Surgery Update

This last Tuesday we went to the follow-up appointment with Hannah's surgeon. He said that her surgery site has healed well, but he was concerned because she is still breathing very loudly and having some oxygen de-saturation. He believes that Hannah's voice box is collapsing and blocking her airway, and so Hannah needs another surgery. He will go back in with a scope and give Hannah's voice box a botox injection if it is collapsing. She would then need periodic injections until she outgrows this. If he gets in there and finds that her voice box is fine, he will order an MRI to determine if there is anything wrong with Hannah's brain. We are hoping and praying it is just the voice box. The surgery isn't an emergency and isn't scheduled until March 21st, but Hannah will need to stay at least one night in the PICU at Primary Children's. We are very disappointed and sad that Hannah has to go back to the hospital, but we are hopeful that her breathing problems will soon be solved for good. Please pray for Hannah!

*Also, we are having Hannah blessed on Sunday, March 6th. Our sacrament meeting begins at 11am. If you would like to attend, please leave a comment with your email address and I will email you the church address.

Sickly child checks

I just thought I'd post the progression of Hannah's weight gain or lack thereof. One of the perks of having a "sickly" child is that we've had plenty of opportunities to have Hannah weighed. Scott and I were quite surprised to have a "sickly" (a term we started using in the hospital) child that couldn't gain enough weight. I mean, seriously, how can a child of mine have a hard time gaining weight? :) Obviously, she isn't actually sickly anymore, but she's still quite little. And super, super cute.

Birth--12/18/10--7 lb 6 oz, 20 in (ob/gyn) or actually 19 in (NICU)
Hannah's lowest weight in the NICU was 6 lb 13 oz.

Home from hospital--12/24/10--7 lb 2 oz

9 day dr appt--12/27/10--7 lb 3 1/2 oz (24th percentile), 19 1/2 in (31st percentile), and 14.6 in head circumference (83rd percentile)

16 day dr appt--1/3/11--7 lb 5 1/2 oz (19th percentile)
This is the day the doctor started getting worried about her weight gain.

A few hours before ending up back in the hospital--1/9/11--7 lb 7 oz (as far as we can remember)

Last day in the hospital--1/17/11--7 lb 10 oz (we think)

1 month 1 day dr appt--1/19/11--7 lb 13 oz (13th percentile), 21 in (46th percentile), and 15 in head (75th percentile)
(This pic was actually taken on 1/18/11.)

1 month 8 day dr appt--1/26/11--8 lb 11 oz (39th percentile)
Almost 1 pound in 1 week and busting out of this newborn outfit! Yay!

(This pic was taken on 1/25/11.)

1 month 13 day dr appt--1/31/11--9 lb 1 oz (? percentile)
(pic taken 1/30/11)

Lactation Clinic weight check--2/7/11--9 lb 5 oz

(pic taken 2/6/11)

Lactation Clinic weight check--2/14/11--9 lb 11 oz
Hannah was thrilled with her Valentines candy. :)

2 month dr appt--2/18/11--9 lb 12 1/2 oz (23rd percentile), 21 1/4 in (13th percentile--we don't believe this is accurate--she's taller), and 15 1/2 in head (68th percentile)

Lactation Clinic weight check--2/21/11 (TODAY)--9 lb 15 1/2 oz

Hannah is almost 10 lbs! Hallelujah!

Thanks for your continued prayers that have helped Hannah gain enough weight and turned her from a "sickly" baby into a healthy, chubby baby! :)

2-month well child check

Hannah is 2 months old today, and so she had her 2-month well child check. She now weighs 9 lbs. 12 1/2 oz. (23rd percentile), is 21 1/4 inches long (13th percentile), and has a head circumference of 15 1/2 inches (68th percentile). So even though she's finally gaining weight well, she is still quite small for her age. But she does have a large head like her mommy. The bigger the head, the bigger the brain, right? :)

Here are some pics I took today of the cutie patootie:

Scott says that Hannah is pulling this face because she is being forced to wear a "brain squeezer."

The flower is big, but her head is bigger. :)

I caught Hannah smiling. Notice the "Y" socks.

