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So, on Monday Jackson was super active, like rolling, flipping, kicking all day. It was the weirdest thing. He had never been that active....
Ahh, finally Friday. Finally, the end of the work week. Finally, we got our Christmas tree. Finally, we got down to visit the Vaughan's. Finally Friday!
I am so behind with Christmas, at least decorating that is. I got the living room decorated back in the beginning of November because we were having family pictures taken. Everything else is still in totes. We hadn't even gotten our real tree yet. Well, at least we have one thing checked off the decorating list. We got the tree on Friday. Now, it's time to finish decorating! That's my goal for the rest of this weekend. I mean, really, why bother? Christmas is only a week away. But, we can't have Christmas without decor. My house doesn't look right without a tree in every room! So, decorating shall be done!
We also took a little time out on Friday before Jackson's 6 month appointment to go down to the farm and visit the Vaughan's. Jason has been friends with them since he was little and we felt bad we hadn't been down there yet. There are a lot of people that we haven't visited yet and we really need to start making the rounds. New Years resolution #1, maybe?
Friday afternoon, Jax had his 6-month check-up. It went really well. He is 26 inches long and weighs 21 pounds 14 ounces. I know, he's a big boy. But the doc is very pleased with how he is doing. He is actually back on the growth chart and is starting to follow the "normal" growth curve. Last time, he had gained a little too much weight.
The doc remains a little concerned about his delayed motor skills development but he's receiving PT and OT already so we've got it covered. I had told Dr. Alling that Jax's PT, Becca, was concerned about his ankles and wants to get him set up with AFO (ankle foot orthosis). Right now he is not able to hold his feet/ankles straight and she feels that the AFO will help with that. There was a lot more medical jargon on the note from her that I gave to the doc. Bottom line, he wrote a prescription that we can use to get his set up with the AFOs (splints).
Jax had his 6-month shots too. He did great, as usual. He has decreased sensation in his legs due to his SB so he usually doesn't even feel the shots. Although, this time his legs did move in reaction to the shots being administered, which had never happened before. Maybe he's getting more feeling in his legs!?! Only time will tell....
Oh yeah, I failed to mention that he was the biggest flirt all day....smiling, batting his long eyelashes. He melts hearts :)
Somewhat related to the appointment Friday: I heard from the Audiology group at Strong and we have a hearing test scheduled in February. More on that when the day gets here.
Okay, see ya later...gotta go decorate. Christmas is a week away!!!!!!
Ain't that the truth Jackson? Although you can probably also add the following people to that list: Grandpa, Grandma, Grandpa, Mommy, Daddy and all of your Aunts, Uncles and cousins.
Yes Jackson, we are your relatives! You know you love us ;)
Jackson had a lunch date with his "ladies" from Camp In the Woods (where my parents stay during the summer). He looked very dapper and cute as always :)
Actually, I googled "jokes about ophthalmologist and neurosurgeons" and surprisingly there are some out there. Not hilarious, but humorous none-the-less.
A worried patient tells an ophthalmologist (eye doctor):
"Doc, I am very scared about the outcome of the operation on my left eye. What are my chances?"
Grinning doctor to the patient: "Hey don't worry, you won't be able to see the difference."
(Read more: Seeing the Difference http://www.medindia.net/jokes/viewjokes.asp?hid=236#ixzz1gRe79tlN)
"Doc, I am very scared about the outcome of the operation on my left eye. What are my chances?"
Grinning doctor to the patient: "Hey don't worry, you won't be able to see the difference."
(Read more: Seeing the Difference http://www.medindia.net/jokes/viewjokes.asp?hid=236#ixzz1gRe79tlN)
Or, there's this one:
"I was going to sue my neurosurgeon, but then he changed my mind."
I know, not LOL-worthy but they all can't be winners. I would've tried to make one up myself, but I'm neither creative or funny enough to accomplish an effective punch-line.
