tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20675578501185251832024-03-13T03:31:42.561-04:00butterfly lightssometimes crazy. sometimes hazy. always an adventure.christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.comBlogger470125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-2678144895726852012014-09-27T22:26:00.001-04:002019-08-28T09:48:00.605-04:00Making Some ChangesI know I’m behind in Mads monthly updates… she’s 14 months old and so completely adorable and BUSY! This means mommy is busier too of course. Part of me wants to keep this blog updated but part of me is ready to move on. <br />
I originally started Butterfly Lights to process my thoughts as I went through thyroid cancer. This year marks 5 years cancer free. It’s a significant point for any survivor to be sure. This place helped me process my emotions these 5 years and has always been a more personal, diary-type space for me. But 5 years cancer free means the original motivation for this space isn’t on the forefront of my mind. My focus and priorities have changed drastically over this time. There are still thoughts I could write but I feel like the focus of the blog has become muddled and so I’m taking a break from this space.<br />
I am starting fresh with new focus and passions in a completely new place. This new blog will be about our family journey to get out of debt, family life, frugal living, recipes, crafts and general mom life. Introducing….<a href="http://littlebabywee.blogspot.com/"><img alt="baby wee header 2" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZxcAVK8a8gE/VCdx6vfiAYI/AAAAAAAAGPc/fVADvpkpjkQ/baby%252520wee%252520header%2525202%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" height="272" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="baby wee header 2" width="596" /></a><br />
It’s new and small but I hope that <a href="https://www.pecansandmagnolias.com/" target="_blank">Pecans & Magnolias</a> will grow and evolve as our family does. So come on over and follow the Wee family as we find our way! You can also check us out on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pecansandmagnolias/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. I would love to have you as a new reader over there and hope you will stick around for the occasional post here. <br />
All my love…<br />Cchristy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-81149662287909349532014-05-15T14:59:00.001-04:002014-05-15T14:59:41.576-04:00{Belated} Birthday Update: 9 Months<p><strong><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RB0bpRlyimg/U3UORPc5pmI/AAAAAAAAFdM/m9xm8apGGxk/s1600-h/ninemonths%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="ninemonths" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="ninemonths" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ff3FBesF4xU/U3UOSL0-KEI/AAAAAAAAFdU/Zm5tP_4IsAs/ninemonths_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" align="right" height="318" /></a>Birth Deets</strong>: 21.5in, 8lbs 12oz  <br /><strong>6 month Deets</strong>: 16lbs 7oz, 26.5 inches <br /><strong>Height</strong>: 28 inches  <br /><strong>Weight</strong>: 17lbs 7 oz <br /><strong>Nicknames</strong>: Maddie, Miss Me, babydoll, Little Baby Wee, Silly Wee, Mads, Knot Head</p> <p>~~ Apologies for the picture heavy post – we had a busy month!~~ <br /> <br /><strong>Exciting Events</strong>: Aside from her little stint in the hospital, Mid March to Mid April was pretty busy!  The weather was nicer and we’ve been spending more and more time outside.  She loves to ride in the wagon at Granny’s house and to get pushed in the swings.  Maddie made <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y_9kpvBSMls/U3UOTOT3eKI/AAAAAAAAFdc/HSoTXg12_Qs/s1600-h/DSC04798%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC04798" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC04798" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xbrwm9Ammjg/U3UOUIk1jSI/AAAAAAAAFdk/uZ7ccLkRO10/DSC04798_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="312" align="left" height="222" /></a>her second road trip to Michigan and we discovered she still really hates driving at night!  But even though the trip was long and stressful, it was worth being there for Great Grandpa’s 90th birthday (which also happened to be Maddie’s 9 month birthday!).  She also celebrated Mommy’s birthday and Auntie Katie’s birthday with her first trip to a Japanese steakhouse, <a href="http://www.shanghaiichiban.com/">Shang Hai Ichiban</a>.  I’m sure it won’t be her last!  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-D8gUeXABO7U/U3UOWJMseZI/AAAAAAAAFds/w5DHpEl4WL8/s1600-h/fun%25255B5%25255D.png"><img title="fun" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 5px 5px 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="fun" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bl9_VFHi5rk/U3UOXsu3QWI/AAAAAAAAFd0/GqjXqlcf68A/fun_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="616" height="308" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M6gHnEN7xs8/U3UOZEXCscI/AAAAAAAAFd8/iFCIsfcng_s/s1600-h/warm%25255B5%25255D.png"><img title="warm" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="warm" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--u5QUIKkOto/U3UOaTSWUYI/AAAAAAAAFeE/D1hV_wwQOO0/warm_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="616" height="205" /></a>She loves sharing Mommy & Daddy’s meals and has tried a little bit of everything it seems!  Some of <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oOwy5sJqy9A/U3UOboh9fiI/AAAAAAAAFeM/ELmRGfzXqbE/s1600-h/DSC04800%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC04800" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC04800" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dNmOne66el0/U3UOcWVqExI/AAAAAAAAFeQ/7R8IKi8dHyA/DSC04800_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" align="left" height="230" /></a>her new favorite foods include: Vietnamese pho, soba noodles, guacamole, black beans and the Southern breakfast standards of scrambled eggs and biscuits and gravy!  While <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-s1t63HYdgJ8/U3UOdDMCWhI/AAAAAAAAFeY/Q5936Dmgs54/s1600-h/DSC04914%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC04914" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC04914" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tnW82PurFlw/U3UOeeiVqRI/AAAAAAAAFeg/TpmpYLVZRIM/DSC04914_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="165" align="right" height="240" /></a>in Michigan we also visited a butterfly exhibit at <a href="http://www.meijergardens.org/">Meijer Gardens</a>, celebrated Easter and went on an Easter egg hunt, and went to a petting zoo called <a href="http://www.critterbarn.org/site/c.ihKMIWPDIqE/b.4103393/k.8407/Family_Fun__Handson_Animal_Education_Farm__Holland_Michigan.htm">The Critter Barn</a>.  Mads is really becoming an animal lover.  She still loves our cat but has also made friends with the neighbor’s horse as well as a few dogs in the area. She even loves the ants and bees in our yard which makes Mommy a nervous wreck! Ants seem to look like a yummy food source at the moment and bees.. .well I think their lazy buzzing just has her fascinated in general.  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SjJpHwCI30o/U3UOg4nfl7I/AAAAAAAAFes/BmOw3lh-BqY/s1600-h/hospital%25255B5%25255D.png"><img title="hospital" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="hospital" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Oodge2m6fiE/U3UOiRsXdoI/AAAAAAAAFe0/LHc31ym-2aQ/hospital_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="602" height="301" /></a>Possibly the most exciting news is that <a href="http://butterflylights.blogspot.com/2014/04/myonical-bionical.html">Maddie’s spasms</a> have nearly completely vanished!  It is really an answer to prayers and our baby girl has been deemed completely healthy by her neurologist! <br /><strong>What She Does</strong>: Well it’s been an exciting month of developments in this area too!  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-08eTwy9OaRI/U3UOjY0KtBI/AAAAAAAAFe8/UXjxjjZpHpc/s1600-h/DSC00388%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00388" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00388" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bqZhlOLx7kU/U3UOkScbWGI/AAAAAAAAFfE/73wtBqULA1M/DSC00388_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" align="left" height="240" /></a>In addition to pulling herself up to a standing position, Maddie decided that standing without help was no big deal at all!  She hasn’t tried to take any steps without holding on to something or someone though. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AOdD6gf3xjo/U3UOlUIxikI/AAAAAAAAFfM/6CEMNL_rB14/s1600-h/DSC00380%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00380" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00380" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nnS4PEo0PFY/U3UOmHlkzOI/AAAAAAAAFfU/XQzFgRiAgsA/DSC00380_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" align="right" height="251" /></a> She also started crawling backward a bit but mostly still rolls to her desired location. Her mouth is full of… NO TEETH!  Yup, she’s still just got pink little gums so I think she’s taking after Mommy and won’t get her teeth until closer to her first birthday!  She says “mom” and “dad” and “yeah”… she also shocked her pediatrician when she said “bye” and waved goodbye as our appointment ended!  She loves to wave at people as they leave but has become a bit more shy around strangers.  These days she’s more likely to bury her head in Mommy’s shoulder than to grace them with her toothy little grin.</p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-76138828068033793452014-04-09T15:55:00.001-04:002014-04-09T15:55:44.546-04:00Myonical Bionical<p>Sooo…. We had a bit of a scare here recently… </p> <p>Miss Maddie-Me has been hitting all her milestones just peachy but about a week and a half ago I noticed she would do something odd. At random moments her arms would stiffen and shoot out into the air or her whole body would stiffen and jerk back. It just wasn’t “normal” looking behavior and had us concerned enough to try to catch it on video to show to our doctor. We had our doctor and another doctor look at it and while there was a range of possible diagnoses, the one that kept coming up was “infantile spasms.” </p> <p>If you aren’t familiar with the term “<a href="http://epilepsy.com/learn/types-epilepsy-syndromes/infantile-spasms-wests-syndrome" target="_blank">infantile spasms</a>,” you might be shocked at just how serious this seemingly innocuous sounding problem really is. We took to Google and were subsequently terrified at what we might possibly be facing. </p> <p>Our next step was to get an EEG for Little Miss so we waited for the call from scheduling. Meanwhile, it was the weekend, and Maddie had an episode that lasted far longer than before and <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9I74EAUJ6lA/U0WltVMyDtI/AAAAAAAAFcI/yhRj_RcghFg/s1600-h/mads%252520er%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="mads er" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="mads er" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BbaVAJGG-8s/U0WluRUErmI/AAAAAAAAFcQ/LpBO9e6DXOA/mads%252520er_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" align="left" height="240"></a>seemed to be having many more than her “usual.” We made the decision to drive to our nearest children’s hospital ER that had pediatric neurology services.