Abi update

I’ve never had a re-entry from vacation be so difficult.  We had an amazing trip to Palm Desert and it almost feels like a dream now.  The weather was great, we played hard, and it was good for the soul – exactly what our family needed.

We came home thinking that Abi had gained some good weight.  Ka was the “baby whisperer” and was so helpful feeding, walking, and tending to Abi.  I just knew Abi  would be heavier…but, she only gained 3 ounces on our scale.  I was due to call Dr. Allen to give him an update, and I was hoping it would be a good one, but not so much.

 

He wanted me to come in with Abi to confirm her weight and check her poop for blood and feel her tummy.  I have analyzed Abi’s poop more than I’d like to admit once I was informed that if there is blood, I should be concerned.  Her poop has been green and mucousy her whole life – which I always have questioned, but have been told it’s normal.  On Tuesday, after testing her stool, it was confirmed that she does, in fact, have blood in her stool.  As a result we had some tests run at Children’s and are doing a 2 week trial of strictly dairy free formula.  I also found out that fexafenadine (generic for Allergra) has milk sugar in it and I’ve taken that every day of her life.  Who would have thought that allergy medication has dairy?  I am beyond frustrated that I didn’t think to check sooner as I have been so careful to watch everything I’ve put into my mouth.  

It’s been an emotional week trying to put all the puzzle pieces together.  Luckily Abi is drinking the formula like a champ and her tests have come back “normal”.  Unfortunately, she has become very sleepy and fussy and has a horrible diaper rash and constantly smells like dog food (that’s how the formula smells).  I imagine her body is going through a lot with the sudden change in diet, but I hope that this helps us figure out what’s going on. 

Abi’s current weight is 11lbs 2 ounces.  We’ll see how things go over the next two weeks of formula, but the next step would be to eliminate nuts and eggs.  If she has an allergy, we can deal with it.  It’s the unknown that is so tough.  It’s the fear that there is something bigger going on, but I am trying not to let myself go there.

Being a mom is hard sometimes.  It’s hard not to blame myself as I am Abi’s sole source of nutrients (or lack thereof).  I am so thankful for our sweet, smiley, baby girl and would do anything for her.  It hasn’t helped that Andy and Katie have total spring fever and have been a mess this week (I think they’re boycotting being back from vacation too – and I don’t blame them!). 

Beginning of April

We have kicked off April with a few highs and a few lows.  First with the highs - the weather started off great, Andy was happy about visiting the dentist (Katie was hysterical), we went to the zoo with Betsy and friends during her kids' spring break, and we had a fun visit up on Whidbey (me with my girlfriends, Kyle with all 3 kiddos).  The lows - Andy started a new habit of biting, Katie's preschool ended, and the weather has been crummy.  But...we are headed to some warm sunshine soon and we have been packing all week because we are so excited.  So heck with you Seattle spring weather!  Fingers crossed that some sunshine will make new habits, old habits.

The hippos are Andy's least favorite...but you would never know!

Happy about her special treat

 Lots of time spent with this little one

 All packed and ready to go to Palm Desert in her "princess" outfit (on backwards by daddy).

Girls Weekend

I had the treat of escaping to Kristin's Whidbey Island cabin for part of the weekend with my dear friends.  Kyle headed up to our side of the Island with all three kiddos, which was such a treat for me to have a little break with the girls. We had a little beer on the ferry to kick off the weekend, walked around Langley, did some wine tasting, walked the beach, had a yummy dinner, celebrating Kristin's birthday, played games, chatted, roasted marshmallows, and got a good uninterrupted night's sleep.  Thanks KP for being the hostess with the mostest!

 We didn't plan it, but ended up catching the same ferry as Kyle and the kids.  They were SO excited to see us "girls" and waved to us on the ferry.

We proudly used all of their flight holders

 The birthday girl's cake (nice work, Court!)

Abi - 5 months!

Abi is 5 months!  We are continuing to watch her weight closely in hopes she continues to grow steadily.  Otherwise, she is happy and smiley.  Although we get her on her tummy daily, she much prefers being on her back.  She lasts about 30 seconds on her tummy - and then rolls to her back and kicks and waves her arms. She enjoys watching the lights and seeing herself in mirrors.  She is doing better sitting in the bumbo, but still loves her swing - taking a good 4 hour nap in it during the afternoons we are home.  Otherwise, she eats, poops, and sleeps - and smiles.  She loves her siblings and they make her laugh and give big smiles.  And she, like her siblings, is very ticklish - especially in her neck.

Siblings!

I love how different Andy and Katie can be.  They also are similar in many ways...like their size.  They both are wearing 4T clothing...even though they are 2 years apart.  I had to laugh when Kyle told me about his conversations with both of them as he dropped them off at preschool.

Andy:

"Daddy, I only am going to be friends with people who don't make fun of me."  Poor guy - we're still not sure what it means, although he claims he is a "big boy" and is ready for Kindergarten.  He wants to hang out with the kids he was in class with last year (when he was the youngest in the class - instead of the younger kids that are in his class now).  We think the older boys are calling him a "baby" for being in the younger class.

Katie:

As Kyle was driving by some of the spring trees, he said "Katie, aren't those trees beautiful?" Katie's response, "Yes, daddy, JUST LIKE ME."

Oh boy!

I can't wait to see what Abi's personality is going to be like.

Easter

Easter Day was beautiful.  We had a relaxing day at home after discovering what the Easter Bunny left at each door and then we headed over to our park to participate in a community egg hunt.  Then we headed to the Brady's and Amber's "new" house for a fun afternoon with the Anderson family and cousins.  Amber outdid herself and had such great a great set-up for all of the kids.  They were in heaven!

Checking out the Easter baskets

Happy 1st Easter Abigail!

Abi and Manning - about one month apart

 All of the older cousins

An attempt at a family picture

Nothing like ending the day by running naked under the hose!

 Happy girls!

New Toys

It's amazing how "new toys" or toys at other people's houses always are such a big hit - especially at first.  Miss Marta, Katie's preschool teacher sold all of her preschool toys - and we got some great ones.  The kids were entertained and giddy over their new prizes - it was like Christmas!

A new princess tent - and new animals to play with!

A new baby swing (just like Abi's) and some babies to fill it with.  Although, Andy likes to give his monkeys a ride.

A day in the mountains

We had the BEST day in the mountains as a family.  The weather was beautiful Easter weekend - almost in the 70s, so the kids were warm and we all had fun.  It made Kyle and me realize that we need to get up to the mountains more often - and we look forward to when everyone is old enough to ski.  For now, sledding and just being in the mountains was a blast.

Andy was so excited that when he reached the snow, he layed down in the middle of the pathway and started making snow angels.  It was as if he'd never seen the snow.

Katie, of course, had to follow.

Katie could have made and thrown snow balls all day

Andy loved the tubing

Katie screamed the whole way down

She was much happier on the little hill we found for our own sleds

She was much happier on the little hill we found for our own sleds

Both were very proud that they went down the hill on skis, just like mommy and daddy. I have to say, it made me pretty darn excited too.