47 weeks—7 weeks corrected

It’s weird having a five month old (8/5/23)  but when someone asks, we answer that she is 7 weeks old. The whole “corrected” age gets confusing, but I’m starting to get used to it. I’ve downloaded an app to help me assess her milestones based on corrected age, just to help me understand it a little bit more. Basically, the amount of weeks past her due date (40 weeks) is her “corrected or adjusted” age. 

Having Mila home has been the greatest blessing and we are truly living the “best case” scenario. She is on a very small amount of oxygen and we will always hope that as she gets older, her chronic lung disease only amounts to a mild case of asthma. We had her 2 week follow up appointments with pulmonology and ophthalmology last Monday (8/7/23) and received good news. During her eye exam, the doctor stated she is at Stage 1, Zone 3 which shows very mild abnormal blood vessel growth and that the blood vessels are almost done growing. Her eyes have gotten better and the doctor says she will not need any sort of treatment! This provider had also seen Mila in the hospital numerous times so he knows her quite well. Since the blood vessels aren’t done growing, he wants to see her in another 2 weeks and the hopefully that’ll be her last eye exam!!! We met with the pulmonologist as well and she wants Mila to continue on the same amount of oxygen until she can see a good trend in her weight gain. Weight gain= lung growth. So we’ll follow up with her again in 6 weeks and hopefully be able to wean down Mila’s oxygen at that time. 

Life at home has been really wonderful. I was able to go on a “real” maternity leave for 2 months and Eric took 2 weeks of PTO to spend time at home with us. It has actually been quite busy due to Mila’s appointments, me seeing a chiropractor, nurse visits, grocery shopping, and still taking care of the two older girls (Elsie 22mo, Eric’s daughter, Cameran 7yo) at night. Elsie still goes to daycare since we’re already paying for it and don’t want to lose her spot. Also really want to have that bonding time with Mila that we missed out on. 

We signed up for two different local programs so they can continue to follow us and provide support. One program is through our county which is a public health nurse who is able to come to the house for weekly visits to check Mila’s weight and to just be a support to us if any questions arise. The other program is called “Help Me Grow” which is through the school system so they can follow her as long as she needs it. The team consists of an occupational and physical therapist that will assess developmental milestones and determine her needs. As Mila will be behind in her development, this will be a big support for her and us as she grows into a toddler, but even as she goes to school, if she needs it. 

Cameran and Elsie are adjusting well, but Elsie definitely wants to be held more, especially when the other parent is holding Mila. But they are both GREAT big sisters and love holding her and helping with her bottle. 

Thank you for those who continue to reach out and thoughts and prayers that Mila continues to grow well. She has certainly surprised all of us and are SO grateful for her strength and everything she has accomplished!!! 💕