British Flag Pattern

This is the first pattern I've ever written. If you find mistakes please let me know because I'm learning.

This pattern is ALL Single Crochet (sc) so I will simply list the number of sc's and of each color.



British Flag Pattern

Row 1: Ch 39 (White), turn
Row 2: Sc in 2nd ch from the end, 38sc, ch1,(white) turn
Row 3: 3W, 3R, 4W, 6B, 1W, 4R, 1W, 6B, 1W, 3R, 6W, ch1, turn
Row 4: 2W, 1B, 4W, 3R, 1W, 5B, 1W, 4R, 1W, 5B, 4W, 3R, 1W, 1B, 2W, ch1, turn
Row 5: 2W, 2B, 1W, 3R, 4W, 4B, 1W, 4R, 1W, 4B, 1W, 3R, 4W, 2B, 2W, ch1, turn
Row 6: 2W, 3B, 4W, 3R, 1W, 3B, 1W, 4R, 1W, 3B, 4W, 3R, 1W, 3B, 2W, ch1, turn
Row 7: 2W, 4B, 1W, 3R, 4W, 2B, 1W, 4R, 1W, 2B, 1W, 3R, 4W, 4B, 2W, ch1, turn
Row 8: 2W, 5B, 4W, 3R, 1W, 1B, 1W, 4R, 1W, 1B, 4W, 3R, 1W, 5B, 2W, ch1, turn
Row 9: 2W, 6B, 1W, 3R, 5W, 4R, 2W, 3R, 4W, 6B, 2W, ch1, turn
Row 10: 17W, 4R, 17W, ch1, turn
Row 11: 17W, 4R, 17W, ch1, turn
Row 12: 2W, 34R, 2W, ch1, turn
Row 13: 2W, 34R, 2W, ch1, turn
Row 14: 2W, 34R, 2W, ch1, turn
Row 15: 2W, 34R, 2W, ch1, turn
Row 16: 17W, 4R, 17W, ch1, turn
Row 17: 17W, 4R, 17W, ch1, turn
Row 18: 2W, 7B, 4W, 3R, 1W, 4R, 4W, 3R, 1W, 7B, 2W, ch1, turn
Row 19: 2W, 6B, 1W, 3R, 5W, 4R, 2W, 3R, 4W, 6B, 2W, ch1, turn
Row 20: 2W, 5B, 4W, 3R, 1W, 1B, 1W, 4R, 1W, 1B, 4W, 4W, 3R, 1W, 5B, 2W, ch1, turn
Row 21: 2W, 4B, 1W, 3R, 4W, 2B, 1W, 4R, 1W, 2B, 1W, 3R, 4W, 4B, 2W, ch1, turn
Row 22: 2W, 3B, 4W, 3R, 1W, 3B, 1W, 4R, 1W, 3B, 4W, 3R, 1W, 3B, 2W, ch1, turn
Row 23: 2W, 2B, 1W, 3R, 4W, 4B, 1W, 4R, 1W, 4B, 1W, 3R, 4W, 2B, 2W, ch1, turn
Row 24: 2W, 1B, 4W, 3R, 1W, 5B, 1W, 4R, 1W, 5B, 4W, 3R, 1W, 1B, 2W, ch1, turn
Row 25: 3W, 3R, 4W, 6B, 1W, 4R, 1W, 6B, 1W, 3R, 6W, ch1, turn
Row 26: 38W, cast off

My, how they grow

I know it has been quite a while since I last posted. Sorry. Life has been pretty busy. Iris is active as ever and Lowden just never stops being active. Iris had her cardio check-up at the beginning of September. It went great and she does not need to be seen again for another year. He is still baffled that she doesn't eat. I have gotten past being baffled, even frustrated. Now, I just wait.

Iris continues to see her occupational therapist every week. She is adjusting very well. There used to just be the one, but now there is also a student therapist that attends her appointments. They do various things with Iris, having her touch food and pack and unpack their "picnic" bag. She also helps feed the other children, there is one little girl that lets Iris feed her practically anything, its pretty good. But, the spoon never strays to her mouth. She is finally curious about food though. She always wants to touch what is on our plates at supper time, and we allow her to, encourage her to do it. The ladies at day care claim that she may or may not eat behind their backs. Bites of Iris' bread tend to go missing from time to time.

I may not be the MOST devout Catholic, but I pray to God every single day that he help my daughter eat. Someday.

Which brings me to the topic of God, and death and Heaven. This evening on the way home from daycare, Lowden began talking about all of his grandmas. It started when we were talking about our whole names. After going over all the immediate family, he asked what Grandma Marie's full name was. So, I told him and then he asked about others and I told him Grandma Sandy's full name and Grandma Linda and Grandpa Mick in Heaven.

