This was taken at least a month ago when Britton first learned to "whisper"!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Another Neuro Visit.
Britton had another wonderful check up with his neurologist last month. We have known that Britton is doing great, but it is always nice to get confirmation from an expert. To be honest, we always love taking him in to see this doc, so that he can see how unbelievably awesome Britton is doing!
He was glad to see Britton walking around like a pro, talking, following directions, making eye contact and playing games with him, and even figuring out how to unsnap the doc's Blackberry from his belt clip. Britton even climbed into a cabinet, shut the door on himself and played peek-a-boo with the doctor. He is a funny kid. The doc's response was ... "well, autism is definitely out of the question."
We (again) discussed Britton's smaller head size, as this has been one of our nagging concerns since he was born. Britton is a smaller guy -- all of his measurements are typically under the 25%, but his head is a little off-the-charts small. He doesn't look like he has a small head as he is quite proportional, but he does. Thankfully, Britton is following the growth curve, but is just making his own curve. I finally asked the big question ... "is Britton's small head size related to his birth?" The doctor said he felt sure that if Britton had a smaller head size because of his birth injury then he would have obvious and significant developmental delays. Since Britton is doing so well developmentally, the doc's best guess is that Britton's head size is familial. That makes a lot of sense as Danny has a smaller head size (we wear the same hat size). We were relieved to hear him finally say this, and I am hoping we can put the head size question to rest from now on!
We also talked about doing another MRI. Britton had 3 MRIs while he was still in the NICU, but hasn't had one since. We have always leaned toward not doing another one as Britton would have to be anesthesized for it and, frankly, there is no medical reason for him to have another MRI (again, Britton is doing great with no developmental deficits). It would be more "intellectual curiosity" as the doc says. In other words, it's not very often that a newborn goes through what Britton did (9+ minutes of no heartbeat/no blood circulation/no oxygen to the brain) and come out with a normal, well-functioning, undamaged brain. I can understand that he really wants to see what Britton's brain looks like 18 months past all the trauma, but not sure it is worth even the little risk that anesthesia poses. Our doc did say that he thought another MRI would show Britton's brain to be normal and well developed. That best guess will probably be good enough for us.
We will see the neurologist again after Britton turns two so he can see how Britton is doing on speech and language acquisition, and then we will probably just see him every year around Britton's birthday.
Danny and I had quite the reality check when we were in the waiting room with a number of severely brain-injured kids. As Britton ran around, laughing and playing on the jungle gym in the waiting room, other precious children were in wheelchairs, incommunicable and immobile. We realized, maybe for the first time, what exactly we were so close to, and it brought us to tears. We trust that had God chosen us to walk the difficult path of caring for a brain-injured child, He would have certainly given us grace to do so. But we are just so unbelievably grateful that God had a different plan for Britton.
And on that note, my precious, wet but clean, towel-wrapped little boy is coming in fresh off a bath to give me a goodnight kiss. Wouldn't trade these moments for anything ...
He was glad to see Britton walking around like a pro, talking, following directions, making eye contact and playing games with him, and even figuring out how to unsnap the doc's Blackberry from his belt clip. Britton even climbed into a cabinet, shut the door on himself and played peek-a-boo with the doctor. He is a funny kid. The doc's response was ... "well, autism is definitely out of the question."
We (again) discussed Britton's smaller head size, as this has been one of our nagging concerns since he was born. Britton is a smaller guy -- all of his measurements are typically under the 25%, but his head is a little off-the-charts small. He doesn't look like he has a small head as he is quite proportional, but he does. Thankfully, Britton is following the growth curve, but is just making his own curve. I finally asked the big question ... "is Britton's small head size related to his birth?" The doctor said he felt sure that if Britton had a smaller head size because of his birth injury then he would have obvious and significant developmental delays. Since Britton is doing so well developmentally, the doc's best guess is that Britton's head size is familial. That makes a lot of sense as Danny has a smaller head size (we wear the same hat size). We were relieved to hear him finally say this, and I am hoping we can put the head size question to rest from now on!
We also talked about doing another MRI. Britton had 3 MRIs while he was still in the NICU, but hasn't had one since. We have always leaned toward not doing another one as Britton would have to be anesthesized for it and, frankly, there is no medical reason for him to have another MRI (again, Britton is doing great with no developmental deficits). It would be more "intellectual curiosity" as the doc says. In other words, it's not very often that a newborn goes through what Britton did (9+ minutes of no heartbeat/no blood circulation/no oxygen to the brain) and come out with a normal, well-functioning, undamaged brain. I can understand that he really wants to see what Britton's brain looks like 18 months past all the trauma, but not sure it is worth even the little risk that anesthesia poses. Our doc did say that he thought another MRI would show Britton's brain to be normal and well developed. That best guess will probably be good enough for us.
We will see the neurologist again after Britton turns two so he can see how Britton is doing on speech and language acquisition, and then we will probably just see him every year around Britton's birthday.
