Upper GI X-Ray

Well, we had Jackson's x-ray and it went as planned.  The x-ray does show that he has intermittent reflux and that his stomach empties slower than normal which is making the reflux worse.  There really isn't a cure for this.  He is on medication to try and help the burning but the only other alternative is to go back and try formula to see if it helps.  They say he will probably grow out of it - but who knows when!?!?

Right now we are nursing and watching.  His diaper rash seems to be coming back so we are watching to see if the rash is a possible indication of an allergy.  If we can't seem to taper the rash again, we'll probably switch back to the formula and see if that helps it.  The rash cleared up when we did our first round of formula which may mean there is an allergy present.

Basically we are just watching, waiting, and hoping that we can make Jackson comfortable.  He is such a trooper and we are sure that we will find the right combination to make him the happiest baby possible.

One Last Test...Hopefully

Its 4 am and I'm up waiting to give Jackson a quick bottle before he has to fast for his Upper GI test at 8:15 this morning.  Elli had this same test done and it is fairly miserable for all parties involved.  They have to skip their morning feeding, drink a barium bottle, and then get in a crazy x-ray contraption to check for reflux.  The doctors watch as the barium goes through Jackson's system and then they can see if he spits it up or not - showing them what is happening when he is eating.  At this point, Jackson is still fairly uncomfortable.  We did get his diaper rash cleared up (BIG YAY!) but he still pretty much screams as soon as he is done eating and we can't figure out why.

Reluctantly we tried formula for an entire weekend.  Enfamil AR did seem to help and make him happier after he ate and he certainly wasn't spitting up as much.  However, it clogged up his poor system and then he started crying because he couldn't go to the bathroom.

I took him back to the doctor and we decided to go back to nursing and add in probiotic drops.  The pediatrician checked his stool to see if he was possibly "allergic" to milk proteins in my milk and it doesn't seem to be the case.  So we are going to try nursing for a few days.  I'm glad to go back to nursing - I do not want to give that up unless I absolutely have to.  The Upper GI test should show us 1) if he is refluxing 2) if his reflux is so severe that the breast milk is too thin for his digestion and 3) if he needs to be switched to formula.

The doctors think this is something that he may just grow out of so it is all a waiting game at this point.  I just want him to be happy.  I think we are getting closer and closer to that, but we are certainly not there yet.

One Month

Jackson is one month old today.  I'm not going to lie - it hasn't been an easy month.  Poor Jackson - we can't seem to get him comfortable.  From heart murmurs to diaper rash, this kid has been through it all.  We are currently working to fix his horrible silent reflux.  Right now we are on medication, are trying out formula (which I'm not happy about, but at this point I'll do ANYTHING!) and have an Upper GI X-ray next week.  Despite all of this, Jackson is weighing in at 10.6 pounds and I love him to pieces.  I hate seeing him so uncomfortable, but we are desperately working to fix it.

Happy one month "baby brother!"  We love you!

Home Bound Summer Fun

My goal for myself is to provide Elli with one fun activity each week - something out of the box, messy, and unusual.  So far we have done the shaving cream pool and the messy spaghetti.  This week we tried out a flour tray.  This requires very little set up...a baking sheet, some flour, and whatever you have around to play in it.  We used a spatula, ice cream scoop, fork, and straw.  Elli played in the flour itself for awhile, then we grabbed some of our outside kitchen play stuff and she "cooked" with the flour and by adding water.  Yes it was messy, but it kept her occupied for an hour...worth it!
I didn't get a ton of pictures because it was only a matter of minutes before I was covered in flour too!

Just Like Twins?

I cannot get over how much Jackson looks like Elli.  Check it out...

Uncanny right?!?!

Cuteness

Here are a few more shots of Jackson doing his daily thing!

Now that is some good sleeping!

Bath time!  Jackson is not a huge fan of the bath, but now that he has discovered a paci, he doesn't scream through the entire thing!

Xoxo...I Love These Two

Could these kiddos be any cuter?

