Pierced Ears!

Katelyn had a big weekend! Nana came to keep her so that Dave and I could take a mini-vacation for my birthday.  When we got back on Sunday, Dave finally agreed to piercing Katelyn's ears, so Nana, Katelyn and I were out the door before he could change his mind!  She screamed, of course, but she also screamed when we got into the car... and again when we walked into the mall... and by the time we got back home, she was smiling.  Even the lady who pierced her ears said she was a bit of a drama queen. :)

Annabelle and Katelyn

Sweet cousin Annabelle!

Annabelle was very proud of her idea to use the burp cloth as a blanket in case Katelyn was cold.

Scottish Rite Diagnosis

Katelyn's arm condition is called Symbrachydactyly (sym·brach·y·dac·ty·ly).  When pronounced correctly, it sounds like a kind of dinosaur.  It's NOT amniotic band syndrome as previously suspected.  Here's what we learned from the doctors at Scottish Rite:

1. Symbrachydactyly is not genetic, and there's no risk (other than pure chance) that any future children would have the same condition.

2. It occurred during the 2nd month of pregnancy.  The group of cells responsible for forming the bone in Katelyn's hand just didn't finish the job.  The cause for this is unknown, and there's nothing that could've prevented it.  It just is.

3. Scottish Rite treats 1,900 patients with Symbrachydactyly, so we're not alone.

4. No other body parts are affected on Katelyn.  It's common for patients with Symbrachydactyly to be missing a chest muscle, but her little body is normal (yay!).

5. Next steps are in July 2012, when Katelyn is one year old.  Scottish Rite will then do x-rays to check the arm's development.  She can be fitted for a prosthetic no earlier than 3 or 4 years of age, but it could be later than that depending on her preference.

Scottish Rite is a wonderful place and we thank God for access to knowledgeable doctors!  Thank you all for your prayers as well.  We are blessed!

2 Months Old

Katelyn had her 2 month check-up at the doctor yesterday. He said she is a "textbook perfect" 2 month old... 10.5 lbs, 22" long, and very healthy. Her vaccination shots initially triggered a new decibel of screaming, but that's okay. It's a small price to pay for keeping our little one healthy. Besides, thanks to colic, a screaming baby no longer triggers anxiety in me, at least not to the extent it once did. I've learned to take a deep breath, comfort as best I can, and remember that the sound won't last forever; either she'll eventually stop or I'll go deaf, whichever happens first. :)

Katelyn's nights are gradually getting better. Lately she's waking up only once during the night and falls back asleep once her tummy is full. Speaking of tummy... it's been an adventurous week. Katelyn and I are both GREAT eaters, and few foods make me happier than fresh fruit. I had no idea that the numerous delicious peaches I consumed would come with unfortunate consequences. Four bottles of peach-filled breast milk later, Katelyn came home from daycare wearing a onesie labeled "Room A2."  Uh oh.

Those who know me know the respect I have for curiosity (because it sparks creativity, of course!). Seeing Katelyn develop her own baby sense of curiosity and wonder is truly rewarding! Our girl can finally sit in her Bumbo, which she loves. She hates lying on her back and much prefers the freedom to sit up and assess her surroundings. As long as I rotate the Bumbo every now and then to give her something new to look at, she's content. I love watching her expression change and seeing the wheels turn as she absorbs everything around her. I just wish I could read her mind! I wonder what's going on in there...

8 Weeks Old

Katelyn is now 8 weeks old.  She is developing more personality and attentiveness to her surroundings.  She seems particularly amused by Daddy. :)  With the exception of bursts of colic throughout the day, she really is a good baby.  She's a great eater and a great sleeper (when not interrupted by colic).  My heart melts when she smiles at me!

This is while we were watching the BU v. TCU game.  I'm pretty sure Baylor had just scored again!