Whew! We've had a crazy last few days. Christmas was great, and we really enjoyed many special moments with the girls. I need to download the videos I took onto youtube for all the grandparents/nana's/papa's/yaya's to enjoy. :) We spent the morning at home, had an early nap and then spent the afternoon at Anneke and Felix's house. Their kids got an amazing water table for Christmas (that I am looking into for our kids) and the kids had such a great time with it. Only in Arizona can you play with a water table in December. I was actually too warm sitting outside in the sun watching them. Dinner was spectacular, (isn't it always when you don't have to cook it?) and Felix's homemade cheesecake for dessert certainly made this pregnant lady very happy.
Riley had had a cough on Saturday, but only once every two hours and was a little tired, but we had figured maybe allergies? She consistently got worse on Sunday and started to spike a fever. Both Sunday and Monday were rough with her. Tired, cranky, not wanting to be snuggled, but looking miserable. The highest her fever has gotten has been 102.5. Last night before bed I gave her a breathing treatment, and we ran the warm mist humidifier all night in her room. So far this morning she seems to be doing much better. No coughing, no fever and it sounds like her nose is draining instead of sounding majorly congested. She still looks sick with her little bags under her eyes, but I hope this is the beginning of the end.
Miss Bree was completely good and great until right before nap time yesterday. I was changing her diaper before nap and noticed her lips looked oddly dry and peeling. So I tried to wipe it off, but with every swipe there seemed to be more and more. So I just gave up and figured I'd check it later. I had an ultrasound to go to that afternoon so I didn't see her too much after nap but when I got home Adam had dinner ready and everyone was at the table. I noticed Bree's cheeks looked flushed and I was worried she had caught Riley's fever bug. However, no fever was found. Upon closer looking though, her flushed look was really a rash all over her cheeks, chin and upper lip. Her peeling lips were still there and yucky looking. We decided to look in her mouth with a flashlight and found the same peeling skin all inside her mouth and back of her throat! I freaked out (which is not common for me) and had Adam rush her to urgent care. All sorts of horrible ailments ran through my mind. The rapid strep test came back negative, and the doctor said it is probably a yeast infection of the mouth. She was sent home with liquid nystatin we are supposed to put on and in her mouth 4 times a day, and an antibiotic she is supposed to take by mouth. This is going to be fun...the non eating child taking nasty tasting medicine by mouth. Good thing I am not against restraining my kiddo. This morning her lips looks worse, her tonsils look more swollen and she has a red patch on her left tonsil. I am going to give it a good 24 hours of the new medicine before we rush off to the doctor again.
So today is hang at home and watch movies day. Hey, at least the kids have all sorts of new toys to play with (and I get to wear pajamas most of the day!)! Gotta look on the bright side. :)
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Update
So the ultrasound went great today! Mr. Derrick has unwound the cord from his arm and let go of it. It is still all bunched up by his arm and the tech showed me, but at least it is not wrapped around it. I got a new 3D picture of him:
My doctor said that I will be having these ultrasounds on Mondays and Thursdays and see him every thursday to be checked until delivery. We are also going to do the steroid shots in two weeks to help mature his lungs since we have to deliver around 36-37 weeks.
My doctor said that I will be having these ultrasounds on Mondays and Thursdays and see him every thursday to be checked until delivery. We are also going to do the steroid shots in two weeks to help mature his lungs since we have to deliver around 36-37 weeks.
Update on Mr. Derrick
So for the past few weeks I have been having pressure "downstairs" and increased Braxton Hicks at the end of the day. I figured it was nothing to worry about since I had been up all day, and my BH were only at like 3 an hour. Once I would go lay down in bed for a while, the pressure would decrease a bit and the BH would ease up. Every morning when I would wake up I would feel fine with no pressure and all would be well until about 6 at night.
Well yesterday when I woke up the pressure was still there pretty bad. (I know many of you other preggo ladies have the same problems) It just feels like he is going to fall out constantly. So I called my doctor to see if he could fit me in, and I was told to go to the hospital immediately. Kinda freaked me out with how the lady's voice changed as soon as I told her what was going on.
I got there and they got me changed and on the monitors. When they did the exam and checked, they saw watery discharge and were worried that maybe my water was leaking. The amniotic fluid test came back negative (thank goodness!) and she said that I am only a fingertip dilated, but she can feel that Derrick is very very low. However, she did say that she can push on his head and he will move up, which means he's not engaged yet.
She monitored me for another hour and he was very active and his heart rate was going from 160 to 120 pretty quickly, but she said that could be normal for him since he was being so active. He then dropped his heart rate from 160 to 80. So they ordered an ultrasound to check fluid levels. During the ultrasound, they couldn't see my cervix length because Derrick's head is too low and blocking it. She said Derrick looks great except that he had the umbilical cord wrapped once around his arm, and the cord in his hand. He was squeezing the cord until his heart rate drops, and then he loosens his grip. Which then allows his heart rate to jump back up...and then he squeezes it again. We saw him do it on the ultrasound a few times.
There is nothing they could have done about it, and the nurse said it will not cause Derrick any harm since he's basically (for lack of better explanation) causing himself to pass out which then relaxes his grip and resume the blood flow.
So I have another ultrasound today at 1230 to see if he has let go of his cord. And then I start going twice a week for ultrasounds until delivery.
