M and P turn 3: Dear Paisley

Look at how much you and Mac have grown in your short little life. We are so incredibly blessed to have such amazing kiddos. From teeny preemie babies to big 3 year olds, what a trip this has been?!

Paisley Grace,

You are so completely hilarious. You make me laugh and cringe withing minutes of each other. You are so full of life, and it scares me sometimes. There isn't a lick of fear in your body, and if you want something, you get it done. You remind me of myself in this way.

You love love love cheese. You can't get enough. You're strong enough now to open the fridge, and we've found you sinking your teeth into a block of cheddar more than once. You absolutely adore your siblings. Rarely is any one of them alone because you're always a champion for any one of them. As I type this I am reminded how incredibly lucky we are that you cherish your siblings. Thank you for valuing them like this, Paisley. It makes my heart so happy to know you love your family so much.

I touched on food above, but you love salad... and chocolate milk... and mandarin oranges... and pizza. I always call you my Paleo eater except you just ate chick fil a sauce with a spoon. You love anything that Lilly Scott loves.

You sleep with two pink and white striped zebra lovies every night. One is held under your nose while you suck that hand's thumb. Recently you've been into what you wear, pulling bows out of your hair, doing anything you know I think is gross (and laughing), painting your toenails, dressing up, getting yourself dressed, changing panties 55 times a day, and watching for Daddy to come home in the afternoons.

Here are tidbits of your language:
bachum (until VERY recently) = water
Stotty = Scotty
'I want go with you'
'what you doing?'
'I yuh you'
cheeyos = Cheerios
'nine, ten, e, twelve' = e is eleven
Tada is said after every accomplishment
swim soup = swimsuit
wuvie = lovie
L is pronounced with a 'Y' (just like LS did!)
'Mommy turn it up!' to any music
th is pronounced with an 'F': teef

You were such a sweetheart during Mac's transitions with the cast. You were very cautious of him and his needs. We had to stay home, and you were (surprisingly) content most days. You cared for him and spent time with him throughout the day. 

You're in the same preschool as Mac, and you love it! Today, however, you told me 'teacher said I not listening.' I'm not surprised, really, but we definitely expect you to listen at school, young lady. ;o)

You potty trained very easily. We woke up from name one day in February, and I decided we would give it a go. We did, and I said 'tell mommy when you have to go potty' until it hurt. Within a few days you were going in the potty, and you've done well! You get busy and do not like to stop, but you don't have accidents. If you're the slightest bit wet, you change. So yes, I have at least half a dozen pairs of Minnie/Frozen/Princess/Hello Kitty undies to wash daily. 

You are absolutely beautiful inside and out. I LOVE being your mom, and I pray I will always be a safe place for you.

ALL my love, dear P.
-mommy

M and P turn 3: Dear Mac

Say it isn't so... these teeny, tiny babes have turned 3. The first birthday was bittersweet, the second they still were my little tots, and this third birthday has turned my babes into kids!

LOOK at this:

They've grown and changed so much in just this year. What fun personalities they keep sharing with us. What a ride we've been and are on with you two!

Mac,

Sweet, sensitive, and compassionate. You apologize when you are the one hurt. You ask 'you okay?' when someone is upset. You love Cars, Planes, Toy Story, any type of truck, CARBS in any form except with cheese, sweets (of course), playing Temple Run on dad's iPad, wrestling, safari animals, loud music, playing instruments, and so SO much more.

You don't like cheese, most vegetables, meat other than chicken tenders, being rushed, transitioning from screen time...

You have a sweet language all your own...
moof = movie
cuddles = covers (you ask for 'cuddles' every night as we tuck you in)
okay = yes
any 'L' sound is pronounced with a 'w': Paiswey, I wuv you
colors are Cars characters: red is McQueen
tars = Tarzan

We sing 'Life Is a Highway', 'You'll Be In My Heart' (Tarzan), Jesus Loves Me, and 'You've Got a Friend In Me' (Toy Story) every night after bedtime prayers. As I sing the 'Tars' song, you close your eyes and start to drift to sleep.

