Let's start with a CJ update. Last week we had his 6 month kidney ultrasound. Today, we went to see the pediatric urologist to look at the results. We didn't even bother to go into an exam room. Our appointment was so late in the day, he just looked at the ultrasounds on his computer while we waited in the front room. He said since no one else was coming in, he could check CJ really quick right there in his carseat in the stroller, so we unbuckled him and unbuttoned his button-up-pants-jammy-thing. Dr Koh peeled away one side of the diaper, moved his little pee-pee from side to side and said, "Yep, looks good." I told him I had only broken it twice ("A" broke hers 3 times!). He kind of chuckled and moved on, I guess he knew what I meant. Or didn't care.
Anyway, CJ's ultrasounds look good. Dr Koh says there is only a little swelling of the left kidney, which could indicate continued reflux in that kidney, so CJ needs to stay on his daily antibiotic. Last June at the first ultrasound, both kidneys were very swollen, so this little bit of swelling is good news. He seems hopeful that at the 1 year mark his reflux may correct itself naturally, and he may just grow into what I call his big-boy kidneys. Cross your fingers, this means no surgery. So he still gets his daily bubble gum (flavored amoxicillan) and we'll take some more pictures in June.
At Thanksgiving, we started him on solids. Last week we finally purchased a high chair, after someone in my Saturday mommy group said it "changed the way I feed." Here's what's changed: instead of needing one napkin to clean him up, I now need three and a wet nap chaser. He loves the high chair and loves to be fed in it (especially if it's apples), but is always trying to help me by grabbing the spoon as it heads into his mouth. Or by turning his head at the last second, so I shove apple onto his cheek. Or by taking a spoonful of apple, swallowing half, and then sticking the hand farthest from me into his mouth to mush it all up a little more.
We finally had to cut his hair. Rather, I finally had to insist that we cut his hair. Because it was super long all the way around, it had separated itself into three distinct areas. There was top - our favorite - with the cowlick up front, and the cowlick in back, which poufed up like and Elvis souffle. No matter how long the top got, it never weighed itself down. It just kept getting higher and higher and curling like a 10'er off the North Shore. Then there were the super long sideburns, which worked for the Asian gansta look when we put a hat on him. Then there was the back, which started to change texture. It became very coarse, and then because he would sleep on his back, began to knot itself like it wanted to dread.
The same rainy day we cut his hair, he caught his first cold. He became congested and snotty and then screamy since he couldn't suck on his pacifier and breathe at the same time. And he loves the suction bulb, let me tell you. You'd think I was cutting his arms off instead of trying to get a few boogers out. The best part about the whole thing - aside from the continued snottiness and screaming - is that he managed to give his cold to Daddy, and now Daddy has spent 3 days hacking it up and running a fever. You know why I'm not sick? Someone needs to drive the bus.
So that's where we are. I'm driving the bus.
I'm glad his reflux seems to be getting better.
ReplyDeleteI remember that age and what a pain they were when eating. One thing I did was give him his own spoon to hold so he wasn't always grabbing the one that I was feeding him with.
A warning: This might not work. He might demand food on his spoon, too which would be a whole nother outfit.
I love the pictures! He's adorable.