See the Person

See the person, not the disability! I hate that Layne has so many "labels". I wish people would stop looking at his disability and see him for him. He has a personality just like anyone else. The next time you see a disabled person look through that and see the person! They are people too and they have feelings like you or I, even those who are mentally handicapped like Layne. He can sense how you feel about him by your touch and the tone of your voice! These people are smarter than you think!

Not One Day Has Been Easy

Not one single day of Layne's life has been easy. Not even from the time when I was pregnant with him. His entire life has been difficult and I fear it will only become more difficult as he grows older. Even with his small size now, daily task are hard...dressing, bathing, going places...they are all a big event. I often think of the future when he is bigger...how will I move him from place to place? If we are out some where, how will I change his diaper? He will have far outgrown restroom changing stations. How will I bathe him? How will he handle haircuts, and shaving..how on earth will we do that? But like we have done from the beginning, we will just do it, go with the flow I suppose. Because our love for Layne is like no other and we will continue to care for him always, with few complaints.

One of my worst fears is wondering if we will pass on before Layne does. I hate the thought that if we did pass before him, that he might have to be in some sort of home and never get the love he got daily again(and I am talking about when we are old and he is grown).

Even though Layne's life has been and is very difficult, and the future most likely holds many more difficulties, I wouldn't take one day back, not one. I love this little guy more than words could ever express and that love continues to grow each and every day!

As Long as it's Healthy??

Why do people say this? If your baby ends up being born unhealthy are you going to send him/her back? I hope not! We love Layne the same as we would have had he been healthy. Of course everyone wants their children to be born healthy, but really think twice before saying that statement. Think about what it really means...that if the child were born unhealthy, you wouldn't accept them?

Before Layne was born we always said, no matter what could be wrong with him we would love him exactly the same. We didn't have the testing done they offer during pregnancy and I don't plan on doing it this time either. I hate the fact that some people do it thinking if something is wrong they will terminate, how could anyone do this? You are not guaranteed a healthy baby even if nothing is genetically wrong(nothing is genetically wrong with Layne). Something could happen during your baby's birth that causes them to be "unhealthy". So to everyone reading this...think twice before you say to the expecting couples...as long as it's healthy.

Just my thoughts of the day!!

It's time for an update!! Layne has been doing well! He has not gotten sick so far and I'd like to keep it that way! He got his first dose of the H1N1 vaccine a couple of weeks ago and will hopefully get the second by the end of this month! We stay home and don't take him out any where to keep those flu germs away!!

His vision has really started to improve lately. He is starting to track objects finally!!! I could not be more thrilled! And since this improvement he is starting to cry around new people and even some family members he normally didn't cry around. His neurologist even commented that at his last appointment that was the first time he had ever looked at her light! I am hoping for more and more improvement in this area!!

The next appointment he has is with his nephrologist, just for a check-up, it should be uneventful. He will see his GI dr in January and then neurologist in March. Seems that our appointments our slowing down a bit. And I'm really hoping we don't have any sick visits...pray!!!

He is doing well with the Mic-key button. We did have to change it once already because it got clogged and we could not get it unclogged. It was fairly simple and was definitely daddy's job!! I think that's about all the news for now, thanks for checking in with us!!!

Froggy

Here are a few pics of Layne on Halloween!!

Heaven's Very Special Child

I posted this around this time last year but I wanted to share it again!


A meeting was held quite far from Earth!
It's time again for another birth.
Said the Angels to the LORD above,
This Special Child will need much love.

His progress may be very slow,
Accomplishments he may not show.
And he'll require extra care
From the folks he meets down there.

He may not run or laugh or play,
His thoughts may seem quite far away,
In many ways he won't adapt,
And he'll be known as handicapped.

So let's be careful where he's sent,
We want his life to be content.
Please LORD, find the parents who
Will do a special job for you.

