Progress

Hey everyone. Thanks for all the well-wishes. I am really touched by all the concern. Also, thanks for the prayers too. I have definitely felt them!!

A quick update on me. I did make it back to Billings a week ago - last Saturday. Fortunately, Jan Hansen and my mom had already planned a trip up to Billings so I was able to hitch a ride with Jan in the back of her van. My mom and Ava followed us up to Billings in my car. I was able to lay down the entire trip and it went smoothly. My mother in law, Patti, has been here since last Sunday. What a help! For those of you who know her, it won't surprise you that Ava took to her right away and my apartment is cleaner than it's ever been. :) We've had such a great visit and her presence has been so comforting as well as helpful. Chris has been working all week but he is home at night.

I've slowly been getting better. I'm walking pretty normally. I can sit for very short periods of time. I can even hold Ava a little bit. I saw an orthopedic doctor on Thursday and was reassured that I will get better and that I'm past the worst of it. I have an MRI on Monday and then we'll decide a course of action from there. Physical therapy is part of it as well as the litany of drugs that I'm currently taking. On that note, because of the drugs, I will am not nursing and my milk supply is barely more than a tablespoon each time I pump. The lactation consultants have assured me that it will come back so I'm trying to be optimistic. Patti goes home tomorrow but my dad is taking over until Wednesday and then hands me off to my sister, January. Hopefully by next weekend I won't need any help.

I do have to mention that Ava has thoroughly enjoyed all the attention she's been getting. As a result, she's lost some of her stranger anxiety and has just blossomed. She spent a whole afternoon saying "dadadada" much to my dismay...well, not really. I have a video where I tried to capture it. Overall, she's been very happy. Man, do I have a good baby. Here are some pictures you might enjoy. (I've been trying to load some videos but I'm having some technical issues. Once I get them worked out, I'll put them up.)

My back is starting to ache so I need to sign off and get back in bed. I'll try to update the blog later this week. Thanks again for all the prayers, phone calls and emails!!