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MOM TO A 1LB 12OZ 27 WEEKER

[Mom, Leonardo's]

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Leonardo's Mom

September 2010
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PICTURES

Sep 23, 2008 09:04am (EST)

Here are some pictures of Leonardo's NICU Reunion.


1st Tattoo


more bubbles


fish pond


mommy n Leonardo


with the nurses


ALOHA

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Posted by Leonardo's Mom | Comments: (1) | Permalink
NICU REUNION 2008

Sep 22, 2008 04:54pm (EST)

Leonardo had his 2nd NICU reunion on Saturday. It was so much fun for him and for us. We saw so many "miracle" babies and we also saw 3 of his roomates. They are beautiful little girls. It was nice to see them and their moms. 1 of them is expecting. how exciting!!

When Leonardo was in the NICU I met a mother who had twins a a girl and a boy. She lost her baby boy after a couple of weeks of him being born. On Saturday I saw her with her daughter and to my surprise she had a baby boy about a year old with her. That was also really nice to see.

We saw about 4 nurses who cared for Leonardo while he was there and the we really happy o see him. We took pictures, ate, and just had lots of fun. It was a LUAU theme. Leonardo entered a raffle and he won....he won a teddy bear that has a cute sweater that says I was born at Kaiser San Francisco.

I will post pictures later.
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Posted by Leonardo's Mom | Comments: (2) | Permalink
I THOUGHT WE WERE DONE....

Sep 19, 2008 12:33pm (EST)

Leonardo is doing well….

Its been a while since I updated and so many things have happened. He now speaks a lot more and signs more he is just so smart. I really think he is. The doctors well they think a little different. He had his High Risk Follow up and things didn’t turn out too well because Leonardo will soon be seen by an Educational specialist and he will also have some genetic testing to see if he has Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. ** see info on this syndrome below. When I was pregnant I was tested and my results for this syndrome were positive and now with the problems Leonardo is having/had they want to test him. I am scared!!!! I don’t want it to be positive. I thought we were done…. but were not.
In his case it’s a little harder to determine if his problems are from being a preemie or from this syndrome. We’ll see what the results are.

He starts speech therapy on Thursday and he continues to receive OT. He now weights 21 lbs 1.5oz and is about 32 inches tall. ( he is below the 5th percentile).

He is beginning to like TV…he is only interested in watching Elmo and Barney. He also loves the KIDSONGS dvd’s.

I don’t know what else to do for him. He is on Pediasure 3 to 4 bottles a day.He also takes 1 bottle of the Instant Breakfast carnation juice. Polycose powder (additional calories) and all high calorie foods. The bad part is that he is a picky eater.

I can not believe that in about 7 months he will be 3 years old. My 1lb 12oz baby boy will be 3!!! OMG!

He is fascinated with motorcycles and loves to watch them in person or on TV. He has many toy motorcycles. I really hope that he looses interest as he gets older. It scares me to think that he’ll want to have a real one.

His hugs and kisses are the best!!!

  • **Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome (SLOS) is a genetic disorder that affects the development of children both before and after birth. The syndrome was first described in 1964 in three boys with poor growth, developmental delays, and a common pattern of congenital malformations including cleft palate, genital malformations, and polydactyly (extra fingers and toes). Although the name "RSH syndrome" (after the first initials of the first three patients) was first used for the disorder, the syndrome is now better known by the names of the three geneticists who first described it, Smith, Lemli, and Opitz. Although SLO/RSH Syndrome has always been known as a genetic disorder, the cause was not known for the first 30 years after its description. In 1993 scientists discovered that children with SLO/RSH Syndrome are unable to make cholesterol, an essential nutrient that is not provided by the mother to the baby before birth. Because the body also makes most of its own cholesterol after birth, children with SLO/RSH Syndrome continue to have trouble with development and general health after birth. The discovery of abnormal cholesterol metabolism in SLO/RSH Syndrome has made possible not only a laboratory test for more precise diagnosis of SLO/RSH Syndrome, but also provided a rationale for treatment of affected children. Given the advances of medical treatment, often the children can now live to adulthood.

