Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Celebrations
I would like to take a minute from our blog to celebrate our friend Ella. Ella is a four year old sweetheart who has been battling cancer for the past three years. She is the most polite, funny, and cutest little girl you will ever meet (well, besides my two girls).
Little Miss Ella has the most supportive parents that a kid could ever ask for. They have done everything in their power to get Ella the best care that there is to offer, and I have never seen a more devoted mother than Celine. Ella has a little sister named Maya, and there is no doubt that they love each other. Just today I watched them playing in the pool during a playdate and out of no where they both gave each other a big hug and then continued playing. So sweet.
Ella got word recently that for now it seems as though her cancer battle is over. She has completed all of her recommended chemo, and nothing can be seen on any of the scans they have taken!
We are so excited for her! Let's have three cheers for Miss Ella Rose...
Hip hip HOORAY!
Hip hip HOORAY!!
Hip hip HOOOOORRRRAAAAYYYY!
Here is a link to their blog post if you would like to read it: Ella Rose Vidrine (click here to be taken to her blog)
Little Miss Ella has the most supportive parents that a kid could ever ask for. They have done everything in their power to get Ella the best care that there is to offer, and I have never seen a more devoted mother than Celine. Ella has a little sister named Maya, and there is no doubt that they love each other. Just today I watched them playing in the pool during a playdate and out of no where they both gave each other a big hug and then continued playing. So sweet.
Ella got word recently that for now it seems as though her cancer battle is over. She has completed all of her recommended chemo, and nothing can be seen on any of the scans they have taken!
We are so excited for her! Let's have three cheers for Miss Ella Rose...
Hip hip HOORAY!
Hip hip HOORAY!!
Hip hip HOOOOORRRRAAAAYYYY!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Blogging mobile
I just enable the mobile blogging with my phone so hopefully this blog will see an annoying onslaught of daily photos of my kids. :)
In other news, despite not eating dairy, egg, soy or peanuts Derrick continues to have a rash and is crying in pain during the day. I caved and gave him tylenol this morning and he is blissfully sleeping in his swing right now. I am now going to add wheat to the "no eating" list and we'll see what happens. Not sure what I will be eating now...but there has got to be something!
Bree is talking up a storm and does a lot of two word phrases. We are working on three word phrases, and hope that she continues to make this amazing progress.
Riley is her usual self. She is funny, and too smart for her own good. Just last night she kept telling me "Daddy and I are going to a movie....do you want to come Mommy?" When I asked Adam about it, he said he had no clue what she was talking about. Ha!
In other news, despite not eating dairy, egg, soy or peanuts Derrick continues to have a rash and is crying in pain during the day. I caved and gave him tylenol this morning and he is blissfully sleeping in his swing right now. I am now going to add wheat to the "no eating" list and we'll see what happens. Not sure what I will be eating now...but there has got to be something!
Bree is talking up a storm and does a lot of two word phrases. We are working on three word phrases, and hope that she continues to make this amazing progress.
Riley is her usual self. She is funny, and too smart for her own good. Just last night she kept telling me "Daddy and I are going to a movie....do you want to come Mommy?" When I asked Adam about it, he said he had no clue what she was talking about. Ha!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Food allergies
Since Derrick has been born, we have had a suspicion that something just wasn't right. He had rashes constantly, was extremely fussy and in my mommy gut I just had a feeling. We have slowly learned that he has food allergies.
Now nothing is definitive until we see the food allergist on the 15th, but through trial and error (poor boy) we have learned that he cannot have dairy, soy, and possibly peanuts and eggs. This means that I also have to limit my diet to exclude things that he cannot have since I am nursing him. To say it is a challenge would be an understatement.
Thankfully an amazing friend (Aleasha Bram!) has a son with similar food allergies so she has been my go to gal when it come to all things food related. She gives me the dish on what foods to buy where and what to look for.
Because of his food allergies, we are unable to find a formula that will work for Derrick so that means that I will not be student teaching this fall. My family comes first, plain and simple. As much as I would love to finally complete my student teaching, I would rather have a healthy and happy family. In order to have that, I need to continue nursing Derrick and remain vigilant in our efforts to keep everyone happy and healthy.
There are days where I feel discouraged and frustrated with myself when it comes to these allergies. Just yesterday it dawned on me to check the bread I have been eating, and I discovered that there is milk in it. I felt (and still do feel) horrible. No wonder he has been so fussy.
I just hope that we can get this figured out as soon as possible, and can start moving forward with a plan to get both Derrick and I on a healthy eating/nursing plan.
Now nothing is definitive until we see the food allergist on the 15th, but through trial and error (poor boy) we have learned that he cannot have dairy, soy, and possibly peanuts and eggs. This means that I also have to limit my diet to exclude things that he cannot have since I am nursing him. To say it is a challenge would be an understatement.
Thankfully an amazing friend (Aleasha Bram!) has a son with similar food allergies so she has been my go to gal when it come to all things food related. She gives me the dish on what foods to buy where and what to look for.
