Hannah's Pediatrician Visit

Hannah went in to see a pediatrician for a second opinion due to her "slow weight gain." He agreed that our doctor did all the labs that he would possibly run to find anything and didn't want to subject her to more. Knowing our family history, he also thinks it is probably just genetics and she will just be petite. He looked at her and said just by observing her, he could tell that she was petite-figured and is going to be petite her entire life. According to him, she is very "busy" and "nosey," both of which could be contributing to her lack of interest in solid foods, along with her reflux. She's too busy to slow down enough to really eat and she's too nosey, so that when she does actually slow down to eat, she has to constantly check out and see what's going on. And she's afraid it will hurt her tummy. Really?? I had no idea....

She is also developing well and is on target for her age. Her one lacking skill is crawling, but she is extremely leery of being on her tummy. In the last couple of weeks, she is getting better and she has been moving backwards. It rather ticks her off, but it's movement. She's hilarious if she wants something. She will work and work to get at it. She also get just irate if her brothers try to take one of her toys. She's been so conditioned by Nathanial that she already starts getting honked off the second he starts coming near her.

Because she is small boned and on target developmentally, the pediatrician wants her to be given three meals everyday and to fortify her food with extra calories. He suggested adding butter and sour cream to everything, but I absolutely refuse to give her zero nutrient foods just to "fatten her up." We discussed it and I told him I have thoroughly researched feeding infants to best maximize nutrition without increasing the risk of obesity later on. I refuse for all of that to go down the drain just to give her extra calories. So we worked together and I will add (whole fat) plain yogurt, nonfat powdered milk, oatmeal (already do this because she needs things thicker), and other nutrient-dense calorie boosters to her meals. She hasn't even noticed the nonfat milk. She was already getting yogurt and loves it, so she's been happy with that, also. The most difficult part is getting her to actually eat three full meals a day. She does not like to eat that much food. It has also slowed down her nursing a bit, but not a lot. He was thrilled that I was still nursing her and encouraged that we continue that. Not a problem. I will do it until she weans herself.

Other than that, he sent us back to Dr. B with no need to go back to him again. He wants Hannah to be seen every month between now and 12 months for weight and development checks to be sure she stays on track and continue with a high calorie diet. I was relieved he didn't tell me to stop nursing - I was so afraid he was going to and I was going to have to refuse. You never know just how educated a doctor is on the benefits of breastmilk, but he was adamant that was the very best thing for her (which I knew). It was a really good appointment and even though I pretty much knew everything that was going to be done (right down to the high calorie diet), I am glad we went, so at least we know there are no underlying issues.

Twittering...

Well, I finally did it. I am finally twittering. I have it on my sidebar and you can also follow me here. It's experimental for now, so don't expect too much!

Random Picture Challenge

This week's challeng:

August 2008

28th picture

I really thought this would end up being a picture of Austin at his rabbit show. Alas...I tried to get a "decent" 18 month picture of the triplets. Ha! That's about the time taking pictures of the three of them at once ended. Ethan was really honked off, Noah was happy, and Nathanial was looking the wrong way. Never mind that their little feet were beyond filthy - they had been outside playing! I did eventually get a pretty good picture of them - using bribery.

TBall!!!

Aidan had his first t-ball practice and he was so excited! He packed his little bag with two mitts, two balls, a bat, and tried to get his batting helmet in. That didn't fit, so he just wore it. He did a really good job and cannot wait for another practice and games!getting ready to hit the ball
on second base - waiting for his turn to run

running to third
(is it wierd that I thought this little girl was still a baby?!?
hard to believe how fast they grow up!)

running home!

with one of his awesome coaches - learning first base

playing first base

Future ball player???

Preschool Program/Last day of Preschool

Yesterday was Aidan's last day of preschool!! Because the weather was so icky all winter long, he never got to do his program (kept getting canceled). They finally decided to wait until spring and I loved having it at the end of the year. He did a great job and is now so very excited to start kindergarten in the fall (if the dead heat of early August qualifies as "fall").

I will be uploading some videos later - Noah is not being cooperative right now!

Wordless Wednesday - Fingerpainting

[Ethan, Nathanial, and Noah]
[Noah, Ethan, and Nathanial]

[Ethan digging in, Nathanial refusing]
[Noah diving in]
[Nathanial still refusing...]