You have a completely sensitive soul. I love it when you're sweet and snuggly, but I also fail to be patient with your sensitivity when it isn't sweet or snuggly. I embrace all of you, and I am so thankful you're my sweet son.



This year you learned to walk again. Seeing you in that horrid body cast was a living nightmare. When I look back on the decisions I was lead to make about whether to even take you to the doctor, I am so sure that the Holy Spirit was with me. He protected you from further harm until I could come get you and take you to the doctor. From there we we got x-rays and then raced to the children's hospital ER.

You've yet to walk on Christmas Day. You were a late walker, and last year you had a spiral fractured femur. We all cross our fingers for a Christmas Day where you can walk down the stairs and fully enjoy the festivities.

I wasn't ready to enroll you in any program after our December. I had anxiety leaving you anywhere or with anyone for a while. You shared the anxiety. The first time I took you to the Y childcare, I spent more time in the hallway and checking on you than I did working out. I asked each of the staff about the other kids ages, activities, and your well-being. I was completely overprotective, but I didn't care. I still don't. You bet I am on top of your care and sometimes over respond when you fall.

I'm not at fault, but I struggle with feeling responsible for the pain you've lived. I didn't know to look into group activities, first aid certified teachers, or be overly involved in your whereabouts while in the care of a program. I'm sorry, Mac. This isn't the first or the last time I'll stumble, but it kills me to know I chose wrong in where to put you. It is my job to protect you, and I will be your champion always. After living this, I know better.

In our time at home we decided to potty train. The first go around we sent the girls to Nana's house. You weren't interested at all. You sat in pee and weren't phased. When we went to the potty we were both in tears by the end of the day. I waited about a month, and you initiated wearing underwear. You've done really well from there, and you even trained at night after a few months.

This summer you went to a program a couple days a week. It's at the same school where you now attend preschool. The teachers know me well there also. You love all your teachers. You have art, music, PE, crafts, snack, and play time. I am so thankful for this school to help us recover.

Before I start to get too teary, I will sign off. Thank you for these three amazing years, and I am so
excited to be a part of the molding of where your journey leads.

You are so full of sugar, and it is my prayer that you always know we are here for you. Always.
ALL our love,
mommy

Happy 8 Months, Wells!

You've almost been outside as long as you were inside my belly. I can't believe it's flown by so fast. Wait, I totally can, thanks to being a mom to your three older siblings. 

This month you've really grown and developed! You sit up all on your own, show frustration when I take something away from you, kick so hard you run out of breath, use your arm to make indian calls, laugh at our silly faces, grew TWO teeth, sit up in the grocery cart, and so many other things I know I'm forgetting. 

July 6- first tooth!

July 11- we have TWO teeth!

LOOK at your rolls! 

We are having your pictures made this week, and I'm so excited. I have your Beaufort Bonnet Company bucket hat and Dalton diaper cover ready to go. I'm also getting my baby rocking chair fixed for pictures as well. Big moments!

We went to the doctor a couple weeks ago for your eyes that have been irritated more often than not. While we were there you weighed 18#11. You also had an ear infection. That's three in a couple months, but that's all you've had since you've been born. I'm thankful for that, but these eye infections are pitiful. 

This weekend we put you in the bigger car seat. You've been ready for a while, but I wasn't ready for that graduation from a baby carrier- even though carrying you in it almost blew out my shoulder, you big boy. You loved the car ride in the big seat, and you sang a lot. 

Clothing wise you're in a 9-12 month, I guess. Poor thing, you just wear whatever hand me downs I've grabbed out of storage. Fortunately Mac has the best of wardrobes so you're dressing in the cutest apparel. I promise. 

This month you've eaten butternut squash, pears, prunes, greek yogurt, green beans, and peas. You loved the first batch of peas, but this week you aren't a fan. I was surprised of your love for green beans (the first batch, anyway), but who knows what'll happen next week.

