Little Girls Update

Since this is a blog focused on my girls, and I have told family members that I would use it to keep them up to date on my chickies, I guess its time to start doing that!

 

Alexis is a few weeks away from three and a half! I can’t believe how time has flown! There are certain faces and things that Addison does, that are the exact thing Alexis used to to at the same age and in that moment I am carried back to when my Alexis was a babe. Like I have said before, Alexis is my drama queen, my sensitive one. She is learning how to spell her name. She is has her colors, numbers to about 15 and shapes down pat. (Although when asked she will pretend she doesn’t know them!) Thanks to her time with school, she is learning her numbers in Spanish and the days of the week. Alexis is a very imaginative kid and her current playtime activity is pretending to be a cat. She can get quite loud, which sometimes I love and sometimes drives this mamma nuts! Another thing she loves is singing. She makes up her own songs regularly. She has recently started to sing with the songs I play in the car.

 

Addison is 7 months old today. She is such a joy! I have never met a more happy, content baby! Last week, she was 12.5 pounds and 24 and 1/2 inches long. She is slowly dropping off the weight and height scale so between now and her next check up, there are a few weight checks thrown in. She is loving her baby food. She eats applesauce, pears, peaches, plums, nectarines, and mango. She is almost sitting up. She still is a little wobbly but is slowly getting there. She likes to be on the floor and spin like a top to wherever the action is. She especially loves her big sissy! Alexis does a great job of entertaining her!

 

 

     

Alexis and Addison at a recent wedding! Aren’t they beautiful!?!?

Midnight Adventures

Gary and I seem to have lots of “fun” stuff happen with our girls in the middle of the night. Whenever Alexis gets sick, its in the middle of the night. When Addison is fussy, its in the middle of the night. Just the other night, we discovered a mouse in the house right before bed and were up late trying to figure out where it was hiding. (Well Gary was looking, I was being a chicken and cowering on the couch! I was so OK with throwing out every blessed thing in my living room!) Well this past Friday little did I know but another “adventure” was about to knock me on my butt. Gary and I usually end our weeks with a movie and popcorn and this past Friday was no different. It was interrupted a few times by Addison due to Flu Shot + Teething. Earlier in the day when I was getting Addison up for the day, I smelled a funny smell in the girls room. Thinking a plastic hair clip fell in our baseboard heat, I turned it off and went about my business. Gary was heading home from work early so clean after that lovely visitor, the mouse, so I asked him to check the heater. He did and pulled out a Littlest Pet Shop Cat with a burnt head! Yay! Problem solved! For once it was an easy fix! Yea right! Not so much! Midnight rolled around and Gary and I were heading to bed when I noticed the smell was back! So off Gary goes, hunting with a flashlight in our baseboard heater, while Alexis slept and I bounced and slightly annoyed little girl. After a good twenty minutes of hunting, finally he did find a hair clip……melted beyond recognition. Finally, the smell is gone and I won’t have to hear Alexis complain about the “yuck smell” again!

 

Lets hope tonight is another adventure less night! (Because I know another one is lurking around the corner!)

In love!

Now Addison is a drooler. Not a day goes by that we go through any less than 6 bibs. There is usually an outfit change some where in there too! She usually looks a bit unkempt because of the drool and now stains have come along with eating baby food. (Last week I made blueberry baby food for her. Not the best choice when it comes to stainage!) Today I was checking out my usual sites when I checked out this one…

http://www.babysteals.com/

I love this website! My budget hasn’t allowed me to take advantage of any deals but I am planning on it in the future! Well, lo and behold, today they have bibs on sale. I know, ho hum! Its a bib! But you have to check these out! They are four-in-one bibs made by this company…

http://shop.bebeaulait.com/site/index09

Featuring these bibs!

http://shop.bebeaulait.com/Shop_3/bibs/bib-papillon

 

I am in LOVE! Not only are they the most adorable things ever but how ingenious! Four sides to the bib will solve all my drool and eating issues! Unfortunately, when I happened upon the site, they were sold out but I can’t wait to get me some!

