To the father of my son…

You're his favorite playmate and best buddy, 

and I love watching the two of you together!

You’ve become an even better father 

than I knew you would be.  

Thank you for being our rock, our provider, 

and our best friend…

And for always making us your top priority.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!

We love you!

18 months old

Dear Connor,

Just 18 short months ago, you surprised your father and me with your miraculous birth, and ever since, you’ve never ceased to amaze us.

Because I don’t want to forget how fun you are at this stage:

• You know how to give the best kisses and hugs – they’re so sweet (even the open-mouthed ones you offer)!  You’ve recently associated “love” with kisses – and it’s to die for. 
• I don’t want to forget how you love to giggle, and are developing quite the sense of humor right now.  Sometimes, you’ll cruise on over and just start laughing out loud, for no reason, until I chime in, too. 
• You love to be tickled, and will guffaw over the slightest touch on your back. 
• You have to try whatever we happen to be eating, and are adorably relentless until you have a morsel of it in your mouth.  Your current favorites are yogurt, kiwis, and strawberries.  You’re getting much better about drinking fluids, and just recently figured out that the sippy cup is not the enemy. 
• You absolutely love to go outside, and checking the mail is one of the highlights of your day. 
• You’re just beginning to enjoy storytime… which is good, because there are a lot of books we want to read to you.
• Baths are a special time for you and Daddy – he lets you splash and play and be silly (whereas bathtime with Mommy is all business). 
• When you go to sleep at night (and you are such a good sleeper – nearly 12 hours every night with 2 naps during the day), it’s so funny how you “require” at least 2 binkies – one for your mouth, and one for your right hand, which you tuck behind your back. 
• You love to play catch with Daddy – catch with Mommy doesn’t bring the same amount of giggles and joy to your face. 
• You’re cutting at least 3 teeth at once right now, and one’s your first molar – which explains a lot about the mini tantrums and fussiness you’ve been having lately… I’ll have to remember to cut you some slack. 
• When you’re around other kids, we love how talkative you become – you definitely want your voice to be heard.  You understand so much right now, but for some reason still insist on calling Daddy “Yayaya”.  You’ve also started “singing” lately, and new syllables come out of your mouth every day. 
• You’ve mastered quite a few animal sounds, know how to locate several body parts, understand which room is where in the house and which toy is which, and we’re so impressed!
• You get excited at the prospect of going shopping (probably because we still don’t take you out very much), and are such a good boy to sit so patiently in your stroller until we’re through. 
• You have a keen eye and adoration for anything electronic… anything with buttons to push.  One of your favorite toys is the spare, battery-free TV remote, because it looks just like the one that operates the TV.  You already understand that seeing the DVR menu means that your show will come on and you shriek in excitement until it plays.  You absolutely adore “Yo Gabba Gabba”… DJ Lance is your favorite… you’d be happiest if I let you watch it all day long.  When Daddy’s working from home, you love to pop into the office to say hi… but we can’t leave until you’ve had a chance to play with the mouse. 
• Now that you’re mobile, you’ve figured out that you can run from the camera.  So, for the next while, many of the pictures I’ll be able to get you to hold still for will happen while you’re strapped in your high chair. 
• And how you love being mobile!  We have to make sure you’re all gated in, or not take our eyes off of you for a second, because you’re much too quick these days… and you’re not even walking yet!

There’s so much more I want to remember, I’ll have to start keeping a list.  If you would just slow down… for a few minutes…  ;)

Connor, you’re a wonder and an absolute joy!  We’re so grateful that you are our son!!

Love, Mommy & Daddy

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

June 11, 2010

Always on the move! – June 16, 2010

What… doesn’t your kid kiss the TV remote, too?? – June 16, 2010

Spike. – June 10, 2010

Scenes from the High Chair – June 16, 2010

Taking a break from his new friend, the sippy cup. – June 16, 2010

The face he gives the camera about 85% of the time now. – June 11, 2010

Big, 18-month-old BOY! – June 16, 2010

He likes to move it, move it

Creeping along… – May 4, 2010

As far as gross motor development goes, this past week has been AMAZING for Connor!  I stand firm in my belief that wearing the helmet slowed his gross motor development (though the therapists at Cranial Tech disagree).  I have witnessed a night and day difference in the things that he’s trying to do now (just 1.5 weeks since graduation) – getting into a sitting position, tall kneeling, pulling to stand, cruising from one end of the family room to the other, going from his belly to his knees and creeping/crawling – these are all skills that he would only feebly attempt before, and almost always required intervention to even show interest.  Since the helmet’s come off, he’s even all over the place in his crib, and I’ve found him sitting in it once and standing in it another time (he never even attempted this while wearing his helmet).  He doesn’t hold still anymore, and we’re furiously trying to keep up the pace of baby-proofing the house.  Turbo Boy only needs about 8 seconds to get from one end of the family room to the other… and it’s a long room… SCARY!

