And for comparison... here's a pic from when they were one month old... this pic is by Jenae of IMIJ photography:
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Happy Two Months!
It's been two months (and a few days) since we welcomed both of you into the world, hearing your first cries! Since then, we've heard many more, but you've filled the last two months with more joy than we can describe!
Since your one month birthday, here are some things you've been doing...
Isaac: You've become so much more laid back, you're smiling more, and I think that Grandpa Murdock came pretty close to getting you to laugh!
You're lifting your head regularly, and have decent control over it - which is a pretty good feat, since at your two month appointment, your head was in the 75th percentile (adjusted), while the rest of your body is in the 10th percentile (adjusted)! You've been eating lots more, so you're working on catching your body up to your head.
You actively reach for toys on your play gym and carseat.
And, like most other babies --- you HATE tummy time (but not as much as Eli!)
Medically, you now have had your first surgery, first hospital stay since birth, and graduated from a cast to your brace for your club foot.
Elias: You've revved up your crying speed, and can go from 0 to 60 in one breath! You also give us lots of smiles, usually when you're starting to fall asleep!
You graduated from wearing the tiniest preemie clothes at about 7 weeks of age. Most impressively, you're consistently out eating your brother, usually by close to an ounce per feeding.
You still prefer to lay on your right side, but we're trying to convince you that switching it up will do you some good (I don't think you're buying it!).
When all else fails, you will go to sleep if Mommy wears you around in the Moby wrap.
You wriggle more than any other baby we know!
2 month stats:
Isaac weighs 7lbs 10oz, is 20 1/4 inches long and head circumference is 15 1/4 inches.
Elias weighs 7lbs 3oz, is 21 inches long and head circumference is 14 1/2 inches.
We'll post the two month photos soon!
Since your one month birthday, here are some things you've been doing...
Isaac: You've become so much more laid back, you're smiling more, and I think that Grandpa Murdock came pretty close to getting you to laugh!
You're lifting your head regularly, and have decent control over it - which is a pretty good feat, since at your two month appointment, your head was in the 75th percentile (adjusted), while the rest of your body is in the 10th percentile (adjusted)! You've been eating lots more, so you're working on catching your body up to your head.
You actively reach for toys on your play gym and carseat.
And, like most other babies --- you HATE tummy time (but not as much as Eli!)
Medically, you now have had your first surgery, first hospital stay since birth, and graduated from a cast to your brace for your club foot.
Elias: You've revved up your crying speed, and can go from 0 to 60 in one breath! You also give us lots of smiles, usually when you're starting to fall asleep!
You graduated from wearing the tiniest preemie clothes at about 7 weeks of age. Most impressively, you're consistently out eating your brother, usually by close to an ounce per feeding.
You still prefer to lay on your right side, but we're trying to convince you that switching it up will do you some good (I don't think you're buying it!).
When all else fails, you will go to sleep if Mommy wears you around in the Moby wrap.
You wriggle more than any other baby we know!
2 month stats:
Isaac weighs 7lbs 10oz, is 20 1/4 inches long and head circumference is 15 1/4 inches.
Elias weighs 7lbs 3oz, is 21 inches long and head circumference is 14 1/2 inches.
We'll post the two month photos soon!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
This Past Week in Photos!
Isaac ready for surgery - 7.2.2010
After surgery - all better!
Cousins Tori (holding Eli) and Drew came to visit - 7.3.2010
Elly looking after Isaac - 7.6.10
We went to dinner with Grandma & Grandpa (Isaac) - 7.6.2010
Great Aunt Amy (Isaac) and cousin Katie (Elias) - 7.9.2010
Cousin Erica (holding Isaac) - 7.9.2010
Great Aunt Lisa with Eli
and Great Aunt Lynne with Isaac
7.9.2010
So, for the last week, we've just been enjoying having visitors, and hanging out! Apologies to Great Aunt Monka and Paula, and Great Uncle Greg and Great Aunt Margretta as well as Jen & Sofie, we forgot to get out our camera when you were here! You'll have to come back and see us!
Hugs to all - ryan * kristi * isaac * elias
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Waiting....
We're 'patiently' waiting on orders for Isaac to be discharged to go home. The doctors have already made their rounds, and verbally told us at about 8:30 this morning that we should be out of here in "about an hour." Two and a half hours, we're still here, but are hoping to be on the road to our house shortly!
Isaac is going home just as he came in, on room air, and no medications except Tylenol! He had no issues with his breathing after surgery, which was something we were a bit worried about. What a tough cookie!
Isaac is going home just as he came in, on room air, and no medications except Tylenol! He had no issues with his breathing after surgery, which was something we were a bit worried about. What a tough cookie!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Isaac's Hernia Surgery
Just a quick update -- Isaac did fabulous during his surgery, and is enjoying all of the extra attention and love he is getting now!
