Gluten Free

I received results from my biopsy they did during my endoscopy. My small intestine showed some inflammation so I need to get blood work done to test for celiac disease. This is an intolerance to wheat (gluten). If I test positive I will have to change my diet to completely gluten free. I am getting blood work tomorrow and 1-2 weeks for results. Adult onset can be caused by high stress and pregnancy...check and check!

Hopefully I don't have it but my suspicions are peeked after researching it. A common side effect is a skin condition that causes itchy skin, which I went to dermatologist for a few months back, she gave me an allergy med Rx for sensitive skin...?? I'll just have to wait and see.

I know I don't have answers yet but I have done some 'gluten free' research and I feel very overwhelmed. I love bread, cake, ice cream....scared about completely changing my diet. And not by choice but because I would have to, to avoid possible serious complications.

Does anyone currently have this or chooses to live a gluten free lifestyle. I know gluten free is becoming a common trend.

Cuddle bug

B is such a little cuddler. If he can have a warm comfy lap, he will nap. He will nap well in bed but he prefers a lap! I love that he still lays on me. I hope it never stops. Sometimes his quick cat nap turns into an hour later, my butt or leg is numb, I have to pee, I can't reach the remote...but it's all worth it!

I miss when he would lay on my chest as a little dude. I try to trick him all the time and put him on his tummy, he wiggles his way out. I'll take what I can get.

Last Dec...little nugget!

10 months old!

B is 10 months old (7months adjusted)

My little tiny preemie has caught up to his real age size...he's huge and SO long!

19 lbs 2 oz
29in

Clothes size 9-12mo
size 3 diapers

This week his infant carrier will go into storage, time for the big boy car seat!

B is doing awesome in PT/OT. He is developmentally pretty behind but all in all he's doing great. No signs of CP so far and he's getting all his milestones down slowly but surely. He's on his own time line and that's fine with us, he makes the rules!

He has moved out of our bed co-sleeper into the pack n play next to the bed. Next step will be (finally) the crib. Just like B, slowly but surely this mom is getting there.

He eats food twice a day and does great. Eats all that we give him. He loves bananas, mango, and butternut squash. He loves all the homemade goodies I've made him so far.

Birthday plans are well in place. My invites will go out in two weeks. I can't wait!

 Chunky monkey goodness!!

This is how we find him every morning...sideways! Loving all his room!

Endoscopy

Saturday was my test day...I headed to the hospital to have my endoscopy done. I have been under twilight anesthesia before but I was nervous. There's always that 'what if I don't wake up' in the back of my mind.

D came with me and was the perfect hubby. After I came back from the procedure he didn't laugh at me and my still half loopy comments. Which from what he told me were pretty hilarious.

 

The results were my acid reflux has healed. I have mild gastritis which will resolve. She believes a lot of my pain symptoms are anxiety related. So pretty good news, it's nothing serious.

I was so tired yesterday, anesthesia really takes it out of you. I had a good day of relaxing with my boys!

*****
Today I hit up Whole Foods to stock on baby food making items. Tonight I made a butternut squash-pear mixture and I have tons more to make throughout the week for freezing. So far B is loving the homemade foods. He had cantaloupe tonight.

Melts my heart

This was my sweet angel last night, sleeping on dad. I love moments like this.

Updates and randoms

I am a blog slacker. Big slacker!

I realized yesterday was the first day of summer and had a ah ha moment...where has the year gone??? Summer is always super busy and flies by. I feel as though in a blink I will be searching for a new Fall sweater. Although I do love Fall, time needs to slow down and more importantly B needs to stop growing so fast! My little preemie is turning into a very tall chunk monk!

*B has finally moved from his co-sleeper to the pack in play in our room. He was way to big for the sleeper bed and even though I wanted to cut holes in the bottom for his feet I knew it was time. I loved having B in bed with us, even though I turned my head up to 'those moms' before I was a full blown co sleeper lover. B loved the pack in play and all the space he had. He woke up sideways and smiling. He will stay in that for (we aren't sure how long) a while and then finally go to his crib, which is currently storage. Baby steps...for me.

*My endoscopy is on Saturday morning. I am confident for good news and a nice restful day for me. Ice cream is definitely in the future!

*B outgrew all his 6 month clothes in 1 month. I feel like I just de-tagged and washed them and now I just packed them all in the storage bin....which lives in B's crib.

*B was having some seizure activity over the weekend. Clonic seizures are slight hand and leg twitching. After a call to his neurologist we realized he had outgrown his seizure med dose and he up'd it. They have stopped except for a few twitches we have noticed. He may need blood work to check his drug levels and possibly an EEG. Other than that he acting totally normal, happy smiley baby!

