One Month Old

This past month I've been quite busy with the two little ones at home and all the doctor appointments we have had. James has already gone to 5 doctor appointments. One of his ears seems to be doing well other than a mild conductive loss (likely due to fluid in his middle ear). However, he is not responding at all to sound through his right ear or through bone conduction with the left ear masked, which means he likely has permanent hearing loss in his right ear. We will be retesting this after he receives tubes in December. I'm glad his left ear is good and hearing loss in one ear has only a mild impact in comparison with hearing loss in both, but its hard to keep finding more trials he will have to face. I've also been kept busy pumping and feeding him which takes a lot more time than just nursing. I'm exhausted by the end of the day, but it is at least something I can do to help him.

Aside from the ups and downs of the doctor appointments, it has been fun to watch James grow and develop over the last month.He still prefers to sleep with others but he is now sleeping up to 5 hours at night.He eats mostly in the day and sometimes up to 5 ounces.

• He lifts his head up and holds it up for at least 10 seconds.
• He likes to be on his belly so I sometimes put him on my leg with his feet on the ground. I have to watch him because he sometimes kicks so hard he almost flies over my leg to the other side.
• He coos by using the short /a/ sound and gives "kisses" when he is a little hungry, but then throws a fit when he is very hungry.
• For the most part, he only fusses when he is hungry
• He is easily soothed by being swaddled and rocked.
• He grabs and holds on to anything he can
• He generally keeps his hands open
• He sometimes holds his pacifier in with his hand since he can't create enough suction to hold it in with just his mouth.
• He responds to sounds
• He laughs and smiles in his sleep
• He smiles daily
• When he is awake he is usually quiet and alert
  
  

Despite all the difficulties, there is a lot to be grateful for. I take this as a learning experience that I hopefully can use to help others in the future. I am seriously considering completing my Masters degree in Speech Pathology and focusing my education on Cleft Palate kids. Though I will not be James' Speech Pathologist, I do feel I will learn a lot by going through the therapy with him. I will also be able to share my experience with those I work with.

Daniella has been fabulous! She is a big helper getting me things when I ask, bouncing James in his bouncer to calm him down, and checking on him for me when I briefly leave the room. I can tell she loves her baby brother. She still tells me how cute he is and is so gentle with him. She's so sweet!

Before I had James I did not have many people I considered friends in Denver. I rarely left Dani with anyone because I didn't feel like I had anyone I could leave her with without feeling like I was inconveniencing them in some way. However since James has come, there has been an outpouring of love from people and I have had many offers of help. There were many people who brought food over for me last week and many who have offered to take Dani for play dates. I know there are many people praying for James and it touches me that there has been so much love shown for my little one.

Thank you for all your comments and your support!