Tuesday, May 20, 2008

8 Months Old!

Ahhhhhh! It's the attack of the killer baby! (I couldn't resist posting this pic)

8 Months old

Yesterday, Julianne turned 8 months old! She celebrated the occasion with coming closer than ever to finally rolling over! She was so close. I was cheering like a cheerleader...but she couldn't get that big baby bottom over (please ignore the aftermath of the "baby toy bomb" that went off in our living room and also, the toy that you see me toss DID NOT hit Julianne in the head even though it looks like it did...ok, disclaimer complete).


She has one tooth and another one on its way through the gums.

She's been eating sweet potatoes and LOVING them.

Tonight she ate prunes and didn't love them nearly as much.

Julianne currently enjoys jumping and playing in her Jumparoo...


...grabbing her daddy's and mommy's faces, scratching and slapping things...arms, tables, toys, heads...and playing with her toys.

She goes to bed around 8 or 9 PM...

...and has been waking up around 8 AM...

... and takes a short nap in the morning and about a 1 hour nap in the afternoon. The gagging isn't any better, but it isn't any worse either.

The Early Steps Therapists should start next week. She'll have a Physical Therapist, and Occupational Therapist and a Special Instructor. From what I understand, they will each come to our house once a week. Julianne will also be seen by Vision Services. They will come to us once a month.

Today Julianne had a Neurologist appointment. The doctor was very happy with what she saw. She said everything she checked was normal except for the weakness in Julianne's shoulders and upper body. She said that she doesn't feel that is due to a neurological problem because she has EXCELLENT head control. If she didn't have that head control then the doctor would be concerned. The weakness is more likely due to having spent 3 of the last 8 months lying in a hospital bed and then having a Nissen Surgery and not being able to be pulled up comfortably. The doctor did say that she'd like Julianne to see an Ophthalmologist just to make sure that everything is ok with her vision since the stroke.

Julianne does have a suture abscess on her chest incision line, which we noticed on Saturday. Her doctor prescribed some anti-biotic cream and it seems to be going away. This morning I undressed her for her bath and noticed her chest was all red and splotchy around the incision line. The doctor checked it out and said it was a contact dermatitis and prescribed another cream. Its great that Julianne's doctors are all in one building. We were able to stop by the Pediatrician's office on the way up to the Neurologist's office.

Phew, that was a long update. :) Thank you, as always, for all of your prayers and encouragement. They get us through the difficult days and make the wonderful days that much more wonderful. We are so thankful.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a perfect picture....food all over the face.......who really likes prunes anyway?? : )

We are glad to hear that she's getting stronger and stronger every day!! Soon she'll be crawling all over and making her own toy bombs!!

Keep the pictures coming, and we'll see ya soon!!

Luv

A. Stac

Anonymous said...

HAPPY EIGHTH MONTH BIRTHDAY JULIANNE!!!!! She is doing so well; thank you for the updates. The pictures and videos are always a joy.

Love Aunt Sarah

Drew Caperton said...

You take great pictures of Julianne! The videos are also really great to watch. It's great to be able to watch her progress. Thanks, Aunt Jessica.

Anonymous said...

She's getting to be such a big girl. She'll get that rolling over thing down in no time...she's already so close! All of the new pictures are so cute, and I love that chair (?) that the first few pictures are taken on...that fabric is way cool! I want it!

I'm so glad to hear that Julianne is doing so well!!

Rachel U.

Anonymous said...

Wow 8 months! She looks great. Sweet potatoes are Kaden's favorite too. And I see you have the rainforest jumperoo, isn't it the best! She will be mobile before you know it and then life will get very busy for mom and dad. Go Julianne.
With love,
Leslie, William and Kaden

Anonymous said...

That baby girl looks sooo cute and healthy!!! she seems to be such a happy girl!!! i know you guys are sooo proud of her!!
All the pics and videos are soo great to see!!! thanks for keep'n us up to date!!
hope to see you guys soon!!
i'll let you know when i come back in town!!
love and miss ya'll bunches!!
Kirstin

DESIWELCH said...

Jessica! I love all of the pictures! She's a beautiful little girl!!

Anonymous said...

Go, Julianne! Closing in on one year!!! Love, Paul and Sherry Z.

Anonymous said...

What great pictures! So glad to read about all the progress she's made!! We'll keep praying and praising God for the great things he has done! Our family was sooo excited to see y'all on Mother's Day! To see our real live miracle was just so awesome! What an encouragement your family is!! (not to mention a great testimony!)
I can't believe Julianne is already 8 months old! And getting teeth! And getting ready to roll over! Thanks as always for the sweet pictures, videos, & updates.
love,
Erin C. & family