This is how I found Elli this morning...snug in bed with her buddy!  The big bear she sleeps with religiously is called "Special Bear."  It is very special to me because my Grandma Bender gave it to me the last Christmas she was with us when I was in 4th grade.  I have had that bear with me ever since.  When Elli was born, I placed it in the nursery, on top of her dresser.  I never had any intention of letting her have it - it was my special bear.  Well, one day when Elli was about 1 year old, she was super sick and focused in on that bear and decided she needed it.  I told her she could have it that one day because that was a special bear. Well, she started calling it "special bear" and wanted it every night. How could I deny her? Plus, I know Grandma Bender would be so happy to know it is still bringing smiles to a little girl's face.

Tummy Time

Such a sweet big sister

Jackson Updates

We finally are getting some answers about Jackson's belly button issue.  Here is the week we've had.

1.  Our pediatrician didn't know what it was so she asked another in office pediatrician.
2.  He didn't know either.
3.  They decided we needed an ultrasound.
4.  Went in the following day for an ultrasound....waited to hear back.
5.  The radiologist called our pediatrician and basically said he didn't know what it was either.
6.  What they do concur on is that the bulb is not the scary intestinal problem we feared...GOOD.
7.  They do know it is not an umbilical hernia...GOOD
8.  The pediatrician was still unclear as to what it was since the ultrasound did show a 2 millimeter defect on the inside.
9.  Our pediatrician sent the results to a pediatric surgeon in Greenville.
10. Finally today we hear that the surgeon also believes this is nothing and the defect will resolve itself.  If anything, we may have to do a cosmetic repair when Jackson is older if we don't like the way it looks.

Anyone else tired?

We are so thankful that this is not a serious issue.  If we can just clear up his diaper rash, we'd be good to go!

Buddies!

Jackson's buddy Wes stopped by today...they are 8 days apart!  I think they were already chit chatting!

Messy Sketti!

Saw this idea on Pinterest and definitely loved it!  We used food coloring to make "messy sketti" and then we were able to play all morning.  A cheap way to entertain a home bound 2 year old!!

A Real Trooper

Jackson had to have another ultrasound yesterday to check out a hernia type bulb that is on his belly button.  At first they were worried it might be an omphalocele that partly healed during pregnancy.  Apparently this is not the case and we are so glad.  Repairing that type of problem would mean major surgery. I  am still waiting for news from the pediatrician about what exactly it is.  I should know something more today.

Jackson is such a trooper.  He's been through a lot in his first three weeks from EKGs to echos to ultrasounds. He also has a pretty severe diaper rash that we are treating with lots of open air time and A&D ointment.  The rash does seem to be getting a bit better.  I know he is uncomfortable and hopefully we can get him squared away soon.

Check out these pictures of our little champ though - so strong!

Slowly but Surely

Slowly but surely we are settling into our new routines around here.  We still have a long way to go, but I do see baby steps of progress.  I must say, I couldn't do this without Jacob.  When he gets home, he takes care of Elli - playing with her, bathing her, and putting her to bed at night.  I am such a blessed woman to have him in my life.  Here are some shots of our first week home together.  At this point, Elli only has to "wait" while I nurse Jackson twice a day.  The other times she is either asleep or Jacob is home.  That has worked out quite nicely.  We also get a good hour to and hour and a half in the mornings while Jackson naps to play outside and try out new activities...a little Mommy/Daughter time just for her.

Trying out some fun activities at home...
Finger paint!

Saw this idea on Pinterest...filled up the pool with shaving cream since it was a bit too chilly for water!  She LOVED it!

Sunday morning snuggle before church.  Do you see the resemblance?

Mother's Day Dinner

With Grandma Jack and Papa Johnny!

Our aspiring musician.  She loves to play the "plano" and make up songs.  Lessons won't be too far off!

Thanks Grandma Cooley

Thank you Great Grandma Cooley for the GREAT blankets.  Elli was so excited to open up her presents.  She has been using the smallest blanket to take care of her baby dolls and the big green one has become her picnic blanket.  She carries it to various locations in the house and has all of her animals lined up on it for a picnic.

Thank you so much!

Who is Who?

Can you tell?

OK - it is easy to tell in these because Grandma Waller made the cool blue chair cover for us!  

Jackson is glad he doesn't have to sit in the pink Elli chair!

ps - top photo is Elli on March 9th, 2010; bottom photo is Jackson on April 25th, 2012