Cruising Along

As we've mentioned previously, Archer has been on “lockdown” due to cold/flu/RSV season since November. This means his trips out of the house have mostly been limited to a few doctors’ appointments, Grandma and Grandpa’s house, and a few visits with healthy friends. Gratefully, we have been able to avoid any serious illnesses in our household due to the diligence of others! Archer did have a slight stuffy/runny nose for a week or two since our last update, but his daily nebulizer treatment and RSV shots likely helped to keep it from causing any breathing problems.

Archer's 1st night at home 4/11/13

Although it has been nice not to have to venture outside much during this frigid winter, we cannot wait for warmer weather and the end of RSV season (usually around April 15^th in Ohio)!  We had to limit Archer’s 1^st birthday guest list due to “lockdown,” so we thought we would celebrate the 1^st anniversary of his NICU Graduation (April 11^th), as well as our freedom, by inviting all of our friends and family to join us for a walk! What better way to celebrate Archer’s 1^st year at home than by giving back to one of the organizations that helped make his homecoming possible? The mission of the March of Dimes is to “help moms have full-term pregnancies and research the problems that threaten the health of babies.” Because Archer was born at 23 weeks gestation his lungs had just begun to develop in the womb. Had it not been for a life-saving dose of surfactant (a treatment developed with March of Dimes research funds) to help keep his airways open, Archer would not be with us today. The March of Dimes also donated a gift bag with a blanket, hat, sleep sack, T-shirt, educational info, and other items to us when Archer was in the NICU. Their annual fundraiser, the March for Babies, takes place on Sunday, April 13^th in Toledo, and we will be walking under the team name Archer’s Armor to bring awareness and funds to help prevent and treat the complications of premature birth. If you would like to donate to our team or join us in fundraising and walking, you may register or pay online by clicking the links on the right of this page. We are in the process of designing team T-shirts (Thanks, Cory!). if you would like to order one as well. Thank you all for your continued support!

Now, an overdue update:

Archer has become more interested in his toys and is much better at playing independently. He loves handing over different objects and thinks it’s hilarious to hand something to you but not let go. He knows where his favorite snacks are and will walk over and show you what he wants or continue signing “more” until he gets what he wants. He has also started bringing the remote to us when he wants to watch Signing Time. Archer signs “more” and “all done” and seems to be catching on to a couple more, although his movements aren’t very refined. He has become pretty attached to Mom and Dad and is quite leery when his therapists or nurse come over, but he usually warms up after a little bit. His therapists were able to lure Archer away from Mom with some Goldfish crackers the other day. His nurse, however, received some icy stares after she gave him his Valentine’s Day gift last week: a RSV shot in each leg!

Valentine's Day 2013 (3#4oz.) & 2014

"all done"

Archer managed to get Dad's animal
crackers out of the pantry.

"more avocado!"

Unless he is around unfamiliar people, Archer is usually pretty talkative. He isn’t saying any words consistently yet, at least none that we understand. He says something similar to “Mom” occasionally, and we think we’ve heard “okay,” “milk,” “Daddy,” “kitty,” and “hi” a time or two, but we don’t know if they were intentional sounds or not yet.

Archer now has 7 teeth, and we believe number 8 is soon to appear. Teething means little sleep for any of us, although we seem to get a small reprieve for a night or two until another tooth starts pushing its way through. Anything within Archer’s grasp is subjected to the bite/chew test, although ironically he isn’t very fond of teething rings.

We’ve missed out on a few sessions due to bad weather, but Archer’s early intervention specialist and therapists (PT and OT) continue to be impressed with his developmental progress. His EI specialist was thrilled with how much he had accomplished in the 2 months since she’d last seen him and said he is caught up to the 12 month checklist she was using. She mentioned trying to write with crayons at her next visit, which I don’t believe will go very well as Archer still loves to chew on his crayons at home! His balance has greatly improved, and he is able to catch himself from falling more often, or at least fall on his bottom instead of going down head-first! He is still primarily getting around the house by a combination of cruising and crawling, but he will stand on his own for a while, as long as he doesn’t realize that he’s not holding onto anything, and can take a few steps on his own once Mom or Dad lets go. Maybe Archer will be doing some of his own walking in the March for Babies by April!

