Tummy Troubles

We found out that Graham has a milk protein allergy and reflux last Friday. He had been pretty fussy for a few days and it was getting harder and harder to satisfy him. He was wanting to eat every 1-1.5 hours and then many times he still wasn’t happy and he always seemed to have a tummy ache. We tried gas drops but they just weren’t cutting it so I decided to take him to the doctor to make sure it wasn’t something else that was bothering him. I was sure they would tell me that it was gas pains and that he was going through a growth spurt but that was not the case. The doctor examined him and said he has reflux and gave him a prescription for Prevacid. He doesn’t spit up much but he does gag quite a bit. She said his esophagus is probably burning and it just feels better when he is drinking a bottle which might be the reason he wants to eat so often. This also explained why he has not liked laying on his back. She said he is going to be happier right now sitting up in swing or bouncer and he is. That is where he spends a lot of time and all night. She then diagnosed him with a milk protein allegy when she found blood in his stools. She put him on a new formula – Enfamil Nutramigen, a hypoallergenic formula and for me – no dairy if I choose to continue to nurse. We are hoping the Prevacid and new formula will make his tummy feel better. She said it could take 2-4 weeks before we notice a difference in his fussiness and discomfort. The plan for now is to keep him on this new formula for a year and hopefully he will outgrow this allergy like most babies do. We go back in a week for his 2 month well visit. He was a healthy 10 lbs. at 6 weeks but it will be fun to see where he falls out on the charts at 2 months. Below is a recent pic of our sweet baby boy hanging out in the swing.

Day 4 without Pacifier...

And Morgan is doing GREAT! We never thought this major change would be so easy. Morgan has asked for it a couple times but we just remind her that the Pacie Fairy took all of her pacies to the little babies that don't have one. She just smiles and reminds us that she colored all over the box and taped it shut. Graham has pacifiers around the house that Morgan finds and she picks them up and gives them to him. Thank goodness that she doesn't try to take his! We are so proud of her!!

Pacie Fairy

Morgan has always had two comfort items, a pacifier and a blanket. I am a fan of pacifiers for babies but it is one more bad habit you have to break as they get older. When she was about 18 months we decided to only let her have her pacie during nap time and night night time which worked for a little while but then we went back to letting her have it whenever she wanted it throughtout the day, which is often. Now that she is 2 years old and still very attached to it we feel like it is time to take it away. We decided to let her keep it to help transition to her big bed and then wanted her to get through Graham’s arrival before taking it away. We thought it would help her cope with all the big changes and we think it did but now it is time to break her of it. I have been nervous about taking it away and dreading the hard times that it could bring for her and us but the longer we wait the harder it will be.

We have been making a big deal about the Pacie Fairy lately. We told her that big girls get to keep their blankets but they have to give their pacifiers to the Pacie Fairy to take to little babies that don’t have one. We explained that she would get a special treat for being so nice and giving her pacifiers away. Morgan has been telling us that she is a big girl and that she is giving her pacifiers to the babies so we thought we should give it a shot.

This morning I woke up and thought, today is the day. After breakfast I told her that we were going to decorate a box and put all her pacies in it because the Pacie Fairy was going to come and get it and take them to the babies. She was excited about decorating the box. We wrapped a box, put stickers on it and she colored all over it with markers. She then put all her pacies in the box and we taped it shut. She was happy and had a good time with our little project. Then she went to the front door and put the box outside for the Pacie Fairy. She said “Bye Pacies” and closed the door. Mid morning she was busy playing and I quickly went outside and got the box, hid it and left a present at the door. The first time she asked for her pacifier we went and looked outside to see that the box was gone and there was a present for her. She was super excited! She asked for it several times throughout the day but I just kept reminding her that we gave them to the babies and she just giggled and went on about her business. The toughest part of the day was nap time. She laid in bed for 2 hours and just talked the entire time, no sleeping!! Not sure if it was because she didn’t have her pacie or if she just wasn’t tired. Tonight she didn’t even ask for it and went to bed just as easy as always. We will see how tomorrow goes, but hopefully the hardest part it over.

Texas Snow!

Wow! What a beautiful snowy weekend in North Texas! We have got about 11" of snow. On Thursday morning I bundled up Graham and got a quick picture of him with snow in the background. This is his 1st snow day but he was only out in it for a second; long enough to take one picture and then back inside he went. Morgan woke up excited about the snow and loved watching it fall through the window but didn't like it when we went outside. She didn't even want to walk in it so I didn't get many pictures.

Graham's first time in snow!



All Morgan wanted to do was sit under the patio and watch it snow.



Our street...





