Today is Labor Day and we are indoors thanks to Hurricane Gustov. We took a little video from our backyard. There is a little creek that runs in the very back part of our yard called Hell’s Creek. We have had such a large amount of rain from the hurricane that the creek has flooded way above what we have ever seen before. We thought you would like to see the video we took.
I took Victoria to the cardiologist this week because I noticed her sweating a lot last week, even while in a onesie. I just wanted to be sure her oxygen level was okay and that she was doing well in her recovery since we are not scheduled to return to the cardiologist until October.
The nurse checked her blood pressure and oxygen level and both were wonderful. I was relieved! Dr. Mayer then came in to take a listen to Victoria’s heart. He said there was no “gallop!” He mentioned prior to her surgery that her heart beating sounded like a horse galloping. So much blood was swooshing around in her heart that the gallop sound was very distinct. He said her heart sounds wonderful and he was really pleased by her healthy appearance as well.
During our visit, Dr. Mayer said we could discontinue her blood pressure medicine. This means that Victoria is no longer on ANY medication for her heart! Praise the Lord! He also told us that her wound looks to be completely healed and that we could start picking her up like a “normal baby” (under her arms)! We have been scooping her up for so long that I’m sure I’ll still be hesitant about picking her up under her arms!
What a praise! To go to the doctor for concerns and then to be told she is doing fantastic … wow! We are blessed to have such a good God who has healed our little baby!
PS – Victoria is now 5-months-old and has gained more weight, which is also a praise. She now weighs 11 lbs 2 oz. I know this seems small, but this is the biggest she has ever been in her little life. All of her doctors seem very pleased with her weight gain and expect it to continue.
PSS – My mom is the beautiful lady holding Victoria in the photo you see above!
Victoria had a visit from a physical therapist and vision specialist this week. They both had very good comments about how she is doing. We felt encouraged. I’ve been given different “exercises” to do with her over the next few weeks to prod her on to develop further. One thing I’ve started doing is sitting her up in her Bumbo.
Here is a cute photo of her in the Bumbo. She still needs a little help to sit up because she is so small (I fill the front of the Bumbo with a folded towel) and does tire from sitting too long, but she is doing great nonetheless!
We couldn’t help but take a photo of Natalie getting her butt stuck in Victoria’s Bumbo (that sounds hilarious to even say!). If you know anything about Nat Nat, she cannot stand being confined. This was NOT a fun moment for her!
Other exciting moments in the Messick household…
Natalie had a sweet little moment with Victoria while laying on my bed that I wanted you all to see. She is a kind little girl who loves to give lots of kisses!
I took a photo yesterday of Natalie’s hair. She is getting some cute curls in her hair. She definitely takes after her mother (who straightens her hair to look cool!)!
Elyssa and Natalie have a little horse that a friend gave them about a year ago. They haven’t played with it lately so getting it out to play with today was really fun for them. Elyssa pushed the button that made the horse sound like it was trotting and neighing. Since Natalie didn’t have a horse of her own, she just did the motions with her own little body. She acts like she is trotting and when the horse neighs, she shakes her head. Too cute!
Finally, we have taught Elyssa to hold a towel in front of her face and change facial expressions each time she takes the towel down. We started out doing this to her for laughs, but she quickly tried to imitate us. Here is a sample of her facial expression talents!
We’ve had some fun moments lately with the girls and we’ve seen them all really develop some personality. Here are a few great photos that we’ve taken in the midst of just “playing around.”
