18 Month (Adjusted Age) NICU Follow-Up

Just wanted to pass along some GREAT news ...

Today Ayden and Evan had their 18 month (adjusted age) NICU follow up (they are actually 20 months old). All went EXTREMELY well, and we are so thankful! I told the boys to just be themselves. :o) They did great.

The developmental specialist was very pleased with how well our boys' fine motor skills were. She kept commenting on how cute and big they were ... and she couldn't help but "ooooo" and "awh" over the boys' long eyelashes. All parents like to hear those type of comments. Anyway, the boys preformed all the skills tests wonderfully. They passed with flying colors!

Then we took the boys to the actual NICU because I knew that three of our favorite nurses were working today (I had called in this morning). Walking down that long hallway to the NICU brought back memories and tears. The nurses and one of the doctors came up to see the boys. They couldn't get over how grown up the boys looked. They thought surely they were older than 20 months. I'm sure it is nice for them to get to see how the babies they take care of grow up and change. It must be a huge sense of accomplishment for them. Smiles were pasted all over their faces because they remembered taking care of our boys and the issues that both had. I told them that Ayden still has his high pitched scream/cry. I told them I still blame the NICU for that ... they all remembered his scream. Some things haven't changed. :o) It was nice to be able to thank them again for the two gifts of life they gave us and protected for us. When we got to the hospital, Shane said, "Boys, this was your first home!" It truly was for several weeks ... our home too.

No negative comments from the developmental specialist, but simply praises and astonishment at how well they did everything. She said that boys often change the most between 18 months and two years. So we should be ready for some big changes over the next few months. They don't have to be seen until 3 years (adjusted age).

However ... she does want Ayden to see a GI specialist. Ayden has thrown up twice in the last week again. This has happened ever since we brought him home from the hospital ... nothing new to us, but nothing seems to be improving. He is gaining weight and growing which is why we weren't instructed to do anything before. The boys' pediatrician has had us keeping record of when he has these throwing up episodes. There is nothing that similar about the days or foods or anything like that ... other than it typically happens towards the end of the day. He consistently throws up every 2-4 weeks. Anyway, given his symptoms and how he basically passes out afterwards, she feels that something isn't right and should be checked out. One thought she had was that it might be an abdominal migraine. She asked if there was history of migraines ... and I was sad to say that I get them ... I feel awful if I passed this along to him, but God knew this. Granted, she doesn't know for sure, but since he is limp and so tired afterwards, she suspects this. however, given his NEC issues he had as an infant, built up scar tissue may still the the main cause of it all. Nevertheless, this has gone on long enough and she wants us to now press forward and find some answers. So, you can be praying for that and for the specialist who will check out his little body.

Ayden weighed 23lbs 7 ozs, and Evan was an even 24 lbs! Woo-hoo!

Anyway, take time to pray and thank God for how good he has been to our kiddos ... He has helped us walk a scary road at times with them, and He has sustained us all throughout it. God is good, and He has blessed us so much. Thanks for walking along side of us. Today was a HUGE day of celebration for Shane and I. Praise the Lord!