Health updates

Early February, we had an awful round of bronchialitis at our house. I ended up staying home W/TH/F with the kids and the following M/TU. We did one week of nebulizer treatments every four hours for BOTH kids. That was very stressful as neither one of them sit quietly for the 15 minute activity. They each fight it and try to get away and cry throughout the experience. We ended up back at the doctor's office and they were both placed on an oral steroid. I'm not a fan of oral steroids, but at that point the benefits outweighed the side effects. The kids took about two weeks to feel better and that was when the family pictures took place.

Well, sadly, we are right back at that same situation. This morning both kids had dr. appts and are back on nebulizer treatments. Tanner started Zrytec once per day. Both have to endure the horrible saline and bulb syringe action. YUCK!! The doctor was not convinced that the oral steroid was the way to go this time, so we are just going to try to get better with albuterol breathing treatments alone. Tanner has been diagnosed with Reactive Airway Disease and Kinsey is well on her way to that also. It basically means that any little irritant can cause the airways to constrict, become inflamed, and then build up with mucous. The albuterol is a bronchodilator which opens up the passage ways. It helps keep them from wheezing and hopefully get better sleep as well. That is at an emotional cost of giving the treatment when they kick and scream and cry the whole time. I wish they understood that we are just trying to help them, but the look on their face is so sad. Poor Kinsey had to sleep in her swing last night just to stay upright. She couldn't breath when nursing because both airways were then blocked. UGH.
I plan to nurse her as long as I can, but she may soon have to supplement with one bottle of formula each day. I don't like that idea, but she is drinking more and more and I am making the same amount. I pump twice at work and then breastfeed her of an evening, overnight, and on weekends. I am only one afternoon ahead of her; unlike Tanner, who I was at least a month ahead of in freezer supply. The fact that she came home from the hospital with us and my increased stress levels have both played a role in the reduced supply for her. She has now started biter biscuits, and soon she will be snacking on Gerber Puffs, cheerios, and yogurt bites so she is doing just fine. She is in the 50th percentile on weight and head circumference and between 75-90% on height.
Tanner is sillier than ever! For those of you who have heard the commercial, he now likes the Yellowwood tune. If you say "Yellowwood" and then pause......he'll say "dot.com" and draw out the cooooooooom part in the same tone they do on the commercial. Too funny! He likes to know where Kinsey is at all times and will play with her in his own way, but also doesn't like her to invade his personal space uninvited. If she gets near him, he might be heard saying, "Baby, noooo!" hahaha

First Family Photo of Four!

Well, since I live in a constant mode of "I have so many things I need to be doing" state-of-mind, I was completely elated to be able to mark this off my to-do list!! I made the appointment for 10am on the morning of the Super Bowl Sunday in the hopes that most people would be home and we wouldn't have the crowds, nor the wait, to deal with. My plan worked beautifully and we had a super experience with 146 pics taken narrowed down to a package of 12! Both kids cooperated most of the time, but not always at the same time; however, I am pleased with the outcome and thrilled with some of the shots!

Kinsey has passed the six month mark and is simply a joy to be around. She smiles, squeals, and even giggles quite often. The giggles have to be provoked, but they are contagious! She is almost 18 lbs now and her hair is slowly coming in. She has progressed through the orange pureed foods and is loving sweet peas. She can roll all over the room, but isn't crawling yet. She is very sweet, has great hearing, and is very afraid she is going to miss something; therefore, she is always on the alert...looking around. When nursing, I can't even whisper or she will stop what she's doing and look around to see what's going on. When falling asleep, she keeps her eyes just barely open so she knows what's going on around her. It may look like she is asleep, but if you get up close and smile, she will see you through a tiny slit in her eyes and smile back!!! Too funny!!

Tanner is becoming quite the ham and likes to entertain. Recently, the the lil' stinker started holding his nose and saying "ewwwwww" when getting his diaper changed (thanks, MiMi!)!! When he hears music he likes, he has developed some fancy footwork and like to turn in circles! He hasn't met a food he doesn't like and mostly eats what we eat. He enjoys making forts, reading books, brushing his teeth, and hanging out with Daddy in the garage. His vocabulary is expanding as he tells us "morning!" as we open his door each morning, and "eat" when he's hungry and "juice" when he is thirsty. He seems really smart to us, but naturally we are biased.

As for Tobin and myself, we are hanging in there. Life is crazy busy 99% of the time. For two people that have full-time jobs and are trying to raise two kids less than 20 months, I guess we're doing alright. Some days you might have to convince me of that though. Stress levels can get high and deep breaths need to be taken. I have a student teacher which is relieving some stress, yet causing some as well since it is an important time of year with state tests around the corner. Tobin and I are both very eager for nice weather so we can get out of the house more often. We can't wait to take the kids on a hike or some kind of outdoor activity. Come on Spring!!!!!!!!!!