Etta's Journal

Mommy and I are back home! We drove back on Monday. The trip didn't take quite as long coming back because we didn't have to slow down for a rain storm (which then made us have to stop a third time for a bottle on the way down).

Mommy and I spent most of the day yesterday in our pajamas recovering. whew! Then, last night, I went and spent a few hours with Grandmomma Mel and Granddaddy Rick while Mommy and Daddy went to watch their friend, Dustin, perform at 3rd & Lindsley in honor of the release of his new CD, "I Can't Fly" (www.dustinoverbeek.com) . It was really exciting for them to see him play that venue!

Today I went to the pediatrician for my 2 month check-up. I FINALLY seem to have put some weight on! I weigh...... 7 lbs and 8 oz! Mommy could hardly believe her ears! She's noticed that I'm starting to fill out. My arms and legs and feet are getting pudgier. I'm also fitting into some of my clothes better (even though they are still "newborn" size).

Dr. Hood was very pleased with my development and noted that I have pretty good muscle control while propped on Mommy's shoulder. Mommy was happy when she said that, but then later after I showed her I could grasp relly well, Dr. Hood put me on my tummy and I showed her how I can lift my head REALLY high and even Dr. Hood got all giddy! She was THRILLED with my ability to do that. She said she thought my muscle tone was in line with that of "typical" babies. (happy fists!!). So, GREAT check-up!

...except, I thought the last part was NOT so great! The nurse came in and gave me THREE shots in my thighs. WAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!

Mommy brought me straight home and gave me some Tylenol and I spent the remainder of the afternoon/evening resting!

Nana V got to have the day off today so we spent the morning just hanging around the house and trying to get a refill on my thyroid medicine (Mommy didn't think that one through before we left town on a whim). Once we got the prescription thing sorted out, we decided to head into town and go to Target and to pick up my refill.

Well.... On our way to town, we decided that we really needed to switch cars with Grandfather. Because my car seat is so big, it makes whomever sits in the front passenger seat very uncomfortable (with their knees in their chin). So, we went to Grandfather's office to swap. On the way, we went through a quick drive-thru because the people were hungry.

After the switcharoo, we were off to Target (AGAIN! If you don't already have stock in Target... you may want to reconsider!). Mommy got a few essentials for me that she could just keep at Nana V's and Grandfather's house so she wouldn't have to pack it every time we come to visit.

After Target, we went and picked up my prescription. Mommy's kinda excited about giving it to me because this pharmacy used a different method to compound it and it's got a different consistency AND they added bubblegum flavor to it. She hopes I won't spit it out and make faces tomorrow!

Then, I was getting hungry. Nana V still needed to run to the grocery store. So, while she shopped, Nana May and Mommy and I sat in the car and I ate! Then, I cried all the way home! (I REALLY don't like being in a carseat!) Shortly after we got home, I fell asleep and slept all the way until a little before 8:00. When I woke up, Mommy gave me a bath and then Grandfather gave me a bottle. As he was feeding me, my great aunts Tammie and Jeanne got here!!! The grown-ups ate dinner and passed me around all evening. I got lots of snuggles and kisses. Then, Mommy went and took a shower before feeding me again and putting me to bed for the night.

Today Mommy and I slept in until almost 8:00 this morning! After we got up and dressed for the day, Nana May and Mommy and I drove into town to have lunch with Nana V, Grandfather, and some of our family friends, Leslie and Susan Blumberg and Tommy Kirkland at "The Club" (or The Dothan Country Club for those of you who aren't from Dothan).

After our leisurely lunch, we went over to Grandfather's office so he could show me off! I was getting pretty sleepy and wasn't really in the mood for "show-and-tell" so we didn't stay for very long.

Then, we swung by Nana May's house so she could pick up some checks and then we went by the bank so she could deposit them. I was fussy for most of this time.

When we finally got back home, Mommy gave me a bottle and then Mommy and I took a good nap together. When we woke up, my cousins were here!

