18 Months

Lincoln is 18 months old! It's been a while since I've really updated about what Linc is into, so this post gets a bit long. Hang in there. It's all worth it!

Lincoln is just the happiest 18month old I've ever met. He is smiling all the time. People always ask when we are out if he is showing off or if he is always that happy, and I tell them he is always that way. Its a wonderful change from his colicky days when he was younger than 8 months. Lincoln is not too shy and likes to wave and smile at nieghbors and people in stores, which gets him lots of attention!

Lincoln has discovered recently that feeding all of the animals treats is a great way to get them to pay attention! I have to help Linc give dog and kitty treats at least two times per day now. Lincoln knows where the treats are in the cabinet and will get them out and bring the bags to me to help him. Linc loves to walk around holding the bags and shreiking with joy as the animals get excited too. Its funny.

Lincoln is really into cars and trucks, now. He loves little matchbox cars (I just have to be sure that the ones we give him to play with dont have the removable wheels or other pieces). Linc likes to pretend the cars are driving and make the motor sound, which he is fantastic at. "Ddrrrrrrr." I think it is so cute when Linc will "drive" something that isn't a car, like his fork around his tray at a meal. "Ddrrrr." Lincoln also recently is starting to pretend on his phone. He walks around holding it to his ear. And just the other day, for the first time, he was walking around for at least 20 mins with a play bowl and spoon, pretending feeding himself something! I love to watch his brain grow before my eyes!

Language is huge with Lincoln. Even before he was really saying words, he was making noises all day long. Literally. He's a talker. Now that he is starting to understand more and using words himself, lots of activities now involve comparing the names of objects. Lincoln likes to present two objects to you and ask, "deh deh?" (Whats this, maybe?) I will tell him the name and we repeat with the other object. Back and forth until he is satisfied witht the comparison. He then smiles and goes back to playing on his own. This game is played several times a day. Usually with two cars or with two magnets from his magnet board.

I think that Lincoln literally is saying a new word eveyday. And he is making inferences about concepts, too. I love that when ever I say something about my being cold or that it's cold outside, he says, "ice." Some other words he uses are keh-keh (kitty-kity), bay-bay (bailey, our big dog, a close second favorite) ou-sigh (outside), baou (ball), bah (bath). Just yesterday he said appa (apple). Lincoln will jibber-jabber and it sounds like he is talking in sentences, but none of it it actually words. He just loves to talk and make noise, including animal noises for duck (quack), monkey (ah ah), and elephant (bbrrrr).

Lincoln still loves books, too, although he is starting to play a lot more with other toys. He will sit alone at least once per day to look through his board books. He also will bring books to me to read for him. His favorites right now are Dr. Suess's ABCs, and Boytons Belly Button Book, as well as the DK Baby Pets. (He's loving animals right now).

Music has always been very influential with Lincoln. We found out at an early age that he responds to classical symphony (mostly mozart) very well. We keep a cd of his in the car for times when he is fussy. We just turn on his music and he calms immediately. Lincoln also loves the tempo of solid gold oldies, like The Beatles (he naps to this), and really enjoys being sung to. We can get through any booboo with a round of "The Wheels on the Bus" and "If You're Happy and You Know It." Linc loves to clap his hands and stomp his feet when prompted for the latter.

Lincoln is starting to through tantrums, but they are small. Just a little foot stompt and an aggrivated cry when he is told no to something he really wants (like giving the pets treats right as we are sitting down for dinner, or for the fifth time that day!). He does have a short fuse though. He gets mad quickly, and almost gives a little shake as he stiffens his body during his rage. But a minute later he is smiling again. I'm glad, so far, his tantrums are not involving him flopping on the floor like a fish and screaming!

I took Linc to Dr. P last Friday for his well visit, and everything went well, except for his weight. He scored very well on the checklist she asked and passed the Autism screening. He got his monthly Synagis shot, too. She was very pleased with his talking skills that he showed off for her, and she said physically he looks good. He's just not gaining weight.

18 Month Measurements:
18lbs 8.3 oz (below the growth chart - less than previous month)

30" tall (less than 3rd percentile but pretty much on trend)

HC 48.3cm (~70th percentile - leveling off)

Everyone is always asking how Lincoln's weight is. Family, friends, and doctors. We all know that Linc is a little guy, and weight gain seems to be the area that is the most challenging for him. I am always trying to add calories to his foods to help his gain "catch up growth." Butter, creams, extra cheese, and his powder supplement and formula are in the mix, too.

