Apparantly, Bryce and God had a conversation last night. It was a SCARY conversation though!! Bryce asked me today if we were going to have any more babies. I told him no. He says "We have too. God told me last night that we had to have Elizabeth Grace!"
I think God and I need to have a talk about this!!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Oh, My Husband!!
The alarm went off at 5 this morning. I never heard it, but I woke up when Paul turned on the bathroom light. Something made me look at his clock, and then at mine. His said 5, mine said 4. Mine is one of those that sets itself, even at time change, etc. So, I get up and go look in the kitchen at the clocks. They ALL say 4. I go in the bathroom and he had his contacts in and the shower started. I told him it was only 4. He says his clock said it was 5. I told him his clock is the only clock in the house that says 5. "Well, that sucks. I am an hour early. Should I go back to bed for an hour?" YES! YOU SHOULD GO BACK TO BED FOR AN HOUR!! I am not getting all the kids up and taking you to the airport an hour early!!
He had an early flight to Canada this morning. He was excited because he FINALLY got to use his passport that he got last year for work. Then he got bumped up to first class the whole way to Canada!! Sounds like his day is starting out pretty good. Let's just hope his short layover is enough time to change planes and they are all on time!!
He had an early flight to Canada this morning. He was excited because he FINALLY got to use his passport that he got last year for work. Then he got bumped up to first class the whole way to Canada!! Sounds like his day is starting out pretty good. Let's just hope his short layover is enough time to change planes and they are all on time!!
AJ's Drs Appt
Yesterday was AJ's appointment with the gastroenterologist. It was LONG! We spent over an hour with the DOCTOR, which I kind of felt bad about since we were overflow! We did not have to wait very long though, but when we got out and walked through the waiting room, it was FULL!
We started the appointment out having his weight checked. Paul undressed him and went to take his diaper off and found a surprise! As I was getting the wipes out I asked AJ why he had to wait until we were at the drs office to do that. The nurse replies "Well, we are the butt and gut dr, so I guess there is no better place to do it!" Glad she understands! I told her that AJ is notorious for peeing on drs. She says "I have been doing this for 26 years and I have NEVER been peed on." Guess that is the difference in a male and a female!!
After the initial frustration of trying to remember EVERY detail of his eating and pooping schedule for the past 4+ months (come on - I have FOUR kids!!!), it went pretty smooth and was VERY helpful.
The basic theory of what the problem is...(drumroll please)...THE BOY IS TOO mellow!
The position in which I was breastfeeding him was not very good. The fact that I have three other, active kids that don't slow down when it is time for Andrew to eat may not help!! The way he was positioning he was not getting enough, if any of the hind milk, which is where all of the calories at. We start stomach to stomach, but as he gets more relaxed and I get more busy doing other things, his hip shifts out and he ends up trying to eat with his head turned at an angle. The dr made me take a drink of water and swallow it with my head turned to the side to show me what it was like for him. So she watched me feed him and got me doing it better.
She also said NOT to feed on demand or every four hours. Basically, Andrew is to mellow to put much effort into eating. He eats and then when it starts getting difficult or he gets tired, instead of "telling" me he is not getting what he needs, he just stops eating. By me waiting until he tells me he is hungry - he is way past the point of being hungry. So, anytime he starts sucking on his thumb, pacifier, my arm, anything - I am suppose to feed him. She says his feeding may only last 3 or 4 minutes, and that was fine.
This is all so different than EVERYTHING I have been taught over the years and four kids of breastfeeding, but after listening to her explain it all, it seems to make sense. I will try it her way and see if he gains weight.
She told me to keep feeding him food. I told her we stopped that Friday and she said that if he liked eating food and was good at it, to keep feeding him. She also said NOT to feed him baby food. She said that it was mainly water, with a little vegetable and he was not getting any calories, etc from it. We are suppose to start MAKING him food.
So, yesterday while I was fixing dinner for us, I was also cooking carrots, potatoes and mashing bananas to freeze. The only was this will EASILY work (the cooking food for him) is if I do a week or at least several days worth at a time. We did mashed potatoes, which he did not really care for (with just butter in it there is not a WHOLE lot of flavor) and carrots (I put a tiny bit of molasses in it to add some flavor) in the blender. I mashed up some bananas and froze them in small amounts. When I go grocery shopping again I will get some stuff that I know he will like better (at least he did the baby food version!). If anyone has any ideas or recipes, I am open to suggestions!
We talked about the fact that we had started giving him about 2 ounces of formula before nursing him. After a VERY frustrating week of trying to get him to take a bottle, I finally got him taking one every time it was offered Monday. She asked why I chose to give him the bottle BEFORE nursing instead of nursing and then topping him off with the bottle. I explained how we were having a hard time getting him to take one at all and I knew if he nursed first, he would NOT take the bottle after. See, although he is very mellow, he still has a stubborn streak (apparantly, I have a BIGGER stubborn streak though!)!! She understood and understood WHY we were doing it, even though I was not wanting to wean him, but thinks we can fix the problem without the formula. I AM going to continue giving him one bottle a day, just so I don't have to go through what I have been going through trying to get him to take a bottle. At least this way he will stay used to it!
She also found that he had just a little bit of thrush starting. He has to have Genetian Violet swabbed in his mouth for 3 days to clear that up. That stuff is PURPLE!! I mean big time, ultra-violet, black - light purple! Anything it touches, it immediately, permanantly stains!! Always fun to know when you are working with a baby!! Then we have to throw away all of his pacifiers and nipples (except for mine - whe was quick to clarify!), which is lovely since we spent ALL weekend trying to find a bottle he would take! There went all that money! Not to mention, all of his toys that have been in his mouth!
When the dr was finishing up the visit she played with AJ a little. As she was leaving she turned around and said that she knew he was only four months old, but he acts like he is at least 6 months old. The way he sat on our lap and squealed and talked and held and played with his toys and how attentive he was.
We will be going back every two weeks to see if these small changes are helping. If not, we will do more detailed evaluations and possibly some test to see what else could be causing the problems. It seem unlikely that it could be anything too serious without any pain, and he doesn't seem to be in any pain at all.
He weighed in at about 13 pounds yesterday. I know there has to be a margin of error with different scales, and I am not sure which scales are more accurate - regular scales or digital scales. I have a hard time believing he gained 9 ounces in 3 days though! His next visit is the same week he is supposed to go back for a weight check at the pediatricians office. I am going to have his weight checked there the same day as his appt with the gastroenterologist so I can see the difference. I do know that at the pediatricians office, I have had them use the same scale for all of his weight checks. So if they are callibrated a little different, it is always the same one!
SO....HOPEFULLY this is all that it is! When she first started telling me what she thought the problem was she told me not to feel guilty because I was busy and just trying to follow his cues. I told her to just tell me what the problem was, I had already been feeling guilty, was over it and just ready to find the remedy. She went through all of the longterm benefits of breastfeeding (for me and him) longterm (past one year, even if only a few times a week). I never knew some of the long-term advantages. I had heard it decreased your chance of cancer (which that in itself with our family history is a biggie) but she also said it decreased your chances of Osteoperosis. She said if I had a bone density test right now it would be bad. My body is basically eating my bones for calcium, but if I breastfeed past the one year mark and have a bone density test, my bones would be stronger than BEFORE I got pregnant. Never heard that before!
So, I am going to start doing some research on ALL of this stuff, see what I can learn and pray that this is all that it will take to get some weight on this kid!!
We started the appointment out having his weight checked. Paul undressed him and went to take his diaper off and found a surprise! As I was getting the wipes out I asked AJ why he had to wait until we were at the drs office to do that. The nurse replies "Well, we are the butt and gut dr, so I guess there is no better place to do it!" Glad she understands! I told her that AJ is notorious for peeing on drs. She says "I have been doing this for 26 years and I have NEVER been peed on." Guess that is the difference in a male and a female!!
After the initial frustration of trying to remember EVERY detail of his eating and pooping schedule for the past 4+ months (come on - I have FOUR kids!!!), it went pretty smooth and was VERY helpful.
The basic theory of what the problem is...(drumroll please)...THE BOY IS TOO mellow!
The position in which I was breastfeeding him was not very good. The fact that I have three other, active kids that don't slow down when it is time for Andrew to eat may not help!! The way he was positioning he was not getting enough, if any of the hind milk, which is where all of the calories at. We start stomach to stomach, but as he gets more relaxed and I get more busy doing other things, his hip shifts out and he ends up trying to eat with his head turned at an angle. The dr made me take a drink of water and swallow it with my head turned to the side to show me what it was like for him. So she watched me feed him and got me doing it better.
She also said NOT to feed on demand or every four hours. Basically, Andrew is to mellow to put much effort into eating. He eats and then when it starts getting difficult or he gets tired, instead of "telling" me he is not getting what he needs, he just stops eating. By me waiting until he tells me he is hungry - he is way past the point of being hungry. So, anytime he starts sucking on his thumb, pacifier, my arm, anything - I am suppose to feed him. She says his feeding may only last 3 or 4 minutes, and that was fine.
This is all so different than EVERYTHING I have been taught over the years and four kids of breastfeeding, but after listening to her explain it all, it seems to make sense. I will try it her way and see if he gains weight.
She told me to keep feeding him food. I told her we stopped that Friday and she said that if he liked eating food and was good at it, to keep feeding him. She also said NOT to feed him baby food. She said that it was mainly water, with a little vegetable and he was not getting any calories, etc from it. We are suppose to start MAKING him food.
So, yesterday while I was fixing dinner for us, I was also cooking carrots, potatoes and mashing bananas to freeze. The only was this will EASILY work (the cooking food for him) is if I do a week or at least several days worth at a time. We did mashed potatoes, which he did not really care for (with just butter in it there is not a WHOLE lot of flavor) and carrots (I put a tiny bit of molasses in it to add some flavor) in the blender. I mashed up some bananas and froze them in small amounts. When I go grocery shopping again I will get some stuff that I know he will like better (at least he did the baby food version!). If anyone has any ideas or recipes, I am open to suggestions!
We talked about the fact that we had started giving him about 2 ounces of formula before nursing him. After a VERY frustrating week of trying to get him to take a bottle, I finally got him taking one every time it was offered Monday. She asked why I chose to give him the bottle BEFORE nursing instead of nursing and then topping him off with the bottle. I explained how we were having a hard time getting him to take one at all and I knew if he nursed first, he would NOT take the bottle after. See, although he is very mellow, he still has a stubborn streak (apparantly, I have a BIGGER stubborn streak though!)!! She understood and understood WHY we were doing it, even though I was not wanting to wean him, but thinks we can fix the problem without the formula. I AM going to continue giving him one bottle a day, just so I don't have to go through what I have been going through trying to get him to take a bottle. At least this way he will stay used to it!