So, we went down and visited with my cousins, Whit (who wasn't too interested in me) and Kessler (who really wanted to hold me). I also got to meet Aunt Anna and Nan from next door (I had already met Uncle Adam last night). They stayed and visited for a long time. When they left, Mommy had dinner and took a shower while Nana May held me. Then I put my pajamas on and had a bottle before going to bed for the night. Mommy hopes I sleep as well tonight as I did last night! (She probably JUST jinxed herself!)

Wow! We have a lot to catch up on!

Monday it was Lito's birthday AND it was Grandmomma Mel's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU TWO!!!

Monday was also the day that Mommy's friend, Lauren came to visit. She came over and soaked me up for a good three hours. I was sad when it was time for her to leave...

Tuesday was DADDY'S birthday!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY!! Mommy and I ran a lot of errands on Tuesday to get stuff for Daddy's birthday. First, we went to Cracker Barrel and got him a few t-shirts. Then, we went to...... TARGET.... to get some wrapping supplies and... some other stuff. While we were getting in line to check out at Target, Mommy heard two little kids talking to eachother about the way Mommy had me in my Peanut Shell. It went something like this:

Kid #1 "Look, I think she just had a baby!"
Kid #2 "Or, maybe she has a cat."

Mommy thought it was cute that the kid thought there was a cat in the peanut shell in Target!

After Target, Mommy and I went to Tractor Supply and bought Daddy his BIG birthday gift... a NEW 4x6 trailer to use with the new hitch he just installed on the Pathfinder. This was a big deal because now it means Daddy can go ride his ATV again soon (since he traded in his truck back in April)! The guys at TSC helped put the trailer on the Pathfinder and then we drove it home. When we got home, Mommy wasn't sure how to unhitch the trailer. She was standing in the driveway trying to formulate a plan..... when just like magic, Mr. Spencer (our next door neighbor) came home and helped Mommy out! Then, Mommy decorated the trailer with ribbons and a bow.

When Daddy came home he was SO surprised!! He LOVED his gift SO much!!! He just couldn't believe that Mommy went and got the trailer and pulled it home (Mommy gets nervous about pulling a trailer).

Later that night, we gave Daddy his cards and his t-shirts. He said that it was the best birthday ever!! He has a daughter (that's ME!) this year and he got a great new trailer!

Then TODAY, Mommy and I drove to Nana V and Grandfather's house in Alabama to surprise Nana May. It was just killing Mommy that Nana May still hadn't met me and she didn't want to wait another month for our planned trip at the end of August. So, we packed up ALL of our (my) stuff and hit the road!!

It took Mommy longer to get here than it use to, but she had already anticipated that. I slept for most of the way and I cried for part of the way and we stopped three times along the way so I could eat. We also braved a downpour between Montgomery and Troy. We left our house at 10:45 this morning and arrived in Headland at 7:00 tonight.

Nana May was SOOOOOO surprised! She had to do a triple-take after she first noticed us. Then she jumped up out of her chair (the fastest she has moved in a long time) and she cried and cried. Mommy and Nana V cried too. It was really just so sweet. Nana May couldn't believe that we had driven all this way JUST to see her!

We visited as long as our eyelids could stay open and then we all said goodnight. We're planning on staying through the weekend and going back home on Monday. I can't wait to tell you about all of the adventures I have while I'm down here!

Whew! What a morning!!

Today Mommy and I went up to Vanderbilt and spent the morning at the Down Syndrome Clinic. We had to be there by 8:15, so that meant that we had to leave our house by 6:30, which meant that Mommy had to get us up at 5:00 to get ready. This was AFTER we had to get up for about an hour at 1:00am to have a feeding!

I don't really like my carseat and it's hard for me to fall asleep in it when I'm tired. I would MUCH rather be held (or in the Peanut Shell) to go to sleep. So, I cried almost ALL THE WAY up to Nashville this morning (almost an hour). By the time we got there I was already worn out and after Mommy gave me a bottle, I passed out!

