Pulmonologist

So after 11 weeks of waiting, we finally made it to the pulmonologist. After a very long visit (right in the middle of naptime), we left with her recommendations. It seems the pulmicort that we have been giving BJ is immediately aerosolized and really doesn't do well as a "blow-by" medicine we had been doing it as at home. And although it is really impossible to objectiviely diagnose asthma or reactive airways disease in someone his age, his history gave at least a few clues that he may be in the early stages of that. So she has switched him over to another inhaled steroid- Flovent and albuterol in inhaler form. We started that shortly after his visit, but will take a few weeks for it to take full effect.

Our other "trial" at this time in BJ's life is the fight with naps- not that he fights naps- which is fairly typical at his age, but that daycare doesn't think he needs as many naps as he seems to require at home, and he hasbeen coming home exhausted many days. So we've moved up his bedtime, and they've moved his crib- and we've yet to see how it has improved, but we are hoping. As I write this it is 7:11 a.m. and he is almost asleep in his highchair- but daycare insists that he doesn't need an early morning nap. Maybe he is just more interactive there because there is so much to do. I'm not sure. We're trying to keep his schedule the same both places, but struggle with a tired boy. We'll keep you updated on the nap drama.

In other milestones- BJ s crawling everywhere, pulling himself to stand and even cruising some. He loves "walking" with Mommy and Daddy (when you hold his hands and he walks). And he has been working more on finger foods for meals. We're all anxiously awaiting vacation in 1 week at the family cabin in Minnesota- so fun!

He has become quite the Momma's boy- wanting me whenever he can get me, but is still quite social and only throws a mini fit if I hand him to someone else. But after a minute or so, decides that person can't be to bad and starts to play.

His favorite food by far at the moment are "puffs"- which Brandon pointed out probably have the most sugar of anything he gets- since everything else is fresh veggies, fruits, or lean meats. I'm trying to encourage healthy eating here- so he will likely not get any cake at the b-day party today. Brandon said he was okay with that for now- but doesn't want him to be the kid who has to bring carrots to the party because his mom won't let him have cake. Don't worry, later on, sugar in moderation will be okay. (Maybe after he is one?) But Brandon let him know that I will probably not let him have Mountain Dew until he is in college. I'm still debating on that one:)

We've also had his 9 month well child check- his stats- 21 lbs 15 oz for weight (75%), 25.5 in for length (90%) and I think 18.5 for head (off the chart).

In our lives- Brandon won employee of the month in June and received an extra day of vacation (to use in Nov. for hunting). Also, he had one of his biggest months in July as far as revenue goes for CH Robinson. I've finished my first month of call out of 3 for the year. Now, I'm working on my CV and cover letter to send out to potential employers. My #1 pick at the moment has an opening and will be planning on hiring someone by Dec., but I want to check out a few places also. Anyway, I know I should really blog more often and shorter posts- life with a kiddo can be busy sometimes!! We take what we can get!

With Daddy at mud volleyball

Chowing down on Mommy's apple

My punk rocker for crazy hair day! His outfit says mommy and daddy rock!

Milestones

BJ has been busy meeting lots of milestones recently. We are quickly learning that we need to babyproof even more as BJ has started crawling!! I thought we had things pretty good until I found him on the 2nd step the other day- time for a gate!! He started July 4th weekend and has been speeding up ever since. The same weekend he pulled himself up to stand and has found he loves to stand and play. He just is still working on being able to get down! He is working on his 6th tooth, and just the other day figured out how to pick up a puff (cheerio like thing for those without little kids) and put it in his mouth. He gets about 50% in, the rest in his lap, on the floor etc, but he loves it!! He is still a very social guy- real laid back and loves to talk! At daycare we are told he doesn't let the older kids take his toys- he has a strong grip. AND he has a little girl who is enamored with watching him. He even accidentally sat on her leg and she just giggled. (He is the older man). Brandon and I spend so much time just playing with him- he loves the simplest toys (which is good since we haven't bought a lot!). Some of his favorites include the soccer ball ($4 at Target), wooden spoons, water bottles, baseball, and the wok lid). Plus he loves facebooking! He always wants to type when I'm on! Also he enjoyed swimming with his second cousins (I think that is the right relation) in Steamboat 4th of July weekend. He lounged in the pool while they took him around in float. It was a busy weekend- but lots of fun- he even slept through his first parade!! Needless to say, Brandon and I feel very blessed by God with our sweet little BJ!

Another new favorite- getting all the tupperware out!

Like I said 50% in the mouth!

Summer Loving . . .

Had me a blast! (I know a good portion of you have that song stuck in your head now! You're welcome.)

I just had the last 5 days off with BJ and loved it!! I have to go back to work this afternoon (tear) but thought I would spend my last few minutes updating you all.