She also found that he had just a little bit of thrush starting. He has to have Genetian Violet swabbed in his mouth for 3 days to clear that up. That stuff is PURPLE!! I mean big time, ultra-violet, black - light purple! Anything it touches, it immediately, permanantly stains!! Always fun to know when you are working with a baby!! Then we have to throw away all of his pacifiers and nipples (except for mine - whe was quick to clarify!), which is lovely since we spent ALL weekend trying to find a bottle he would take! There went all that money! Not to mention, all of his toys that have been in his mouth!
When the dr was finishing up the visit she played with AJ a little. As she was leaving she turned around and said that she knew he was only four months old, but he acts like he is at least 6 months old. The way he sat on our lap and squealed and talked and held and played with his toys and how attentive he was.
We will be going back every two weeks to see if these small changes are helping. If not, we will do more detailed evaluations and possibly some test to see what else could be causing the problems. It seem unlikely that it could be anything too serious without any pain, and he doesn't seem to be in any pain at all.
He weighed in at about 13 pounds yesterday. I know there has to be a margin of error with different scales, and I am not sure which scales are more accurate - regular scales or digital scales. I have a hard time believing he gained 9 ounces in 3 days though! His next visit is the same week he is supposed to go back for a weight check at the pediatricians office. I am going to have his weight checked there the same day as his appt with the gastroenterologist so I can see the difference. I do know that at the pediatricians office, I have had them use the same scale for all of his weight checks. So if they are callibrated a little different, it is always the same one!
SO....HOPEFULLY this is all that it is! When she first started telling me what she thought the problem was she told me not to feel guilty because I was busy and just trying to follow his cues. I told her to just tell me what the problem was, I had already been feeling guilty, was over it and just ready to find the remedy. She went through all of the longterm benefits of breastfeeding (for me and him) longterm (past one year, even if only a few times a week). I never knew some of the long-term advantages. I had heard it decreased your chance of cancer (which that in itself with our family history is a biggie) but she also said it decreased your chances of Osteoperosis. She said if I had a bone density test right now it would be bad. My body is basically eating my bones for calcium, but if I breastfeed past the one year mark and have a bone density test, my bones would be stronger than BEFORE I got pregnant. Never heard that before!
So, I am going to start doing some research on ALL of this stuff, see what I can learn and pray that this is all that it will take to get some weight on this kid!!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Big Blues!
I know this is a bad picture, he is washed out, but MAN can you see those big blue eyes!?!
This afternoon when we were picking the boys up fron school, a third grade girl came up and was playing with Andrew. She was talking to him, he was laughing at her...SHE ASKED TO HOLD HIM!
This was the first time I HAD to tell someone no when they asked to hold one of my kids. I COULD NOT let her hold him while STANDING on concrete!! I felt bad because it embarrased her, but...
PSA
Guess it is time to start buckling someone in, even if he is in for just a second.
Then again in a different swing right after the first one!
The proper way to put baby in swing.
Maybe not!
The most proper way to put baby in swing!
REMEMBER:
ALWAYS buckle baby into swing!! This has been a public service announcement about the importance of swing safety.
No babies were injured in the making of this PSA. There was responsible adult supervision during the making of this PSA. Please do not send emails and comments about the dangers of unsupervised infant swinging, we are aware. Thank you!
A special thank you to AJ for your cooperation in NOT COOPERATING(although you are not quite the houdini that Bryce was)!!
Then again in a different swing right after the first one!
The proper way to put baby in swing.
Maybe not!
The most proper way to put baby in swing!REMEMBER:
ALWAYS buckle baby into swing!! This has been a public service announcement about the importance of swing safety.
No babies were injured in the making of this PSA. There was responsible adult supervision during the making of this PSA. Please do not send emails and comments about the dangers of unsupervised infant swinging, we are aware. Thank you!
A special thank you to AJ for your cooperation in NOT COOPERATING(although you are not quite the houdini that Bryce was)!!
FINALLY!
After looking this weekend and trying MANY different bottles and nipples, I FINALLY found one (other than MINE) that AJ will take without TOO MUCH fuss! I got some preemie/newborn bottles today. While I still have to gently bounce him and shhish him continuously to get him to take the bottle, he IS taking it. Hopefully I can get him used to the bottle with these little bottles, then get him on some of the bigger bottles we have. The plan now is to give him a couple of ounces of formula and then breastfeed. Hopefully, we will be able to get some weight on him now!!
The drs office called Saturday and told me that all his lab work came back fine, so we will see what the gastroenterologist thinks tomorrow!
The drs office called Saturday and told me that all his lab work came back fine, so we will see what the gastroenterologist thinks tomorrow!
Weekend
It has been a short (weekends are NEVER long enough), exhausting (weekends are ALWAYS exhausting here), busy weekend! Paul is going to Canada this week and is on vacation next week. Next weekend he is going kayaking with Dad for the weekend, so we had a lot to get taken care of this weekend!
Saturday we spent running errands. When we were done doing that we went to check out a couple of spots for kayaking. That evening was spent comparing PSP and Nintendo DS. Paul got me a pink toy!!! Although PSP does more and looks cooler, the Nintendo DS has more games I would play. Most of the PSP games we saw were either sports or fighting games - neither one of which I care for! I LOVE Mario games and they have a game I like called Brain Age. You have to quickly answer different questions (for example, it will put a number up and you have to subtract 7. Then subtract 7 from that, then 7 from that, etc.) At the end, it tells you the age of your brain (like for the one Paul did in the store, I think he had a 50+ year old brain. I will give him the fact that he had NO idea what he was doing when he did it!). I only got a Mario game this time, I will probably get Brain Age next time!
Sunday, we spent doing the job we have been putting off for way too long. The weather was a little cooler (around 92) so we took advantage. It was still HOT though! When they put our flowerbed in they put it to high against the foundation. So we pulled out ALL of the mulch, lowered the bed a little, put down weed fabric and put new mulch down. We spent a little extra on the mulch, but it is guaranteed the color will not gray for over a year - it looks GOOD!! It did take ALL DAY yesterday, with Paul and I both doing it (and Caleb KIND OF helping). The hardest part was pulling up all the mulch and trying to lower the bed a little at the house while still keeping it to where the water would drain AWAY from the house, and cutting the fabric around the plants!
When we finished doing that with the flowerbed we had to plant one plant. We had one that died late spring. While we were at Lowe's getting the mulch,etc., we saw that they had some plants clearanced that looked decent. When Paul dug the hole to put the plant, the hole kept filling with water. After looking at our water meter to make sure there was not a leak, then smelling the water to make sure it wasn't sewage, we think there is a spring in our flowerbed. The grass straight out from that spot and the plants right around it are really green, even without us watering. We watched the water seep back in through a couple of holes. I know from talking with the water company that this town has a lot of natural springs, so we can only assume that is what it is. That would also explain why the plant that was there last time died! Paul put the new plant there, but planted it shallow - above the water. We are going to watch it and if it starts looking bad, we will move it.
Next week when Paul is home, we have more outdoors work. This weekend it is suppose to cool off quite a bit (like mid-80s) so maybe it will stay that way all week! We are going to put weed fabric down where the poison ivy is and put the sandbox on top of it. Then we are going to put mulch down around it and maybe a little monkey grass. Then the corner we had the sandbox in we are going to put in a fish pond and landscaping (this will not be done next week I don't think!). The boys will get more shade in the hottest part of the day with the sandbox at the back of the yard because the house behind us has lots of trees. Most importantly - this will take care of the poison ivy problem am continuously having!
This fall/winter we are going to put in flower beds at the fence at the side of the house (about 20 ft long) and put Morning Glorys or Sweetpeas out there next Spring. Hopefully, what we don't get done next week, we will get done this fall/winter so we can plant when we are supposed to plant various things!
Saturday we spent running errands. When we were done doing that we went to check out a couple of spots for kayaking. That evening was spent comparing PSP and Nintendo DS. Paul got me a pink toy!!! Although PSP does more and looks cooler, the Nintendo DS has more games I would play. Most of the PSP games we saw were either sports or fighting games - neither one of which I care for! I LOVE Mario games and they have a game I like called Brain Age. You have to quickly answer different questions (for example, it will put a number up and you have to subtract 7. Then subtract 7 from that, then 7 from that, etc.) At the end, it tells you the age of your brain (like for the one Paul did in the store, I think he had a 50+ year old brain. I will give him the fact that he had NO idea what he was doing when he did it!). I only got a Mario game this time, I will probably get Brain Age next time!
Sunday, we spent doing the job we have been putting off for way too long. The weather was a little cooler (around 92) so we took advantage. It was still HOT though! When they put our flowerbed in they put it to high against the foundation. So we pulled out ALL of the mulch, lowered the bed a little, put down weed fabric and put new mulch down. We spent a little extra on the mulch, but it is guaranteed the color will not gray for over a year - it looks GOOD!! It did take ALL DAY yesterday, with Paul and I both doing it (and Caleb KIND OF helping). The hardest part was pulling up all the mulch and trying to lower the bed a little at the house while still keeping it to where the water would drain AWAY from the house, and cutting the fabric around the plants!
When we finished doing that with the flowerbed we had to plant one plant. We had one that died late spring. While we were at Lowe's getting the mulch,etc., we saw that they had some plants clearanced that looked decent. When Paul dug the hole to put the plant, the hole kept filling with water. After looking at our water meter to make sure there was not a leak, then smelling the water to make sure it wasn't sewage, we think there is a spring in our flowerbed. The grass straight out from that spot and the plants right around it are really green, even without us watering. We watched the water seep back in through a couple of holes. I know from talking with the water company that this town has a lot of natural springs, so we can only assume that is what it is. That would also explain why the plant that was there last time died! Paul put the new plant there, but planted it shallow - above the water. We are going to watch it and if it starts looking bad, we will move it.
Next week when Paul is home, we have more outdoors work. This weekend it is suppose to cool off quite a bit (like mid-80s) so maybe it will stay that way all week! We are going to put weed fabric down where the poison ivy is and put the sandbox on top of it. Then we are going to put mulch down around it and maybe a little monkey grass. Then the corner we had the sandbox in we are going to put in a fish pond and landscaping (this will not be done next week I don't think!). The boys will get more shade in the hottest part of the day with the sandbox at the back of the yard because the house behind us has lots of trees. Most importantly - this will take care of the poison ivy problem am continuously having!
This fall/winter we are going to put in flower beds at the fence at the side of the house (about 20 ft long) and put Morning Glorys or Sweetpeas out there next Spring. Hopefully, what we don't get done next week, we will get done this fall/winter so we can plant when we are supposed to plant various things!
Friday, August 24, 2007
Here are some photos Paul took of Bryce kayaking. He came home and mapped where he went and found out he paddled 6 miles this morning - while pulling Bryce in his own kayak! NO WONDER HIS ARMS HURT! They had fun and Bryce had lots of stories!!
Mom - pay attention to the name on the boat - that is why Paul took the picture!
Mom - pay attention to the name on the boat - that is why Paul took the picture!
Second Day of Kindergarten
Second day seemed to go better than the first. Isaac asked me to walk him in (we will ignore the fact that it was ONLY so I could help him find his lunchbox!!), I was so excited. He informed me, though, that it was only today - after today Caleb is to take him!
So we found the prized racecar lunchbox as soon as we walked in the building. Someone had hung it on a rack at the front door. We switched out yesterdays lunch and put todays in it. I still did not even get a hug or a kiss. Just a "bye" - that is what I get for finding the missing lunchbox!
When I picked him up he was drinking his drink from lunch. I asked if he ate his lunch and he said he didn't eat. I asked why and just kept getting "because" from him. When we got home and things calmed down a little I took him in the room and asked him again. I asked if he forgot to take his lunchbox and he said yes. I asked what he did the whole time. "I drank my chocolate milk!" "CHOCOLATE MILK? I DID'T SEND YOU CHOCOLATE MILK! WHAT DID YOU EAT?" With a mischievious, yet confused and innocent voice I get "pizza, vegetables and cookies. I ate all my vegetables though!"
The boy CHARGED his lunch!! The school let him! I guess I have to go in and tell them that he is under no circumstance allowed to charge his lunch!
I am not feeling as though he is being helped out much! This is the SECOND day of school and he is a kindergartener! You would think they would take a little more time to help these poor kids out! I can't believe they allowed him to leave his lunchbox out on the playground, much less NOT let him go get it when he tells her about it. Then they let him CHARGE his lunch when he took a lunch!
This might be a LONG year for us!
So we found the prized racecar lunchbox as soon as we walked in the building. Someone had hung it on a rack at the front door. We switched out yesterdays lunch and put todays in it. I still did not even get a hug or a kiss. Just a "bye" - that is what I get for finding the missing lunchbox!
When I picked him up he was drinking his drink from lunch. I asked if he ate his lunch and he said he didn't eat. I asked why and just kept getting "because" from him. When we got home and things calmed down a little I took him in the room and asked him again. I asked if he forgot to take his lunchbox and he said yes. I asked what he did the whole time. "I drank my chocolate milk!" "CHOCOLATE MILK? I DID'T SEND YOU CHOCOLATE MILK! WHAT DID YOU EAT?" With a mischievious, yet confused and innocent voice I get "pizza, vegetables and cookies. I ate all my vegetables though!"
The boy CHARGED his lunch!! The school let him! I guess I have to go in and tell them that he is under no circumstance allowed to charge his lunch!
I am not feeling as though he is being helped out much! This is the SECOND day of school and he is a kindergartener! You would think they would take a little more time to help these poor kids out! I can't believe they allowed him to leave his lunchbox out on the playground, much less NOT let him go get it when he tells her about it. Then they let him CHARGE his lunch when he took a lunch!
This might be a LONG year for us!
Another Appt for AJ
I took Andrew back to the dr today because, while he is not throwing up as much and his diapers are wetter (so he is obvoiusly digesting more), he has decided he only wants to eat every 6-8 hours now - even during the day. I have been trying to make him eat more often than this, but he just plays and looks around or falls asleep, but doesn't really eat.
I explained to dr what was going on now. We talked for awhile about it. I explained that I had been trying to get him to take formula, just in case he needed it down the road. He asked my feelings on breastfeeding, whether I wanted to stop and go to formula or continue. I told him I honestly wanted to breastfeed, but was uncomfortable with the fact that he WON'T take the formula, just in case (especially since he is trying to go so long between feedings now). He told me not to give up on it if I WANTED to do it, he supports me breastfeeding because it is best and to wait and see what we can figure out.
We discussed the formula for a while and he decided to have one of his nurses come in and try to feed him a bottle (I took all the bottles I have been trying and some formula with me to show the dr what he does). The nurse was excited to get to do this instead of shots!! She was in the room with me, but she turned him to where he could not see me. He talked to her and played with the bottle nipple in his mouth. The little bit of formula that was coming out he would swallow, but then he spit it all up. She tried for about 20 minutes, with two different bottles, until he got REALLY upset! She went and got the dr and told him he would not take it.
So, the plan for now...
He told me to stop feeding him food. He has only gained 2 ounces in 10 days, so the food is not helping him gain weight. He wants to focus on getting the nutrition he needs from milk. He said to just continue trying to give him formula, if I want to try and get him used to it. Other than that just keep trying to feed him at least every four hours.
He also changed his medicine from the Zantac to Prevacid, just to see if that would do anything to help since he is still spitting up.
They took blood - out of my poor babies arm (like they do adults!). I DID NOT help hold him down for that!! Mama can only handle so much! He just wants to verify all of his organs are working properly - which we have no reason to believe they aren't other than him not gaining weight!
They are making an appointment for next week at Children's hospital for him to have an upper GI done. He is also calling a pediatric Gastroenterologist. He said they normally take about 6-8 weeks to get patients in, but he is personally calling to try and get him in as soon as possible. He wants to rule out any ulcers that he could have gotten in his esophagus from throwing up so much (he has not acted like throwing up is at all painful, this is just precautionary).
I am going to start pumping again - I guess :-( He didn't tell me I had to, or needed to, but he commented several times about not knowing exactly how much he is getting because I am breastfeeding. So, I am going to pump at different times each day to see how much I am producing. I know I am not producing as much as I was because he has cut back how much he is eating, so I want to know for sure how much he is getting.
What makes this so strange and hard to figure out is that Andrew is happy! He doesn't fuss all the time from hunger. He eats, he plays, he sleeps and he fusses when he wants to eat, but it is not very frequently. Dr said that for length he is going between feedings and the number of feedings he is WANTING (three or four in a 24 hour period) a day, he would have to be eating about 7-8 ounces PER FEEDING to get what he is supposed to have. I DOUBT he is getting that much - before throwing up!
Dr isn't really sure what is going on because usually kids that aren't eating well are fussy because they are hungry! That is why we are trying all of these other things to rule stuff out. He is not OVERLY worried about it, YET! He asked if I was and I told him I was pretty concerned because out of four kids - this is one issue WE HAVE NEVER HAD!! And as his sole nutrition provider (at this point), it does make me feel guilty that he is not gaining weight like he should be - even though I know I am doing everything in my power to get him to eat more.
Want to know how to STRESS a mother out? Write failure to thrive as the diagnosis from a drs visit!
I explained to dr what was going on now. We talked for awhile about it. I explained that I had been trying to get him to take formula, just in case he needed it down the road. He asked my feelings on breastfeeding, whether I wanted to stop and go to formula or continue. I told him I honestly wanted to breastfeed, but was uncomfortable with the fact that he WON'T take the formula, just in case (especially since he is trying to go so long between feedings now). He told me not to give up on it if I WANTED to do it, he supports me breastfeeding because it is best and to wait and see what we can figure out.
We discussed the formula for a while and he decided to have one of his nurses come in and try to feed him a bottle (I took all the bottles I have been trying and some formula with me to show the dr what he does). The nurse was excited to get to do this instead of shots!! She was in the room with me, but she turned him to where he could not see me. He talked to her and played with the bottle nipple in his mouth. The little bit of formula that was coming out he would swallow, but then he spit it all up. She tried for about 20 minutes, with two different bottles, until he got REALLY upset! She went and got the dr and told him he would not take it.
So, the plan for now...
He told me to stop feeding him food. He has only gained 2 ounces in 10 days, so the food is not helping him gain weight. He wants to focus on getting the nutrition he needs from milk. He said to just continue trying to give him formula, if I want to try and get him used to it. Other than that just keep trying to feed him at least every four hours.
He also changed his medicine from the Zantac to Prevacid, just to see if that would do anything to help since he is still spitting up.
They took blood - out of my poor babies arm (like they do adults!). I DID NOT help hold him down for that!! Mama can only handle so much! He just wants to verify all of his organs are working properly - which we have no reason to believe they aren't other than him not gaining weight!
They are making an appointment for next week at Children's hospital for him to have an upper GI done. He is also calling a pediatric Gastroenterologist. He said they normally take about 6-8 weeks to get patients in, but he is personally calling to try and get him in as soon as possible. He wants to rule out any ulcers that he could have gotten in his esophagus from throwing up so much (he has not acted like throwing up is at all painful, this is just precautionary).
I am going to start pumping again - I guess :-( He didn't tell me I had to, or needed to, but he commented several times about not knowing exactly how much he is getting because I am breastfeeding. So, I am going to pump at different times each day to see how much I am producing. I know I am not producing as much as I was because he has cut back how much he is eating, so I want to know for sure how much he is getting.
What makes this so strange and hard to figure out is that Andrew is happy! He doesn't fuss all the time from hunger. He eats, he plays, he sleeps and he fusses when he wants to eat, but it is not very frequently. Dr said that for length he is going between feedings and the number of feedings he is WANTING (three or four in a 24 hour period) a day, he would have to be eating about 7-8 ounces PER FEEDING to get what he is supposed to have. I DOUBT he is getting that much - before throwing up!
Dr isn't really sure what is going on because usually kids that aren't eating well are fussy because they are hungry! That is why we are trying all of these other things to rule stuff out. He is not OVERLY worried about it, YET! He asked if I was and I told him I was pretty concerned because out of four kids - this is one issue WE HAVE NEVER HAD!! And as his sole nutrition provider (at this point), it does make me feel guilty that he is not gaining weight like he should be - even though I know I am doing everything in my power to get him to eat more.
Want to know how to STRESS a mother out? Write failure to thrive as the diagnosis from a drs visit!
Andrew Happily Drowning Himself
AJ has gotten to where he loves to talk (which is actually playfully screaming) and SPIT! He is always soaked and has bubbles coming out of his mouth!! It is cute, but annoying when he is dressed and always soaked!
Enjoying Quiet
Paul took Bryce kayaking this morning. I am here alone with Andrew, enjoying SOME quiet. Andrew has not gone back down for a nap yet, but he will be soon. While Andrew is talking (screaming playfully), it is a MUCH quieter talk than Bryce does.
I called Paul to tell him that AJ was going to the dr in a little while and he said that Bryce wanted to tell me that a hot-air balloon came and visited them. I asked if they saw one and he said yes, that one had gone right over them and then landed. He was also talking about all of the fish that were jumping out of the water.
Bryce is in the boys kayak and Paul is pulling him. Paul said he tryed to paddle once and dropped the paddle and scared himself, so now he won't even try! They are having fun though and it is a great bonding time, which they don't get a lot of!!
