God is good!

Thanks to everyone who has prayed for Drew over the past month. We went for his recheck this morning, and the doctor said his lungs sound terrific and his ear infections are gone! We were told to stop the nebulizer treatments, so all we have to do is finish out the antibiotic for the infections. We are thrilled with this news. Drew is gradually getting back to being himself. He's still not taking much of his bottle, but the doctor assured me it would get better. He also still has a croupy sound when he REALLY cries, which the doctor seemed a little concerned about. If that doesn't go away in a month or two, we may have to see an ENT doctor. To me, that's nothing compared to what our poor baby has gone through over the past 30 days.

Other good news - Drew is getting his two front teeth! His bottom teeth came in over the past month, and now his top ones are getting ready to cut through. I'm not ready for the fevers and sleepless nights again, but I guess it could be a good thing that they're all coming in at the same time - let's just get it over with!

About Christmas...I will post pictures and all that good stuff soon. We had 3 Christmases, so you can imagine how long the post may be. Now that we're finished with the breathing treatments, maybe I'll have more time to spend on the blog. Until then, yall have a good one!

The stockings are hung...

Now all we need is SANTA!! Yay for Christmas Eve!

Drew needs your prayers

As I mentioned in my previous post, Drew has Croup again. Last week when we saw the nurse practitioner, she said to come back this week if he doesn't seem any better. Over the weekend, he seemed to get worse and worse. His appetite was decreasing, he was constantly fussy, and he had a permanent low-grade fever. I had an appointment set for tomorrow, but this morning Drew woke up wheezing and I could feel the heat coming off his head without even touching it. Thankfully we were worked in, and we got to see the pediatrician around noon. To make a long story short, Drew was VERY lucky we were able to get in today. When the doctor said, "Little Guy, you are this close to going to the hospital," I knew things were bad. After a couple of breathing treatments, anti-inflammatories, and a steroid shot, Drew is home. However, Drew was on the verge of developing severe pneumonia, and he has two ear infections. You can just imagine how much medication he's on now. He has his own nebulizer here now, and he is on antibiotics for the infections and to prevent pneumonia from setting in. He's also continuing his oral steroid he started last week. So far, everything is working. He's still cranky and lacks an appetite, but I'm hopeful all of that will start reversing in the next day or two. Please keep Drew in your prayers. He's so young, and this virus has and is taking its toll on him. Also, the doc said he may be prone to this sort of reaction when he catches any virus...I am praying HARD that's not going to be the case...let's make this a one-time deal, God!

Drew having his first home treatment...he only cried for a minute or two, and unfortunately that's when this picture was taken. Like the dragon mask?

Not Again!

Over the past few days Drew has stopped taking his formula and has started this ugly cough and croupy sound again. It's so bad that I had to syringe-feed his formula to him today...talk about a long feeding! I was hoping it was just a cold and teething, but today when we went to get his second flu shot, he was diagnosed with Croup AGAIN. Actually, the doctor isn't quite sure if it ever went away or if it came back. So now, Drew is on TWO medications. I know one is a steroid, but I haven't picked the other one up so I'm not sure what it is...maybe an antibiotic? He started taking more of his formula on his own this evening, but that may be partly due to us having to take away his baby food at lunch. It also took him 45 minutes to go to sleep tonight. He wouldn't stop crying/screaming so I had to rock him to sleep. Anyway, please pray that our little boy will be able to rest soundly tonight and that he'll start feeling better soon. Also, please pray for our patience.

SO SILLY!

I had to put this one on here. Drew's expression cracks me up.

7 Months Old!

Baby Drew turned 7 months old on Tuesday, December 16. I say this every time I post a monthday, but time is flying by!!!!!!!! Drew is not crawling yet (this is good for us with all of the presents and decorations around), but he is going from a seating position to all fours, to his tummy. Every day he spends a split second longer on his hands and knees than the day before, but I don't think he'll be crawling very soon.

Drew LOVES to laugh. He literally laughs at everything and everyone. Last week we were walking through a parking lot, and he started just smiling and laughing at a total stranger who was about 30 feet away - the funny part about this is that person wasn't even facing us! He was laughing 'behind her back'.

We had our monthly photo session last night in front of the Christmas tree. He was a lot more interested in the bows on the presents than he was the camera. We finally got him away from those so he'd look at us. He's such a blessing, and we thank God every day for our precious baby boy (who's growing up way too fast).

A Date with Drew

Bryan and I received a gift card to Mac's Steak and Seafood at one of our baby showers (Thanks Becca & David!). We had planned on using it for a date for the two of us, but last weekend we decided to take Drew on the date with us.

Before dinner, we decided to go to Southlake Town Square for some Christmas shopping and pictures with Santa. We got the Christmas shopping done, but unfortunately Santa's curfew is 6:00 on Saturday nights - BUMMER! We still had a good time walking around, and Drew enjoyed looking at all of the lights in the trees.