[Ethan having fun]

[ethan and noah]

Prayers Please

We would appreciate prayers for Hannah. She has viral pneumonia and is just not a very comfortable baby. She has had a cold for a few weeks, but it just keeps getting worse, so I took her in yesterday. Her oxygen was low (range was 91-93) and she was just miserable. She is home with nebulizer treatments four times a day until Monday when we go back in. Because it's viral, antibiotics won't help. So far, she's had five treatments and it just doesn't seem to be helping her much. She didn't sleep last night, just tossed and turned.

Prayers for quick healing would be very much appreciated!

{Click on the button to join in the fun!}

September 2008

18th picture
Here's Hannah - just seconds old and honked off. Not the most flattering picture of her, but oh, the memories it evokes...

Fine Arts Night

Austin had Fine Arts Night. I always dread this night - it drags on and on. This year, it was simply ridiculous and they took it to a whole new level. It drug on and on and on and on and....well, you get the picture! They had the awards - then did twenty-two songs between band and vocal for sixth, seventh, and eight grade. Ugh!! But, Austin did look very handsome and mature. Amazing what a tie will do for a kid!
Austin looking good...

Laughing at me for taking so many pictures (family joke)... Austin is behind the piano on the left...

Seventh and eighth grade together...

Wordless Wednesday - Relaxing Hannah

Mother's Day 2009

I was feeding Hannah when I heard the pitter-patter of little footsteps climbing the steps this morning. Daddy had the triplets fed and then had "them" make me a card - and even got a picture of all three sitting nicely. Aidan also made me an awesome little picture and wrote his own little thing on it. It was a wonderful way to be "woken" up.
Aidan and his picture... Ethan, Nathanial, and Noah - all sitting nicely!
They even all came in in the correct order! (That was not planned.)

After struggling with infertility, it is such a blessing to wake up on this holiday and truly celebrate the miraculous ways in which God has completed our family. In my wildest dreams, I never would have imagined that my longings for a big family would have come true eight years ago. I am so incredibly blessed!!!

Random Picture Challenge

Oldest July Folder

22nd Picture

This picture is from July 2007 and is of Aidan at the Mississippi River Museum. He was enthralled with the big fish in the big aquarium right in the middle of museum. He sat there for forever just watching them.

Apples and Cheerios

Ethan has always been able to just take or leave Hannah. He isn't jealous of her; he isn't totally enamored with her; she just is. He has held her on occasion when he has noticed that Nathanial and Noah were holding her, but for only literally seconds. I was making supper and I walked back in to the most adorable scene - especially considering his indifference to Hannah. Apparently, since Hannah has started eating "real food" and sitting up and playing more, she has become more of an "equal" and therefor, worthy of a little more attention.

Ethan sharing his cheerios with Hannah.

He really is giving her some - and she really is eating them (I panicked when I saw they were honey nut and not regular, but she did OK). Nathanial and Noah get in on the action....with their apples.

Women of Faith

I went to Women of Faith again this year - after a two year break. It was awesome!! We made a whole weekend of it and it was fantastic to get a break from our everyday chaos. Poor Dad had to deal with three sick kids, but still had a good weekend. I did not get a lot of pictures (I know, shocking) because Hannah finally discovered the camera and has decided she loves to play with it.

Friday night we enjoyed a Steven Curtis Chapman concert. Now, as a rule, I am not a huge fan of SCC. I do enjoy him, but prior to Friday night, he never would have been someone I would have paid to see. (Why does that sound so sacrilegious???) I have always loved him as a person, though. After seeing him live, I would pay to see him again and again. Loved it.


I was absolutely thrilled to see that Mandisa was coming to Iowa - I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Mandisa. I didn't get many pictures of her, just because of where she was. Here she is - the backside of her. She sang both Friday and Saturday.

Lisa Welchel!!! Yep - Blair from the Facts of Life! Her talk was wonderful. It is fascinating to hear the "other side" of what was really going on in her life at the time of Facts of Life and how her childhood was - plus her life after the show.

Katie (left) - who so graciously opened her home for us and was an awesome hostess - and Tiffany enjoying a break Saturday.

Erica and Ali - we all had so much fun!
And, yes, as much as I really don't want to post this, a picture of Tiff and me...Hannah loved her first Women of Faith conference. She was riveted by the music and the speakers and all the lights. She was a very good little girl. Hannah was very tuckered out by the time we came home Sunday afternoon and slept almost the entire way home!