Thursday, July 28, 2011
Great Grandma Visits
Great Grandma Barbara came to see us today!!! She looked so wonderful and I was just happy to spend time with her. I never get to do that much anymore. She's always been someone I look up to, so when I get the chance to be with her, I treasure every moment. Thank you Grandma for Ashlyn's baby blanket. She will use is just as much as Kelsey uses hers ;) I miss you already!
Ashlyn's BEAUTIFUL blanket made by her Great-Grandma!!! There were many loving hours spent makin' this beauty!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Car Seat Covers
I am so in love with these car seat covers!!! I ran into this lady the other day who had this amazing car seat. I asked her where she bought it from and that's when I learned about the car seat "cover." I have to say...this might be the cutest idea ever!!! And what a nice baby shower gift! There are so many to choose from...you have to take a look for yourself...click here!!!
Mom...are you up for any new sewing projects?!?!? *wink* jk!!!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Ashlyn's 2 Month Stats
Ashlyn was a little trooper today! She is growing so quickly...I just can't believe it! She was so happy and smiling ear-to-ear...and then I had to watch her get two shots. Sometimes it makes me feel guilty, but I know she needs them so I have to keep that in the back of my mind as she's screaming in my ear. Here are her 2 month stats:
Weight: 10 lbs. 5 oz. (35%)
Length: 21.5 in (20%)
Head Circumference: 40 cm (80%)
Kelsey was 9 lbs. 6 oz. at this age...guess having a baby 2 weeks later can make a "pound" of difference *wink*.
Weight: 10 lbs. 5 oz. (35%)
Length: 21.5 in (20%)
Head Circumference: 40 cm (80%)
Kelsey was 9 lbs. 6 oz. at this age...guess having a baby 2 weeks later can make a "pound" of difference *wink*.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Xtina Visit
Christina met us at BW3's in Garner...it was a much needed visit! I love how time goes by, and our busy schedules cause us to not talk as much as good friends should, but as soon as we're back together...we turn into little chatterboxes. Thanks for taking time to see us Christina! We love you!
Friday, July 15, 2011
A Visit to the ENT
We are super happy to know that Baby Ashlyn has only the mild version of Laryngomalacia. We went to the ENT Doctor today to make sure she was getting enough oxygen and was not having any sleep apnea episodes because of her defect. The doc did a laryngoscopy by inserting a tube down her nose to see her throat/larynx and found that there were no obstructions to her airways, no cysts, and no ulcers. Now I think it'll be a little easier to sleep soundly at night. Thank you for all the prayers!!! They were answered!!!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Happy Birthday Kelsey!!!
You love to sing! You will sing anywhere...the car, the front yard (wearing your flower necklace), at restaurants, to audiences (whoever will stop and listen), at the park, with your friends...basically all the time. You sing nursery rhymes, songs off the radio...ahhh!, sometimes you even make up your own lyrics to your own song. You are so creative and full of life!
You hate time-outs, potty training, when the tv isn't on "your" show, cleaning up, bugs (you think they are all spiders), getting your nails cut, and whispering.
You are a good little eater! You'll eat almost everything we put in front of you. Sometimes you can be fickle with what meat we eat, but you at least try it before you claim to not want it. You are wonderful at remembering to say your prayers at the table. You make sure ALL of us are sitting down and in the proper prayer stance before we pray. You can almost say it all by yourself!
Your favorite expression is "I have an idea!" And then you'll go on to tell me something you want to do (like eat a cookie, go to the pool) even if you know it's not going to happen right that minute.
You love to read! We read together every night. Sometimes you choose 2 books, or you'll let us choose 2 books. We will read and you'll talk about the pictures and what the characters are doing. Once we're done, you'll say, "Can Kelsey read?"
