Dentist and Trach reversal

This past week we spoke with Braden's ENT. He is actually looking into possible surgery for Braden's trach reversal sooner rather than later. That way Braden will be out of the hospital before RSV season begins. We have one more step before making that huge leap. Braden needs to have a swallow study and that should be scheduled very soon. I will post as soon as the study is done on whether or not we will be moving forward. I will say that Braden has had two swallow studies in the past and passed them. So I can't imagine he is having any issues now since he is much older.

Last week we went to the Mall. Yes, I said Mall. lol I only took Braden there because he needed to be professionally fitted for some walking shoes. He has my feet which means his heals turn out and make his arches flat while walking. I have always worn shoes and hated going barefoot because it is uncomfortable. So I imagine this should help Braden progress much faster towards walking. His PT has agreed and actually recommended getting some Stride Rites to help him. So that's what we have done. We shall see but we can already tell a difference in his stability when standing.

On July 13th Braden is going for his first dental appt.. I am concerned as he still does not have his bottom front teeth. I also see some spots in his molars that concern me. So we are going to have his teeth checked out. When I called for his appt. the girl told me that kids do not need to wait until 3 yrs of age if they have 10 teeth or more they should see the dentist. Hopefully his teeth aren't adding to his feeding issues and that is also something that we can eliminate with a check up.

Grayson is doing better now that he is on Soy formula. He still has anger spells. hee hee... But thankfully most of the time he has a good reason. He is still not tummy issue free but he is doing way better than before. He can actually sit in his bouncy seat without getting upset. He also loves the swing. Braden likes to swing his brother as you will see in the new pics.. :-) Grayson has started smiling this past week. It's sooo sweet to see and he has his Grandpa Stone's dimples. :-)

The NICU reunion is in the middle of August. We really hope to see everyone this year but it will depend on Braden's trach reversal. Whether or not he's getting the surgery this summer and when.

Hope you enjoy the new photos. I posted a few of Braden's climbing. He gets in trouble now. But we are so glad to see him finally able to get into trouble. As it's been a long road for him. It's been hectic around here and I get little sleep. The other day I couldn't find my phone. It was in the freezer. That's just one of those things that happens when your sleep deprived. I had put my phone in the pocket of Grayson's baby bottle cooler the nite before. Then forgot about it. Oh well at least I didn't leave the water running and flood the downstairs kitchen again like I did when Braden was little.

Ok well Grayson is unhappy so I need to get off here and see what's up with him. More later....

3 more weeks ha!!!

Ok so I revise my statement from the last post. Braden crawled all the way up the stairs all by himself today. He decided he couldn't wait three more weeks to prove he could do it. :-) That's our Boy.

What we've been up to...

Well it's been pretty hectic around this house lately. Our schedule is pretty crazy. I think it's so funny when people ask me what it's like to have a new baby and a two year old. The reason is because my experience is completely different than the average Mom's. Braden who is doing fantastic still has obstacles to overcome. I feed him by mouth 4 times a day and do 4 tube feedings. Most toddlers his age only eat 3 times a day. Not to mention they are self feeders and can be handed a sippy or bottle and off they go. Braden is still not walking. Which presents another challenge for me. Carrying them both is not an option right now. Later I will use the Baby Bjorn and just carry the baby in it and Braden on my hip. Or maybe he'll crawl up the stairs himself. :-) Today he actually went up all the way to the half way point of our stairs. Then successfully crawled back down. So maybe in the next 3 weeks he'll be going all the way up. That would be fantastic. Last nite I had a dream that Braden ran for his first steps instead of walking. Braden has also mastered walking with his lion walker. I have yet to catch that on video but he does really well. I am so proud of him. He can also use his red car in the kitchen. He has been cruising, climbing, and getting into everything. He is finally getting a sense of falling. When Braden is tired he gets wild. He is all over the place and falls alot. lol

Braden loves his little brother. He kisses him daily and not by my prompting either. He is for the most part very gentle around him. At times though he wants to grab an arm and sling him like he does everything else. We stop him obviously. But it's interesting how that urge hits him every now and then.

Grayson is doing well. However, he has had some tummy issues. So I am going to try Soy formula this week. Hoping it will help. He is very alert and he can really scream when he wants something. lol But amazingly enough Braden isn't bothered by it in the least.

Well Braden is telling me it is time for his nap. So gotta go...

A few more pics....

Here are a few photos my sister took this week. Since she is a photographer her's are obviously better. :-) So I thought I would add even though some are almost the same shot. :-)

First few weeks with Toddler and baby

Well the first few weeks have gone pretty well. It's exhausting but FUN. Braden is just going nuts climbing, cruising the furniture and kitchen cabinets. He is just all over the place especially when tired. He has even been caught several times trying to climb over the loveseat. Not good since the loveseat is backed up against the short divider wall between the kitchen and den. So needless to say it's been a little tough when I am alone with the two of them. But all in all we are doing good. Grayson is eating, sleeping and growing. Braden is exploring and very close to walking. He even crawled up a half flight of stairs with his therapist last week. He has finally mastered walking with his car walker. We just thrilled to see him doing so well.

My sister came a few weeks ago and took some really nice photos of Grayson. Although I have to say he was totally not in the mood. I was a little disappointed but she managed to get some good shots despite his unwillingness to coorperate. You can go to her blog to see them. www.momentsbypaula.blogspot.com. You'll have to scroll down a little to find them. Also, this past week Paula brought her kids by to meet Grayson. Unfortunately, cousin Nevin didn't feel well so he couldn't come. :-( Maybe he will get to visit next week.

Grayson's first weekend home

Grayson had good timing in one area. He was born right before the holiday weekend. So his Aunt Leslie brought her family down to meet him and visit with Braden. It's been over a year since Braden has seen his cousins. It was a very special visit and much to my surprise Braden adjusted really fast to the company. He had a good time but didn't get overwhelmed. Grayson did well too. He doesn't seem to mind noise at all. Which is great because he sleeps even when Braden's suction machine is going. Braden also seems to sleep thru Grayson crying. I don't know how we got so blessed but things are really going well. I am sooo happy.

Yesterday Grayson had his first pediatrician visit. He is already back up to his birth weight. The Dr. said he looks absolutely perfect. :-) She also checked over Braden. She said he looks great too. His weight is now 23 lbs 2 ozs and he is 33 inches long. He is still low on the growth chart but she said no worries. For what he has been thru that is to be expected. She also mentioned talking to Braden's nutritionist to change his diet so he will want to drink. Seems GI and ENT are also ready for him to transition off the tube feeds.

I still haven't gotten info. back on the scope tests that were ran by GI. Pulmonary had called and Braden is on an antibiotic for 14 days for a common lung bacteria. So that should go away soon and they seem to think it wasn't a big deal.

Paula will be taking newborn pics and big brother little brother pics today. Hoping those will be posted sometime this week. Hope you enjoy the weekend photos.