They will not realize right away
The leading role they're asked to play,
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they'll know the privilege given
In caring for their gift from Heaven.
Their precious charge, so meek and mild,
Is HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD.


by Edna Massionilla
December 1981
The Optomist- newsletter for PROUD
Parents Regional Outreach for Understanding Down's Inc.

Mickey Button

Layne got his mickey button put in on Tuesday! It wasn't a pleasant procedure but he doesn't seem to be in any pain since it was done so that is great! I am liking it much better than the PEG! It is much smaller and I don't have to worry about it getting caught on everything! We can even change it ourselves when the time comes, not looking forward to that but it is more convenient. They are good for up to 6 months!

A Much Needed Update!

Wow it has been way too long. Why? Well Layne is going to be a BIG BROTHER! His little brother or sister is making mommy very sick(just like Layne did). I have not felt much like blogging and still don't now but it is way past due. I will be 10 weeks Thursday. I have hyperemesis, which is what I had with Layne also. Hyperemesis is basically excessive nausea and vomiting. I am taking Zofran 8mg but it isn't helping. I have already lost 15lbs, with Layne I ended up losing 30lbs and it looks like I'm on the same path unfortunately.

So what's new with Layne? He is doing good. Still seizure free and still no vomiting! We have basically been trapped in the house due to my illness and the H1N1 flu going around. He will be getting his Mickey button tomorrow...finally!! I am very nervous about this as I'm afraid he will be in some pain afterwards. He has a neurology appt next Tuesday as well. I can't believe Halloween is next week, crazy how time flies even when your not having fun, but that's a good thing I suppose. Layne is going to dress up as a froggy this year! We are going to attempt to take him trick or treating a little, hopefully I can survive it!

Well I'm sure I am leaving out a bunch of stuff, but I wanted to make sure everyone knew we are still here!!! I haven't been in a picture taking mood lately so I don't have any new ones at this time:(

The Ultimate Sacrifice

I believe that the ultimate sacrifice (other than the sacrifice Jesus has made for us) is caring full time for a person who cannot care for themselves. The only people who will understand exactly what I mean are those who are doing it now or have done it before. I guess you might compare it to taking care of a newborn your entire life?

Imagine going to a job interview and the boss saying, "your hired, but I need you to work 24 hrs a day 7 days a week with no breaks for the rest of your life." Are you going to take that job? Absolutely not! But that is the job that some of us are given. It happens to be my job.

Nothing is about me anymore. It's all about Layne. I don't blame Layne for it either, he's so sweet and innocent. I have learned so much through this experience. The things you wanted for your life become unimportant. The newest cell phone doesn't matter, the newest clothes don't matter, what vehicle you drive doesn't matter, material things just don't matter. All those wants are replaced by hopes for your child. I have learned going to Wal-mart with no make-up and without your hair fixed is perfectly fine. I will never be "me" again. And I'm a better person now having learned this.

If you are a Mom or Dad who cares for another reading this, I would like to say I'm proud of you! And I know exactly what your going through. Unfortunately our friends and family will never understand what we are going through. We will get asked time and time again, "how do you do it?" and our answer will always be the same, because we love Layne and will do whatever it takes to give him the best life possible. In fact some onlookers may think it seems easy, because it's our normal routine and it's what we are used to. But I can assure you, it's not easy.

I do not know why God chose for Layne to be this way. I do not know if Layne will ever be fully healed on earth, but I know he will be in Heaven. I know that this is all for God's glory, and that by taking care of Layne we are serving the Lord. Many would choose not to care for him, but for us that would never be an option. I believe God has cried every tear with us, because he loves us and feels our pain too.

I have learned not take the smallest things for granted, like the very miracle that Layne is alive at all. Through this journey I have seen the worst. I have seen babies die the day they were born. I have seen parents planning their child's funeral instead of their first birthday. I have seen couples struggling through infertility, who would take a child like Layne any day. And having seen all this and much more, I am grateful to have Layne, I always have been but now I have seen what it could be like. I have realized that it is an absolute miracle for a baby to be born healthy, and it's sad to see so many healthy children taken for granted.

