We are sick...

Caden is sick. Poor baby had a really rough weekend. His naps were almost nonexistent on Saturday and he cried all day. He wasn't even congested, but I imagine he was probably aching all over. The congestion and coughing kicked in full force on Sunday and he is even worse today. My MIL is watching him today while I *try* to concentrate on work. Apparently he is running a low grade fever of 100.6. It's his first fever ever so far. When I talked to my MIL Caden was taking a really good nap, so that makes me feel a little better.

Fingers crossed that his fever goes down.... I'll definitely be staying home with him tomorrow.

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Still praying for Stellan. He is not doing so well. My heart is just aching for the MckFamily.

Some favorites.....

This face looks guilty... don't you think?



These two pictures just melt my heart...

Weekend Visit with Family and Friends

In my last post I forgot to mention Caden's new word - "eck" or "ecky". We have seem to mention this word when changing his diapers. Most recently we use it a lot when he tries to use the garbage can to walk along - or when he tries to open it! Now he just says it whenever. It's not to be confused with "gee" (doggy). :)



I've also been meaning to post about our sleep over at Jodi and Aubree's house last weekend. (I've been exhausted all week!) Saturday Caden and I drove out to my friend Jodi's and stayed the night. Caden and Aubree were too cute together. She is about 3 months and some weeks older than Caden. Aubree was more interested in Caden while he would just prefer to steal her toys! Aubree is just a sweetheart and it makes me so excited for the months to come.





Sunday morning we visited my grandpa and Aunt Judy, Uncle Tom and Holly. He seemed really well and actually remembered Caden! He was smiling ear to ear watching Caden while he attempted to get into everything. After our visit we went to lunch at Coney and Caden had his first chicken tender and fries. He LOVED every bite!

No more ear infections ~ and an update on Stellan

Caden went for another recheck on his ears today. After his second round of antibiotics his ear infections have finally cleared up. The doctor said he still has some fluid in his ears, but the infection is gone. I hope the fluid drys up quickly because another infection could occur if it doesn't.

He is 21lbs even! He has been guzzling his bottles and eating like a little piggy. We started his whole milk transition last Friday by doing 6 oz of formula and 2 oz of milk in his bottles. (He gets 3 bottles a day). Every Friday we will replace 2 oz of formula with whole milk and the transition should be complete by his first birthday! I intend on cutting out his afternoon bottle completely this Friday (when I'm home with him). Wish me luck! I know he will (and has for Tammy) do well with the afternoon bottle elimination, and I'm hoping it will just as easy for me.

He is walking all over the place now - with many spills. Thankfully he mostly plops down right on his bum. In just 3 1/2 short weeks our baby will be 1. To think a year ago right now I was pregnant and counting down the days. I remember being miserable and anxious to meet our son. Being pregnant seems like such a distant memory and I can't wait to experience it again. (No, we are not TTC at this moment - but hopefully soon!)





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An update on Stellan - his heart rate has been up and down so much over the last couple of days. He went into prolonged V-Tach only to come out and into a perfect rhythm and moments later back into SVT. He is manic, restless and exhausted. Please continue your prayers for God to bring Stellan's heart rate down and for him to go home to his family.

You can also click on the button on the right side bar to read his story.

Stellan needs our prayers again....

I've been following MckMama's blog just before she gave birth to baby Stellan. I love reading about MckMama's adventures with her 4 MSC (many small children) and of course her Not Me! Mondays. On most days I know that I can get a good smile from her posts, but most of all she inspires me. As a working mother of one I am in awe of how much this woman can accomplish as a stay at home mother with 4 children ages 4 and under. She absolutely amazes me.

However, the main point of this post today is talk about Stellan. He was sick in his mother's womb, but miraculously recovered. His tiny little heart was healed by God. He was born a healthy boy. A few months ago Stellan became very sick with RSV and was hospitalized. Everyone prayed for Stellan. He became stronger and stronger and was able to come home just after the new year.

Stellan is now in the hospital again. He appeared to be struggling to breathe, so he was taken to the ER. He was given nebulizer medication, which they believe sent his tiny heart into SVT (Super Ventricular Tachycardia).. his heart rate has been beating at 300bpm. Stellan is now getting "last resort" medications, which stops his heart completely in hopes that when it restarts it beats slower. He has also been given medicine to make his body slow down and not fight so hard. When the medicine wears off it will flip him right back to this state.

Please pray for Stellan and his family. Please pray that God slows Stellan's heartbeat down.

Snapfish:Photo:Shared

Snapfish:Photo:Shared

I was looking back at some photos of Caden my mother-in-law took when he was just born... and now I'm a sobbing mess! I've never seen something so sweet.

Happy 11 Months!

The one month I was dreading was 11 months. I was scared about how sad I would feel and thought I would be crying all day. Although I am sad this is his last month birthday - I am not in tears. Not yet anyway! I just don't understand where the last 11 months went? I just remember to cherish each day and every moment I spend with Caden. I guess that is what matters.

