Easter 2012

Easter was the first day we went to Sunday Mass together as a family - all eight of us.  It was so nice to finally be able to do this, and without much worry since we are at the end of RSV season.  When we were there, I couldn't help but reflect on how far we had come since last Easter.  Last Easter Sunday, Veronica was on her 6th day of life.  She had developed an infection which prompted the doctor to contact us in the middle of the night.  It was a difficult day to say the lease and I really had no interest in celebrating.  Looking back now, I think how very blessed we are that she survived, knowing that it all could have turned out so differently.  So this Easter felt even more special in a way.  It was a wonderful celebration.  Happy Easter!!  

Confession - this photo was taken a few weeks before Easter but it was so cute, I had to post!

We Have a Roller!

Veronica is finally rolling on a more consistent basis now.  She's been doing so for a little while now but I just haven't taken the time to update the blog.  And I could never see, to get it on video.  The funny thing is, after all of these months of trying to get her to roll, now that she actually does it, she makes it look so easy.  Next we need her to roll from her back to her belly.  The occupational therapist still comes once a month but this month she will bring along a physical therapist to assess how Veronica is doing from a PT's standpoint. 

In other Veronica news, she has been dealing with a horrible cough and significant congestion for the last week and a half.  I took her to the doctor last week where she was swabbed for RSV, which thankfully  turned out to be negative.  We were given another prescription for albuterol (which she was given in the fall when she had bronchiolitis) along with pulmicort which is a steroid that is supposed to decrease inflammation in the lungs.  Since then we have been giving her nebulizer treatments around the clock.  Needless to say, our sleep has been quite disrupted.  Hopefully we are nearing the end.  It hasn't been fun for any of us.  Veronica has been a champ though and has maintained her happy disposition. 

By the way, at her doctor's visit last week she weighed in at 18 lbs, 10 oz.  19 lbs, here we come!   



Cherry Blossoms

This morning, half the members of our family took a trip into D.C. to see the beautiful cherry blossoms  which are in full bloom.  Unfortunately, the other half of our family had to go to school and work (sorry guys!).   So Sebastian, Josephine, Veronica and I headed into the city on our own and had a great morning.  With spring here and the weather being as warm as it's been, we've been taking Veronica out more, which has been good for all of us.  And I no longer worry as much about RSV which feels liberating in a way.   It's almost as though I forget she was born 16 weeks early....almost, but not quite.  

Sebastian - happy to get his photo taken.

Josephine - no interest in getting her photo taken.

With a little encouragement (o.k., a LOT of encouragement), Josephine finally agreed to a photo.

A picnic by the Tidal Basin.

The food definitely put Josephine in a better mood. 

Beautiful!

I took this before I read the sign posted which said not to climb on the trees.  Whoops!

What's a trip to the nation's capitol without a visit to the GW NICU?   This was the highlight of my day!
Don't their smiles speak volumes?  

Poor Josephine fell in the mud right after we left the hospital.  She was so cute I just had to take a picture!

Happy Birthday, Andrew!

Yesterday was Andrew's birthday.  We celebrated by going out to dinner at one of our favorite DC restaurants - all eight of us.  Afterwards, we took the kids to a nearby playground and enjoyed the record temperature.  It was so great getting out and just being together.   As RSV season is nearing the end, we have been going out more and it has been fabulous.

Andrew is an amazing father and I feel so blessed to have him as my husband.  For those of you who don't know, I work at night.  This means that Andrew is responsible for making sure homework gets done, dinner is on the table, table is cleared, kids are bathed, stories are read, teeth are brushed and prayers are said - times six!  In the morning, I get to sleep in while Andrew ensures that the oldest three get ready for school while he packs their lunches.  He is usually up by 5:30am as we have some early risers in our house.  He does all of this without complaint.  What a guy!  Thank you, Andrew!

Theodore, Andrew, Josephine

Veronica (trying her first nacho chip) and Liesl

Linus and Theodore

Me and Sebastian

Andrew can always make her smile!



I love her toothless grin!



Andrew is wondering what it would be like to only have one child :)



The birthday cake - chocolate torte with rasberries and almonds

Liesl designed this t-shirt for her father - the front.....

...and the back



Some Firsts and a Last

This week Veronica finally discovered she has feet.  I'm hoping she will realize that she can use them to help herself rolll.  But if not, that's ok.  Oh, please take note of her chubby thighs.  We're quite proud of those :)  

She also went on an outdoor swing for the first time and loved it.  All smiles and giggles!

Veronica had her last synagis shot this week and weighed in at a whopping 18 lbs!  Wow!  As much as I won't miss her getting those monthly shots, I will miss the monthly weight checks.  Even though I know she is growing and thriving, it is still so reassuring to actually see the growth in numbers.  She won't be seen again until her 1-year-old appointment which is in less than 6 weeks.  I can't believe we are getting that close.  It's  hard to believe that it will be a year since the day she was born.  I look forward to that day and I know it will be a day to celebrate, but it's sure to be an emotional one as well. 

10 Month Update

10-months-old!  I know it's been a week since she turned 10-months, but it still feels like a big deal.  Double digits! And I can't believe how close we are to 1-year.  1-year since that day....wow. 

Here is a quick update on how Veronica is doing at the 10 month mark:

- Veronica's last weight check was about 3 weeks ago and she was 16 lbs, 11oz.  I think it's safe to assume she has surpassed the 17 lb mark by now.  I am guessing she will be somewhere between 19 and 20 lbs by her first birthday.  Amazing!

- Tummy time remains a frequent activity in our house.  While she still isn't rolling, Veronica does move quite a bit when she is put on her stomach.  Somehow she manages to completely turn herself around so that she is facing the opposite direction.  Today she even did a full 360 degree turn.  She also does mini push-ups and kicks her legs furiously.  I'm so proud of her efforts. And although she isn't rolling, she is able to sit unassisted which I think is great progress. 

- When we started solids a few weeks ago, Veronica really wasn't too thrilled.  Most times, she would spit out the food and cry.  I was a little worried, just knowing that micro preemies often have issues with food/eating.  But we recently turned a corner and she seems to be enjoying everything that is offered to her.  

- In regards to sleep....well, we're still working on that.  She generally sleeps from 8pm - 6am but wakes up twice to nurse.  I can't say for sure if she is actually hungry, but she sure seems like it.  I'll admit that I wouldn't mind a good nights sleep (after all, it has been 10 months) but I try to remember that it's a whole lot better than her waking up in the NICU in the middle of a night for a nurse to feed her.  For naps, she only sleeps for 45 minutes at a time.  Yes, you read that correctly - 45 minutes.  I love her dearly but I do wish she would sleep longer. 

Overall, Veronica is doing wonderfully.  We look at her everyday in complete wonder at how far she has come.  We feel incredibly blessed.  Here are some photos from this past week:  

Happy!



My only blue eyed girl.




Tummy time is tiring.



Wordless Wednesday - Sisters!