Birthday Campout

Brent decided to have a camp out in the living room on Croix's birthday.  The blew up the air mattress grabbed the pillows and blankets and set up camp.

 Croix almost didn't get to have his camp out because he wouldn't stop jumping on the air mattress.  He finally calmed down.

 Maizy and I did not join the camp out, we got a good nights sleep upstairs in our own beds!

Brent said Croix wanted to hear story after story, so he just kept making up stories to tell him.  Croix was up past 9:30 and up at 6:30.  He was more than a little grumpy the next day!  But he sure did have fun!

Happy Birthday Croix

 I can't believe my baby is three years old already!  Where did the time go!  He needs to to slow down!  (Enough exclamation points?  Well it's how I feel)  It seems like just yesterday this was our little man,

Ok maybe that was like 3 days ago

And this would have been two days ago 

Really this has to have just been yesterday!!!

 The stinker refused to look at me!

 My little Croix can't be this big already!!  There is no baby left in him!  Just such a big boy.

I did a birthday questionaire with Croix.  I plan on asking him the same questions every year and we'll see how things change.  

How old are you?                                                                     3

What makes you happy?                                                         My toys

What is your favorite animal?                                                 Giraffe 

What do you like about them?                                                They eat leaves and have long necks.

What is your favorite thing to eat?                                         Cereal, Captain Crunch

What is your least favorite thing to eat?                                 He said sandwiches, but I don't thin the understood the question.  He doesn't like to eat lettuce

Favorite thing to do?                                                                Play a game

What is your favorite game?                                                   Checkers   (he's never played checkers that I know, he really loves his Chugginton Memory game)

What is your favorite TV show?                                             Chuggington

What is something you're really good at?                               Getting dressed

What is your favorite movie?                                                  Cars

What is your favorite color?                                                   Yellow

What is your favorite song?                                                    Old McDonalds Farm

Who is your best friend?                                                         Erin (Larson), Buzz and Woody, Max and Kate

What do you and Mom do together?                                     Play games

What do you and Dad do together?                                       Play games too

What is your favorite sport?                                                   I don't know, (He likes to hit a baseball in the back yard and kick the soccer ball around with Daddy)

What is your favorite place to go?                                          The City.  (He also like the library and the mall)

What is your favorite book?                                                   Chugginton, Mickey Mouse

What is your favorite toy?                                                      Letters

What is your favorite thing to do outside?                             Ride my bike

What is your favorite drink?                                                   Smoothies (Green smoothies)

What is your favorite holiday?                                               Birthdays

What do you like to take to bed with you at night?               Giraffe, and monkeys

What do you love about yourself?                                          Mirrors

What is your favorite thing about Maizy?                              Playing with her
What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?                      Play guitar
What is your favorite thing to do with Mommy?                   Play games
What do you want to be when you grow up?                         The Hulk

  

In case you have 9 minutes to spare here's a video of his interview.

Some funny things he says that I want to remember:
Happy Burpday.
Also.  He'll say something like.  I want chicken nuggets for lunch and also tater tots. Just seems so gorwn up to me.
Join me.  He'll be playing a game, or doing something and say, Mommy Come join me.
Maizy I sure do love you.
you OK.  When Maizy is sad and crying he'll tell her "you ok" over and over louder and louder (as if she can't hear him)
What's your name?  When asked him name he'll often spell it, C-r-o-i-x
Excuse me.  When you bump into him he'll tell you, excuse me.
I sorry I...   When he gets in trouble or makes a mistake he'll say, I sorry I spilled my water.
Mommy I said I love you.  I always tell him I love you when he goes to bed.  He'll say it back and if I don't acknowledge what he said he says Mommy I said I love you!
Sweep dreams. 
I her sister. She's my brother.  He still gets those mixed up.
Not et.  He don't say not yet, he says not et. 
Tomorrow sounds more like Tom-o.  And yesterday is yes-erday, he misses the t.
I need something.  Since he's not such a fan of nap time any more he'll often fake cry when I put him down.  I'll go ask him what he needs and he says "I need something"  he never quite knows what it is he needs so I usually just end up giving him a drink of water, or covering him up.
I said ummmm.  Croix likes to respond to questions with ummm.  Oftent I have a hard time figuring out if his ummm means yes or not.  So I'll ask him what he said and again he will say ummm.  I'll say yes or no, ummm.  Croix yes or no!  I said ummmm.  Oh this kid!
I said....when he thinks he said something funny, or smart, or he didn't like how we responded he'll say "I said....." and repeat himself.

