I can't believe it has been two months since my last post. The boys' sports schedules got crazy this spring, and as a result I haven't had time to sit down and update my blog. A lot has happened in the last two months, and sweet Baby E continues to thrive. She was baptised on Valentine's Day, and the boys were so precious - they thought E looked like a princess!
In more good news, Baby E has gained over two pounds - HOORAY!!! She gained over a pound from February to March and another pound from March to April. At her last weight check, she was up to 13.5 pounds and a size 3 diaper. We are finally making progress. The nutritionist explained that your brain takes all the nutrients first and then gives whatever is leftover to the rest of the body. Since E's brain had to grow so much (to fill the space where the hyrdrocephalus was) during the first few months, her body wasn't getting much and couldn't grow. Now that her brain has grown and isn't requiring as much nutrients, her body is finally getting some sustenance; hence the growth. This is a good sign for two reasons: it means her brain should be getting close to caught up and her little body is getting the food it needs to thrive.
Additionally, she has been taking fairly consistent naps every day, and she has begun to sleep better through the night (probably because her little belly is finally full). She still sometimes has a night where she wakes up at 4:00 or 5:00 a.m., but for the most part she sleeps in until at least 6:00 a.m. The doctor wants me to keep feeding her if she wakes up in the middle of the night because she probably still needs it. But hopefully after her nine month check up I will get to let her cry it out. Needless to say, I can't wait for her next check up. :)
E is also meeting some great developmental milestones: she can hold her own bottle to feed herself (and prefers to do it all by herself - little Miss Independent), she is reaching really well with both arms, she is almost rolling over all the way onto her tummy and she is extremely verbal. She blows raspberries, squeals in delight, laughs deliriously at the boys and voices her opposition to things. In fact, she has become quite opinionated and is not afraid to voice her opinions. (I can't imagine where that comes from!) She literally screams when she's mad - especially when she doesn't want to participate in p.t. The therapist LOVES it though because it's a great sign that E is feeling things when she's working and that she's cognitive enough to express her displeasure.
The best news of all is that she is really starting to move her legs. Don't get me wrong, there is still obvious partial paralysis, but we have noticed significant improvement with her ability to lift and move her legs. She is now able to lift both legs at least six inches off the ground, which is in total contrast from when she was born and they were essentially lifeless. We hope that as she continues to grow and mature that her legs will improve more and more.
E has an appointment with the Spina Bifida Clinic/Developmental pediatrician at the end of April, her well visit with the pediatrician at the beginning of May and another rapid sequence MRI with the neurosurgeon in May. Please pray for all good results at these upcoming appointments (and for Mommy's sanity - that MRI is a tough one to endure, especially now that E likes to voice her opinions about things).
I'm still nursing E (a.k.a. pumping at every feeding) but plan to stop at the end of the school year. The boys' summer schedule is not conducive to me pumping on a whim like I'm able to do now. As you may recall, breast milk is what helps with E's constipation issues. We have these issue under control right now, and we hope they stay that way when E stops getting breast milk. So please pray that we don't have to battle constipation.
We can't be more thankful for E's progress over the past few months. She is absolutely amazing, and we feel truly blessed!!!! We would be grateful if you would help us pray for her continued health, that her shunt continues to function well and that her hydrocephalus stays under control, that she continues to thrive and gain weight, that her legs continue to show improvement and gain strength and that we don't face any constipation issues after she stops nursing. Thank you for your continued support and prayers!!!
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