We think that we might have an answer to Peanut's issue. Reflux. So we are coming up with a plan of action in a way.
Step 1: I have started a food journal for Peanut. I am writing down what time she is eating, what she is eating and what the level of coughing was if any and then if she spits up what time and how much (a little, a lot or vomit). So far it has only been a little and usually an 1-2 hours after she eats and it hasn't been after every feeding. We are also trying to spread out her feedings so feed her less more often.
Step 2: I am currently waiting to hear from the Feeding Clinic as they are backed up until mid July but the nurse I spoke to is trying to work something out since Peanut is young.
Step 3: I will contact the Birth to 3 program if it is determined to be a swallowing issue and not a reflux issue. They are due to present their report at the end of the month about her physical development and possible resources available.
Step 4: Stay in touch with our pediatrician who we love by the way. She is great with Peanut and is really awesome about calling and checking in and getting answers for us.
Step 5: Remain calm and trust my instincts. Peanut is doing GREAT. She is gaining weight which is awesome and she is growing developmentally more each day. Someone told me once that it is perfectly normal for adopted kids who spent months in care to be a little behind as much as a few months. We are on top of it and we can see the changes already.
Okay time to feed Peanut so wish us luck :)
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Rough few days
Well just when we thought things were settling in to a new normal a surprise popped up. Miss Peanut has developed these coughing fits during bottle feedings. Why? Well we don't know and neither does the doctor. There are a couple theories floating around and we are looking in to all of them.
First, we switched her to soy formula thinking in might have been a milk tolerance issue. She has had this raspy breathing thing going on so we figured we would try it and see if the soy would help. The raspy breathing seems to be getting better but the coughing is still there.
We took her to our doctor this morning and no ear infection present,lungs are clear and overall she seemed fine. The doctor would like us to visit the feeding clinic for an evaluation since the coughing is at its worst during her bottle feedings. It could be nothing or it may be reflux (minus the excessive spitting up and vomiting, she doesn't do either of those things so if it is reflux it isn't severe but still annoying for Peanut).
She is teething which is definitely affecting her mood and her eating so it could be that. There are so many possibilities and not a lot of answers right now and that is tough. As a Mom, I hate that my baby girl is uncomfortable and I can't just snap my fingers and fix it. It got so bad last night that she went to bed without a bottle. She was just screaming and refusing to eat so we didn't want to force her so we calmed her down and put her to bed. She slept for over 10 hours straight.
Today it took three different bottles/sippy cups to get 7 ounces of formula in her in an hour time span. She would drink a little and then scream so we took a break. We tried again and she drank some more and then screamed. On the third and what I determined last try and back to the bottles we used in Ethiopia, she coughed less and finished the last 5 ounces without throwing a single fit.
The hardest part is that this is recent. She was doing so well and overall she still is. She eats her solids really well with little to no coughing and she is gaining weight so that is all good news. We just need to get some answers for this coughing thing so we can focus on the fun stuff.
First, we switched her to soy formula thinking in might have been a milk tolerance issue. She has had this raspy breathing thing going on so we figured we would try it and see if the soy would help. The raspy breathing seems to be getting better but the coughing is still there.
We took her to our doctor this morning and no ear infection present,lungs are clear and overall she seemed fine. The doctor would like us to visit the feeding clinic for an evaluation since the coughing is at its worst during her bottle feedings. It could be nothing or it may be reflux (minus the excessive spitting up and vomiting, she doesn't do either of those things so if it is reflux it isn't severe but still annoying for Peanut).
She is teething which is definitely affecting her mood and her eating so it could be that. There are so many possibilities and not a lot of answers right now and that is tough. As a Mom, I hate that my baby girl is uncomfortable and I can't just snap my fingers and fix it. It got so bad last night that she went to bed without a bottle. She was just screaming and refusing to eat so we didn't want to force her so we calmed her down and put her to bed. She slept for over 10 hours straight.
Today it took three different bottles/sippy cups to get 7 ounces of formula in her in an hour time span. She would drink a little and then scream so we took a break. We tried again and she drank some more and then screamed. On the third and what I determined last try and back to the bottles we used in Ethiopia, she coughed less and finished the last 5 ounces without throwing a single fit.
The hardest part is that this is recent. She was doing so well and overall she still is. She eats her solids really well with little to no coughing and she is gaining weight so that is all good news. We just need to get some answers for this coughing thing so we can focus on the fun stuff.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Pictures :)
Here are some more pictures of Peanut. This is one of many taken with Peanut's great grandmother. She was kind of over the picture thing at this point but she is still adorable.
I love this picture because 3 weeks ago, Peanut couldn't sit in the Bumbo much less hold on to a toy and sit in the Bumbo. She is growing and changing so fast. She amazes me everyday.
She was being adorable after bath time and just didn't want to let go of that towel.
