Neuroligist update

Yesterday we saw the Neurologist and with it came the "news" that I sort of expected. She wants TRES to have an MRI because she suspects that during the car accident that happened 3 days prior to her birth or during birth, she had a stroke. She watched her movements, the way she sort of tucks her thumb into her hand when she's not using it and the overall "neglect" that she shows towards that hand. Yes, she uses it but sometimes its like she forgets that its there and that's when the folding of her wrist happens.
She is happy with the improvement that TRES has made during the last 2 months of physical therapy and wants her to continue to get PT because she still has some low tone in her arms and core. She also wants her to start occupational therapy to work on her fine motor skills which need refinement (pincher grasp, banging blocks, etc).
The Neurologist did say that strokes in infants are VERY common because the little blood vessels are so fragile and birth is very traumatic to the head. She told me that she always tells parents that if a stroke were to happen the best time is when you're a baby because its so much easier to learn/re-learn how to use your body. She wants us to persue "early intervention" to try to get the PT and OT covered by the state. She isn't showing any signs of developmental delay so this is just a brain/hand thing.
She doesn't think that TRES will have long term effects and that she will be able to function completely fine so I'm so thankful for that.
This is just a hard time for my hubby and I as parents. The thought of my baby being put under is stressful and very emotionally draining. But we feel like we don't have an option whether we do it or not. We'll never know unless she has the MRI done, so as soon as the insurance clears it the doctors office will call to schedule it So please just keep her in your prayers. She continues to make progress every day and hopefully soon will have no signs that there was ever something wrong.

Yes, I'm still alive

We've just been really busy around there and the computer has been on the fritz for the longest time. I wanted to do a quick update of what the kids are up to before I forget but will post a quick synopsis of our summer some other time.

Uno is learning like crazy! He never ceases to amaze us how fast he learns, how he just picks things up and then spits them out when we least expect it. Over the summer he taught himself how to write his name and it has progressed into BEAUTIFUL penmanship! He also taught himself how to write the letters a,b,c,g,h,i,j,k,l,m,o,q,s,t,u,v,and z! He says some of the funniest things but of course I cannot think of anything offhand. He knows how to graph, sort, read and identify all of the letters and can identify numbers 1-10.

Dos has learned most of her colors(she sometimes pretends she doesn't know but then will point something out and say the correct color on her own). Her favorite color is pink, of course. She continues to be the princess of the house and has quite the little attitude. She loves dresses, necklaces and looking like a princess. She says "I'm like a princess" or "I look so pretty" all the time! She can count from 1-13 (and higher with a few mistakes). Her vocabulary and speech is AMAZING! She does not talk like a typical 2.5 year old.

Tres is doing well in PT. She has a neurology appt at the end of November (hopefully sooner if I can get in) to see if there is nerve damage or something. This little peanut LOVES to eat! For being a tiny petite little girl, she eats more than Uno or Dos! She has been pulling up, cruising and sitting back down for months. She knows the words more,hi, and hair but usually sticks to just "hi" and a loud scream/yell when she wants something or our attention. She loves dogs and said "Hiiiii" to them and pets them any chance she gets. She is starting to walk (with push toys or our help).

Quatro is 15 weeks today. I feel some movement (rolling, swimming, and tumbling) but no kicks yet.

Physical Therapy

So it all started when Tres started crawling at about 4.5-5 months old. She would turn her right wrist under (kind of like a seal) and when we would correct her she would turn it back within seconds. So at her 6 month check up with our old doctor, they said it was just a phase and that she would grow out of it. That didn't make me feel better and that's when I got the info for the pediatrician from a friend. At her 9 month check up with the new doc, I told the doc about it and she said that was definitely not good so she sent me to a peds PT.

We met with her yesterday for the evaluation and she did a bunch of little strength tests and watched how she moved to see how the muscles were all working. She said that her arms are really tight when moved like you were lifting air weights. She said it shouldn't be that tight. She said its called "tone" and we're all born with different levels and Tres' is just higher in her arms. She lacks a little strength in her shoulders/neck area. And then her wrist is too flexible. When crawling she did point out that not only does she barely use her right hand, but she doesn't really use her left leg. She said that is completely typical to not use the diagonal extremity when one isn't working right.

