Chuplicates: 04-01 (a real update..not an april fools)

Penny - 2130 g (4 lbs 11 oz) Lydia - chubs

I would like to inform you that I am the proud parent of a child who has radioactive poo! No, it's not genetic (from her father's side of course), it's because of a special scan Penelope had involving radioactive dye. More on that later, but I just had to take a minute to marvel at the humor of my nuclearly talented child. This probably didn't feel so good on her diaper rash, but she took it like a champ. I mean really...who can claim radioactive poop?! Ok, moving on.

The scan is called a HIDA scan and it checks the liver, gall bladder, and bile ducts for a blockage. Her stool (prior to radioactivity) has been a bit too pale for the doctor's preferences and they said that it could be a sign that her body isn't releasing her bile correctly. So, since there was a slight increase in her last bilirubin check, they decided to do this scan to rule out a blockage. Well, the radiologist who read the scan said that it was compatible with "biliary atresia" which is a blockage of the bile ducts but the neonatalogist doesn't agree with the diagnosis. He has called in the gastroenterologist for a second opinion and he should be coming this weekend or Monday. I'm really praying that he finds that it's not atresia because that can be a scary road to go down. It's basically and underdevelopment of the bile duct system that leads to liver failure, surgery for a temporary repair, and ultimately a liver transplant. Although I know that the Lord would continue to provide even down another scary road, honestly, I just don't want to go there.

On a less scary note, Penny's breathing has been good, she's taking almost all of the bottles she's offered (now to every other feed to keep her from burning too many calories), and she's just as adorable as ever! I'm getting to go see her everyday and that is a blessing. Just holding my sweet little girl makes the world seem better. It also has made a difference in my outlook that our sweet neighbor (at the hospital) was born with a much more serious condition and her mommy had to deal with the choice of medically sustaining her or letting her go ahead to heaven this week. It was so hard to watch, knowing a fraction of what that mom must have been feeling. It sure made me grateful for every cry Penny made, and the fact that she is alive to cry.

Something else I'm very grateful for is a sweet little visiting time we had last week with both girls. We got special permission again (the last time until RSV season is over) and brought the computer so that we could skype with their daddy and he could see them playing. It just does my heart so much good to hold them together. This time Penny was much more aware of what was going on because of her eyes. She was actually looking at Lydia (who took her turn sleeping through the visit) and it was just precious.

Lydia has been continuing to grow and thrive. She and I have been having a battle over swaddling. I tell her that it's important for a young lady to get her beauty rest and that this is the best way to do it. She swears it's torture and threatens to call DCS, but once she gets over it she sleeps for hours! And she wakes up just as happy as can be! I think this is just the beginning of my "mama knows best" moments with her. What mama knows right now is that 4 hours of sleep is much better than 3 (really 2 if you subtract all the feeding, burping, putting back to sleep time).

Jonathan has managed to avoid getting sick so far, and we both survived the days of his being in Nashville and still not able to get home (albeit begrudgingly). I'm feeling pretty good considering the circumstances and learning to balance this new normal we have. Thanks to the crazy amounts of support we have, and a very generous God, it's pretty survivable.