I hope everyone had a very Happy New Year! We had a very relaxing New Year, and Baby E is off to a great start. She had her appointment at the Spina Bifida Clinic just before Christmas, and it went really well. While we were there, we saw the developmental pediatrician, the nutritionist, a physical therapist and an occupational therapist. We got good news from all of them.
First, Baby E is up to 11.5 pounds, and she has caught up to what she should weigh. (She is officially in a size 2 diaper!) As a result, I no longer have to feed her every two hours. Instead, I can just feed her "on demand," which makes it a lot easier on Mommy. Plus, since she's doing so well gaining weight I can continue to sleep through the night and don't have to wake her up to eat. Hooray!!! She will remain on her high calorie supplement after nursing to ensure she keeps up the weight gain. Please keep your fingers crossed that it's still working as we go in for another weight check tomorrow.
The therapists also looked at E's right leg that we thought may have contractures, and said there is nothing too serious to worry about. They think that continuing to stretch it out daily will be sufficient. I really liked this visit because the therapists helped me to see the big picture. Basically, what we need to be working on are 1) the things E can't do and 2) anything that will help her get into a walking position. For example, if she can flex her feet then we need to work on pointing them, and if she can keep her legs straight we need to work on bending them. Also, we need to put her legs in the positions she would be in if she were standing/walking. We've basically been doing this all along, but it was nice to have some common sense behind all the exercises we do. The therapists want her sitting up and rolling over by her next appointment in April. We have lots to work on between now and then! :)
E has her appointment with the urologist in three weeks. Please say lots and lots of prayers for good results on her ultrasound which will be run at that time. It will determine whether her bladder is emptying like it should be. If it's not, we could have to catheterize her, which scares me to death.
We are so thankful that E is off to such a great start this year. Thanks for keeping her in your thoughts and prayers!
So glad to hear of the good check up and her weight gain. Hope mommy can get some more rest! We will be praying for baby Elizabeth's urologist appointment and that the catheter will NOT be necessary. Praying for mom and dad, and the strength and perseverance needed to continue to help care for your precious baby.
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Chad and Stephanie Hoskins