Next, it was dinner time! I think Drew was the only baby in the restaurant considering we went on a Saturday night - typical date night for most. The food was excellent (mine was a little too spicy), and Drew was so well-behaved. I just hope he behaves like this when he's old enough to go on his own dates.

Back in the Kitchen!

For the past couple of weeks, I've been cooking dinner for myself and Bryan. I haven't cooked a meal since before Drew was born, so you can imagine how nervous I was to get back in the kitchen. The first dinner was a little stressful. I didn't plan everything out correctly, so it was a little late by the time we ate. However, each time after that has gotten better and easier. I've been cooking meals out of my Jenny Craig cookbook, and let me just tell you that those meals are YUMMY! I used to always cook out of my Weight Watchers cookbooks, and after the past couple of weeks I'm realizing that the Jenny ones are MUCH tastier! Bryan even makes comments about how good the food is!!

We had Kaki over for Oven Fried Chicken (my least favorite so far) one night, and she got to spend a lot of time with Drew before his bedtime. He's usually down for a nap when she first gets over here, but not this time!

Yep - that's me cookin'!


Drew spending quality time with Kaki.

It's the Holiday Season!

Every year Bryan and I look forward to getting our Christmas Cards designed, and we always push to be the first ones to send them out. Even though we were a little late this year, we're still SO pleased with the way our Christmas Cards turned out. Thanks to my old friend Haley for doing these! If you like the photos and cards, take a look at Haley's website and blog. She is a wonderful photographer, and we are so glad we used her. We'll definitely be using her in the future!

Haley B Photography

To all of you:

Silly Mama

The first few days of Drew being sick, he slept in his pack 'n' play in our room. We were having such a hectic week of illnesses and such that we just left the pack 'n' play set up for a while. It was pretty nice, though, because while I was showering or folding clothes I could just put him in there with some toys and he would be just fine. The last day of the PNP being set up, he thought I was so silly. Everytime he saw me through the mesh, he would start smiling really big and even giggled a few times.


He also liked trying to touch me through the mesh.

Croup, Ear Infections, and TEETH!

The past couple of weeks have been all about croup, ear infections, and teeth. This picture was taken while he was sick...look at those poor little eyes! He had really dark circles under them for days...we were getting pretty worried.

First of all, Drew came down with croup over Thanksgiving. The poor little guy wouldn't eat, sleep, or play. All he wanted to do was sit around and be held. Of course I didn't mind that. I had to call the weekend nurses, and they gave me things to do at home for the croup. It didn't seem to be getting better, so we finally went to the pediatrician where they prescribed Drew a steroid. Toward the end of that cycle, he still wasn't playing or eating or sleeping, and he was still running a low-grade fever. So, we had to take him back to the doc. This time they found an ear infection! Antibiotics were added to his list of daily meds. He had been on the antibiotics for just a couple of days when I noticed him still being fussy. I was really concerned until one night (Saturday, 12/6) he started drooling more than usual. I checked out his gums, and sure enough the top corner of one of his bottom left tooth had cut through. NO WONDER! Our poor little baby boy had been suffering from pain from all of the above...I don't blame him for acting the way he was!

Today Drew is doing much better. Yesterday morning he woke up with another low-grade fever, but he was acting just fine. I looked at his gums again, and I noticed his other tooth is getting ready to come in. So here goes another fussy week, but at least it's because of new teeth and not illnesses.

Thanksgiving 2008

Other than the Texas vs. A&M game, our Thanksgiving was great!

Thanksgiving morning, our little family went to Kaki's new house (Bryan's mom) and took a nice walk through Chisolm Park which just happens to be right across the street! It was beautiful weather and the ducks were out in full force! Drew enjoyed being carried in my front carrier which hasn't been used since he was about 2 months old. He also really liked the playground - so did Juliet (Kaki's Bichon).






When lunchtime rolled around, we went to Nonnie & Poppa's (Adriane's parents) for a wonderful Thanksgiving feast. My mom's cousin whom I had never met just moved to the metroplex, so she joined us. It was fun getting to know Sheridan, and I'm sure she was overwhelmed with meeting the rest of us.



After lunch, we of course took a walk to try to burn those dessert calories. The girls pushed their shopping carts around the entire neighborhood. It was so cute!



All three kiddos (Mercedes, Karis, and Drew) spent the night at Nonnie & Poppa's Thanksgiving night, so Aunt Shayla bought them all matching PJs. They were the cutest trio I've ever seen.



I love how sweet my nieces are to Drew. I hope Drew is just as sweet to their THIRD little girl when she comes into this world - YEP...Shayla is pregnant with another girl and is due on our anniversary, April 16. We couldn't be more thrilled!


As you can see, Drew's first Thanksgiving was so fun. I couldn't have asked for anything better.

Our Little Monkey

I've had lots of laundry to fold lately, and until this week, I never thought of putting Drew on our bed to play while I fold clothes. When I put him up there, I think he thought it was a huge treat because he could not stop smiling and looking around in amazement.