    In addition to growth retardation and developmental delay, many different malformations have been described in SLO/RSH Syndrome. The most common defects are:

    - Microcephaly (small head)
               - Extra fingers or toes
               - Apparently low-set ears
               - Small, upturned nose
               - Webbing between 2nd and 3rd toes (syndactyly)
               - Abnormal palmar creases (usually single)
               - Cleft palate
               - Hypospadias (genital malformation in boys)
               - Cataracts
               - Undescended testicles
               - Blepharoptosis (drooping eyelids)
               - Heart defects
               - Micrognathia (small chin)
               - Pyloric stenosis
               - Short thumbs
               - Hirschsprung disease (absent nerves in colon)

    see pix below:

    On his favorite sofa
    On his play motorcycle....he loves it
    This is his way of shopping....under all the clothes
    Another play motorcycle
    He was trying to get into this room....he went got a chair and a pencil and is tryint to open the door


    DSC02414


    DSC02434


    DSC02454


    DSC02500


    DSC02485

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    Posted by Leonardo's Mom | Comments: (3) | Permalink
    GO AWAY...GO AWAY

    May 20, 2008 10:10am (EST)

    Ear infection.... again, but this time its his left ear. On Friday I took him in because it looked like he had some kind of infection in his eyes. 2 days in a row he woke up with his eyes shut-closed. He had white-yellowish discharge coming out of them. I took him in and Dr. A realized that he had an ear infection. She decided o put him on Amoxicillin because she says its a little stronger and it may help for both the ear and the eyes. Leonardo took it but about an hour or so later he was vomiting...and then about 20 minutes after that he was vomiting again. This happened both times that I gave him the medicine. I decide to call the hospital and they said to bring him in. Dr. checked him out explained to me that she doesn't believe that the medicine had this reaction that it must be a virus. She did decide to take him off the medicine since the ear infection seems o be getting better. He's so strong that he is acting like he has nothing. The infection has not affected him. It seems that its all viral...he did have a mild cold. She asked me to call and/or bring him back in if he looks like he's in pain or if anything changes gets worse. His eyes are better...whatever it was that he had is all gone. His cold is also gone.
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    Posted by Leonardo's Mom | Comments: (1) | Permalink
    HE'S 2

    May 19, 2008 02:14pm (EST)

    He turned 2 on April 20th.....n the amazing 2's have definitely quicked in!!! OMG!!!! he is a handful. My respect to the mother's who have/had another child while taking care of a toddler. He takes up all my time. I wouldnt change it for the world....that Im sure of.

    I love him so much...he makes my life complete.

    We went camping for mother's day weekend...Leonardo had a blast.
    He enjoyed every minute of it. We went out towards Yosemite. We got to see the Yosemite Water Fall....Beautiful.

    I Can't Believe...

    I can't believe this miracle
    I'm holding in my arms.

    I can't believe this fairy tale
    I'm living through your eyes.

    I can't believe this love
    I hold for you in my heart.

    I can't believe this dream
    From which I want never to awaken.

    But, most of all, I can't believe you're mine,
    My precious child.

    Heather Nightingale


    siily


    Yosemite4


    Yosemite Fall2

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    Posted by Leonardo's Mom | Comments: (4) | Permalink
    LEONARDO IS 23 MONTHS....

    Mar 27, 2008 12:21pm (EST)

    I cant believe that in less than a month he will be 2!!!
    He says his name....Na-Nando (hear the sound clip attached)

    Thinks have been good at home until Thursday of last week...Leonardo had his first ambulance ride. I hope its his last because that was scary. He was taken to the ER because he had a febrile seizure. We didn't know why until we got to the hospital. He got a urine and blood test. Turns out Leonardo has a urinary tract infection. The infection cause him a high fever and the high feveer brought on the seizure. SCARY!!! I wasn't home when it happened. My sister in-law called me to tell me that they were on their way to the hospital and so I met them there. I spoke to the paramedic and he assured me that Leonardo was fine. I was glad that I spoke to him because I wanted to give him a little bit of Leonardo's history. I mean every time something happens to him I always think about how he was born premature and always question if things are preemie related. Turns out that the John the paramedic is a father to twin girls that were born at 27 weeks....Leonardo is a 27 weeker.

    I met him in person and he was so sweet...he came by to say Hello and bye. Leonardo is taking antibiotics and we will soon see the urologist because the infection may be from his hypospadius surgery.

    Were planning his 2nd B-Day party...

