9 days...

We are on the 9th day of recovery and I had been waiting to write an update, hoping for a dramatic turnaround and a more positive post.  Not so much... This recovery has been exhausting for the 3 of us.  Anna still won't take a bottle or drink liquids and often when she eats she cries throughout the entire meal.  I can't tell if she is just mad that things are different, or if she is really in pain.  Today was the first day that we have not administered pain meds around the clock.  I feel like all of those drugs can't be good for a small baby, so we are trying to wean her off. 

 

On top of the surgery recovery, she is also teething like CRAZY and isn't allowed to have any of her teething rings.  We have literally been up with her most of the night for 9 straight nights now... actually let me think, we didn't sleep the night before surgery either so it's been 10 straight nights since we slept.  Chris made the comment that this has been worse than the NAM, WAY WORSE.  You know that's bad!!

 

 

 On Tuesday we went back to Duke because the doctor was worried about Anna's ongoing fevers and lack of eating.  They couldn't find anything wrong her.  Her mouth appears to be healing just fine and her ear tubes looked fine.  They think Anna is making the choice not to drink... her diagnosis was "Smart, Strong Willed Child."  They assured us these would be great qualities later in life, just not now... FABULOUS! 

We have spent most of our days pushing Anna around in this car- she loves it!

 

We also ventured out to Grayson's 1st Birthday Party this weekend.  It was nice to get out of the house for a little bit and Anna was in good spirits (despite being thirsty...).

 

 She doesn't look like she's in pain does she?!  We have a feeling some of this is just an act. Dr. Santiago (NAM doctor) saw us on Tuesday and said "Anna is just a DIVA, she always has been!" :)

 

I posted on the Cleft Mom Support group on Facebook about Anna not drinking and it sounds like this is par for the course.  Based on the responses I got, most babies don't act interested in drinking until at least day 10.  I am not always a fan of social media, but it's really been helpful the past few days.  The mom's in this group are all so supportive and keep reassuring us that things will get back to normal, but we have to give it time.  This child is teaching me patience... Let's hope things get better this week!