I was able to sleep for about 30 minutes before Dr. Summar wanted to examine me. She thought I looked (and sounded) really good. She answered a few of Mommy's questions. The biggest question was about her noticing that I sometimes stop breathing for short periods of time and then take a BIG breath(like a gulp of air). She thought it might be apnea since Daddy has it and since people with DS can be more prone to it. But, Dr. Summar said it was a normal baby breathing pattern and she doesn't believe it is apnea. As long as I don't stop breathing for more than 15 seconds, everything is fine. Whew!

I've only gained two ounces since June 30th, so Mommy was also a little worried about that. Dr. Summar and the nutritionist weren't too concerned about it because I look healthy (I'm getting some little fat rolls) and it could also be a difference in scales. The nutritionist and the speech therapist think it might be a good idea to go ahead and move me to a stage two (medium flow) nipple so I don't have to work as hard at each feeding and will hopefully get more calories in a day.

I also met with physical therapy and occupational therapy today. They are both really pleased with my progress- especially OT! She noted that I was doing many things that "average" babies are doing. I even showed her that I can talk on the telephone! (...see photo album!)

The biggest (and most important) thing I did today was have an Echo to take a look at the Pulmonary Hypertension and to see if the PDA and the PFO had closed in my heart. The Pulmonary Hypertension is still there, but it's getting better! The PDA has closed! The PFO is still slightly open but has closed some since my last Echo and the cardiologist believes it will close on its own. If it doesn't close, he says I'll still be okay and it shouldn't cause a problem. He didn't hear a murmur on examination. So, it was good news. He wants to see me again in six months and if it looks good then he'll follow-up with me a year after that and if it still looks good, he won't need to see me again!

So, we got out of there at about 12:15 and came straight home for a bottle and Mommy and I took a LONG nap!

We plan on having a PAJAMA DAY tomorrow! We're going to lay in bed all day and watch movies and take lots of naps!

Well... Lito and Lita are leaving tomorrow ...

I had a really great time getting to know them this week! We did a TON of shopping and a lot of eating!

On Sunday, Grandmomma Mel and Granddaddy Rick came down to have an (early) birthday lunch. We were celebrating Daddy's birthday on the 22nd and Lito and Grandmomma Mel's birthdays on the 21st. I gave Lito his VERY FIRST "grandfather" card and he got a little emotional about it. He just loves me SO MUCH already! I also gave him a photo album with a few pictures of me to get him started. Lito, Lita, Mommy and I gave Daddy his very own Peanut Shell!!! Now Daddy can carry me around in a sling the way Mommy does! Grandmomma Mel got LOTS of birdseed and a framed photo!

The rest of the week just flew by. I can't believe they are already leaving tomorrow! I'm going to miss them SO much! Mommy has already started planning a trip to Panama in November.

Whoo Hoo!! Lito and Lita are HERE!! They came in around 7:00 last night and were very excited to meet me! We spent a lot of time today getting to know eachother during feedings and snuggles. We also went to my favorite place- TARGET!

I'm so excited that they are going to be here for such a long time! (They head back to Panama next Wednesday). I wonder what we'll do together tomorrow....?

Quick update:

Whoo hoo!! The lab DID get enough blood! All of my bloodwork looks good! ;)

Today was another pretty busy day for me and Mommy. A developmental assessor from TEIS (early intervention) came over today around noon, so Mommy spent the morning cleaning up around the house (it's hard to keep the house clean these days!).

The TEIS lady had me lay on the floor and she did a few little tests (like jingle keys to see if I would turn my head- which I did, put her hand in my face very abruptly to see if I would blink- which I did, put me on my tummy to watch me lift my head- which I did...). She wasn't here for very long and said that they would be in touch with us to discuss which services I may need (probably PT, OT, and Speech).

After she left, Mommy had visions of naptime dancing in her head, when all of a sudden, the phone rang and it was a nurse from my pediatrician's office saying that they didn't get enough blood from me yesterday (even after sticking me in my arm and BOTH heels) and that I needed to go to the hospital's lab and have MORE blood drawn.

