DVT

DVT...these are three letters I wasn't familiar with until yesterday...Deep Vein Thrombosis...

Yep, a blood clot...in my left leg.

It's been almost six weeks since we welcomed our little girl into the world...it took two weeks for all of the fluids I was pumped up with to leave my body and when they finally did, my left foot and ankle seemed to be the only part still retaining water...

I, being a new mom trying to keep from hauling our new baby to every doctor in the city, did not have an ultrasound when my OBGYN recommended. Plus, I totally thought I had stress fractures in my foot (because apparently I'm a doctor?!?!)

Well, thank goodness I decided to schedule an appointment with my orthopedist yesterday and thank goodness he made me an appointment to get an ultrasound on my leg, ankle, and foot yesterday because yep...there's a blood clot. (Key words here...he MADE ME AN APPOINTMENT...thus I felt inclined to go)

I saw two doctors and two radiology technicians yesterday, in three different offices, in three different parts of the city...all while hauling our new baby with me. Obviously my plan to keep from hauling her everywhere did not work.

So now, I'm on blood thinners and giving myself a shot everyday for the next 7-10 days. I can't workout for two weeks while we get this under control...and I'm looking at up to six months on a medication my grandmother took (she was in her 90's when she was taking it...)...

Lesson learned...when your body tells you something isn't right and your doctor suggests an ultrasound...get it...right when she suggests it.

I am going to be fine, right after I get over the shock and once I (admittedly) stop feeling sorry for myself. I'm going to have to cut back on alcohol...even though I'm only just now able to have a teensy glass of wine...and I'm going to have to try and remember that I am fragile now (which is going to make shaving my legs WAY more tedious that it has been...)

I'm really not sure what the point of this post is, except to say when you notice something off about your body, take care of it...sooner rather than later. Though the location of this clot makes it somewhat unlikely that it could do real damage...it still could. And I'm so thankful I finally got this checked out.

People...take care of yourselves!!!

Baby's First Month (and a half...)

First and foremost, thank you all so much for all of your kind words. We have received so many sweet messages since the birth of our sweet Chandler.

The past month and a half has been a complete whirlwind. I truly cannot believe that in just two days our little girl will be six weeks old!? How did that happen?

Chandler at one day old.

 This time has been more difficult, more amazing, more tiring, and more wonderful than I could have ever imagined. The joy that we have experienced since she arrived is not something I could have ever prepared for. On a couple of occasions, I have even cried a few (several...) tears of joy.

Chandler meeting her namesake...Chandler.

 Our little one is so loved and we are so blessed to have her in our lives. She has been a great sleeper and we are making progress on sleeping through the night every day! She is a sweet baby and hasn't been colicky or too fussy.

Chandler is a great eater. We have done well with breastfeeding and introduced a bottle at 3 weeks so her daddy can feed her also. She is taking the bottle well, once a day, and has continued to nurse well. She is getting some chubby cheeks and the most adorable little tummy.

At two weeks, we had a friend come and photograph our family and I have been so pleased with the photographs. I think we'll be seeing our photographer quite a bit since Chandler changes every day. 

Photographs by Heather Hansberry

Photographs by Heather Hansberry

Photographs by Heather Hansberry

Photographs by Heather Hansberry

Here are some of my favorite photos of our little bean. She is such a sweetheart!

Chandler is starting to smile and starting to coo...she is a chatty little thing! She loves bath time in her tub and kisses from her mommy and daddy. She loves her paci at night. She is now sleeping in her crib and did so well (better than I) with the transition from her bassinet beside our bed to her crib in her own room. 

Every day has brought us something new and exciting. These past two weeks have been so much fun as she has started to smile at us and talk to us. We have so many exciting things coming up in the next several weeks! Chandler will receive her first round of vaccines (not so exciting...), she will travel to Georgia for the first time and she will be baptized! I am truly loving this life, and can't wait for more!