Well yesterday when I woke up the pressure was still there pretty bad. (I know many of you other preggo ladies have the same problems) It just feels like he is going to fall out constantly. So I called my doctor to see if he could fit me in, and I was told to go to the hospital immediately. Kinda freaked me out with how the lady's voice changed as soon as I told her what was going on.
I got there and they got me changed and on the monitors. When they did the exam and checked, they saw watery discharge and were worried that maybe my water was leaking. The amniotic fluid test came back negative (thank goodness!) and she said that I am only a fingertip dilated, but she can feel that Derrick is very very low. However, she did say that she can push on his head and he will move up, which means he's not engaged yet.
She monitored me for another hour and he was very active and his heart rate was going from 160 to 120 pretty quickly, but she said that could be normal for him since he was being so active. He then dropped his heart rate from 160 to 80. So they ordered an ultrasound to check fluid levels. During the ultrasound, they couldn't see my cervix length because Derrick's head is too low and blocking it. She said Derrick looks great except that he had the umbilical cord wrapped once around his arm, and the cord in his hand. He was squeezing the cord until his heart rate drops, and then he loosens his grip. Which then allows his heart rate to jump back up...and then he squeezes it again. We saw him do it on the ultrasound a few times.
There is nothing they could have done about it, and the nurse said it will not cause Derrick any harm since he's basically (for lack of better explanation) causing himself to pass out which then relaxes his grip and resume the blood flow.
So I have another ultrasound today at 1230 to see if he has let go of his cord. And then I start going twice a week for ultrasounds until delivery.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Derrick update
I went to have my gestational diabetes testing done today and a quick check up/chat with the doctor. When I was in there talking with the doctor I had my list of questions on my phone to ask. When I got to asking him about the pain/pressure I have been feeling he immediately said that he was going to squeeze me in for an ultrasound and "if I wanted we could do the 3D ultrasound too, just for fun". Psh..I wasn't gonna say no!
The ultrasound tech said that Derrick is really low, and head down with his face against my back. She said "Oh wow, he's low". Well now it makes sense that I am feeling the way I am. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to even get pictures of his face because of his position so she had me lay on my side, and she jiggled him with the ultrasound thing. Derrick did not enjoy it, and we got to see his angry face:
He was making that face and waving his arms all around and I could feel him stretching himself out. It was too funny. He did then settle down and we got a few good pictures of one side of his face.
Adam and I think that he looks very much like Riley did in her 3D pictures. The ultrasound tech also commented that it looks as though Derrick is completely bald. He does have a good bit of "cooking" left ot do so he has the opportunity to grow some hair, but we might end up with a bald little boy.
We also got a little bit more information about his delivery date. Dr. Folkestad wants to deliver around 36 to 37 weeks and does not want to let me go too far past 37 weeks due to the risk of uterine rupture. So, to put that into persepctive I would turn 36 weeks on February 6th, and on February 13th I would be 37 weeks. I think we are going to shoot for February 11th (the joy of having planned c sections...you can choose the date!). That would make his birthday on 2-11-11.
I feel so in love with my son, and I haven't even met him yet. It makes my heart melt to see what his little face looks like. I am such a blessed Mama.
The ultrasound tech said that Derrick is really low, and head down with his face against my back. She said "Oh wow, he's low". Well now it makes sense that I am feeling the way I am. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to even get pictures of his face because of his position so she had me lay on my side, and she jiggled him with the ultrasound thing. Derrick did not enjoy it, and we got to see his angry face:
He was making that face and waving his arms all around and I could feel him stretching himself out. It was too funny. He did then settle down and we got a few good pictures of one side of his face.
Adam and I think that he looks very much like Riley did in her 3D pictures. The ultrasound tech also commented that it looks as though Derrick is completely bald. He does have a good bit of "cooking" left ot do so he has the opportunity to grow some hair, but we might end up with a bald little boy.
We also got a little bit more information about his delivery date. Dr. Folkestad wants to deliver around 36 to 37 weeks and does not want to let me go too far past 37 weeks due to the risk of uterine rupture. So, to put that into persepctive I would turn 36 weeks on February 6th, and on February 13th I would be 37 weeks. I think we are going to shoot for February 11th (the joy of having planned c sections...you can choose the date!). That would make his birthday on 2-11-11.
I feel so in love with my son, and I haven't even met him yet. It makes my heart melt to see what his little face looks like. I am such a blessed Mama.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
No excuses
There are no excuses that will suffice to explain away my lack of blogging. Except for the fact of being pregnant, having two kids already and a busy schedule. Buuuuttttt...there are many other moms I know who are way busier than I who still find time to blog quite often and keep everyone caught up with thier family.
So without further delay here's a run down of us all...
Youngest goes first!
