Mason's Journey: Growing, Growing, Growing

Mason is doing really well these days. He continues to get stronger and stronger every day! He still is not a big fan of tummy time. His head and neck control are great so far despite not enjoying tummy time. He is getting 6 meals a day and sucks the bottle down so fast it's unbelievable...sometimes in 5-10min! I swear we are not starving him...quite the opposite..the more calories we can get down we do! He smiles, smiles, smiles all the time. It is amazing to watch him take in the world around him. You can just see that mind of his soaking it all in. We are showing/signing him about 5 "phrases" in sign language that we hope as he gets older will start to use so that we can communicate a few needs. I know it is a bit young for him, but we figure he will get used to seeing them and later start associating its meaning. His legs are getting stronger everyday as well. He demonstrates that really well when we try to burp him half way through a feeding. Those legs/body go stiff as a board in defiance and he can actually stand up (with support of course). Well onto the pictures because that is really why you come to visit the blog in the first place! :)

Passed out on Daddy...doesn't he look older than 11 weeks old here?

Fast asleep

Hanging out with daddy

I just had to do it...Derek doesn't like Dogs or Overall's...don't worry he spit up all over it so he must share Derek's thoughts on the subject.

We had another routine clinic appointment at Children's Hospital on Monday. Another 3 hours of information and exhaustion. Overall, Mason is doing well. But now we have more answers and a plan.

He is continuing to gain weight to the teams liking. He is on the lower side of the range per day but gaining in that as well. When we talk weight, of course we talk nutrition. Derek called me out to her when she asked if we were still fortifying the breast milk with 2 tsp of formula..."Yeah, Sara uses a big heaping scoop." Hey, i figure a few extra calories are not going to hurt him only help in this weight gain quest. She smiled and did not really seem to mind but promptly wrote something down in his chart. He is in the 20-25% for weight at 11pounds 8.2ounces. He is in the 25% for height at 22.5inches. Oddly enough, he did not grow anything since the last appointment. However, we did discuss that he was measured differently the last time which may have given skewed results. But overall the dietitian is pleased with what she sees. With that said, we are to increase his enzymes to 2 capsules a feeding. This is due to his increasing weight and his incredibly foul smelling poo. This can be a symptom of the malabsorption, thus the need for more enzymes. On top of that we will be giving him an 1/8tsp of salt a day to replace some the salt that he looses. Just like you and I he looses salt when he sweats but he looses it at much higher rate/concentration. This again is due to the CF mutation messing up the salt transfer in and out of his cells.

Getting his "appetizers" a.k.a enzymes. I think he is starting to put 2 and 2 together. If he doesn't get the bottle o' milk right after his enzymes he gets pretty fussy and fast!

After we see the nurse, dietitian, Pediatric pulmonary Fellow doctor, the Genetic Counsoler, the respiratory therapist, we finally get to see Dr. Levy. She is really starting to grown on us. At first, we really did not get the greatest first impression in regards to bedside manner. However, she is getting so much better, but that just might have to do with our increase in comfort with the whole process. She said his lungs continue to sound clear (thank the Lord) and overall is happy with his progress so far. She agreed that we can wait on the Prevacid since his symptoms have significantly decreased. (again, thank the Lord because INS will not cover it). She did want the Respiratory Therapist to come back in and show us how to do CPT (chest percussion therapy).

CPT basically is the pounding (yes I said pounding because that is what it feels like we are doing to him) on 14 different locations of the lungs with a percussor to loosen up the mucus in his lungs. In all, it will take about 28min (of actual percussing) to do. For now, we were shown just so that we get comfortable doing it as well as increase Mason's comfort level with it and in case he gets sick before spring when they were going to initially start it. We don't have to do it twice a day like we will most likely do starting in spring. To my surprise he did not seem to mind it one bit, even started smiling up at Derek while he was practicing.

So what is our "formal" plan. We continue to work on making sure he is getting good nutrition and gaining adequate weight/height. This is done by fortifying breast milk with formula, adding salt to his milk, giving him special vitamins, and always starting with enzymes before a meal. We be very cautious of germs/bacteria during the cold/flu season. We monitor for the slightest sign of infection. We start "practicing" CPT to find a comfort level (really comfort while being pounded on!?!). And the biggest part of the plan...to love our little guy and live life.

taking a snoozer

I almost fit in the AK Rocker...when I do i will play my games just like Daddy!

Our little Drool monster!

Well hello ladies!

Although I do not go back to work officially until Dec. 1st. I went in for 8 hours on Thursday Nov. 18 to help out. I must say I was not too sad to leave my little guy for a couple of reasons...1. i knew i wasn't starting back full time. 2. I knew he was in good hands with Auntie Kris. and 3. I was too busy during the day at work, keeping my mind off missing him. All that said, I sure was glad to come home and snuggle with my little guy. Kris said that he was a good baby for the day. I think she really enjoyed her snuggle time with him as well! Thanks Auntie Kris for saving the day!

Super Nanny Kris and Mason talking about their fun day together!

Mason's 1st full day babysitter...Thanks Auntie Kris!

Not only was Thursday the 1st time I left him for the day to go to work, He also got to meet his Uncle Dave for the first time too! Dave Jr. is up from North Carolina to go hunting with Grandpa Dave. Mason will get to meet the rest of the North Carolina family on Wed when they fly in! It was so cute when Dave had cousin Brett on the phone and Brett says "love you baby Mason." Just melts my heart!