Danny and I had quite the reality check when we were in the waiting room with a number of severely brain-injured kids. As Britton ran around, laughing and playing on the jungle gym in the waiting room, other precious children were in wheelchairs, incommunicable and immobile. We realized, maybe for the first time, what exactly we were so close to, and it brought us to tears. We trust that had God chosen us to walk the difficult path of caring for a brain-injured child, He would have certainly given us grace to do so. But we are just so unbelievably grateful that God had a different plan for Britton.
And on that note, my precious, wet but clean, towel-wrapped little boy is coming in fresh off a bath to give me a goodnight kiss. Wouldn't trade these moments for anything ...
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Britton's Words
Updated:
I forgot to include ...
Bubbles "buhbuh" -- he loves bubbles
And a week ago, he put two words together for the first time ...
"Daddy, Hey!" he yelled as he ran after Danny frantically waving his hand. So cute.
Here is a list of words Britton is saying these days:
Daddy
Mama
Hey
Duck "guck"
Dog "aga or daga"
Gorilla "gor" -- He knows this word b/c of the book "Goodnight Gorilla"
Please "digga digga" Don't ask -- it's just how he prefers to say it!
Hot
Jack (as in Jack's Big Music Show)
Done
Yes
Bye
Cracker
Roar (like a lion)
There might be more, but that is all I could think of. Language acquisition has been a slow process around here, but a fun one too! When Britton was 12-13 months old, he had one word "dada" (though "dog" soon followed) and didn't understand anything (I don't think) except his name and the word "no." Today, he can understand nearly everything I say, follow instructions (when he wants to), and is starting to say more and more words. We are assured that there is a very wide range of normal for speech acquisition and we have seen that first-hand, too, with Britton's peers. It is fun to see him picking up words -- seeing what interests him enough to start calling it a name. Can't wait for more words to come. Such a fun time!
I forgot to include ...
Bubbles "buhbuh" -- he loves bubbles
And a week ago, he put two words together for the first time ...
"Daddy, Hey!" he yelled as he ran after Danny frantically waving his hand. So cute.
Here is a list of words Britton is saying these days:
Daddy
Mama
Hey
Duck "guck"
Dog "aga or daga"
Gorilla "gor" -- He knows this word b/c of the book "Goodnight Gorilla"
Please "digga digga" Don't ask -- it's just how he prefers to say it!
Hot
Jack (as in Jack's Big Music Show)
Done
Yes
Bye
Cracker
Roar (like a lion)
There might be more, but that is all I could think of. Language acquisition has been a slow process around here, but a fun one too! When Britton was 12-13 months old, he had one word "dada" (though "dog" soon followed) and didn't understand anything (I don't think) except his name and the word "no." Today, he can understand nearly everything I say, follow instructions (when he wants to), and is starting to say more and more words. We are assured that there is a very wide range of normal for speech acquisition and we have seen that first-hand, too, with Britton's peers. It is fun to see him picking up words -- seeing what interests him enough to start calling it a name. Can't wait for more words to come. Such a fun time!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Allergies. No doubt.
Here is Britton the morning after our ER trip:
It wasn't a fluke when he tested positive for food allergies the other week! Now we know what can happen if we are not very careful. This reaction, we think, was from accidentally eating soy. It started when he woke up yesterday. Then it got worse, then better, then worse, then better, then worse, and so on. They said it could go on for two weeks, though he is now on a course of steroids to help fight it. Scary day.
It wasn't a fluke when he tested positive for food allergies the other week! Now we know what can happen if we are not very careful. This reaction, we think, was from accidentally eating soy. It started when he woke up yesterday. Then it got worse, then better, then worse, then better, then worse, and so on. They said it could go on for two weeks, though he is now on a course of steroids to help fight it. Scary day.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Happy Birthday Mommy!
I love you so much sweetie! Britton and I are excited that today is the day we celebrate you (at least purposefully). Thank you for your love, your sweetness, your nuturing, your spell-checking, your cooking...but most of all we both are blessed because God has chosen you to be my wife and to be Britton's mom. Everything else pales in comparison to the gift that you are to us!
She Walks In Beauty
by Lord Byron
by Lord Byron
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Happy Bedtime Boy
Bedtime continues to be a happy occasion in our house (though bath time is another story). We are so grateful that he loves to sleep as much as we do! Lately he's been logging a good 13 hours at night. Lovin' it! Here are a few pictures taken post-bath, pre-bed.
We are loving these sweet days with our 18-month-old!
We are loving these sweet days with our 18-month-old!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
My First Attempt ...
The new header is my first attempt at creating a header in Photoshop Elements using downloaded digital scrapbook files and fonts. I had no idea what I was doing, but it was fun learning. I have been using www.scrapblog.com to create my headers, but the fonts, etc. are limited, so we'll see what comes of my newfound Photoshop knowledge. Danny gave me Elements for Christmas so that I could edit photos, and I have not spent any time learning how to use it. There is so much you can do with it! I did not realize it was a design program. Duh. I have a lot to learn.
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