Update on Choodle and Charlotte

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Hey friends!  I have continued to be so busy and barely have time to come online anymore.  I don't know how moms stay at home...it's the hardest job on earth!  I respect my own mother so much more now that I have a human child.

Last Monday we had our meeting with the pediatric orthopedic surgeon regarding Charlotte's hip (Charlotte is my 10 week daughter..human that is...).  Turns out, she does not have true hip dysplasia.  Her balls are in the sockets, so to speak!  What is not 100% formed correctly is the cartilage surrounding it.  I am not going to get into tons of details, but bottom line is that doctor feels it will correct itself and doesn't recommend we do a harness (wouldn't really correct it anyway).  We go back in 6 weeks on December 31st for a repeat ultrasound. Fingers crossed on that!!  I don't think the surgeon was very worried though, so I am not going to.

I go back to work January 2nd so am enjoying my last third of maternity leave as much as I can.  We had company last week for the holiday and they brought strep throat.  DH is sick and talked the doc into calling in a zpack for me today just to be proactive.  Moms can't get sick...you know how that goes!!!  Charlotte, meanwhile, has a nasty cold from the kids, so I have been doing the saline solution with followup suctioning, humidifier in the room, blanket to elevate one side of crib mattress, etc....  So Sunday night she slept through the night.  Then she got the cold and I feel like I am back to where we were a month ago!  Anyway, we are getting through it!  Normal stuff, right???

Dogs are GREAT.  They are so wonderful with sweet Charlotte.  Taquito likes to try to sit on my lap while I nurse.  When we are back in her room, they like to both lay on the rug while I rock her or when we are playing or having tummy time on the floor.  When she is napping, I generally close the door to her room, because if I don't, Peri pushes the door open and goes to check on her every few minutes and ends up waking her!  So instead I find Peri sleeping outside of Charlotte's nursery on the hallway rug runner a lot :)  Peri likes to kiss Charlotte whenever possible and I let her do it...until C gets too sick of it and I tell Peri to "leave it" gently and she does :)

I try to walk Charlotte most days.  And YES, I NEVER LEAVE THE DOGS AT HOME.  Even though walking a baby in a jogging stroller with two dogs ain't a walk in the park!  Yesterday we did 3 miles of hills and about halfway into it, I had to put Tacky in the bottom basket :)  

Here are some pics of life lately.  I hope you are all doing well. I feel like I have been so self-centered lately, but honestly, it's just been so hectic I don't know where the days go.

Miss you all!!!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Thanks for the update. I love the pictures! Happy to hear that the hips will be just fine and that the doogers are loving the new addition. Happy family!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

It's so nice to hear from you and I'm glad to hear Charlotte's hips will probably be fine.  Sounds like a normal household and mom with a new baby!  You all seem to be doing really well.  Thanks for the pictures.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

HI!   This is an awesome update.  So happy for you all.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Allyson, Thank you for the wonderful update!! It sounds like things are going well!! Loved the pictures!

[Leigh & Allie]

Love it! I am so happy for you! Charlotte is absolutely precious and I love how everyone protects her.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Guys, aren't today's strollers amazing - Charlotte is all snug like a bug in a rug.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Oh Allyson, everything sounds just as it should, and from the photos seems like everyone is doing great. I love the protective way the dogs are with her. Couldn't ask for anything sweeter. I can just picture little Tacky trying to get on your lap, ha ha and I love that Peri can't stop "taking care" of her.

I am so glad you don't have to go through the harness with Charlotte and I hope all goes well. Whatever happens I am sure you 5 will get through it with flying colors. 

Sorry about the visiting "bug" but it's just the beginning of a long line of colds, sniffles and coughs and all normal. Too bad about DH and Strep, glad he was able to get the zpack for you. 

The photos are all great, you look wonderful and of course Charlotte is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. Have a blessed holiday and enjoy your "off" time with her while you can.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Allyson, thank you so much for updating us.  I have been worrying about Charlotte. I am so glad that this has most likely turned into a self correction situation.  My granddaughter had a leg/foot that turned in some which my dh had and her dad had.  In my dh's time, he had to wear braces (which ended up causing problems for him as an adult), my son wore a bar attached to his shoes  which he wore in his sleep.  The current thought is that it is mostly self-correcting. Guess what!  It is.  My granddaughter just turned two and the foot hardly turns in at all with no treatment.  Ain't modern medicine wonderful!!

[BG and Gavin]

Great news Allyson!  Thanks for posting the adorable pictures of the cutest baby girl going!

[cheryl & oliver]

Ally it is so nice to hear from you!!!!...Yes being a full time Mom is te hardest job in the world, but so worth it, lol...Bay Charlotte is just so beautiful.  Just enjoy every minute u can, they grow so fast...Hope everyone recovers from the "flu" or whatever has invaded your house really quickly...Hugs to all....