hAPpy HaLLoWEen!!

Since we got his costume a few weeks ago, Bryson has asked nearly everyday if it was Halloween yet.... We never ended up getting a cowboy hat, but I think he pulls it off *grin* He was even more excited when he realized Halloween entails getting tons of candy with no strings attached... never mind that I've already given away most of the candy he got!


Dallin actually did really good in his costume... He knew how cute he was and hammed it up.


My parents ward had an amazing trick or treat the night before Halloween so we crashed it... it was so fun- each family decorated a doorway or room... Bryson loved the 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' room-- I didn't get a picture of the Oompa Loompa unfortunately, he was PERFECT!


Can't you just feel how scary Halloween is from Bryson's face?? Note the pumpkin Nathan carved...

Homemade Halloween

We had our church 'adult' Halloween party tonight, costumes encouraged, mind you-  Nathan had come up with the idea that I be an oven (with a bun in it) and he be the Baker... so I took the idea and ran with it! With some help from Nathan's sister Emily we ended up with a great costume... I am the most proud of Nathan's chef's hat, I hand folded all the pleats and it looked great! My 'oven' was a box I spray painted black, embellished with some burners and such, cut the back out of so my belly could fit in to it, and taped a picture of a sticky bun on my shirt.... It was a fun little project...

A Little Lesson on Spherocytosis

For those who don't know, when Dallin was born and ended up in the NICU for a week, it was due to a blood disorder called 'spherocytosis.' He has abnormally round red blood cells (instead of the normal 'bi-concave disk' shown to the left). These abnormally shaped cells are mistaken by the spleen as being old and damaged and thus constantly breaks them down... Dallin is chronically anemic because of this, though he doesn't show the symptoms most people would typically exhibit (ie: lethargy, headache, dizziness) because that's just how he always is and his body has adjusted... it's called 'functional anemia.'

A complication that arises with spherocytosis occurs when Dallin gets sick. He depends on his body constantly making new red blood cells at a much higher rate than normal- this is measured by the reticulocyte count or 'retic' count- a reticuloctye is an immature red blood cell. When his body is stressed with an infection, particularly viral infections, he generally will stop 'reticking' so rapidly in order to fight the infection. There is a corresponding drop in his red blood cell count and, depending on how low his h&h gets, he could need a blood transfusion. So there is your crash course in the pathology of spherocytosis.

Anywho, so just before we moved from Kentucky, I brought Dallin to his hematologist (blood doctor) and his hemoglobin (red blood cell) level was 10.4 (normal would be somewhere 14-16) and I was very happy because that was the highest it had ever been.

The whole reason I'm sharing this is because of recent events... Wednesday afternoon I had an OB check-up (everything looks good) and while I was gone, daddy put Dallin down for a nap around 1pm... at 5:30pm, we finally woke the child up- it was almost dinner time! I was hoping he was going through a growth spurt, but he hardly touched his dinner. By his 8pm bedtime, he was yawning and fussy and leaning for his crib! And then he slept ALL night- I was sure he'd be up at 4am, ready to go. The next day he acted fine, took another marathon nap in the afternoon, but woke up as I was making dinner. I brought him downstairs and put him on the floor between the kitchen and family room where he sat still, staring into space for the next 15 minutes... when dinner was ready, I put him into his highchair where he proceeded to lounge back and take NO interest in his [delicious, if I may add] dinner... when we were all finished and he still hadn't taken a bite despite my coaxing, I got out some goldfish crackers to see if he just didn't like my pasta- he ate one and then refused any more. He just sat in his highchair with his eyes half closed, yawning and tired as if he hadn't slept in days. When I picked him up, he was SO hot, so I took his temp and it was 102.3 under his arm, so really 103.3-- wow! I gave him some motrin and started worrying... he was so lethargic and yet pulling at his ear which made me quite certain that he had an ear infection, but I was equally concerned about his hemoglobin level that could also be adding to his lethargy... So I called urgent care to see if they could do an in-house hemoglobin level and they told me I'd have to taken him to the ER because the doc wouldn't see him because of his blood disorder... hmmmmmm, that doesn't sound fun... I tried calling the pediatrician on call to see what they'd recommend and they also said to take him to the ER... I didn't really want to go by myself and Nathan was 1/2 way through laying the flooring in the bathroom we're finishing (that'll be a post later on) and he couldn't really walk away from it seeing as how the epoxy was already down on the floor... when he was done, he and a friend gave Dallin a blessing. While Nathan was changing and checking the floor again, Dallin started to perk up- he was actually looking around, eyes open all the way and talking a little. I offered him some goldfish and raisins, which he accepted and then proceeded to smile and talk and act like his usual self, enough so that I decided not to take a trip to the ER that night. I called his doc this morning and they got me in first thing- Obviously I still haven't fixed my motherly intuition because *shocker* his ears were perfectly fine! His doc was concerned enough though to do some blood work- and since we had to stick him, we figured we may as well do some metabolic testing to check why he's not growing (especially since he lost 1/2 a pound in the last few weeks *sigh*) Poor little guy- he was so tough... A few minutes later (thanks to modern technology and medicine), his CBC indicated he had a viral infection of some sort, and his hemoglobin (red cell count) was at 8.3-- not good... but that doesn't mean so much without the retic count to see if he's making new red blood cells rapidly or not... Dr. Gapen said he'd call later with the retic count.... the lab didn't do the retic 'stat' so we wait til the morning to see if we have to recheck his hemoglobin tomorrow or wait til Monday- He's acted just fine today, which is a good sign- it makes me feel so much better because though 8.0 is usually the level where a transfusion is mandatory, he avoided it as a newborn because he was eating well and not lethargic, so if he continues to act like his normal self, he may not be transfused--

Sometimes ignorance is bliss- my knowledge as a nurse is often my worst enemy, but right now it's strangely comforting because I know what to watch for and what I'm not seeing gives me peace.

And so we wait...

Field Trip

On Thursday Bryson and I went to the Outdoor Learning Center with his preschool- after we got there, one of Bryson's classmates got sick.... all over the place, and apparently I was the only one with a strong enough stomach to help the mom clean up... ick. Aside from that, we had a great time- and learned so much!!


We got to see an owl up close named 'Grey'- Bryson was impressed with how far the owl could turn it's head around- we learned that they turn their head so far around because they can't move their eyes in their sockets!!


While we didn't get to touch Grey the Owl, we did get to touch an owls wing- one kid asked why the owl took it's wing off. We learned that an owl has really incredible hearing and can hear a mouse's heart beating under a foot of snow! Because an owl relies so much on his hearing, they create almost no noise when they flap their wings (as opposed to other birds, especially those with really good vision).


I love that all the boys made silly faces and the girls just smiled-

Preschool Singing Practice

I went to Bryson's preschool on Monday for 'parent updates' to discuss with the parents what the kiddo's have been working on in school- we even got to see a little concert by the kids singing some songs- it was too cute!


Bryson loved performing and took a bow after each song when the parents would clap...

Three?

So it just kind of hit me. I'm going to have 3 kids.... SOON. This pregnancy is going way too fast! I feel like I've just barely cleaned up breakfast when it's time for lunch again and same for dinner... what in the world am I going to do when I've got a newborn I'm feeding constantly? More corn dogs I suppose.

HOORAY!!

I'm SO excited!! I brought Dallin in to recheck his ears-- he'd had an ear infection, did I mention that before?... anyway, it had resolved, but in TEN days time, he had gained almost a full pound!! He's up to 19lbs 8 oz now- I can hardly believe it!! A few more ounces and I can turn his carseat to forward facing.... yah, right, he'd be quite unhappy if he was still rear facing in the car, but legally, he shouldn't be forward facing until he's 20 lbs.... I know, mother of the year, right here...

I was looking through his baby book the other day and was shocked to see that it was actually at FOUR months that he was almost 13 pounds, and now, one year later, he's hardly gained 6 pounds?!?!?! I am hoping this recent gaining trend continues- his doctor said we'll wait to see his growth at his 18 month visit (in a month and a half) before we do lab work, which is FINE with me- I was NOT looking forward to him having to be stuck... I could go for him gaining a pound every couple of weeks for a while.... well, as long as he's also gaining inches top to bottom =)

Happy Birthday Love!!

So this picture is from Nathan's first birthday.... I love it *grin* He's the one on the bike... his sister and brother (Christi and Aaron) are smiling SOO sweetly, and he's just ticked off... because they're touching his new bike I'm sure *grin* Ahhh, good times....

So since Nathan is 32 now, I'm going to list 32 things I love about him-- in no particular order, in fact I scrambled them around just for fun...
1. He keeps his priorities in order (and reminds me of mine)
2. He is such a great daddy- the boys get so excited when he gets home (and are quite disappointed if the door opens and it's NOT daddy). Whether it's wrestling, building forts or train tracks, nobody does it like daddy.
3. He is a hard worker
4. He is genuinely pleasant to be around
5. He is always so happy- in college one of my roommates actually accused him of being depressed because, "no one can be happy like that all the time" well, yes, actually they can...
6. He loves to try new things
7. He never dislikes my cooking.... it may not be his favorite, but he'll still eat it
8. He is a Southern Gentleman- 7 years of marriage and he still opens my door
9. He has a great laugh, and uses it frequently
10. He honors his Priesthood
11. He's great with decorating. Really! He picked out all the colors for his office and did a far better job than I would have!
12. He's not afraid of getting his hands dirty- this goes along with being a hard worker, but goes beyond it actually....
13. He has a strong testimony which has given his life much direction
14. He makes me laugh- he's such a goof at home and is always doing things to make me laugh, whether he means to or not
15. He is a real man, and takes things like a man
16. He is compassionate- more so than me many times
17. He has learned to sleep in *grin*
18. He is very thoughtful and finds ways to make me (and others) feel special
19. He is committed- during dental school for instance, he rarely missed school... and if he did, it was certainly for a more worthy cause
20. He is the first to volunteer to help
21. He picks out great clothes for me
22. If something needs to be done, he does it
23. He cleans up after himself
24. He is loyal- sometimes to a fault
25. He doesn't complain- I do enough for the both of us
26. He is so fun to watch on Christmas and birthdays because he gets so excited about giving to others (especially our kids)
27. He's very handy around the house
28. He loves to be at home, and makes home more pleasant to be at
29. He makes fantastic bread/rolls- I can count on 1 hand the number of times I have made bread since we've been married... when I'm going to, he offers to do it for me
30. He is so forgiving... I, however, harbor ill feelings for days and days... Nathan has taught me much about forgiveness
31. He is easily tickled- sometimes it's my only defense
32. He always knows when I need help around the house

And when I asked Bryson, 'why do you love daddy?' he says, 'tecause (because) I love him and don't want him to go to work.' Dallin just signed 'more'

'nana

Dallins first word besides 'mama' and 'daddy' and 'happy' is banana... well, 'nana at least... it's his first word that he says when he recognizes the object... it's so cute! He loves bananas, and loves to take a bite and smash it against the roof of his mouth.... He also signs a little bit in the video, but Aunt Emily was busting a move in the corner and he was pretty distracted by that.... It seems like he has grown up SO much in the last week since he's started walking everywhere now....

Fort night....

No, not forty days and nights... Nathan made a fort with the boys the other night... well, he made it while I distracted them so that their 'help' wasn't counterproductive to the actual process of building a fort... They had so much fun-- what little kid doesn't like a fort? or daddy for that matter! Bryson and Dallin chased each other around and around for forever... or at least until it was so thoroughly destroyed we had to re-build...
Dallin loves to 'bite' -- I hate it because, while he usually just gets your clothes between his sharp little chompers, occasionally he gets more- ouch! But the kid is so stubborn (I wonder where he gets that from?) that when I tell him no, it makes him want to do it more and more! And that goes for ANY type of correction/discipline I try on the kiddo... erg...

Bryson kept posing like this for every picture!!

Dallin 'getting' daddy

He's such a happy boy! Especially when there's a tunnel to crawl through!

More on Dallin's Poop...

Hey, this is my journal, I can write what I want... this is for, errrr, posterity...

Most of you probably don't care, but I know for a fact that many of you, as moms, are intensely interested in the contents of your childs diaper... And if you've been a long-time (more than a few weeks) reader of my blog, you'll know of the saga we've endured regarding the consistency, frequency and explosiveness of Dallins diapers.... So good news on this front! On Sunday, Dallin had a solid poop! A real honest to goodness formed turd... never mind that his next one a few hours later was more pudding/pasty-like.... we still have progress! Since being on soy milk, he's done progressively better in this arena.... (as have I... sorry) Anyway, his diapers have been what I consider (in my professional nursing opinion) healthy-- HOORAY!!

At his 15 month check up (at age 16 months thanks to a very busy ped's office *urg*) he only weighed 18lbs 12 oz, which is waaaaaay less than the 1st percentile... so his doctor is finally going to order some metabolic testing and other lab work to rule out any such issues related to his growth... that will make me feel much better, but I'm thinking that the poor little guy just wasn't able to absorb much as far as nutrients go in the past many months because his gut was so inflamed and irritated from the cow's milk... thinking back, we started supplementing occasionally with cows milk formula starting around 6 months, which is when his growth really started to taper off....

Incidentally, I took him in for his diarrhea at the end of August and he was 18 lbs even.... one month later (after being on soy for 3+ weeks) he had gained 12 ounces, which is a lot in one month for him.... the doctor was impressed by that.... and this mama is happy =)

By the way, you're welcome for not posting any pictures *grin*

Mystery pictures-

I have NO idea who took these pictures- (it had to have been either Nathan, Emily or Bryson) but when I sat down today (during naptime) to download some pictures, these were on my camera! I laughed so much because this is so Dallin- he loves to snoop around three cabinets in particular... the tupperware cabinet, the sippy cup drawer and the lazy-susan where I keep keep cereal and crackers and stuff... usually he can't get into the boxes, but apparently this time he did... and what a find! Thanks to whoever took the picture for cleaning up the mess!!

It's a.......

It's a..... side profile....

It's a....... foot.....

It's a..... BABY!!!

No, we didn't find out what we're having *grin* It's so fun! I was kinda tempted in the days before my appointment, but not at all during the ultrasound itself... I had been kinda worried in the last few weeks, because I hadn't felt the baby move- I'd feel something I thought was the baby, then immediately in the same area, a feeling that was definitely digestion.... My digestion has been SO active this pregnancy- I think it goes along with the whole 'development of lactose intolerance' thing. Anyway, turns out that my placenta (sorry to any guys reading this....) is in the front of my uterus, so it pretty much insulates any movement at this point. It's not all bad though, because at least the baby isn't waking me up or keeping me up at night kicking like Dallin did. Anyway, coincidentally since my ultrasound, I've been feeling the baby a little bit- The placenta being in front like it is also makes the 4D pictures not turn out so great... there was always big blob in the middle... the last picture was the only one that turned out decent... So fun! I can't believe that I'm almost 1/2 way done- yikes!!

And no, I have NO idea what we're having-- not even a guess. I was sure both Bryson and Dallin were girls- so much for my motherly intuition!