Christmas

This year for Christmas we opted to stay home.  There has been so much sickness going around that we just didn't want to chance taking Nicholas anywhere.  Nicholas' Papa came over and celebrated with us.  Of course Santa also payed Nicholas a visit.  Nicholas' Poppa came over 2 days before Christmas and brought gifts and Nicholas' Nanny came over with gifts 2 days after Christmas.  Nicholas' friends, aunts, uncles and cousins sent gifts as well.  Needless to say, Nicholas had a great Christmas!

Nicholas must have been on Santa's nice list

 

 

Nicholas with his new Groover remote

 

 

Papa, this ball sure is delicious!

 

 

Checking out one of his many gifts

 

All tuckered out after an exciting day

 

Sleep Apnea

Nicholas had another sleep study a couple of months ago.  According to the study, he has central and obstructive sleep apnea.  The pulmonologist (Dr. Brown) said that the recommendation for obstructive sleep apnea is to have the tonsils and/or adnoids removed.  Therefore, he referred Nicholas to an Otolaryngologist.  The Otolaryngologist (Dr. Farrell) looked at his tonsils and said that they do not need to be removed. However, he was unable to see Nicholas' adnoids because he is so little.  Dr. Farrell spoke with Dr. Brown and was told that he feels his adnoids should still be removed.  Neither doctor has been able to guarantee that the surgery will stop the apnea, but feels like it will be a step in the right direction.
James and I have been going back and forth with this decision for the past week and have been doing research.  After reading all the complications that apnea can cause, we have decided to go ahead with the surgery.  It is scheduled for January 8th at Mcleod.  Due to Nicholas' medical condition, he will have to stay the night after the surgery to be monitored.  Please pray that the surgery will be successful, and that no complications will arise.

Nicholas LOVES his stroller

Therapy

Nicholas has set a new record for himself in his stander.  He stood in it on Wednesday for 39 minutes!  While he is standing, one of us keeps trading out toys on the tray where he doesn't get bored.  Also, we have started letting him watch Netflix and youtube on the laptop.  We have to put a blanket over the keyboard because he likes to hit all the keys.

Nicholas' PT, Casey brought in something new this week for him to use.  It is a bench.  She puts Nicholas on his knees in front of it and of course he plays with his toys on the bench.  The bench helps to prepare him for crawling by placing the majority of his bodyweight on his knees.  Everytime she puts him in the crawling position, he gets VERY angry!  He hates it.  The bench is being used as an aid to help to get him to crawl.  He seems to be getting closer too.  When he is on the floor playing, he scoots to reach for his toys.

 

 

Gecko stander

On Monday, something new was added to Nicholas' therapy - a Gecko Stander.  A stander provides vertical alignment and upright support for developmentally delayed children.  It is suppossed to improve his head control, maintain bone density and also tone and strengthen his muscles.  We have been putting him in it twice a day.  We let him stand in it as long as he will tolerate it.  So far the longest he has been in it is 25 minutes. The goal is to get him standing for an hour at a time. There is a tray on the stander where he can play with his toys while standing.   Here are a few pictures of Nicholas in his Gecko stander.

Nicholas loves playing with his blocks

And chewing them

Side view of the stander

 

Back view

Appointments

Nicholas went to the eye doctor on Tuesday.  Dr. Stokes said that Nicholas may need glasses, but as of right now, hes just going to see if his eyes get better on their own. He is scheduled to go back in two months and a decision may be made at that time. Nicholas also went to the RSV clinic on Friday to get his second synagis shot. He cried a little, but overall he did very well.  His current weight is 17lbs 3 oz.   

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving was much different from last year's.  Last year, we spent the majority of the day in the NICU with Nicholas.  Nicholas was on the oscillator and we were filled with worry and fear.  This Thanksgiving was bittersweet.  We were thrilled to have Nicholas celebrating with us, but also sad because James' mother was not here to celebrate. 

We went to Aunt Kim's house in Andrews for our celebration.  Everyone had their turn holding and spoiling Nicholas.  A great time was had by all!

 

Nicholas and his great Granny

 

An afternoon nap in Aunt Kim's bed 

 

 Nicholas with his 2nd cousins

 

Our first family Thanksgiving picture

 

 

Mommy and Pierre

 

      

James and his mini me

 

Papa and the meestur

           Nicholas with his Nanny

Back in Isolation

 Nicholas had his one year doctors appointment on Oct 16th and the doctor informed us that we would need to take the same precautions this RSV season as we did last year. This means that we will no longer be able to take Nicholas to public places other than to drs appointments. We can still have visitors and go to peoples houses, but only if no one is sick or has been sick in the last week.  We have enjoyed going places together as a family and are saddened that it has come to an end, but we know its for his own good. We do not want to risk him getting sick.  Nicholas will be getting the synagis shot every month during RSV season. He got his first one on October 31st. For more information about RSV and synagis, go to https://www.synagis.com.

On a happier note, Nicholas can now sit up for over 5 minutes unassisted!  Here are a few pictures that have been taken over the last month.

