Some Good News, Some Uhh news

I took Landon to the doctor yesterday afternoon, He was just not feeling well and with Katlyn and Chloe here and they have been sick and on meds, so I decided to go ahead and take Landon after he was naping and breathing hard. I was glad to hear his doctor say he has a really bad cold in his chest, she gave him some meds to knock it out of him. If he starts to run any fever in the next week we have to go back in that day, we can not wait. If he spikes a fever on new years day we are to go into the ER. Uhh, Please don't run a fever, I keep telling Landon that. He has been feeling awful today and I am guessing he'll be that way another few days.---Great.

We did get some good news, Dr. McNair got the Report from Dr. Crissinger (the GI) and his Iron Level was 12.6!! YAY!! The other number was a little low it's a %, the only time that is a problem is if he was to bleed alot, his body will not or can not replace lost red blood cells as fast as someone with a high %, but it is all good enough to go off the Iron Drops. He normally thows the Iron and what ever it is that I tried to hide it in up after a few minutes any how. We have added alot of Iron rich foods and Vit.C foods to his diet and I think that has helped more than the drops ever did.

Some more uhh news, Landon weighed in at 21 pounds. So he has lost a little weight. I am thinking it is because he is walking a lot well more like running around all day, and he has come off the formula he was on and gone to Slik Soy milk, So we are adding Calories to his diet with, Butter, Grays, and Oils. When we were going to the feeding Clinic they taught me how to add these things with out messing up his little tummy. We go back in a month if he has lost any more weight we will have to go back to the GI before April, and if I want back to the Feeding Clinic, I love the people at the feeding clinic, but I do not think they could help with this I have learned a lot from them, but Landon eat very well so I don't think going back there will work. I think it's just a calorie thing and if we need to we might have to put him on Pedicare a few times a day. I am in high hopes adding things to his foods will be all that he needs.

Well, that's it what a doctors appointment!!

Merry Christmas

Oh we have had a Great Day.

Last Night we went to my moms and ate, opened gifts from them, the kids got the cutest P.J.'s that mom made. I changed everyone into them before leaving in hopes that they would fall asleep on the way home. NOPE!! All 4 of them were up and excited when we got home. I told them it was getting late and Santa was on him way so they went up stairs and only came out twice, Once to pee and then for water. I was up wrapping ang then cleaning from wapping until 3am. I was sure the kids would be up by 6am, just like all other years so I didn't set an Alarm I just passed out. So I was suprised when at 9am Madalyn comes in as said Santa came come on mom, It was still dark out so I told her to go to sleep and wait for it to be light. April (my sister) comes in about a miunte later and said Crystal it it later it's 9am, OMGosh, ( we were going to be at my Grammy's by 10). I even had to wake the baby!

The kids Loved every thing "santa" got them, I even braved to ask if they got most of what they wanted, and I got 3 yes and 1 uhhh... Cause the baby can't say yes yet. Aden got his DS and 2 games for it. The othe kids had their's already and got games for them, Aden also got skates, a transformer, and Power Ranger things. Collin got this really cool thing that projects stars and planets on the wall, a Transformer, and this science book he's been asking for. Madalyn got a Baby Alive, (I believe this will be her last baby doll :0( )Barbie style head, and some earings and Hannah Montan Stuff. Landon got a ride on toy, and a bear that glows in 12 diffrent colors like a light show, and some little leap toys.

I got Jason a Mp3 player, and he got a new bible from my mom. We had decided to get each othe 1 thing this year, he didn't listen to what we said we would do, but didn't do a bad job either. He got me The Message, a diffent type of bible, it reads more like a book, but still has the Vs. numbers to the side. I can understand it a lot better. Jason's siter got me a holder for my bible that I got over the weekend so Jason gave me the bible on Sunday. The today I got my boots!! Ugg boots. have been wanting a pair and I had told Jason but also told him not to worie about them cause of how much they were, but he got them any way. He also got me an Auburn t-shirt, even after we decided not to buy each other clothes because alot of it has to be taken back because it never fits right so we are going to him the big New Year sales to buy our own clothes.

April was here with me this morning, her girls were excited this morning too. Chloe got a baby and blocks and a FP toy that sings to you and you sing back, It's a neat toy. Katlyn got a Kitchen, a baby, and a kids Lap-top.

We had a great time at Grammy's even though we were late. We didn't get there until almost noon. Didn't get home until almost 4 and then took a nap.

How many more days till Christmas??

