We've been busy doing normal stuff lately. Tyler is doing very well and is growing crazy fast on us. We are having a hard time keeping life slow enough not to miss anything. As you can see, Tyler is sitting now mostly on his own and towers over his penguin. Yes, it's the same one I've been using. Yes, he's huge.
And "He's huge" was what we heard over and over in Lebanon on Tuesday. He's a few ounces shy of 16 pounds and is 26 inches long now. Tyler is 9 months now and corrected at 6 months. He must have decided that he has to accomplish all the goals and growing for his actual age. He's really big for a 6 month and looks more like an 8 or 9 month old. He's out growing his 6 month clothes now. Every time Tyler visits with his neonatologist and her nurse, he flirts and smiles away. They have threaten to just take him for themselves. He giggles and smiles right up till the 2 needles are shoved right into his chubby thighs. He is still getting his RSV shots and he's had to get this flu shots. The nurse, who has known him since ICN days is made to feel very guilty for having to do the necessary deed. The Dr. says he looks wonderful. After March's RSV shot, she will still follow up on him, but not as often.
After his shots, Tyler then saw his neurosurgeon. Again we heard "He's huge". She also said he looks great. She looks at me and says he has a flat head though. I said "Yup, he does not like laying on his shunt." She asks "How much does it bother you?" My reply was, "Not much, how about you?" It doesn't bother her much either. We decided not to mess with a shaping helmet. Over the next 6 months he won't be constantly laying on his back and now I can try positioning him while he's sleeping on his side.
With any luck his head should round back out. Rachel's was much worst at 6 months and it is mostly rounded now. We don't have to go back to see neuro for another 3-6 months. At that time we will take another ride in the MRI machine just to see what's going on inside his head. (This is the point were you all knock on wood.)We also made a quick visit to the ICN since we where up there. They were very busy so we didn't stay long. Again all we heard was "He's huge!". He became his happy flirty self again when he saw one of his regular nurses.
In the last two weeks, Tyler has become rather good at sitting unsupported for a few minutes. Each day he's able to sit longer before he falls. EI was impressed with his trunk control and his ability to twist he upper body while sitting today. He is also starting to show signs of figuring out the pieces that will lead to crawling. On his tummy, he's pulling one knee up trying to push himself forward. If only he'd stop being so stubborn about putting his weight on his arm, he wouldn't end up running his face across the floor. Tyler wants to move, but he's not quite able to pull it off yet. I don't have much time to get the house baby proof again. EI is going to start to come once a week. Not because Tyler is behind or in desperate need of help, but because he's advancing so quickly. Coming out once a week will help us keep giving him the building blocks he needs.
Another first today was bananas. I gave him bananas in his cereal and couldn't shovel it in fast enough for him. I expect his food repertoire to expand quickly. In a couple of days I'll give him a whole piece of banana and see what he does.
