Collin is already past 7 months old and changing so much. He is able to roll over from tummy to back in one direction and from back to tummy in one direction. He can bear weight on both of his legs as we hold him. He likes to push off when he is laying on us now. We are continuing to work with him sitting on his own. He is getting better, but still needs support. These are tremendous milestones for us, and we are so thankful that he has been able to meet them.
We have also officially successfully transitioned all naps to Collin's crib over the past month. Harder on mommy than on my sweet boy, but it needed to be done. He is able to talk himself to sleep with his paci for his naps and usually sleeps for an hour or two, although one morning he slept for 4 hours! Night sleeps are continuing to be great. He will usually sleep from 9:30-7:30, waking up once a night usually to find his paci.
Collin's favorite toys are our cell phones, iPad, and remote control. More realistically, he likes his exersaucer and activity gym. He is also content rolling around on a big blanket with some toys. He is still in 3-6 month clothes, but 6-9 are finally starting to fit better. We are finishing our last box of size 2 diapers and moving up to size 3. Next week brings a pediatrician trip to get 6 month shots (which will get Collin all caught up!) and a weight check. No teeth yet, but I fully expect one to cut through any day. He has been slightly congested the past few days and constantly is rubbing his gums. Solid wise we have had rice cereal, oatmeal, peas, green beans, carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes. So far there hasn't been anything he hasn't liked. It's sweet because he always makes an unsure face when he gets the first bite of something new, but then he breaks out into a huge smile.
As for the rest of us...
We took a FABULOUS family vacation to San Antonio a couple of weeks ago. It was the first time for Collin to be in the car for longer than 20 minutes. He did well considering! He definitely wanted out of his carseat after an hour, but we stopped a lot and made it after 9 hours.
We had all of our stops planned out, but our stop in Sweetwater was disappointing! It was the first Jack-in-the-Box we encountered, but it was closed because it had been robbed. Ridiculous! We ended up at McDonald's next door. Continuing the trip, it was absolutely a beautiful drive down I-10 into town. We stopped, of course, at our favorite place Genghis Grill. It was delicious, as always. They would make a killing here the way people flock to new restaurants in this town. We rested at the hotel that night to regain energy. The next day, we got up and walked to the Alamo. Les had never been before. It was hot! We then walked to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch and to cool off. It felt great cooling off, so we headed over to get our riverboat tour tickets before heading back to rest at the hotel. The riverboat tour was miserably hot. It was in the direct sun and just so hot. We went straight back to the hotel after that to cool off again before venturing to dinner. Since we had a river walk hotel, everything was in walking distance, which was great. We headed over to a Mexican food place for dinner, back to the hotel, then to Ben and Jerry's, then back to the hotel. It was the perfect place to stay and we got lots of breaks from the heat.
In our original itinerary we had plans to go to Sea World, but we nixed that due to the heat. It was over 100 when we went, and we've never been so we didn't know how accommodations would be for Collin. So we headed up to DFW area to see Les' sister and her fiancé, his mom and brother, and his dad. We had a good time there and even enjoyed some delicious Pappasitos (and we finalkly had our Jack-in-the-Box) throughout our trip up the state.
It was a great week, but it was also Les' only week off. I wish he had more time off this summer! I've been reading lots of books and working on stuff for the new school year. We go back in less than a month, how crazy!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Squishy!!!!
So June 1st was the big cast off day.
We woke up to a happy sweet Collin who had no idea what the day had in store. We got to the orthopedic and they took us pretty quick. They warned us it was loud and while it wouldn't physically hurt him to take his cast off, the saw would crerate strong vibrations in his bones that he wouldn't like. They gave him a big pair of headphones and he did good the first few minutes. Then it was about 15 minutes of torture. First, they cut up the legs and front. Then they flipped him on his tummy to cut the back. Collin's skin looked grea considering it was in that cast for 3 months. It was just red and flaky, but there were no sores or welts... Thank goodness!!
After the cast came off, they took him to X-Ray where everything looked good. We are not completely out of the woods yet, but both hips are in place at this stage. We need the bones to calcify and set in the socket at a certain angle. We will know how the bones are progressing at the next X-Ray at the beginning of September. I keep hearing people tell me that is too far away, but it's really not if you think about it. I mean we are waiting on the bones to grow and calcify and set up, that's not something that can be done right away.