Some of Archer's favorite activities:

chasing the cat

climbing anything 

emptying drawers and cabinets

sweeping

flushing over and over

flipping trash can lids

playing peek-a-boo

pushing toys, baskets, trash cans, etc

Other favorite activities: throwing and chasing balls, turning lights on/off, riding the rocking horse, Ring-around-the-rosie, singing/clapping, bath time, spinning anything, chewing anything, and helping with laundry.

Archer visited his pulmonologist Friday and is now over 17 pounds! The nurse also said he was 29 inches long, although Archer wasn’t very cooperative in laying down to be measured, so that number may be a little off. He is creeping closer and closer to actually being “on the chart” for growth for his actual age though, and his doctor was very pleased with his progress! We will be on the lookout for any signs of eczema and allergies this Spring as we are not sure if some of Archer’s issues last Spring/Summer may have been due to allergies, colds, or reflux, but the doctor can order a blood test to give us some answers if we notice any problems. Mom also questioned the pulmonologist about Archer’s Chronic Lung Disease, a diagnosis he received in the NICU due to being ventilated for such a long period of time.  The doctor explained that most of Archer’s lung growth is happening now (which is why it’s important to protect him from respiratory illnesses like RSV) and should be fully mature around age 5 or 6. At that point they are able to perform a simple pulmonary function test to identify things like asthma or other issues that may have long-term implications. We are hopeful that taking continued precautions to protect Archer’s lungs for the next few years will help him avoid long-term breathing issues.

riding in his truck

Sledding was NOT as fun this time!

"Really, Dad?"

Chillin'

Finally discovered the cat door!

Looking Back, Looking Forward: Archer's 1st Year Video & Holidays at Home

For those who have not had a chance to see it, here is a link to a video Kyle made capturing the highlights of Archer’s first year:

Click here: Archer's First Year Video

Whew, what a month! Archer seems to have boundless energy and has kept Mom and Dad on their toes the past few weeks! He had his first opportunity to try out the sled he got for his birthday, and while he didn’t enjoy being strapped down much, he did love standing in the snow!

Archer had a 2^nd visit to his pediatric ophthalmologist in December. The doctor did not see any cause for concern right now, but he did caution that Archer’s extreme prematurity, as well as the aggressive ROP and subsequent laser treatment that he underwent in the NICU, put him at a much higher risk for vision problems in the future. Archer will visit the ophthalmologist again in 6 months.

Archer was also able to enjoy some time with Grandma and Grandpa Kumfer, who were able to visit over Christmas again. We reminisced about how different this holiday season was from their visit the year before. Last Christmas, needless to say, was rough. Archer was just 3 weeks old and was struggling with low blood pressure, fighting an infection, and requiring high levels of oxygen. On Christmas Eve we were told he had a seizure, and on Christmas Day he received a blood transfusion and a new IV line that required many pokes and was difficult to witness. Fortunately, things started to improve thereafter and Archer’s blood pressure stabilized, he was able to begin milk feedings again, and a few days later Mom was able to hold him for the first time! We are all amazed at everything he has been able to overcome so far, and we were so blessed to get to celebrate with Archer at home this year! Although he was not very impressed by the tree and all of the gifts (they blocked him from moving around), Archer loved having more people around to play with! He even got to meet some family members for the first time. 

On the bottom-left, Archer is holding the ornament he received in the NICU on his 1st Christmas.

1st eye opened - New Year's Eve 2012

Archer was again determined to have his eyes open to celebrate the New Year too. He opened one eye for the first time on New Year’s Eve last year (the 2^nd opened the next day), and this year he woke Grandma up at 11:30pm to party and stayed up to wish Mom and Dad a Happy New Year as well!

