13 years ago today!

Bedtime

As you can see we still swaddle at night. And I don't know how we're ever gonna stop! When she's set free her hand constantly wake her up! At 4 month old I'm still up quite a bit with her. Her longest stretch is usually from 9-1am. If I go to bed with her at 9pm it's not too hard to wake up for those early morning feedings, but my computer world constantly tugs at me to come play, as it's my only grown up time. Some nights we have the 1/2am feeding, 3,4,5,6,7,8am feedings. She' not so much eating,  as it is her having tummy pains and my boobs are the only thing that will comfort her. I know eventually she's grow out of all these tummy troubles. All my kids slept through the night by 2yrs old :)

My 34th Birthday!

Celebrated today out at W* Mountain. It was extra special to have my nephews here with me today all the way from Las Vegas!

Emmalyn 4 months old!

Emmalyn turned 4 months on July 20th! The day before my birthday!!!

She's now 11lbs and 21.5 inches.

Loves to grab at my face.. ouch those sharp nails

So smiley and happy every morning when Big Brother cuddles her in bed

Starting to be weary of strangers

Grabbers on about everything

Still very juicy but no teeth yet

Hates the bouncy chair, the exersaucer, her walker.... but not mommy's arms :)

Still breastfeeding HOORAY!!!

A friend of mine wrote this post, and I couldn't have said it better myself! She is an amazing new mom that I met on "Just Mommies"

On Online Friendships

The internet is very much like the real world - a huge global network in which there are many tight-knit communities. Over the years, I've been fortunate enough to develop some amazing friendship online. These are the kind of friendships that let you be honest - wonderfully, terribly honest. It must be the initial anonymity that fosters this kind of frankness. You know you don't have to see the look in people's eyes if you shock, anger, or disappoint them with your honesty, and that eliminates the risk. Plus, online friends often don't know any of your family or friends, which keeps them objective (or totally biased because they have only your side....either way, it works). There is no pressure to meet for coffee regularly, and nobody gets offended if you don't buy a gift for their birthday.

One such group for me is from the message boards at Just Mommies. I joined in my pregnancy upon the insistence of a real-life friend, and soon I was posting each day in my Due Date Club, which is a group of women who were due to give birth in the same month as me. We spent nine months talking about our pregnancies and getting to know one another. Then, after the births of our babies, we turned into a "Playroom". We now have a Facebook group because it's just so much easier to update from a smartphone, and most of us have a baby in one hand and smartphone in the other. As a group, we have experienced a stillbirth, the untimely death of one of our own members, and family, personal and baby illnesses - but also shared our entire pregnancies, the joy of our births and now we are raising our children "together". There have been arguments and internet hugs alike. One thing is for sure, they are true friends. As a group, they likely know more about me than most of my real-life friends do. When I need to celebrate a triumph or cry on someone's shoulder, they are my first go-tos.

Do you participate in any particular communities online? Have you made hard and fast friendships online? How long have you been friends? I have one online friendship that is in its twelfth year already.

Blog credit: Kim at  http://familybirdsnest.blogspot.com/

Shorty

Staying in the 0-5%

Fluffybutt

I love cloth diapering babies. With Emmalyn, we started with Kissaluv 0's and Thristie XS covers. At 4 months she's finally outgrown them ;) Now we've moved on to small Fuzzibunz! They fit her perfectly and are oh-so comfy. The insides are a buttery soft fleece, button front closure which allows for lots of growth, and a PUL waterproof outer that comes in lots of cute colors.

Little farm in our backyard

Dane's garden. Built and planted all by he and the kids!

Yes, we even have chickens!! Dane's building a bigger coop as our 7 chickens have outgrown this one. Let's see if I can remember their names.. Steve, Bitey, Quickster, Maddie's little helper.. I guess that's all I can remember, all named by Maddy. I'm looking forward to fresh eggs!!

Maddy's bunny "Sweetie Pie"

Wenzel Children

Harkey Family

Pretty flower

 

Update on Emmalyn

    We got more information from a pediatric GI specialist at Dornbecher's Children's Hospital. The doctor confirmed that she has breast milk colitis and also diagnosed her with GERD (acid reflux). Despite weighing only 10 lbs 10oz, which puts her around the 3rd percentile, the doctor assured us that she would not be labeled FTT (failure to thrive). The doctor explained that her slow weight gain is acceptable because she is still healthy and proportionately small at 21.5 inches.
    The plan is to start her on Zantac and add Carafate to coat the lining of her esophagus and stomach. Hopefully, this will improve her feeding and make her more comfortable. Currently, we're lucky to get 2oz per feed. As for breastfeeding, I have to go on a strict no-dairy diet. This includes most breads, sauces, and most processed foods. I'm going to give this diet a try, but if it proves difficult or I don't see improvement in her symptoms within a month, I'll have to stop this endeavor of breastfeeding. It will be a very emotional time for me.

    Neocate is a completely hypoallergenic formula not made from cow's milk (most hypoallergenic formulas are still cow milk-based). This is an "elemental formula," meaning the proteins have been broken down into amino acids. We're fortunate our insurance covers this formula 100% as it is very expensive... $50 per can.
    Please keep us in your prayers! It's already hard enough to split my attention between 4 kiddos and my hubby. This added stress is pushing us to our breaking point. She cries every time I feed her and is up many times a night. Since adding formula to her diet, my milk supply has decreased considerably. For the past few days, I've had to breastfeed, then top her off with a bottle (because I didn't have enough milk to satisfy her). Once she's asleep, I pump (to increase my supply). All of that while trying to keep my other children from fighting. It's not exactly a peaceful atmosphere around here!
    I know it will improve with time, and there are many happy and loving moments...I only wish right now there were more of them!

Look what Maddy did to me!

Timothy Lake

Some of my favorite pics from our adventure at Timothy Lake

Blue eyes??

I'm so enjoying her beautiful blue eyes! But will she keep them?