Chiao Baby!: July 2005

Popeye turned Pirate

well... it seems as though the poor guy's plight never ends. you may remember the popeye picture that was posted back when caleb was first born. we were told that the closed eye was due to swelling from the trauma of delivery. however, after 5 weeks, his eye was still looking about the same. so victor and i took him to see a pediatric ophthalmologist yesterday. we were very sad to find out that he may have congenital ptosis. unfortunately, if this is indeed what he has, it doesn't usually improve with time and almost always requires corrective surgery. but we're still hoping and praying for the best. the worst case scenario is that he will require surgery to correct the droopy eyelid, he may develop a lazy eye, and/or have limited function in his right eye. we're desperately praying for healing.

but for now, caleb has to wear a patch over his "good" eye for four hours each day in hopes to strengthen his "bad" eye. this actually amounts to most of his waking moments since he tends to sleep away a good 16 hours and feed for another 4 hours each day. in 3 weeks, we'll be going back to the ophthalmologist to see if there is any improvement. we're desperately praying for healing.

admittedly, i am having a really hard time processing this news. having been a teacher for the past 6 years, i know all too well how cruel kids (and even adults) can be, especially when someone looks different from the norm. my heart breaks to think of the teasing and prejudgement he may have to endure in the future if the problem persists.

my faith is so small...

our very own chubby chiao

i received great encouragement in a weekly email update i receive from Lansinoh (a co. that provides breastfeeding tips and products):

Dear Grace Chiao,
Are you nursing again? Are you sure he’s getting enough? He must be hungry! If you hear remarks like this, you can be sure they are coming from someone who has never successfully breastfed a baby. Don’t let thoughtless remarks and comments undermine you. You are doing really well and your growing baby is proof positive! You know that babies need to nurse often, and both you and your baby are doing just what nature intended for you to do. Feel proud that as that special designer food flows from your body to your baby’s you are both receiving a multitude of health benefits. This is why you made the decision to breastfeed in the first place and you are doing great. Be kind to yourself and try to keep your life simple – there will be plenty of time to “get back into the swing of things”.

i've heard it all... he's not eating enough... are you sure he's getting enough?... i think he's hungry...blah blah blah... well, the proof is in the pudding. check out the stats:
caleb's birth weight 7 lbs 8 oz
at 5 days of life (after the jaundice bout) 6 lbs 10 oz
at 1 week of life 7 lbs 4 oz
at 2 weeks of life 8 lbs 8 oz ( at which our pediatrician exclaimed, "wow... WOW! and this weight gain is from just breastfeeding?!!? you haven't been supplementing with formula?)
at 3 weeks of life 9 lbs 8 oz (at which the lactation consultant said, "that's increadible. this kind of weight gain is in the top 90th-95th percentile!")
and today, at 4 1/2 weeks, the rough estimate is a whopping 11 lbs!!

so do you really think that he's not getting enough to eat? the kid is HUGE!