Hi Connor,
Wow mommy and daddy are really slacking in the note
department aren't we? I’d like to say
that we’ll get better but it seems that the days just go faster and faster and
mommy and daddy are kept busier and busier.
The way I see it busy is a good thing.
Some of the busy is from work and some of the busy is from play. All this busyness has left us a little worn
out but I hear that's how you’re supposed to feel as a new parent.
This week has consisted of a lot of playing for you. You have been playing with not only your family,
therapists and the nurses but for the first time in your life you have been
playing alone. What does it take to play
alone? Well first and foremost you have
made the most amazing discovery this week.
Not only do those things we call hands belong to you but you’re able to
control those ten little things on the end of your hands called your fingers. This is a BIG deal. You have been putting your hands in your mouth,
holding onto our fingers and sucking your thumb for a while now but this is
different. The best part of my day is
watching you lay in bed mesmerized by your hands and moving those adorable
little fingers in front of your eyes. It’s
the first thing you do each morning when you wake up as if you’re checking that this new super power you've developed hasn't disappeared overnight. I
find myself sitting just far enough from your crib so that you don’t see me and
I can watch you concentrate on these purposeful movements. When I’m sitting in the dark and I see the silhouette
of your little fingers moving all I can think about is you learning sign
language someday and us being able to communicate freely.
Almost as soon as you figured out that you were in control
of your fingers you started reaching for things. A week ago we were just starting to get you
to grasp things when they were put directly in your path. In the midst of a few days you have started
reaching out for things and coordinating opening and closing your hand to grab
them. As soon as you grab whatever it is
we give you the next move is usually to put it straight in your mouth. You seem perplexed that not everything is the
convenient shape of your pacifier and therefore doesn't exactly fit but that doesn't stop you from trying. It’s a
toss-up as to whether your fingers or your tongue are the busiest part of your
body.
You have developed a new schedule that includes boycotting
naps during the day (or taking a power nap here or there) but sleeping really
well at night. I’m not complaining
because it gives us lots of play time during the day and makes for a quiet
night. The therapist in mommy has made
it her mission to have you out of bed as much as possible and to try and keep
you moving during the day since you’re not resting anyway. Yesterday you didn't have your usual hustle and
bustle with therapy since it was the weekend so mommy and daddy decided we
better give you a therapy session of our own.
We played on the floor for almost 2 hours and you were content the whole
time. In fact you played for almost a
half hour by yourself with a toy that grandma and grandpa gave you for
Christmas. It’s an arc that goes over
top you and has cool toys that hang down from it. We have tried to put this over your crib
before and you always liked to look at it but had no interest in doing anything
with it. Well yesterday you were
reaching for all the different toys.
Hitting, grabbing, and pulling them with your hands and kicking your
feet at the same time. I think you were
a little frustrated that you couldn't pull them down enough to put them in your
mouth but it was amazing to watch you work so hard.
Along with watching you play this week mommy and daddy were
able to have a little fun time of our own.
On Tuesday mommy and daddy celebrated our eighth anniversary. I can hardly believe that. The day started with daddy sending mommy the
most beautiful purple roses. You may
have noticed how great your hospital room smells since they arrived. Your daddy planned an awesome night for him
and mommy. He made reservations at a
nice restaurant downtown and even reserved a room at a really unique hotel. Your daddy never forgets any details when
making plans so of course he made arrangements for you to have plenty of
company. You and grandma had a fun
evening together and she even stayed at Ronald McDonald house in case you would
need her during the night. The next
morning your grandpa took off work and came to the hospital bright and early to
be with you so mommy and daddy didn't have to rush back. Thank goodness for grandma and grandpa. Mommy and daddy had a wonderful evening
together and although we love spending time with you little man it was very
nice to get away from the hospital for a bit. You daddy is amazing and mommy is so lucky to be a married to him. He takes such great care of both you and your mommy.
This week wasn't all fun and games. Mommy and daddy worked hard with the nurses
and respiratory therapists to get most of the necessary things checked off on
our education list. Hopefully in the
next week or so we will be completely done with all of our learning. We are getting much better at getting you and
all your gear in the stroller in order to make you portable so we can get this
show on the road. Grandma and Grandpa
also worked on learning about how to work your feeding pump, ventilator, and
other important parts of your daily routine.
Just think how many people are learning new things because of you
Connor.
Mommy did something on Thursday afternoon that she hasn't done since before you were born. She went
to work. I know you can’t imagine that
mommy would ever have a job that she could possibly want to do other than take
care of you but before you came along mommy had another job. Mommy had to do a bunch of paperwork and
some other types of education in order to keep her physical therapy license
just in case you ever get tired of hanging out with me all day and I need to be
able to go back to my “other” job.
Mommy and daddy have been working with the doctors to tie up
all the loose ends of your care and pushing hard to get through the necessary
channels to get your home nurses set up. This is a
lengthy process and thankfully mommy and daddy started it very early on but no
matter how hard we push it takes a while.
Yesterday mommy, daddy, Grandpa and uncle Scooter all worked together to
get all of your furniture put together and your room set up (to be honest
Grandpa already had a lot of the work done for us). Things are starting to come together and you
can bet that when the doctors say you’re ready to go and your home care is set
up we will be ready for you to come home.
All this work and play seems to have caught up with you too. This evening mommy and daddy were trying to
play with you on the floor and despite your best efforts you couldn't keep your
little eyes open. The minute your head
rested on dad’s arm you fell sound asleep and there was no waking you up. I guess this week has worn us all out. Sweet dreams little boy. I can’t wait to see what next week has in
store.
Mommy and Daddy love you Connor.
-Mommy
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