Friday, January 13, 2012
funny moments
Thought I would share a funny moment with my family tonight.
Kailey from the kitchen: You have to remember we have a little miracle baby.
Me in the living room: Yeah and our miracle baby is punching herself in the face right now!
Kailey from the kitchen: I said miracle baby not genius baby.
I thought this conversation was hilarious so I thought I would share it with you all.
Love and kisses,
Rick
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Photo Bomb and Swallow Study
Hello Everyone! Kailey here.
We've had kind of a hectic last couple of weeks. January 3rd, Ellery had a swallow study done at Bingham Memorial Hospital. We were thinking it was possible she was aspirating, and that's why she is having such a hard time getting off of oxygen. What we found: There is a valve in the back of your throat that opens and closes to pass food down your esophagus. For some reason, Ellery's valve is malfunctioning. This is causing "residual" food to stick around, and get stuck in her throat. It causes her to get really raspy, especially after eating solid foods. (Like baby food purees, and baby "puffs".) The speech therapist told us when she sees this issue in adults, they are put on a liquid only diet. That is not a good solution for Ellery; right now is the most important time for her to learn how to chew foods. That helps development with speech, and oral motor skills. The speech therapist said our pediatrician will more than likely refer us to a Pediatric ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) and he will most likely perform an endoscopy to see what exactly is going on with that valve. The food that is getting "stuck" where the valve is not releasing it COULD be causing aspiration. Hopefully, if we get this issue taken care of, the oxygen issue will come next.
Other than that, she is doing very well with her helmet. It doesn't seem to bother her too much, and we are starting to see a small improvement on the front of her head, mainly her forehead. She is babbling away, and seems very close to saying "mama" or "dada". (At least I'm hoping!) We have started teaching her baby sign language, since we are assuming she will be delayed in speech, based on everything she has had to go through.
She's also got a birthday coming up in just about a month! I can't believe she will be one! It really seems like the second half has just flown by! We are having a very small birthday party for her, as we are still on pretty strict quarantine. We are not sure if she will be able to eat cake, with all of the food issues we are facing at the moment, but if not, we will find some sort of solution to give her something special.
I recently just made my March for Babies team! March for Babies is a walk through March of Dimes, where you are sponsored, and help fund raise money for March of Dimes. Our team name is "Ellery's Early Birdies", which my friend Kristin helped us think up. (Thank you Kristin!! She was also our first contributor!) So far, our team only consists of Rick and I, but I know a few more people that were interested, and I hope to have a good turnout. I will be posting more about March for Babies leading up to the walk, and what the money that goes to March of Dimes really does. Without March of Dimes, the research that was done for medical advancement to save preemies would not have been completed, and Ellery probably wouldn't be here today. So I am a BIG March of Dimes supporter!
That's about all that has been going on here for us. Still not a lot of snow on the ground here! We've actually had 40+ degree days, which is really unsual unusual for this part of the country in January. Hoping it keeps up! It's nice to have a milder winter! Last year, when Ellery came home in May, it was still only about 50 degrees. Brr!
And now, I leave you with a giant photo bomb, since I am very behind! :)
We've had kind of a hectic last couple of weeks. January 3rd, Ellery had a swallow study done at Bingham Memorial Hospital. We were thinking it was possible she was aspirating, and that's why she is having such a hard time getting off of oxygen. What we found: There is a valve in the back of your throat that opens and closes to pass food down your esophagus. For some reason, Ellery's valve is malfunctioning. This is causing "residual" food to stick around, and get stuck in her throat. It causes her to get really raspy, especially after eating solid foods. (Like baby food purees, and baby "puffs".) The speech therapist told us when she sees this issue in adults, they are put on a liquid only diet. That is not a good solution for Ellery; right now is the most important time for her to learn how to chew foods. That helps development with speech, and oral motor skills. The speech therapist said our pediatrician will more than likely refer us to a Pediatric ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) and he will most likely perform an endoscopy to see what exactly is going on with that valve. The food that is getting "stuck" where the valve is not releasing it COULD be causing aspiration. Hopefully, if we get this issue taken care of, the oxygen issue will come next.
Other than that, she is doing very well with her helmet. It doesn't seem to bother her too much, and we are starting to see a small improvement on the front of her head, mainly her forehead. She is babbling away, and seems very close to saying "mama" or "dada". (At least I'm hoping!) We have started teaching her baby sign language, since we are assuming she will be delayed in speech, based on everything she has had to go through.
