Monday, August 17, 2009

No Rest For The Weary!

Now that Bennett is home we have to do some things a little different to help his incision and chest heal. That means no picking him up under the arms, just scooping and no tummy time for several weeks. Tummy time is so important at this age for strengthening just about everything so it bothers me that he can't do this but that doesn't mean that I'm gonna let him slack off! I've got him in all sorts of different positions that will work on holding his head up better and of course I'm always trying to engage him with his toys. At the hospital they gave us the coolest gadget to use for positioning him in many different ways. I have no idea what it's called but it's very soft and flexible and can be used to help keep him on one side, tummy time (eventually), sitting up (eventually) and as you can see in the pictures below, propping up after eating (reflux) and helping him to reach for his toys.

We also got to take home another boppy that is much plumper than the one we had so I'm loving that too. We should be able to resume occupational therapy soon so this little guy doesn't get much of a break. I know, I'm a mean mama. Honestly though, it's amazing how quickly he has bounced back like open heart surgery was nothing.

Oh and remember how I've said Bennett never really crys and he's so easy going? Well, don't get me wrong he's still a great baby and easy going (still sleeping through the night!) but ever since we've been home after surgery he's letting us know that he indeed can cry and it's almost like he's enjoying showing us just how well his little lungs work! He's not crying just to cry but when he's tired or wants to eat or wants his paci, he let's you know and he never really did that before. He's got a little 'tude! Anyways, here are some pictures of him "playing"...


He looks thrilled, doesn't he?
Hello again bug friend.




Okay mommy, I've had enough!

I love that little lip!

13 comments:

  1. He looks GREAT! Of course, he's cute as a 'bug'!
    Don't worry too much about him catching up on his head control. Carly was in the hospital for 31 days her first heart surgery. Within just a couple of weeks after being discharged, she was back to head control without a problem. They bounce back so darn fast. Thank God for that.
    Course, by the time she came home, she was just about to the point of tummy time. She'd been inpatient for darn long. He'll get there. In time!

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  2. what a doll!!! I want to pinch his precious cheeks!!!

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  3. Love the pouty lip! Mattie has one of those too!

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  4. He is seriously so cute! I'm glad to hear he is doing so well and I think it's great that you are encouraging him to do as much as he can!

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  5. what a precious little guy. I remember how fast W bounced back after his surgery. He was 6 1/2 mos...so he was rolling over by then....I think the hardest thing a week after surgery was keeping him off of his tummy. OUCH!

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  6. He is so darn cute - love the lip picture! So glad to hear he is doing well.

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  7. It makes me so happy to see Bennett doing so well. It really calms my nerves to see such immediate progress right after surgery. As terrible as it sounds, I kind of have been specifically not working on Max rolling over so that he won't even want to try after surgery!

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  8. Oh my gosh....he's so adorable! You know, its a good thing I live in SW GA, cuz I would want to hold him all the time!!! And that pouty lip?? Who could resist picking him up after that??? JEB had a few mad faces and they were so adorable. Sometimes you want to just let them cry a little so you can photograph that pitiful face!!!

    Glad he's doing well and that things are sort of getting back to normal for you. When does Ainsley start preschool???

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  9. Adrienne - at our hospital (Children's Hospital of Wisconsin) the surgeons and physcial therapists both agreed that tummy time could be resumed right away. You might want to ask around. I eased Magdalena back into it by having her up on my chest and slouching myself down lower and lower. From there we went tummy time with the boppy and then just yesterday I put her flat down on her belly. The key is to just take it easy and listen to the baby - he'll let you know if he's not comfortable!

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  10. Oh, gosh, not being able to pick B up under his arms after surgery (FOR TWO MONTHS!!!) was the WORST part of the entire ordeal!

    Bennett's faces are priceless! What a cutie!!

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  11. You are doing great... perfect, creative ideas to keep Bennett working on those important developmental milestones! And so glad he is doing well and enjoying the new activities (well, most of the time)... ;-)

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  12. Doing great Bennett! While your mommy is busy trying to get you working on certain developmental milestones, you're working on communicating! Way to go little guy!! ;-)

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  13. I am so glad Bennett is doing well!! I absolutely love his little pouty lip!

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