Good News!

Annika had her post-op appointment with Dr. Mann yesterday, and he seems really pleased with how things are looking! All of Annika's skin glue fell off Sunday night in the bathtub, so Ross and I were really able to get a first look at what the surgery did, and we think she looks great. Everything seems to be healing well! He also said we could get rid of the arm bands! This is good, because Ross and I made a parental decision to stop using them Friday already :). Dr. Mann also said he's going to go ahead and schedule her next surgery, and I can expect a letter in the mail giving me the dates. He said it will be between 4-6 months from now. I'll let everyone know once I get that date, but I don't anticipate hearing anything for about a month.

Also, After a week's worth of seemingly sleepless nights, Annika slept 11 hours Sunday night and took a few big naps yesterday....I think she's back to her normal self!!! I can't describe to you how much this excites me. I also notice a huge change in her mood too...still spoiled, but less crabby!

Finally, at Annika's 4 month appt. with the pediatrician, her Dr. said we could gradually introduce her to solids whenever we're ready. I was going to wait until July, but I picked up some rice cereal at the grocery store yesterday and then couldn't resist trying last night already. She looked confused the whole 10 bites she took, but she didn't scream, so I am taking it as a good sign. It's difficult to fit a small spoon in her mouth with her gum area still sticking out of her mouth (there's not much of an opening), and since she can't close her mouth all the way, I anticipate solids being a bit more messy than normal, but we'll see once! If anyone has any suggestions on how to keep it from drooling out of her mouth, please let me know!

Is this what most babies are like???

Ross and I have always known we were very lucky to have a good sleeper. Annika has been sleeping 10-12 hours through the night since she was a little more than 2 months old. On top of that, she's generally been a good napper too....it only takes her 3-5 minutes to fall asleep.

Since surgery and these awful "no-no bands" (as they are called at the hospital) on her arms, Annika has not been such a good sleeper. She wakes up at least once in the middle of the night and it takes her at least 10 minutes to cry herself to sleep. Naps have also become almost non-existent, causing Annika to be less than her happy self. To many parents, this might seem like a normal baby, but to us it is a whole new world. We know now more than ever how very spoiled e have been. We can't wait to be able to get rid of these no-no's!

Enough complaining though. Annika still has her squealing, happy personality for the most part. She's still eating normally, and her mouth doesn't seem to cause her any pain at all. We'll just have to wait out the next week before we can go to her post-op appointment and (hopefully) trash the no-no's!!!

Photos

Still pretty out of it here.

Daddy helping Annika fall asleep Thursday morning

Annika and her sweet set up in her crib!

Not too grumpy for a girl who just had surgery 12 hours prior.

Wednesday afternoon as Annika started to be a little more alert and ready to eat!

HOME!

Just wanted to let you all know that we are home! The Dr. gave us the OK to go home already at 7:00 this morning, so we were more than excited. However, Annnika had just fallen asleep, so we decided to leave her alone until she woke up. After a few errands, we got home at about 11:00 this morning. All of us were able to take a little nap (which was MUCH needed) and now we're ready to just relax being home.

As far as our night last night, Annika started being more alert and ready to eat around 4:00. She's only really been fussy when pain meds are wearing off or when she remembers she had arm bands on (these are too keep her from touching her face). Annika normally soothes herself and puts herself to sleep by chewing on her fingers, so these restraints will probably be the hardest adjustment. And since she can't suck on anything, a pacifier is only do-able if someone is holding it in her mouth! This is really the only set back from surgery we have noticed. We got a few smiles and squeaks already last night, and today she is much more herself.

I'll post a few more pictures at some point, but for now, it is time to enjoy the beautiful day!

Under our Belt

Annika's first surgery is complete, and everything went well. She went into surgery at 8:30 this morning. We were told to expect about 2 hours for the surgery. Those 2 hours turned into 3, but in the end, everything went as Dr. Mann had planned. We hung out with her in the recovery room for about a half hour and by 12:30 we were settled into her room.

Below, you will see a few pictures of her. The first is pre-suregry, and the second is post surgery. Dr. Mann took out her tooth that was on her right side. He then used that area to connect her center gum to her right side gums inside her mouth. This is the part of surgery I didn't know would happen. He also stitched right lip into place. As far as pain goes, he compares it to getting braces tightened. Since she's been out of surgery, she has been sleeping the whole time with some raspy groans and a few rare actual cries.

Annika just hanging out shortly before surgery.


Sleeping after surgery.

Thank you for all your thoughts, prayers, and messages! Ross and I both said we felt more calm this morning than we expected. Pray that Annika has a smooth night tonight and that she won't feel pain.