After we left the orthopedic, Collin was not digging having his legs touched at all. We went to the artificial limb and brace company so he could get fitted for his Rhino Abduction brace. On the way there, he found his toes in his carseat. He hasn't let go since ;)
He wears his Rhino at night for about 10-12 hours. He doesn't mind it at all, but sure doeseny when it comes off every morning. He kicks and stretches and just loves being free.
It's been great to have him free during the day. Collin is just so squishy and active. It's great to see him kick his legs, touch his toes, and roll around.
We had his 6 month check up today. Collin weighs 15 lbs, 4 oz. That puts him in the 11th percentile. He is 27 inches long... That's the first length we've been able to get since the day he was born. He is in the 70th percentile for length. We have been cleared to start solids, not just rice cereal in his bottle. I'm excited to see his different facial expressions as he tries new foods.
Milestone wise...
He can support himself on his tummy, and lift his chest up.
He can sit in between us on the couch, as long as he is leaning on us
He can grab things he wants like his paci or a certain toy and can lean over to grab them. He can also take his paci from us and put it in his mouth independently.
He feeds himself his bottles, as long as he is sitting supported on our laps. He takes it out when he needs a break and puts it back in by himself
They want him to roll over by the time he is 7 months, or we might need to do some physical therapy
Collin loves to sit at the table with us. Hopefully he will sable to sit soon and enjoy his highchair. For now it looks like we will enjoy our solids in our bumbo.
Les and I are doing great. He is officially in his last year of pharmacy school and I am excited to be a 3rd grade teacher this upcoming year after teaching 4th for the past 3 years and take on the challenge of being a model technology teacher. I love my iPad and am looking forward to all the other technology to really have an engaging year.
We woke up to a happy sweet Collin who had no idea what the day had in store. We got to the orthopedic and they took us pretty quick. They warned us it was loud and while it wouldn't physically hurt him to take his cast off, the saw would crerate strong vibrations in his bones that he wouldn't like. They gave him a big pair of headphones and he did good the first few minutes. Then it was about 15 minutes of torture. First, they cut up the legs and front. Then they flipped him on his tummy to cut the back. Collin's skin looked grea considering it was in that cast for 3 months. It was just red and flaky, but there were no sores or welts... Thank goodness!!
After the cast came off, they took him to X-Ray where everything looked good. We are not completely out of the woods yet, but both hips are in place at this stage. We need the bones to calcify and set in the socket at a certain angle. We will know how the bones are progressing at the next X-Ray at the beginning of September. I keep hearing people tell me that is too far away, but it's really not if you think about it. I mean we are waiting on the bones to grow and calcify and set up, that's not something that can be done right away.
After we left the orthopedic, Collin was not digging having his legs touched at all. We went to the artificial limb and brace company so he could get fitted for his Rhino Abduction brace. On the way there, he found his toes in his carseat. He hasn't let go since ;)
He wears his Rhino at night for about 10-12 hours. He doesn't mind it at all, but sure doeseny when it comes off every morning. He kicks and stretches and just loves being free.
It's been great to have him free during the day. Collin is just so squishy and active. It's great to see him kick his legs, touch his toes, and roll around.
We had his 6 month check up today. Collin weighs 15 lbs, 4 oz. That puts him in the 11th percentile. He is 27 inches long... That's the first length we've been able to get since the day he was born. He is in the 70th percentile for length. We have been cleared to start solids, not just rice cereal in his bottle. I'm excited to see his different facial expressions as he tries new foods.
Milestone wise...
He can support himself on his tummy, and lift his chest up.
He can sit in between us on the couch, as long as he is leaning on us
He can grab things he wants like his paci or a certain toy and can lean over to grab them. He can also take his paci from us and put it in his mouth independently.
He feeds himself his bottles, as long as he is sitting supported on our laps. He takes it out when he needs a break and puts it back in by himself
They want him to roll over by the time he is 7 months, or we might need to do some physical therapy
Collin loves to sit at the table with us. Hopefully he will sable to sit soon and enjoy his highchair. For now it looks like we will enjoy our solids in our bumbo.
