*Baby Corner*

[caybee 21]

Carol Anne: I live on the second floor of my condo building. After the c-section I was told to take it easy on the stairs, but not that I couldn't use them. You'll be fine at home. I am guessing your mom just wants to take care of you and the baby at first!

I think you're right -- it's more of an excuse for Mom to be Mom Well, we'll be seeing them constantly anyway, and I may stay there for a couple of weeks in June if J makes a visit home, just as a precaution. But I can't handle being babied too much. I start pulling my hair out.

[caybee 21]

Okay, my gums have never been this swollen and painful. My lips are chapped and also swollen, my cheeks are perpetually red, my nose is perpetually stuffy, my ankles are puffy, and anything more would be TMI. Who is this person? Wasn't this supposed to make me look like the Demi Moore magazine cover?? Then again, the little guy is kicking most hours of the day and making us smile, so it's alllll worth it.

[Autumnchik 6]

I'm feeling really down tonight and had to post this ...

Hubby took Declan to the doctor for a follow up after his ear infection a couple weeks ago (she wanted to see him in 10 days). His ears are better, but still have some fluid and she said that he should have tubes if, at his year check, he still has fluid. She also wants him to go to physical therapy because he holds his head a little cocked to the right. Hubby and I (as well as friends and family I had asked today) had not noticed this before today, but now, thinking about it, we realize that is true. She said both things are minor, and I do know that. I just realized though that, on some level, I think I am always a bit on edge around doctor's appts., worrying what else medically will be wrong with Declan. And then I feel guilty for even worrying and feel like a bad mother for focusing on the negative instead of on how amazing Declan truly is, so active and alert, so happy (I also know my thoughts are irrational, but can't help feeling them).

Some people here know my story, but for those that don't, here it is in a nutshell:

Right after birth, told by the on-call pediatrician that there were some problems. She thought he had a clubfoot (he doesn't, it was just the way he was in the womb, and it has straightened out). She also said he had problems with his genitals. Okay, freaked hubby and I out a bit, as this was literally about 10 minutes after I gave birth. After a consultation with the urologist and another doctor, realized the genital abnormality was fairly common and easily fixable, so we felt better.

At birth, Declan was jaundiced, had to be readmitted to the hospital the day after he went home. At further follow-ups, his levels were still higher than expected. The docs believe he has Gilbert syndrome: a common, mild liver disorder in which the liver doesn't properly process a substance called bilirubin. It typically doesn't require treatment and is essentially harmless. A specialist said when he is under stress, we may notice his eyes become jaundiced looking. Okay, so nothing really to worry about, just another thing.

Then, at 2 months, quite unexpectedly, we found out he had a diaphragmatic hernia (basically a hole in his diaphragm and his stomach and part of his intestines was in his chest cavity and his heart was pushed over and one lung was deflated. He had surgery and has recovered wonderfully. The doc said that one lung is smaller than the other as it had been deflated, but it is only one step down from a fully formed lung and should not impact him in amy way. We have to watch for scoliosis in the future, as this surgery causes a slight increase in likelihood of developing it, but generally, everything is good.

Then, at 7 months, he has surgery on his ####### for chordee (curve of the #######) and hypospadias (urethra opening displaced). We weren't as worried about that surgery since we had been numbed a little by the big surgery earlier. The doc told us his level of chordee was pretty severe, but the surgery went well, and he also recovered well.

So having him go to PT and maybe having to have tubes probably seems so minor, it's just that I can't stop worrying that, as time goes on, something else will be wrong. And I've been thinking so much about having another baby, but then I worry about that baby having health problems too.

Thanks for listening to my vent

[Nikita2Charles 32]

We'll keep you and the little one in our prayer, With God's grace he will be fine, and don't worry about the next little one, everyting is in God's hand. My nephew had this same issue with his neck, my little brother keep taking him for Physical Therapy and after about 6 months to a year, His head got straightened out and now you can not even noticed he had any issues. Keep thinking positive, as human we have limitation but there's a higher power up there whose limitless, God will bless you and your family.

I'm feeling really down tonight and had to post this ...

Hubby took Declan to the doctor for a follow up after his ear infection a couple weeks ago (she wanted to see him in 10 days). His ears are better, but still have some fluid and she said that he should have tubes if, at his year check, he still has fluid. She also wants him to go to physical therapy because he holds his head a little cocked to the right. Hubby and I (as well as friends and family I had asked today) had not noticed this before today, but now, thinking about it, we realize that is true. She said both things are minor, and I do know that. I just realized though that, on some level, I think I am always a bit on edge around doctor's appts., worrying what else medically will be wrong with Declan. And then I feel guilty for even worrying and feel like a bad mother for focusing on the negative instead of on how amazing Declan truly is, so active and alert, so happy (I also know my thoughts are irrational, but can't help feeling them).