We went to Gatlinburg with Ms. Mary and Landry the first week in July. Last year on our trip you and Landry were in our bellies. 

Lastly, you sleep like a champ. This is how you sleep, sweet boy. I know you're tired when you start humming. As soon as I lay you down your arm goes over your eyes like this, and you drift off to sleep. Melt.my.insides.

We are so excited for the relationship you and Mac will develop as you get older and maneuver more. My baby is quickly growing up, but our road ahead is bound to be an absolute blast.

I love you SO much, Wells! 

-mommy

Happy 7th Month, Wells!

Here we are again... another month has flown by, and I'm pulling from all parts of my brain to document about this month. I love these little month celebrations, but they come so quickly. I have not been very good about writing on the month, but I am also taking a deep breath and realizing it's okay.

Wells,

You aren't sitting up yet, but boy do you try. I think you've realized just how vulnerable you are when laying flat. You have a little book I put in your lap, and you absolutely love it. The book has paper inside that crinkles, and you love that sound. The book must taste pretty good too. ;-)

You're still teething without any teeth actually coming through. I think the teeth have bothered you this week because you've been fussy during nap and before bed. You were so upset Monday night that you slept in our room. I didn't mind, of course.

Since we've taken the plunge for solids, you are well on your way to being a big boy. You have eaten rice cereal, sweet potatoes, cinnamon, the barley/rice/oatmeal mix, banana, carrots, and applesauce. You love bananas, sweet potatoes and cereal. The apple sauce is tart because you make the most sour face when you eat it. I've started to mix it with carrots, and you'll eat better then. You're not a great fan of plain carrots either. You liked the cinnamon, but spots started on your trunk so we nixed that spice.

You're still sweet as ever. You are getting a lot more vocal. "Ba ba ba ba" is your favorite word. We need to have a wave down by 9 months, according to Dr. Jeannie.

We love you, dear Wells. You are such a joy and blessing to us.

-mom

Ooltewah Tidal Waves

We have started a new sport in our casa: swim team! It has taken some encouraging, bribing, and anything else to get a positive, eager to learn swimmer in the water, and Lilly Scott has done so well!

She's not to the point of swimming for points at each race, but she does swim exhibition for at least 2 set ups. {Swim team lingo is something I'm learning and may use, but I'll explain if I can.}

Meets are Monday and Thursday evenings, and practice is every week day morning. Practices and meets aren't required, but if one wants to improve, practicing a minimum of 4 times a week is encouraged. That's our goal. 

Our friends are doing swim team parenting with us so LS has her sweet friend, Gracie, right alongside her. 

Once you get the 'heat sheet' of events, it helps to write the race number, stroke, and lane on the swimmer's arm. This helps them keep up with what they've been assigned.

The first meet LS swam expedition freestyle. Then it was rained out so we finished the meet in bowls of chips and salsa at a local Mexican place. 

We are still working on diving off the block. 

First swim meet freestyle race seed time was 51:18.

The second meet LS swam exhibition freestyle, expedition back stroke, and she swam for POINTS in the backstroke relay. Swimming for points means that your time is calculated with your team so your time is kept and documented for the team, not just a personal account. 

The meets have us juggling quite a bit, but it's fun and worth it to celebrate and cheer for our Scotty. 

On Fridays, we play in the baby pool during practice. 

as always,
ashley

Doctor, Doctor

We are a big family. I love it. I cherish it. I pay for it. When a bug goes around, it's times three, sometimes times four or five. Thankfully we haven't experienced a times 6 yet.... yet.

After Disney, Wells had a rough night. He slept for about an hour and woke up crying. It really isn't his nature, but I was exhausted so I wasn't being as sensitive as Dad. Jordan went in and got him, and our long night of ups and downs began. 

It was odd.. He isn't a big crier, and he loves his sleep {just like his mama}. The next morning I had an appointment to do a weight check since he dropped off his curve from the 2 month appointment. 

