Friday, June 6, 2008
Worth Something
When our pals Kate and Deb (primarily Debbie) took the fuzzy beast away, both Kel and I thought we would feel sad and miss him. Our feelings only became stronger that we aren't really 'cat' people. We are finding, however, our daughter just might be a 'cat' person. Her first word was "Kitty Cat", every time she sees a cat she flips her gidget. Life didn't work out for Mylo in the big metropolis of Minneapolis, apartment living ain't his thang, so we got him back. Well, at least it makes Brinnon happy. That makes him worth something, I guess. Welcome back, Mylo!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Mom's weekend
Porcupine we saw at Jay Cooke State Park, Eddy didn't even chase it
My cute family
Hiking at Jay Cooke
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Consistency
consistency : condition of adhering together : firmness of material substance b: firmness of constitution or character 2: degree of firmness, density, viscosity, or resistance to movement or separation of constituent particles
3 a: agreement or harmony of parts or features to one another or a whole. ability to be asserted together without contradiction b: harmony of conduct or practice with profession
As I was up changing B's diaper a few minutes ago, I realized how one word has defined the last nine months of my life. Consistency. Truly I couldn't think of a better word. In the beginning it started out with Brinnon's poop. Her stool had the look and consistency of mustard with cottage cheese. However it was never really consistent in its texture. After a few months, Brinnon's poo turned somewhat mucousy and really watery, which was a different consistency than what most infants have. B had consistent blow-outs (changing outfits EVERYTIME she pooped). We were told from her pediatrician there was not too much cause for alarm since she was still 'chunking out'. We went with it and just thought our B was a big pooper, we were proud of our little darling. About two months ago she started to have blow-outs 5 to 6 times a day. Since she was eating solids (or foods that had a pureed consistency) we didn't think an infant should be having stools with this consistency. Finally a month ago we brought her in to our pediatrician and discovered Brinnon may have a milk allergy or sensitivity. It was a scary time since she had lost a pound and had WBC and sugars in her stool, meaning malabsorbtion of her food. Our doctor put me on a strict no dairy/no soy diet to get Brinnon's stools back to a consistency of a nine month old who was eating solids. If this worked and I could be consistent with my diet, we could determine if this source was wreaking havoc on our little B's gut. Why did B's doctor think of this?
Brinnon got really sick two or three times this winter and the virus could have stripped her lower intestine of the enzyme 'lactase' which digests the protein 'lactose' (milk protein). With this information we now understand why B screamed and was frantic at the breast, why she had so many blow-outs, and why she was losing weight. Without the ability to produce lactase, her body viewed the milk protein (and soy mimics the milk protein which is why I had to cut soy) as invasive or foreign body. This created her lower intestine to shed (hence mucus) layers and rid itself of anything in her gut the minute it entered her digestive system. Poor poor little girl!
To test our doctor's theory I had to cut milk and soy for a month because I am breastfeeding. The cows milk protein goes into my breast milk and therefore into Brinnon. To find if this was the culprit, I had to remove it too. With the elimination of both dairy and soy we hoped to see an improvment in Brinnon's behavior and stool. We saw both! Within two and a half weeks we started seeing formed stool and a little girl who enjoyed breastfeeding again.
Allowing her body to heal in this month could also give the intestinal tract a chance to recreate lactase. We are now in the slow reintroduction phase of dairy, to see if B can digest it now or to see if the protein will again create havoc. The future will tell. I have to note how lucky I feel to be at this point. Today I had creamy whole milk yogurt with my favorite granola. Every bite was cherished...Oh how I missed you Brown Cow!
Eliminating dairy and soy from the American diet takes true dedication. Soy is in every processed food as a thickener/binder and dairy...well...they are both in everything quick and easy. The month went slow..................................................
Consistency also plays a huge role in our parenting. I feed Brinnon on a consistent schedule, or most days. She naps at consistent times and has a consistent bedtime. Her food has the consistency of apple sauce and is slowing getting more texture. Her stools are getting to be more consistent with a normal consistency. She is consistently getting cuter and more fun to be with and our love for her is definitely and unconditionally consistent!
What can we say? Our lives are finally defined! Thanks Brinnon! :)
And by the way, it's been day two with dairy in my diet and so far so good! No blow outs! YEAH!