Les and I are doing great. He is officially in his last year of pharmacy school and I am excited to be a 3rd grade teacher this upcoming year after teaching 4th for the past 3 years and take on the challenge of being a model technology teacher. I love my iPad and am looking forward to all the other technology to really have an engaging year.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Blog has been down
For some reason I haven't been able to log on here for a few weeks, but it finally let me log on today.
We have actually had a normal couple of weeks for once. Collin has been healthy and happy, as have both Les and I. The last day of school was Friday, and I got my whole classroom moved and set up to teach 3rd grade next year. I am excited for a change of pace!
The time has finally come for Collin to get his cast off. Wednesday is the big day and Les got permission to miss rotation that day to be there for the big event.
In other household news, last weekend we traded in Les' crappy car that was on its last leg and bought a new 2011 Toyota Highlander for me. Les is driving my old highlander. Yes, I am spoiled rotten ;) it's great to have two reliable cars.
We have actually had a normal couple of weeks for once. Collin has been healthy and happy, as have both Les and I. The last day of school was Friday, and I got my whole classroom moved and set up to teach 3rd grade next year. I am excited for a change of pace!
The time has finally come for Collin to get his cast off. Wednesday is the big day and Les got permission to miss rotation that day to be there for the big event.
In other household news, last weekend we traded in Les' crappy car that was on its last leg and bought a new 2011 Toyota Highlander for me. Les is driving my old highlander. Yes, I am spoiled rotten ;) it's great to have two reliable cars.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Been a while
Things have been so hectic lately that I haven't had a moment to update. At school, we have had TAKS come and go for another year as we anxiously await results (still 2 weeks away). I applied for a model classroom, where I would get a ton of technology to use under stipulations where I get observed and have independent book studies and such. Well, I was one of 4 teachers at my school to get it! I am excited about the new opportunity and other opportunities that hopefully will play out as well.
Collin went through his second closed reduction surgery with flying colors. His hips were exactly how they needed to look and he had no adverse reactions with the anesthesia or medications this time. He was his happy self a few hours after waking up. This time, Dr. Sims made sure to give Collin a lot of extra room in his cast, especially around his tummy and diaper area. We were pleased to see that he had a ton of room!!
Collin has started Zantac and rice cereal in his bottle to help aid with spitting up. We have seen dramatic improvement, but still have some days that are worse than others. He gets out of his cast in 3 and a half weeks (June 1st) and we will try to start actual "solids" a few days later, after he adjusts to being able to move again. His cast off procedure is in office, no anesthesia or anything required. After they take it off, he is going to get an x-ray to see how his hips are set up and how the bones are calcifying. Depending on how they look and how the calcification is will tell us if he needs to wear a brace and how long per day he would be braced. It won't be the pavlik again, but should be the rhino cruiser. Dr. Sims guessed that if he needs it, it would be at night only. Les and I are itching to get to hold our sweet boy with no harnesses, casts, or braces since he has been in something since he was born.
Jason called me on Friday wanting to come to town this weekend to surprise Mom for Mother's Day. That was fun :) We spent yesterday evening at their house sitting around chatting and are going back today for a Mother's Day dinner.
Anyway, I guess that's all that has been happening lately. Life is wonderful and we are loving every second :)
I had a nasty stomach bug that lasted four days recently, so Collin missed his buddy Libby's first birthday party. But we were able to make it to Hayden's last weekend as well as the March of Dimes walk. It was fun to be able to spend the day outside in the fresh air with minimal wind for a change.
Collin went through his second closed reduction surgery with flying colors. His hips were exactly how they needed to look and he had no adverse reactions with the anesthesia or medications this time. He was his happy self a few hours after waking up. This time, Dr. Sims made sure to give Collin a lot of extra room in his cast, especially around his tummy and diaper area. We were pleased to see that he had a ton of room!!
Collin has started Zantac and rice cereal in his bottle to help aid with spitting up. We have seen dramatic improvement, but still have some days that are worse than others. He gets out of his cast in 3 and a half weeks (June 1st) and we will try to start actual "solids" a few days later, after he adjusts to being able to move again. His cast off procedure is in office, no anesthesia or anything required. After they take it off, he is going to get an x-ray to see how his hips are set up and how the bones are calcifying. Depending on how they look and how the calcification is will tell us if he needs to wear a brace and how long per day he would be braced. It won't be the pavlik again, but should be the rhino cruiser. Dr. Sims guessed that if he needs it, it would be at night only. Les and I are itching to get to hold our sweet boy with no harnesses, casts, or braces since he has been in something since he was born.
