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Saturday, December 27, 2008

Well, I took Eli to be weighed yesterday and he had gained 8 ounces in 9 days!! I was sooo excited that he gained weight. This obviously means that his reflux was causing his weight to drop. My poor little guy just couldn't keep enough calories down! He's taking Zantac right now and it seemed to be working up until yesterday when he started spitting up A LOT again. At his last feeding he soaked me twice immediately after feeding him. So, I've got to call Monday and get them to adjust his dosage. She told me yesterday morning that he was taking the minimum dosage for his weight. I'm also going to ask about prevacid because those that I have talked to say that it works better than Zantac and the dosage doesn't need to be adjusted as often. I'm new to all of this though! We were having some difficulty with getting insurance for the kids but hopefully we have that all figured out now. That will be a big help.

Eli still seems to be having 'other' issues. I won't go into detail considering the subject matter, but he seems to be having allergy issues. I've been told by our pediatrician that it wasn't of any concern but when I talked to the NP she wanted me to bring in one of his diapers next week. I was glad that she actually wanted to see it. All that is going on is not normal and I need answers! So, starting as soon as we get to the grocery store I'm going on an elimination diet. I have avoided having to do this but it seems that this may be the only way I figure out what is causing Eli's problems. I didn't really want to have to do this since my parents are buying our groceries. I know it will be an extra expense to buy separate food for me, but I know they understand (and they know it will be cheaper than hypo-allergenic formula!!). I am constantly worried about my little guy and I'm ready to know what is the culprit! I know everyone around me is sick and tired of hearing about all of this but I just can't help but be consumed with it! Here is my diet for the next 2 weeks (or until the symptoms subside):

Sounds delish! I've already been dairy free but being wheat, corn, soy, egg, and everything else is going to be tough. I'll eat these for at least a week or two and then slowly (every 4 days is suggested) add things in starting with least allergenic. I'll get to eat apples and bananas by mid-January, woo hoo! In all seriousness though, this is about my baby boy and I'll do whatever I need to to fix his tummy (or intestines to be exact)! It's just food. I think my biggest issue will be making sure I eat enough calories to keep up with feeding him! Whatever he may be allergic to may be causing his reflux too, so that may improve when I can pinpoint what it is.

Well, it's Luke's naptime... so time for me to go!

Please continue to keep us in your prayers. Jobs are hard to come by these days! And I've had a hard time dealing with things in the last few days... it's just tough right now.

God is sovereign...

Update:Well, I decided that the above diet is CRAZY hard to do. So for now I'm going to just be corn, egg, dairy, and peanut free. I'm going to limit soy and wheat products. I've pretty much been doing that for the past 3 days and Eli's poop has never looked better! :) I'm eating a lot of fruits (no citrus), veggies and rice. My meat is pretty much chicken and turkey. I bought some turkey sausage today because turkey lunch meat is getting old! Please pray with me that these issues are just because Eli is extra sensitive right now. I'm praying that we don't have to deal with a lot of food allergies down the road because I've seen how tough that can be for other families. If we have to do it though, we will!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

I've been absent for a while. Two reasons: One, life over the past week and a half has been crazy, to say the least. Two, the computer at my mom's house is in Luke's 'room' (my old room)so, my prime computer time (Luke's nap and bedtime) are no longer available. I just wanted to give a quick update on my littlest guy, Eli.