How do you explain death and Heaven to a not-quite 5-year old? How do you make them understand that death is not a light subject and something not to joke about? He has joked about dying from time to time, and it makes me cringe. I know that he has no real grasp of what it actually means, but I want to help him understand it.

Tonight though, we actually had a serious talk about it, and he asked really good questions. I told him that Grandma Linda and Grandpa Mick watch over him from Heaven and that they love him. He asked if someday, he can see them there. I told him that yes, someday he could, but not for a very very long time, and when he is a VERY old man. Do you realize how hard it is to talk about death to your almost 5-year old? Then he went on to ask questions about if you can open your eyes in Heaven and things like that. I told him yes, because Heaven is a different kind of place than Earth and he would be able to play and open his eyes if he wanted to.

It is such a hard topic to talk about with your own child, and especially at such a young age. I am not sure I gave him the answers he needed, but he seemed satisfied and eventually left the subject of death and Heaven to talk about what else....Transformers.

We haven't disappeared.....

Did you think we did?

I can't believe it is June already! Summer finally seems to be on it's way in and I am ready for it. Although I prefer the low 80's and no humidity, beggars still can't be choosers, the last time I checked.

Things with Iris have been frustrating. I just don't understand it. She will go from being perfectly fine and not throwing up for a while, and then all of a sudden, once again, she can't seem to stop throwing up. It tends to spring up whenever she gets sick though, and especially if she has a cold. Her little tummy just doesn't seem to handle sinus drainage very well. At the end of March, she had a bad cold and a double ear infection. She was on antibiotics for the ear infection twice as it did not take care of it the first time, just when she stopped throwing up AS much from that, her allergies (I think allergies) start bothering her, so she is back to throwing up a ton. BUT, she is growing, if slowly. She had her regular 15 month check up this morning. Her weight was 20 lbs 6 oz and the 10%, her height was a little over 28 inches and the 12% and her head circumference came in at a whopping 70%. But she is following the curve, so they aren't concerned. Plus, her mental development is on track. I just wish she would stop throwing up and start eating. It is still a no-go on that front as well, but she continues to see Occupational Therapy out at the daycare, so we are working on it.

Lowden is good as ever. That kid has endless amounts of energy, it amazes me. He refuses afternoon naps now, and is still raring to go until as late as we will let him......which is usually 8pm or 8:30 at the LATEST! But the kid bounces off the wall at most hours of the day. He is due for a haircut. With this warm weather, it sticks to his neck and I can tell he is hot with it. Papa is wanting to take the buzzer to his head, but that will NOT be happening....whether he thinks it is or not! I would like to cut it before the weekend since I will be in Minnesota visiting Steph...my long lost Ethiopia friend who is now home, but I don't think I will find the time to do it until I get home.

Enjoy the pics!

Until next time...

Anna & The Kings

It's been a while

It has been too long since I updated. I know. The end of January and first two or three weeks of February brought us illness. And not short ones. It started with Lowden. He caught a cold and then passed it on to Iris, and Iris passed it on to Jesse. Lowden's cold lasted about two weeks but Iris' lasted closer to three, and Jesse's lasted about a week. I somehow, managed to escape it....so far.

The beginning of February was really stressful for me. For, with the onset of the nasty cold Iris inherited from Lowden, her vomiting returned. I must say, it brought on a wave of anxiety for me, that still hasn't completely dissipated. Iris is better, and has quit throwing up for the most part, but her tummy shrunk and so she is not handling large volumes. If I give her too much through the tube, it comes right back out.

So that brings us up to the end of February. Iris turned 1 year old just this last Friday, the 27th. We have come a full year and I can't quite believe she is one already. She is such a little sweet heart, and certainly has all three of us wrapped around her little finger. Just within the last week, she has begun crawling. Some of you may think this is slightly behind, which, it may or may not be. But I think she is entitled to taking her time considering her first year. She only crawls to get what she wants as of now. Not to get from point A to B, but to grab a toy mostly. We had her birthday party yesterday. It went well, and of course, she wasn't at all interested in her cupcake. I put a little frosting on her lips, and she gagged at the mere flavor of it, so I figured I would just let her be. It was a good time, and she took a GREAT nap when we got home.

Lowden woke up sick again this morning. He is complaining about his ears hurting and he has thrown up a few times throughout the day. I am taking him to the doctor tomorrow since we already have an appointment set for Iris' 1 year check up.

I have some pictures to get on the computer from Iris' birthday party, but it probably won't happen tonight. I will try to get some pics on here tomorrow so you can see how big she is getting.

Much Love,

Anna & The Kings

Getting there...

Each and every day, Iris seems to come along a little bit more. Her nurse is only going to check her stats and weight every two weeks now, as Iris is gaining steady and doing awesome. She called me a little bit ago to update me on her visit today. She said Iris was a little guarded with her at first, as she thought she was going to give her a shot, but no shots today. Her oxygen saturation was perfect and her weight is fabulous. The little thing bounced up to 18 lbs 5.5 oz. Almost a 1 lb weight gain. AMAZING. It is possible she could make it to 20 lbs by her first birthday, which happens to be next month. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN? Where has the time gone? I cannot believe she is so close to a year already! She has certainly come along way.

Iris has become incredibly fond of Lowden. And vice versa. It is really cute to watch those two, and Lowden is the only one who can get these terrific belly laughs from Iris, the ones the crack both Jesse and I up when she does it. Lately, I will sit on the floor and have her sit between my legs, and she is constantly reaching for things on the other side of my leg, and when she does, ta-da, she is on her tummy. She used to hate that. But now, she will simply push up with her arms and just sit like that for a bit. I have been having Lowden sit farther away from her, and try to coax her to him. Not working yet, but I think it soon will, and then that boy will definitely be in trouble....as will I.

So, now I am going to have another birthday party to plan. Iris' birthday falls on a Friday. I am torn between having it that weekend, or if I should wait until the following weekend. I have a feeling that no matter what weekend I decide on, it will snow or rain or cause some kind of drama for me in someway as it did for Lowden's, but, I guess that is what I get for having winter babies. I just truly can't believe she is going to be 1 already!

Along with the 1 year birthday, there are changes to be made. According to safety laws in Iowa, if she does indeed weigh 20 lbs at her 1st birthday, I may choose to face her front in her car seat when driving and also put her in a larger car seat, and not a infant carrier. I will also be experimenting this next month with her formula. She is still on the non-dairy formula and I will switch her to the dairy based formula to see how she handles that. I think she will do fine, as I used a little bit I had sitting around last month when I was running low of the other stuff. She seemed to handle it just fine. If she does fine with the dairy based formula, at 1 year, she will be ready for whole milk. I have also started giving her baby food. She likes her carrots, but not much of anything else, picky girl. I'll keep working on the other veggies though. She is still not fond of food with any sort of texture though, so that is something else we have to work on.

Any way. I am so excited. I am taking on a very part-time job at Curves. Which will afford me to have a free membership so I can start working on those New Year's Resolutions. I am excited, and it will only be a few days a month, so I won't miss out on much time with the kids at all. Work on the closet has ceased for a while. We have been too busy, and it has been soooooooo cold. I am beyond ready for Spring. Bring on the rain and thunderstorms.

Ok, I am worded out for now.

Until Next Time...

Anna & The Kings

Please go to this blog and read!

This is important, more than you know, please go read!

http://oursimplelives.wordpress.com/

Looking Back

I have been meaning to update everyone for the last week now, but I have been busy and scatter-brained, so now here I am, catching you all up. I hope that everyone had a terrific Christmas and is settling into the New Year and grasping those resolutions. :) *snicker*

I named this blog entry Looking Back, because I have been doing a lot of that lately. Over 2008 that is. It was SUCH an overwhelming year! It was amazing, because Iris came to us, but so scary because of her needing to have open heart surgery. It was also a trying year. After the surgery, as many of you know, we had lots of complications with Iris, and I will be honest and say, my patience were tried most days. Some of those that read this blog have been through what we have with Iris, and understand it was the best year, but it was also one of my hardest years. There is no way to explain the emotions that go through a parent who has to watch their child go through painful surgeries and or just bad experiences, period. I am not sure if I am repeating myself here, probably, but I want to say it again. Many friends have said that we are so strong to have gone through this. But I don't really feel strength has much at all to do with it. Only love. We love our two children more than anything and we would do whatever it takes to make them healthy, and I tell these friends, they would do the same thing if it were under the same circumstances. I won't say it wasn't hard. Man, it was hard, and painful, but who was the one feeling the real pain? And look at her now! She is amazing!

Lowden has been through so much. He not only had to deal with getting a new sister, and having that sibling rivalry, but he has also had to deal with all the extra care that went to his sister and not him...yet, he adores her so much. Just thinking of his tenderness with her makes me want to burst out in tears. I know that not only now, but when they are older, he is going to be the best brother any little girl could ask for (whether it is admitted by them or not:)

So, now when I look forward into 2009, I see a lot of hope for how our family is going to grow. And by that I don't mean more children, Heaven's NO! (internal giggle) I believe the magic number for our family is 4, we are content there! But things are getting a little easier and there is so much comfort for me in that. I have been trying some baby foods with Iris, and she is slowly developing more of a taste for them, and not gagging as much with them. She still gags a little, but she no longer throws up from it. Well, she no longer throws up at all, which is SUCH a blessing. I can't even explain how happy I am about that. Now, if I could just get her to sleep more!

I'm all worded out, so, until next time....

