the shipleys: August 2015

I can't believe this week marked one month since Cora's homecoming. I feel time is going by exponentially fast. We are finding our groove navigating as 4 and Joslin continues to love her baby sister more and more. Watching her with Cora is my favorite thing and I can't wait to watch their bond grow. Cora is doing well and we are truly thankful we haven't had any major hiccups since being home. She battles a bit of bad reflux and discomfort after eating but hopefully she'll start to outgrow that soon. She definitely likes to make a fuss but makes up for it with her snuggles. She continues to gain weight like a champ and is over 8 pounds now!

My sweet sisters threw Cora a wonderful little homecoming 'sip and see' party and it was so great to celebrate having our girl home with family and friends. We have amazing people in our life and can't thank everyone enough for being by our side during this journey.

Since being home, we've checked off several of our follow-up appointments and all is going well...quick recap:

1) Eyes: They are developing as normal and there were no signs of retinopothy of prematurity, one of the big risks in preemies. We will follow up with a pediatric optomologist in 8 weeks which is routine.
2) Heart: We had a follow-up echo-cardiogram and EKG this week and all looked normal so we won't be going back yay!
3) Fingers: We had a consultation last week with a pediatric surgeon and it looks like those extra digits will be hanging around (no pun intended) a bit longer as we wait to get on the schedule...who knew it was such an ordeal. Hopefully in a few months we'll have them removed but for now, she'll remain a 12 fingered little lady.
4) Hip: We had an ultrasound completed which was for her breech position en utero rather than prematurity. The pediatrician's physical exam was good, but we figured what's one more test after all we've gone through. Cora was not a fan, wailed and fought me the whole time. This little one is getting quite feisty!

We have some big things coming up with Joslin turning THREE in a few weeks and starting preschool next month. Where did my baby girl go?!

And in other family news, there will be another GIRL cousin soon as my sis-in-law Jaymi and her husband Will are expecting this December! Their journey to parenthood has been a long road and we are beyond thrilled for them and can't wait to meet our niece! God has been so good to us this year and it will certainly be one for the books for our whole family.

Here are a few recent pics...