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!!!

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

What wonderful pictures.  Thanks for the update.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's so good to hear from you, Allyson! I'm so happy about the good news on Charlotte's hips! The photos are wonderful, Charlotte is a beauty!  I love the way Peri has appointed herself Charlotte's personal guard dog, lol! So glad the dogs are great with her, do I get to say "I told you so" now?

[Leslie and Halas]

Awww, those pics are so sweet!  That's great news about Charlotte's hip, too.

[Carol and Banjo]

I'm so happy to hear the positive news about baby Charlotte.   She is just precious!!!   What a wonderful family you have....many blessings to you all.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Allyson, It's so wonderful to hear from you and see these lovely family photos! Thank you so much for posting. It is thrilling to hear that Charlotte's hip issue may be less serious than first anticipated. Praying this all works out easily. All the busy-ness you describe is yes, normal, but exhausting for new moms. I hope you do not get strep throat and do get some rest. Charlotte is just beautiful. So proud of Peri for taking on the role of "nana". Tacky sounds like she is lovin' the new family member too.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Good news about Charlotte's hip.  She is so adorable!!  

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am really glad to hear the good news about Charlotte's hips and hope with time they will continue to improve. Those first few months of new motherhood are no walk in the park : ) It's great that your "pack" has bonded. Loved the pictures--Charlotte is beautiful and resembles you a great deal.

[Sue & Lily Grace]

This wonderful news about sweet Charlotte. You could not have a sweeter family, four and two legged. Enjoy them all.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

It's so good to hear from you, and this is such great news about Charlotte's hips.  She is such a beautiful baby and she looks like she's really grown.  The pictures are so sweet...thanks so much for this update.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

What great news about Charlotte! The photos are great and Charlotte is beautiful! I love the one with you out for a walk with the stroller and two leashes in your hand AND you managed a photo! You are good!