In related news…

On Wednesday, we attended Connor’s FINAL NICU Follow-Up Clinic.  That’s right – he GRADUATED!!  :)  As it turns out, the only reason we had to go back was related to gross motor development concerns (physical therapy), so as each specialist filed into the room to take a look at Connor, they all pretty much said that they didn’t need to see him… the neo was very impressed with his progress in the last 5 months, and the speech therapist felt that he was nearly on track with his chronological age (which wasn’t to be expected this early or ever, based on his IVH history).  The physical therapist spent some real time with him (if 7 minutes counts)… had a few criticisms like before, but overall liked the progress he was making.  I think the fact that we’re currently in private physical therapy was all she needed to hear to sign off on him, and let us move on.  So, wahoo! – another set of appointments – ALL DONE.

His current stats, at 16.5 months old:

• WEIGHT:  20 lbs, 5 oz
• HEIGHT:  28.75”
• HEAD CIRC:  46.5 cm

Not thrilled about his current weight… this is what he weighed on the pediatrician’s scale 2 weeks ago.  But, given how active he’s been in the last week alone, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.  (We have him forward-facing in his car seat – because that’s the only way the behemoth contraption will fit in our car, AND it’s a convertible one – so the closer he is to the 20-lb. mark, the more nervous it makes me.)  I’ve got 6 more weeks to fatten him up, before his next weight check at the pediatrician’s office!   

Seeing as how we were already at the hospital anyway, we got to run into Connor’s adorable girlfriend, Natalie, and we decided to swing by the NICU to see some of our favorite friends.  It was fun “showing off” our BIG little boy to the people who took such amazing care of him for so long.  :)

Sometimes going to the hospital conjures up all sorts of unpleasant memories for Brian and me…  waiting to be buzzed in at the door to Mother-Baby, a lot of those emotions came rushing back.  They keep the NICU fairly secure, so if we want to visit old friends (primary nurses and staff), we have to congregate outside the entrance.  Brian and I both agreed it was much better this way… I don’t know if I would be able to go inside or ever be able to handle hearing all of the alarms again.

Which brings me to another thing… probably on a weekly basis, if not more often, we’re asked about when we’re going to have more kids.  Honestly, we don’t know what we’re going to do yet – we always intended to have 2 or 3.  I know neither of us is getting any younger, but we’re not ready to make any decisions about more babies.  Connor has made us feel more like a family since the day he arrived, and while he still needs the extra attention and care, it doesn’t seem fair to split our energies from him.  We overcame a very painful 2.5-year struggle with infertility before conceiving Connor, and the fact that he was born so premature, automatically puts me in a high-risk category of delivering early again.  And we’re not eager to revisit either situation right now.  We’re definitely open to adoption, but we aren’t  yet certain that we’re supposed to walk down that path.  So, I guess the answer is: We don’t know.  We trust the answer will come when the timing is right… but for now, we’re happy to relish every moment with our beautiful 16-month-old boy, Connor.

So PROUD and HAPPY to be his Mommy! – May 4, 2010 

Hope you all y’all have a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend!!

This moved me...

Perhaps her story will move you, too?

Hidden treasure!

For over a year, this photo was Connor’s first picture.  Taken just 2 hours after he was born, it was the only one I knew of taken on December 16, 2008.

A couple of weeks ago, I  was messing around on Brian’s phone and stumbled across quite a find…  He had 4 more pictures of Connor, also taken when he was 2 hours old, that I had never seen before!

Looking at these photos of our tiny 2 lb., 6 oz. miracle son for the first time stirred up all kinds of emotions for me…

Sad that he has had to go through so much because he arrived too early - a lengthy NICU stay, copious appointments, and ongoing therapies.  Some days, it's just not fair that he's had so many hurdles to overcome.