As of today I am 26 weeks and 2 days pregnant with Derrick. Woo hoo! Officially farther than I made it with Bree (she was born at 25 weeks 5 days). I am much bigger this time than I was with Bree (I am probably the same as I was with Riley), and I am so grateful that I am feeling huge and uncomfortable. Yes, my back/skin/body does hurt all the time, but it means that I have a healthy little (big) baby inside me that is causing it. It could not make me any happier. When I hit the 30 week mark I will start going into the doctor twice a week for stress tests and ultrasounds to chart his weight, growth and happiness. :)
Bree is doing great! I feel like I am always saying that, and then she seems to regress a bit but it's life. Her eating is it's usual non exsistent state. We have some meals where we get very excited to see her eating well, and then she'll refuse any food for the next 3-4 meals. It's like a roller coaster with sharp peaks and low, long valleys. Her physical "stuff" is good, and her therapist is very pleased with her progress. She's doing everything they expect a two year old to do, she just does it slower because of her low muscle tone. She is still very uncoordinated for her age, but she makes it all work. Her speech has made the most progress lately. She's more willing to repeat what you say, or at least say the beginning of a word in order to get it from you. She now says mama, dada, ball, tape, and bath spontaneously and uses them appropriately. She can say a lot of words, but does not use them regularly or appropriately enough for me to list them as "words". She babbles to herself when she wakes up in the morning, which is something new in the last two weeks. She's never made noise before when she wakes up. Speech and making noise isn't something that comes naturally to her (who the heck is this kids mom??! Ha ha.)
Riley is growing up so fast it is crazy. She acts like she is 15 with an attitude. We have been having many discipline issues with her as of lately but I have heard that it is normal for 3 year olds. Many many people have told me that 3 year olds are worse than 2 year olds. We are remaining true to what we tell her will happen, and making sure we are telling her she is making the choice. With that being said, we are also trying to make an effort to praise as much as we can. Riley is an attention kid. She loooves the attention, and I have found that praising her for sharing with Bree is just as (if not more) effective than scolding her for not.
That's us in a nutshell for now. Hopefully it won't take me another month to get updates in here. :)
So without further delay here's a run down of us all...
Youngest goes first!
As of today I am 26 weeks and 2 days pregnant with Derrick. Woo hoo! Officially farther than I made it with Bree (she was born at 25 weeks 5 days). I am much bigger this time than I was with Bree (I am probably the same as I was with Riley), and I am so grateful that I am feeling huge and uncomfortable. Yes, my back/skin/body does hurt all the time, but it means that I have a healthy little (big) baby inside me that is causing it. It could not make me any happier. When I hit the 30 week mark I will start going into the doctor twice a week for stress tests and ultrasounds to chart his weight, growth and happiness. :)
Bree is doing great! I feel like I am always saying that, and then she seems to regress a bit but it's life. Her eating is it's usual non exsistent state. We have some meals where we get very excited to see her eating well, and then she'll refuse any food for the next 3-4 meals. It's like a roller coaster with sharp peaks and low, long valleys. Her physical "stuff" is good, and her therapist is very pleased with her progress. She's doing everything they expect a two year old to do, she just does it slower because of her low muscle tone. She is still very uncoordinated for her age, but she makes it all work. Her speech has made the most progress lately. She's more willing to repeat what you say, or at least say the beginning of a word in order to get it from you. She now says mama, dada, ball, tape, and bath spontaneously and uses them appropriately. She can say a lot of words, but does not use them regularly or appropriately enough for me to list them as "words". She babbles to herself when she wakes up in the morning, which is something new in the last two weeks. She's never made noise before when she wakes up. Speech and making noise isn't something that comes naturally to her (who the heck is this kids mom??! Ha ha.)
Riley is growing up so fast it is crazy. She acts like she is 15 with an attitude. We have been having many discipline issues with her as of lately but I have heard that it is normal for 3 year olds. Many many people have told me that 3 year olds are worse than 2 year olds. We are remaining true to what we tell her will happen, and making sure we are telling her she is making the choice. With that being said, we are also trying to make an effort to praise as much as we can. Riley is an attention kid. She loooves the attention, and I have found that praising her for sharing with Bree is just as (if not more) effective than scolding her for not.
That's us in a nutshell for now. Hopefully it won't take me another month to get updates in here. :)
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Roller skating queens
This morning we went (we meaning Riley, Bree and myself) to our friend's house. Heidi is a saint and lets everyone come over to her house on Wednesday mornings to play. It is so great seeing 8 kids running around a house together screeching with joy and happiness. Did I mention that I am JEALOUS of her driveway? It is long, and the perfect playing area. Park a car at the end of the driveway, and the kids run wild! Everyone brings some of their outside play toys, and we all share. Riley had found Zoie's (Heidi's daughter) roller skates and wanted to try them out. I was expecting her to get on her feet and immediately freak out. She didn't. She rocked thos roller skates! I had to hold her hand, but she loved it. She went down the driveway, then back up and wanted to be done. As I took them off of Riley, Bree wanted to wear them.
I was expecting the same thing out of Bree (freaking out), especially since they didn't fit her well at all. She LOVED them. While I was holding both of her hands, she skated down the driveway and back as well. It is quite a workout, and I didn't want her to get too tired and risk a massive meltdown so I decided that was enough. She melted down when I took them off.
I think that Santa may just have a pair of roller skates in his bag for our family this year.
I was expecting the same thing out of Bree (freaking out), especially since they didn't fit her well at all. She LOVED them. While I was holding both of her hands, she skated down the driveway and back as well. It is quite a workout, and I didn't want her to get too tired and risk a massive meltdown so I decided that was enough. She melted down when I took them off.
I think that Santa may just have a pair of roller skates in his bag for our family this year.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Letters from Santa
Wanted to share this with you. A NICU parent support group is helping Santa with his mail this year! They do ask for a donation per letter, but it is going to a good cause to help support critically ill infants, preemies, and their families. Here's the link to the Santa page: http://www.nicupsdonations.org/2010.asp
This is not from the NICU that Bree came from, but from one that her 'preemie friend' Robbie came from. I read the blog his mom writes (http://fertilehope.blogspot.com/), and I email with her occasionally to talk about their eating, PT, etc etc because they struggle with the same stuff.