Which brings me to the next thing...you like to speak in 3rd person. "Can Kelsey watch tv?", "Can Kelsey go to the store?" "Can Kelsey take a bath?" It's pretty funny...but I see the words "I, me, my" taking over in the near future ;)
Your favorite movie is Tangled...I think you can even quote it now. "I got a dream", "My surprise is bigga!", "Mother". You have Rapunzel pajamas (which you love to wear), you have a Rapunzel doll (somehow her hair is always Tangled), you now have a Rapunzel game for your VTech reader! You even sleep with a chameleon beanie baby that you've named Pascal. Sometimes you'll say "Mom, I love you!" and then I'll say "I love you too!" and you'll respond, "I love you most!" and smile really big. So sweet!
You know almost all your capital letters and some of your lowercase ones! You can count to 20 now...and grandpa Keith keeps working on the square root of 4 with you...so I'm sure you'll know a few more math concepts by your next birthday ;)
You're favorite thing to do is swim at the pool. You are fearless and want to jump in with or without floaties...swim lessons coming soon!
Your new signature move is the "ROCK STAR"! Dad has worked very hard with you on this one...and I think you have it down pat!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Kids eXchange
This week is the biggest consignment sale in Raleigh. Click here to check it out!!! If you are interested in going...let me know!!!
KX focuses on 4 major areas:
1.SELL: Anyone can sell with KX. Sellers make 2/3rd of their asking price. We are thrilled to bring this extra source of revenue to parents in our community!
2.BUY: Parents have access to purchase gently used items for their kids. Volunteers in our “Work Exchange” program shop 1st , Sellers shop 2nd, then we open to the Public for several shopping days. The last day of the sale, all items (not otherwise marked) go ½ PRICE! Anyone can shop at the KX Sale. You are not required to be a Seller or Work Exchanger.
3.SERVE & SHOP 1st: The KX ‘Work Exchange’ program is set up as a time that parents serve by working at the KX Sale. Work Exchangers are rewarded by early shopping! Sign up for a (5) hour shift and shop early. Sign up for a (10) hour shift(s) and shop FIRST! Work Exchangers DO NOT have to be Sellers. Anyone is welcome.
4.GIVE BACK: The KX is honored to work with Sellers in giving back to those in need in our community. Sellers have the option to pick up unsold items or donate to a worthy cause. KX Sales around the nation have given millions of dollars to families both locally and around the world. We are humbled by this opportunity to serve others and invite you to join us.
KX focuses on 4 major areas:
1.SELL: Anyone can sell with KX. Sellers make 2/3rd of their asking price. We are thrilled to bring this extra source of revenue to parents in our community!
2.BUY: Parents have access to purchase gently used items for their kids. Volunteers in our “Work Exchange” program shop 1st , Sellers shop 2nd, then we open to the Public for several shopping days. The last day of the sale, all items (not otherwise marked) go ½ PRICE! Anyone can shop at the KX Sale. You are not required to be a Seller or Work Exchanger.
3.SERVE & SHOP 1st: The KX ‘Work Exchange’ program is set up as a time that parents serve by working at the KX Sale. Work Exchangers are rewarded by early shopping! Sign up for a (5) hour shift and shop early. Sign up for a (10) hour shift(s) and shop FIRST! Work Exchangers DO NOT have to be Sellers. Anyone is welcome.
4.GIVE BACK: The KX is honored to work with Sellers in giving back to those in need in our community. Sellers have the option to pick up unsold items or donate to a worthy cause. KX Sales around the nation have given millions of dollars to families both locally and around the world. We are humbled by this opportunity to serve others and invite you to join us.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
A Comeau Visit
It was nice to see my cousin Carmen, and her family today. Kelsey loves seeing Aubry and Zoe! Ashlyn got some snuggle time in with Carmen and Dennis and the girls played kitchen while the rest of us chatted! Love you guys!!!
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Saturday, July 9, 2011
Grantham Sparrow
Welcoming the Sparrow's newest little addition....Baby Grantham!!!! He's a sweetie-cuddle bug-cutie-pa-tootie!!! Oh...and Ashlyn's future boyfriend *wink*! Can't wait to see him again!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Baby Your a Firework
We celebrated July 4th with our good friends James and Vannah! They cooked out some hamburgers/bean burgers and I made my favorite coleslaw I had been craving...*craving satisfied*! Vannah made this awesome blueberry crumb cake, recipe coming soon...so by the time we left, we were pleasantly full.
