Growing Too Fast

Here is our Cooper just checking up on Lauren. Both Cooper and Sadie are very protective of our little girl and have to make sure she is okay at all times. Sadie likes to go up to her while she is in her swing and make a whiny noise at her--I think she is trying to tell us she is okay or something. Who knows though
My friends Sam and Julie came over today and had a fun time with Lauren. It was also really nice for me to have some adult time! Lauren was awake for while when they first got here, so they got some smiles and cute noises out of her. Then Julie got her to sleep in no time...she's got the magic touch. Well, maybe it's just that she has 2 grown kids so she knows the ropes of getting a kiddo to sleep! Sam also had to get a little snuggle time in (pictured above.)
Lauren was wide awake after having breakfast this morning, so I thought a little tummy time would be good for her...
I walked out to the kitchen and turned around a couple of minutes later and this is what happened. Little rascal fell asleep!
We also carved pumpkins for the first time together and here is a pic of how they turned out. I wish I could say Lauren participated, but she just slept the whole time. It was fun for Adam & I to do. We decided it will be a tradition to carve pumpkins every year!

Lauren had 3 doctor appointments this week-3 days in a row. I think she got a little exhausted from it all. Don't worry though she is catching up on sleep as we speak--or type that is. Monday's appointment was with the pediatrician and Lauren weighed 9lbs 11.5oz. She is starting to outgrow a lot of her "newborn" size clothes. The doctor is pleased with her development and said she is "right where I would expect for a 7 week old." That is great news!

Tuesday's appointment was with a neurologist in Portland. Lauren has a sacral dimple (actually 4) that were found right as she was being discharged from the NICU. She had an ultrasound done that night and everything seemed essentially normal--normal movement & shape of the spine. There is a chance that she could have a tethered cord. We were under the impression she was going to have another ultrasound done on Tuesday, but Dr. Wehby wants to wait until she is closer to 3 months old (corrected age.) So we go back on 11/10 for that. Hopefully that one will also be normal. So far Lauren does not seem to be having any bowel or bladder issues, but if she was it could be related to having a tethered cord. If this ultrasound is normal she will probably have another when she is a few years old or sooner if she has trouble with milestones such as crawling/walking or starts to have bowel/bladder issues. There is surgery that can be done to fix a tethered cord. I just really don't want to have to go that route. She has been through enough already!

Wednesdays appointment was for her eyes and I am happy to say we are still regressing. There is a spot in her left eye that was still at stage 3 two weeks ago, but has now improved to about a 2 1/2. We go back in 2 weeks again. Lauren is getting much more uncomfortable with the eye exams. According to the doc's most babies aren't getting such frequent exams at her age--in other words--it has resolved by now. All we care is that things are getting better, even if it is very slowly. My dad came with me since Adam had to work and he stayed out in the waiting room and heard Lauren screaming during the exam. She usually does very well and just sucks on her pacifier and the sugar water they give her, but she was NOT a happy camper yesterday. The doctor also said the exams annoy her more because she is much more visually aware now, so the light and the poking around on her eye bug her more. I should add that they do put some numbing drops in also.

That's pretty much everything that's been going on. We're still enjoying every precious moment and realizing that she is growing up too fast!