Please share this with whoever you think may be able to use it, or want to use it. Thanks!
This is not from the NICU that Bree came from, but from one that her 'preemie friend' Robbie came from. I read the blog his mom writes (http://fertilehope.blogspot.com/), and I email with her occasionally to talk about their eating, PT, etc etc because they struggle with the same stuff.
Please share this with whoever you think may be able to use it, or want to use it. Thanks!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Christmas
A few of the grandparents and family members have asked what the girls want for Christmas. I put together a small list to give everyone ideas...Hope this helps!
Either girl:
Yookidoo Flow and Fill Spout (bath toy)
Lace and Trace Pets
Tinkertoys
Lincoln Logs
Princess Fairy Jumbo Coloring Pad
Bree:
Baby Alive Sips and Cuddles
Mrs. Potato Head Silly Suitcase (great for speech and OT)
Deluxe Latches Boards (Great for OT)
Riley:
Magnetic dress up dolls
Hi Ho Cherry-O
Little Mommy Scrub a Dub Dub Doll
Chutes and Ladders
Either girl:
Yookidoo Flow and Fill Spout (bath toy)
Lace and Trace Pets
Tinkertoys
Lincoln Logs
Princess Fairy Jumbo Coloring Pad
Bree:
Baby Alive Sips and Cuddles
Mrs. Potato Head Silly Suitcase (great for speech and OT)
Deluxe Latches Boards (Great for OT)
Riley:
Magnetic dress up dolls
Hi Ho Cherry-O
Little Mommy Scrub a Dub Dub Doll
Chutes and Ladders
Blessed
I am blessed. I have a wonderful husband who appreciates me, and shows it. I have a 3 year old little girl who is more excited about my birthday than I was. I have a 2 year old sweet girl that amazes me daily that she is here with us and has such a sweet personality. And I also have a 21.5 week little man fetus who loves to show his appreciation by kicking me at all odd hours of the night and morning.
Yesterday was a day of realizing how lucky and blessed I truly am. Over 100 people wished me a happy birthday on facebook. (okay so 103 to be exact...it's just cooler to say 'over 100'). My best friend Ashley sent me a beautiful frame with a saying on it that is perfect and fits our family wonderfully. I can't wait to find the perfect pictures to put in it and hang it. My mom sent me a gift card for Olive Garden (yum!) along with a box of goodies for the girls. Riley picked out a candle for me. Riley: "I think it is a stinky candle mommy, but you like it." I do love it and think she is crazy for not liking a pumpkin candle. Bree isn't quite old enough to grasp the whole "birthday" thing, but seeing her stab her piece of cake to take a bite and the whole piece coming up when she picked up her fork cracked me up. She tried to put the whole piece in her mouth at once. It was too cute.
I am so blessed and loved that I feel like my heart is going to explode. It was the best birthday I have had in a good couple of years. What a great way to ring in my 25th birthday. I am blessed.
Yesterday was a day of realizing how lucky and blessed I truly am. Over 100 people wished me a happy birthday on facebook. (okay so 103 to be exact...it's just cooler to say 'over 100'). My best friend Ashley sent me a beautiful frame with a saying on it that is perfect and fits our family wonderfully. I can't wait to find the perfect pictures to put in it and hang it. My mom sent me a gift card for Olive Garden (yum!) along with a box of goodies for the girls. Riley picked out a candle for me. Riley: "I think it is a stinky candle mommy, but you like it." I do love it and think she is crazy for not liking a pumpkin candle. Bree isn't quite old enough to grasp the whole "birthday" thing, but seeing her stab her piece of cake to take a bite and the whole piece coming up when she picked up her fork cracked me up. She tried to put the whole piece in her mouth at once. It was too cute.
I am so blessed and loved that I feel like my heart is going to explode. It was the best birthday I have had in a good couple of years. What a great way to ring in my 25th birthday. I am blessed.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Pain
Most people would never think of the sensation of feeling pain to be a blessing, or a good thing. However, once again, Bree has enlightened me to a whole new world of things I never thought I would be dealing with, or I even thought about.
We have known since Bree was little that she has a VERY high pain tolerance.
Here's some examples: She could have IV's put in, or blood draws done without flinching. She would simply just look at the person doing them. And once she learned to walk she could take a very hard tumble or a bump without crying or fussing. She would simply say "Oh."
Now the girls do go to preschool two days a week right now, and recently Bree has been bit three times in the past week. The first two happened on Tuesday and the teachers were able to see it happen. There were incident reports to fill out and sign. The teachers commented that Bree didn't seem to be bothered by the bites. They said that most children scream and cry when it happens and then they are really grumpy and whiny for the rest of the day. They said 5 minutes after Bree got bit she was perfectly fine. One of the bites wasn't too bad, but she had one on the back of her upper left arm that is still bruised even today (4 days after it happened). When we showed up on Thursday to pick her up from preschool Bree had a bright red bite mark on her left forearm. The teacher had no idea. She had not fussed or expressed discomfort at all.
