Follow the Yellow Brick Road

Ridley visited the doctor today, and we were delighted by their themed costumes.  The entire office was decorated and every employee had a Wizard of Oz costume. We are going to have to come back next year to see what they do.  So much fun!

Shocked

A blood pressure check with three young children in tow - this could have gone really bad.  I was shocked to see the three of them reading in the waiting room and behaving.  It was a great visit, and I was so proud.

Well Checks

We did some double duty today and had both boys' annual well check.  I can't believe how fast the years are flying by.  The boys had to wear paper gowns, and they refused because they are printed with teddy bears. I "out mommed" them by turning them inside out.  Ha!  Oh, my sweet little boys.

Ryland weighed 55.8 lbs - 69.85% and was 4'1" tall - 64%. 

Reed weighed 47 lbs - 82.38% and was 3'8" tall - 74.86%.

Ridley has surgery

My sweet girl had a quick procedure this morning, but it is was still so hard.  After numerous ear infections and rounds of antibiotics, we knew it was time for tubes and removal of adenoids.

Ridley was her opinionated self and gave the staff a hard time.  They gave her a princess crown and wand, which helped distract her for about three minutes.  After a breathing treatment, she was irate.  The meds came shortly after, and I rocked my sweet angel one more time before they took her back.

After about thirty minutes, the doctor came out to let me know the surgery was successful, which gave me relief.  Five minutes later, I heard Ridley screaming from the recovery room.  The nurses quickly came for me to help them console the crazy child.  Needless to say, Ridley isn't pleasant when she comes off anesthesia.  I rocked and comforted for an hour, so we could be released.  We spent the rest of the day cuddling.  Hoping this gives her some relief from the ear infections and pain.

Reed's 4 year well check

It was the big, dreaded 4 year well check today.  Reed wore a paper gown, peed in a cup, and completed all the development tests.  I was so impressed with this big boy!  Reed is 41.5" inches tall - 75% and weighs 41 pounds - 75%.  He surpassed all the quizzes and did great on vision and hearing.  At the end of the appointment, the nurse tried to draw blood, but couldn't get his vein, twice.  That was all I could take of his pain, before I told her that was enough.  Shots, so we can get out of here, please.  Reed is one tough boy, but he is still the sweetest little guy.

6 Year Well Check

Ryland had his annual check up, and everything looked great.  We was super nervous and did not want to wear the paper gown.  In fact, he refused to wear the gown with little bears, so the nurse gave him a huge plain white one.  He is so sensitive and soon his eyes were filled with tears.  A few silly faces later, he was smiling and making silly faces back at me.  Ryland weighed 50 lbs, which is 75 percentile and is 39.5" tall, which is 50 percentile. 

Sick

We kicked off Spring Break with a visit to the pediatrician's office.  Ridley had croup and a double ear infection.  Fingers are crossed that she will be feeling better soon.

Well Check

Ridley's twelve month well check went very well.  She is exceeding all developmental milestones, and she is growing near the top of the charts.  She weighs 22 pounds 13.5 ounces - 80%.  She is 31.5 inches tall - 98%, and her head is 18.5 inches in diameter - 93%. 

She loves to dance, clap, and make messes.  Faster than a speeding bullet, she is on to the next adventure, which usually means the stairs.  She is drawn to them, and she hates the baby gate stopping her.  She loves to cuddle and hug, and her brothers are totally smitten.  She is our sunshine.

9 month well check

Our sweet Ridley continues to grow and learn.  Her 9 month well check went very well.  She is 20lbs 10.5oz which is 77.34%.  She is 29.75in which is 97.38%.  Her head is 18in in diameter which is 89.62%.  She is big and almost identical to her brothers' growth track.  Our pediatrician loves it and is pleased that she is healthy and chunky.  I love it, too!  There is nothing cuter than a thick baby.

It was also an important appointment to discuss our decision about her helmet.  The doctor thinks that it is not necessary to move forward, and he strongly encouraged us to not worry about it.  We discussed studies and examples of different children, and I realized that Ridley is very mild on the measurements in only one of the four areas.  It was definitely a great moment.  Decision made and moving forward.

Ridley's 4 Month Well Check

Our sweet baby girl is getting big!  She is exceeding all the milestones, and she is gaining weight and inches.  She weighed in at 14 lbs 14 ounces - 78%, 25.5 inches - 90%, and 16.5 inches - 77%.  Time is flying,and she is such a delight.

Well checks - Round 2 & 3

I scheduled Ryland and Ridley for well checks on the same day to see if I could get two things done off my ever growing list of to dos.  I was hoping this would go a little better than all three together with some receiving shots and some not.  

