Saturday, January 19, 2013

Today was a beautiful 60 degree day, so Olivia and I had a nice afternoon together. First, we spent some time at her favorite park. She played with some other kids and also a very sweet three-legged dog. Then, she went to the grocery store with me. We started our emeals dinners tonight with Swedish meatballs, pasta and broccoli. It was very good. I've been searching for a good way to cook broccoli. In this one, you boil 4 c water, 4 t minced garlic and 4 t chicken bouillon. Then add broccoli and cook til tender. Pretty good. If only my husband felt better, I could call it a good day.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Lots to update you on, let's see. . .Ryan had an echo done Monday and it looked fine. He had a stress test and his cholesterol checked today, but we don't yet know the results. We are thinking ( hopefully) that it is not his heart and he will probably end up going to a pulmonologist. His breathing still isn't what it should be.

And on to Olivia. She had an ear infection back in October, I believe. Ever since then she has complained about swishy noises in her ear. She has gone back since then to make sure it wasn't another infection and it wasn't, but the swishy noises continued. I can't tell you how many days of preschool she has missed because of her ears. So I took her back in today and found out she has Eustachian tube dysfunction. The pressure in her ears isnt equalizing. I'm starting her on Zyrtec and a few times a day, she has to blow on a party favor and blow bubbles with a straw in an effort to pop her ears. We go back to the doctor in a month and if there is no improvement, she'll go to an ENT. I just want some relief for her.

Abigail is doing well. Some nights, she has me up all night long. All I ask is for maybe 3 hour chunks of sleep at a time. I got hardly any sleep two nights in a row and could not function!! Her acne is looking somewhat better. We had the doctor peek at her today and she confirmed that it was acne. I think it worsens with heat. Miss Abigail weighs about 9 lbs now. She loves to eat.

I'm doing well. I'm trying to find ways to simplify and de-stress our lives. I signed up for emeals at www.emeals.com. They send you a weekly menu and shopping list to help with dinner planning. I'm really excited to try it out and it's only $5 per month. I'll let you know my review of it in a month or so.

Hope everyone is staying healthy!

Saturday, January 12, 2013

We've been dealing with cradle cap and baby acne with Abigail, both of which we never dealt with on Olivia. I think the cradle cap is looking pretty good, but her poor acne!! At least I'm assuming that's what it is?? We've switched to Dreft detergent and Aveeno baby wash. It seems to be worse after she wakes up or if she's the least bit hot and sweaty. I pretty much just wash her face and leave it alone. I am just hoping its not some sort of allergic reaction.

I have felt like my milk supply is dwindling, but I think it's my breast pump. Abigail seems to be getting plenty (she's 8.5 lbs) but when I try to pump I don't hardly get anything. I even turned the vacuum and speed on high and still didn't. So, not sure what to do. My pump is only 5 years old. It's been very difficult to build up my frozen supply because of it which makes it hard to be away from Abigail for even a small while. Is it hard on their digestive system to switch between breast milk and formula. Not sure what to do.

Anyway, things are just really stressful around here lately. And now Olivia is complaining of a sore throat. Just praying for some relief soon.

Ryan

I just thought I'd update you all on my husband, Ryan. Ever since Abigail was born and Ryan had pneumonia, his breathing has gotten progressively worse. He has shortness of breath and his heart will race to 140 without exertion. He has left arm pain and feels like a band is across his chest. He is just not doing well at all. He has seen multiple doctors and has been to the emergency room. His oxygen saturation and blood pressure are fine. Today he had a pulmonary function test and failed miserably which points to some sort of possible lung disease. My husband has never smoked and other than mild asthma, has never had breathing difficulties before. After the pulmonary test, we saw another doctor who ordered a CT scan to definitively rule out a blood clot in his lungs. It was clear. Now they are wondering about problems with his heart and we see a cardiologist on Monday. So for now we wait as he gasps for each breath. My husband is unable to go into work and is not cleared to drive. He can't take the trash out or walk up stairs without almost passing out. I'd appreciate any prayers that we could get. It's challenging to deal with this while taking care of a newborn on little to no sleep. I'm starting to have trouble maintaining my milk supply. Not sure if stress is contributing to that?? Anyway, I will keep you updated.