He also thinks it's funny to jump on the bed like a monkey. I wish I could have gotten a better video of it. He would jump and jump and just laugh hysterically. In this video, he doesn't do that. He just stands there and looks at Bryan and laughs. It's still pretty cute though. Make sure you have your speakers on so you can hear his silly laugh.

Happy 1/2 Birthday, Baby Boy!!!!

Our baby boy had his 1/2 birthday on Sunday. I cannot believe he is already 6 months old. He'll be 1 before we know it, and I'm SO not ready for that!

My mom and I took Drew to his 6 month well check yesterday, and everything is great! The doctor was actually impressed with how happy and content he is as well as how well he can sit up. Although he had to get 3 shots, he only cried for a few seconds before he started flirting with the nurses again.

We didn't think Drew was teething yet, but the doctor found his canines! Yep, the third set of teeth that are supposed to come in may be Drew's first! They are VERY prominent in his gums and look like they could cut through any minute. The doctor said if they do, there's nothing to worry about. Drew will just look like a vampire - too bad Halloween has passed.

Drew's measurements at 6 months:

Height: 27 3/4 inches (50-75%)
Weight: 15 pounds, 12.5 ounces (25-50%)
Head Circumference: 17 inches (25-50%)

Jenny Craig/Stroller Strides Update

As you may recall, I restarted Jenny Craig and Stroller Strides in July.

I'm proud to inform all of you that I have lost 17.6 pounds and MANY inches since I started! My goal is to be at my prepregnancy weight by January 1. That means I only have 9 pounds to go! That probably sounds really simple to do, but with the holidays starting next week, it's definitely going to be a challenge. I love to eat! Thankfully, Jenny Craig has a contest going right now that is motivating me more and more everyday to watch how much I eat as well as attend Stroller Strides on a regular basis. I've been doing really good on these programs lately, and I'm looking forward to meeting my goal!! Hopefully by January 1 you'll be reading another celebratory post on my blog...hey, maybe I'll be BELOW my prepreggers weight!

The week before I started Jenny Craig and Stroller Strides:


October 2008:

Drew's Hat

Drew has had his 'hat' on for a full week now! (Karis calls his DOC Band a hat). He doesn't seem to mind it at all except when we adjust it, take it off, or put it on. Once it's on, though, he's cool with it.

Our first day or two was a little rough...not for Drew, but for me as a mom. It seemed like everywhere we went, someone was staring at him like he was an alien. I remember one girl who looked to be about 12 or 13 was standing right next to me, and she couldn't take her eyes off his 'hat'. Even when she turned the corner she still would turn around and stare at him. To me it was just plain rude. If you want to know something, just ask!

Anyway, that was before we decorated it. Since he's been wearing the decorated version, we don't get as many odd stares, but lots of smiles and comments about how cute he is. I don't know what it is about the 'clinical white helmet' that makes people stare...I'm just glad I haven't had to deal with it again.

Drew in his decorated 'hat'.

Tag...I'm it!!

Thanks to Tiffany, I've been tagged!

I'm supposed to write about the 6th picture inside of my 6th picture folder. Considering I have two picture locations with TONS of folders in them, I supposed I have to do this for both of them. Here it goes!

#1 - This is a picture of my neices, Mercedes and Karis. It was Karis' first Thanksgiving, and we had it at my parents house. It's crazy to think that next week we'll be having Thanksgiving at their house again, and both girls have grown up SO much. Mercedes will be 4 in February and Karis turned 2 in August. Of course, now we can't get the girls to sit still together for pictures.


#2 - This is from Bryan's trip to Jasper, Canada. I'm not sure EXACTLY where it was taken, but I sure wish I could be there right now! Isn't it beautiful!?!

Boys Will Be Boys

After MANY hours at Hobby Lobby and Hobby Town, I finally came up with a design for Drew's DOC Band. I haven't put the sealer on it because I got the wrong kind, but it won't change the look. These pictures actually highlight the flaws more than I would like...it actually looks better in person. Enjoy!

Front


Side 1


Back


Side 2


Sweet Boy

Sportin' the DOC Band

Drew got his DOC Band today, and he seems to be okay with it. For the first 2 days we have to take it off every 3-4 hours to check his skin for irritations and excessive pressure areas. Starting Thursday he'll be wearing it 23 hours a day, taking it off for an hour for bathing & hygiene. I'll hopefully be decorating his band sometime this week if I can find time...I just don't like it looking so clinical. Anyway, here are pics from the big day!

Waiting room.


The first fitting.


He likes it!


Heading home.


Playing like nothing is different.

Last Day of "Freedom"

Today marked Drew's last day of "freedom" until December or January. Tomorrow he will be getting his DOC Band to correct his Plagiocephaly (abnormal shape of the head). He is expected to wear the 'band' for 6-8 weeks 23 hours a day. We will only take it off for bathing. We took pictures of him tonight so we can compare photos when his treatment is complete. We also have included photos from his evaluation appointment.

Evaluation Photos:

Facial Asymmetry



Right parietal occipital flattening; left frontal flattening;right eye and cheek anterior to the left


Drew's last day of 'freedom'.