THIS is why I see moms at Target in yoga pants, baseball hats, whisper screaming at their kids with a huge Starbucks in their hand (that has probably gotten cold, by the way). And this is why I haven’t blogged in almost a month! Life is crazy with a 2-year-old and a 2-month-old. Our days go by fast and are filled with pumping, bottles, laundry, playing “goff”, getting outside whenever we can, and Oliver dusting his sister. Between the kiddos and the doctor appointments, it’s been hard to find time to write.
Last week was hard but ended well. Our cardiologist sent us on to an occupational therapist last Monday to evaluate how she was feeding. The OT, Nancy, has been working with heart babies for over 30 years, so she knows her stuff. She said that Baby E shouldn’t be drooling milk out of her bottle from the get-go. Heart babies start to drool once they’re tired, not the entire time. So, either the drooling was due to her lip tie or because we needed to slow down the flow of milk for her. I crossed my fingers that the slower-flow nipple would be the solution.
Several days later, the ENT did not see any restriction due to her lip tie and didn’t feel a tongue tie. Throughout the week she was getting stronger and not drooling until the last quarter or so of her bottle. This is indicative that her dribbling is a cardiac symptom – she’s just tuckered out – and not indicative of a bigger problem.
Phew.
But the thing that gave me the most reassurance is this: I weighed her at the ENT and she clocked in at 8 POUNDS. This is a very big deal. Eight days before she only weighed 7 pounds 6 ounces. I weighed her three times to make sure. Of course, there’s probably a couple ounces of leeway since she had just had a bottle, but STILL. This means she is taking in more milk and feeding more efficiently. I squealed when I weighed her and the nurse looked at me like I was a total weirdo.
I drove to the ENT white-knuckled but left with the sunroof open and the radio on, and I felt like I could breathe again. My husband and I had been hesitantly saying to each other that she didn’t seem as sloppy, but I think we were afraid to proclaim it from the rooftops. The proof was in her weight gain, though.
So our girl is doing pretty good right now. Still no surgery date because this chick’s gotta chunk up some more. In the meantime, I’m learning lots of lessons around here. Fodder for plenty more blog posts, that’s for sure.
Keep doing just what you are doing sweet Jill. You are doing so many incredible things every day with little Emily. We are praying and praying for little Emily. We are praying for all of you. Take it step by step. There may be a step or two backwards, but keep fighting and praying. You, Mama, are making a difference every moment in Emily’s life. Emily’s latest pictures show a happy alert baby girl. Love to all of you, Jack and Karin
Thank you Karen!! So encouraging! Your prayers mean the world. She is really getting curious and smiling a ton – I think because she has more energy now! Love to you!:)