Lochlan's synthetic thyroid hormone dosage is down to 12.5 mcg, and while the pediatric endocrinologist believes that he should remain on the medication until he is three years old (as do we), he hinted that there is a possibility that this could be a result of his early birth or just a slow starting thyroid. Either way, we are scheduled for another blood test in about a month. That test will determine whether or not his TSH is still suppressed, which would (I think) mean another decrease. This whole process, while it started off as stressful and scary, has been really easy to deal with thanks to the wonderful team at MUSC. Any time that I have a question, I can just call their pediatric department and get an answer within that day. Considering it is an extremely busy teaching hospital, it's great to know that they care enough to get back to you so quickly. I'm really glad that we live in an area that has such a great hospital with pediatric specialists available within an hour from our home.
Currently, we are dealing with a particularly nasty respiratory virus, so the poor little guy has been miserable for about a week. It started with some pretty yucky nasal gunk around Wednesday of last week. I wrote it off as his first official cold until he started coughing on Saturday morning. Of course, I asked my mommy friends and they all attested that taking him to the doctor would be futile for a small cough as he most likely had a virus that could not be treated. Though they did suggest to take him if he started to become wheezy. On Sunday he started to have a bit of a decreased appetite, only eating 30 oz. instead of his typical 36 oz. Again, I chalked it up to the nasal drainage and overall kucky feeling that a cold would bring. Monday night into Tuesday morning was unbelievably rough. He wouldn't fall asleep unless I or his daddy was holding him, and he cried for almost an hour before he settled in to sleep with us in our bed. Thankfully he slept until close to 6am. Tuesday when we picked him up from daycare, his caretaker let us know that he was very fussy all day and barely ate. When we got home that evening, we were able to get him to eat two solid bottles, which brought his total for Tuesday just about 28 oz. I made an appointment for 1pm on Thursday just in case things didn't get any better.
Being the child of a nurse, I was still pretty sure that the nugget just had a typical cold. I mean, seriously, kids run fevers when they have infections! Nope, not mine! At least not this time! Wednesday he woke up with a wheezy cough, so I bumped the appointment from Thursday to that day, and lo and behold the booger has a respiratory infection. They did an albuteral (sp?) treatment in the office, but it really didn't change anything too much when they listened, and apparently they don't send those machines home anymore because research has shown they don't really do anything. Who knew. Now we just watch really closely to make sure that it does not progress to bronchialitis or pneumonia. He goes back next Friday for a follow up listen to his lungs. This particular virus can last up to two weeks, so I'm hoping that we're about a week in and everything will be cleared up by the middle of next week. Fingers crossed!
About two weeks after my last update, Lochlan proved me completely wrong on a number of accounts. Here's the official run down:
Length: 25 inches
Milestones: He's rolling back to belly and belly to back, and has been since about a week after our last update, which is ridiculously early...especially since he was born three weeks early!
He has two teeth. TWO! TEETH! He started slobbering like a kid in a candy store and gnawing on his hands like crazy around the beginning of four months, and by my birthday, November 22, you could see the white of the first tooth and feel a bit of the ridge. About a week ago, the second one broke through!
Sleep: Since moving him to his crib, he's been getting up at 11 pm and 3 am again. I thought we might be getting to the end of that too, but then he got sick :-( so we're back to not sleeping well. He's back in the napper next to our bed until this respiratory virus clears up.
Eating: Before he got sick, he was up to 32-36 oz. a day. He's started to become extremely interested in us when we eat. I'm not sure if the curiosity is directed towards the food or towards us in general. I'm still hoping to wait another month before introducing solids.
Mood: He has been VERY smiley over the past month, but he still only laughs once in a blue moon.
Likes: He LOVES his little rainbow sock monkey. I have a feeling that this toy is going to be his favorite for a while. It caught his attention a few months ago, but now he lights up like a goober when you pick it up to give it to him.
Dislikes: As evident this week (since he's been sick), he HATES having his nose suctioned, and he's really starting to notice who he knows and who he doesn't. He burst into a scream and some serious tears at the endocrinologist appointment when the doctor started to examine him.
Things I want to remember: All of the baby snuggles and the little (yet HUGE) personality that is emerging!
Looking forward to: Christmas with both our family and friends!
