15 Month Pedi Appt.

A quick post to update everyone on Robinson's 15 month stats:

weight- 25.1 pounds

height- 31 3/4 inches

He is in the 50th percentile for his actual age for height, weight and head circumference. His pediatrician joked that "he is very symmetrical" haha It is a good thing, though, because it means that he is catching up physically and that his physical development has caught up to a full term baby. This is probably the size he would be at 15 months had he been full term. For a preemie mom, those are extremely comforting words to hear.

He got 3 vaccines this week, Hep A, Dip, etc, and the season flu vaccine. Their office does not have the swine flu vaccine but hopefully they will have it in the next month or so. Robinson is high priority to receive the shot, but our pedi and both Rian and I are in agreement that since he is not in daycare and Rian works in a small office that we will wait until the pedi's office has the shot. We aren't going to take him to the health department or stand in long lines- the benefits wouldn't outweigh the risks in that situation. Hopefully we can keep our little man well again this year!

As far as RSV season goes....Robinson does not qualify for the synagis shots this year (ironically since he's been so well...argh), but his doctor doesn't feel it is a necessity for him so she's not going to appeal. We trust her judgement, but that does mean that we'll have to be careful this year. We are not going to be in hibernation like we were last year, but we still need to lay some ground rules:

• if you hold or touch Robinson, you still need wash your hands beforehand- I know this seems silly, but with all of the flu going around this year, this is really something that everyone needs to be more diligent about for their own health, as well
• if you are sick, we can not be around you. period. so please let us know before you come to visit, or before a mutual gathering
• if you smoke, you can't hold him or be around him until you change your clothes

Again, I know some of you think we are being ridiculous, but we are just being cautious. Robinson is showing the early signs of asthma (could be due to being on the ventilator for so long in the NICU, but it could also be just genetic). His doctor prescribed Singu.lar for him to see if that would help....you see, he wheezes on occasion. Nothing to be overly concerned about or jump the gun...BUT it is something we need to watch and make sure that we are proactive. It mainly happens when he's running/playing really hard, or after he has drank a lot of fluids. It goes away with a small cough- which is what you want to happen. They think it's a combination of his reflux and bad allergies- and possibly the start of asthma. They don't diagnose children with asthma until they are older (usually 5 years), so it is a wait and see game right now. We are just so very lucky and blessed that he has done so well and we continue to pray every day that he stays healthy and continues to grow stronger.

Happy Halloween-- of course, I will post pictures soon!

March of Dimes/March for Babies

This weekend was the March of Dimes March for Babies for our area. This is an event that raises money for the March of Dimes. The March of Dimes helps fund research for premature babies. Robinson would not be here today if it was not for the tireless efforts of the March of Dimes. I'd be lying if I said that I haven't struggled from time to time with the amount of stress that having a premature baby brings in your life- let alone one that was 3 months premature. When I heard about this event, I really felt led to do all that I could do and raise as much money as I possibly could for this organization. In a way, they have given us so much, and I wanted to give back to them.

I enlisted the partnership of my good friend and neighbor, L to help me fund raise. I have to say that the March of Dimes makes it so easy with their online tools. I also have to give a BIG shout out to Fac.eb.ook because MUCH of our online donations came with posting our information on that social network. I was so touched with how giving family and friends were for this cause. People that I rarely get to talk to (and hardly ever see) took it upon themselves to donate and help us with our efforts. I am so humbled and grateful.

Our efforts paid off immensely. I do not know what our exact total was yet, because my aunt/uncle, grandmother, and parents each wrote a check that day (a big thank you to them), BUT I can tell you that was OVER $1500....AND we won 3rd place for the event for fundraising!!!! This is HUGE because the only 2 teams that raised more money were both corporate teams- a hospital and a grocery store. I felt so proud that our little 3 person team (L, my mom and myself) were able to help raise that kind of money for the March of Dimes.

It was a little cold for the walk, but we had so much and of course everyone ooohed and awed over our Robinson. It made me so grateful for how far we've come. I feel that I made something positive out of something that was so traumatic. I also feel compelled to participate in this event every year so that someday, somewhere, another mother of a 26 weeker might be able to sleep a little better at night and breathe a little easier during those first hard days at the side of an isolette in a lonely NICU.

It was a little cool and breezy, so we bundled the little guy up.

The Happy Family

THE Walking TEAM- on the back of our shirts it said "Lace Up Your Sneakers for our 26 Weeker"

Robinson had a blast

Mommy and her Little Man

Picture Post

So I have been a very bad blogger lately, so to redeem myself, I am going to just give you a post full of pictures- because, let's be honest, we all know that's why you come to look at the blog anyway...

He's not a real fan of the carseat...we are still facing him backwards per the pediatricians' rec. She wants him backwards facing until atleast 16 months- she said that there is a lot of data that shows that they are significantly safer facing backwards as long as possible....so we'll follow her opinion- she is the doc!
He loves spaghetti

He has such a sweet smile

Feet in the sand with Daddy

Family photo on the beach

Eating bacon and eggs and Nana's and Poppa's

Just to give you a reminder...the onesie is front this time last year and the tshirt is what he is wearing this year!

GO USM!

and GO SOX! The shiner is from running away from his Nana and meeting the asphalt face first!
Don't you just love that little smirk?! I'm going to have to shut the door in the girls' faces later ;-)