Baby Duggar: Soapbox topic....

Hmm, when I tried to look up "fine" on dictionary.com, this was the choice that fit the context best:

fine: healthy; well: In spite of his recent illness, he looks fine.

I have to say this entry is inspired by a mom who knows first hand what "fine" lmeans in this exact context. Her beautiful son was born too soon at almost this gestational age of the Duggar girl, Josie. To read what "fine" means to a 26 weeker, click here.

Why do I go here? Because that is what they have described the latest Baby Duggar as. For those of you who do not know, Josie Duggar was born more than three months early. She was due in March. It is December. I know that Gunner certainly was not a 25-weeker. He was a strong 33 weeker. But I also am very aware that he could have been a 28 weeker, which is only 3 weeks older than Josie.

For people who do not know the ramifications of a premature birth, let alone a 25-week premature birth, let me run down a few...

Apneas: In a premature baby, the part of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) that controls breathing is not yet mature enough to allow nonstop breathing. This causes large bursts of breath followed by periods of shallow breathing or stopped breathing. The medical term for this is apnea of prematurity, or AOP.

Bradies: (bradycardia) slowing down of your premature baby's heart rate to less than 100 beats a minute, results in blue baby

Infection: Premature babies have no immune system, as antibodies are not passed from mom to the fetus until 34 weeks.

RDS: (respiratory distress syndrome) the infant's immature lungs don't produce enough of an important substance called surfactant. Surfactant allows the inner surface of the lungs to expand properly when the infant makes the change from the womb to breathing air after birth

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), which is abnormal growth of the blood vessels in an infant's eye. About 7% of babies weighing 1,250 grams (2.75 pounds) or less at birth develop ROP, and the resulting damage may range from mild (the need for glasses) to severe (blindness)

Warmth/Temperature: Premature babies lack the body fat necessary to maintain their body temperature, even when swaddled with blankets. Therefore, incubators or radiant warmers are used to keep the babies warm

I think my biggest concern is that this event will sensationalize premature birth, especially if this baby makes it out healthy and thriving (which is of course what anyone hopes, but also notice the word "if". "If" is the proper term given this baby's current condition.) and make it seem that a premature baby is just a small baby. You know my drive to help educate future parents (my students) and anyone who will listen to me about prematurity and how to have healthy babies, so I just wanted to put my two cents out there.

Fat baby tries cereal...

Gunner had his 6 month well baby check up on Tuesday as I mentioned and he is officially a fatty fatso. My original plan was to try some solids at 6 months adjusted age, which is about 8 months adjusted. This would be in the beginning of January.

On second thought, I thought it might be best to do it while I was off on Christmas break so he could get used to it in some kind of routine before I went back to work. Greyson started around 5 1/2 months and it took him a bit to get adjusted. Gunner on the other hand...well his only problem was that I was not shoveling it in his mouth fast enough. So, fatty fatso will probably be getting even more fat soon. :) I will post video of this soon. In it, you can see he is handling this like a chamP!

Blog comments make me smile

I have found out over the last few years that students and teachers alike hate finals week. Every year I set my mind on getting grading done and getting out of there...it never happens. Today, again, that was my plan. Did it happen? Yes, but not in the time frame I had planned. Oh well.

In the midst of this swirl of finals week, I got a personal email that was a response to my blog, and it certianly made me smile AND be thankful for everything that I have. I actually get a lot of comments that don't get publicly posted and they are so special to me...this one today, just made me smile because it is from someone who really doesn't know me that well. When my family comments I know that they love me unconditionally so of course they have nice things to say. I am posting the part that is so close to how I am feeling right now...

"When I am feeling overwhelmed and stressed, I take a break and read your blog and it puts everything in perspective and I remember what is truly important in life."

Another comment that made me smile was one that was passed on to me by a friend of mine. Her sister is going thru something similar to what I did...the bedrest in attempts to have a healthy less premature baby...but in her case it is babies! I asked how the babies were doing and she said good, mentioning her sister's conversation

"We even referred to you yesterday---I said "When you get up to pee watch all these cords and sheets so you don't fall". And she said "Like your friend Christi did". Your quotable."

I'm quotable...I love it. I certainly don't think myself an author, but if what I write can help one mommy in the situation I was, I might as well be a famous writer!

Whoo hooo

I am sooo stinkin excited...I have my first team member on my March for Babies Campaign! Without any solicitation, one of my colleagues who has admittedly followed my blog thru the ordeal of this summer, has joined my team and I have yet to solicit any participation whatsoever. Whoo hooo.

Don't feel left out you will get your invite too. I was just wanting everyone to be able to enjoy their holiday season and then plead for participation in one way or another come the beginning of the year!

If you want to see what I am talking about, check out Team Gunner here.

Six Month Stats...

(Good question Gunner, yes, these people are really your relatives...as mommy makes goo goo faces at you!)

"Little" Gunner had his 6 month well-baby exam this morning at 8 am...wow, that is early when you have to drag 2 kids out of much needed sleep!

He is getting to be BIG boy Gunner...he is on the Full Term Baby charts, and not just at the 1%, but even better. He is now:

• 15 lbs!!!! which is the 6th percentile for (FULL TERM babies)
• 25 1/2 inches!!!! which is the 7th percentile for (FULL TERM babies)
• And head circumference is the 12th percentile for (FULL TERM babies)

Let's compare....Greyson at 6 months, was 16 lbs, 24 1/2 inches! So this boy is growing like a weed! Wooo hooo....The only downside of this is, as I predicted, he will be getting $750 shots instead of $500 shots come January as they are based on weight.

In terms of development, he is right where a 5 month old baby should be, which is great since he is actually only 4 months and some change. He is making steady progress and they are extremely pleased with his growth (4 lbs and 3 inches in 2 months...they better be!)

We will be working on more tummy time to build his neck and get him ready to get moving and rolling. He is so close, but no cigar to rolling. He gets all up on his side and then rocks back down.

We will also be trying some solids (ie runny oatmeal milk) over Christmas break to see how that goes. If it is a hit, we will go for squash or sweet potatoes, which were Greyson's favorites!

I tried and tried to take a picture of Gunner with Santa hat on, but it was much more fun to eat than wear, as you can see by the pic!

It's official...our walk has been scheduled

Gunner's Team will be recuriting for the Battle Creek Walk on April 17, 2010....save the date!!!

This is what I got for my birthday this year....

I must say it is one of the sweetest gifts ever!! You know, the non-monetary kind...I had a great day, spent with my boys who took care of me, and a great date night with Daddy. Cards and well wishes from lots of people.