We had lots of whining - from Caleb - about he wanted to go kayaking. I told him he had to go to school! I also told him kayaking is something that had to be earned, and with the way he acted at school AND at home - he did not deserve something fun like kayaking!
I called Paul to tell him that AJ was going to the dr in a little while and he said that Bryce wanted to tell me that a hot-air balloon came and visited them. I asked if they saw one and he said yes, that one had gone right over them and then landed. He was also talking about all of the fish that were jumping out of the water.
Bryce is in the boys kayak and Paul is pulling him. Paul said he tryed to paddle once and dropped the paddle and scared himself, so now he won't even try! They are having fun though and it is a great bonding time, which they don't get a lot of!!
We had lots of whining - from Caleb - about he wanted to go kayaking. I told him he had to go to school! I also told him kayaking is something that had to be earned, and with the way he acted at school AND at home - he did not deserve something fun like kayaking!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
NOT a good school day!!
for EITHER of the boys!
Isaac had a good day, he said. Then we got in the car and he started telling me about it. Didn't sound too good (and the fact that he cried from the time he got IN the car to the time we got home didn't help!)!!
He had fun, but at nap time he went to use the potty and missed the potty - so he ALREADY used his extra clothes (which is okay!). Also, they go to recess after lunch. I sent Isaac some apple slices for snack - in his lunchbox. At lunch he ONLY ate his peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He saved the cookies, chips and apples for snack. That would be okay, I guess, except he left his lunchbox on the playground at recess, so he had no snack. All he had to eat his entire day at school was a sandwich!
The teacher knew he forgot his box, but I don't know if she understood that his snack was IN his lunchbox. I went and asked his teacher about it because she was still outside. She said "oh, yeah..." and asked if I wanted to go to the playground and get it. I was in the pick-up line and could not leave the car there. There were no parking spots (not close to the building anyway) and I did not want to unload all of the kids in 100+ degree temps and wait on the teacher to finish delivering her kids to their parents, so I said I could not easily go to the playground. She said she would get it when she was done and if I would send his lunch in a bag, she would put it in his lunchbox in the morning.
I told Isaac, and he started crying MORE and said he didn't want to leave it. Maybe that will help him remember tomorrow!!
Caleb.... Caleb....Caleb....
I waited for quite a while for Caleb to come out.
He was escorted....
by his teacher.
As soon as I looked up and saw her coming, and him following a few steps back, head down with a sheet of paper in his hand - I KNEW!!
Every year Caleb gets in trouble at the beginning of the year. He has to see how far he can go and if the teacher is serious. Not far, and she is!! Usually after a note is sent home for his behavior, he is too scared to have ANOTHER note sent home and the bad behavior stops.
She said he had gotten in trouble yesterday and today for being rowdy and bouncing around. I told her we would talk. Caleb padded the story by saying that he was putting his backpack on, hit a chair that was on top of a desk and knocked it off. It is VERY possible that is what really happened, but if he has been "bouncing around and being rowdy" for the last two days and she did not actually see what happened, then I guess it is safe for her to assume he is doing it then.
I told Caleb that he now had to prove to his teacher that he was not a bad kid. In order to do that he needed to calm down and pay attention. I also reminded him that I signed a sheet that said the principal COULD paddle him. I also told him I would send the teacher a note and if she had any more problems to call me and I will make Daddy come home from work and go to the school to take care of it. He started crying AGAIN.
So, basically the drive home was flooded with tears!
Isaac had a good day, he said. Then we got in the car and he started telling me about it. Didn't sound too good (and the fact that he cried from the time he got IN the car to the time we got home didn't help!)!!
He had fun, but at nap time he went to use the potty and missed the potty - so he ALREADY used his extra clothes (which is okay!). Also, they go to recess after lunch. I sent Isaac some apple slices for snack - in his lunchbox. At lunch he ONLY ate his peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He saved the cookies, chips and apples for snack. That would be okay, I guess, except he left his lunchbox on the playground at recess, so he had no snack. All he had to eat his entire day at school was a sandwich!
The teacher knew he forgot his box, but I don't know if she understood that his snack was IN his lunchbox. I went and asked his teacher about it because she was still outside. She said "oh, yeah..." and asked if I wanted to go to the playground and get it. I was in the pick-up line and could not leave the car there. There were no parking spots (not close to the building anyway) and I did not want to unload all of the kids in 100+ degree temps and wait on the teacher to finish delivering her kids to their parents, so I said I could not easily go to the playground. She said she would get it when she was done and if I would send his lunch in a bag, she would put it in his lunchbox in the morning.
I told Isaac, and he started crying MORE and said he didn't want to leave it. Maybe that will help him remember tomorrow!!
Caleb.... Caleb....Caleb....
I waited for quite a while for Caleb to come out.
He was escorted....
by his teacher.
As soon as I looked up and saw her coming, and him following a few steps back, head down with a sheet of paper in his hand - I KNEW!!
Every year Caleb gets in trouble at the beginning of the year. He has to see how far he can go and if the teacher is serious. Not far, and she is!! Usually after a note is sent home for his behavior, he is too scared to have ANOTHER note sent home and the bad behavior stops.
She said he had gotten in trouble yesterday and today for being rowdy and bouncing around. I told her we would talk. Caleb padded the story by saying that he was putting his backpack on, hit a chair that was on top of a desk and knocked it off. It is VERY possible that is what really happened, but if he has been "bouncing around and being rowdy" for the last two days and she did not actually see what happened, then I guess it is safe for her to assume he is doing it then.
I told Caleb that he now had to prove to his teacher that he was not a bad kid. In order to do that he needed to calm down and pay attention. I also reminded him that I signed a sheet that said the principal COULD paddle him. I also told him I would send the teacher a note and if she had any more problems to call me and I will make Daddy come home from work and go to the school to take care of it. He started crying AGAIN.
So, basically the drive home was flooded with tears!
"Sorry Mom!"
Lately, we (especially Paul - my PROTECTOR!! :-))have been getting on to Bryce for speaking disrespectfully to me. Earlier this week, I am not even sure what he said, but he was not mean about it - just spoke loud. Before I even had a chance to ask him what he said he says "I'm sorry Mommy!" I was confused and asked what he was sorry for. "I am sorry for being dispreprectable!" (If you can't translate - that is disrespectful). "Was that an accident Mom?" Again, confused by his saying he was 'dispreprectable' and him asking if it was an accident, I sat down and asked him what he was talking about. "I was dispreprectable and talked too loud to you. Was that an accident?" "Did you mean to speak loud to me?" "No it just came out loud!" he said. "Then it was an accident and thank you for apologizing!"
I am VERY impressed that he realized he was loud and apologized without any saying anything to him. I am so used to him being loud all the time, his loud is not even loud to me anymore. It is funny because someone will see Andrew in his seat when we are out and apologize for being loud (even when he is awake). I always have to point out that he has three older brothers and there is not much that is louder than them - even when he is sleeping!
I am VERY impressed that he realized he was loud and apologized without any saying anything to him. I am so used to him being loud all the time, his loud is not even loud to me anymore. It is funny because someone will see Andrew in his seat when we are out and apologize for being loud (even when he is awake). I always have to point out that he has three older brothers and there is not much that is louder than them - even when he is sleeping!
So, you may be wondering...
"how is Bryce doing with the boys going back to school?" Take a look:
Look close and you can see a tear, oh - wait...NO, there are NO tears!!
He was quite excited to have control over the toys and to get to play without getting picked on, yelled at, or having toys taken away from him (please don't get me wrong - he does just as much of all of those things to his brothers as they do to him!). He is ready to start school, too, but he could not wait to come home this morning and PLAY BY HIMSELF!! He didn't even want ME to play with him!
I am just being left out of everything!! PITY PARTY!!!
Maybe he will calm down a little since he is not competeing all day for attention! He has been a real sweetie this morning (other than not letting me play with him!).
Look close and you can see a tear, oh - wait...NO, there are NO tears!!
He was quite excited to have control over the toys and to get to play without getting picked on, yelled at, or having toys taken away from him (please don't get me wrong - he does just as much of all of those things to his brothers as they do to him!). He is ready to start school, too, but he could not wait to come home this morning and PLAY BY HIMSELF!! He didn't even want ME to play with him!
I am just being left out of everything!! PITY PARTY!!!
Maybe he will calm down a little since he is not competeing all day for attention! He has been a real sweetie this morning (other than not letting me play with him!).
Oh, Yeah!
I posted in the last post about that tshirt. Paul had seen a tshirt he wanted to get them and I said no, then decided to get it for them anyway. It said "Blame my sister." Paul thought it was funny because they always say "not me" when we ask "who did...." So the not me would be the sister they don't have.
The boys didn't get the joke. They saw the shirt and said they didn't have a sister. When I explained the joke - they still didn't get it.
Obviously, this would be a shirt best worn around people we know, but we thought it was funny. I took them back, though, since the boys don't get it!
The boys didn't get the joke. They saw the shirt and said they didn't have a sister. When I explained the joke - they still didn't get it.
Obviously, this would be a shirt best worn around people we know, but we thought it was funny. I took them back, though, since the boys don't get it!
The Big Kindergartener!
ummm, I tied his shoe BEFORE he got in the car to go! He didn't tie that one too well, apparantly!WOW!! I dropped the boys off this morning at school. Caleb decided today was the PERFECT day to where this shirt (since he HAD to walk his brother to his class):
Front of shirt
Back bottom of shirtI mean he got out of bed this morning asking where this shirt was!! When we got this shirt, Caleb made such a big deal out of saying the "brother" in the cage was Isaac, that I went and got Isaac the same shirt and told him the "brother" in the cage was Caleb!
I digress: I asked Isaac this morning, as he was getting ready, if he wanted me to walk him in. He smiled BIG and said "no, I want CALEB to walk me in!" I frowned BIG and said okay. When we got to the school, I asked Isaac if he wanted me to walk him in, he said "NO, I want CALEB to walk me in!" with a smile and a tone of frustration (like, "I have told you a hundred times, you can't walk me in!).
Not only could I not walk him in, HE COULD NOT EVEN BE BOTHERED TO GIVE ME A HUG AND KISS!!! My sweet little Isaac!! He got out of the car, started walking to the building and NEVER LOOKED BACK! :-(
I know I should feel good that he is comfortable enough to be able to go to school and not need me to walk him in and linger around (like my Mother so sweetly pointed out had to be done with me!), but I figured out of ANY of the boys - he would be the one to let me, if not WANT me too!
I will live!! I will post this evening how Isaac did the first day of BIG K!!!!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Mr. Independence, cont
I took the rest of Isaac's supplies to his class when I picked up Caleb. I decided that if Isaac doesn't want me to walk him to class, I am not going to. I don't want to interfere with his independence or make him think he needs me to stay because other parents are their. He asked for Caleb to walk him in, so I will let Caleb walk him in (even if it breaks my heart - insert a bucket of tears here).