She's also got a birthday coming up in just about a month! I can't believe she will be one! It really seems like the second half has just flown by! We are having a very small birthday party for her, as we are still on pretty strict quarantine. We are not sure if she will be able to eat cake, with all of the food issues we are facing at the moment, but if not, we will find some sort of solution to give her something special.
I recently just made my March for Babies team! March for Babies is a walk through March of Dimes, where you are sponsored, and help fund raise money for March of Dimes. Our team name is "Ellery's Early Birdies", which my friend Kristin helped us think up. (Thank you Kristin!! She was also our first contributor!) So far, our team only consists of Rick and I, but I know a few more people that were interested, and I hope to have a good turnout. I will be posting more about March for Babies leading up to the walk, and what the money that goes to March of Dimes really does. Without March of Dimes, the research that was done for medical advancement to save preemies would not have been completed, and Ellery probably wouldn't be here today. So I am a BIG March of Dimes supporter!
That's about all that has been going on here for us. Still not a lot of snow on the ground here! We've actually had 40+ degree days, which is really unsual unusual for this part of the country in January. Hoping it keeps up! It's nice to have a milder winter! Last year, when Ellery came home in May, it was still only about 50 degrees. Brr!
And now, I leave you with a giant photo bomb, since I am very behind! :)
 |
| She was a ladybug for Halloween |
 |
| Right before we had some professional photos taken |
 |
| Getting ready to go to the doctor's for her 9 month checkup |
 |
| Rick and Ellery's baptism day |
 |
| The cake Janice (Ellery's godmother) got for their baptism |
 |
| Ellery in the same baptism gown I was baptized in, in 1986!! |
 |
| Mama and Ellery |
 |
| Getting better at sitting! Still only lasts a few seconds. |
 |
| First day in helmet |
 |
| Sporting owls in her helmet. Rick calls it the "Tron Helmet" |
 |
| Eating "puffs" |
 |
| LOVING the jumperoo!! |
 |
| Look at that hair! |
 |
| She is a rockstar! |
 |
| Christmas tree with all the presents and Ellery's Jumperoo |
 |
| Opening Presents |
 |
| Not really sure what to do |
 |
| Loving Violet, the Leapfrog puppy |
 |
| Kinda getting the hang of this thing |
 |
| Wow this paper stuff is pretty cool! |
 |
| Ellery's first Christmas pose |
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Welcome 2012!!!!
To all those who read this,
Happy 2012!!!! It's Rick here writing for the first time in a long time. To catch you all up on our family Kailey and my new year's resolution is to write on here more often. First we have had a busy few months. Ellery is growing so fast, she is as of December 8th she is 26.5 inches and 18 lbs. She is starting to babble with ba's, ma's, and as usual ga's. On the 8th we went to Salt Lake City and stayed with my aunt Ladene because on the 9th we were going to Primary's Children Hospital to see a pulmonalogist. She was seeing the specialist because our doctor was concerned she was still on oxygen. However, we did not find the answers we were looking for after our visit and are still struggling to make sense of her oxygen needs. Ellery also had to be fitted with a helmet to help round out her head. She has a pretty bad flat spot (plagiocephaly) that could lead to cranial deformation, the helmet will help reshape her head.
Then Christmas came in a hurry and we were not prepared for it! We have had a tight budget the past few months and it got expensive quickly. We wanted to buy Ellery the world, unfortunately because of the federal pay freeze (and by federal it really narrows down to just DOE and DOE subcontractors) we could not afford to get her a lot. Lucky for us our friends and family were VERY generous in buying for Ellery. So thank you all for helping make her first Christmas even more special. You all care and love for her so much it really meant a lot to our family.
We got Ellery a jump-a-roo that she loves. She only last 10-20 minutes before she tuckers out and most of the time passes out. My parents got her a kick mat that has a keyboard she can kick that makes sounds. She can also sit up and play it. Ellery is almost sitting she has problems falling over because she is a leaner. I am hoping by her first birthday she will be sitting.
