Well, all my milk is gone. It seems weird to no longer have that instinct. I miss it in some strange way. it is the end of a very long chapter. I still give Oliver 2oz of milk a day which I had frozen. I will be able to give him this thru the first week of June.
A funny thing happened this week, I got a Mother’s Milk Bank Newsletter. I put it in my stack of paperwork without looking at it. Tonight, I finally opened it and started to read it. At the very back it listed the donors. And there we were: Claudia Yore and baby Oliver! I was so proud. We gave over 300 oz of milk. What a great way to end my nursing and pumping career SIGH…

Oliver has been off of oxygen for more than a year. When we walked into the hospital for Oliver’s Mickey to be placed in March of 2009, he was on oxygen. We walked out after his surgery with no tanks. Three days at the hospital with constant monitering of his stats, we felt sure that he longer needed the extra help. We had not seen Dr. Cornfield (his pulmanary doc)since an appt in early 2009. So we went to get an update from him. Our appt was full of surprises. First of all, I saw Dr. C in a completely different light. He was extremely patient with Oliver who was nervous and scared to be there. He was crying and saying no over and over again. He would throw in “Outside?” once in a while too. Dr. C just said hi, and Oli said “No”!, so doc walked out of the room. Me and his asst just looked at each other after a while, he was gone for a couple of minutes. Eventually he came back in with 2 lollypops. He asked Oli, do you like lollypops- which of course he said NO, well doc just said Oh I do, as he unwrapped his lolly and sat down to suck on it. We sat down too. At first doc just sat there enjoying his lolly and looking at Oli. Oliver just kept saying No once in a while. Doc C would say, do you like alligaters? No- Oh, I have one. Do you like lambs? No- Oh, I have one and it actually knot me this sweater. Do you know the sound an owl makes? No. Do you have dogs? No. Does grandma take you for walks? No. Does she play with you? No. Doc was so calm, I just started laughing at some of the jokes and eventually after 5 min or so Oli stopped saying no and actually answered yes a couple of times. He was able to listen to Olivers lungs for a long time. He said Oli is doing great. (DUH)! He also said that if Oli wanted to be a swimmer, a sprinter he would have no lung issues. He said his body and lungs have recovered from the surgery and tissue has rebuilt it self. It was all wonderful news. Oliver gave him several knuckles and high fives before leaving with a handful of stickers and a lollypop which he finally accepted.

Today we had an appt with Oliver’s cardiologist, Dr Rosenthal. We left early this morning with me, tom, oli and silvia. Mom stayed with Ingrid and Nathan. When we first got there we checked in and were seated in the waiting room. Kim, or Auntie Kim as she likes to be called weighed Oli at a whopping 21 lbs and 7 oz. (dont get too excited though, he was still dressed). I will have to double check this week at Dr. Os. Then we headed straight for radiology for a chest xray. Dr R wanted to get a baseline picture since we hadnt taken one since Nov. 08′. This was the worst part of the day for Oli. He fought us so hard- we had to get another nurse and me to hold him down. It was really torturous to look at him. He hates being laid down like this because this is the way they normally give him shots. After a quick couple of pics, we headed back to cardiology. Steve performed the echo. He has done this for us at least a half dozen times. It is so much more relaxing when Tom and I know the tech. He stops to explain things and answers our questions too. he seems to be a really good guy. He is also very loving to Oliver. His voice seems to sooth Oliver who was showing signs of nervousness. Elmo was a great distraction to him. Even more so then the grape lolli that Steve offered him. After about 40 min, we were done. An old cardiologist (his first name is Daniel) came in and said- I just wanted to take a look at Oliver. Wow! He looks great he said! and then he tolkd us that the echo looked the same as last time, all looked good. He also mentioned that he really felt that he credits Dr. Cornfield (our pulmanary doc)for turning things around for Oliver and getting him discharged from the hospital. I had never really considered this. Though I agree that he helped Oliver out ALOT, and truley believed that Oliver would be just fine when others didnt.
After that, a gal walked in and did her thing with the EEG machine. Quick and painless. Within 10 minutes we were back in the waiting room. 20 minuted or so later they called us in to wait for Dr. R. Eventually, after alot of ball playing , running around, and avoiding Oliver’s constant request for Outside? dr R showed up. We all started in the room, but eventually we were in the hallway (our visits always end up there) we cant seem to contain Oliver in the room – though we truley dont even try. Most of the cardiologist team know and love him. Dr. R confirmed what we had already heard. He also added a few interesting things. He said that most babies who have this medical issue tend to show other symtoms between the ages of 1 and 2 because it is a stage of huge growth. Oliver has actually improved. He is no longer on oxygen, no more meds and his heart function has SUPER improved!!!! WOW! This is HUGE!!!!!
Another thing he said was that Oliver may end up catching up to his potential height and weight! That is exciting to hear that he might not always be a little peanut. More to come…

A couple of months ago, Oliver’s good growth finally got him on the chart, in the fifth percentile. Today, Ollie is in the 13th percentile! He is catching up! Claudia says that Bella and Nathan were in the 25-30th percentile of the chart at Ollie’s age, so this really is good progress!