I do not know what Layne's future holds, I don't know how long he will be on this earth, but what I do know is that he is a miracle that I will never take for granted. Those of you reading this with healthy children(or unhealthy), young or old, make sure you tell them everyday how much you love them, because life is fragile and none of us are guaranteed tomorrow.

Birthday Party!

I wanted to share some pics from the party!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAYNE!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Layne!!!! We love you soooo much!
And on a side note...Happy 4 yr Anniversary to your Mommy and Daddy!!!

Unexpected Journey

I have been reading a book called "Unexpected Journey, When Special Needs Change Our Course" By Joe and Cindi Ferrini. It's as if they took the words straight from my mouth!! I just want to encourage any of you who are going through these sames situations to read this book!

And what and unexpected journey, a journey far from over, this life really is. As Layne gets closer and closer to turning 2, it all becomes more clear of what he really will never do. I remember very early on, while he was in the NICU the doctor telling us he had PVL. We didn't really understand that so we asked him exactly what that meant, and his reply "he will probably have some trouble learning in school". So that's what we were prepared for, learning disabilities. Which at the time was a little disappointing, but doesn't even compare to what we are going through now.

When Layne was about 4 months old he started crying constantly(he still does cry alot). I had to literally walk around the house all day because he would not let me sit down. I still have to hold him all day, and even stand up alot. The doctor(who is not our current doctor) said it was colic and that surely by the time he was 6 months it would get better. Well 6 months rolled around and it wasn't any better. So he said by 9 months it would be better. Then at 7 1/2 months Layne started having seizures. So not only did the crying not stop, but now we were dealing with the most catastrophic seizures an infant can have-Infantile Spasms. That's when a whole list of new doctors and many hospital stays came.

To this day Layne has spent about 3 months(or more) in hospitals. He has had numerous medical procedures, including MRI's, CT scans, EEG's, many blood draws, 24hr urine collection, PEG tube placement, and probably more that I can't remember right now. Layne has probably been on at least 50 medications in his life time. He is currently taking 9.

Another thing everyone said would get better was sleep. HA-sleep yeah right!! Layne still doesn't sleep through the night, and sadly he probably never will. I hate to hear parents complaining how their 2 MONTH OLD, doesn't sleep through the night!!

Although this life is hard and heartbreaking, and this job of caring for someone else their entire life will never end, there are many things(many small miracles) I am thankful for.

1. Layne is here and alive. Imagine there was no technology, he would never have made it.

2. He can smile, I love his precious smiles.

3. He can hear, I cannot imagine him not being able to hear his mommy and daddy's voice.

4. He is seizure free, I never thought I would see this day.

5. He finally gained some weight this year!

6. He is learning to eat again!

7. He loves to hear music.

8. He recognizes his name.

9. He is learning many new sounds!

10. He is guaranteed a spot in Heaven, something not all parents can be sure of.

11. All he'll ever know is love.

12.I had to add this one thing, he loves it when we talk on the phone!

I will leave you with this cute picture of him playing in his chair(for a whole 10 minutes!!).

Dear Layne,

You are the most precious angel on earth. You have taught me more in your lifetime than I could have ever learned from someone else. I'm sure you have taught others some things too! I will never be tired of seeing your precious smiles or hearing the cute noises you are learning to make. You are a true joy despite your limitations, I am lucky I was chosen to be your mommy. I love you with all my heart, and that love is never ending.

Layne's New Friends!!

Today we went and got Layne his birthday present even though his birthday isn't until next week. We got him 2 cute little parakeets!!! The are still a little nervous about there new environment but I'm sure they will be chirping all day in no time!! Here are the new little friends!

And to update you on Layne: He has not vomited in almost a month!!! Because of that and finishing all his baby food meals he is up to 18lbs 6.5ozs!!!!! I am so excited!!! I hope he continues to do well in this area!!!! Thanks everyone for checking in!!

