Monday, October 31, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Updates
Not much to really update. It seems as if we are in a waiting period on everything. We did go see a Pediatric Surgeon to get Lauren's button removed. Her GI doctor had told us she already had the smallest MIC-Key button in, but as it turns out there is a size smaller (which I had thought). Anyways, Apria was supposed to ship out the button and a week passed with me receiving nothing. Turns out, the person working on Lauren's order quit so it was just sitting on her desk. They got everything straight and when we received the button it was the wrong size. They had sent us a size bigger! After getting that straight, we did receive the correct button and I plan on putting it in after bath tomorrow night. They did say it would leak for about a week, so that should be fun. If it leaks longer than a week we have to call because that means that her stomach isn't closing up. As long and it stops leaking within a week, we will then go and see the doctor again in a month. Lauren is very attached to her button and now when you ask her about getting it out she says, "No, it my button." It is really sad when things like that become normal to such a small child.
We are also still waiting to hear something back from the bank on the offer we put in on the house. The realtor on that house said he hopes to hear something this week, but we have been told that before. We are still looking at other houses, but haven't found any that we like. I am very ready to get somewhere and get settled. The other night I was a little depressed. I do want to be in a house (preferably the house we put the offer in on) by Christmas. I realized November is almost here and the chances of that happening are not looking good. But, I continue to pray and I am sure God is getting really tired of hearing the same prayer.
On a more positive note, I had an appointment yesterday and things are still going good with this pregnancy. This little guy is so active! Much more active than Kristen or Lauren. In fact, the ultrasound technician said that it was a good thing that they didn't have to get measurements this week because he is not sitting still. I hope this isn't a preview of toddler years! This has been a really stressful time in my pregnancy because this is the time when everything went downhill in my pregnancy with Lauren. I have been really nervous and expecting the worse even though I am diligently praying for the best. The NICU and a 1 pound 4 ounce baby are still very fresh in my mind and I don't want another one of my children to have to fight everyday to live. In the hospital every night when I would pray I would thank God for another day of being pregnant. When Lauren was born, every night I would thank God for another day of life for her. Now, with this pregnancy I find myself every night thanking God for another day of being pregnant (even though the heartburn is starting to get really annoying). I don't take life and pregnancy for granted that is for sure!
We are also still waiting to hear something back from the bank on the offer we put in on the house. The realtor on that house said he hopes to hear something this week, but we have been told that before. We are still looking at other houses, but haven't found any that we like. I am very ready to get somewhere and get settled. The other night I was a little depressed. I do want to be in a house (preferably the house we put the offer in on) by Christmas. I realized November is almost here and the chances of that happening are not looking good. But, I continue to pray and I am sure God is getting really tired of hearing the same prayer.
On a more positive note, I had an appointment yesterday and things are still going good with this pregnancy. This little guy is so active! Much more active than Kristen or Lauren. In fact, the ultrasound technician said that it was a good thing that they didn't have to get measurements this week because he is not sitting still. I hope this isn't a preview of toddler years! This has been a really stressful time in my pregnancy because this is the time when everything went downhill in my pregnancy with Lauren. I have been really nervous and expecting the worse even though I am diligently praying for the best. The NICU and a 1 pound 4 ounce baby are still very fresh in my mind and I don't want another one of my children to have to fight everyday to live. In the hospital every night when I would pray I would thank God for another day of being pregnant. When Lauren was born, every night I would thank God for another day of life for her. Now, with this pregnancy I find myself every night thanking God for another day of being pregnant (even though the heartburn is starting to get really annoying). I don't take life and pregnancy for granted that is for sure!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Lauren's 1st Dentist Appointment
Yesterday the whole Harris clan went to the dentist. Paul said people must think we are crazy for scheduling everyone at the same time. I told him, no that meant we are smart. We do not have to make multiple trips! Kristen was so excited to go to the dentist and kept asking all day when we were going. She did good, although this time she didn't want them to use the brush on her teeth, so they brushed them with a regular toothbrush and put some fluoride on them. Lauren sat in a little yellow chair to watch. When the dentist would ask her if she was going next she would smile and shake her little head yes. I was optimistic and thought maybe she would do it with minimal crying. I was wrong. I ended up having to sit in the chair with her. The dentist had to take the only picture because Paul was getting his teeth cleaned and that left no one for picture taking. After a little while of talking she finally let them brush her teeth with a regular toothbrush. Then they put fluoride on her teeth. Surprisingly she let the dentist look in her mouth at her teeth. Both girls were happy to get to pick a prize from the prize box. Here are some pictures.
