Ayla Carlene Olson: Let the Good News Roll

Ayla experienced the third ultrasound of her life today. The technician was a pro with infants and spoke in babyease which allowed the entire ordeal to go smoothly and quickly. She was skilled and sweet- perfect for an eight week old. Her mission: check on the right kidney with hydronephrosis and look for the 'missing' left kidney.

Just an hour after the ultrasound I met with Ayla's doctor to go over the results. Here are her stats:
She weighs in at a whopping 14.7 pounds (with diaper and clothing) and she is 23" long. That's my GIRL! Her right kidney is now at a level i of hydronephrosis (which is an improvement from level ii) and it is growing at a good pace to take over the work for the missing left kidney (which is still missing). This is great news.

Though Ayla can kiss a boxing, rugby, or football career good-bye, she will be able to live a healthy life with this one working kidney. We are scheduled to have it checked in six months to ensure that the hydronephrosis is healing and disappearing. We continue to have faith that God will work his miracles. Did you know it can take up to 18 months for a kidney to completely atrophy and disappear and hers did it in about 7 weeks? We saw the unhealthy kidney in utero at 33 weeks gestation... God is amazing. Her heart murmur follow up appointment is next Tuesday.

Outside of doctor appointments, Ayla loves to be swaddled and sleeps really well in the day from about 8 am - 2:00 in the afternoon. The afternoon/evening hours are sketchy on sleep and contentment, but each evening seems to get a little better. Last night I was able to get half the dishes washed before she vocalized her need for Momma to pick her up. Thankfully she is worn out by 9 or 10:00 pm and sleeps until about 4:00 am. We just know that accomplishing ANYTHING is off the list for evenings these days.

While Ayla is being bounced, held, rocked, swayed, shushed, fed, (wash, rinse, repeat) her brother is digging in the dirt around our complex with the new shovel, rake, and hoe that Guamie gave him. He also likes to explore the complex looking for Tangerine (the neighbor's cat). He also uses his real tools (hammers, screwdrivers, and wrenches) on the wood that Grandpa sanded and stained on which he can pound and nail away.

While holding Ayla, Aiden will crawl into my lap and say, "I want my two babies," which means he wants me to hold him and her at the same time. He nuzzles in close like a baby and my heart explodes. We are a thankful family with our hands full; we wouldn't have it any other way.