Dr. SP said that the inguinal hernia was huge, but repaired nicely. We asked about the chances of a recurrence, and he said that even with the size of Isaac's hernia, the risk is only 5%. He checked for an inguinal hernia on the left side as well (20-30% of the population with an inguinal hernia on one side, also will have one on the other side). Dr. SP didn't see any evidence of one, so that was good news.
We really appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers today, and everyday!
Hugs to all-
Dr. SP said that the inguinal hernia was huge, but repaired nicely. We asked about the chances of a recurrence, and he said that even with the size of Isaac's hernia, the risk is only 5%. He checked for an inguinal hernia on the left side as well (20-30% of the population with an inguinal hernia on one side, also will have one on the other side). Dr. SP didn't see any evidence of one, so that was good news.
We really appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers today, and everyday!
Hugs to all-
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Isaac's Spine Pictures (and a corresponding explanation)
One of the scariest things Kristi and I have dealt with through the first month and half of our boys being with us is the constant realization of the upcoming surgeries that Isaac will face as doctors deal with the multitude of concerns they have with the internal structure of his spinal column and ribs. So, we have received many questions about what exactly the problem might be and so we are posting his CT scans on his spine and pelvis areas. As most of you will notice, there are some serious issues. It is weird to see these pictures (even for Kristi and I) because we see our little boy right now and you wouldn't be able to tell the issues he faces with his spine. So, I will do my best to describe what you are seeing in the pictures. Again, the official diagnosis is Spondylocostal Dysostosis. For our purposes, I have included the picture of a normal looking spinal column and ribcage of an infant. In the picture you can see the feeding tube and monitor lines. Notice the spinal column is straight and the ribs are separated appropriately. This is a good reference point because after this picture are the two pictures of Isaac's spinal column. His is obviously very different.
Trying to explain these pictures is difficult, so hopefully the captions help. The problems that you can see in this photo are the fused ribs (and he has multiple fused ribs), a missing rib (on the right side of his body, left side of the picture), a spinal column that is just disorganized, some vertebrae too close, some too far apart, some missing, and others underdeveloped. The pelvic region and lumbar region are also very underdeveloped. That pelvic area should have the look of the top of the letter T, but as you can see, it doesn't.
Now, this is the side view
This picture gives the incredibly clear visual of the spinal column dislocation. You can see the huge void where the column has literally shifted way to left (right in the photo). What this has done is force the spine to bend with the dislocation. That puts the spine under incredible stress. The spine is also very narrow at that point of the dislocation and that further complicates the issue.
Dr. S has said he will have two basic options for surgery. One, is to move the spinal column over into the void. This is a very complicated procedure and risky (though all spinal surgeries are risky). The second is to fuse the bones together at the point of the dislocation and then in a second and third surgery chip away unneeded bone and let the spine "float" back into a relatively stable and comfortable position. Either way, the surgeries are complex and have a goal of easing the stress on the spine. These surgeries will be done starting sometime between the age of 1 and 2. Scary, but necessary. At this point, Isaac has good movement of his legs, feet, and toes which is very promising. It is hard to get any real prognosis for what his mobility will be like as he gets older and bigger. We obviously pray for the best.
Anyway, that is the general idea and why Isaac is a very, very, special young boy. As Dr. S has put it, he has seen all the abnormalities that Isaac has in his 20 years at CMH, he just has never seen them all present in one infant.
Thank you for everything all of you have done for us, we appreciate it. Our journey will be a long one, but it has been wonderful so far. Now, for a nap (haha, yeah, right).
Normal looking spinal column and ribcage of an infant. This particular infant has a lung problem but the general scan is a good reference point for Isaac.
And Isaac's scan - the first picture is from the front, the second is from the side. This first picture from the front still amazes me because it reminds me of how disorganized his spinal structure really is.
Now, this is the side view
This picture gives the incredibly clear visual of the spinal column dislocation. You can see the huge void where the column has literally shifted way to left (right in the photo). What this has done is force the spine to bend with the dislocation. That puts the spine under incredible stress. The spine is also very narrow at that point of the dislocation and that further complicates the issue.
Dr. S has said he will have two basic options for surgery. One, is to move the spinal column over into the void. This is a very complicated procedure and risky (though all spinal surgeries are risky). The second is to fuse the bones together at the point of the dislocation and then in a second and third surgery chip away unneeded bone and let the spine "float" back into a relatively stable and comfortable position. Either way, the surgeries are complex and have a goal of easing the stress on the spine. These surgeries will be done starting sometime between the age of 1 and 2. Scary, but necessary. At this point, Isaac has good movement of his legs, feet, and toes which is very promising. It is hard to get any real prognosis for what his mobility will be like as he gets older and bigger. We obviously pray for the best.
Anyway, that is the general idea and why Isaac is a very, very, special young boy. As Dr. S has put it, he has seen all the abnormalities that Isaac has in his 20 years at CMH, he just has never seen them all present in one infant.
Thank you for everything all of you have done for us, we appreciate it. Our journey will be a long one, but it has been wonderful so far. Now, for a nap (haha, yeah, right).
Monday, June 28, 2010
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