He has gotten to be a real logical thinker.  He makes plans.  He's curious about everything.  His fingers are always in his nose and his hands are always in his mouth.  He still puts everything in his mouth.  He still loves to cuddle.  He loves to learn.  He's really enjoying preschool.  He loves nursery.  He's not a big fan of the pool.  He loves friends and play dates.  He's not so good at getting himself dresses (despite his interview answer).  He can do it, he just never seems to want to.  He plays independently very well.  He likes to help in the kitchen.  He is the messiest eater I've ever known, he doesn't use his silverware well and still prefers his hands over them.  He has not settled in on a dominant side, he eats, draws etc with both hands still.  He loves his family.  Maizy is already his good buddy.  He only goes to sleep during nap time every few days, but he crashes for 2-3 hours when he does sleep.  He sleeps well at night.  Bed time is around 7 and he sleeps till about 7.  He is strong willed and wants to do things his way and on his time.  He has a wonderful imagination.  He makes us laugh all the time.  He's a good eater. He loves to snag my phone or Brent's iPod and play games.  He can navigate through them with ease.  His memory is amazing!  He loves to read.  He makes funny faces.

He is such a sweet heart and we love him more the I ever thought possible!  Happy Birthday my big three year old Croix!

Taking Wagers

I think I should start taking wagers as to whether or not Maizy and I will be able to be successful at breast feeding.  We now both have thrush.  The odds seem to be stacked heavily against us.  If I could gamble and we were successful the payout would be huge!  Anyone out there able to set that up for me?

I started feeling a little burning in the middle of the night with her 3 AM feeding.  I called the doctor.  We have a prescription being filled for us should be ready soon.  I'll have to coat hear mouth and my nipples with it 4 times a day for 10 days.  If it is not completely cleared up we'll go for another 10, 4 times a day. 

My poor baby girl!  Just having one issue after another!  I wish I could just snuggle her all better, but since I can't I'm glad there are doctors that know how to help!

Three Year Check Up

Croix's three year well visit went great. The pediatrician checked him over and said he is perfect. He's where he should be developmentally and is growing well. Here are his stats

Height:     37.5 in   between 25 and 50%

Weight:    29.1lbs   10 and 25%

That is consistent with where he's been pretty much his  whole life.
 
When it was time to check him out he climbed right up on the table and laid down. It was too cute! She did say she heard a small innocent heart murmur. But it seems fine we'll just keep an eye on it. She also said that his ears, nose, throat look typical of someone with allergies. While she was looking she noticed his ears were very waxy. So she pulled out a little thing and started digging wax out of his ears. You could tell by his expression it was rather uncomfortable but he was such a trooper and sat so still.

I'll write more about Croix and his giant personality in his birthday post :)

The Specialist

The pediatric gastrointestinal specialist (GIS) was fantastic.  He was so kind and good with Maizy, and Croix who was bouncing around the whole room, and out of the room.  He said he was glad we were there now rather then waiting months to come in because Maizy is already low for weight on the growth chart and often children with food allergy issues fall completely off the growth chart between 3-6 months. He did say most children will out grow it with in 12-36 months.  The way I understand it it is not really an allergy to the food as it is her intestines are not mature enough to digest these foods. Eventually she should be able to just fine.

He gave us three options to consider.