*After getting one fill of my eye lash extensions I had them removed instead of re-filling. The glue was drying out my eyes at night. I would still recommended them 100%!

*I have been asked to be on our county board for the MoD. I get to help organize and plan next years walk. I'm excited!

*Baby food making is going well. B loves fresh peaches and my veggie mix (broccoli, cauliflower, carrot). I am going to try something with apples this weekend. Apple-pear?

*B is the best little shopping buddy. He sleeps so good in his carrier...which he has also outgrown. His big boy car seat is going in this week!

Happy Fathers Day

I had a wonderful day with my boys!! We had a late lunch at my parents where we got to celebrate D and my step dad Mark.

I couldn't ask for a better 'baby daddy'. I couldn't do it without you! We love you!

 

Nothing wrong with some man love...LOL.

Also happy fathers day to my FIL Dennis and my dad in California!

Remembering a great lady

My great grandmother Mae passed away last night. She was 97 and her body had begun to fail in the hospital. The Drs took her off life support on Saturday and she had 5 days of fight left in her.

I remember a sassy funny lady who loved cards and her daily martini. Sadness is replaced with the happiness of what a full life she had. I hope I am as lucky as her. Brayden was her only great-great grandchild and I'm sad they never met as she lives in SC but we sent her many pictures of him. She will live on in memories and pictures. We miss you already! My Mema (her daughter) sent me a text saying how Mae is already setting up a card game with her husband who passed many years ago. The thought of being reunited is so sweet.

Bachlorette and BFF's

We had a wonderful and long weekend. My good friend Lauren had her bachlorette party on Saturday night and our friends came in from STL for the event. They brought there new little one, Harrison, and he is a doll! Liz and I went out for the night and the dads stayed in and watched the boys.

This was my first 'moms night out' since I had Brayden. The three of us got our makeup done at Nordstrom before and got all dolled up. We had a blast and so did our bride!! The wedding is next month and D and I are both in the wedding...it's going to be a fun event!

Liz, Lauren(bride), and I

I woke up with my first hangover in 2 years. It was well worth it, such a fun night! We all stayed downtown in an awesome hotel. I def woke up missing my boys. 

While we were away the little ones were being there always cute selves!! Insert Queens 'Your my best friend'.

Randoms

*The Brayden Bunch, our MoD team, was #2 in our county for total earnings and a top earner in the country at #370. Very cool!

*In the past week I have watched season one and two of Greys Anatomy. Lifetime is replaying all the seasons, two per day. My dvr is set. I'm excited to re-watch them all.

*My bestie Lauren is having her bachlorette party Saturday downtown Chicago. It's my first 'mommy night out' since having B....whoo hooo girls night!! We are going to a drag show!

*I have been getting stomach pains when I drink any amount of alcohol. I went to a GI Dr and she said it's probably my acid reflux having a severe flair up. I have to get an Endoscopy on the 25th to confirm and to get a better look. An easy procedure but going under twilight freaks me out.

*Wednesday it was 100* and today it was 50*. Chicago has weird weather.

*I have become obsessed with the new channel Investigative Discovery. I love the forensics/crime shows.

*I got B's birthday invites, love them!! Can't wait to start really planning the party!

*B will get his big boy car seat installed really soon. His feet hang over his infant carrier. We have a tall boy on our hands.

*B actually likes green beans! That's my boy...I love green beans!

*B is getting curly hair just like his dad :-)

Summer Days...

It's 100* outside today and the perfect day for the baby pool. Nice breeze, my fave mommy (Amy) and her munchkin Wyatt. I love days like today. Fresh air and sun, bbq tonight with the hubby...ahh summer! A sweet little napping baby next to me as I write this....life is good!

 

 

 

B loves Bananas!

We are on week 3 of feeding and B is doing really well. He is getting the hang of it and each day improves his skills. We have not needed to work with a speech therapist anymore because he is doing so well.

We feed him at night and sometimes in the morning for practice. We are mixing in lots of new foods to try. I really want him to be a vegetable eater so my fingers are crossed, even though peas were a no go. He even sneezed while eating and I got a face full of peas, yuck! It's a work in progress.

So far the favorite is by far bananas. B loves them!! In the jar, fresh mashed up, mixed with avocado, in yogurt, with oatmeal. And he has the lovely side effect of constipation to prove it. Maybe we'll try prunes today!?!

I am excited to start trying some baby puree recipes. I have my stuff, including my food processor that we got for our wedding that I have yet to use, ready to go. We just need to rule out a few more food allergies and we can start making food. I plan to give B a mix of store bought food and homemade.

Here are a few faces from the eating experiences! Can you tell which day was peas? LOL.