When I told Caleb that Isaac wanted him to walk him to his class, Caleb rolled his eyes - a forced roll! He trys not to show it, but I think he is excited about Isaac being there. He has made many comments about how he will be there if Isaac needs him. I told Caleb where Isaac's class was at and Caleb said he could handle it.
My boys are growing up so fast!! It might be harder than I thought to drop them off at the curb tomorrow! Even though Isaac was at school all day every day last year - it wasn't SCHOOL!!
When I told Caleb that Isaac wanted him to walk him to his class, Caleb rolled his eyes - a forced roll! He trys not to show it, but I think he is excited about Isaac being there. He has made many comments about how he will be there if Isaac needs him. I told Caleb where Isaac's class was at and Caleb said he could handle it.
My boys are growing up so fast!! It might be harder than I thought to drop them off at the curb tomorrow! Even though Isaac was at school all day every day last year - it wasn't SCHOOL!!
Third day of third grade
Third day of school, third day of homework! He had language homework today. Two worksheets front and and 14 questions in his textbook.
Yesterday, when he started his math homework, he immediately asked for a calculator. I told him I didn't think he was allowed to use a calculator. He said everyone always uses a calculator, even adults. I told him he had to LEARN how to do it on paper, then he could start using a calculator. Good try!!
He spent three hours on his homework yesterday. Not because he had three hours of homework and not because he did not know what he was doing. It took three hours because he decided to play. He soon found out that when he waste all that time NOT doing homework, he loses his time to do everything else. I told him I am not going to hound him about homework, but that he had to sit at his desk until it was done and if it took from the time he gets home to the time he goes to bed, fine. Last year I let him wait until after dinner to do his homework and he did the same thing, but then had to stay up late to do his work. Since I know that taking a break from the work when he first gets home doesn't help, he can learn that if he wants time to play or use the computer or games - he needs to get his work done - PROPERLY!
Oh, guess how many books he brought home today? That is right, ONE - no extras!!
Yesterday, when he started his math homework, he immediately asked for a calculator. I told him I didn't think he was allowed to use a calculator. He said everyone always uses a calculator, even adults. I told him he had to LEARN how to do it on paper, then he could start using a calculator. Good try!!
He spent three hours on his homework yesterday. Not because he had three hours of homework and not because he did not know what he was doing. It took three hours because he decided to play. He soon found out that when he waste all that time NOT doing homework, he loses his time to do everything else. I told him I am not going to hound him about homework, but that he had to sit at his desk until it was done and if it took from the time he gets home to the time he goes to bed, fine. Last year I let him wait until after dinner to do his homework and he did the same thing, but then had to stay up late to do his work. Since I know that taking a break from the work when he first gets home doesn't help, he can learn that if he wants time to play or use the computer or games - he needs to get his work done - PROPERLY!
Oh, guess how many books he brought home today? That is right, ONE - no extras!!
Mr. Independence!
After Isaac's open house at the school, he informed me that I was not to walk him into class tomorrow, he would find someone and ask them to take him. I asked if I could at least walk him to his class in the morning with Caleb, then Caleb could start taking him. After thinking about it for WAY TOO LONG, he said he guessed that was okay. HE GUESSED THAT WAS OKAY!!
:-( I have ANOTHER child in school :-(
:-( I have ANOTHER child in school :-(
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Sleeping with a girl
I was driving home from Andrew's drs appt earlier and from the backseat I hear "I am going to sleep with this girl because I like her and I like sleeping with girls" from Bryce. I QUICKLY look in the mirror and the lady at McDonald's - who specifically asked if the happy meals were for boys or girls - had given one boy toy and one girl toy. Bryce got a little stuffed cat and I guess he liked it, but I was happy to see that he was talking about sleeping with a girl toy NOT a girl!!!
Second Day of Third Grade...
and Caleb is already realizing that he is not going to sail through third grade like he has every other grade. He came home with homework on his first day of school - and his second. He is having to carry real (thick and heavy) textbooks home and back. In fact, when we bought his backpack I told him the one he picked out was going to be too small. He said it would be fine. Instead of argueing, I spent the $8 on it! I went today to get him a regular, bigger backpack!!! I guess Isaac has two now!
I asked him when I picked him up today if third grade was hard. He said "yes, definently! It is much harder than I thought." I told him that was good, and he said he knew - he wouldn't be bored but would have to pay more attention so he could still get A's.
He carried home an extra textbook today, we will see how many times that happens because he commented on how heavy they were!
I am glad that he is already being challanged, and I am glad that he sees - and accepts - the fact that he needs to be challanged to really learn anything.
He was up BEFORE the alarm went off this morning - and DRESSED (his alarm goes off at 6:30). He said he wanted to get to school even earlier from now on because his teacher lets him go into class and play with the animals!
Caleb's needs help with his Math homework (we will see if I can do third grade math or if Daddy will have to teach us both!!)....
I asked him when I picked him up today if third grade was hard. He said "yes, definently! It is much harder than I thought." I told him that was good, and he said he knew - he wouldn't be bored but would have to pay more attention so he could still get A's.
He carried home an extra textbook today, we will see how many times that happens because he commented on how heavy they were!
I am glad that he is already being challanged, and I am glad that he sees - and accepts - the fact that he needs to be challanged to really learn anything.
He was up BEFORE the alarm went off this morning - and DRESSED (his alarm goes off at 6:30). He said he wanted to get to school even earlier from now on because his teacher lets him go into class and play with the animals!
Caleb's needs help with his Math homework (we will see if I can do third grade math or if Daddy will have to teach us both!!)....
A CUP!!
I gave Andrew a cup this morning with just a little bit of water and a taste of apple juice. I was really just wanting to see what he would do with a cup. Well, much like when it came to eating food, he took it - put it in his mouth and started drinking it! It looks kind of funny, though, because the cup is as long as his torso!
It is a "training cup" so he has to suck to get stuff out, but he doesn't have to suck as hard as with a sippy cup.
What are the odds that he will just totally skip a bottle???
It is a "training cup" so he has to suck to get stuff out, but he doesn't have to suck as hard as with a sippy cup.
What are the odds that he will just totally skip a bottle???
Modified "Two is Better Than One"
I posted before how Andrew likes to suck his thumb and his pacifier at the same time. He has gone a step further and has figured out a way to suck both at the same time, but not occupy so much of his mouth (easier to talk if you have some space!!). He has now started sucking his pacifier, with his thumb INSIDE the pacifier.
I guess he gets the best of both worlds!
I guess he gets the best of both worlds!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Feeding Andrew
It has gotten interesting feeding Andrew lately. He ahs decided to start talking EVERY TIME THE SPOON GOES IN HIS MOUTH. He doesn't talk between bites, just when you put the food in his mouth. He doesn't drool it out or even purposely spit it out, but food FLYS out of his mouth when he does it!
BOYS SHARING!!
The boys were watching a movie on the Gameboy last night. Andrew kept "crawling" up to it and trying to eat it and watch it at the same time. It seemed like the more Bryce would tell AJ not to drool on the game, the more drool would come out!
PAUL DID IT!!!
Before you look at these pictures I want to make it VERY CLEAR that I had NOTHING to do with this - except for taking the pictures!! Paul did this on his own!! This is not my way of wishing I had a girl or anything!! BUT THEY SURE ARE CUTE!!
One down, two to go...
FIRST DAY OF THIRD GRADE!
I took Caleb to school this morning for the first day of third grade!! I have heard third grade is the hardest, so I can only imagine how third grade in G/T will be. We have not sat down and discussed with Caleb that he is in a "special" class. I don't want him to take the attitude that the class is to hard because it is going to be more challanging than the other third grade classes. I also don't want him to get a big-head about being in a "smart-class".
The teacher, at open-house, kept talking about "Carnation-station" and needing parent volunteers. I finally asked her what carnation-station was and kind of laughed when she told me. Carnation-station is in February the kids sell carnations and on Valentine's day they are delivered to whoever they are bought for.
This is actually an economic project for them. They will have to keep up with how many flowers they sell, how much money they make, etc. Then they have to do charts and graphs with the information.
It is my understanding he will also HAVE to do a science fair project - for a test grade!! I already warned Paul about it, and he isn't too excited about it. Caleb, however LOVES science. One of the things he is most excited about this year is the fact that he has Science (and the fact that they have several class pets - that come home with the kids, but I am sure we wouldn't notice one more animal!!).
I think this may actually be a challanging year for him!!
I took Caleb to school this morning for the first day of third grade!! I have heard third grade is the hardest, so I can only imagine how third grade in G/T will be. We have not sat down and discussed with Caleb that he is in a "special" class. I don't want him to take the attitude that the class is to hard because it is going to be more challanging than the other third grade classes. I also don't want him to get a big-head about being in a "smart-class".
The teacher, at open-house, kept talking about "Carnation-station" and needing parent volunteers. I finally asked her what carnation-station was and kind of laughed when she told me. Carnation-station is in February the kids sell carnations and on Valentine's day they are delivered to whoever they are bought for.
This is actually an economic project for them. They will have to keep up with how many flowers they sell, how much money they make, etc. Then they have to do charts and graphs with the information.
It is my understanding he will also HAVE to do a science fair project - for a test grade!! I already warned Paul about it, and he isn't too excited about it. Caleb, however LOVES science. One of the things he is most excited about this year is the fact that he has Science (and the fact that they have several class pets - that come home with the kids, but I am sure we wouldn't notice one more animal!!).
I think this may actually be a challanging year for him!!
Setting the record straight!
A couple of days ago Paul was in another room than I was and said "Hey doodiehead?" (See this is why I can get away with saying I have 5 children). I did not respond to him, so he came into me and said "I was calling you." I simply responded "Oh, I wasn't sure who you were talking too, but I knew it wasn't me because my name is not "doodiehead". "Sorry, Pretty Pretty Princess..."
"That is right AND DON'T YOU FORGET IT!!" I am NOT one of the boys and will not be treated like one of them!!
He has not called me "doodiehead" since, but I have gotten several "Pretty Pretty Princesses"!!!
SEE WHAT I HAVE TO LIVE WITH!!!!
"That is right AND DON'T YOU FORGET IT!!" I am NOT one of the boys and will not be treated like one of them!!
He has not called me "doodiehead" since, but I have gotten several "Pretty Pretty Princesses"!!!
SEE WHAT I HAVE TO LIVE WITH!!!!
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Do you know what this is - the answer!
Thanks for the guesses, but I guess I should have put it next to something so you could have a better idea of its size. NOT A TEABAG HOLDER!!
I think this could be one of the best new things for babies. It is called a BUMBO seat (you are right Kelley!!). It is for babies to use when they have good neck control, but before they can sit by themselves. AJ has gotten tired of laying down all the time and I can't always hold him, so this is great. Not to mention, he can sit in the seat and play with toys that he can't easily play with laying down.