Bryan came home from work a little early so we went back outside to enjoy the snow.

At first, Morgan still wasn't having it.



Bryan ran around with Morgan in the snow and she started to have fun.











On Thurday night at 10:15 our electricity went out. I called Bryan's parents who live 2 miles away and they still had power so we decided to pack up the babies and head over there. Before we even got out the door his mom called and let us know their power had just gone out. We decided to stay put and just hoped it would come back on in the night. We made sure Morgan was covered up and Graham slept with us so we could keep him warm. Friday morning, Bryan's parents brought us a generator and a space heater and we all camped out still hoping our electricity would come back on. It was another beautiful day with all the snow! Here are a couple pictures.



Morgan and Gammy getting snow to make snow ice cream.





At about 3pm, the house was really cold and we only had about 2 more hours of daylight so we all packed up and went to Brent and Julie's house in Haslet. Thanks for opening your house to us. We enjoyed the heat, light and of course time with you all!!

Brent and Julie's house



Morgan helping Daddy build a snowman





All of us working on Frosty's face





Daddy with his tired babies



Morgan playing Wii with Uncle Brent. Morgan loves her Uncle Brent and Aunt Julie and has SO much fun when they are around. She cried when we left to go home and kept saying "I want to stay here!" First time that has ever happened. It was pretty sad but she was fine the second we got in the car.



Graham enjoying his time with Aunt Julie



On Saturday about 3pm our electricity came back on. Yay!! 40 hours without power, 11" of snow and 2 babies made for an interesting weekend.

Short Post

I wanted to share a few pictures from the past couple weeks. We are still doing great.

Me and my babies



Just swinging



Morgan loves to play with (beside) Graham



Checking on bubba...



Spending some time in his crib



Hanging out



He looks just like his daddy!

Impatient and Hard-headed

These are two words that describe me and my eagerness to begin working out again. Not sure why I am so ready to hit the gym because after Morgan was born and my doctor released me 6 weeks after my c-section I had no desire to workout. This time is different and I am so ready to get in shape. I have been feeling great so I have been telling Bryan that I am going to get into a routine of going to gym. He constantly reminds me how hard-headed I am and how I need to obey my doctor’s orders. Yesterday while the kids were napping I went out for a walk and thought I will run a little and Bryan will never know. My jog didn’t last long because it was uncomfortable so I walked 3 miles to get a little exercise. I will wait 2 more weeks like my doctor suggested because they obviously know best! I have set a couple fitness goals for myself this year. Bryan and I want to run the White Rock Half Marathon in December (which he could do today!) but I have some training to do. I am also thinking about doing the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk in November but haven’t completely decided. It will be great to achieve some of my goals and get back into a regular exercise routine but now I realize that I have to listen to my body and take it slow.

Morgan's 2nd Birthday Party

Last Saturday, January 30th we celebrated Morgan’s 2nd birthday party. Since we have a 3 week old baby we opted to keep her party small. We had family over to the house and it was great. I can’t believe our precious little girl is 2. They grow up too quick!! She is at a fun age and is the sweetest little thing and we love her so much.

Mommy and Daddy and Morgan. We love you!



Morgan was so excited about every toy and wanted everything out of the box the second she opened it so she could play with them right away.



It upset Morgan when we sang Happy Birthday! I didn’t think we sounded that bad?!?!




Make a wish!!



Snacking...



She loves her new horse!



Graham slept right through the party



It was a great party and Morgan had lots of fun. She loves all of her gifts!! Thanks to everyone who came and made her birthday so special!!

Morgan's 2 year old checkup!

This morning we went to see Dr. Sampson for Morgan’s 2 year well visit. I just love these appointments to see how much she has grown and all that good stuff. Morgan was such a big girl and did so well. At previous appointments she would cry the second she heard the nurse call her name to go back to a room. Today was different and the first appointment in a long time that we made it through without a tear. Here are her measurements:

Weight = 25 lbs (30th percentile)
Height= 34 ½ in. (75th percentile)
Head= 19 ¼ in. (80th percentile)

Dr. Sampson said she is very healthy and right in line with where she should be at 2 years old. The only thing she suggested is trying to take her pacifier away in the next few months and we know we need to. With all the changes she has dealt with in the last few months (big girl bed, new baby) we decided to let her keep in for a little longer. Maybe we will talk her into giving it to the Easter Bunny?!?
While at the doctor’s office this morning we went ahead and weighed Graham. He weighed 8lb. 8oz. He has gained 1 lb. in the last two weeks. We are happy about that! We go back in a month for Graham’s 2 month visit and Morgan is good for another year.