So, the real reason I brought up a ophthalmologist and a neurosurgeon.....Jackson saw them both last month and I never really gave an update on how the appointments went.
One of Jax's physical therapists was concerned that his delayed development may be caused by hearing and/or vision problems. First up to check was his vision. I personally didn't think that there was an issue with either his hearing or his vision. He was starting to track a whole lot better than he had been, he's just a little behind the norm. He's had to recover from two surgeries and get the levels of fluid in his brain "normalized". I would think that may have played a part in the delay. Also, his therapists had been coming around nap time. When he's tired, he doesn't want to do anything. However, I'm all for "it doesn't hurt to make sure", so off to Ocusight Eye Care Center we went.
Our appointment was with Dr. Markowitz, a pediatric ophthalmologist. He checked out Jax's eyes and dilated them. I know I've said it before, and I'm not tooting my own horn (okay, I am...toot, toot!) but Jax is the best baby. He's a real trooper and will put up with pretty much any procedure/test. As long as he's fed and had his nap, he's ready to go and will let you know just about anything. According to Dr. Markowitz, everything looks good. There are no issues with his eyesight at this time. He has no damage to the nerves in his eyes (which was a possibility due to his hydrocephalus). He did notice astigmatism in both eyes but nothing that would effect his sight at this time. We go back in 6 months for a follow-up or sooner if we notice any unusual changes in relation to his eyes (cross-eyes, twitching, etc.).
Our second appointment of the day was with Jax's neurosurgeon, Dr. Silberstein. This was a routine follow-up related to his shunt surgery. So far he hasn't had any issues with his shunt and is showing no signs of a shunt failure. This was one of the fastest appointments we've ever had. The doc came in, said "Everything looks good. See you in a year!". That's right people, we don't have to go back for a whole year! Yay! Well, unless he develops any of the symptoms for a shunt failure (unexplained tiredness, fussiness, headaches, fevers, etc). So, we'll still be keeping an eye on him but it's so great to know that he is doing so well. I told the doc that I liked seeing him but I'm glad we don't have to come back until next November :)
BTW, check out this commercial for the URMC Neurology Department. Dr. Silberstein is at the 16-second mark.
We are still trying to set something up to get his hearing checked but I'm not too worried about it. Jax goes in for his 6-month check-up on Friday.
On the first day of Christmas......
Jackson looks "dashing" in this adorable gray reindeer sweater by OshKosh:
....pants by Baby Gap, shoes by McKids, baby by Robin and Jason ;)
October turned out to be a pretty busy month and November is on track to be the same. If you're a die-hard blog reader, you've already figured out that I failed miserably at my little challenge. However, when I offered to make the turkey for Thanksgiving this year, my Mom said she'd do it. I offered twice and she still said she'd do it. I don't know if that's a lack of confidence in my poultry preparation skills or she really enjoys making the turkey, but either way I've gotten out of sticking my hands in a turkey for another year. Woo hoo!
Let's see, we had four birthdays, a surprise birthday party, 4 Halloween events, three doctor's appointments, an ultrasound, a CMG, lots of cuddle/fun time and that was just October. I'll omit all of the work stuff for the time being because really, who wants to hear about that?
For November, two doctor's appointments, a first hair-cut, a photo shoot, Thanksgiving, a birthday, shopping and turkey. Lots and lots of turkey! And probably a ton of other stuff I'm forgetting at 22 minutes past my bedtime.
I can't believe that Jax is going to be 6 months old this month. Where has the time gone? I feel like it was just yesterday that we were announcing his arrival.
I've been trying to keep up on at least posting pictures on Facebook of the various activities, but I'm even behind on that. Oh well, if you truly like me, you'll wait for details ;)
Proceeds from the sale benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester. We were lucky enough to be able to stay at the Ronald McDonald House when Jax was born and again when he had his shunt placement surgery. What a godsend! At some point I'll do a post about our experience there.
