Dear all,
I am taking the plunge and moving over to WordPress. I will keep all these posts up on here but have also uploaded them on our new WordPress page. One of the main reasons we are moving over is because I can make some (but don't need to make all) posts private.
Please visit us at http://soniaandjong.wordpress.com/
By the way, I finally posted some pictures from our US trip up on our WordPress page and should be loading up Halloween pictures tomorrow night!
Sonia
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Finally, update re Isaac's appointments in the US
Dear all,
Sorry it took me so long to update. Jet lagged kicked me in the behind all week last week and things have been crazy this week. We are going through some big life changes that will happen towards the end of this year so things have been even more crazy as usual.
Anyway, Isaac's evaluation went quite well. It seems like the occupational therapy and physiotherapy he has received have really helped him. I have put physiotherapy temporary on hold right now as we are still trying to get our insurance company to approve coverage of all of his therapy. I figured he needs occupational therapy more than his physiotherapy right now so we have continued with occupational therapy despite the risk that we may not get reimbursed for those sessions. In any case, I digress. His fine and motor skills are slowly catching up. As expected, he is very, very behind in speech as he is still basically non verbal. He was rated at 12 months for speech.
We also checked his eyes out and were relieved to receive confirmation that his myopia is still mild so he probably won't need glasses for a year or two.
We were, however, a bit surprised to find out that he has suffered most likely permanent hearing loss. We actually didn't think he needed his hearing checked as his doctors here didn't think he needed it. However, because his speech has been so delayed, I thought I should get his hearing checked just in case. So thank the Lord we did. However, since Isaac wouldn't keep headphones on, we were not able to get precise results so the pediatric audiologist recommended that Isaac gets ABR testing done before he gets fitted with hearing aids. We are still trying to figure out whether we can go back to the US to get this done or not. If anyone has any experience with ABR testing and having their toddler fitted with hearing aids, I would love to hear about your experience. I am trying to figure out whether it is possible to do the ABR testing and get Isaac fitted with hearing aids within about a week. This is because if I were to go back to the US to get this done, I would go with Isaac alone (without Abigail) and I don't want to leave her for too long.
So all in all, it was a very good visit for us. Although I was a little sad to find out that our little boy will probably need to use hearing aids for the rest of his life, I am glad to find out perhaps one of the reasons why he is so speech delayed. In addition, as I say all the time, things could have been so much worse for him, this is really don't that big a deal in the scheme of things. One thing I am curious about is when he does need glasses, how we can fit glasses on top of hearing aids (when kids are still growing, the hearing aids will have the plastic tubing on them so that they don't have to get new hearing aids fitted all the time as their ears grow bigger).
Isaac began speech therapy last week after we returned from the US. So far, Isaac has not been cooperative at all during speech therapy as he refuses to make any sounds. So the sessions have seem to be very ineffective to me as a layman. I guess we will see if he makes any progress after a few more sessions.
On another front, Isaac seems to be a teeny little bit more adventurous with what kind of food/texture he is willing to put in his mouth. He ate his first grape this week. He has never been able to chew and swallow grapes. He has put grapes in his mouth but he would spit it back out. This just happened yesterday though today he put it in his mouth and spit it back out but I still think its progress. Plus he is now willing to eat spinach without it being pureed though he likes using his heads and picking up the spinach stems (funny boys doesn't like the leaves) and putting them in his mouth like he is trying to eat noodles with his hands. Unfortunately we also discovered that he is mildly allergic to olive oil. He was eating my spinach yesterday which was stir fried with olive oil. After eating a bunch of them, the skin around his mouth got red and blotchy. Actually, this isn't really a new discovery. He had a skin reaction over a year ago when I added olive oil to his baby food and it got on his face as well. We stopped giving him olive oil after that so now I guess we confirmed the allergy. I think being allergic to olive oil is very, very rare so this was suprising. Jong is now wondering may be Isaac's food aversions might be partly related to allergies we may not have discovered yet. So if Hallie's mom is reading this, how did you discover what Hallie is allergic to? I mean, Isaac doesn't throw up his food. He has been tested for some allergies - some nuts, shellfish, etc. and he didn't seem to be allergic to anything except for peanuts and now olive oil?
