Liam is slowly but surely starting to walk on his own. He is very cautious and is slow BUT he is making so much progress. He can walk unassisted the whole length of his play gym and does awesome with his walking wings. I finally got him walking in his room, check it out!
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
15 Months!
Ahh! Liam is now 15 months actual and 12 months adjusted. Time seems to be flying by and we can't wait until Spring. This past week we had Liam's 15 month appointment, here are some highlights!
Weight: 15lbs and 13oz
Height: 28 inches
Head: 18 inches
Size clothes: He is still in some 0-3/3-6 months but is slowly creeping towards 6 months! We have some 6 month outfits and they fit but the sleepers are still a bit too long.
Diaper size: Size 2
Eating habits: Liam is taking 2 oz of Neosure and 4oz of Pediasure at each bottle. He takes between 5-6 bottles a day probably. We are working towards 3 spoon feeds a day and 2 snacks. His favorite foods are yogurt, puffs and this Gerber spoon able smoothie that's vanilla custard and bananas.
Sleeping habits: Oh sleeping. Lately sleeping is not Liam's strong suit. He will fall asleep in his car seat and take decent naps but sleeping at night time is really tough. He will not sleep in his crib or play pen for more than an hour. So he sleeps by either being held by Clint or I...it's terrible. We've tried twice to break this habit and it's a daily struggle!
Milestones: Liam is doing GREAT with taking steps! He can actually walk across his playard on his own. It's amazing! He is also speaking much more. We are currently teaching him how to sign.
Weight: 15lbs and 13oz
Height: 28 inches
Head: 18 inches
Size clothes: He is still in some 0-3/3-6 months but is slowly creeping towards 6 months! We have some 6 month outfits and they fit but the sleepers are still a bit too long.
Diaper size: Size 2
Eating habits: Liam is taking 2 oz of Neosure and 4oz of Pediasure at each bottle. He takes between 5-6 bottles a day probably. We are working towards 3 spoon feeds a day and 2 snacks. His favorite foods are yogurt, puffs and this Gerber spoon able smoothie that's vanilla custard and bananas.
Sleeping habits: Oh sleeping. Lately sleeping is not Liam's strong suit. He will fall asleep in his car seat and take decent naps but sleeping at night time is really tough. He will not sleep in his crib or play pen for more than an hour. So he sleeps by either being held by Clint or I...it's terrible. We've tried twice to break this habit and it's a daily struggle!
Milestones: Liam is doing GREAT with taking steps! He can actually walk across his playard on his own. It's amazing! He is also speaking much more. We are currently teaching him how to sign.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Speech!
Liam went to his first speech therapy appointment this morning. Liam's therapists have been telling me that he needed speech for quite a while but I was waiting on doctors orders at his 15 month appointment and we finally got the green light to go ahead and start speech. I called Children's Hospital and it's a 5-6 month wait list JUST for an evaluation! I couldn't believe it! I put my name on the list but started to look for other options. Thankfully we were able to get an appointment with a speech therapist that his OT recommended in a weeks time which was awesome.
Today was mostly an observation evaluation along with a Q&A. Liam is actually not far behind at all for his adjusted age (12 months) and is much better on paper than I thought. This is a good thing! The therapist suggested to start signing with Liam and suggested the Signing Time DVDs. I actually saw that on Amazon you can do a 7 day rental that I can watch on my ipad and I'm excited to start that soon!
We also worked on eating because some days Liam just won't even open his mouth to eat. I was told to bring something he really liked for her to try to feed him. He took a few bites and she slowly started breaking puffs apart to add texture to his puree. He was fine with the texture but just stopped wanting to eat off of the spoon. I have tried many finger foods at home and she highly suggested that I keep on doing that because she said that he gets bored eating off the spoon.
I left feeling hopeful and with many good tips! I'm anxious to see him start signing, speaking more and eating foods with less problems. I'm excited to start a new therapy in hopes to help Liam flourish even more.
