Forgive me for not having written lately. Things have been a little crazy as we try to get situated here at home. It's not been difficult, just tiresome. The Lord has blessed Jeff and I with two wonderful and easy children. Jessie has adjusted to having a new brother fairly well. She has her moments from time to time about why this new kid is stealing some of her spotlight, but for the most part, she is doing very well. She worships her new "baby Gabe" and wants to be a part of everything to do with him. She really loves him so much. And the feeling is mutual with Gabe. Anytime Jess gets within his range of sight his little face lights up into the biggest grin. You can tell these two are bonded for life! Co-conspirators against Mommy and Daddy and their "rules"!
Gabe is gaining. He is so big! At his last Dr.'s apt on Monday, he weighed in at 9.02 lbs. He eats so well. I am still supplementing my breast milk with formula although our diet has changed severely since first arriving home.
Initially, Gabe seemed to be tolerating his feedings quite well, but slowly Jeff and I began to notice that he was getting fussy and was beginning to show signs of reflux. On Monday morning I noticed a large amount of blood in his stool. Also, he had three dirty diapers in less than 15 minutes. I called his pediatrician and the worked us in immediately. As it turns out he is allergic to milk. Not to be confused with lactose intolerance. These are two separate and completely different things. Gabe's milk allergy prohibits him from eating anything with dairy in it because he is allergic to the proteins found in milk. In order to continue breastfeeding, I can no longer have milk, ice cream, yogurt, CHEESE and much, much more. You would never guess how many products contain milk! Even some deli meat! It's a whole new world for me. They also changed Gabe's formula to Alimentum, which breaks down the proteins in milk to make it more tolerable for a baby with allergies. Needless to say, he's adapted better than I have! But so much more worth it! He is such a happy baby now. Poor guy, as if he hasn't been through enough as it is!
On Monday we also had a follow up with his cardiologist, Dr. Parra. They are pleased with Gabe's progress. He is doing very well. They noted that the shunt sounds terrific and there is no sound of interference in the blood flow running through it. A clot in the shunt could be very dangerous. We discussed his next surgery, the Glenn operation. As of now, it looks like this may be occurring in November. He will have a catheterization a week or two prior. This will require a night's stay in the hospital. Until then, he is to remain quarantined with minimal contact with the outside world. And until then, we will continue on with that surgery day looming over us. There are so many mixed feelings that come with that day. I dread everything about it. What my son will go through and endure. But at the same time, I look forward to Gabe getting the help he needs in order to come as close to a normal life as possible. The Lord is what is keeping us going through all of this. Please continue to pray for our son.
On the bright side, we do not have to see Dr. Parra again until November. Not that we don't like Dr. Parra. He is marvelous. We just don't like the circumstances that led us to him. One less Dr's apt. to deal with!
Here are some new pictures of the big guy. He is just so cute!!!
His first bath...if he looks a little mad, that is because he was!
Team "Jess-Gabe"
Gabe is gaining. He is so big! At his last Dr.'s apt on Monday, he weighed in at 9.02 lbs. He eats so well. I am still supplementing my breast milk with formula although our diet has changed severely since first arriving home.
Initially, Gabe seemed to be tolerating his feedings quite well, but slowly Jeff and I began to notice that he was getting fussy and was beginning to show signs of reflux. On Monday morning I noticed a large amount of blood in his stool. Also, he had three dirty diapers in less than 15 minutes. I called his pediatrician and the worked us in immediately. As it turns out he is allergic to milk. Not to be confused with lactose intolerance. These are two separate and completely different things. Gabe's milk allergy prohibits him from eating anything with dairy in it because he is allergic to the proteins found in milk. In order to continue breastfeeding, I can no longer have milk, ice cream, yogurt, CHEESE and much, much more. You would never guess how many products contain milk! Even some deli meat! It's a whole new world for me. They also changed Gabe's formula to Alimentum, which breaks down the proteins in milk to make it more tolerable for a baby with allergies. Needless to say, he's adapted better than I have! But so much more worth it! He is such a happy baby now. Poor guy, as if he hasn't been through enough as it is!
On Monday we also had a follow up with his cardiologist, Dr. Parra. They are pleased with Gabe's progress. He is doing very well. They noted that the shunt sounds terrific and there is no sound of interference in the blood flow running through it. A clot in the shunt could be very dangerous. We discussed his next surgery, the Glenn operation. As of now, it looks like this may be occurring in November. He will have a catheterization a week or two prior. This will require a night's stay in the hospital. Until then, he is to remain quarantined with minimal contact with the outside world. And until then, we will continue on with that surgery day looming over us. There are so many mixed feelings that come with that day. I dread everything about it. What my son will go through and endure. But at the same time, I look forward to Gabe getting the help he needs in order to come as close to a normal life as possible. The Lord is what is keeping us going through all of this. Please continue to pray for our son.
On the bright side, we do not have to see Dr. Parra again until November. Not that we don't like Dr. Parra. He is marvelous. We just don't like the circumstances that led us to him. One less Dr's apt. to deal with!
Here are some new pictures of the big guy. He is just so cute!!!
His first bath...if he looks a little mad, that is because he was!
Team "Jess-Gabe"
"What are you lookin at?"
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