Monday, January 7, 2013

Olivia is better and actually went to preschool this afternoon. She was so excited because they were going to learn about penguins and she was sure they'd get to make a penguin ( and they did.) I cannot say enough good things about her teacher and her preschool. What a blessing it has been and she has grown so much!!

I had a doctor's appointment today ( my 6 week post op) and had my cerclage removed. Boy, I thought it was like a thread, but it was more like a rope! Holy cow! Out of the 40 lbs that I gained, I only have 15 more lbs to lose. I have a feeling, though, they may stick with me for awhile. Then, we took Abigail into the doctor for suspected reflux. He thought that was the problem as well and prescribed some Zantac. She screams and arches her back and you can hear her swallowing it back down. Praying for some relief, because honestly I really need some sleep and her crying is breaking my heart! Olivia isn't as patient about it as Ryan and I because she doesn't understand. She starts screaming for Abigail to quit crying which really worsens the calm, relaxing atmosphere of the home that I was going for. Poor Abigail is also getting some bad baby acne, which I know is common but Olivia never had it! Experts say it's caused by hormones a baby receives at the end of the pregnancy. Maybe that's why Olivia never had it? And on top of that Abigail has cradle cap. It's not too bad on her head, but it's on her eyelids and eyebrows. :( So, the doctor recommended a shampoo called Sebulex that wouldn't burn her eyes quite as bad. She has, however, gained 2 lbs in the past month and is well over 8 lbs now. Yay! After continually worrying about Olivia's weight gain, I could use a chubby baby.

And, since I'm sure you all need some humor in your lives. . .here is a story that I'm sure I'll find humorous and ironic one of these days. I got a brand new comforter for Christmas and when Olivia had the flu, I took it off "just in case." Im glad I did because she threw up in her sleep all over the sheets and blanket. Last night I put it back on and my CAT threw up on it. Seriously???

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Olivia is still pretty sick. Poor thing has barely eaten since Wednesday and she can't afford to lose any weight. She does manage to play a bit of Mario kart throughout the day. I believe Abigail is struggling with reflux or colic. When she's not nursing, she is screaming! The only way to console her is to nurse her. Then she falls asleep, I put her down, she wakes up a few minutes later screaming. She'll only stop if I nurse her and the cycle continues. We bought some gripe water and I'm going to try to get her into the doctor next week. Olivia had to go on Prilosec as a baby and it really helped her. Hopefully our household will all begin to feel better soon.

Friday, January 4, 2013

It has been a challenging 24 hrs to say the least. Olivia got the stomach flu around 6 pm yesterday. She threw up twice, but acted relatively normal. She fell asleep in bed with me. Then things really went downhill when my husband had to go into the emergency room and Olivia got really sick. At this point in time, we don't quite know what's going on with Ryan, but I'll update you at a later date. Anyway, Ryan's gone and I'm super worried about him, but I can't leave Olivia's side. She then starts throwing up all over and feels absolutely horrible. I put Abigail down ( who was nursing ) and she starts screaming bloody murder. Olivia needs cleaned up, sheets need washed and she's crying for me. And there is only one of me, so I have to let Abigail cry for a bit and tend to Olivia. I tell ya, it challenged me as a mother. I just walked around repeating," We're ok. We're ok!" Finally, at 3 am, I called my mom because I really needed help. Don't we all get to that point where we just really need our moms? I felt so comforted when she got here and helped get things in order. I just wanted her to take Abigail and keep her away from all the yuck. By the time Ryan got home he was unaware of the chaos that had ensued. Well, until I told him. Olivia threw up a few more times, but went back to sleep. Thank you to Ryan's mom who helped out this afternoon and took care of Abigail. I sure don't want my little baby sick too! Thank you to Shelley, Stacie, Amanda R and Amanda U who talked with me through all hours of the night. Olivia is still not doing very well, but hasn't thrown up in 12 hours. She is napping in her bed. Praying she is on the mend and that the rest of us don't get it. Makes me want to go back into hibernation like we did when Olivia was a baby, but that's impossible with Olivia in preschool. There are way too many illnesses going around right now. I'm a neurotic mess! Please cover my family in your prayers. My friend, Amanda, reminded me that "this too shall pass." That really calms my mind and makes me realize that things will get better, no matter how bad they seem. Hoping you and your family stay healthy and I can't wait until spring!!

