So I know that I don’t blog too often, but I’m pretty sure that this wouldn’t make it up any other way. So, Kimi has this habit of handing her toothbrush holder to Eli as she’s brushing her teeth. Basically it keeps Eli occupied and usually works out that he hands it back. Although lately he’s been running off with it and then Kimi has to go find it to put her toothbrush away. However, this time, Eli decided that he really needed that toothbrush holder (along with the toothbrush), so as best as we can figure he helped himself to the holder while it was sitting on the edge of the counter. We still haven’t found either the toothbrush or the holder. Oh well, I’m sure we’ll find it someday, in a drawer somewhere…
Nov
14
2008
1:24 pm
14
2008
1:24 pm
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Ornery Eli
Eli and I finished up our antibiotics at the end of last week and were both feeling much better through the weekend! So of course, we filled our weekend quite full! Due to the month of November filling up fast, we decided to go ahead and pull out our Christmas decorations! Its been so much fun seeing the joy and excitement Eli has had with the change of scenery indoors! He often brings me over to the Christmas tree to point out all the ornaments and lights. He has enjoyed playing with some special Christmas toys, including a manager scene, Christmas train, and stuffed Rudolph! Even though it feels early to have Christmas decorations, I’m thankful to have an extra month to enjoy Eli’s reactions to the season!
On Sunday, we traveled to Denver for a birthday celebration with the Baylor side of the family. It was fun visiting with family once again and watching Eli run around the house with his older cousin, Nathan!
Unfortunately, Monday re-introduced the unwanted sickness routine into our home. We are on our third week of sickness, and I will be the first to say it is getting quite old. Though my voice is back, my breathing issues and cough returned and has only worsened throughout the week. I’m back on nebulizer treatments throughout the day. I have a doctor’s appointment today and am truly hoping for some relief. With as sick as I’ve been, its hard not to be concerned about the baby growing inside of me. Each movement I feel gives me much needed encouragement. This weekend, I will enter into my third trimester. Its hard to believe how quickly this pregnancy seems to be going. I’m starting to look pregnant and have even pulled out a few maternity tops.
I brought Eli in for his flu shot on Monday as he seemed to have recovered. He, unfortunately, woke up on Tuesday with a runny nose and his cough quickly returned as well. So I’m not sure if the two of us really didn’t kick our sickness or if we both managed to catch something new. Fortunately, Eli doesn’t seem to be coughing as bad as I am, and he isn’t having any trouble with his breathing.
On a positive note, Eli is finally taking one nap a day! We’ve been working towards this for months unsuccessfully. But, Eli is on his third day of napping once a day and his naps are finally getting a little longer (which makes me VERY happy)! Its nice having a longer chunk in the morning to run errands or do other things.
On another note, we are rejoicing and praising God that Matt survived another round of lay-offs at work. Its been quite stressful waiting, knowing the future could be a bit uncertain. We knew God was in control one way or the other. But this just confirms that Matt’s time at his current job is not finished.
Nov
14
2008
1:16 pm
14
2008
1:16 pm
First Haircut!
After weeks about talking about cutting Eli’s hair, we finally did it! I was dreading how Eli would react to sitting still or to the feel of the clippers on his head. To my surprise, Eli thought it was pretty fun! He was laughing and having great time! As you can see, our little gadget-boy was quite fascinated with the clippers and would have been content having free reign of the newest gadget introduced into his life! Despite his long wispy curls in the back of his head and the fact his hair was standing up almost all the time, I had a hard time wanting to cut off the hair that we waited so long to finally grow! The end result was very positive, and I can’t believe how much more grown up my little guy looks!
Here are a couple pre-hair cut shots to prove the need for a hair cut was quite necessary!
Nov
05
2008
12:11 pm
05
2008
12:11 pm
Sickness Update
Eli: I think out little guy is finally kicking his round of illness! He’s hardly coughed at all today and we’ve pretty much stopped the nebulizer treatments. We have a few more days of antibiotic to finish up, but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I must add, I am so thankful that he is really good at taking medication and that he is so much more cooperative with the nebulizer treatments than he was earlier in the year!
Matt and I brought Eli in for speech therapy this morning. I continue to feel encouraged after watching the therapist interact with Eli that we have been and are doing the right things to encourage him to speak at home. He responds to the therapist the same way he does to us, by basically laughing or not talking! But with time, I have full confidence he’ll start talking. The therapist told us today that our goal is not necessarily words but sounds. So any attempt at a sound he makes (minus screaming, crying, and grunting) should be highly praised!