We have had a great time the last few days- well mostly! The three of us packed up and made the long drive back to Omaha this last weekend- you think the drive is rough- try it with a 8 month old! We drove to North Platte Friday night and got a hotel. Let's just say it ended up being a rough night- we're still debating whether this will be a common occurence or not. There are plusses- Brandon got some rest and driving all the way through the night would have left BJ refreshed- if he slept that whole time, but us exhausted. Staying there though- BJ didn't sleep well. There could be many factors for this. We spent Sat. lunch with my aunt and Pedro- it was great to see him. He is clearly enjoying being a country dog- has lost some weight because of all of his running and playing! And has a scratch on his nose to prove he is getting into things!! But he is adjusting well. He was happy to see us, and even tried multiple times to get in the car to go with us. It was bittersweet leaving him, but I know he loves it there!

Sat. afternoon I FINALLY got to meet Anson my nephew- he is a cutie for sure and has done a great job growing after his small start- already doubling his weight by 2 months!! Such a testament to my sis as he has had some troubles with reflux making eating sometimes painful! We can't wait until Anson gets a little bigger and the cousins can play together- I'm sure they will love it!

Sat. night and Sun. morning were wedding festivities- Travis and Rachel looked very happy- I think they are adjusting to married life well. I'm so pumped God has blessed us with Rachel- she is a great match for Trav- we love them both! (And were honored to be able to celebrate with them)

Sunday afternoon evening was with the grandparents- BJ definitely had a great time with all the attention! Maybe that made the drive Monday back that much harder. . .

We stopped at Ole's for lunch Monday and BJ checked out all the hunted animals- it was a riot.

The last few days I had decided not to try and be my usual self- seeing time off as time to do more work, but to enjoy being with my boy- we went to storytime and the park with church friends, went on runs, swinging, to DQ, and to the pool in our backyard! (Our neighborhood pool was closed- a pond flooded it in the last storm :( ) I am definitely looking forward to having a job where it is a bit of a better balance between time with BJ and working. We had way too much fun.

BJ is wanting to be mobile so badly- he continues to try and crawl- any day now- moving his knees and hands, trying to stand up, and trying to get anywhere he can. I'm frantically trying to make sure all the plugs in the house are plugged up. We'll see.

Anyway, better get going, I should at least try to work out today!!

My new favorite toy!!

Papa and his boys!

Big elk!

Slide!

In the pool!

Quiet Days

Seems crazy to say things are quieter at our house given our son's recent love of babbling. But without Pedro at our house things are a bit quieter. We are still missing our guy a lot- missing the clip of his nails on the floor, his excitement when you get home, and yes his barks. But we are slowly getting used to his absence here (not that we won't wish he could come home). Although we have heard he is chasing cats, getting into ponds, and relaxing with his new best friends at Aunt Jeanie's.

BJ's health has yet to change, but we're planning on getting someone to clean the carpets and air ducts. BJ continues to be interactive and so much fun. He loves to play with lots of things- oatmeal container, his rings, old cellphones etc. He has also found out that he likes to watch electronic things- dryer, microwave, and computer. In fact, many times he wants to help email you all! He is enjoying the big kid room at daycare- all kinds of new toys and big kids to watch play! (Plus mom loves the cute things they do every week- weekly books, colors, signs, and fun Friday's- last week was favorite stuffed animal day, today was wear your swimsuit to daycare day) (Brandon thinks I get way to into it.)

In other news, I have 1 more month until I am officially a 3rd year and in my last year of residency!! I have a more relaxed schedule this month, but have tons I have put off the last few months to do (ie: my CV), and our schedule is getting quite full already for the summer! Crazy!

We just recently celebrated our 6 year anniversary. I am so blessed by being married to Brandon. He is my best friend- and is always there for me-and knows me better than just about anyone. He is amazing. (I know you are all jealous). I hope he never forgets how much I love him!

Anyway, better run- both my boys are sleeping- I should join them!

BJ and his new favorite way of sleeping- face planted.

