Happy Hannukah and Merry Christmas!

Sitting Up!

Bo's been sitting up against the sofa and practicing without support for about 3 weeks. He can now sit on his own against the sofa for quite a bit without listing over. He's had so much fun with the Chan family this week, that he has been taking these monster morning naps. I'll be curious to see what his napping pattern settles into after they have all gone home.

And, so far, so good. We've had lots of visitors and done lots of visiting and Bo seems to be in the pink after all that pink eye fuss was over. In fact, I think he's starting to gain weight again. He had only gained a pound in the 7 weeks we've been back. I'm sure his weight-gain was stalled by his viral infection, the subsequent dehyration and recovery, as well as the pink eye.

Omegaven's first Christmas in Michigan

By the numbers as inspired by Max's mom and Ellie's dad:
61 - Bo is the 61st baby on Omegaven
3- the number of home infusion companies we've had
4- the number of hospitals Bo had been treated
2- the number of GI specialists Bo has had
1- the number of visiting nurses
1- line infections
4- hospitalizations (including the 1st 5 weeks of his life, for diagnosis)
2- other MID kids we've met
0- other babies on Omegaven in Michigan
5- blood transfusions before Omegaven (0- after)

What Pink Eye?

I feel fine. What are those eye drops for?
I'm hoping that since Bo's had a stomach virus, pink eye and bonus hospitalizations that we've gotten all his winter illnesses out of the way. The eye is much better. It responded almost immediately to the eye drops. Unfortunately, he has to have them 4x/day through Wednesday. At least this is an infection that doesn't require a stay at the Bronson Inn.

Pink Eye?

The never-ending saga of Infectious Baby! We woke up to his right eye swollen shut. He finds ways to give me a new heart attack each day. The terror, the joy, the surprise, the fear. The drama. This is no normal baby. But it is our mission to give him as normal a life as we can.

Like a friend of mine (fighting cancer) said, it is surprising the friends who become indispensible and those who disappear; the acquaintences who become family and the close friends who stop returning your calls. All the heartache? Worth it. See picture.

Our Second Stay at The Bronson Inn

A stomach flu for Bo is a very serious affair, as rehydration requires hospitalization, IV fluids and checking his electrolytes (or "lytes" as the nurses say) once every 8-12 hours. Dehydration means potassium, sodium and chloride (salts) levels dropping, and sometimes dropping to scary low levels. We got to stay at the inn 2 nights this time. The pediatrics floor (aka PEDS, aka Childrens Hospital) is starting to get the idea that we are frequent fliers there. We are hoping that this is not a regularly scheduled visit.

The Scholar

We read 5-6 books every morning. He likes to turn the pages. My parents didn't believe me when I told them this, so on their most recent visit, I woke them at 7AM to see for themselves. I explained that it's like whale-watching. You have to be up early in the morning to see him at his happiest. He is a morning person, for sure.

Thanksgiving at Binnslandia

Sorry for the belated Thanksgiving pic. I usually fill up the memory card before downloading onto my computer, where I then upload to blogger. Bo had great fun at Binnslandia, and Jose and I had a chance to relax and talk to grown-ups (not each other). It's nice to get out once in a while.

We love you, Binnses!

Ah-choo!

Urine sample and lastest labs show no bacterial infection, but white blood cells still bouncing around (higher again). He's been sneezy, but not very boogery. Maybe it's just a weird cold? He's been a lot sleepier lately, too. I hope he kicks it soon. This cold is making him sleepier (and therefore crankier) than usual.

Boo Boo's Bear Suit

He stays warm on his walks with a German footmuff and the bearsuit. Sometimes he gets so relaxed he falls asleep and we let him finish out his nap in the sunroom. He loves his walkies.

UTI, Psych!

Bo and his abuelito (grandfather), pictured to the left. We are waiting for another visit, soon.

Turns out that the UTI thought doesn't explain the numbers. We were sprung from the hoosegow, Friday (sorry for the blog delay, but it always takes me a couple days to shake that creepy no-day/no-night hospital feeling; like Vegas, but a lot less fun and a lot less good food). The only numbers out of whack were the white blood cells (WBC), and without any fever, any indication of inflammation, and the WBC dropping all on its own, our doc DC'd (which means discontinued, for those not in the "know"), the antibiotics. The surmise is an asymptomatic virus was hanging around. Okay with me. Those drugs made Bo nauseated and groggy.

They upped his calorie count in his TPN (IV feeding) and he's already gained almost half a pound! His knees got chubby almost over night. He's been burning way more calories than before, as he's gotten so active: rolling from side to side, practicing sitting up, reaching for and lifting rattles, practicing standing (with help from mommy). As a result, he had lost weight the week before that (I was alarmed).