The Weekly Buzz

It's lovely seeing actual photos of this child, isn't it?  Today I read something:

FAITH CHANGES THE FACTS!!!

That just spoke columes to me...because I sit and hold a living breathing little miracle.   He is just amazing.

I am sorry I am not posting as frequently but it is much more difficult with a babe in your arms. This little guy is currently going through a growth spurt and he nursing non stop. He loves to be held all the time.

What have I learned about myself this week:

I can put a shoe and sock on a toddler with one hand, while driving with the other, all without taking my eyes off the road...(Mom, please no comments.)

I am capable of changing a toddler's diaper with one hand while holding a newborn in the other.

I am unfazed by baby poop, but quite surprized by baby pee pee getting sprayed around the room.

I have more energy and resolve than I thought I possessed.

I can in fact keep up with laundry and dishes while still feeding the kids and getting them to school.

I do feel more overwhelmed by the dog and the playroom than is necessary.

I don't care that much if Buttercup wears the same pajamas all day every day as long as she puts on a jacket and puts on pants underneath when she is outside.

I love good food but am not above ramen noodles if needed.

Things I have leanred about my kids:

Oliver:

He is much more helpful when he thinks Mommy is feeling stressed, and doesn't mind cleaning up after himself or his siblings.

He gives the sweetest hugs and kisses in abundance.

Eliot:

She loves to help with the baby. All the time. She wants to hold him and kiss him and be his little mother.

She does not like to help with her own messes.

She makes me feel like she is being put upon at times, and I am not sure if she is right or if she is just really good at playing me.

Emily:

She loves the baby but still loves being the baby and one must not forget to treat her that way.

She likes to snuggle Mommy as much as she does Daddy, and actually prefers Mommy at present, as to not lost any baby status.

She can throw down a tantrum like no other, often about trivial things like making her change her clothes.

She talks better and better...her Go to response is a quick and decisive "No"...butshe loves "Dora" and "Stooby Doo" and she makes lots of little song "doop doop da doop" sounds.

She loves to Dance and says "Dancin Mama"...

She likes to pick things up in her mouth and hand them to you that way.

Auguste:

He is gassy and surprizes me with the sounds he can make.

He can soil three diapers, one by one, simultaneously...just when you think he has to beal done...he can give you just a little more.

He squeaks and makes the cutest noises ever while he nurses and sleeps.

He laughs in his sleep. he sleeps a lot but I am glad that he has seen enough to laugh about in his dreams.


Everyone keeps asking about Auggie's health.

He was discharged from Nicu on Friday the 15th of Feb. He has several chest xrays and all looked good. He had several Echos...his last echo showed he still had PDA and pulmonary hypertension. For an adult practitioner like myself, pulmonary hypertention issomething to panic about. But the doctors feel confident it is something that will cause no worriesand should resolve on its own, and we will be seeing cardiology in 2 months for followup.

When we were discharged, Dr. Ohning said "this is just great!!! I have seen these babies, replaced chest tube after chest tube, sometimes 60 times...and still not had the baby make it....then to see this, to see things just get better...its just, its just....its amazing!!!!"

He came to me before we left and gave me a big hug and said " I love, LOVE happy endings!!!! I just dont see enough of them"

We feel fortunate to have had such a caring neonatologist.

He told me that he felt the best thing to do from here is to try to put it behind us, move forward with a clean bill of health and not treat Auggie like a china doll because of all of this.

We went for his one week followup with our pediatrician, Dr. Phillips. It was great to see his excitement at our arrival. He did not know we had decided to have him in Greenville and thought we were in Philadelphia. He praised us multiple times for our committment to our pregnancy, our son and for never giving up on him and trusting our instincts and not just going with what the docs said.

Auguste was already back up to his birth weight and had grown in length by an 1 1/4 inch!!!!
All that Mama's milk is paying off.

He felt Auguste was doing great...he checked his liver function tests and they were perfect.His thoughts on his hand...really, we still don't know how the hand will play out. Currently it has full function and is the same size as the other hand, except that it looks like an inflated balloon. Its a little better than when he was born, but still quite puffy. It is only the hand though and doesn't extend up the arm.

The possibilities are endless. It could continue to resolve. It couldbe something that we see wax and wane in response to stress, the same way some people get swollen lymph nodes. It may start causing trouble if the swelling extends up the arm, he stops having complete range of motion, or if it causes a growth disturbance in the hand...in which case we will probably go ahead and get a surgical consult on board...but if things remain as they currently are...it is likely it will just be something to keep an eye on over time.

I kind of like it. Its like a scar. It reminds me of all he went through to get here.



Wow, as I write this I realize there are so many things I want to share. I truly loved all the facebook comments being made during and right after labor and I want to find a way to save them all for him to read in the future.

Sooooo many people prayed for this boy and I truly believe that all of those prayers are a big part of why I am holding him today.

One friend shared a very fun story about the day of his birth. My friend Deven lives in New Orleans and of course, last week was a week of celebration in New Orleans. Auguste was born on Tuesday...Fat Tuesday.

She sent me an email some time ago when we knew Auguste would be born around the 12th. Here is is:

I anxiously await your blog posts for updates on baby Auguste ( love, love, love his name!!!!!) and have no idea how I missed one on Thursday????!!! I want you to know your family remains in the forefront of my thoughts and prayers as you reach the end of this amazing and trying journey you have been on....
You are a true inspiration! I believe in the power of positive thought and strength in will and you are putting it to the ultimate of tests. It's easy to give up.... The difference between people who make things happen and those who don't, are the people who don't QUIT TRYING. 
BELIEVING in miracles is part if MAKING them happen!!!  God appreciates when we have faith and believe in him.... It makes perfect sense. 
So.... February 12th is my birthday.... It's also Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras is such an amazing holiday with a horrible reputation. It has nothing to do with boobs and beads.... It's a celebration of LOVE and LIFE and all things creative and beautiful. 
I will be celebrating the life of baby Auguste this Mardi Gras season!!!!!:) 
YOU STRENGTH BLOWS MY MIND!!!
Peace and Love,
D


I love that he was born on a day that is a celebration of Love and Life and all things creative. He also shares a birthday with Abe Lincoln and Charles Darwin. Both free thinkers (even if I don't necessarily agree with all thoughts).

As for the Day Auggie was born, read what Deven told me about their Fat Tuesday Celebration.

I've been wanting to share this with you........
On Feb 12th.....20 of my closet friends, as well as my parents, fully costumed arrived at my Quarter apartment to celebrate the festivities starting with a pancake and champagne breakfast. 
The pirates and zebras, cougars and princesses ages 30-70....all held hands and we went around in the circle and each said a little something to God about taking care of you and baby Auggie. We ended with a toast, and went about our day having fun and celebrating life. 
When he arrived safely, we all jumped and cheered and spilt champagne on all over ourselves. 
It will go down in Deven history as one of my favorite MEMORIES EVER!!!


I think that is imagery I will never forget. I love the idea of celebration at the news of his birth and health. I imagine angels celebrating as well. I also imagine a big smile on my grandparent's faces as they hear news of his health. So much love was poured out on this sweet child from all around the world...friends, family, strangers. I have patients who have told me he is prayed for by their churches. On the day of his birth I had friends post photos of their children with signs of love for Auguste, I  hear news like that above....I realize that I have support and lovefrom so many people, of different cultures and different lifestyles, but all united together to pray for our sweet child and it warms my heart to see such an outpouring of love and unity for my precious child.

Thanks to all of you, for loving us, for supporting us, for caring for us. It means so much.

I will try to blog more soon...I have lot sof photos to share and will do that soon.