Huskers ALMOST beat those Jayhawks...
1.28.2009
1.27.2009
Wowza
Did you hear about the OCTUPLETS (that's 8 babies) born in California yesterday?! Holy crap.
It brought me back to my infertility treatment days. My mind flooded with the memories of taking shots every night. I would feel the twinges and the pressure and the pain but wait in suspense to hear how many "good follicles" I had had brewing. Since I have polycystic ovaries, my follicle count was usually way out of control (20+ mature follies on each ovary...yikes). What did this mean? If I were to get pregnant, my chance of conceiving multiples were really high. I left my first reproductive endocrinologist because she insisted I sign a form that said I'd reduce fetuses if I were pregnant with more than 3. We didn't believe in reduction so we cancelled a cycle or two due to over response (and found a new endocrinologist).
It makes me wonder...did this new mom in CA do fertility treatments?? If so or if not- what were they thinking when the ultrasound showed 7 babies (the 8th was a surprise at birth). All I can say is GOOD LUCK. ;) Parenthood is extraordinarily challenging with 1....8 would put me in a looney bin.
Regardless, I'm sure she's in the hospital glowing over her little ones. All the best to her and hers. Wowza.
+++EDITED LATER+++ I'm stunned to hear the news that the mother of the octuplets has 6 kids already at home (her parent's home), she's unmarried, she used donor sperm (I don't have a problem with donor sperm within itself), her own mom was quoted saying that that her daughter really liked having kids and didn't want the 8 remaining embryos from previous IVFs/transfers to go to waste. I'm completely shocked to hear that the endocrinologist transfered all 8 embryos, and he should lose his license in my opinion. Ug. I have much more to say but I won't.
*P.S...I've been over doing the "p.s.-ing" lately but I wanted to share a picture I came across tonight. I was transferring old pictures to a memory stick (those have a more official name, don't they?) and saw one of my favorite pictures from Declan's first day home. It's of Mark and his dad and little D in his nursery. Look at the peanut!! Tiny tiny!
It brought me back to my infertility treatment days. My mind flooded with the memories of taking shots every night. I would feel the twinges and the pressure and the pain but wait in suspense to hear how many "good follicles" I had had brewing. Since I have polycystic ovaries, my follicle count was usually way out of control (20+ mature follies on each ovary...yikes). What did this mean? If I were to get pregnant, my chance of conceiving multiples were really high. I left my first reproductive endocrinologist because she insisted I sign a form that said I'd reduce fetuses if I were pregnant with more than 3. We didn't believe in reduction so we cancelled a cycle or two due to over response (and found a new endocrinologist).
It makes me wonder...did this new mom in CA do fertility treatments?? If so or if not- what were they thinking when the ultrasound showed 7 babies (the 8th was a surprise at birth). All I can say is GOOD LUCK. ;) Parenthood is extraordinarily challenging with 1....8 would put me in a looney bin.
Regardless, I'm sure she's in the hospital glowing over her little ones. All the best to her and hers. Wowza.
+++EDITED LATER+++ I'm stunned to hear the news that the mother of the octuplets has 6 kids already at home (her parent's home), she's unmarried, she used donor sperm (I don't have a problem with donor sperm within itself), her own mom was quoted saying that that her daughter really liked having kids and didn't want the 8 remaining embryos from previous IVFs/transfers to go to waste. I'm completely shocked to hear that the endocrinologist transfered all 8 embryos, and he should lose his license in my opinion. Ug. I have much more to say but I won't.
*P.S...I've been over doing the "p.s.-ing" lately but I wanted to share a picture I came across tonight. I was transferring old pictures to a memory stick (those have a more official name, don't they?) and saw one of my favorite pictures from Declan's first day home. It's of Mark and his dad and little D in his nursery. Look at the peanut!! Tiny tiny!
1.26.2009
The Formula Chronicles
I've written about our formula woes several times on this blog. Every time I mention it, I get a few emails in my inbox about it. Before I get started I want to say that I'm not a pediatrician and I would never encourage anyone to diagnose their baby from the details of our journey.
