Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mother's Day; Lots of smiles

It is already Mother's Day where most people read this blog. Obviously, this holiday has taken on a new meaning for both of us because we are parents, particularly because Loki has needed extra attention. Besides the medical portion, the great majority of this attention has been provided by Mom, due to her biology (milk!), skills, and initiative. I simply cannot put into words how grateful and impressed I am with her effort and dedication. For now, the least I can do is wish her a happy first Mother's Day

Loki went to his general pediatrician on Friday. His weight increased 6 ounces in the 8 days since his previous visit (up to 10 lbs, 8 oz, or 4.76 kg). That is about the ideal rate of weight gain. If this continues, then the breast feeding will be a success.

But feeding continues to be difficult. Loki gets about eleven feedings per day, at least nine by breast. That's not too simple. Mom now sometimes has to swing and bounce and feed him, simultaneously, with a pillow strapped around her waist. And the bottle feedings are becoming more difficult. Sometimes, Loki screams quite loudly at the mere sight of the bottle. If we could choose, we would certainly pick for Loki to prefer breast over bottle. But a stronger bottle aversion would mean that only Mom can feed.

[Loki will have his appointment with the gastroenterologist on June 18.]

On top of this, Loki does sleeps well, nor enough. Particularly during the day, he has a difficult time napping, and requires lots of holding, especially by Mom, to get him to sleep. Loki has become quite the "Mama's boy."

Mom and I went out to dinner for our first time together, out of the house, without Loki, since he came home. We ate wonderful Mediterranean food on the front patio of a nearby restaurant. It was great to do so. But Loki stayed awake "talking" with Oma instead of sleeping.

In addition to the specialists (three per week!), Loki had a couple of extra visitors this week. Amber - one of his primary nurses from Alta Bates - stopped by, as did Graciella, Mom's former colleague. As usual, Graciella brought over many gifts. Loki very much enjoys the stuffed octopus, which he grabs from his seat and squeezes, and pulls to him. (Photos below)

We bought a glider chair, one that soothes Loki by moving side-to-side. Although it is very ugly, it seems to help getting him to sleep.

Loki's behavior continues to develop. He looks at sound and makes eye contact much more easily, and smiles a lot. I have been trying to capture smiles in photos. Some are below.

The ugly but comforting glider:



With nurse Amber:


With Graciella:


Hiding behind the octopus from Graciella:


Oh, hi!


Giggles:


Happy with Oma:


Sleepy with Oma:

3 comments:

marieke said...

These pictures are so adorable!! I almost try to go into my computer to cuddle Loki. Lieve Mom and Oma (my mom) A very very happy mothersday with this cute little dudie maludie. You both deserve to have an extra glass of orangejuice or whatever nice drink with your breakfast. You are both working your asses off to run the loki feeding factory and the household at Danastreet. Big hug from me! X

Richard en Maaike said...

Fijne moederdag! Laat je maar lekker verwennen, dat heb je verdiend!
X Maaike

Nana and Papaw Mark said...

Lijn - We wish you a very special Mother's Day today. Our sweet grandson Loki Sky is very very lucky to have you for his mommy. Give him a kiss for us. We love you all and miss you all very much....Nana and Papaw Mark

About Loki Sky

Loki Sky is a special little man. He was a very early micropreemie, weighing only 610 grams (1 lb, 5 oz) after 24 weeks, 3 days gestation, born to an American Father and a Dutch Mother in Berkeley, California on October 18, 2008.

On January 11, 2009, while still in the hospital NICU, his one kidney stopped working. It was repaired after three surgeries. After spending time in three hospitals in three cities, Loki came home on February 17. He struggled with eating, and then stopped in July, leading to 8 days in the hospital, a failure-to-thrive diagnosis, and a NG feeding tube. On October 10, a minor surgery installed a G feeding tube. Another procedure replaced it with a new one, and then again with a Mic-Key button in Jan. 2010.

In August 2010, he and his parents moved to the Netherlands.

Read about his first name.
Read & hear about his middle name.
See photos.
See videos.

Subscribe via email

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Loki's Holiday Gift Drive

Please consider donating to Loki's Holiday Gift Drive for the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center NICU. You can donate by Paypal or credit card here:





Click here for more information, including how to pay by check. For all posts on the Gift Drive, click here.