Another incident was when we went to go get her out of her crib from nap. We have been told to be giving her choices and making her shake her head 'yes' or 'no' in order to have her start communicating more instead of us automatically doing things for her. So I asked her "do you want to get up from nap? Yes? or No?" She tilted her chin up, and brought it back down, but ended up bringing it back down right onto her crib. I could hear her teeth clack together and it sounded painful. I even drew in a breath and grimaced, expecting crying. She didn't even flinch or change facial expressions. Didn't phase her one bit.
These are just a few examples, and there are many many more. We are going to make an appointment with her pediatrician this next week because I am beginning to think that this is a problem. We used to think that she was just a tough kid, but it is to the point that it is almost hazardous to her health. She's going to be the kid who tells me her arm feels funny, and it is going to end up being broken.
I never thought I would have to tell my child that even though it doesn't hurt her it's not okay for someone to bite her, and that she needs to tell her teacher.
Are there any other preemies out there that seem to have unusually high pain tolerances that is a problem?
We have known since Bree was little that she has a VERY high pain tolerance.
Here's some examples: She could have IV's put in, or blood draws done without flinching. She would simply just look at the person doing them. And once she learned to walk she could take a very hard tumble or a bump without crying or fussing. She would simply say "Oh."
Now the girls do go to preschool two days a week right now, and recently Bree has been bit three times in the past week. The first two happened on Tuesday and the teachers were able to see it happen. There were incident reports to fill out and sign. The teachers commented that Bree didn't seem to be bothered by the bites. They said that most children scream and cry when it happens and then they are really grumpy and whiny for the rest of the day. They said 5 minutes after Bree got bit she was perfectly fine. One of the bites wasn't too bad, but she had one on the back of her upper left arm that is still bruised even today (4 days after it happened). When we showed up on Thursday to pick her up from preschool Bree had a bright red bite mark on her left forearm. The teacher had no idea. She had not fussed or expressed discomfort at all.
Another incident was when we went to go get her out of her crib from nap. We have been told to be giving her choices and making her shake her head 'yes' or 'no' in order to have her start communicating more instead of us automatically doing things for her. So I asked her "do you want to get up from nap? Yes? or No?" She tilted her chin up, and brought it back down, but ended up bringing it back down right onto her crib. I could hear her teeth clack together and it sounded painful. I even drew in a breath and grimaced, expecting crying. She didn't even flinch or change facial expressions. Didn't phase her one bit.
These are just a few examples, and there are many many more. We are going to make an appointment with her pediatrician this next week because I am beginning to think that this is a problem. We used to think that she was just a tough kid, but it is to the point that it is almost hazardous to her health. She's going to be the kid who tells me her arm feels funny, and it is going to end up being broken.
I never thought I would have to tell my child that even though it doesn't hurt her it's not okay for someone to bite her, and that she needs to tell her teacher.
Are there any other preemies out there that seem to have unusually high pain tolerances that is a problem?
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Anatomy ultrasound
So my ultrasound looked great! Derrick is still a "he", they were just double checking since they had to do an ultrasound anyways. Everything looks great, his heart, lungs, brain, bladder and stomach are all correctly formed. They could not get a good picture of his spine because of his position so they will not "clear" him yet as being medically sound. So I have another ultrasound in two weeks to check his spine.
So here's my weirdo things I kept track of. :) I am technically 19 weeks and 4 days.
His head circumference was measuring 19 weeks and 0 days. (both Riley and Bree have head circumferences that are labeled as "small" or on the lower end of the percentages)
His belly circumference was 20 weeks and 0 days.
His femur bone measured at 19 week and 5 days.
So all in all he seems well. I am excited to get to see him again in two weeks, but am still a little worried that they weren't able to get the correct measurements today.
So here's my weirdo things I kept track of. :) I am technically 19 weeks and 4 days.
His head circumference was measuring 19 weeks and 0 days. (both Riley and Bree have head circumferences that are labeled as "small" or on the lower end of the percentages)
His belly circumference was 20 weeks and 0 days.
His femur bone measured at 19 week and 5 days.
So all in all he seems well. I am excited to get to see him again in two weeks, but am still a little worried that they weren't able to get the correct measurements today.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Family update
I feel like I am always doing small little updates here and there but never sneak in a good quality post. So here goes!
Riley is doing great things and has grown up a lot in the past few weeks. Yesterday she helped me pick up the living room and I didn't have to prompt her to specifically pick up anything. She picked up things and put them away without being told. I don't know if any other parents out there find that amazing, but I was blown away. Normally my children have to be told "pick up this block...now pick up this one. Now pick up the doll...etc..."
She also spent last Thursday in the three year old room as a test run. For those of you who are unaware (which is probably most of you), the preschool she attends does not allow any pull ups or diapers in the three year old room. You must go on the potty. Riley lasted through naptime (gasp!) without a pull up on, and didn't have an accident at all! Now our only problem to overcome is Riley's insistence that she only goes potty at school. We're working on it.
Bree is becoming more vocal everyday. A very large part of it is still just noises and grunts and whining, but the fact that she is being vocal and not staying silent. She has learned to bring us the television remote which saying "Gab-buh? Gab-buh?" for Yo Gabba Gabba. It is one of the first things she has ever requested vocally. I find it hard not to give in most of the time. She will say "Day-doo" (thank you) on her own if you hand her something, but it you specifically request for her to say it she will only use the sign language sign. She says "Buuuu" for book and will sign it as well. She is a tricky kid to figure out. She will say words verbally for only about a week or so, and then she seems to 'forget' the word. She seems to stick to 3 -5 words that she says regularly.