Well, unfortunately, my head is killing me right now so I will sign off for now. I will try to put some pictures on later.
Take care,
Sonia
Sorry it took me so long to update. Jet lagged kicked me in the behind all week last week and things have been crazy this week. We are going through some big life changes that will happen towards the end of this year so things have been even more crazy as usual.
Anyway, Isaac's evaluation went quite well. It seems like the occupational therapy and physiotherapy he has received have really helped him. I have put physiotherapy temporary on hold right now as we are still trying to get our insurance company to approve coverage of all of his therapy. I figured he needs occupational therapy more than his physiotherapy right now so we have continued with occupational therapy despite the risk that we may not get reimbursed for those sessions. In any case, I digress. His fine and motor skills are slowly catching up. As expected, he is very, very behind in speech as he is still basically non verbal. He was rated at 12 months for speech.
We also checked his eyes out and were relieved to receive confirmation that his myopia is still mild so he probably won't need glasses for a year or two.
We were, however, a bit surprised to find out that he has suffered most likely permanent hearing loss. We actually didn't think he needed his hearing checked as his doctors here didn't think he needed it. However, because his speech has been so delayed, I thought I should get his hearing checked just in case. So thank the Lord we did. However, since Isaac wouldn't keep headphones on, we were not able to get precise results so the pediatric audiologist recommended that Isaac gets ABR testing done before he gets fitted with hearing aids. We are still trying to figure out whether we can go back to the US to get this done or not. If anyone has any experience with ABR testing and having their toddler fitted with hearing aids, I would love to hear about your experience. I am trying to figure out whether it is possible to do the ABR testing and get Isaac fitted with hearing aids within about a week. This is because if I were to go back to the US to get this done, I would go with Isaac alone (without Abigail) and I don't want to leave her for too long.
So all in all, it was a very good visit for us. Although I was a little sad to find out that our little boy will probably need to use hearing aids for the rest of his life, I am glad to find out perhaps one of the reasons why he is so speech delayed. In addition, as I say all the time, things could have been so much worse for him, this is really don't that big a deal in the scheme of things. One thing I am curious about is when he does need glasses, how we can fit glasses on top of hearing aids (when kids are still growing, the hearing aids will have the plastic tubing on them so that they don't have to get new hearing aids fitted all the time as their ears grow bigger).
Isaac began speech therapy last week after we returned from the US. So far, Isaac has not been cooperative at all during speech therapy as he refuses to make any sounds. So the sessions have seem to be very ineffective to me as a layman. I guess we will see if he makes any progress after a few more sessions.
On another front, Isaac seems to be a teeny little bit more adventurous with what kind of food/texture he is willing to put in his mouth. He ate his first grape this week. He has never been able to chew and swallow grapes. He has put grapes in his mouth but he would spit it back out. This just happened yesterday though today he put it in his mouth and spit it back out but I still think its progress. Plus he is now willing to eat spinach without it being pureed though he likes using his heads and picking up the spinach stems (funny boys doesn't like the leaves) and putting them in his mouth like he is trying to eat noodles with his hands. Unfortunately we also discovered that he is mildly allergic to olive oil. He was eating my spinach yesterday which was stir fried with olive oil. After eating a bunch of them, the skin around his mouth got red and blotchy. Actually, this isn't really a new discovery. He had a skin reaction over a year ago when I added olive oil to his baby food and it got on his face as well. We stopped giving him olive oil after that so now I guess we confirmed the allergy. I think being allergic to olive oil is very, very rare so this was suprising. Jong is now wondering may be Isaac's food aversions might be partly related to allergies we may not have discovered yet. So if Hallie's mom is reading this, how did you discover what Hallie is allergic to? I mean, Isaac doesn't throw up his food. He has been tested for some allergies - some nuts, shellfish, etc. and he didn't seem to be allergic to anything except for peanuts and now olive oil?
Well, unfortunately, my head is killing me right now so I will sign off for now. I will try to put some pictures on later.
Take care,
Sonia
Monday, October 13, 2008
We are back from the US
We went to California for a week and just got back last night. We are all very jet lagged right now so I will write an update in the next few days. Isaac got a full developmental evaluation at CHOC and also got his hearing and his eyes checked out. It was Abigail's first time to meet her paternal grandmother, grandfather and uncle as well.
