Update on Rafi

It's been a while since we last posted on the blog, and we wish to update our venerable readers about Rafi's status. At the end of the day, Rafi is doing pretty well. He's actually reaching his developmental milestones, which at this point aren't really much. He sleeps through most of the night, which makes so much easier for both of us. While he's still eating exclusively from the feeding tube, our (especially Shifra's) increased experience has made the feedings more efficient and consequently less difficult for Rafi and both of us.

That's the good news. The bad news is Rafi has undergone a battery of tests over the last month, including an audiology test, a sleep study, and a meeting with a phalanx of doctors. These tests, of course, exclude his periodic appointments with his cardiologist and pediatrician. We have one more test tomorrow, and next week the doctors at NYU will decide whether Rafi needs surgery now, or can wait until he's older. As it stands, it looks like surgery can be delayed, but we're not holding our breath.

Rafi has also started early intervention. Luckily the therapists come to our apartment and save Shifra the exceptionally difficult task of schleping Rafi out to their offices on public transportation.

All things considered, Rafi is quite a tough kid. He rarely cries for no reason and smiles frequently. Despite seeing doctor after doctor, and having undergone two surgeries, he's a well-adjusted baby. Most of the credit goes to Shifra, but Rafi has to get some too (I come in a distant third and my contribution mainly involves playing superbaby and burping him after his innumerable feedings).

Rafi is not out of the woods yet, but as his condition is no longer life threatening (at least at this stage), I feel as if we can breath easier. Despite everything he's the world's cutest baby, and we can't imagine life without him.