Her eating is going backwards for some reason. Adam and I can't seem to figure it out, but we are continuing to offer her food to eat, then tubing her so that she continues to get her calories. I guess I need to just look at the positive and realize that it has been the longest she has eaten well, and we need to follow her cues. It can be frustrating.
She is seeking out different things to walk on. We have been told by her physical therapist that it is not common for low tone, unstable kids to want to walk on new surfaces, but we know that Bree is not always the 'norm'. She wants to walk on the rocks where ever we are (which there are rocks everywhere here!), She tries to step up on the curbs and wants to do everything that Riley does and can do. It makes me immensely proud to see her wanting to follow Riley so much, but sometimes it breaks my heart that she can't do it because of muscle strength and stability sometimes.
Derrick is growing fast! I cannot believe that in about 4 months I will be holding a cute, snuggle little boy in my arms.I am now feeling him move every day, usually multiple times a day. He moves a little bit when I first wake up, then again around 1 pm, and then again in the evening. Today he was kicking hard enough to where I could physically see it if I watched my belly. I don't remember the girls kicking this hard this early so I am guessing we have a rough and tumble little boy on the way! On Thursday I have an anatomy scan for Derrick, where they will double check to make sure he is still a he, and to make sure his heart, brain, kidneys and all other organs check out okay. I am very nervous that all will be okay. I have learned to never take anything for granted, even a healthy child.
I am doing okay. I still struggle with morning sickness, and have days where I can do a whole bunch of things, and then days where I get winded just cleaning off a counter. However, my brain now feels like it is capable of having complex thoughts. I have come out of the fog!! I feel more like talking with others, and getting out of the house to see friends. I am trying to think out and figure out how we are going to do the bedroom situation with all three kids. I could go on and on about it, but I will spare you the details. I think I am wayyyy overthinking it. Oh well. It will all work out.
Adam is super husband and has really been helping me out. He rocks with the girls, and isn't afraid of hesitant to step up and make dinner, dump garbage, do dishes, or pick up the living room. One of these days I am going to insist that he go out with his friends and let go! Have some fun.
Whew! My fingers are a bit sore, and I am hungry. Now to go stare at the refrigerator and think that there is nothing to eat. Ha!
Riley is doing great things and has grown up a lot in the past few weeks. Yesterday she helped me pick up the living room and I didn't have to prompt her to specifically pick up anything. She picked up things and put them away without being told. I don't know if any other parents out there find that amazing, but I was blown away. Normally my children have to be told "pick up this block...now pick up this one. Now pick up the doll...etc..."
She also spent last Thursday in the three year old room as a test run. For those of you who are unaware (which is probably most of you), the preschool she attends does not allow any pull ups or diapers in the three year old room. You must go on the potty. Riley lasted through naptime (gasp!) without a pull up on, and didn't have an accident at all! Now our only problem to overcome is Riley's insistence that she only goes potty at school. We're working on it.
Bree is becoming more vocal everyday. A very large part of it is still just noises and grunts and whining, but the fact that she is being vocal and not staying silent. She has learned to bring us the television remote which saying "Gab-buh? Gab-buh?" for Yo Gabba Gabba. It is one of the first things she has ever requested vocally. I find it hard not to give in most of the time. She will say "Day-doo" (thank you) on her own if you hand her something, but it you specifically request for her to say it she will only use the sign language sign. She says "Buuuu" for book and will sign it as well. She is a tricky kid to figure out. She will say words verbally for only about a week or so, and then she seems to 'forget' the word. She seems to stick to 3 -5 words that she says regularly.
Her eating is going backwards for some reason. Adam and I can't seem to figure it out, but we are continuing to offer her food to eat, then tubing her so that she continues to get her calories. I guess I need to just look at the positive and realize that it has been the longest she has eaten well, and we need to follow her cues. It can be frustrating.
She is seeking out different things to walk on. We have been told by her physical therapist that it is not common for low tone, unstable kids to want to walk on new surfaces, but we know that Bree is not always the 'norm'. She wants to walk on the rocks where ever we are (which there are rocks everywhere here!), She tries to step up on the curbs and wants to do everything that Riley does and can do. It makes me immensely proud to see her wanting to follow Riley so much, but sometimes it breaks my heart that she can't do it because of muscle strength and stability sometimes.
Derrick is growing fast! I cannot believe that in about 4 months I will be holding a cute, snuggle little boy in my arms.I am now feeling him move every day, usually multiple times a day. He moves a little bit when I first wake up, then again around 1 pm, and then again in the evening. Today he was kicking hard enough to where I could physically see it if I watched my belly. I don't remember the girls kicking this hard this early so I am guessing we have a rough and tumble little boy on the way! On Thursday I have an anatomy scan for Derrick, where they will double check to make sure he is still a he, and to make sure his heart, brain, kidneys and all other organs check out okay. I am very nervous that all will be okay. I have learned to never take anything for granted, even a healthy child.
I am doing okay. I still struggle with morning sickness, and have days where I can do a whole bunch of things, and then days where I get winded just cleaning off a counter. However, my brain now feels like it is capable of having complex thoughts. I have come out of the fog!! I feel more like talking with others, and getting out of the house to see friends. I am trying to think out and figure out how we are going to do the bedroom situation with all three kids. I could go on and on about it, but I will spare you the details. I think I am wayyyy overthinking it. Oh well. It will all work out.
