Gracie's First Doctor's Appointment

This morning Gracie and I were out and about by 8AM for her first doctor's appointment. I am so mad at myself for not making that appointment BEFORE we left for Ethiopia because once we got home, we had to wait a whole 10 days before we could get her in. And today we found out she has raging ear infections in both ears that I did not realize she had. Poor thing has been so laid back and tough, but has had to be in so much pain. I can't imagine how she has been so pleasant and smiling so I'm really excited to get her fully well so we can see just how happy and wonderful she can fully be!

The doctor really took time to talk through everything. It was a long appointment as we discussed her medical history - the little we know - and her previous malnutrition. By the end of the appointment the doctor had given her 4 vaccination shots - 2 in each leg, 1 tb test in her left arm, and a heel prick to take blood for some basic lab work. She was not too happy about all that, but did well considering the trauma along with already inflamed, painful ears. Poor thing! The doc also wants us to go to Methodist Children's Hospital soon so we can have some more intense lab work done to rule out any parasites and other infections. We want to make sure we've checked everything so we can get this sweet baby well!

But my, my how this girl is growing... she weighed in today just under 12 pounds! WOO HOO! She was 11 pounds and 14 3/4 ounces. Awesome! And she is also 24 inches long. 

She is getting stronger and stronger everyday. But the doc did suggest we get her some physical therapy just to give her a head start on catching up. He said to call Easter Seals because they will come into our home for free to help her. I'm calling tomorrow to see how that works.

We will go back to the doctor on Thursday for the doc to see her TB test area. Then in 3 weeks he wants to measure her weight again and in 6 weeks we'll have another check up with more vaccinations. 

We started Gracie Lu on antibiotics today and also some other medicine for her "thrush" and he also gave me a plan for her diaper rash that could also be a yeast infection. The girl is so happy that you would never know she is in that much pain.

I think I am getting well - at least I have felt much better today. I had mild diarrhea (I know - tmi!) from the moment we landed in Houston. Then on Friday I threw up and the diarrhea took a turn for the worse for 24 hours straight. Throwing up ended, but diarrhea did not - so now that's being tested to make sure I didn't get some parasite or something from Ethiopia. We'll see....

We're all doing well despite the illnesses (and the dirty house!). God has been so good to us!