Special Tomato Chair

Layne got his new Special Tomato multi-positioning system in on Thursday. It's really neat because it comes with a mobile base to put it on and a tray to put toys on. It can also be taken out in the car and also be used as a seat for him somewhere like a restaurant!! He will only sit in it for a short time but we will keep working on it and hopefully he will sit in it long enough for me to do something!! Here he is in his new chair!

I also wanted to update on the eating! He is still eating entire meals and usually not getting a drop on him! He seems to really enjoy it! I am thrilled that he likes eating, maybe one day he won't need his tube anymore!!

And I thought this was funny-I yawned this morning and Layne yawned after me! I didn't think yawns would be contagious for him because he can't see well, so I thought it was cool!

Layne ate an entire meal!!

Tomorrow will be two weeks without vomiting-knock on wood-if we make it until then!! I'm pretty sure he won't vomit before tomorrow though!!!

Another bit of good news, he is still doing well with eating and even finished an entire meal today!!!! All this combined has helped him continue to gain weight and he is now 17lbs 11.5ozs! Maybe he really will make it to 18lbs before he turns 2!!!

Doing Good!

Layne has been doing pretty good the past week! He hasn't vomited in a week(knock on wood-he probably will now!). He is doing better with eating and he actually moves his mouth up and down a little!! He still hasn't finished an entire meal but he is eating more each day! Here is a video of him eating!

He now weighs 17lbs 8ozs! That's good, but my back is really suffering. It's like carrying around 17 1/2lbs of dead weight all day. You can actually feel my back and you can tell the left side muscles are bigger than the right, because I hold him in my left arm. But I have to say it's well worth it for him to finally gain weight!!!

That's about all the news for now! We have still been swimming when we can, there have been a few rainy days lately but tonight should be good so we will swim today!!!

23 Months Old!

Today Layne is 23 months old! I cannot believe he will be 2 next month! I have mixed feelings about it but I won't get into that now. I will just share this cute pic of him!! Happy 23 months Layne!!!

6 Months Seizure Free and Meal Time!!!

Yesterday I tried a baby food meal again with Layne. He hadn't had one in about 5 months. I figured since he has been 6 MONTHS SEIZURE FREE he might do better with it.
He did pretty well, he only ate about 1/4 of it but really I don't blame him because I can't imagine it tasting very good! It was green beans and chicken mixed with butter. He actually gets more butter than anything it seems. He seemed to move the food around in his mouth better than he used to. I will keep giving him a meal once a day and see how it goes!

I cannot believe he has already been seizure free for 6 months!! I never expected him to become seizure free and stay that way for so long!! We are extremely lucky that he has improved so much, many children with this seizure disorder do not. I will leave you with this picture of the cat cuddling with Layne!!

Neurology Appointment

Today we went for Layne's Neurology appointment at Children's, and it's official....Layne has Cerebral Palsy. We, of course, already knew this but had not received an official diagnosis. We go back in October(for an appt and for the Keto Halloween party!!) and he will have MRI done in November. He will have the MRI when he should have been 2, basically so we can see the full extent of the brain damage. He will also have an EEG done sometime in February once he is completely weaned off the Phenobarb, to see how it looks then.

We also saw the dietitian today and talked about trying a baby food meal by mouth again. I was thinking that since overall he is improving since being seizure free, he may eat better, we'll see!! Also we talked about an "icing" recipe he can have on his birthday! I hope he likes it, it's chocolate flavor!!

Put Up Your Dukes!!

No those aren't boxing gloves Layne is wearing, instead they are his new thumb splints. He had pretty much out grown the ones he got a year ago. They hold his thumb out really well it seems. They don't seem to really bother him but he sure is happy when they come off!!!

Not Much Happening

I guess it's a good thing that there isn't alot going on! We've just been doing the same ole stuff around here! Layne is having a little bleeding around his PEG site, so his GI nurse said to put Maalox on it 3-4 times a day and call back on Monday if it hasn't improved. He is still gaining a little and now weighs 17lbs 6.5ozs!! We are still enjoying having the cats back, and they love to cuddle with Layne!

