Surgery Day

Today ended up very differently from how it began. . .
We had to be at the hospital at 6:00 am. After registration, testing her vitals, putting her in her hospital pajamas, and lots of waiting, it was time for surgery. We met the anesthesiologist, and he gave us a run-down of how the day would go. He told us that the surgeon would come out and talk to us, then it would be time to say goodbye to Adeline. That was the part I was really dreading. When the surgeon came out, he commented that the hernia was really big. I mentioned that it had actually gotten quite a bit smaller, but he didn't really seem to believe me. Nevertheless, he poked around in her hernia, and then turned to me and said, "Do you want to wait?" I think I said something like, "Are you serious?" He said that the gap in her abdominal muscles, which causes the hernia, is noticeably smaller, and that means that it could continue to close up and the hernia could go away on its own. This would result in a more normal looking belly button as well. He recommended that we bring Adeline back in for another consultation in four months. So Adeline did not have surgery today! It was a very unexpected surprise. We were very happy to be able to leave the hospital. It is definitely a miracle because at her consultation, the surgeon immediately said that based on its size, the hernia would not close on its own.
The slightly frustrating part is that I called the hospital last week to tell them that the hernia was noticeably smaller. The nurse listened to me but then said that Adeline would still need to come in for surgery. I was hoping she would at least tell me to bring her back in for another consultation, but she didn't. I hung up the phone in tears because I knew the hernia looked better and I had really gotten my hopes up that maybe surgery wouldn't be necessary. So I am very glad that in the end she didn't need surgery, but a lot of worry could have been prevented, as well as making her go over six hours without eating, etc., if the nurse had responded differently last week.
Anyway, we feel very blessed that surgery wasn't necessary. It ended up being a great day with cause for celebration, when it started out as something I was really dreading. Thank you all for your thoughts, support, and prayers!

Blessing Day

As promised, I have taken over the blogging duties (this is Erin). The entries will likely be considerably less funny and considerably longer now! We had a great Halloween, and Adeline made a cute cow (thanks to the Gryglas for loaning us the costume!). Unfortunately the head hole was too small so we took it off right after our party and forgot to take many pictures. During the week, the crib bedding I had bought on eBay arrived. I had spent a long time looking in stores and on-line, so I am really happy to finally have what I was looking for. She is actually sleeping in her crib now- I figured since we bought the bedding, we might as well use it! The sleeping through the night mentioned in the last post was apparently some sort of phase which lasted about a week. Yesterday, the piano we bought arrived. Devan had given me a coupon for a piano for my birthday back in May, but we were anticipating a move so we couldn't get one until now. We got this one for a great price, and since we both play, we are very excited to have one.

Today was Adeline's baby blessing at church. She was really not happy but it went well nevertheless. We had a brunch with all our family afterwards, and it was really fun. Meanwhile, I am nervously anticipating the surgery on Tuesday. I really think the worst part will be that she can't eat for six hours before, and it will torture me to not be able to feed her when she screams. I am just anxious to get it over with. Apparently umbilical hernias are quite common, but 90% go away by the age of 2 or 3. However, due to the size of Adeline's hernia, surgery is necessary. The hernia does not bother her, and it just looks like a really big outie belly button. It is an outpatient procedure, but I'm not looking forward to her being sedated or having an IV. She is just so small. I have realized that until you are a parent, you can't understand how sad it makes you to see your child sad or in pain.

As for us, Devan is really liking his new job. He misses his old co-workers, but he definitely does not miss being an insurance agent! He is working on starting up a new company. I love that his hours are more flexible. He is a great dad and changes lots of poopy diapers!
I am adjusting to being a stay-home mom. The days can get long and it seems like I never get anything productive done, besides being a mom, which I suppose is the most important task for me right now. I love being a mom more than I ever thought possible. I love being back home, and now I can't imagine having a baby away from my family! We both miss our ward in Texas and are glad we got to live there for a year, but we are glad to be back home.

Adeline in her cute bonnet on a walk.

Going trick-or-treating at Grandpa and Grandma Porter's.

Blessing day! We did finally get some smiles out of her after everyone left!