If Lincoln were at his goal of 10th percentile (his ranking at birth), he would weigh about 22lbs and be 31" long, which is still not big. But when you only weigh 18lbs, 4 pounds is a big difference. 

How much has Lincoln grown and gained? Well, this month he is actually down about half a pound. Lincoln really has very good behavior most of the time at meals. He eats pretty typical amounts of solids, for the most part (at least 4 tbsp per meal) and is not a very picky eatter, which is so great. I'm so happy that I'm not writting that Lincoln has trouble gaining weight due to some adversion to food or some other physical restriction.

He just simply requires more calories than he is consuming. He doesn't drink the typical amount of fluids an 18 month old does. He IS picky about what he drinks. He finally will now drink regular whole milk from his sippy cup and from an open-mouth cup (that I hold), but he only drinks on avg about 4oz per day. If he drinks more, it's usually because he didn't eat well at a meal, so doesn't helping with his calorie count.

So the plan is to switch back to a high calorie/ concentrated formula in place of milk to help Lincoln get a few more calories in. Other factors that contributed to Lincoln's recent weight loss are his ability to RUN now, which he does all the time, and the fact that he dropped the bottle, and is picky about what's in his cup as far as thickness goes. So, this transition period is something we will work past and I know Linc will gain again. He really is doing wonderfully, for any 18 month old, and especially for a CDH survivor.

Linc is heading into Same Day Surgery tomorrow (hopefully his last). Please keep him in your thoughts and I'll be updating you all as soon as I can.

Linc looks so grown up at 18 months!
Compare this photo to his previous frog pics below.
I wish I would have taken more of these through the months.

8 months

2 weeks

Parents As Teachers Visit

Mrs. Costello came for a visit the other week after Lincoln's long break from the Parents As Teachers Program.  While Linc was receiving home therapy, I put his PAT visits on hold.

The visit went great.  Mrs. Costello brought a standardized questionnaire for 18 month old children to evaluate Lincoln.  I am so happy to report that Linc scored in the normal range for four out of five areas(gross motor, fine motor, problem solving, personal-social), and scored close to the cuff on the fifth (communication), meaning we should watch him and provide learning activities in this area but he isn't behind.

Mrs. Costello was also really pleased with Lincoln's development.  She hadn't seen Linc since he was about 6 months old, so it was quite a change for her.  She was so pleased to see that Lincoln is so happy, social and physically doing well.

Unfortunately the funding for PAT in our district has been cut, so the program only allows for one visit per year per child for a check-list.  Mrs. Costello said that she would try to see Linc more due to his medical condition, and she would call for a visit in January 2013.

I'm glad that Missouri has the PAT program at all, but a little saddened by the cut.  Thankfully though, Lincoln is watched so closely just his pediatrician, neonatologist, surgeon, and dietitian, not to mention that he is still enrolled in the MO First Steps Program, so I really have a plethora of providers to help me help Lincoln as he develops.

Lincoln's "big" standardized test will be the Bayley test given at SLCH at his 2 year visit, scheduled for June 2013.  This test is given to as part of his NICU follow-up and measures his development to make sure he's on track.  I have a feeling he's going to rock it!

Fall Playtime

Lincoln really enjoyed himself this fall, playing with some new items and some tried and true. He's getting so big now. The time is just flying by. I find myself trying to make mental imprints of all the adorable things Lincoln does now, but I know I won't be able to remember it all. So, taking pictures will help me in the future to remember one of the best Falls I've ever had. Check out some of Lincoln's current favorite playtime activities.

Feeding Cookie Monster

"vacuuming"

Flashlight Play

Magnets, a new favorite

raking leaves and just playing outside
(when you are married to a mechanic,
used tires can be found scattered in your backyard, ha!)

playing Peek-a-boo, I-see-you with Peanut

"Ball Pit"
his crib gets some playtime at least since he doesn't sleep in it much!

horsing around with Mommy

Linc's new tunnel
(I love that he only has one sock on.
Representative of a typical day of Linc taking his socks off.)

Linc just loves old milk jugs, or anything from the recycling bin really!