Today was mostly an observation evaluation along with a Q&A. Liam is actually not far behind at all for his adjusted age (12 months) and is much better on paper than I thought. This is a good thing! The therapist suggested to start signing with Liam and suggested the Signing Time DVDs. I actually saw that on Amazon you can do a 7 day rental that I can watch on my ipad and I'm excited to start that soon!
We also worked on eating because some days Liam just won't even open his mouth to eat. I was told to bring something he really liked for her to try to feed him. He took a few bites and she slowly started breaking puffs apart to add texture to his puree. He was fine with the texture but just stopped wanting to eat off of the spoon. I have tried many finger foods at home and she highly suggested that I keep on doing that because she said that he gets bored eating off the spoon.
I left feeling hopeful and with many good tips! I'm anxious to see him start signing, speaking more and eating foods with less problems. I'm excited to start a new therapy in hopes to help Liam flourish even more.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
No Bake Granola Bars!
Noah is obsessed with granola bars. He asks to eat one about one a day and most recently had the Fiber One kids which were very yummy. I decided to be adventerous and make a batch of granola bars myself.
I looked online for recipes and I found this one that caught my eye from Two Peas and Their Pod. The recipe is no bake and had 2 of Noah's favorite things: peanut butter and chocolate chips! I didn't have chocolate chips on hand so I opted to use valentine M&Ms.
The recipe was very simple and the bars are delicious! I didn't add the pretzels but I will give that a try next time. I'm happy to find a good basic recipe that I can add things to maybe some diced fruit? Marshmellows?
In a day half of the 8x8 dish is already gone! Yummy. These are officially Noah approved!
I looked online for recipes and I found this one that caught my eye from Two Peas and Their Pod. The recipe is no bake and had 2 of Noah's favorite things: peanut butter and chocolate chips! I didn't have chocolate chips on hand so I opted to use valentine M&Ms.
The recipe was very simple and the bars are delicious! I didn't add the pretzels but I will give that a try next time. I'm happy to find a good basic recipe that I can add things to maybe some diced fruit? Marshmellows?
In a day half of the 8x8 dish is already gone! Yummy. These are officially Noah approved!
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| Noah approved! |
Throwback Thursday: Helicopter Ride
I can't believe a year ago today was when Liam took his helicopter ride over to Children's Hospital New Orleans for surgery. It feels so long ago but yet the memory is clear as day. I can now look back and laugh because of my crazy sobbing but it still makes me anxious.
Check it out here:
Liam's Helicopter Ride!
Check it out here:
Liam's Helicopter Ride!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Physical Therapy and Walking Wings
We have recently started up with a new physical therapist with Early Steps. She thinks Liam may be walking soon and this is very exciting and scary all at the same time. Ahh!
Liam can stand up from the sitting position on his own (pretty awesome) and will take 2-3 steps on his own and then fall down. He is cautious in his falling and does it in like slow motion. His new PT suggested trying Walking Wings with Liam last week and we were able to try them out today.
Liam had a tough time relaxing and putting weight on his feet. He would do it at times and take a few steps but we aren't sure he is 100% ready to do this with him on a daily basis. We will try it again next week.
My PT suggested putting a sturdy structure in the middle of his play yard that we could place toys on. Right now all of his toys are on the ground so he just falls to his toys to get them but if we move his toys to his level he will walk to them. So that is what we are working on this week, stay tuned!
Liam can stand up from the sitting position on his own (pretty awesome) and will take 2-3 steps on his own and then fall down. He is cautious in his falling and does it in like slow motion. His new PT suggested trying Walking Wings with Liam last week and we were able to try them out today.
Liam had a tough time relaxing and putting weight on his feet. He would do it at times and take a few steps but we aren't sure he is 100% ready to do this with him on a daily basis. We will try it again next week.
My PT suggested putting a sturdy structure in the middle of his play yard that we could place toys on. Right now all of his toys are on the ground so he just falls to his toys to get them but if we move his toys to his level he will walk to them. So that is what we are working on this week, stay tuned!
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
12 Favorite Pictures of 2012
In honor of the start of 2013, I have chosen 12 of my favorite pictures of 2012.
