Update page

Update Page ~ Mommy will try to keep this page updated with facts and recent pictures as soon as she gets time. I keep her pretty busy!
(updated 11-28-00)

I am starting to really smile and laugh a lot. This picture was taken on September 18,1999- 8 days shy of 5 months, weighing 10 pounds!

Sept 18, 1999- Dr. Pearson took me off the oxygen last week. Dr. Pearson seemed to think I was getting better and didn't need it anymore. I go back on Wednesday Sept. 22nd to see him.

You need Java to see this applet.

On September 22,1999- Dr Pearson said there was no change in my eyes as far as the ROP goes. He had expected they would have improved, but hadn't. At least they haven't gotten worse! I go back to see him in 2 weeks. I am also starting to sleep longer through the night now.(about 6 hours)

(small slideshow ~ be patient)

October 28,1999- My 6 month check-up was today. I now weigh 10 pounds, 10 ounces and am 23 inches long. For my adjusted age -3 months- I am in the 25-30%. Now I am sleeping through the night too.
On Oct. 29, I saw Dr. Pearson again and he said that all of the ROP is now gone! He won't have to see me anymore and has referred us on to a pediatric opthalmologist for an eye exam in January to see if I have had any vision loss. It will then be determined if I will have to wear glasses, but Dr Pearson guesses I won't.
I am also starting to hold my head up when lying on my tummy.

October 27, 1999
Celebrating big brother Blake's 5th birthday and my 1/2 birthday!
HEY! I'M 6 MONTHS OLD!

October 31, 1999
My First Halloween!
Here I am as a 'lil punkin. Blake wore this pumpkin costume on his 1st Halloween when he was just 4 days old!

Tater-bug
(that's my nickname!)

November 17- I went for my NICU graduate clinic visit. The doctors really looked me over good. They all seemed to think I was doing well. I weigh 11 lbs. 2 oz. and I'm 23.5 inches long.
Nov. 19- I tried cereal for the 1st time tonight. I don't know what in the world cereal is, but I don't like it! I really wasn't sure about that metal thing Mom kept shoving in my mouth either!

November 6- I used to wear a bow in my hair all the time when I was at the hospital. Now I only seem to get one for special occasions, like visiting my Goggie!

This is Goggie's cat Gypsy. She really likes me!

December 9- I rolled over for the first time today! I am now 7 1/2 months old and weigh 11 pounds 15 ounces! I am almost always happy :) Most of my awake time is spent talking and kicking. I can't wait to see what Santa is going to bring me for Christmas!

January 18, 2000- I am doing great! I'm almost 9 months old and up to 13 pounds. After a visit to the pediatric opthalmologist, I got a "thumbs-up" from the doctor. I am not near or far sighted. I am being treated for an ear infection and at this point it looks like I will probably have to have tubes put it. Surgery has not been scheduled yet. I had a great Christmas and received lots of gifts from Santa and family. I also visited Santa and sat on his lap! I am still receiving synergis shots to prevent RSV every month. Even though I may not like them, it's better than getting sick!

LEGGS- My Woobie

Here I am with Blake and Santa...
Kalin didn't like him much this year!

Dec-99- Hangin' out in the tub.
I Love bath time!!!

Sitting on Santa's Couch
with Kalin & Blake

February 1, 2000- Today is my DadDad's birthday! Happy birthday!!!
I had my 9 month check up with Dr. Menke today. She said I weighed 13 lbs. and 7 oz. and was 25 inches long. Mommy thinks I'm not growing fast enough, but I know I am doing great. I try to show her by kicking and playing a lot. I am so happy I have such a great family. My big brother and sister play with me a lot and are very protective of me. I like that! Dr.Speach, my ear doctor, after 4 rounds of antibiotics, has decided my ear infection is not getting any better. It really doesn't bother me much, but he says I will hear better after he puts tubes in my ears so the fluid can drain out. I have surgery on February 8th. I'm not scared though because I have been through much worse than this! The surgery will only take about 10 minutes and I should be up playing soon after that!

January 27, 2000- I'm 9 months old today!!

February 8, 2000- I had my surgery today. Dr. Speach put ear tubes in my ears. It wasn't too bad, although I know my Mommy was pretty worried. I have to go back in 2 weeks for the doctor to check my tubes and get my hearing test.
February 21, 2000- Today I went for my checkup with Dr. Speach. He said that I had make another appointment to get my hearing test, but my tubes looked great.

February 24, 2000- I sat by myself when Mommy let go of me today. I only sat for a few seconds before I fell, but I am learning how to do it!
February 22, 2000- I sat in a highchair for the first time today! I was so excited! I was able to sit up and watch Blake and Kalin play at the McDonald's play place. It was much better than sitting in my car seat.

March 6, 2000- I went back to see Dr. Speach today. He said I had another ear infection and gave me more medicine to take. I also failed my hearing test, but the doctor said it was because my ears are stopped up from the infection.
March 13-2000 I started pulling myself aroung the room today on my tummy. Mommy called it army crawling. I can go almost anywhere now!

