what's up doc

4 doctors visits in 4 weeks! They've actually started a rewards program in our honor.  

Many of you have been so thoughtful to inquire about E's health and how she is doing. Overall, she is doing great; we've just had a few hiccups along the way. Nothing serious to report, thank you Lord, but I wanted to catch you up nonetheless. I know many of you mamas out there have experienced the same things with your precious babes, and I thank you for sharing your experiences and advice. As always, your prayers are appreciated and valued on Evie's behalf! We take heart that, "When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action." {Matt. 18:20}

Visit 1: Newborn well-baby check up {routine visit}

Healthy girl in the 88% for weight, 80% for height, and 40% for head circumference...however, if you count the crazy hair it bumps her up to 99% 

Visit 2: Laryngomalacia & Hernia 

Two days after after our well baby check up, we started noticing Evie's breathing sounded abnormal- labored, gargled, congested breathing. We noticed it mostly at night when she was sleeping inclined in her bassinet in our room. She was diagnosed with Laryngomalacia, apparently common among infants. Basically, the tissue in her larynx is softer than expected and her upper larynx collapses slightly when inhaling. Sounds scarier than it is, but this is to blame for the "labored, congested" breathing. No treatment needed, she just needs to lay flat to sleep. It should clear up by 18 months...which seems like a long time to hear your poor baby wheeze! At this visit we also found out she has an umbilical hernia, which again is common among infants. No treatment at this point; 9 out of 10 cases clear up on their own.

Visit 3: Two week well-baby check up {routine visit} 

Still have a healthy girl! 

Visit 4: Acid Reflux

We had been noticing E gets fussy 30 mins exactly after feedings. She arches her back, seems very uncomfortable and spits up. Dr. agreed it sounds like acid reflux and prescribed drops to help with her discomfort. Oh and guess what, it is ALSO "common among infants." Yeah, yeah, yeah...

Laryngomalacia, hernia, reflux- Evie spread the love and save some "common" baby ailments for the rest of the population! 

one month

Happy 1 month birthday, little Miss Evie J! 

I can't believe you have already been here for a whole month. Every time I think about a memory or detail of your actual birth day, it just seems like last week! You have survived and thrived for 30 whole days- congrats to you and to us! 

At one month, you are doing the following: 

Eating: every 3-4 hours. 

You are such a good eater! I am so very thankful that you like to eat and have taken to feedings so well. We had a little trouble the first night home, but a pound and a half later, I'd say no one is worried about you starving!

Sleeping: 

You have been sleeping in your crib since your seventh night home. Normally, you get really fussy in the evenings for about 2 hours while your dad and I rock you, pat you, feed you, burp you {basically whatever we can think of} and pass you back and forth until you finally doze off. We then dread putting you in your bed for fear that you will open those pretty little eyes, scream and we start all over. However, after you finally fall asleep, you are a good sleeper! You sleep pretty hard for the first 5-6 hours and then about every 3 after that. You only wake up once a night to eat. Hallelujah! 

Napping: 

Ehhhh this would be your area for improvement. Everyone says newborns sleep like 20 hours a day...not you, sister! You like to stay awake most of the day and then nap for a while around 2:00. However, you keep me guessing everyday if you will actually fall asleep that afternoon or not. You fall asleep better when I am in the room, but not paying attention to you. Today at 3:00 after no napping, I had to call your Bull so I could talk while you fell asleep. And it worked! 

Liking: 

Eating, gas relief drops {that taste like Pina Colada}, your hands by your face, MAM pacifiers, your giraffe sound machine, having visitors {you are a little angel when others are around...show off}, being rocked, and being held at all times! If you are awake, you want to be held. I shouldn't complain because I know one day I will wish this was still the case {cue Darius Rucker's, "You're Gonna Miss This"}, but as of today I have started about 7 projects that have gone unfinished due to the fact that I need hands to complete them. 

Disliking: 

The taste of your reflux meds {which your dad tried and also agreed they are yucky} and those baby mittens that cover your hands.

Undecided: 

You are not sure or not if you enjoy walks in the BOB, baths or  your activity mat. However, you are coming around on all of these things! 

*Disclaimer/Mom confession- you are still changing so much every day so it's hard to tell what you actually like and dislike. It changes all the time! I don't think you even know yet. And that's at least what I tell myself when I can't figure out why you are upset.* 

Milestones: 

Everything is a milestone at this point- it's your first 30 days of life for crying out loud {pun intended}! You are making eye contact with those pretty blues, starting to track objects moving slooowly in front of your face, smiling at us {although I'm pretty sure it's involuntary at this point, but a mama can pretend}, and holding your head off of our shoulder. You've got a strong neck under all those chins! 

Happy one month, sweet Evie girl! We have loved every moment with you and can't imagine what we did before you entered the world...just a short month ago! We love you baby girl!