Every morning when we get up that is the question I get asked. Well, it is actually; How many more days until Santa comes? So today I got smart and said, one day less than yeasterday, that didn't work they took that as one day, and then didn't want to go to school cause we need to make cookies. I explanined that's not what I said or ment to say, and boy were they mad.
We took the pictures below on Saturday, I think they turned out great. The kids did really weel, we went fast and did the baby first because he was in a great mood. Jason took the kids around sears wile I ordered, and I even did good with my order, normally we have way too many pictures and I am left wondering what I was thinking getting that many and what we will ever do with all of them. This year I didn't do that I got what I needed and 2 I just wanted and that was it, not a ton. I liked the price of only needed pictures too.
This week has been ok. Aden had his last day of school today, and the older kids got out early today and again tomarrow, then they are out until January 7th, such a long time. At least their CRT's are over, that way when they go back to school they will start with all new stuff to learn.

Holiday Pictures

Meal Time

As you can guess meal time around my house is anything, but relaxing; after homework and cooking, and fixing all the kids problems, and their plates, I sit down to feed Landon and he decides to throw all his food on either me or the floor. Now Landon has had poblems in the past eating. It all of course started in the NICU whe he refused to eat from a bottle, later when he refused to nurse, and when it was time for solids forget it. He never went through the baby foods we kind of skiped over all that because of his reflux, as soon as he started the reflux meds. he started eating table foods, he's been doing so good, up until a few days ago that is. He has decided he can choose what he wants to eat and when and where he'll eat it. When it is just the two of us at home he dose ok but when every one else is around he eats nothing. I am not sure if this is a phase or if it's a problem. I guess we will just have to wait and see how things go.

Adventures in the GI clinic

Landon had a follow up GI appoinment today, he did really good. It's kind of scarry in there, it's all painted nice, but it's a huge university medical clinic (the only ped. GI around here) and the place use to be a hospital, so the exam rooms are set up like hospital rooms and has that hospital feel to the whole place. Any Who, Landon weighed in at a HUGE 23pounds, is 30 inches tall (he was standing up) and even let the nurse hold him, but not the doctor. We tried to go every other day with his Previcad around thanksgiving and he stopped eating so we went back to everyday, she said he was not ready and she's not sure when he will be. So we got another Rx for it and we have to got back in April, (4months) She gave us these cards that I have to put his poop on (TMI I know) and mail back to her, that is to see if he is loosing any blood through his stool, I haven't ever seen any, but that might explain why his Iron is still low. We also did a CBC, mainly to check his Iron again, they had to get a vain and the dumb girl didn't know what she was doing, we had to go to the clinic lab, and i was holding his one arm, legs and head, and she's going to ask if I can then hold his other arm (the one she's about to stick) out straight, I said umm.. NO and you got one try, if you can't get it then I will have it done at our Peds. office. She got it on the one try she had but Landon's arm is brused really bad. Any way, at least he's gaining weight!

But I don't know how to play

Hi, Madalyn had her 1st basketball game today. They don't practice, I am not sure why but they don't so we get there and Maddie looks at me and said, But mom I don't even know how to play. Um ok, but you said you wanted to play so you will learn with everyone else today as you play. Ok she said, so we get her shirt, it has a 4 on it - Oh coach you gave me the wrong shirt I'm 8, the coach (i have no clue of her name) looks at Maddie and said the #8 shirt is too big for you the taller girl needs to wear it. Maddie said but you don't understand I am 8 I have always been 8 I need the #8, I had to go explain to her that in softball she is 8 and in basketball she is 4 and that's a great number to have. She said well, ok but make sure you are looking for the #4 shirt wile your watching me. She's too funny. She did really well to have never played, they teach them a little in school but not a real game. Her team won their 1st game by 4 points and Lost their 2nd game by 1 point. There are only 3 teams in her age group, so every 3rd Saturday we have 2 games instead of 1. Landon did real good "watching" her play.

Jason dressed up as Santa today for Collin's Cub Scout Den. They had a blast, We told our kids that Santa had a cold and didn't want to bring his Germs to all the boys, (they have learned a lot about germs) so he called their dad to be his helper, and even mailed him the santa suite! They thought that was the coolest ting ever, their dad was Santas friend. Landon cried at our house when Jason was getting ready, but by the time we got to the park, he was fine sat in Santa's lap for some great pictures.

March of Babies

I meet with the Director of the March of Dimes today for lunch, They are changing their name to The March of Babies, - The reason, a lot of people don't know that the March of dimes helps all babies, not just the ones that are sick, so their thinking is that changing there name to March of Babies will change the way people think of them.

