Baby Fitzgerald: March 2009

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Learning how to use my voice!

Daddy says I'm a lot like mommy....can't stop talking!

Daddy is funny looking!

Mommy tried to help me straighten this one out. We couldn't figure it out....guess you'll just have to turn your head! :-)

Can I get a little help over here?

I've been working REALLY hard lately at trying to sit, but it's TOUGH!!! Anyone have a bumbo seat, boppy pillow, corner of a couch???

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Boy, was yesterday a LONG, but very good day! Mommy and I took the trek down to Rochester again for a full day of appointments. We actually started off at the hand surgeon where mommy received a SHOT!!! She has been wearing a funny looking, hard splint on her wrist for 3 weeks since she was diagnosed with "Dequervain's Syndrome"....otherwise known as overuse tendonitis of her thumb extensors. I overheard the doctor also call it "New Mother's Syndrome"as is has to do with how she lifts me and positions me when holding, changing, and feeding. Since the splint hasn't been helpful, the doctor pulled out a HUGE needle and gave her a poke. She didn't even flinch....trying to be brave while I was watching (to prepare me for my immunizations! ) After that fun, we headed to my 4 month check up where they undressed me, weighed me, measured me, put me through some development tests, and then 2 SHOTS...one in each thigh! GRRRRRRRRRRRR......I WAS SO MAD!!!!!!!!!! The good news is they told me I am perfectly on track development wise and am growing strong! I am now 15lbs, 7oz and 25 inches long. This places me in the 82% for weight and 70% for height.

So here comes the REALLY good news. My lungs sounded great with no sign of pneumonia, and my doctor sent us back to see our friend Julie, the Occupational Therapist. I had another swallow study where they watched me eat under X-Ray. Although I am still having some troubles with my coordination, and am no where near perfect, I am doing MUCH better and was cleared to eat regular breast milk....with NO thickener! :-) And, I no longer have to be "paced" where they take the bottle out of my mouth every few seconds. This is a huge relief for me, and whoever has the pleasure of giving me my bottle! All in all, the news is good as I continue to make great strides towards better health!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

THANK YOU MIMI!

Well, as many of you know, it has been a tough month at the Fitzgerald household. I've been awfully busy as usual but am finally getting around to filling you all in. Early in February, I developed pneumonia and after a failed course of antibiotics, I went back into the doctor for further testing. I met with an Occupational Therapist (friend of Mommy's) who watched me swallow under an X-ray and discovered I have been having troubles swallowing and ultimately my pneumonia was from "aspiration". Basicly this is a big word for food going down the wrong pipe! I would cough and sputter quite often while I was eating and we learned it was because it was going into my lungs. We met with a WONDERFUL team of really nice people at Mayo (Ear Nose and Throat specialists) who after placing a very uncomfortable camera through my nose and into my throat diagnosed me with Laryngomalacia. This is how you pronounce it "luh-RING-go-muh-LA-shuh." (Pretty big words I've been learning these days, huh?) Laryngomalacia is a condition that is present at birth and is basicly the softening of the larynx (my voice box.) Normally the tissues around the larynx are firm and keep food and liquids from entering the windpipe. In my case, these tissues are soft and floppy which is why I had been spitting up excessively since birth, have had choking spells, noisy breathing and troubles sleeping. I now take thickened food through a bottle and whoever is feeding me "paces" me so I don't eat too fast. I get a bit frustrated at times, because who wants to eat slow when they're hungry??? FORTUNATELY, I was started on medications and am feeling MUCH better these days. My swallowing continues to improve every day, I am sleeping soundly again, and I keep GROWING! I'm even starting to get chubby legs and cheeks :-) We have been told I will gradually improve day by day and should outgrow these symptoms by the time I am 12-18 months old! THANK GOODNESS! Through this all, Mimi graciously flew up from Oklahoma and has been staying with me while mommy and daddy have to work. We have had a wonderful visit for 3 weeks! Here are some pics! :-)