We love hanging out with them since they're probably the only couple we know who can keep us laughing from beginning to end of our visit!! Kelsey loves seeing them too! She completely melts in their hands ;) So glad to know such good people like them. Here's a few pics from the night. Ashlyn slept the entire time...ha!
Kelsey would rather hang out with a wooden dog than Diego (their REAL dog)
My Little Sleepy Head
Snuggled with Daddy
Sparklers Galore
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Laryngomalacia (Infantile)
Ashlyn was diagnosed with laryngomalacia a few weeks ago. I found this very detailed description of what it is for those of you who are interested in learning more about her breathing problems. Looks like we have a long nerve wracking road ahead of us...poor baby. I wish I could take her sickness away and do the suffering for her. Breaks my heart.
Laryngomalacia is best described as floppy tissue (epiglottis and arytenoid cartilages) above the vocal cords that falls into the airway when a child breaths in.
■Laryngomalacia is the most frequent cause of noisy breathing (stridor) in infants and children.
■Laryngomalacia is the most common congenital anomaly (birth defect) of the voice box (larynx).
■The cause of laryngomalacia and the reason why the tissue is floppy is unknown. The part of the nervous system that gives tone to the airway is most likely underdeveloped.
Signs and Symptoms of Laryngomalacia
Infants with laryngomalacia have intermittent noisy breathing when breathing in (inspiratory stridor) becomes worse with agitation, crying, excitement, feeding or position / sleeping in the supine (on the back) position. These symptoms are often present at birth and are usually apparent within the first 10 days of life. However, noisy breathing (stridor) of infantile laryngomalacia may be present in babies up to one year of age.
Symptoms will often increase or get worse over the first few months after diagnosis, usually between 4-8 months of age. Most children with laryngomalacia outgrow the noisy breathing (stridor) by 12-18 months of age.
Other symptoms that can be associated with laryngomalacia include:
■Poor weight gain
■Difficulty with feeding
■Regurgitation of food (vomiting or spitting up)
■Choking on food
■Apnea (stops breathing)
■Chest and / or neck retractions (chest and / or neck sinking in with each breath)
■Turning blue (cyanosis)
■Gastroesophageal reflux (spitting up of acid from the stomach)
Categories of Laryngomalacia
Mild Laryngomalacia
Infants in this category have non-complicated laryngomalacia with typical noisy breathing when breathing in (inspiratory stridor) without significant airway obstructive events, feeding issues, or other symptoms associated with laryngomalacia. These infants have noisy breathing (stridor) that is annoying to the caregivers but does not cause other health care problems. These patients will usually outgrow the stridor by 12-18 months of age. Even though your child may have mild laryngomalacia, it is still important to watch for signs or symptoms of worsening laryngomalacia.
Moderate Laryngomalacia
Infants in this category have the following symptoms:
■Noisy breathing when breathing in (inspiratory stridor)
■Regurgitation (vomiting or spitting up)
■Airway obstruction (from floppy voice box tissue)
■Feeding difficulties without poor weight gain (failure to thrive)
■Clinical history of airway symptoms severe enough to warrant multiple visits to an emergency department or hospital
■Gastroesophageal reflux (spitting up of acid from the stomach)
These patients also will typically outgrow the stridor by 12-18 months of age but may require treatment for gastroesophageal reflux. Even though your child may have moderate laryngomalacia, it is still important to watch for signs and symptoms of worsening laryngomalacia.
Severe Laryngomalacia
Patients in this category often require surgical intervention for treatment and to lessen the degree of symptoms. Your doctor may recommend surgery if your child has any of the following symptoms:
■Life-threatening apnea
■Significant cyanotic (blue) spells
■Failure to thrive with feeding difficulty
■Significant chest wall and neck retractions with breathing
■Requires oxygen to breathe
■Heart or lung problems as a result of chronic oxygen depravation
Tests and Procedures
Your doctor may recommend one of the several diagnostic tests or procedures if your child is diagnosed with laryngomalacia.
