A breathing champion & some baby steps

Our first big news: Ben took three consecutive little steps yesterday! Today he hasn't done more than one, but we are still very excited. Soon the journey into the toddler-side will be complete..... :)

I think Ben was so keen to take those steps yesterday because we went to hang out with a wonderful group of women and their toddlers and babies (and goats!) & he didn't want to be left behind.

Our second bit of splendid news: the pulmonologist says Ben's breathing is so good now we don't need to do any more testing on him!!

Mmmmm goaty kisses

We had a follow-up visit with the pulmonologist today, and he said Ben is no longer struggling to breathe, and that his tummy looks like a "normal" baby's tummy (instead of heaving in and out with each breath like it used to). The doctor said that the reflux meds and the thickened feeds have made it so that Ben's laryngomalasia is no longer causing him to work double time to breathe. I had thought that I was noticing a real improvement in his breathing a week or so ago, but I was afraid it might just be wishful thinking. I'm so relieved!

One of the tests that the hospital had wanted to do for Ben would have tested to see if he aspirates while he eats, and since the treatment for that condition is thickening feeds (which we are already doing; and since Ben is doing SO much better) the doctor thinks we can forgo that test, and NOT have to put him under to do a CAT scan of his lungs (unless he starts getting worse).

The doctor also said that we're going to taper off the inhaler and now only have to do it once a day. This is great because Ben really fights it, and now I can just plan to do it in the evenings when Clay is here to help hold our little tiger.

***P.S. Who loves yogurt?  THIS guy ***

who needs gel when you've got yogurt in your hair?

post yogurt binge-zoning out