Updates, turning 4 and the approach of Livie's 1st Birthday!

Livie-

so tired and sleepy

Hard to believe that a year ago I was on hospital bed rest praying that Livie would be okay and that I could keep her in as long as possible.  Laying there in bed, watching the world outside through a window was hard but so worth it in the end.  We are so blessed to have our little miracle.  

playing with her toy phone 4-21-13

It's been a challenging 1st year for our little girl.  Recently she has been pretty sick battling temperatures and not able to keep all of her food down.  My husband is taking her to the doctor in about an hour to see if there is anything we can do.  They told us on Friday that it was a virus and that we would have to just ride it out.  My biggest concern is her lack of weight gain.  There is no doubt that she lost weight this past weekend.  

Having a preemie is a challenge.  We have multiple doctors appointments each week.From PT to Doc Band to Specialists. I wish I could be there for all of them but thankfully we split them up between my dad, my husband, and me since I have to be in the office.  Last week she was fitted for her ankle braces and I'm excited to say that she has been taking steps, with help, and is a very happy baby despite battling ear infections and reflux issues.  We ordered pretty ankle braces with flowers and butterflies on them and pink straps.  Of course we had to glam them up a bit.  lol  

This week she sees the Nutritionist, Ear Nose, and Throat, and has a sweat test to rule out CF (cystic fibrosis).  Do we think she has CF?  No- but the GI doctor wants to rule everything out so we can get to the issue at hand in regards to her not being able to keep her food down.  The nurse told me this is the protocol for "failure to thrive" babies.  I hate that phrase because she is thriving in other ways.  She was given that diagnosis because of her weight gain issues.

So hopefully our little Livie will be up and running and back to her healthy self by the time the 29th rolls around which is coming up fast.  It's hard to believe she will be turning 1 a week from today.

Kayla-
Kayla continues to amaze us everyday.  She is such a happy little girl with a sassy personality.  She started swim lessons again on Saturday and loved it.  She can't wait to go back next week!  Sunday we spent the day relaxing on grandpa's boat and hanging out with Aunt Sarah and her dad.  It was a fun time and K loved being pulled by the boat in the inner tube.  It's so hard to believe she is already 4 years old!

I'm 4! 4-12-13

holding up her ribbon from swim class

at the lake

Sometimes life is challenging but I look at my family and know that everything we have worked so hard for has been worth it.  Every struggle, every battle, every hardship we face we continue together to overcome each obstacle.  

11 Months Old, Easter 2013 and Kid Updates

 Livie is now 11 months old!  Only 1 more month left until the Big 1!  Kayla turns 4 next Friday.  The time is just flying by!

The girls in their Easter dresses

Kayla Update:
Kayla continues to do great in pre-school and received a glowing review from her teachers at the Parent/Teacher Conferences.  She knows all of her letters, numbers, shapes etc.  They joked saying she could run the classroom if she wanted to.  We have made the decision to move her to full day Pre-K next year instead of 1/2 day Pre-K.  She has expressed interest in dance lessons but we will likely hold off until the Fall so we can start swim lessons and continue with gymnastics.  

Almost 4 years old!

Livie Update:

After multiple ear infections and 3 different antibiotcs this time around her ear is finally looking better.  We will need to see ENT to see about getting tubes put in.  

According to the scales at the ped office she lost weight going from 14 pounds last Thursday to 13.6 today.  She is going to Phoenix Children's Hospital to see the GI Dr. this afternoon so we will see what their scales say.

11 months old now!  3/29/13

Doc Band appt went well.  Her head is growing and shaping nicely.  They said she is 1/2 way through treatment.  We can't wait to get the helmet off and be done with it for good.  Hoping GI can help with the weight and reflux issues.

the Easter Bunny dropped off a new wagon for the girls at Grandma and grandpa's house!  They were really excited!