She also told us that everything looks good(huge relief). I have started giving him formula to see if that helps his tummy. Today was the first full day on the formula so hopefully tonight we will get some sleep.
I can't believe how fast he is growing up. Big Tommy gets up on the weekends with him so I can sleep. He tells me that it is their "man time" and they watch fishing and cooking shows and talk about everything that they are going to do together once he gets bigger. I just hope big Tommy realizes that I plan on making baby T a mommas boy!
We go this Thursday to Atlanta to meet with the neurosurgeon. I am excited and anxious all at the same time. I continue to pray for no Hydrocephalus and no developmental delay.
I am still amazed at how much I love baby T. I could have never imagined a love greater than this. It is absolutely amazing!!! I am so thankful that God has blessed us with him and I am forever grateful.
Thank you so much for all the prayers. Please continue to keep baby T in your prayers.
God is great!!!
Holli
I was excited about having his two week check up to ask our pediatrician if there was anything we could do to help his tummy issues. We went today and thank goodness he didn't have to get any shots this time. He now weighs 7lbs and 5ozs and is 19 inches long. She also told us that everything looks good(huge relief). I have started giving him formula to see if that helps his tummy. Today was the first full day on the formula so hopefully tonight we will get some sleep.
I can't believe how fast he is growing up. Big Tommy gets up on the weekends with him so I can sleep. He tells me that it is their "man time" and they watch fishing and cooking shows and talk about everything that they are going to do together once he gets bigger. I just hope big Tommy realizes that I plan on making baby T a mommas boy!
We go this Thursday to Atlanta to meet with the neurosurgeon. I am excited and anxious all at the same time. I continue to pray for no Hydrocephalus and no developmental delay.
I am still amazed at how much I love baby T. I could have never imagined a love greater than this. It is absolutely amazing!!! I am so thankful that God has blessed us with him and I am forever grateful.
Thank you so much for all the prayers. Please continue to keep baby T in your prayers.
God is great!!!
Holli
Friday, January 22, 2010
Tommy Update
I have a little time to update the blog while baby Tommy sleeps (yes I actually thought I would have more time to update).
Baby Tommy was born on Monday at 5:36 p.m. and he is 18 1/4 inches long weighing 6lbs and 14 ozs.
We had a little scare Monday night. I put him in his cradle around 11 and as I watched him sleep I noticed that he had bubbles coming out of his mouth and then started making choking sounds. Tommy called the nurse and she came in and took him off to the nursery. They had to give him some oxygen but not much. When she cam and updated us she told us everything was fine and that she thought he had some amniotic fluid left in his lungs and when he tried to spit it up he also tried to swallow at the same time. He ended up sleeping in the nursery that night because we wanted him to be watched all night.
The next day was much better. He had a CT Tuesday afternoon. Tommy and his mom took Baby T down to have the scan. The radiologist called us and told us that the results were way better than expected!! Praise God!! He told us that as of right now he has not developed Hydrocephalus and that his cerebellum was in tact. He is missing his vermis (we knew that) but has lots of vermis tissue, which is good. This all was a HUGE relief!!
On Wednesday we came home and and began to enjoy being parents instead of having to run off to Atlanta for surgery. I had no idea how exhausting it would be. My mom spent Wednesday and Thursday night with us. She has been a huge help and we could not be more thankful for her. She and I stayed in our room and Tommy has been sleeping in the guest room (he has night and morning shifts so mom and I can sleep). Baby Tommy LOVES to "play" at night. We have tried many things to get him to sleep on his own but as soon as we put him down he is wide awake so we take turns holding him while the other sleeps.
Before we left the hospital they told us he had a little Jaundice. We went Thursday and today to the outpatient lab to have his bilirubin checked. Yesterday he levels were higher than they were in the hospital so a nurse came to our house and brought us a light blanket. Today we went to the pediatrician and she told us everything looked good. After we left her office we went back to the lab to have his levels checked again. They were a little higher today then yesterday so we still have the blanket on him. We go back in the morning to have them checked again so hopefully is levels will be down so we can take the blanket off of him. I am sure it is very uncomfortable and it is beginning to rub his little armpits raw.
We will go to see the ped. neurosurgeon on February 4th. He will tell us if and when he will need an MRI.
I could have never imagined the unconditional love I would feel for someone else. It is the best feeling in the world. He is the most precious gift and I cannot wait to watch him grow.