So, we went up to Williamson Medical and Mommy and three lab techs held me down while they attempted yet another blood draw. I was SO upset! They stuck me in the arm once and were worried that they would have to try my heel again because, even though I had a good little vein in my right arm, my vein kept rolling. Mommy told them that her veins roll and that my Nana V's veins roll and the tech said that it was hereditary.

Anyway, a third tech decided to take a look at my little vein and VOILA! She was able to get a WHOLE tube of blood! They promised Mommy that they got enough this time. As soon as they were finished, Mommy put me in my sling and I calmed down immediately and fell asleep quickly!

When we got home, the Luna's came over to meet me! I was eating most of the time they were here, but Mrs. Shannon eventually got to hold me for a bit before I fell asleep. I also took a picture with Cameron, Kayleigh, Aiden and Mrs. Shannon. I drank a HUGE 3.5 ounces and then I PASSED OUT! I slept from about 6:00 to 10:15 (when Daddy woke me up to feed me before bed).

Mommy's exhausted from the day!

My Lito Bruce and Lita Chris are coming ALL THE WAY from Panama to see me tomorrow. They will be here visiting with us for a WHOLE week! I can't wait to meet them!

Happy Fourth of July everyone!!

Today Mommy and Daddy took me up to Granny and Pop's house in Nashville to spend the day with family. I got to meet LOTS of my second cousins and a couple of great uncles! I was a pretty popular person today. Everyone wanted to hold me and NO ONE wanted to give me up to the next person in line (and there WAS a line!).

Mommy and Daddy were worried all day about constipation since I went about 36 hours without having a poop. So, they mixed prune juice into a couple extra bottles. By about 5:00 tonight, I wasn't having a problem anymore! I had several dirty diapers in a row. In fact, Mommy and Daddy HAD to leave at around 8:00 tonight because Mommy was afraid she would run out of diapers.

Anyway, be sure to check out the new photo album with pictures from today's adventure!



P.S. Mommy always remembers that today (July 4th) was the day that she moved to Tennessee. She's lived here 6 years today!

My new formula has been doing a great job of helping not to spit-up (well, I still spit-up just a teeny, tiny, little bit). It's got added rice and it's alot thicker than my old formula which helps me keep it down. The problem now is my new formula is making me constipated. Mommy nipped this in the bud and called my pediatrician today before it got out of hand and the doc said to mix a tablespoon of prune juice in with one bottle each day.

So... off we went... to Target... in search of prune juice. Mommy needed to pick up a couple of other things while we were there, but I didn't mind. I just slept in my peanut shell the whole time.

When we got back home, I FINALLY pooped, but it was tough! I SCREAMED while I was pushing it out. :( Mommy felt SO bad for me! We really hope this prune juice helps to move things along (and keep them moving).

Today was a pretty busy day for me and Mommy!

I had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Hood (my pediatrician). Everything went great until it was time for them to draw some blood. That made me REALLY mad!

I GAINED WEIGHT!!!!!! Whoo Hoo!!

Last week I weighed 5 lbs 13 oz
This week I weigh 6 lbs 4 oz

I've also grown a quarter of an inch in length to 18.5"

They drew some blood to check my TSH levels to make sure my thyroid medicine is working. She's also having me try a different type of formula that should help with my spitting up.

After we went to the doc, Mommy and I went up to Babies R Us. Mommy fed me in the parking lot before we went in and then I slept in my Peanut Shell while we were in the store. While we were there, Mommy returned some bottles because she was afraid I wouldn't transition to such a different type of nipple and she bought some BPA-Free Dr. Brown's bottles. Mommy and Daddy call them my "big girl bottles". When we got home, Mommy washed one and fed me with it. I took to it with NO problem! Mommy was relieved that I could use a regular bottle now instead of the Haberman (special needs feeder).

Tomorrow should be a pretty laid-back day. We'll probably spend the day at home resting and recovering from such an eventful day today.

**Mommy's working on trying to re-upload that video that doesn't seem to want to play!**