6 Months Old

I know my posts are much more spread out but please believe me that no news is good news. Levi has been staying very busy with appointments. The consensus is that he is about 2-3 months developmentally. This is good since his due date was May ninth. He is right on track for that. We feel so blessed right now to have Levi doing so well. Of course he has a long way to go but God has seen him  along this far. His physical therapist is working on some upper body strength and calming techniques. His eye exam was yesterday and his retinas look good although is showing signs of being nearsighted. He has been referred to a pediatric optamolagist to take a look. Before Levi has been seeing a specific retina specialist. So now this new Doc will focus specifically on his sight and possibly putting him in glasses in the near future. That may sound crazy but it can stunt his development if he cant see. He will not be able to learn to crawl and walk as well if he cant see well. 

So I hope that is a good update. Just know that those of you that are praying are having your prayers answered. We thank you so much for joining with us in that. Please pray this week for his trip to Chapel Hill Thursday. He will see the Neuro team and and ENT Doc. Please pray for safe travels.

Levi's great grandma got to hold him for the first time this weekend

Growing Up

As you can imagine its been a very busy time in our lives. Levi is more than a handful to care for and has be staying busy. He has had all good reports so far from his doctors. The physical therapist worked with him on Friday and she said he needs work on his upper body. He was super fussy but now seems to be getting a little past that bad stage. He has gas and reflux but we are working on the gas by using different nipples. Levi is still on oxygen as you can see. We think he will be completely off in the next couple of months but for now we know he needs it. He went to his developmental appointment yesterday and the doctor said he looks good. He called him chunky which given his past is a complement. The psychologist said that he is about 2-3 months adjusted age developmentally. Thats really very good since he did have the brain bleed. His due date was May 9th so he is right on track with that. He was 10lbs 2oz at his last visit! 

For Levi's prayer warriors:

For him to get off oxygen

For a safe trip to Chapel Hill next week (neuro appt)

For the reflux to go away

For his upper body strength

We know God has been with him so far so we must have faith He will see him through the rest of this.

First Week At Home

A lot of people have told me that we must keep this blog going so that you guys can watch Levi grow up. It is an honor to our family that so many people love Levi so much. Our prayer would be that others that embark on similar journeys in the future might find this blog and in turn find encouragement or advice on how to handle things. 

Levi still has a long road ahead of him. We do not know how well his eye sight will be due to the ROP and surgeries that followed. We have no idea what his developmental level will be due to the brain bleed. Hopefully the shunt helps that situation as is should. We do not know how well his lungs will heal but hopefully he will outgrow those issues. The truth is we still have to trust that God will continue to heal Levi. He already has shown us many miracles in this short journey. Please continue to pray for these things.

Levi had his first Pediatrician appointment this week and they said he looks great for where he is at right now. He weighed in at 9lbs 7ozHe will still be followed very closely over the next couple of years. He also saw his eye doctor this week and we were told his retinas look good and he has a good chance at decent vision. Coming up Levi will start physical therapy and will see his doctors at the specialty clinics. These appointments are meant to follow the more complex issues Levi has and give him a better chance at good outcomes.

On another note the number one protection we were told to give Levi right now is to keep him from respiratory infections. Although this is not a high risk season we still plan to be over protective of him. Right now we are only allowing immediate family to hold him. We are asking everyone to wash up upon entering our house. We are not taking him out except for his doctor appointments. I realize many of you really want to meet him and love on him. We just ask that you bear with us for a while. One cold can put Levi at risk for death or at least a trip to the hospital. We are only at home now because the NICU doctors trusted that we could provide Levi with the high level of care he requires.

Pics From the Week:

Meeting my Cousin Abby For the First Time

Waking Up Sleepy Head Mommy

Big Crib For a Little Guy

Levi Relaxing With His Dog Elwood

Very Sleepy

We obviously new this wouldn't be easy. We knew we would be worn out and wouldn't get to sleep much. Just knowing that doesn't prepare you for it though. We are so blessed to have plenty of help from family so we can catch naps when Levi doesn't want to. Levi also got a visit from his uncle Rajesh this weekend which is always fun. Levi has really made a good transition home. There haven't been any major hiccups and his monitors and oxygen are easy enough to use. He has a pediatrician appointment on Tues and eye doctor appointment on Wed. So please pray for good results. Please pray for Levi to continue growing and his airway to heal. Please pray that he doesn't catch anything now that he is outside of his sterile environment. We plan to keep the blog going so that all of you can follow his development. 

Welcome Home Levi

After 161 days spent in three different Nicus Levi came home today. His final weight was 8lbs 9oz being 7lbs over his birth weight. We are both excited and scared. We were sent on our way with a whole list of medications and upcoming appointments. Please celebrate this victory with us and also continue to pray. Levi still has a long road ahead. We have a heavy load on our shoulders.

Praise God from who all blessings flow