March 29, 2011

Happy Birthday to Patrick! Sorry, I didn't take any photos today, but I have things to write...

Charlotte gave Patrick the best present ever and nearly slept through the night last night for the first time in over 2 months. She woke only twice and just needed some pats on the back to fall back to sleep. It was fabulous.

We had a fun and delicious evening - Pat's sister Kelly made a cheesecake that we got to enjoy with her and Tim. Charlotte also learned about Cookie Monster and had fun saying "num num" along with a recording.

In other exciting news, we may have found a way to curb Charlotte's vomiting. I got to speak with a GI nurse on Monday who suggested we change up our feeding plan to dilute her formula throughout the day with water, rather than giving her all 300 mls/day of water straight overnight. This would reduce her feeds from 30 cals/oz to 25 cals/oz, making them slightly less dense.

Then this morning when I explained the new plan to her daycare I learned they were already doing this. They had mistaken Patrick's directions on how to start her feed and rather than using the water to clean out the bag, they were just mixing the water and formula. This was very exciting because we've been puzzled as to why she throws up less at daycare than at home. So far so good, and I'm hopeful we can once again feel comfortable without a burp rag in arm's reach.

March 27, 2011

We've had a great couple of weeks and weekends since the last post!

Charlotte got her first pony tail. It didn't stay in long, but it sure was adorable.

Patrick and I both had the Friday after St. Patrick's Day off of work, and with 40-50 degree weather we acted like it was summer! We found the pictured bike trailer at Capital Deals in St. Paul. We got the trailer and a bike helmet for Charlotte at less than half the cost of a new trailer (I love a good deal!). While Patrick ran I biked and pulled Charlotte along. It was fun to do something together as a family, and Charlotte did great for her first trip out! Hopefully we'll take lots of trips this summer.

Last weekend was a big race weekend. Patrick ran the Lake Johanna 4 miler on Saturday and the Human Race 8k on Sunday. He did great, and I only wish the weather had been better. Charlotte was snuggled in tight, but it was rainy and cold. She didn't quite get to see Grandpa Russell finish because she got too cold and we had to go home early. Maybe next time!

Today was very relaxing. Pat's parents came over to watch Charlotte, so we could go out for dinner to celebrate his upcoming birthday. It was pretty awesome to be able to enjoy a meal at a real restaurant and not have to worry about keeping Charlotte entertained and happy. We even took in a movie, Paul, and enjoyed it very much. Charlotte had a great time too playing with Grandma and Grandpa.

Charlotte received her last Synagis shot for the season and was evaluated by Minnesota's birth to three program. We're very happy with the results. She was average on all scales for her corrected age and not too far behind for actual age. She's a bit behind (12 months) for gross motor skills but way ahead (21 months) for fine motor skills. A surgeon perhaps? Concert pianist? No pressure, baby girl. :)

Her weight has been fluctuating. Last weekend she weighed 20 lbs 2 oz but then today she was back down to 19 lbs 13 oz. Her vomiting has decreased in frequency but increased in volume. She now vomits about 2-3 times/day, but it's unbelievable sometimes how much comes out of her little body. We have calls into her GI Doctor hoping for some guidance. She was on vacation last week, so hopefully we'll connect with her early this week. Luckily the ear infection seems to be gone. Charlotte's sleeping a bit better, and that's great for all of us!

Hard to believe April is just around the corner! April showers bring May flowers. Please.

March 16, 2011

We had the best weekend we've had since moving back to MN! It was so fun. Saturday we rested since I still had a cold, which is now almost gone (yay!). Sunday my parents visited and we all went to the Como Park Conservatory for a little break from winter. Charlotte loved it - I'm not sure she can even remember summer, so she thought the leaves hitting her face were pretty funny.

Here she is with Grandpa and Grandma Distad.

Fun with Dad! It looks as though she wet her pants here, but unfortunately that's not it. She had a pretty big throw up, but luckily she was wearing a cute vest that was hit the worst and we were able to remove it.
I love this picture! Charlotte did a lot of walking at the conservatory and we've noticed a huge increase in the amount she walks since. We think her confidence level went way up because she had so much space to move around.

And, Charlotte loves to splash so this rain/evaporation exhibit was right up her alley!

We've had our fair share of visits to her clinic lately. She just can't shake her ear infection, so when round 2 of antibiotics wasn't working the doctors prescribed her with antibiotic shots. Tonight she received her second shot, so hopefully her infection clears up. Charlotte generally doesn't let us look in her mouth, but all the screaming she did post-shot allowed me to see that she's getting her molars! Now we're not sure if she's crying because she's teething or because she has an ear infection. I hold out hope every night that she's going to sleep through the night. It's gotta happen!

Tonight was an exciting visit to the clinic because there was a set of preemie twins in the waiting room and the little boy had an NG Tube. His parents were both nurses and said that putting an NG tube in a baby is much easier than in an adult (yeah, if you're heartless...just kidding). We didn't get to chat long, but their little guy has oral aversion similar to Charlotte. I felt bad telling them that she has a G-tube, but I hope he starts eating sooner rather than later. One thing I miss about Houghton is that here we don't know any other parents who've had a micro preemie. It was nice to have a little community of families who'd had similar experiences.

Charlotte's weight is up! This past Sunday she weighed in at 19 lbs 13 oz.

The U is closed on Friday, so Patrick and I both have a 3 day weekend! Friday is a big day for Charlotte. Minnesota's birth to three program is coming over to evaluate her for services and she's getting another synagis shot. Sunday is a big day for Patrick - his first race since our move back to MN. The weather sounds fabulous, and I'm excited to get outside and cheer with Charlotte.

March 6, 2011

It's been a while since our last post, but we've been busy fighting germs. Charlotte was hit hard in mid February and had to stay home from daycare for two days due to a fever and vomiting. It was pretty stressful, not only because Charlotte was sick, but because Pat and I are both new to our jobs and hated missing days already. On the plus side, I got to stay home and snuggle with Charlotte for two days and Pat for an afternoon after daycare sent her home.

Charlotte shared her germs with me and Patrick, but as of this weekend we all feel pretty good! I'm just happy to be able to swallow and stay awake past 8 p.m. Woo hoo! :)

Charlotte loves to climb! Here she is scaling the nordic track.

Here's Charlotte on the day daycare sent her home. When I walked up the stairs she was sitting in the chair reading her books. So sweet, but strange to see her happy just sitting.

We've been doing lots of this. At all hours of the day.

Go Gophers!
Patrick has been letting Charlotte play with his keys. They've ended up in the toilet once, and I'm just waiting for them to disappear altogether. :)

Charlotte's eating is back to water only. We've slowed her pump rate significantly hoping that she'll stop throwing up again, but so far no luck. She did much better today, though, so maybe we're getting back on track. Time will tell.

As per GI instructions, we've been tracking her weight. It's going in the wrong direction, but with the sickness hopefully behind us she should start gaining weight.
2/12: 20 lbs 0 oz
2/20: 19 lbs 12 0z
2/28: 19 lbs 12 oz
3/6: 19 lbs 8.5 oz