I’ve been updating about it mostly on my journal (www.misty.org - the most recent entries) but Alex has been in and out of the hospital the last few weeks. We knew a UTI was something he could get, but he didn’t mess around when he got it. Two nasty bugs kept him in first a few days, and then the second time we all decided it was best to keep him until his surgery, so they could stop them once and for all. He’s too little to have such things make him so uncomfortable, and the surgery was something they were supposed to do right now anyways, so it just worked out that way.

His time in the first hospital was actually pleasant, as much as such things can be. He went in at around 11lbs 3oz (give or take due to the IV) and was discharged at over 12. He started grabbing things this last week as well - the bottom of his robe, mostly, but other things as well. He also reacts to smiles and laughs and is the biggest flirt I’ve ever seen! He loves his toys now, and he loves his daddy (and mommy too, I suppose :)  - he’s so talky now as well. He’s longer (24 inches!) and his head is growing too. Sometimes it’s very easy to forget that there is anything ‘wrong’ with him at all, but we’re just glad that he’s getting things fixed.

To say the nurses loved him is an understatement. I loved the nurses myself; they were so kind and caring. A small peds unit means lots of attention - something we didn’t realize wasn’t the norm until we came to this hospital. It is much less personal, even if they seem to like Alex almost as much.

Pictures from our stay so far can be found below - we may or may not take more, depending on how pitiful he looks after surgery, there’s no need to remember those so vividly.

http://gallery.turnerhq.com/v/babyturner/hospital052608/