1 Month Checkup

Elias had his one month check up today. He weighed in at 8lbs 7oz! So he gained over 3lbs in one month. What a chunker, eh?!

Then we went to orthopedics and they put a new cast on his foot. Now that they're flattened out the foot and got it pointing down, the next step is to start turning it out. The doctor said that his foot is very rigid and will probably take a few more castings then originally thought, more like 7 or 8 probably instead of 5 or 6.

When he got his hearing test the other day, the doctor thought his breathing/snoring was a little louder then the typical newborns usually is. So after his casting, we went up to see the ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) doctor. He used a super skinny camera and put it in his nose to check it out. Elias was NOT happy about this, as you can imagine lol. So his right nostril looks fine. However, he determined that he has a deviated septum in the left nostril, and is not breathing at all through it. So basically his left nostril is very narrow and gets closed off. When breathing through his nose (which is a lot of the time) he's only able to breathe through the right. They prescribed some nasal drops that will hopefully help open up his nasal passage to improve his breathing. We'll see how they work!

This doctor is thinking he might have a syndrome called Arthrogryposis.   His clubbed feet, tucked-in thumb, bent wrist, small jaw, and deviated septum are all things found in children with this problem. The fact that Elias' clubbed foot is very rigid also is an indicator of a syndrome. He has NOT been diagnosed with this yet. This is just what the one doctor suspects he has. And frankly, after reading up on it myself, it definitely sounds like Elias could very well have this disorder. Thankfully, it typically is just a orthopedic/muscular problem and not neurological, so he should develop normally in terms of speech and cognition.

So. Our plan of action is still the same. Castings, physical therapy, and lots of doctors appointments to monitor progress. We're meeting with the hand doctor on the 29th to see what needs to be done with his hands and wrist. They made us little splints for him to wear, but he's a wiggle worm and gets right out of them within 5 minutes.

Okay. I have to get some rest while Elias is sleeping. Its been a very long day.

November Already?!

I can't believe its already November! Where did the fall go? I think being in the hospital/sick for practically half of October doesn't help.  This month is going to be a great month though, I already know! We're going back to PA on the 18th for VALERIE'S WEDDING!!! I am SO excited, and she's going to be a stunning bride! Then Elias and I will be staying in West Chester with my family till Wednesday, while Kevin has to fly back up to MA for church and classes M-T-W of that week. Then he'll drive back down, pick us up, and we'll head over to Harrisburg to be with Kevins family for Thanksgiving! And thennnn we have another wedding for Miss Alison Miller that Saturday, which will be as beautiful as she is! I'm just super excited to go back home and be with family and friends and for them to meet Elias.

So time for some updates about Elias. He got a new cast yesterday, and his feet are doing great!

Cast #2

Feet After Cast #2

 Before his appointments, I actually take off his casts at home. We gave him his first tubby bath, and he obviously was not a fan. I think though that we were too paranoid about the water and didn't make it warm enough. Opps. We'll try again next week :)

First Tubby Bath

We have a thing for hooded towels...

Laura and Tyler came to visit!