New 1 Year Pictures!

Here is my little sweetie at her 1 year photo shoot. Anyone else dread going to get these pictures taken? Emerson was such a good girl that day. Very easy going and smiling at all the kids and photographers running around. Of course, all the smiling stopped as soon as the camera came out. Oh well, she looks beautiful with her serious face. :)

This past week we went to visit Emerson's Cardiologist. After weighing her, (19lbs, 2oz), he listened to her heart and felt that her murmur sounds exactly the same as it had her previous 2 appointments so he doesn't suspect any worsening. Great news! He is working in conjunction with Em's Nephralogist to try and decrease her blood pressure, but told us that if we can get it around 100 that would be great. Apparently, blood pressures in kids (and adults I suspect) with WS are difficult to control with medication.

Interestingly, Emerson's Geneticist called me this past week and told me another family with a 1 year old in this area was just given a WS diagnosis and asked if I would be willing to talk to them if they were up for it. I said, "of course". She told me they were having an extremely hard time with the diagnosis and the severe feeding issues that their child has. This child is on a feeding tube. I really do hope they contact me. I feel like I am over our "diagnosis shock" and may be able to help. It would also be great to know another family with a child the same age as Emerson.

I feel lately Emerson is having more days where she is just really "With It". I don't know why one day can vary so much from the other. Some days she is so interactive, rolling all over, really trying to crawl, trying to get our attention with her sweet smile, and playing enthusiastically with all of her toys. Other days, she is just the opposite. Just kind of blah. She will complain if I put her on the floor and doesn't want to move from my hip. I love the days when I see a real spark in her eyes and hope they start happening more and more frequently. This past week we have had a lot more "with it" days and Emerson has started going from crawling position to sitting up. She has done it now probably 10 times and each time Brian and I are grunting along with her to do it. When she makes it, she looks very proud and often starts clapping right along with us. Emerson has also really taken notice to when her mama leaves the room. She really wants to be with me all the time. It's so nice to feel that emotion from her.

One thing I really long from her is a great belly laugh. She definitely has a soft giggle, but we have yet to hear a true loud baby laugh. I am so sad when I hear babies younger than 6 months laughing more exuberantly than Emerson. Most of the time, Emerson just looks at us with mild amusement. Oh well, can't have everything at once. One more thing to look forward to with her.