Bailey gets some love too

Bubbles and Balloons in the tub

Some good splashing, too!

Sometimes, I think to myself, I wish I could keep Lincoln right at this age and size. I love his curiosity and his happiness, and he is just the right size for snuggles! I'm sure every age I will feel the same way and Lincoln just gets more and more amazing!

Second Cold/Flu Season

The cold/flu/RSV season is here and I just wanted to post a quick update on our plans to help keep Lincoln healthy this season.

While I'm happy to say that Lincoln is stronger and healthier than he was last year, I do not think he is quite ready to be "thrown to the wolves" when it come to respiratory illnesses. I won't necessarily be isolating this year, but I still would like to take precautions to help minimize Lincoln's exposure to colds and flu viruses.

Remember, Linc has only been off of oxygen for 6 months and still requires a daily inhaled steroid, as well as albuterol treatments, to manage his airway when he is NOT ill. Any illness will make it that much more difficult for Lincoln to breath and oxygenate his body. A side effect of taking his steroid is that he is even more susceptible to infection! (Linc has already fought two colds this season! Which he rocked!) Also, illness tends to leave Linc with a decreased appetite. This only adds to the difficulty of getting Linc to gain weight. When Linc doesn't grow, he doesn't develop.

For these reasons, his doctors and I have agreed that Linc will benefit from getting Synagis shots again this season. Lincoln is still at high risk for having complications if he contracts RSV. Synagis is an antibody shot that would help Linc fight the virus if he is infected. Lincoln got his first shot at the end of October, and will get one every month through March.

Thankfully, we haven't had any insurance approval problems this far since this medicine is extremely expensive (around $1500-3000 per shot!). But this just goes to show that even the insurance company views Lincoln as high risk for respiratory viruses. (Many CDH families are currently fighting ins denials for second seasons.) Our entire family has also gotten the flu vaccine this year, which I believe is a great idea for everyone to help stop the spread of the flu virus.

We will also be washing hands in our house frequently (when arriving home from a public place, playing outside, etc.) and using hand sanitizer a lot while out. I also have a can of Lysol in the car to use on shopping carts, when I absolutely have to bring Linc along to the store.

For the most part, I would like to try to keep our life as close to normal as possible, without unnecessarily exposing Lincoln to ill people. If you are wanting to visit Lincoln this season, please let me know if you have been sick or around others who are so that I can make an informed decision about visitation. As of now, we plan to attend family functions this holiday season, where we did not last year. But I am fully prepared to leave early if I feel Lincoln is as risk for getting sick. I do not plan to take Linc out to public museum and parks, though, and just generally plan to keep public spaces limited.

I do planning to finally return to working full time sometime during this season, though. This means that Linc will need to start going to daycare. I have mixed feelings about leaving Lincoln, but we are both ready I think, and our finances tell me it's time! I am so thankful, though, that Linc's Grandma (Dan's Mom) is able to watch him and he won't have to attend public daycare. I think I would just be ridden with guilt and terrified to send him off to a group of strange, sniffling kids! I know Lincoln is in the best of care while at Grandma's, which will really help the transition. One of Linc's cousins does attend preschool and is also at Grandma's, however. So, I am especially thankful that Linc was approved for Synagis again this season.

Please do not take these precautions personally. These measures only attempt to reduce spreading germs that are found everywhere! I anticipate this to be the last season of extra precautions. Every one was so kind about obliging my wishes last season to help to keep Linc healthy. Thank you! I appreciate your efforts and support. Thank you in advance for this season, too!

Cuteness

Lincoln is doing so many cute things these days. He is just such a clown! Lincoln is in a good mood I would say at least 90% of the time, if not more. Although he does now throw short tantrums when he doesn't get his way, but he recovers quickly. He really is a happy "baby". 

It is adorable how much Lincoln is trying to imitate adults recently. Just this week he has started to whisper back (just babbling) if you whisper to him. It is too cute! He also is trying to repeat new words he hears people say.

Another "game" we play daily now is to compare the names of objects. This game usually starts during the end of mealtimes, but can be anytime of day Linc feels like initiating it. It goes like this.