Anyway, for now, I will post a very cute video of Abigail in the jumperoo today. She LOVES her jumperoo these days and didn't get to be in one for a full week. Both kids are very happy to be home.
Anyway, for now, I will post a very cute video of Abigail in the jumperoo today. She LOVES her jumperoo these days and didn't get to be in one for a full week. Both kids are very happy to be home.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Blessed Be Your Name
I don't know what it is like for those of you who are healing from the grief of losing someone you love dearly, but its very easy for Jong and I to cry while singing praises to our Lord. Well, this was the first song we sang this past Sunday so we got started early this Sunday! The part in bold really gets to us (in a good way).
Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
- - -
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
- - -
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Isaac's growth
Isaac had a check up at St. Luke's Hospital today so we have a new set of measurements:
Weight: 11.51 kg
Height: 86.5 cm
I came home and immediately checked to see where he is on growth charts. I am so happy he is actually ON both growth charts now - based on both his adjusted age AND TADA his actual age!!! Plus this is a US growth chart and Isaac is ethnically Asian so I think he is doing okay!
Please see for yourself!
(Please click on the charts to see a bigger version)
Growth chart based on his adjusted age:
Growth chart based on his actual age:
I also tried out one of those height predictor sites. The problem is I am not sure if we are supposed to be going on his actual birthday or his adjusted birthday. If we go by his actual birthday, his height is predicted to be only 5'6" but if we go by his adjusted age, his height is predicted to be 5'10"! I sure hope we are supposed to go by his adjusted age!
Sonia
Weight: 11.51 kg
Height: 86.5 cm
I came home and immediately checked to see where he is on growth charts. I am so happy he is actually ON both growth charts now - based on both his adjusted age AND TADA his actual age!!! Plus this is a US growth chart and Isaac is ethnically Asian so I think he is doing okay!
Please see for yourself!
(Please click on the charts to see a bigger version)
Growth chart based on his adjusted age:
Growth chart based on his actual age:
I also tried out one of those height predictor sites. The problem is I am not sure if we are supposed to be going on his actual birthday or his adjusted birthday. If we go by his actual birthday, his height is predicted to be only 5'6" but if we go by his adjusted age, his height is predicted to be 5'10"! I sure hope we are supposed to go by his adjusted age!Sonia
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Abigail's first attempt at solids plus some sibling pictures
We tried giving Abigail a little bit of rice cereal tonight. Since daddy isn't home to see this, here is the video!
Here are also some pictures. Usually Isaac is not that interested in Abigail but we got him to kiss her. :)
And here is one to show off Isaac's and Abigail's cool ride (its the Doubles Vibe from Phil and Ted's, a Kiwi maker).
Sonia
Here are also some pictures. Usually Isaac is not that interested in Abigail but we got him to kiss her. :)
And here is one to show off Isaac's and Abigail's cool ride (its the Doubles Vibe from Phil and Ted's, a Kiwi maker).
Sonia
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Children with special needs inspire a very, very special love
The following excerpt was from Sarah Palin's speech tonight
That completely choked me up. There are a whole lot of other reasons why I am voting for the McCain-Palin ticket this November but when she says this kind of stuff, it definitely helps me feel really good about my decision!And we were so blessed in April. Todd and I welcomed our littlest one into the world, a perfectly beautiful baby boy named Trig.
You know, from the inside, no family ever seems typical, and that’s how it is with us. Our family has the same ups and downs as any other, the same challenges and the same joys.
Sometimes even the greatest joys bring challenge. And children with special needs inspire a very, very special love.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Isaac finally saying La La La La La!!!!
I am so excited. Isaac has been saying La La La La La a lot the past few days. I have never seen him use his tongue in his speech. He is now playing with his tongue while making sounds. Before he would play with his tongue by licking things, using his hands to hold/pinch his tongue. He even goes around saying La La La La La with a more higher pitch tone so I think he is singing.
