Learning to crawl is still a work in progress. He dislikes being on his tummy so much that he don't spend as much time there as he should. While he is there he can push up with his arms and get on his knees. He rocks and cries until I pick him up. He can stand up and hold on to the ottoman for a while unassisted. I am thinking he may skip the crawling thing. His sissy did, and she is just fine so I am not worried about it.
As far as the omphalocele itself goes, it is still healing. Praise the Lord! It amazes me every time I look at him. The bigger he gets....the smaller it gets. We no longer wrap his belly. He is as free as a bird and loves it! I can only compare the wrap to wearing a girdle. Who would enjoy that 24 hours a day? There are no restrictions now that the omphalocele is completely covered with healthy skin so he is just enjoying life. Bath time is his new favorite time of the day. He loves to splash water all over me and the floor. We took him swimming in an indoor pool and he really enjoyed it. I think he is going to be a water baby like his sissy. YAY!! Look-out lake...here we come this summer!
We were told early on that, due to the omphalocele, he would be an irritable, unhappy baby. Boy were they wrong. He is so happy and peaceful. His smile lights up the room, and he is a delight to be around. I can not tell you how many times people have commented on how happy he is and what a good boy he is. The credit for that goes, first, to my God for answering our prayers. We prayed every night that Maks would have a kind heart, gentle spirit, and be full of peace. The rest of the credit I give to my wonderful cousin, Kaitlin, who has been coming to our house to keep Maks (in his comfort zone) ever since i went back to work. She has been a blessing. Maks loves her with all his heart. His smile says it all when she walks into the house each morning.
Like all babies, Maks has been getting his fair share of bumps and bruises. He has taken a few spills by learning to pop himself out of his Bumbo seat. He has also learned to scoot across the bed at nap time, which ended in a fall from my bed. These are things that all children do, but it still scares us to death! No major injuries though, just a few missed heartbeats by us.
Maks is just a normal baby boy. He is growing and developing perfectly. He is over 20 pounds now. He has the first two bumps on his bottom gums that will soon have teeth peeking through. I could not be more proud to have been chosen to be his mommy.
I have a short up-date on, Charlotte, the baby girl due in August with an omphalocele. She is healthy and strong. She is developing perfectly in her mommy's womb. She, like Maks, has no other problems. Please continue praying for her and her amazing parents!
Easter Pictures
9 Months and Lovin it!
Riding the carousel at the zoo
Maks and his buddy Ace
