Lucy is gradually making progress. :) We have a lot to keep track of these days to help Lucy grow and develop. Because she stubbornly favors one side of her head no matter what we try to do, she's developed quite the flat spot. We've been trying to help her for weeks, to turn her head again and again, to switch her positions, but our sweet girl has been stubborn about keeping her head BACK to the left on the same side and sliding around how we try to prop her head up. So, we are working with her on more tummy time and physical therapy for her neck to improve her range of motion. A helmet is potentially what will be needed to help her head round back out by the time she's 1 and prevent further lopsiding. We'll see how her head/neck is doing in one more month, and at the next pediatrician visit we'll decide yes or no on the helmet. I was hoping we wouldn't need a helmet, but I realize what's best for my baby in the long term (for a few short months) is more important than a fashion statement or the pride of being able to do everything perfect or make everything perfect ourselves. Sometimes we don't have complete control. We do our best, and that is enough. When it's not enough to achieve the results we want to see, we do what we NEED to do. It's a lesson I'm learning more and more each day. And Heavenly Father has been guiding me in these lessons I'm learning. With nursing, I've been so intent on "It has to work! I have to make it work the way it's supposed to!" But as a lactation specialist once told me, if something isn't working, stop trying to force it to work. Choose another method, minimize the stress on you and the baby and everyone. I'd been struggling with discouragement and severe inadequacy. But the Lord has been trying to help me realize through the last several weeks that my entire value and purpose as a mother does not completely ride upon how Lucy receives her milk (nursing or bottle), or even if she receives my milk or formula the whole time (which is only a matter of months). Motherhood is so much more than that. The most important thing is that she is fed and properly nourished, and that our family is growing and thriving and happy. And while Lucy's nursing struggles (and mouth surgery/therapy) or her head/neck issues are not the ideal or what I imagined we'd have to deal with, they've also been a blessing in disguise. They've taught the value of patience, of diligence, of research and work. They've helped me see just how closely the Lord watches and guides our progress and answers our prayers. I'm learning to look for His hand in the small moments, because He's constantly there. While I may complain or worry sometimes (a lot of time, haha), I'm also grateful that we've been going through some hard things with Lucy because of the learning and growth we are all attaining. In a blessing our baby received, she was told these trying experiences were trials that were prepared for her and that she would be able to overcome. That thought brought a lot of comfort to me. And strength as her mother that I could do my best to help her overcome and grow. As well, I feel that much more prepared for our next baby and what to look for and how we can better help him/her earlier on. :) Wow what a crazy but joyous adventure parenthood is. There are so many things we never think about. But what a blessing life doesn't turn out as planned. We become so much more when our lives are in the hands of the Lord.
Friday, April 4, 2014
Thoughts on unexpected life and some hard but beautiful experiences
Lucy is gradually making progress. :) We have a lot to keep track of these days to help Lucy grow and develop. Because she stubbornly favors one side of her head no matter what we try to do, she's developed quite the flat spot. We've been trying to help her for weeks, to turn her head again and again, to switch her positions, but our sweet girl has been stubborn about keeping her head BACK to the left on the same side and sliding around how we try to prop her head up. So, we are working with her on more tummy time and physical therapy for her neck to improve her range of motion. A helmet is potentially what will be needed to help her head round back out by the time she's 1 and prevent further lopsiding. We'll see how her head/neck is doing in one more month, and at the next pediatrician visit we'll decide yes or no on the helmet. I was hoping we wouldn't need a helmet, but I realize what's best for my baby in the long term (for a few short months) is more important than a fashion statement or the pride of being able to do everything perfect or make everything perfect ourselves. Sometimes we don't have complete control. We do our best, and that is enough. When it's not enough to achieve the results we want to see, we do what we NEED to do. It's a lesson I'm learning more and more each day. And Heavenly Father has been guiding me in these lessons I'm learning. With nursing, I've been so intent on "It has to work! I have to make it work the way it's supposed to!" But as a lactation specialist once told me, if something isn't working, stop trying to force it to work. Choose another method, minimize the stress on you and the baby and everyone. I'd been struggling with discouragement and severe inadequacy. But the Lord has been trying to help me realize through the last several weeks that my entire value and purpose as a mother does not completely ride upon how Lucy receives her milk (nursing or bottle), or even if she receives my milk or formula the whole time (which is only a matter of months). Motherhood is so much more than that. The most important thing is that she is fed and properly nourished, and that our family is growing and thriving and happy. And while Lucy's nursing struggles (and mouth surgery/therapy) or her head/neck issues are not the ideal or what I imagined we'd have to deal with, they've also been a blessing in disguise. They've taught the value of patience, of diligence, of research and work. They've helped me see just how closely the Lord watches and guides our progress and answers our prayers. I'm learning to look for His hand in the small moments, because He's constantly there. While I may complain or worry sometimes (a lot of time, haha), I'm also grateful that we've been going through some hard things with Lucy because of the learning and growth we are all attaining. In a blessing our baby received, she was told these trying experiences were trials that were prepared for her and that she would be able to overcome. That thought brought a lot of comfort to me. And strength as her mother that I could do my best to help her overcome and grow. As well, I feel that much more prepared for our next baby and what to look for and how we can better help him/her earlier on. :) Wow what a crazy but joyous adventure parenthood is. There are so many things we never think about. But what a blessing life doesn't turn out as planned. We become so much more when our lives are in the hands of the Lord.
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