Baby Food Adventure

In an effort to save money with baby number 2, I have started by making my own baby food! And what fun it is! I love it! I love that I know, I mean, KNOW, what Addison is eating. I also love that I am finding more variety than the standard jarred baby food. I have made Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Pears, Peaches and Plums. I am debating making Mango’s or Nectarines next. I started her on the Sweet Potatoes and she loved them. We moved onto Peas but they were not liked and they gave her a belly ache. I am holding on the veggies till her system is more used to food. Addison will gobble up whatever I put in the spoon! Here are a few lesson’s I have learned so far in making the baby food.

- Don’t add breast milk or formula to the food. Especially formula. Yes, I know that Doctors recommend it but I found that adding the formula alters the taste of the food, especially the fruit. Also, if you are making a bulk at a time and freezing it, by the time it thaws or you get to it, the formula has gone bad. Formula and breast milk are only good in the fridge for 24 hours.

 

- Cook your fruit like the peaches and plums in the microwave. Twice I have burnt the bottom of my pans because the water has steamed out. This past week when I made the plums, it was much easier to cook them in a Tupperware dish with a bit of water in it, in the microwave.

 

- Freeze the food you make in ice cube trays. One ice cube is about equal to one Stage One size baby food jar. Plus they stack on each other so they are easier to store.

 

Here is an approximate break down of the pricing for the food I have made including the trays compared to the jarred baby food I would have bought.

- I have spent about $3.00 on the fruit and veggies I have needed to get to fill a tray. The ice cube tray cost me $1.29. Total is $4.29.

- Each tray has 18 ice cubes in it, so that would be 18 servings of Stage One baby food. It is about .50 cents for a single jar. Total is $9.00

I save about $5.00 every time I make my own food. That may not be a whole lot to some people, but in my family, it adds up!

 

*I am not a Doctor nor a food professional. Please consult your Doctor and do your own research before you make your own food!

Working Mom

Working Mom….Ohhh its such a swear word in some circles.

 

I am a working mom. There, I said it. Oh and guess what… Both my girls are in daycare! Bring on the lectures about germs, about how my children are worse off for it. Bring on the ridicule, bring it.

 

Now that was me a few years ago when Alexis was born. I was DEAD set on being a stay at home mom. I took my maternity leave (a whole summer! It was wonderful!). At the end, Gary and I put our heads together and did the finances. Staying home was not an option. There was just not enough money to stretch to cover all the bills. So off I went with major tears to find a part-time job. My church had just opened up a daycare and was in need of an Infant teacher. I very gratefully took the job. How perfect, I would work three days a week and be able to be with Alexis too! For three years now, minus a 6 month period where I worked in the evenings, I have worked at the daycare. I have worked in every room, worked every type of shift. I’ve done it all!

 

Little did I know that working here has made me realize that this is where I am supposed to be. When I was young, my parents taught me that the Lord has a calling on my life. Now I used to think that it had to be a preacher or missionary, something big like that. When I graduated high school, I attended a program to help me reach that preacher or missionary calling. But it wasn’t to be. I quickly realized that my gifts were not in those areas, that in fact, I had no clue what my calling was! The day I stepped into the school age class room at the daycare, I knew. I knew that it was were I was to be. For two years now, I have been working with Kindergarten through Fourth graders. I have fallen in love with the kids in my program. I greet them after school everyday and I love it!

 

My heart is with my daughters. They are constant on my mind. I long for the day that I can stay home with them. That is truly my dream. But until then, I am here pouring the love that I can’t pour on my daughters because I am not with them, on other mothers children. I pray that when they feel my arms around them, they feel their mom’s arms.

I am a rocking Mamma

I LOVE to rock my girls in the rocking chair. We rock when we read books. We rock when its time to sleep. We rock in the morning when its time to get up. Alexis still loves to rock. Its part of her bedtime routine. She picks out a book then Gary or I will read and rock with her while she has a little bit of milk. Its a wonderful time of my night, to relax and let all the stress of the day just go away. I don’t get to rock with Addison as much. The rocker is in Allie’s room so its not always ideal to rock with Addison. Tonight though, Alexis was busy playing in the basement. She set out a huge picnic lunch for her friends from school and she was pretending to be Ms. April. Addison had her evening bottle and I thought I would take advantage of the situation. My little peanut and I headed upstairs and we were able to sit and rock. I started singing my favorite song to sing to my girls, “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies are gray…” Addison just laid in my arms and listened. When I finished she gave me the sweetest smile. It was a great moment, the kind that melts a mamma’s heart……Then she shot spit up all over the front of my shirt and grinned. I had to laugh. Isn’t it great to have to special sweet moments with your kids and be able to laugh at the inconvenient stuff too?!?!

