Subject: Natalia is doing well this week

Hello,

Natalia has been home a week now and is doing well.  She seems to be quite thirsty and is drinking twice as much as before. This brings her up to the normal liquid intake for a child her size. She did loose a bit of weight while sick but now is probably back up to 11lbs. and I am sure she is gaining weight.

Natalia had an intestinal virus called the Roto virus which lasted around 10 days.  I will pray none of you get it.  Natalia is quite the fighter.  I know your prayers helped her and gave her strength.

Today she began giggling with me as I was talking on the phone.  I must have been jiggling and bouncing her around and it must have tickled her.  She is delightful when she is happy.  Her feedings are becoming more manageable this week too.  Of course, she keeps us on some sort of a roller coaster ride and we are just at the fun part
now.  This has been a good week!  I haven't had any night time help,
so I am a bit exhausted.  She is a rascal at night, getting me up between 4 to 6 times between 12 midnight and 6 AM.  Some are short, 15 minutes or so, but 3 are at least an hour for the feedings.  I am hoping with her volume increasing, that I can get her off this all
night schedule.  Wish me luck, or a good prayer might help.

I am very pleased with Natalia's growth.   For now I would love to see her lift her head more on her own.  We have a physical Therapist coming weekly.  Please pray that she will get more strength in her
neck and shoulders, and...,  well..., lets  pray for the  whole body. Ha!!!

Oh! great news.  We have a scheduled date for her cleft palate surgery.  March 7th, Stephen's Birthday!  We will go to LA Children's Hospital and they will fix her cleft lip, take her extradigits off (I think their cute, but I guess they need to go) and she'll have tubes put in her ears to help with hearing and possible future infections.

When Natalia was born, Dr. Goodman came in and told me that there are two ways to go with these Trisomy 13 babies.  One is to hospice care them, or to aggressively treat them.  We are aggressively treating her and with your continued prayers, she will tackle each medical problem we encounter.

I was able to get away with Jacqueline to celebrate her 11th Birthday at a friends house on Friday night.  I was so excited, just to get away and sleep. :)  I had a LVN nurse stay with Natalia so I felt good about going away. A long time friend offered her house knowing how crazy our nights are here with Natalia.  I am amazed at how many friends have reached out and are giving of themselves to help us with this new change in our lives.

Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you.  I know God is answering our prayers.

She has had one of her best weeks.  I am so happy!!

May God Bless you all and keep you healthy, Love,
ThereseAnn