3 a: agreement or harmony of parts or features to one another or a whole. ability to be asserted together without contradiction b: harmony of conduct or practice with profession
As I was up changing B's diaper a few minutes ago, I realized how one word has defined the last nine months of my life. Consistency. Truly I couldn't think of a better word. In the beginning it started out with Brinnon's poop. Her stool had the look and consistency of mustard with cottage cheese. However it was never really consistent in its texture. After a few months, Brinnon's poo turned somewhat mucousy and really watery, which was a different consistency than what most infants have. B had consistent blow-outs (changing outfits EVERYTIME she pooped). We were told from her pediatrician there was not too much cause for alarm since she was still 'chunking out'. We went with it and just thought our B was a big pooper, we were proud of our little darling. About two months ago she started to have blow-outs 5 to 6 times a day. Since she was eating solids (or foods that had a pureed consistency) we didn't think an infant should be having stools with this consistency. Finally a month ago we brought her in to our pediatrician and discovered Brinnon may have a milk allergy or sensitivity. It was a scary time since she had lost a pound and had WBC and sugars in her stool, meaning malabsorbtion of her food. Our doctor put me on a strict no dairy/no soy diet to get Brinnon's stools back to a consistency of a nine month old who was eating solids. If this worked and I could be consistent with my diet, we could determine if this source was wreaking havoc on our little B's gut. Why did B's doctor think of this?
Brinnon got really sick two or three times this winter and the virus could have stripped her lower intestine of the enzyme 'lactase' which digests the protein 'lactose' (milk protein). With this information we now understand why B screamed and was frantic at the breast, why she had so many blow-outs, and why she was losing weight. Without the ability to produce lactase, her body viewed the milk protein (and soy mimics the milk protein which is why I had to cut soy) as invasive or foreign body. This created her lower intestine to shed (hence mucus) layers and rid itself of anything in her gut the minute it entered her digestive system. Poor poor little girl!
To test our doctor's theory I had to cut milk and soy for a month because I am breastfeeding. The cows milk protein goes into my breast milk and therefore into Brinnon. To find if this was the culprit, I had to remove it too. With the elimination of both dairy and soy we hoped to see an improvment in Brinnon's behavior and stool. We saw both! Within two and a half weeks we started seeing formed stool and a little girl who enjoyed breastfeeding again.
Allowing her body to heal in this month could also give the intestinal tract a chance to recreate lactase. We are now in the slow reintroduction phase of dairy, to see if B can digest it now or to see if the protein will again create havoc. The future will tell. I have to note how lucky I feel to be at this point. Today I had creamy whole milk yogurt with my favorite granola. Every bite was cherished...Oh how I missed you Brown Cow!
Eliminating dairy and soy from the American diet takes true dedication. Soy is in every processed food as a thickener/binder and dairy...well...they are both in everything quick and easy. The month went slow..................................................
Consistency also plays a huge role in our parenting. I feed Brinnon on a consistent schedule, or most days. She naps at consistent times and has a consistent bedtime. Her food has the consistency of apple sauce and is slowing getting more texture. Her stools are getting to be more consistent with a normal consistency. She is consistently getting cuter and more fun to be with and our love for her is definitely and unconditionally consistent!
What can we say? Our lives are finally defined! Thanks Brinnon! :)
And by the way, it's been day two with dairy in my diet and so far so good! No blow outs! YEAH!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Rock Me Amadeus
Musical talent runs deep in both sides of the family so it's no surprise to either of us that our ever so talented daughter took to the xylophone as quickly as she did. It brought a tear to my eye...a proud mom moment...to see her be such a natural with the 'piano' like her mommy. Some of you may snicker thinking "Courtney...musically inclined....piano???" Yes it may come as a shock to you, but it's true. I was once a piano wizard. Let's just say if you ever get the chance to hear me play "Hey Jude" or "Tomahawk Chop" (Chrysta I'll need some assistance as it's not the same without the duet), all questions will be lifted from thought. Kelly is a fabulous guitar player, Grandpa and Auntie Chrysta too...so when Brinnon picks up a guitar and starts finger pickin' without help, these relatives can claim that talent but I'm taking the piano/xylophone. I spent eight LONG years taking lessons down in the 'dungeon' of our teacher's basement every Wednesday eve from 2nd grade to my junior year of high school. Chrysta and I practiced (with severe force and/or threats) everyday (or most) for a half hour with hopes from Mom that one of her daughters would become the next Mozart. We often heard "One day you'll thank me for this". Unfortunately I only remember "Hey Jude" by heart, and I do a great version of Chopsticks with my favorite piano partner, trouble maker, co-conspirator Chrysta! Maybe Brinnon will be able to teach me a thing or two, by the looks of it at 9 months she already is better than I ever was.