Johns Hopkins Appointment

Today was the big appointment. At Johns Hopkins. It was a half hour appointment. Ugh. I now have an overtired baby that won’t go to sleep.

 

Anyway…Details. Gary, Addison and I left here about 11:30 for Baltimore. I was extremely nervous the entire drive. Usually when you see the doctor, you have somewhat of an idea of what he or she is going to say. I had no clue. I knew what was wrong with my little girls body but I had no idea what the doctor was going to tell us. My biggest fear was surgery on her little body and the thought of that happening made me want to cry. I had so much encouragement from wonderful friends over the past weekend and their words kept running through my head. One friend had left me with this scripture.

 

Mark 9:20-29
They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. And He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. "It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!" And Jesus said to him, " 'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief." When Jesus saw that crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again." After crying out and throwing him into terrible convulsions, it came out; and the boy became so much like a corpse that most of them said, "He is dead!" But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him; and he got up. When He came into the house, His disciples began questioning Him privately, "Why could we not drive it out?" And He said to them, "This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer."

 

“Help my unbelief” is what I prayed the entire way to the hospital. We arrived and were greeted with the most efficient check-in process ever. (And I have checked-in at so many places) We were quickly taken back to a room and went over the pregnancy history and Addison’s growth with a resident. Within minutes we were meeting with the head of Pediatric Orthopedics, Dr. Sponseller. He did an exam of Addison, looked at her x-rays and quickly had an answer for us. He basically told us that we had to wait. There is a 70% chance that surgery is the right route. But there is a 30% chance that the rib and vertebra will not effect her at all and she will not have surgery. Around her first birthday she will have another x-ray and see how the rib has grown, if it has grown, and how it is making her spine curve. So its a waiting game we play.

 

In the mean time, we are considering seeing a doctor at Penn State Children’s Hospital in Hershey. Its so much closer especially if we are only going for checkups. My mind can rest easy. I know God is in control! He now has 8 months to do His thing!

X-Ray

This is a picture of the X-Ray of Addison’s Spine and Rib cage when she was first born. The doctors were checking for fluid in her lungs due to my Diabetes and stumbled upon the rib and vertebra. Usually something like this isn’t discovered in a child till they are much older and is already having problems because of it. Many children have other deformities as well. Addison does not. She is perfectly formed. I believe that the Lord knew what He was doing when the X-Ray happened. Lets believe that when she has another X-Ray the rib will be gone!

 

Prayer Please!

Monday, August 16th we are taking Addison to Johns Hopkins to meet with an Pediatric Orthopedic Doctor who hopefully will give us some answers concerning Addison’s back. I am incredibly nervous about the appointment. I am clinging to a bit of faith, believing that the Lord will heal this little girl. Pray with us. Pray the appointment goes well. Pray even harder for complete healing.

