Good News!

We had the appt with the neonatologist, and they completed the first steps evaluation. Owen does not meet the criteria of need for first steps services. In a couple areas of the eval, he showed some need, but not enough to warrant services, and nothing recognized outside the norm for a preemie. He has some minor muscle tone issues, but nothing that they feel like he won't continue to work through as he progresses developmentally. Based on his corrected age, he is on target with skills like grasping objects, tracking objects with his eyes, having centered muscle movements (like bringing his hands together at his chest), responding to interactions with others by cooing and making eye contact, responding to sounds, etc.


We are so relieved that he is on target with his corrected age. They shared things we can do at home to help him continue with progress. They also explained that he will be reassessed at the next appt in 2 mos to make sure he is still on track. The downside of this is that without first steps, there is no speech therapist and no nutritionist to assist with feeding. The first steps evaluator explained that his needs with feeding are medically, and not therapeutically, necessitated. Therefore, these services cannot be attained through first steps. We followed her explanation with “well then what” questions, and we asked the doc about having another swallow study. If he’s not aspirating any longer, than we feel he’ll be fine with feeding; as long as its with thinner liquids.


The swallow study is Thursday! We’re hoping, praying, and keeping everything crossed, that he has developed enough, and recovered enough from the reflux, to be clear of any aspiration…. We’ll keep the blog updated!


He weighs 8lbs and 5oz. He is 20 and ½ inches long. His head circumference is fitting. He’s moving in the right direction, and pretty quickly, on all the graphs with the normal developmental curve.  We’re so excited to see him moving along. He’s such a strong little guy!

 Finally getting to meet or be held by those that love him....

We've had a busy week...

The first steps service coordinator came over on Monday. We did all the paperwork to get things going, and the full developmental evaluation will be completed at the next appt with the neonatologists.

We completed an ages and stages questionnaire based on Owen's corrected age. He's on target with gross and fine motor skills, but the results revealed a 'need to monitor' in the areas of communication, problem solving, and personal/social. His needs with feeding fall under personal, and we've discussed services with a speech therapist and a nutritionist.

The appt with the neonatologists was moved up and is scheduled for this coming Monday. We are also eager to get the swallow study scheduled, and hope to accomplish that at the appt.

Wednesday was the appt with the pediatrician. We've been steadily increasing his amounts in feedings, and at that appt, he weighed 7lbs and 15oz. We won't be back there until the first week of August for his 6 mos checkup.

Thursday, we met with the Dr who did his gtube/nissen ssurgery. She said everything looked good. We meet back in a month to check on things with the gtube related needs. He weighed 8lbs and 1 oz at that appt.

Our little guy is doing well. He is a good baby! He's sure to let us know when he's uncomfortable or hungry, but he's pretty easily consoled. He smiles a lot; especially when we're telling him what a good baby he is, or how strong he is. He's been taking quite a bit more during his bottle feedings. He enjoys bath time. He loves listening to music; especially Chopin. He's also starting to move into the 0-3 mos size clothes now!

Owen weighs 7lbs and 11oz. He's doing so well with his weight gain that we may not be able to keep the kind service of our friendly home nurse. Owen is doing the same with his bottle feedings. He works really hard to consume his food that way, but its so darn thick that it barely comes through the extra cross cut nipple. We're so hoping and praying for a significant improvement to be revealed in the next swallow study. If aspiration is no longer an issue with thinner fluids, he'll get to bottle feed with breast milk and start work with breast feeding. The day of decreased needs with the gtube will be very exciting. The next swallow study will be scheduled at the upcoming appt with the neonatolgists. That appt is on July 11.

Monday, we meet with the first steps service coordinator. We're optimistic with first steps being involved. -And having a service coordinator is the coolest  :)

Wed is the appt with the pediatrician. Thursday is the follow up with the doctor who did the gtube/nissen surgery.

-Its hard to keep the blog updated these days. Life is busy in a whole new way! We'll work on adding something once or twice a week. We take tons of pictures, so if nothing else, we'll regularly post the new ones.
As always, thanks for the thoughts and prayers.

Things are going well. We all seem to be adjusting better. Owen is sleeping much more these days. They said he should sleep about 18 hours a day. I'd say he's close to that, if not there. The gtube feedings are pretty time consuming. For him, of course, he only has to struggle with the getting it going, and then the finishing up. For us, every four hours, for hour long feedings are pretty challenging. Not to mention the juggling act of pumping breast milk every 4-5 hrs. Its difficult, but insignificant in comparison to the joy of having him home, getting to hold him whenever we want, kissing his little face as often as we'd like, and having the overall privilege of caring for him.

Monday, the home health nurse comes again. Next week, he sees his pediatrician again, and then has a follow up with the surgeon who did the gtube/nissen procedure. The ball is rolling with first steps. Hopefully, we'll soon have a speech therapist coming out to the house to help with bottle feeding.

Fun floor time

Tummy Time

First Little Stroll

He started out wide awake and was taking it all in...

By the end, however, he was fast asleep.

Things went well with the Dr's appt and during his visits from the home health nurse. He weighs seven and a half pounds! He's also 20 and 1/4 inches! Our little growing boy.

Things are going well. Owen is getting used to his new home. Last night, he did much better with his sleeping. The home nurse came today and he weighs 7.1 lbs. Tomorrow he has his first appt with his new pediatrician.

First bath at home

Boppy time

 Nap Time

 Feeding Time

New pictures from the hospital....

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