God is amazing and has blessed us with this miracle baby. Our faith has grown tremendously and I will never understand why people do not believe. Baby Tommy is living proof that God performs miracles and that he lives within each and everyone of us.
Please continue to pray for our sweet angel.
God is great
Holli
Baby Tommy was born on Monday at 5:36 p.m. and he is 18 1/4 inches long weighing 6lbs and 14 ozs.
We had a little scare Monday night. I put him in his cradle around 11 and as I watched him sleep I noticed that he had bubbles coming out of his mouth and then started making choking sounds. Tommy called the nurse and she came in and took him off to the nursery. They had to give him some oxygen but not much. When she cam and updated us she told us everything was fine and that she thought he had some amniotic fluid left in his lungs and when he tried to spit it up he also tried to swallow at the same time. He ended up sleeping in the nursery that night because we wanted him to be watched all night.
The next day was much better. He had a CT Tuesday afternoon. Tommy and his mom took Baby T down to have the scan. The radiologist called us and told us that the results were way better than expected!! Praise God!! He told us that as of right now he has not developed Hydrocephalus and that his cerebellum was in tact. He is missing his vermis (we knew that) but has lots of vermis tissue, which is good. This all was a HUGE relief!!
On Wednesday we came home and and began to enjoy being parents instead of having to run off to Atlanta for surgery. I had no idea how exhausting it would be. My mom spent Wednesday and Thursday night with us. She has been a huge help and we could not be more thankful for her. She and I stayed in our room and Tommy has been sleeping in the guest room (he has night and morning shifts so mom and I can sleep). Baby Tommy LOVES to "play" at night. We have tried many things to get him to sleep on his own but as soon as we put him down he is wide awake so we take turns holding him while the other sleeps.
Before we left the hospital they told us he had a little Jaundice. We went Thursday and today to the outpatient lab to have his bilirubin checked. Yesterday he levels were higher than they were in the hospital so a nurse came to our house and brought us a light blanket. Today we went to the pediatrician and she told us everything looked good. After we left her office we went back to the lab to have his levels checked again. They were a little higher today then yesterday so we still have the blanket on him. We go back in the morning to have them checked again so hopefully is levels will be down so we can take the blanket off of him. I am sure it is very uncomfortable and it is beginning to rub his little armpits raw.
We will go to see the ped. neurosurgeon on February 4th. He will tell us if and when he will need an MRI.
I could have never imagined the unconditional love I would feel for someone else. It is the best feeling in the world. He is the most precious gift and I cannot wait to watch him grow.
God is amazing and has blessed us with this miracle baby. Our faith has grown tremendously and I will never understand why people do not believe. Baby Tommy is living proof that God performs miracles and that he lives within each and everyone of us.
Please continue to pray for our sweet angel.
God is great
Holli
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Baby Tommy News
Tuesday night my mom sent this letter to some of her friends and I figured I would post it on the blog until I had more time to post.
> Hi Friends,
> Just wanted to give you an update on Baby Tommy. He is doing well. He weighs 6 lbs. 14 oz. and is 18 1/4 inches long and I might add, he is quite handsome with all of his dimples!!
> > We want to thank all of you for your prayers and support over the last few months. He had his CT scan today and everything looked better than expected. He does not have hydrocephalus now and so at this point, he will not need shunt surgery. He is going to visit the pediatric nuerosurgeon in about 2 weeks and will have an MRI done then which will show more.
> > The basic things we were worried about before birth was that he would be able to breathe on his on and also that he would be able to feed well. Thankfully he is doing both! He is able to be in the room with Holli and Tommy and will hopefully come home tomorrow. Unfortunately, because of health concerns, he won't be accepting any visitors except grandparents for a while (needless to say, we have some very anxious siblings, but we will do what is best for baby Tommy).
> > We are just praising God for this precious gift he has given our family. We are extremely proud of Holli and Tommy. They have grown up so much in the last few months. They are already proving to be wonderful parents. That baby is one lucky little boy to have them and I can assure you that Holli and Tommy feel extremely lucky and proud to be his parents.
> > I am not sending a picture because Holli wants to be able to have that special honor of posting the first pics online. However, if you happen to be at Sunday School Sunday, I may have a few to pass around!!
