RSV Shot- Check!

... well, at least for this month. Ayden received his first Synagis shot, which is actually the second round of shots; Ayden missed the first while in the hospital. He will get this shot once a month during the winter season. The shots help prevent a lung disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV could put Ayden in the hospital... and possibly on the ventillator, which is something we absolutely do not want.

The shot is not a vaccine. Synagis is actually prescription antibodies, and the dosage is determined by weight. Since Ayden weighed 7.7 kilos (16.94 pounds), he needed two shots. (Of course he did.) They administered the shot simultaneously in separate legs because this means that "he will have one owee instead of two." (Their words. Not mine. I didn't have the heart to tell them that he would still have two "owees"; he would just feel them at the same time.)

I had to take Ayden to a clinic to have the shot since most pediatrician offices don't do them anymore. He met a bunch of new people to show off his new coy look. The nurses were instantly in love. On his way home, he was worn out from all of the flirting; he fell asleep with his hoodie covering most of his face.

 

Here I am, Mommy!

More smiling?!?!

Feet are fascinating.

I get another outfit for the day.
(Mommy changes me after every outing.)

The Week Come and Gone

It's been more than a week, and we are still living as a family at home.

Instead of being surrounding by adoring, cute nurses, Ayden is still adjusting to a daytime life with Mommy. (I'm not nearly as exciting, no matter how hard I try.) He has become the champion whiner, and he has learned this high octave shriek that is going to send our neighbors packing. In other words, the kid has an attitude (and opinions). He probably inherited it all from me, so I need not complain too much.

Nights are most often an up and down fiasco filled with pooting, pooping and peeing (yeah for Monogen and Lasix!), gagging, wretching, spitting up, teething, feeding, and medicating... and occasionally some sleeping. (He gets far more than we do.)

And, on top of having a baby in the home, Bryan is in the church play, which requires three evenings a week and Saturdays. We feel overwhelmed and exhausted...  

But he's home. And it's Christmastime.

To celebrate the season, Ayden is sporting some festive wear sent from his grandparents in Maryland.

Whatchyou lookin' at?

Talk to the hand!

Watch me roll!
(Okay, so I can only get to my sides, but I'm not a big fan of my tummy anyway.)

Mom, we need to have a talk about these peaches.
I'm just not too into them as my morning meal.

Oh, it's sweet potatoes. Now that's my kind of food!

Just a Visit

Today was cardiology. (I wish I could say that this was the end of doctor's visits, but he has his RSV shot next week!) Ayden's front and lateral chest x-rays were both excellent. He even showed improvement in/around that right lung (the trouble lung). His sats and blood pressures were all typical of a healthy Ayden.

Dr. Kavanaugh was really wonderful in responding to my many questions  regarding his medications, the effects of Monogen, Ayden's adjustment behavior at home, etc. Ayden will remain on the Monogen formula for at least six weeks to allow time for his lymph system to heal. The diuretics will stay the same until well after the formula switch. The only change we made was to Ayden's feeding schedule: Rather than being fed seven times a day, he will be fed six 140ml feeds at four hour intervals.

If Ayden stays away from the hospital, he doesn't have to go back for another clinic visit for six weeks (about the time he returns to the pediatrician). I am so grateful!

Thank you for your prayers! 

Please sing praises to the Lord!

The clock is still ticking.

Ayden went to the pediatrician today. They were so excited to see him out of the hospital; they made over him, and he was quick to give out smiles. He got his third round of immunization shots. He handled them amazingly well. He cried, but it was short-lived. I am sure he was relieved to discover that it wasn't an IV or PICC line stick. Assuming he stays healthy, he doesn't return to their office until nine months of age... which is actually not that far away!

Age: 7.5 months

Height: 26.5 inches/25-50 percentile

Weight: 7.4 kg (16lbs. 4oz.)/10 percentile

(These numbers are in agreement with the cardiology clinic.)

48 Hours & Counting

Yipee! Ayden has been home for forty-eight hours, and his sats remain 80-85 (asleep and awake)! I am so prayerful that the current diuretic regiment is exactly what Ayden needed to be able to stay safely home.

I will say that Ayden is undergoing major adjustments. Dr. Kavanaugh always reminds me that the children take weeks to acclimate to their homes after having been in the hospital. Indeed, Ayden is confused about his days and nights; he is bewildered by his environment; and he is still dealing with a new formula and the aftermath of surgeries and intubation.

Regardless of Ayden's situation, he always manages to provide me with some camera character!

Did someone say, "Juicy"?
(Thanks, Sherry!)

I totally have this thing figured out!

I get to see Daddy at work!

I don't have my hands full...

Mommy does!
*evil cackle*