Mylah's First Christmas

Mylah celebrated her first Christmas surrounded by family!
She was given just a few gifts, mostly what she will need in the next few months.
Even though she slept through most of the festivities, we managed to take a few pictures capturing her first Christmas with us!

First set of Christmas Pajamas:







First Christmas Dress and
Sunday Outfits with Big Brother and Big Sister:







First Christmas Stocking and Santa gifts:
(she tried so hard to hold her head up during the photo, don't worry, we didn't leave her there long)



She loved her first Christmas!
We are reminded this time of year to be grateful for our greatest and most precious gift - Mylah's life and her functioning heart. We are also reminded of our Heavenly Father's gift to us - his Son, Jesus Christ and the knowledge of his humble beginnings in a stable in Bethlehem. We hope each of you had a very Merry Christmas and that the New Year is full of happiness and good health!

Entertained

Mylah has recently become very fond of her play mat. She lays under it for minutes at a time and becomes hypnotized by the not-so-fascinating cow swinging a baby chick beneath it's legs.



She is such a good baby and content to lay under her toy while I busily make things happen around the house.



I am ever grateful that she continues to develop and grow and that toys are starting to peak her interest. Even crazy cow swinging chick type toys! :)

Tummy Time

Mylah has such a strong neck and head control that Neil and I decided to try to let her have some tummy time. She stayed on her tummy for about 5 minutes and then whimpered until we flipped her back over.



When we hold her she throws her head everywhere so we thought some tummy time would be beneficial for her. I worry about her chest and heart, but she did well.



As you can tell by the blurry pictures, her head was all over the place, but she tried to keep it balanced.



Afterward Daddy laid by her and they talked. She loves to be talked to. She is a very social baby.



We are so proud of each of her milestones and are thankful each day for her continued growth and development!

~December 1st 2011~

This Week's Appointments

Monday Nov. 28th - Today was Mylah's second Post-Op check up with Dr. Ciccolo. She is looking really good to him and he says her scar is right on track to heal just fine, until her full repair. I asked all the questions I could think of. When we would do her full repair, if she would have any spells between now and then, and if she will out grow her shunt? He expects her full repair after 6 months old. Anytime between then and one year of life. No she shouldn't have any cyanotic spells, but she could, we just have to watch for it. And yes she will out grow her shunt. When this happens will determine her full repair date. For now, he is happy with her post-op progress.

Wednesday Nov. 30th - Today Mylah met with Dr. Thomas her Cardiologist. He walked in the room and we exchanged some chit chat and then he proceeded to tell me what to look for if she has a cyanotic spell. We have seen her in the most extreme cyanotic condition (when she had her first Tet spell at the hospital) and so we know what to watch for - blue extremities, blue mouth, trouble breathing etc. He also explained to me what to do (besides call 9-1-1). He said to take her knees and push them to her chest, this will bring the blood from her extremities to her lungs and heart.

Why was he explaining all this to me you ask? He doesn't want to see her back for 2 months!! Happy Day! She is saturating in the 80 to 84's, eating and growing well (11lbs. 8 oz. - 23 inches) so he doesn't want to see her until February. We feel so blessed and are grateful for her progress.

Friday Dec. 2nd - Today Mylah had her third round of Synagis - the RVS antibody shot. She hates shots and was sound asleep when the lab tech gave it to her, but she took it like a champ and cried a little, but then fell back asleep! I am grateful that she was approved for these shots to give her extra protection this winter season!

2 months

Mylah turned two months old today!
We are so blessed to have her here, and are grateful each day for the our sweet miracle!



Here are her stats:

♥ She weighs 11lbs. 8 oz.
♥ She is 23 inches long.
♥ She wears size 1 diapers, but is almost in 2's!
♥ She wears 0 - 3 month clothes.
♥ She still nurses really well and loves it.
♥ She has slept for 6 hours straight at night.
♥ She cooed at Mommy for the first time on Nov 22nd. It made Mommy cry!
♥ She loves to be talked to and tries really hard to communicate right back!
♥ She loves to sit in the the swing and sleeps for at least two naps a day in it.
♥ She is so calm and will eat, play in her bouncer or swing for a little bit, and then go right back to sleep for a nap. She is a really easy going baby.
♥ She has what we call Elvis-hair. No matter how much we wet it down and comb it, it pops right back up! It's straight and super cute.
♥ She is fond of her paci, but will only suck on it for a short time. Then she spits it out. I guess it isn't a necessity.
♥ She has found her hands and loves to suck on them.
♥ She celebrated her first holiday during the Thanksgiving break. She mostly slept and enjoyed being cuddled by her Grandma and Grandpa H.
♥ She visited her Surgeon Dr. Ciccolo this month and he says her scar looks really good. He won't see us again until her total repair.
♥ She also visited the Cardiologist. He doesn't want to see us for two whole months! He is really impressed with her progress and just wants us to watch for hyper cyanotic spells and bring her back in February. What a blessing.
♥ She is growing too fast, and bring such a sweet spirit to our home.
Happy Two Month Birthday Mylah Leilani!
We love you!