So, she gave me little exercises to do at home to help bring her attention to her wrist and gave me more things to do with her when correcting the placement when she's crawling. She wants to see her for a couple months at least. She said that we will do this first but if we don't start seeing improvement, we might need to have neurology clear her for any other issues. And as far as a brace goes, the PT said that therapy is the least invasive so we'll try that first and maybe have to do a brace later. A brace can limit mobility and hinder the situation.

So, overall, she's fine. Since she's met all other milestones and all, the Dr. and PT don't seem too worried. But Mama's mind can wander and think of all the "what if's" so that's whats hard for me. I just feel bad that I didn't listen to my instincts sooner and demand that she be seen by a physical therapist when she first started crawling and when the wrist situation wasn't working itself out. I just need to remember to pray and put things in His hands. I know she'll be fine and this is a minor problem.


So, as for this little journey we're on, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13.


So please keep her in your prayers :)

Sweet little Tres, 9 months old

Thinking of my little girl brings tears to my eyes. She is so sweet, so mild tempered and a love bug. About two weeks ago she got her first tooth (bottom right) then the next week got her second tooth (bottom left). They're still barely coming through the gums but they are there enough to hurt. :( She can say "more" which sounds a little more like "mmmmo" or "mmm" but she's trying. She says "hi" and just yesterday she waved. I thought she had waved before but I wasn't sure if it was a fluke. But this time it wasn't. She did a full wave to the doctor yesterday! It looks a little like a bird flapping its wing but it is so cute!

She's growing up so fast! I can't believe how fast 9 months has just flown by. I start crying uncontrollably in the car when songs come on about little girls all grown up and their daddy walking them down the isle. Before I know it, we'll be picking out prom dresses, wedding dresses and watching my little babies get married. I know some of this is pregnancy hormones but some if isn't. I just love them so much! Them growing up is a love/hate thing in my mind. I dream of what they will do, who they will become and all that but I already feel my heart breaking for when they leave me. I will definitely be one of those moms that lets my kids live with me forever. But for now I will just love on them as much as I can and watch all of the new things they learn, because "one day, she'll.. be..gone". Ahh, bring on the tears!

It's a bird, it's a plane...

it's a seahorse!

Not only do we look at the clouds and find shapes, animals and many other things in this house but my potty training curly haired two year old find shapes and animals in her poop! This girl is obsessed with poop! Every day, every where, and any animal that we see...she discusses poop. Oh the joys of parenthood!

But at least she is almost 100% potty trained! :)

I'll save everyone the urge to throw up and not post a pic of one of her discoveries

My CD Journey

I attempted to cloth diaper with my first child with gDiapers back in 2007. With many leaks and never really taking it on completely, my cloth diaper journey ended right there with him. Fast forward a year and a half to two years, I wanted to venture into the cloth diaper (CD) world again. I had a few reasons 1) I wanted to know that future generations would not have to deal with “my” diapers in the landfills 2) I'm trying to go green little by little 3) I wanted to do the best thing for my baby and any future babies in our family and 4) I wanted to prove to people that CDing wasn't as bad as everyone thinks it is and that I CAN DO IT!

So with a little advice from a friend, researching and getting a chance to view a bunch of CDs from a private seller I knew what I wanted and what I didn't want. I wanted something easy, I wanted velco (snaps just seemed too hard since I have very wiggly babies), I wanted a “one size” diaper so I could use it with all of my kids no matter how big or small and I didn't want to have to worry about folding, stuffing or anything else that would make my diaper change take more than 30 seconds. So, low and behold, I found the GroBaby (which just changed their name to GroVia) AI2.

From the moment I saw the GroBaby, I knew it was the diaper for me! A shell that can be reused and a soaker pad that snaps in. The shell can be used a couple times before needing to be washed (unless it gets a lil poop on it) and the soakers take all of 2 seconds to snap in during a change. I also loved that the colors were all very simple, very gender neutral and only a few (mandarin, blackberry, kiwi and vanilla). I didn't want to have tons of options because I know I'd go overboard and go crazy!

