Recent pictures

Sweet Mom

This month has been crowded with health issues! Mom went into her doc because of a pain in her back and ended up having bloodwork done since she had fasted thinking they'd take blood anyway. After determining it was a pulled muscle, they drew the blood for her physical. Some slightly elevated liver enzyme panels came back and she had an ultrasound done on her liver and stomach. They found some "lumps" on her liver. :( She also had a CT Scan done Friday from neck to pelvis and that CAME BACK CLEAR! woohoo! Next step is an ultrasound and liver biopsy next Friday. We're praying a ton for her and her attitude is incredible!! She's a gem!

The ongoing Drew's school saga

Little Drew is having a hard time staying in his chair and doing his class work -- basically following directions. He gets up and wanders around or crawls under the tables and we think he sees other kids doing it and getting away with it so he follows suit. Kenny is going to observe one day and see the dynamics of the class...is it the teachers with little control? too many kids misbehaving? Is the work too hard for him? Going another 6 months at this rate is going to be tough on all of us. They don't do timeout in the classroom and instead re-direct which doesn't cut it in my opinion. He gets things taken away from him when he gets home based on the teacher's report of the day. I'll update after Kenny does the observing.

Pop's journey

We recently found out that Bob has a form of lymphoma cancer and next week they'll find out where the cancer is and what the treatment will be. We've all been praying HARD for him to stay positive and faithful during this tough time. We might never know the reason for him being sick, but there is always an underlying purpose and something we can all learn something from. I will post an update after I get one next week.

WoW! Haven't posted in a looong time!

Phew! Seems like time has just flown by lately....let's rewind!
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at Bob and Cherie's newly remodeled home along with Betty, Dustin, Scott, Laura, Carah, Nathan, Caleb, Gary, Nancy, Jennifer and Lee! So nice to see everyone together like a family reunion on the Carter side!! Our T-day meal was catered with excellent food ....we truly have many blessings to be thankful for. :) Here are some highlights:

Alex bo Balix

Our sleeping nightmare!! He's getting up more frequently in the night and I called the pediatrician's office today for their perspective on sleeping at this age. They said he's too old to NOT be sleeping through and in fact he doesn't even need to eat in the early morning like he has been...he just wants his paci that falls out literally 10 times a night! I'm not getting solid sleep and neither is he. The nurse is sending us some info on how to sleep train appropriately so we'll look that over and start! It'll be a rough few nights but soon be on a normal schedule and we'll all be happy!

"Look at me in the eye and tell me you're sorry."

That's what Daddy asked Drew to do to him....he looked down and said "sorry" but that didn't cut it. So Drew puts his face right up to Kenny's and looks (literally) in his one eye and said "sorry." I was dying inside!!!

Liv's new words!!!!

These sprung out rather quickly -- all in the past two days!
* poo poo (giggle) ;)
* purple (I see a "p" theme starting!)
* green
* wolf
* lion
* okay
* "GO!" (when she wants Drew to get out of her space!)

GO LIVVY, GO LIVVY, GO LIVVY!! Christina and Lisa will be sooo proud of you!! I know we are! :)

Drew and the next-door neighbors

Drew was the first to point out that the neighbors next to us got a new minivan. They were sitting in it learning its features, etc. while we were getting into our car when I noticed he was stalling and wondered why. He's standing in the dirt with his hands behind his back staring at their van...I ask him to get in the car and he says, "What are they doing?" I told him they were learning the new buttons and going through the manual to figure things out with their new car like we did when ours was new. He says, "Well, I can do it!" That is no joke..this kid can tell them what each and every thing does on any new car...believe me! He don't need no stinkin' manual! :) He was practically drooling!

Our trip to Los Angeles

Went very well! The kids were excited, especially Drew, the morning of and I drove the whole way. It only took us 6 hrs with 2 stops!! Their home was lovely as always and G'ma and G'pa had a good time with the kiddos. Drew was interested in the toilets and doing all the light switches of course. I forgot the kids' costumes and my camera at home so we bought what was left the day of. Drew was Thomas the Tank Engine and Liv was a pink kitty. Alex wore his bear hat. I'll update with pics when I get them from Mom.

They loved trick-or-treating and we went to 10ish houses. They all slept pretty well and we had great food. We had a bbq on Sunday that included Lauren, Shelley, and Gary which was fun. Kenny went to his Dad's for 2 days and had a good time there as well.

The trip back went pretty smooth - only fussing Alex a half hour from home...thank God for the DVD player in the van!

Leaving for Los Angeles tomorrow!!

We're leaving in the morning to drive down south to visit my parents and Kenny will stop by his Dad's for a few days as well. Drew is VERY excited to see everyone and so are we....thank God for the DVD player in the van and let's hope Alex doesn't cry too much -- he doesn't like being in his carseat very long! I'll update our events from our trip with pictures when we get back!

Drew's school parade/party for Halloween

We all went to Drew's school yesterday morning for a parade around the school in costume and their class had a "treat" party. He seemed to have fun parading around in his dalmation costume and each kid got to pick a pumpkin from the grass field to bring home. He overindulged in the treats that day for sure! Later that night he said his tummy hurt. Livvy enjoyed watching all the kids as well while Alex was a cooperative and supportive little brother in his stroller. :)

Poor Livvy Lou!

