The Duggars...

Tonight, The Duggar Family had a special episode on TLC of their reality show. It showed the birth of their 19th child, Josie. Josie was born at 25 weeks weighing 1 pound 6 ounces. Michelle Duggar had developed pre-eclampsia and had to have an emergency c-section. From her symptoms and the trigger words being said in the show, I think that she might have also developed HELLP syndrome, but I can't be sure.

1 pound 6 ounces....25 weeks

Robinson was 1 pound 7 ounces....26 weeks 2 days

It has been 18 months since Robinson's birth, but this television show made me feel like it was yesterday. Throughout our journey, I have been so positive and I feel like that has made a huge difference in Robinson's health and development. I saw that positvity in the Duggars tonight. They are a positive family to the heart and core, so this did not surprise me- yet, I know what feelings are underneath. I know the way your heart goes into your throat when that oxygen saturation or heartbeat alarm goes off. I know how anxious you are at the hand washing station; wanting so badly to see your child, but scared to death to hear what the nurse has to say. The rollercoaster of the NICU can have you so happy and positive one minute and yet so scared and frightened the next. I know what the Duggars are feeling because I have felt the same way.

When they showed Josie in the isolette and you could see her stomach going up and down from the pressure of the ventilator, my tears started flowing freely. I remember that bed side picture all too well. She even had a little hat that was like the hats Robinson's nurses gave to him. The pictures were all too real. The alarms were all too real. The look on Michelle's face was all too real. It was all too real and the tears kept flowing. So much so, that my wonderful husband asked me to turn to the channel and reminded me of the beautiful, healthy and spunky toddler that we had sleeping and dreaming about puppy dogs and cars in the next room.

I would not wish this journey on my worst enemy, however, the Duggars have the attention of the world. I hope that this unfortunate situation can bring awareness to prematurity, pre-eclampsia, HELLP and NICU's around the world. So many people have no idea what this journey entails, so hopefully not only will beautiful Josie be the fighter that my son and so many more preemies that I know were, but she will also show the world what it is like to experience a true miracle. Perhaps the more awareness that these conditions receive, will one day bring a miracle of cure so that, as the March of Dimes so eloquently states, one day all babies will be born healthy.

God Bless the Duggar family and baby Josie

18 month Pictures

We decided to have some 18 month pictures of Robinson and the family done last week. We used Po.rtrait In.novat.ions, which I will readily admit that I'm not a huge fan of the style. I like more of an outside/photojournalistic style of photo. However, Por.trait I.nnov.ations is fast, easy and very inexpensive. We were in and out of there in 1 hour with all of our pictures. And I'll be honest...I paid $150 and got 4 10x13, 6 8x10, can't even count the # of 5x7 and wallets- you get a LOT of pictures. Plus, my package included the CD with all of the raw images, so if I ever need any more I can just upload them to Shutterf.ly or wherever and crop and edit as needed. It really is a nice option for family photos when you don't want to spend a lot of money, but want pictures to give out to the friends/family.

Robinson and Daddy

I love this picture...it is a very typical pose for these two!

Mommy and her Sweet Boy

The photographer asked Robinson to give Mommy kisses and he did :)

Family Photo

Love the raised eyebrows- this is a Robinson look!

BEST SMILE EVER

I think I'm going to have some trouble keeping the girls off of my handsome boy...

The Robinson 'smirk'

Laughing

Rian and I finally got a picture together- I don't think we've done this since our wedding over 3 years ago!

Another Family Photo

Doesn't he look like a little G.ap M.odel??

He loves any kind of riding toy right now

18 Month Appointment

Yesterday we had Robinson's 18 month appointment- can you believe that he's now closer to 2 years old than 1?? My baby is growing up so fast...