AJ LOVES the seat. Here are a few pics of it in use!
And for those of you laughing, I did not arrange for him to blend into the seat - that was the only sleeper he had that was clean! I am NOT color coordinating the baby and the babies furniture!!
I think this could be one of the best new things for babies. It is called a BUMBO seat (you are right Kelley!!). It is for babies to use when they have good neck control, but before they can sit by themselves. AJ has gotten tired of laying down all the time and I can't always hold him, so this is great. Not to mention, he can sit in the seat and play with toys that he can't easily play with laying down.
AJ LOVES the seat. Here are a few pics of it in use!
And for those of you laughing, I did not arrange for him to blend into the seat - that was the only sleeper he had that was clean! I am NOT color coordinating the baby and the babies furniture!!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Pre-Zantac
This is two days worth of Andrew's laundry, pre-Zantac. It really is helping. He is still doing some spitting up, but not THROWING UP like before. And he has had fruit everyday - with no problems! The thing I love the most - he is wearing ONE outfit a day and burp clothes and sheets are lasting through more than one feeding! Oh, and no crusty hair, where he threw up in bed and then rolled over in it!!
Life is much better for both of us when he is on Zantac!!
A surprise in the wash!
I don't even know what made me open the washer mid-cycle, but I did and this is what I found:
That is right - a DIAPER!!
I know it is kind of hard to see against the white bag, so I highlighted the diaper. This is why I am a die-hard fan of this brand of diapers.
Even after being in the washer, it never broke or came apart!!! This is REALLY amazing to me because it was going through the final rinse when I found it. It had already done the spin cycles, etc., and came out in one piece!
AMAZING!! Heather told me to write the company and I think I might! I am amazed. If I am lucky, maybe they will use the story for advertising in some way and I can get some FREE DIAPERS!!! Okay, probably not, but I can hope!
P.S. This diaper LUCKILY had NEVER been used! I would rather waste a new diaper if one is going to end up in my washer, than have a stinky one end up in there!
That is right - a DIAPER!!
I know it is kind of hard to see against the white bag, so I highlighted the diaper. This is why I am a die-hard fan of this brand of diapers.
Even after being in the washer, it never broke or came apart!!! This is REALLY amazing to me because it was going through the final rinse when I found it. It had already done the spin cycles, etc., and came out in one piece!
AMAZING!! Heather told me to write the company and I think I might! I am amazed. If I am lucky, maybe they will use the story for advertising in some way and I can get some FREE DIAPERS!!! Okay, probably not, but I can hope!
P.S. This diaper LUCKILY had NEVER been used! I would rather waste a new diaper if one is going to end up in my washer, than have a stinky one end up in there!
Poison Ivy
I am slowly getting poison ivy as bad as I had it when I had to deliver Andrew early because of it! I seem to break out for a couple of weeks after I am exposed to poison ivy. It is miserable! The dr called in the same steroids I took last time and the same cream I used last time. I am conflicted about the steroids though!
I don't want to end up in the hospital with an IV again, but I don't want Andrew on steroids - hey maybe it will help him with his weight!! I can't pump and dump for a week though because ANDREW WON'T TAKE FORMULA!! I would assume that since they said it was okay for me breastfeed on all of the steroids I was on right after he was born, he would be okay now since he is older and bigger, but I just hate taking meds when I am breastfeeding! If I end up in the hospital, though, I will have the same dilemma, except he would have to come get exposed to germs just to eat!
It just hit me that maybe the steroids I was taking when he was born could be the reason a heart murmur was not heard when he was born, then was a couple of days later, and then wasn't a week later! I don't know if that could be, but when the pharmacist said it could mess with his heart rate, it got me thinking!
I guess I need to end this before I end up with hives, so I will take the medicine when I go to bed, after I feed him, so that he won't get AS much, hopefully! So, I guess I will get lots of cleaning done, if the steroids don't make me eat all night!
I don't want to end up in the hospital with an IV again, but I don't want Andrew on steroids - hey maybe it will help him with his weight!! I can't pump and dump for a week though because ANDREW WON'T TAKE FORMULA!! I would assume that since they said it was okay for me breastfeed on all of the steroids I was on right after he was born, he would be okay now since he is older and bigger, but I just hate taking meds when I am breastfeeding! If I end up in the hospital, though, I will have the same dilemma, except he would have to come get exposed to germs just to eat!
It just hit me that maybe the steroids I was taking when he was born could be the reason a heart murmur was not heard when he was born, then was a couple of days later, and then wasn't a week later! I don't know if that could be, but when the pharmacist said it could mess with his heart rate, it got me thinking!
I guess I need to end this before I end up with hives, so I will take the medicine when I go to bed, after I feed him, so that he won't get AS much, hopefully! So, I guess I will get lots of cleaning done, if the steroids don't make me eat all night!
Wrong Daddy!
We went grocery shopping this morning (fun! fun!). The boys start school next week, so we had to get back into getting school lunch food. I let Isaac pick out what kind of sandwiches he wanted and he said PB&J. He got the jelly, but Daddy had already gone to the next aisle. Isaac was walking ahead of me, and went to give Daddy the jelly. He had his arm stretched up all the way giving him the jelly, but he was looking down. He kept saying "here daddy, here daddy, here..."
IT WASN'T DADDY!! The man was built the same as Daddy and had on khaki shorts and a blue tshirt and a khaki hat like Daddy, but...it wasn't him! The man started laughing and said "your Daddy must be kinda tall and look like me!" Caleb and I just laughed - I apologized to the man and we went to tell Daddy what happened.
Made for an entertaining day of grocery shopping!
IT WASN'T DADDY!! The man was built the same as Daddy and had on khaki shorts and a blue tshirt and a khaki hat like Daddy, but...it wasn't him! The man started laughing and said "your Daddy must be kinda tall and look like me!" Caleb and I just laughed - I apologized to the man and we went to tell Daddy what happened.
Made for an entertaining day of grocery shopping!
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Another Zantac Update
I know this is a long post, but I start ranting at the end - SORRY!
The Zantac seems to help, but is not doing away with the problem! Andrew had peaches at breakfast and applesauce at dinner (I probably should not have done that - but I wasn't thinking!). He did fine, no tummy problems (or any others)like he had last time, all day. With dinner I also made some cereal (which I guess I chose the wrong kid NOT to feed cereal too - so he is on it now!) with FORMULA!! He did not care for his dinner much! He loved the applesauce, but Mean Mom was mixing in cereal made with nasty formula with his sweet, tasty, LOVED applesauce! He also had some green beans, which he hasn't had in a while - doesn't really care for them anymore!
But, I digress! He did pretty good most of the day until last night. He started throwing up again. I can tell when he is nearing time for the next dose, because it gets worse. I know it is helping, because he had no problems with the fruit, but it still seems to be too much.
Paul and I got into a little arguement last night because he thinks Drs are ALWAYS wrong. I finally told him to go to med school. I figure since ALL drs are so stupid, and he knows EVERYTHING, he should get through school pretty quick and start making some GOOD money! He says drs aren't any smarter than anyone else (how long do they go to school for?). What makes me so mad about it though, is he is argueing with what I am telling the dr.
He doesn't doubt that he has acid reflux, but he says he is not "spitting up" enough to make him not gain weight. I say he is "throwing up" WAY too much. If I am going through more than one burp cloth - per feeding, and that does not count what is not making it into the burp cloth - I think he is throwing up too much. There are times when AJ and I BOTH go through several shirts per feeding (on top of several burp clothes) because he is just soaking me.
So, I asked him if he thought I wasn't producing enough milk. He says he thinks I am supplying plenty of milk. THAN WHAT IS THE REASON HE ISN'T GAINING WEIGHT? Paul says he isn't getting fatter because he is getting longer. Which he is. He got two inches longer in two months. I AM NOT TRYING TO MAKE HIM FATTER! I just want him to gain weight like he should be.
Paul got on the scale last night by himself and then got on the scale with Andrew. Our OLD scale said AJ weighed...well I say 13, Paul says 13 1/2. Either way, I think the drs scale would be more accurate and definently easier to read. He has been weighed on the same scale everytime we have been there (which the dr said to make sure when we come in a month - they use the same scale again).
Me, I am going to go with what the dr says. I love my husband and I trust him - but until he has that medical degree in his hand... Regardless of if he is fat or long, he should still be gaining weight. He went from being at 50% to 10% in two months (while all other measurements went UP or stayed the same)and that concerns me a little! I was concerned with his weight BEFORE we even went to the dr - that is why I started feeding him food early!
This is just going to have to be one arguement that MOM'S INTUITION wins on!!!
The Zantac seems to help, but is not doing away with the problem! Andrew had peaches at breakfast and applesauce at dinner (I probably should not have done that - but I wasn't thinking!). He did fine, no tummy problems (or any others)like he had last time, all day. With dinner I also made some cereal (which I guess I chose the wrong kid NOT to feed cereal too - so he is on it now!) with FORMULA!! He did not care for his dinner much! He loved the applesauce, but Mean Mom was mixing in cereal made with nasty formula with his sweet, tasty, LOVED applesauce! He also had some green beans, which he hasn't had in a while - doesn't really care for them anymore!
But, I digress! He did pretty good most of the day until last night. He started throwing up again. I can tell when he is nearing time for the next dose, because it gets worse. I know it is helping, because he had no problems with the fruit, but it still seems to be too much.
Paul and I got into a little arguement last night because he thinks Drs are ALWAYS wrong. I finally told him to go to med school. I figure since ALL drs are so stupid, and he knows EVERYTHING, he should get through school pretty quick and start making some GOOD money! He says drs aren't any smarter than anyone else (how long do they go to school for?). What makes me so mad about it though, is he is argueing with what I am telling the dr.
He doesn't doubt that he has acid reflux, but he says he is not "spitting up" enough to make him not gain weight. I say he is "throwing up" WAY too much. If I am going through more than one burp cloth - per feeding, and that does not count what is not making it into the burp cloth - I think he is throwing up too much. There are times when AJ and I BOTH go through several shirts per feeding (on top of several burp clothes) because he is just soaking me.
So, I asked him if he thought I wasn't producing enough milk. He says he thinks I am supplying plenty of milk. THAN WHAT IS THE REASON HE ISN'T GAINING WEIGHT? Paul says he isn't getting fatter because he is getting longer. Which he is. He got two inches longer in two months. I AM NOT TRYING TO MAKE HIM FATTER! I just want him to gain weight like he should be.
Paul got on the scale last night by himself and then got on the scale with Andrew. Our OLD scale said AJ weighed...well I say 13, Paul says 13 1/2. Either way, I think the drs scale would be more accurate and definently easier to read. He has been weighed on the same scale everytime we have been there (which the dr said to make sure when we come in a month - they use the same scale again).
