December 23, 2008

Well, I can't believe that weeks have passed since I last posted--time passes much faster now that I am back home. December has been a slow month of doctor appointments for Laurie. However, we will make up for it in January with six appointments already scheduled and three of those being in Birmingham!

On December 5, 2008, Todd and I took Laurie back to Dr. Feist, the ophthalmologist. We got a good report that Laurie's vessels are continuing to grow and no further treatment was needed at the time. We will see him again on January 7, 2009 to see how her eye development is progressing. I also met with the ladies from Early Intervention this month to write Laurie's family plan. We established several goals for Laurie, such as focusing on and tracking objects, grasping and holding objects, etc... They will be coming once a month to work with Laurie. Today Laurie and I went to Dothan to the pediatrician's office for a weigh in. This was a another "first" for the two of us as we made the trip by ourselves! It was an uneventful trip--the kind we like! In the past, someone has always gone with us to "watch" the monitor, but Laurie has been having so few de-sat spells that I decided we could make the trip on our own! Laurie usually does well riding and has only had one "bad spell" in car since bringing her home from the hospital and over the last few months I have become much more comfortable getting her in and out with all her wires! Laurie weighed 8 lbs. 12 oz. today! We were hoping that she would have gained more, but every ounce helps!

Laurie's unique personality has really been "coming out" over the last month. She is smiling, cooing, and loves "looking" at the Christmas tree lights--I believe that she can SEE them! Although Laurie has made lots of progress, we will still be keeping her home for Christmas. Like at Thanksgiving, Todd and I will take Cole to grandparents' houses and the other will stay home with Laurie. This small sacrifice for Laurie's health is worth making because we finally have TWO stockings hanging on the mantel this year! We are truly blessed! Thanks for your continued prayers and for continuing to check-in on Laurie!

Merry Christmas!

Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie