3 Months Old!

I can't believe our baby is finally 3 months old! Where does the time go? Malone and I think Mason is starting to teeth. He drools a lot now, sucks on his hands and is seems like he is starting to figure out how to hold things to his mouth. He certainly recognizes me and Malone. He just smiles and smiles. He is starting to giggle a tiny bit, which I think will be full swing this next month. We had his physical therapist over a week or so ago and she suggested that he needs to spend more time on his tummy and on his back so he can strengthen his muscles. He puts up with tummy time and  loves laying on his back. He is alert and awake most of the day and continues to sleep through the night. We put Mason to bed around 10:00 and he doesn't wake up again till about 4:00-5:00 am and then he goes right back to sleep till 8-9am sometimes. Mason is such a good baby!


Last week we all traveled down to Utah for another appointment at Primary's. This time he had to do a VCMG, which is basically a bladder test to see how well it is working. It tests records the pressure in the bladder, the amount of urine in the bladder, and function of the bladder neck which leads outside the body. It sounds kind of scary and complicated, but I was surprised how smoothly things went. We went into this room where they had a computer monitor, an x-ray, and a table. We laid Mason out on the table took off his diaper, and the techs inserted a catheter which fills the bladder with fluid and has a sensor that tells them how much pressure there is in there. They took x-rays as they went so they could see the fluid in the bladder. It was so interesting! Malone and I were able to stay and watch the whole thing. We had to dress up in these jumpsuits and wear lead vests and hairnets. To say the least, we looked ridiculous.  But Mason did amazing. He was so good the entire time! We were able to talk to the urologist right there and get his results immediately.


 Mason's bladder muscle looks very healthy and smooth. His bladder pressure is in the normal range and is able to evacuate almost all the urine. And most importantly the urine is not refluxing back into the kidneys at all! Such a beautiful x-ray! I guess it is common for urine to back up into the kidneys in SB kids. But Mason is doing so great! We won't know if he can really hold his urine until we reach that milestone during potty training, same with his bowel. But for now, Mason is at low risk for infection and the urologist told us we don't necessarily have to cath anymore. But it might be wise to continue it a couple times a week just in case later down the road we have to pick it up again. The urologist made it sound like things could change as Mason grows. And since Mason isn't voiding his bladder completely (which is normal for babies this age) it could keep his bladder from growing properly as he grows. So, Malone and I decided we will continue to cath Mason a couple times a week just to make sure we get all that urine out once in a while. But he is low risk for infection and low risk for kidney problems which is such a huge blessing.

We also did spina bifida clinic where we met with a few of his specialists. We talked to the dietician, who is happy with his growth. He is right on track! He is now 12.7 lbs and 23 3/4 inches long. We talked to the occupational therapist who was also happy with how he is doing. We will continue to help him strengthen his muscles by laying on his back and kicking like any normal baby does. Most importantly we talked to the neurosurgeon who was happy with Mason's head size and his soft spot is still soft, which means the ETV we did a couple months ago is holding up and maintaining the cerebral spinal fluid flow in his brain. Mason's head is a little on the big side on the growth charts, but nothing really abnormal. In fact, I was surprised when the doctor told us that, because I certainly don't think he has a big head. He's perfect in my eyes! We discussed with all the doctors that we'd be moving this month and they gave us information on who to contact in Texas and where to go for SB clinic when we get there. I am sad to leave all of Mason's doctors we've had from the beginning, but maybe the doctors in Texas will be great too. The neurosurgeon says that there are few doctors across the country who even know about ETV/CBC (the surgery Mason had on his brain to control Hydrocephalus) but there is a doctor in Houston who is familiar with it that we could see.  Houston is about 4 hours away, which is the same as what we've been doing going to Primary's. But there is an SB clinic a half hour away at Scottish Rite Children's hospital in Dallas that we can also go to, but their neurosurgeon may not be familiar with ETV/CBC. So we might just do the regular SB clinic in Dallas, and if the neurosurgeon there starts to feel worried about Mason's hydro, then we will go to Houston for a second opinion. Hopefully we won't have to and Mason maintains his hydro!


This baby amazes me everyday. I have said before that I have heard and seen what other SB babies have to deal with, and Mason is seriously a miracle. So far he doesn't have the problems these other babies do. I sometimes wonder if I am in denial, but he really is just a normal baby. I forget anything is even going on with him. When I see and hear of things going on with other SB babies, it scares me that he could have similar problems. But I just take it one day at a time and enjoy the health that he has. And really, he is a very healthy baby despite some of his little issues. I am so grateful for the health and strength he has and the strength he gives me everyday. I love his smiling face and the sweet spirit that he has. I sometimes wish I had made the decision to have kids sooner! But I know the timing was perfect for us and it was on the Lord's time as well.