Ryland was in a very silly mood and was really trying to entertain me.  He is growing and developing normally, and we have no cause for concern.   Ryland weighed 45.4 lbs which is 80 percentile, and he was 43 1/2 inches which is 63 percentile.  The doctor said this was typical right before a growth spurt in height.

Ridley wasn't interested in entertainment today.  She was tired and just wanted to sleep, but the doctor had other plans.  She was her normal happy self and went along with the exam.  We are watching her belly button, because it still hasn't healed.  The doctor treated it with nitrate, which will hopefully fix the problem.  It will be stained and ugly for a bit, but it doesn't hurt.  Ridley weighed 11 lbs 8.5 oz which is 69 percentile, 22 3/4 inches at 66 percentile, and her head was 15 1/2 inches which if 67 percentile.  She is very proportional.

2 Week Well Baby

Ridley started her well baby appointments with the pediatrician, and she was a trooper through all the measurements and physical tests.  She weighed 8lbs 6oz - 46% percentile.  She was 20.5 inches long - 60% percentile, and her head measured 14.4 inches - 61% percentile.

Pediatrician visit

Knowing that the boys were sure to really come down with whatever they are fighting as soon as we leave town, we headed to the doctor.  We had a yucky morning, and the doctor confirmed that we needed some medication.  Neither one of the boys had been to the pediatrician since March, so we had a great streak of wellness. Hoping we can shake this off, and they are back to normal soon. 

 

Doctor's Appointment

Today's visit with Dr. Flowers went very well, and I am in the all clear to resume normal activities.  Hopefully, the glucose test will have good results.  I am measuring right on track and moving right on along.

Checking on Baby

I went in for my monthly visit to check on the baby.  I mentioned that I was in pain and had been uncomfortable for the past few days.  The doctor assured me that the baby was fine, and an ultrasound confirmed that she was happy.  I love the second shot of her hand and foot.  I just can't wait to hold her.

 

Test results

The test results are back for Baby #3, and it is negative for Down Syndrome. 

Doctor Appointment

Even after my 8 week check up, I have been a nervous wreck.  I just keep thinking about all the what ifs.  I made a big decision to change OB/GYN doctors after several problems kept happening.  So after 10 years, I made the change to Dr. Flowers in Grapevine. 

 

My first appointment went extremely well, and I feel very comfortable with her. 

I elected to have the non-invasive genetic test to screen for Down Syndrome.  It wouldn't make a bit of difference to us, but it would give us time to learn and prepare.  I had an ultrasound, and I was thrilled to see our little baby doing so well.  The heartbeat was still strong at 160 bpm.  The ultrasound tech made a few measurements, and I had some blood drawn. The results will be back next week. 

 

 

A deep breath ... of pure happiness!

I have stressed about this pregnancy so much since the miscarriage last year.  I have prayed and asked myself "what if" so many times.  As I waited over 45 minutes for my first ultrasound, I thought I was going to be sick.

I was so relieved to see my precious little baby and hear the heartbeat.  The baby measured right at 8 weeks and 168 bpm.  I can finally take a breath, because I feel a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.  Thank you, God, for answered prayers.

 

Thyroid Ultrasound

My thyroid ultrasound was today, and it was extremely interesting.  My endocrinologist showed me the images and gave a very thorough explanation.  My thyroid is enlarged and more so on the right side.  The tissue is irregular in texture with several nodules on both sides, but the right side has a larger nodule. I have been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism.  I am now taking medicine daily in hopes of regulating the thyroid production so the nodules will shrink and the tissue will be more regular.  We are giving it 2 months and then re-visiting the issue.  If my symptoms haven't gotten better and the nodules haven't reduced in size, I will have a biopsy.  We will go forward from here. 

Reed's Surgery

Reed's surgery was early this morning, and everything went well.  He was a little defiant after the happy shot up his nose.  The nurse kept telling me he would relax in about 5 minutes.  About 10 minutes later, she informed me that some children are a little tougher than others.  Duh?  Needless to say, Reed went back to surgery screaming.  He refused to wear the hospital gown, and he would not let them take his shoes. 

 

The doctor came out after about 15 minutes to inform me that he was finished, and it took three stitches.  I was able to comfort him in the recovery room as he was waking, and he wasn't happy.  He threw a fit about the monitor on his toe and refused to drink juice or eat a popsicle.  I pulled a quick one on him and poured the juice in his cup.  He went for it and drank it all.  The nurses were pleased and processed all the paperwork to get us released. Of course when I stood up with Reed, he vomited everywhere. (and twice more in the truck on the way home)

Ryland was a trooper this morning.  He comforted Reed and told him everything would be OK.  He was really sweet and patient.  He is such a great big brother!