Thursday, October 30, 2008

Baby Stellan is Here

Again, GOD IS GREAT

Excerpts from My Charming Kids
Our long-awaited little MckMuffin has finally arrived...


Stellan
entered the world this sunny fall morning
at 10:19 am, CST weighing 6 pounds, 10 ounces
and measuring 19 inches long


As you can imagine, there is a lot going on here at the hospital. Please thank God with us that little Stlellan is here and be in prayer for these first hours of his precious life.


The NICU attended the birth--which went very smoothly--and Stellan is with the NICU team now. MckMama is recovering and, in spite of a pretty low blood pressure, is feeling well. She has seen Stellan only briefly, but Prince Charming has been back and forth between her and baby Stellan. When she is stable, she'll be wheeled on her bed down to see their new baby.


Details on exactly how Stellan is doing as well as photos of the sweet baby will be forthcoming. But, let's just say that Stellan got a 9 and a 9 on his APGARS and the NICU team has yet to find a single thing wrong with him... Happy birthday, sweet Stellan. You are God's miracle to us and you are finally here!!!!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

5 month check up

Mommy played a dirty trick on me today...She took me over to see Nana and Pop Pop this morning. After playing with them for a while, I was exhausted and hungry. Mommy fed me and off to sleep I went! I woke up a short time later, looked around and I realized where I was....THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE!! Daddy was there and I knew what that meant. He was there to divert my attention as one of those nurses jabbed me in the legs! But first, I got to visit with Dr. Karp. She looked me over from head to toe and said that everything looked great! I now weigh an astounding 14lbs 5 ounces! Mommy asked Dr. Karp some questions as I thought to myself let's just get this over with...bring in the nurse. Daddy grabbed me and began to distract my attention. Daddy you were funny, but those needles certainly got my attention. OUCH! I cried for a minute, but then I realized it was over...until next month!

Baby Stellan

Please take a moment to visit My Charming Kids and join in prayer in anticipation of the arrival of Baby Stellan. The entire family is in our prayers. God is Great.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

The Pumpkin Patch

Today was my first ever trip to a Pumpkin Patch. We went to the Hunt Club Farm in Virginia Beach.



On the way there, I decided I better rest up because I would need all of my energy to find my Great Pumpkin. Here I am upon arrival...obviously, I did not get enough sleep on my way there.



After a few minutes, it was time for the fun. A few minutes into our fun, I located a couple friends, Scary Jane & Scary Joe. Daddy...help me, they are going to run me over in their carriage.



Wow...that was close. After that close call, I decided they are really not so scary. I really liked Scary Jane and decided to chill out with her for a minute before searching for the Great Pumpkin.






Before continuing on with my search for the Great Pumpkin, Mommy and I were able to pose for a picture with Scary Jane and Scary Joe.



We also decided this was a great location for a few more pictures. Here we all are.









As Scary Jane & Scary Joe pulled off in their carriage, I found my pumpkin. Look, there it is, over there.



I know it is in here somewhere.




Now it is all mine.



And now I present...THE GREAT PUMPKIN



Wow...what a great time. Before leaving, Mommy and I stopped to look at the horses.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

Mommy & Daddy keep telling me that today is my birthday...whatever that means! I just smile and laugh at them! Oh well, I will go along with it! HAPPY 5 MONTH BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

The Dixie Classic Fair

Sorry for the delay in getting these pictures posted. Mommy & Daddy were very sleep deprived this week and both of them came down with a cold. Can't they function off of the 1 hour at a time that I let them sleep?

The fair was a great time. My Nona and Popi took me. Mommy and Daddy also came along.




On the way to the fair, me, Nona & Popi took a nap in the back of Mommy's car. We needed to charge our batteries before we got started at the fair. Once there, Daddy wasted no time on getting to work on the Fair All-You-Can-Eat. So much for a diet Daddy. He started as soon as we walked in the gate with a Turkey Leg. I watched as Mommy and Daddy put a hurtin on that turkey leg. Popi enjoyed a couple hot dogs and Nona opted for some Pinto Beans & Corn Bread. Once everyone got a bite to eat, we began our walk around the fairgrounds. All of those rides and here I was stuck in my stroller.



I can't complain too much because there were a bunch of bumps along the way so even my stroller was one heck of a ride. After walking around for a while, Daddy was hungry. He must have thought that quarter mile walk burned off the turkey leg. I just sat back in my stroller and let him go with it. He wasn't sure what to eat next...so many choices, so little time and so little money...that food is expensive. We ran into some of Nona and Popi's friends and we stopped to talk to them for a little while. They have a new grandson who is 7 months old. I was so happy to see someone about my size. While everyone was talking, Daddy disappeared. The smell of the Elephant Ears must have sucked him in. We walked around for a while longer and then Mommy was ready for the Frozen Banana covered in Chocolate. Wow did it look good. I tried to get a bite, but Mommy and Daddy wouldn't let me. I bet if I was just with Nona and Popi, I could have had a bite.




We then proceeded into the Exhibits to get a break from the sun. It was a beatiful day, no clouds in the sky so by this time, everyone needed a break. My cousin Emily had a piece of her artwork on display. Her artwork was selected to represent the 1st graders from her elementary school.



Isn't it great?

