Our sweet little Livie turned 1 year old last Monday!  Today she is 10 months (adjusted age).  It's hard to believe a year ago, around this time, we were visiting her in the NICU not knowing when she would be coming home.  Her weight at her 12 month check up was 13.4 pounds.  Not the greatest but we are hopeful her new GI meds are working and she will show some nice weight gain soon.  Her next GI appointment is next Wed the 15th.  I think she is over the formula now.  She LOVES Pedisure now so hopefully she will continue to to drink that up so we can had some pounds on her.  She had tubes put in her ears last Tuesday. We are already seeing a huge difference in her.  She's happier, more talkative, and last night she said the word "up!"  

We also have new ankle braces to help with her walking and have less than a week left with her Doc Band!  I will not miss that thing!  Earlier this week she had a sweat test to rule out CF (cystic fibrosis) and thankfully it was negative! Hoping age 1 is filled with fun, reaching new milestones, and fewer doctor's appointments and NO HOSPITAL STAYS.

                Livie's Sweat test for CF

 A sweat test is used to diagnose cystic fibrosis. During the test, medicine that causes sweating is applied with a gauze pad to either the arm or the thigh. A mild electrical current pushes the medicine into the skin to cause the child to sweat. The sweat is collected, and then the salt content of the sweat (sodium and/or chloride) is measured.
 http://www.webmd.com/lung/sweat-test

Birthday Girl!!

9 Month Old Check Up and Seeing Old Familiar Faces

Livie's check up went really well!  The doctor was pleased with her weight gain over the weekend.  On Thursday (Jan 31st 2013) she was 12 pounds 11 oz and yesterday Monday (Feb 5th 2013) she was 13 pounds 2oz!  So despite the throwing up episodes the extra calories are working!  Tomorrow we have our Doc Band appointment to discuss the second helmet and do her DSI evaluation.  Our spirits are up since we finally got to 13 pounds!

Yesterday I went to see my SIL at the hospital  since she just gave birth to my new nephew a few days ago. I dropped Livie off at PT with my dad so I could head back to work but on my way out I ran into our social worker from when I was on hospital bed rest.  We had a quick chat.  I told her about how I ended up losing my job after Livie came home anyways but that things worked out and I found a new one.  It felt good to hear her tell me I looked great.  The last time she saw me I was frail, stressed, and pale.  It made me realize that I have come a long way in the past 9 months.

To top off my morning at the hospital I ran into my favorite nurse Kathy while I was on the maternity floor.  She was my life saver in the OR.  I remember crying hysterically saying, "I can't do this!" as I stood there staring at the incubator, trying to get onto the operating table.  She held me up both physically and emotionally.  Held my hand when they gave me my spinal block, and was there the entire time when Livie came into the world.  I gave her a big hug yesterday and was so happy to see her.  Of course I showed her pictures of Livie and she was thrilled to see them.  It's nurses like her that truly love their job and make a difference in people's lives.

Christmas 2012 with the Watsons!

I know I know I'm a total slacker.  I haven't posted in forever.  There has been so much going on.  I guess I should start with holiday pictures. 

Christmas 2012 with the Watson's!

Kayla showing off her new boots!

Livie in her Doc Band Helmet showing some Christmas Spirit!

wearing their matching PJs!

We had a wonderful Christmas despite the stomach flu that made it's way to our house as an early Christmas present.  I was so sick and nauseous I even took a pregnancy test to make sure we weren't going to be needing another baby carrier in 2013!  lol.  Thankfully it was negative.  I'm not ready for another pregnancy now and I'm not sure if I ever will be again.  After our long journey I don't think I want to push my luck. I am happy with our two beautiful girls.