</p> <p>We arrived to the busy ER about 2.5 hours away and were in a room and seeing the doctor within 30 minutes. Again, we were told we needed an EEG and they could perform one and have a neurologist see us the next morning… so that’s how Miss Maddie’s first hospital stay was<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4WKfHrenupI/U0Wlu1LeWoI/AAAAAAAAFcY/inZgQ6MecLQ/s1600-h/20140406_213311%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="20140406_213311" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="20140406_213311" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uNweXAb3Yc8/U0WlvjhgrlI/AAAAAAAAFcc/UKzihvo4RP0/20140406_213311_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" align="right" height="240"></a> written in the books. </p> <p>Our EEG was in the morning – it was a traumatic experience for all involved - and we nervously awaited the results. The neurologist came to see us and the first thing he said was “Her EEG was completely <em>NORMAL</em>.” I think our first words were “<em>Thank GOD</em>!” Or at least that’s what I said in my head… He went on to then say he wasn’t exactly sure what we are dealing with but that he is pretty sure it wasn’t in the epilepsy family. Of course since Mads didn’t have any spasms during the procedure its hard to tell exactly what happens but the “hypsarrythmia” in “infantile spasms” would have shown up if she had that. Our differential diagnoses currently are: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7302/" target="_blank">Benign Myoclonus of Early Infancy or Sterotypies</a>. We think the myoclonus description sounds exactly like what she does. </p> <p>So what’s the plan of action? We have to log any events she has and possibly capture more video and return to the neurologist in May. Depending on how things are at that point, we might have a 24 hour video EEG ordered. If we notice any regression in her developmental milestones or progression in the severity of her episodes we have to call much sooner. </p> <p>We would appreciate all your thoughts and prayers as we work to figure out exactly what is going on with our precious little girl! </p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-28578870301966918072014-03-24T16:09:00.001-04:002014-03-24T16:09:20.340-04:00{Belated} Birthday Update: Eight Months!<p><strong><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7ktTEMblqjY/UzCQyChrdlI/AAAAAAAAFak/U0X1T9cFcrU/s1600-h/eightmonths%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="eightmonths" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="eightmonths" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f_51T-phC90/UzCQymGNdwI/AAAAAAAAFao/B72rBS1wMpo/eightmonths_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="282" align="right" height="352" /></a>Birth Deets</strong>: 21.5in, 8lbs 12oz  <br /><strong>6 month Deets</strong>: 16lbs 7oz, 26.5 inches <br /><strong>Height</strong>: no appt this month <br /><strong>Weight</strong>: no appt this month… was 17lb 3oz at a sick visit <br /><strong>Nicknames</strong>: Maddie, Miss Me, babydoll, Little Baby Wee, Silly Wee, Mads <br /><strong>Exciting Events</strong>: Mid February to mid March wasn’t particularly exciting as winter raged on and <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kl4TfWPLO2Y/UzCQzF1TA8I/AAAAAAAAFaw/n1t4obavlAY/s1600-h/rainbow%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="rainbow" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="rainbow" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aY-QRm1FIp8/UzCQz5ogATI/AAAAAAAAFa8/Of6SJkdWmX0/rainbow_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="175" align="left" height="240" /></a>we stayed in out of the cold.  Maddie also caught quite a bad cold and proceeded to share it with mommy, daddy and grandma and grandpa H!  Hey… at least we are teaching her to share from a young age?  We did celebrate our very first Saint Patrick’s Day… Miss Maddie is definitely our little pot of gold!  And we had visitors from Michigan!  We did a little sight seeing with them as things started to thaw out around here a bit.  Mads even did her first stint on the <a href="http://www.appalachiantrail.org/">AT!</a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GbW1liMXITI/UzCQ1P38CqI/AAAAAAAAFbE/T9d_74fVv8s/s1600-h/visit%25255B5%25255D.png"><img title="visit" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 5px 5px 5px 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="visit" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-POWHIEGiCI4/UzCQ2r6ISOI/AAAAAAAAFbM/AjZ0APV416A/visit_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="606" height="303" /></a>This month she tried toast and a few other big people foods straight from the table.  She loves sharing mommy’s oatmeal in the mornings.  We’ve also started Maddie/Mommy time where we spend some time playing and watching a movie (mostly mommy watching a movie and playing with Maddie) but just spending time with “us girls” while daddy gets to watch sports or play a video game or two. One of Maddie’s favorite things in the world is the cat – Tills. She will pull on his tail or his ear or just handfuls of his fur and he just takes it all in stride. She sometimes will be so excited to see him that she will barely touch his fur before bursting into a huge grin and giggles. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gjqpiTn3ejE/UzCQ3Kzt__I/AAAAAAAAFbU/Z0ttXv-pPOg/s1600-h/breakfast%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="breakfast" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 5px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="breakfast" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q5S2GHMXoLY/UzCQ4XHAJxI/AAAAAAAAFbc/a4No9QXyln0/breakfast_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="616" height="205" /></a> <br /><strong>What She Does</strong>: Maddie can pull herself up to a standing position like its no big deal. Yup, been doing this forever mom!  She doesn’t crawl but will roll or fall forward to get to what she wants.  I think she’s planning to just skip that whole crawling thing and will be walking soon enough! She is already getting good at walking from one place to another while holding on to someone’s hands. She still has no teeth but that doesn’t stop her from gnawing on her toast!  She says “Mom” all.the.time.  Like literally it’s the only thing she says 24-7. Except when she is baby rapping… still hoping to catch that on video because its hilarious. She’s recently picked up on waving and will sometimes display this new knowledge if you are lucky.  And mommy’s favorite new skill… the head hugs!  When Maddie gets super excited to be with you she will press her little noggin against yours really hard and rub it back and forth with a smile on her face. Sometimes she adds grabbing your ears to pull you closer or noshing on your nose for good measure.  Its quite possibly the cutest thing ever! <3<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1HH8BOc6eYc/UzCQ516ag1I/AAAAAAAAFbk/dVhYLashxJo/s1600-h/month%2525208%25255B4%25255D.png"><img title="month 8" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="month 8" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_SuMd0s-1pQ/UzCQ7X-YkuI/AAAAAAAAFbs/ZRLB1LHVC48/month%2525208_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></a></p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-29087567975394622592014-03-14T08:38:00.001-04:002014-03-14T08:38:47.990-04:00Comparison Shot<p>Lots of people say Miss M looks like her mommy so I wanted to do a little comparison shot for y’all! <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h_yzKHmbw_k/UyL4UUihMUI/AAAAAAAAFaE/Uaadnp1y-U8/s1600-h/comparison%252520shot%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="comparison shot" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="comparison shot" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WojxJvjHHyg/UyL4VYdx8dI/AAAAAAAAFaM/N8cuSmZb5Ms/comparison%252520shot_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="660" height="340" /></a></p> <p>Yes, we are both little cue balls… mommy didn’t have hair until she was a year!  Both have blue eyes and little ears that stick out.  But I think little miss definitely is the cuter of the two baby shots…I may just be a *bit* partial though!  </p> <p>Happy Friday everyone! <br /><em><font size="2">(ps… anyone else notice the scary doll I was playing with?!?)</font></em></p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-25028851313702257512014-02-28T09:15:00.001-05:002014-02-28T09:15:02.132-05:00{Belated} Birthday Update: Seven Months!<p><strong><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OPSVvunSg7c/UxCZ0E3MbeI/AAAAAAAAFYc/P_Hk-Nu8TFs/s1600-h/7%252520months%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="7 months" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="7 months" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MqLk-1tKt9s/UxCZ0m3-GZI/AAAAAAAAFYg/ZaQkeP783gU/7%252520months_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" align="right" height="480" /></a>Birth Deets</strong>: 21.5in, 8lbs 12oz  <br /><strong>6 month Deets</strong>: 16lbs 7oz, 26.5 inches <br /><strong>Height</strong>: no appt this month <br /><strong>Weight</strong>: no appt this month <br /><strong>Nicknames</strong>: Maddie, Miss Me, babydoll, Little Baby Wee, Silly Wee, Mads <br /><strong>Exciting Events</strong>: As we settled down from Christmas and New Year’s, we settled into the deep freeze that took over this winter. Brrr!   We got out of the house and went to a chocolate festival that benefitted the Make a Wish Foundation, took a weekend trip to Knoxville, and celebrated Maddie’s first Valentine’s Day.  Maddie and mommy baked a cake for Valentine’s day and daddy may or may not have let Maddie have a tiny little bit!  She’s tried quite a few other foods but still prefers her milk. Along with avocado, banana, and applesauce, we have tried… peas, green beans, sweet potatoes, pears, oatmeal.. and I’m sure I’m forgetting something in there.  She pretty much has decided she hates bananas but pears are where its at!  She also loooooves sweet potato! <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fbQ4R3bZUQ8/UxCZ1TxN8FI/AAAAAAAAFYs/rBiBbJsBiFA/s1600-h/peek%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="peek" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="peek" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OpsCQR_AFaM/UxCZ1-HHm-I/AAAAAAAAFY0/QlMtG3pB9eQ/peek_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="455" height="480" /></a></p> <p><strong>What She Does</strong>: Maddie is still working on becoming mobile.  She will lean forward while sitting and <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7RnWTFkDUJQ/UxCZ2Z-GiJI/AAAAAAAAFY8/jK9rgsoXkPA/s1600-h/reach%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="reach" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="reach" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tavxskBIQ88/UxCZ29AiRBI/AAAAAAAAFZE/QuTzoNdAz2Y/reach_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="159" align="left" height="240" /></a>stretch as far as her little body allows but her big noggin tends to pull her over before she can get anywhere.  She will roll and pull herself around her <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wviZMuzomUs/UxCZ3gKIQxI/AAAAAAAAFZM/sbSS49dzhSI/s1600-h/ponder%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="ponder" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="ponder" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rUgAeytv-B4/UxCZ4JtIsxI/AAAAAAAAFZU/h1r3T6m8Wpw/ponder_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="159" align="right" height="240" /></a>play quilt to get to her favorite toys and sometimes pulls herself up onto her knees but we’ve seen no actual crawling movement yet.  She can also pull herself up to a half standing position if you place something like a remote or cell phone just out of her reach!  She is definitely strong enough to hold herself up in a standing position and takes steps when holding on to your hands.  She still has a silly toothless grin but she faked us out with a tiny white bump that lasted about a day!  She still likes to teethe on anything she can put in her mouth but actually takes drinks from her sippy cup now. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zUelG9IvZDI/UxCZ4oao5aI/AAAAAAAAFZc/Z5LbyKQCCFs/s1600-h/bemine%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="bemine" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="bemine" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-d7aqg29MIjk/UxCZ5FBDFOI/AAAAAAAAFZk/zffww4T75nQ/bemine_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="451" height="480" /></a></p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-34853869571919096502014-01-25T14:53:00.001-05:002014-01-25T14:53:59.189-05:00Birthday Update: Six Months!