Belly Laughs and 4 Month Birthdays
I know it has been awhile since I last updated everyone on how the babies are doing. I usually have a lot to say because a lot happens between each blog, but I can happily say that it has been a relatively uneventful stretch of smile filled days. The babies have started LOVING play time. I mean...can't get enough of it!! In fact, I had Owen laughing so hard, I thought he was complaining, but if he could have made sounds, it would have been squeals!
Owen squealing (if he could).
The babies DID have procedures this week. Emmett had another GI study to try to discover what happens when nutrition is introduced into the intestines rather than the stomach. (Things simply sit in his stomach for a REALLY long time.) Both babies have very unusual anatomy, and by unusual, I mean things are not located where they are supposed to be. Stomachs are angled oddly, livers are anterior, etc... This may have an effect on how things drain from the stomach. I am not sure the results of this test, but results must have been positive, as they have placed a naso-gastric tube distal to the stomach (meaning the tube goes into his intestines), and he has begun receiving pedialyte feedings. If all goes well, he will eventually get breast-milk and beyond. As far as long term feeding solutions (because we eventually want him to be able to take nutrition orally), I am not sure how the plan progresses. So for now, we are going with this method, and all the involved are pleased.
Owen had a fistula-gram (and I am pretty sure that is a made-up term.) I'm not exactly sure what the procedure was called, but I DO know the intent of it. Owen has a fistula, or opening, that created itself. Before he can begin any type of feeding, this fistula, as well as the small bile leak located somewhere in his intestines has to heal. The doctors wanted to find out where the fistula is coming from, and where it is going. So, as far as I could tell, they placed barium directly into the fistula and watched where it ended up. Again, I do not know the results of this test, and there have been no indications, good or bad, as to the results. So, I will keep everyone posted as soon as I found out.
As for Emmett's little hand that has been paralyzed, it is SLOWLY beginning to show signs of animation again, and I mean SLOWLY. He has a little more wrist control, and he can ever so slightly move his thumb and even less slightly his fingers. However, because this is most likely the result of a stretched nerve, an incredibly slow recovery is to be expected. The only surprise we encountered is that Emmett also has what is suspected to be Horner's Syndrome - damage to the nerve that controls the eye. In Emmett's case, it presents as a slightly constricted pupil, a droopy upper lid, and a 'squinty' lower lid. The word 'syndrome' has such a negative connotation that I would rather say that Emmett has a collection of symptoms...but that is exactly what syndrome means. I would like to extract any negative connotations. HA! If anyone can think of a good way to make this any MORE complicated, please let me know, because I think I did a fine job of it!!
The babies DID have procedures this week. Emmett had another GI study to try to discover what happens when nutrition is introduced into the intestines rather than the stomach. (Things simply sit in his stomach for a REALLY long time.) Both babies have very unusual anatomy, and by unusual, I mean things are not located where they are supposed to be. Stomachs are angled oddly, livers are anterior, etc... This may have an effect on how things drain from the stomach. I am not sure the results of this test, but results must have been positive, as they have placed a naso-gastric tube distal to the stomach (meaning the tube goes into his intestines), and he has begun receiving pedialyte feedings. If all goes well, he will eventually get breast-milk and beyond. As far as long term feeding solutions (because we eventually want him to be able to take nutrition orally), I am not sure how the plan progresses. So for now, we are going with this method, and all the involved are pleased.
Owen had a fistula-gram (and I am pretty sure that is a made-up term.) I'm not exactly sure what the procedure was called, but I DO know the intent of it. Owen has a fistula, or opening, that created itself. Before he can begin any type of feeding, this fistula, as well as the small bile leak located somewhere in his intestines has to heal. The doctors wanted to find out where the fistula is coming from, and where it is going. So, as far as I could tell, they placed barium directly into the fistula and watched where it ended up. Again, I do not know the results of this test, and there have been no indications, good or bad, as to the results. So, I will keep everyone posted as soon as I found out.