Truly,

Anna & The Kings

Changes

I can't believe that my little man is going to be 4 tomorrow. 4!!! I remember when he was the size of Iris and causing his own kind of "smaller" trouble. And now he is a big boy with lots of 4 year old attitude. Where has the time gone? He amazes me more every day. When I pick the kids up from daycare, it is like, all he can do to wait to get in the car before he starts asking me question after question after question. And, he is truly a boy. This kid loves all things rowdy. He loves his cars and trucks (what seems like a gazillion of them on the floor willing me to step on them and go flying in the air) and he loves to wrestle with his daddy or his papa. He is such a sweetie. Last night before bedtime, he gave me a kiss, and Iris a couple because as soon as he does, she gets her big ole toothy grin, that girl adores her brother! And he keeps giving her kisses to keep making her smile. And then, he woke up coughing and couldn't get back to sleep, even after Jesse put Vick's on his chest, so I went in and laid with him, and he was all cuddly. We both finally fell asleep, then I heard the Thunder Snow and woke up. It is weird hearing thunder in the winter!

Iris gained 3 ounces this last week. Not 7 like the week before, but a gain that I am still happy with, and steady. She had an occupational/physical therapy appointment yesterday. We were supposed to do a swallow study, but I wanted to show her occ. therapist how she was coming with a bottle. She will chew on it, and when formula comes out, she will swallow it without gagging. So, her therapist asked if we should try the cup that we like to use. It has a bigger silicone spout and Iris is teething, so she likes to chew on it. She did AWESOME with it. Maybe took around 1/2 ounce from it total, which, to me, is a lot. She did great.

I feel changes coming, for both of my kids. Lowden is growing into this awesome little man that is so inquisitive, which, I'll admit, sometimes I go crazy trying to figure out how to answer his many, many questions. And Iris is getting easier, and developing the sweetest personality, although she's got a bit of her mommas fiestiness (sp) in her, but I love it.

Christmas is so close. And, I love Christmas, but I am ready for it to be over. Just the hustle and bustle of it wears me out. I am ready for a steady routine again.

I have kind of rambled all over the place on this one. So, until next time...

Truly,

Anna & The Kings

No Bib, No burp rag

As in, we no longer need them, period. I am MORE shocked than any of you. TRUST ME on this.

So I haven't updated in a while. Last week on Wednesday, Iris' visiting nurse called as usual to update me on her stats. She said she literally called me as soon as she walked out of the daycare, she was so excited. Iris had gained 7 oz in 1 WEEK!!!. I was elated, to say the least. She couldn't believe it either.

So, Iris also rarely throws up now. And, if she does, it is like a few drops that just accidentally leak out of her mouth, and sometimes her nose, but even that is seldom now. I have also been experimenting with a bottle and a pacifier. Iris loves the pacifier, but not to suck on. She has tooth #3 coming in, her top right incisor and so she goes to town chewing on the paci. With the bottle, she also likes to chew, but of course, some formula comes out too. And, she doesn't gag on it, she SWALLOWS it! *AMAZING* She will even suck on the bottle a couple of times, and swallow, but when she realizes that it is going to keep coming out, she gets mad at it.

She is going to have a swallow study done here soon. I am hoping it is at our appointment with the occ. therapist on Thursday. We will see. I will call to verify sometime today or tomorrow, just so I know. Anyway, Iris is doing fabulous, and if anything, getting incredibly feisty. Which, of course, I love!

Lowden is going to be 4. I truly cannot believe this! His birthday party is on Saturday, and I have a LOT to get done yet for it. Cleaning to do, oh, the cleaning :( Jesse is scrambling trying to get the walk-in closet completed so he can show it off. I hope he gets it done! Not much left to do in there though. Lowden is obsessed with anything CARS* (the movie), and also cars and trucks, and he likes Transformers*. He is such a boy! I gave him a bit of a haircut yesterday. It was starting to look like a mullet. EW. So, I had to do something about that. It looks cute, and he looks even older now! My little man is growing up!

Yesterday, Lowden, Iris & I went over to visit some of my friends. Their little daughter is 4 days older than Iris. It was a really good time although, driving home afterward in the sleet in rain was NOT so much fun. I can't wait to get together with them after the holidays again, it had been too long!

I promise to update as soon as Iris has her weigh-in on Wednesday again, and also let you know how her occ. therapy appointment goes.

Always,

Anna & The Kings

9 Month Checkup

I had Iris to the doctor yesterday and today. Yesterday we had our appointment with the new pediatric gastroenterologist....Dr. M. He was quick and to the point. We basically talked about her medical history, and he said he needs time to review her files and her most recent tests before he decides what to do with her. He did however say, that he wants to do a swallow study on her. Now, I am not sure how this will be done, considering Iris does not really swallow large quantities, barely even small quantities. I am sure we will find out though. So, I am waiting to hear back from him for our followup appointment. Iris' appointment today was with her regular family doctor for her 9 month well child visit. She is sitting between the 10th & 15th percentile for her height and weight and her head is in the 50th percentile. Although it is not GREAT, she is at least still ON the growth chart. She is a bit behind with some of her motor skills, but that is to be expected with everything she has been through, and we are already seeing a physical therapist, so we are on the ball with it.

