Since I haven't managed to compile photos, I'll let this update take the form of a narrative that Katy wrote to my parents about the outcomes of the boys' 4-month appointment with the pediatricians at UVA Hospital. We saw a med student, a resident, Dr. Caileigh Pudela, and probably our favorite attending pediatrician, Dr. Mendelsohn.
Some background: the boys are in great shape, smiling a lot and even proving from time to time that they can giggle. Charlie has a flat head, and Bruno has a blood-oozing belly button.
Both of these conditions are common... flat heads especially since it has become the practice to always lay your babies on their backs when they're unattended. Bruno turns his head to the side while on his back, but Charlie quite stubbornly always looks up... hence Bruno's head is deep and narrow and Charlie's is flat and wide. (It's actually oblong, because Charlie prefers to look slightly to the right. Oy.) There are treatments for this, including helmets that distribute the load to allow the head to round out. We've decided to pursue this expeditiously, before Charlie becomes aware that he's wearing a goofy helmet all day.
Bruno's belly button has a bit of guts sticking out of it that just won't die and fall off. This happens in 5% of babies, if I recall a previous consultation correctly. This granuloma, as it's called, oozes a little blood regularly. Thankfully, it's not infected or getting worse, and an ultrasound a few weeks ago established that it's not connected to anything sensitive on the inside. Still, it hasn't responded to two applications of silver nitrate intended to dry it out.
Now, you have enough background to read Katy's report:
P.S.: OK, you get some pictures:
Some background: the boys are in great shape, smiling a lot and even proving from time to time that they can giggle. Charlie has a flat head, and Bruno has a blood-oozing belly button.
Both of these conditions are common... flat heads especially since it has become the practice to always lay your babies on their backs when they're unattended. Bruno turns his head to the side while on his back, but Charlie quite stubbornly always looks up... hence Bruno's head is deep and narrow and Charlie's is flat and wide. (It's actually oblong, because Charlie prefers to look slightly to the right. Oy.) There are treatments for this, including helmets that distribute the load to allow the head to round out. We've decided to pursue this expeditiously, before Charlie becomes aware that he's wearing a goofy helmet all day.
Bruno's belly button has a bit of guts sticking out of it that just won't die and fall off. This happens in 5% of babies, if I recall a previous consultation correctly. This granuloma, as it's called, oozes a little blood regularly. Thankfully, it's not infected or getting worse, and an ultrasound a few weeks ago established that it's not connected to anything sensitive on the inside. Still, it hasn't responded to two applications of silver nitrate intended to dry it out.
Now, you have enough background to read Katy's report:
The doctors are all very happy with the boys! They are growing very well – both are just over 2 feet long and right around 15 pounds heavy! Bruno has mostly caught up to Charlie, their head circumferences were exactly the same, even though their shapes are so different.Epilogue: the last two days have indeed been rough, with a fair bit more unattributable crankiness than usual. I think they're mellowing out again. They are still the most charming, adorable creatures I've ever seen. And it feels intensely thrilling that it is up to us to raise and guide them. You know that feeling when you buy your first fancy new car or house, when you take joy in submitting yourself to a new responsibility and attachment? I'm pretty sure that those experiences are channeling the natural response to having a baby.
The consensus is that their overall health is excellent and they are progressing beautifully. They each have one minor problem and we will both see specialists soon.
Bruno will see a pediatric surgeon to finally take care of the granuloma in his belly button, and Charlie will see an orthopedist to determine whether to begin PT or a helmet. Insurance requires that we try PT first, otherwise they won’t cover the cost of a helmet (because plagiocephaly is cosmetic). I’m glad that I pushed to talk to the attending about his head because the resident seemed to be leaning toward not doing anything about it today. The attending doctor, Dr. Mendelsohn, has seen the boys a few times and was very pleased to see their growth and sweet personalities (the boys really laid on the charm!)
They had their shots again and hated that, but were otherwise charmers and all smiles and giggles for the nurses and doctors. Since coming home this afternoon they have been alternatively sleepy and fussy, from the shots, so I think it might be a rough night for all of us! We shall see.
P.S.: OK, you get some pictures:
