Silent Night, Holy Night

Merry Christmas to you all. Have a wonderful night and stay warm - even had snow here in ALABAMA (first time in Birmingham history on Christmas day).

Congratulations to....

Sarah Basile!

You have won the week at the beach! Merry Christmas to you! I will email you more information.

Thank you to all of the generous and thoughtful people who donated to precious little Leeza through Reece's Rainbow.

You can still donate - whenever you have a bit to give - to the site at any time to help with the costs of adopting these children.

Thank you again and have a very Merry Christmas and have a wonderful trip Sarah!

Tomorrow!!!

We'll see who wins the week at the beach tomorrow! Drawing tomorrow around noon CST.

3 more days!

Are you excited? The giveaway will be Christmas Eve if you are still interested on donating! Read my past blog posts to find out the details!

8 days!

You have 8 days to enter my contest. Just a reminder!

17 Days Until Christmas

Am I the only one who gets depressed about Christmas coming too fast? I love the waiting - the wrapped gifts, the decorations, the planning and excitement that goes into it all. The day after Christmas will be a little depressing for me.

But, for now I will do my best to continue the fun and not look too far ahead.

MOST IMPORTANTLY...

Leeza. She still needs donations. And you still have a few days to enter the drawing. $10. Your name in the hat. A week at the beach. It's funny how excited I was at the idea when I came up with it. I was SURE it would be a way to raise my $1,000 for her. Now, it is getting me down. I know this is THE worst time to ask for money for anything. Everyone is struggling. Everyone has their own families to be concerned about.

I watched a show on tv the other night when I actually had a chance to sit - it was about a man and his son. The son had severe trauma during birth when the cord cut off his blood flow to his brain. The doctors had written his life story - and it didn't end up with a great ending. However, his father heard nothing of it and refused to let him live his life in an institution. So - they started running. His son had a seat and the father pushed him in a make-shift wheelchair/bike type thing. You could see the joy in his face as they raced. When his son was a teenager he was able to communicate with the push of a button using his head - the only part of his body he had some control over. AND IT WAS FANTASTIC. This child who was thought to be somewhat brain dead began to "talk" and was indeed very enthusiastic and smart! He and his father had a magical relationship and showed the love that two people can share even when someone is so severely challenged.

This story made me cry for all the children - children like Leeza - who might not look like they are capable. BUT THEY ARE! They are trapped in broken bodies, waiting to be loved. Please consider showing love for someone who isn't "perfect" or "typical" this Christmas with a gift to Reece's Rainbow. If not for Leeza, then a child that you feel needs love.

Thank you.
God Bless.

November 30th.... Countdown to Santa

I am thinking of writing a letter to Santa myself. My sweet 4-year-old son has been possessed by someone evil. The past few months have been very hard. Tonight, he bit his baby brother - hard. I am so pleased with myself for not biting him back! He was sent straight to bed and will most likely be spending most of his waking moments for the next week either at school or in his room. Deep breath, deep breath.... Time to break out the discipline books.

Brothers being sweet.

AND HELLLLLO! Donate today people. TEN DOLLARS! 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, $10... Less than the cost of 2 Starbucks trips! Come on Mommas! Get this little girl closer to going home to her family.

OK, OK - You Want a Better Deal?

So, roughly $95 has been raised since I started the give-away. That's not going to cut it.

Here is the NEW and IMPROVED deal.

Your $10 donation will now win you a chance at a full WEEK of vacation time. That's right. I said it. Sunday to Sunday. Congrats to those who have already donated. Now, who wants to put their name in the hat???

Please pass my blog to your friends and your family. Give them a chance at winning a week long vacation to Panama City, FL.

THANKS FOR HELPING!!!

GIVEAWAY!!! Get excited!!!

Rules -
Follow my blog :)
Donate to Leeza - $10 equals your name in the "hat" one time ($100 equals 10 times in the "hat")
Drawing will be DECEMBER 24th, 2010... Merry Christmas from ME!

WHAT COULD I WIN? One long weekend - Thursday to Sunday - at our condo in PANAMA CITY BEACH. You pick the dates...just have to make sure they are available. I will cover the cost of your cleaning fee, too!!! (That's $150!) The condo is stocked! Sleeps 6 adults and 5 children PLUS a crib for baby! (11 in beds + crib + sleeper sofa!)

We are not responsible for your travel! You can now fly into PCB, using Southwest Airlines! You must travel between Dec. 24, 2010 and Dec. 24, 2011.

****To enter I must have proof of donation amount! Please email your paypal invoice to AUKatie@aol.com****

No more celiac, baby!

A few weeks ago we visited Dr. K. Christopher has shown no significant growth (above his normal curve) since starting the celiac diet. So, we took him off. And guess what - he's doing fine.

The only significant issue he has had since was a BAD case of RSV, which has nothing to do with coming off the diet. He caught a little cold from someone and it turned into a terrible respiratory illness. I even took him into the ER, where he had to have 3 breathing treatments. By the way, breathing treatments and 17 month old boys don't do well together. He stayed the night at Children's for observation and has been doing so much better. Two weeks and he has made a full recovery.

Paul Vincent is doing super in 4K at SFX and we love his teacher and his classmates! We are in full swing with the upcoming holidays - all decorated for Thanksgiving and just itching to put up the tree in just a little under two weeks.

16 months

Well. Another doctor appointment, another guessing game. Dr. W is still scratching her head about Christopher's growth - or lack thereof. At his appointment... 16.6 pounds, 28 1/2 inches and 17 1/2 head.

Thank you, God - he's otherwise healthy.

I know he is doing fine - walking, talking, whining and pitching fits just like the rest of the 16 month children in his playgroup. But, the girls want to pet him like a little puppy. They treat him like a baby. He IS my baby, but his classmates shouldn't feel the same way.

We are having some tests done. One test, a sweat test, is for ruling out Cystic Fibrosis. I know good and well that Christopher DOES NOT have CF. He has never had any type of respiratory issues in his life. But, he does have the "failure to thrive" and gastro issues that some children with CF have. So, to rule it out, we will be going to Children's at the end of the week.

The other test - a thyroid test, I believe - is for Growth Hormone Deficiency. I think this is far more likely to be the cause behind his short stature. Hopefully we will get those results by Friday.

I know he is perfect and that the answers that we seek are just to make him more comfortable in this world. He's fine and I love him. Just the way he is.

We have a WALKER!

Christopher decided that he would take his vacation off and learn to walk. He was determined and after a full "Labor Day" at the beach, he has pretty much perfected it. You should see how he smiles so big as he toddles around the house, looking to get into trouble! So precious.

Mr. Messy

I love him. And he drives me crazy sometimes. He's Mr. Messy. He will destroy all cleanliness and organization in seconds, when given the opportunity. His latest targets... folded laundry, opened drawers, toilet paper rolls and garbage bag hiding place. He also has a talent - grabbing his messy diapers out from under him while I am cleaning off his bum THEN he slings said messy diaper across the room. Lovely.


People need not wonder why my house is a disaster...

School Days

I cannot believe it. He started Mother's Day Out this week. And the kicker... He loves it. His teacher, Ms. Jennifer, is a blond. He loves blonds. I think he feels a special closeness with people who share his hair color - since he lives in the land of brunettes. He loves Ms. Bonnie and Ellie, too. Both blonds. Beautiful blonds, I must add. He's one smart cookie. Albeit a small cookie - the teeniest, tiniest near 15 month old in the class of "young toddlers". He doesn't have a clue... and I love that about him.

Doing GREAT!

I cannot tell you what a difference there is in Christopher. He is still as independent as ever, but he is so much healthier now! He isn't sick and even his acid reflux has stopped. He still takes about 30 oz of milk, pediasure or yogurt drink a day and loves his food, too. He isn't much for jars of baby food though. He would rather do it himself (note the independent part). He's very head-strong and if I cannot read his mind he gets rather upset. He LOVES swimming and I have signed him up for lessons with the 'swim nazi'. It should be interesting. He's not much for being told what to do. LOL! See this picture? He wants to drive all of the time and will fight you to the death for the car keys and the steering wheel. There is something in their blood. Most boys love balls and trains. My kids love to drive cars. Seriously, Christopher drives everything! He even pushes the remote control like a car. HA!

He's Going To Be A Chunker

OK. If Christopher keeps eating and drinking like he has been the past few days, he is going to have some major weight gain. This child LOVES peanut butter, cream cheese, french fries and pancakes. He drinks somewhere around 30-40 oz of whole milk, yogurt drink or pediasure a day. Seriously, if he doesn't gain a pound by our doctor appointment on the 7th, I will be scratching my head. I LOVE IT! Who would have thought?

The Adventures Continue

I have to say that little Christopher is about the cutest thing in the world! After a recent beach trip we learned that he loves sand. He is a real crab! He crawls around, much like a little sand crab. He leaves a trail just like a little baby sea turtle! LOVE him!

Another wonderful milestone hit - he's talking. Not your typical 10 month babble, either! He has WORDS. He picks up a new word every day. Today he is working on baby. Yesterday - bird. Saturday was "boo!" So we have mama, dada, baba, boo, bird, baby, bye-bye, all done, and maybe one or two others I can't remember now. Awesome, huh?! I am teaching sign language, too. We are working on: more, up, all done,   and a few others. I kinda think he will pick up the word before the sign. This is all very shocking to me, having had one non-verbal child!

Birthday Boy!!!

Happy Birthday, My Sweet One!

I cannot believe that Christopher is actually turning one on Monday. Just yesterday, we were looking at all 3 pounds of him in the NICU. Today he is crawling at lightning speed and cruising around the furniture like a pro. He has words - mama, dada, byebye, ba-ba, and he makes the greatest car sounds ever. He pitches fits just like a big boy and idolizes his brother. He still cuddles up next to me when he wants his ba-ba, so I have moments of baby time with my little cutie. We are looking forward to his celebration tomorrow. It will be lovely, just family, friends and my sweet boy.

Mac N Cheese and Brownies

Christopher has found new joy in food. He recently discovered the excitement of peas and carrots. He savors each bite of Annie's Organic Rice Flour Mac 'n Cheese. He squishes each morsel of green bean in his chubby little fingers. He didn't know what to think about Betty Crocker's GF Browines. But this makes mommy happy, because she loves them and she doesn't mind sharing them with him. :)

Planning for his party

I cannot believe that my baby is turning ONE in a week and a half! I have a lot of planning to do. I need to come up with a menu and start trying gluten-free cake mixes for his smash cake. Anyone have a favorite mix? I am willing to take suggestions!

Bell Center, here we come

We are turning in Christopher's application for the Bell Center. He needs help with his feeding issues. He gags on almost everything. He might not even be choking at all - the food just gets on a place on his tongue that makes him uncomfortable. It's getting out of hand and he needs oral motor help. I am hoping that they can give him the help he needs to overcome his eating issues. Poor baby gagged on baby food today because it had chunks in it... Silly boy.

Happy Mother's Day to ME!

Paul and I took the boys to eat at Golden Rule tonight for dinner. Before I left the house, I grabbed a jar of Beech Nut Corn Pudding and a baby spoon. I tossed it in the diaper bag, never dreaming that my child would even open his mouth and take a bite. He has an issue with spoons - he won't let me feed him. I don't know if it's a power issue or if he has associated food with pain and throwing up. Anyway... We sat down at the table and I opened that jar of food and you wouldn't know how surprised I was when the child opened up his mouth and took a bite! And he didn't gag! And HE ATE THE ENTIRE 4 OUNCE JAR! THENHEDIDNOTTHROWITUP!!!!!!! I am not sure if you can tell or not, but this was so major for me. It was major for him, too. When we got home he played a few minutes and I made him a 4 ounce bottle for bedtime, fully expecting him to refuse it. BY GOLLY HE DID NOT - HE DRANK IT!

Happy Mother's Day to ME!!!!

Cook Books

Thanks to Aunt Libby, we now have some fabulous ideas for our menu at home - straight from the pages of a few cookbooks that she has let us borrow. Christopher's cousin, Laura, has Lyme Disease. She also follows a GF diet! Woohoo!!!

Grocery Shopping

Gluten Free (GF) foods have become my new obsession. I love Whole Foods because they are so into the special needs eater. I kinda figured that they were our best bet for all things GF. With a little help from our friends, we have also found a great selection at Organic Harvest. It's such a great place and guess what - the owner is a fellow Celiac! That makes me smile! We are in good company!

14 pounds, 11 months old

We're preparing for Christopher's birthday and having appointments as usual. Dr. K is very concerned at why Christopher is not gaining when I am packing calories into his bottles. By my calculations, he is getting close to, if not more than, 200 calories in each 5 oz bottle. This baby should be a Sumo wrestler. He should have fat rolls all over his body. However, in 3 weeks time, he hasn't gained one ounce! He still measures at about 26 inches. WAY off the chart for a near one year old.

 Dr. K orders a repeat ultrasound and something new - a EGD. He wants to do a scope. With biopsy.

The appointment is made for each. We are relieved when the ultrasound shows nothing. Nothing is good, but we need answers.

On scope day I am worried that we will find nothing here, as well. Nervously I pass off my itty bitty baby and wait the 15 minutes for the doctor to come in and share his findings.

Dr K is back in the room in no time with pictures to share. The esophagus showed classic signs of reflux - which we knew about. His stomach looked normal - good news there. However, his intestines showed classic signs of celiac disease. The tiny villi that are supposed to line the intestine and carry nutrients to his body are not there. The intestine is flat and white. We must wait 2 weeks for the biopsy results, but Dr K urges us to go ahead and start a gluten free diet. I am SO relieved to know - some clue into his vomiting, stinky and loose diapers and very slow weight gain and growth. And this begins our story with our CELIAC BABY.

Still tiny....

As the weeks and months went by, we cheered any weight gain in our little boy. Getting to 12 pounds made me want to throw a party! However, at each weight check, the pediatrician scratched her head and looked a little more concerned as time passed. Why was he having such a hard time with weight gain? We increased the scoops in each bottle. We saw Dr K who gave us a can of DuoCal to add fat and calories. Increase? Yes. Enough? No.

I need answers! Why is he throwing up? Why is he refusing the spoon? Why won't he grow when he is able to do such awesome physical things - like walking - he's starting to cruise! Let me back up... the vomiting. I don't think I made that clear enough. I never dreamed that I would ever become used to being puked on. All over my clothes, his clothes, our furniture, our floors... this baby had become a champ at gagging and throwing up. For weeks - months, really - he had been throwing up once or twice a day. WHY???

Blood work. Results?

Guess what. Results back - no allergies. He tested 4 things... wheat, soy, corn and hummm what was the fourth one??? Anyway - no allergies. I was happy to know he didn't have an allergy and that the new formula was helping anyway.

Allergies?

Dr K certainly helped with the acid reflux issues - even scheduled Christopher for an ultrasound and a barium swallow to check to see how severe his acid reflux was. However, he still struggled with feedings and tummy troubles. I suspected an issue with his formula, but I didn't know which one would be best for him. I scheduled an appointment with yet another doctor - Dr C - an allergist. Do you know how hard it is to find someone that is willing to stick a 6 pound baby for blood tests? I do. We went all over town and finally ended up with the wonderful women at Children's on Acton. They were all so sweet and willing to do the dirty work - necessary for finding out why my little babe might be struggling. Blood work was shipped and we also had a suggestion from Dr C to switch formulas. You know what? The new formula helped so much - within 24 hours we saw results!

Our first appointment with Dr K

Christopher and I were both so happy to be somewhere that held that promise of answers. Christopher howled as loud as he could, as if to beg for help. Even the little picture that they took of him is awful - wide mouth screaming. Dr K told me the ends and outs of dealing with a premature baby, acid reflux and what I could do to help. I was happy to have someone willing to listen and help me help Christopher. We got a list of medications for acid and his "pooping problem". Off to the pharmacy!

Painful feeds from the start

Even before the hernia surgery, Paul and I noticed that Christopher was having a very hard time with his bottles. He wouldn't take the typical amount most babies would in a feeding. When he would eat, he cried. It was a painful cry, too. I was in pain mentally as my baby was in pain physically. I couldn't help fight the feeling that something was going inside and I had to find out. After repeated discussions with our pediatrician that took us nowhere, I searched for a pediatric gastroenterologist. After a quick search by phone and reading a few positive reviews, I decided to call Dr K. He was able to see us in just a day or two and I was looking forward to getting some answers.

Really? Honestly? What else?

We came home with tiny Christopher in June, 3 weeks after his birth. He was SUCH a great baby. However, just a few days after his discharge from the NICU I noticed a problem. He had a very large lump in his groin area. I immediately knew it was a hernia. After showing Paul, we both decided to take him to the Children's Hospital ER. I cannot tell you how frightening it is to take a premature baby into a nasty, germy ER. I cried like a baby at the thought of sitting in there with him. The ER staff pitied me and tiny Christopher and called us back ASAP. After some questions and a visit with a doc, we were told he did indeed have a hernia and they set up an appointment with a urologist. We met with doctor H at Children's on Acton. And decided to schedule surgery - sooner rather than later - at the risk of something serious happening and me going crazy worrying about him.

Christopher's Birth Story... May 24, 2009

Christopher's Story

For a few days I just felt miserable. I was huge, hurting and exhausted. I was having dizzy spells and sciatic nerve issues. I just had a feeling something was going to happen, so I paid all the bills and made sure my bag was packed.

Sunday morning (4 am) I woke and went to the bathroom. I noticed fluid before I started peeing and thought it was very strange. I called the on-call doc and he said that if it was my water breaking, that I would know - it would be a lot of fluid. I went back to the bed and tried to relax. An hour later I still felt like something more than normal discharge was happening. I stood up and all of the sudden it happened. Major fluid and then gush - water everywhere. I started getting things together and called my mom to baby-sit. I was packing my bathroom stuff and noticed that the fluid was specked with green - miconium. Uh oh.

We arrived at L&D and met with the on-call doctor. He knew with the miconium and dipping heart rate that it was time for a c-section...in an hour. It all went by super fast and I was on the table in no time. They started the surgery and found that Christopher was turned in the worst way possible to deliver - transverse with his back facing doc. Let me just tell you - it took a LOT of work to get him out. It took much longer than expected, too. It seemed he pushed and pulled for maybe 5 minutes - no joke. I started crying and was so scared. I started to throw up with the stress and my low blood pressure. The room was quiet...all those people and totally quiet. Paul was so strong - he kept telling me everything was ok - even though he didn't know if it was. They finally delivered Christopher and he was not making any sound (which I kinda figured, since they wouldn't want him breathing in with the miconium). He was whisked away in minutes and I got just a brief glance at him. He was beautiful.

The doc told me a little of what had happened - his bad placement and the issue of having had my water break made it very difficult to get him out of the sac. Also, my placenta was falling apart. Then he showed the knot in the cord. A true knot. Oh, Jesus. Thank you for the gift of this baby - so close to going to see Him. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

I went to recovery and baby went to the NICU.

I was foggy with the next events - mainly the normal getting meds and baby getting hooked up to all those machines and cords everywhere. But everything was going to be ok. Thank God.

Anyway - it's all a little overwhelming, but Christopher is doing SO well. I am guessing he'll be home in a matter of a few weeks. Can you believe it??