Some people here know my story, but for those that don't, here it is in a nutshell:

Right after birth, told by the on-call pediatrician that there were some problems. She thought he had a clubfoot (he doesn't, it was just the way he was in the womb, and it has straightened out). She also said he had problems with his genitals. Okay, freaked hubby and I out a bit, as this was literally about 10 minutes after I gave birth. After a consultation with the urologist and another doctor, realized the genital abnormality was fairly common and easily fixable, so we felt better.

At birth, Declan was jaundiced, had to be readmitted to the hospital the day after he went home. At further follow-ups, his levels were still higher than expected. The docs believe he has Gilbert syndrome: a common, mild liver disorder in which the liver doesn't properly process a substance called bilirubin. It typically doesn't require treatment and is essentially harmless. A specialist said when he is under stress, we may notice his eyes become jaundiced looking. Okay, so nothing really to worry about, just another thing.

Then, at 2 months, quite unexpectedly, we found out he had a diaphragmatic hernia (basically a hole in his diaphragm and his stomach and part of his intestines was in his chest cavity and his heart was pushed over and one lung was deflated. He had surgery and has recovered wonderfully. The doc said that one lung is smaller than the other as it had been deflated, but it is only one step down from a fully formed lung and should not impact him in amy way. We have to watch for scoliosis in the future, as this surgery causes a slight increase in likelihood of developing it, but generally, everything is good.

Then, at 7 months, he has surgery on his ####### for chordee (curve of the #######) and hypospadias (urethra opening displaced). We weren't as worried about that surgery since we had been numbed a little by the big surgery earlier. The doc told us his level of chordee was pretty severe, but the surgery went well, and he also recovered well.

So having him go to PT and maybe having to have tubes probably seems so minor, it's just that I can't stop worrying that, as time goes on, something else will be wrong. And I've been thinking so much about having another baby, but then I worry about that baby having health problems too.

Thanks for listening to my vent

[Mommy2ZaidnSalma 11]

(((((((((((Karen))))))))))))

[Nessa 23]

about pics i'm not much into posting personal pics on the internet (notice i never post mine in here, i do post them on this rbazilian network website that i only have friends and family and only them can see it).

anyway, when he's a baby i'll probably be showing pics, after all, all babies look similar. but once he grows up then i'll stop.

[chri'stina 190]

Karen-Awwww, Declan has gone through a lot. He is such a cutie. Hang in there and feel free to vent anytime!! I think worrying is normal. You remember not long ago Kavi had to get the MRI for his head size, and yeah so many thoughts fill the mind. Kavi isn't walking all over yet, just a few steps here and there and I know it's normal but I walked at 10mos and my sis at 13mos, hubby around 11 mos, so I get worried like why isn't he walking all around? He's 14 mos now! But I know I don't really need to worry unless it was still going on after 18mos. But we can't help worrying at times.

[caybee 21]

Karen, I knew about some of what Declan had gone through, but not all of it. I'm sorry you are still finding things that need to be addressed. He's such a beautiful child. It sounds like you have passed the worst of it, but of course you will keep worrying that something else will come up. I think that's natural. I hope and pray there are easy solutions to the trouble with his ears and neck, and that you can relax and just enjoy his childhood very soon.

[Nessa 23]

Ok I think I finally decided on the furniture arrangement. it's final:

[caybee 21]

Ok I think I finally decided on the furniture arrangement. it's final:

I like it, and I love the color scheme. Very peaceful.

[Ladylethal 12]

It looks great Nessa!

[Ms. Squirrel 11]

Karen, I am so sorry that Declan has had to go through that much already. Pedro's son had tubes inserted a few weeks back, he is 18 months now. We were really worried about the surgery at first, but in the end it was luckily not as bad as expected.

I hope he gets well soon, so he can enjoy himself a little more and you don't have to worry so much. ((((hugs))))

Nessa, the room looks lovely - I really like the animal theme. Pedro and I walked around the baby section in a store the other day where they had lots of bedding. We loved all the lion/ elefphant/ monkey designs in green/ blue and yellow. I said to him that we should design the baby room in green/ blue and yellow, even if it will be a girl. No, I am not pregnant, but we talk about having kids quite often.

[Nessa 23]

thanks

[caybee 21]

Just took the plunge and ordered a couple dozen cloth diapers and three covers to start with. We'll probably use disposables in the very beginning because of all the chaos, but I really want to make the cloth work, at least at home. I will feel so much better once we have the bare essentials ready to go. I know the so-called viability date doesn't mean a whole lot, but realizing we're two weeks away from it got my attention!

[chnst 6]

yay new babies! congratulations Staashi!! He is so cute and so tiny! Hope you're recovering well!

@autum: awww, hang in there, Declan is such a tough little trooper, I know it isn't easy after everything you've been through. Hugs!

@Kelly: ooooh I love the new Zaid pictures! Did you give him a new haircut? His hair looks different. He is getting so big!

We just sent out birthday invitations... I can't believe Ben will be 1 in just a few days.

@Nessa: good luck with your delivery, almost there girl! I love your nursery, just that huge diaper pin on the wall looks al little intimidating to me. but maybe it's just the picture and you can threaten Charles with it, whenever he tries to get out of diaper duty. haha.