<p><strong><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kl4uYfT6b60/UuQWNEegq_I/AAAAAAAAFW8/eLKMAl7Y9_0/s1600-h/6moeyes%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="6moeyes" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="6moeyes" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1qKKurNi4EE/UuQWNqLaOyI/AAAAAAAAFXE/yOFgNx3Gr_U/6moeyes_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" align="right" height="290" /></a>Birth Deets</strong>: 21.5in, 8lbs 12oz  <br /><strong>4 month Deets</strong>: 14lbs 2oz, 24.8 inches <br /><strong>Height</strong>: 26.5 inches <br /><strong>Weight</strong>: 16lbs 7oz <br /><strong>Nicknames</strong>: Maddie, Miss Me, Bay, babydoll, Little Wee, Silly Wee, Mads <br /><strong>Exciting Events</strong>: This month was really busy!  Besides marking half a year on this earth, Miss M was baptized, took a trip to Michigan and celebrated her very first Christmas!   While in Michigan, she met quite a few relatives for the first time – including great grandma and grandpa K!  She celebrated Christmas and loved opening presents.  Well… she really loved the wrapping paper that she tried to chew on.  She was blessed with way too many toys and more clothes than she can ever possibly wear in the upcoming months – but she will for sure try! <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5ef1ARefFns/UuQWPCeld7I/AAAAAAAAFXM/oLvCAdpH1qI/s1600-h/christmas%25255B4%25255D.png"><img title="christmas" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="christmas" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kWQRhnkV4bM/UuQWQOUdOhI/AAAAAAAAFXU/P7KTPuUv0O0/christmas_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="640" height="213" /></a> It was a whirlwind week long trip and she left with her very first cold… that part wasn’t quite so fun or exciting.  I will say that <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00171WXII/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00171WXII&linkCode=as2&tag=buttelight-20">Nosefrida The Snotsucker Nasal Aspirator</a> was a complete and total lifesaver! Yes, there is a gross out factor involved but really, those little bulb suckers did nothing to help and this allowed her to breathe.  Maddie also took her first bites of real food this month… she’s not too keen on that quite yet though.  So far she’s tried avocadoes, bananas, and homemade applesauce.  Applesauce is her favorite by far!  She usually has 3-5 spoons and is done so her diet really hasn’t expanded past breastmilk all that much but we will be trying out more foods in the coming weeks! <br /><strong><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-89mbZOmPIx0/UuQWRbQfPaI/AAAAAAAAFXc/QXGpFx_nZ30/s1600-h/6mo%252520foods%25255B4%25255D.png"><img title="6mo foods" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="6mo foods" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HdDFWqn5ieg/UuQWSd1WzBI/AAAAAAAAFXk/lLfo_k7nIZQ/6mo%252520foods_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="640" height="213" /></a>What She Does</strong>: Miss M is an experienced sitter now!  She loves to sit and play on the floor and only occasionally topples to one side or the other while reaching for an object. She also loves to stand and will lean against items like footstools or the back of the couch and stand on her own for small stretches of time. She will even take steps across the room while we hold her arms!  Her toes are an endless source of entertainment and more often than not end up in her mouth – totally gross – and socks never last more than a few minutes at a time.  Yes, you can follow us around the grocery store by following the trail of baby socks!  Maddie loves music, and we have found that the piano and drum apps on our tablets are a fun distraction once in a while.  She still has no teeth but she acts like she's teething… oh joy!  She loves chewing on a sippy cup when her teeth really start to bother her.  So far she hasn’t really learned how to drink from the sippy cups but she does get some baby water out on her shirt!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-m6RJ1vZjS8s/UuQWTyle7fI/AAAAAAAAFXs/1L8TI-79Xa4/s1600-h/mads%25255B4%25255D.png"><img title="mads" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="mads" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BxG3i_jJlIU/UuQWVA9Y0oI/AAAAAAAAFX0/QyLje3ltAzI/mads_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></a></p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-2776607753685053042014-01-17T16:34:00.001-05:002014-01-17T16:34:08.938-05:00To My Daughter on Her Half Birthday<p dir=ltr>To my dear sweet daughter....</p>
<p dir=ltr>Today is your six month birthday. I can't believe how much you've grown in such a short amount of time! </p>
<p dir=ltr>Six months ago you were a tiny ball of sleepy jello. You struggled to peep your eyes open at me and could do little more than cry and flail your arms about. I was amazed by your tiny little everything.</p>
<p dir=ltr>But today... Today we played on the floor. You were sitting up and reaching for toys all on your own. You were laughing and smiling and babbling at me. You hammed it up for my camera and tried to take your own "selfies". You reacted to squeaks and rattles and got excited when we read <i>Peek-a-boo</i><i> </i>Forest. You stood and walked toward me while hanging on to my fingers. </p>
<p dir=ltr>I'm in awe of the things you've learned in such a short time. Of the strength you have in your tiny little limbs. And most of all, of your ever growing personality. </p>
<p dir=ltr>I am so lucky to be your mom. I am privileged to watch you grow and learn. I am excited to know that I get to help you discover this world.</p>
<p dir=ltr>You amaze me each and every day and I am so thankful for you, my perfect, precious gift from above.</p>
<p dir=ltr>Happy 6 month birthday my sweet Maddie-me. Mommy loves you so very much!<br>
.</p>
christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-22175549048433340142013-12-17T11:41:00.000-05:002013-12-17T11:41:00.551-05:00Birthday Update: Five Months!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qGwsCDnSTQE/Uq_WSqPSbsI/AAAAAAAAFU8/yHT_4oF-T6o/s1600-h/5%252520months%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="5 months" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="5 months" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v9vJe6RQ--k/Uq_WTR8sb-I/AAAAAAAAFVE/ciF-bae74P0/5%252520months_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="256" align="left" height="357" /></a> <p><strong> <br />Birth Deets</strong>: 21.5in, 8lbs 12oz  <br /><strong>4 month Deets</strong>: 14lbs 2oz, 24.8 inches <br /><strong>Height</strong>: ? (next appt 6mo) <br /><strong>Weight</strong>: ? (next appt 6mo) <br /><strong>Nicknames</strong>: Maddie, Miss Me, Bay, babydoll, Little Wee <br /><strong>Exciting Events</strong>: The very first Thanksgiving!! Little Miss attended a small gathering with her mom and dad at grandpa and grandma’s house because a snow and ice storm made the roads getting down from the mountain a bit too treacherous!   Santa came a little early to her house and left her an exersaucer <a href="<script type="text/javascript" src="http://wms-na.amazon-adsystem.com/20070822/US/js/link-enhancer-common.js?tag=buttelight-20"></script><noscript> <img src="http://wms-na.amazon-adsystem.com/20070822/US/img/noscript.gif?tag=buttelight-20" alt="" /></noscript>"> '>(this one!).</a>  She loves it!  Good thing Santa came early because this little contraption is a lifesaver when mommy needs to get things done! We also celebrated daddy’s 40th birthday with a cake we made.  <br /><strong>What She Does</strong>: She’s taken to waking up once during the night, generally around 3-4am since mommy started back to work.  That allows us 5-6 hours solid sleep and then a short 1-2hr nap before we wake up… guess that’s not too shabby?  We are waiting until 6months to start solids so for now, mommy will settle with waking just once a night. We hear that many EBF babies continue waking every 2hours and I definitely couldn’t do it!  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7z-i1dZ7Qx0/Uq_WU9JN_8I/AAAAAAAAFVM/Apf7MAgh_x0/s1600-h/month%25255B4%25255D.png"><img title="month" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="month" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vxMwJmdiMd8/Uq_WWAT2SFI/AAAAAAAAFVU/RKO3nlPW56o/month_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="640" height="320" /></a></p> We are also still waiting for that first tooth to finally pop.  Poor thing has a chapped chin from all the drooling.  Its seemed to have stepped up a notch in the past few days so we are hopeful the tiny white monster will show soon.  And for those thinking EBF and teeth don’t mix… well she’s already bit because of the teething… not fun!  Miss Maddie is now able to sit unassisted for quite a few seconds!  She generally assumes a tripod like position when she does this but is getting better at balancing every day.  She grabs at most anything and attempts to put it in her mouth even if that thing is twice the size of her head.  Her current favorite toys are an octopus that grandma made out of a ping pong ball and some cotton yarn and an elephant that has 2 different fabrics, a bell inside and crinkly ears. She loves to nap with her <a href="<script type="text/javascript" src="http://wms-na.amazon-adsystem.com/20070822/US/js/link-enhancer-common.js?tag=buttelight-20"></script><noscript> <img src="http://wms-na.amazon-adsystem.com/20070822/US/img/noscript.gif?tag=buttelight-20" alt="" /></noscript>"> '>angel dear owl</a> blankie.  She laughs and squeals and says “mom” and “momma” quite frequently and although she hasn’t picked up on “dada” yet she did say “ohh bah mah” the other day!  Did I give birth to a tiny Dem? I guess only time will tell! <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fUpitqpKfJA/Uq_WXwtnXwI/AAAAAAAAFVc/GcG1Gslfe8w/s1600-h/merry%252520c%25255B4%25255D.png"><img title="merry c" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="merry c" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UWXENqz3GCc/Uq_WZHyrGBI/AAAAAAAAFVg/lz26u8vDS3g/merry%252520c_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></a> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-70077947062216262722013-11-20T18:21:00.001-05:002013-11-20T18:21:26.475-05:00Birthday Update: Four Months!<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mYIcEskbpbY/Uo1D1QhR1YI/AAAAAAAAFQQ/QUTo0FtQY6s/s1600-h/four%252520months%25255B4%25255D.png"><img title="four months" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="four months" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ivuDKi5HNR0/Uo1D2uyh1-I/AAAAAAAAFQU/_jjrTpOgjh0/four%252520months_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></a>Ok so this is a few days<em> after</em> Miss M’s birthday but I wanted to wait until after our doctor appointment today!  See? I didn’t forget you all!  So what has little miss been up to?<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-H5VYgjWMJ5E/Uo1D3UL8YLI/AAAAAAAAFQg/s3_281LhMUM/s1600-h/sillygirl%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img title="sillygirl" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="sillygirl" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XSo53wObJJQ/Uo1D5CvpPbI/AAAAAAAAFQk/TRgy4_dhMnU/sillygirl_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="557" height="374" /></a></p> <p><strong>Birth Deets</strong>: 21.5in, 8lbs 12oz  <br /><strong>2month Deets</strong>: 11lbs 13oz, 23.5 inches <br /><strong>Height</strong>: 24.8 inches <br /><strong>Weight</strong>: 14lbs 2oz <br /><strong>Nicknames</strong>: Maddie, Miss Me, Bay, babydoll <br /><strong>Exciting Events</strong>: Miss M had her very first Halloween!  She went dressed as a zebra one day and a ballerina the next and came home with a very impressive haul for mommy and daddy! <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-q4gp-GHzTPA/Uo1D6oIK4iI/AAAAAAAAFQw/VmQmu8gHDHg/s1600-h/maddiesmonth%25255B4%25255D.png"><img title="maddiesmonth" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="maddiesmonth" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bs5QPcOK39o/Uo1D7yRgeoI/AAAAAAAAFQ0/1bCHRCuM2OQ/maddiesmonth_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480" /></a> Lots of suckers in that haul but hey, we aren’t complaining!  