Lincoln will point to an object and "say" the name, which always sounds the same for object he can't say yet, always two syllables. Kind of a mix of "seh-seh" and "deh-deh." Then, I say the true name of the object. Lincoln then points to a comparison object and repeat. Several times. I never get tired of it though. It's adorable and I love that he is learning language!

We do a lot of comparing food items on Linc's plate and comparing Lincoln's drink to Mommy's drink. He also loves to compare the two dogs since he doesn't say their names yet. He does, however, clearly say "key-key" (Kitty, Kitty) and "neh-neh" (Neela) for our cat.

I love the sound Lincoln will make when he sees his reflection in a mirror or shiny surface. "Iiiii?" he will say with a grin. I don't really think that he is asking if he is seeing himself. I think he might mean, "I see you" or "Hi." Both of which I say back to him in the mirror. He has also started to say, "Iiii, key-key," when he sees the cat. So, I'm leaning toward "I see you."

Linc also says this if he is "hiding" by covering his eyes with his hands for a game of Peek-a-Boo. So who knows. He started to play this a week or so ago on his own, and now we play all the time. It's just so funny with the added, "Iiiii?" He will walk around the house playing this and I have to remind him that he could fall over something walking around with his eyes closed!

"Iiiii?"

Linc has also been wearing his face mask for nebulizer treatments for about two months now. Before that, I would just hold the mask in front if his face without the strap on it. As Lincoln has gotten older and wants to not sit still very long, I worked with him to wear the mask so that he has a little more freedom of movement during treatments. Basically, it took time of just getting used to treatments in general (Linc has been having neb treatments since about 6 months old) and a lot of distraction with toys etc.

It is the cutest thing to see him being such a big boy doing his treatment in the morning. He is completely into cars now and will sit on the floor playing with them, while watching Baby Einstein, of course! (Einstein saved my sanity during Linc's colic!) He is just a doll!

Lincoln still likes to make silly faces just to make you smile, which always works. Here are a few recent expressions...

The Tongue

The Pout
(the newest addition, and totally fake!)

The Grin

The Squint

The Hey Why Are You Taking My Picture Look

Mad, You Say?

Happy Halloween!

Traditionally, Halloween is a big deal in the Olds household. Dan and I have always enjoyed dressing up, haunted houses (we love that STL has some of the best in the World!), and just the Ghoul-ish nature of the holiday in general. We usually go out, or host a party, but last year, we just stayed in, as Linc was newly ours.

This year it was fun to get things back on track. Dan and I went to a costume party the weekend before Halloween at the Lemp Mansion downtown St. Louis, which was pretty fun. Lincoln dressed up in costume for the first time to attend "Boo at the Zoo" with his cousins and to just generally be cute on Halloween night. We did not Trick-or-Treat since Linc is too young to know what's going on and he would probably just be exposed to cold viruses. Yes, I am going to be paranoid about germs again this year!

Check out the tiniest Mad Scientist in the Nation! He's about 30 inches tall and has a killer smile!

Lincoln's fine, fly-away baby hair, and his cheesy mad-like grin, were the inspiration for his costume. I made Linc's costume from a 2T white shirt from the thrift store. I just cut off the sleeves and bottom tails and sewed it up pretty. His goggles and gloves (which are not actually shown in any of the pictures) are from the dollar store, and his creation in the test tube is jello (sshhh..). I just love to make a fun, homemade costumes from re purposed or modified items on the cheap, or just items found around the house!

At Boo at the Zoo
(I think Linc's hair was actually better this night than on Halloween)

Linc with Layla and Aubs
looking adorable!

Me (Sally-from Nightmare Before Christmas) and
Dan ("Sea" Monkey)
both homemade

We also carved Jack-o-Lanterns this year from our pumpkin patch finds. Lincoln was right in the middle of the fun. He tried a few times to help me dig out the "guts" but quickly decided he preferred the scoop. He didn't gag thought! I was thoroughly impressed with his eagerness. He enjoyed "helping" to light the lanterns every night, too.

Getting ready with Linc's pumpkin

digging in with Mommy

He liked this scoop so much that i added it to his toy box.

Helping Daddy scoop too

Linc loved the "lids"

Finished product!

All the lanterns looked great, but Dan really showed off his skills with the big one! I also like how the little one just glows because it's so thin. That is definitely the smallest pumpkin I have ever carved! It was a fun Halloween. Until next year!