He is still not saying words except for the word "car" but he seems to be making more different kinds of sounds lately. I started reading the book Becoming Verbal with Childhood Apraxia and have trying out vocal synchrony with him, including imitating the sounds he makes with him (I have been imitating his sounds with him before but I am doing it more since I started reading the book.
Oh and it looks like we should be able to get an SLP to start working with Isaac in October. Please keep praying for that to work out! Thanks!
Sonia
He is still not saying words except for the word "car" but he seems to be making more different kinds of sounds lately. I started reading the book Becoming Verbal with Childhood Apraxia and have trying out vocal synchrony with him, including imitating the sounds he makes with him (I have been imitating his sounds with him before but I am doing it more since I started reading the book.
Oh and it looks like we should be able to get an SLP to start working with Isaac in October. Please keep praying for that to work out! Thanks!
Sonia
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Jumperoo and Cracking Up
First of all, I have to confess how dumb I feel. We used to have this digital camera that was pretty old. We could take short video clips with it but the quality of the video was not good. The only videos I have of Rachel before she went to heaven and our early videos of Isaac were recorded with this camera. Then a few days after Rachel and Isaac were born, Jong got a video camera. It wasn't a digital video camera but one that recorded on tape and then we were able to convert the video from tape to digital. It was a long and tedious task but that's what I did for all of the videos I have uploaded on here. May be half a year ago or so (or may be even longer ago), I switched laptops and we never got the driver to recognize the video camera and the software to convert the videos to digital installed on my laptop so I was not able to upload any videos. This is part of the reason why I haven't uploaded any videos for so long. On top of that, I have not been good at getting the video camera out as it was larger.
In the meantime, around when Isaac got out of his home quarantine in May 2007, we got a new compact digital camera (we also got a Nikon D40x later but now I have lost the charger for the Nikon so I haven't used that in a while). Its an Olympus U830. And for some reason, it NEVER occurred to me that I could use it for videos. I guess because I just assumed the quality would be bad like our older camera. So I was clueless this entire time until Ellen came and actually used our Olympus to record some short clips of Isaac and Abigail. So its so easy now - I can carry around the compact camera and take pictures and videos!!!! And the video files are already in digital form so I don't have to spend anytime other than the short time it takes to copy the files over! I just feel so dumb!!!! I barely have any videos of Abigail until recently!
So to make things up and since daddy is not here right now, I am loading two new videos from today.
First one was from this morning before I left for work with Abigail in the jumperoo:
Second one was from this evening showing Remy making Isaac and Abigail completely cracking up:
Sonia
In the meantime, around when Isaac got out of his home quarantine in May 2007, we got a new compact digital camera (we also got a Nikon D40x later but now I have lost the charger for the Nikon so I haven't used that in a while). Its an Olympus U830. And for some reason, it NEVER occurred to me that I could use it for videos. I guess because I just assumed the quality would be bad like our older camera. So I was clueless this entire time until Ellen came and actually used our Olympus to record some short clips of Isaac and Abigail. So its so easy now - I can carry around the compact camera and take pictures and videos!!!! And the video files are already in digital form so I don't have to spend anytime other than the short time it takes to copy the files over! I just feel so dumb!!!! I barely have any videos of Abigail until recently!
So to make things up and since daddy is not here right now, I am loading two new videos from today.
First one was from this morning before I left for work with Abigail in the jumperoo:
Second one was from this evening showing Remy making Isaac and Abigail completely cracking up:
Sonia
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Bonus Video of Abigail
I tried to upload this video file onto photobucket but it didn't work and then I realized that I could just use blogger video! This is a video Ellen took while trying to get Abigail to laugh. Ellen was successful in at least getting Abigail to smile. I have GOT to try to get a video of her cracking up by herself (which she does all the time). She can be so hilarious!
Picture Update
We have been so busy! Jong's cousin Ellen came to visit us from the US earlier in August and then three Japanese college girls from our church's 45 English Freedom Camp (45 is taken from Micah 4:5) stayed with us as part of the camp's home stay program. We had a really wonderful time. Especially Isaac who just soaked up all the girl attention. Isaac is going stir crazy this week with no pretty girls left staying at our place to play with him and has been getting himself into a lot of trouble. Fortunately, preschool starts again next week. However, we are still waitlisted for the 3-days a week program so for now, Isaac will still just be going to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The good thing is Ellen took quite a few pictures while she was here since I have been so bad at taking pictures lately.