Jason called me on Friday wanting to come to town this weekend to surprise Mom for Mother's Day. That was fun :) We spent yesterday evening at their house sitting around chatting and are going back today for a Mother's Day dinner.
Anyway, I guess that's all that has been happening lately. Life is wonderful and we are loving every second :)
I had a nasty stomach bug that lasted four days recently, so Collin missed his buddy Libby's first birthday party. But we were able to make it to Hayden's last weekend as well as the March of Dimes walk. It was fun to be able to spend the day outside in the fresh air with minimal wind for a change.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
GERD
Where to start?
Monday morning at 4am, Collin woke up choking on his own spit-up. We attributed that to his cast being too tight, so we made a plan to go to Dr. Sims to get his tummy cut out again. At 6 I gave him his normal bottle and he proceeded to projectile vomit all over his room and me. They aren't kidding when they say projectile. I got everything cleaned and then worried that maybe he had caught the stomach virus that was going around Mimi's last week. Les met us at Dr. Sims' office and they cut the cast up his tumble and flared it out. They also assured us that on Friday he will mold the cast to give room for his tummy to expand and grow. Les got the rest of the day off and Collin kept down pedialyte and then formula starting in the afternoon.
He slept 10-6 this morning and I had to wake him up at 6 so he could eat and I could make sure he kept it down. He did great and barely spit up at all. Mimi texted me during the day saying he was choking on his spit up and still spitting up a lot. I called the pediatrician to see what I needed to do and they wanted to see Collin.
A few hours later, we took him for his appointment and he was diagnosed with infant GURD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease). The plan is to change formulas to Enfamil AR and take Zantac. If the formula doesn't help, then we can try going back to Similac Sensitive with rice cereal to thicken it up. We also need to elevate his head when he is asleep. We are also supposed to elevate his feet (from the blue swelling issue) obviously we can't do both, so we have to try to prop him slightly turned to the side to sleep. If that doesn't work, then Dr. Young and Dr. Sims will have to work on a solution. If that doesn't work, we would go see a pediatric gastroentarologist in Lubbock. I'm sure I spelled that wrong.
So we should see improvement in the next 2 days, but then of course his next closed reduction surgery is Friday.
Monday morning at 4am, Collin woke up choking on his own spit-up. We attributed that to his cast being too tight, so we made a plan to go to Dr. Sims to get his tummy cut out again. At 6 I gave him his normal bottle and he proceeded to projectile vomit all over his room and me. They aren't kidding when they say projectile. I got everything cleaned and then worried that maybe he had caught the stomach virus that was going around Mimi's last week. Les met us at Dr. Sims' office and they cut the cast up his tumble and flared it out. They also assured us that on Friday he will mold the cast to give room for his tummy to expand and grow. Les got the rest of the day off and Collin kept down pedialyte and then formula starting in the afternoon.
He slept 10-6 this morning and I had to wake him up at 6 so he could eat and I could make sure he kept it down. He did great and barely spit up at all. Mimi texted me during the day saying he was choking on his spit up and still spitting up a lot. I called the pediatrician to see what I needed to do and they wanted to see Collin.
A few hours later, we took him for his appointment and he was diagnosed with infant GURD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease). The plan is to change formulas to Enfamil AR and take Zantac. If the formula doesn't help, then we can try going back to Similac Sensitive with rice cereal to thicken it up. We also need to elevate his head when he is asleep. We are also supposed to elevate his feet (from the blue swelling issue) obviously we can't do both, so we have to try to prop him slightly turned to the side to sleep. If that doesn't work, then Dr. Young and Dr. Sims will have to work on a solution. If that doesn't work, we would go see a pediatric gastroentarologist in Lubbock. I'm sure I spelled that wrong.
So we should see improvement in the next 2 days, but then of course his next closed reduction surgery is Friday.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
The waiting game
With 5 weeks down and 6 days to go until the cast change, having enough patience to make it is tough work!!
Collin's "re-circumcision" is healing, but we are definitely going to have to be mindful of that because we have heard stories of that happening multiple times to a child.
