Santa

We planned ahead, went during the weeknight to avoid the line, and successfully saw Santa (only an hour wait on a Tuesday night).  Andy wasn't so sure, but Katie was great!

Rice Cereal

It's hard to believe that Katie almost is 6 months.  At her 4 month appointment, we decided that there was no need to introduce solids since my milk seemed to make her content and she has been sleeping 12+ hours since she was about 6 weeks old.  I know, I know...I shouldn't even say that out loud...trust me, I am appreciative of her sleeping patterns.

Since Katie will be 6 months on Thursday, I decided that rice cereal needed to be added to the Amazon Fresh order and that we would try it out at some point.  With Andy needing to be off his leg, we have been doing a lot of sitting around the house - so why not try the rice cereal, right?  Today was our first attempt.  Not sure how much actually went down, but she seemed to take to it okay.  She has been very interested in me when I have been eating lately and moving her mouth like she is chewing - so I guess it's time.  Sigh.  Katie also has been quite interested in biting and chewing my nipple too.  At least she doesn't have teeth yet.

Henry was waiting and watching the whole process and was ready to lick up any morsel that was dropped.  Who knew he liked rice cereal so much : )

Where has the last month gone?!?

I have been a horrible blogger.  This month has been filled with ups and downs and everything in between.  At some point I will catch up, but for now, I will start with what is going on this week.  Okay, I will start with last night.  Andy fell down the stairs.  It's the worst sound.  Sadly, it's happened a couple of times - but I guess that's pretty good considering he goes up and down the stairs many times all day long.  Last night he decided to either ride, follow, or throw his bumble bee scooter down the stairs.  Ultimately, he followed his bee down the stairs.  Normally Andy cries for about 10 seconds and then gets distracted and brushes things off.  Last night he just kept crying and then ASKED to go to bed.  I knew something was wrong.  We poked and prodded - and finally tried to get him to walk.  He wouldn't walk.  After a call to our pediatrician - we headed to Children's.  We are so thankful to have them in our neck of the woods.  They were AWESOME.  We spent 5 hours there and Andy was a trooper.  He had two rounds of x-rays and a lot of observation.  Nothing conclusive, but a guess that he sprained his ankle.  Poor guy.  We spent the day today watching shows and laying low.  He has been so sweet and patient and has milked a lot of sweets out of his mommy.  He is in a lot of pain still, but we are hoping he feels better soon. 

Andy back home with his boot on

So sad - with cherry popsicle stained lips

Today, enjoying lunch in bed

TGIF

To say that I am thankful this week is over is an understatement.  Last Friday we went to Children's to have  a CT scan done on Katie.  We left Friday night with the information that it wasn't anything "big and bad" but that we would have more information on Monday.  We were thankful.  Monday, we found out that she does, in fact, have a Dermoid Cyst, but it's eroding her skull.  The nurse told me that we should schedule a surgery "as soon as possible," but to wait until the next day after she had spoken to the doctor.  I went into panic mode again.  Tuesday rolls around and we determined that it's best to wait until March to have the surgery - when Katie is 9 months.  They want to wait until she is older, but get it out as soon as possible - a weighing of risks.  All in all we are counting our blessings and are thankful that we have Children's and that the cyst hasn't reached her brain.  We are praying that it doesn't grow too much between now and March.

In the meantime, we have been dealing with some other sadness, some scares, and we have been doing a lot of praying.  Our dear Lorna passed away from an enlarged heart.  It was sudden and in her sleep.  She literally passed away from having too big of a heart, which only seems fitting considering how loving and caring she was.  She was much too young and we will miss her dearly. 

Baby Natalie Razore is at Children's on an ECMO - fighting for her life.  She has Pertussis (Whooping Cough) and has been in the hospital for over 3 weeks.  She only is 6 weeks old and her little body is maxed out.  We are praying her lungs and heart get stronger by the day and she can go home where she belongs.

To add to the list, I had a colonoscopy (not a fun prep process!).  I never knew how hard it was to eat a "low fiber" diet.  I received good, but inconclusive results. 

Needless to say, we are tired, thankful, and continuing to pray for our family, for our health, and for our friends.

