Emma Victoria: 7 Months

At Emma's pediatrician visit last week, she was 13 lbs, 8 oz (3rd percentile) and 25 1/4 inches (8th percentile).  Emma may be tiny, but this month we are especially thankful for two great health reports! 

Since May, we have been thickening Emma's milk because she was aspirating small amounts of milk into her lungs each time she drank her bottle.  Two weeks ago, Emma had a second swallow study with a speech pathologist to see if her swallow function has improved.   I didn't know anything about swallow studies before Emma had her first one in May.  During a swallow study, I feed Emma a bottle of barium (poor baby!) while a radiologist films Emma's swallowing on x-ray video.  A speech pathologist then analyzes the video to see how well Emma is swallowing.  The great news is that Emma was able to drink unthickened liquids without any aspiration this time!  So, we are slowly weaning her to unthickened milk over the next few weeks--woohoo! 

Emma also had a follow-up appointment at the pulmonologist, and he gave her a great report, too--her lungs sounded perfect!  No more visits to the speech pathologist for swallow studies or to the pulmonologist!  Thank You, Jesus, for this healthy baby girl!

Here are a few favorite pictures from this past month: 

While we were in Minnesota for a week before my sister's wedding, we stayed with my Grandma Dolores for 4 days.  I am so thankful that my grandma has been able to spend so much time with both Isaac & Emma!

   

Four Generations at my sister's wedding

On our way home from Minnesota after my sister's wedding, we stopped in Iowa for a night to visit Dave's grandparents.   This was Great-Grandpa & Great-Grandma Bailey's first time to meet Emma!

Hanging out with Isaac and cousin Amanda! 

New boots for fall! 
(I might have been just a little excited about buying these boots for Emma!)



And...Emma's adoption was finalized on September 4. 
We had a great time celebrating her Gotcha Day!  We love you, Emma!