 

 

 

 

 

New Videos

http://youtu.be/LvOO5WZC3kI



http://youtu.be/U4uYCwiNr-s

A Birthday and a Party

Nicholas' birthday was on Wednesday and we took him to the fair.  He got to see the pig race and all sorts of animals.  We stayed about an hour and he seemed to like it ok.

We celebrated his birthday today with a party.  Many people showed up.  There were a few we did not expect to see.  However, they were pleasant surprises.  Nicholas got his first taste of cake and ice cream but he seemed happier to touch the food than to eat it, lol.  He also got loaded down with presents.  He got clothes, books, toys, ornaments, his first pair of shoes, diapers, gift cards, and money.  His money will be deposited in his savings account. 

We can not say thank you enough to Ronnie Hoffmeyer, Jeremy and Susan Bryson, and of course Pisgah United Methodist church.  Ronnie helped me set everything up and Jeremy and Susan helped take everything down.  I do not know who else helped to clean things up as Nicholas was due for his nap and I brought him home.  Thank you to everyone who came to the party or who sent Nicholas a gift to show how much they care.  We were hoping for a day like today and we couldn't have asked for a better celebration for our little saint.


The first present came from Jackie Pittman.



ooooooo......what is it???

I think this one makes sounds.....YES!!!!

I bet I could roll around that track faster than that pig's walking.

No, what are you looking at??

Uh, didn't daddy just show me this????

ARE YOU TOUCHING MY CAKE!!!!

I think I'll make a fu man chu out of icing.

And you say you eat this?  I think I'll just touch it to be on the safe side.

I'm glad you got that camera aunt Becky because PaPa is eye balling my cake.

Yeah, you cant expect to hear this during your sermon preacher.

Don't you people know I get a nap around 4?

Mariah did an excellent job picking out a cake.

Even Batman had a nurse.

It might have been a birthday party but it doesn't have to be your birthday to have a good time.

A Quick Update

Today, during Nicholas' p.t., Casey noticed that he has another tooth coming in.  This one is on the top right in the front.



Also, for Nicholas' birthday, we will be taking him to the fair to see the animals. 

Birthday Party

Not sure if everyone knows this or not but there will be pizza, drinks, cake, chips, and ice cream at Nicholas' birthday party.  The pizza will be pepperoni and the ice cream will be vanilla.  Drinks will be Coke, Diet Pepsi, and Sprite.  Chips will be Doritos, BBQ chips, and tbd.  Just trying to choose the most popular of each category so everyone will be able to eat or drink something.


The party is from 2-4 on the 13th.  PLEASE do not arrive before 2.  This is just in case everything is not set up in time.  Everyone who reads this blog is invited too. 

Videos

http://youtu.be/m_TLsS0nTdI



http://youtu.be/u1g4PGaLLE4

FYI

This website has now eclipsed the 10,000 views mark.  As of this post there has been 10,074 views.

Update on Dr. Appt.

Just a quick update on Nicholas' appointment with the ear, nose, and throat doctor.  The dr. said he didn't see anything wrong with Nicholas' tonsils and he couldn't see his adenoids but he didn't think they needed to be removed.  As a result, Nicholas has to go back and see the pulmonologist to determine if there is anything else that needs to be done.

Nicholas also has 3 new things: his second tooth is coming in (the second 1 on the bottom in the front) and he now has a toothbrush and toothpaste.  We've only brushed his teeth once so far.  It went ok.  He didn't fight it but he wasn't very welcoming either.

Baptism

This morning Nicholas was baptized.  The entire service was perfect!!!  We chose the first 2 songs the church sang (There's Within My Heart a Melody and In the Garden) and the choir sang a baby baptismal song.  1 of our Sunday School teachers, Johnny Altman, read a poem during the song too.  Here is what the poem said:

Blessing of Nicholas



A package came very early from heaven one day;

He was wrapped in his mother's love.

His parents said Welcome...as so tiny he lay,

This special little treasure from above.

 

When all at Pisgah heard that his life's first light,

Prayers of support were offered for what he now faced.

His name was Nicholas; he bravely fought the fight;

Our Lord smiled upon him with warmth and grace.

 

Now as life unfolds before Nicholas, his experiences abound.

Treasures of memories store up for his parents and church family.

James and Mariah cherish every smile, laugh, and sound.

Our Great God in heaven knew how special this child would be.

 

 

 

 

Thank you to everyone who came to see this joyous occassion. 

 

 

 

Random Pictures and an Update

This past week Nicholas went to see his pulmonoligist and the results finally came back from his sleep study.  The doctor said the person who administered the study didn't know how to read a baby's results.  The doctor said Nicholas has obstructive sleep apnea and he will have to go and see the ear, nose, and throat doctor to determine whether he will need his tonsils or his adenoids removed.  We have not made an appointment yet but we'll post the results as soon as we know.

30 years meets 11 months

Always there to lend a hand

The results of months of physical therapy

Gotta get that neck stronger

A little r and r with Squidward and the laptop

Get up off me Sylvester.  I told you good looks aren't contagious.

Beauty sleep

The only thing that stopped him was the end of the crib

There's gotta be a way to get more room in here

OOOOOOOOO, Big Brother

Yeah, I sit like this all the time

You said keys are for driving????  I thought they were edible!!!