Archer has continued to make strides developmentally and has become a pro at pulling himself up on anything; his grinning face now greets us as he stands in his crib each time we enter his room. Unfortunately, this skill has led to many bumps and bruises, but thankfully Archer has recently figured out how to get back down to the floor on his own after pulling to standing. He is constantly on the move and loves to walk around with assistance, cruise, and climb the stairs, which makes for an exhausted Mom and Dad! We had to put away the changing table because Archer was immediately rolling over to crawl away, so diaper and clothing changes are now done on the floor while Archer stands. It’s comical to watch, but we can’t get him to lie still long enough to get a diaper on!

 

Archer has gotten much louder and is “talking” much more, although he did subject us to a new whiny screech for about a week. We have been working on introducing sign language as well. We thought he had mastered the sign for “more,” but then he began using it whenever he wanted anything and we had to work to figure out what he was asking for. Hopefully we’ll have more progress with signing soon.

Enjoying a snow day inside.

Playing with rice.

Archer also had his first experience with a babysitter other than Mom, Dad, Grandma, or Grandpa today (Thanks, Jim!). It was only about an hour, but he was not happy with Mom and Dad leaving. Looks like we have some work ahead of us on getting him comfortable interacting with other people. Thankfully he'll be able to go out in public and socialize more after Cold/Flu/RSV season!

One Year Old

Archer turned one on December 1st! What a difference a year makes! Archer now weighs over 15 1/2 pounds. Overall, his health is spectacular (thanks to everyone being cautious about their health when visiting), and he is showing great developmental improvements while trying to catch up to other 1 year olds. He quickly progressed from rolling over, to crawling, to pulling himself up, all in the last few weeks. Keeping up with him and preventing him from tumbling and banging his head on anything and everything is a difficult task. He enjoys trying to catch the cat, pulling up on Mom and Dad, and checking out the environment around him. He especially likes inspecting nightlights and electrical cords. The Christmas tree is up in the house, and surprisingly he does not pay much attention to it. Dad is trying to teach Archer how to just "touch" things instead of tugging and pulling, like the cat's hair. He has learned to grasp two different objects with both hands and bang them together. One of his latest favorite games is crawling to the edge of the couch and taking a nosedive into Dad's arms. He also enjoys clapping hands with Mom as she sings songs to him.

Archer was surrounded by close family on his first birthday. He was in a good mood for the entire day (a long morning nap helped him make it through the party). Dad carved and decorated a car cake, which Archer dug into with his hands. He ate some pieces that were fed to him by hand. Archer is eating more solid food, but he has yet to master the pincer grasp to bring food to his mouth. He had a lot of gifts to open, with help, and ended the day by Skyping with his grandparents while in a rambunctious mood. 

Archer had his shots updated by the pediatrician and is also keeping up with his monthly RSV shots. He paid another visit to the plastic surgeon for a follow-up appointment regarding the mild ridge in his skull. The doctor said it is not worth putting him through surgery to fix something that is only cosmetic, and his skull will change over the next several years as he grows. He did say that it would be a good idea to have Archer wear a head band to keep his ears from growing outward so much; though his ears seem to have super powers that double in strength when being bound. 

Archer's top two front teeth are now coming in. This has not made Archer, Mom, or Dad very happy. They are swollen and often cause Archer to wake up at night (at least this is a possible cause). He is now moving around in his crib and he often bangs his head on the sides and wakes himself up too.

Once again we would like to thank everyone who made this first birthday possible. From doctors to nurses, family, and friends. One year ago it was hard to imagine that Archer's first birthday would come with great health and happy expressions. We couldn't be more enthused about Archer's progress and we can't wait to see what future birthdays will bring.

Someone doesn't belong in here.

On the move!

I like the boxes the gifts came in!

Cake decorated by Mom.

Cake decorated by Dad.

Party time!

Meeting cousin Gloria!

I need help with this one.

This is a book about me and my cousin Max! Everyone should buy one: click here to buy. 

I am totally going to be hyper later.

Hi

He keeps a beat better than Mom.

Banging two objects (Legos) together.

He loves anything that spins.

Pull me behind the lawnmower in my new sled, Dad!

I'm pulling myself up and getting into things. My head will suffer bruises on a daily basis. Deal with it.

