Well we got the call from the surgeon. Surgery is set for April 14th at 8am. That's so soon. I have lots of anxiety about the whole thing. Poor little guy. Anyways, I think the biggest challenge will be not being able to feed him after midnight. He's not going to be a happy camper. Prayers and support are greatly appreciate...

Today was a busy day. We met with the surgeon this morning. She was very happy with Benjamin. We decided to set surgery for late April. We are now just waiting for the phone call with pre-admit & surgery dates. The doctor said they surgery may take up to 3hrs. She won't know until she gets in there..We're hoping that it will be a relatively easy fix, but there is no way to know until she opens him up. He will most likely be in the hospital for a week. I was hoping it would be less. But he'll be on morphine afterwards and need to be weaned from that. Obviously for pain management he needs to be there and its the best place for him. I'm thankful that the new floor is open and it will be easier for me to stay with him. I'm having so much anxiety. He is so much older and aware and it breaks my heart that he has to go through this again. But in the grand scheme of things this will be minor compared to his other issues. I am looking forward to closing this door though...moving on and finally finishing this chapter in his & our story. We also saw the asthma doctor today. She was very happy with Benjamin as well. We reduced his inhaled steriods by half. So that's great. We're hoping for the summer he'll be off that one all together, but we may need to restart in the fall. He still sounds wheezy, but she said it was probably more of a prematurity thing. So today was good. We also donated blood. I still encourage everyone to get out there and donate! You could save a baby like Benjamin.

Just some pictures from the week

Things are well. Benjamin is doing great. I took him on his first road trip this past weekend..which was good, but busy. He slept for the first 2.5hours and then woke up...we stopped and I fed him. He was not happy to go back into his carseat so he cried a lot..we ended up stopping again and finally made it to Grand Rapids in about 4.5 hours. The weekend was nice. The little girls loved Benjamin and were very attentive. It was alot with 3 kids under 2 but worth it. Benjamin had his first ride in a swing too so that was nice. This week is quiet. Our appointment with the allergist has been moved to next week. I can't wait to talk to her about his food allergies. He also lost a little weight the past 2 weeks. I know he's going to slow down..he's a lot more active. But he's on a strong does of steriod in his one puffer...which we were warned could stunt his growth. So I think she'll start weaning him down on that one once she hears he lost weight. Other then that nothing is new...I'm going to take him swimming for the first time tomorrow. That should be fun. He loves his baths so he should be thrilled with the pool. We'll see. Anyways we're so happy to report that life is good!

We are lazily enjoying march break around the house. We have been able to get out and walk the last couple days which has been great. Benjamin loves and usually falls asleep. He sleeps well in his stroller. We had a check up and RSV vaccine on Monday. Benjamin is 21 lbs 10oz.. 26.5inches long. He is starting into normal range for a 9mth old which is amazing considering they only consider him 6mths old. We also had the occupational therapist come Tuesday. She was very happy with Benjamin's progress over the last few weeks. We have a team meeting with all the professionals at CPRI in a few weeks. Monday a tooth popped through the bottom gums..Benjamin was super cranky all weekend and I guess that's why. He won't let me get a picture though. Teeth definitely makes nursing a whole new experience. I am very anxious about being bitten. I'm off to my best friends this weekend in the states. I'm obviously taking Benjamin with, but I'm very nervous. This is his first trip away. I'm anxious about being away from his doctors...I'm anxious about the 4 hour drive with him...I know we'll be fine, its just a big step. Anyways...that's about all. We have more appointments next week, I'll update then.

Well its been a very low key week. We haven't left the house since Monday morning. With the terrible weather its nice just to hang out at home. Benjamin is good. He's been his happy (wheezy) self. He's rolling lots. He never stays on his back anymore. He's also sitting really well. Before we know it he'll be sitting on his own. I think that will be nice because he'll be able to play with his toys better. I think he's really working on some teeth. The last couple days he's been cranky and chewing on everything. He fell asleep real early tonight to.. We stopped feeding him any cereal. It just makes him to constipated. He gets iron from his supplement so we're just sticking to fruits and veggies. I also want to have his tested because he seemed to be getting the same rash from oats as he did from corn. Other then that nothing is new. Next week he has his final RSV vaccine of the season. We're also going to visit the NICU to see some old friends. Then Tues we have occupational therapy at home. I think she'll be happy with Benjamin's rolling. Friday I am taking Benjamin on his first road trip. We're going to Michigan to visit my best friend. I'm a little anxious about taking him away from home..but I'm sure we'll be fine and I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with my girlfriends and their daughters.

Things are great at our place. Benjamin is good. He is sounding pretty good lately. His new puffer has really kicked in. When he wakes up in the morning he does still sound pretty wheezy..but his puffer kicks in shortly and he starts to sound better again. We go back to the allergist in 2 weeks. We have no appointments again this week which is great. Its so nice to just relax at home and not have to run around. We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of spring so we can get out of the house and get some fresh air. Benjamin rolled from his back to his tummy today...that's a big step and real proof that his abdominal muscles are getting stronger. We are so happy about that. Anyways, I'll update again soon.

Things are good. This week is quiet and we have NO appointments. I am so thankful for that. Last week was so busy. Benjamin is good. He's finally starting to sound a little less wheezy. So I think his puffer is finally kicking in. Our only issue right now is that he has a rash on his body...It is patches of red, dry, peeling patches. I think it might be eczema. The only change in his diet is I accidentally bought corn & rice cereal instead of just rice. So I think it may be that. I stopped giving it to him so we'll see if it gets better. I'm going to talk to the allergist about it next time and maybe she'll check into it. Benjamin is so close to rolling from his back to his tummy. In the next few days I think he'll finally get it. He is also making lots of new sounds....lots of mamama, bababa, dadada. So cute.