Healthy Hips!

Yay! I just got back from the specialist, and Petra DOES NOT have hip dysplasia!! Apparently the ultrasounds are notoriously wrong.

The doctor was SO NICE. He came in and examined her physically and said he didn't feel anything, but said we should do an x-ray just in case. She was a really good girl for her x-ray, and he showed me that she has totally healthy hips. He even pointed out some ball(?) that he said they sometimes don't see until 6 months. So he thought she was a very healthy girl! :) She goes back in June, just to be safe, but he didn't think she'd have any problems. And we don't have to do anything special for her.

Awesome! I'm so relieved! We would have dealt with it, but it definitely sounds like it can be a real challenge with this harness, casts, etc. I wish they had waited to let the doctor diagnose her, but now I am more aware about this condition, so if I ever see a parent with a baby that has it, I will know how to respond. I was so concerned that she would be treated differently, and that made me really sad. I also didn't like thinking about my baby in a harness or having to hold her a special way and not be able to snuggle her close. These parents are really strong for getting their kids the help they need.

I have a hip baby... (kinda bad news)

So Petra was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. At her 1 month appointment, her hip was making this clicking sound, so the pedi ordered an ultrasound.

The u/s it showed that her left leg/hip was out of socket. It is more common in girls, first born babies, and breech babies (although Petra wasn't breech). This can cause problems later on when she is walking like a limp and arthritis. She has an appointment Monday with an orthpedic pediatric specialist.

Good news is they found it early (before her bones have calcified) and it is easily treated. Since we found it now, she probably will not need surgery or major casts and just need a harness that holds her legs in a 'froggy' position, but it is still a little distressing as her mom. I just want her to be healthy and happy.

I have felt a little sad about this, and I'm sure it will be hard to see her in her harness, but I feel so lucky to have her and she is still my beautiful, perfect baby.

Some links about hip dysplasia:
http://www.hip-baby.org/index.html

Mommy meltdown

I think we're in the 6 week growth spurt. At least I hope that's what all this fussiness is about. A few days ago someone swapped my angel baby with this little devil! She is not sleeping nearly as well and it was really taking its toll.

Yesterday, I finally broke down and called Mark to come home early. He came in and I just left the house! I was crying when I left and felt really bad, but I just couldn't be around her for one more second. I was out for about 2 hours just to Kohl's and Target, but it was what I needed before I could face being a mom again.

Mark agreed she has been pretty hard to please lately, but she goes from a total pain in the ass to the most adorable baby in minutes!

9 lbs 14 oz!

At her 1 month today, Petra has gained over 2 lbs!! Yay! :)

She was visited this weekend by her Sona Mausi (my stepsister). It was great having her here! Petra got lots of cuddling and Mark and I even got a sushi date!

Oh and she hasn't slept through the night again, but still doing pretty good for a 1 moth old!

She did it AGAIN!

She slept from 10:30-6 am! I could get used to this, but I probably shouldn't!

She's going bald! As seen by the patch on the front of her head! I've also been finding hair in her hats!

And this is a pic from her daddy singing to her last night. She was in AWE! :)

OH! Thanks Ariella for saying it was common to nurse a lot in the evenings! I found this link with some great ifo:
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/fussy-evening.html

update

Breastfeeding is going well so far. I haven't had any issues with supply or infections. We just introduced bottles and pacifiers this past week. She definitely prefers me, but she'll take a bottle and is learning to soothe with the pacifier.

Last weekend she was visited by my sister's family from Atlanta and met her cousins! It was fun to see all of them together, even though she still isn't too interactive.

This week Mark went back to work, and I'm doing okay home with Petra. I have been wearing her with a Moby wrap, so I can get some things done. She sometimes naps in her bouncer, but goes to sleep much easier next to me.

sleep begets sleep

I think we are REALLY lucky-- this baby is a GREAT sleeper! There have been several nights where she has slept in 4+ hour stretches, wakes up to eat, and goes right back to sleep. And last night she pretty much slept through the night! She was out from 10:30 - 5 am. I'm not necessarily expecting a repeat, but it seems like she'll be one of these babies who sleeps through the night early on.

That said, I do get tired in the evening. She seems to want to nurse almost every hour after 5 pm, but I try to be patient, since I know I'll get my break at night.