The girls before their appointment. Kristen was posing.
Kristen in the chair before getting her teeth cleaned. She is so excited.
Lauren not liking the dentist too much. (My hair looks a crazy mess...it had been raining all day)
On another note, I started my progesterone shots last week. I was not prepared for the needle that was coming with these shots. I thought it would be like the insulin shots I gave myself during my pregnancy with Kristen. Well, I was wrong. Today was the first day I was all on my own giving the shot. The nurse helped me last week. I gave it this morning so that it hopefully wouldn't be really sore. We had some errands to run, so I thought all of the walking might help. I did end up sticking myself twice because I thought I was in the wrong place, but it ended up that I wasn't, so I fully expect a very big bruise and a very sore leg tomorrow after I wake up. That is when it really bothered me last week. It is sore like a flu shot, which I got yesterday so now I will have a sore arm and leg. Anyways, I thought I would post a picture so that everyone can sympathize with me on Thursday's when I have to give this shot. Only 16 more shots to go!
Here is a random picture of the girls the first night in our new "temporary" home. They were exhausted and I thought this was a cute picture.
Last but not least, here is a picture of of Lauren's black eye. She fell down the steps outside and ended up skinning up her forehead, neck and back. Two days later a black eye appeared. I was getting groceries out of the trunk so I don't know what happened. I asked Kristen and she said that she didn't know because she was ringing the door bell and not looking. So, it is a mystery, but with clumsy Lauren there is no telling how it happened.
The girls before their appointment. Kristen was posing.
Kristen in the chair before getting her teeth cleaned. She is so excited.
Lauren not liking the dentist too much. (My hair looks a crazy mess...it had been raining all day)
On another note, I started my progesterone shots last week. I was not prepared for the needle that was coming with these shots. I thought it would be like the insulin shots I gave myself during my pregnancy with Kristen. Well, I was wrong. Today was the first day I was all on my own giving the shot. The nurse helped me last week. I gave it this morning so that it hopefully wouldn't be really sore. We had some errands to run, so I thought all of the walking might help. I did end up sticking myself twice because I thought I was in the wrong place, but it ended up that I wasn't, so I fully expect a very big bruise and a very sore leg tomorrow after I wake up. That is when it really bothered me last week. It is sore like a flu shot, which I got yesterday so now I will have a sore arm and leg. Anyways, I thought I would post a picture so that everyone can sympathize with me on Thursday's when I have to give this shot. Only 16 more shots to go!
Here is a random picture of the girls the first night in our new "temporary" home. They were exhausted and I thought this was a cute picture.
Last but not least, here is a picture of of Lauren's black eye. She fell down the steps outside and ended up skinning up her forehead, neck and back. Two days later a black eye appeared. I was getting groceries out of the trunk so I don't know what happened. I asked Kristen and she said that she didn't know because she was ringing the door bell and not looking. So, it is a mystery, but with clumsy Lauren there is no telling how it happened.
Monday, October 3, 2011
A New Chapter
Today we went to sign the papers for the sale of our house. I tell you, it was very hard to leave that place. I cried like a baby and I doubt it had anything to do with the pregnancy hormones. While I was packing there were times that I thought once I was done I would be so relieved that the packing was over that I wouldn't be all that emotional. It didn't feel like home by the time we had most of our house packed. It did make me realize that the things that made our house a home were all going with us. It was hard to see the house empty. I am glad it didn't really affect my kids. I really prayed that Kristen would adapt well, because she really hates change and LOVED being in "her house". Kristen actually said she like the house that way because she could hear her voice (she was echoing). So, right now we are homeless. Well, we don't own a home and are staying with Paul's mom and step-dad. I am so thankful for them opening their house to us and for all of the others that offered their home to us. I have realized that we have an AWESOME family. We put an offer in on a house that is a short sale, but haven't heard anything yet. We are just praying that we will hear something soon.
