Approaching three months!

Sorry I have not posted pictures sooner! Elyse is growing so much, I don't really think these pictures even do her justice. She is probably about 9 lbs now and doing great! We survived her two month shots :-(. And she is quickly approaching the three month mark. I think that's the time when most babies' colic passes... we're keeping our fingers crossed! Her heart is doing great, the doctors are still not concerned and we don't see Dr. Cottrill again until December. I asked her last time we were there, if there was anything I needed to tell people who kept her to be aware of... her answer was, "just to treat her like any other normal baby." We are so blessed!

It's good to be back at work... but I miss her like crazy and am so ready to get her in my arms by the time 3:30 rolls around. I will post pictures of her first Halloween after tomorrow. She's going to be the cutest Tinkerbell ever!!

Back to work

They seem like three dreaded words, don't they? I actually never thought I would say it, but I think I am ready to go back to work. I really do miss teaching and am looking forward to starting back next week. Of course I will probably not feel like this next Monday (my first day back) but for right now, I feel ok about it. Of course it helps knowing Elyse will be in great hands! (Thanks Nicole!) The 9 weeks of maternity leave have seemed slow on some days (the colicky days :-)), but fast on other days. Altogether, time has flown by! Elyse has grown so much... She now weights 7 lbs, 11 oz and she goes for her 2 month shots this week!She has the cutest smile and we just can't get enough of it. Now if only the colic would pass... We're really holding out for the three month mark to be the end... cross your fingers!

Has it been 2 months??

We cannot believe that it's already been two months (almost) since Elyse arrived! How time flies! She has been the biggest blessing ever. Of course we have tough times (did I share that she is colicky??), but we wouldn't trade her for anything, of course. She is doing great! The doctors are still not concerned about her heart. When we went to see Dr. Campbell for my last appointment he said, "Katie, you are very lucky, ya know. Most babies with heart block do not turn out this well." Again, how blessed we are! I told him she was (and still is) completely covered with prayer and THAT is why she has done so much better than other babies with heart block. I try so hard not to take this for granted... God has been SOOOOO good to us. What an amazing story He has given us to share forever about our little girl! She truly is a miracle!

I will post new pictures soon!!

Katie or Elyse?

Yes, one is Elyse and one is me when I was a baby. Elyse is in the pink... but don't you think we could pass for twins?? We can't really tell who she looks like as we are now, but there's no question about who she looks like as a baby!

Elyse is a big girl!!

Yes... our little five pounder is gaining great weight! Last week when we were at Dr. Cottrill's, she weighed 6 lbs, 6 oz, up from 5 lb, 1 oz when she was born. Then yesterday we went to the pediatrician and she weighed 7 lbs, 4 oz! Yep, she gained almost a pound in one week!! Dr. Lear assured me that a baby like Elyse couldn't gain "too much weight too quick" and this was great. :-) I think we must have a very good eater!
I took Elyse to the doctor because she was having a lot of nasal congestion. Well, I say "a lot," probaby just "a lot" to a new mommy. :-) Dr. Lear said this was very common around 6 weeks, when they stop sneezing so much. Anyone else find this is true?? She said just to give her saline drops and use the aspirator before meals and bedtime. I make Ryan use the aspirator (Elyse screams!!). ;-/ Any other suggestions for nasal congestion? We tried the vaporizer, not sure if it's working or not.
Today I go back to Dr. Campbell for my six week check-up and for the last time. :-( I never thought I'd be so sad to stop seeing a doctor. He has been SO good to us.. if you ever know anyone who will see him for their pregnancy... pass along how wonderful he his! Anyone would be so lucky to be under his care.

Good doctor visit!

Today, we took Elyse to see Dr. Cottrill for her one month appointment. I can't believe she is one month old! The visit was very good and we praise the Lord for this! Dr. Cottrill was actually in a meeting so the doctor we saw was the chairman of the pediatric department at UK Childrens Hospital. He was very pleased with Elyse's heart rate, which was 63 when we were there. They did an EKG and said everything looked good. Elyse does NOT like the EKG as they put stickers all over her chest and then we have to pull them off. :-( She also doesn't like the blood pressure cuff getting tight around her ankle... poor little thing. She screams and cries during those parts. :-( The doctor was very positive. He reassured us how "normal" Elyse's heart structure was and said that was a very good thing. He also talked to us about the possibility of a pacemaker down the road when Elyse wants to play sports. Pretty much, we heard the same thing that Dr. Cottrill has been telling us, which is good. He said she wouldn't need to come back for another check up for two more months but I talked him into letting us come back next month. :-) Yes, I'm already an overprotective mommy.

So after a traumatic day at the doctor, our little girl is napping on the couch with her daddy. How precious! Thank you all for your continued prayers for Elyse and our family!

Date Night!

Mommy and Daddy have date night! We got to go eat at P.F. Chang's for dinner one night! We're realizing how important it is that we still have "us" time during this big change in our lives. Thankfully, we have my parents and my inlaws who are both so wonderful and super eager to babysit to give us this time. The quote of the night... when I walked out of the bedroom after getting ready, Ryan said, "wow, I haven't seen you like that in forever!" How should I take that?? :-)

This is our favorite picture of Elyse!