Common questions:
1. How did you know you needed to change formulas? When did D's symptoms start? Declan joined our family when he was 1 week old. His birthparents said he was a super gassy baby and didn't sleep much at night. We "acted" accordingly to the gassiness he was experiencing. For us, gas drops did nothing. We tried several bottles and ended up on Dr.Browns. (with N.UK nipples). It didn't make much difference. He was really hard to console, didn't sleep much, pulled his legs up, had a loud "rumbly" tummy, had rabbit poops or pebbly poops. Something just wasn't right. We thought it was colic.
2. Did you try anything before you got on the expensive (Ali.mentum) formula? Yes!! We tried different bottle first of all. Then, after a frantic visit to our pedi, we put Declan on Preva.cid and Milk of Mag.nesia. So we were treating him for acid reflux and constipation. I would say his symptoms improved 25%. It was only a honeymoon period, though. He was right back at the screaming, not sleeping, pooping problems. He was also on a "gentle" type of a popular formula.
3. What is Ali.mentum?? Ali.mentum is a hypoallergenic formula that is very simple and broken down. It's used for babies with milk intolerances, etc.
*One thing I want to add- our doctor was against us moving on to Ali.mentum. Mostly because of the huge cost to us and the fact that a formula intolerance is marked by more watery stools and Dec's were opposite. The straw that broke the camel's back was a Friday where Declan hadn't slept at all from 7am-7pm and was screaming so hard his eyes were bloodshot. My mom called and said GO GET THE ALI.MENTUM!!! Within 48 hours, he was a different child. Happy, comfortable, a pleasure to be around. He was off his reflux meds within a couple days and off the milk of mag.nesia within a day. His stool became normal (for the first time). He was 6 weeks old at this point.
4. You mention how expensive your formula is. Can you get it in at Wal.mart or do you order it special? You can buy this formula anywhere you'd get other formula. It's about $27/can which lasts only 3 days or so. Declan's tummy stopped liking the powder and did well with the Ready-to-Feed version which was $9/bottle/a day. YIKES.
The GOOD NEWS?! It's temporary!! Just today, we started adding Tar.get brand "gentle" formula to the Ali.mentum!! His stomach is doing great with it!! There is a light at the end of this pricey tunnel. ;)
Thanks for all the questions. If I missed anything...shoot me another email. I am very thankful there was an option out there when all seemed bleak so hopefully this post isn't too doom and gloom.
p.s....I could never figure out why people put dots in words. It's so if someone googles "Ali.mentum or Tar.get, etc.", my blog doesn't pop up.
p.p.s....I think it's impossible for me to post with no pictures, so I'm leaving you with a shot of Mark showing Declan some of his favorite music videos on our laptop. Here, they're listing to Michael Jackson. Not sure if the little man is a fan quite yet but I'm sure he will be. ;)
Common questions:
1. How did you know you needed to change formulas? When did D's symptoms start? Declan joined our family when he was 1 week old. His birthparents said he was a super gassy baby and didn't sleep much at night. We "acted" accordingly to the gassiness he was experiencing. For us, gas drops did nothing. We tried several bottles and ended up on Dr.Browns. (with N.UK nipples). It didn't make much difference. He was really hard to console, didn't sleep much, pulled his legs up, had a loud "rumbly" tummy, had rabbit poops or pebbly poops. Something just wasn't right. We thought it was colic.
2. Did you try anything before you got on the expensive (Ali.mentum) formula? Yes!! We tried different bottle first of all. Then, after a frantic visit to our pedi, we put Declan on Preva.cid and Milk of Mag.nesia. So we were treating him for acid reflux and constipation. I would say his symptoms improved 25%. It was only a honeymoon period, though. He was right back at the screaming, not sleeping, pooping problems. He was also on a "gentle" type of a popular formula.
3. What is Ali.mentum?? Ali.mentum is a hypoallergenic formula that is very simple and broken down. It's used for babies with milk intolerances, etc.
*One thing I want to add- our doctor was against us moving on to Ali.mentum. Mostly because of the huge cost to us and the fact that a formula intolerance is marked by more watery stools and Dec's were opposite. The straw that broke the camel's back was a Friday where Declan hadn't slept at all from 7am-7pm and was screaming so hard his eyes were bloodshot. My mom called and said GO GET THE ALI.MENTUM!!! Within 48 hours, he was a different child. Happy, comfortable, a pleasure to be around. He was off his reflux meds within a couple days and off the milk of mag.nesia within a day. His stool became normal (for the first time). He was 6 weeks old at this point.
4. You mention how expensive your formula is. Can you get it in at Wal.mart or do you order it special? You can buy this formula anywhere you'd get other formula. It's about $27/can which lasts only 3 days or so. Declan's tummy stopped liking the powder and did well with the Ready-to-Feed version which was $9/bottle/a day. YIKES.
The GOOD NEWS?! It's temporary!! Just today, we started adding Tar.get brand "gentle" formula to the Ali.mentum!! His stomach is doing great with it!! There is a light at the end of this pricey tunnel. ;)
Thanks for all the questions. If I missed anything...shoot me another email. I am very thankful there was an option out there when all seemed bleak so hopefully this post isn't too doom and gloom.
p.s....I could never figure out why people put dots in words. It's so if someone googles "Ali.mentum or Tar.get, etc.", my blog doesn't pop up.
p.p.s....I think it's impossible for me to post with no pictures, so I'm leaving you with a shot of Mark showing Declan some of his favorite music videos on our laptop. Here, they're listing to Michael Jackson. Not sure if the little man is a fan quite yet but I'm sure he will be. ;)
1.25.2009
5 months old!! :)
I would have to say Declan's 4th month was the best by far! He did so many new things and his little personality it starting to shine though.
Today: January 25th, 2009...my baby is 5 months old today!
Weight: Nearing or over 15 lbs
Height: Estimating 26'' or so
Notable happenings:
-Starting the beginning of January, Declan now sleeps through the night. Woot woot!! He averages 10-12 hrs/night.
-He eats 7 oz/feeding now (up from 5 oz last month)
-Declan now rolls both ways and seems to enjoy his time on floor more these days. He also sleeps on his tummy now. Cute cute!
-Houston, we have a tooth!! Yes, 1 cute little pearly white.
-We're almost completely off the "ready to feed" Ali.mentum formula and down to just the powder. This month we'll try to transition off of that to a (cheaper) "regular" formula.
-Declan belly laughs now. Freakin' adorable.
-Big boy takes drastically less naps...usually a short one in the morning and an hour-ish one in the afternoon.
-This month, Declan realized our dogs existed! He now reaches out and grabs/pets them. It's the beginning of a beautiful friendship. ;)
1.23.2009
Red vs. Blonde
Where has my baby's full head of cute red hair gone?? Here's a pic of him months ago:
Most of the red hair has fallen out and has been replaced with lots of sprouting blonde:
Is this normal?? Could it go back to red someday?? It was also so much thicker when he was younger. Weird. This is just one of those things no one tells you about. ;)
Most of the red hair has fallen out and has been replaced with lots of sprouting blonde:
Is this normal?? Could it go back to red someday?? It was also so much thicker when he was younger. Weird. This is just one of those things no one tells you about. ;)
1.21.2009
1.20.2009
History in the making...
I'm sadden to hear the "world is ending" comments from (some) fellow Christians and Republicans. With all that said, though I'm thrilled for our new President, I'm thankful that my hope is in God, not man. No matter the name you wrote on your ballot this year, it's hard to deny the optimistic vibration of our country.
I was choked up during the inauguration with my son on my lap. I'm proud to be an American. I'm proud to say with even more confidence: "you can be anything you want to be." I'm thankful for change and a new start. I'm thankful for a leader like President Obama and can't wait to see what is to come (he's got a lot on his plate, no doubt)!
I will never forget this moment:
I was choked up during the inauguration with my son on my lap. I'm proud to be an American. I'm proud to say with even more confidence: "you can be anything you want to be." I'm thankful for change and a new start. I'm thankful for a leader like President Obama and can't wait to see what is to come (he's got a lot on his plate, no doubt)!
I will never forget this moment:
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