Beach Bum Bride

Thursday, February 27, 2014

RSV I hate you

Well...it's back, not as bad as before but both kids are congested AGAIN.

The day after Christmas Ava was transported to the hospital by ambulance because she stopped breathing and turned blue. I freaked and called 911. Luckily one if my best friends was at the house visiting from Chicago and was able to take over as I stood there. She had not seemed sick but when we arrived at the hospital they tested her for flu and RSV and both came back positive. They preformed a deep suction on her and sent us on our way. On New Year's Day we were back at the hospital to get deep suctioned again. At this point they didn't feel we needed to be admitted and sent us home with a bulb to suction her out. I had a friend who loaned us a hospital grade suction machine (which we ended up buying one) that we started using and thought we were in the clear. About a two weeks later we were back at Kosiars childrens hospital and this time Ava's oxygen level had dropped to 82. This time she was admitted for 5 days. They suctioned her out every couple hours which really helped clear everything out. After she was able to get off oxygen we went home and did very well until yesterday. I had started to notice she was getting congested again and I fear we will be back at the hospital. Keep your fingers crossed we can manage this at home and not have to go to the hospital. I really hate you RSV!

Let me add that Aiden also got the flu and a bad cough during all this but because he is older he was able to handle it a lot better.

Until we meet again we will suction, suction, suction!!

Even though she doesn't feel well she is so happy!!

Is it spring yet?

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Walk for apraxia

This year my family (and some friends) will be walking for apraxia. I have always participated in different walks and have always enjoyed walking for a great cause but never thought I would be walking to benefit a cause my child had. I thought, like most everyone, that my child would be the "typical" child and nothing would ever be wrong with them. But here we are working through what God has handed us. It's hard at times but I know God wouldn't give us something we couldn't handle.

The walk is in Cincinnati so it's a bit of a drive but Ryan and I are very excited to get a team together in September to walk in honor of our precious little boy. For more information about apraxia and the walk visit their website.

http://www.apraxia-kids.org/guides/family-start-guide/what-is-childhood-apraxia-of-speech/

http://secure.apraxia-kids.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1103763.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Ava is 4 months old

Wow I can't believe Ava is 4 months old already.

Here are some things she is doing....

Laughs out loud

Smiles all the time

Rolls from back to side. Almost all the way over.

Holds head up when on tummy

Coos

Holds on to her toy

Sits in bumbo seat

Loves her play mat

She isn't sleeping through the night and still gets up every 4-5 hours but were sure this is because she has had a rough first couple of months. Hopefully this will get better in the very near future. Right now she goes down around 7:30 gets up and takes a bottle between 12-1 goes back down and get up to eat again between 4-6. As you can see I'm very tired. Ryan and I tend to go to bed as soon as the kids go down so we at least get some sleep.

She also isn't putting much weight on her legs which has us a little worried (although it is more then Aiden did) but we will bring it up to pediatrician at her next appointment.

Summer styling

So if you know me at all you know I'm obsessed with kids clothing and dressing my kids up. This past weekend I had a kellys kids party at my moms house. This was a first for me and I wasn't really sure how it was going to go. However I got over $200 in free clothes. Totally worth it!!

Kellys kids is just one of the many brands I'm in love with. I love how they have boy/girl matching sets. Here is a sneak peak of Aiden and Ava's summer wardrobe.

Swim suits for the kids and matching cover up for me!! Yes I am that mom!

Love the pink and green. Ryan actually picked out the shorts for Aiden.

This isn't from kellys kids but I absolutely love it and can't wait for the beach.

Luckily my friend Saralyn shares the same obsession and we both have kids the same age. It makes it so much fun when someone else likes to shop as much as you do. This weekend we both will be attending our first Matilda Jane trunk show in Georgetown. Watch out Ryan and Dallas this could get ugly!

Monday, February 24, 2014

Speech

Over the past weekend I was asked by Aiden’s speech therapist to start writing down words he is saying without any prompts or us asking him to “say___”. Aiden is up to 14 words which is absolutely amazing. We are so proud of him. April will mark our first steps one year anniversary which means he has been in speech therapy for one full year. Even though this is such a slow process he is making huge improvements. I realize most kids his age are able to carry on full conversations but for him to just be able to tell us he wants water is huge. There was a time when I thought he would never talk. It still saddens me when we are around other kids his age that can tell their parents what they want but I know that one day he too will be able to do this. We go to the discovery gym on Saturday mornings and I feel like some mothers are looking at me when my child can’t talk. It may be in my head but that’s just how I feel. People are constantly asking him questions thinking he can answer them and he just can’t. I feel like screaming at the top of my lungs “he is delayed, give him a break”. But I answer for him and move on.

The words that he can say are…

Bowl (bo-al)

Spoon (poon)

Please (pease)

Water (wa wa)

Gigi

Boo

Mimi

Home (ome)

Bottle (baba)

Balloon (oon and sometimes bahoo)

Yes (uh huh)

Banana (nana)

Bye Bye

He is also signing eat, drink, help, more, please, thank you, write and play. He holds his nose when he has a dirty diaper and pulls at his pants when he wants to sit on the big potty.

Today I received an email from his speech therapist and burst into tears at work ( I am sure my co-workers think I must be crazy) when she told me sheheard a 2 word utterance today. That is right folks my son put together two words and said MY SHOE when playing a game. I couldn’t be more proud.

As far as OT we continue to have sessions one time a week. She is working on motor planning and balance. He isn’t able to jump which most kids are able to do so going to the gym is great practice. I continue to have the support of my family and friends. Most of my friends are constantly asking me how things are going and ask about Aiden on a weekly basis. This is such a huge support for me. Having my friends and family to talk to and vent to is so important.