Reunited and it Feels so Good!!

I'm not sure if I mentioned it before but when we moved into these apartments we had to give the kitties away because they don't allow pets. Well some arrangements have been made and we got them back!!!!! After all they aren't really pets, they are companions!!! Here they are when we went to get them back!

I'm sure they had tons of fun on their "vacation" in the country! But we had to get them all cleaned up after living in the dirt, haha!

I don't think they enjoyed that too much! But now they are clean and happy and enjoying being home again! Plus doing their usual......

In other news, there isn't alot going on. Layne got some new sunglasses for when he goes swimming!

Isn't he just the coolest? I think so. There isn't much to update, he is still vomiting but not too bad. We go see his Neurologist on August 3rd and he will be getting his Mickey button sometime in October.

We haven't been able to swim much this week because of the rain, so even though I love rain, I do hope it clears up soon so he can get back in the pool! I guess that's about it! I will try to think of things to talk about so you all have some more to read, haha! I will conclude with this cute photo!

17lbs!!!

I think its finally ok to say Layne weighs 17lbs!!! He has weighed 17lbs for at least 5 consecutive days now so I think it is a true statement!!!! At the age of 22 months he is a tiny little fella huh? Maybe by his 2nd birthday he will be up to 18lbs! We'll keep our fingers crossed!!

Of course I jinxed the vomiting issue and he is doing it daily again:( But the good part is, it doesn't seem to be a large amount when he does and he seems to be able to hold his weight too. He has seemed happier recently, I think he has had more energy!!

I also wanted to share some more photos of him swimming! He loves it sooo much!!!

Alot to catch up on!!

Sorry I haven't been able to update in a while! We moved last week and didn't have Internet until today!

Layne is doing pretty good. He will be 22 months old tomorrow and I can hardly believe it. They really do grow up fast, even though he isn't really "growing up" he has still gotten this old quickly. This morning he weighed 16lbs 15ozs. He was doing good as far as vomiting goes until today, he vomited once. I guess I jinxed it, haha. But that many days without vomiting did help him gain a little. Lets hope he keeps doing good on that subject!

He just doesn't look like a baby anymore to me, more like a little boy, what do you think?

Also he is 5 months seizure free now!!!! YAY!!!! What a wonderful thing!

Yesterday we went to the GI doctor. He said he wants to change the PEG to the mickey button in October. We don't have a date yet. I know I definitely don't want to be in the room during that procedure!! I feel so bad for Layne that he will have to go through that:(

Layne has recently started chewing on his thumb, not sucking it but actually chewing on it. I think this is a good thing because he usually keeps his hands fisted and when he chews on his thumb he relaxes his little hand. Here is a pic of that!

Yesterday in the Children's gift shop, we found this cool light up fan that we thought would be a good vision therapy tool. Layne really seems to like it! This picture isn't the best but I wanted the lights to show up so I took it without the flash.

Well I think that's about all I have to update on for now!! Oh I did forget to mention that Layne has weaned himself from his pacifier. He has went about 2 weeks without it now and absolutely does not want it!!

Swimming!!!

Yesterday and today we took Layne swimming in his first real pool!! He loved it so much!! I have pictures and video from today because yesterday the batteries died in my camera, go figure! The video isn't long because I ran out of memory! Pappy and Mimi took pictures yesterday but I don't have them yet so I will just share the ones I took today. I want to take him swimming everyday because he loved it sooooo much! He swam for around 45 minutes each time, I'm sure he gets very tired since it is probably quite the work out for him!

I also wanted to share this picture of Layne petting the kitty!!!!

Reglan-YIKES!