Not sure what this face is all about, but I love it.

I love to smooch those cheeks all day.

Baby loves Daddy.

Hannah was smiling a ton while Scott was singing to her tonight. She even laughed a little. Super cute!

We love our adorable little 2-month old!

More Catching Up--Carter Christmas & New Years

A couple of days before the new year, the Carters held their biannual Carter Christmas a little later than usual. It's an amazing talent show that is put on by the amazing Carter family, and it is very private. I will not be sharing any photos of the talent due to the high risk of being banished from the family. But I will show you a picture of all 11 adorable Carter cousins.

Matt, Lauren, Jeremiah, Hannah #2, Josh, Isaac, Katie, Aubrey, Emily, Megan, and Hannah #1

Ok, I changed my mind. Bonus points if you weren't present and can tell what this awesome talent is. I only dare post this because Shannon and fam live far away, so I have no fear of immediate bodily harm. :)

Well, on to New Year's...

What a cute, mad 2010 baby! I'm telling you, Hannah really hates to be undressed.

We made a somewhat brief appearance at the Carter New Year's Eve party. I think we made it to 10pm. We're party animals.

And this is how I brought in the New Year--with my amazing husband and adorable baby.
Happy late New Year!!!

3 years/53 days

Today is a very special day! Scott and I have now been married for 3 years. It has been a wonderful 3 years with lots of ups and downs, but through it all we have been very blessed. I am so grateful to have had Scott by my side through all our trials and joys. And I am so happy that Scott has made the conscious decision with me to let our trials bring us closer together. Scott is an amazing husband and a fabulous daddy. I love him so much!
We celebrated by going out for the first time since Hannah was born. Scott's sister Diana and bro-in-law Sam watched her while we ate at Texas Roadhouse. It was nice.

I look pretty gross, but lately Scott only gives me one chance at a good shot.

Today is also a very special day because Hannah is now 53 days old. 53 happens to be my favorite number. And Hannah happens to be my favorite daughter ever! :)

Hannah was a little bored with my mini photo shoot today, but she's still super adorable.

I can't get this picture to turn. Isn't she the best?!

I absolutely love my two biggest blessings ever--Scott and Hannah! Happy day to us!!!

People Magnet

A few days ago, my nephew Cole announced that Hannah is a "people magnet." I asked him what that meant, and he said that everyone wants to be by her. He is right. There was a big lineup of people at my parents' house who wanted to hold Hannah. Cole repeatedly complained about Saul holding her "for like an hour." :)

Here are some pics of Hannah's many admirers holding her:

Aunt Diana holding 8-day-old Hannah. Guess who bought the onesie?

Cousin Faith holding 9-day-old Hannah. This is when Faith discovered that Hannah has "tiny little heart-shaped nose holes." She was absolutely mesmerized by all of Hannah's tiny body parts.

Cousin Clay holding Hannah at 9 days old.

Cousin Cole could not quit giggling as he held Hannah for the first time.

Grandma Clayson holding sweet baby Hannah.

Aunt Christina enjoying holding Hannah outside of the NICU.

I think this is the only picture we have of the 3 of us together.

Our good friend Jen holding 10-day-old Hannah. Jen takes a 3-4 hour round trip ride on the bus to come visit us once a week. What a good friend!

I LOVE this picture of Scott holding Hannah (10 days old).

Big cousin Hannah holding 11-day-old baby Hannah.

Cousin Katie holding Hannah.

Aunt Jana holding Hannah with Aunt Melissa and fam.

Cousin Mikayla holding Hannah (12 days old).

Cousin Kyler holding cute Hannah.

Cousin Jeremiah did a great job holding Hannah (12 days old).

Great-Grandma Meservy holding Hannah at 15 days old.

There have been many more loving family members and friends that have held Hannah, but I haven't gotten pictures of everyone. I just feel blessed that I get to hold Hannah all day and sometimes all night. She's such a sweetheart!

Catching Up--Hannah's first bath at home

Hannah enjoyed her first bath (NICU spa style) at home:

She didn't enjoy getting out of her bath:

Poor baby hates being naked. I think she is afraid she will get poked or something.