Adam is super husband and has really been helping me out. He rocks with the girls, and isn't afraid of hesitant to step up and make dinner, dump garbage, do dishes, or pick up the living room. One of these days I am going to insist that he go out with his friends and let go! Have some fun.
Whew! My fingers are a bit sore, and I am hungry. Now to go stare at the refrigerator and think that there is nothing to eat. Ha!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Feeling productive
I love the feeling of accomplishment when things are completed and done. So far today I have done dishes (not usually my job), had therapy for Bree, taken Bree to get her g tube changed (thanks Anneke!), taken out dinner to defrost, called about our Fisher Price Rainforest Pack and Play recall, and called and applied for Long Term Care for Bree.
Today is the first day in a while that I have not had a migraine and I am so thankful to feeling up to do doing stuff. I think I am going to try and tackle Bree's clothes this afternoon after they wake up from nap. Woo hoo!
Today is the first day in a while that I have not had a migraine and I am so thankful to feeling up to do doing stuff. I think I am going to try and tackle Bree's clothes this afternoon after they wake up from nap. Woo hoo!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Things I need to do...soon.
Call about consolidating my student loans.
Call about our recalled Fisher Price Rainforest Pack and Play.
Clean our Bree's three drawer bin that is in her closet so that I can put the clothes we have for Derrick in them. (thanks Gavin!)
Go through Bree and Riley's drawers. Bree has grown out of 18 month clothes and into 24 month (hand me downs coming your way Grace!), and Riley has grown out of 3T shirts and into 4T shirts. She has also grown out of 2T pants and into 3T pants. For some reason Riley has always been different on her pant and shirt sizes, while Bree is the same for both.
For some weird reason (we'll blame it on nesting) I really want to clean and scrub my kitchen cabinets. It doesn't really NEED to be done, I just feel the need to do it.
Now I am hoping that writing this down will hold me accountable for doing these things. If it works you guys will be seeing more of what I need to do. Whatever works, right?
Call about our recalled Fisher Price Rainforest Pack and Play.
Clean our Bree's three drawer bin that is in her closet so that I can put the clothes we have for Derrick in them. (thanks Gavin!)
Go through Bree and Riley's drawers. Bree has grown out of 18 month clothes and into 24 month (hand me downs coming your way Grace!), and Riley has grown out of 3T shirts and into 4T shirts. She has also grown out of 2T pants and into 3T pants. For some reason Riley has always been different on her pant and shirt sizes, while Bree is the same for both.
For some weird reason (we'll blame it on nesting) I really want to clean and scrub my kitchen cabinets. It doesn't really NEED to be done, I just feel the need to do it.
Now I am hoping that writing this down will hold me accountable for doing these things. If it works you guys will be seeing more of what I need to do. Whatever works, right?
Monday, October 4, 2010
Things I never thought I would be saying as a Mom.
I have very many of these sayings, but I always forget to post them when they happen because there are only one or two in a day that I come across. Yesterday we had two.
"We don't pet people"
and
"Get that fork out of your ear"
Riley wouldn't stop petting a friends kid on the head. (sorry Jenn!) It was freaking Mady out, and Riley just wouldn't understand that she didn't like it. However, once they left Riley told me "We don't pet people Mommy, not Baby Mady. She's a people."
At dinner Bree was given a fork to eat her grilled cheese sandwich and tater tots (it's a sensory thing...sometimes she's rather not touch it). However, when I looked up two of the four tines were halfway in her ear prompting me to inform her that's not what we do with forks.
I wonder what pearls of wisdom I will get to pass onto my kids today.
"We don't pet people"
and
"Get that fork out of your ear"
Riley wouldn't stop petting a friends kid on the head. (sorry Jenn!) It was freaking Mady out, and Riley just wouldn't understand that she didn't like it. However, once they left Riley told me "We don't pet people Mommy, not Baby Mady. She's a people."
At dinner Bree was given a fork to eat her grilled cheese sandwich and tater tots (it's a sensory thing...sometimes she's rather not touch it). However, when I looked up two of the four tines were halfway in her ear prompting me to inform her that's not what we do with forks.
I wonder what pearls of wisdom I will get to pass onto my kids today.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
What a weekend!
We are home-bodies. We like to stay home, to play in the backyard, watch movies and just be lazy. That's what we have done today. However, yesterday is another story.
We had planned on going to the park on Saturday and taking the girls 2 and 3 year old pictures. (coming soon!) When you live in Arizona that means you better get to the park early to beat the heat. So we went to the park about 830, took pictures, walked around and played on the playground. Then we ran some errands that needed to be done like paying rent, and going shopping to Target and Walmart. We even shared a pretzel and soda at Target (my favorite!).
On the way home we got a call from Anneke offering for us to go with them to a Hope Kids carnival with them. We jumped on the chance to go do something fun with friends! We ran home, dropped off our groceries, and met up with the Marchese family. We had a good time at the carnival and even met up with Andrea and her family. Riley seems to have developed her first crush on Owen, telling me that he was cute and wanting to go say hi to him. Of course she acted shy once we went over to him, but when we split up from them she had wanted to know where the "cute boy went". We'll have to get together with them soon!