Here she is again sitting perfectly in the Bumbo and making a mess while eating at Grandma and Grandpa's house.
And now she was just showing off and being silly. Yes we realize the bib is just about bigger than she is but there are days where that large bib comes in handy. This was one of them.
I love this picture because 3 weeks ago, Peanut couldn't sit in the Bumbo much less hold on to a toy and sit in the Bumbo. She is growing and changing so fast. She amazes me everyday.
She was being adorable after bath time and just didn't want to let go of that towel.
Here she is again sitting perfectly in the Bumbo and making a mess while eating at Grandma and Grandpa's house.
And now she was just showing off and being silly. Yes we realize the bib is just about bigger than she is but there are days where that large bib comes in handy. This was one of them.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Happy 9th Birthday Sebastian!!
Monday was Sebastian's 9th birthday. We had a little mini-party for our awesome pug. The first picture is of Peanut with her new hairstyle. I really enjoy doing Peanut's hair and she is pretty good about it most of the time. And really she is just adorable :)
And here is little Badger with his new toy and hiding one of his favorites underneath him. So cute!
And here is the birthday boy himself. I can't believe he is 9 years old already. He is just the best dog and so sweet. He has been fabulous with Peanut too.
Here was Sebastian's birthday gift pre-destruction. The treat didn't last long and the stuffed lobster has so far survived the crazy tug of war that is having two pugs. I will be shocked though if either new toy makes it through the week but you never know :)
Hopefully he had a great day :) We plan on taking him for a walk tonight if it doesn't rain.
And here is little Badger with his new toy and hiding one of his favorites underneath him. So cute!
And here is the birthday boy himself. I can't believe he is 9 years old already. He is just the best dog and so sweet. He has been fabulous with Peanut too.
Here was Sebastian's birthday gift pre-destruction. The treat didn't last long and the stuffed lobster has so far survived the crazy tug of war that is having two pugs. I will be shocked though if either new toy makes it through the week but you never know :)
Hopefully he had a great day :) We plan on taking him for a walk tonight if it doesn't rain.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Family Day
We met Peanut one month ago. We became united as a family. We had been a family for many months but we were finally physically together. May 8th will forever be Peanut day in our household. So for this post I will look back on the day we met our precious little girl.
It was a Friday morning in Ethiopia. We had gotten little sleep as we arrived late the night before. All the families gathered for breakfast and then we headed out to the main office for a brief orientation.
Honestly, I remember very little about the orientation other than them telling us how friendly and affectionate Ethiopian people are and that if we needed anything at all to ask the guesthouse manager. I found both to be very true statements.
We then herded back on the bus for the short drive to the care center. I was nervous, excited and already on the verge of tears. This was it. I was finally going to be able to hold my daughter in my arms. I have dreamed of this day for many many years.
We waited our turn and went up stairs, the tears rolling down my face. I had no idea what was about to happen and then we got to the 4th floor and walked in the room. I saw her immediately. She was on the floor doing tummy time. Our social worker bent down to grab her and I remember that Peanut spit up. We got that cleaned up and then our social worker handed her to me. Oh my goodness. Never has anything felt more perfect. It was like she was made just for us. She just fit so perfectly in our arms. I didn't really want to let her go but at one point turned to my husband and asked him if he wanted to hold her. Duh, of course he did. I could see it in his eyes. And what a beautiful sight it was to see Daddy finally holding his little Peanut.
I remember that she was so smiley at first and then got really serious. She wasn't sure what was going on. She was so alert and so aware that things were a little different now. I will forever be grateful that we have our first moments with her on DVD. I have watched it twice now and it still gets to me each time and I am guessing it will get me every time I watch it.
These are moments that will forever be ingrained in my head and my heart. The months of waiting had come to an end. Finally meeting Peanut made all of those long months make sense. I hit a really rough spot emotionally during the wait in November of 2008. Little did I know that during that same month my daughter was born and her mother was facing a very difficult decision. God definitely had a hand in Peanut finding us and in guiding her dear birth mother during this difficult time. There are no words to ever be able to express my gratitude for this beautiful gift of a daughter.
This whole journey to Ethiopia has forever changed my life in ways that I cannot even begin to express. My life isn't just about me or us any more. We are now a family of 3 and still growing.
It was a Friday morning in Ethiopia. We had gotten little sleep as we arrived late the night before. All the families gathered for breakfast and then we headed out to the main office for a brief orientation.
Honestly, I remember very little about the orientation other than them telling us how friendly and affectionate Ethiopian people are and that if we needed anything at all to ask the guesthouse manager. I found both to be very true statements.
We then herded back on the bus for the short drive to the care center. I was nervous, excited and already on the verge of tears. This was it. I was finally going to be able to hold my daughter in my arms. I have dreamed of this day for many many years.
