11 months old

New pictures will be in a few days. I hope everyone had an awesome Christmas and New Years. Sorry I have not updated in awhile. Neurosurgery: VP shunt is draining too quickly but CT scan on 12/31/09 was stable, therefore no additional surgery at this time. We go back to Seattle on the 28th. Respiratory system: oxygen wean, no oxygen at night if oxygen sats are 90-91%, occasional drips lower are fine. Cardiovascular: echocardiogram showed no evidence of strain on his heart. He can be off oxygen and monitor during the day except oxygen while in car seat. I left the monitor at home to take him to church tonight however I connected the oxygen up. The other day I left monitor on but no oxygen and he was 98% on room air even in car seat. He was close to outgrowing his car seat and stroller so he has a new one and for some reason his oxygen level lowers when he falls asleep in it. Technically I can discontinue use of monitor during the night starting tonight but I am too nervous to do so. His risk of SIDS is lower because he is older but hey I still have the monitor why not continue to use at night. Growth/development: 17 pounds 6 oz and length 2 feet 3 inches (69.12 cm). He is growing but most of the health care professionals are still concerned about this. He is eating solids. In fact he has to have his own spoon and sometimes does not want me to feed him. I end up putting more on his spoon and some ends up in his mouth and most all over the place. He is using his right hand more than he used to but still favors the left. He has progressed to level 1 nipple on the bottle and continues to breastfeed on occasion. Can?t believe I made it over 11 months of pumping. It has helped him and decreased my risk of breast cancer but it is so tiring. It?s like double feeding if you think about it. I breastfeed him, pump then bottle feed him. He is passing toys between both hands. I would say he is functioning at a 5 month old level however just barely starting to roll. Eyes: vision still an issue; Appears to be more aware of surroundings. Social: still smiling and I noticed this laugh this past week. Apparently dad noticed it months ago. Guess Dad is silly compared to mommy. We are celebrating his life, AKA 1st birthday on January 24th since Glenn leaves on 2/1/10. I decided to stay here in WA since we own our house and I already have friends here. We still need to put down the hardwood flooring and finish unpacking. I am looking forward to respite so at least unpacking and cleaning can be done. I will be busy in normal activities other than medical appointments, such as 2 women?s bible studies, walking the mall with other moms, MOPS and scrapbooking I hope. On a side note, a friend recommended butternut squash to feed him. I have never purchased or tasted it before. Wow it so yummy and packed with calcium, iron and vitamin A.