Update on Addison

Addison is a wonderful little girl. She has had quite a struggle her first 10 weeks of life. Addison was born via c-section on April 18, 2010 and spent 10 days in the NICU. She was born with very few problems compared with the struggles Alexis went through. She had jaundice, thickened walls in her heart, and extra rib and vertebrae on her right side. Her biggest problem while she was in the NICU was eating and the problem continued till when she was 10ish weeks old. Addison was two weeks early and was considered a preemie. The combination of an early birth and me being a diabetic, it made it difficult for her to learn to suck on a bottle. While in the NICU, feedings would last an hour at a time and usually ended with having to push at least half of the formula down a feeding tube. By day 5, all other issues she had been dealing with were not a problem. By day 7 the feeding tube was out but we were still struggling to get her to eat. Day 10 we were able to bring her home. Up until she was 4 weeks old she was a typical newborn. Fussy at times, sleeping a lot. We still struggled to feed her. She never took more than 1 or 2 oz’s at a time. Around week 5 we switched her from breast milk to formula in anticipating of me going back to work. That was when she started going down hill. She started spitting up A LOT. Projectile vomiting too. The biggest problem was getting her to eat. She would suck on the bottle then cry and suck then cry. When she was finished, she would cry and cry like she was in pain. She was never content. She wouldn’t even let Gary and I sit to feed her. We constantly had to be moving, bouncing, rocking or walking. I am surprised we didn’t wear a hole in our carpets! I finally decided it was time to take her to the doctors. We went and were told that she probably had Acid Reflux. We started with thickening her bottles with cereal, setting her at an incline to eat, sleep and play. None of this helped so back to the doctor I went the following week. The doctor put her on Previcad and finally we had a bit or relief. After two weeks of being on the medicine (which I HATED that she had to take!) she still wasn’t improving much. The crying had stopped and she was eating faster but she still wasn’t eating as much. Off to the doctor I went again and this time the solution was to change her formula. We began giving her Nutramigen. What an improvement!!! The girl started eating! She was happy and smiling! It was such a relief to Gary and I! At her 3 month appointment, we were able to take her off the Acid Reflux medicine as well. I now have the easiest baby and it is wonderful! As of right now, she is laying on the floor in my living room, not propped up at all, playing with her baby gym! Such a difference from a month ago!

 

All through this tough time we also were seeing a pediatric cardiologist and a pediatric surgeon. I will start with the heart doctor first. Addison was born with the wall between the 2 chambers of her heart to thick. When she was born, it was 10 mm thick. The normal is 2mm. We began taking her to a wonderful heart group in Wormleysburg. At 6 weeks the wall had shrunk to 5 mm. We have an appointment in October to check it again and the Dr. is expecting that her heart will be normal.

 

Addison was also born with an extra rib attached to a half formed vertebra in her back. Its called Lateral Hemi-Vertebrae. We headed to the Pediatric Surgeon at about 8 weeks. We were seeing the Dr’s at Penn State Children’s Hospital. While there she had a complete exam to make sure everything in her little body was forming, growing and placed where it was supposed too. The Doctor even checked to make sure that her little bum hole was in the right place! Everything looked great the Dr. referred us back to our Pediatrician. From there we were sent to an Orthopedic Doctor in the area last week. That Dr had no answers. He actually hasn’t seen this in a child since he was doing his residency. He told us that we needed to see a Pediatric Orthopedic doctor that specializes in spines. Its not something that is very common but he did know a Doctor at John Hopkins in Baltimore Maryland. So we are headed to see the head honcho of Pediatric Orthopedics on August 16th. I am excited to go and finally get some answers about Addison’s development, how it is effecting her and most important, will she have to have surgery.

 

Gary and I are praying for a creative miracle in Addison’s little body! We are putting our faith in that when she has x-rays again, the rib a vertebrae will be gone! Pray with us as we head on this new experience!

Money gift

Gary and I recently have been struggling with money. Gary has a wonderful job but with the recent struggles in the economy, his company has suffered too. Last September when our family returned from a wonderful vacation at the beach and Gary was hit with a 10% pay cut. We were concerned because we had just found out that I was pregnant with Addison but we dealt with it and the Lord provided what we needed. In February or March of this year Gary’s company cut hours in some departments and his department was cut. At that point, Gary started looking for another job and looking for a part-time job. We were praying and praying and it seemed that no job (either part-time or full-time) was coming our way. There were a few job offers but nothing fit what we needed. My due date was quickly approaching and there was still no answer in sight. Both of us began to pray even harder. Addison arrived and without me working, our budget was even tighter. One evening in May, we came home from an evening out, picked up with mail and found a strange envelope. Gary opened it up and we found a check for $1000! We were in shock! There was no return address, just a letter.

 

Gary and Natalie

This is a gift from the Lord, He has blessed you with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) and He supplies all your needs (Philippians 4:19). He is increasing your faith and your rest. This blessing and these trials are meant for your glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17 says, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” His power and riches are better than any trials. Be encouraged! This is only for a season.

“Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen. Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted. Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns are empty. I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my savior God. Counting on God’s Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I’m king of the mountain!” Habakkuk 3:17-19 (The Message)

 

Gary and I were so encouraged! Neither of us have ever been blessed like this before. The money pulled us through till I began working again. Just when Gary and I felt we were at a dead end, the Lord gave us exactly what we needed, when we needed it! Jesus is always faithful, always there to meet our need! Thank you Jesus!

 

And many blessings and a HUGE thank you to whomever sent us the gift!

Thankful Thursday

 

~ A little girl that still comes crying to me when she is hurt

 

~ A husband’s good kisses after a long day at work

 

~ Little baby smiles

 

~ A faithful god that provides all my needs

 

~ Brothers that are not afraid to act silly with my daughter

Stop Wind, Stop!

Allie is NOT a fan of the wind. She positively hates it. Her hate for the wind especially comes out at school. The school sits up on a small hill with no trees around to help block it. We park in the parking lot every morning or afternoon depending on my schedule. (I am a teacher at the girls school.) Allie reminds me everyday when we pull in the parking lot that she doesn’t like the wind. Well this particular morning, she was a bit full of herself. Here is our conversation:

 

Allie - “Mommy, I no like the wind.”

Mommy - “I know baby. I’m sorry”

Allie - “Mommy, can you stop the wind?”

Mommy - “No baby, I can’t. it won’t listen to me.”

Allie - “It will listen to me!”

*Allie then stands with her legs spread and arms up, just like Charlton Heston in the Ten Commandments during the parting of the Red Sea.*

Allie - “Stop, wind! Stop!”

“Stop, wind! Stop! Mommy! Its not stopping!”

Mommy - “I’m sorry baby. The wind has a mind of it own.”

Allie - “I try again!”

“Stop wind! I say stop!”

Sadly, the wind did not stop blowing. Allie still hates it but I got a good laugh that morning!

Sleeping babe’s

Today I took a nap. It was wonderful. Naps have been rare for me mainly because of working in the afternoons. They are even more rare because I have a 10 week old and a 3 year old. And yet, they are even more rare than that cause Addison has Acid Reflux. So laying down hurts, sitting propped up hurts, slouching in a bouncy hurts. Sometimes the only thing that helps is being wrapped in Mamma’s arms, sitting straight up and down. (Then she gets a nap and I don’t!) Addison has finally turned a corner with the Reflux. (THANK YOU JESUS!) Napping is easier (for her that is!) Playtime is more and her favorite new activity is smacking on her hands!

 

We came home from lunch today and Addison was hungry She isn’t too keen on eating any place but at home. Bottle followed and she fell asleep, out like a light, when she was done. So precious. Smart Mamma puts her down and tip toes away. Less than ten minutes later, she is awake and crying. As soon as I pick her up, she is out again. Well, I figured I would take total advantage of it so we climbed in *bed together and slept. It was sweet, so precious. It was a moment I think I will always treasure. Laying there looking at my sweet little girl without struggling to get her calm. It was a special time.

 

 

*Yes, I know that Dr.s do not recommend babies and parents to co-sleep. We didn’t do it with Alexis because of that. We co-sleep with Addison out of necessity.

Today, I believe. Tomorrow, I will still believe…

Faith is not something that comes easy to me. I don’t think it is something that comes easy to anyone! The past 9 months have been the most difficult Gary and I have gone through together. (That story will come later! Believe me, you will be encouraged!) But through it all, even when we didn’t see any light at the end of the tunnel, the Lord has been faithful! Even though I have seen Him work and provide for my family countless times these past months, I still struggle with my faith.

 

My struggle started when I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 1995. Since then I have been praying for healing. The church I attending through high school had a bit of a revival of sorts and many times, I felt I needed to take a step and go off my insulin. My sugar would go up and I knew that the time for healing was not then. As a kid, its a bit crushing when you expect something to happen and it doesn’t. “When the Lord Closes a Door, Somewhere He Opens a Window.” This saying is so cliché but I really believe it! If it was the Lord’s will then he would allow me to move on it whatever it was. If it wasn’t then I believed the Lord would shut the door and he would show me what the next step was. He has done this for me and my family time and time again!

