Escape From the Rainforest

Caught on film: Miles executes a tricky auto-reversal to elude the confines of his play area.

Laser Floyd

Another week, another medical procedure. No mortal danger this time, just a visit to the dermatologist at Children's Hospital to treat Miles' hemangioma with a laser. This very noticeable feature adjacent to Miles' upper lip has been growing steadily since a few days after his birth. Although hemangiomas are not dangerous, they can grow to be rather large and take 2-10 years to fade away. The larger a hemanioma gets, the more likely it is to leave scarring. In Miles' case, the hemangioma is present not only above his lip on the outside of his mouth, but also to a lesser extent on the inside of his mouth, which could interfere with his ability to properly suckle. In order to limit the physical (and eventually social) discomfort that might ensue, we decided to set up Miles with the laser treatment.


Our friendly neighborhood pediatric dermatologist, Dr. Francis, gave Miles his first taste of the laser on Thursday. We were a little nervous about subjecting Miles to yet another encounter with modern medicine, but the whole thing turned out to be far less traumatic than a typical blood draw. Our major task was to help hold him still while the nurse blindfolded him ("He won't like this") and iced his lip. Then Dr. Francis zapped the hemangioma a dozen times or so with the laser. Just to set our minds at ease, she gave me a sample of the laser on the back of my hand. To my relief, I could barely feel it.


Miles was relieved, too, when it was all over. We were told to expect no immediate change in the size of the hemangioma, as this first treatment was merely designed to arrest its growth. Miles will go back several more times to begin rolling the hemangioma back--yet another chapter in our saga of medical wonders.

Changing Table Follies

Say hello to the Ten Pounder.

Alligator on the Loose!

Woodland Park Zoo has reported the escape of a dangerous alligator. All North Seattle neighborhoods should be on the lookout.

Quarantined

It's been an odd week in the Falvy household as I battle to shake off a head cold. Being sick is never pleasant, but now we have the added challenge of ensuring that the affliction doesn't make the epidemiological jump to Miles. Given the delicate state of his preemie breathing apparatus, a bout with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) could be a very serious setback. Miles has received several anti-RSV innoculations, but the risk is still considerable during the winter cold-and-flu season. That's why we've avoided taking Miles to public places, and have exercised great vigilance over the health condition of his visitors.

Daddy's cold, therefore, poses a clear and present danger to Miles' security. The solution? Quarantine.

The paternal entity has been encouraged to spend as much time at work as possible. When home, he has been banished to the basement for most of the past week, and compelled to don a surgical mask when venturing above ground. Though kept well-supplied with meals, snacks and DVDs, he's been a bit lonely.

But by far the heaviest burden has fallen on Mommy, whose already preponderant share of the day-to-day parenting has been extended around the clock. She has been holding up quite well under the circumstances, but is understandably eager for her partner's return to the fray.

Fortunately, the worst of the cold has passed, and so far Miles and Lisa appear to have avoided infection. Let's hope it stays that way, so Daddy and Miles can get reacquainted!

-Dean

Bjørn to Run

Miles has gone mobile! This week he completed his first circuit around Green Lake.

Perhaps more notably, during "Tummy Time" in his Rainforest play set, Miles actually turned himself over onto his back, completely unassisted. He has yet to repeat the feat, but we will have to be wary of this new and formidable power.

-Dean

The Wedge

The past week has been smooth sailing in Miles World, relatively speaking.

In medical news, there have been no major incidents to report. The Very Serious Event of Feb. 20 has not reoccured, thankfully. Choking as a result of reflux is once again the leading theory of the cause. As a result, Miles is taking some tasty anti-reflux medication. Instead of spending his nights in the cradle, Miles now is sleeping at about a 30 degree angle, thanks to The Wedge:


The Wedge was custom built for Miles by Occupational Therapy at Children's Hospital. It looks a little like something you'd find in a medieval dungeon, except that it's made out of foam.

It may not look terribly comfortable, but Miles does seem to be sleeping better since the arrival of The Wedge.


Nevertheless, his habits remain decidedly nocturnal. We are amazed at how peacefully he can spend his days in epic naps, interrupted only briefly for feedings. Then suddenly he perks up around midnight and wants to stay up all night partying.

I tell ya, these kids today.

-Dean