1. Exclusively formula feed (which would cost roughly $350 a month and the #1 ingredient is corn syrup)
2. Do a 6 food elimination from my diet. No dairy, soy, wheat, eggs, nuts, seafood. Continue breastfeeding exclusively and see how she does after 6 weeks.

3. I do the 6 food elimination and put her on formula for 6 weeks so her intestines can heal. Then reintroduce her to breast milk and see how she does.

That leaves food options of rice, meat, fruit, vegetables, and other grains like quinoa, amaranth etc.

I cried the whole way home from the doctors office.  And some more when I got home.  All of those options suck big time!  

Option 1.  I love breastfeeding.  It is somthing so special.  Breast milk is hands down the best! That is uncontested.  It changes as your baby grows to provide exactly what they need, it's completely balanced, and you don't even have to think twice about it.  It breaks my heart to think about not breastfeeding.  This option would be the easiest.  It is mostly just hard emotionally and financially.  I have given her a bottle twice thinking I could "pump and dump" for 24-48 hours after eating a normal meal (that's what the pediatrician said).  I was thinking I'd do this Saturday since it's Croix's birthday party and our anniversary.  But the GIS said I'd have to "pump and dump" for two weeks, not 2 days.  Not so much a realistic option.  Back to the bottle, she hated it.  It took 55 minutes to feed her 3 ounce, I timed it.  She cried and fussed the entire time.  I know eventually she would get used to it, but there would be an adjustment for sure.  The GIS said if we start formula she would most likely develop reflux.  They are not positive why this happens but the thought is that the stomach heals first and gets stronger, and as it squeezes stronger the path of least resistance is up and out.  They have a RX they can give for that.  The reflux usually clears up after about two weeks.  It really does break my heart to think about doing this.  Plus the cost is huge.

Option 2.   This effects our entire family.  Brent, bless is supportive heart said what ever I decide he's ok with.  Which is good because I won't/can't do a diet like this alone.  I will need him right there with me eating all the new weird foods and missing out on everything too.  Eating like this is more expensive then "normal" foods.  Meals will not be quick and easy.  I'll have to have them thought out and since it pretty much leaves just fresh foods it will be a lot more preparation.  Although I do cook fresh most of the time anyway so that is not a big change, it just means I CAN'T just pull something out of the freezer.  This is basically living the word of wisdom.  It is healthier.  Brent could use to loose some lbs.  It would be hard for the first little while but once we figure it out not a big deal.

 Option 3.   This seems like the fastest way for Maizy's stomach to heal and continue breastfeeding.  From day one she stops getting the allergins that are causing the problems.  Immediately her stomach can start healing.  Same issues as option 1 with reflux and all considerations of option 2.  Big concerns with this is that not breastfeeding for a month (I would have to pump) could mess up my supply.  She could refuse the breast when the time came to reintroduce.  Cutting out all the foods could still not be enough and after healing the breast milk could put her right back where she is now and it will take weeks for her to heal again.

I've already started the diet.  Surprisingly it almost feels easier to cut out everything then just dairy and soy.  Then I had to read every label and was still trying to eat "normally" but not sure what I could eat and what I couldn't.  This way I know what I can eat.  In sprouts (the health food store) it's easy to find the foods that are free of all allergies.  There is a whole world of food out there, we just need to become familiar with it.  So the decision has been made to do the 6 food elimination, I'm just not sure which would be best for Maizy option 2 or 3.  They told me that sometimes when Mom does diet elimination babies do fantastic!  Sometimes all of that and baby still has issues.  If Maizy does fine after elimination then I can slowly add in one thing at a time and see how she does.

Another thing I have to consider is my health.  I've lost 3 lbs in the past 6ish weeks of no dairy.  I have no more weight to loose.  I'm going to try my hardest to maintain my weight while on a diet!  Lots of avocados, fruit juice, bacon, oils etc.  But if I can't then breastfeeding just isn't going to work.

