Over the past few weeks, we have been to the doctor a few times. Nothing really serious is wrong, but there have been some developments that the doctor is a little concerned about. We have always bragged about what a "big" girl we have, but physically she is a little petite. So, let's start at the beginning. I think the difficulty gaining weight all started since the day she was born. She was born with a flap of skin that attached her tongue too close to the front of her mouth called a tongue tie. She was not able to latch on properly, so she lost a bunch of weight before we even left the hospital. To get her weight back up to her birth weight we had to supplement with formula for a few days and visited a lactation consultant a number of times. A few weeks later we had her tongue fixed and she was like a different baby, eating all of the time and putting her weight back on. But since she had latching problems we had to use shields so she can latch correctly and get enough milk. Over time Ella and I finally got the hang of things. There were plenty of times that I almost gave up, but she needed me and I was determined to make it happen. Over the next couple of months she grew like a weed, gaining a pound in just two weeks and adding inches by the day! In recent weeks I have noticed a decline in her growth and she was eating it seemed like every hour in the afternoon. Her three-six month clothes are so loose that they are falling off and we are almost at 5 months! We have been at the doctor it seems like every week for something. She did have a little virus that probably didn't help matters, but she has stayed about the same size for the past month. Being almost five months old she only weighs 11 pounds 14 ounces, the doctor said she should be almost 14 pounds. This is calling for some drastic measures, so we have been talking with the doctor and lactation consultant to see what we can do to fatten our baby up. So far, it has not affected her developmentally because she has hit all of her milestones early. They gave us some options, and we have decided to supplement her with formula after every feeding since it would put weight on her the fastest. I have to weigh her before and after each feeding to make sure she in taking in enough fluid ounces per day. She absolutely hates being weighed!! We are due for a follow up appointment in a couple of weeks to make sure she is gaining like she should. We will keep you posted on her progress! She doesn't get a bottle often, but she decided that she was a "big" girl and hold her own bottle and feed herself! We were so impressed...
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Getting Bigger Everyday!
Okay, it's time for the Dad to get on here and give this blog thing a shot! Our little girl has been changing everyday. She's going up WAY TOO FAST for her Dad. She amazes me with the new things she does. I've always loved being a Dad, but lately... it has become even better. Once I come home and Ella recognizes me with a smile, it makes my heart melt and any bad day just do a complete 180. I love spending time with her on her play-mat, carrying her around the home singing her favorite tunes, or just reading her a book. It's completely amazing how smart she is. I know I'm a little biased, but seriously... the kid's face should be a on Gerber box. :) Okay, okay... I'm going overboard I know, but I don't care. She's standing more, becoming a champ at rolling from her back to tummy (and vice versa), and has done an AWESOME job at night getting used to her crib. I have to admit that I miss hearing her make noise while sleeping, but I'm sure she's ready to get rid of us and sleep in peace. :) She's truly the apple of my eye!
"I know Mom, I'm too little... just testing it out!"
Playing with Grandpa Rod...
Sunday, July 20, 2008
My Own Room!
Well, we've begun the process every parent is excited about and completely dreading at the same time. We were delayed a week from going out of town recently and quite frankly, we were stalling some. Ella seemed like she was more than ready to make the big move to her own room. (Probably anxious to get rid of her Dad's snoring... so I've been told!) I was working a late shift last week, so it seemed like a good time to make the transition, since I'd have the opportunity to sleep in some if Ella decided she wasn't going to cooperate. We wanted to take about 3 nights in our room without being swaddled before making the move. Honestly, she had a more difficult time getting used to that then sleeping alone. After she had "mastered" that part of her new sleep routine, Devon and I decided that 9pm sounded like a good bed time. Devon takes Ella into her room, reads her a couple of books, and then lets her suck on her favorite pacifier for a few minutes. After that, she'll put her down and play her favorite bedtime music on her CD player. Ella did such a wonderful job! We were way more nervous that she was! We were the ones getting up every 90-minutes to check and make sure she was okay. I wanted to wait a few days to write this blog before I bragged on her, in case it was a fluke! But, even tonight, she was fussy until Devon put her down to sleep. She was tried of being messed with and ready for bed, I guess. Best thing is, she's normally asleep by 9:30pm or so and doesn't get up until nearly 7am! Can you believe that? Absolutely amazing how well she's done. We're SO proud of our little/big girl! More stories to come, but we just had to share. :)
Showing off the favorite PJ's...
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
4-month birthday!
On the 5th, Ella got to celebrate her 4-month birthday! (Yes, we're weird and still care about these little things!) We spent most of the day outside, enjoying the great weather in Mena. We took some nice, long walks. It also gave Brian some time to figure out our new video recorder. (We're hoping to add some clips to our site real soon.) We've been having a great time with Ella lately. It seems like everyday, she ends up doing something new. She's talking more, laughing more, and can now roll from her belly to her back... on her own! On Monday, we took her to her 4-month appointment. The worst part was her getting her shots. :( Never a fun time. We're excited about how big she's getting. Can you tell we're happy parents? :)
Happy 4-months!!! :)
Talking to Mommy...
"Yeah... I'm cool."
Happy for the ride home!
Having a good time with Daddy at Starbucks!
4th of July!
For Ella's first 4th of July, we planned the trip to Mena to see the Grandparents. Of course, the trip had to include a visit to the largest place in town... that's right, Walmart. We had a great dinner. The Grandparents did a great job with hamburgers and hot dogs with all the fixings. We ate too much! Brian went to get fireworks and got the best money could buy... at least the best $16 could buy! While Grandpa Alan and Brian were outside setting off the fireworks, Donna and I were inside watching the NYC Firework show on TV. Ella was completely fascinated and couldn't take her eyes off of the TV! Maybe next year, she can see more of them in person.
Our cutie baby!
One of our new favorite pics!
Ella and the boys... Grandpa tickling her head
Ella and the girls...
Getting ready for nap time!
Trip to Mena!
Over the long holiday weekend, we got a chance to take Ella along for her first long car trip! We went to Mena, Arkansas to visit with Ella's Grandma Donna and Grandpa Alan. On the way there, Ella did pretty well. Considering she'd never been in the car for more than a hour or so before. She didn't want to sleep, but that's another story. We stopped in Greenville for dinner (Cracker Barrel on trips is a must) and she got a little fussy. Eventually she dozed off and gave us a chance to eat. We had to stop about 2 more times to feed her along the way. Overall, the normal 4-hour trip took about 6! Once we were there, Ella was a little "out of her element" and was more fussy then we would have liked. After a great trip (which we'll talk about more in later blogs), Ella stunned us by how good she was on the way home. She ended up sleeping from Grannis, AR (officially in the middle of nowhere) to right outside of Greenville... about 2 1/2 hours! She did wonderful! I would definitely say her first trip was a success! Our little girl continues to impress us more everyday. :)
Posing with the Grandparents.... grouchy girl!
Helping Daddy eat some corn! Too cute!
Ella's New Friend!
Nearly 2 weeks ago, Ella got a chance to meet her new friend... Laela Grace Murthy! (You can check her out on our link to the Murthy's page!) We were very glad to see Laela make a safe entrance into this world! Even though the girls are still too young to really notice each other, we can already tell they are going to be great playmates! Next time, we'll make sure to take a picture of them together! We were really amazed to see how babies change, even in 4 short months. Laela was so little and cute! It was great to get to meet her and introduce them. We look forward to seeing them again real soon!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)