In a homeschooling house full of 7 kids & 3 guniea pigs....there is never a dull moment! A lot of people show genuine concern for us and want to know how we are doing, as the road we've left behind was not a pleasant one. So, here I am, to tell some of our stories...share some of our days...and open up a part of our world to you! Come join us on our journey so you won't miss the moments that take our breath away!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Dairy-Free For Me

It's amazing how busy one little dove can make you!  Wow, there just isn't enough time in my day!  We have been blessed with the most FUSSY baby in the universe...but we couldn't love our little fuss-bug any more!

It was discovered that Dove was allergic to dairy when he was two weeks old.  So, since I breastfeed, I immediately went on a dairy free diet.  Anyone who knows me KNOWS that I LOVE my dairy!  I went dairy free without a second thought.  It really wasn't too bad for the first two weeks, but it is starting to be a challenge because finding things to eat for breakfast and lunch have been difficult.  It will get easier once I familiarize myself with a wider variety of things I can eat and I learn how to do it frugally! 

Dove also suffers from reflux.  We have known this but at his 2 week check up, we opted to play the waiting game.  Wait...and see if it gets better with a few changes.  Keeping him upright as much as possible, not allowing the flock to stimulate him at least 20 minutes after he eats, etc.  His projectile vomiting has improved with the dairy free diet, but his spitting up has not.  He also suffers from apnea and this is getting more frequent.  Granted, his breathing alarm has only gone off a handful of times...it has gone off 4 times in the past week, so...I decided enough was enough and we are medicating him for his reflux.  I'm hoping this is a short term necessity, as he will be going to a chiropractor and I will be eliminating soy and egg from my diet. 

Despite his challenges, he is gaining weight like crazy!  Within 2 weeks of being home, he gained more than 2lbs!  This is amazing, considering our last two kids have problems with growth!  Nice to know that one of the kids can grow at an above average rate!  I'm glad we caught his food allergy early and hoping we can get a grip on his reflux before it makes things worse.  I get so nervous because he has periodic breathing patterns and with his apnea episodes, I keep thinking about Duckling and her ALTE's, I hope he never suffers from an ALTE!!

We are on the hunt for a new baby carrier. I have always been a devoted Moby user, but it's not working for him.  Dove keeps his head tilted back and doesn't like anything covering his head at all.  Hopefully, we can find a different carrier that he can adapt to because I'm not able to get much done if I can't wear him!


Thursday, September 6, 2012

A little White Dove....

We are thrilled to announce the newest little bird to our flock.  A little White Dove has arrived.  On August 21, 2012 our own little love Dove made his way earth side after 33 hours and 37 minutes of labor!

He's just as perfect and stubborn as can be!  Our little love is already 2 weeks old.  His birth story will be posted soon.

I have always been so blessed to bounce back immediately after delivery.  This time proved no different.  After a 4 day hospital stay, we were finally released.  We left the hospital at about 4:30.  I came home, fixed dinner, cleaned the kitchen, took Cardinal shopping, came home and did a few loads of laundry and got my kids ready for the next day.  The next morning I took Cardinal to school and ran a few errands and I haven't stopped since!!

Dove is by far the most sensitive little bird I've ever had yet!  This poor little man likes nothing other than gentle snuggles and momma's milk!  He is very easily over stimulated so he is proving quite a challenge to satisfy in our house.  He has lots of brothers and sisters who love him so much already, but he isn't quite ready for all the hustle and bustle that comes with a big family.  He doesn't like noise :/ eekk!!! Anyone who has spent 5 minutes in our house knows it's a very noisy place.  Oddly enough, even while he was in the womb, he didn't like noise.  He was always being startled by loud noises and he still proves to be no different.  He doesn't like being passed around too much, he doesn't like anyone in his face...he doesn't like being swaddled and he hates my moby wrap.  He hates the heat, his bouncy seat, his stroller and bumpy car rides and he hates being put down.  It sure doesn't take much to overstimulate him and just the slightest bit of over stimulation makes him puke. 

At his 1 week check up, he was having some issues.  Thanks to an over active let down, he had some struggles with nursing.  He coughed, gagged and choked down his milk and then he'd throw some back up and he'd cough, gag and choke on that too.  His eyes were very gunky and we were a bit concerned that his first night home, his breathing monitor went off.   With some tips to help him with my over abundance of milk we scheduled an appointment for a check up the following week.

Despite his chronic fussiness and an infected umbilicus, he is doing quite well. He is nursing like a champ, he has adjusted very well to his bountiful milk supply and he is gaining weight like it's nobody's business putting on 1/2 oz to 1 oz a day!

It still seems so surreal!  Already, I can't imagine our lives without him.  He has brought a new closeness between Falcon and I, he is such a symbol of our love and he's perfect in every way!  He has made our journey together so much more exciting....and so many times already, he has taken my breath away!