Proof of a Miracle

That is what his onsie says... I agree.



As we embark on the beginning of cold and flu season, I find my self just plain neurotic. Brian is convinced that I am, I will wear that label proudly. I have been trying to decide wether to post the "RSV Letter" that has been circling the Preemie Board where I go to chat with other preemie moms who dealing with the same issues I am. I probably will, although everyone who reads this already knows what it says. oh well.

Gunner has a stuffy nose. So what do I do? Obsessively check his head for a temp, google RSV symptoms, and worry my butt off. Yes, he is a miracle, we got it once, do I really want to risk it again?

How Preemie Moms are Chosen

Stolen from a fellow preemie mom's blog, in honor of all of us, especially during November! I'm "borrowing" this from Million $$'s blog. Not sure if it's been posted before, but I absolutely love it. A little religious, but beautiful.



~How Preemie Moms Are Chosen~*~
(Erma Bombeck)

Did you ever wonder how the mothers of premature babies are chosen?
Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth, selecting his
instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he
observes, he instructs his angels to take notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron Saint, Matthew.
Forrest, Marjorie, daughter. Patron Saint, Celia.
Rutledge, Carrie, twins. Patron Saint...give her Gerard. He's used to
profanity."
Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles.
"Give her a preemie." The angel is curious. "Why this one, God?
She's so happy."
"Exactly," smiles God.
"Could I give a premature baby a mother who knows no laughter? That
would be cruel."
"But does she have the patience?" asks the angel.
"I don't want her to have too much patience, or she'll drown in a sea
of self-pity and despair.
Once the shock and resentment wear off, she'll handle it.
I watched her today. She has that sense of self and independence so
rare and so necessary in a mother.
You see, the child I'm going to give her has a world of its own.
She has to make it live in her world, and that's not going to be easy."
"But Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."
God smiles. "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect She has
just the right amount of selfishness."
The angel gasps, "Selfishness?! Is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally,
she will never survive.
Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect.
She doesn't know it yet, but she is to be envied.
She will never take for granted a spoken word.
She will never consider a step ordinary.
When her child says momma for the first time,
she will be witness to a miracle and know it.
I will permit her to see clearly the things I see--
ignorance, cruelty, prejudice--
and allow her to rise above them.
She will never be alone.
I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life
because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."
"And what about her Patron Saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in
the air.

God smiles. "A mirror will suffice.

November is Prematurity Awareness Month

I have to say we were lucky....so lucky. There are tons of babies who are not. If you click on the link you can donate in Gunner's name if you feel so obliged. Not forcing anyone...however, in April, when I do the local March of Dimes Walk, there will be some force :)

4 month (actual) chek up

We just got back from Gunner's 4 month check up and he did great, the doc is very pleased with his growth and development. She said he seems to be pretty on track as far as development goes and as he has put on 4 pounds and 5 inches in less than three months!

here are the stats:

weight: 11lb 15oz (4th percentile--for FT babies)

length: 22 1/2in (not on term scale yet)

Head Circ: 40cm (5th percentile--for FT babies)

She has been the only one to see him and immediately noticed how big he is getting as she walked in the door! So in other words, it went well. No news on synagis yet...I will fight for it, but can't guarantee he will get it.

Ribbit...ribbit

Guess what Gunner is going to be for Halloween? My little frog prince.

15 weeks, nearly 4 months

I am more and more in awe of this baby on a daily basis. Yes, he is actually 15 weeks, almost 4 months, but he really should be only 8 or 2 months...but still, he is cooing, following, reaching for toys, all things I remember Greyson doing at this same time frame.

I have been going hog wild buying baby clothes lately...stuff for the fall and winter. He wore preemie stuff for a bit, still fits some NB, but today, the outfit I was sure was a winter outfit in 0-3 fits him perfectly. Where is my tiny baby going? He is just so perfect.

I weighed him today on a "normal person" scale that only will give you a .0 to .9 reading after the pounds and he was 11.8 lbs with an empty tummy and diaper. This means he is 3 times his birthweight of only 4 lbs.

Of course, I still get told he looks small, but he is huge in my eyes...and our hearts.

Three Months Old...

Today, Gunner is three months old. He should be just about 6 weeks now, but we have been blessed with him for three whole months. He is just such a good baby. He rarely cries, he smiles and coos as soon as he wakes up, and he sleeps, eats and just has an amazing temperament.

He is growing like crazy. Here are the stats:

He is roughly 3 x's his birth weight now, I have a cheapo scale, so I am not sure exactly, but I am thinking he is about 12 lbs.

He, by my not so skillful measuring skills with a paper tape measure is about 22 inches long.

And they always measure head circumference, and his noggin is 15inches around.

This means in the last 3 months, he has put on 8 lbs, almost 6in and 5 inches of brain growth.

Here is a good pic to illustrate one month worth of growth:

Above, Gunner with his almost same size as him teddy at 3 months

Below, Gunner with his bigger than him teddy at 6 weeks