Stats:

Weight 25 1/2 pounds - 50th percentile

Height 33 1/2 inches - 90th percentile

Head Circumference (I don't know what the measurement was, but he was plotted in the 50th percentile)

Can you believe that height??? The doctor did it 2x because she just couldn't believe it..haha....his growth chart is not a curve, it's a vertical line! She said his weight and head circumference are stabilizing out like they should but his height is just unbelievable....she said he is on track to be about 6'1 or 6'2....Our 26 WEEKER might be 6'2!!! Dr. L said she LOVED it and says that Robinson is her little Rockstar- he even has the hair of a rockstar. haha

As far as Developmental Milestones he falls as such:

Gross Motor Skills- 24 months

Fine Motor Skills- 22-24 months

Cognitive- 2.5 years

Receptive Language- 22-24 months

Expressive Language- 15-18 months


These stats are just estimates but it was based on her interactions with Robinson and me answering questions of what he's doing at home. The expressive language is what I was concerned, because Robinson isn't talking as much as I think he should be. Dr. L said it's because he's so far advanced in his other milestones that is why it seems like he's far behind in speech. In actuality, he's right where he needs to be- she said he would not qualify for therapy, but we'll keep monitoring it and make sure he doesn't fall too behind. She thinks that Robinson is going to be one of those kids that just has a language explosion and starts talking in sentences within the next few months. We'll see...

So..all in all, a very good appointment and NO SHOTS! woohooo

It was really funny at the end of the appointment. Robinson had been playing with her pen (his favorite toy) and she took it back. Of course this made Robinson throw one of his now famous temper tantrums and he picked up the door stopper and tried to TRADE with her!! hahaha...She started dying laughing and said "that is seriously advanced for his age. The fact that he recognizes he might be able to trade to get the pen back".... that's our little man :)

Back on the Nebulizer...

I feel like I'm part of a very bad country song...

congestion, runny nose, cough, wheeze/nebulizer...that's the path our boy follows.

We headed to the doctor this afternoon. She said its seems milder than the last cold, but he was still wheezing. Pulse Ox was still good (96/97), no fever, and all of his nasal discharge was clear. His lungs were also clear (no congestion, etc) and was moving good air- just has airway constriction b/c of the virus. They did a RSV swab and it was negative. So, we are back on the nebulizer 4x per day for 3-4 days- until the cough goes away and his breathing is better. You can tell when his breathing is better when he yawns- if he's wheezing, his yawn sounds whistle-y and if not, his yawn sounds 'clear'...frustrating that I know my son's breathing that well, isn't it? Oh the life of a preemie mom.

Plus, I'm sick as well. I think it's mainly a sinus infection, but I'm running a low grade fever and just generally feel yucky. Obviously, rest would do me good, yet any mother who's ever had a sick child knows that rest is the LAST thing on the agenda for the Mommy...so, hopefully I can kick my illness without little rest.

The stinkiest part of the appointment today was that the doctor said we have to stop going to The Little Gym and go back into semi-hibernation. We had been given the free/clear bill as I call it- it was cool for us to go anywhere...however, due to having 2 neb treatments in a month, we are back on hibernation. We can go to stores when it's less busy, but I have to keep Robinson in his stroller and no contact with any children and limited contact with adults until well into Spring. UGH- my little man is so social and CRAVES being around people. I know it's what is best for his health, but as the doctor said, obviously people have gotten lax around germs and hand washing around him b/c he's been exposed to things. Yes, these colds are good for his immune system to build up, but it's not good for his lungs to have back to back colds...

So...here is my sunshine post of the day. hahaha...yes, it could be worse and yes, I am thankful that he responds well to the nebulizer and for the time being we do not have to go on steroids, but I just want the little guy to catch a break.

We go back next week for his 18 month appt where will talk about getting Robinson evaluated for Speech Therapy...his pedi doesn't think he's too far behind for his adjusted age, but he's definitely behind. We want to try to be proactive and see if we can get him some one on one attention so that he can catch up quickly.

To be continued after next week's appt....but some pictures to make you smile...

In the car riding with Mommy

The car makes me sleepy...

I've Created a Monster...

...in a good way! I've taken so many pictures of Robinson that when I got the camera out the other night, he automatically sat down and said "cheese"! LOL......LOOOOOVE it!! Maybe we have a future model, rockstar or actor on our hands, huh?! Or maybe I'm just creating a VERY confident young man that much to his Daddy's cheering will be quite the ladies man ;-)