Food For Thought

I'm getting a little worried about my littlest munchkin and I really hope that someone out there has some advise for me.

I don't think Ryker is getting enough to eat, but not for lack of trying. When he nurses he feeds for about 3 or 4 minutes before he is totally agitated...like he's not getting enough. He is completely done within 8 minutes, but still acts like he is hungry.

We started feeding him rice cereal a little more than a week ago. Usually we can get him to swallow a few spoonfuls before he is completely upset. He has eaten all 5 Tbs twice now.

He will not take a bottle...my milk or formula.

He wants to eat every 3 hours during the day and gets up on average every 2-3 hours at night.

What is going on? I haven't noticed any teething. He doesn't appear to be sick. He's a very happy baby most of the time, but the last week and a half have been very frustrating. I really think he is just hungry because he's not getting enough to eat. How do I convince him that the bottle is a source of food?

I weighed him this morning. It showed him weighing 11 pounds 8 ounces....only a 2 ounce gain in the last 6 weeks.

I really believe the answer is in the bottle. Jaxon went through a similar episode at 9 months (not sleeping and being really frustrated when nursing) and when I started feeding him straight formula the problems all stopped. I was working full-time so he had zero issues with a bottle.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

It's Greek To Me

A phone call yesterday from my mom regarding my cousin left me wondering about tumors on the pituitary gland. I know that the internet is a wonderful resource and contains more information than I could possible swallow. Whether the information is correct depends on the site. (FYI...there is a cool medical site coming at the end of this year called Medpedia where there are actual doctors that oversee the information being dispersed.) I figured that the library of medical books in the other room would be a good resource of accurate information.

I opened up a book called Surgical Recall and found the page on Pituitary Tumors. This is what I found.

• What is the most common pituitary tumor? Prolactinoma
• What is the most common presentation of a prolactinoma? Bitemporal hemianopsia
• What are the blood prolactin levels with a prolactinoma? Greater than 300 mg/L is diagnosed for prolactinoma
• Medical treatment for a prolactinoma? Bromocriptine
• Surgical treatment for a prolactinoma? Trassphenoidal resection of the pituitary tumor
• What is the treatment of a recurrent prolactinoma after surgical resection? Radiation therapy.

Huh? Exactly!

Back To The Salt Mine

Well folks, vacation is officially over....almost. Brian spent the last million or so years in school during which time we didn't get to see him much. Many times when he was home he was locked up in his study trying to cram more information into an already information-packed brain. The time we had with him seemed to be precious and few. Since graduation in August we have been spoiled by having him home with us all day everyday (almost). I knew that it wouldn't last forever so I really did try to savor the time we had with him home. Truth be told, I've gotten a little lazy. It's nice having someone around to cook breakfast, help with laundry, play with the boys, go shopping with me, carry an adult conversation. Until today I can't remember my last shopping trip alone with both boys.

Earlier today the boys and I drove Brian to the airport. He is attending a conference this weekend in Atlanta, Georgia for his new job. I, we, miss him like crazy and it's only been 7 hours and 30+ minutes since we said adieu...until Sunday night. It's true.... I've gotten soft (in more ways than one). In many ways I am super excited for this next chapter in our lives. Glad that Brian will be able to use the mounds of information he has learned to help people, mostly excited to get back into a routine (though I will miss the spontaneous trips to Smith and Edwards), and I am sure there are lots of other perks to working. Right now, I am really looking forward to retirement! I think it is safe to speak for the boys as well, but we have all thoroughly enjoyed having him home.

Tonight as I tucked Jaxon in bed his lip started quivering and his eyes filled with tears. "What's the matter, bud?" The tears came rolling as he said, "I miss my dad."

Me too, bud. Me too.

Hello?

Jaxon just came into my room carrying the phone that goes to his fun (annoying) Bob the Builder book.

"Mom, Bob wants to talk to you." (handing me the phone)

Um, okay "Hello?"

"Jaxon needs to help me catch the bad guys so he needs to look like Batman."

"Oh, does he need my help?"

"Yes"

"Okay, I can help him."

"Goodbye mom-bob and be safe"

Goodbye funny little man.

Beefin' Up The Baby

Ryker hasn't been eating very good lately. I don't know if he's extra hungry or if he's not getting enough. Brian still wishes he would start putting on some pounds, and the doc said it's okay to start on cereal, so Ryker had his first experience with rice cereal today.

He ate it pretty good for the first few minutes. He would make a really funny "sour" face after he swallowed each bite. He also had a few really great gags! Jaxon was the camera man while I fed him the cereal (Brian was at work this morning). Jaxon has always loved to take pictures and now he can zoom! Here are a few pictures from our first cereal experience from Jaxon the budding photographer...

Making Room

Every night we have to clean Jaxon's room before he can go to sleep because his room is also the playroom. We are in the process of separating the two making a make-shift playroom in the basement. One day when the basement is finished we will have a real playroom with walls. For now we are just happy to have a soft space for all the toys to live and the boys to play. As you will notice, Dinosaur and Elephant were the first of the toys to enjoy the new space. They are kind of like the Woody and Buzz Lightyear toys to Andy. New toys may come, but these two friends will always be a favorite.