Flexible Laryngoscopy
This test is required to confirm a diagnosis of laryngomalacia. This test involves placement of a lighted tube (laryngoscope) through the nose or mouth to look at the voice box. The doctor looks at the position of the tissue above the voice box to determine if it is floppy. At the same time, he / she will look for any other throat / voice box problems that may contribute to the noisy breathing. If your child is seen in the Laryngomalacia Clinic at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, the laryngoscope is connected to a television camera so that the parent or caregiver can see what the voice box looks like. While looking at the voice box, your doctor may ask you to feed your baby from a bottle to see how well your baby does with feeding, especially if there is a history of choking on food or spitting up.
X-rays of Neck and Chest
Some children with laryngomalacia may have an additional problem that may be contributing to the stridor. The x-rays can screen for other potential causes of noisy breathing in the upper airway, windpipe (trachea), chest and lungs. Additional studies may be recommended if these studies are abnormal.
pH Probe
There is a high association between gastroesophageal reflux (stomach acid) and laryngomalacia. All babies regurgitate and have reflux, but children with laryngomalacia may have more than other babies. Acid reflux, if it reaches the upper portion of the swallowing tube (esophagus) and voice box region, can cause additional swelling of the floppy tissue seen in laryngomalacia.
The pH probe is a test where a small tube is placed through the nose of the baby and into the esophagus. The tube is connected to a measuring device that records the number of times acid leaves the stomach and reaches the esophagus. This test will measure the acid in two places in the esophagus, the lower esophagus just before the stomach and in the upper esophagus near the throat. Placement of the tube is usually done while taking an X-ray so that it can accurately measure acid in these two places. Your baby will need to stay in the hospital overnight for this test. Your doctor may recommend this test if he / she is concerned about the degree of acid regurgitation (vomiting or spitting up) your baby may be having.
Microlaryngoscopy and Bronchoscopy
This diagnostic test is done in the operating room under general anesthesia by the ENT surgeon. The doctor looks at the voice box (larynx) and trachea (windpipe) with telescopes. Your doctor may recommend this test if the X-ray test shows something abnormal or if your doctor has a suspicion of another airway problem in addition to laryngomalacia.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), also called Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, is a diagnostic test done in the operating room under general anesthesia by the gastroenterologist. The doctor looks at your child's esophagus and stomach with a lighted tube.
During an esophagogastroduodenoscopy, the doctor looks for signs of chronic inflammation from acid irritation that can occur in the stomach or the esophagus. Your doctor may recommend this if the pH probe is significantly abnormal or there is strong suspicion of significant gastroesophageal reflux based on history and clinical examination.
Surgical Treatment
There are two operations for treatment. Your doctor will most likely recommend a supraglottoplasty. The unneeded floppy tissue of the larynx is trimmed in the operating room with your child under general anesthesia. Your child will have a breathing tube in the nose through the voice box after surgery for at least one night.
Your child may need to have this operation done more than once. Having the operation may not make the stridor go away completely, but it will likely be less.
The other surgical option is the placement of a tracheotomy tube into the windpipe to bypass the floppy tissue of the larynx. Rarely is this operation done for laryngomalacia. Your surgeon will try to do the supraglottoplasty if it is appropriate and feasible for your child before recommending a tracheotomy. There are occasions and other health issues that make a tracheotomy the recommended surgical option.
If your child has an operation, he / she may still require treatment for gastroesophageal reflux during and after the operation. It is also important to monitor your child for signs and symptoms of worsening laryngomalacia.
Signs and Symptoms of Laryngomalacia
■Stops breathing for longer than 10 seconds
■Dusky or blue color around lips associated with noisy breathing
■Chest or neck retractions that do not stop with repositioning your child, waking your child up
Things you need to let your doctor know about:
■Child has difficulty keeping food down and constantly spits it up
■Child is losing weight or is not gaining weight
■Child begins to feed less and tires easily in the middle of feeding
■Child begins to choke on food
■Child struggles between eating and breathing
Laryngomalacia is best described as floppy tissue (epiglottis and arytenoid cartilages) above the vocal cords that falls into the airway when a child breaths in.