She also went on a trip to Pigeon Forge, TN and ate at Joe’s Crab Shack… well mommy and daddy did.  And probably the biggest thing that happened is… mommy went back to work and little miss is playing with her Grandparents 3 days a week.  More on that… <br /><strong>What She Does</strong>: She’s <strike>still</strike> no longer sleeping through the night and <strike>mommy is sleep deprived</strike> some nights are a bit rough. Ok, we’ve had it easy up until now and have stocked up on solid 6+ hour stretches of sleep since she was about 6 weeks old but they aren’t kidding when they talk about the Four Month Wakeful Period! She is back to waking up 2-3 times a night for the past couple weeks.  She still prefers standing over sitting, however, she is now able to sit up unassisted for perhaps 5-10 seconds before her noggin topples her over.  We shall soon have a sitter on our hands folks! She always has her hands in her mouth and the drooling is positively disgusting.  Yes, we think she’s working on those little teefers in there!  She will still talk your ear off and this month we have had the joy of hearing her laughing.  It is perhaps the best of her sounds so far.  We hear it most often when she is being tickled or when we are dancing and singing the “no pants dance” or “all the single babies”… songs mommy made up for Maddie’s silly pleasure. She also now cries for me by name… “mama…waaaaahhh….mama…waaaahhhh…mama….” oh joy!  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wHpxNSlA-5w/Uo1D8jIduiI/AAAAAAAAFQ8/jBYWW1ma1so/s1600-h/selfie%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="selfie" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="selfie" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZBe-dNMe8bI/Uo1D9DG3WdI/AAAAAAAAFRE/WDoXWixdHQ0/selfie_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="619" height="480" /></a></p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-68628445769496479392013-10-17T17:54:00.001-04:002013-10-17T17:54:14.564-04:00Birthday Update: Three Months!<strong><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qlqpWk-WcMw/UmBcYalVXAI/AAAAAAAAFIo/sxoqr2Odxsc/s1600-h/3mocoll%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="3mocoll" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="3mocoll" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g7O_GTNFdJQ/UmBcZk4UyDI/AAAAAAAAFIw/PtDJQN2Sqck/3mocoll_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="644" height="217" /></a>Birth Deets</strong>: 21.5in, 8lbs 12oz  <br /><strong>Prior Month Deets</strong>: 11lbs 13oz, 23.5 inches <br /><strong>Height</strong>: ? No doctor’s appointment this month! <br /><strong>Weight</strong>: ? No doctor’s appointment this month! <br /><strong>Nicknames</strong>: Maddie, Miss Me, kiddo widdo, babydoll <br /><strong>Exciting Events</strong>: Let’s see… Miss M met her great grandpa S!  He came down with Grammy and Grampy K specifically to meet Miss Madeline.  If you remember <a href="http://butterflylights.blogspot.com/2013/06/grandpa.html">a while back he was quite sick</a> and had been in the hospital most of this year.  It was so great to see him looking so well!   <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="350" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="175"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IP7H3bjLleU/UmBcaPOZp7I/AAAAAAAAFI4/KsMMidyy1xY/s1600-h/DSC03987%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC03987" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC03987" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RHx_vCmDn3M/UmBca50v8jI/AAAAAAAAFI8/0k3l-Yoosvk/DSC03987_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="371" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="175"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AsR9cCCOvcg/UmBcblsAw4I/AAAAAAAAFJI/MCefeAGUyj4/s1600-h/DSC03999%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC03999" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC03999" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XGsDvFqG51M/UmBccAzmxOI/AAAAAAAAFJM/b8YQoKu6RzM/DSC03999_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="370" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>Also?  Mommy and daddy celebrated their FIRST wedding anniversary! To celebrate we took a trip to Maddie’s very first zoo – in Knoxville - and she spent the night in her very first hotel room! She also saw a bit of Knoxville and ate some PF Changs! <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rVIZWkgdiy4/UmBcdVMSPEI/AAAAAAAAFJY/cAZgCyeDkiE/s1600-h/knoxville1%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="knoxville1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="knoxville1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vHKrVZZBzJ4/UmBceq_UedI/AAAAAAAAFJg/udq6V42Oz0k/knoxville1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="644" height="241" /></a> <br /><strong>What She Does</strong>: She’s still sleeping through the night and we couldn’t be happier with that!  She still prefers standing over sitting and is getting less wobbly at it every day. She holds her upper body up when you carry her but can only sit up by herself for about a second before tipping under the weight of her noggin.  She’s also starting to notice her hands and feet and just the other day tried grabbing her toes with a puzzled look on her face. She’s been talking (cooing) up a storm and has recently started shrieking like a velociraptor.  I swear I’ve heard her say “mama” a few times but never with a witness… until TODAY!  Today she said “MOM” very clearly <em>while I was on the phone with the hubs</em>! He even paused and said “Did she just say mom?!” Yup! My daughter is clearly an intelligence of genius proportions as well as a dollface.  </p> <p align="center">Happy birthday baby girl… Mommy and Daddy feel so blessed to have you with us!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ev4GQ2G_Ap4/UmBcgP0t3ZI/AAAAAAAAFJo/mk9YocJzNdU/s1600-h/3%252520months%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="3 months" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="3 months" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zhkSmlBlE_Q/UmBchJJ0nII/AAAAAAAAFJw/6mEzj37pH7s/3%252520months_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="644" height="217" /></a></p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-26997396479378748352013-10-01T15:14:00.001-04:002013-10-01T15:14:13.474-04:00You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby!<p>Four years.  <em>Four years</em>.</p> <p>It’s been exactly four years since I took my <a href="http://butterflylights.blogspot.com/2009/10/i-am-radioactive.html">I-131 radioactive iodine treatment</a> for my papillary thyroid cancer. My oh my, how my life has changed since then! </p> <p>I’d like to say I haven’t given cancer another thought since that day, but truth is, I think about it every day. Every morning I wake up and take my thyroid replacement pill first thing and wait an hour before eating or drinking anything that <em>might</em> affect the absorption.  During my pregnancy my daily dose was changed 5 times to meet the increasing demands from my body and from Maddie. Since her birth 2 months ago, my dose has been changed twice as my body readjusts to my “new normal.” Without this one little daily pill, I would slowly go more and more hypothyroid and eventually my mind and body would shut down.  I would be so screwed in a zombie apocalypse scenario.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XnFjz51teO8/UksfAsr3pvI/AAAAAAAAFIM/UAVDD-CjChw/s1600-h/20130919_123929%25255B21%25255D.jpg"><img title="20130919_123929" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="20130919_123929" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QTFBptcFv28/UksfA_byIqI/AAAAAAAAFIQ/eyIEf4Rc5s4/20130919_123929_thumb%25255B19%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="331" /></a></p> <p>I have just <em><strong>one more year</strong></em> until I can say I’ve been cancer free for the <em><strong>magical five years = cured</strong></em> mark.  In this upcoming year, I have plans to undergo a whole body scan once my daughter is weaned.  Once again I will have to go <a href="http://butterflylights.blogspot.com/2009/09/hypo-h-e-l-l.html">hypo</a> on purpose.  Once again I will have to take some RAI and go into isolation for a short time – this time from my husband and daughter – to protect them from my radioactive self.  Hopefully this time nothing shows up on the scan in my <a href="http://butterflylights.blogspot.com/2009/10/micrometastasis-maybe.html">thyroid bed or in my lungs</a>. </p> <p>If I think on it too long, it terrifies me. So I try not to let my mind go there.  I have a long life ahead of me – including seeing my great-grandkids grow up – and I'm positive there are many adventures awaiting me!</p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-55778161518987998452013-09-17T15:03:00.001-04:002013-10-17T16:20:46.980-04:00Birthday Update: Two Months!<p>Happy birthday to our little princess! I can’t believe you have been here for 2 months already – time has gone so fast and yet I almost can’t remember a time when you weren’t here with us.  It seems you have always been a part of us.  We can’t wait to see what adventures await you!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pWQ3w575rXk/UjinfumiBZI/AAAAAAAAFHg/aflnMnGzn8E/s1600-h/DSC03920_thumb72.jpg"><img title="DSC03920_thumb7" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC03920_thumb7" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ew-7DcqsN4w/UjingUKsGWI/AAAAAAAAFHo/qy5YInQaXzw/DSC03920_thumb7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="371" height="480" /></a></p> <p><strong>Birth Deets</strong>: 21.5in, 8lbs 12oz  <br /><strong>Prior Month Deets</strong>: 9lbs 15oz, 22 inches <br /><strong>Height</strong>: 23.5 inches <br /><strong>Weight</strong>: 11lbs 13oz <br /><strong>Nicknames</strong>: Maddie, Miss M, Hungry Mungry Kiddo, Wobble Head Doll <br /><strong>Exciting Events</strong>: This month has been much more laidback than last month!  We are still working on unpacking the house after the move and finding the items we need can be a bit of a challenge. The nursery essentials are all set up but we have some decorating items to do in there yet!  Miss M will be in our room for a while yet so there is no rush on those finishing touches!  Other than that Maddie enjoys visiting with her grandparents and watching the tractors pass back and forth on our road!  <br /><strong>What She Does</strong>: Sleeps through the night!! Wow this is a big one for mommy and daddy!  Miss M has been consistently sleeping 7-8hrs at night (which is a HUGE deal) for a couple weeks now. She has good head control and likes to look all around but does still wobble a bit.  She tries to sit on her own but because of the wobble she tends to lurch forward or to the side pretty quickly. She also enjoys standing up while mommy or daddy hold her under her arms – she actually prefers this more often than not! She likes tummy time (most of the time) and has fun on her play mat.  Miss M is a bit of a chatterbox – especially when she first wakes up!  She gets her “morning person” personality from her daddy so her morning chats are a bit exhausting for mommy!  Most of all she smiles and smiles and smiles at us which melts our hearts every time.  But then you see her smiling, laughing and talking to the living room ceiling fan or the bedroom “nipple light”… guess she is just making it clear we aren’t as special as we think! <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K-eRuLDbI74/Ujing3U88kI/AAAAAAAAFHw/Qx1b-xDvNBY/s1600-h/DSC03927_thumb22.jpg"><img title="DSC03927_thumb2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC03927_thumb2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Fc6lAmTHKos/Ujinh5Phu1I/AAAAAAAAFH4/FCNL9sYf1aE/DSC03927_thumb2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="425" /></a></p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-33130441960610552612013-08-17T11:47:00.001-04:002013-09-17T15:02:13.158-04:00Birthday Update: One Month!<p>Wow… how time has flown since Miss M made her debut in this world!  I can’t believe she’s already a month old.  