At eight and one half months Josiah was very happy. Though he was medically fragile, the amount of intervention he required was minimal. He had not been hospitalized since he was three months old. He did require nebulizer treatments, and regular heart meds and checkups, but otherwise he had a normal life.
He weighed only 11-12 lbs (still wearing his newborn clothes), and was just learning to sit up when leaning against something. He was also just learning to get into a crawling position, though he could only roll to get around. He loved to play in his 'bouncy bouncy'. He would stand on one foot and twirl like a cavileir (a male ballerina). He was still nursing at this point, only breast milk, but not long after these photos he started drinking formula from a bottle. He just didn't have the strength to keep nursing. He also was so weak that he could not pass his own BM's at times. I had to assist him in doing this. Thankfully the pediatrician was a G. I. He told me to put meneral oil in his formula to coat the colon. It worked!
Josiah was what I called my seminar baby. I attend alot of Christian Seminars/Conferences. At that time I took him with me everywhere. Even his first few years he was so tiny and frail that I dare not leave him with anyone. I think that this helped to form a strong bond between us. |
