Merry Christmas

Grandma, Alex, Daddy and Aunt Liz

Daddy and me in the snow.

Aunt Liz gave me this bib.

                                                                                                    

Uncle Kelley and me

Aunt Liz and me

Daddy Alex and me

    My first balloon and first snow

            

We took a trip to meet up with Uncle Kelley, Aunt Liz, Cousin Alex and Grandma Anne to celebrate Grandma's early birthday. We had a great time. This was the first time Aunt Liz, Alex and Uncle Kelly got to meet Nicholas. He loved them all! Nicholas has his two front bottom teeth and is teething hard. Drooling and chewing everything. He is eating up a storm and seems to like everything now. He's sitting up but he still won't crawl. He loves his exersaucer... he stands in it, jumps up and down and plays (and chews) with all the toys. He got a good checkup with the neurologist and surgeon. Nicholas got to see his first snow but sad to say it ruined a Christmas celebration in the Carolinas with Granny and the rest of the family this weekend. We had been looking forward to that all year. 

It's so exciting watching this little boy learn and grow. We're so blessed to have him in our lives.

Happy Holidays and New Year to all!

Sweet potatoes, Mary, Santa and Happy Thanksgiving!

This has been a busy month. I turned 7months old on Monday. I am letting Mommy and Daddy feed me now. I love sweet potatoes but so far they can't find anything else I like to eat. I am rolling over really well but can only sit for a little before I fall over. I can scoot on my behind or roll where I want to go but no crawling yet. Mary came to visit me and brought me drums that light up and make noise. I love to play with them and I loved Mary. I went to Bass Pro Shop and visited Santa for the first time. I didn't cry but I didn't know him. I have a tooth and more coming in. I am chewing on everything I can get my hands on. All my doctors say I look good. I had Thanksgiving at Aunt Shelly and Uncle Bobby's yesterday. Grandma gave me a REAL sweet potato, mommy mashed it up and I choked on it. Life is good.

We are so thankful for our little boy!

Me and Mary

Me and Mommy sleeping.

Happy Halloween

My 6 month doctor checkup went well. I got the okay to start eating rice cereal. Mommy put it to my lips and I held my lips closed tight. Mommy gave me the spoon and I opened wide and put it in. I spit most of my cereal out but I know how to feed myself. I really thought I was doing something. The doctor said my head size has come back down so the shunt must be doing its job. I weigh 14 and a half pounds. I went to a fruit and vegetable stand with Daddy and Mommy and got my picture taken with some pumpkins for Halloween. I can't go trick or treating yet so I'm going to spend Halloween with my grandma. Mommy and Daddy have to work.

6 months old!

Childrens Hospital 5K with Janette

Me and Daddy

Today at 1pm our baby boy will be 6months old. He is teething up a storm now and drooling all over the place. He is quite fussy at times. The only thing I like about it is he lets me hold him when he doesn't feel good. Nicholas is also talking up a storm and does it loudly. I don't know what he's saying but he's exercising different sounds. He also loves to slam his right arm up and down with or without toy so watch out. He loves to stand with you holding his hands and plays pee-a-boo. He's a good face and hair puller too. I am trying to teach him how to be gentle when touching others face. He is still a little sweetie pie with an angelic smile and infectious laugh. Physical Therapy (Mariann) is coming to the house every two weeks to give Nicholas things to work on. We are still working on rolling over and sitting up. So far he's doing good. In the next couple of weeks we have his six month doctors appointment, a ct scan to check his shunt and we will meet with genetics again.

My first visit to West Virginia to see my family

I cut my first tooth!

I gave up my passey all on my own!

Daddy got this for mommy when she was pregnant. We sent this pic to her cell phone when she was at work one night. She loved it!

We went to West Virginia Wednesday to visit Grandma Anne, Uncle Timmy and Aunt Josa. It was a beautiful drive. The leaves are starting to change. I went under my first tunnel in the car. It was a short visit but we had so much fun. Grandma sat me on her lap and sang the train song to me and I laughed. Aunt Josa rocked me to sleep. They were all so good to me. I loved them all.

