An hour at a time

Yesterday we had a visit with Dr. Malhis, for Elianna's hip.  Everything is looking great!  He explained that as he rotates her hip it does not dislocated; everything stays in place.  The ligaments have contracted and both hips feel the same as they are moved....YAY!  X-rays were taken and with that, Dr. Malhis takes measurement and everything is aligning as it should.....Can I get an AMEN!

We are now able to take off her harness.  At first he said for a few hours a day, but then he confirmed her age and reduced it to an hour; in fact, enough time to wash and dry the harness.  She is 7 weeks old and he said if she was closer to 3 months he would recommend  more than an hour.  I'll take whatever he'll give me.

Next month she may transition into a less invasive harness that will only be worn from the waist down, with no bar in the middle!  Eli is still doing great with the current harness and we have been given the okay to readjust it as we see the need.  Keep them prayers coming!

Breast-feeding

In one sentence....it's a life style.  I had no idea what it involved before having Elianna.  Most of what I understood before hand was, you either breast-fed or bottle-fed your baby and be careful with the medication you take.  Well, it turns out that there is more to it.  As mentioned previously, in the hospital we supplemented breast-pumped milk with formula and that maybe lasted a week.  It started out with a 50/50 mix and everyday the formula portion was less.  Within two days of being home my milk starting really coming in.  I have not been able to get Eli back to the breast so I pump everything she eats.  At first it was an adjustment, not to mention the hormones were still not settled.  Having to stop what I was doing every 2-3 hours to pump or waking up in the middle of the night, when Eli was sleeping and pump because I was so engorged was not fun.  I had to look at the positive side, this is the best for Eli, I'm not having to go to a job so this is part of my new job, and as the days past it became easier and just normal for me.  Now I'm able to sleep through the night, so that is a BIG plus!

Also, learning what foods I should not be eating was an eye opener.  For instance, dairy, onions, avocados, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, spicy foods and citrus.  Turns out that these foods will make it hard for Eli to digest her milk and/or give her gas.  At the very least I know most of these foods gave her gas.  I've been told and read that at about 3-4 months an infant stomach/digestive tract starts to mature and digest becomes easier for them.  I'm hoping by that time I can introduce some of these foods little by little.  I can't wait to have my mango with lemon and chile again!

Elianna is one month! WOW, that went fast.

Our baby girl turned a month a week ago and boy how our lives and Elianna have changed!  Here are somethings Eli is able to do:

*smiles

*tracks Mark's iPhone side to side and up and down

*her hands will open up at times

*holds her head up (most of the time) when held in an upright position 

*at times will not cry during a changing

*is starting to sleep through the night or at least 5-6 hours straight

*turns her head side to side

*usually takes in about 4 oz a feeding

*her left hip is still in place and her harness got readjusted for the better!

   *does not like the pacifier
*grabs on to mom's hair and does not let go
*has begun to produce the "ah" sound

Mark and I  have learned the art of burping, putting a baby to sleep, diaper rash, and what to eat or not to eat while breast-feeding.  

I technically am not breast-feeding, but breast-pumping.  In the hospital I was not producing enough milk so we had to supplement with formula (mixed it up with the breast-milk) and Eli learned real quick that the bottle gave her food a lot faster and more at one time.  So, since I was an emotional/hormonal basket-case I gave into her.  

    

The Baby Bump Story...

Okay, this is a bit late but, I really wanted to post this; the growing belly.  I started taking pictures at 10 weeks pregnant up until the last day before I delivered.  Enjoy the show!

10 Weeks pregnant

At this point my jeans no longer fit me.  The belly was expanding and too much junk in the trunk!  Friends were already noticing my bump.

15 Weeks pregnant

Maternity clothes are in full affect at this time.

15 Weeks pregnant

18 Weeks

18 Weeks

22 Weeks

22 Weeks

26 Weeks

26 Weeks

28 Weeks

28 Weeks

36 Weeks

36 Weeks

38 Weeks and 5 days

                                       

                                                                 38 Weeks and 5 days!

Do I miss the bump?  ....yes.  I don't miss it when it's time to sleep, take a shower or bend down.  The first thing I noticed after the surgery was my stomach; the smaller size, lack of movement and overall feel.  It is nice to get back into my pre-pregnancy clothes and also put something on and just swim in it!