Vision is complicated

Well Gabriel's first Thanksgiving was nice. We stayed home, ate, and enjoyed some company. Grandma and Grandpa Angel came for dinner along with Cynthia. We had a nice quiet day and Gabriel got to try out his high chair.

We also had a visit from his Great Grandparents, Uncle Isaac, and Tia Patti this week. I am so happy that he is able to meet my Grandma and Papo Valencia. It means a lot that they made time to visit.

We did not go black friday shopping, but hit some of the sales on Saturday while Granma Angel and Auntie Cynhtia got to hang out with Gabriel. It was really nice to get out of the house with Manuel. We were given a nice present of a clean baby and clean house when we got home. I am so lucky to have found such a great family to be a part of. They help me so much much with Gabriel and I am so grateful for that.

We went for Gabriel's follow up appointment with the eye doctor and so far everything looks good. I asked him if he thought Gabriel's vision would be fine, and he responded with " vision is complicated". I guess we will just have to watch and see what happens as he gets older.

Manuel took Gabriel to the Pediatrician's office, while I was stuck at the DMV trying to renew my expired license, to get his opinion on a few things. Gabriel has not had many bowel movements, is not eating as much, sleeps all the time, and is very fussy since the surgery. Dr. Lantry said it was the anesthesia that was causing the constipation and his reflux flared up because of the surgery. Prior to the surgery he had started staying awake and alert for several hours and that is a result of the eye medication. We are supposed to wean off them by Wednesday. He weighed in at 8lbs 9 oz today and I could not be happier. He fits really good in newborn size clothes, so naturally I was very excited when I found jeans he could wear. When it gets cool I found him a denim jacket, I can't wait for him to wear it. We just need to get to 14lbs before we can start with the cereal. We are very happy with our baby and are very Thankful to have him in our lives. He makes me smile just thinking about him.

Surgery

Well Gabriel had to have laser eye surgery in both his eyes on Friday. Originally he was only supposed to have it in his left eye, but Dr. Cleland felt it had to be done int he right as well. It has been rough for my poor little baby. He was not supposed to feel much pain after the surgery, but I think the swollen eyes were to much for him. He struggled with his feedings, going to the potty, and sleep. The three nights following the surgery were so hard. If Buela had not been here, I don't know how I would have made it through this. He had a lot of visitors and support while in the hospital. Thank you to Grandma and Grandpa Angel, Buela, Aunt Veronica, Katherine, and Allegra for checking on us.

Here we go again...

Gabriel had his 5 month check up and boy has he gotten big. He is 19.5" long, 7lbs 14 oz, and his head is 14.5' around. He is below the 5th percentile, but that is because he was born early and they use his chronological age. He also got his immunizations, he did not like them at all, and he had a fever for the day. My poor little baby.

I was happy to be able to have him with me for my birthday. Grandma Angel came over and babysat so Manuel could take me to dinner. Gabriel is starting to raise his arms when you look at him, letting you know he wants to be picked up. When I say "kisses" to him he will turn his head and open his mouth. He has changed so much, it amazes me every time I look at him.

He had another follow up with Dr. Cleland, his opthamologist, and he is admitted him back into the NICU on Friday for surgery. His left eye needs to have laser surgery because he has some abnormal blood vessels and they are starting to pull. He wants to get this fixed so that the retina does not detach. The surgery will be Friday at one o'clock and he will be admitted around nine or ten in the morning. I will let everyone know how it goes and how he is doing. It is not a complex procedure so everything should be just fine.

Doctor Appointment

Today we had our Pulmonologist appointment today and mister man weighs 7lbs 7oz and is 18.5 inches long. We got our second synergis shot to help prevent RSV. He is in good health so far. We took him for a walk with Kaiya and Hershey yesterday. Hershey is gonna be so protective over Gabriel. She would walk right next to the stroller so she could be next to him. it wasn't the best situation for Manuel because she kept crossing in front of him and getting in the way. It was nice to have a family outing even though it was short.

Gabriel got to meet his Guncle Nick last week. He was so great to go with us to the eye doctor appointment and spend the day with us. Gabriel was so happy and just loved his time with Nick, it helps that mommy loves him too. Uncle Javi came this weekend and spent some time with us, even bringing us some very yummy B-B-Que. it was nice not to have to cook. He and Gabriel are gonna be the best of friends and uncle Javi will be able to introduce him to pinball.