April 19, 2004

Brett and I have taken some pictures of Jacob and his adorable smile- Check out the new pics on the Yahoo album! (Link on homepage)

Get ready to see an even chunkier Jacob! Late last week I started adding rice cereal to J's formula (once a day). Having a fuller belly means sleeping longer, so I give it to him in his evening feeding. That lets Mommy get more sleep too! Also, in the next week or two (depending on Brett's next weekend off) we are going to take Jacob to meet his Great Grandmother (Brett's Grandmother) Bernita "Bunny" Smith, in Overland Park, Kansas.

April 12, 2004

Jacob's eye appointment with Doctor Varenhorst this morning went very well. Both eyes still look the same. In the right eye, the last surgery didn’t help some scar tissue, so Dr. V would like to perform another exam under anesthesia at the hospital. If he thinks further surgery would help, he will do it at that time. We will check Jacob in at the hospital at 7am on April 22nd. Whether or not the exam turns into surgery, he will have to stay overnight as a precaution due to his prematurity. Nothing was discussed regarding the left eye (Brett took Jacob alone this time), but I would imagine Dr. V wants to do what he can with the better eye, the right, then try to help the left.

I have faith that everything will be ok, and that Jacob will come out of this with some vision. I dread having to take him to the hospital again, but I will be a strong Mommy for him!

April 10, 2004

Happy Easter weekend to everyone! We don't have any big plans for Jacob's first Easter. Grandma Smith was going to visit from Dodge City, Kansas but decided to wait until next weekend when Grandpa can come too. We may take Jacob to my parent’s house tomorrow for a relaxing afternoon, but plans are still in the works.

Last night Jacob had a great time, and received lots of attention at "Band Practice." (For those that don't know, My Dad has been in a band with a close family friend since I was a toddler. They met and started playing music back when we lived in California, then years later both of our families moved to Kansas.) There were old friends and new friends with plenty of people taking turns holding the Fighter! I thought all the excitement would have Jacob sleep through the night- wishful thinking!

Monday morning Jacob will see Dr. V for another eye exam. I will update the site as soon as I can! Please keep J in your prayers!

April 6, 2004

Wow, it's hard to believe the Fighter is seven months old! Of course, he isn't where a seven month old should be developmentally, but he'll catch up! He is starting to smile a lot and I know it won't be long before we hear a laugh. Right now, he does make a noise when he smiles, but it's not quite a laugh yet. Also, when something is placed in his hand, like a rattle for example, he holds on tight and swings his arm around for a few seconds before letting go! It is so exciting to see him grow and develop!

April 3, 2004

Things in Fighter Land are just great. I finally broke out the 3-6 month clothes and washed them. Some of the pants are still a bit too big, but he'll grow into them. On Tuesday, a Speech Therapist with Rainbows United came over to visit with Jacob. She suggested we continue using the Haberman nipple Jacob has been using since he was in the hospital, as well as continue giving him chin and cheek support to help him make a good seal around the bottle. The therapist also recommended we start giving Jacob rice cereal. I bought some and will start that soon!

January 28, 2004

Unfortunately, Tuesday's eye exam didn't go well for the Fighter. Not only is his left eye worsening, but the right, which has been stable for the past month, is worse also. Dr. Varenhorst will continue to check him weekly for the time being and later consider a more invasive surgery involving surgically reattaching the retina. Another surgery would mean long anesthesia time, re-intubation and, due to the vascularity of his eyes, the possibility of hemorrhaging. I will continue to update you on his condition and in the meantime ask for your prayers that Jacob will come through this with enough vision to function. 

Mommy News: Today I officially resigned as proofreader for Feist Publications, Inc. Though I greatly enjoyed my job and those that I worked with, I decided to pursue an opportunity that would allow me to work from home. I work for www.insitemotion.com as the Senior Editor. After training is completed, I will be working 75% of the time from home. I feel very blessed.

January 26, 2004

No updates in a week? I'm a terrible Mom! No, I'm kidding! We had some major problems going on with our computer, which prevented me from editing the site. Forgive me and please read on for the lasted on the Fighter. 

At 8lbs, the Fighter is doing great! Though he's nearing his 5-month birthday, he has just started acting like a newborn baby. Sleep through the night? No, not Jacob. But that's ok! He can sleep whenever he wants. We all know that's not the best way to get him on a schedule, but after all he's been through, why not let him do whatever he wants? After all, he deserves it.

- Jacob had an eye exam last Monday, which went well. His left eye, the one the Scleral Buckling surgery was performed on, isn't improving. The right eye on the other hand, is looking good. He will visit with Dr. Varenhorst again Jan 27th and will most likely continue weekly visits.

On Sunday, January 25th, a "thank you" note printed in the Wichita Eagle, Wichita's newspaper, thanking the staff of Wesley Medical Center's NICU for all they did for Jacob. The note read, "To the staff of Wesley Medical Center's NICU; Words cannot express our gratitude for your medical expertise and emotional support during the most difficult time of our lives. Because of you, our son, a 24-week preemie, is home healthy today. God bless you all. Sincerely, Brett and Trish Smith." Saying thank you in the newspaper was the least I could do for the people that kept my son alive and kept Brett and I emotionally stable. They are truly amazing.