The month started out rather slow. Alexa recovered from her latest ear infection and returned to her happy self. We spent the weekend doing the usual shopping & playing. Alexa is handling the transition into whole milk with ease. I also continued the use of only sippy cups. Her school finally agreed to warm up the sippy cups for her. So the bottles are still being used to measure the breast milk to whole milk ratio but that not for drinking out of. Alexa's sippy cups are soft tops that are essentially bottles with slightly different shape tops. Hopefully over the next 6 months we can transition into harder tops and then regular cups (looking forward).
On Tuesday we drove down to Children Mercy South in Overland Park, Kansas for Alexa's ENT appointment. Alexa weighed in at 18.3lbs. They put her on the "big kid" scale. She just sat there and looked adorable. The doctor asked many questions about Alexa's medical background as well as her eating habits. They were not concerned with her hearing. Hearing loss can become an issue as a result of frequent ear infections. They did clean out her ears to give themselves a better view of the ear drum. She tolerated the procedure with out any issues. After talking with the doctor she advised me that her recommendation would be for Alexa to get tubes. I went into this appointment fully expecting that recommendation. Fortunately they were able to get us scheduled for Friday. The doctor and I also talked about Alexa's eating habits (or lack there of) in more detail. She mentioned to me that children with ear pain tend to not want to eat. She believes the tubes could bring her appetite back.
The night before surgery was just like any other night for Alexa. We had to wake up earlier than normal for the one hour drive to the hospital. Alexa's surgery was the first of the day. The pre-op room had a small baby gurney, recliner and computer. We spent 30 minutes in there. I changed Alexa into hospital scrubs and we played with the few toys I brought with me. We met with the surgeon and a member of the anesthesia team. At exactly 7:29 they took Alexa back. I walked with her down the hallway until we hit the waiting room. I gave Alexa a kiss and watched her get pushed to the OR. She was sitting up on the gurney with a nurse support her back (as they were pushing the bed). I spent the next few minutes in the bathroom warming up Alexa's sippy cup. At 7:45 the surgeon came out and said they were finished. Alexa did really well. She had a lot of fluid in or behind her ear drum that he cleaned out. About 5 minutes later they took me back to see her. She was a little confused but looked OK. She drank her entire sippy cup & we were released. Alexa did awesome the rest of the day.
The night before surgery was just like any other night for Alexa. We had to wake up earlier than normal for the one hour drive to the hospital. Alexa's surgery was the first of the day. The pre-op room had a small baby gurney, recliner and computer. We spent 30 minutes in there. I changed Alexa into hospital scrubs and we played with the few toys I brought with me. We met with the surgeon and a member of the anesthesia team. At exactly 7:29 they took Alexa back. I walked with her down the hallway until we hit the waiting room. I gave Alexa a kiss and watched her get pushed to the OR. She was sitting up on the gurney with a nurse support her back (as they were pushing the bed). I spent the next few minutes in the bathroom warming up Alexa's sippy cup. At 7:45 the surgeon came out and said they were finished. Alexa did really well. She had a lot of fluid in or behind her ear drum that he cleaned out. About 5 minutes later they took me back to see her. She was a little confused but looked OK. She drank her entire sippy cup & we were released. Alexa did awesome the rest of the day.
Saturday evening Alexa had a low fever and was up several times through out the night. I gave her Tylenol and some TLC. Sunday she was crabby and not eating like her normal self. I was hoping it was just some minor ear pain or teething. Monday morning Alexa went to school. At 1:30pm I had to pick her up after the teacher found her to have a fever. I took her to the doctor's office on Tuesday. They could not find anything that would cause the fever. She had to stay home from school the rest of the day.
The Thursday before Labor Day was Alexa's first occupational therapist meeting to discuss her eating (or lack there of). Maureen is the occupational therapist from TinyK. She came over and watched Alexa eat her lunch. She gave me some great tips but still seemed stumped as to why Alexa refuses table food. She feels Alexa is eating at a 6-7 month old stage and could really benefit from some therapy.