Anyway, just a quick post to update you all. I know many of you want to know the outcome of her appointments, I promise to update you all again when we find out about the swallow study.

Much Love,

Anna & The Kings

LESS Truly Is More!

It is a bit ironic how we figure out new things that work for Iris. Take for instance, this last Sunday. I am the one who wakes up with the kids, everyday. But, Jesse got up with them on Sunday, as I had not been getting very much sleep at all the last two weeks. Lowden had been sick, with a cold and a cough, and he was waking up a couple times at night, and Iris was waking up in the middle of the night as well. She would gag on her own saliva and throw up. Anyway, I had told Jesse that we were going back to using Nutramigen for formula, instead of the Neocate, as she holds it down better. I did not tell him that we are using up the old stuff first. There were two scoops of Nutramigen left in the can, so he used that, with only 4 ounces of water. Low and behold, Iris did NOT throw ANY of it up. (Cue the angelic choir) Iris did not throw up at all that day. So, we have been following this regimen for her, and she is soooooo much happier. I cannot even explain. She is like a different baby. And, much to my GREAT pleasure, she is saying "mama" now. More like "mamamamamamamamama....." but completely adorable!

Tomorrow we go and see a new doctor here in Cedar Rapids. He is a pediatric gastroenterologist. I am excited to meet with him and have already started making a list of questions for him. I am hoping he will decide to run some tests on Iris, but who knows. As much as I dislike putting her through the stress of tests, it needs to be done so we can rule things out, or get closer to an answer for her, if there is one. Tomorrow we also see the occupational and physical therapists. They will be happy about Iris not throwing up as much, and I am going to talk to them about some oral cues she has been doing to see what they think. I gave Iris a cracker last night, she put it in her mouth a couple of times, and scraped it on her two bottom teeth once, but didn't show much more eating interest in it than that. But that is alright, at least she didn't gag from the taste of it in her mouth.

Ahhh, so Lowden's 4th Birthday is coming up. On the 20th to be exact. And, we are going to have a birthday party for him. I am excited for him. It should be fun, as long as the weather cooperates and all our family is able to make it to our house. We shall see! I can't believe my baby boy is going to be 4 already!!! Time truly does fly!

Oh, and Jesse is building me a walk-in closet (my hideout) for Christmas. He has the walls up and the insulation in and it is mostly drywalled. He made great progress on it in just one day. I am so excited for it! What a handyman!

I promise to update you all on the appointments tomorrow, but it may be the weekend by the time I get around to it.

Much Love,

Anna & The Kings

2nd Opinion

Her throwing up is getting worse. She never used to throw up after her 5 pm feeding, she does now, and it is usually most of the feeding. Just like the other feedings. At this point, the only time she doesn't throw up, is her last feeding, when it is bedtime. But she even will wake up and throw up at THAT feeding as well now. I am at a loss.

I took her to the doctor on Thursday to get a referral for a second opinion. So, we are scheduled to go and see Dr. Machnowski in Cedar Rapids on December 4th. It can't come soon enough! In the mean time, I have upped her dosage of Reglan (which helps her stomach empty quicker) from .6 mL before every feeding to 1 mL before every feeding. Today was the first time I have tried it, and we will find out the results.

Wednesday was the breaking point for me. Iris' home visiting nurse that checks her out every week at daycare called me early on Wednesday, usually she calls me later in the day. I knew I should be worried, when SHE was worried. "K" said that Iris was still getting her first feeding when she got there, but Iris looked miserable. So, she stopped the feeding and unhooked Iris. She let Iris' tube open to drain some of the formula from her tummy, to keep her from throwing up, and started her assessment. For her assessment, she weighs Iris, checks her heart rate, and respirations. She also checks her blood oxygen saturation. Her heart rate and respirations were elevated, enough to be concerned. Iris' normal heart rate sits around 136 or so, she was at 200 and her normal respirations are at 48, but she was at 64. When I got the call at work, we will just say, I was a bit frantic. If she was like this in the morning, there is no doubt in my mind, that she is like this more than in the morning. Like, several times per day, it CAN'T be good for her heart. The nurse agreed.

I made a bunch of calls, and that is what led us to her family doctor on Thursday, and with an appointment with Dr. M on Dec 4th. He is the pediatric gastroenterologist in Cedar Rapids. We also have an order to go and get another x-ray before our followup appointment with the family doctor, also on the 4th. This time it is to be of her tummy though. We are looking for any anatomical abnormalities, which have not been found in the past. Well, nothing has been found in the past, but something is not right with her little body.