■Laryngomalacia is the most frequent cause of noisy breathing (stridor) in infants and children.
■Laryngomalacia is the most common congenital anomaly (birth defect) of the voice box (larynx).
■The cause of laryngomalacia and the reason why the tissue is floppy is unknown. The part of the nervous system that gives tone to the airway is most likely underdeveloped.
Signs and Symptoms of Laryngomalacia
Infants with laryngomalacia have intermittent noisy breathing when breathing in (inspiratory stridor) becomes worse with agitation, crying, excitement, feeding or position / sleeping in the supine (on the back) position. These symptoms are often present at birth and are usually apparent within the first 10 days of life. However, noisy breathing (stridor) of infantile laryngomalacia may be present in babies up to one year of age.
Symptoms will often increase or get worse over the first few months after diagnosis, usually between 4-8 months of age. Most children with laryngomalacia outgrow the noisy breathing (stridor) by 12-18 months of age.
Other symptoms that can be associated with laryngomalacia include:
■Poor weight gain
■Difficulty with feeding
■Regurgitation of food (vomiting or spitting up)
■Choking on food
■Apnea (stops breathing)
■Chest and / or neck retractions (chest and / or neck sinking in with each breath)
■Turning blue (cyanosis)
■Gastroesophageal reflux (spitting up of acid from the stomach)
Categories of Laryngomalacia
Mild Laryngomalacia
Infants in this category have non-complicated laryngomalacia with typical noisy breathing when breathing in (inspiratory stridor) without significant airway obstructive events, feeding issues, or other symptoms associated with laryngomalacia. These infants have noisy breathing (stridor) that is annoying to the caregivers but does not cause other health care problems. These patients will usually outgrow the stridor by 12-18 months of age. Even though your child may have mild laryngomalacia, it is still important to watch for signs or symptoms of worsening laryngomalacia.
Moderate Laryngomalacia
Infants in this category have the following symptoms:
■Noisy breathing when breathing in (inspiratory stridor)
■Regurgitation (vomiting or spitting up)
■Airway obstruction (from floppy voice box tissue)
■Feeding difficulties without poor weight gain (failure to thrive)
■Clinical history of airway symptoms severe enough to warrant multiple visits to an emergency department or hospital
■Gastroesophageal reflux (spitting up of acid from the stomach)
These patients also will typically outgrow the stridor by 12-18 months of age but may require treatment for gastroesophageal reflux. Even though your child may have moderate laryngomalacia, it is still important to watch for signs and symptoms of worsening laryngomalacia.
Severe Laryngomalacia
Patients in this category often require surgical intervention for treatment and to lessen the degree of symptoms. Your doctor may recommend surgery if your child has any of the following symptoms:
■Life-threatening apnea
■Significant cyanotic (blue) spells
■Failure to thrive with feeding difficulty
■Significant chest wall and neck retractions with breathing
■Requires oxygen to breathe
■Heart or lung problems as a result of chronic oxygen depravation
Tests and Procedures
Your doctor may recommend one of the several diagnostic tests or procedures if your child is diagnosed with laryngomalacia.
Flexible Laryngoscopy
This test is required to confirm a diagnosis of laryngomalacia. This test involves placement of a lighted tube (laryngoscope) through the nose or mouth to look at the voice box. The doctor looks at the position of the tissue above the voice box to determine if it is floppy. At the same time, he / she will look for any other throat / voice box problems that may contribute to the noisy breathing. If your child is seen in the Laryngomalacia Clinic at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, the laryngoscope is connected to a television camera so that the parent or caregiver can see what the voice box looks like. While looking at the voice box, your doctor may ask you to feed your baby from a bottle to see how well your baby does with feeding, especially if there is a history of choking on food or spitting up.
