On January 5th I went back to work. This was a hard day (or month) for me but we did make it through. Alexa goes to Kelly's Kids daycare which is a center-based daycare only 2 blocks from our home. It's a brand new facility and we've been happy with them but wish we didn't have to spend so much time away from her. I do like my job very much and the transition back has gone well. It's been easier because several of my co-workers have just had babies as well so we're able to share stories and support each other.
The last several weeks have been quite a whirlwind and difficult as well which is why there has not been any recent updates. After 2 months of knowing something was wrong but not really figuring out what...the Dr ordered a barium swallow test (after she found out it was taking 1-1 1/2 hours to feed Alexa when it should take no more than 20 minutes). We learned that Alexa has significant reflux so we started her on Prevacid, changed her feeding positions, and keep her upright as much as possible and it has helped a lot! I'm also still on the no dairy, no soy diet since the Dr thinks Alexa has MSPI. We're now down to about 30 mins for feeding which is sooo much better but we've still got a ways to go. We've also started speech and occupational therapy to try and help Alexa develop a stronger suck reflex and learn the suck-swallow-breath rhythym a little bit better. Alexa is still gaining weight but not as quickly as she should (last week she weighed in at 10.5 pounds). I think we just need to be patient as these are issues Alexa should grow out of and I'm so grateful we're not dealing with anything more serious.
It was tough for me to go back to work too. I usually cried on the way to work... But as time went on, I settled into the routine and it's worked out okay. My mom encouraged me with this advice: "Being away from Isaac will only make the time you have with him even more special. If you stayed home with him every day, you might start to take it for granted. Quantity of time doesn't always mean quality." I have found this to be so true! The time I do have with Isaac is very special, and I don't take one second for granted because I'm always soaking him in! I hope it's the same for you with Alexa. :)
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