> > Thanks again for all of the prayers and please don't stop them. Please pray that his MRI will give us even more great news. And by the way, if you happen to know anyone who does not believe in the power of prayer, just ask them to call the Donalds and the Bergs!!!
> > Love to all of you,
> Connie and Cliff
> Hi Friends,
> Just wanted to give you an update on Baby Tommy. He is doing well. He weighs 6 lbs. 14 oz. and is 18 1/4 inches long and I might add, he is quite handsome with all of his dimples!!
> > We want to thank all of you for your prayers and support over the last few months. He had his CT scan today and everything looked better than expected. He does not have hydrocephalus now and so at this point, he will not need shunt surgery. He is going to visit the pediatric nuerosurgeon in about 2 weeks and will have an MRI done then which will show more.
> > The basic things we were worried about before birth was that he would be able to breathe on his on and also that he would be able to feed well. Thankfully he is doing both! He is able to be in the room with Holli and Tommy and will hopefully come home tomorrow. Unfortunately, because of health concerns, he won't be accepting any visitors except grandparents for a while (needless to say, we have some very anxious siblings, but we will do what is best for baby Tommy).
> > We are just praising God for this precious gift he has given our family. We are extremely proud of Holli and Tommy. They have grown up so much in the last few months. They are already proving to be wonderful parents. That baby is one lucky little boy to have them and I can assure you that Holli and Tommy feel extremely lucky and proud to be his parents.
> > I am not sending a picture because Holli wants to be able to have that special honor of posting the first pics online. However, if you happen to be at Sunday School Sunday, I may have a few to pass around!!
> > Thanks again for all of the prayers and please don't stop them. Please pray that his MRI will give us even more great news. And by the way, if you happen to know anyone who does not believe in the power of prayer, just ask them to call the Donalds and the Bergs!!!
> > Love to all of you,
> Connie and Cliff
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Waiting
We are waiting on the hospital to call and tell us if there is a room available. They said they would call between 8 and 10 tonight. All day I have felt this feeling of peace and have been extremely relaxed considering I have love plans and like to know exactly what is going to happen. Tommy has been keeping himself busy today getting things ready. He is on cloud 9!
I am taking my computer to the hospital and hoping that I have service. My plan is to update the blog whenever we get any news. Right now we have no idea what tomorrow will bring. He may have to go to the NICU right away or he may be able to stay with us for a little while before going.
I know God is going to take care of us and our sweet baby Tommy. We are relying on him to get us through this and each and every day. We cannot wait to become parents to this miracle baby.
Tommy and I could not feel more loved and supported by everyone and we cannot express how thankful we are for each and everyone of y'all.
Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow.
Lots of Hope,
Holli
I am taking my computer to the hospital and hoping that I have service. My plan is to update the blog whenever we get any news. Right now we have no idea what tomorrow will bring. He may have to go to the NICU right away or he may be able to stay with us for a little while before going.
I know God is going to take care of us and our sweet baby Tommy. We are relying on him to get us through this and each and every day. We cannot wait to become parents to this miracle baby.
Tommy and I could not feel more loved and supported by everyone and we cannot express how thankful we are for each and everyone of y'all.
Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow.
Lots of Hope,
Holli
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Only 5 more days!
We had our last doctor's appointment today. The plan right now is to go in Sunday night and get induced on Monday morning. So needless to say I am beginning to go into panic mode. Our doctor said that we would have the stork squad in the delivery room in case Tommy needs immediate attention. Once he is born the neonatologist and our pediatrician will get in touch with Dr. Boydston (our ped. neurosurgeon) to schedule the shunt surgery.
I am so excited about meeting our sweet baby boy and at the same time I am scared to death of everything baby Tommy will have to go through. We pray everyday for a miracle and will always pray for that. Baby Tommy is already so loved by so many people and he has already made such a positive change in mine and Tommy's life.
Thank you to everyone who has reached out and given us tons of support. We are so grateful to have so many people that care about our sweet baby. Please continue to keep us in your prayers especially within this next week.
I am so excited about meeting our sweet baby boy and at the same time I am scared to death of everything baby Tommy will have to go through. We pray everyday for a miracle and will always pray for that. Baby Tommy is already so loved by so many people and he has already made such a positive change in mine and Tommy's life.
Thank you to everyone who has reached out and given us tons of support. We are so grateful to have so many people that care about our sweet baby. Please continue to keep us in your prayers especially within this next week.
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