Her GI doc recommended giving her a suppository since she hadn't gone since the "blowout weekend" so we did that 2 days ago. You're supposed to pop it in and wait 15 minutes or so for it to dissolve but she pushed it out within 5 minutes. I went to change her diaper and saw a turd sitting at the "gate" so I used a wipe and tried to grab that sucker!! All of a sudden, an almost foot long poopie came out!! Her bottom was so huge and she was screaming from the pain. I couldn't beleive it and yelled at Kenny to come in and see this! He was in shock (still is I think!)....It was about 1.5 inches across! HOLY POOP!

I hope she felt better - she doesn't say - and we're supposed to administer every 2 days if no poop to let her colon go back to its proper size.

Auntie Shelley, Gary, and Samson!

They drove up today and the plan was to stay with us this weekend. Samson is a puppy Boxer. Livvy was very scared of him and Samson wouldn't eat his dog food or drink water the entire day they were here! They decided to get a hotel room and hang out with us tomorrow during the day. As of earlier, he was eating and drinking...can we say social anxiety disorder?! ;) He's a super sweet dog and ADORABLE. He just doesn't know about our kids since he's never been around small people before. I'll take pics tomorrow and share his cuteness!

Update to Livvy's GI appt

I took little Livvy back yesterday because she's had nothing but small watery poopies since Saturday. She felt the area where the mass was prior and it's not there, but there is a small area closer to the colon that is blocked. She suggested a suppository (thankfully!) and said to switch her to Miralax powder (stool softener) that we already have here and see if those help. She shouldn't go more than 2 days without a poop.

Today, we didn't give her any softener or any meds and she went 3 times on her own! Nice consistency (ew) which is good. We'll need to do the Miralax to keep her colon in good "shape" though.

Just thought I'd update!

Our not-so-good sleeper

That would be Alex. WOW - first time that we've had a restless sleeper - no kid of ours! hee hee

This boy takes two 1-2 hr naps a day - normal I think. Bed by 8pm and he starts out on his side with his pacifier. Anywhere from 2-6 times he's crying, turning over, rolling back, until I put the pacifier back in. GRRRRR! He eats around 4am and goes back in his bassinet. He wakes up like clockwork at 6am when Kenny is gone for work and lays in our bed with me, sleeping until 7am or so. I hope he's going through a growth spurt or something fishy because this is ridiculous!

Liv's GI appt

Poor baby Livvy has had some loose stools for about a month consistently and tries to go poop 15 times a day. She had her stool tested for parasites and Ecoli and that came back clear. The ped referred us to a pediatric GI.

From the moment we walked in the exam room she freaked - crying and wanting to leave. I think she remembered from her 2 yr well-check up that she got a shot. :( We discussed her timeline with milk introduction around a year, her eating habits now, etc. The doctor did a quick abdominal exam while Livvy was crying on my lap and when the doc pushed on the large intestinal area she squirmed. She said she felt a ball or something. She did a quick rectal probe and felt a clay-like poop mass right above her colon. She estimated it to be about the size of a golf ball! The runny poop is water that goes around the lump and gives her chronic diaper rash.

Livvy recovered after she got dressed and was happy to get her sticker and girlie bracelet!

First thing is she'll need an enema (liquid in a bottle) that we'll give her starting tomorrow (Saturday morning) along with Milk of Magnesia to break up this mass. Once it's cleared out, she'll be an a prescription stool softener 3 times a day for a few months to allow her colon to repair itself since it's been stretched out for so long.

The "cleanout" should take a few hrs to a day - we're hoping! I bet she'll feel like a million bucks when that thing is gone. She wants her dairy cut down to one cup of soy milk and one cup of yogurt a day or PediaSure for extra calories and nutrients since she's a picky eater. So far she enjoys the samples we were given!

I'll update soon as to the results!

Comment from Drew's teacher

I picked him up the other day from school and I asked his teacher how he was doing in class, if he listens, cooperates, etc...she said he does well and they were studying the letter "U" that day and a picture of a little boy holding an umbrella in the rain was the subject. Teacher asked the kids what color the clouds should be overhead and some said pink, blue, purple, white and Drew piped in with "black, because the clouds are full of water...they are always dark when it's raining." WOW she was impressed!! Hey, that's our smart son!

Therapy update

Livvy's speech therapist, Joan (private therapy) informed us Livvy doesn't need her services at this time -- that she is doing very well cognitively, has good social skills, and has picked up a few new words or sounds since. That working with Early Start (Christina and Lisa) is sufficient for the time being and we can incorporate Joan if Liv needs a supplement. What fantastic news!! They estimate her to be able to keep up with her peers speech/language-wise within 2 yrs. GO LIV!

Alex's 4 month appt

Our little man had his 4 month appointment Friday. He showed how he could roll over and grasp an object - I tried to show Dr. Rose how he laughs and laughs, but he'd have nothing to do with it! Figures...

He had 4 shots and screamed bloody murder. :( Here are his stats:

Weight: 15 lbs, 8 oz (50%)
Height: 25 inches (55%)
Head: 16 cm (25%)

He dropped in % from the 90's and his little noggin makes him look bigger than he is!
She said he looks great and can start rice cereal right before he comes in for his 6 month check up. woohoo!