Skyler's development

When we meet people now, they have no idea that Skyler ever had such a rough, crazy, miraculous start to life. If it comes up that Skyler was born at 23 weeks, I'm not sure how to convey the experience to them. I usually say, "Yes he is such a miracle." And I mean it too. But I don't know how to explain it to them in such a casual, "nice to meet you" setting. It would take too long and there's so much that has happened. So usually I just say, "Yes, he really is a miracle." And they agree. But the other day someone kept saying, "No, you are so lucky, that doesn't happen," etc, as if they thought I didn't realize. It got me thinking that I might not do the best job of talking about it in those situations. Of course I realize that he has beaten all the odds. How do I quickly verbalize what an amazing, life-changing experience this has been for us to someone I just met?

I'm crazy about this boy :)

Anyway, Skyler is doing great! He looks like any other four month old. He's right on track with his gestation. He actually turned eight months old a week ago. Happy Birthday to him!

 I feel like he's been three/ four months old forever since that's what where he is developmentally , and that's what I tell people who ask in the store. I'm not sure if they want to know more, so I just leave it at that. I have to remind myself that he really is eight months old.

We went to the eye doctor a few weeks back and he said that Skyler's ROP, which used to be in stage three, has now regressed to stage one. Great news! He says he may have some peripheral vision problems. We have to wait and see what happens. 

An Early Intervention's occupational therapists came to our house to see how Skyler was doing. They were shocked to hear that he was born at 23 weeks. She is giving us exercises and activities to help him progress. It's a great resource to have at our disposal.

Skyler's lungs are doing great. He got a cold and went to the doctor and was still saturating in the high 90s. His lungs are getting so strong!

He always gets a big smile on his face when I talk to him and touch his
cheek at the same time. Sweet boy.

 He also doesn't have any problems with his hearing. He will take another test in a few months to make sure, but I don't see that ever being a problem.

Right now, Skyler is teething. It's difficult to handle teething when you can't keep a teething ring in your mouth. He can stick it in his mouth but he isn't coordinated enough yet to leave it there and gnaw on it. What do you use for teething? Orajel? Tylenol? Just curious.


Skyler's favorite thing right now is to clap his hands together. Even though it's more like clapping his fists together with a few fingers sticking up every now and then. I love to hear him laugh. I love that he smiles with his whole body and not just his face. If you play paddy cake with him, he'll love you for it. Grandma and rrandpa were the first ones to figure that one out.
 (I know he misses his other grandparents too :)

Isn't it fun that I can sit here and write about things like this? Like a baby going through the normal motions of life: smiling, laughing, teething, living and playing at his house... living and playing at his own house and not the hospital. :) It's fun for us, that's for sure.

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