I never have felt so appreciative of "my village" and the support and love we have received.  It sure does take a village, and I have a pretty darn good village : )  Is noon too early to have a glass of wine?!?

Jolly Jumper

It's that time - we brought out the Jolly Jumper.  Katie doesn't last long - but it's a nice change of scenery for both her and me : )

Children's

I have a love/hate emotion toward Children's Hospital.  I LOVE that we have such an amazing resource in our back yard, but HATE it when I (or someone I love) have to utilize this resource.  Last night, Kyle and I took our little Katie to Children's.  She has had a bump on her head since she was born.  At first, doctors thought it was from being stuck in my pelvic canal and her scull just formed that way.  We learned last night that something like that should go away in the first few months after birth.  We checked into Children's, and since it was our first visit, we had to get our badges created.  They say that the badges only work for one day - but not to worry, the information will be stored in their database so that when we come back next time it is an easy process.  I was thinking...but I don't want to come back.  I am a little sensitive to Children's as it was there where I learned I had a tumor at the age of 15 (ironically, Katie saw one of the doctors who diagnosed my tumor).  So any lump or bump, especially on my child, makes me nervous.  All in all, we pretty much received the best news we could ask for.  Katie most likely has a Dermoid cyst in her skull.  We will be going in for a CT scan in the next few weeks to verify and to get an idea of the size.  She will need surgery, as these masses continue to grow and burst with high impact, but they like to wait until babies are one before surgery.  I can't imagine my 4 1/2 month old going in for surgery!  I want to get the CT scan results right now, but it is a test of patience and a practice of prayer. Driving to Children's on a rainy Monday night definitely puts things in perspective and is a good reminder that health is everything.  We are thankful for the resources at Children's.

HALLOWEEN

On Queen Anne, all of the merchants open their doors to trick-or-treators from 3 - 6.  They also hold a Farmers Market and it's just fun to walk around, people watch, and chat with neighbors.  For those of us with little ones, we can get the trick-or-treating out of the way and then cozy in at home and open the door for the older kids.  We didn't get a ton of visitors, but Andy LOVED opening the door for those who came.  He had to say goodbye to each one and was super excited every time the doorbell rang.  We were thankful for the dry weather and surprised by how many older kids came by and asked, "how many can I take?"  Really? How about just one?  We were all tired at the end of the day yesterday, but had a successful and fun Halloween weekend!

Me with my ladybug - and so proud of my spiderweb masterpiece in the background - ha!  (One little girl came to the door and said she loved my Halloween decorations.  She got an extra handful of candy for that!)

Heading out to the QA Ave

Halloween Weekend: Grandparents

We went trick-or-treating at Gamma's and Gumpa's house on Friday night.  Andy had been trick-or-treating at the different merchants in Magnolia and then had more than his share of chocolate.  So, when we went to Gamma's and Gumpa's door, he decided to cut to the chase and said, "chocolate please."  Pretty funny. 

Doesn't Katie look happy?

We have gone to the Husky game with Ka and Bapa for the last two weekend (not Stanford, thank goodness!) and when Ka and Bapa showed up, Any said, "Husky Game?"  Who cares about Halloween when one can watch Husky football : )



Halloween Weekend: Magnolia Trick-or-Treat

On Friday, 10/29, we headed to Magnolia to take part in the Village Trick-or-Treat.  Since we go to preschool in Magnolia, we knew more people there than on Queen Anne.  Andy had a blast and was so sweet when asking for candy.  We changed Andy into a Dino - which was a better fit (size and personality).  We also visited with our cousins and saw William the adorable Lobster.

Andy trying on his Dino costume for the first time.  He thought the claws were pretty cool.

A little overwhelmed on the streets of Magnolia

Off he goes!

Our 'lil ladybug

Halloween Weekend - Gamma Phi

We had a week long celebration for Halloween.  It started on 10/25 at the Gamma Phi house.  We met Kristin and Ty and Jess and Gabbi and Alivia.  The house had a poor showing of trick-or-treators, but we had a fun!

Andy the Lion - the costume was a little small

Andy and Ty on the Gamma Phi doorstep

Where's Katie?!?

Gabbi and Alivia chasing Andy