We had his 4 month check up yesterday. He's not technically 4 months old but thankfully we were able to move his appointment up before our insurance runs out on the 31st. Yesterday was exactly 6 weeks from his last shots and that's the minimum time frame between his shots. Some of you know that we've been worried about Eli's weight. Well, on Dec 1st (when he was sick) he weighed 12 lbs and 5 oz. Yesterday, he weighed 12 lbs and 3 oz. I did weigh him at the breastfeeding support group though and he actually gained 3 oz in a week according to their scale (he went from 12.01 to 12.04) . All scales differ so you have to compare weight on the same scales. Over the past week I've been trying to do some things to help Eli get the hind milk (fatty milk at the end of a feeding). I think one of our problems is that he gets bored and wants to switch sides too soon. I've been trying to keep him on longer but sometimes he flat out refuses though, so that has been frustrating. I don't think that I have supply issues but who really knows at this point. Anyway, we discussed with the Dr about him spitting up A LOT! I never thought this was a problem because he was always gaining weight and never seemed bothered (like in pain) by it. Well, our pediatrician suggested Zantac to help with the spitting up. Obviously a baby who isn't gaining weight isn't a good thing. And even though he doesn't seem to be in pain when he spits up, it might be a factor as to why he isn't gaining. Since he's always seemed to have a little bit of reflux issues we've had him sleeping on a wedge incline at night and in the swing during the day.We've been on Zantac almost 24 hours and he's only spit up once today and once last night. And both times they were very small amounts. So, that seems promising. He is still wanting to nurse a lot (every 1.5 hours usually - thankfully not at night though!) and isn't nursing for very long (10-15 minutes max. total) but if it is reflux maybe this will change. I don't mind feeding him that often but I feel like if he were getting a good feeding he might be able to go longer. Not to mention the fact that I've been feeding him upstairs where Robby, Eli and I are sleeping (my sister's room) because it's less of a distraction for him (no crazy toddler or tv to get his attention). This has made it difficult when no one is home, considering I don't like leaving Luke alone downstairs by himself. Dr. C wants us to come back Friday the 26th to have him weighed in the office and if he's gained well, we're good to go, but if not he wants to see us to discuss what to do next. Please pray with us that he gains and begins eating well. It's been so frustrating to me, the sole provider of his nourishment, to be going through all of these nursing issues on top of all that we've been dealing with. Breastfeeding and the decision to continue was difficult for me but in the end I knew that it was something that God wanted me to do.The good news is that other than weight gain issues he is a healthy little boy. The Dr said he was very strong! I love our pediatrician, by the way! As we were leaving the office he said that he knew that Eli was going to be just fine, "in Jesus name".Ok, it's time for the kids to get in bed. I started this yesterday morning and am just finishing it tonight at 8PM!Also a big thank you to all of you that have been praying for me and my family. We appreciate it more than you will ever know. God will see us through.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Will you join me in lifting your head to heaven and praising the Mighty King of Glory?

Praise the Lord!Praise God in his sanctuary;Praise him in his mighty heavens!Praise him for his mighty deeds;Praise him according to his excellent greatness!Praise him with trumpet sound;Praise him with lute and harp!Praise him with tambourine and dance;Praise him with strings and pipe!Praise him with sounding cymbals;Praise him with loud clashing cymbals!Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!Praise the Lord!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Is this not pitiful?? Luckily, he hasn't been bothered much by it. If you read my random list from Monday, you know we had to take the little guy to the Dr. We left the house around 2:15pm and got home around 8:30pm! We had to pick up Luke who was at my parents and they live an hour away from us so we weren't at the Dr's office for that long but it was a long evening to say the least!

The little man has bronchiolitis. So, that's why he's got the dinosaur mask on! Along with breathing treatments for a week, he also got a shot and a round of antibiotics that has left his poopy diapers a nice shade of grass green (I know you wanted to know that). Dr. C said his lungs sounded pretty nasty but "no need for hospitalization. You can treat this at home." Ok, so that freaked me out! Just hearing the word hospitalization! Like the Hubs said, "Don't mention the word 'hospital' unless that's where we have to go!" Seriously.

And although he is a sick little boy, you would never really know it by the way he acts! He is the happiest little guy! He jabbers and talks all the time! Man, I love him so!

I took two videos of him 'talking' last night and this isn't the best one... but I had to show it because I'd like you to notice at the top left of the screen, what Luke has on his head. I didn't realize this until after I uploaded the video. I had taken it off to get more light in the video. Haha... kids..

Monday, December 1, 2008

We're heading to the Dr this afternoon with Eli. He's been sick for a week now with a runny/stuffy nose and a cough and isn't getting better. Luke's had the same thing but is over it. Eli is just so little and having a harder time getting rid of it!

We had baby dedication yesterday! Eli and I left immediately after the dedication since he's been sick. I didn't want to spread the germs! He looked so very cute in his little sweater vest though!

Extreme Makeover Home Edition was so good last night! I cry every time! (and so does the Hubs!!!) To hear those little boys talk about their daddy! Gut wrenching! Did anyone watch it?

Eli turned 3 months old Saturday! My newborn is turning into a baby!!

I desperately need to do some Christmas shopping. I'm thinking about doing some online just so we don't have to get out.. especially with sick kiddos!

I made a homemade Angel Food cake this weekend. Was all the beating and folding of the separated eggs worth it? Not really. But this blueberry sauce on top was to die for. Seriously. It would be great on top of ice cream... if I could eat ice cream.. boo hoo... (BTW, I used half OJ for the water in the recipe)

I was tagged a while ago by Donna to list 7 random thing about myself and I'm having a hard time coming up with 7... does that mean I'm boring?

Matthew 6:28-30 - “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

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About Me

I'm a 31 year old, married, SAHM. I've been married to my sweet hubby since October 2004. I have two amazing little boys! My first son was born in June 2006 and that's when I quit work. My second was born August 2008 and has made us a happy family of four! We are expecting our third little bundle of boy in February 2013! I am a daughter of the Most High! Jesus Christ is my first love! With my whole heart I desire to honor and bring Him glory everyday! Here you'll find a mix of topics, from my walk with Christ, my journey as a homeschooling mom, and my love for cooking real food and feeding my family on a budget!