I can't believe Isabella is already 3 weeks old. Time sure does fly by. Isabella keeps me so occupied that it is hard to find time to update the blog. Below is a summary of the past three weeks.
Many people probably don't know that Isabella had jaundice and spent the first week of her life on a bilibed (i.e. phototherapy). Jaundice occurs because the liver and the other organs are not yet fully mature. One function of the liver is to rid the blood of a yellowish substance called bilirubin. Until a baby's liver begins to fully function, bilirubin can build up in the bloodstream, causing the skin and whites of the eyes to become yellow. Not all babies with jaundice require treatment. However, those that do, a technique called phototherapy is usually used. Phototherapy is a treatment using light. The artifical light speeds up the removal of bilirubin from the blood by the liver. Phototherapy continues until the amount of bilirubin in the blood reaches and remains at a safe level. The bilirubin level is checked daily by testing a small smaple of blood, taken from the baby's heel. We were lucky and got to have the bilibed at our house. Isabella had to remain on the bed at all times except for feedings and changing of diapers. Daily a nurse would stop by to test Isabella's levels. Below is a picture of Isabella in her bilibed.
Week two, Isabella no longer had to be on the bilibed. We could now hold and cuddle her as much as we wanted, and we were finally able to put her in outfits. Other events that occurred during this week were Isabella's first visit to the pediatrician. The checkup went well. The pediatrician did refer us to a ear, throat, and nose specialist to check out Isabella's tongue. We made an appointment to see the specialist the next day. Isabella was what they call "tongue tied." Her lingual frenulum extended to the tip of her tongue, which can result in speech problems later in life. The specialist suggested having her lingual frenulum clipped which would release her tongue. So we had this procedure done. Here are some photos from the week.
Week 3, Isabella and I enjoyed the weather. We took multiple walks around the neighborhood. It was also Easter. The only photo we took of Isabella in her Easter outfit was on Garrett's cell phone in her bouncy chair. It isn't the best, but is all we have. I wish I would have remembered to take one with a camera.