 

Its very easy to get down and out when you don’t see an end to your struggle. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep having faith! Things will change and an answer will come. Remember, the Lord works in his time, not in ours.

Addison’s Birth Story

 

The birth of Addison was so different than Alexis. With Alexis, I was in active labor for 47 hours before it was decided to deliver via c-section. With the birth of Addison, I wanted to try and have her naturally. The morning of the 17th, I was induced. By the evening, I had made NO progress what so ever. Gary and I decided that we would stop and have a c-section the next day. The next morning, I was so nervous I was shaking till the the spinal kicked in. I kept on thinking about what the Dr. was doing to me which is never a good thing! Once the surgery started I just kept listening for Addison's cry. Once I heard that, I started crying and they popped her head over the screen so I could see her. All I could comment on was her hair! The spinal started wearing off at that point. That was when I started feeling what the Dr. was doing too. The Dr’s started pumping the painkillers. I had 3 or 4 rounds of morphine plus a few other drugs. Until the meds started kicking in again, I concentrated on my breathing and controlling my emotions. They kicked in right before I had to be put to sleep. Gary was with me and he was getting upset watching me in pain. He was such a rock. He kept praying. Praying over me and praying over Addison. Once the med’s kicked in and I started to get loopy, Gary kept going back and forth between me and her, telling me her size and showing me pictures. The best thing was listening to her cry since I couldn’t hold her. I spent an hour in recovery then on the way back to my room, they took me by the NICU and let me look at her. She is a beautiful baby. So chubby and with such dark hair and skin! By that evening, I was able to get into a wheelchair and visit her for a while.

 

I am sitting on the edge of a life changing event. Tomorrow I will be induced to give birth to my second daughter, Addison. There are so many emotions going through me right now. First and foremost, I am excited! Spending the past few days in the Birthplace, hearing the babies cry, listening to Braham’s Lullaby played has made me yearn to hold this little one. To meet her, start to get to know her, to watch Gary with her and see her big sister meet her for the first time. I am ready to take her home and begin a new life together. Second, I am nervous. I have been told by nurses, the doctor by friends that this labor will be much different than my last. I am praying that my body is ready, that I can handle the pain, that I can keep a clear head through the entire process. Lastly I am scared. Alexis was born c-section and it was a great experience. My recovery went well and I had no adverse side effects from it so I naturally want to fall back onto that because I know it was good once! I am afraid of the pain that comes with laboring. I am afraid of going through the process. I know I can do this though. I feel the Lord’s strength in my stronger and stronger and I know he will lift me up and guide me.

 

Dear Gary,

I can’t even begin to put down in words how incredible you are. You are my rock. Exactly who I need. I would not be able to live this life without you. I love you more than any words can say my SB.

 

Dear Alexis,

My Big little girl. My miracle baby. You are so precious to my heart. My life was incomplete until you and your daddy came along. I love your laugh, your attitude. I love watching you change and learn new things. I have never been more proud to be called your mamma.

 

Dear Addison,

I don’t know you but I love you deeply. I was afraid this would be a struggle for me because I feel so much love for your sister but there is so much love for you too. I can’t wait to see your little face, to know what your eye’s look like and what color your hair is!

 

I Love all three of you so much, so much!

Allie’s Allergies

 

Most of you have probably seen my post about Allie’s Allergies on Facebook. She is highly allergic to nuts specifically Peanuts and to Eggs. Last night we had our biggest scare dealing with Allie’s allergies. We have only had to deal with her being exposed to eggs. She gets a rash on her skin that a steroid cream and some Clairton take care of. Last night she was exposed to nut for the first time. The three of us went out to dinner then to the mall so Allie could work off some of her ice cream she ate. The Hallmark store is always filled with stuffed animals and exciting things for little kids so we stopped in to look. Allie of course spotted a little bunny that Daddy just couldn’t say no too! It was with an Easter display that was set up and sitting right beside the peanut butter candies. We didn’t think about it, bought the bunny and gave it to Allie. In the time it took us to walk from the Hallmark store to the car, she started breaking out. As we headed home she began to get more and more itchy. She couldn’t sit still in her car seat at all. As soon as we got in the house, we stripped her down and saw that she was swollen and covered in hives. Her nose and her mouth were bright red and swollen. Her belly and arms were covered in hives and her thighs we swollen. Even her feet started to swell. We gave her some allergy meds and I called a friend who’s son has severe allergies as well. She advised putting Allie in the bath tub to was off whatever was on her skin that was making her break out. We did that and almost right away the reaction stopped and Allie started feeling better.

