Category: Family

Long week

Posted on by Lauren

Last week we had 3 doctor appointments in Grand Rapids. It was a busy and emotional time. I think because before we left, Monday night, I thought it would be fun staying up until 2am canning peach jam and apple sauce with Janel. Ok it was really fun but I really missed my sleep.


On Tuesday we headed down to Grand Rapids for Nuerosurgery and Ortho appointments. Nuero went well, Ezra’s shunt is working great so we left there happy. After lunch and  a quick nap we went to see Ezra’s Orthotist. They took X-ray’s of his back to get a better idea of what things look like. Then they weighed him, and he lost a pound! A whole pound since his 6 month check up! I was shocked and on the verge of tears. Ezra nurses great so I thought he would have at least gained a little weight, not lost it! On a good note his doctor said Ezra looked great from a ortho stand point. His legs are looking good and we wont have to do any surgery on his back for a couple years still.

Friday we had an appointment with Developmental Peds, which is just a more specific pediatrician. Since Ezra is behind in his development his other doctors wanted him to be seen to see if there was anything more we could be doing. It came at a good time since he has been losing so much weight. We spent the appointment talking about his failure to thrive and what else we can be doing to help him gain some weight. Ezra needs to eat a lot more than he is now. They think because he is so tiny and weak that he burns to many calories eating. So I get to nurse him more, and work on solids more. He will get weekly weigh ins to make sure he is heading in the right direction.

 

We ended the week at the farm. Atreyu enjoyed checking out the cows and drinking the milk. He now say “k-ow MmmmMmm” (cow, moo) whenever he sees a cow, or a horse. Ezra kept warm snuggled with me watching the cows. We are glad the week is over, and we have a nice slow week ahead with only 2 PT appointments.

Summer

Posted on by Lauren

Wow I can’t believe summer is over. At the same time I feel like we really enjoyed the summer while it was here. We were outside a lot, swimming, hiking, just enjoying the warm weather.

A couple weeks ago we went over to Sand Lakes and enjoyed the mud. Atreyu had a blast until he got mud in his eyes. What boy wouldn’t love this!

Atreyu grew so much this summer. Every other week it felt like he had a growth spurt. He has been such a helper for me (when he listens). It has been such a blessing having both boys so close.

Last weekend we went up to Mackinaw Island for the day. Enjoyed a Jazz concert and walked around the island. Here is Ezra and I on the ferry ride over. It rained all morning and we were soaked. Thankfully later it dried up so we could walk around.

Atreyu checking out the view of the Mackinaw Bridge out on our walk.  Such a beautiful place.

September is full of doctor appointments for Ezra. He just had a urology appointment and his ultrasound said that everything still looks good. We are continuing to keep an eye on his bladder and kidney to make sure they are working well.  We have 4 more appointments with different doctors over the next few weeks. Should be fun hanging out in Grand Rapids.

I am still trying to get Ezra used to eating. I tried mixing is oatmeal with different things to help him not gag. It seems that apple juice does the trick. He still doesn’t eat it, but at least he isn’t gagging. Ezra is so different with eating then Atreyu. Atreyu loved (and still loves) food. Ezra shuts his mouth so tight I can hardly get the spoon in his mouth. It’s pretty funny.

Here are some more pictures of summer from Facebook.

4th of July

Posted on by Lauren

We had a great sunny, warm weekend. We were able to do my favorite which is picking strawberries. It is one of the memories I had as a kid in Florida going to get strawberries and eating tons. So of course as a family we have to go. Once Atreyu saw where the strawberries were, he was eating tons of them. At first he was good about picking the good ones and taking the green part off, but once he got going he was picking over ripe and under ripe and didn’t really care what else got in his mouth. Then he found some rocks and started playing in the dirt, he was lovin’ it. Ezra just took his nap with me in the sling, I am sure he was having fun too.

When we were done, we were all hot  and sweaty, Atreyu was covered in dirt and strawberry juice.

On Sunday we did what every tourist does in Traverse City. Go to the Cherry Festival. We went down to the beach and watched the air show. It was a great afternoon. Ezra of course napped.

The 4th we just had a relaxing day. I love 3 day weekends in the summer. It’s great to spend time with family. The 4th was also Ezra’s half birthday. We have his check-up next week, so we will see how big he is getting.

Warm Days

Posted on by Lauren

It has been great for to spend lots of time outside. Atreyu loves it. He thinks about it from the moment he wakes up. The other day he brought me his coat and said “go”, it was 8am and 75 degrees, just whatever can get him out there I guess.

We put water in his hair to cool off. Dave had a little fun messing with Atreyu’s hair

Another awesome thing about warm weather is that we get to eat outside. Which means we get to use the grill, and I don’t have a sweep. Not that that is a huge chore, just one less thing.

Also my strawberries plants are getting bigger! I can’t wait till they are ready to pick.

Here are Atreyu and Ezra after their nap. Ezra looks like he got punched in the eye but he was just sleeping on that side.

And Ezra is getting so good at putting toys in his mouth.

Now after a couple cooler days I am ready for those warms days again.