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| This was shortly after Liam came home from the NICU. I think it captures exactly what big brothers are for...to torture their little brother! |
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| This was the picture used for NOLA Baby and Family Magazine for their Dad of the Year article. Photo credit: Jenn Amato Photography |
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| Doctor Noah to the rescue! |
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| Brothers. I just melt. |
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| Oh to be 4 and throw temper tantrums on the beach! |
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| Liam AKA Charlie Brown. Halloween 2012. |
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| Clint and I on his birthday. |
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| Election Day 2012. |
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| Gobble Gobble Day! Liam couldn't be any more serious in this picture. |
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| Liam's first birthday. This was such a huge milestone. He is such a miracle. |
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| The cousins (minus Graham and Liam) in Destin. Photo credit: Jessica Aten Photography |
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| Team Leaping Liam at the March for Babies walk! We raised almost $1,800! How awesome! I can't wait to get started on this years walk which is April 20th! |
Sunday, January 6, 2013
15oz to 15lbs!
Weight gain has been Liam's biggest hurdle. He was severe IUGR being born at 15oz. Even in the NICU it took him forever to gain weight so it's no surprise that at almost 15 months he is still in 3 month clothes. He is tiny but strong!
At our last dietitian appointment we had very low weight gain from the prior 6 weeks but I did mention that he was sick multiple times during those 6 weeks with colds and ear infections. The dietitian suggested and Liam's pediatrician agreed that we will do half 24 calorie Neosure and half Pediasure. So far he has only had the vanilla and he seems to really like the Pediasure.
This past week we went for his Synagis shot and he gained almost 10.5 ounces in the past month! I know this doesn't sound like a big gain to some but for Liam it's HUGE. I'm hoping for an even bigger gain when we go to the dietitian in 2 weeks!
We are also working on introducing Liam to more table food. This is another hurdle as Liam has some feeding issues especially with texture. Liam is still mostly on purees and will still gag on thicker purees like peas. We work weekly with his OT on his feeding and he is making some improvements. This past weekend we gave Liam some grilled chicken in the smallest pieces of course and he really liked it! Baby steps, baby steps.
At our last dietitian appointment we had very low weight gain from the prior 6 weeks but I did mention that he was sick multiple times during those 6 weeks with colds and ear infections. The dietitian suggested and Liam's pediatrician agreed that we will do half 24 calorie Neosure and half Pediasure. So far he has only had the vanilla and he seems to really like the Pediasure.
This past week we went for his Synagis shot and he gained almost 10.5 ounces in the past month! I know this doesn't sound like a big gain to some but for Liam it's HUGE. I'm hoping for an even bigger gain when we go to the dietitian in 2 weeks!
We are also working on introducing Liam to more table food. This is another hurdle as Liam has some feeding issues especially with texture. Liam is still mostly on purees and will still gag on thicker purees like peas. We work weekly with his OT on his feeding and he is making some improvements. This past weekend we gave Liam some grilled chicken in the smallest pieces of course and he really liked it! Baby steps, baby steps.
Friday, January 4, 2013
NICU Memory Shadow Box
While Liam was in the NICU I saved little things along the way. Like all the sizes of diapers he had, his little billirubin glasses, ID bracelet, etc. I have had them saved in a memory box in his nursery (along with his big brothers baby stuff) and realized I wish I had it on display. I decided to make a shadow box.
The weekend I went to Michaels they had them 50% off! Score! I then gathered all my stuff and started arranging it in the shadow box. I think the finished product came out pretty good, check it out!
I'm actually now inspired to search through Noah's baby stuff and make him his own shadow box. I'm embarrassed to say that I haven't finished Noah's baby book...he is four. Oops!
The weekend I went to Michaels they had them 50% off! Score! I then gathered all my stuff and started arranging it in the shadow box. I think the finished product came out pretty good, check it out!
I'm actually now inspired to search through Noah's baby stuff and make him his own shadow box. I'm embarrassed to say that I haven't finished Noah's baby book...he is four. Oops!
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