 

I know quite a few people that have children with allergies and I write all this to tell parents with or without allergies – PLEASE DO NOT SELF DIAGNIOS! PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF YOUR CHILDS DOCTOR! I know that many people are “anti-medicine” and “anti-doctor” but the Lord has give these men and women the wisdom to help not to hurt. As parents we want to do what is best for our children and sometimes, especially when it involves allergies, it is best to follow a doctors leading. They understand the way your body is supposed to work and what to do to help. I URGE you, if you suspect your child is allergic to anything, take them off that food or away from whatever it is and call your doctor. Get your child tested. (Yes, it is a painful test but it could save their life!) Get the med’s they recommend and do not hesitate to use them!

 

If you live in the Harrisburg area and need a good allergist, please email or call me. Gary and I have Allie involved in a wonderful practice under a GREAT Doctor. I would love to share that information with you!

I a cow! Mooooo!

 

I was putting Allie to bed tonight and we were chatting in bed before I tucked her in. She was telling me about her friends at school, particularly a little boy that wasn’t being so nice today. Here is the rest of our conversation…

 

Allie - “I Gigi!”

 

Mamma (laughing) - “No your not!”

 

Allie - “I Uncle Seff”

 

Mamma (still laughing) - “No your not! Your to little!”

 

Allie (completely straight faced) - “I a cow! Moooooo!”

 

She cracked herself up, laughing hysterically for about 5 minutes and making me laugh so hard I almost peed myself!!!

Letter to Allie

 

My precious little girl,

I am watching you sleep right now. How special it is that even though I have to work, I am able to spend my time with you. I put you down for your afternoon nap almost every day. Its a special time for you and I to take a break and cuddle. Today you had a nice surprise waiting for me, a big poop. You told me in your little two year old voice and oh so serious, “Its a big one Mamma!” You brought a smile to my face.

 

Last night we had a special moment with Baby Addison. Before you go to bed, I rock you and we read a book, maybe sing a song. You usually will pull my shirt up to see my belly and say a special good night to Addison. Last night we sang to her. We sang “You Are My Sunshine” All while we sang, Addison wiggled and squirmed. She is going to look up to her big sister.

 

Have sweet dreams my little girl!

Kisses from your Mamma!

- I start 26 weeks today in my pregnancy. This morning, Addison was waking up and I could feel her rubbing her foot against my belly. I love the feeling of her moving inside of me. I love when she responds to me or to Gary with a kick or wiggle.

- Alexis and I went grocery shopping today. All through the grocery store she sang ‘5 Little Monkeys” at the top of her lungs! She was enjoying herself so much that I didn’t have the heart to quiet her. So I let her sing…And joined in with her!

- I am finding that as I go through this pregnancy, I am less stressed about it. This pregnancy has brought more challenges like bleeding at 13 weeks, more sickness and heartburn and less energy. Maybe having a 2 year old distracts me more from it. Maybe the Lord has placed in woman more and more strength to use as life gets more difficult with children.

- Small Groups have started and Gary and I are leading one this semester. Its a group for Young Couples and I am very excited about it. I am praying the Lord brings healing and strength to the couples in our group.

- Testimony!!!! A few days before Christmas, Gary and I were running errands after work. I had the laptop in the back seat and when Gary moved the seat back, he crushed part of the motherboard! Stink! Out of that though we were able to get two rebuilt computers and one brand new one all for under $800! Praise the Lord!

- Today I attended the memorial service of a great woman, Tammy Roman. She was and incredible woman of faith that battled with Lung Cancer for 6 years. When she accepted the Lord, he completely healed her but the cancer came back quite a few times before her passing. I only pray I can have the faith she did. Its a daily struggle to have faith to believe in healing of diabetes. Her faith was tested beyond what I could handle and yet she held on! Lord, give me that kind of faith!