Because of his food allergies, we are unable to find a formula that will work for Derrick so that means that I will not be student teaching this fall. My family comes first, plain and simple. As much as I would love to finally complete my student teaching, I would rather have a healthy and happy family. In order to have that, I need to continue nursing Derrick and remain vigilant in our efforts to keep everyone happy and healthy.
There are days where I feel discouraged and frustrated with myself when it comes to these allergies. Just yesterday it dawned on me to check the bread I have been eating, and I discovered that there is milk in it. I felt (and still do feel) horrible. No wonder he has been so fussy.
I just hope that we can get this figured out as soon as possible, and can start moving forward with a plan to get both Derrick and I on a healthy eating/nursing plan.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Drafts
I have about 3 or 4 drafts written that are unfinished. Between my preschooler, my toddler, and my 3 month old...life is busy. With just that it would be busy! Here is what our schedule looks like:
Monday: Riley to school. Bree to PCH (intensive feeding therapy) at 2.
Tuesday: All kids home
Wednesday: Riley to school. Bree has speech at home with Mr. Brian Eyre at 9 and PCH at 2.
Thursday: All kids home. Bree has OT with Kim Grant at home at 2.
Friday: Riley to school. Bree has early intervention with Kyla Rock at 730 and PCH at 10.
I am not sure if you noticed, but Bree no longer goes to preschool. For now, we decided to pull her out. It was too many people going in too many directions and being too busy. Sometimes it is important to have a day where you have absolutely nothing to do, and I find that to be very true with kids. Sometimes they just need to have some time to play in their rooms or outside. Lose themselves in their imagination.
Feeding therapy is going okay. It is not the quick fix that I was hoping for (who doesn't hope for that?) but it seems as though they are taking the time to address all of Bree's issues and helping her work through them. This is so that she does not regress when she does finally start eating. On Mondays we can a co-visit with her feeding therapist and occupational therapist. Her feeding therapist is Marnie Madden. We love her. She listens to Bree, and makes it fun for her, but also knows what is best for her. Bree always wants to go play with Miss Marnie.
When we are going to and from therapy we end up parking in the parking garage. In order to park in there you have to park on level 2 or above, which means that we have use the elevator. Every time I ask Bree to push the buttons, she gets very excited and runs forward yelling "Oh boy!". It brings a huge smile to my face every time.
Bree knows her numbers pretty well so using the elevators gives a great opportunity to practice them.
When we started feeding therapy she weighed 22.8, two weeks later she was 22.7 (she had a puke bug the week before), and then she was 23.6 today!! When we started she was 87 cm tall (34.3 inches) and she was the same two weeks later, and then she was 88 cm tall (34.6 inches) today.
Here's to hoping that I do not have drafts...but actual posts more consistently.
Monday: Riley to school. Bree to PCH (intensive feeding therapy) at 2.
Tuesday: All kids home
Wednesday: Riley to school. Bree has speech at home with Mr. Brian Eyre at 9 and PCH at 2.
Thursday: All kids home. Bree has OT with Kim Grant at home at 2.
Friday: Riley to school. Bree has early intervention with Kyla Rock at 730 and PCH at 10.
I am not sure if you noticed, but Bree no longer goes to preschool. For now, we decided to pull her out. It was too many people going in too many directions and being too busy. Sometimes it is important to have a day where you have absolutely nothing to do, and I find that to be very true with kids. Sometimes they just need to have some time to play in their rooms or outside. Lose themselves in their imagination.
Feeding therapy is going okay. It is not the quick fix that I was hoping for (who doesn't hope for that?) but it seems as though they are taking the time to address all of Bree's issues and helping her work through them. This is so that she does not regress when she does finally start eating. On Mondays we can a co-visit with her feeding therapist and occupational therapist. Her feeding therapist is Marnie Madden. We love her. She listens to Bree, and makes it fun for her, but also knows what is best for her. Bree always wants to go play with Miss Marnie.
When we are going to and from therapy we end up parking in the parking garage. In order to park in there you have to park on level 2 or above, which means that we have use the elevator. Every time I ask Bree to push the buttons, she gets very excited and runs forward yelling "Oh boy!". It brings a huge smile to my face every time.
Bree knows her numbers pretty well so using the elevators gives a great opportunity to practice them.
When we started feeding therapy she weighed 22.8, two weeks later she was 22.7 (she had a puke bug the week before), and then she was 23.6 today!! When we started she was 87 cm tall (34.3 inches) and she was the same two weeks later, and then she was 88 cm tall (34.6 inches) today.
Here's to hoping that I do not have drafts...but actual posts more consistently.
Friday, April 8, 2011
At a loss for words
Well, not really since it takes words to write a blog post, but you know what I am trying to convey.
We just received a check for $500. It is to be used to pay for Bree's feeding therapy gas fund. A friend of my Grandma gave it to her to pass onto us. I do not know which one of her friends it is, but we will be sending a very thankful letter their way here soon.