I must say, I am so relieved to have found a couple of mothers among the ohs (open heart surgery) parents who have or are dealing with the same things I am dealing with. "A's" daughter is now 4 1/2 years old, and just got her g-tube removed this last February. She still has to feed her daughter 4 cans of pediasure a day, with a syringe in the mouth, as she said it is not worth the fight to get her daughter to drink from a cup. Trust me, this is harder than any of you can imagine, unless you have been down this road. And "H" is another mom I have found. Her daughter just had her OHS approximately 2 weeks ago and is having problems eating. I hope that I can be of some support to her through all of this, mostly, I pray that her daughter will come out of it, and not develop all of Iris' aversions.

ANYWAY!!! Thanksgiving is almost here, and that makes me so happy. It is my MOST favorite holiday, and I must say, I have SO much to be thankful for. And of course, I can't wait for the food, bring on the stuffing and sweet potatoes! haha, there goes my low carb diet for a day!

I will keep you all posted, and as always, I am copying and pasting this to Carepages.

By the way, Caden is home and Ashley couldn't be happier!

Love you all,

Anna & The Kings

When will it stop?

Iris threw up all of her 4.5 oz bottle this morning. It actually had the calorie count of a 6.5 oz bottle, but regardless, her stomach emptied, I am pretty sure, all of it. And, she just emptied close to 1/2 of her 11 a.m. bottle on me, which is sad since it is 20 minutes until she is due for her next bottle or 2.5 hours AFTER she ate. Her tummy doesn't seem to be emptying correctly to me.

I have to admit. I think I get more and more depressed with each and every vomiting episode with her. It pains me to think of how her esophagus, throat and nose feel, how they burn. I feel like crying now just at the thought of how many more times she will throw up today. I know that this seems like a small trivial thing in a lot of your eyes, but I see this every day in and out. I just feel bad for her. And I know that her health problems pale in comparison to those of others, but this is the reality I deal with. I don't mean to come off whiny, but I am just waiting and waiting for things to get easier for her, and they don't.

So, I have asked our occupational therapist to make some calls and see if we can get another pediatric gastroenterologist to look at Iris' file for a second opinion. I am waiting, but not all that patiently. It is driving me crazy. I just wonder if there is anything that can even be done. None of her reflux meds help, at all. I already took her off of one of them, and the second is to help her stomach empty. Obviously, it is NOT doing it's job.

Sorry to be whiny, I'll end with that.

Anna & The Kings

53...I stand corrected. :)

The light in my eyes are a bit dimmer today. It is my mom's birthday. She's (would be) 53. It is still a hard thing to deal with every year, even if it has been almost 18 years since she has been gone. It's true, time really does fly by. And it keeps flying by faster and faster each year. Maybe that is something that comes with age. But anyway, Happy Birthday Mom, I love you.

Iris was weighed yesterday. She did gain, so I am pleased with that. She was up 5 oz, which puts her at 16 lbs 5 oz! I really hope that she can keep that kind of a steady gain up. I just get so flustered when she loses. She has not been throwing up any less though, which makes me so sad for her. I know that she is used to it, but her throat and nose cannot feel good. I don't know if I have ever said this before, but she really gets p.o.'d when it comes out of her nose. I can only imagine how that must burn. Poor girl. But she is soooo happy. She cracks me up. And she adores Lowden. Nothing will make her smile like he does. I must say, that really pleases me. The feeling is mutual, I know that Lowden will be the protective big brother when they are older.

I have had a cloud hanging over my head lately. Not sure why. I think it is just a combination of things that are bringing me down. And I feel really anxious at times, but then it will dispel like it was never there. I think that part of it is the thought of being all couped up for the winter, I'll get over it.

That is about all to report.

Anna & The Kings

Prayers Please

Well, many of you know that my niece, Ashley, had her baby boy. Caden. Well, yesterday, they noticed that Caden had labored breathing. To be safe, they transferred him to a bigger hospital. Now, of course my first worry, was that he had a heart condition. But, I believe that has been ruled out by the echo they did last night. So, now they are looking at his lungs as well as his brain activity.

I ask you all to send your prayers to Caden. He is a so new to the world and needs all the thoughts and prayers you can give him. And Ashley is scared. I can't imagine how scary that would be, being a young, first time mom. I know how scared I was with Iris, and she was my second child and I was already 26...with a little experience.

I don't talk a lot about God. I am sure that many of my family members wonder where I stand with Him. I am not very open about my relationship with God, as I feel that it is only mine and God's business. But I will say that I have my firm belief in Him....there is no way I would have gotten this far in life if I hadn't. But, I also have my beliefs of how I should be able to talk, pray & generally communicate with him. I know He hears me, no matter if it is in my car on my way to work, or in a Church. Which, I will be honest, and say that I have not regularly gone to Church for sometime. But it doesn't mean I don't believe. And I will say that since we found about Iris' congenital heart defect, I have talked to him a whole lot more.

