Thursday, April 3, 2014

On your mark, get set, GROW!

Zacchaio has been having bi-weekly pediatrician visits (in addition to seeing his specialists), however that all changed today! Only once a month from here on out.

At 1.2 months (adjusted age) he weighed in at 9 pounds 14 ounces and measured in at 21.5 inches. This puts him in the 50th percentile on the growth chart in both height AND weight! I'm usually not one to celebrate mediocrity, but in his case, way to be average, little buddy! Being in the middle of the pack after such a rough start to the race (the equivalent of an untied shoe, side cramp, rolled ankle in a pot hole, etc.) is cause for celebration! We (pediatrician included) have been pleasantly surprised and impressed with his weight gain, especially considering how newly introduced to nursing he is and that he came down with croup 5 days ago. I know, right? He was put through the ringer in the NICU, finally leaves the germy hospital and then gets acutely ill. Ugh. His bark has fortunately disappeared (with the help of essential oils and humidified air) but his cough is still moist. But even in the midst of sickness, Zacchaio has been in great spirits. In fact, his spirits inspired him to have his first social smile yesterday, and what a beautiful site it was! I tell you, he has the most endearing left dimple. Yes, singular. The nevus skin on his right cheek is stubborn and refuses to acknowledge joy. Seriously speaking, socially smiling is a major milestone for Zacchaio and we weren't sure when or if it would ever come. It is a stepping stone in his develop that strengthens our confidence that he is in fact advancing neurologically. 

Barring unanticipated cardiac changes, his heart monitor will go away in a few days and we'll finally be wire-free. I can't wait! The dangling silver cardiac monitor has never managed to complement a single one of his outfits. Hehe. 

Next check-ins are with neurology and cardiology next week. 

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