Sorry!
…a lot bit late, here’s the update…
Nolan is doing great, and life on Windsor Circle is beginning to take on the rhythm we had hoped for. A few stats to start: Nolan now weighs 6 lb, 4 oz and is 18 inches long. He’s doing better and better with breastfeeding — nursing more, longer, and stronger — though he is still needing a significant amount of supplementation. It looks like progress there will be slow but steady. Nolan’s only truly unhappy times seem to come from some intense bouts of gas pains. It seems that he has a couple of hours every other day or so where he’s pretty miserable, and periods in between where he’s uncomfortable, but otherwise he’s a happy little boy. He does still require two-handed holding most of the time: one hand to hold the pacifier in (or rather, keep popping it in) and one hand to pat the butt continuously.
Nolan is still a bit small for his carseat, so he’s not very comfortable in the car, and he can’t be in situations where he’d be likely to be exposed to sickness (like a crowded room), but he has gotten to go on a few outings: a trip to his aunties’ future house, a family birthday dinner, and of course a few trips to the doctor. He also gets to go on nice long walks in the woods when the weather is nice, like it was this week!
Progress on overcoming the left-side preference has also been slow but steady. He’s pretty good about looking to the right with his eyes, but he seems to be less inclined to move his head to look to the right. Sometimes it takes a bit of work to snap him out of a somewhat hypnotic focus on something to his left, but lots of attention is being paid to enticing him to look right.
The best bit of news of late has been from the eye doctor on Friday, who said that Nolan’s retinopathy of prematurity has completely resolved!
So, Nolan is just cruising along doing his growth thang, passing lots of little milestones along the way. Meanwhile, Kara and Ronan are settling into having Nolan home. The supplemental bolus feedings are pretty time-consuming, and feeding in general takes a lot of time and attention. Despite that, life is much more “normal” than when Nolan was in the hospital. Ronan is able to focus on his work much more than he could when each visit with Nolan took a couple of hours at minimum. He’s got a show at the NC Crafts Gallery starting March 1st (stop by and say hi at the opening on the second Friday of March!), and has been getting in a lot more time in the studio. It’s a bit of a stretch (to say the least) for Kara to get to the smithy, but she’s been taking some pictures — a craft that is at least a bit easier to pursue in the snippets of time she has her hands free.
Most important of all, even though they are getting much less restful sleep, Kara and Ronan are much happier and more relaxed with their little babe home.
Keep up the chant of “go, Nolan, go!” especially through the cold season. We need to keep those lungs healthy so all the energy can go towards growth!
Nolan’s grandma Mimi is going to help me keep the site updated, so we’re working on getting a more regular schedule for the updates… Thanks for sticking with us through it all.
-Maria
Monday, February 26, 2007 at 8:17 am
Thanks so much for the update! It’s good to know things are settling in to a new “normal.” You are all still in my prayers. Grow, Nolan, Grow!
Monday, February 26, 2007 at 9:31 am
I’ve been keeping up the last few weeks. So great to hear continued good news! Glad you’re all adjusting to home life. Kara, when you’re ready for it, there’s good coal in the Triangle area, I can hook you up. In the mean time enjoy the camera, and share some pictures with us.
Monday, February 26, 2007 at 4:14 pm
One more try… if he doesn’t give up, neither will we. For some reason we’ve been unable to post for the past couple of weeks. We’ve copied and saved our messages for when the server deems us worthy again, however.
love, peter and paco
Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 10:23 am
Hey hey, sounds like life is starting to normalize with having an infant in the home. It is good to hear that Nolan has had a few outings, exploring life, loving to be held, loving to be loved. Miss you all. See you soon.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 11:03 am
It’s so nice to think of Nolan getting in those walks in the woods. Hooray!
Friday, March 2, 2007 at 1:48 am
WOWSERS!!! What a beautiful homecoming, and what a gorgeous baby! Great job Nolan! Great Job Kara and Ronan! You made it!!! I am so happy for you all! We are all thrilled to see little Nolan growing and at home. What a blessing. We love you and are sending lots of love your way as always. Love, Meredith and Bobby, Sierra and Little Bobby
Monday, March 12, 2007 at 9:11 pm
Hey guys!! We are so happy to read of ya’ll settling in to life. Can’t wait to meet Nolan and visit. Sending lots of good thoughts and positive prayers to Windsor Circle. Love to all.
Sunday, July 22, 2007 at 12:34 pm
HI GUYS,
THAT’S WONDERFUL ABOUT THE AUCTION !
I’M GLAD NOLAN IS DOING SO WELL , CAN’T WAIT TO MEET HIM
SOMEDAY. AS ALWAYS YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS & PRAYERS.
LUV YA , FLEMING