This is a cute picture of Abigail Ellen took:
Isaac really loves coloring and it was his favorite activity with his Auntie Ellen!
We all went to Odaiba on a Saturday and there was a little beach there. Isaac really liked standing at the edge of the water.
Also, you will notice that Isaac's right eye is patched. We have been to a couple of eye check-ups at St. Luke's and the opthalmologists confirmed that we should patch his right eye for 3-4 hours a day to strengthen his left eye (which has severe ROP and has poor vision) so that he will favor his right eye less, which in turn could cause his vision in his left eye to worsen even more.
Just a lovely picture of Auntie Ellen and Abigail:
Jong had to be away on business on my birthday this year (I like recording this sort of stuff on the blog so I can check next year in case he decides to be gone next year too. Mwahahaha). Fortunately, I still got to celebrate with my two very lovely miracles and Ellen who bought me the yummy birthday cake!
Isaac and Auntie Ellen:
Isaac loves playing with water:
I took this one over the weekend. She is getting better at tummy time now and not complaining as much. Ain't she the cutest?
The good thing is Ellen took quite a few pictures while she was here since I have been so bad at taking pictures lately.
This is a cute picture of Abigail Ellen took:
Isaac really loves coloring and it was his favorite activity with his Auntie Ellen!
We all went to Odaiba on a Saturday and there was a little beach there. Isaac really liked standing at the edge of the water.Also, you will notice that Isaac's right eye is patched. We have been to a couple of eye check-ups at St. Luke's and the opthalmologists confirmed that we should patch his right eye for 3-4 hours a day to strengthen his left eye (which has severe ROP and has poor vision) so that he will favor his right eye less, which in turn could cause his vision in his left eye to worsen even more.
Just a lovely picture of Auntie Ellen and Abigail:
Jong had to be away on business on my birthday this year (I like recording this sort of stuff on the blog so I can check next year in case he decides to be gone next year too. Mwahahaha). Fortunately, I still got to celebrate with my two very lovely miracles and Ellen who bought me the yummy birthday cake!
Isaac and Auntie Ellen:
Isaac loves playing with water:
I took this one over the weekend. She is getting better at tummy time now and not complaining as much. Ain't she the cutest?
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Abigail rolled over from back to front today
Just wanted to record this for the history books since I wasn't very good at recording Isaac's milestones and this is probably the best place for me to record everything without losing the record. LOL.
I have been wanting to do a long update about Isaac's eyes but need to find some time!
Sonia
I have been wanting to do a long update about Isaac's eyes but need to find some time!
Sonia
Friday, August 15, 2008
Had to share a song that really moved me
Another micropreemie mom clued me into this song. Tears won't stop falling.
He's My Son - by Mark Schultz
Here are the lyrics:
I'm down on my knees again tonight
I'm hoping this prayer will turn out right
See there is a boy that needs Your help
I've done all that I can do myself
His mother is tired
I'm sure You can understand
Each night as he sleeps
She goes in to hold his hand
And she tries not to cry
As the tears fill her eyes
CHORUS:
Can You hear me?
Am I getting through tonight?
Can You see him?
Can You make him feel all right?
If You can hear me
Let me take his place somehow
See, he's not just anyone
He's my son
Sometimes late at night I watch him sleep
I dream of the boy he'd like to be
I try to be strong and see him through
But God who he needs right now is You
Let him grow old
Live life without this fear
What would I be
Living without him here
He's so tired and he's scared
Let him know that You're there
CHORUS
Can You hear me?
Can You see him?
Please don't leave him
He's my son
He's My Son - by Mark Schultz
Here are the lyrics:
I'm down on my knees again tonight
I'm hoping this prayer will turn out right
See there is a boy that needs Your help
I've done all that I can do myself
His mother is tired
I'm sure You can understand
Each night as he sleeps
She goes in to hold his hand
And she tries not to cry
As the tears fill her eyes
CHORUS:
Can You hear me?
Am I getting through tonight?
Can You see him?
Can You make him feel all right?
