So Big!

Our little Lila is getting SO BIG! She is doing great! Lately she has been really enjoying playing at Nana's house with her Aunt Brenna, Aunt Beth, and Uncle Jack. She is also getting herself into some tight spots (literally). Last Sunday (our 1 year anniversary!!) my sister and I took a trip to Wal-Mart and left Lila at home with Daniel. As I'm walking down the dairy aisle my phone rings and when I answer I hear Lila screaming in the background. I also hear Daniel yelling frantically but I can't make out what he is saying. When I finally get him to stop yelling so I can understand he tells me that Lila's head is stuck in the high chair and he can't get it out. Actually this is what he said "Lila's head is stuck in highchair! YOU NEED TO COME HOME NOW!" So as I'm about to tell him to get some butter and grease her head (the only thing I could think of at the time lol) he exclaims that he got her unstuck. I'm still at a loss of how her head could get stuck. Apparently it was stuck through the side of the chair and her nose was stuck under the button that folds the chair up. Other than that our day was pretty great! Our church had a family fun day and we had chowder, carved a pumpkin, and went on a hay ride! It was a great day. The next night Daniel took me out to dinner and we went to see The Help which I've really been wanting to see. That's all for now!

Love,

Alyssa, Daniel, and Lila

Spina Bifida Awareness Month!

Since October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month I thought I would provide some information about Spina Bifida for those who are not familiar with SB.

Spina bifida is the most frequently occurring permanently disabling birth defect and the most common Neural Tube Defect. It affects approximately one out of every 1,000 newborns in the United States. Spina bifida results from the failure of the spine to close properly during the first month of pregnancy. In severe cases, the spinal cord protrudes through the back and may be covered by skin or a thin membrane. Surgery to close a newborn's back is generally performed within 24 hours after birth to minimize the risk of infection and to preserve existing function in the spinal cord.

Because of the paralysis resulting from the damage to the spinal cord, people born with spina bifida may need surgeries and other extensive medical care. The condition can also cause bowel and bladder complications. A large percentage of children born with spina bifida also have hydrocephalus, the accumulation of fluid in the brain. Hydrocephalus is controlled by a surgical procedure called "shunting" which relieves the fluid build up in the brain by redirecting it into the abdominal area. Most children born with spina bifida live well into adulthood as a result of today's sophisticated medical techniques.

Myelomeningocele

Also known as open spina bifida, myelomeningocele is the most severe form — and the form people usually mean when they use the term "spina bifida."

In myelomeningocele, the baby's spinal canal remains open along several vertebrae in the lower or middle back. Because of this opening, both the membranes and the spinal cord protrude at birth, forming a sac on the baby's back. In some cases, skin covers the sac. Usually, however, tissues and nerves are exposed, making the baby prone to life-threatening infections.

Neurological impairment is common, including:

• Muscle weakness, sometimes involving paralysis
• Bowel and bladder problems
• Seizures, especially if the child requires a shunt
• Orthopedic problems — such as deformed feet, uneven hips and a curved spine (scoliosis)

I am so proud of my little SB miracle! She is such a blessing to me and Daniel!