First Week at Home Recap

It's hard to believe that a week ago today, we arrived back home with our new son.  We've really adjusted well considering it's only been 7 days.  Already, we can't imagine what our lives were like without Silas.  It's like he's always been with us.   We've learned so much about him this week--his quirks, his likes, his dislikes.  His big dislikes are going to bed and getting his diaper changed.  Up until this week, he also hated baths.  But, the last two baths, he's been really having fun playing in the water with his toys, so we might be over that little hurdle.    Everything seems to get better and better with time.

One other thing Silas dislikes is being examined by doctors.  Unfortunately, he had to endure two doctor visits this week, and he did really well at both.  He had his first pediatrician appointment on Thursday.  The doctor thinks he looks great.  We'll be getting blood work during the coming week just to confirm that he is in as good health as he appears.  I suspect we will be adding blood draws to the list of Silas' dislikes.  Not looking forward to that.

According to the doctor, Silas' biggest challenge (and it's not that big) is weight.  While he's in the 25th percentile for height, he's below the growth charts for weight.  So we're doing everything we can to make sure Silas is eating nutritious, calorie-dense foods and drinking lots of milk.  Who knew my expertise in gaining weight would come in handy one day!  :)  We suspect Silas will be taking after his dad in the speedy metabolism department, though.  He has a ravenous appetite and burns like a furnace at night.

Silas' second doctor's appointment was with the oral surgeon.  Silas' cleft palate was repaired in February when he was still in China, but he has two areas (fistulae) in the roof of his mouth that either opened up or were left open.  They don't seem to bother Silas, except when he eats.  No matter how hard he tries, food always escapes through the fistulae into his nasal cavity, and either runs out his nose while he's eating, or gets sneezed out later.  If he gets too uncomfortable, he stops eating, which is not good for his weight.  The oral surgeon did not think the fistulae were beneficial, but is not sure we need to put him through another surgery right away.  So, Silas will be evaluated by the entire cleft team (which includes an audiologist, a speech therapist, an ear nose and throat doctor, and an orthodontist) to see whether they can recommend surgical closure at this juncture.   When he is evaluated, the doctors will determine whether Silas needs ear tubes.  Ear infections due to a backup of middle ear fluid are especially common with cleft kids.  So, ear tubes are almost a guarantee.  We suspect that once the doctors confer, they will see the benefit of inserting ear tubes and closing the fistulae in one surgery.  But, we'll see.

Here's a link to another video of Silas doing his best James Brown impression: http://www.youtube.com/user/jenbri6268#p/a/u/0/e-CDYqZ2R50   Enjoy!