Please talk to Him a lot, and ask him to guard Caden.

Love You All,

Anna & The Kings

Doesn't sit well

Well. Iris was weighed today. She only gained 1/2 oz in a full week. It is not sitting well with me at all. So, I AM going to get a second opinion on her diaphragm. I am just sick about this. We are even mixing her formula thicker, with more calories. I can only imagine what her weight would be if we weren't mixing it with more calories. Not good. She has a physical therapy appointment tomorrow, but not occupational therapy, because her therapist is gone until Monday. But, I am going to leave her a note to call me as soon as she can. She has some contacts in Chicago and I think it is time to get other opinions.

Iris also got her first synergist shot today. It is to prevent her from getting RSV during the winter season. It is a series of 6, with her last one in March. I think this is a great thing for her to get, especially with her cardiac issues.

I promise to update on any opinions I am able to get.

Lowden cracks me up. I know I have a lot to worry about when he starts driving. I know, I know. I am thinking way far ahead. But, I work in the insurance industry, I can't help it. So, on our way to the daycare this morning, I am doing the speed limit, rare, I know. There was a truck in front of me, so I really couldn't go much faster, but I did not think we were going slow anyway. Lowden tells me to "go faster." I told him I can't, there is a truck in front of us. He keeps saying it, man, I KNOW I am in trouble. I think I may have to make him get a job and make him pay his OWN insurance premium when he turns 16.....he isn't even 4 yet. I know. Close enough to it, but still. It was quite comical, I must say.

Oh, I became a Great Aunt today. YAY. But, it is weird! Congrats to Ashley and welcome Caden!!!

At least it's not a loss

Well, Iris was weighed yesterday. She was up to 15 lbs 15 oz. Which means that she gained 2 1/2 ounces. It isn't much, but I guess it is better than losing. This is even with me mixing her formula thicker, so there are more calories. I hope she starts gaining a little better. She is 8 months old now. Can you believe that? 8 months! Seems like she was just born and going through her OHS (open heart surgery.)

Anyway, when the nurse was weighing her and checking her oxygen yesterday, she looked at her gtube site. Noticed that there is scar tissue under there and it looks tender. I knew this as just this week, the site started looking prett red and tender, so I knew she would mention it to me. So, I called the family doctor to have him take a look at it. We have an appointment for that tomorrow at 2 pm. I am going to give her some tylenol or something before we go, as they may have to cauterize the area to stop the scar tissue from forming. Poor little girl.

And, last but not least. Tomorrow is Halloween. YAY. Lowden decided out of the blue, that he wants to be Optimus Prime from The Transformers. So we have his costume. I need to get something for Iris yet. I know, bad mom :( But I am going to get something today for her...I hope. I will get pics of the kids in their costumes up here in the next couple of days.

Love You All,

Anna & The Kings

Headaches

Once again, it is headache season....for me anyway. I have had one for about 2 weeks straight now, and I just can't seem to get rid of it. I know that part of this is my fault and my near constant ponytail in my hair, but that is not all. I have quit drinking soda, pop, whatever you choose to call it. And, today I have not had any coffee....it is not working very well for me and I miss it. Pathetic? maybe, but I think I am going to have to brew some here shortly, or I will never make it all night with the kids. Jesse has school, so he will not get home until close to 10:00 pm. Both of the kids need baths, but that shouldn't be too hard, now that I have a seat for Iris to put right in the bathtub, so I can give them both a bath at the same time. Iris loves the seat, and Lowden loves to "help." I also have to make some time to make noodles for some chicken noodle soup. I refuse to make it with store bought noodles since it takes all of 4 ingredients to make egg noodles and only about 20 minutes of my time. I just hope both kids cooperate with my plans. We also have to head up to Manchester to pick up Lowden's Halloween costume from Sis', she was nice and went and picked it up for me in town there since I could not find it in C.R. or Marion.

Anyway. Iris' formula recipe has changed. Recipe? you ask. Well, kind of. I have to mix it thicker now. So, I am. She will get weighed tomorrow by the nurse, so I am curious to see what this has done for her. I hope a lot! She did throw up quite a bit this weekend though, so who knows.

Had a nice little visit from Grandma & Grandpa Fass this weekend. That was nice. My house was a complete disaster area, but oh well. I did get some cleaning done over the weekend, but not enough for me to be satisfied. Why does it seem like to get one thing really clean, you have to make 3 other things really dirty?

Yeah, time for that coffee before I fall asleep......at work :)

Anna

Up a bit, down a tad, down a tad more, UP a lot!