Monday, April 14, 2008
We're BAAAAAAAAACK!
For you that are still checking out little B, I want to apologize for being so lame. Kelly has taken a blog sabatical. I've been hoping the lack of me bringing it up-to-date would motivate him to add a few pictures or words. Nope. He's pretty much done. This is a bummer to me too because I've enjoyed his posts probably as much as you all have. Maybe you could call or email him to get him to post an editorial. Who knows...you may have a more persuasive effect on him than I. My ability was lost once I said "I do".
Last time I put photos up was when lil B and I went vacationing down south to the land of Saguaros and Coronados. Kel and I came home from our travels and Kel and B got sick..AGAIN. We have decided that they definitely have the same immune system, unfortunately for B. Kelly was so sick: high fever for over a week, coughing his lungs out nearly three weeks, and no energy for weeks. Brinnon didn't get it as bad as Kelly, but she still was out of sorts for a while. 
Easter we traveled to St. Paul to meet Wilder Bourdaghs (see picture above). He is a darling! Thanks Mike and Angie for letting us stay with you and meeting your little sweetie! Saturday we headed down to Lake Crystal to see Grandma and Grandpa Bartz and Auntie Lil. We stayed a day longer because of the sick family members. Monday we headed to Maple Grove to visit Grandma squared. A lot of traveling, especially with sickies. It was still wonderful to see everyone! Although the pictures of B are quite adorable as a bunny...she felt so yucky it almost seemed wrong to subject her in an "Easter dress with bunny ears". Lily and I couldn't help ourselves...she is appeasing us.
Brinnon and I now have a new job. We are taking care of an adorable little girl named Avery. She is five months older than B and they get along great. B just loves Avery and most definitely thinks she is the bees knees.
During all the chaos of losing jobs and gaining them, the Snellman's came to town from Cedar, Iowa. Here is a picture of their adorable daughter, Eva. Can you tell she has had a camera in front of her face since she was a newborn?
Not only did Brinnon and I get a new job, but Auntie Lil got a job at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis. What a wonderful and exciting adventure for her! Way to go Lil! This is the first time since she was a teen that she's actually been a resident of Minnesota...we are so excited to have her close. Now we just need to work on the other Aunt in Tucson.Jennilyn and Reggie came by while we were in Maple Grove to see the little munchkin. Brinnon fell in love with Reg. He is a natural with kids and very weathered since he has five-year-old twin daughters. Brinnon has been experimenting with facial expressions. Her latest and greatest is what Lowell Heydt calls the "Dickens Face". See picture below.
It's finally FINALLY officially getting nice out. This past weekend we were hit with another blizzard. UGHHH! One would think in April the snow should be done, but we got nailed. Thursday evening when the storm hit our power went out. Not only did we lose power, we lost our beautiful 40 foot pine tree that separated our property line to the south of us. Lucky the winds were coming from the North and the tree fell in our favor. Our neighbor two houses down wasn't so lucky. 2 am she awoke to a huge pine tree in her roof and front porch. It was quite the site! 
We had no stove, oven, heat, cooling system for food, laundry, computer or radio. A day off from work and we could do nothing but hang out. No cleaning or blogging or anything...just time together. It was wonderful! And it's always is nice to hear Kelly play the guitar and watch Brinnon admire her daddy's talents. Maybe one day she'll be a lot like him! :)
We weren't too concerned about the power until it didn't come on at all after the storm dissipated. There were 163 homes in Duluth that were affected by long term power outages...we were in that lucky statistic. Fortunately for us we had the Heydt's rescue us from our dark cold powerless dwelling. Their downstairs became our pseudo home for two days. We are so thankful for them being so generous to us!!!Welcome little Elias Ekern to the world. Last Thursday our friends Angie (Vogt) and Chris had their little peanut three weeks early. http://ekernfamily.blogspot.com/. He is a tinky tiny little guy, only 4 lbs. I've talked to dad and Elias is doing great. Congrats to you!
Last, a few cute shots of B.
Waking Up...Peekin' Out
Waking Up...Peekin' Out
Look how much I've grown (9 months) and....
Brinnon at one month
Mommy and Baby Lollygaggers
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)