We waited our turn and went up stairs, the tears rolling down my face. I had no idea what was about to happen and then we got to the 4th floor and walked in the room. I saw her immediately. She was on the floor doing tummy time. Our social worker bent down to grab her and I remember that Peanut spit up. We got that cleaned up and then our social worker handed her to me. Oh my goodness. Never has anything felt more perfect. It was like she was made just for us. She just fit so perfectly in our arms. I didn't really want to let her go but at one point turned to my husband and asked him if he wanted to hold her. Duh, of course he did. I could see it in his eyes. And what a beautiful sight it was to see Daddy finally holding his little Peanut.
I remember that she was so smiley at first and then got really serious. She wasn't sure what was going on. She was so alert and so aware that things were a little different now. I will forever be grateful that we have our first moments with her on DVD. I have watched it twice now and it still gets to me each time and I am guessing it will get me every time I watch it.
These are moments that will forever be ingrained in my head and my heart. The months of waiting had come to an end. Finally meeting Peanut made all of those long months make sense. I hit a really rough spot emotionally during the wait in November of 2008. Little did I know that during that same month my daughter was born and her mother was facing a very difficult decision. God definitely had a hand in Peanut finding us and in guiding her dear birth mother during this difficult time. There are no words to ever be able to express my gratitude for this beautiful gift of a daughter.
This whole journey to Ethiopia has forever changed my life in ways that I cannot even begin to express. My life isn't just about me or us any more. We are now a family of 3 and still growing.
Friday, June 5, 2009
3 weeks
I can't believe that 3 weeks ago at this time I was on an airplane on my way home with my baby girl. Where or where did the time go? Oh yeah, enjoying every second with my little girl.
She is doing amazingly well. We had a rough couple of hours yesterday but I think it boiled down to gas and her teething and quite possibly her refusal to take a good afternoon nap.
She is a very strong willed little one and if she doesn't want to nap she will let you know. I think the issue is she sleeps so long at night and then takes a good morning nap that all she needs is these little 30-45 minute cat naps and she doesn't want to take those in her crib. Maybe there is just too much going on and she is afraid to miss out, who knows.
Yesterday she also didn't want me to be out of her line of sight. While I find it kind of sweet it did make it a little hard to go to the bathroom. Thank goodness for the bumbo.
Her ear infections seems to be gone and we are done with medication. Today is the first full day of no medication since May 18th. Woohoo! At least she liked this last stuff. She was even licking it off the spoon.
This weekend we are going to try her in the Ergo baby carrier again. She was way to little while we were in Ethiopia and she hated it. 3 weeks ago her legs wouldn't even go far enough apart to fit in the Ergo at all. She is bigger now and has a lot more strength so we are hoping it will work. It will come in handy if she is having one of those clingy days to be able to carry her around but still have my hands free to do other things.
We will take lots more cute pics this weekend and get those up next week.
She is doing amazingly well. We had a rough couple of hours yesterday but I think it boiled down to gas and her teething and quite possibly her refusal to take a good afternoon nap.
She is a very strong willed little one and if she doesn't want to nap she will let you know. I think the issue is she sleeps so long at night and then takes a good morning nap that all she needs is these little 30-45 minute cat naps and she doesn't want to take those in her crib. Maybe there is just too much going on and she is afraid to miss out, who knows.
Yesterday she also didn't want me to be out of her line of sight. While I find it kind of sweet it did make it a little hard to go to the bathroom. Thank goodness for the bumbo.
Her ear infections seems to be gone and we are done with medication. Today is the first full day of no medication since May 18th. Woohoo! At least she liked this last stuff. She was even licking it off the spoon.
This weekend we are going to try her in the Ergo baby carrier again. She was way to little while we were in Ethiopia and she hated it. 3 weeks ago her legs wouldn't even go far enough apart to fit in the Ergo at all. She is bigger now and has a lot more strength so we are hoping it will work. It will come in handy if she is having one of those clingy days to be able to carry her around but still have my hands free to do other things.
We will take lots more cute pics this weekend and get those up next week.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
More Pictures :)
So here is my first attempt at doing Peanut's hair. Not perfect but I must say pretty good for my first attempt. She did pretty well too. I found some other bands to put is her hair so next time I will try those. My guess is these will be in a few days or so and then we may try something else.
And then she was just showing off her extreme cuteness:)
Then there is the look that make me think we are going to be in TROUBLE when this little one gets older. Look at that attitude...
Here is her meager attempt at being shy.
And our first attempt at pictures with Peanut and Sebastian. Badger took off so I think that picture will be a much bigger challenge. Sebastian was being really sweet though.
And then she was just showing off her extreme cuteness:)
Then there is the look that make me think we are going to be in TROUBLE when this little one gets older. Look at that attitude...
Here is her meager attempt at being shy.
And our first attempt at pictures with Peanut and Sebastian. Badger took off so I think that picture will be a much bigger challenge. Sebastian was being really sweet though.
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