3/31 Spring has arrived!

Warmer weather is finally here!

                      

It's been an exciting start to the season. In the course of a month we have been able to wean Olivia from constantly using oxygen to only using it when she is eating or sleeping at night. A huge step for her! The doctors are continuing to be cautious with decreasing the oxygen. They still believe she may be working too hard (and burning calories) with eating which is why she still uses oxygen with meals. 

Speaking of meals, she has been battling terrible acid reflux recently-which has been rough on all of us. It's resulted in a hungry, but pitifully irritable baby and TONS of laundry for Kevin (due to the copious amount of spit up). We see the doctor again next week and of course my anxiety about her weight gain has been exponential. She is right under 13lbs now. As long as she’s gaining weight I believe the doctors will continue to decrease the use of oxygen. We are also hoping we can figure out a way to combat the acid reflux (and hoping she quickly grows out of it). 

But on to fun updates!

Olivia and TJ continue to keep a watchful eye over the neighborhood. We spend most mornings playing by the door, watching the squirrels and birds, and waiting to wave to the mail woman. 

My sweet friend brought by her even sweeter pup and Olivia and Denali became fast friends. Olivia squeaked and cooed the whole time. I think poor TJ may be getting a new dog friend soon. 

Auntie Heather has been coming by more frequently during this last month, and baby Olivia couldn’t be happier! 

She thinks Heather is a hilarious and enjoys giggling at her funny voices. Olivia has also shown a special interest in all things noisy and loud that Aunt Heather brings with her..

....including her cousin (pictured is the rare time he is actually quietly napping while visiting). 

Olivia has also had visits with her other aunt and two of her other cousins from Rocky Mount. When she’s able to be off oxygen for the majority of the day, we are looking forward to her meeting the rest of her Rocky Mount cousins. We also found out she has a new Charlotte cousin coming in August! Lots of traveling coming up soon :) 

Looking forward to seeing more of this sweet face without stickers, tape, and tubes! We will also be potentially starting physical therapy next month. It’s been so fun watching her little personality come to life and I can’t wait to watch her continue to grow! 

Now that I have had the ability to get out a little bit more freely, I've been listening to the radio quite a bit more. Music resonates with me and I’ve always felt closer to God when worshiping through song. A song I hadn't heard came on the radio by Amy Grant, "More than anything" and the lyrics to the chorus hit me like a ton of bricks; "Help me want the Healer, more than the healing, Help me want the Savior, more than the saving, Help me want the Giver, more than the giving...". Ooof. I have been so badly praying and looking forward to the later, rather than being overwhelmed by the One who has already given so much. I hope to instill this thinking in my daughter, teaching her to continually praise God and give Him thanks for all He has done (and maybe she will also have my love of music!)

Psalm 95:1-3

Come let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great king above all gods.