Thursday, October 23, 2008

No News is Good News...SORRY!


I have been so busy trying to be normal I almost forgot we have a family out there that is dying to know what is going on with Mr. T. We got to celebrate another monthly b-day, Teagan turned 7 months on the 10Th and he is doing as well as he can. His feeding issues are our number one problem, he is very defencive about his mouth, the funny thing is he sucks his binky like a champ, but as soon as you try to trade it for a nipple he stops and gets mad, put the binky back in and he is as happy as a clam, we have no idea how he knows the difference because we even try it it while he is fast asleep, the nipples are practically the same. With the help of speech therapy we even tried to skip the bottle and go right to baby food, but he doesn't want anything to do with that either, so we are taking baby steps, very small baby steps, like play with water on q-tip and dripping it on his lips, fingers in mouth, wet wash cloth in mouth and smelling spices and fruit, and touching solid food for play i.e. apple, candy circus peanut, orange peel, anything we are eating that has a smell and is safe for him, of course it doesn't get past his lips. He does put toys and his feet and hands in his mouth so at least we have something to start with. I mentioned our speech therapist, we also have occupational therapy, and early intervention so between the three we have in home visits around four times a week, they work on his eating or lack there of, and rolling over, and sitting up, which both of those he is very close to achieving. Well despite all the feeding problems he is not suffering in the weight department, he is huge, so big in fact that we get to mix his food the regular way 2 scoops to 4oz. of water. He eats every three hours for an hour and then continuous at night from 10:30-9:30, 35ml hour. We got all caught up on Teagan immunizations, at least the ones he can have, on Monday. He weighed in at a Whopping 18lbs. 8oz. He stats @ 86 awake and @ 80-84 asleep, we just need him above 80. He smiles and growls, that is from being intubeated, and he loves to play. It actually feels NORMAL and so normal in fact that sometimes when we are just hanging out as a family, eating dinner I start to think that this whole heart problem is just a bad dream and really we are just a normal family eating sloppy joes and talking about our day, with the baby in his bouncer, just hanging out, and then it hits me like a ton of bricks when T starts to gag and turn cherry red and sweat and look like he might just blow if we don't release the pressure and then it is a mad dash for the syringe and venting him. And then we realize our reality, but you know what, it's all worth it, every med, every feed, every vent, every gag, every trial; just to be able to look in those chocolate brown eyes and see the man he will become. His spirit is wise beyond our years and his smile tells me thank you a hundred fold, someday I think about what if we would have chosen option three and that maybe it was selfish to put him through these surgeries and spending four of his seven month in a hospital, but seeing him grow and smile and light up a room lets me know this is his mission, we are living it. I start to worry, will his mission on earth be shorter then I hope and that's when Ryan reminds me it FAITH NOT FEAR. Faith that our Heavenly Father is in charge and all of our lives are in his hands. Faith that Teagan's mission will be fulfilled. Faith that our Heavenly Father loves us and never gives us more than we can handle. So for now thank you for checking in on us, thank you for praying for us-we need it, and thank you for being apart of our lives.
P.S. Thank you to all of you who have taken a shot in the arm for Teagan, it means so much to know that you love us enough to do it. We are looking forward to a happy and healthy holiday season! (And I will try to blog at least weekly!)

11 comments:

Me said...

Hey chicka, he looks so amazing! I am so happy that he is doing so well. Thanks for finally giving mme some reading material. Hey Mady and Ellie got shots in their arm(leg)also. Hope to see you soon. Much love, Hilary

Liz said...

It is so good to see that Teagan is doing so well! We had the same problem with Kairi not wanting ANYTHING by her mouth. She finally caught on after they started giving her a ned. for it.
We can't wait to see you guys when you come to visit!
Love,
Liz, Pace, & Kairi

Unknown said...

It was so great to see you at the Trunk or Treat tonight. That's a big scary step for you guys to take with all those people around. I think you handled it all well.

Jamber said...

You are amazing! Thanks for the update I have been thinking about you. He is so cute. I love that picture of him.

Cort said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cort said...

It was so good to read a post. Even though I hear updates almost every day, it still feels good to read about it! That pic is adorable!
Love YA!

Gabby said...

*Hey, don't know that you remember me. My name is Gabby, I met you at primarys when i was in there. You more knew my mom, Toni. I just wanted to say how much I enjoy reading about Teagan and how happy I am that he is doing so well. I hav a carepage that I update if you ever want to read, GabbyStory. Well thats about all, Gabby*

♥ Michele ♥ said...

I am so glad that 'no news is good news'. I was starting to worry because you hadn't posted, but figured you were probably enjoying a small moment of normalcy post-Glenn!! He is a chunky-monkey, what a CUTIE! So glad to hear he is gaining weight and doing well. Also SO glad to hear that you guys can now feed him continuous at night!! What a big step. Trying to feed our babies by mouth is SO FRUSTRATING! Gracie is getting better and I never thought I would say that. So hang in there. These babies like to take extreme BABY STEPS when it comes to progressing in the feeding area. Gracie ate about 15 spoonfuls of food the other day when 6 weeks ago, I would have thought she would never eat anything. Take care and good luck with everything!

p.s. thanks for the note and the pictures. Gracie loves her boyfriend Teagan!

The Andersens said...

i'm so glad that he is doing so well. he looks so so good! its so neat to see him grow and progress.
i don't know if it helps or makes it worse...but we are in the exact same place when it comes to eating. and i completely understand how rough it is. although, we're still at NG tube stage...so, I suppose there's that one difference.
i hope that he can start to progress and tolerate food soon!! its so great! sucks for these little babies to miss out on all the good food there is out there!
we're praying for you lots, and I apologize that I don't comment more to let you know it. But I'm sure you understand, being a heart mom is a lot of work!
There are times when all I have time for is to skim everyone's blogs, and not really comment, or to just post mine and be done!
love you tons! and thinking of all of you lots!
your testimony is an amazing example for all of us to follow and strive towards! thank you!
love the andersens

DeMets said...

I am so glad to see teagan looking so great! GOD IS GOOD! You look beautiful two my friend. I love your hair. I love the costums, you are all such a beautiful family. We are still praying and I am so glad to hear an update. I figured though since you haven't written to take that as a happy sign.

Love of heart hugs,
Fallon, Jeffrey, Ezekiel, and Azriela

Unknown said...

I can't believe you were out trick or treating! That is great that Teagan is doing so well. You are one incredible family!