We are going to be their Spokes Family for '08. We will go for events including the Walk on April 19th, We can do TV, Radio, and Newspaper if we want, I am not sure how much I wanna do just yet. I know I am going to make a big deal of the Walk. I am also going to be on their board to have a say on what will happen at the walk. They have already got together on a better place, probl. at USA. I think we are going to get just as much as we put into all this. I have a great feeling, like I am suppose to do this!

We want to start a support group too, and we can we just have to let people know we have no trainning and we are not doctors, fine with me, I just want a way to connect with other NICU moms!

Healthy?!

We haven't had a doctor's appointment this week and I just about don't know what to do! Funny I know. We do have a GI appointment next week, but Landon is dare I say healthy, no runny nose, no cough, no late nights, I am not sure what we are doing, except that I stoped giving him the Iron drops when he got sick last week, just because he wasn't eating alot as it was and it's hard enough to get them in him when he's in a great mood. He is eating his Iron foods with Vit.C foods so may be that has helped, I sure do hope so.

I talked to Home Health, today they are the ones that come out to give the RSV shots, Our insurance never called them and said we were denied, they did send me a letter. Our nurse with home health was our nurse with Aden too, and handled the Apnea Monitor we had for 6 months too. She tried really hard to get us the shots, and said the only reason we are not getting them is cause Landon has not had to have any Neb. tretments, SO if at any time between now and April he needs even one, we will get them for the remaining of the RSV season. At least I know there is a chance.

My sister April is 6 weeks pregnant. This will be her 3rd baby, her oldest is 2, and the baby is 9 months old. They are shocked and happy. She is due July 24th, this makes her 24 weeks when my lil sister Heather gets married, she changed her brides maids dresses to all black, we can have any dress as long as it's black! Yay, I can now double a brides maides dress for a Ball dress. Go Me!!

I talked to the March of Dimes I am meeting the Alabama Chapter Manager on Friday for lunch, We are thinking of being their spokes Family for 2008 Walk America. Wish us luck

Christmas Shopping

Oh, I did so good!! I got most of my Christmas shopping done, and didn't have to spend all the worlds money. I do have to get the kids a few small things, and stocking stuff, but I have never had this much done this early, GO me!


Reflux
Landon has been on 30mg. Previced for 3 months, He's been gainning weight and doing good so on the 16th we started giving to him every other day, like his GI said to. It seemed to be going ok for the first few days, then on the 20th he didn't eat much and on the 21st he decided he'd eat nothing and refuses his formula too. He was drinking the Silk so we didn't worie too much. On thanksgiving he ate a little but no where neave what he was, so I went ahead and gave him the Previced even though it was suppose to be the off day, we decided to just go back to every day. It worked he has ate all day today. The GI said he should be out growing the reflux by now. Yeah right.! I'm not sure what they are going to doing, I am confused on why it is they wanna take him off it any way. Oh well, we go back to the GI clinic on 12-10, so I guess we shall see!

Happy Thanksgiving

What a day!!
We stayed at home today, we were going to my grammy's, but she has been sick and we couldn't risk Landon getting sick. So my mom and my sister Heather, her soon to be husban Jason came over, My dad had been feeling just fine and woke up this morning sick so he didn't came, my other sister and her kids and soon to be, didn't make it either, That's ok I just hope everyone feels good for Christmas.

We took Landon to the doctor Yesterday, he's up on his weight 22 pounds, 2 ounces. It was suppose to be his 15 month check up but we woke up with a fever and a runny nose. So we had the appointment and went. We didn't get the shots because his fever was 101 with motrin. His ears looked clear, That was the good news, but sounded Croupie and Junkie. So we are to watch that, he's also got a bad diaper rash, that might be the Huggies not sure yet. Dr. Mc.Nair said we can get the shots any time in the next month or two as long as he has no fever for two days. I think we will just make an 18 month appointment because he's already 16 months now.

I am going to toys r us in the morning they open at 5am, Wish me luck!