If You can hear me
Let me take his place somehow
See, he's not just anyone
He's my son
Sometimes late at night I watch him sleep
I dream of the boy he'd like to be
I try to be strong and see him through
But God who he needs right now is You
Let him grow old
Live life without this fear
What would I be
Living without him here
He's so tired and he's scared
Let him know that You're there
CHORUS
Can You hear me?
Can You see him?
Please don't leave him
He's my son
Friday, August 08, 2008
Another Eye Checkup
We took Isaac to have his eyes checked again today. I ended up missing a whole day of work because we had to spend such a long time at the hospital but it turned out that the wait was worth it.
First of all to recap, Isaac has ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity) Level III which was stabilized by laser eye surgery while he was still in NICU at Toho University Hospital. Since he was discharged from Toho, we were able to change his primary hospital from Toho to St. Luke's International Hospital. A hospital established by missionaries and is still based on Christian principles. However we were told that we should continue to go back to Toho to follow up on his eyes. We have been going back to Toho but unable to communicate with the doctors as they do not speak any English. We have only been told that "nothing has been changed" each time we have gone back and the visits are always traumatic as they take him away from us and do not let us be in the same room when he is examined. Our last visit was in January 2008 when we were told "nothing has changed" and we don't have to return for a whole year. However, we started noticing that Isaac has been squinting a lot with his left eye plus he seemed to bump into things more often. At his last visit at St. Luke's, we voiced our concern to Isaac's ped Dr. K and Dr. K referred us to the Pediatric Opthalmology Department at National Center for Child Health and Development. We went to
We waited about 1 hour 45 minutes before we even got close to the exam room. When we were called in by the nurse, we were quite discouraged as they did not seem to know how to deal with a toddler
First of all to recap, Isaac has ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity) Level III which was stabilized by laser eye surgery while he was still in NICU at Toho University Hospital. Since he was discharged from Toho, we were able to change his primary hospital from Toho to St. Luke's International Hospital. A hospital established by missionaries and is still based on Christian principles. However we were told that we should continue to go back to Toho to follow up on his eyes. We have been going back to Toho but unable to communicate with the doctors as they do not speak any English. We have only been told that "nothing has been changed" each time we have gone back and the visits are always traumatic as they take him away from us and do not let us be in the same room when he is examined. Our last visit was in January 2008 when we were told "nothing has changed" and we don't have to return for a whole year. However, we started noticing that Isaac has been squinting a lot with his left eye plus he seemed to bump into things more often. At his last visit at St. Luke's, we voiced our concern to Isaac's ped Dr. K and Dr. K referred us to the Pediatric Opthalmology Department at National Center for Child Health and Development. We went to
We waited about 1 hour 45 minutes before we even got close to the exam room. When we were called in by the nurse, we were quite discouraged as they did not seem to know how to deal with a toddler
Monday, August 04, 2008
Isaac's "Should Have Been" Birthday Party
Since we did not get to really celebrate Isaac's birthday back in April as it was a day after Abigail was born, we had a birthday party at Gymboree on Saturday for him. We picked Saturday as it was a day after his original estimated due date.
I had a bit of a picture disaster. I couldn't (and still can't) find the charger for our nice camera - the Nikon. I charged our small camera but forgot to put the battery in before we left for Gymboree. Fortunately, I brought our video camera and I can take pictures with it as well. Anyway, I ended up not remembering to take a lot of pictures anyway. But here are a few that I took.
Gymboree Time:
Cake time:
A couple of shots of the kids with Remy after the party was over. I have no idea what Abigail was looking at.
A very, very cute picture of our little lady Abigail.
A bonus picture of Abigail.
I had a bit of a picture disaster. I couldn't (and still can't) find the charger for our nice camera - the Nikon. I charged our small camera but forgot to put the battery in before we left for Gymboree. Fortunately, I brought our video camera and I can take pictures with it as well. Anyway, I ended up not remembering to take a lot of pictures anyway. But here are a few that I took.
Gymboree Time:
Cake time:
A couple of shots of the kids with Remy after the party was over. I have no idea what Abigail was looking at.
A very, very cute picture of our little lady Abigail.
