To say that I was overwhelmed last week would be a giant understatement. Turns out that it was a lot to try to return from being gone 10 days and catch up with housework, laundry and start school all at the same time. We're now into the groove of the second week of school and things are back to their usual chaos instead of the crazy chaos of last week. :)
Adding to the stress of last week, Caroline had a weight check on Thursday with the pediatrician. She had gained 3 ounces in a week, instead of the 1 ounce a day that they'd like to see. As a result, we tried to add both formula and rice cereal to the bottles of breastmilk, but she wasn't drinking it. We've since bought some new nipples that might allow the "milkshake" consistency to seep through the holes. I'm going to try them tonight.
In other Caroline's health news, at that same doctor appointment, I picked up some paperwork that the good doctor had filled out for an early intervention center in Birmingham. On it, she had written "possible hearing loss" several times. Caroline has not passed her newborn hearing screen yet and has been referred to the ENT. I hadn't given the referral two seconds worth of thought until I saw it written on those papers. For whatever reason, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was up at 11:30 that night using my cell phone to call the house phone and holding the ringing receiver right up to my sleeping baby's ear to see if it disturbed her. Results were inconclusive. :) She didn't reach up and smack me like she should have, according to my mom. At most moments I'm confident that Caroline can indeed hear, but every now and then that seed of fear gets planted again and I doubt it all over again.
In non-health related Caroline news, she has begun smiling at us. What a WONDERFUL developmental milestone. One of the best, in my opinion. That sweet baby looks up at me and smiles with her eyes as well as that beautiful mouth. I could just eat her up. She sleeps well, eats well, travels well, puts up with her big sisters well, and fits right in the groove of my left shoulder well. I love that kid.
Here are some pictures from our trip. We spent time in both Meridian, MS and Pensacola, FL. We had some great time with our dear friends the Heinemeiers and Measons (though not nearly as much as we'd hoped) and I have zero pictures to show from it. Not sure how I dropped the ball on that one. I really took very few pictures the whole trip. I'd like to write another day a little more about the particular trip, but for today this will have to do...
Daddy and his girls
Yes, we did normally play in swimsuits - not dresses.
Julia's castle
Caroline's first trip to the beach - 2nd trip to Pensacola. :)
Grace
8 weeks old
2 comments:
I am glad to hear that you had a good, long trip. I will definitely be keeping Caroline's hearing in my prayers.
By the way, Scott is really flexible. I tried to squat as low as he is in the first picture during yoga last night and I didn't even come close.
Hi- I like to check in every now and then. I have Bennett that has DS as well and I think he's about 3 weeks older than Caroline. Firt off all your daughters are just precious!!Second, babies with DS have smaller ear canals and sometimes fluid can get in them quite easily so it may just be fluid in her ears rather than actual hearing loss. Alot of kids with DS have to get tubes I think as they get older and that tends to solve the problem with the fluid. Third, Bennett just had surgery for his AV canal and it went super! Not trying to be pushy but you can check my blog to see how it all went or feel free to email me if you have any questions as Caroline's surgery approaches. There are other blogs I follow that have babies around the same age getting ready to go through their surgery as well. Her feedings may not get better until her heart is fixed. Bennett was the same way and now just days after surgery he takes 6 ounces in just 25 min. or so and he was just like Caroline- took forever! Many blessings to your family!!
Post a Comment