A busy day

Saturdays are always so busy around here. Today was no diffrent, Maddie had basket ball drills at 9am, Collin had a Cub Scout go see it at 11am, and Jason had to work SO I had to do it all by my self, Crazy I hate when Jason has to work on Saturdays. They divided the girls up in teams today, there is enough girls to have 3 teams, Maddie is on team A, with a couple of her friends, but there are some of her friends on diffrent teams. All the girls are really good when it comes to sportsmanship, most of them play softball together too. Collin's go see it was at the park, I never take all 4 of the kids to that park by my self. I like the park there is just more than one way in and out of there, and I can't be in 4 spots at once. The park I take them to has a fence and it's open only on one spot, It's open and I can see them no matter where they are from the swings I push Landon on. So of couse Aden cried and yelled when we had to go cause he wanted to stay and play. I have a few hours before Jason gets home then mom is coming over and we are going to eat with a friend and co-worker of Jasons.
Oh and good news. Landon is feeling better. He hasn't had any fever or ear pulling. We take the last of his meds. tomarrow, then we go back to the doctor on Weds. I hope his ears are clear. So we don't have to have tubes. We are also starting his reflux meds every other day, So he got it yesterday, but not today. I hope he dose ok if he dose then we will stop it altogether in a month and see how he dose. The medican he is on is not for long term use. We go back to the ped GI on December 5th, I hope we have a good appointment. I am ready for him to "out grow" the reflux like every one keeps saying he will.

A good day

Today has been a good day, Landon is feeling much better. He has been sick all week; well actually it started last week. He started running fever last Tuesday, but it wasn’t real high, and he was still playing. Then on Wednesday he seemed fine, so I thought (more liked hoped) he was teething; his back gums are swollen. Then of course that night was an all nighter and Thursday he was sick all day running fever and having a runny nose. I was up all night that night too. So off to the doctor we went, the good news was it wasn’t in his chest the bad news he had his 3rd ear infection in only 6 weeks. So we started on a strong oral antibiotic and were to come back Tuesday if he was still running fever. I almost took him to the ER on Saturday night when he had a 104.4 fever, but by the time I got things together and ready to go the extra Motrin I had give him started to work and brought his temperature down to 101. Needless to say he was still running fever on Tuesday. His ears were worse than they were on Friday, uhh!! So they gave him a shot of the strongest antibiotic, we had to get another one on Wednesday. Those shots left blue spots on his little legs, and we restarted the oral antibiotics today, but I am not sure he needs them he has been himself all day. So I would say it’s been a good day.

Mom is keeping the two little one tomorrow morning; I am going on a field trip with Madalyn. We are going to the international festival; I always loved that field trip as a kid. Then Monday Collin goes on their PE trip to the skating rink and Madalyn goes on Tuesday. This is the 1st year they are doing the PE trips; I think it’s good for them. I hope they are still doing them when Aden gets there, he loves to skate.

A little back ground

I decided as I was putting together our yearly Christmas news letter, that I needed a blog. Why? Because my news letter, that is also our Christmas cards, is 6 pages this year. I saw that and yelled WHAT?? how could I have done so much in a year that it took 6 pages. Then I realized it's because I have 4 great kids, and a wonderful family who live busy lives. So I decided to shorten the letter/cards, and put in the address for Our new blog, That being said and wile I realize most of the people that will read this know Jason and I, I also realize people sufe these sites, and make meet new people this way too. So here is a lil back ground on us.



Jason and I met in 1997, We were together from then on. We had our 1st baby a girl we named Madalyn in July of 1998. She took her time getting here 8 days after my due date. She looks alot like Jason and his side of the family, We got married in May of 2000, I loved our wedding- still do -. We had our 2nd baby a boy -Collin-in November of 2000. He was in a hurry to get here trying to be born a full 8 weeks ahead of time. We held him off though and he was born at 36 weeks (4weeks early). We decided that we wanted another baby in January of 2003 (after 2 lost) and in Febuary we were Pregnant with number 3, another boy -Aden- He was in a huge hurry and was born premature at 33 weeks. He was in the NICU for 18 days We then decided we were done having babies. We had a slim to none chance of having a full term baby, and Aden was a slow grower, with some developmental delays. All from being premature. God on the other hand had other plans. In Febuary 2006, I went to the doctor got a clean bill of health, 4days later I had a headach, and deep down knew why. Took a test and yep number 4 was on his way. We were shocked to learn at my 1st visit that I was 9 weeks and 3 days pregnant, we were thinking more like 5 weeks. That was not a great pregnancy, I was on bed rest for 7 weeks when I finally had Landon at 31 weeks. He spent 58 days in the NICU. He was born in July 2006. He is now almost 16months old, and is doing good. He has Reflux and is having some big ear problems. But we are lucky, we know what being a preemie could have ment for him. God has blessed us with our kids and we would never ask for them in any other way. Now you might be asking. SO you planning on any more kids? Well no, but we were not planning on #1, 2 or 4 either but they are here.

I guess that's really it. There are alot of details that aren't so important now and some that I'll touch on later. I am not sure how many times I will update, but I am thinking once a week unless something happens and I need to update on something. So I guess I will start tomarrow.