One thing that has been bugging Kailey and I is that a lot of people we know don't know how bad it has been for our little one. People keep trying to shoot rainbow's up our asses. Please be patient with us and realize we are going through a very difficult time and sometimes we do not need to hear how it's going to be ok, we just want someone to really listen, understand, and sympathize with us. Sorry to vent but we have had difficulty dealing with a lot of people trying to explain Ellery's problems.
We are looking forward to 2012 with all the challenges and joys it entails. I hope you all have made your resolutions and keep to them. Kailey and I (more Kailey than I) have a list of resolutions and are already working on keeping them. One of our main resolutions is to become more organized, keep a cleaner clutter free house, de-clutter (ie throw shit away), update blog more frequently, work on getting ready for the march for babies in June (looking for sponsors hint hint), get involved, exercise, and eat healthier. I am sure Kailey will post more about march for babies as the time gets closer.
I wish all our readers a safe and wonderful 2012, thank you all for your thoughts, prayers so on and so forth. I was planning to post videos and pictures but the internet is not working great now. Will try again tomorrow.
Love lots,
~Rick
"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore"
Andre Gide
Happy 2012!!!! It's Rick here writing for the first time in a long time. To catch you all up on our family Kailey and my new year's resolution is to write on here more often. First we have had a busy few months. Ellery is growing so fast, she is as of December 8th she is 26.5 inches and 18 lbs. She is starting to babble with ba's, ma's, and as usual ga's. On the 8th we went to Salt Lake City and stayed with my aunt Ladene because on the 9th we were going to Primary's Children Hospital to see a pulmonalogist. She was seeing the specialist because our doctor was concerned she was still on oxygen. However, we did not find the answers we were looking for after our visit and are still struggling to make sense of her oxygen needs. Ellery also had to be fitted with a helmet to help round out her head. She has a pretty bad flat spot (plagiocephaly) that could lead to cranial deformation, the helmet will help reshape her head.
Then Christmas came in a hurry and we were not prepared for it! We have had a tight budget the past few months and it got expensive quickly. We wanted to buy Ellery the world, unfortunately because of the federal pay freeze (and by federal it really narrows down to just DOE and DOE subcontractors) we could not afford to get her a lot. Lucky for us our friends and family were VERY generous in buying for Ellery. So thank you all for helping make her first Christmas even more special. You all care and love for her so much it really meant a lot to our family.
We got Ellery a jump-a-roo that she loves. She only last 10-20 minutes before she tuckers out and most of the time passes out. My parents got her a kick mat that has a keyboard she can kick that makes sounds. She can also sit up and play it. Ellery is almost sitting she has problems falling over because she is a leaner. I am hoping by her first birthday she will be sitting.
One thing that has been bugging Kailey and I is that a lot of people we know don't know how bad it has been for our little one. People keep trying to shoot rainbow's up our asses. Please be patient with us and realize we are going through a very difficult time and sometimes we do not need to hear how it's going to be ok, we just want someone to really listen, understand, and sympathize with us. Sorry to vent but we have had difficulty dealing with a lot of people trying to explain Ellery's problems.
We are looking forward to 2012 with all the challenges and joys it entails. I hope you all have made your resolutions and keep to them. Kailey and I (more Kailey than I) have a list of resolutions and are already working on keeping them. One of our main resolutions is to become more organized, keep a cleaner clutter free house, de-clutter (ie throw shit away), update blog more frequently, work on getting ready for the march for babies in June (looking for sponsors hint hint), get involved, exercise, and eat healthier. I am sure Kailey will post more about march for babies as the time gets closer.
I wish all our readers a safe and wonderful 2012, thank you all for your thoughts, prayers so on and so forth. I was planning to post videos and pictures but the internet is not working great now. Will try again tomorrow.
Love lots,
~Rick
"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore"
Andre Gide
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Overdue Update
It's been a hectic last few months! September was my (Kailey) birthday, and my friend Katie flew all the way from Maryland to be with me! I was so thrilled! And what a great surprise! She hadn't seen Ellery since we had left the NICU, so I was very excited to show her off. :) Katie stayed for a few weeks, and her husband, Brian flew in for work for a few days also! It was such a great visit! Brian and Katie used to live here in Idaho Falls, and just recently moved in May, and it has been very weird not having them close to us.
My parents also visited in September. They got to see how big Ellery had gotten, and Mom got her to crack up. Rick had posted the video below. I had a great time seeing them, and having them see Ellery too. It's hard being so far away from everyone!