March 15, 2000- Today was my NICU graduate clinic visit. I needed to get looked at by the special doctors to make sure I am developing right. While I was waiting I tried to talk to Mommy by saying DaDa for the 1st time. Many people came in to see me and they all seemed to say the same things. They said that it looked as if I was developing correctly for my adjusted age, but I was a little small. The nutritionist said for Mommy to mix my formula a little stronger so I would get more calories and help me gain more weight. Today I was 25 1/2 inches long and weighed 14.6 pounds. While I was there Mommy and I ran into John and JJ Landrum. They are the parents of Dalton who was my first boyfriend in the NICU. I was able to see him and we had a nice reunion. (You can see pictures of me & Dalton on Photo Page 5.) Today is also my cousin Thorin's 15th birthday. Happy Birthday Thorin!!!

3-15-00- Waiting for the doctors to see me at the NICU graduate clinic

March 24, 2000- I had another hearing test today with Dr. Speach. I really didn't want to do it so I failed the test. Mommy knew I could hear and after I had a little rest, she insisted they go ahead and give me the test again. Of course she was right and I passed with flying colors. She knew I could hear all along. He won't need to see me back for a few months to check my tubes.

April 9, 2000- After army crawling all over the floor today, I decided to sit up! I sat up all by myself 2 times today. It was really fun.

April 11, 2000- I can sit up by myself all the time now. It is really easy once you get the hang of it! I decided I would give standing a try and pulled up on the couch where Mommy was sitting. She clapped for me and I was very excited. After my nap I wanted Mommy to be proud of me again so I pulled up in my bed and I was standing against the rail when she came in to get me up from my nap.

Me with my 1st tatoo! October 2000. Mommy was gone, Daddy was in charge and decided to give me my first tatoo. It is a red heart that says Mom! Mommy thought is was really funny but was glad it washed off at bathtime!

April 25, 2000- I crawled up on my knees today. I'm really going to get moving now!
April 27, 2000- I am one year old today! I had a fun day and a big party with all my family and lots of presents. A cute angel bear was on my cake.(see picture page 6). I loved all the attention and had a great time.

May 9,2000- My 1 year checkup was today. She weighs 16 pounds and 26 inches. I really didn't like those shots though!
May 14, 2000- Today I started clapping during a game of patty cake with Mommy. I clap a lot now especially when music is on.

June 15, 2000- While visiting Kyle and Terri, I stood by myself for about 15 seconds. I have been practicing for awhile now, but this was the longest time.

July 11, 2000- Mommy is very happy today. I started saying MaMa!
July 31, 2000- My 15 month checkup went well today although I am getting pretty tired of all these shots! I weigh 17.2 pounds now.

August 1, 2000- Now I am starting to walk a lot although I am still wobbly.

September 14, 2000- Now I am getting 1 upper tooth and 1 lower tooth. It's not too bad but they do hurt me a little bit and I am a little fussy sometimes.

October1, 2000- I am starting to get another upper central tooth.
October 3, 2000- My eye checkup with Dr. Stevens and UK was today. I had to get those stinging drops and I hated that part. It made me cry for awhile but I really liked Dr. Stevens and she said I seemd to be fine. She did tell Mommy that I was now maybe a little near sighted and by the age of 3-5 I might need to wear glasses, but maybe not. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

October 27, 2000- I am 18 months old today. We had a party for Blake's 6th birthday so I got to eat cake and celebrate my 1 1/2 birthday too! It was fun. I now weigh 17 pounds and 12 ounces and I am 29 inches long. My clothes are 9 and 12 months and I am wearing a size 3 shoe.
I haven't grown much in the past 3 months because I have gotten a little picky and I don't want Mom to feed me anymore either. I am becoming very independant so I don't get as much food in as when Mom used to feed me. I do have a huge sweet tooth and love it when Kalin shares her M&M's with me! Mommy puts lost of butter on my stuff too, to try to get more calories in me. I am very busy all the time and am constantly moving and burning lots of calories running around the house.
Mommy cannot keep me contained anywhere. I can climb out of anything, I wiggle out of my carseat, the seat in the grocery cart, my highchair and especially my bed! Mommy did have to buy a little tent for my bed to help keep me in. I don't like it too much, but I know it keeps me safe. When I climed out and fell on my head, it really hurt!

November 1, 2000- Now I am getting my 2nd lower central tooth and 1 upper lateral. Now I have 5 teeth.

November 24, 2000- Some people in my family have said I have a little bit of a temper. I guess I do get pretty mad sometimes. Mommy has been concerned for awhile that I get mad and throw my body back to the ground, hitting my head on the floor. That makes me cry even more. I don't seem to be able to cope very well when I don't get my way. But if they give in and I do get my way, I, of course, stop crying. I guess I have started parts of my 'terrible two's" early! Today I got so mad when Kalin took something from me, I started crying and threw myself backwards on the floor. When Mommy got to me and picked me up I was holding my breath and passed out. Mommy was a little scared because my face turned blue, but knew what was going on because when Kalin was my age, she started doing the same thing. She never turned blue like that, but I guess it's because I am so small it doesn't take long for that to happen.

Playing at Joe's Crab Shack with Mommy
July 2000

YAHOO! I had a great 15 month checkup!
7-31-00

I am celebrating my
1 1/2 birthday and eating a piece of Blake's Jurassic Park cake!
10-27-00

I love wearing these reindeer antlers! I shake my head and make the bells jungle so I can dance to the music! I wonder what Santa is bringing me?
Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!
December 1, 2000