I'm trying to just face this one day at a time.  We'll do the best we can.  We'll see how changing our diet goes.  Hopefully in 8 weeks we'll test her again and she'll be great.  If not that will be ok.  I would be able to honestly say I've done everything I can and formula, although not best is not bad.  We could fight insurance to see if we could get it covered.  If for what ever reason the diet doesn't work that will be ok.  I will try hard to not be too sad about not being able to breast feed.  I'm trying to not put pressure on myself.  I do need to decide soon if I want to do option 2 or 3!  Time to do some praying!!  I keep wishing someone would just tell me, this is best and what you need to do.  He's the only one who really knows so I better ask my Heavenly Father!

Oh and one more thing to really sweeten up the situation, while in the office the GIS noticed Maizy has thrush!  With all the diet changes and figuring all that out I didn't even look that up until this afternoon.  Reading about it I thought, good heavens, I can fight a good fight, but can I fight food allergies and thrush!  If I get it, or if it doesn't clear up and starts causing problems with her eating then where does that leave us?  Goodness my poor baby!  It sounds like this can be painful for her.  And I cried a little more.

In the grand scheme of things 12-36 months is not that long.  She is over all healthy, still gaining weight, sleeps well.  No matter what happens over the next little while, it will be fine, difficult but fine.  As difficult as any of this may be it's all worth it to help poor little Maizy's tummy heal.

Two Month Check Up

I delayed Maizy's two month check up until the 24th so that we could do Croix's three year at the same time, one less trip to the doctor is always a good thing.

Stats:
Height 22.25 in           25-50%
Weight 10lbs 3 oz       10-25%
Head 37.5 cm               95%

She looked Maizy all over and she looks great.  The doctor said she's perfect, but we already knew that.  She is smiling in response to things, and a beautiful dimpled smile.  She has  bright blue eyes that just sparkle when she's happy.  She is tracking voices and turning to check things out.  She can support her own weight on her legs for quite a while and holds her head up very well.  She likes to chill in the bumbo with us while we eat meals.  She smiles at and loves her big brother.  She's getting some more fuzz on her head, yay for hair coming in.  She's sleeping well at night, typically give or take an hour she's eating at 8PM 2 AM 6AM.  She is eating about every 3 hours during the day.  When she nurses and is done and pulls away she almost always has a happy smile for me.  She loves to be swaddled. She love when I tickle her lip and make all sorts of funny noises for her, yes I sound like an idiot but she loves it!



While we were there we tested her stool and she's still having bloody stool.  I knew it before they even came in and gave me the results.  Her poo is just still so slimy and not right.  And I had made some dairy free "feta" which was just tofu and other things.  That night she was super fussy.  So they said cut out soy and here's a sample of some super expensive formula (about $30 a can I calculated at 3oz a feeding it would be about $200 a month!).  I came home and held back tears, more food to cut out.  And even worse poor Maizy's insides are still being torn up.

A friend of mine has a little one about Croix's age who had the same issues.  On Monday I called her up and she said if she could give one word of advice it would be to go see a pediatric gastrointestinal (GI) specialist.  She said even if they say everything we're doing with the pediatrician is perfect continue what you're doing at least then we know that we are doing everything we can to help Maizy heal and be healthy.  That made perfect sense to me.  So I hung up the phone with her and called the specialist and scheduled an apt for Wednesday.

I had such conflicting fears about the appointment.  I was so worried he would say that the best thing for Maizy would be be to exclusively formula feed.  Yet a very small part of me almost hoped that was what he would say, no dairy or soy is hard.  And I felt guilty for even  feeling that.  In the mean time I learned soy is in everything.  Here are some things I found out soy is in:

Tuna
Spaghetti sauce
Pam cooking spray
Vegetable oil
Soy sauce
Almost all crackers
Tortillas
Many breads
Mayo
Italian dressing
And many many other things!




We love this little girl more and more every day!