For most of the month, Ellery had been doing so great on her oxygen! She was able to go up to 4 HOURS with NOTHING! We were amazed! Then, one Friday night, she choked on some drool or something, (we still aren't sure what) and quit breathing. We had to go to the emergency room. We spent a looooong 4 hours there, and were eventually discharged with NO answers, and to follow up with the pediatrician the next day. When we took her in to the pediatrician the next day, they think it might have been related to her reflux. Luckily, we haven't had an episode like that since. However, it severely set us back on her oxygen. For a while, she was unable to be off at all. We are finally getting back to the point where she can go an hour or so with nothing. It seems like such a rollercoaster; sometimes she does GREAT and other times she does not so good.
Rick's parents were here just this past week. We had a good visit with them, and they were able to see all the progress little Ellie Bug has been making. We played a lot of card games and watched some movies. It's hard not being able to leave the house much.
As for the progress, here is where we are at! She is able to sit supported, with minimal support by placing your hands behind her, or against the couch or a firm surface. She can stand by being pulled up from the sitting position, which has been a lot of fun! My mom got her to start belly laughing, and she doesn't do it all the time, but when she does it makes my day! She's trying very very hard to roll, she just doesn't have the muscles to get all the way over. But she sure does try! She's also trying very hard to sit up on her own, but can only get her head up a few inches off of the ground. But that's an amazing step for her! I am so excited and so proud! She is finally starting to grab at toys, but only a few. She has certain ones she likes, and the others she could care less about. She's also been very talkative, doing raspberries, A-Boos, A-Goos, and lots of AHHHHHHS. Her new thing is to yell. She is not crying or upset, just yelling. She has also recently learned how to shriek, and honestly it is the cutest thing EVER.
The last weight and height I had for her was in mid-September, and she was 14 lbs 9 oz and 25 inches long. She made the 3rd percentile for her actual age in height, and the 9th for weight. WooHoo!! Solids have been going really well, although we are still only doing it once a day, because any more and she quits taking as much in formula. And we really really need her to get the most from the formula.
Therapy sessions have been going great. We have a new therapist; our old OT had too busy of a schedule to continue with us. So he set us up with a wonderful lady from his company. And her husband works out with Rick...small world! She's been with us for about a month or so now, and she said she's noticed lots of progress from Ellery. That makes me so happy! She is definitely doing things on her own time, but they said as long as she continues to progress, that's all that matters!
This coming up Friday, our pastor is coming to bring us communion (since we can't get to church) and talk about baptism plans for Ellery. I'm very excited! He is going to do it at our house, since we aren't supposed to be taking Ellery anyplace now. I need to get her gown dry cleaned still. She will wear the gown that Paige and I were baptised in, which I think makes it even more special. I'm so excited to get it done! It's very important to me.
Since we are on "lockdown", I've discovered a WONDERFUL website called pinterest, and I've been getting a TON of ideas for Christmas Crafts, and just things to do in general. I'm hoping it will make the winter go by a bit faster. One of the projects I'm working on is little amigurumi crocheted animals for Ellery for Christmas. I would also like to make her a blanket, but I don't know if I will have time. I'm going to try to make some no-sew tutus as well, but I figure I have her birthday coming up also to spread around the gifts. :D
I promise I will try to be more on top of updating. It's been such a crazy whirlwind last few months, I still feel like I'm forgetting a lot. So if I am, and I left you out, I'm sorry!
I leave you with a huge photo bomb!!
My parents also visited in September. They got to see how big Ellery had gotten, and Mom got her to crack up. Rick had posted the video below. I had a great time seeing them, and having them see Ellery too. It's hard being so far away from everyone!
For most of the month, Ellery had been doing so great on her oxygen! She was able to go up to 4 HOURS with NOTHING! We were amazed! Then, one Friday night, she choked on some drool or something, (we still aren't sure what) and quit breathing. We had to go to the emergency room. We spent a looooong 4 hours there, and were eventually discharged with NO answers, and to follow up with the pediatrician the next day. When we took her in to the pediatrician the next day, they think it might have been related to her reflux. Luckily, we haven't had an episode like that since. However, it severely set us back on her oxygen. For a while, she was unable to be off at all. We are finally getting back to the point where she can go an hour or so with nothing. It seems like such a rollercoaster; sometimes she does GREAT and other times she does not so good.
