Mason accumulated a lot of miles in his car seat this week, between his follow-up appointments and a couple of visits. It is amazing how quickly babies fall asleep in a moving vehicle.

The Bjorn was the best vehicle for convenience and comfort for both Mason and Mommy. It's also an instant sleep aide.

Maybe not the most flattering photo of Mary (I have to publish this before she knows I'm doing it) but I thought it was funny how Mason appears to be humored by Quesa clawing Mama.

This is the reason we recently bought a good hand vac.

Mason meets his buddy Brody, born June 10th, 2005

Mason meets his buddy Alejandro, born June 13th, 2005. By the way, that is Mason's hat Mary is wearing

6.19.05: follow-ups and new buddies

We began the week with 3 follow-up appointments, all in Sacramento. Briefly, the results of all three were positive.

The first one that morning I tackled on my own. It was at a UCD Med building of which I thought I knew the location of. Fortunately and unfortunately, the ophthalmologist was an hour behind with his appointments because after first parking in the wrong garage in front of the wrong building 4 blocks away, I was twenty minutes late checking in. Mason was such a patient boy through the whole transport back and forth from the car seat to the Bjorn twice, not to mention sitting in the waiting room for another 45 minutes before having his eyes dilated, and another 15 before being seen. He didn't really wake or cry until he was finally out of the Bjorn and onto the exam "crib". I was so focused on keeping Mason content, that I was totally caught off guard by my reaction to his exam. This exam was to follow the regression of his ROP and they use a clamp to keep his eyelids open (one eye at a time) while using a light to look at his retina. You'd think after all they boys have been through in the NICU, I'd be somewhat numb to seeing them go through uncomfortable procedures, but apparently not. The shrieking cry of fear he let out nailed me right in the heart. I doubt he was experiencing much pain, and the cry wasn't even all that loud, but it was one I hadn't heard before and it effectively caused me to cry. I cried through the rest of the exam, through making the follow-up appointment, and nearly all the way home. I think that is when I finally realized just what motherhood was all about. (and to think, Mama is the more sensitive one).

Other patients in the waiting room probably thought the doctor told me my son was going blind, but instead the results were positive. The ROP continues to regress and we have to come back in one month to make sure everything is continuing in the right direction. If all goes well, Mason will be cleared at that time and it will be our last exam with this specialist.

Mary was able to attend Mason's late afternoon appointments with me which was a big help. Of course, these two offices were much easier to find and immediately next door to each other, so it was not quite as stressful to start with.

The pulmonary specialist liked the way Mason's lungs sounded and he asked that we reduce his breathing treatments to only once a day using only the Pulmicort (steroid) and could discontinue using the Xopenex (inhalation solution/albuterol). (Woo hoo, ... we're down one drug already ... 5 more to go.) Mason's next follow-up will be in two months.

The cardiologist was also happy with how Mason was doing. His blood pressure checked out in the normal range and his heart sounded good. If Mason continues to have good blood pressure readings while he grows, they won't increase the medication and he will eventually outgrow the dosage to the point the doctor feels comfortable discontinuing them. We were disappointed to learn that it could take a few years for that to happen. Mason's next appointment is in two months.

Mason was weighed at both of the appointments Monday afternoon and came in just over 11 pounds!

Home life with Mason continues to get easier as he settles in and we get to know him and how to respond to his cues. He appears to be a pretty happy and easy going baby. We notice changes in him almost daily, in both appearance and behaviors. He is starting to smile some on cue, and is now having occasional involuntary giggles. It's very cute. He's also more and more aware of the things and people around him and it's fun to watch him observe. He likes to talk to his Tigger rattle and his stuffed Hungry Caterpillar during diaper changes. Sometimes he wakes up for his middle of the night feeding without fussing, but instead, he has a conversation with his stuffed puppy rattle. For whatever reason, 4 am is when he usually has the most personality. Fortunately, he still goes back to sleep after his bottle without much trouble.

Mason is actually getting much more effective at breastfeeding and I have been able to nurse him for at least a partial feeding several times a day. I'm very happy that we haven't had to give up nursing completely quite yet. Also, his episodes of spitting up have slowed down dramatically as we've learned to pace his feedings. It's possible the slight dosage increase in one of his reflux medications helped some, too.

Two new additions to our extended family came into the world this past week, ... Brody and Alejandro (a.k.a. Alex). Mason had a brief opportunity to meet his two new buddies. We hope Avery will also meet them both soon.