Happy Hippo

How much fun could a purple vibrating hippo be? Just watch!

No Longer a SAHM

Part of the reason I've been super bad at updating is that I am no longer a stay-at-home-mom. I will be starting my 3rd week at a full time job tomorrow! I recently changed offices because the dentist I was previously working for wasn't as ready to retire as he thought he was, so he couldn't offer me more days. Working one day a week was really nice at first while we got adjusted to VT life and any appointments that Aaron may have needed. But, 4.5 months into it, it became really dreadful to go to work. That one day would haunt me all week long. Besides, since the other doctor was still working, there weren't really enough patients to keep me busy. So, I started looking for another job. There were a few offices that offered me part time positions. But, considering my experience with the previous office, I decided to take a job an hour away that was full time. Despite the drive, the job is pretty great. I'm making over 42% more per day compared to the other job and seeing a full schedule of patients 4 days/week! The staff is really great, too, as is the other doctor I'm working with. He loves oral surgery and endodontics so he's been showing me a lot of stuff I wouldn't normally be doing. I actually look forward to going to work and doing what I love doing and have been trained to do. And, working full time is really great for keeping Aaron on a schedule.

I hope this video makes up for the lack of posts. It's Aaron trying to feed himself. He's actually doing a pretty good job!

We Have a Tooth!

Can you see it?

It's the lower right central incisor and the one to the left of it isn't too far behind! Aaron had been "teething" for a few months now but I knew it was really coming in because earlier last week he got a very bad runny nose. No other symptoms of a cold, just a runny nose. About 2 days ago though, we were able to feel it. It's A-dorable! Here's to more teeth!

I Forgot to Mention...

At Aaron's development appointment the first week in January, the doctor mentioned that he was gaining too much weight! Can you imagine that?! Those words are music to the ears of a mom of a 1lb 14oz baby! We had already cut his 30 calories/oz formula concentration to 28 calories/oz so we went ahead and cut down to 24 calories/oz after that appointment. And now, Aaron's eating about one-third of his food as solids which we aren't concentrating at all. So, today he weighed in at 16lbs 1.9oz. A whole 6oz since his discharge from the hospital last Tuesday (15lbs 12oz), which is still toward the upper limit of what he should be gaining. This kid is so amazing. Oh, how I love him!

Development Assessment

At the beginning of January, Aaron had a follow-up appointment with a developmental pediatrician. We had first seen her back in August. Anyway, our PT joined us for this visit which was great because Aaron got hungry halfway through and didn't want to do anything other than eat! She was able to attest to all that he really does when he wants to.

The doctor was very impressed with Aaron. He looked very healthy and well. He was being such a flirt and couldn't stop smiling at her voice. She then played with him a little bit and tried to get him to do a few things that babies his age (both actual and adjusted) should be doing.

Her assessment was that cognitively and socially, Aaron is pretty on track. He is laughing/smiling appropriately; he is cooing, screaming and blowing bubbles. And, he listens so intently. She could tell he was thinking about the new voices.

In the motor department, although he has been reaching for things, bringing them to his mouth, and using both hands, etc., Aaron is pretty behind, mostly due to his delayed vision. She could tell that he definitely has some tracking and focusing going on, but overall his vision is not where it should be for his age. Most of the time, if you put an object in front of the child, he would reach forward for it. Aaron doesn't do that yet based on site alone. He will if you allow the object to make noise. He also isn't too fond of tummy time because there is no visual stimulation for him to look up. Instead, he gets his fist in his mouth and chomps aways! It is these things that are hindering his motor advancement.

Her suggestions, to start therapy with the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (VABVI). She believes that Aaron has Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) and starting therapy as soon as possible is the best way to enhance his vision. Also, we are trying some new gagets out; mainly a corner seat with a table to help him sit up on his own and play sitting up and a tummy wedge to encourage him to do tummy time.

Other than that, she said to continue doing what we're doing becasue Aaron is doing amazing! Oh, and he weighed in at 14lbs 10oz. At discharge from the hospital last week, he wighed in at 15lbs 12oz!