Rick's parents were here just this past week. We had a good visit with them, and they were able to see all the progress little Ellie Bug has been making. We played a lot of card games and watched some movies. It's hard not being able to leave the house much.
As for the progress, here is where we are at! She is able to sit supported, with minimal support by placing your hands behind her, or against the couch or a firm surface. She can stand by being pulled up from the sitting position, which has been a lot of fun! My mom got her to start belly laughing, and she doesn't do it all the time, but when she does it makes my day! She's trying very very hard to roll, she just doesn't have the muscles to get all the way over. But she sure does try! She's also trying very hard to sit up on her own, but can only get her head up a few inches off of the ground. But that's an amazing step for her! I am so excited and so proud! She is finally starting to grab at toys, but only a few. She has certain ones she likes, and the others she could care less about. She's also been very talkative, doing raspberries, A-Boos, A-Goos, and lots of AHHHHHHS. Her new thing is to yell. She is not crying or upset, just yelling. She has also recently learned how to shriek, and honestly it is the cutest thing EVER.
The last weight and height I had for her was in mid-September, and she was 14 lbs 9 oz and 25 inches long. She made the 3rd percentile for her actual age in height, and the 9th for weight. WooHoo!! Solids have been going really well, although we are still only doing it once a day, because any more and she quits taking as much in formula. And we really really need her to get the most from the formula.
Therapy sessions have been going great. We have a new therapist; our old OT had too busy of a schedule to continue with us. So he set us up with a wonderful lady from his company. And her husband works out with Rick...small world! She's been with us for about a month or so now, and she said she's noticed lots of progress from Ellery. That makes me so happy! She is definitely doing things on her own time, but they said as long as she continues to progress, that's all that matters!
This coming up Friday, our pastor is coming to bring us communion (since we can't get to church) and talk about baptism plans for Ellery. I'm very excited! He is going to do it at our house, since we aren't supposed to be taking Ellery anyplace now. I need to get her gown dry cleaned still. She will wear the gown that Paige and I were baptised in, which I think makes it even more special. I'm so excited to get it done! It's very important to me.
Since we are on "lockdown", I've discovered a WONDERFUL website called pinterest, and I've been getting a TON of ideas for Christmas Crafts, and just things to do in general. I'm hoping it will make the winter go by a bit faster. One of the projects I'm working on is little amigurumi crocheted animals for Ellery for Christmas. I would also like to make her a blanket, but I don't know if I will have time. I'm going to try to make some no-sew tutus as well, but I figure I have her birthday coming up also to spread around the gifts. :D
I promise I will try to be more on top of updating. It's been such a crazy whirlwind last few months, I still feel like I'm forgetting a lot. So if I am, and I left you out, I'm sorry!
I leave you with a huge photo bomb!!
 |
| Therapy time! |
 |
| Naked face! So beautiful! |
 |
| Auntie Katie and Ellery |
 |
| Grandpa and Ellery |
 |
| Grandma and Ellery: I love this picture! |
 |
| Grandma and Grandpa and Ellery |
 |
| Silly Daddy and Ellery |
 |
| Uncle Brian and Ellery |
 |
| Therapy time! Look at her lifting her head! |
 |
| Grabbing toys! |
 |
| The dog and cat had to watch her therapy |
 |
| Sitting in the bumbo SOOO much better! |
 |
| Trying to roll over in her rock n play. Put a stop to that quick. |
 |
| Like father, like daughter. |
 |
| Sitting so pretty. |
 |
| 7 month picture |
 |
| Playing with toys! |
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Ellery laughing video!
To all,
Ellery has been doing great the past few weeks. She had an eye appointment yesterday and does NOT need glasses. This was awesome news and to top it off she had her hearing test today and passed. This video is of Ellery laughing, Ellery thinks she is hilarious now and has been cracking us up! Hope you all enjoy!
Love and kisses,
~Rick
Ellery has been doing great the past few weeks. She had an eye appointment yesterday and does NOT need glasses. This was awesome news and to top it off she had her hearing test today and passed. This video is of Ellery laughing, Ellery thinks she is hilarious now and has been cracking us up! Hope you all enjoy!
Love and kisses,
~Rick
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Dr.'s appointments, Therapy, and more!
