Poppa Bear here.
J8earette jr is doing remarkably well and making momma and poppa very proud everyday . She is still oxygen dependant and likely will be for a while longer yet, but her progress is nothing short of amazing, afai concerned. Still pure warriorr princess in my eyes.
She weighed in at a healthy 12lbs 4oz a few days ago, and we have actually had to move her to the next size of diaper. Mostly because of what she is able to fill them with
Her eye sight is tip top, and the concerns with retinopathy of prematurity have vanished.
Her little heart is still someone problematic and her cardiologist believes he might have to actually "go in" to repair some cardiac myopathy, which I understand to be the unhealthy development of heart muscle from having to work too hard. It is kind of like how body builders muscles get taught and sinewy from extensive and strenous exercise. This is probably a few years down the road. Regardless she will need to remain under the close supervision of a cardiologist for most of her life.
She has been back in the hospital twice since she's been home. The first time was for a still inconclusively diagnosed fluid overload type pnuemonia likely caused by aspirations from bottle feeding, and the second was to have a PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy) installed in her stomach so we could eliminate the risks of an NG tube in her nose, and improve the functioning of her respiratory system. It seems to have worked splendidly. J8earette jr seems to not even be aware of the fat rubber tube sticking out of her belly, and from all appearances is not in any way shape or form in pain from it. It makes the pumping of her formula and the adminstration of her medicines much easier as there is no need to the check placement of the NG tube (which was one of the biggest risks associated with an NG tube.)
She continues to take small quantities from a nipple, mostly training and enjoyment as opposed to nutrition and just this morning our pediatrician suggested introducing some stage one fruits and veggies to her diet by spoon. My wife and I are very excited about this.
She continues to receive regular therapy from Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapists, and they all report excellent progress.
J8earette jr is grasping both hands in front of her face (bringing them to midline) placing them in her mouth, and starting to enjoy outside stimulation from such things as a rattle, an overhead mobile, or her favorite, Poppa Bear's whistling. Her smile, which is relatively regular these days, is infectious, and her cry's are now differentiated into various needs, like CHANGE MY DIAPER, FEED ME, HOLD ME, or put my pacifier back in my mouth. She is still making mostly vowel sounds, but her reperatoire is expanding and a few consonants are starting to come through.
All in all while still slightly behind the curve for her adjusted age (just over 5 months now), we are very pleased with our bundle of joy. In fact, just the other day a nutritionist finally had her IN THE CURVE placing her in the 10-25th percentile size and weight wise for her adjusted 5 months.
By the way with ultra low birth weight preemies (not the smallest classification which is 'micro-preemie,' defined as under 860 grams at birth, j8earette jr came in at 880 grams) they measure an infants age two ways. One is actual based on birth date and the other is 'adjusted' based on due date. Most developmental milestones are measured against a babies adjusted age for at least the first 24 month.
Wishing you all a very Happy Holiday from my family to you and yours.
Best,
-bear