It was dreadfully hot, but worth the fun. Both girls got a "face" painting (Riley wanted hers on her leg), and they got to go down an inflatable slide with their Daddy. We learned that Riley likes cotton candy, and Bree does not at all. It was a great event and I need to look into our family joining Hope Kids. I'm pretty sure Bree meets the criteria for joining, but had never considered it a possibility prior to this.
We took the long way home in hopes that both girls would nap, but oddly enough only Riley napped. Bree was content yelling and hollering the whole way home. We stopped to get Adam's hair cut on the way home, and that was another 45 minutes. We finally made it home at 430 and we were spent! Both girls were kinda naughty for the rest of the night from being so tired so we decided to stay home today.
Home sweet home.
We had planned on going to the park on Saturday and taking the girls 2 and 3 year old pictures. (coming soon!) When you live in Arizona that means you better get to the park early to beat the heat. So we went to the park about 830, took pictures, walked around and played on the playground. Then we ran some errands that needed to be done like paying rent, and going shopping to Target and Walmart. We even shared a pretzel and soda at Target (my favorite!).
On the way home we got a call from Anneke offering for us to go with them to a Hope Kids carnival with them. We jumped on the chance to go do something fun with friends! We ran home, dropped off our groceries, and met up with the Marchese family. We had a good time at the carnival and even met up with Andrea and her family. Riley seems to have developed her first crush on Owen, telling me that he was cute and wanting to go say hi to him. Of course she acted shy once we went over to him, but when we split up from them she had wanted to know where the "cute boy went". We'll have to get together with them soon!
It was dreadfully hot, but worth the fun. Both girls got a "face" painting (Riley wanted hers on her leg), and they got to go down an inflatable slide with their Daddy. We learned that Riley likes cotton candy, and Bree does not at all. It was a great event and I need to look into our family joining Hope Kids. I'm pretty sure Bree meets the criteria for joining, but had never considered it a possibility prior to this.
We took the long way home in hopes that both girls would nap, but oddly enough only Riley napped. Bree was content yelling and hollering the whole way home. We stopped to get Adam's hair cut on the way home, and that was another 45 minutes. We finally made it home at 430 and we were spent! Both girls were kinda naughty for the rest of the night from being so tired so we decided to stay home today.
Home sweet home.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Baby kicks
Adam was able to feel Derrick kick twice tonight for the first time. Amazing. Made my night. :)
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Three year old check up
So last year at her two year old check up she was 3rd percentile in weight and 95th in height. (I don't remember her actual height or weight) They were concerned about her weight and suggested us giving her instant breakfast with her milk, possibly mixing in oil in her diet (all stuff we do with Bree).
This year she was 30 pounds and 37 inches tall. Which places her at 45 percentile for her weight (yay!) and 50 percentile for her height. The doctor was pleased and said she is evening out with her growth, which is what she was hoping for.
I was surprised that a bit of the visit was the doctor asking Riley questions. (What's your name? Are you a boy or a girl? Is Daddy a boy or a girl? Favorite color?) I am so used to being asked the questions it was a change. I will say I was proud when Riley was asked if I was a boy or a girl she said Mommy is a good girl!
This year she was 30 pounds and 37 inches tall. Which places her at 45 percentile for her weight (yay!) and 50 percentile for her height. The doctor was pleased and said she is evening out with her growth, which is what she was hoping for.
I was surprised that a bit of the visit was the doctor asking Riley questions. (What's your name? Are you a boy or a girl? Is Daddy a boy or a girl? Favorite color?) I am so used to being asked the questions it was a change. I will say I was proud when Riley was asked if I was a boy or a girl she said Mommy is a good girl!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
3 and 24
These are two numbers that are very important to our family this weekend.
Yesterday our first baby girl turned three years old. She went from this:
to this big beautiful (little) girl:
She is a sweet, opinionated, determined little girl who has a kind heart. She loves her sister, and will tell me she already loves Baby Derrick. She is a wonderful big sister and I can't wait to see her grow in the coming years.
Speaking of our family, we happen to have a pretty awesome guy in our family that we love very much. In fact, it is his birthday today and he is satisfied with hanging out at home and watching football. Adam is the best husband I could ask for. He is very loving, and is not afraid to express his affection for me or for his kids (do you know how weird it is to say "kids" and not "girls"??). He tells me everyday that I am beautiful, he compliments the girls and is far more patient with them than I am. He truly balances me out. He is more of a relaxed laid back guy, and it has rubbed off on me in the past few years, which I think it just what I needed. Happy 24th Babe!
Yesterday our first baby girl turned three years old. She went from this:
to this big beautiful (little) girl:
She is a sweet, opinionated, determined little girl who has a kind heart. She loves her sister, and will tell me she already loves Baby Derrick. She is a wonderful big sister and I can't wait to see her grow in the coming years.
Speaking of our family, we happen to have a pretty awesome guy in our family that we love very much. In fact, it is his birthday today and he is satisfied with hanging out at home and watching football. Adam is the best husband I could ask for. He is very loving, and is not afraid to express his affection for me or for his kids (do you know how weird it is to say "kids" and not "girls"??). He tells me everyday that I am beautiful, he compliments the girls and is far more patient with them than I am. He truly balances me out. He is more of a relaxed laid back guy, and it has rubbed off on me in the past few years, which I think it just what I needed. Happy 24th Babe!
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