6 months old

(Remember, you can clickity-click on any pic to make it larger.)

Today, Connor is 6 months old!
Can you believe it?!? We sure can't.

What a crazy and miraculous 6 months it has been... It's still hard for me to believe just how far we've come.

In 6 months time, Connor has gained at least 8 pounds, and grown at least 8 inches. He doesn't see the pediatrician until the end of the week, but I estimate that he's easily 11.5 pounds and 22" long. (I'll update with official numbers later.)

He's now eating around 4 ounces of his 22-calorie Neosure formula every 2.5-3 hours - about 7 times a day. During the day, he'll either sleep 2-3 good naps for me, or intermittently all day long... it's really hit or miss. At night, he sleeps nearly 5-6 hours at a time... usually. (See, it's getting better!) The success of his day largely depends upon how still we are - the busier his week's activities, going to doctors/the hospital, etc, the less he eats and sleeps. So, for now, hibernation is still ideal.

But, unfortunately we're still hopping with doctors' appointments and trips to the hospital for bloodwork. Connor has to have an MRI next week, under sedation, to have his eyes visualized. Busy.busy.busy!

Last Friday, we went from 9 medications daily, down to 5. It's made such a difference in my daily routine! Connor will have more bloodwork on Friday to see if he's okay to stay off of those 4 meds for his osteopenia. We're also hoping that he'll be able to kick another 2 of his meds for his liver issues/cholestasis very soon.

Brian and I get our first, official date night this weekend (leaving Connor with his grandmas doesn't count). Auntie Lyn (one of his NICU nurses) really, really, really wants to babysit him... and, honestly, when an RN asks to watch your child, especially one that took such good care of him when he was so fragile, there's no way you even think twice! :) We're very much looking forward to dinner and a movie (my pick).

Connor really is doing so well! He is such a happy boy, nearly all the time... quick to smile and giggle. He hardly ever fusses - except when he's hungry. Lately, he loves to be tickled, loves to watch his mommy dance (though, he prefers the cabbage patch to the running man), playing in his play gym, and sitting up by himself (propped up, of course). He's doing well with tummy time and starting to lift himself with his arms. He won't stay put anymore when he's flat on his back, spinning and scooting, ever so slightly, until he's close to the edge or in the center of his crib (he sleeps on a wedge for his reflux at one end). Connor's always got his hands in his mouth, and we can usually hear him slurping all the way in the other room or even upstairs! He still loves his nightly baths by Daddy, smiling and grinning throughout. He's fascinated by anything dangling over his head, and does a great job with tracking and reaching out for things. Still not quite rolling over by himself, but he's been doing a lot of twisting, so it probably won't be long now. All in all, we can't believe the progress he's made, just in the 2 months he's been home.

His adjusted age should be right around 3 months old, but we're happy to report that for many things, developmentally, he's even ahead of that curve. Right now we're working on getting him set up with a little bit of therapy from Easter Seals (everywhere else seems to have wait lists) to help him catch up. They generally stop adjusting preemie ages by the time they're 2-3 years old, and we're hopeful that with a little bit of assistance, we can be ahead of the game.

Many of you have asked...
Sadly, we won't know for some time yet, what the repercussions of his prematurity might be. Maybe he'll just experience developmental delays, maybe he'll be diagnosed with cerebral palsy, perhaps he'll struggle with learning disabilities. We don't know what the future holds for Connor - but, we're keeping a positive attitude - if we could survive a 4-month NICU stay, we can handle anything.

Once again, the following is a bit pic-heavy (for the grandparents, of course)... and for some reason, they're nearly all close-up shots of his face. I need to work on that, I guess. I suppose it's obvious how head over heels we are for this little boy!
Anyway, enjoy!

Watching NASCAR with Grandpa Sprik - June 6, 2009

{sigh} - June 7, 2009

Thumbsucker!
Which is so much easier than always trying to locate the pacifier. - June 8, 2009

Do you mind, Mommy?! I'm naked! - June 8, 2009

Bathtime giggles - June 8, 2009

Drying off with Daddy - June 8, 2009

Mellow boy - June 8, 2009

Caught red-handed!
Able to hang on to his rattle now. - June 9, 2009

Nothing better than baby laughs! - June 10, 2009

Silly in his swing - June 11, 2009

Best friends - June 11, 2009

Durrrrr...
(still grunting and groaning quite a bit,
but gradually using his voice a little more each day) - June 11, 2009

By flashing this smile, I know you'll give me whatever I want! - June 12, 2009

Finger toes (these puppies could probably curl around a pencil!) - June 12, 2009

Connor, the rock star!
He got stuck for some bloodwork, and didn't even cry (or flinch)!
(Not sure if I'm happy that he's so brave, or sad that he's gotten so used to it. :S) - June 12, 2009

Mommy is so funny! - June 14, 2009

Fun new toy!
According to the directions, as soon as the baby has decent head control,
they're ready for the jumperoo. - June 14, 2009

But, alas, most babies with good head control like Connor are at least 4-6" taller!
We've got a ways to go... - June 14, 2009

Monthly monkey mugging - June 14, 2009

WWE Smackdown with the monkey - June 14, 2009