1 month old!

There were times that I did not think I would see this day! Merritt is 1 month old today!  She weighs every bit of 5 lbs. 13 oz today.  We were really hoping to see 6 lbs but she's s.l.o.w.l.y. getting there.  Dr. Russell (our pediatrician) said he was happy with 1/2 -1 ounce gain per day.  And she's been doing that (been out of the NICU for 12 days and she's gained 7 ounces since that day).  

She's fussy most of the time.  At first I thought it was colic (like Mattox) but it didn't exactly fit that bill. I'm worried that its something more serious and I'm letting it go -- but surgery has assured us that "everything is where it should be... its just a tight fit."  The neonatologist said it was probably a combination of pressure on every organ from the O on top of being a typical newborn.  She is going to the bathroom constantly and all of her vital signs are good... hopefully she will grow out of it soon!  She doesn't seem to have any reflux - just normal baby spit up.  Ha! I actually used the word normal in reference to her!  shocking.  One of the doctors asked me, "You are an experienced mother, what do you think is wrong with her?"  lol! Experienced!  w.h.a.t.e.v.e.r.  I have NO experience when it comes to this baby!  I feel like I'm swimming in the deep end without a life preserver barely holding my head above water.  Anyway, we have an inside joke now that I'm an "experienced" mother.   (far from it.)  I need one of those "What To Expect When You're Expecting... With An Omphalocele Baby" books! 

When she's not screaming, she is very active!  As in utero too.  Constantly kicking and moving her arms and legs.  Doesn't sleep very well yet.  Her abdominal pains seem to wake her up every few minutes.  Bless her heart.  Unfortunately the baby gets away with more than the older ones.  My other 2 NEVER got to sleep in my bed with me.  Yes, I'm mean like that.  Why start a bad habit? But Merritt breaks every mold.  

Not comparing because she is definitely her Own person, but she is the spitting image of Mati Claire at that age.  Insane hair and all.  At least I know what's ahead in that department.  But she reminds me alot of the way Mattox acts.  They have similar personalities (to me).  

Many people have asked about what her incision looks like now.  See below!  Her diaper got caught in her stitches so the white fuzz towards the bottom is diaper that we had to cut off from her... but its stuck and can't pull it out without pulling a stitch.  

""For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has mercy on you."  Isaiah 54:10

Its amazing that 1 month out...and I feel like we are on the other side of that mountain now.  That's a whole 'nother post though. 

We call them chicken legs!

Dumplin' wasn't exactly feeling the love today taking pics... but this is as good as it got. 

Her incision at 1 month.  That would be her liver you see bulging... it is mostly flat when she's resting.... but... 

When she starts screaming it REALLY bulges out.  Surgeon said IF it was herniated after surgery he would not fix it anytime soon though.  We can live with this :)

I am constantly reminding myself to be thankful for where we are.  And in everything give praise to God! It can always be worse, and she is still a miracle!!!  I have to accept that she probably won't ever be considered "normal" and she never has been.