Weigh In ...

The dietitian came bright and early this morning. I was excited because Legare had been eating so much better so I was sure he had gained adequate weight. Well, I was wrong. He gained 6 1/2 ounces in 2 weeks. The goal was 12-14 ounces. I was shocked, frustrated and disappointed. How do you make an infant eat more? Sometimes I might as well be banging my head against a wall. Liz (dietitian) gave some suggestions and we added more calories to the formula hoping that if we can get him to take 16-18 ounces a day at a higher calorie formula he will gain weight before we go to the GI specialist and pediatrician next week. Liz is going to come back next week for our weigh in so we know what we are up against when we go to the doctors. I know it sounds like we are not for the doctors - after being in the hospital for so long I have learned that there are definitely pros and cons to every scenario. We feel at this current state we are not at the point where he needs a tube. I feel if he has a tube that he will never learn how to eat properly and that it is an immediate fix, but doesn't solve the long term problem. If they tell us that it is imperative that Legare have a G tube of course we will do it.

Next the occupational therapist and early interventionist came at 11:00. I was already fried at this point, but I really like these girls. They were very positive - Legare has become more alert, they were happy he was eating better, and we went through his exercises. I never realized how many things come naturally for a newborn, but for Legare I need to help teach what his natural reflexes would have been. Today we worked on exercises to help him learn how to grab his feet, and pull them in his hands as well as towards his mouth. I always thought babies were so cute rolling around with their feet up to their head (really I was wishing I could be that flexible!) I never realized all of those things are reflexes. That is our task for the week until all of our appointments start again next week.

Just to catch everyone up, Legare has the following:

Dietitian (Liz) - she helps monitor his weight and calorie intake
Occupational Therapist (Brenda) - she helps with eating coordination, and developmental milestones
Early Interventionist (Alicia) - she helps with his milestones as well. She follows him until he is 3, but also coordinates if he needs any specialties such as the dietitian and OT.
GI specialist
Pulmonologist (Lung Doctor)
Pediatrician
High Risk Developmental Clinic (that doesn't start until the end of the month)

We see all of these every week or every other week. Luckily the first three come to my house!!

When I get frustrated and have a bad day, I look at Legare and realize what a true blessing he is and how far he has truly come. For a 25 weeker, he is doing better than we could have ever hoped for. Legare's time frame may not be my time frame - that has been a realization in itself. Before all of this, I was a true type A, control freak with little patience. In this situation, I have no control and I need more patience then ever. While we were in the hospital my friends would say God never gives you more than you can handle. I have learned to put everything in God's hands and let him take over. A new favorite quote of mine - "If he leads you to it, he will lead you through it."