Lots to Tell (This is Long!)

Sorry that this post has taken so long to write and I am sorry at the length of it! Actually it is going to seem longer than it is cause I am going to try and post all of Sofia's Christmas portraits. So, please bear with me!

First of all I have to ask you all for some very strong prayers for a baby girl named Madeline Paige. Madeline is the daughter of a friend of a friend! Recently Madeline's parents found out that her amnio showed that Madeline had Downs Syndrome. Then a couple of days ago in a sonogram they saw that Madeline had a heart defect and that there was fluid in her heart. Madeline was not due till February 12, 2007, but was delivered last night, December 13 at 8:45pm. She weighed 2lbs 14oz. They did confirm that she has Downs and she also has an enlarged liver and the fluid in her heart chamber was threatning to drown her. I did receive an update this afternoon and so far she is doing okay. She is breathing on her own and is pretty active. Madeline has a long way to go before she can go home, though. Please say some extra special prayers for Madeline Paige and her family. I will keep you all updated.

Sofia is doing well. We have run into some wheezing issues and she has been put back on the Pulmicort twice a day and Xopenex every 4 hours. She was taken off the Zantac cause it was making her sick and put on Prevacid. As of today, Sofia weighed 19lbs 2oz. I am not sure of her length, but I will measure her myself and let you all know! She is LONG, though! She is in 18mth sleepers! She hasn't cut any teeth yet, but her doctor told us today that her bottom right gum is very swollen, so that we should expect a tooth very soon! She has been soooooo cranky, I feel so bad for her. Well, we went to the doctor today for the flu shot and for her last of the Hepatitis B shot. Then they came in and told us that she never received her 6 month vaccinations! WHAT?!!!! They are crazy! I remember that day very well! I am sure Sofia does, too. I think I even posted about her shots and how none of the nurses wanted to give them to her cause she was so happy and they didn't want to upset her. So, since it was never charted they gave her all them over again today! UGH.... I just wanted to scream! Plus she just got her RSC shots last Friday and that is 2 shots, one in each leg. With those she gets two nurses and they count to 3 and both stick her in each leg at the same time while I get to hold her down. And those she gets once a month until April. But, she needs them. I would much rather her be upset for 5 minutes then to be back in the hospital. I also found out today that they are having a lot more babies coming down with RSV right now than ever before. So, I am taking all precautions that I can. But, Sofia is doing great! She is still commando crawling everywhere, but taking a few "real" crawls here and there. She can pull herself up to stand, usually with the couch, but has done it with other things too. She loves to try and get to the kitty food and water and puts anything she can in her mouth! She is finally getting some hair! I am so happy especially since it is starting to cover the bed sore on the back of her head. Sofia loves to eat! She eats almost 3 jars of food a day and is starting to drink from her sippy cup. She likes her juice, too! She is also good about drinking plain water. Now Sofia is in number 3 diapers! It makes me so sad how fast she is growing! I can't believe we will be celbrating her first Birthday in just 4 months! WOW!

Congratulations to Jared and Donna Pietras on the birth of their beautiful baby girl, Freya Louise! Freya was born December 11, 2006 in England. We can't wait for you all to meet Sofia and for us to meet Freya in April. We love you guys!

I am sure there was more that I wanted to write about and forgot, so please forgive me when I remember and post some more in the next couple of days!

Here are Sofia's Christmas Portraits and her portraits with my best friends son, Gavin. I hope you all enjoy them!

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers and please keep baby Madeline in your prayers.

Love, Catherine