Me, I am going to go with what the dr says. I love my husband and I trust him - but until he has that medical degree in his hand... Regardless of if he is fat or long, he should still be gaining weight. He went from being at 50% to 10% in two months (while all other measurements went UP or stayed the same)and that concerns me a little! I was concerned with his weight BEFORE we even went to the dr - that is why I started feeding him food early!
This is just going to have to be one arguement that MOM'S INTUITION wins on!!!
AGAIN...and AGAIN...
It is official! I am no longer allowed in my backyard OR allowed to as much as TOUCH (maybe even look at) our dogs. I have poison ivy AGAIN!! I don't know HOW Andrew has not gotten it. HOPEFULLY, as much as I have had it and the fact that AJ has not broken out (YET) means that he will be immune!! However - I know it gets worse each time you get it! I am calling my dermatologist today to see if I can get a steroid pack without seeing him. It is not near as severe as when I was pregnant, and this is actually the third time I have broken out with it since I had Andrew!
We FINALLY figured out yesterday that I am getting it from the dogs (or pretty sure I am). Saturday night we sat outside in the backyard - we ate dinner out there, the boys played in the sprinklers and I PLAYED WITH THE DOGS! The trees that were covered in poison ivy were cut down, but they ground up the stumps and filled the holes with the wood chips. I did not even think to ask them to just leave a hole, so now the stumps that were covered in poison ivy are chips that are covered in poison ivy. Guess where the dogs lay during the hot part of the day. Guess where teh dogs dig when they feel the need to dig. THAT IS RIGHT!! THE WOOD CHIPS!!!
SO>>>the solution. We are either going to put a rock garden out there (thanks for the idea Mom), if I can find one in these books we have that will look good out there, or Paul has been wanting to put in a pond... If we do the rock garden, we can lay down weed-shield fabric and cover it with rock. If we do the pond PAUL will have to dig up ALL of the POISON IVY!
Either way, until it happens - Mommy stays INSIDE and DOESN'T play with cute little doggies!!
We FINALLY figured out yesterday that I am getting it from the dogs (or pretty sure I am). Saturday night we sat outside in the backyard - we ate dinner out there, the boys played in the sprinklers and I PLAYED WITH THE DOGS! The trees that were covered in poison ivy were cut down, but they ground up the stumps and filled the holes with the wood chips. I did not even think to ask them to just leave a hole, so now the stumps that were covered in poison ivy are chips that are covered in poison ivy. Guess where the dogs lay during the hot part of the day. Guess where teh dogs dig when they feel the need to dig. THAT IS RIGHT!! THE WOOD CHIPS!!!
SO>>>the solution. We are either going to put a rock garden out there (thanks for the idea Mom), if I can find one in these books we have that will look good out there, or Paul has been wanting to put in a pond... If we do the rock garden, we can lay down weed-shield fabric and cover it with rock. If we do the pond PAUL will have to dig up ALL of the POISON IVY!
Either way, until it happens - Mommy stays INSIDE and DOESN'T play with cute little doggies!!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Zantac
It seems to be helping, some. Although he is still throwing up some after he eats, he seems to be doing better. This afternoon, evening will be the real test! I gave him peaches and cereal for breakfast. If he doesn't scream later because of the peaches, I will know it was DEFINENTLY acid reflux!
He LOVED getting food for breakfast this morning. He may be small, but this boy likes to eat (why not - his brothers did too!). I am going to try the formula again today, just in case we need it some, in the future.
We have an appointment with an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat specialist) on Tuesday, just to have him look at the prearicular pits and get his opinion on what he thinks we should do, if anything. If it is something that will likely cause problems in the future, we want it taken care of NOW! This is the same ENT that has seen Isaac and done all of his surgeries (other than his hand, obviously), so I really trust him and his opinion.
God has really blessed us with great doctors, since the day Caleb was born. When we moved from TX, one of my greatest concerns was leaving the pediatrician we had always been with and having to find a new one that was as good as he was. The first dr we visited up here filled those shoes! You hear lots of horror stories from other people, but even the specialist the kids have seen have been great. It is very reassuring - but still, I prefer second opinions on things like this from someone who deals with it on a regular basis!
He LOVED getting food for breakfast this morning. He may be small, but this boy likes to eat (why not - his brothers did too!). I am going to try the formula again today, just in case we need it some, in the future.
We have an appointment with an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat specialist) on Tuesday, just to have him look at the prearicular pits and get his opinion on what he thinks we should do, if anything. If it is something that will likely cause problems in the future, we want it taken care of NOW! This is the same ENT that has seen Isaac and done all of his surgeries (other than his hand, obviously), so I really trust him and his opinion.
God has really blessed us with great doctors, since the day Caleb was born. When we moved from TX, one of my greatest concerns was leaving the pediatrician we had always been with and having to find a new one that was as good as he was. The first dr we visited up here filled those shoes! You hear lots of horror stories from other people, but even the specialist the kids have seen have been great. It is very reassuring - but still, I prefer second opinions on things like this from someone who deals with it on a regular basis!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
106 and Counting
That has been our actual temperature and the outlook for this week does not look good! THe seven day forecast has three digits everyday. Really, it does not matter what three digits it is, any temp with three digits is WAY TOO HOT!
We are still tinkering with the air conditioning. The man came and had gotten the bedrooms cooled, but the middle of the house was hot. He came out again yesterday to adjust it and now the middle of the house is cool again and the bedrooms are hot. THERE HAS GOT TO BE A JUST RIGHT!!! He says he is just barely adjusting the airflow, but it goes from one extreme to the other!
I just don't want to see my water or electric bill this month!!!
We are still tinkering with the air conditioning. The man came and had gotten the bedrooms cooled, but the middle of the house was hot. He came out again yesterday to adjust it and now the middle of the house is cool again and the bedrooms are hot. THERE HAS GOT TO BE A JUST RIGHT!!! He says he is just barely adjusting the airflow, but it goes from one extreme to the other!
I just don't want to see my water or electric bill this month!!!
Preauricular Pits
I did some research because I could not remember the name the dr gave the "indentations" at Andrew's ear. So, thanks to google, I know they are called Preauricular Pits, and now have a little bit of information about them and what to expect. Reading this stuff definently did not make me feel any better about the situation, but as I already said - I am not going to worry about it until I need too. It is nice to know what COULD come from it though!
I was able to get a better picture than the previous one of what I am talking about (just double click on the picture to enlarge it):
I was able to get a better picture than the previous one of what I am talking about (just double click on the picture to enlarge it):
Mommy's Little SLUG
I call Andrew my Little Slug (not Slugger - Slug). Because of all the throwing up he does, and to utilize all of the bed and do less laundry, AJ sleeps at the "head" of his bed one or two times and then the "foot" of his bed one or two times before we change the sheets (Remember he is still sleeping the majority of the day - so I would end up changing sheets 5 to 10 times A DAY!! And I layer the sheets and waterproof pads several deep so all I have to do is pull off the top sheet and pad). I used to put down a receiving blanket for him to sleep on because that was easier to change than his sheet, but he had decided to start sleeping in the corners of his bed instead of the comfortable, airy middle of the bed.
The nickname came because I would put him to bed in the middle of the crib. He rolls over (if I don't put him down on his stomach) and "crawls" to the corner of the bed (never the same corner) and falls asleep. Slug came from the wet trail that started where I laid him down and ends where he laid himself down. It looks like a slug has been making a trial (lovely picture I am painting - huh?). Here are some pictures I took earlier. This is the same naptime, but when I iniatially moved him OUT of the corner I took off his overalls to try and make him more comfortable!
I don't know if you can see him, but he is sucking his thumb and his face is against the bars of the crib.
Check out the hairdo after I moved him out of the corner of the crib. He thinks it is pretty funny!
After we take off our overalls and go back down we try out a different corner at the "foot" of his bed.
There is that hand again! When I got him up yesterday morning his hand was sticking straight out of the bars and was ICE COLD!!
The nickname came because I would put him to bed in the middle of the crib. He rolls over (if I don't put him down on his stomach) and "crawls" to the corner of the bed (never the same corner) and falls asleep. Slug came from the wet trail that started where I laid him down and ends where he laid himself down. It looks like a slug has been making a trial (lovely picture I am painting - huh?). Here are some pictures I took earlier. This is the same naptime, but when I iniatially moved him OUT of the corner I took off his overalls to try and make him more comfortable!
I don't know if you can see him, but he is sucking his thumb and his face is against the bars of the crib.
Check out the hairdo after I moved him out of the corner of the crib. He thinks it is pretty funny!
After we take off our overalls and go back down we try out a different corner at the "foot" of his bed.
There is that hand again! When I got him up yesterday morning his hand was sticking straight out of the bars and was ICE COLD!!
Mommy Knows Best!!
LONG POST _ BUT THE DRS APPT WAS LONG< SO WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?
Andrew went for his four month check-up today. Didn't go too great! Dr. came in and was showing me his growth chart, "Wait, she must have not charted this right." He checks his file, "UMMM, are you still breastfeeding?" Yes. "Do you think you have enough milk?" Yes. I told him he was throwing up before he was stopping eating and that I still had milk at that point. Then I told him that he throws up a lot, Dr asked how much and I told him that he was soaking more than one burp cloth PER FEEDING! He is now on Zantac for acid reflux. He has always thrown up bad, but because he gained enough weight at 2 months, the dr was not concerned.
This would explain the not being able to handle fruits. He handles bananas (which are not acidic) but does not do well with applesauce or peaches (which ARE acidic). Dr asked about formula and I told him that I tried giving him formula, just in case I wasn't around and he needed to eat and that after trying three different kinds and four different bottles - he would not touch the stuff!
I DID start adding some cereal to his bananas a couple of days ago because I was not feeling like he was gaining like he should. When the dr was asking his feeding schedule, I told him that I started him on vegetables at around 3 1/2 months. He said that was great and he was glad I went on and did that. I told him he was taking a 2.5 ounce jar at bedtime and then nursing. He said that was perfect. I told him our nighttime schedule and asked if I should be waking him up and feeding him at night. He said that the schedule he is on is PERFECT and he does not want to mess that up if he doesn't have to, so he told me to try and add an extra feeding sometime in the evening.
I asked when to start feeding him food twice a day (I didn't want to push things too fast since he was already eating early)and he said now. If the food and medicine doesn't help him gain, we may have to add margerine (for the fat) to his food (can you imagine his diapers with a greased up tract!!).
