A Little Helen Keller?

Alistair continues to keep us guessing! He has never been on a constant path of incline or decline. One day the kid is alert, giggling, providing lots of eye contact, reacting to stuff, and generally progressing. Then the following day or even in the same day he can become totally vacant....no eye contact, little reaction, low tone, no conversation....all of which creates a very stressed out momma! Thankfully he seems to be on a path of progression more often than not. In addition, when he comes out of his vacant state he hasn't regressed. If anything he accelerates forward a bit. The thing is when he goes into this vacant state for a longer period of time, the latest one was 3 days, than I start to wonder if he'll come out of it. All along I've figured he has had hearing issues. He did pass the hearing test while he was in the hospital; however, I was warned that sometimes CDH kids can become deaf. Why? I have no idea and I don't think the specialist know either. He just doesn't react at all to rattles or loud noises. He never startles. However, he will start to chat away when I sing. Perhaps to attempt to tune out his mother... he he he....Anyhow I can deal with that. If he's deaf we'll learn sign language. Its not like we'll have to talk over scientific papers with him tomorrow or anything. Actually I know the alphabet already as my buddy Marta and I use to only talk in sign language on our bus rides home from school! Yes ...we were the kids at the front of the bus....and proud of it I must add! But back to the Helen Keller concern....when he was in the vacant state he wouldn't look at me at all. NO EYECONTACT. At the best of times he struggles with it but once you have the connection he turns into a total chatter box and his face lights right up. But not during the vacant time. So the idea of a deaf and blind kid really started to get me. Of course one deals with whatever one is handed BUT I sure don't want Alistair to deal with that! Honestly the whole Helen Keller thing gave me some hope at least in that regard. So...I figured if those two senses weren't available I had better step up the tactile side of things. I've always massaged him off and on but now its a daily thing and he acts like he's totally in heaven with it. He coos up a storm, smiling and grinning away. I also focused on getting different textures into his hands. ....Thankfully, he is back into his lovely sparkling self which is wonderful and he can obviously see even if it takes some extra time in gaining his attention. Jason and I went to see Dr. Earl our pediatrician (who I think is GREAT!) and his whole view on this was that Alistair may be dealing with sensory overload so when he gets topped up he just shuts right off. I guess its quite common in premature babies and actually makes quite a bit of sense with the whole path that Alistair has chosen to take. Ooo it would be lovely if that were the case. Today he was actually quiet hilarious and even somewhat goofy and there was no need to even try to get eye contact which is very unusual for my little man. But o so rewarding for me! I'll post a video of my little chatterbox! He's been attentive, chatty, focusing more on head control, and he even chowed down on some hard "Farley" cookies that disolve quickly. This is a big thing as everyone has been saying he may have a significant issue with graduating to more adult like foods due to his oral issues. But if anyone knows Alistair, all the things you'd think would be an issue aren't and the ones you never expect are! ....Anyhow this mama is back on happy mode...hope this finds you all in your happy mode! ((HUGS)) & enjoy the pics!

Working on Head Control with Grandma Hedges

Sucking on a Spoon After Supper

Chewin on His Favorite Thing ...his Thumb!

Jason just had a birthday and I try to make him a special cake each year.

This one was a Bavarian Cream Chocolate Cake...Very SCRUMMY