Alanna 6 months God is amazing!

Alanna turned 6 months this week!  Alanna had a fun week because she got to experience our annual family tradition of seeing the Sharon Woods Holiday in Lights.  Every year we drive through the woods while Liam sits on daddy's lap and drives the car.  Haha! Scary thought I know but Liam really get's into it.  This year Alanna got to sit on my lap in the front seat and she was waving her arms up and down with excitment because of all the colored lights.  Alanna has a thing for lights so I knew the light show would be a huge hit for her!  I was feeling especially thankful that night and wanted to freeze the moment in time. It was such a precious moment to have my little family together full of love and hapiness.  Six months ago I could've only dreamed and wished for a moment like that and on Thursday night I got to actually experience it.  It was the best Christmas gift I could've received. The feeling of thankfullness really has power and I beleive channels in our Lord.  I was having such powerful feelings of love and thankfullness for my sweet Alanna and Liam that once again God proved his amazing works in the universe.  After the light show we visited Santa Land in Sharon Woods.  Liam and Alanna sat on Santa's lap.  I know this sounds cheesy but the Santa there looked so real.  When he saw Alanna he looked into my eyes and said "What a precious little girl. Give her to me."  The look in that Santa's eyes and the tone of his voice gave me chills.  It sounded like idf God had a voice it could've been him talking to me.  I swear I want to tear up now thinking of it. To make matters more miraculaous 3 people behind us in line for Santa was Alanna's neonatioloist who I blog about all the time and who saved her life.  He was there with his family and came up to talk to us.  It was so random and he's not even from the area.  He said he happened to be off work that night and brought his family.  I tell you with God all things are possible.  God can create the most amazing situations.  How else can something like this happen.  It has to be the act of God.  The God who I can thank my Alanna for bringing into my life.  This Christmas is going to be so amazing.  I just hope I can make it through mass without feeling overwhelmed with emotion.  At least I know God won't mind.
Sending Lots of Love for the Holidays!

Alanna 5 months

December 2012:
Alanna is really taking off with her growing. She's eating all the time now.  She's at 5-6 ounces every 3 hours and her milk continues to be fortified with formula for added calories.   Help Me Grow has been coming to our house every 2 weeks to keep an eye on her development and determine any needs for services.  I was having concerns with her gross motor skills since she doesn't tolerate tummy time due to reflux issues.  A PT came and is going to start working with Alanna and I.  She discovered that part of the reason Alanna struggles with tummy time could be due to a lot of tightness within her chest and neck area.  Alanna is treating the 2 units like one and has a lot of tension.  The PT mentioned this is very common with premature babies.  She is going to start cranial-sacral therapy with her to release some of the tightness. She taught me some exercises to do with her each day as well so Alanna has her first homework assignment at 5 months. 

Alanna's reflux has gotten significantly better so I have started to feel more comfortable transitioning her to her crib for naps at least.  We tried the crib one night but Alanna nor I seemed ready.  We ended up putting her back in her bassinet in our room.  I know this night time sleeping will be one of our biggest struggles to transition her to the crib but I have faith it will all work out when it's meant to be. 

Alanna is such a happy and laid back baby.  She only cries when she's tired, hungry or is in pain from reflux. She coos and acts like she is trying to talk all the time.  She is constantly playing around with sounds which is pure music to my ears.  She is also shaking, mouthing and grabbing toys all the time.  She seems very interested in the way things work.  She loves to listen to books.  She will sit on my lap in her glider while I read book after book and she appears to be listening.  She brings me so much joy and seeing her smile with her adorable dimples is pure bliss.  I am so in love.  She has completely captured my heart. 

I will continue updates as significant events/milestones occur.  I would like to eventually turn this whole blog into a book for Alanna to have when she's old enough to read and understand. I feel it will be helpful someday to have these little milestones and events documented to add to long term effects from hydrops since many babies do not make it through.  Doctors are not able to tell me what Alanna's future developmentally will look like because there is not much research on these babies.