"I'll fix that Daddy"

Laughing and hanging out with Dr. Jill

Long Goodbye

So I know that this won't make much sense to non-dog lovers out there, but I am heartbroken.  We've started the process of our long goodbye to our wonderful dog, Pedro. I know he has been a pain in the butt (a lot) but I love him so much.  We have been struggling with BJ's reactive airway disease/asthma for some time now and had him allergy tested.  He came back positive at a high level for dog allergy and is likely contributing to his wheezing.  So we are in the process of finding a different home for Pedro.  We have asked a few people, but we just want the best for him.  (But know the best for our little boy is to not have a dog and he comes first!)  So I will miss my huge lug of a dog- a lot.  I will miss his cuddling with us while watching a movie, his following me around the house when I get home, his ecstatic energy when we get home, his calming presence when I'm upset, his "keep going" attitude on runs- it is going to leave a big whole in my heart for a while.  I know Brandon isn't as heartbroken- which just shows you how much he is more my dog.  And really, he has become much more mellow and behaved in the last years.  Tonight he even walked with me off leash to the mailbox and back- heeling the whole way.  I hate that we told him his life would change with BJ but maybe for the better and now we have to get rid of him.  I know he doesn't understand anything- but it hurts.  I just hope that we can find a place where he can be loved and be a blessing to another family.  Even BJ has enjoyed watching him and talking to him over the last month or two, I'm sure they would have been best buds.  I just hope that at some level Pedro understands.

My boys hanging out together:

In other news, BJ is becoming more and more interactive these days.  He rolls all over the place, is constantly trying to reach and get to things, and loves using Mom and Dad as transportation to get where he wants to go.  Today was his first day in the bigger kid room at daycare.  Pretty funny- there are little ones who crawl and walk in there but they told me someone was crawling by BJ with a cell phone and he grabbed out of the little boy's hand- I guess we won't have to worry on him getting picked on too much!  Anyway, it is late, I should get some sleep.

Mother's Day

I have to brag about how amazing my husband is.  I am going to assume that everyone that reads this blog understands how busy I am (and how perfectionistic).  So our Mother's Day was fairly low key- I was postcall and exhausted, so I took a nap and layed low most of the day.  But at dinner, Brandon asked if I wanted my present.  He asked BJ if he wanted to tell me, and BJ responded by jumping up and down in his exersaucer.  Brandon's response was "I think she may have the same reaction."  So for Mother's Day, he had arranged for a cleaning lady to come twice a month and clean the whole house!  I bawled.  It has been a huge stress for me trying to be the perfect homemaker on top of a wife, mother, and resident, and it was such a blessing for him to recognize how much stress that would alleviate for me.  I had even started worrying about BJ starting to crawl and being in a dirty house.

On a little more serious note, we have a prayer request of all of you.  BJ continues to wheeze and cough most nights.  We haven't yet labeled it as asthma (we are hesistant to give that label to anyone too early), but it looks like it might be asthma.  Since asthma, his ezcema, and allergies all go hand and hand, and allergies can worsen asthma, we had BJ tested for allergies.  You can only be allergic to things you have been exposed to, we knew many things would still be negative.  His screen did come back positive for food allergy- we'll have to determine what still, and mildly positive for dogs.  We have appointments set up (or we are on the waiting list for August appointments) with lung docs and allergy docs, but we are trying to decide and figure out if being exposed to Pedro will actually strengthen his immune system (like allergy shots) or make things worse.  We would be heartbroken to give up Pedro, but want to do what is best for our little boy.  Thanks for your prayers.

BJ showing his love for all bottles while hanging out with Daddy.

Bottles and the exersaucer- what a great time!

Weekend

BJ is just too much fun!  I get nothing done because I'm either at work or playing with him- and the time I am not doing either, I'm cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, or trying to get a workout in. Life with baby is really busy!  But we are so enjoying it.  Last night I told Brandon we have a great life- he agreed.  Just don't ask me the same question after a long day of clinic-there will not be as much sunshine in my attitude then!  I love days off- this weekend I worked Friday morning to Sat. at lunch, but had a great time coming home and spending time with my boys.  We had church Sat. night, went to Applebee's for dinner- which BJ did great at (but had a catnap in the car on the way home).  This morning, I napped with BJ and headed out in the sunny Colorado weather for a quick run.  I'm hoping BJ enjoys our runs more later- now he doesn't dislike them but spends the first 3/4 just sitting there quietly.  I think he is checking everything out, but when I stop to look at him he looks so serious.  Then the last 1/4 of the run he waves his arms, plays with his toy, and talks.  So funny.  Pedro on the other hand has a panic attack in anticipation of a run.  I keep smiling at what a sight we must be- the petite woman with a huge baby and a huge dog.  We definitely take advantage of the wide trails!!  I've gotten some grocery shopping done, and a bit of laundry done but am hoping to pick up the house too-I guess all in all that seems like quite a bit, but is definitely less than I used to get done in one weekend.(Although do keep in mind I just got out of the shower and it is 4 p.m.)  But I do enjoy playing with my little boy more!!  

Smiling at Daddy

Going for a run

Downing some water in a sippy cup- such a big boy.  The problem is he doesn't get that holding it down like this keeps the water from coming out!

Great picture with Daddy- Brandon looks great in this pic- so happy to be with his boy.  BJ on the other hand looks ready for a nap!

Jumping- I love the shoes!!