Today, little Flara had her 6 month checkup. Of course, this means that the poor girl had shots... three to be exact (because she's still getting her RSV shots) ... but, she received some really, really good news!
Even adjusting for her prematurity, Flara has not been making it onto the growth charts. But, this time, she did! Not only did she make it, but she bounced onto the chart with flying colors. Her pediatrician was just tickled with it, and kept commenting on how happy and impressed and amazed he was at her growth. Yay! Thank you, Lord!
So, what are Flara's amazing numbers? Well, if you know our family, you know we have big heads! Flara had lots of NICU days of concern over her not-growing-fast-enough head, but today she hit the 80th percentile! WOW! She was above the 50th for her length, so now measures 22.5 inches. She was just below the 50th for her weight, so the big girl weighs 11 pounds 1 ounce. I knew she was getting heavy!
Also, her pediatrician was very well-pleased with her developmental progress. With the exception of two things... passing a toy from hand-to-hand and 'planing,' which is when babes push up onto their forearms and tippy toes, she is doing things that 4 month old babies do. Thus, she is ahead of the game!
Her heart murmur also appeared softer, so there is hope that the problems are improving on their own. =) The pediatrician felt it sounded more like the extra in-utero blood vessel and less like the hole between her atria. That is GREAT news! If the hole would continue to heal, that would save her a trip to the heart cath lab. The PDA (that little extra vessel) only requires a tiny incision between the baby's ribs, so it would be a much easier procedure (plus would not require entering into the heart). We will keep praying these things resolve!
Flara did have a couple of areas for improvement and concern. One, the palate in her mouth (the roof of your mouth) is very high and arched. This we knew, but hers is so high he feels it might cause her some troubles, so he has suggested we do get involved with Tennessee Early Intervention. How much trouble it could cause, I don't quite know, but I have the same palate, and Noël has a very high palate, too, and we seem okay. =) Her other area to improve on is in her upper arm strength. Her leg strength was adequate, but she could do better, so this is also an area with TN Early Intervention will help. Nothing we can't handle!
So, we are thankful for all that God is continuing to do in our sweet girl's life.
I do have a special prayer request... as I type, a couple at my church are heading into surgery to deliver their 30 1/2 week baby boy. I am extremely thankful that she is beyond 30 weeks and she has had her steroids (helps with lung development). But, no matter the gestational age, having a baby early is risky and an extremely scary thing for the parents. So, please be lifting this family up in prayer.
God's blessings. =)
No comments:
Post a Comment