Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Brandon is 4 months old

Again this post is late, but this time its due to my camera unexpectedly breaking the day before Brandon turned 4 months on the 14th.  I was getting ready to do a photo shoot with him when I switched lenses on my camera.  Well something was wrong with the lens and it jammed up my camera and when I went to take the lens off it broke some very important sensors on the camera.  To this date, my camera is still getting repaired and I hope to get it back the first week of May.  Life continues on so I borrowed my sister in laws camera recently to take Brandon's 4 month pictures.  I took his pictures fairly quickly so I didn't get to be as creative as I usually am since I was so late taking them, but I got them taken none the less.  Its so very important to me to capture milestones and wonderful moments of my children.  I rely heavily on my camera for this.  I miss my camera.

Brandon went to the doctor on the 15th of April.  Here are his stats:

Weight: 14 lbs, 10 oz (25-50% ile)
Length: 24 inches (10% ile)
Wt/Lt: 75% ile
Head circumference: 43.75 cm (95-98% ile)

He's a chunky boy!  Also so happy that his head circumference is finally on the chart!  His body is catching up to his head.  All looked good with Brandon except via a lab test he is a little anemic so we are giving him Poly-vi-sol with iron everyday.  Brandon also saw his neurosurgeon on April 20th.  The neurosurgeon is pleased with how things are going with Brandon, but we and the neurosurgeon have observed that his left ankle doesn't move well.  His foot tends to drop.  He doesn't move that foot up well at all.  But his neurosurgeon says this won't keep him from walking.  He will walk.  He will just need to strengthen that foot/ankle over time and possibly need a brace on that left foot.  He also has a lack of sensation from his knees down to his feet due to the spina bifida.  Again this won't keep him from walking.  Brandon's bowels and bladder are still working good.  He will get another bladder test in June or July.

Brandon is making great progress developmentally.  He smiles a lot.  He has even begun to laugh some.  Baby giggles are the best!  He is alert and loves to look around just like Kayla did at this age.  He has started blowing bubbles with his mouth.  He coos and makes sounds.  He is going to be a talker as well.  He loves to be talked to and smiles back..  His smile just melts my heart.  He's a pretty good baby most of the time.  He does get so angry when he's hungry.  He sleeps well.  Its just so great to have a good sleeper.  We put him down to bed at about 10 pm.  He doesn't usually fuss when we put him down either.  He will sleep till about 7 am.  He's still likes to "snack" on his formula.  He usually eats 4 - 41/2 oz every 2-4 hours.  It varies so much.  We just feed on demand.  Brandon does suck his thumb at times which is so cute, but hoping it won't become an issue later in life.  Also I can't believe this, but Brandon already has his two bottom teeth coming in!  Because of the teething Brandon has been chewing on his hands/fingers a lot.

He wears 3-6 to 6 month clothing.  He has small feet and is still wearing a size 1 infant shoe.  He is currently wearing a size 2 diaper.

Brandon has a physical therapist that comes once a week to help him stay on track as much as possible.  She is helping him to learn to lift his head while on his tummy.  He hates tummy time, but is doing better with lifting his head while doing tummy time.  He is also slowly making progress towards rolling over.  Brandon finally has gotten better head control.  Its not 100%, but much better.  Brandon also has ECI and an Occupational therapist that see him regularly.

We are so very grateful for this boy!  He is such a miracle and doing so well despite the spina bifida.  I know Brandon will be able to do all things when he grows up and I know that spina bifida won't stop him at all!









8 comments:

  1. he is just beautiful

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love your pictures. He's gorgeous, and you do so very well with picture taking. I think Heavenly Father sent these special children to you because he knew the parents in this family had the love and determination to make things work well. Love your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  3. He is such a beautiful baby boy and such a cute smile. Glad things are progressing well. X

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow, Brandon looks so much like Kayla! So happy to hear how well he is doing. The photos are so cute. I know Brandon will do great; early intervention is the key and you guys know what you're doing . I think Brandon will enjoy a fulfilling happy and healthy life.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful baby, what a little chub....he is adorable, just as your other three wonderful blessings are. So happy he is progressing so well xx

    Catherine

    ReplyDelete
  6. He is a very handsome little boy! I love your blog and your ever cheerful attitude inspires me.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for the comments! We love to hear from you! If you prefer to not leave a comment on our blog you can email us at stanseljourney@gmail.com.