A bonus picture of Abigail.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Abigial's measurements
By the way, I had a typo in the post re Abigail's weight. I think she weighed more than 6.1 kg last week. Anyway, we had her 4 month check up today and she weighed 6.3 kg (almost 14 lbs).
So here is how she measures on the growth charts:
around 25 percent for height
a little over 50 percent for weight
80% for head circumference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just think the measurements are so funny. We haven't measured Isaac lately but his weight is not in the charts again (meaning less than 5%).
Our boy has a knack of picking out foods that don't have a lot of calories to like. The latest thing we discovered he likes - popcorn! He loves it! But we when we tried to add more butter, nope. We figured at least the texture of popcorn should be good for him. :)
We are throwing a "Should Have Been" birthday party for Isaac at Gymboree tomorrow since we didn't properly celebrate his actual birthday in April a day after Abigail was born. This will be the first birthday party for him (and for me to throw for a kid)! I am still looking for our charger for our Nikon. Hopefully I can find it tomorrow morning!
Sonia
Sonia
So here is how she measures on the growth charts:
around 25 percent for height
a little over 50 percent for weight
80% for head circumference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just think the measurements are so funny. We haven't measured Isaac lately but his weight is not in the charts again (meaning less than 5%).
Our boy has a knack of picking out foods that don't have a lot of calories to like. The latest thing we discovered he likes - popcorn! He loves it! But we when we tried to add more butter, nope. We figured at least the texture of popcorn should be good for him. :)
We are throwing a "Should Have Been" birthday party for Isaac at Gymboree tomorrow since we didn't properly celebrate his actual birthday in April a day after Abigail was born. This will be the first birthday party for him (and for me to throw for a kid)! I am still looking for our charger for our Nikon. Hopefully I can find it tomorrow morning!
Sonia
Sonia
August 1st
was Isaac's and Rachel's original estimated due date 2 years ago - the date they should have been born. They should have been 2 years old today instead of 4 months ago.
Instead Rachel is in heaven and Isaac is skin and bones and not chubby like his new full term sister Abigail.
I do feel very, very blessed 99% of the time. But right now I am missing Rachel like crazy and wishing Isaac wasn't born so early and still face so many challenges. Right now, I wish I had the chance to see Isaac and Rachel together outside of my womb. Right now, I wish I had ALL three of children on earth with me instead of having to wait till I get to heaven to see one of my three children. Right now I wish people won't so easily forget that I am a mother of 3 and a mother of twins.
But then I breathe out. My heart feels better. Because I know Jesus understands how I feel, I know He grieves with me and I know He won't forget.
Instead Rachel is in heaven and Isaac is skin and bones and not chubby like his new full term sister Abigail.
I do feel very, very blessed 99% of the time. But right now I am missing Rachel like crazy and wishing Isaac wasn't born so early and still face so many challenges. Right now, I wish I had the chance to see Isaac and Rachel together outside of my womb. Right now, I wish I had ALL three of children on earth with me instead of having to wait till I get to heaven to see one of my three children. Right now I wish people won't so easily forget that I am a mother of 3 and a mother of twins.
But then I breathe out. My heart feels better. Because I know Jesus understands how I feel, I know He grieves with me and I know He won't forget.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Abigail is getting oh so cute! PLUS poll on when Abi is going to surpass Isaac in weight!
Abigail is getting cuter and cuter everyday. She loves to smile and laugh but cries quite a bit too! I guess she is passionate! It must be the Korean blood in her. :) She can already flip from her back to her side very easily and is trying VERY hard to continue to flip completely over onto her tummy but is still frustrated that she can't yet!
This one is kind of funny. She looks like she is just hanging out in her bumbo chair!
Unfortunately, Isaac does not like taking pictures with his sister but I was able to get a few pictures with him actually sitting half still.
I asked Isaac to smile for the camera - look at that fake smile!
I just wanted to show everyone how FAST Abigail is growing, especially when compared to Isaac. We weighed her and Isaac last week. Abigail is already at 6.1 kg (13.5 lbs) but Isaac is still stalled at around 10.6 kg (23 lbs). It seems like Isaac has been stalled at around 10.5 kg for months and months. So I am going to take a poll - please take your guess as to when Abigail will surpass Isaac in weight (based on Abigail's age)!!! Abigail will be 4 mos this Sunday and Isaac will be 2 years old based on his adjusted age this Friday.