So, I ordered a “part time” package just to try them. A few soakers, a few shells and a few boosters (to keep the munchkin extra dry). Ater no time,I was hooked! I loved them! I loved the way they fit (all three of my kids ...3.5 yrs, 2 years and 8.5 months, fit in them!)! I loved the ease of use! SO, I ordered more. And more. And more.

I'm now on my third baby (8.5 months), my second one in these CD's and I'm still loving it! I have about 30 soakers and about 15-20 shells. GroVia just came out with new shells (and new colors) and new soaker pads that are amazing! The shells are a tiny big bigger so it allows for even longer use, they have tuck under laundry tabs so they don't get hooked on other diapers in the wash and the soakers have true leg gussets and a waterproof backed soaker pad.

I cannot say enough good things about GroVia diapers. They have saved me so much money, I'm keeping yucky disposables out of the landfills and I'm having fun!

Gifts from God

I've always known that God made me to be a mother. I've always known that I wanted a big family. We've always said that children are a blessing and should not be "planned" but come on God's time. We were told about 5 years ago that we would have fertility issues and would not conceive without medication or other assistance. I cannot help but think and know that God has a plan and he is using us to achieve his plan. People may think that we have too many, that they're too close in age or that we're not spending enough quality time with each one but that's their opinions and not ours. God chose us to be parents. He chose to bless us with three beautiful children and now he has blessed us again with a fourth. It may seem crazy, chaotic or insane but I believe with all of my heart that God has a plan for us, for me, and for each and every one of our little gifts. With each child, my faith becomes stronger, I turn to Him more and I strive to be a person, wife and mother.
We are truly blessed and so excited to announce our newest addition to our family! Quatro is due April 21, 2011 and I am so excited to be a mommy once again!

Tattles

I think it's hilarious that Dos on herself. She woke up before the rest of us and when I got up and was following her down the stairs she said "I bein naughty". I asked what she did and she said "I colored on My-dona's legs". lol. Too cute!

MTM...I mean MTT

It finally came! Our swap box!

We had a very busy day yesterday so we didn't get a chance to do our MTM :( But today when I checked the mail, our swap package arrived! My partner sent us tons of fun stuff so we decided to do a MTT!

UNO showing me some of the goodies.

DOS checking out the mini cookie cutters.

Thank you so much for all of the MTM goodies!

Our MTT meal ...Mandarin oranges, cheese stick cut into pieces, more mandarin oranges. hot dog bites (Nitrate and Nitrite free), shredded cheese and chocolate pudding (a huge treat!)

A new addition

Mommy and her new baby

Sunday my mom came over to watch the kids while D and I went to go see a movie (with TRES in tow). We just missed the 12 o'clock show so we decided to walk around the mall a bit. No mall trip is complete without going to the puppy store, right? So in we went, ooh-ing and ahh-ing at all of the little squished faces, tiny paws and pitiful little looks that they give you. We walked by one of the big windows and saw a beautiful Boston Terrier. BEAUTIFUL. Big hazel eyes and seal/brindle/white coloring. So of course we asked to hold her. I fell in love instantly.

We discussed buying her but we had to go back to the theater since the movie would be starting soon. We put a hold on her, just in case. We went to the movie and came back to see her. We had sort of decided not to get her but the second I saw her, I cried. I couldn't leave her. I felt like she was already my baby and I couldn't stand not being with her. We came home that day with a new member of the family. Princess Bella. Bella because she's beautiful, the name of our neighborhood and because we just finished watching the newest Twighlight movie. Princess because the second we got home, she ran and grabbed DOS's crown and it flipped on her head like she was really wearing it. She was a princess. So we attempted to do a vote but it was tied so we just went with what was easiest and combined both names. The poor dog might be confused for a while but she'll figure it out. What a great little addition to our family! Welcome to the craziness Bella! We love you!

A little love bug!