Talmage and His Smiles (4&5 Months)

Something has happened to Talmage in the last two months. He went from a fussy infant to a smiley, delightful, on the verge of becoming chunky, baby. This transformation has been so fun to watch. There was one doctor's appointment specifically where his doctor was shocked to realize that Talmage was in the room with us when she saw the carseat. She usually heard him before she saw him!

 

This is our last picture of Talmage swaddled up (and in the swing.) Talmage hit 3 1/2 to four months and decided his arms weren't the enemy and they could be free. He has even decided that if a paci isn't around, his thumb isn't a bad option.

Hanging with his big sis. Lili is a great big sister. She brings Talmage his paci when he is crying and "sings" him songs.

The dimple

Talmage likes to play with toys now. He will reach out to touch toys and grab onto them.

Daddy making Talmage laugh.

4 Month pictures

Talmage noticed his doggy blanket for the first time.

Eating:
By the time Talmage turned 3 1/2 months, we were done with the 27 calorie formula. Both Zane and I felt like it was giving him stomach aches. We would watch at night him scream after a bottle until he had a bowel movement. We went back to 22 calories, and he liked it much better and drank a lot more.

We went to a GI check up four weeks later (Talmage has technically been labeled failure to thrive because he hasn't gained enough weight although he hasn't lost any) and this specialist asked us to try 24 calories. About a week earlier, Talmage had started taking 4 ounce bottles finally so we were worried he would start drinking less with the up in calories, but he has handled it just fine. Now he drinks between 4 and 6 ounces. He weighed in at 10 pounds 6 ounces.

The boys love hanging with Talmage even more that he is happy and plays with toys. Gavin is especially good at doing tummy time with Talmage and shaking toys for him.

Talmage enjoying his new to him play mat.

Physical Development:

Because of the stroke Talmage had inuteral, all his doctor's have been concerned about his physical development. First he was tested by Early Childhood to see if he qualified for services (special education for infants focusing on physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech.) This happened when he was 3 1/2 months. He was tested as a 2 month old because of his adjusted age but scored as a 3 month old so he didn't qualify for services. He had a neurology appointment a few days later. Talmage's doctor felt like his muscles were too tight and he would benefit from therapy after all (although he doesn't qualify for the free ones provided by Early Childhood.) My friend was kind enough to let me come over when her daughter's physical therapist was working with her in their home to have Talmage looked at. This physical therapist agreed with my doctor bet felt like Talmage wasn't serious enough for weekly visits. She gave me some exercises to do with him to stretch his muscles and then we talked about checking in together monthly. One concern was that Talmage hadn't rolled over yet. The next day though, he rolled over from his front to his back. This kid is amazing!

5 Month Pictures

Now he notices his doggy blanket and plays with it. He likes to feel it when he is in the car seat especially.

Doctor's Appointments:

Besides a GI appointment, a Neurology appointment, and well check ups, Talmage also had an ultrasound on his spine to check up a dimple on his bum (at the end of his spine) to make sure the skin was closed up around it. If it wasn't closed then Talmage would have a minor form of Spina Bifida. Luckily the ultrasound showed that it was closed up and all was good.

I have now come to the conclusion that doctors are overly concerned with Talmage, but he likes to show everyone that he is perfect and to just leave him alone!

We think Talmage is pretty perfect!