My little peanut has definitely put on weight (official Peds weigh in on Monday!) and is sleeping and eating her way through most days.  She is our joy and… our frustration in those times when she just cries for no reason we can discern at 2am. Mostly she just fills the days with joy and love and a feeling of complete wonder at the awesome miraculous creation that she is! <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mN8eamNo48w/Ug-a9y9hF8I/AAAAAAAAFGs/bRN4qYsxLug/s1600-h/one%252520month%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="one month" border="0" alt="one month" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pIyerHTCMC4/Ug-a-vScKXI/AAAAAAAAFG0/_tLdAE6o49A/one%252520month_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="476" /></a></p> <p><strong>Birth Deets</strong>: 21.5in, 8lbs 12oz (7lbs 14oz when leaving hospital, 8lb 2oz at Peds 3 days later) <br /><strong>Height</strong>: 22 inches <br /><strong>Weight</strong>: 9lbs 15 oz <br /><strong>Nicknames</strong>: Maddie, Princess Peepants, Grunty McGrunterson, Miss Me, Hungry Mungry Kiddo <br /><strong>Exciting Events</strong>: Aside from the very exciting event of her birthday, Maddie had many visitors from Michigan! The very first weekend she was home, Grammy & Grampy K made an impromptu trip to see their granddaughter.  About a week later, Great Aunt Pat & Great Uncle Jim arrived with cousins Jessa, Eli & Erin.  One day later, Grammy and Grampy K showed up with Aunt Katie and cousin Collin! While they were visiting, Maddie had a Skype date with Great Grandpa Slagter and a few other Great Uncles back in Michigan. She also made the move with mommy & daddy into their very first house!  It made for a <em>very</em> exciting and exhausting month! <br /><strong>What She Does</strong>: cries, sleeps, eats, pees/poops… that’s pretty much the run of things these days. Tummy time includes her being able to move her head from side to side and push herself up (head/chest) with her arms. She smiles mostly just randomly but I think I’ve caught her smiling back at me or daddy a time or two. And recently she’s taken to standing up when you hold her, supporting her whole body weight on those tiny little feet!  She has a pretty set internal schedule and let’s us get to bed sometime around 10/11pm gets up around 1:30/2am and then sleeps until around 5/6am – those 3-4hr stretches of sleep can work wonders for mommy & daddy!</p> <p><strong>Mommy update</strong>: I’m healing well and have lost most of the pregnancy weight – thank you breastfeeding! My pregnancy carpal tunnel is <em>mostly</em> gone with just slight numbness in 2-3 fingers on each hand instead of complete numbness in 4!  My wedding and engagement rings fit once again – yay!  It’s a good thing too because the fake bling started turning my finger green immediately after I gave birth! (totally weird!)  We moved to the new house 3 weeks after Maddie was born which was totally crazy (note to self: never repeat that) and we are still living mostly out of boxes because there is barely enough time in the day for me to eat let alone clean and unpack.  (Needless to say picture updates of the new house will be delayed for a bit!)</p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-10234545531163089922013-07-24T18:32:00.001-04:002013-07-24T18:51:30.699-04:00Hump Day… Birthday!<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zqOb_hfX6CA/UfBV3-Q-EXI/AAAAAAAAFEo/gReN0ZLYVjk/s1600-h/week%2525201m%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="week 1m" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="week 1m" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7w6UZGS17tY/UfBV4V6CSnI/AAAAAAAAFEw/gkhJnWjHexw/week%2525201m_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="480" /></a>Who would have thought that at the same time our <a href="http://butterflylights.blogspot.com/2013/07/hump-day-bump-day-week-38.html">Hump Day Bump Day: Week 38</a> post went live on the blog that we would be in the hospital anxiously anticipating the arrival of our Miss M!?  I’m sure some of you are curious as to the details of her arrival so we thought we would celebrate her 1 week birthday by telling you how she arrived… and maybe have a little bit of cake too!</p> <p>So grab a piece of cake, a glass of milk or cup of coffee and settle in for the story…<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-e0-lEjrZn9k/UfBV46ohlAI/AAAAAAAAFE4/tKZYIKB6e0A/s1600-h/DSC03593%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="4am pre hospital " style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="4am pre hospital" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QKu8h577FRs/UfBV5miS38I/AAAAAAAAFFA/IOeY69mjUW8/DSC03593_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="159" height="240" /></a></p> <p>Early in the morning on Wednesday July 17th, {by early I mean around 4am} I woke up for one of my umpteenth nightly bathroom trips. I was doing my business when I felt something… <em>different</em>… happen down there. I went back to the bedroom to wake up the hubs and tell him I thought that my water had just broken.  He asked me something similar to “did you have a big sploosh all over the floor?!” To which I said no and he assumed I was just overreacting.  I went back to bed but got up about a half hour later and felt another small gush.  After about an hour of debating with the hubs and internet researching if it could be that my waters had broken, we decided we should head to the hospital and find out for sure.  So we got dressed and threw the last minute items in the hospital bags just in case and off we went!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_CVxWiGCgf0/UfBV6ECfiRI/AAAAAAAAFFI/vDe2r4qfdWs/s1600-h/DSC03608%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC03608" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC03608" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dfkgMIuyuFg/UfBV6uJ5LLI/AAAAAAAAFFQ/F95FQhv-kVE/DSC03608_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="229" /></a>We arrived at the hospital, and were directed to the birthing center where I was hooked up to monitors.  I had a contraction here and there but nothing too regular or serious.  I only had a couple that made me pause and start the deep breathing.  The nurse checked me and said she didn’t think my water had broken based on the little amniotic fluid swab test. The doctor came in and did the same test and got the same result but he also checked to see what my dilation was. He said I was at a 3-4 dilation {yay progress!} and then I had another gushing sensation. He said, “looks like you aren’t going home after all!” and then said we would be starting Pitocin because my contractions hadn’t picked up and it had been almost 3hrs since I had felt the initial break.</p> <p>I was not happy.  Well… happy {and excited!} to know we would finally be meeting our sweet baby sometime soon, but not happy to be starting out with Pitocin.  Since I knew it wasn’t common for waters to break before labor started, this was a scenario I hadn’t even thought through! Also, I had heard contractions that come with Pitocin are especially horrible.  But… I knew there were risks if we kept waiting for labor to start on its own and so we proceeded and moved to our birthing room… with a view!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HB_caQwF2G4/UfBV7IpdTDI/AAAAAAAAFFY/Bl4a1vKw8G0/s1600-h/DSC03705%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="view from birthing room" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="View from birthing room" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WKhJRfJ7C9g/UfBV7oT_ShI/AAAAAAAAFFg/8o4gTIqDmBY/DSC03705_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="599" height="294" /></a></p> <p>Once the Pitocin was started, things got going pretty quickly.  At first I was able to breathe through the contractions and rest between them, but they soon went from bearable to coming at me hard every couple of minutes and lasting what seemed like forever. This was around 11am and I hadn’t been checked for dilation progress since about 7am so we thought we still had<em> <strong>hours</strong></em> of labor ahead of us and I told my husband I needed the epidural. </p> <p>Shortly after, I was contracting through the epidural insertion process and begging the nurse to turn off the Pitocin. {she said no btw}  As soon as it took effect I was feeling <strong><em>much</em></strong> better and the nurse came in to check my progress again.  Her eyes got really big and she said “I think she’s complete! Hang on let me check again… ok, now Christina push a little I want to see if I can feel the head… oh.. <em><strong>STOP</strong></em> <strong><em>pushing and don’t do that again</em></strong>! This never happens that fast with a first baby!”  Apparently what none of us suspected was that when I was in the midst of the contractions that wouldn’t stop, I was actually in the <a href="http://www.babycenter.com/stages-of-labor?page=3">transition stage</a> of labor.  If I had known, would I have stuck to our original plan and not gotten the epidural? I can’t honestly say, but it <em>might</em> have been easier to hold off a little longer knowing we were almost there.</p> <p>Then the nurse told us that the doctor was in a c-section and we had to wait until they were done or close to it to start pushing. Now if I hadn’t had an epidural at this point I think I would have been <em>one furious laboring pregnant lady,</em> but since I had it and was no longer feeling the contractions <em>at all</em> I said ok!  We waited around for about an hour and a half before the nurse came in and said we were going to start pushing.  I pushed for about an hour and our Little Miss was welcomed into the world at 2:03pm.  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-atjdqP49WtY/UfBV8O6CmJI/AAAAAAAAFFo/MZf8LSUj2SY/s1600-h/DSC03649%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC03649" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC03649" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QQsbkKqqzlk/UfBV8h_xgfI/AAAAAAAAFFw/jdGAk3UYXRk/DSC03649_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="589" height="400" /></a></p> <p>From waters breaking to her birth we had about 10 hours and just 7 hours from the start of actual Pit induced contractions. What a whirlwind of a day!  In the end we got to meet this sweet little face… and I wouldn’t change a minute of the experience for the world. <br /> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="350" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="116"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BNkFBbd5Lpc/UfBV9G-b8wI/AAAAAAAAFF4/8dzBuOct6Pc/s1600-h/DSC03650%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC03650" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC03650" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-U-zS5MtJTa4/UfBV93-yNpI/AAAAAAAAFGA/uNalVivVo0U/DSC03650_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="199" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="116"> </td> <td valign="top" width="116"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MEG6gMC2O5c/UfBV-aWYqZI/AAAAAAAAFGI/CCHngeNssus/s1600-h/DSC03678%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC03678" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC03678" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sJa6f-xNNB8/UfBV-qnfOvI/AAAAAAAAFGQ/CsMdsV7VYS4/DSC03678_thumb%25255B17%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="203" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Boring Showers">Happy one week birthday Miss Madeline!</font></p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-89671137798827449232013-07-17T11:47:00.000-04:002013-07-17T11:47:00.449-04:00Hump Day Bump Day: Week 38<p><strong><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0CEcTPOd0TA/UeXs5uHauVI/AAAAAAAAFEM/ZD8I9Bl34UM/s1600-h/week%25252038%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="week 38" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="week 38" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Cv66cAN9YpE/UeXs6X76B1I/AAAAAAAAFEU/L2gWg8WFUmc/week%25252038_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="480" /></a>How far along? </strong>38 Weeks, 3 Days <br /><b>Outfit?