Fun Friday!

Today was filled with lots of Art!

First, this is a pic of the snow from yesterday.

 After Ben snow-blowed.

 Avery making pretty pictures with her markers.

 The girls playing with their sand.

Ariana watching.

 Playing with crayons. We went through the entire container of crayons and took out all the broken ones and melted them down and made new ones!

The day ended with Friday Night Pizza Night with Daddy!

We were glad to see Friday but even more excited for the weekend.

TGIF!

Ariana - 2-month check-up

I am extremely thankful to a woman named Heather at the Doctors office for calling me and getting us in today so I don't have to travel out in the snow tomorrow.

Ariana now weighs 10 lbs 1 oz and she is in the 16%tile based on her weight-for-age.
She stands 1' 11.5" high and is in the 87%tile for length-for age.
Her head circumference is 15" and that puts her in the 40%tile.

She is growing very nicely!

We stopped her reflux medicine to see if she can handle being off it or if she really needs it. The doctor was really happy I made her an Allergy appointment. Not only to get answers regarding the milk but also because of the congestion. That was reassuring for me. We are also going to start her on some prune juice to see if that helps her.

What your baby is learning now:
-Moves arms and kicks
-Lifts head when on stomach
-Reacts to noise
-Sees best from 8 to 10 inches away
-Makes sounds
-Facial expressions to show emotions

What you can do to encourage your baby's development:
-Sing together
-Talk and smile while looking at your baby's face
-Choose a bedtime and sleep routine
-Vary the sound of your voice
-Slowly move objects for your baby to watch
-Give your baby some tummy time each day making sure that your baby is awake and you are there to watch

What your baby will be learning next:
-Coos
-Sleeps for longer stretches of time
-Smiles at faces
-Pulls at clothes
-Bats or hits at toys
-Watches objects as they move

Next week I will have an update from the Allergist.

Thanks for checking in!

Ariana - 2-months

Ariana is 2 months old today!

I have her 2 month check-up on Thursday so I'll have an update soon.

Sad, sad day.

Today, my boss will be sending out the notice of my resignation. I cannot believe this day has come. I have been with Souderton Mennonite Homes/Living Branches for 22 years. I believe I have held seven different positions, seen many co-workers come and go, lived through one merger, and have heard life stories from more than you can count. I have worked with many great people, learned from some very smart and talented people, feel I have grown personally from my experiences there and have made some long lasting friendships.

The decision was one of the hardest decisions I've had to make but ultimately my family comes first, and at this time my family needs me more at home. It's going to be a transition that honestly, will be very hard for me. I loved my job. Staying at home I feel, requires more. More of everything. So, I will give it my all, hope my girls are up for this and are good to me, and pray everything works out for the best.

I encourage advise & ideas on how to continue to educate and give to my girls and ask for support & prayers for additional sanity!

Another chapter begins now!

A few recent pics

Ariana is a week (or so) away from being two months old and my last post was of her on her one month birthday. Sorry for the delay. Not sure where the time goes but it's going somewhere. She was seven weeks old this past Wednesday.

This is a pic of Ariana and the rooster mask we use when giving her a saline treatment. It's basically a personal cold-mist humidifier. Look at those eyes though!

 Avery giving Ariana her first bottle! She's my big helper!

 Happy Valentine's Day! Outfit courtesy of Miss Desiree (from the Malvern School).

There is a very loud scream that preceeded and proceeded this picture.  In her screaming sessions she makes a fist with her hands. This picture makes me think she's ready to go a "few rounds" in a boxing ring with me, even in her sleep!

 Now this is a cute picture! A sleeping Ariana. Comfy and cozy, as Avery would say.

 Alexis holding Ariana...for five seconds!

 I took this pic this morning. This adorable outfit is courtesy of Uncle Robb and Aunt Lucy. Too cute!

It seems to be never ending in our house-hold. Poor Avery has been on-again/off-again sick with a cold for like seven weeks now. Unfortunately, it's been "on" and she has seemed to have spread her germs to ALL of us. In one way or another, we are all feeling it...even Ariana! It scares me with her after the recent RSV and hospital stay. We are staying on top of the suctioning but the cough started today. So, today I begin to worry.

I had Ariana to the doctor yesterday with a few concerns I've been having. She's been screaming/crying constantly, not taking to bottles, not sleeping (unless she's being held), needing constant attention (wanting to be held all the time or needed to be bounced all the time) and the congestion again.

It seems as though we have a little girl with a case of colic. NOT FUN!  Her screaming episodes have lasted up to four hours long! The doctor says colic can peak at two months and then start to get better, so I'm hopeful there is light at the end of the tunnel. (It can also last longer.) He says there is nothing we can do other than fight through. I see him again in two weeks. He does not think my breast milk is bothering her belly so I'm going to continue breast-feeding.  Of course, it's suggested that I continue to take dairy out of my diet help with her digestions but it will all get better as she gets bigger. Fingers crossed this ends sooner rather than later.

Ariana - 1 Month

Time is flying by. Ariana is one month old already. Here are some recent pics of her.
Notice the progression! Her cry comes in a split second!

Think she has Avery's BIG eyes?

 Her first bath!

 Proof that she enjoys eating!

 Right before a sneeze. Last week she started with a cold. Lots of sneezing and a pretty good cough.

 Friday morning I took her to the doctor to have her checked out. I wasn't too comfortable with her cough and all the mucus in her throat. She had been sleeping all day and not eating like she had been. From the doctor's office we had to go directly to the ER.

They admitted her with RSV, (which is a virus in small babies - a cold for an adult or child above 2 years old) viral pneumonia and dehydration.

We had to spend two nights in Doylestown Hospital. They gave her fluids, monitored her oxygen level and a few breathing treatments. Thankfully she never had a fever. Because everything was viral, it didn't require any antibiotics. They just watched her and suctioned her often. She was there for the worst of it and I am very thankful to have the nurses right there by her side.

 She was discharged on Sunday. It felt so good to come home to my girls and my bed. It was a scary few days but again, she was very well taken care of. Poor girl. Unfortunately we came home to everyone else not feeling well. Not what we need right now. Avery had yet, another cold. Alexis has a cold with a scratchy throat and Ben is starting to feel under the weather again too. Needless to say, we are confined to the house and have to keep anyone away who may be not feeling well.

 

Thankfully Ben stepped up and took care of running the household. We had a lot of help from my mom and Carolyn. So thank you to them for helping us out in the time of need.

 

Ariana is doing much better. She is coming home with Broncitis. She still has bad coughing spells which take her minutes to recover from but thankfully they aren't as often and the mucus is much better. We are still suctioning her but not as often. She is starting to eat better, longer and more often. I think things are looking up!

 



Here are just a few pictures of mom holding Ariana! Usually I'm the one behind the camera. You can see Ariana gets a lot of love and attention! ;)