All I want for Christmas... (and RSV/Cold/Flu Season precautions)

Our best attempt at capturing a photo of Archer's teeth

Apparently Santa decided to bring Archer’s Christmas gift a little early this year…his bottom two front teeth! That, or we jinxed ourselves by praising Archer’s happy, easygoing nature and progress in sleeping through the night in our last update! The signs were apparent that those teeth were going to appear soon, the tenfold increase in drool and chewing on anything within hands’ reach, but we were hoping Archer would be one of those babies who breezes through teething with a smile on his face. Nope! The constant smiles and giggles are now occasionally interrupted by periods of crankiness and tears, and those 10-12 hour stretches of sleep have become less frequent. Archer does look pretty cute with those teeth popping up though!

Doing push-ups

Archer’s menu has expanded, and he has been trying out some soft table foods. He is drinking from a sippy cup with help as well. Archer continues to LOVE the Jumperoo and has made a lot of improvement in sitting up on his own for longer periods and rolling over. He still prefers to stand, but he is doing well with kneeling, creeping, and is dangerously (for the cat) close to crawling! He is able to crawl backwards, and he did make some great forward pushes this morning!

Archer enjoys playing peek-a-boo, listening to songs, clapping others’ hands, and grabbing anything within reach. He also giggles through a game of “catch” with a small beach ball.

Archer had another visit with his pulmonologist on Friday, and he is now over 15 pounds and 26 inches long. His doctor is very pleased with his growth and said his lungs sounded great. We will continue to give Pulmicort (an inhaled steroid that prevents swelling in the lungs) through the nebulizer once a day as a preventative measure for now, although we will try a second attempt at discontinuing Archer’s reflux medicine.

The main topic of our visit with the pulmonologist was RSV season, which coincides with cold and flu season. RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is pretty common among children, and most will develop it by age 2. In healthy, full-term babies, RSV generally isn’t a big deal and just appears like a common cold (congestion, runny nose, sore throat, dry cough) that goes away in a week or two. In premature babies who did not benefit from the boost of antibodies from mom in the last trimester and whose lungs are not fully developed, RSV can lead to serious lung infections like pneumonia. Because Archer was born just as his lungs were beginning to develop, his lungs are still very fragile, and infections can cause breathing problems that would likely land him back in the hospital and on oxygen support.  The pictures show how a preemie’s lung capacity is drastically smaller than a full-term baby’s and why respiratory illnesses can be severe.

Just like colds and the flu, RSV can be caught at anytime during the year and is passed through the air when someone coughs or sneezes. The virus can live for 6 hours or more on surfaces as well. RSV is much more prevalent during Fall through Spring, so many families with young preemies go on “lockdown,” which basically means avoiding public areas (stores, church, crowded gatherings), people who may be sick, and young children. Archer will also receive a shot once a month, from November through April, which will provide some of the antibodies Archer missed out on. While these antibodies cannot totally prevent RSV, they can help lessen the severity of symptoms and hopefully keep him out of the hospital (which is why the insurance company pays A LOT of money to provide the shots)!

We share this information with our loved ones because we need your help in keeping Archer healthy! So we have a few requests if you plan to visit Archer:

1.   Postpone your visit if you or someone you’re close to has been sick in the past week (runny nose, cough, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, etc).
2. If you are a smoker, shower and change your clothes before visiting. Even third-hand smoke can be harmful to Archer’s fragile lungs.
3. Take off your shoes when coming in; they can spread germs throughout Archer’s play area.
4. Wash your hands when you arrive, each time prior to touching Archer, after using the bathroom, eating, and blowing your nose. The virus can live on counters, door handles, steering wheels, pens, cell phones, keys, etc. for 6 hours, so frequent hand washing is important!
5. Save kisses for the forehead.

Other things you can do: get a flu shot and Pertussis vaccine, and, if you don’t already, keep yourself healthy by making a habit of washing and sanitizing your hands, especially after being in public and around children!