At the doctor's office, Wells melted. He cried, and he cried. He would be soothed for a minute or two, but then he started again. It was alarming to myself and the nurse so she had Dr. Jeannie come in to check Wells. His poor right ear drum was trying to rupture from pressure. He was in so much pain and completely miserable. Thank goodness the other 3 kiddos were at home with Ms. Renae so I could focus on Wells. 

She gave him a shot of rocephin {OUCH}, and she asked me to feed him to see if he could calm down. He wouldn't nurse or take a bottle. I went home with two handfuls of syringes to feed him if he wouldn't nurse. Crazy that we went in for weight and left with a shot and a new feeding regimen. His weight was great, by the way. 

I had to take Wells in the next morning for a follow up appointment. He was doing so much better that we decided to go with an oral antibiotic. That worked until nap time. He had slept in a baby bouncer the two nights prior and each nap, but he was in such good spirits I laid him flat for the afternoon nap. Mistake. He woke up screaming 45 minutes later. I gave him Tylenol, and he was still screaming 30 minutes after that. We went back in for our second shot, which committed us to a third shot the next day. Poor guy. 

He's doing much better this week! Sweet boy, I am so sorry you got so sick. 

This week.... Let me back up... Last week, when I was at the doctor with Wells, Paisley got into an ant hill. She got a yellow blister in the center of a red circle on her foot {we assume it was an ant bite}. I didn't pop it because I thought that made it more prone to infection... I've now learned my lesson. Fast forward to this week, and the yellow is gone, but there's a huge blister. Saturday we popped it, and it was looking meaner with each day this week. 

I measured so I would have a reference.

We went to the doctor again Monday and got a prescription for Bactrim {P has an allergy to penicillin and cephalosporin}. Read about her first reaction here. We also got a topical cream that's like an 'extra strength neosporin.' 

The skin is starting to peel so something is at work in her little foot. 

Monday night, Mac had yellow gunk in his eye. I wiped it and the stuff returned, again and again. I assumed allergies, but I was wrong. {If you're keeping track that list is mighty long.} The next day after swim practice and the museum, his eye started turning pink. I had pulled more crusted gunk from his eye that morning, but I really didn't think any more of it. Well.... trusting my intuition once that eye turned pink, his eyelid drooped, and a mama friend's opinion: Mac has pink eye. 

Thank goodness I have the drops for it so Mac joined in the lineup of meds at nap and bedtime. 

Yesterday Jordan was home sick. He has a sinus infection in his face and chest. He's back at work today so either he realized rest doesn't really happen at home, or he's made a serious recovery. 

My turn, although I wish I could be spared... Before Disney, I had a mysterious bump on my bum. My brain is in so many places so I don't pinpoint symptoms or put them together until they start screaming. A few nights before I noticed the bum bump {ha}, I felt like I was coming OUT of my skin. I scratched, no relief. I tossed and turned. I was so exhausted that I would start to fall asleep and then the 'bugs crawling in my skin' feeling returned. I started to think I was having a reaction, and the last thing I had consumed was Bud Light Lime. No!! Not my Bud Light Lime!!! 

I had an appointment with my OB a couple days later and showed him the bump. It had a vertical line running through it as well as blisters on it. Lovely. He immediately knew it was shingles. Shingles?! How in the world??? Apparently you don't have to be 86 to get shingles. Yay, me. 

So last night... I noticed a strange red spot on the inside of my forearm. You have got to be kidding me, I thought. I took note of it's size, and this morning the red streak is slowly but surely making its way to the spot. 

I don't have a primary care doctor so I phoned a few places I had been referred. Since when does a doctor have to 'accept' a patient before they can be seen? All the places wanted me to make an appointment 3+ weeks away. I only call the doctor when I'm sick so it's odd to have an appointment for a meet and greet. Honestly, that's bogus to me. Clearly, I don't have time for this.... 

Turns out I had another round of valtrex to be filled at the pharmacy so I started that today. Fingers crossed all these issues in our house will leave as quickly as they came. 

We ask for His healing hands to be laid on our family, Amen!

as always,

ashley