Back to the hospital

Our little puker has decided she needs a little more attention. So she's spending the night at the friendly neighborhood hospital.
We've had trouble with Anna's vomitting for several weeks. Earlier in the week, the doctor switched her over to a different kind of formula and bottle. It succeeded mainly in letting her vomit a farther distance, estimated at a foot and a half.
So in today's follow-up, the doctor decided the 6 ounces Anna lost since Tuesday wasn't acceptable. So we're enjoying the perks of blogging on the free hospital wi-fi.
Right now she's on IV fluids to help bring her back where she should be. And as long as Jessica's holding her tight, she's not too fussy.
Thanks for the prayers and concerns in the past. I'm sure they'll lead to a quick stay this time around too. It's just another bump in the road for this extraordinary young lady.
As for the parents, it's hard not to think about our last hospital stay, the two weeks after Anna arrived. It's terrifying to even think back those four months to that. But it helps to remember how different Anna is now. She's so strong-willed and full of personality, as opposed to that shell of a girl we barely knew back in August. She'll fight through it, no doubt.

Merry Christmas Anna

Anna enjoyed her first Christmas. It was full of family and friends and of course, presents. The bad part was there was lots of traveling which is not her favorite thing to do. Santa Clause brought her a high chair which she loves to sit in and watch everyone.

She had her 4 month appointment this week. She weighed in at 10 pounds 3 ounces. She remains at the 3rd percentile but is growing.

I feel so blessed this holiday season to have Anna here to celebrate with us.

Our happy baby

I thought I'd make a rare appearance on this blog, since Jessica's been tied up at work with the worst possible combination of nursing home survey and county budgets.
We're seeing a whole new side of Anna lately: Happy. On a hunch by Jessica, we tried a different type of formula to see if it'd help with Anna's grumpiness and intestinal upheaval. It worked pretty well.
Now we're trying a soy-based formula. The results are even better. While we still have our occasional battles with her between 5 and 10 p.m., she's generally much happier. She's smiling at us. She's giving us these looks that make you proud to be a parent.
Jessica and I have come to grips with certain parallels between our two youngest and ourselves: Jill and I are very similar, in temperament, facial expressions and even our love for milk.
Anna and Jessica are very similar, in temperament, facial expressions and even their disdain for milk.
Thanks for the continued prayers and well-wishes. I hardly go through a week without someone asking me how Anna's faring. I truly believe the power of prayer and well-wishing helped bring her to the point she is now: A fussy 3-month-old, just like she's supposed to be.