Hurt that I couldn’t spend time with him those first few days of his life…  I saw him briefly in the OR and they speedily wheeled me past his isolette in the NICU on my way to recovery the night he was born.  But, due to a raging fever and the doctors’ concerns that I might be contagious, I didn’t get to see him again until he was 4 days old.  I wasn’t able to hold him until he was 5 days old.  Over a year later, it bothers me that I’m still pretty raw about it, and I hope one day it’ll be just a distant memory.

But, most of all, I’m…

Relieved and proud that Connor is such a fighter and is doing so well at nearly 16 months, all things considered.

Blessed to be Connor’s mommy!

Happy that he brings so much sunshine into our lives everyday… he’s one funny little boy!

Grateful that we all survived the entire ordeal, and for all the strength and support we receive(d) from our Heavenly Father, and loving family and friends.

Indebted to the staff, nurses, doctors, and therapists at RCMC for the expert treatment, knowledge, and loving care they gave to our son.

Joyous that Connor is a part of our family forever!

Connor finally joined us at home on April 14, 2009, after 120 days in the NICU.  We plan on marking this important day with a little family party each year… our first one is next week!

Grandma Rogers will be here in a few days, and Connor’s really considering crawling for the very first time while she’s here!  We saw his physical therapist this week and she’s bound and determined to make it happen in the next couple of weeks.  Which means more appointments for us, but it will all be worth it to get him developmentally caught up.  He’s soooo close!
 

Lucky

Though we didn’t really feel lucky at the time
(and unknowingly had another 27 long days left in the NICU)...

One year later, we most certainly do!!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Christmas was 38 days ago...

but, it's still definitely worth posting about!

This year was big for us... while it wasn't Connor's First Christmas,

Connor's First Christmas - 10 days old, holding Mommy's hand - December 25, 2008

it was Connor's First Christmas AT HOME!

Anticipating presents - December 25, 2009

What a difference a year makes!  

This Christmas, we had so much to celebrate as a family, and so much to be thankful for!

Santa left some new pajamas for Connor on Christmas Eve.

Company arrived later that evening - this year we were able to celebrate the holiday with the Sprik side of the family.

When we woke up Christmas morning, there was ice all over everything.  (Our White Christmas arrived later that afternoon.)

Connor still very much has a "routine" in the mornings, so once we were done with eating and early morning naps, we moved on to presents...

So.many.presents!

This was Connor's second foray into the opening of gifts, the first happening when we celebrated with the Rogers side in Arizona.  Poor little guy was all tuckered out and ready for another nap by the end!

We spent the rest of the day just lazing around, watching Connor enjoy his new toys.

Later that evening, we enjoyed a delicious ham dinner with all the fixins.  (Some of them included this, this, this, and that.)

Hands down, 2009 was the best Christmas we've ever had!

1 year old

We made it... Connor is officially a one-year-old!

While the first 4 months of his life in the NICU painfully dragged, the past 8 that he's been home with us have truly flown by.  Each day has brought new surprises, new discoveries, and new ways for our hearts to grow.

First things first, he.won't.stop.growing!

LATEST STATS

Weight - 19 pounds

Length - 27.5 inches

Head Circ - 46 centimeters

GROWTH CHARTS

Adjusted, he is about 9 months old, which puts Connor in the:

Weight - 50th percentile

Length - 50th percentile

Head Circ - 70th percentile

Unadjusted, on the growth charts for a 12 month old, Connor is in the:

Weight - 5th percentile

Length - 5th percentile

Head Circ - 37th percentile

Since birth, he has grown exactly 8 times heavier and is exactly 2 times as long! 

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. 

Medically, it's been another relatively quiet month for Connor.

He had a routine eye exam in November - everything checked out perfectly!  No need for glasses at this point, and his ROP issue is still under control.  He'll continue to be checked every 6 months regarding his ROP, but that's to be expected.

