[tri-med] Re: still not smiling???

Hi Irene:
Although Rachel's younger than Caroline at almost 6 months, I thought I'd share 
my experience anyway. Rachel  has never been sick, probably b/c we don't have 
any other children. She has always been, in my mind, fussier and crankier than 
a 'normal' baby. She's constantly battling constipation, gas, spit ups and 
other discomforts that we don't know of. 
Up until recently, this week as a matter of fact, she'd have one quiet day when 
she sleeps most of the time follow by days where she'd have some sort of 
unconsolable discomfort whenever she's awake...it's heartwrenching to see her 
suffer...there were many times when I thought it was best for her to go...then 
I'd get a few moments when she'd be calm and peaceful which always melted away 
all the unpleasant thoughts and replaced them with wanting to keep her 
forever...just the way she is. The feedings were especailly tough...a 20 minute 
feed when she's asleep would take over an hour when she's awake. 
Rachel is severely delay, though I have no idea how much. I stay away from baby 
magazines and articles. It always saddens me...yes, jealous and envious as 
well... to see a chubby healthy baby and then look at my tiny Rachel whose not 
even 8lbs yet. She does not interact with us much. She mostly stares into space 
and at lights. She does, however, prefers me to Daddy. She started smiling last 
month, but they are few and far in between.  I was fortunate enough to capture 
some smiles on camera. I look at those pictures ALOT. She giggled for me on 
Monday...but I haven't been able to get her to do it again. I am just glad 
she's still with us...anything else is secondary.
I am not sure if this help you any. I am sure Caroline knows and loves 
you...even though you may not see any sign of it yet. Hope the future brings 
lots of smiles and laughs. 
 
Irene Smith <irene67@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
OK, I have MORE questions for you all! My Caroline is still not smiling at 7 
months. Now granted, she has really had a hard time over her 7 months and has 
had only very few periods of time of actually feeling OK, but I thought we'd 
see some smiles by now! She did seem to start to smile at about 5 months, and I 
had other people agree she was smiling, but she then started not to feel good 
again and that was the end of the smiling attempts.
She had her Nissen surgery and g-tube last week and I think she is feeling 
better now. I hope we are on the road to better things.
Anyway, it is hard to have a sick baby who still hasn't been able to really 
react with us. I am just fearful that she will never smile - although I can't 
imagine that! 

So my question is has anyone had a REALLY delayed baby in regards to reacting 
with other who went on to finally smile and laugh? She does also have trouble 
making eye contact, but does look at us and things such as a mobile, just not 
for long periods of time. That is hard to deal with as well.

I just pray that she will finally recover from her many many health problems 
and go on to be such a happy baby. It is really hard dealing with all the 
ongoing medical issues. All I ask is for a baby who will finally act like she 
knows and loves us!!!!! I don't even care anymore about the physical and mental 
delays at all!!!

Irene
(Christina - 27 months and Caroline - 7 months with partial trisomy 17p) 
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/c/carolinerochelle

Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
www.trisomyonline.org
Families Helping Families On-line


Katrina 
Mom to Rachel (full T18 b.Aug 4,2003) 
Patterson, New York USA
http://users.rcn.com/pngai/rachel

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