Yes, I know, you all think the Gates-Ehlers fell off the face of the earth. In fact, we finally moved and are trying to get settled in! I can honestly say that making to move to Palatine was one of the best decisions we’ve made! Other than the commute being about twice as long...or longer if traffic’s bad...we LOVE it. While we still have boxes and boxes to unpack, we’re slowly getting things unpacked and where they belong. Of course, Jake’s room was the first to be done and looks great.
Jake has really made some wonderful progress over the last 6 weeks or so. We’re into the final week of the serial casting for his legs. They’re practically straight. He’s a fairly long little boy! Next week when we go to get these casts off, he’ll get new splints for his legs to help keep them extended. Speaking of splints, he’s got a new full body splint that looks like some kind of ancient torture device. The idea behind it is that it will hopefully eliminate the need for tendon release surgery on his hips. Dr. Dias doesn’t think he’ll need the tendon release surgery on his legs either! Any surgeries we can avoid, the happier we are!
We’ll be scheduling his cleft palate surgery for December - most likely to coincide with the end of the semester so Andrea won’t have to juggle surgery with finals. Then, in late January-early February, we’ll schedule his clubfoot surgery. That of course will end with a bit more casting but nothing like the last 11-12 weeks of casts!
I know I’d mentioned jaw surgery which he’ll absolutely need before the trach comes out. Dr. Vicari, his plastic surgeon, said he’d like to wait until after the palate surgery. Really, we’re hoping Jake gets some teeth really soon. The concern is that if during surgery the tooth buds get damaged, his teeth could be damaged. And who wants that to happen?!? You only get one shot at good teeth, right!!! Anyway, since he has the trach and isn’t really experiencing any problems with it, the doc would like to wait.
Whew, lots to catch up on! As of Friday, Jake will be six months old! Where did the time go? I feel like it was just yesterday that I was draggin’ myself to the NICU everyday. As always, I’ve posted more pictures. Thanks for all the well wishes, good thoughts, and prayers! They seem to be paying off!!!
Thanks for keeping me in the loop. I love the picture of him sitting in the blue chair. He really is a little prince on his thrown. Hope therapy is going well. Is he still tolerating hand splints? Any thought on elbow splints? Keep communicating at he is a work in progress.
Sara
Sara
Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 07:04 PM
Hi Betsy, Andrea and Jake,
That is great news. We keep you in our prayers all the time. It's hard enough being new parent's (and new baby) without thinking about the next surgery,
Your doing great, God bless you all.
Love
Scary Aunt Terry
That is great news. We keep you in our prayers all the time. It's hard enough being new parent's (and new baby) without thinking about the next surgery,
Your doing great, God bless you all.
Love
Scary Aunt Terry
Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 07:05 PM
Jake is a tough little guy! He has gone thru more than most people will experience in a lifetime but always seems content. He is a special little boy and we look forward to his growing up.
Grandpa Gates
Grandpa Gates
Friday, October 19, 2007 - 04:07 PM
Betz,
It's great to finally meet Jake. Thanks for the updates. It will be great to see him more now that I'm home.
Later,
Fuzzy Monkey
It's great to finally meet Jake. Thanks for the updates. It will be great to see him more now that I'm home.
Later,
Fuzzy Monkey
Friday, October 19, 2007 - 10:27 PM
Jake looks GREAT! You"re both doing a terrific job being Moms juggling 100 million diffirent things I'm here in Palatine, so call anytime if you need an extra hand. Love, Deb
Saturday, October 20, 2007 - 10:19 AM
Hey sisters and Baby Jake,
It's so wonderful to see all the support and blessings and thoughts and prayers and well wishes that are always being sent your way. It touches me so much to know how much you all are loved. I love all of you very much and you can call on me to be there. I love my nephew more than words can say. He has touched my heart in a very special way, one that I wasn't expecting. Being an Aunt is a wonderful thing.
Love to All,
Chrissy
It's so wonderful to see all the support and blessings and thoughts and prayers and well wishes that are always being sent your way. It touches me so much to know how much you all are loved. I love all of you very much and you can call on me to be there. I love my nephew more than words can say. He has touched my heart in a very special way, one that I wasn't expecting. Being an Aunt is a wonderful thing.
Love to All,
Chrissy
Sunday, October 21, 2007 - 11:57 PM
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