Little update from yesterday

nicolita14w

Thanks to everyone who responded to my post yesterday-- you really made me feel a lot better.

James had his eye exam today-- it still amazes me that they can tell anything on a newborn, but they can. They spun this black and white tube thingy in front of him (not sure what that checked), and dilated his eyes, then looked in them with various lights.

The good news is that his eyes are fine. Which I'm glad about, but I guess I was hoping for a simple reason as to why he doesn't look at us much. 

However, I'm feeling better today. I *can* get him to focus on me (at least it seems like he is) for short periods if I set him in the boppy on the bed and try to get his attention through silly faces, sounds, toys, etc. And today he did smile when I was doing that. Now, he also turned and smiled at the dresser and at the lamp, so I am not sure if he was *really* responding to my smile, but it seems like maybe things are moving in the right direction. He seems to fixate on his lion toy which hangs from his bouncy seat, and coos while he is in there, so I think he's happy. I'm just going to try to take things one step at a time.

 It has also occurred to me that maybe I am freaking him out by constantly trying to make eye contact with him, so maybe if I chill a bit he will come around. 

And can I just say, if there's anything that's cuter than a baby, it's a baby with his pupils dilated. Somehow it made him look even more adorable and innocent than he already does. 

Thanks again for all your support. I'll keep you updated. 

it'sbabytime

glad to hear about the appointment today. Hang in there, next thing you know he will laughing it up when you play with him and he will be just fine!!

SeaSoul

nicolita14w:

 It has also occurred to me that maybe I am freaking him out by constantly trying to make eye contact with him, so maybe if I chill a bit he will come around. 

This made me chuckle.   Way to look on the "bright" side!!  As the babycenter emails I get weekly about babies' development says "remember, every baby is an individual" - maybe he's just not ready to enter the world of constant interaction yet!?

pamela-matt

I am so glad all went well at the eye exam. ?Keep doing what you are doing and take it one day at a time. ?I can certainly understand as my child has not said one word, not even once which concerns me at this point. ?It always amazes me that these little packages can cause such stress and worry in parents...they have us from before day one. ?(((HUGS)))

marriedgirl05

YAY!!  I'm so happy to hear it - both that the eye exam went well and that he was focusing on you and smiling today!!!  That is fantastic news!!

tina623

DH teases me that If I want Katie to do something I should just worry about it. 

I think some babies just do things at their own pace. 

RobynK

I'm glad things are starting to move in the right direction -- you are making great progress with him!

mrspresley

glad everything was fine.  i hope he's just catching up on his development!

skoorbnibor

I missed your post from yesterday so I went back to find it... I am so glad you are feeling better and I wanted to tell you that I had similar concerns about eye contact that resolved itself.

Hang in there! Your attitude is great! 

JillRock96

That's great that the exam went well and you noticed some focusing!  I hope that he is just working at his own pace.