</b> regular cardi and maxi dress (gotta love maxis!) <br /><strong>Stretch marks/Belly Button?</strong> Belly button is getting very close to popping these days but I’m hoping it doesn’t! Stretch marks are still there unfortunately. <br /><strong>Sleep:</strong>  Sleeping ok but the hubs says I’ve started snoring like no one he’s ever met so he’s not sleeping well these days. <br /><strong>Best moment this week:</strong>  Friday was great because Grandpa was released from the hospital again.  Monday was even better because we heard the heartbeat again (a strong 160bpm) and the carpet installation began at the house! YAY! <br /><strong>Miss Anything?</strong>  The feeling in my fingers.. yup its still gone. <br /><b>Movement:</b> Mostly kicking in my ribs and out my right side. Although starting to feel more pressure right in the middle of my ribcage like she’s pushing it out. <br /><b>Food cravings:</b> Fruit is still the clear winner here – especially with the hot weather this week! <br /><strong>Anything annoying?:</strong> Hand numbness and swelling in my feet. (hubs says they look like Fred Flintstone feet when they are really bad) <br /><strong>Labor Signs? </strong>Still 2cm dilated but now 70% effaced, no real contractions but I did lose my mucus plug Tuesday morning. For some that may be tmi.. so I apologize but at least I didn’t post a picture! Yes if you check Google images you will find several… I don’t recommend it. <br /><strong>Mood?</strong> Excited, nervous and anxious to meet my daughter.   <br /><strong>Looking forward to:</strong>  Labor or the next doctor’s appointment on Monday… whichever comes first! <br /><strong>Worries & Fears</strong>:  Feeling a little more prepared this week.  Probably the only worries or fears would be related to us having an unplanned cesarean section. <br /><strong>Weekly Thoughts/Questions:</strong> Membranes were swept at our visit this week and the doctor predicted labor to be in the next couple days.. so far it’s Tuesday night and nada other than the loss of the mucus plug this morning.  He mentioned if I don’t go into labor by the next appointment we will be talking a medical induction.  I’m really hoping to avoid that because I’ve heard its horrible and that it can lead to a series of other unwanted/unplanned medical interventions (epidural because of strong contractions, c-section).  But if that’s the route we need to go, we are staying open to it.  The most important thing is for Miss M to be born healthy.</p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-18539835367940312482013-07-10T11:43:00.000-04:002013-07-10T11:43:00.061-04:00Hump Day Bump Day: Week 37<p align="center"><em><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JJBPsmdZBq4/Udy3bjRuu1I/AAAAAAAAFD0/fs-UwXg8Rm8/s1600-h/week%25252037%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="week 37" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="week 37" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i2Kh67G03tE/Udy3cVkGdcI/AAAAAAAAFD8/5dSnlWoPKy4/week%25252037_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="480" /></a>Health Stats: blood pressure: 120/72, baby heartbeat 152, weight gain ~27lbs</em></p> <p><strong>How far along? </strong>37 Weeks, 3 Days <br /><b>Outfit?</b> maternity shirt and shorts, regular tank <br /><strong>Stretch marks/Belly Button?</strong> I think the innie got a bit shallower this week and the stretch marks a tad longer… belly area is ready to evict it’s tenant I think! <br /><strong>Sleep:</strong>  Still feeling like I’m not getting great sleep and when I doze off on the couch, the hubs tends to shout me awake because he thinks it’s funny.  Just wait until the crying baby is keeping him up.. paybacks! <br /><strong>Best moment this week:</strong>  My doctor’s appointment on Monday because I heard the heartbeat. <br /><strong>Miss Anything?</strong>  The feeling in my fingers. <br /><b>Movement:</b> Mostly kicking in my ribs and out my right side. She favors the right side of my belly. <br /><b>Food cravings:</b> It’s hot so fruit (watermelon and grapes) and salad seem to be the winners. <br /><strong>Anything annoying?:</strong> Hand numbness and the heat <br /><strong>Labor Signs?</strong> A few more contractions this weekend but otherwise not too much action. <br /><strong>Mood?</strong> Mostly excited these days and a little scared of what is yet to come. <br /><strong>Looking forward to:</strong>  The doctor’s appointment next week Monday because they will check on dilation/effacement status again!  Hoping to have made some progress as we get closer to the due date. <br /><strong>Worries & Fears</strong>:  Hmmm the pain of labor, if we forgot to stock something for little Miss that I haven’t thought of yet, and that my hands will be permanently numb after delivery.  <br /><strong>Weekly Thoughts/Questions:</strong> We attended a relaxation and breathing for delivery class on Tuesday which focused on natural childbirth techniques. It pretty much reinforced info I’ve gathered from fellow moms, the internet, and some books I’ve read and had good info for the hubs as well. It was definitely worth the time and money spent and I’m feeling like we can go in pretty prepared to go natural unless complications arise.  Going to try to stay in this positive state of “millions of other women have done it and I can too” state for the next 18days…or however many it ends up being until Miss M arrives!</p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-79729070861059278722013-07-03T11:43:00.000-04:002013-07-03T11:43:00.746-04:00Hump Day Bump Day: Week 36<p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hgqGHfXAZjA/UdN6nsPcZVI/AAAAAAAAFDU/dmM_1bzflAQ/s1600-h/week%25252036%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="week 36" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="week 36" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EQhRqwqLOsA/UdN6oBNKcII/AAAAAAAAFDc/ZcG-aGDwt5o/week%25252036_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="480" /></a><em>Health Stats: blood pressure: 112/68, baby heartbeat: 150, weight gain ~26lbs</em></p> <p><strong>How far along? </strong>36 Weeks, 3 Days <br /><b>Outfit?</b> maternity shirt and leggings <br /><strong>Stretch marks/Belly Button?</strong> Hoping my innie stays an innie for these last 3.5weeks!  And the stretch marks are fairly well contained to the under-bump area.. hoping that stays that way too! <br /><strong>Sleep:</strong>  Somewhat better the last week or so.  Still waking up a lot to flip sides, pee, and wake up my hands but I feel like I’m getting some rest now. <br /><strong>Best moment this week:</strong>  My pre-delivery pedi on Tuesday! I would have paid her just to do the massage the whole time but I got pretty polished toes thrown in with the deal.. oh yeah and my polish has diamond dust mixed in so its super sparkly and worthy of the special occasion. <br /><strong>Miss Anything?</strong>  Hmmm the ability to stay awake much past 10pm? <br /><b>Movement:</b> Definitely! She punches my bladder and kicks my ribs – meaning she’s also in position! <br /><b>Food cravings:</b> Not so many these days other than fruits and salads. <br /><strong>Anything annoying?:</strong> Pregnancy carpal tunnel – it really blows. In a good moment I only have 2-3 fingers on each hand that have feeling, in a bad moment only my pinkie fingers have sensation.  My superhero cuff splints don’t really help much either.  Only 3.5 more weeks right?! <br /><strong>Labor Signs?</strong> Other than a couple Braxton Hicks and being dilated and effaced slightly.. nope! <br /><strong>Mood?</strong> Tired, excited, scared, excited… yes I repeated that one. <br /><strong>Looking forward to:</strong>  Spending the 4th of July with family, our Dr appointment on Monday, and having 3 days off in a row this weekend. <br /><strong>Worries & Fears</strong>:  That Miss M will make her appearance early.  I know the OB said a few days to a week early… ideally I’d like her to stay cooking until at least the 39 week mark.  <br /><strong>Weekly Thoughts/Questions:</strong> This week I’ve been working on packing our hospital bags so thinking about what exactly is needed and what is better left at home.  Also, thinking about not having the nursery set up and should we invest in a bassinet?  Also looking back over all my pregnancy/maternity stuff and what I really liked and what I should have left in the store.. I might do a my favorite pregnancy things post in the near future!</p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-87250129804307252392013-06-26T11:47:00.000-04:002013-06-26T11:47:00.062-04:00Hump Day Bump Day: Week 35<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hjs2Z0v3WBw/UcpNHq0OIZI/AAAAAAAAFCs/VzHW3zG_G10/s1600-h/week%25252035%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="week 35" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="week 35" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LOXevLI_bz4/UcpNIA6LjmI/AAAAAAAAFC0/cYW_JJjcckE/week%25252035_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="480" /> <p align="center"><font color="#000000"><em>Health</em></font></p> <font color="#000000"><em> stats: Blood pressure: 112/80, baby heart rate: 146, weight gain ~25lbs.</em></font></a> <p><strong>How far along? </strong>35 Weeks, 3 Days <br /><b>Outfit?</b> “regular” dress and tank <br /><strong>Stretch marks/Belly Button?</strong> Now that the stretch marks have finally appeared this question isn’t as fun to answer!  Oh but I do still have a shallow innie. <br /><strong>Sleep:</strong> Been fairly decent lately but waking up a lot with the numb hands and the urge to pee. <br /><strong>Best moment this week:</strong>  Seeing Miss M on our ultrasound on Monday!  Also Friday we got news that my <a href="http://butterflylights.blogspot.com/2013/03/lymph-noooooo.html">enlarged lymph nodes</a> have <em>mostly</em> disappeared so we are just repeating the ultrasound in Nov/Dec rather than looking at doing a biopsy right now. Also on Friday, my <a href="http://butterflylights.blogspot.com/2013/06/grandpa.html">Grandpa</a> was finally released from the hospital and is doing well! That was a stellar day! <br /><strong>Miss Anything? </strong>Probably just coffee, sleep and yummy alcoholic frozen drinks <br /><b>Movement:</b> Still kicking and hiccupping in there <br /><b>Food cravings:</b> Watermelon and Panera’s Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad – delish! <br /><strong>Anything annoying?:</strong> Numb hands, reflux, puffy feet, backache… pregnancy symptoms in general <br /><strong>Labor Signs?</strong> Braxton hicks and….. we learned at the doctor’s appointment I’m 2cm dilated and 60% effaced with baby in the head down position!  Really things could happen any day now although hoping for at least 4 more weeks for baby’s sake.  But the Dr said we basically are just waiting for labor to start! <br /><strong>Mood?</strong> Tired, cranky, stressed, excited, happy <br /><strong>Looking forward to:  </strong>Our next doctors appointment on Monday! <br /><strong>Worries & Fears</strong>:  That baby will decide to show up before the house is done.. which by the way it’s done pretty much except for the carpet install.  We have their first available appointment… July 15th. <br /><strong>Weekly Thoughts/Questions:</strong> So to go with the fun 2cm dilated and 60% effaced labor anytime news… Currently Miss Madeline is estimated to weigh 6lbs 10oz – which puts her development more like 36wks and in the 89% percentile! My tummy is measuring about 37 weeks. So the doctor says his best guess is we will go a few days to a whole week early and that he thinks she will be 8lbs 8oz at that time. Big but not gigantic thank goodness!  Of course she will come on her own time when she’s ready but our 5 week window is looking more like it might be just 4 weeks. Oh another fun tidbit? The ultrasound tech says Miss M has a head full of hair… I just saw a halo of white around her head but if the tech says its hair, I believe it!  And if all that exciting baby could come at any time news didn’t do it for ya, here is a pic of Miss M’s sweet face (with hand under chin) to make you smile.