My darling Grace,
Yesterday you turned one month old and what a month it's been. A month of firsts for you, me and your dad. First baths, first poops, first smiles.
People always told me that having children changes your life but I never understood that it is more than just a physical change. Mentally, emotionally & spiritally my life is different. Richer. Already you've taught me about simplicity, patience, and love.
Okay, enough mushy stuff, let's get down to the nitty gritty. On March 19th, 2008 you were born at 12:59 and you weighed 8lbs 11oz.
You hardly cried, you just seemed to take everything in. Even when they took you away to clean you up you barely made a sound.
So far, you've been an amazing sleeper. Most of our friends have only seen your open eyes a couple of times due to the fact that you are asleep almost every time they get to see you.
Nice for mommy but not really very social for the friends. At night you often sleep for more than 3 or 4 hours at a time.
The first time you slept close to 5 hours I almost had a heart attack and had to make sure you were still with us. In the beginning I was told to wake you up every three hours for feeding whether you were wanting it or not. Ya, that proved to be next to impossible.
In this first month we've had our share of doctor's appointments. In the hospital, the pediatrician detected a heart murmur. Not too distressing since I have one, your dad had one and a large percentage of the population has one. Just as a precaution though, we were sent to a cardiactric pediatrician to have an ultrasound done on your heart (echocardiogram) as well as an electrocardiogram. In very simple terms, she did find "turbulence" in your blood flow at the valve going from your heart to your lungs. The medical term is Pulmonary Valve Stenosis but she quickly told us that your case is very very minor.
"The degree of stenosis is typically determined by the peak pressure gradient across the valuve. If the peak gradient across the valuve is greater than 50 mmHg, intervention is generally warranted. If the peak gradient is less than 25, no intervention is generally needed."
Your "mmgh" is at 15 so as you can see, not too much to worry about. The dr saw you 10 days after your initial appointment to assess if it was getting worse, which it wasn't, so now we are going to check in again in July just to keep an eye on it.
Your weight has been steadily increasing, if perhaps a little slow at your 2 week check up. You went from 8/11 when you were born, to 8/5 when we were discharged. Four days later at your first pediatric appointment you were back up to 8/11 (good eater!!!), but then at your two week visit you were only up to 8/15 (not such a good eater!!). We went back the following week for a weight check and you were up to 9/6 (great eater!!!). And then back again, for your 1 month check up and you clocked in at 9/13.
And what did we ever take pictures of before you were born?!!!
Seems like all we're doing is snapping pics of you. Do you feel hounded by your paparrazzi parents?
People's generosity has been overwhelming. Almost daily we've received a gift for your. Mostly clothes, which is amazing. I think my closet now has more of your clothes hanging in it than my own!
Your Grandma and Grandpa Folka came out for a visit about a week after you were born.
Thank goodness for them, otherwise, I'm sure I wouldn't have had a moment to eat or shower. Coordinating everything with you has definitely been the biggest lesson since you've arrived.
Watching your dad with you has been an additional bonus to your arrival. I won't go into too much detail that might embarrass him but I will say, the love he has for your is limitless.
So here we go. Month by month I'll write you a little note, and hopefully by the time you're old enough to read the internet won't have imploded and you'll be able to see what life has been like with you around.
Love you always,
Mom xo
