Thursday, October 09, 2008

Our Month-Old Grandson Is Doing “Sit-Ups”; I Think He’s Getting Ready To Go Home





Kay Lynne and I got to hold and interact with our new grandson, Nathan, last night in the hospital. No adrenalin rush could compare with what we felt.

In some newer pics, at top left Nathan is checking out the perspective from dad Doug’s shoulder, and just above at right little Nathan is snoozing on mom Jamie’s shoulder. But look carefully at Nathan in the pic on the right; he’s tightly clutching his mom’s finger while he naps.

Kay Lynne got to spend time with Nathan first (we get to visit him alternately); she came out totally enamored and quite “jazzed”. When it was my turn to hold him, he was still wide awake and extremely engaging. As I gently talked to him, he would listen for a while, but then he wanted to play.

His hands and arms are seemingly always moving. He reached out and grabbed my chin. Then he’d grab at his feeding tube which is taped tightly to the side of his face. I don’t blame him at all; I’d want that thing out, too.

At one point he actually sat up in my arms and held himself up with his back arched, as if to almost reach down to his toes. He repeated the action several times, just like he was doing sit-ups.

He is incredibly strong for his now six+ pound fighting weight. The little guy is mastering eating (from a bottle) rather rapidly of late, and he’s quickly putting on weight.

We are noticing that there is something very special about Nathan’s persona. Maybe it’s because he’s been through so much in his will to survive. He seems to want to be a key participant in every moment, as he offers a strong, sweet, direct reaction to your voice and touch. And have I said what a handsome little guy he is?

The most wonderful thing this old grandpa experienced last night was the privilege of being able to look into his eyes, talk to him, and see and sense his responses. It was an incredible feeling. Nathan is a charmingly engaging little guy. He seems to be rapidly progressing in his development, and it may not be long now until he can go home. We couldn’t be more thankful.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sure looks like a Keithler (thank goodness)!

Anonymous said...

Did you mean Keethler? If so, you might get some discussion from the Walter family. :-)