Labor Day weekend we flew to Cincinnati. As always I was very nervous for the traveling portion. We got to the airport on Friday and had no issues getting through security or boarding the plane. The flight was full so we did not have an extra seat. Alexa made a friend with the retired Navy man you unfortunately had to sit next to us. She slept through most of the flight and did not seem bothered with her ears. We spent Friday evening with Grandpa, GB, Maggie & David. Alexa showed them how she says Ut Oh and then drops thing on the floor. David picked up her food cap 3 times and then caught on.
On Saturday we saw Nikki, Ray, Brandon & Lorelai. It was nice to see how big the kids were getting & for them to meet Alexa. In the afternoon Megan, Matthew, Donna, David & Brandon arrived. We all had a good time being entertained with all the babies. I think Alexa enjoyed having other kids around. Each night Alexa was exhausted. She would fall asleep instantly when I would lay her down.
On Saturday we saw Nikki, Ray, Brandon & Lorelai. It was nice to see how big the kids were getting & for them to meet Alexa. In the afternoon Megan, Matthew, Donna, David & Brandon arrived. We all had a good time being entertained with all the babies. I think Alexa enjoyed having other kids around. Each night Alexa was exhausted. She would fall asleep instantly when I would lay her down.
Sunday was Alexa's 1st Birthday party. Alexa received a lot of really nice birthday gifts. Alexa's outfit was designed & picked out by her Daddy. She looked adorable in her tutu. She did become overwhelmed with the amount of people picking her up and had a few minor melt downs. While opening her presents she really wanted to talk to her Daddy so she would not stay focused. Aunt Megan was a HUGE help during that time. Alexa's birthday cake was made by me. I am by no means a baker but I think it turned out alright. Alexa did not want anything to do with it. This was not a surprise to me at all.
Monday morning we had an early flight home. Alexa had a lot of energy and bounced around in her seat for awhile. She feel asleep about 30 minutes into the flight and slept the rest of the way. It turned out to be a relaxing trip after all.
The next two weeks were fairly routine for us. Alexa survived being at school without getting sick. She received birthday packages from lots of family members. She still does not grasp the concept of open a gift. She seemed to like the cards more than the gifts until I put the toy together.
The next two weeks were fairly routine for us. Alexa survived being at school without getting sick. She received birthday packages from lots of family members. She still does not grasp the concept of open a gift. She seemed to like the cards more than the gifts until I put the toy together.
The weekend in between we put together Alexa's wagon. She really enjoyed being pulled around the house. On Saturday we took Ariel on a ride with us. We only made it about three houses before it starting pouring on us. I did not realize it was going to rain. I heard the rain in the trees and ran. We are very fortunate that the wagon has seat belts. I ran as fast as I could down the hill, through the Acred's yard and unloaded the babies as fast as I could. The really were not upset by the ordeal. Ariel wanted to go back out in the rain. After about 30 minutes we were able to finish our walk.
Alexa had her first school therapy session. It started out with Maureen (her therapist), Jody (Training director), the school nurse, multiple teachers & Alexa. I watched on the monitors from the hallway. It was a little traumatic for Alexa. I ended up in the room feeding Alexa. I feel like Maureen had a lot of great suggestions to help the teachers at her school. On her first day after therapy she sucked on crackers until they dissolved and ate a little bit. So progress is being made. I am not going to write much more about the details of Alexa's therapies. Maureen however is coming to the ENT appointment to rule out any physical issues.
Alexa's birthday started out with lots of tears. She woke up at 5:45 (normally I wake her at 6:30). We video chatted with Justin & then did our normal day. It was a cold low 60's day with rain in the morning. At 2pm I arrived at Alexa's school for her party. I brought funfetti cupcakes with pink frosting & silver accents in animal print paper. Alexa was excited to have me there. She ate a few bites of her snack & then it way birthday time. Justin was on speaker phone and sang as well. It was a great moment for us all. When the singing was over Alexa clapped for everyone. She ate a few licks of her cupcake. After her party I took her to work with me. She LOVED all the attention. I wish I could take her everyday. In the evening we had dinner, another cupcake celebration, bath & video chatted with Grandpa & GB.
I cannot believe my baby girl is one. On the other hand I cannot imagine my life without her. She is awesome & I am so blessed that god gave her to me. On a side note I did make a year on breast milk. VERY proud of this accomplishment. Nursing was hard, pumping was way harder.