This one is kind of funny. She looks like she is just hanging out in her bumbo chair!
Unfortunately, Isaac does not like taking pictures with his sister but I was able to get a few pictures with him actually sitting half still.
I asked Isaac to smile for the camera - look at that fake smile!
I just wanted to show everyone how FAST Abigail is growing, especially when compared to Isaac. We weighed her and Isaac last week. Abigail is already at 6.1 kg (13.5 lbs) but Isaac is still stalled at around 10.6 kg (23 lbs). It seems like Isaac has been stalled at around 10.5 kg for months and months. So I am going to take a poll - please take your guess as to when Abigail will surpass Isaac in weight (based on Abigail's age)!!! Abigail will be 4 mos this Sunday and Isaac will be 2 years old based on his adjusted age this Friday.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Christian Micropreemie Parenting Support Group
I have been searching for a Christian-based support group for micropreemie parenting since I had Isaac over 2 years ago. I have not been able to find any such support group. I have found a great support group for micropreemie parenting but sometimes I would like to discuss micropreemie parenting in the context of my faith. I am also part of a couple of wonderful Christian-based support groups related to my struggles with infertility, infant loss and parenting after infertility and loss (please see my Links to Hannah's Prayer and Parenting After Infertility ministries). However, there are only very few micropreemie parents on those groups.
So since I couldn't find anything, I decided to start one. I just started a simple yahoo group.
If you are a Christian Micro-preemie Parent, please join me here - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/christianmicropreemieparenting/
At least for now, I have defined the membership to Christians who professes the Apostle's Creed and who are parents of micropreemies who were born at under 2 lbs or before 26 weeks gestation.
Please pray for this ministry! (I never found anyone to join my Preemie Parents in Japan group so I think I will delete that group.)
Sonia
So since I couldn't find anything, I decided to start one. I just started a simple yahoo group.
If you are a Christian Micro-preemie Parent, please join me here - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/christianmicropreemieparenting/
At least for now, I have defined the membership to Christians who professes the Apostle's Creed and who are parents of micropreemies who were born at under 2 lbs or before 26 weeks gestation.
Please pray for this ministry! (I never found anyone to join my Preemie Parents in Japan group so I think I will delete that group.)
Sonia
Monday, July 14, 2008
Go Away, Go Away, Green Eyed Monster
I don't care about celebrities. Oh and I really don't like it when I am envious of them. But I can't seem to help being envious of Angelina Jolie and JLo. Them with their perfect, beautiful boy/girl twins. And they carried the twins seemingly so easily. JLo was on tour for a big chunk of her pregnancy and Angelina has been frolicking around the world with her toddlers while pregnant (AND picking up her toddlers while she was big and pregnant with twins!).
I do NOT want their lives but it just makes me want BOTH of my twins to be here on earth with me. Oh and I guess it doesn't help that I have been missing Rachel a lot lately. Sigh.
I do NOT want their lives but it just makes me want BOTH of my twins to be here on earth with me. Oh and I guess it doesn't help that I have been missing Rachel a lot lately. Sigh.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Isaac - Special Person of the Week
Isaac was "Special Person of the Week" in his preschool back in June. A sweet friend of mine helped me put these together for the Bulletin Board using digital scrap-booking. I have been meaning to share these here but completely forgot!
It was great that I could pretend to be such an artistic, accomplished mom when I have absolutely not a single strand of artistic hair on me (let alone artistic bone). The print outs on photo paper looked SO awesome. I wished I had the talent or time to do something like this myself!
I put them up on the bulletin board as facing pages but can't really do that here so you will need to use your imagination! If you click on the actual photo, you will see a larger version so you can read the text as well.
It was great that I could pretend to be such an artistic, accomplished mom when I have absolutely not a single strand of artistic hair on me (let alone artistic bone). The print outs on photo paper looked SO awesome. I wished I had the talent or time to do something like this myself!
I put them up on the bulletin board as facing pages but can't really do that here so you will need to use your imagination! If you click on the actual photo, you will see a larger version so you can read the text as well.
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