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dwIGC-May1s/UcpNIsyMaII/AAAAAAAAFC8/XiSBqSgkG6M/s1600-h/baby%252520face%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="baby face" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="baby face" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u8roCw1j7kk/UcpNJAT9dgI/AAAAAAAAFDE/r9NT48ePT4s/baby%252520face_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="539" height="480" /></a></p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-87263374840866422912013-06-21T11:26:00.000-04:002013-06-21T11:26:00.085-04:00Cord Blood: To Bank or Not to Bank?<p>Since the day I walked out of my OB office with my <em>“Congratulations, you’re going to be a mom!”</em> goodie bag, I’ve been bombarded by pamphlets, emails and contests related to cord blood banking.  Just making my first purchase at a maternity store or registering for baby related items resulted in more pamphlets and emails. (<em>Although they also resulted in free bottles, formula samples, diaper and wipes samples…</em>)  I had no idea what the heck cord blood banking even was – I guess just one of many things that is foreign to a first time parent? </p> <p>So what is CBB anyway?  Well, cord blood is the blood that is in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth.  It is rich in stem cells which are used in a variety of potentially life saving procedures such as stem cell transplants for leukemia patients.  Sounds like awesome stuff right?  Who wouldn’t want to bank their child’s stem cells as a sort of insurance plan for the future?  Let’s explore that a bit shall we?</p> <p>First up and the usual reason parents give for <em>not</em> banking is: cost.  The yearly costs vary from private bank to private bank but average somewhere between $100-150 per year.  That is per year until you use it or forever if you don’t.  That doesn’t sound too bad really if it can help your child later in life right? Oh, but you also have the initial costs which include collection, shipping, processing… and those average around $2,000-2,500 at the time of delivery.  You may also incur a fee from your facility and/or OB for their part in the collection process.  At a time when you have poured every extra dime into purchasing things like cribs and changing tables, the thought of another <em>two grand</em> in expenses seems like too much.  Besides, new parents are not generally thinking about the potential health problems that lie ahead for their precious, perfect little baby.</p> <p>So let’s say you have no problems coming up with the extra money.  Probably still thinking that banking sounds like a really great thing to do for your baby?  Let’s take a look at what the medical field has to say of private cord banking.</p> <p>The <a href="http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/119/1/165.full">American Academy of Pediatrics</a> have a policy that says there is currently no strong evidence to recommend banking.  Although, they do say it should be considered in cases where a sibling has a condition that could be cured by a stem cell transplant because the chance of a sibling match is greater than one from an unrelated donor. </p> <p>The <a href="http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/medical-ethics/code-medical-ethics/opinion2165.page">American Medical Association</a> tends to agree with the AAP.  They advise that this decision needs to be made well ahead of delivery with consents signed before labor begins so that an informed decision is made.  They encourage the donation of cord blood to public banks but in the case of a family predisposition to specific medical conditions a private bank can be considered. </p> <p>The <a href="http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq172.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20130617T1041401227">American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology</a> doesn’t encourage public over private banking but provides a few good points to think about when considering either option. First thing that stands out is that a child may not even benefit from their own stored cells. If a child is born with a genetic disorder, the child's cord blood cells will also have that disorder programmed in.  This is also true in cases of leukemia which is not generally thought of as a genetic disorder but one’s genes provide the same mutation that caused the disease in the first place.  The other thing that stands out to me is that there is no current data on how long cord blood can be successfully stored and used. </p> <p>In addition to these statements, there was a study in 2009 published in <a href="http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/123/3/1011.full">Pediatrics</a> that points out private banks are rarely used in cases of stem cell transplants for various reasons and few physicians who perform transplants would recommend it. </p> <p>So if you decide private banking isn’t for you and your family, you still have choices.  You can choose to donate your child’s cord blood to a public bank to possibly help someone else facing a life threatening disease. (<em>public banks are where most stem cell transplants originate from</em>) Or you can choose to do things the old fashioned way and not worry about banking at all – also known as birth, clamp cord, cut cord, done. Or you can choose to delay cord clamping and cutting just a bit.</p> <p>Why would you choose to delay the clamping/cutting of your baby’s cord? There is some evidence that a delay in clamping helps prevent neonatal anemia and an extra dose of those stem cells stored in the blood going directly into baby.  <a href="http://www.acog.org/Resources%20And%20Publications/Committee%20Opinions/Committee%20on%20Obstetric%20Practice/Timing%20of%20Umbilical%20Cord%20Clamping%20After%20Birth.aspx">ACOG</a> has a good article that discusses delayed clamping in both term and pre-term babies. Basically they say more research is needed on this subject but give a couple things to think about.  Currently in term babies, there is insufficient evidence to support more than a 60 second delay in clamping, but within 60 seconds of delay a child can receive extra iron stores to ward off anemia and jaundice.  In pre-term babies, they say the evidence supports delaying clamping because of the anemia prevention and also because it can reduce cases of infant intraventricular (brain) hemorrhage. </p> <p>Lots of things to consider!  And if you are a first time mom-to-be like me, your head is already swimming with all these new decisions to be made.  I don’t know what we plan to do just yet but doing some research has at least armed me with information to make this decision just a bit easier. </p> <p><em>So what did you or are you choosing to do?</em></p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-80367105182813878032013-06-19T11:47:00.000-04:002013-06-19T11:47:00.699-04:00Hump Day Bump Day: Week 34<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zsUv-sOW6Uc/UcEQMqvMhZI/AAAAAAAAFCM/91MrMdhT6QA/s1600-h/week%25252034%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="week 34" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="week 34" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5EyokpOsMHQ/UcEQNeGR13I/AAAAAAAAFCU/9PCcmBfVOzE/week%25252034_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="480" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>Ok so let me just say the drawing just didn’t work this week!  That is supposed to be a 5lb bag of sugar… if you look REAL close you can make it out… kind of… ;o)</em></p> <p><strong>How far along? </strong>34 Weeks, 3 Days <br /><b>Outfit?</b> <font style="background-color: #ffff00"></font><font style="style">Maternity Dress</font><font style="background-color: #ffff00"></font> <br /><strong>Stretch marks/Belly Button?</strong> Still an innie… but I am very sad to report that stretch marks have finally reared their ugly streaks. I was so hoping I would be able to get through the whole pregnancy without a mark but apparently my 34yr old skin had different plans. So far its just a few and they are at the very bottom of the bump – hoping that is the full extent.  Although with 6 more weeks of growing and stretching ahead I’m not too optimistic! <br /><strong>Sleep:</strong> Still a distant memory and I’m in a constant state of tiredness now.  I also wake up with hands that are very painful and/or numb and can’t even grasp and pull my sheet or pillow at times.  They joys of a thing called <a href="http://www.thewomens.org.au/PregnancyrelatedCarpalTunnelSyndrome">pregnancy carpal tunnel</a>. <br /><strong>Best moment this week:</strong>  Giving the hubs his father-to-be Father’s Day present!  I made him a Daddy Emergency Kit – complete with everything from diapers and Butt Paste to a mini digital HD video camera.  I know I will probably regret giving him the video camera at some point… <br /><strong>Miss Anything?</strong> Mostly just sleep.  Also missing my family this week. <br /><b>Movement:</b> Lots of rolls, lots of rib jabs and lots of hiccups going on. <br /><b>Food cravings:</b> Still going on watermelon & cantaloupe. <br /><strong>Anything making you queasy or sick:</strong> Stupid reflux when I eat after 8pm… sometimes even if I don’t eat after 8pm – UGH! <br /><strong>Labor Signs?</strong> Braxton hicks contractions. <br /><strong>Mood?</strong> I’ve been an emotional roller coaster this past week. <br /><strong>Looking forward to:  </strong>Still looking forward to setting up our nursery.  The paint really looks great (thanks to the in-laws!) and we just need the carpet and we can move everything into place. <br /><strong>Worries & Fears</strong>:  Still need to get that hospital bag packed!  But part of me thinks that once I do my mind will be open to actually having this baby and I’m just not ready for her to come early.  On the other hand, packing this bag is NOT something I want to leave up to the hubs to do while I’m in labor! I would end up with a bag of something like my pre-prego jeans, my kindle, and maybe a pair of flip flops… not exactly the contents I have in mind for myself! Must do… pack a bag or at least print a list of must haves for emergency packing. <br /><strong>Weekly Thoughts/Questions:</strong> Last week I mentioned cord blood banking was my question and I have a full post devoted to that topic coming on Friday.  Lately, I’ve been thinking about epidurals.  Our hospital requires a consult with their anesthesia group no matter if you plan on an epidural or not – mine is next week.  I’ve been in the no epidural camp pretty much from the start.  And I don’t like the mandatory anesthesia consult because it feels like it makes it too easy to change your mind while in the midst of things.  Last week in our childbirth class we had a whole section devoted to epidurals and it reinforced my thoughts about not wanting one.  I’ve talked to moms who have done things with and without one and know that I can’t imagine what the pains of labor will be like until I’m right there.  For me personally, it seems the risks and possible side effects outweigh the benefits of pain reduction and I would rather prepare myself with natural pain management options like breathing and relaxation exercises.  And just as a side note, I hold no judgment for mommas from the other side of the camp – you are all heroes and you did what you felt was right for you and your baby.</p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-54404979118939486892013-06-17T10:16:00.001-04:002013-06-17T10:16:42.632-04:00Grandpa<p>I had an entirely different post in the works for today but I have some urgent prayer requests instead.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nEriN9SG9IQ/Ub8aReU0toI/AAAAAAAAFBs/0pv7PxMM02s/s1600-h/DSCN2681%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN2681" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN2681" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KmdfCa7Acrk/Ub8aR02Q2nI/AAAAAAAAFB0/rPP8x0SghHs/DSCN2681_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="470" height="480" /></a>If you follow me on Facebook, you have probably seen my posts over the last couple weeks regarding my grandpa.  Shortly after our trip to Michigan for Memorial Day, Grandpa fell and broke his femur.  He’s needed a hip replacement on that side for some time now but he’s 89 years old and stubborn so it was something he was going to do only in his own time.  