Six Dang Months!
Well, here I was concerned that everyone had given up on us and stopped checking the blog because I’ve been so lame at keeping it updated, but you’ve all gone and shown me that you’re far more determined than that, as obviously a number of you have already read Kara’s update.
Since Kara has given you the update, I’ll just share some pictures in celebration of Nolan’s Six Month Birthday. Wow, six months ago it was hot September, and now it’s hot March (didn’t anyone tell the weatherman that 80 degrees is a bit much for early spring?). Six months ago, Nolan got impatient and joined us a good bit earlier than was advisable, weighing just a bit more than a bottle of soda. Now he’s about 3 kg — almost six times more than he weighed back then. And look at that smile, would ya?
A week or so ago, Nolan got a button in place of the tube that was coming out of his stomach. Basically, this is just a flap (like a valve on a beach ball) that can be closed over his stoma, or opened to attach to the feeding tubing. He previously had a length of tube (maybe a foot long) that came out of his stoma and ended at a cap. They were waiting for him to be a certain size before they made the switch. Said switch came just in time, too, because the old tubing was starting to leak and causing lots of problems in the night with the continuous feeds (imagine slowly dripping milk into your baby’s bed all night). The new button was apparently tender for a few days, and I gather that the tubing that goes with it is supposed to be cleaned every three hours when in use (ie, all night) or it clogs, but overall the button is a good thing because it’s forward progress. It means Nolan is growing and moving along the path the doctors want him to. And, when not in use, it is less obtrusive and less likely to get tangled up in blankets and clothes (though, truthfully, the tubing was not nearly as “in the way” as I would have expected).
Nolan’s aunt Amy and uncle Shannon gave him a small gift that has been a big help — this pacifier. The dog is attached to the pacifier and helps hold the pacifier in his mouth (basically a prop). You’ll see the dog featured in many pictures because Nolan pretty much always has it with him. The hat was made by Nolan’s cousin Logan. It’s been fun to see what things Nolan has completely grown out of (like tiny hats) and what he has grown into, that it once seemed would never fit him. He’s still pretty little in the grander scheme of babyhood, but he sure seems big to us!
There are a few more pictures in the gallery — click through and check them out. I’ll post more as I get them, though I’ve discovered that the lighting at Kara and Ronan’s house is no better than at the hospital, so I’ve mostly got blurry pictures to share right now.
Happy birthday, Nolan!
-Maria
Thursday, March 15, 2007 at 7:40 pm
phew.
Friday, March 16, 2007 at 7:56 am
Oh we’re reading up and track of the progress! Loving the stories of lip grabbing games and walks in the woods. So wonderful after all the months of worry to hear how good things are now!
Friday, March 16, 2007 at 12:00 pm
So it’s clear to me now why Nolan decided to arrive early. With the beloved Captain America gone for good (or so they say at Marvel…) we as a nation clearly need hope for the future. Nolan came to let us know that we have nothing to fear, the BEAN is here! It seems there just isn’t any problem to big for the bean to conquer. Look at the photos and see how his outstretched arms are readying for take-off!
Friday, March 16, 2007 at 12:14 pm
OK, so the computer just fell apart–literally–but thankfully it sent the first part of the message. But now that I’ve just reattached everything, I’ve forgotten the second part. Typical. Oh yeah… so I think the hat is great and that Logan should start designing the BEAN’s superhero outfit. Since red, white and blue should rest in peas (hahaha) with Captain America, maybe the bean could be green? Or black. Black beans are good. Red beans. I know Ronan would like chili beans. Boy am I glad you didn’t call him something like lardo or porkchop. Can you imagine his costume and superhero image then?
Captain America is gone. Long live the BEAN!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 6:45 am
He’s beautiful! Blessings to you all!
Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 9:01 am
Look at that smile!! People ask me all the time for the baby Nolan update so its great to have these recent pictures and stories. Lotsa love, KK
Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Well, I just couldn’t be happier for y’all! What a precious little boy. I look forward to more pictures and updates. Give him a kiss for me!
Love,
Alice