Coming Out From Under This Cloud

We've been sick around here.  Of course, I haven't had to endure a head cold in years.  I should have figured that the year we have a toddler and a newborn at home would be the year we all get sick.  And, as you probably assumed, it started with my toddler.  We blame her for bringing this snot-nosed enemy into our home.

Alas, we are slowly on the mend thanks to lazy days, HOT showers and Advil Cold & Sinus.  That stuff is seriously gold wrapped up in a little capsule.  Love.

In more pressing (read:depressing) news, I go back to work in four weeks.  I fully intended to have my wits about me during this maternity leave.  Instead, I feel less prepared to reenter the workforce than ever.  The clock is ticking in so many ways.  And I still have to find childcare!  Anyone want to watch my two kiddos for pennies on the dollar while I work to keep our family financially afloat.

"Well, when you put it that way..."

Will Elli Make It to Her First Birthday?

Sometimes Anne loves her sister too much.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

It Goes So Fast

I feel like Thanksgiving just flew right by us this year.  We enjoyed a wonderful time with my parents.  It was a little strange, being just the four of us, but kind of nice too.  A quiet dinner and dessert followed by great conversation and football.  One of the more low key Thanksgivings that I can remember.

And now, my living room has been rearranged to make room for the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree that adorns our front window.  Our mantel is full of Christmas ivy, stockings, ornaments and candles, all singing their own little Christmas tune.  I love this time of year.

I'm just hoping it doesn't whiz past me as quickly as the other holidays have.

We Made the Paper!

Check it out... Wireless Zone in the News!

Cup of Joe

Its 8 am and I'm already enjoying my second cup of coffee while two pecan pies bake away in my oven.  I love Thanksgiving.  I have so much to be thankful for...

A healthy family.
Two beautiful children.
A wonderful husband.

Oh and who can forget the fact that the God of Heaven, the One True God, chose me from my pit of sinfulness to be His child.

Amazing.  Truly Amazing.

Success!

I was sure I was crazy this morning when I decided to take the girls to the grocery store by myself.  I mean, what mother in her right mind would take a newborn baby and an almost two year old to Meijer the Monday before Thanksgiving all by herself?

That would be me (though some may beg to differ on the "right mind" part).  I am proud to say it was a huge success!  Thank goodness too, because Matt works a long day today and won't be home until well after bedtime for the two kiddos.  Had we not enjoyed such a wonderful experience, it would have made for a much longer day for mommy.

Now, who wants to help me get this house cleaned?

A Rash No More

Its been three days on the soy formula and Elli's face has improved immensely, not to mention her demeanor.  Matt and I have been in awe at what a wonderful child she has been.  Content, sleeping long hours and best of all, not screaming after each feeding.

Elli's face before.  (This picture doesn't quite do it justice.  The rash was much worse in person.)

And after using the soy formula for just 36 hours.  What an improvement.

So, I'm not sure what to make of it.  I tried nursing her yesterday and it was a disaster.  Her rash didn't return full scale, but she was back to being a fussy, unhappy baby.  I can only deduce that my breastmilk, for whatever reason, bothers her.  Could it be a milk allergy?  Who knows.  Now I have a freezer full of breastmilk and am not sure if I should donate it, or save it for a rainy day...just in case she grows out of this stage.  Do I quit pumping and let my milk supply stop?  Oh, the questions.

For now, I'm just happy to have my sweet, contented baby back.  Thanks for your prayers!

Doctor's Visit

Before I get into the update from the doctor, I did want to tell you that we tried using soy formula last night to see if Elli's condition improved.  Wouldn't you know she slept longer last night (full and satisfied) and woke up looking like a different baby.  No large red patches on her face.  Just dry skin.  I was amazed at the difference.

But, I still took her to the doctor, to get a fourth opinion.  He was bewildered.  Could be severe baby acne...but unlikely.  Could be an allergic reaction to the antibiotic...but why only on her face?  Could be an allergy to dairy coming from my breastmilk...but again, why only on her face?  Could be a combination of severe eczema, baby acne and cradle cap all in one.  So many questions...so little answers.  I told him about the limited success we had with the soy formula which peaked his interest.

The diagnosis:  Continue to try to soy formula for a week to see if she improves.  At that point, we can retest the breastmilk to see if there is any digression.  We're also going to try a steroid cream which treats eczema on some of the drier patches around her mouth.

Hmph.  Not exactly the outcome I was hoping for, but certainly more direction than I was given on Monday.  I like this doctor.  I think I'll keep him.

Now, off to bottle feed my baby and then pump.  How time consuming!

More to come...