So he ended up in the hospital for a few days and got the hip replacement and an internal fixation device in his femur to boot.  He went to a rehab and then home and was doing really well with his recovery. </p> <p>Then one day last week his physical therapist came to the house and noticed something didn’t look quite right with his wound. His orthopedist’s office directed him to the hospital and they did emergency surgery to clean out his wound which was obviously infected.  They also found that had an infection in his blood, otherwise known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepsis">sepsis</a>.  They pinpointed the bacteria as <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/">MRSA</a> and have been loading him up with appropriate antibiotics. He was getting better.  Then his arm started to swell… he had a blood clot in the arm they were using to administer the antibiotics through the PICC line.  They had to redo the PICC line and in the meantime decided that his wound needed to be cleaned out again.  He continued on antibiotics and a wound vac and started getting better again although his spirits were going down with every setback and delay in getting back home.  This morning we found out the results of the last wound cleaning.  He now also has a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gram-negative_bacteria">gram negative bacteria</a> growing and his antibiotics need to be changed again.  They will also be taking him back to surgery today to clean out the wound more.  We are praying that the infections have not reached his hip prosthesis at this point.</p> <p>My Grandpa has been there for me my entire life.  Supporting me, encouraging me, advising me.  He has shown us all through his quiet strength and wisdom what a man and more importantly a father and grandfather should be.  He has demonstrated unconditional love and an unfailing faith in God.  As a WWII veteran he’s seen and been through more than we could ever imagine.  He is the glue that holds our extended family together and we aren’t ready to give up on him yet.</p> <p align="center">I am asking for prayers for him.  Prayers for wisdom for the doctors treating him. Prayers of healing of his body.  And prayers for uplifting of his spirit because sometimes that can make a world of difference.<a href="http://kylebultman.com/"><img title="photo by Kyle Bultman Photography" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="LewisChristina-0386" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JyQ7S1wrRvI/Ub8aSfaZx2I/AAAAAAAAFB8/sSTGzOOv7_o/LewisChristina-0386%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="299" /></a> <br /><a href="http://kylebultman.com/">{photo credit}</a></p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-22124036162713293292013-06-12T11:46:00.000-04:002013-06-12T11:46:00.640-04:00Hump Day Bump Day: Week 33<p>Recently <a href="http://pregnant.thebump.com/new-mom-new-dad/new-dad-daddy-to-be/articles/how-big-is-baby-dad-to-be-edition.aspx">TheBump.com</a> posted their “How Big is Baby: Dad-to-Be Edition.”  <em>(You know, because the dads-to-be out there couldn’t possibly know what size a pineapple or acorn squash or durian fruit is?  Ok I admit, I don’t think <strong>I’ve</strong> ever seen a durian fruit except on the Travel Channel.)</em>  With Father’s day coming up this weekend and inspired by the Bump article, I decided to go by the daddy size example for the board!  So here you have it… {for the dad’s out there} baby is the size of…  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lkGjb562Nrg/UbfWxBwVyQI/AAAAAAAAFBQ/ARkbcNwqki0/s1600-h/week%25252033%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="week 33" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="week 33" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7rykTxZsxnI/UbfWx1PiX9I/AAAAAAAAFBU/vUg5X3ZH5KU/week%25252033_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="410" height="480" /></a></p> <blockquote> <p align="center"><em>Notice the tiny little note in the heart that tells you that drawing is the <strong>actual estimated length</strong> of the baby?! How the hector is that fitting in there?? <br />Health Stats: blood pressure: 118/62, baby heartbeat: 148, weight gain ~23lbs. Bump is measuring 2-3 weeks ahead so next appointment includes an ultrasound to see if Miss M is unusually large.  Her daddy was ~11lbs at birth…</em></p> </blockquote> <p><strong>How far along? </strong>33 Weeks, 3 Days <br /><b>Outfit?</b> Maternity jeans, regular cardi & tank <br /><strong>Stretch marks/Belly Button?</strong> VERY shallow innie & no stretch marks yet! <br /><strong>Sleep:</strong> Oh sleep is a distant memory… last night was particularly horrible with reflux and Braxton Hicks allowing me a mere 2 solid hours before I got up for work.  <br /><strong>Best moment this week:</strong> Friday we found out our insurance company and the local hospital group came to an agreement and we can deliver at the closer hospital where all our preparations were taking place! Also a fabulous day because I had my OB appointment and heard Maddie’s heartbeat! <br /><strong>Miss Anything?</strong> Sleep. Being able to get up and down without help or a lot of prep. A full breath. My normal size fingers and toes. <br /><b>Movement:</b> She’s rolling around a lot in there!  I’m trying to get video of the “waterbed effect” but so far Miss M is camera shy. <br /><b>Food cravings:</b> Watermelon & cantaloupe. <br /><strong>Anything making you queasy or sick:</strong> Stupid reflux when I eat after 8pm… <br /><strong>Labor Signs?</strong> Ok I’ve most definitely had false labor or Braxton Hicks contractions 3 times now.  Of course I have downloaded a contraction timer/counter app on my phone in the event of the real deal happening at any conceivable moment from here on out. <br /><strong>Mood?</strong> If it’s an emotion or mood… I’ve felt it in the last week. <br /><strong>Looking forward to:  </strong>Setting up the nursery!  So far I’ve only been able to visualize it as we finish up painting so we can get the carpet installed. Hopefully just 2 more weeks (?) and we can move the pile of baby stuff from our townhouse to the real house! <br /><strong>Worries & Fears</strong>:  Well every pregnancy related email/newsletter/website I’ve read lately says I should have my hospital bag packed.  I don’t yet. Last night’s nightmare had this very fact at its center. I <em>just</em> decided on possible clothing options for baby’s coming home (which now need to be washed) but haven’t worked out the other deets quite yet.  That might become this weeks project… <br /><strong>Weekly Thoughts/Questions:</strong> To bank or not to bank is the question of the week… talking about cord blood here.  I know the costs are astronomical so if that’s prohibitive then you have to decide if you want to donate or forgo the process altogether.  I just don’t know.  More research is needed on my end before I can decide!</p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-60281294107277906132013-06-05T11:47:00.000-04:002013-06-05T11:47:00.260-04:00Hump Day Bump Day: Week 32<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q0_JhvykOck/Ua6giALa02I/AAAAAAAAFA4/1YXrvZ-SWoA/s1600-h/32%252520weeks%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="32 weeks" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="32 weeks" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pCdtHX52-YQ/Ua6gi9eYrKI/AAAAAAAAFBA/AjdWnIIpTKU/32%252520weeks_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" height="480" /></a></p> <p><strong>How far along? </strong>32 Weeks, 3 Days <br /><b>Outfit?</b> Maternity jeans and tank, regular cardi <br /><strong>Stretch marks/Belly Button?</strong> Still no stretch marks!  And the button is still in! <br /><strong>Sleep:</strong> What is sleep? I wake up a lot and most of the time I feel like I’m not getting restful sleep.  The hubs also claims I’m making odd snoring/honking type noises… I say its all lies <br /><strong>Best moment this week:</strong> Going to our first childbirth class! <br /><strong>Miss Anything?</strong> My wedding ring.  It has been officially retired for the duration of the pregnancy <br /><b>Movement:</b> Kicking my ribs seems to be Miss Maddie’s favorite pastime <br /><b>Food cravings:</b> Strawberries and watermelon! <br /><strong>Anything making you queasy or sick:</strong> Other than reflux – nope! <br /><strong>Labor Signs?</strong> Pretty sure this is still a no.. although I did wake up with some cramping the other night that could have been Braxton Hicks. <br /><strong>Mood?</strong> Exhausted. Overwhelmed. Excited. Happy. <br /><strong>Looking forward to:</strong> My next OB appointment on Friday! <br /><strong>Worries & Fears</strong>: That we won’t finish the house in time.  We have been working as hard as we can and have had lots of help from the in-laws but it seems like the work is never ending.  But to focus on the positive, we won’t be homeless even if baby arrives before the house is finished so I’m trying to just remember to go with the flow! <br /><strong>Weekly Thoughts/Questions:</strong> The insurance/hospital battle is still raging on so I’m wondering if I should book a maternity ward tour at the alternative hospital.  We have heard rumors of a *possible* extension of the contract until mid July but baby girl isn’t due until the very end so we would still be in limbo.  Even if they extend it from June 30 to July 31 it would still cause worry/stress because if Madeline arrives later than expected we will still need hospital choice #2.  For now we are forging ahead with anesthesia consults and childbirth classes and tours at hospital #1 and hoping everyone comes to their senses and does right by the patients. Side note: most of the 11 couples in our childbirth class are in the same boat.  Its nice to have some company in this stress!</p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2067557850118525183.post-7715495147162470542013-06-03T09:20:00.001-04:002013-06-03T09:20:42.869-04:00Puffy<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fs-z3Vvekck/UayYIyKquFI/AAAAAAAAFAQ/9kcMCjiSN9Y/s1600-h/ring%252521%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="ring!" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="ring!" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-e9aD9zclk7s/UayYJQ25QuI/AAAAAAAAFAY/_gEAO-rq_kA/ring%252521_thumb%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="134" height="205" /></a>Once upon a time my fingers were long, thin and graceful… <br />Once upon a time they were described as “piano hands” by others…   <br />Once upon a time my engagement ring and wedding ring fit on those fingers…</p> <p>And now?  We have officially entered… the puffy stump zone.  </p> <p>So much so that my fingers feel stiff when I try to bend them, and my engagement ring and wedding ring have been temporarily removed as they only fit to just about my first knuckle.  </p> <p>So what’s a pregnant for another 2 months girl to do?</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pSUMBIcsJts/UayYJ_Wc57I/AAAAAAAAFAg/fcr2pQ_702Q/s1600-h/puffy%252520ring%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="puffy ring" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="puffy ring" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sc7zR4GKtF4/UayYKWBF-2I/AAAAAAAAFAo/8bUZT4GUi3o/puffy%252520ring_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="134" height="178" /></a>Beg her hubby for a {bigger} replacement ring – or two - of course!  </p> <p>Don’t worry, I went easy on him and the {two} replacements were under $20 total and totally worth it!  Now I can wear a ring in comfort and not feel like something is missing from my finger.  They are <em>2 sizes bigger</em> than my original rings and are a bit big but at least I don’t feel like they are cutting off my circulation.  I have the 3 stone one pictured to the right and another yellow “diamond” antiqued looking one.  SO cute!</p> <p>And? They will be super cute costume jewelry for my other fingers once my hands have been restored to their pre-pregnancy size. Bonus!</p> christy hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292419631673189105noreply@blogger.com0