Here is a picture of our family, minus Degas, for the last time in front of our old house.
The Fair
So we went to the fair again this year (over a month ago). Both girls enjoyed it and so did we. Atleast this year it wasn't so hot. Here are some pictures.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Good Bye G-Tube
Lauren had her appointment with the GI doctor yesterday. The last time she was seen was back in April and I have been doing a lot of praying that she would have finally have gained enough weight to get her button taken out at this appointment. We haven't been using her tube since last year. She just eats a lot better without being fed at night and I made a motherly decision to stop feeding her at night. Once I did that her acid reflux went away, her constipation went away and she started eating good by mouth. I knew she would gain weight because she was eating good, I just didn't know if it would be considered a "adequate" amount of weight for her doctor. When we went back in April she was still following her 2% curve, but if she lost any weight at all she would fall back to the 1% and as long as she was following her curve at 2% they would be happy. I did think that maybe I had made the wrong decision and fed her a couple of times at night, but still had that feeling that I just needed to see what she would do on her own. I mean there were a lot of positives to not feeding her at night.
1. She really wasn't gaining weight like I thought she would because her stomach wasn't able to hold all of the formula that she needed in order to gain weight, so she was behind in her intake anyway.
2. About 4 times a week in the middle of her feeding (which always fell around 2 am) she would throw up and I would end up stopping her feeds for the night anyway. Not to mention what a hassle that was.
3. You could still hear her formula in her stomach at lunchtime sloshing around.
4. She didn't eat breakfast or her morning snack. She ate a few bites of lunch, but didn't start eating until around 3:30 in the afternoon when I gave her her afternoon snack.
5. She was so constipated that she had to have 10 mls of milk of mag everyday and even that sometimes didn't keep her regular.
6. She suffered from acid reflux all day.
So, because of all of these reason's, I kept with my decision to not feed her at night and did a lot of praying that she would start eating good and gain weight. I was really nervous about this appointment. I mean, it was either going to be an 'I am a good mom and made a good decision' appointment, or 'I am the worst mom in the world...let's call social services on her' appointment. My heart was beating so fast when she stepped on the scale. Of course, the first weight they give is in kg. So when I saw the 10 point something on the scale I thought, Oh my she has lost a ton of weight. Then the nurse pushed the button and she was 3 ounces away from 23 pounds. I was happy to see that number, but couldn't remember what her last weight was and knew they also factored in her height and I knew she had grown a ton so I still wasn't confident she would still be in the 2% mark. When the doctor came in the first words she said was "Someone is ready to graduate from GI." I was so relieved. She had gained 3 pounds since her April appointment, which is very impressive since they have all been because of her eating and no supplements. She is still in the 2% mark and growing good. Before they can take her button out, since she has had it for so long, they have to downsize her to the smallest one. Since she is only one size up from the smallest one it should be out within a month. Apria is sending me the button, I will put it in and call the pediatric surgeon to make an appointment to get it taken out. There is a possibility her stomach will not close up immediately since she has had it for so long, so she might have to get it stitched up instead of it closing on it's own. That is why her doctor wants a pediatric surgeon to take it out. Overall this was a great appointment and God is still blessing little Lauren in abundant ways.
1. She really wasn't gaining weight like I thought she would because her stomach wasn't able to hold all of the formula that she needed in order to gain weight, so she was behind in her intake anyway.
2. About 4 times a week in the middle of her feeding (which always fell around 2 am) she would throw up and I would end up stopping her feeds for the night anyway. Not to mention what a hassle that was.
3. You could still hear her formula in her stomach at lunchtime sloshing around.
4. She didn't eat breakfast or her morning snack. She ate a few bites of lunch, but didn't start eating until around 3:30 in the afternoon when I gave her her afternoon snack.
