Today at 2:47 pm, Isabella turned 3 years old.
She was born on April 26, 2006
2:47 pm
5 pounds 8 ounces
19 inches long
Our first family pictureI remember thinking after she was born, "she isn't crying as much as I thought she would." Then the nursery nurse asked if she was early. I said, 'No". I was induced but today was her due date. She mentioned something about looking about 4 weeks early. She was a tiny little thing. Skinny, small, fragile. Dependent on us for her every need. A very scary thought for first time parents no matter how prepared you think you are. I don't think either of us slept a wink that night. We kept waking up and looking at her. Trying to see her with the little bit of light that was in the room. Making sure she was still breathing. Of course she was and it was the only night she slept all night for a very long time.
I had tried to nurse her several times but was not very concerned that she didn't seem to be eating a lot since wasn't really supposed to be eating much. We had family, friends, and co-workers visit. We were excited and proud to show off our new little girl.
When the pediatrician came the next morning, she said that Isabella had a cleft palate. I was shocked. I am sure Matt was too. I didn't really know what to ask or realize how much this would affect our future.
The next few months were a world wind of doctors appointments, weight checks, 45 minutes feedings, pumping, cleaning bottles and crying in the middle of the night (me not her). She ended up using a special bottle and nipple called a pigeon nipple which the feeding clinic recommended at Scottish Rite. We added formula to my milk to make it higher calories.
She had her palate repaired October 30, 2006. She was pitiful laying in that hospital bed, swollen, IVs. She had to wear welcome arm splints that kept her hands out of her mouth for about 3 weeks. We ended up feeding her with a syringe for several days. Finally, about a month after her surgery we were able to begin the switch to a regular bottle. She began physical, occupational and speech therapy around the time she turned 1 because of developmental delays. I remember Dr. Jattan saying one time that by the time she turned 3 no one would ever know she had developmental delays. She was right.
Isabella has graduated from all of her therapies and is right on target for all of her milestones. She has come such a long way and I am so proud of her. She is pretty persistent and works hard. I hope that continues when she starts school.
Helping prepare for her party
She has become quite the independent little one. It is fun watching her as she has begun to exert her independence. These are a few of the things she is doing now.
She tells us to leave when she goes to the potty now.
Repeating the blessing
Singing Jesus Loves Me
Talking in complete sentences
Telling me to not talk with food in my mouth
She is complete sunshine. We have been blessed over and over by the gift she is to us.
The Cake
Playing outside with friends
Blowing out her candles
Meticulously opening presents
She is 3
Happy Birthday Girl!!!
3 comments:
She is such a beautiful girl and we love her so much! It's amazing how quickly things change, she (and her parents) are such troopers :)
Thank you, but why were you up at 4:41 am?
Matt - Kathy Hurd shared the link to your familiy blog with me. She wanted me to read about Isabella's journey through her surgeries because my daughter gave birth to another son on April 2 who had to have surgery immediately upon his arrival and will be required to have some follow-up surgery in another few weeks. When you wrote that after Isabella's surgery she looked so small and pitiful, it made me recall that I felt that same way when I first looked upon my grandson. But Isabella's story is very uplifting and encourages me tremendously.
You and Leslie have beautiful children. They are extremely blessed to have such Godly parents guiding them through this life. Thanks for sharing your story.
Patsy Gantt (RCPS)
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