Happy New Year

Monday, December 31, 2012

Olivia has been so excited to play in the snow.  We didn’t have one good snow last winter and the snowsuit that I bought her last year was still in her closet. . .with tags.  I told her of the possibility of snow today and she woke up, ran to look outside and this is what she saw:

She was so disappointed.  However, later in the day it started snowing a bit and she couldn’t wait to go outside.  When daddy got home from work, they headed out.

There wasn’t much, but she made a snow angel and played on her swingset in the snow. 

Nothing like warming up by the fire with some chocolate milk.

Which led to a nap by the fire.  Praying for at least one good snow this year so that she can build a snowman. 

I slept from 5 –7 pm tonight and I feel like a new woman!!  It was amazing!  Now, to ring in the new year at home with three of my favorite people ! 

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Olivia Paige and Abigail Harper are two of the greatest gifts that I've ever been given. I think of them and believe that I'm the luckiest person in the whole world. Thank you to God (and my amazing husband) for giving them to me. My heart overflows.

Another Christmas Celebration

On Friday, we celebrated Christmas with the Glunt side of the family.

Abigail met her great-grandma for the first time.

She also met her aunt, uncle and four more cousins for the first time.  Here she is with Aidan. 

Olivia loved spending time with her best buddy Kaleb.  She is saddened (as we all are) because they are moving to Georgia.  As if Arkansas wasn’t far enough. . .now they will be even farther away.  What makes it even harder is that Olivia’s other cousins on the Glunt side are moving to Arizona.  We will miss them all dearly, but know these are great opportunities for their families.  Needless to say, Christmas together this year was very cherished. . .for many reasons.

And here are all of the cousins together.  Abigail’s aunt Laura made her a book with pictures of all of her cousins. 

We spent today taking down our Christmas decorations.  Thankfully, Abigail slept for a bit in her swing so that we could get quite a bit of it done. 

And now we look forward to a new year.  2012 was pretty good to me. . .hoping 2013 is just as good!

Meowy Christmas

Apparently Kelsey is ready to win another Christmas photo contest. I caught her climbing the tree again, crazy cat.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

I had to post pictures of my girls today. Love these two! Abigail is now 7 1/2 lbs.

Go Kelsey!

I entered our kitty Kelsey into a Christmas kitty photo contest. And, she was one of the winners! I snapped this photo last Christmas with my iPhone, so the quality isn't the best but I thought it was adorable. Go Kelsey! Her picture has been on Facebook for less than 30 minutes and already has 756 likes. And I get a free t shirt.

Merry Christmas

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St Nick would soon. . .

bring a drum set there!

She was thrilled with her new drum set.  Between that and her new guitar, she is in heaven!  We enjoyed listening to all of the new songs that she wrote.

Yes, that’s one big Tweety Bird. 

Olivia is one of those kids that is thrilled for Santa Claus to come, however, she doesn’t wake up any earlier on Christmas morning (thank you thank you.) So, she got up around 9:30 am this morning and Abigail was out until 11:00 am.  Olivia enjoyed opening all of her presents AND Abigail’s AND the kitties.’  I wasn’t, however, expecting to repeatedly say, “Yes Olivia you can play with that, but it is Abigail’s.”

In the afternoon, we headed over to my parents’ house for a turkey dinner.  My grandma and my aunt were able to meet Abigail for the first time. 

Olivia is still grandma’s baby. . .

Oh and if you get cold on Christmas. . .simply grab the nearest tree skirt.  It can apparently be used as a blanket. LOL! 

We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!!

Monday, December 24, 2012

Today we celebrated Christmas with my side of the family at  my parents’ house. 

Izzy and Olivia

All three granddaughters

Playing in her bilobo

And grandpa got a pink guitar!

Oh wait. . .that’s my little girl overjoyed with HER new pink guitar. Let the songwriting begin.

Abigail slept through most of the celebration.

My husband, Ryan.

The girls with their new lanterns.

And, lastly, our very first picture as a family of four.  Merry Christmas everyone!