As for Emmett's little hand that has been paralyzed, it is SLOWLY beginning to show signs of animation again, and I mean SLOWLY. He has a little more wrist control, and he can ever so slightly move his thumb and even less slightly his fingers. However, because this is most likely the result of a stretched nerve, an incredibly slow recovery is to be expected. The only surprise we encountered is that Emmett also has what is suspected to be Horner's Syndrome - damage to the nerve that controls the eye. In Emmett's case, it presents as a slightly constricted pupil, a droopy upper lid, and a 'squinty' lower lid. The word 'syndrome' has such a negative connotation that I would rather say that Emmett has a collection of symptoms...but that is exactly what syndrome means. I would like to extract any negative connotations. HA! If anyone can think of a good way to make this any MORE complicated, please let me know, because I think I did a fine job of it!!
Emmett laughing and playing
The babies turned 4 months old just a few days ago. Owen is well over 14 lbs, and Emmett is about a pound behin1 It seems that time has both flown by and inched by at the same time. Regardless of my perception of time, these babies are certainly gifts from God, and proof of His presence in the life of mere and ordinary people. We are blessed that God guided our path as we struggled to understand and manage, to the best of our ability, circumstances that were out of our control. If there is any chance that I have not been clear until now, let me be blatantly clear: God is big. God opens doors. God loves His children, regardless of mistakes. God. Is. Good.
In other news, those of you who ordered t-shirts should have received them sometime this week. If you have not received your t-shirt/s, please send me an email, and I will do research and try to figure out if there has been an error on our end. Dave and I absolutely LOVE ours! I will be posting pictures of our family in our shirts, and if anyone would like to email me pictures of you in your shirts, I will post them to the photo gallery (which I need to work on...I know...)! Since we have fulfilled shirt orders, we will be taking more orders for the next few weeks. If you have placed an order since last time, please be patient! Your shirt will be on its way with this next batch!
The only other news that I can think of is that Ethan had ANOTHER asthma attack and we are now in the defensive stage of managing his asthma. He seems to be breathing a lot easier, and that is a huge comfort for both of us!
So here it is - The end.
3 Good Things:
1. Asthma meds!
2. Happy, playful, smiling babies!
3. The excitement of seeing my brother-in-law and sister-in-law and nieces from Scotland in a couple of weeks!! Can. Hardly. Wait!!!
4. Meeting some of Dave's family that I have never met before!
5. Ok...let me make this more simple... Seeing the entire Ezell side of the family for Thanksgiving!
Whew! I went a little overboard with the 3-good-things list...
The babies turned 4 months old just a few days ago. Owen is well over 14 lbs, and Emmett is about a pound behin1 It seems that time has both flown by and inched by at the same time. Regardless of my perception of time, these babies are certainly gifts from God, and proof of His presence in the life of mere and ordinary people. We are blessed that God guided our path as we struggled to understand and manage, to the best of our ability, circumstances that were out of our control. If there is any chance that I have not been clear until now, let me be blatantly clear: God is big. God opens doors. God loves His children, regardless of mistakes. God. Is. Good.
In other news, those of you who ordered t-shirts should have received them sometime this week. If you have not received your t-shirt/s, please send me an email, and I will do research and try to figure out if there has been an error on our end. Dave and I absolutely LOVE ours! I will be posting pictures of our family in our shirts, and if anyone would like to email me pictures of you in your shirts, I will post them to the photo gallery (which I need to work on...I know...)! Since we have fulfilled shirt orders, we will be taking more orders for the next few weeks. If you have placed an order since last time, please be patient! Your shirt will be on its way with this next batch!
The only other news that I can think of is that Ethan had ANOTHER asthma attack and we are now in the defensive stage of managing his asthma. He seems to be breathing a lot easier, and that is a huge comfort for both of us!
So here it is - The end.
3 Good Things:
1. Asthma meds!
2. Happy, playful, smiling babies!
3. The excitement of seeing my brother-in-law and sister-in-law and nieces from Scotland in a couple of weeks!! Can. Hardly. Wait!!!
4. Meeting some of Dave's family that I have never met before!
5. Ok...let me make this more simple... Seeing the entire Ezell side of the family for Thanksgiving!
Whew! I went a little overboard with the 3-good-things list...
Owen sitting up like a big boy!
Emmett (in blue chair); Owen (in green chair)
Emmett sleeping... I just want to squish those sweet little cheeks!!
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