Within a week of Collin's first cast getting put on, I took him to get a slit cut above his diaper line because he was spitting up a lot and having bowel problems and we just felt that it was too tight. Well, with a week to go it's the same scenario. I am sure this time it has something to do with 5 weeks of growth and getting the cast reinforced last week. But we've been having an off and on constipation issue for the past week and the spit-up has increased dramatically over the past few days. It is irritating that people think it's because of a sensitivity to formula, when if you reach into the cast you can clearly feel his tummy has absolutely zero room to expand. We did switch to a sensitive formula, but that is to try to decrease spit up since there is so much pressure on his tummy. That worked until he grew so much to increase pressure!
Feeding wise, he is still eating 4 oz every 3 hours. Usually around this age, they eat around 6 oz, but less frequently than 3 hours. We tried giving him a 6 oz bottle last week and he spit up the last 2 ounces, so we are sticking to this schedule until he is cast free and then will gradually adjust his schedule.
We've been sleeping on a slightly different schedule for the past week which has been a hard adjustment. Collin went a week straight where he slept through the entire night. Before that week, he was getting up one time to eat at around 2 am. That was a good time for him to get up because it gave me sleep from 10-2 and then from 2-5. So his feeding was kind of in the middle. This week, it was going to sleep by 10 and waking up at 11:45 and being up until 1 and getting up at 4. Still doable, but a bit harder to adjust to. Les has also had a busy week, so all in all the Covington family did not have a restful week.
With all of the budget cuts, we got notice of what the new insurance is going to look like come July. It sucks big time. I have heard many complaints about IMS from people that don't have IMS, but also from a few people within the district. Throughout all of the health problems that Collin and I have both had over the past 4 months, IMS coverage has been great. But if this would have all happened after the policy change, then I definitely would have been one complaining. I think our prescription insurance is what really sucks, but thankfully we haven't needed much of that in the past 2 months. Hopefully, we will be in the all clear by July with surgeries being completed and just seeing the pediatrician and orthopedic on occasion for check-ups.
We had our first successful family restaurant adventure last night. We went to Red Robin and made it through with no fussing :) Collin was so cute, he kept putting his arms on the table and crossing them like a big boy sitting so distinguished.
Praying for a normal week, with Collin's tummy settling down and less spit-up for the next several days. We have had weight gaining issues, so we need to make sure what he eats stays in his tummy. Prayers on Friday for progress made when they do the arthrogram and CT scan, for no reactions to the anesthesia this time, and for our sweet boy to have no pain or hard adjustment period with his new (bigger!) cast.
Collin's "re-circumcision" is healing, but we are definitely going to have to be mindful of that because we have heard stories of that happening multiple times to a child.
Within a week of Collin's first cast getting put on, I took him to get a slit cut above his diaper line because he was spitting up a lot and having bowel problems and we just felt that it was too tight. Well, with a week to go it's the same scenario. I am sure this time it has something to do with 5 weeks of growth and getting the cast reinforced last week. But we've been having an off and on constipation issue for the past week and the spit-up has increased dramatically over the past few days. It is irritating that people think it's because of a sensitivity to formula, when if you reach into the cast you can clearly feel his tummy has absolutely zero room to expand. We did switch to a sensitive formula, but that is to try to decrease spit up since there is so much pressure on his tummy. That worked until he grew so much to increase pressure!
Feeding wise, he is still eating 4 oz every 3 hours. Usually around this age, they eat around 6 oz, but less frequently than 3 hours. We tried giving him a 6 oz bottle last week and he spit up the last 2 ounces, so we are sticking to this schedule until he is cast free and then will gradually adjust his schedule.
We've been sleeping on a slightly different schedule for the past week which has been a hard adjustment. Collin went a week straight where he slept through the entire night. Before that week, he was getting up one time to eat at around 2 am. That was a good time for him to get up because it gave me sleep from 10-2 and then from 2-5. So his feeding was kind of in the middle. This week, it was going to sleep by 10 and waking up at 11:45 and being up until 1 and getting up at 4. Still doable, but a bit harder to adjust to. Les has also had a busy week, so all in all the Covington family did not have a restful week.