Hey all, Kailey here.
These past few weeks have been pretty busy! Ellery had her follow-up after surgery eye appointment, and Dr. R said he thought everything looked great! He referred us to a pediatrics optometrist in September, to see if she will need glasses. She fought him pretty hard this last exam, so he did mention the possibility of her next exam, which isn't till October, having to be put under. He said she won't have to be intubated, but she will have to be "put to sleep" so he can see. She's such a little fighter, he has a hard time looking at her eyes!
Ellery also had her 6 month pediatrics appointment. Dr. E said she looks great! She weighed in at 13 lbs 9 oz, and was 23.5 inches long! She actually hit the charts for her actual age! She was in the one percentile for height, and the 3rd percentile for weight. Her head circumference was in the quarter percentile. I was so proud she actually hit the charts! Dr. E said she is doing mostly what is expected for her adjusted age, which is about 3 months. We also got the go ahead to start solids (also per our therapist). So, on Wednesday during therapy, we set her in her bumbo and gave her her first solid food: sweet potatoes! She did really well! Our therapist said she did exactly what a "normal" baby would do at first exposure to solids. She is slowly getting used to eating, we are only feeding her once per day right now and sticking with the same amount of bottles. So far, she has had sweet potatoes, squash, and bananas. She DID NOT like the bananas. I didn't either! I've been trying all the food that I'm giving her, and I have to say the bananas were sick. I really enjoyed the sweet potatoes! hehe
This past week in therapy, our therapist said she "made his day!" She FINALLY followed a toy with her eyes, and seemed interested on focusing on it. Our therapist was getting really worried that her eye sight wasn't very good, because she didn't seem to focus on any objects. She has also greatly improved with her head strength, and seems to be getting better every week! He has started a new exercises on an exercise ball that really seems to be helping her head strength. I was really happy after therapy that she seemed to make such progress!
She's been quite chatty lately, and has moved from the "Ahh-goos" to the "Bababas". She still doesn't outright laugh, but has this silly little giggle she does. She's been making really good eye contact with us. Our therapist thinks she definitely needs glasses, just based on how she looks at objects, so hopefully once we have her eye appointment, she may improve on playing with toys, and looking at objects.
The best thing that has been happening recently is she has been able to go for a few HOURS with NO OXYGEN! And she has been consistently on 1/32 of a L, which is the lowest our tank will go. This is a huuuuuuge improvement! And we have been so excited! In fact, typing this out makes me terrified we will jinx it! Our pediatrician told us at her last appointment he feels she will be OFF OF OXYGEN in 8 weeks! We are praying so hard that that will happen! How great will that be!!
We are coming up on RSV season, which we will be completely quarantined to the house during. RSV is a very nasty respiratory virus that can be deadly to little preemies with their underdeveloped lungs. There is a shot, called Synagis, that can be given to help "lessen" the symptoms of RSV should a baby catch it, but it is very expensive and insurance likes to deny it. Our pediatrician is working on getting it approved for us, so Ellery will at least have some protection coming up this winter. We still need to be very careful that she does not contract it. We've been pretty quarantined since she's been home, but we've made a few outings with her. I'm so scared of her getting sick. Especially with all the progress she has been making with her oxygen needs!
As for us, not much new is going on. I finally got one of my debts paid off, which feels GREAT. We also sold my old car, so it's no longer sitting on the side of the driveway. I've been reading like a fiend, which I'm really enjoying, because I took a big break from reading while Ellery was in the NICU. Just didn't ever feel like it. I'm also trying to cook new recipes more often. Usually, we cycle through the same menu every week, so I've been trying to change it up a little. I'm getting a little more time to do things as Ellery gets a little older. She is still pretty dependent on her momma though!
I was feeling pretty homesick last week, since we usually try to take a trip home around August or September. Especially since fall is coming up, my favorite season, and you can't beat fall in Oregon. Makes me miss Corvallis, and school time, and all the trees changing colors. We don't have many trees out in the desert.
I'll leave you with a photo bomb of recent pictures of little Miss Ellery.
These past few weeks have been pretty busy! Ellery had her follow-up after surgery eye appointment, and Dr. R said he thought everything looked great! He referred us to a pediatrics optometrist in September, to see if she will need glasses. She fought him pretty hard this last exam, so he did mention the possibility of her next exam, which isn't till October, having to be put under. He said she won't have to be intubated, but she will have to be "put to sleep" so he can see. She's such a little fighter, he has a hard time looking at her eyes!