If you’d like to learn more about RSV and keeping preemies healthy, check out these links:

•  http://www.preemievoices.com/pdfs/Preemie_Lung_Card_Eng.pdf
•  http://preemievoices.com/pdfs/RSV_Eng.pdf
•  http://www.preemiecare.org/rsvfaq.htm
•  http://www.preemiecare.org/lungs.html
•  https://www.rsvprotection.com/how-rsv-disease-works.html
•  http://handtohold.org/resources/helpful-articles/5-things-every-nicu-parent-should-know-rsv/
•  http://aintnorollercoaster.com/our-experiences-with-rsv/#more-1036
• http://aintnorollercoaster.com/tag/preemie-bubble/

Archer's 1st finger painting experience

Archer playing with the activity board Grandpa made 

You know you’ve spent WAY TOO MUCH time in the NICU when…

Archer has been a pretty busy boy lately, and we are overdue for an update, so we’ll start with the basics. He is now 10 ½ months old, or about 6 ½ months adjusted, and is over 14 lbs.! Archer’s therapists and early intervention specialist continue to be impressed with his progress so far, and he has been rolling from back to front and from front to back with much more ease and frequency lately. He is able to sit up unassisted for a bit longer now, although he much prefers to stand and grab for anything within reach (faces, hair, paper, blankets, etc…). Archer enjoys tummy-time, and once he develops some stronger arm and trunk muscles, he will be on his way to crawling. He is able to push off with his feet a little now while on his tummy and loves to bat and chase balls. His other favorites: the Jumperoo, being lifted in the air, scooting off the changing pad, babbling, and smacking his tray or table with his hands, spoon, or cup. He has recently begun to take notice of our cat too. Archer has started to sleep through the night more often in the past few weeks, although he is still inconsistent, and daytime naps rarely last more than 45 minutes at a time. He usually eats solids for lunch and dinner, and his repertoire now consists of: carrots, peas, avocados, bananas, applesauce, and sweet potatoes. He also likes toast occasionally and enjoyed some puffs for the first time today. Many seem to comment on his happy nature, and, yes, he is generally a smiley guy who loves to laugh. He loves to be around people, although he does seem to be entering the “stranger danger” phase, much to the chagrin of a few family members and his EI specialist. Other than that, he is usually only fussy when he is tired or hungry, which is a very welcome change from the first couple of months of colic and uncontrolled reflux! He is very distractible and doesn’t like to stop to eat or sleep if there is someone or something else interesting to see.

Having fun before bedtime

Tummy-time

Smiley boy 

Archer trying to be friendly to the cat

Highlights from the past month:

• We took Archer to an appointment with a plastic surgeon upon the recommendation of his neurologist. The surgeon pretty much told us what we expected to hear: Archer’s metopic ridge is pretty mild and should not require any intervention. The nurse took some measurements, and we will return in a couple of months to see if there are any changes, but we do not anticipate any further appointments.

• Now, back to the title. You know when you’ve spent too much time in the NICU when you go back to visit 6 months later and the valet not only recognizes you but is as excited to see you and your baby as the NICU nurses and doctors! While the hospital offered this convenient service, we never actually utilized it during the 5-day stay prior to Archer’s birth or his 131-day NICU stay, although we did receive a nice greeting and smile each time we entered or exited the hospital doors. This particular valet also kindly helped us stuff our car full on Archer’s graduation and homecoming day. It’s amazing the amount of stuff the nurses send you home with, in addition to our awesome collection of Kate’s Kart books! *Kate’s Kart has a fundraiser this weekend; if you are interested in supporting them, check out the link! 

• Archer attended his first BGSU tailgate!

Sleepy, cuddle time

In BGSU gear at the tailgate

At the NICU Reunion

• The week after that hospital visit was Archer’s first chance to attend the annual NICU Reunion. We were able to catch up with even more nurses and staff that we had not seen in awhile, as well as some of the NICU parents and babies that were down the hall from Archer. The party had a Halloween theme, and it was fun to see all of the little ones and the NICU staff all dressed up and out of scrubs!

• Archer also enjoyed his first trip to Cincinnati this past weekend! He got to visit his birthday buddy, Max, and experienced his first trip to the zoo and Ikea. Archer also slyly managed to stay up way past his bedtime to hang out with the adults!

  

  Max & Archer

Archer & Max

Archer helping Daddy put together his Ikea bookshelf for all of his Kate's Kart books

The Cincinnati Zoo