15 weeks old

So alert

Oliver is 15 weeks old today, actual age, still negative in adjusted age.  But not for long.  This coming up Sunday, Dec 16, is my due date.  It's hard to believe I should still be pregnant.  It's hard to remember what being pregnant is like.  Oliver now weighs 6 lbs 15.6 ounces.  He's already bigger than Nathaniel was at birth.  Now that he's the size of a "regular" baby, it's hard to remember that he still can't be treated like a regular baby.  His senses are still very sensitive.  Many babies born at his age have hearing problems, but not our boy.  He jumps at any loud noise at all, and some not so loud.  Unlike term babies who like to be rocked side to side, he actually needs to be rocked head to toe.  The physical therapists work with him, and me, every day to break my habit of soothing a term baby, and training me on ways to handle a preemie.  When he's home, a physical therapist will visit us at home for a year or more, continuing to work with us on new exercises.  Lights still bother him, and although he's entered the stage of having lights on during the day, they're still pretty dim.



Mobile providing entertainment

Although Oliver will need glasses for nearsightedness, right now his vision is right on track with any newborn's, seeing best in the 12-18 inch range.  In a couple of months, though, while a term newborn's vision would continue to expand, his won't, and we'll get him fit for glasses when he's about 3 months old adjusted.  He has a mobile that he loves to watch and listen to.  Oliver had his weekly ROP exam today, but I haven't received the results yet.  The eye surgeon and his neonatologist will work together to determine whether he should have the laser surgery before he is discharged, or if it can wait.  They would prefer he have it before he leaves the hospital, because being ventilated again could set him back some, but if his eyes are still improving they hate to do it too soon, when they could still get better.

His right hand is almost always up near his face

There is the same discussion going on with his needed hernia surgery.  Some of the docs think they should give it extra time.  His nurse, however, really feels he should have it before he's discharged.  Veronica also wants to see them do it with just a spinal instead of putting him fully under, so that he won't have to be ventilated for it.  It's really too bad they can't do both at the same time.

Another Christmas outfit

Oliver has already outgrown preemie clothes, and is making his way through the NICU's stash of newborn Christmas outfits.  He's out of newborn diapers and into size ones.  Good thing I didn't buy any newborns.

Worn out after physical therapy

It hasn't really felt like Christmas for us, since we're so far from home and all our usual traditions.  Friday night we took Nathaniel to the zoo for their yearly Zoo Lights festival.  It finally felt like Christmas!  Nathaniel loved the lights, but didn't seem to notice the animals, except the giraffes.  They were hard to miss.

Pretty lights!

Usually I'd have Christmas cards made by now, and ready to go out, but I'm still waiting on getting some pictures back of Oliver.  AND... I was planning on taking some pictures of Nathaniel in a Christmas outfit this week, but then I dropped a bowl on his face and gave him a black eye. 

Way to go, Mama.

Eventually, I'll get some decent pictures, make cards, and get them out, but it may be cutting it close or even a little late.  I think this year, people will understand.