Age: Zero

The days are hastening by in what I can only describe as a typical newborn fog. You know the one- resulting from lack of sleep and the endless cycle of feedings and diaper changes and fussiness. How we are enjoying even this part of normalcy!

Yesterday was Tobias' due date. He is 15 1/2 weeks old and has progressed from a gestational age at birth of 24 1/2 weeks to the full 40 of a typical newborn. For the next 2 years, we will be dealing with two ages for him. He has his age dated from his birth on March 6, but he also has an adjusted age which will date from now, when he should have been born. It is the adjusted age which tells us where he is- or should be- developmentally. For example, a baby normally can sit by the age of 6 months. Since Toby was born 3 1/2 months early, we should expect him to be able to do so by about 9 1/2 months, which is his adjusted age of 6 months. After about 2 years, though, his developmental age and his birth age should equalize.

So we are now enjoying life with a "newborn". Toby is eating and sleeping and growing- with a bit of crying thrown in. We continue to thank God daily for the progress he has made from an untouchable baby with no voice to one who can wail and is cuddly, too. He does has one trick a normal newborn doesn't; when he gets really mad, his heart rate goes up enough to sound the alarm on his monitor. Then we have both a screaming baby and a shrill monitor alarm to deal with. He gets the attention he wants!





Some of you who live in the vicinity have been wondering when Toby will be out and about. First, consider his adjusted age and realise that he is still quite young. He does also have some medical issues even though he is doing great. His doctors have advised me to consider him as "fragile". It can be difficult to remember when he looks so good to me. But he is much more vulnerable to illnesses and more likely to end up hospitalized in this first year. We need to avoid crowds and "large family gatherings". That last makes me laugh, because his home IS a large family gathering. I guess we will deal with that the best we can. His pediatrician here in Hillsdale has said he needs at least a couple of months to adjust to his home environment and also that extra precautions will be needed as we enter the fall and winter seasons with their accompanying health hazards. So please be patient with us as we feel our way forward through the coming months and pray with us that we make wise decisions. Additionally, the other children are already realising that some of their activities are also restricted by Toby's limitations. It is going to be a challenging year as we all adjust.

Medical appointments do get us out and about more than I would like. I am practicing my mule imitation as I pick up Toby in his car seat, my purse, the diaper bag, the monitor, and an oxygen tank just to walk out the door. Set everything down, open the van door, put everything in. Drive. Repeat. You get the picture. And let me tell you, it's impossible to even FAKE looking together and organized when you have so many pieces to hold together. Another thing to be thankful for: it's not winter and we don't have to deal with snow and cold also.

Toby is due back to the eye doctor on Tuesday and the pediatrician on Wednesday. I will let you know how much he has grown and how well he is doing. Judging by the second chin he is adding, I'm sure the news will be good.