Visits and Updates

We have been blessed with a visit from Grandma and Grandpa Vera! They are in the air, probably sleeping from all of the work that they did while they were here! When they weren't playing outside or at the park, they were helping refinish our cupboards. We had a fantastic time with them and are sad to see them leave. I am not looking forward to the questions about where they are when the kids wake up tomorrow.

We went to America's Best, a local greenhouse, to make a scarecrow.

 

Stuffing the head

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, I was there.....I got to dress the scarecrow

 

 

Stuffing...

 

 

 

Everybody got to stuff the guy!

 

 

Still stuffing....

 

 

 

 

The finished product

 

 

 

We also celebrated Collin's baptism.  We had a party on Saturday night and actual baptism on Sunday morning.  

 

 

 

 

Callie climbed into Collin's bouncy seat

 

 

Godmother Tressa

 

 

Godparents Nick and Marcy



 

Grandma

 

 

Fuzzy family picture

 

 

And this is how we take pictures

 

 

Grandma and Grandpa

back to school

Well our medical issues continue, but hopefully not for long!

Brielle had a Dr. appointment this week where she received a chest x-ray, which was clear. So we concluded that she has a bronchialconstruction. That means that most likely something triggered this, but it is too early to tell. So she has to take an inhaler 2 times a day. She is really good about taking medicine, until you have to put the mask over her nose and mouth. I am hoping that she realizes it's not that bad!

Collin is doing so much better. He continues to throw up after most feedings, but he isn't as uncomfortable and is gaining weight. He is growing WAY too fast! It is fun to watch him smile, coo, and enjoy his swing and bouncy seat.

Isaiah had his "sneak peek" day at school today, where we went to check out the classroom. He is excited to start school, but a bit confused since we have also been talking about starting Sunday school this week too. He is going to love both, as I will too!

I, Calie, have many irons in the fire right now. I usually seem to feel a bit overwhelmed in the fall due to Steve's fall schedule. But this fall I am part of the MOPS planning team, young women's retreat planning team, and planning the start of a preschool at our church. Not to mention planning a baptism for Collin, birthdays for Brielle and Isaiah, Halloween costumes, as well as the "regular" holidays. Life on our end really is never dull. I'm not sure what I would do with all my time if my life wasn't crazy!

5 Weeks old

1st trip to the zoo

6 weeks

7 weeks

8 weeks

8 weeks

In love with the bouncer!

I love these 3 goofy kids

Another Medical Update

So I kind of left you all hanging after my last post last week.

Collin's appt. went well. He is now a whopping 10 pounds! He has been put on the reflux medicine, which seems to be working pretty well. He doesn't seem as uncomfortable due to the reflux, just gas! He is still puking, but not as much. He is also starting to outgrow his newborn size clothes and his feet are filling up his 0-3 month sleepers!

Brielle and I just got back from the dr again today. She will be starting antibiotics for a sinus infection, which the Dr. thinks is what is causing the chest rattle. If this doesn't work, the next step would be a chest x-ray.

So last week Tuesday after Collin's appt. they told me we wouldn't need to go back for a month when he will be seen for his 2 month check up. I jumped for joy! It was short lived as I found out at my appt that I need to go back next week for a recheck, then this week we were there for Brielle. Someday they will forget who I am, but not anytime soon!

Other than that, I find myself gearing up for Isaiah to start school. We have his parent orientation night tonight! I am also thinking and planning for Collin's baptism on Sept. 30th, Brielle's 2nd birthday, Halloween costumes, Isaiah's birthday along with all of the holidays and fall church activities that will be starting. Needless to say I am feeling a little overwhelmed and my "to do" list keeps getting longer without crossing anything off!!!

Medical Update

It was brought to my attention that my last post was a bit dramatic. It's really not that bad, but I think I am just tired of Dr appointments.

Last Friday Collin had his ultrasound, which turned out normal. While I am glad that he does not have to have surgery, we still do not have an answer. He has another Dr appointment tomorrow so we will see what the next step is. Other than the Dr appointments, he is a great little guy. He only wakes up twice to eat at night and loves to be held.

Brielle had an eye Dr appointment today. She is doing great, and the glasses are doing their job. This time the Dr showed me how Brielle sees with and without her glasses. Without the glasses she sees double, which is really annoying!!! She still has the chest rattle, so hopefully the Dr will have some kind of an answer tomorrow too.

Isaiah and I went school shopping, which isn't as fun when the supplies include garbage bags and hand soap! He still loves to dance, sing, play the guitar and drums and play outside. He has been asking to do more an more "projects" and play games lately. He also likes to hold his brother and take care of his sister.

I, Calie, am just trying to keep schedules straight and make it on time to wherever we need to be! Steve is the same hard workin Dad he always has been.

My favorite picture of my loves

What a good big brother!

Isaiah's giant hand holding Collin's

My Boys

Brielle had some fun with window markers while I made supper

Everyone having fun with Collin's play gym. Actually I am not sure who is having more fun!

Brielle fulfilling her big sister duties

1 month

It's really hard to believe that it has already been 1 month that Collin has been in our lives. So much has happened in that short month.

As most all of you know my Dad finally got to his final destination of heaven 2 weeks ago. Collin has been to MN 3 times already! We also received shocking news that Steve's aunt died suddenly as well. Both will be missed dearly.

As if that was not enough to digest, we have been to the Dr. every week for Collin. He lost weight, which is normal, but can not gain it back as quickly as the Dr. wants. He is a good eater, but spits most all of it up afterwords. We had the same problem with Isaiah, but I am wiser this time around. So we are doing an ultra sound of his tummy on Friday to see if he has something that makes the muscles in his intestine/stomach area thicken. If that's the case, he will need surgery...if not, well I don't know!

Brielle has had her own health issues too. She has had a rattle in her chest for 5 weeks now. The Dr. thinks it could be allergies, so she is taking meds for that. I haven't noticed a big difference, but I will give it more time. If it doesn't clear up, we could be looking at a chest x-ray for her.

Phew, I think that's all the medical problems. I say bring them on this year, since we are close to the deductible and then stop!

Despite Collin's spitting, he is an easy-going, lovable baby, who can sleep through any amount of noise. He is fun to cuddle and has even started looking around more and more. It's really fun to watch the other 2 play with him and tickle him.

Brielle has a personality all her own. She picks out her own clothes and will not listen to my suggestions. I sometimes feel we are starting the mother/daughter love/hate relationship already! She is a true Daddy' girl, and he eats it up! He is putty in her hands with just one look. When Grandma is around though I rank 3rd on the list. (Grandma is 1st, Daddy is 2nd!)

Isaiah is getting so big! He is getting ready to start school next month. He is excited to go school shopping with me, and I am excited to take him. It will be fun to have some alone time with him. He was introduced to Grandma's camera, and is very good at taking pictures. I'm not even biased on this one, he is really good!

Steve and I...well...we are fine. Just trying too keep up with 3 kids!

Going Home

Sunday afternoon Collin and I packed up and headed home.

The nurses taking Collin's security tag off.

It has been nice being home, but a part of me misses the quiet and service of the hospital. Before we left Steve was able to spend some time at the hospital where we were able to have a sparkling juice toast.

We were greeted at the door by 2 anxious siblings...both wanting to see their new brother. I felt a little like chopped liver next to Collin, but that was ok.

Both kids really love to hold Collin and Brielle always wants to pick him up. She likes the silly faces that Collin makes and I love to hear her squeal when he makes them! Isaiah can't wait to be helpful and his new thing is giving Collin a "nukie" (giving him a pacifier).