Update on Zane

Zane had an appointment with his cardiologist yesterday. They performed the 4th test on his heart, this time an EKG. The results were excellent, even better than before when they were fine. Zane does not have heart problems. We feel very blessed in that respect.

The doctor was reluctant to take him off oxygen because he can only test at the doctor's office for a little bit, and that isn't a good indication of how he is doing overall. He told us to be more diligent at monitoring his oxygen at home (we hadn't been doing that because it's difficult to get him to hold still while the monitor is on). He said we should be monitoring him while he sleeps and eats, because those are the times when oxygen intake drops the most in babies.

Whitney just monitored him for over an hour at home while he was awake, and his levels were great, right where they need to be. So we probably are very close to taking him off the O2, at least while he is awake and not eating.

Zane is 11 pounds 6 ounces and 25.5 inches. His weight is in the 33rd percentile but his length is in the 95th percentile (on the Down syndrome-adjusted chart). So he is a tall and skinny kid. His length is in the 75th to 90th percentile for a typical baby.

Developmentally he seems to be doing great. He rolls over now immediately upon being placed on the floor. He is now very interested in his toys and has made good friends with his octopus and his duck. He loves to talk to them. He now loves to reach with his hands for our faces. He loves to grab our lips and pull down hard.

He absolutely loves mornings. He is a very cheerful baby when he wakes up, handing out big smiles left and right - almost as if he is very excited for another day here on earth. He sleeps very well, except when Dad lets him take long naps in the evening before bedtime. If that happens, he will wake up in the middle of the night and want to smile and play with Mom for hours!

I have not been able to get a good picture of him when he is smiling. He is a very smiley baby, but when that camera comes out he immediately focuses on the camera with a serious face. He is the opposite of his cousin Ruby.