We started Layne back on Reglan on Tuesday of this week(He came home from the NICU on it). I was previously convinced that it made him more fussy and irritated and trying it again confirmed that suspicion. Tuesday night he only slept for 30 minutes(6-6:30 am) and was up crying all night. I had to walk around the house pretty much the whole time. Then on Wednesday he wouldn't nap and was constantly crying. So I decided to e-mail the doctor to tell her I didn't think I wanted to give him Reglan anymore, she agreed!

I was once on Reglan while breastfeeding because it can increase milk supply, and while it did just that it made me a complete nightmare! I was crying all the time and very agitated!! But now that Layne is off again, we had plenty of sleep on Wednesday night and last night and he is napping normally now! Phew....I thought I was gonna go crazy!!!!!!

Neurology Appointment=Good News!

We went to Layne's neuro appointment today and we learned that the EEG has IMPROVED! I have definitely learned my lesson not to pay attention to things I don't understand, haha! Even though on the screen it looked the same as always it was indeed different. His neuro explained that she studied 7 days a week for 2 years to be able to read EEG's and that we should pay no attention to that stupid screen!!

So anyways I'm sure you want to hear the news! The results: They are starting to see a more normal background pattern of his brain waves. He NO LONGER has hypsarrhythmia!!! Before on his EEG's they couldn't tell the difference from when he was awake and when he was asleep and other things like that and now they can!!!!! He does still have abnormal discharges coming from the back of his brain, which means there is potential for seizures but that doesn't mean he will have any. I asked what the back part of the brain controls and it is vision, so that explains alot. The back part of his brain has always looked the worse, wave wise. So overall it was good news! It's been a while since we've heard something that positive!

We are going to start a 28 week wean off the phenobarb too! I am excited about that because I have heard that helps improve development when they come off of it!

We also talked about the vomiting issue. We are going to try some meds for motility and run his feeds over an hour instead of over 30 minutes and see if that helps. I hope so because I feel bad for him when he is vomiting everyday:(

He still seems to be bothered by his ear infection. He hasn't been himself the past couple of days. He had a 101.7 temp when we got back from the doctor today. If he doesn't seem better by the morning we will be taking him to his PCP.

What would a post be without a pic? Here is one I took the other day of him swinging!

Ear Infection

Layne started not feeling too well on Thursday of last week. We ended up taking him to his PCP on Saturday morning and he has an ear infection. So he is on antibiotics now and starting to feel better! I have included a video of me cheering him up with a funny(very embarrassing) sound that he seems to like a lot. He even giggles a little(around 19 secs into the video). Please, please ignore me as I look like I am trying to throw up all over him!

Layne's neurology appointment was moved to tomorrow. I am glad about that since we will know what the EEG results were a week sooner than expected!! Also he will see the dietitian and hopefully we can work on some new medications for the vomiting! It is getting out of control and I can hardly stand it anymore! I will be sure to update how the appointment goes tomorrow!

A Much Needed Venting Session

First of all let me just say this...I do not want pity or sympathy, I just want to get my feelings out and this is the best way I know how.

My heart is broken.

I am depressed.

My eyes are red and puffy from all the crying.

Why? Because my son is developmentally delayed.

When you plan to have a child, you don't expect bad things to happen, like your water breaking at 28 weeks. I remember that day very vividly, I was terrified. At this point though it's not the prematurity that was the hard part, it's the life long damages Layne has suffered.

Everyone has hopes and dreams for their children. I love spongebob and I always knew that my child would love spongebob just as much as me. I imagined us cuddled up on the couch watching it together. I hate that Layne will never know what spongebob is, in fact he'll never even know what he looks like. I don't even watch spongebob anymore because it is a sad reminder of those dreams.

We live in an apartment complex with lots of little kids, and because it is summer time they are running around playing everywhere. Lately I've been finding it extremely difficult not to get upset while I sit outside and see them playing. Please understand that I do not wish this on any person in the world, I just wish that my child was healthy enough to run and play and see the world. It's heartbreaking for me to know that will never happen.

It's heartbreaking to see parents who don't appreciate the healthy children they have been given.