Kimi: I went to the doctor on Monday. He was mostly concerned that I was having trouble with my breathing, which can affect the baby. He wasn’t sure what I had, but put me on a broad spectrum antibiotic to kill any bug I had to hopefully help my breathing. He also increased some of my asthma treatments. One reason we are especially cautious with my breathing is the only risk factor I had for IUGR in my first pregnancy was my asthma. So I’ve been on some prophylactic treatment to prevent breathing problems, but now just need an added boost to treat the current issue and hopefully protect the baby as much as possible. To add to all my fun, I broke out in hives after taking my first dose of antibiotic. Last night, I took the antibiotic at bedtime along with two benadryl and my antihistamine for chronic hives and didn’t have a problem with hives and I slept really good!
Today is the first day I’ve been able to speak for short times a little above a whisper. Its progress, though! However, the more I talk, the more I have trouble breathing. So those around me are still often getting the silent treatment for the time being. Its been a little frustrating not being able to get Eli’s attention by talking or not being able to answer or talk on the phone or communicate with sales clerks at stores, etc. I guess I’ve learned how thankful I should be for my voice!
Matt: Matt had physical therapy on Monday for his shoulder. He has been a bit uncomfortable throughout the daytime and is having trouble getting comfortable at night to sleep. He is going to his second physical therapy appointment today. We are taking it appointment by appointment to see how his body responds to the therapy. He still is wearing his sling, and I know he is looking forward to a full recovery!
Nov
05
2008
12:04 pm
05
2008
12:04 pm
Fun in the Leaves
We’ve had such beautiful weather this fall! Despite being a little sick, Eli and I headed outside to play in the leaves yesterday! Eli always loves being outside. He has enjoyed stomping around in the leaves, but I had to show him how to play in the big pile I raked up for him! We both had a blast! It was a little tricky getting Eli to look at the camera for pictures as I had no voice to get his attention, but I still think we got some great shots! So enjoy!
Nov
02
2008
1:49 pm
02
2008
1:49 pm
The Saga Continues
All three of us are a little under the weather now…
Eli: Eli is still fighting off bronchitis. It seems like his coughing fits are decreasing, but he still has a lingering cough. I’m hoping the worst is over! We are continuing the nebulizer treatments and antibiotic. He still isn’t sleeping as well as we’d like, which isn’t helping his mood. Hopefully all of that will get better this week.
Kimi: I’ve gotten progressively worse. I’ve been able to speak in a hoarse voice the past few days, but my voice is completely gone now. It takes effort just to whisper. I managed to work on Saturday, but not today. I’ve started on nebulizer treatments to help my breathing and will likely be visiting the doctor tomorrow.
Matt: Matt separated his “good” shoulder playing soccer on Friday. Thankfully, he was able to see a physical therapist quickly after the incident. It doesn’t seem like this injury is as bad as his other shoulder injury several months go. He will be continuing physical therapy. Thankfully, we already had a sling to support his arm. Its been a bit tiring for him, though, only being able to use one arm. So far, he’s been able to avoid the bug that Eli and I have!
Nov
02
2008
1:40 pm
02
2008
1:40 pm
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How Eli Spent His Second Halloween
Unfortunately for Eli, he still was quite sick on his second Halloween. But, he still wore his pumpkin outfit. I think the highlight of the day for Eli was having lots of kids come to our door for candy! Once we got home from the Fall Festival at church, I set Eli in his booster seat by the front door for a nebulizer treatment so I could still give out candy to the trick-or-treaters. Eli, quickly catching on to my routine, starting carrying the bowl of candy around. At one point, he carried the bowl up the stairs and into his room. He was quite proud. Perhaps he has a sweet tooth like his mama? He sat at the front door waiting for more visitors. Knowing he was still sick and quite tired, I was dreading putting him down for bed. Thankfully, I think the night wore him out and he was out in seconds, not even disturbed by the knocks on the door downstairs!
Nov
02
2008
1:33 pm
02
2008
1:33 pm
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Fall Festival at Church
This week, Eli was officially introduced to candy. His favorite: Nerds. Since Eli had been on antibiotics for over 24 hours, we decided to bring him to the Fall Festival at church to see how he’d do! Though it took him a little while to warm up to having people around, he did enjoy a few games and the candy that came with them! He only lasted about 30 minutes before breaking into a coughing fit and I brought him home! But here are a few pictures of our little pumpkin!