X-rays of Neck and Chest
Some children with laryngomalacia may have an additional problem that may be contributing to the stridor. The x-rays can screen for other potential causes of noisy breathing in the upper airway, windpipe (trachea), chest and lungs. Additional studies may be recommended if these studies are abnormal.
pH Probe
There is a high association between gastroesophageal reflux (stomach acid) and laryngomalacia. All babies regurgitate and have reflux, but children with laryngomalacia may have more than other babies. Acid reflux, if it reaches the upper portion of the swallowing tube (esophagus) and voice box region, can cause additional swelling of the floppy tissue seen in laryngomalacia.
The pH probe is a test where a small tube is placed through the nose of the baby and into the esophagus. The tube is connected to a measuring device that records the number of times acid leaves the stomach and reaches the esophagus. This test will measure the acid in two places in the esophagus, the lower esophagus just before the stomach and in the upper esophagus near the throat. Placement of the tube is usually done while taking an X-ray so that it can accurately measure acid in these two places. Your baby will need to stay in the hospital overnight for this test. Your doctor may recommend this test if he / she is concerned about the degree of acid regurgitation (vomiting or spitting up) your baby may be having.
Microlaryngoscopy and Bronchoscopy
This diagnostic test is done in the operating room under general anesthesia by the ENT surgeon. The doctor looks at the voice box (larynx) and trachea (windpipe) with telescopes. Your doctor may recommend this test if the X-ray test shows something abnormal or if your doctor has a suspicion of another airway problem in addition to laryngomalacia.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), also called Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, is a diagnostic test done in the operating room under general anesthesia by the gastroenterologist. The doctor looks at your child's esophagus and stomach with a lighted tube.
During an esophagogastroduodenoscopy, the doctor looks for signs of chronic inflammation from acid irritation that can occur in the stomach or the esophagus. Your doctor may recommend this if the pH probe is significantly abnormal or there is strong suspicion of significant gastroesophageal reflux based on history and clinical examination.
Surgical Treatment
There are two operations for treatment. Your doctor will most likely recommend a supraglottoplasty. The unneeded floppy tissue of the larynx is trimmed in the operating room with your child under general anesthesia. Your child will have a breathing tube in the nose through the voice box after surgery for at least one night.
Your child may need to have this operation done more than once. Having the operation may not make the stridor go away completely, but it will likely be less.
The other surgical option is the placement of a tracheotomy tube into the windpipe to bypass the floppy tissue of the larynx. Rarely is this operation done for laryngomalacia. Your surgeon will try to do the supraglottoplasty if it is appropriate and feasible for your child before recommending a tracheotomy. There are occasions and other health issues that make a tracheotomy the recommended surgical option.
If your child has an operation, he / she may still require treatment for gastroesophageal reflux during and after the operation. It is also important to monitor your child for signs and symptoms of worsening laryngomalacia.
Signs and Symptoms of Laryngomalacia
■Stops breathing for longer than 10 seconds
■Dusky or blue color around lips associated with noisy breathing
■Chest or neck retractions that do not stop with repositioning your child, waking your child up
Things you need to let your doctor know about:
■Child has difficulty keeping food down and constantly spits it up
■Child is losing weight or is not gaining weight
■Child begins to feed less and tires easily in the middle of feeding
■Child begins to choke on food
■Child struggles between eating and breathing
Sunday, July 3, 2011
I'm a Little Flower Girl
Last week we were invited to Ben and Melanie's house for a dinner party. They surprised us by asking Jon to be a groomsman and Kelsey to be a flower girl. She was so excited to get her "Flower Girl" book. We've already read it multiple times. We have lots of time to prepare...their wedding will be on April 28th, 2012! We CAN'T wait!!!
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Fun at Ben and Mel's
Yummy food!
Uncle Tim and Ashlyn
Snuggling with Christa
Happy to see Aunt Jenny!
This Week's Menu
Grilled Chicken and salad
Pizza
Chicken/Bacon Quesadillas
Chicken Cordon Blue
Hamburgers/Black Bean Burgers with grilled veggies
Pizza
Chicken/Bacon Quesadillas
Chicken Cordon Blue
Hamburgers/Black Bean Burgers with grilled veggies
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