Every day Caden still continues to amaze us. During his 10 month he learned to crawl and cruise mighty fast. He cruises along the wall and opens cupboards too! We finally put the safety locks in our kitchen cupboards with the exception of two - Ryan still needs to get on the ball with those. Right now we have his big rainforest jumperoo blocking those cupboards - that take up literally 1/2 the kitchen! He'll eventually get so annoyed with the thing that he'll put the extra locks on - I just know it.. Or hope so anyway! LOL!

Caden took his first steps during his 10 month as well and every day he takes more and more. It's all so bittersweet. He just looks to little to be walking around. He is only about 2 1/2 rulers high. That doesn't sound very tall, does it?

We haven't started his whole milk transition yet. I'm waiting until this Friday because he is still on his antibiotics for his ear (until Friday). I didn't want to chance him getting sick from either and then us not knowing what caused it. He has had zero reactions to this antibiotic, thank the Lord.

I don't think I've mentioned yet what a temper Caden has on him. If something doesn't go his way, he throws a fit! He will plop himself on his butt and scream as loud as he can. His face turns all beat red too. He likes to "help" me with the dishwasher and when we are done I naturally shut the door. The first time I did this he cried so hard I thought I hurt him or he hurt himself. It turns out he doesn't like when you close the dishwasher door.. or the fridge door for that matter. Wow! What a temper - wonder where he gets that from? ->insert sarcasm here <-

Happy 11 months Caden. Mommy and Daddy love you with all our hearts. You are the most amazing miracle that came into our lives and we are forever grateful.

end of 10 Month milestones:

Most babies should be able to . . .
Stand holding on to someone or something - Yes
Walk holding onto furniture - Yes
Pull up to standing position from sitting - Yes
Wave goodbye - No
Crawl well - Yes
Use thumb and finger pincer grasp to pick things up - Yes

Some babies will probably be able to . . .
Say mama and dada to the right parents - Yes
Understand the word no but doesn’t always obey it - Yes
Respond to own name - Yes
Indicate what he or she wants with gestures other than crying - No
Stand alone momentarily - Yes

Some babies could possibly be able to . . .
Drink from a cup independently - Yes, a sippy cup
Stand alone well - Yes
Play ball and patty cake - Sometimes
Walk for a step or two - Yes
Say one word other than mama or dada - Yes, "gee" (doggy)
Put toys or object into a container - Yes

I didn’t get a lot of pictures of him today because I was at work. When we got home it was time for a nap (and time for Mommy to update her blog). To make up for it I have a cute video of Caden and Mia – he just finds her hysterical!

Baby Steps!

We finally caught Caden on video - taking baby steps!!!

Ear infections, ear infections - GO AWAY!

Caden had another recheck on his ears yesterday and the infection still has not gone away. (It probably explains why he has been waking up screaming and crying during the night over the last week) The doctor put him on a stronger antibiotic. I hope it works this time because I don't like antibiotics - they upset his tummy. He also lost 3 oz, but the doctor didn't seem too concerned. It really doesn't surprise me considering his lack of appetite last week. Poor baby just can't get a break! For the most part he has been happy though. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed he handles this antibiotic okay.

Caden keeps taking steps here and there. I often wonder if he'll be walking by his 1st birthday. Sniff sniff. I can't believe he is almost 1! I made his birthday invites and ordered them earlier this week. I sure hope they come back with no issues.

Have I mentioned that I LOVE Caden's curls?? Ryan finally got some really good pictures of his hair - I just love them :)

Update on Caden and Baby Nina

Caden's been having a rough week - going on two this week. Ever since he started the amoxicillion for his ear infections he has not been eating well at all. It's been over a week since I've been able to get 24 oz of formula in him. On Sunday he was extremely fussy - constant whining. I took him in his room to try a bottle for the umpteenth time that day and to put him down for a nap. He did take 4 oz, but as soon as I sat him up he spewed everywhere. Let me correct myself, it was projectile vomit all over ME! I yelled for Ryan to come and help. I basically had to strip down before I could even take care of Caden. We both needed a bath needless to say and nap time never happened.

He barely ate his dinner that evening and refused his nighttime bottle. Surprisingly he slept through the night - 12 hours straight. I went into his room around 6:30am when I heard him and he did end up throwing up again in his crib. It was dry, so I imagine it was earlier in the night. He did take 6 oz Monday morning and ate his breakfast. I took him to the doctor in the morning to get his ears rechecked. The doctor said his ears do not look any better, but they are not severe enough to use a stronger medicine. She asked that we finish his prescription and give him Motrin for 3-4 days afterwards. We go back in a week and a half for a recheck.
Poor baby! On top of it he is cutting another tooth on the bottom. I saw that it JUST broke the gumline last night. Between his ears and his teeth the poor kid can't eat.

Caden stayed with my MIL during the early afternoon while I visited Nina in the hospital. Her labor was induced and I was really looking forward to being there - yes, in the delivery room. I took Caden home from my MIL's around 2:30ish and was back at the hospital around 5pm. By then Nina was dilated to an 8 and her epidural was not working. Man, did I feel bad for her. She was in so much pain she could barely talk or breathe for that matter. After only 45 minutes of pushing baby Nina was born weighing 8lbs 4oz and she was 21 inches long. I have no idea where Nina hid this baby. She is almost a 1lb bigger than Caden and 1.5 inches longer. Mom and baby are happy and healthy!

Happy birthday Nina!