With all of the budget cuts, we got notice of what the new insurance is going to look like come July. It sucks big time. I have heard many complaints about IMS from people that don't have IMS, but also from a few people within the district. Throughout all of the health problems that Collin and I have both had over the past 4 months, IMS coverage has been great. But if this would have all happened after the policy change, then I definitely would have been one complaining. I think our prescription insurance is what really sucks, but thankfully we haven't needed much of that in the past 2 months. Hopefully, we will be in the all clear by July with surgeries being completed and just seeing the pediatrician and orthopedic on occasion for check-ups.
We had our first successful family restaurant adventure last night. We went to Red Robin and made it through with no fussing :) Collin was so cute, he kept putting his arms on the table and crossing them like a big boy sitting so distinguished.
Praying for a normal week, with Collin's tummy settling down and less spit-up for the next several days. We have had weight gaining issues, so we need to make sure what he eats stays in his tummy. Prayers on Friday for progress made when they do the arthrogram and CT scan, for no reactions to the anesthesia this time, and for our sweet boy to have no pain or hard adjustment period with his new (bigger!) cast.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
4 month well baby
Collin got his cast cracked finally fixed on Wednesday. They reinforced the plaster with 2 layers of fiberglass. It was so rough, we covered it in teal duct tape. Now he has "pants" ;). WE are glad it is fixed. His feet are okay too, just keeping an eye on them.
Today has been unexpectedly rough.
We went in for Collin's 4 month well baby visit. We had been doing some research on immunizations in a spica cast and pretty much learned they would need to be delayed. There just is no injection site suitable. We were able to get the rotovirus since it was an oral vaccine. Dr. Young was talking about gettig Collin's cast off on the 22nd and then taking him back to the hospital to get recasted. I don't think that will work out, but we are wondering if the hospital could just give him the shots while he's in between casts. We also have the worry of knowing he is already going to have the dye injection, saline, anesthesia, and to have immunizations on top of all that at one time?? Lots to think about and research, but some of it we might not have a choice with due to some pertussis in the area.
Anyways, no one told us that when you have a boy circumcised that you are supposed to continue to pull the skin back. We didn't do that because we didn't know and win Dr. Young checked him, the skin was starting to grow back over, so he had to pull it apart to break that skin growth. Well, it hurt Collin so bad... We've never heard him scream like that. He also bled too from where the skin was pulled apart. So, at every diaper change now we have to make sure to pull the skin back and Vaseline it. Needless to say I have been bummed that he was put through unnecessary pain just because of something we didn't know to do. I haven't let him out of my arms since. We gave him Tylenol and he has been asleep most of the afternoon. Poor kid.
Yesterday I went to a friend's baby shower and she got the cutest outfit for her little boy. It was a superman onesie with a matching superhero rag/animal thing. It was so cute. Collin needs one because he's my strong fighter!!
Today has been unexpectedly rough.
We went in for Collin's 4 month well baby visit. We had been doing some research on immunizations in a spica cast and pretty much learned they would need to be delayed. There just is no injection site suitable. We were able to get the rotovirus since it was an oral vaccine. Dr. Young was talking about gettig Collin's cast off on the 22nd and then taking him back to the hospital to get recasted. I don't think that will work out, but we are wondering if the hospital could just give him the shots while he's in between casts. We also have the worry of knowing he is already going to have the dye injection, saline, anesthesia, and to have immunizations on top of all that at one time?? Lots to think about and research, but some of it we might not have a choice with due to some pertussis in the area.
Anyways, no one told us that when you have a boy circumcised that you are supposed to continue to pull the skin back. We didn't do that because we didn't know and win Dr. Young checked him, the skin was starting to grow back over, so he had to pull it apart to break that skin growth. Well, it hurt Collin so bad... We've never heard him scream like that. He also bled too from where the skin was pulled apart. So, at every diaper change now we have to make sure to pull the skin back and Vaseline it. Needless to say I have been bummed that he was put through unnecessary pain just because of something we didn't know to do. I haven't let him out of my arms since. We gave him Tylenol and he has been asleep most of the afternoon. Poor kid.
Yesterday I went to a friend's baby shower and she got the cutest outfit for her little boy. It was a superman onesie with a matching superhero rag/animal thing. It was so cute. Collin needs one because he's my strong fighter!!
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