I feel so humbled and blessed. Wow. Thank you does not seem enough, yet I do not know what else to say.
Thank you to whoever you are. This money means more to us than we can express. It not only means that we do not have to worry about gas money, or wrack up credit cards trying to get to and from her appts; it means that there are people out there who care, and who love our Bree just as much as we do. In today's world, that is priceless.
Thank you.
We just received a check for $500. It is to be used to pay for Bree's feeding therapy gas fund. A friend of my Grandma gave it to her to pass onto us. I do not know which one of her friends it is, but we will be sending a very thankful letter their way here soon.
I feel so humbled and blessed. Wow. Thank you does not seem enough, yet I do not know what else to say.
Thank you to whoever you are. This money means more to us than we can express. It not only means that we do not have to worry about gas money, or wrack up credit cards trying to get to and from her appts; it means that there are people out there who care, and who love our Bree just as much as we do. In today's world, that is priceless.
Thank you.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Mr. Sensitivity
We got off pretty easy with Bree when it came to allergies and sensitive skin. She does have some reactions to certain brands of medical tape, and sunburns really easily. However, that is the extent of her being sensitive.
Mr. Derrick is a different story. Here is what we have learned about our littlest man so far:
- He is allergic to laundry soap and fabric softener that is not "free and clear".
- He is allergic to the antibiotic ointment they gave us for his eye.
- He has reflux. Which is something we are very aware of because of Bree. Right now, his is being managed by adding rice cereal into the breast milk that I pump for him. His coughing has almost stopped completely since we started this.
We are still learning things about our little guy, but we are also learning how to adapt and help him to feel better. Hopefully this is all that he is going to be sensitive with, but only time will tell.
Mr. Derrick is a different story. Here is what we have learned about our littlest man so far:
- He is allergic to laundry soap and fabric softener that is not "free and clear".
- He is allergic to the antibiotic ointment they gave us for his eye.
- He has reflux. Which is something we are very aware of because of Bree. Right now, his is being managed by adding rice cereal into the breast milk that I pump for him. His coughing has almost stopped completely since we started this.
We are still learning things about our little guy, but we are also learning how to adapt and help him to feel better. Hopefully this is all that he is going to be sensitive with, but only time will tell.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Ready...set...EAT!
We got word this week that Bree will be starting her intensive feeding therapy program on April 18th. She will go three times a week (Monday and Wednesdays at 2 and Fridays at 10) for eight weeks. We will be logging lots of miles on our van here soon. Also, the skyrocketing gas prices will be wonderful as well. However, nothing will compare to how wonderful it will be to see our youngest girl learning to eat!
She has been making progess lately and wanting to 'try' our foods, but we are no where near where she should be. This therapy is much needed and we cautiously have our hopes up.
She has been making progess lately and wanting to 'try' our foods, but we are no where near where she should be. This therapy is much needed and we cautiously have our hopes up.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Long time, no type
Life is a little hectic around here. Since my last update we have had a bit of excitement. Bree ended up getting pneumonia, and that prolonged our seperation parenting technique. After a dose of steroids she is back on the mend and we hope that this is for good this time! She is getting so big so fast...it is crazy.
Riley is still having a hard time adjusting to the level of attention she is getting (or lack there of) and has been acting out. We just got a new discipline book to read and try applying with her that was recommended to us: Positive Discipline for Preschoolers. Fingers crossed that it has some help in there for us. From what I grasp of the little bit I have browsed through the book, it is going to change up our parenting techniques a good bit. Which is needed.
Derrick is doing well and growing like a little weed. He is eating about every 2.5 to 3 hours and is staying awake for longer periods. In the past few days he has started to smile more when awake, and we have even heard a few noises like he is trying to talk.
I am tired all the time, and so is Adam. However, it is to be expected. Today is my first day home alone with them all by myself and we are doing okay. The girls are in their room right now supposed to be napping, but they are actually both on Riley's bed playing the tambourine and singing songs. Derrick is in his swing sleeping away and is due to wake up around 1 to eat.
Hopefully it is not almost another month until I get to update!
Riley is still having a hard time adjusting to the level of attention she is getting (or lack there of) and has been acting out. We just got a new discipline book to read and try applying with her that was recommended to us: Positive Discipline for Preschoolers. Fingers crossed that it has some help in there for us. From what I grasp of the little bit I have browsed through the book, it is going to change up our parenting techniques a good bit. Which is needed.
Derrick is doing well and growing like a little weed. He is eating about every 2.5 to 3 hours and is staying awake for longer periods. In the past few days he has started to smile more when awake, and we have even heard a few noises like he is trying to talk.
I am tired all the time, and so is Adam. However, it is to be expected. Today is my first day home alone with them all by myself and we are doing okay. The girls are in their room right now supposed to be napping, but they are actually both on Riley's bed playing the tambourine and singing songs. Derrick is in his swing sleeping away and is due to wake up around 1 to eat.
Hopefully it is not almost another month until I get to update!
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