Under a Microscope

Boy, are our kids under a microscope. We not only have appointment after appointment, but Emerson also has me scrutinizing her every move. Our biggest change lately has been switching over from Calcilo to regular formula. She was on 100% Calcilo for about 2 months and huge change was seen in her demeanor. She became a bright eyed, relaxed baby. Well, at her last GI check-up, her calcium levels still came back high (just mildly hypercalcemic). Her docs were concerned about this because where is this calcium coming from, they concluded she must be pulling it from her bones. Long story short, they had me start slowly reintroducing regular formula back into her system. We were doing great this past month with really no adverse affect and then we got to 3/4 formula 1/4 Calcilo and she started getting cranky. Some of the old behaviors started reappearing, rigid crying, tensely holding her hands across her abdomen, more fussing, poor sleeping. Oddly enough, her calcium came back just fine. So who knows, I feel like excess calcium definitely adversely affects her system even if the calcium numbers aren't showing it. From what I understand, they really don't know why some children with WS become hypercalcemic. Definitely an area where further research is needed.

Tomorrow we are going to see Emerson's Geneticist because I have also been concerned about her shakiness. It kind of comes and goes, but she appears jittery when reaching for objects. Last week for three days she also was strangely shrugging her shoulders like she was shivering. Now it is gone, thank goodness. So of course, thoughts of neurological problems or seizures come to my head, but maybe she just had a muscle kink. ;) Can low tone also cause shakiness? Sorry for this rambling post, I have just had these issues on my mind. I have also thought do I examine Ella as closely? I know that I do. If Ella was strangely shrugging for 3 days I would be calling the Doctor as well. I so wish that I didn't have these concerns and I could just enjoy my daughter without scrutinizing her, but I also don't want to overlook anything.

On a lighter note, I got away this past weekend on an overnight shopping spree to Chicago with my mom. We had such a nice time and it was so relaxing. We got a jump on Christmas shopping, ate sushi, and relaxed. What a perfect get-away. It was the first night that I have spent away from Emerson and it was much needed. How nice to sleep without a monitor attached to my ear. Thanks Brian for being such a wonderful dad to your little girls!!