I haven’t seen him in a month or so, but mom’s been sending photos and I wanted to post them here so you could all see how wonderful he is looking. Today when I talked on the phone with them, Ollie said: bat-ke-ball. He’s very proud of himself that he can say basketball.

The boo boo on his nose is from a game he was playing, crawling really fast with his nose on the rug. The photo with the ribbon was taken on the day he completed his first set of swimming lessons.

Well we have become pretty cozy with the information from our cardiologist. Life is really good. Oliver is healthy again after yet another ear infection followed by bronchitis. It seems that after these hiccups, Oliver virtually makes some huge jump. his eating has dramactically improved. And not just in my biased eyes, Tom and Grandma B have noticed as well. He is finally back up to his full feed of 165 mls every 3 hours (7am- 10pm). In addition to that Oli is sitting at his high chair for at least 3 meals a day and enjoying things like sliced bananas (still in its peel), smoothies, anything smothered in cream cheese and of course his all time favorite: Hot Dogs! He knaws and chews on these, and swallow some too. The bananas are the latest. he asks for them as soon as he sees them. I know he is getting them in, because I pull out his stomach contents (I know this sounds horrid, but I am estatic!) I can see chunks of food! Even his poop looks different!

I am so accustomed to having a baby who doesnt eat, that I havent thought too much of when Oliver wont have his mickey button. But now, I really think about it, and I dont think he will have it when he is 3! He is really starting to trust having food near his gag reflex. Also I think he is feeling healthier these days and wants more.

Lately, he has even pushed my hands away when i try feeding him his scheduled bolus at least once a day. He clearly says nu-uh. I cant (and dont want to) force feed him. i want him to have control of his body and to be respectful of his boundaries. Of course, he also needs to gain weight and grow! When possible, I wait for him to go to sleep then I feed him. He doesnt wake up so it makes it easy. Other times I have to explain it to him and then I end up distracting him while I ease into his belly. I feed him alot outside too. This seems to distract him enough.

Oliver is continuing to love his swim class. He seems more comfortable getting splashed and having his ears in. he will blow bubbles when asked. He is intrigued with the other babies in his class as well. He watches them as they swim and dip their heads into the water

I just got off the phone with Claudia and they are ecstatic. Oliver aced his exam! Here’s what she told me, pretty much verbatim. There’s a lot I don’t understand but maybe you will.

Oliver’s left ventricular function has improved, to the point where it is now within normal range! As I understand it, the pumping on this side was weakened by his aortic stenosis. Remember when we all cheered because the left side began pumping on its own? That was one of Oliver’s first big miracles. Now it has really stepped up to the plate.

The function of his right (aortic) side is the same. This means the gradient, backflow, stuff they measure with the echocardiograms. A few appointments ago the doctors were concerned about a membrane that was growing somewhere that could potentially block the flow; they’re not concerned about it now because if it was causing problems that would have shown up as decreased function. Dr. Rosenthal told them that Oliver no longer has critical aortic stenosis, he has mild aortic stenosis. Wow it feels great to write that!!!

The doctors are happy with his overall growth. He still has EFE (endocardial fibroelastosis), and they say they’ve never seen a case where it has gone away on its own. But, they say he may adapt to it. He is not completely out of the woods yet, but Oliver is “showing strong signs” of moving toward that goal. There is no surgery in his immediate future!

Next appointment is not until May. Great job, Olie! Everyone go out and celebrate! Thank you Oliver for putting life into perspective for us once again.

Damn! Where is the video camara when you need it?? Yesterday at cousins house, Oliver did the funniest thing. You know those tiny toy skateboards? The ones that are slightly bigger than a hot wheels car? Well Nathan is playing with it and here comes Oliver, he quickly steals it away. What dies he do, you ask- well he tries to ride it of course! He carefully positions his foot above the toy holding my hand and attempts to ride it. So cute- he remembered when he rode a real skateboard on the driveway with me just the other day. I can just imagine what he was thinking when he saw the same gizmo from home.
Dr O had Oliver weighed on Monday. He is now 19 lbs 9 oz. I suppose we won’t be making it to 20 lbs by our cardiology appt. Unless I stuff a couple of toys in his diaper…
We have sucessfully (by we I mean oli and I) have switched from 7 daily feedings to 6 no more night feeds!!! He now gets 165 mls per bolus. We are going to work up to 170.
Our big heart appt is tomorrow. Though I would be shocked if things were much different than last time, I am still anxious. I know from looking and being with Oliver that he is doing amazing.

Happy happy happy!!! That is Oliver usually. Lately he is showing a rebelious side that so far is adorable. He protests and will start to roll and if anything is in his way he launches it. He pouts with his lower lip, sooo cute! I can’t help bu laugh, though I try to hide it. Oliver is now walking at least 75% of the time. Sometimes even sporting very cute new shoes from grandma. He loves to wear them. Another cute thing is as soon as he hears the front door he proudly and happily states grandma.
Oliver has become a bit of a late sleeper lately he hangs out while I pump and watch tv. Last night he stayed up til 10:30. I hope this doesnt mean he needs to stop his naps.
Oliver had his first day at swim class today with Nathan and bella’s old swim coach, Michelle. She is great. I was wooried that Oliver wouldn’t like it but he did amazing. She gave him a ball to play with and that was all it took. Hopefully next week is just as fun and rewarding.