Then I asked about these little spots that he was born with on his face. I saw them as soon as he was born and told Paul it looked like he was pressed against something when he was in me. We had not been to concerned about it, none of the drs said anything about it at the hospital, but I decided to ask Dr about it today because one of the spots looked like it was deeper (it looks like you took a pen or something sharped and poked him with it and it left an indentation on his face). He said it is a birth defect. When his tissue was forming there, it just didn't form correctly but usually it will correct itself. Then he added that you have to watch for any drainage because if it is all the way to a sinus cavity it could get infected (and that it would be hard to see drainage because it may be to deep!). He also said that kids that have this also seem to be more prone to kidney problems. Yes, I am VERY SORRY I ASKED!!
I know they are hard to see - my camera doesn't do that close very well but these are the spots. The one closest to his ear (really kinda on his ear) is the one of most concern!
The dr ends by saying "Other than this stuff - he is PERFECT!!" After twenty minutes of discussing possible problems - he is perfect! He is, and these are minor issues that need to be addressed and watched but not worried about. We are still very fortunate to have FOUR VERY HEALTHY KIDS - when you look at what other kids have or do endure.
So, here are the numbers:
Weight: 12 lbs. 5 ounces pounds (10%) - he was 11lbs 3 ounces at 2 months
Length: 25 3/4in (85%) - he was 23 3/4in at two months
Head: 15 7/8in (10%) - it was 15in at two months
He has to go back in one month just to have his weight checked. He goes back in two months for his SIX month :-( checkup. If he is still not gaining weight well, the dr will do an ultrasound on him to look at kidneys and stomach.
Andrew went for his four month check-up today. Didn't go too great! Dr. came in and was showing me his growth chart, "Wait, she must have not charted this right." He checks his file, "UMMM, are you still breastfeeding?" Yes. "Do you think you have enough milk?" Yes. I told him he was throwing up before he was stopping eating and that I still had milk at that point. Then I told him that he throws up a lot, Dr asked how much and I told him that he was soaking more than one burp cloth PER FEEDING! He is now on Zantac for acid reflux. He has always thrown up bad, but because he gained enough weight at 2 months, the dr was not concerned.
This would explain the not being able to handle fruits. He handles bananas (which are not acidic) but does not do well with applesauce or peaches (which ARE acidic). Dr asked about formula and I told him that I tried giving him formula, just in case I wasn't around and he needed to eat and that after trying three different kinds and four different bottles - he would not touch the stuff!
I DID start adding some cereal to his bananas a couple of days ago because I was not feeling like he was gaining like he should. When the dr was asking his feeding schedule, I told him that I started him on vegetables at around 3 1/2 months. He said that was great and he was glad I went on and did that. I told him he was taking a 2.5 ounce jar at bedtime and then nursing. He said that was perfect. I told him our nighttime schedule and asked if I should be waking him up and feeding him at night. He said that the schedule he is on is PERFECT and he does not want to mess that up if he doesn't have to, so he told me to try and add an extra feeding sometime in the evening.
I asked when to start feeding him food twice a day (I didn't want to push things too fast since he was already eating early)and he said now. If the food and medicine doesn't help him gain, we may have to add margerine (for the fat) to his food (can you imagine his diapers with a greased up tract!!).
Then I asked about these little spots that he was born with on his face. I saw them as soon as he was born and told Paul it looked like he was pressed against something when he was in me. We had not been to concerned about it, none of the drs said anything about it at the hospital, but I decided to ask Dr about it today because one of the spots looked like it was deeper (it looks like you took a pen or something sharped and poked him with it and it left an indentation on his face). He said it is a birth defect. When his tissue was forming there, it just didn't form correctly but usually it will correct itself. Then he added that you have to watch for any drainage because if it is all the way to a sinus cavity it could get infected (and that it would be hard to see drainage because it may be to deep!). He also said that kids that have this also seem to be more prone to kidney problems. Yes, I am VERY SORRY I ASKED!!
I know they are hard to see - my camera doesn't do that close very well but these are the spots. The one closest to his ear (really kinda on his ear) is the one of most concern!
The dr ends by saying "Other than this stuff - he is PERFECT!!" After twenty minutes of discussing possible problems - he is perfect! He is, and these are minor issues that need to be addressed and watched but not worried about. We are still very fortunate to have FOUR VERY HEALTHY KIDS - when you look at what other kids have or do endure.
So, here are the numbers:
Weight: 12 lbs. 5 ounces pounds (10%) - he was 11lbs 3 ounces at 2 months
Length: 25 3/4in (85%) - he was 23 3/4in at two months
Head: 15 7/8in (10%) - it was 15in at two months
He has to go back in one month just to have his weight checked. He goes back in two months for his SIX month :-( checkup. If he is still not gaining weight well, the dr will do an ultrasound on him to look at kidneys and stomach.
Monday, August 13, 2007
God's Choice
While in the car with my kids and one of Caleb's friends today, his friend asked how many kids we had. Caleb told him there were four of them so next time there would be five.
"There won't be a next time - you four are it!" I quickly told him.
"You don't know that - God could send another one to us." he said in his I-know-everyting voice.
"Point well taken!"
What else could I say?
"There won't be a next time - you four are it!" I quickly told him.
"You don't know that - God could send another one to us." he said in his I-know-everyting voice.
"Point well taken!"
What else could I say?
Under Construction: The (Un)man Cave
I told Paul that since I would never have a little girl to decorate a room for - I still want a girlie room and I would just have to do it for myself! Instead of making him sleep in a girlie room - I decided to do our bathroom (which is where I escape to when I need to relax. I am naming it the (un)man cave (you notice how there is always a man cave but never a woman cave!). I told Paul he could have as much say with decorating the rest of the house as he wants, but I want one room that I can do WHATEVER I want with!
His "man cave" is the garage. He was quick to point out that his man cave must be hell (it has been over 100 degrees out and the garage doesn't get much air movement!). Truely though, I have tried not to make any decorating to girlie. The kitchen is done in teapots, but when do I get to relax in the kitchen? Even this blog is as ungirlie as it gets, but it is all about boys!
So, the bathroom is still under construction, but here are some photos of what I have done so far. I think I am even going to go as far as to use boas for the glass block window (use them like curtains to frame the top and sides of the window). Paul says it even smells girlie (might be the potpourri that I hid!). It is a safe bet that the few times the boys have gotten to use my bathtub - they can forget it now!
His "man cave" is the garage. He was quick to point out that his man cave must be hell (it has been over 100 degrees out and the garage doesn't get much air movement!). Truely though, I have tried not to make any decorating to girlie. The kitchen is done in teapots, but when do I get to relax in the kitchen? Even this blog is as ungirlie as it gets, but it is all about boys!
So, the bathroom is still under construction, but here are some photos of what I have done so far. I think I am even going to go as far as to use boas for the glass block window (use them like curtains to frame the top and sides of the window). Paul says it even smells girlie (might be the potpourri that I hid!). It is a safe bet that the few times the boys have gotten to use my bathtub - they can forget it now!
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Family Meals
So, does it still count as having a meal together if you aren't all at a "table" together? I found some barstools on sale and got them. The boys LOVE them!! I do too. It is so much easier to clean up after them when they eat right next to the sink.
We are all in the kitchen together, just not at the table!
We are all in the kitchen together, just not at the table!
Stereo-typical Big Brother
I told Caleb to get his room cleaned up before dinner. Isaac asked if he could help Caleb clean. I told him it was fine with me if Caleb wanted help (who wouldn't).
I walk into his room about five minutes later to see Isaac hard at work cleaning, with Caleb reclining on his bed "delegating"!
Caleb got to finish his room by himself!
I walk into his room about five minutes later to see Isaac hard at work cleaning, with Caleb reclining on his bed "delegating"!
Caleb got to finish his room by himself!
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
I Am a Hamster...
AND MY LIFE IS A WHEEL!!
I saw this on a commercial earlier today: "I am not a hamster and my life is not a wheel."
It pretty much summed up how I have felt the last couple of days! So when I heard this I thought it described me well righht now - and have been repeating it to myself all day!
I saw this on a commercial earlier today: "I am not a hamster and my life is not a wheel."
It pretty much summed up how I have felt the last couple of days! So when I heard this I thought it described me well righht now - and have been repeating it to myself all day!
A Clear Understanding
So, you have heard me talk about Caleb's mock vote last year at school and how he voted for the man he did because he is on tv. I thought he was talking about he had seen him on commercials, until today.
The man's name he voted for was Phil. Today, I was kind of watching (as in had the tv on, but cleaning house) Dr. Phil about wedding diasasters. Caleb walked in and said "there is the man I got the autograph from."
I started laughing and said no it wasn't. He says "they are both bald, they look alike and sound alike."
What do you think?
The man's name he voted for was Phil. Today, I was kind of watching (as in had the tv on, but cleaning house) Dr. Phil about wedding diasasters. Caleb walked in and said "there is the man I got the autograph from."
I started laughing and said no it wasn't. He says "they are both bald, they look alike and sound alike."
What do you think?
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Toys
Andrew already LOVES playing with toys. He likes to hold them himself and play with them though. He is in his room on his floor playing right now - having a blast.
He has a big soft block that plays music - a different song or rhyme on each side. He is hitting it and making it roll and then going after it.
But, what do I expect - he is not even four months old and already reads!!
He has a big soft block that plays music - a different song or rhyme on each side. He is hitting it and making it roll and then going after it.
But, what do I expect - he is not even four months old and already reads!!
I Have the Smartest Kids!!
Not even four months old yet, and already reading!!!
This picture was not set up, I did not pose him. I walked into the dining room this morning and this is what I saw. Luckily, my camera was sitting right there so I could get these. He was looking at the book so intently - it looks like he is reading! I guess Bryce thought Andrew looked bored sitting in his swing.
This picture was not set up, I did not pose him. I walked into the dining room this morning and this is what I saw. Luckily, my camera was sitting right there so I could get these. He was looking at the book so intently - it looks like he is reading! I guess Bryce thought Andrew looked bored sitting in his swing.
Game Night
We had a busy weekend this past weekend. Paul came home Thursday evening and took off Friday. We did not do much on Friday - a little housework and some laziness! Friday evening Paul washed his Jeep and the boys played in the water. I went out with them and ended up being attacked by wet boys - so we spent about an hour in the front yard wrestling. I think by the end, I was as wet as they were!! When we came in and the boys all got showers, dinner, etc. we played some games. Isaac, Bryce and I played Candly Land. Paul, Caleb and Andrew played dominoes (after Andrew played under his gym for awhile). There are some pictures below - just ignore all of the boys in their underwear!!
Saturday Isaac and Caleb went kayaking. We all went for a little while and when Isaac was done, Paul and Caleb stayed and played and the rest of us went home. Then that evening we had a birthday party to go too. It was a swimming party and when we got home
Saturday Isaac and Caleb went kayaking. We all went for a little while and when Isaac was done, Paul and Caleb stayed and played and the rest of us went home. Then that evening we had a birthday party to go too. It was a swimming party and when we got home
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