This morning was all about a trip to the GI doctor. With no need to pack the ventilator and breaks from the feeding pump, it made transporting Brendan a LOT easier!

He even wore his PMV for the trip!

Brendan is not the only one that likes to chew on toes.

Without all the extra equipment, The Whale stroller can actually carry two boys properly!

Trevor did a great job waiting during the appointment!

Brendan always has his apps for comfort when he is scared.

Everything was quick and easy. Brendan lost a tiny bit of weight which is what they wanted. He was 24lbs 12oz. They won’t be changing his calories. We are going to keep moving bit by bit toward giving him his formula faster over a shorter period of time so he is connected less. Eventually, he will have scheduled meal times and will get several ounces quickly just like a regular bottle feeding.
The more time off he has, the more likely he is to feel hunger and be willing to take food by mouth. It must help that he had a two hour break, because he ate almost half of a carton of Sweet Potato/Corn blend!!

Doctor’s appointments wear everyone out.

Bill had to work late and be on the phone so Brendan decided to be an epic crab tonight. He would scream loudly unless I picked him up. I was trying to make dinner and feed Trevor so he did a lot of crying. It is his turn to learn that crying does not get what he wants, it is just a shame it has to be so loud! It is a good thing that all that yelling is good for his breathing muscles!

Besides all the screaming, Brendan is doing more and more experimenting with making sounds and moving his mouth. The first half of this video is just talking with the PMV. In the second half, we are experimenting with ‘capping’ or completely blocking the trach tube so that Brendan has to breathe in and out through his mouth and nose instead. We are encouraged at how well he did and I love the sounds!

This morning was looking like it was going to be another “battle for mommy time” so I decided to take Trevor out of the house to wear him out. Brendan could then work with his nurse practicing his PT skills and not worry so much about where I am and what Trevor is doing!
I was not up for the zoo, so I drove Trevor to Bass Pro Shop just to walk around and see the big fish tank. He had a fun outing.

We also stopped at the store and he HAD to buy a balloon “for Gramma”.

He will keep it safe and take care of it here, of course.

And try to bonk his brother on the head with it too!

Brendan will help with the balloon-sitting.

Today Brendan was so hungry, he could eat his own foot!! Maybe that is why he ate 13 bites of green beans!!

Each day, we identify what is Trevor’s “prime object” for the day. This is the one thing that must be possessed at all times, and it must go with him wear he goes. It has been the oxygen cart but today it was the fly swatter. He even took it to the bath with him!
He pushed it around the floor like a mop.

He carried it around looking casual.

He used it to yell at the dogs (he is even signing “dog” here).

The only thing better is messing with something that is on the “do not touch” list.

Brendan wore his PMV for 10 hours! We only take it off now for nap time and then bed time. Our household is totally different now with the sounds of two babies in it. Brendan uses his voice a lot and will suddenly blurt out the absolute cutest noises that make me stop and smile. He is hilarious! Combined with Trevor’s continuous talking, I can’t help but laugh!

Brendan had a great day again today, he wore his PMV for 9 hours and there were no accidental trach-pulls. He did have a mighty crabby morning and wanted nothing but mommy time. He already is fully aware that his voice can be used to manipulate people and he did a LOT of crying, especially during PT. He cried when I would leave the room with Trevor. He cried when I would put him down or hand him to his nurse. And he cries LOUD! It is great to hear him experimenting with his voice too.

He did a little better for his occupational therapist this afternoon, but still did a lot of crying. She brought a saucer to play with. Trevor checked it out but didn’t like it as much as I thought he would.

Brendan did a great job with the balance testing

He got very vocal when he was “done”

“I am outta here”

After therapies, Trevor and I headed to my old office for a party. My friend Linda is celebrating her retirement. Congrats Linda!
Trevor was apprehensive at first but then settled in to a normal level of spazz. He was so excited to check out every corner of the room and he tried to touch and grab everything.

He liked the corner where there was a little photo backdrop setup with lots of props.

He ran all around shaking the magic wand at things. My cell phone camera just couldn’t keep up with the little blur.

He thought this red carpet was rolled out for him

I didn’t really get a chance to visit with anyone because I was keeping Trevor out of trouble. Several people were taking pictures with nice cameras, I hope to get copies.

I got home just in time to get Trevor fed and through his night routine, including his bath and his “swimming lessons”.

Gramma’s surgery went smoothly and she is resting at home. She will have a tough recovery and therapy ahead but we hope it makes a big difference in the long run. We posted this little video to help her smile earlier today!
This is what happens when you ask Trevor to show you what a frog does!