Lactose Intolerant

Today we found out that Ella (Ella Boo)is lactose intolerant. The nursery and doctors changed her formula to a lactose free formula. They said we may have to change again before this is all over. She was throwing up curdled milk and it was nasty! Dr Collins (who is with McLeod Pediatrics) checked her today and said she is a happy, healthy baby. She has a bit of dry skin which is normal on babies whose Mothers were a bit dehydrated. That should clear up in a few days on its own. She has no angel kisses. All vital signs are good and the hearing test was good. Ella's nurse today is Tania Manos. She is very good and very helpful. We have called her to the room several times with Ella throwing up. She is very calm and has a nice effect on me. She was also the person who held my hands while they gave me my epidural yesterday.

We had lots of visitors last night and today. Other than those who were there when Ella was born. Several others came for a visit today. I got to meet my cousin Wills Urquhart today. Mr. Miller McElveen came for a visit. Great Aunt Carol Ann and Uncle Larry McLaughlin came by. They brought Ella a newspaper from the day she was born and a little doll. They also brought a little matching doll for Mary Catherine. It was so thoughtful of them to think of a newspaper. Great Aunt Linda and Ricky Strickland came to visit. Our preacher Bill Roberts came to visit and pray with us as a family. Uncle Jay Vinson (Ella and Mary Catherine's godfather) came by as soon as he got home from holding court in Charleston. He brought Mommy a bottle of Rodney Strong Chardonnay. Jennifer Stroup (JenJen) also came for a visit on Friday evening. She even got the honor of helping Daddy change Ella's first stinky diaper. JenJen is our hero! Aunt Sissy brought Ella a sweet little gown sleeper and burp cloth, Mary Catherine some playing cards, and Mommy some Berts Bees lip balm. Gaga brought Ella a gorgeous petal pink Vera Bradley diaper bag and a beautiful pink rose bud vase for Mommy. Sam and Jenny McLaughlin gave Ella a matching Vera Bradley bottle bag. Aunt Pam Marek brought Mary Catherine a Big Sister shirt and Ella a bib and several outfits. Meme and Mel brought Ella two little outfits, a bib and a baby frog toy. Meme also brought Mary Catherine a book, a squishy thing and a windup Santa toy. Aunt Miriam and Uncle Jess sent Ella a beautiful "Jesus Loves Me" blanket and Mary Catherine a gorgeous bank with a charm bracelet around its neck. We got beautiful flowers from Mr. Mark and Mrs. Julia Buyck and also from Aunt Miriam and Uncle Jess Stribling.

Mary Catherine is very taken with Ella. She thinks she should be the only person to hold her. She calls Ella "her baby". She has been trying to tell everyone how to handle Ella and what to do with her. She explained to Gaga and Sissy that Ella does not like her hands bundled up in that blanket. Thank you Gaga for letting Mary Catherine stay over for a few nights while Mommy is in the hospital. She is having a wonderful time with you.

I am feeling okay but definitely need the pain medications they are offering me. I have a lot of lower abdominal pain. This one has been different than the first. I think it has to do with them tying my tubes.