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.