We are talking weight here. And no, not mine. As always, Iris is having weight issues. Here is her months weight gain and losses, week by week. Week of Sept 29th, she gained 5.5 oz(13 lb 13.5 oz); week of Oct 6th, lost 3 oz (13 lb 10.5 oz); week of Oct 13th, lost 5 oz (13 lbs 5.5 oz); week of Oct 20th, gained 8 oz, which puts her back at 13 lbs 13.5 oz. This leads to conversations with her visiting nurse. We will call her K. K has to talk to the dietician and see where Iris needs to be sitting at with her daily caloric intake. Obviously, it is not enough, and since Iris' vomiting makes her expel quite a bit, we have to figure out a way to get the calories in her without making her have to take in more ounces. Make sense? So, we have to make her formula thicker. When formula is mixed normally, it is 20 kilocalories per ounce, I believe. But, we have to start mixing Iris' so that it is anywhere from 24-27 kilocalories per ounce, as she needs anywhere from 715-750 calories per day. And, as she is now, she is only taking in approximately 550-600, depending on how much she throws up.

Have I mentioned yet that Iris has been feverish the last two days, and throwing up a little more than usual? I don't know if it is due to her teething or something else. I hope it is the teething though. She has been such a healthy girl, even with all that she has been through.

Anyway, I really need to figure out a way to start making more time to work with her on her eating. I know, more like lack there of, but we need to get somewhere with it. It is hard to find the time to fit everything into the day, especially the work week. I don't even get to pick her and Lowden up from daycare until 5:30 pm and then we drive home and get in the house and unpacked and all that. By then it is 6 pm, and I have to get supper started and Lowden fed....I need time to give them baths and Lowden has to be to bed by 8 pm, sometimes 8:30 if he took a nap at daycare or not. Iris is mad as ever if I am not in the "designated" rocker by 8pm to start feeding her, and she falls asleep chewing on her moose around 8:30. Life is so fast, and I need more time to work with her. And here comes daylight savings. GREAT! *please note the sarcasm:)*
**Oh, one last thing before I publish this. I am planning on pulling a bunch of pictures from her carepage to put on here, so, sorry if you have already seen them.

Much Love,

Anna & The Kings

Scraping my windshield....already

It's as horrible as it sounds. I had to scrape my windshield this morning. I am SOOOOOO not ready for winter. AT ALL! And there are two different Farmer's Almanac descriptions of the winter hanging around out there, so we can't really be sure what to expect. Cold, yes we know that, but lots of precip.? Man, I hope not! I can deal with the snow, but not the rain/ice. It makes me so nervous driving all the way to work in that kind of weather/road conditions. What can I say though, Iowa weather.





I am starting to think about Christmas. Ick, I know. But, with the crappy (carpy for all my online mommy friends. hehe) economy, money is something I cannot be frivolous with. I am making a lot of the gifts this year, so I need to get my butt in gear. I am missing my sewing machine dearly, so I need to get back to it and get some gifts made. I am so excited about it. And no, I am not posting what I am making. Can't give it away!





Can I just say THANK YOU MIRALAX? Not for me (HAHA), but for Iris. It has done wonders with her um...digestion. She is like a new baby and it works like a charm for her...and is non-habit forming. So, yay for that! BUT, she has not gained any weight in 2 weeks, but lost it. Granted, it is not a huge amount, but for her, any loss is not good. So, we have to figure out what to do to make sure she is getting the amount of calories she should be. Anything by mouth is still a big no-no for her. She gags instantly. And I mean INSTANTLY. Just this last weekend, I put a mere TASTE of butterscotch pudding on the end of my fingertip. It no more than touched her tongue, and she gagged. Poor girl....mean mommy. But man alive is she a chatterbox. She went from saying blah blah blah to a kind of dah dah dah. Very cute. And she squeals, man can she squeal. I know, I am just getting paid back for all the screaming I could do back in the day. But I love it.





Lowden is great! Getting so big. He says he wants to be Optimus Prime for Halloween. Now that I can't find a costume anywhere for him...except Ebay, but they all want too much for them. So, I may try to talk him into going as something else. I found a race car driver costume and I think he would like that. He and another boy at daycare are the best and worst of friends. They play together, but then end up fighting. I swear it happens everyday. I always tell him that he should maybe play with other kids. He does for a day, and then is back with his "biting buddy." What can you do. I am still trying to get him to branch out with his foods. I think he should get the award for "Pickiest Kid Ever." But, I was able to get him to eat an actual real chicken breast. I of course cubed it and covered it in shake 'n' bake and baked it. But he ate it....and some mashed taters and corn. Yay Lowden. Baby steps.





Anyway. Work has been busy this week, as my boss is on vacation in California. Monday was BAD! But the rest of the week hasn't been too bad. I am so ready for Friday, thank goodness it is tomorrow. No real plans for the weekend, but I know Jesse will be hunting, so who knows what we will do.





Anna