5. She was so constipated that she had to have 10 mls of milk of mag everyday and even that sometimes didn't keep her regular.
6. She suffered from acid reflux all day.
So, because of all of these reason's, I kept with my decision to not feed her at night and did a lot of praying that she would start eating good and gain weight. I was really nervous about this appointment. I mean, it was either going to be an 'I am a good mom and made a good decision' appointment, or 'I am the worst mom in the world...let's call social services on her' appointment. My heart was beating so fast when she stepped on the scale. Of course, the first weight they give is in kg. So when I saw the 10 point something on the scale I thought, Oh my she has lost a ton of weight. Then the nurse pushed the button and she was 3 ounces away from 23 pounds. I was happy to see that number, but couldn't remember what her last weight was and knew they also factored in her height and I knew she had grown a ton so I still wasn't confident she would still be in the 2% mark. When the doctor came in the first words she said was "Someone is ready to graduate from GI." I was so relieved. She had gained 3 pounds since her April appointment, which is very impressive since they have all been because of her eating and no supplements. She is still in the 2% mark and growing good. Before they can take her button out, since she has had it for so long, they have to downsize her to the smallest one. Since she is only one size up from the smallest one it should be out within a month. Apria is sending me the button, I will put it in and call the pediatric surgeon to make an appointment to get it taken out. There is a possibility her stomach will not close up immediately since she has had it for so long, so she might have to get it stitched up instead of it closing on it's own. That is why her doctor wants a pediatric surgeon to take it out. Overall this was a great appointment and God is still blessing little Lauren in abundant ways.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Blessings
I am the worst blogger in the world! In my defense though, we have A LOT on our plate with selling our home and finding another one and now we are right in the middle of negotiations for repairs. I have one word...whew!!! Then you add having another baby in there and it really complicates things. Yep...you read that right. There is another addition to the Harris family on the way. Not planned, but a blessing all the same. So, here is our little bambino's debut on the blog.
We are praying that everything goes good with this pregnancy. I have been blessed with two of the BEST doctors that are literally trying to do anything and everything possible to get me to term. A couple of weeks ago I had a cervical cerclage placed and starting next week I will be on progesterone shots. I am having ultrasounds every two weeks to look for cervical thinning, so that if it happens I can go on bed rest immediately and try to avoid a pre-term birth. So far everything has been looking good and we found out last week that we are having a BOY! Now I was shocked to hear that. I am just waiting for them to tell us they were wrong and it is actually a girl. Kristen and Lauren are very excited. They went to the ultrasound last week and were very excited to see the baby on the screen. When we told Kristen it was a boy she cried. I mean head in the pillow...you have just ruined my life cry. Once we told her all of the fun things little boys liked to do, she thought it might be kinda nice to have a little brother. Now she is excited. My due date is February 24th and I am just praying we make it as close to this date as we can. So, please keep me and this new baby in your prayers. Pray that God will work in a mighty way (as we have proof with Lauren that He is still in the miracle working business) and this pregnancy will be problem free.
We are praying that everything goes good with this pregnancy. I have been blessed with two of the BEST doctors that are literally trying to do anything and everything possible to get me to term. A couple of weeks ago I had a cervical cerclage placed and starting next week I will be on progesterone shots. I am having ultrasounds every two weeks to look for cervical thinning, so that if it happens I can go on bed rest immediately and try to avoid a pre-term birth. So far everything has been looking good and we found out last week that we are having a BOY! Now I was shocked to hear that. I am just waiting for them to tell us they were wrong and it is actually a girl. Kristen and Lauren are very excited. They went to the ultrasound last week and were very excited to see the baby on the screen. When we told Kristen it was a boy she cried. I mean head in the pillow...you have just ruined my life cry. Once we told her all of the fun things little boys liked to do, she thought it might be kinda nice to have a little brother. Now she is excited. My due date is February 24th and I am just praying we make it as close to this date as we can. So, please keep me and this new baby in your prayers. Pray that God will work in a mighty way (as we have proof with Lauren that He is still in the miracle working business) and this pregnancy will be problem free.
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