Yes, he's still wearing the helmet... though obviously, not as much as he should be, as evidenced by all of the photos below.  :(  (I'm a bad momma.) 
He's supposed to have it on 23 hours per day, and I would guess that we average about 19-20 hours per day.
During one of his helmet adjustment appointments at about the halfway point of his treatment, their prognosis was still a total of 3 months in the 1st band.  (Yes, they're still talking about a 2nd band, which may not be for us.)  This means we shouldn't plan on it being over until the end of January. 
Connor has handled the helmet well, but to be honest, I have not.  He's harder to snuggle with it on, and I'm tired of getting clobbered in the face with it.  I hate the way it makes his head smell, no matter what we try to combat the stench.
He doesn't get out much nowadays, but in general, people respond pretty well to it.  During our recent trip to Arizona, everybody knew his name (obviously), and one flight attendant and TSA agent even stopped to ask thoughtful questions about why he was wearing it.  As his mother, the rude stares and even ruder double takes still bother me, but from now on, rather than letting it get the better of me, I think I'll just say to them, "He's CUTE, isn't he??"  
BUT, we have seen great progress in the overall shape of his head.
Just ask me when it's all over if I thought it was worth it.  ;)

Somebody adorable passed him a little virus, so after suffering just a runny nose in Arizona, he came home and developed bronchiolitis.  (He tested negative for RSV.)  Our pediatrician prescribed albuterol and a nebulizer, and we're down from 3 breathing treatments a day to just 1 now.  The whole time, while he's sounded horrible, he's never run a fever or lost his appetite, and has been a happy little camper.

We're also happy to report that he's finally outgrown his gastric reflux and we're officially off of Reglan!  Yippee YAY!  This means he's only on 2 meds now - an antibiotic and vitamins.  Easy.peasy.  :)

All kinds of firsts this past month...

While we were in Arizona, Connor began clapping, and will clap on cue if we say, "Yay, Connor!"  He also began feeding himself, using his thumb and index finger to pick up finger foods (pencil grip), and holding his bottle.  He began babbling with the letter B - boo's and ba's.  And once, he even shuffled his feet forward to walk, with Mommy holding his hands!

Just over Christmas, Connor finally mastered the wave!  He seems to prefer the flailing arm and hand variety, not quite "elbow, elbow, wrist, wrist".  Sometimes he'll open and close his hand, too.  

Lately he's been making lots of new sounds... he's got a full range of motor boat and engine purrs, and he loves to blow messy raspberries, much to our chagrin.  Each day is full of giggles, screeches, and singing (and that's just Connor).

Just in the past 2 weeks, Connor's increased to 3 solid meals per day, with 4 bottles of formula.  That's a lot of time spent eating!  He loves his puffs, cheerios, yogurt melts, and dried fruit - he can't get enough of snacks.  He also began eating gourmet Gerber MEAT meals this past week... so far, so good!  We're also really looking forward to starting whole milk at 15 months.

Developmentally, his pediatrician says he's right on track with his adjusted age of 9 months.  We'll take it!  YAY, Connor!

And now, his monthly photo album:

Not.quite.yet!  But, we're practicing!! - December 16, 2009

December 21, 2009

Super Sitter! - November 24, 2009

Letting it all hang out... - November 25, 2009

Shoes?!? What the...?!?! - December 1, 2009

Balance gets better every day - November 27, 2009

Teeth! - December 21, 2009

December 5, 2009

I just love watching him think! - December 16, 2009

Smug. - December 8, 2009

Nap with Daddy - November 27, 2009

December 9, 2009

December 16, 2009

Loves to play "catch" - November 24, 2009

Loves to blow raspberries... just imagine meal time.  :( - December 8, 2009

"Yay, Connor!"  Can't.stop.clapping! - December 16, 2009

You can see his first year in pictures here.

His monthly monkey mug shots can be seen here.

Just FYI, this marks the end of my monthly memes,

giving "scheduled" monster-sized updates on Connor's progress.

Not to worry, I'll still post all the news that's fit to print,

along with copious pictures for the grandparents.

(Sprik Space might be morphing from an all-about-Connor blog, 

to a little more of everything blog, as ever-elusive spare time permits, of course.)

November 26, 2009

Now that Connor is a year old,

both Brian and I are ready

to put this tumultuous year behind us -

we are so grateful for getting through it,

and excited for our future together as a family!

Father and son - November 24, 2009

We'll never know or understand why

Connor joined our family so early

and had to have such a rough go of things.

But, we do know

that we're so much stronger than we ever knew possible,

and that we have a loving Heavenly Father

who was there for us each step of the way.

This time last year, Brian and I can honestly say

we didn't know if we'd have Connor with us now.

We thank Him every day for the joy 

that this little boy has brought to our lives. 

Birthday Boy - December 16, 2009

We would also be remiss not to thank

all of you, our family and friends,

for caring about us, sending well wishes,

and praying for us and our little MIRACLE over this past year!

Your support helped to carry us when times were rough.

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!