We missed you Aunt Liz and Uncle Kelley!

Grandma and Daddy

Aunt Josa holds me.

Uncle Tim and Aunt Josa.

I'm getting stronger on my tummy.

5 Months old...

Today Nicholas is 5 months old. I have never been happier with him in my life. I am so thankful for him. I am watching him sleep now. I have mostly put photos on his blog so I thought today I would tell you a little bit about Nicholas. I have said before that we found out in utero that Nicholas has a genetic condition called Dandy-Walker Syndrome. I am glad we found out when we did because it gave us time to prepare ourselves. We read all the information we could on the subject and most of it was dim. We prayed for the best. I told myself if I had a good story to tell I was going to share it. I could have used some good news when I was pregnant and wondering how my child would be. The doctors can never tell you that everything is going to be okay because they don't know. Time will tell how his development will be. Every child is different. We are just so grateful that Nicholas is doing as well as he is so far and pray that it keeps going that way. I was told before Nicholas was born that Early Intervention (through the county) and Genetics would contact me... and they did. Nicholas chromosomes are normal and we will all have more in-dept testing done. Early Intervention comes to the house and makes sure Nicholas is where he needs to be developmentally. As of now Nicholas is doing everything on schedule. The only thing we need to work on is "tummy time." Nicholas does not like tummy time but day before yesterday he was on his tummy and using his arms he lifted his head high and turned it looking both ways! I was so proud. As far as his shunt goes we just need to watch for fever and strange behavior (sleeping too much, irritability) to make sure there is not a problem. If we see any of these signs we take him to the doctor. If the doctor can't find a problem they call Nicholas neuro-surgeon and she asks us to come into the emergency room to have tests done and she can take a look at him or have surgery if needed. Nicholas also has a neurologist that we see every few months. We know that it is possible to have an infection or possibly need an adjustment in the future. These are just a few things to expect if you have a child with Dandy-Walker. Nicholas pediatrician gave us contact information for the best neurologist and neuro surgeons in the area and the number for Early Intervention. The Geneticist came to the hospital to talk to me after Nicholas was born. I have to say that everyone has been a wonderful help. They provided me with the information I needed and made everything as easy as possible. I would like to thank Dr. Roderick Love, Dr. Kristin Schraa, Dr. Anne Ritter, Dr. Donald Taylor, Hanover County Early Intervention, the nurses at Regional Memorial and the PICU nurses at CJW.
Nicholas is a sweet little boy, he is playing, laughing, giggling and babbling. He does go through bouts of fussiness I don't know if it's just a normal baby fussy, if he's teething, has an ear ache, is spoiled rotten, stubborn, has constipation, gas, upset tummy or has some kind of pressure or irritation with his head that he can't tell me about. He likes to sit straight up not leaning against you or anything else. Is that his independence or something with his head? These are questions I have for the neurologist the next time we go.
Joey has been a great Dad taking care of Nicholas at night when I'm at work and thanks to Aunt Shelly and Uncle Bobby who watch Nicholas when Daddy works late. A special thanks to Grandma who is always there when we need her and Sarah Hahne for the beautiful photos above. http://www.ardmorephotography.com/index2.php

We are home from the hospital!

Nicholas came home from the hospital yesterday and he is doing well. Grandma came over for a couple of hours and brought us dinner, held and loved on Nicholas and let Mommy take a much needed shower. In the hospital they cleared up the Staph infection and the doctor put the new shunt on the opposite side because when doing that there is a less chance of infection. Nicholas now has a scar on both sides of the back of his head and both sides of his belly. He has to keep his head dressing on (which he hates and has been trying to scratch and take it off from day one) and stay upright until 4pm today, after that he will get his first bath. Nicholas spent his time in the hospital flirting with the nurses and playing with Grandma, Daddy and Mommy. Aunt Shelly and Dana came to visit him. He was such a joy. He really is changing so quickly. I am glad to say he is a smart and loving little boy. In the hospital he learned to do zerberts and he rolled over on his side. All of the nurses fell in love with him because he showered them with smiles. We are so glad to have our baby home. We love him so much.