Time Flies

Wow. Lincoln is 6 months old (coming up on 7 now!) and it is December already! Linc has been doing really well overall lately. He has been cold free for over a month! He has been showing a bit of his temper more than usual, with pinching and hitting, but that just shows his gross motor skills are improving! Lincoln is still fairly fussy, crying for several hours out of each day. Compared to four months ago though when we brought him home, it is night and day. He is much improved. We have just learned calm Lincoln as best we can and turn up his Os when he needs some extra help.

Lincoln's latest measurements are 14lbs 3 oz (<3%), 25" long (25%)and 43cm HC (25%). His head and length are getting up there! Now we just need to work on his waistline. I have started adding some olive oil to his diet to get in some extra fat. Hopefully that helps him gain a few lbs. He is taking anywhere from 3-6 oz per feeding (totaling about 24 oz per 24 hours - goal is about 33 oz) Lincoln still wakes several times per night. I feed him once at night and just rock him the other times he wakes. Lincoln has started eating a few solids over the past month, including rice cereal, oatmeal, carrots, sweet potatoes(the favorite by far!), and avocado. Aside from the sweet potatoes, he usually only takes 2-3 bites before crying, which is when I end the meal. There is no rush right now to introduce solids, so we are just taking it slow and trying to enjoy it, being careful not to create any aversions.

Respiratory status is stable. Still on 0.8 LPM oxygen 24/7. Linc has been getting albuterol treatments as needed for wheezing over the past month, and seems to be feeling much better. He only needs a treatment every few days and whenever I need to take him out in the cold weather he seems to need more treatments, but thankfully that isn't too often. Lincoln absolutely hates the treatments, but they do wonders for him.

Lincoln did not end up having his scheduled surgery on Dec 9th due to a possible stomach virus. Just to be safe his surgeon pushed back his surgery date to 12/23. Yes, Christmas Eve Eve. I hope that once his inguinal hernia is taken care of he will move forward a bit with sitting up. Linc has trouble sitting for more than a few minutes and seems to be in pain, I assume from the hernia. So far Lincoln is able to sit propped on his hands for a few minutes. His head control is great! He is still not able to roll from back to tummy though.

We have had a few visits now from Missouri First Steps, but really we are still just beginning. Lincoln will see nutrition and physical therapy once per month, and occupational therapy twice per month.

Lincoln's great Aunt Michelle was able to meet Lincoln for the first time when she visited with her husband the other day. Lincoln has also had a few visits with his Aunt Jen, Uncle Pat, and cousins Layla and Aubrey over the past few weeks. Lincoln is kind of hit or miss when it comes to outtings. He does seem to be very social when he is feeling comfortable. He willingly smiles and coos at even first time visitors. The first time he has reached for a person was for cousin Aubrey at our last visit.

As you can see, I have been having a great time taking pictures with Dan's old camera, given to him by his parents many moons ago. I actually decided to keep Linc home for his 6 month pictures and they turned out pretty good! I just was too nervous to take him to a studio during the most busy time of year for children to have their picture taken (Christmas). Maybe by his 9 month pics I will feel more comfortable taking him out. We currently only take trips to the doctor or the occasional trip to Grandma and Grandpas. No public places through April to keep Lincoln healthy. Lincoln has had a good month and we look forward to our first Christmas as a family!