Phew...

Just returned from the doctor's office. Aaron had said those dreaded words this morning - Emily sounds wheezy. Luckily there was an appointment available this afternoon and Emily's wheeziness turned out to be only nasal congestion. Over the counter nasal drops, fingers crossed that it doesn't get worse, and follow up with the pediatrician next week who we were scheduled to see anyway for the well check and syniges shot. Thankfully the clinic in town takes us seriously when we bring Emily in with concerns even though they aren't her primary doctors.

The other good part to this, other than it's nothing serious, is that it's December 31 and we've met our out of pocket expenses for the year. Bad news is that we start over tomorrow. And her weight today was 12 pounds, 13 ounces. I overheard someone at the clinic call her a chunky monkey. Funny to me that the outside world sees her as chunky knowing six months ago she was well under 2 pounds.

Play time

The physical therapist came today. We're still discussing what new goals to add to Emily's plan. The things that she mentioned are things that Emily is already starting to do, such as grabbing things with both hands, pushing up on her arms to lift her chest off the floor, and mimicking facial expressions and sounds.

She's more consistent at grabbing things and swinging them around her. And she is laughing now along with her smiles.

Then and now.

Saturday we took Aaron's grandma to the airport in Boise. Now that Emily is interested in toys, the trip is a little different than the ones we've taken in the past.

Sunday was spent putting Christmas decor away and finding a place for all the new toys and gear. While I was at it, I took the newborn napper and changing station off the pack n play downstairs. Emily really likes her new space. She happily played and eventually fell asleep.

Christmas Pictures

The special ornaments added to the tree - Baby's First Christmas and an angel for Nadia

Opening all the presents was just down right exhausting!

Opening the wall hangings that will match Emily's room. FYI, we're making progress toward getting Emily's crib done. The wood has been ordered, but it won't be delivered until after the new year...

The new activity center from Uncle Pat, Aunt Cheri, Sam and Becca. She was thrilled with it. She can watch TV while bouncing (no dad required!)

Merry Christmas!

Here's a fun way to spend Christmas - a night without power! It went out on Christmas Eve ( good thing the baking was done) and didn't come back on until after noon. So much for a nice breakfast and coffee while opening presents, and lunch was a little late. But it was a fabulous day nonetheless. Emily had more outfit changes than a beauty contestant, and Aaron now knows what some assembly required really means. I hope everyone had a lovely day with family and/or friends and Santa treated everyone well.

The blanket from Great Aunt Marcia came in handy while we waited for the heat to come back on. Thank goodness for a fireplace! The Leap Frog Musical Table is nice and loud (but no assembly required).

Don't know what the big toy is yet, but the bow sure was fun!

Christmas Eve dress, on loan from Grace...

Our friend Casey has good taste. Thanks for the Santa dress and Christmas pajamas!

Just to prove a point, Aaron and Emily both staring at the television. She was totally enchanted by A Nightmare Before Christmas.

With a little help, Emily now prefers to sit up and is reaching for and playing with toys more and more. But the real attention grabber is the TV. She'll stare in its direction for several minutes.

Dad's idea of fashion...

Christmas round 1

Tomorrow we take my Mom to the airport so that she can go home for two weeks while I'm on break from school, so we did a small first Christmas with the four of us. Turkey dinner, the opening of one gift, followed by The Polar Express and hot chocolate. There was even a gift for Nadia.

TOYS!

Emily is starting to get the idea...

New goals

Yesterday our PT lady came after a two week break. Our goals for Emily were pretty simple in the beginning (visual tracking & head control). Yesterday Gloria mentioned that she thinks Emily is ready for more. So add to the list pushing up on her arms and reaching for toys. As for the therapist in Twin, that's something we will put off until summer. Too risky to take Emily now. The pneumonia was enough.

I got a reminder that it's time to schedule our NICU follow up appointment. It's shocking to think that she's approaching the six month mark already. I just scheduled her six month well baby check with the pediatrician along with the second syniges shot just after the new year. An eye appointment is at the beginning of February. Just when you think it's slowing down...

Good Morning

On the move...

or at least, she wants to be...

Excited for Christmas

Always so happy

For Nadia

As a memorial for Nadia, my parents had a piece of stain glass designed and made that features a purple and yellow butterfly fluttering about a bunch of Forget Me Not flowers. Mom brought it out with her. Across the top it has Forget Me Not etched in the glass, along the bottom is her full name. Beautiful piece of art for a beautiful little girl.

In order to avoid other things I should be doing, I put away the last of the newborn and most of the 0-3 month clothes, then washed up the 3 month stuff. I wish I could change wardrobes every couple months...

Well, everyone survived the week - me back to work, Grandma & Emily at home. And I am happy to say that twice this week Emily slept through the night. Yesterday we traveled to Twin Falls to get the syniges shot to prevent RSV. We'll head back at the end of the month for a second one as well as the 6 month well baby check. The NICU follow up clinic just sent notice that it's time to schedule with them, which is more of a developmental clinic than health. I had cancelled the physical therapy session this week due to Emily's pneumonia, but she seems to be over that now.

On the mend

I took Emily to the doctor today for a follow up visit. Good news all around. Her lungs sound pretty clear, so now we only have to use the nebulizer when she gets wheezy. Hallelujah, maybe I'll get some sleep tonight. Between getting up every 4 hours to give her a treatment and being back to work, I'm exhausted. Everything else looked good, including her weight. She weighed an even 11 pounds tonight. She has more than doubled her weight since we saw this doctor in September.