Jen's "Ainsley update"

It's been a whole week since we came home from UCSF and I'm sorry I've waited to update any news. Gratefully, Ainsley's been acting like a normal newborn- eating, sleeping, pooping and cuddling with us! It took a few days to feel like she wasn't a hospital patient anymore, but in fact, our own daughter. She had two doctor's appointments this week: with her Pediatrician and Cardiologist. On Monday her pediatrician weighed her and checked her incision and stitches. UCSF emailed her records to them and she was a popular patient on Monday getting visits from two other pediatricians we know. They were amazed at what she had been through and curious about her surgery. Between having 4 kids visit their office frequently and now Ainsley's special circumstances, I think the Rippee name will be well known around there! Yesterday, Ryan took Ainsley to Dr. Cooper for her first follow up visit. Dr. Cooper is the cardiologist that first gave me the bad news about her heart defects and immediate need to be transferred to UCSF. Despite that, we really like him! She had a follow up echo cardiogram and he said everything looks great with the repair to her aorta. He also looked at her ventricular septal defect (VSD), which is the hole between her left and right ventricle. Now that the coarctation is repaired and her heart is not working as hard, he feels like it is small enough that it will most likely close on its own. Of course the VSD as well as the bicuspid valve and coarc repair will be things that will be monitored as she grows. For now her blood pressures are doing great and she'll be returning to Dr. Cooper in a month for another Synagis immunization. The most exciting news for me was that she had gained 8 ounces since Monday! That is so exciting because between getting pneumonia, having a heart that was burning too many calories, and finally surgery, she had left the hospital at one month old several ounces below her birth weight of 7 lbs. 0 oz. Now, at 5 weeks old, she's 7 lbs. 8 oz. and gaining! To me that's the best sign that she's doing great. This week has been long and full of adjustments, and we appreciate any prayers that have been made on behalf of our family. A cold virus has gone through our home this week, complicating life and making it easy to worry about Ainsley's health. But so far she is healthy. It's not how I would have planned this week, but we're getting through it and are still so thankful for her quick recovery and the goodness God has shown us by providing for all our needs. Thank you all for your wonderful messages. Ryan and I were so touched by what you all had to say. We'll be sure to keep you updated on Ainsley's heart. Take care!