Big Day

Three notable things today.

FIRST THING
The suction machine finally arrived!  Niko has been stuffed up for over a month now.  Her sleep has been totally interrupted.  She wakes up choking and screaming.  She sounds phlegmy and rattling all day.  The bulb syringe is a shameful joke.  The nosefrida did close to nothing.  The other I-Cell families recommended a suction machine.  In fact it seems like most of the families use them.

Obtaining a machine has been a struggle.  Our insurance plan doesn't cover any equipment.  We were denied for everything that doctors have recommended thus far.  I've talked with social workers, insurance agents, doctors, specialists, etc.  And then suddenly today, my doorbell rang and a friendly man delivered the machine.  I have a sinking suspicion that I'll receive a fat bill in the mail for this.  But I'll deal with that when it happens.

I'm pissed off that this took so long to arrive.  And I'm steaming mad that Niko has suffered unnecessarily for over a month.  But am I glad that there is still a need for it?  Weirdly so.

The model I received is Roscoe 50006.

It came in this travel bag.

This is the pump.  It's really simple - just an on/off switch and a level dial.  The rep told me to leave it at high.   They also gave me a replacement tank.

These are the little sucker tubes called… "Little Suckers".  The rep mentioned that they also have nasal tubes made specifically for babies with a soft bendy plug at the end that creates a seal at the nostril.  But he didn't bring any because my doctor didn't prescribe them.  hhhmmmmmpppppp.   

I gave this machine a try and it didn't get anything out of her nose.  Niko's congestion sounds like it's deep in the back where the back of nose and throat meet.  I'll give this another try tomorrow, or perhaps tonight when she wakes up screaming.

SECOND THING
Niko rolled up today.  For real!  I left her on her back on the floor mat and then looked away from her.  When I turned back around a few minutes later she was on her tummy.  She didn't even complain, as she usually does when I place her on my tummy.  This was her very first bona fied success at rolling over and I missed it.  She looked stunned.  The look of "What the hell just happened?  And how did I get here?" was clearly on her face.  I'm so proud.  The passing of her first birthday must have forced her to face her challenges, set goals for herself and strive to meet her goal dates.

THIRD THING
We went for her first PT and OT session at CCS (California Children Services).  She's been getting PT and OT at the house (through another program) but this was at the CCS office.  She met a new team of therapists and seemed to like them.  They also have a different style from her other therapists and she learns better when she's exposed to new environments.

Somehow now that she's one year old, she seems different.  More present.  More engaged.  More cognisant.  More mature.  She acknowledges engagement with people right away.  Her face lights up.  She's just different.    

I caught this on video today.  I know that there are countless videos on YouTube of parents making ridiculous noises in order to get their babies to laugh.  But this is hysterically fun.  And I dare you not to smile.