I have no idea where I left off, so let's just start with Patrick's ultrasound, because I don't have that much to say about it. We went to the our home away from home, BGMC, and had a quick ultrasound. It was the same thing that Brady had a few months back. They were just checking his kidneys to make sure that there weren't any complications from the urinary tract infection. We didn't hear anything from them, or the pediatrician, so I think we are good. We stopped by the NICU to see our old friends, and they were all very excited. They couldn't believe how big they were getting! Patrick had to chance to snuggle with Amanda, his day primary nurse. Brady was cuddled too, don't worry!
Last time we talked, Patrick was still on oxygen. We had gone to see the Cardiologist and she had said to leave him on it for awhile, but if he does well on it, to start testing him, and take it off for a hour to see how he does. I didn't do this, because I was to scared. Craig isn't scared, so he did, haha. He was actually sating in between 92-100, so Craig decided to try him off of the oxygen, and he did well. We kept him during the day, but on it at night. Then we took it off of him at night. The monitor was always on, because we wanted to see how he did. Once he started breathing better, and sating high all the time, it all went off. I put it on him twice a week or two later at night, when it looked like he was breathing harder, but he was okay, so I took it off. I don't miss it. It was loud, woke everyone up at night, and was a pain to carry around. Now it is with us, but not on him, just in case. We see the cardiologist this week so we will find out about his surgery. He is up to a big 9 pounds 13 ounces as of Wednesday, so he is almost at his surgery weight. This is great, yet so scary.
Next, we had Christmas! Christmas was fun, yet a little hectic. There was a lot of people, and it was loud, so the boys were a little overstimulated. On Christmas eve, we opened a few presents from family, and had a nice dinner. On Christmas day, we opened presents from Santa, and then headed to Craig's family for dinner and more presents. A few days before the holidays, I dressed the boys up and had a little photo shoot. This did not go well, and yet, I laughed the while time. They both dressed up in their Christmas outfits, and I sat them up under the tree. Brady, was great, he always smiles and is happy. Patrick on the other hand, is a little fussy when it comes to sitting up and staying still. I had to give him Sweet-ease, which is a sugar water that they use to calm down infants in the hospital, in between each shot to get him to stop crying.
My little Elf!
Gingerbread Patrick
After I took what I needed, I rushed Patrick the changing table, changed him out of his hot clothes, and got him settle in bed. The whole time I was doing this, (as I'm sweating from running back and forth) I was calling to Brady, telling him he was being so good because he was being so quiet, and that I would be right there. I run over to the tree, and this is what I find... 
Here are some of the pics of and Christmas Day!
There was a lot more, but I'll save you the boredom...
I guess next was New Years night. We didn't do a lot. I did, however, dress the boys up in their little Northwestern Tee shirts for the big game. They won!!!! Whoo hoo!
The neighbors brought their fire pit over, and we sat outside, and watched a few fireworks. It was fun. The boys slept through it, but I decorated their bassinet while they were sleeping, and then put hats on them afterwards, haha.
I think the last thing appointment was Patrick's Early Steps. We went yesterday, and of course, Patrick was tired, so he didn't perform well. We woke up at 7 am, like always. He took two naps for about 20 minutes. We headed out for our appointment at 1130, since we had to drop Brady off at grandma's house. Craig had to work, and I couldn't do this appointment by myself with two kids. They ask a lot of questions.We got there at 1230, for a 1pm time. I see his old NICU doctor, and I laugh. He is a older guy with a heavy Italian accent, who speaks very quietly. When we first started in thr NICU, we used to have the nurses translate for us, because he was hard to understand. At the end of our stay, we understood him completely, which tells me that we were there to long. He used to mess up their names and he would laugh. On a few occasions he would call them B ratty and Pay-trick. Then he would say I mean Brady and Patrick, hahaha.We ended up waiting in the lobby for like 30 minutes. Patrick starts crying because he is hungry. I feed him half a bottle because I know they like to see him eat. The girl at the front desk hands me paperwork, and I fill it out. Meanwhile there is another lady next to me, who I didn't pay any attention to, and I went back out to hand them my stuff. They tell me I can feed him, and he is happy to hear that! I go back into my waiting area with the quiet lady, and I look up at her baby....I know this kid! It was Patrick's neighbor in the NICU, the one he used to watch movies with! Their beds were next to each other for the month that he was re-admitted.We started talking for awhile before we went in. It's now almost 2pm. We get brought into a room, and wait for another 30 minutes...ughhh, Patrick is starting to get annoyed. Finally his doctor comes in. He says "Oh Patrick...how are you doing today? (as he chuckles to himself.) I laughed and asked him what he did when he saw his name on his appointment book today? He laughed. He did an exam, and asked a bunch of questions, then the OT girl and other, whatever, she was, did her exam. The results were pretty much the same thing as Brady. Only his goals were harder, which is dumb being that he is a little more behind than Brady. They graded him on looking around and responding to voice. He didn't really look at the nurses, but as soon as he heard me, he focused right in on me. He lifted up his head during tummy time, but not long enough to please them. The OT girl said no more back time, only on tummy for now on, that will help his head to, because she said it is to flat. I laughed. First of all, they are sleeping on their back. Second, when I am home for 24 hours, I will lay them down in whatever position it takes for them to get a nap in. Third, they lay on their tummy for about 10 minutes before they get pissed and try to smother themselves, and begin to angry rage cry. So, again, not happening. I just said okay and smiled. They said rehab twice a week. They want him in OT twice, and PT twice. Rehab said that they don't need to be there that much. I will let them fight that out. I want to give Patrick as much help as he needs. If they say 5 times a week, I'll go. End results. Brady has to learn to hold his head up for thirty seconds, sit up for 5 seconds, and rollover. Patrick, who needs extra help, has to hold his head up for a minute, sit up for 5 seconds, roll from front to back, back to front, and grab for toys on his belly......hahah, what? How does he have more stuff to do? Silly nurses.
I think that is it for now. We see the Cardiologist on Monday, so I will let you know how that goes!
Love to all!
The Connor Family
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