In the past, I've volunteered at the sale and worked a few hours. It was a lot of fun. Crazy busy, but a lot of fun. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to the past two years. I hope to volunteer for the sale next year or volunteer at one of the houses at some point in the near future. They did so much for us, that it will be nice to give back.
They usually have a huge variety of stuff. This year it's at a new location. Check out the website for the address.
There are still two days left, so get on out there and support an awesome organization!
October 14, 10am - 6pm (20% Off Sale)
October 15, 10am - Noon (50% Off Sale)
1pm - 5pm ($6 Bag Sale)
Why, hello Malibu. So nice to finally meet you. I'm so excited that I got to take you home today. Now only if I could find a job closer to home. Imagine how awesome that would be!
Toodle-loo!
Soooooo, all you get today is a picture....enjoy!
All Jax wants to do lately is sit up straight. He doesn't want to be propped up with a pillow or boppy, he doesn't want to be leaning back, he wants up straight! However, he's not quite strong enough to do it by himself yet for a long period of time. Yet, he keeps trying. He's growing up way too fast!
Tomorrow Jax has his 4 month check-up with his pediatrician, Dr. Alling.
Duke is our 2.5 year old Great Dane. I got him for Jason for Valentine's Day in 2009. Well, I was joking around with Jason at the time and told him I wanted either a puppy or a baby. He said, "Ok, let's get a dog. But the only dog I want is a Great Dane". He said this thinking there was not way in H-E-double-hockey-sticks that I would want a dog that big. Little did he know I called his bluff and found a breeder in Cohocton. And voila, "Happy Valentine's Day, we're going to pick out a puppy!"
He was such a cute, tiny puppy...with HUGE paws! He still is a cute puppy to me.
He's been really great with Jax. Wants to smell him everytime he gets home and needs to always know where he is.
Duke's biggest problem is that he doesn't know how big he is. A hip check from Duke will send you flying. A lap dog he certainly is not, but he thinks he is. He loves to sit on your lap. We warn all the kids that come over that they shouldn't run around Duke because he thinks you want to play and will probably end up knocking you over. But, it doesn't matter how much you try to warn the kids, they get excited and want to play and so does Duke. I'm pretty sure everyone's been knocked over at least once...sorry! It's nice to see though that they keep coming back for more. Duke really loves to play with the kids and always sleeps like a baby after they've been here.
He was such a well-behaved dog while Jamie McKenna was here taking pics of Jax that she wanted to do some of Duke too. I think he might be a little bit of a camera magnet too!
The only thing that Jason requested was a picture with Jax and our Harley Davidson blanket. That Harley blanket has seen better days so I was a little worried that it wouldn't really look that great, but Jamie made it look awesome. I think it was one of our favorite shots.
The reason I bring this all up (besides the obvious plug for Jamie!) is that all of those photos are part of my screensaver on my computer. As they all flashed across the screen tonight I couldn't help but think, "oh my goodness, he's changed so much". I mean, he's still the same but so different. He's definitely not the little peanut he was back then. He also doesn't have the obvious signs of hydrocephalus that he did back then either. In most of these pictures you can't tell because he has a hat on. But, in the pics of all of us you can definitely see the larger forehead.
Here are some of our favorite shots.
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| This is the one I saw tonight that got me thinkin....look how tiny he was! :) |
We can't wait for her to come and take some more pictures! See you in November Jamie! :)
Another Smith Family Blog
About Me
- Robin
- Gorham, New York, United States
- I’m a notorious procrastinator, a Martha Stewart wanna-be (minus the orange jump suit), and I have a high attention to detail, although some people might just consider me a control freak, perfectionist pain-in-the-arse! Oh yeah, and I’m a tad sarcastic. I've been married to my best friend for 5 years and we have one amazing little toddler, Jax. Our other "baby" is a 4 year old Great Dane who thinks he's a lap-dog. All in all, I love my life!
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