  • sorry this blog is all over the place*


    Leonardo3


    ride

    Attachments

    3-21-088.wav (60 KB) (118 downloads)


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    Posted by Leonardo's Mom | Comments: (2) | Permalink
    POTTY TRAINING???

    Jan 02, 2008 02:18pm (EST)

    So I took Leonardo to his surgery check up on the 28th of December and the doctor says things look good. He wants to see him in about a year to make sure things are still fine. He did ask me something that I personally have not thought about. I mean there so many other things that I think Leonardo has to do before we think about “Potty Training”. The doc asked me when I was thinking of beginning to potty train Leonardo…I stayed quiet for a good minute because I didn’t have an answer. I mean he’ll go when he’s ready I thought but the doc needed an answer to determine when he would se him again. The doc says that then we will be able to see if the surgery was a success. I still believe that Leonardo will *go* in the toilet when he’s ready. Right? How do I know when he’s ready or when to start. He is a really fast learner. I know. He now has more words in his ASL vocabulary. My baby know how to sign thank you! so maybe it wont be as hard as I think.


    Leo

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    Posted by Leonardo's Mom | Comments: (2) | Permalink
    UPDATE

    Dec 20, 2007 02:23pm (EST)

    Its been a while since I updated on Leonardo. He is doing well. As of today he is now 20 months (17 months adjusted) and he weights 18 pounds 6 oz. I cannot believe that in 4 months we will be celebrating his 2nd birthday. I cant wait. I am already thinking of ideas for his b-day party.
    Everyday he amazes me with everything he does. I really believe that I have the smartest baby in my house….don’t we all think that of our precious little ones.
    Leonardo now walks alone!! It’s been a while….since the end of September to be exact. He signs a lot more too. He knows…Milk, More, Pacifier, and Food. Those he uses all of the time. He has also began to talk clearly he says Mama, Papa n last night for the first time he said Agua….water in spanish. He also knows to point at things when he wants something. He loves music and like dancing to it. Too cute to watch. Its been about a 2 weeks that when I come home from work I can see his excitement by his reaction. He realizes that its me and he runs to me and gives me a hug. Those hugs are the best.

    His surgery went well and he was such a trooper the whole time…I tell you he is still the strongest person I have ever met.

    I thank God for allowing me to be his mom.


    Cruz fam

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    Posted by Leonardo's Mom | Comments: (3) | Permalink
    SURGERY IS TOMORROW

    Oct 30, 2007 12:49pm (EST)

    On Tuesday the 16th when we went to the Pre-surgery appointment I was told that I had to call the day before the scheduled surgery to get the details for surgery day. Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow the 31st. I just called the hospital and they told me that he will be the first one of the day at 8 AM. We need to be there at 6:15 AM. He can not have anything but water and/or clear apple juice after 2AM. I remember for his laser eye surgery and the hernia repair surgery he also was a couple of hour without eating and that was hard because he cried a lot because he was hungry and we couldn’t feed him.
    I want to trade places with him. I don’t know how I will let my son go into that operating room. How????

    I am scared for what’s to come after the surgery.

    I ask that you please keep Leonardo in your prayers…


    08-23-07_1722

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    Posted by Leonardo's Mom | Comments: (2) | Permalink
    I AM SCARED..

    Oct 15, 2007 01:31pm (EST)

    When I was pregnant I got a test done…the one where they tell you if your baby will have a birth defect. I forget the name of it. Mine came back positive. I remember I cried so much that day. I was scared. I had the option to get more tests done to find out what the birth defect may be. We as a family decided that we didn't’t need to know. I remember my mom asked me what if you find out the baby has a defect are you going to LOVE him/her less? I said No. Then she said then you don’t need to do any more un-needed tests. My husband thought the same.

    I haven’t talked about this in the past with anyone. Only my mom and husband know. I feel that sharing it here is ok because I know you guys will understand. Leonardo will be having surgery on the 31st of October and I am scare to death. I hate the fact that once again he will go through pain and discomfort. I hate thinking about it let alone talking about it. I cry everytime. I don’t understand why? wasn’t 3 surgeries enough? Why another 1? Leonardo has hypospadious and so he is getting surgery to repair it. Tomorrow we are going to have 3 different appts. All are pre-surgey appts. I know this isn’t a life threatening surgery but I am scared…..
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    Posted by Leonardo's Mom | Comments: (4) | Permalink



     
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