The Green Grass Grows All Around

Hallelujah, we have grass! It was a long time coming, but that's okay now. Between graduation, job interviews, and studying for boards Brian found a few days to get the grass planted. The first couple of days didn't show much, but by day 8 we had grass. Everyday we go outside to survey the growth. We are now officially the weird neighbors that sit and watch their grass grow! I guess it is a step up from being the neighbors with the dirt and weeds!

We were lucky enough to build our home on what used to be an alfalfa field. The soil is super fertile (hence the beautiful weeds we grew) so we didn't need to bring in any topsoil. We didn't even need mulch! All we needed to make our grass grow was seed, fertilizer, water, and lots of love!

Take a looksie at our wonderful grass on day 13!

Seriously, I don't think I have ever been so happy to watch something grow in my whole entire life....besides my children of course!

Award!!

Rules associated with this award:

1. The recipient must link back to the awards creator......a student in Texas(http://www.thebabblingsofmere.blogspot.com/)


2. You must post these rules if you receive the award. (check)


3. You must choose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself. (check the list below and see if you are on it)


4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award, as posted by Mere.
5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient. (look below)


6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.


7. You must thank your giver. (Kelly Walker, a giver in every sense of the word! I am a better person because I know you and count you as my friend! Ü)

Characteristics for the Smile Award:

1. Must display a cheerful attitude.


2. Must love one another.


3. Must make mistakes.


4. Must learn from others.
5. Must be a positive contributor to blog world.


6. Must love life.


7. Must love kids.

5 Awesome Bloggers Who Qualify for This Major Award!

• Melisa Larsen: You have been through so many trials in life and yet you continually smile and never complain! You've been with me through all my joys and sorrows. You are the greatest friend a gal could ever ask for! Together we've laughed, we've cried, we've dreamed, we've overcome. Your day is coming....keep smiling!!


• Katee Caldwell: You are one of the most cheerful people I have ever met! You are such a wonderful friend and I love spending time with you. Your smile and laugh are contagious Ü. I am a better person because of you!!


• Ruth Turner: I will be forever grateful our husbands brought us together!! You are such a thoughtful friend and so very aware of the people around you. You have an exceptionally positive outlook on life, even in the middle of nowhere! You are crafty, classy, and one of my closest friends.
• Stephanie Chambers: One of the most down-to-earth, well-rounded, happy-go-lucky gals I have ever known! You were my partner in crime (remember the snowballs?), friend through the awkward days at SJH and CHS, and someone I have always truly admired.
• Julie King: There is a never a dull moment when you are around! You are full of energy and life. You spread joy and fun wherever you go! You are dedicated to your convictions and do everything at 110%.

Simply Irresistible

The little man makes me so happy!!

He had been doing this for quite awhile before we got the camera pulled out. By the time we got it recorded he was running out of steam.

Peach Days #8

Eight short years ago I attended my first Peach Days. Brian had said that he would pick me up for our Peach Days date at 6:20 in the morning. I had been told that Peach Days was a big deal, but c'mon! 6:20 AM?!?! The 10k doesn't even start that early!! Brian proposed that morning as we watched the sun rise at Sherwood Hills. Yes, indeed. Peach Days is a VERY big deal!

Each year since that first Peach Days we watch the parade in the exact same spot, eat a Scuba Burger, walk through the boutiques, and buy a calendar from Ned Young. Some things will never change.

We now catch candy at the parade to give to Jaxon and take a time-out in the middle of the day for nap time. We spend most of our time at the carnival on the kiddie rides, and peruse the crowd with a bulky stroller. Some things get better with time.

The candy target Brian made for Jaxon. I think we have enough candy to last until Halloween!

Jaxon rode on the flying saucers. He was nervous at first (poor kid, he gets his bravery from his mother) but at the end liked it.
Really, he is having fun! Here he is driving a jeep. He was so funny to watch! He wouldn't take his eyes off the rode. He takes driving very seriously! He rode the carousel twice, once with Aunt Becky and once with me.
His favorite ride (which we don't have pictures for) was the inflatable obstacle course with the slide at the end. He did it twice Friday night, and begged to do it again on Saturday. We waited a little too long. By the time we got there they had already deflated them and had them rolled up ready to go on the truck. Jaxon sobbed and told Brian, "Go talk to them dad. Please! Just go talk to them!" It was pretty sad. I felt bad they packed up so early and we missed it. Next year it will be the first on the list!

First Day of School

Jaxon is going to preschool! I can't believe it. I very seriously almost cried after dropping him off. I mean, seriously, he is gone for 2 hours twice a week! How am I ever going to survive kindergarten? He is growing up so fast. I tell him I want him to stay little forever but he has big plans to be big like his daddy someday. I fear it is a battle I am not going to win. Even though it makes me a tad sad how fast he is growing up, I do love to watch him learn new things. Preschool will be good for both of us.

Even though we were in a hurry (running late as usual) we had to take time to stop and look at the cool rock on the way to preschool.

His class all lined up and ready to learn!
Miss Amanda gave him this book. He was so excited! We read it as soon as we got home.
This was the first of many first days of school. For 27 years it was me going to school (as a student and then as a teacher). I finally understand in part what the parents feel like when they drop their kids off.