Going through something like this is very difficult. But the hardest part about it all is feeling like your in it all alone. I truly feel like no one wants to hear about my problems, no one wants to be around someone who is feeling down all the time. No one ever says, "hey how are you feeling" or "are you handling this ok"(with the exception of some wonderful church members). And let me tell you what that answer is, I'M NOT OK. I just want to scream it, I'M JUST NOT OK. It's harder when you and your husband both feel the exact same way and have no idea what to say to each other.

I've been told that i'm so strong, and guess what I'm not. Or if I am I certainly don't see it.

I realize that everyone in this world has problems. I also realize that many others have it much worse than we do. BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN I CAN'T BE SAD, OR CRY ABOUT IT. Because I have EVERY right to be sad and cry. Just like anyone else who has a problem they want to cry about. I am human, and I have feelings just like anyone else.

I am lonely too. No one comes by or calls, I don't really have many friends. And maybe I've pushed people away, I don't know, if I have I am truly sorry, it was unintentional. But it's hard when you've got no one to talk to, because you just keep it bottled up inside, until you go crazy and write a blog like this one! Like my preacher said, you can be in a room full of people but be the loneliest person in the room, and that's exactly right. If Layne were ok, I could go visit anyone, but he's not and I can't. I wish we could just hop in the car and go, but that's not the case. Instead of driving through McDonald's for a happy meal on the way to a friends, we would have to bring a suitcase for everything Layne needs. Plus the fact that he screams in the car and cries all the time, so I'm sure no one wants that around.

And let me just say. I love Layne with all my heart and if this had never happened to him, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I would be like any other mother who occasionally took their healthy kids for granted. But it's hard to see his cute little face everyday and think about how cute he would be if he could only run around and get into trouble. And to top that off I have dreams about it often, only to wake up heartbroken. It just plain stinks.

And I know that everything happens for a reason, and as my preacher said it will get easier. But sometimes I just want those easier days to be here already. And I will keep holding onto that hope. I know there is a purpose for all of this, and someday I hope to help someone in the same situation. Layne is a blessing, a blessing straight from the Lord, and I will never take one single accomplishment for granted, you can count on that.

If you have made it this far, thanks for taking the time to read this. Sorry for this crazy post, but I just really hoped that the EEG looked better. There's no correcting developmental delay, and that's a hard thing to accept.

I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART LAYNE!

EEG, 21 Months and Fever

This morning we went for Layne's EEG. Here is Layne on the way out!


Here they are measuring his head.



Now making the marks for the leads, by this time he was crying because he doesn't like to be touched by unfamiliar people:(

Placing the leads, he was screaming but you can't tell in this photo.
Wrapping his head up so everything stays in place.
Oh and did you notice by this time he has different clothes on? That's because right as we were checking in, he vomited all over his daddy, who had to go down to the gift shop for another shirt.
The next photo is what we saw on the screen. This doesn't look any different than the past ones I have seen, which doesn't mean anything really. It doesn't mean he is having seizures, he just has a brain pattern of someone with a seizure disorder. It looks pretty crazy huh?
We had to snap this photo with a cell phone while the tech stepped out, we weren't really sure if it was allowed haha!
Here is Layne on the way home, poor little guy, he was pooped!
When we got home I checked Layne's temp because he had felt warm all day to me and it was 101.6. He hasn't been keeping anything down today either. I'm not really sure what's going on but if the fever is still present tomorrow we will take him to his PCP.
Today is also Layne's 21 month birthday! I can't not believe in just 3 short months he will be 2! I wanted to share a picture of him with his doll that was the size he was at birth!
At birth he was 2lbs 14ozs and 15in long. His head was 10.75in and his chest was 9in. Now he weighs 16lbs 10ozs and is 29.5in long. His head is around 17in now. He is below the 5th percentile in all areas. He is about the weight of a 4-5 month old and the length of a 9-10 month old. Tiny....
I also wanted to share this photo...
For some reason mosquito bites give him bruises:(