Ellery also had her 6 month pediatrics appointment. Dr. E said she looks great! She weighed in at 13 lbs 9 oz, and was 23.5 inches long! She actually hit the charts for her actual age! She was in the one percentile for height, and the 3rd percentile for weight. Her head circumference was in the quarter percentile. I was so proud she actually hit the charts! Dr. E said she is doing mostly what is expected for her adjusted age, which is about 3 months. We also got the go ahead to start solids (also per our therapist). So, on Wednesday during therapy, we set her in her bumbo and gave her her first solid food: sweet potatoes! She did really well! Our therapist said she did exactly what a "normal" baby would do at first exposure to solids. She is slowly getting used to eating, we are only feeding her once per day right now and sticking with the same amount of bottles. So far, she has had sweet potatoes, squash, and bananas. She DID NOT like the bananas. I didn't either! I've been trying all the food that I'm giving her, and I have to say the bananas were sick. I really enjoyed the sweet potatoes! hehe
This past week in therapy, our therapist said she "made his day!" She FINALLY followed a toy with her eyes, and seemed interested on focusing on it. Our therapist was getting really worried that her eye sight wasn't very good, because she didn't seem to focus on any objects. She has also greatly improved with her head strength, and seems to be getting better every week! He has started a new exercises on an exercise ball that really seems to be helping her head strength. I was really happy after therapy that she seemed to make such progress!
She's been quite chatty lately, and has moved from the "Ahh-goos" to the "Bababas". She still doesn't outright laugh, but has this silly little giggle she does. She's been making really good eye contact with us. Our therapist thinks she definitely needs glasses, just based on how she looks at objects, so hopefully once we have her eye appointment, she may improve on playing with toys, and looking at objects.
The best thing that has been happening recently is she has been able to go for a few HOURS with NO OXYGEN! And she has been consistently on 1/32 of a L, which is the lowest our tank will go. This is a huuuuuuge improvement! And we have been so excited! In fact, typing this out makes me terrified we will jinx it! Our pediatrician told us at her last appointment he feels she will be OFF OF OXYGEN in 8 weeks! We are praying so hard that that will happen! How great will that be!!
We are coming up on RSV season, which we will be completely quarantined to the house during. RSV is a very nasty respiratory virus that can be deadly to little preemies with their underdeveloped lungs. There is a shot, called Synagis, that can be given to help "lessen" the symptoms of RSV should a baby catch it, but it is very expensive and insurance likes to deny it. Our pediatrician is working on getting it approved for us, so Ellery will at least have some protection coming up this winter. We still need to be very careful that she does not contract it. We've been pretty quarantined since she's been home, but we've made a few outings with her. I'm so scared of her getting sick. Especially with all the progress she has been making with her oxygen needs!
As for us, not much new is going on. I finally got one of my debts paid off, which feels GREAT. We also sold my old car, so it's no longer sitting on the side of the driveway. I've been reading like a fiend, which I'm really enjoying, because I took a big break from reading while Ellery was in the NICU. Just didn't ever feel like it. I'm also trying to cook new recipes more often. Usually, we cycle through the same menu every week, so I've been trying to change it up a little. I'm getting a little more time to do things as Ellery gets a little older. She is still pretty dependent on her momma though!
I was feeling pretty homesick last week, since we usually try to take a trip home around August or September. Especially since fall is coming up, my favorite season, and you can't beat fall in Oregon. Makes me miss Corvallis, and school time, and all the trees changing colors. We don't have many trees out in the desert.
I'll leave you with a photo bomb of recent pictures of little Miss Ellery.
 |
| 6 month picture |
 |
| First time in the bumbo |
 |
| My Beaver Babe! :) |
 |
| Funny little smirk :) |
 |
| Yummmm sweet potatoes! |
 |
| She fell asleep during tummy time |
 |
| Getting waaaay better at tummy time! |
 |
| On 0 oxygen and satting at 100!! (This is rare...but it happened!) |
 |
| Cutie Patootie |
 |
| She likes to flash me |
 |
| Naked Face! |
 |
| Asleep on Dad |
 |
| Pretty eyes |
 |
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)