While we were in the exhibit hall, we found a couple photo-worthy items. Mommy and Daddy laughed when they saw this one...Mommy says this is how she feels (see udders).



And then we went to look at the cakes...Look at this cake.



And then we proceeded to another indoor area where Daddy and Pop-Pop came across some of the best milk 5 years ago. Yes, Mommy and Daddy even went to the Fair the day after they got married. They really did have a honeymoon, but the fair could not be missed. We tried to talk Pop-Pop into coming along with us this year as Nana was in Utah, but he passed on the invitation. Here's to you Pop-Pop.



After about 4 hours at the fair, we were all getting tired, but don't think for a minute that Daddy was done. He couldn't talk anyone else into joining him for his third course and he almost passed himself. He didn't want to leave the park looking like one of those prize-winning pigs. It's Ok daddy, I would definitely give you the blue ribbon. On the way to the exit, he glanced over in a desperate plea for something good to appear, and he saw the sign..."Fried Pork Chop Sandwich". He made his way over. He had never had indulged in such a treat, but by the drool coming out of his mouth, i figured it must be good or he is teething.
Daddy completed his Fair All-You-Can-Eat and was happy. Everyone else was happy. I loved the fair, but think I will love it more next year. Mommy and Daddy better get their rest over the next 52 weeks.



Happy Birthday Uncle Hutch

Happy 30th Birthday Uncle Hutch. Your party was great.
Love you,
Peyton

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Happy Anniversary Mommy & Daddy

Today is my Mommy & Daddy's 5 year anniversary.
Happy Anniversary!!

Our Drive to North Carolina

Another Road Trip upcoming and Mommy and Daddy were of course worried. After Daddy got home from work and packed the last items in the car, we were off to Nona and Popi's house. We stopped by the nearest Wawa

to get gas and then we were on our way at about 6:15pm. By Suffolk, about 30 minutes later, I was asleep. No crying at all. See Mommy and Daddy...I can do it. I had eaten last at 5:00pm so it was expected that I would be waking up at about 8 o'clock, which would be in South Hill, VA. That would be good timing because Mommy and Daddy would be hungry also and there is quite a selection of food in South Hill. They decided that they would not stop until I woke up...never wake a sleeping baby!!! We passed through South Hill right on time, but I was still sleeping. Aren't sleeping babies the cutest thing you have ever seen? We were then into North Carolina.

About an hour later, I was still asleep. Daddy's tummy was growling, he had nothing left in his Wawa cup to drink, but he did not want to stop, fearing that I would awaken as soon as the car came to a stop. Finally at about 9:30pm, Daddy couldn't wait any longer or he would be crying like I do when I get really hungry. So we stopped at Taco Bell.

Daddy asked Mommy if she needed to use the restroom...he must still think she is pregnant and has to pee every 10 minutes. She did not want our stop to be too lengthy in case I stayed asleep so she passed on the offer and we proceeded to the Drive-thru. Now please understand that Taco Bell is a regular destination for Mommy and Daddy. They go there at least twice a week for the Yummy Cheese Roll-Ups (79 cents each fits in their budget). Tonight, Daddy must have been too hungry so it took him what felt like 15 minutes to figure out what he wanted. He finally ordered and we got our food and were back on the road. I was still sleeping. The fine Mexican Fast Food Burrito Creators must have been tired when they made the bean burrito. Mommy folded the paper down and handed it to Daddy. Every time he would bite into it, he felt the cheesy, bean filling squirt out of the bottom. Thanks mommy for making sure the paper was properly folded so the filling stayed inside the wrapper. Daddy finished and then in a hunger induced rage decided he would start licking the paper...really Daddy? Don't you have any table manners? He finished with the cheesy, bean paper and was onto the remainder of his dinner. I was still sleeping. Mommy and Daddy kept looking at each other in amazement. I had now been 5 hours since eating last and had been napping for 4 hours. One hour left to go until we were at Nona & Popi's house. That last hour went quickly and I slept the entire time. Mommy and Daddy also stopped at Starbucks once they got there.

Pumpkin Spice Frappucinos are in Season...YUM. I slept through it and woke up as soon as Mommy and Daddy pulled into Nona & Popi's driveway. They were so proud. I stayed up and played with my Nona and Popi and then it was time to try to go to bed. I had taken a 5 hour nap so nobody thought I would be able to sleep. I slept well (keep in mind that sleeping well means that I was not up every hour) and we finally got out of bed at 8:30 Friday morning. What a day. I was so excited about seeing Nona and Popi and spending the weekend with them. I am also excited about my first trip to the Dixie Classic Fair.


Mommy and Daddy talk about this fair all year long so I can't wait to see what it is all about. Turkey Legs, Fried Twinkies & Chocolate Covered Bananas...how can it be bad?

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Peyton Loves Pooping for Daddy

Daddy Again:
Since Peyton was born, he has felt very comfortable with me. It seemed as though every time I held him, he would poop. I figured it was just coincidence since he pooped a lot. Lucky me.
It has continued to this day. I am a human laxative for Peyton. This is great, right?
Not when you are in Kohls looking for picture frames and decided that you would park between Best Buy and Kohls so that you didn't have to move the car when you wanted to move from Kohls to Best Buy. Of course you don't bring the diaper bag because what could happen in a matter of 15 minutes. &%^$ happens. I am carrying him through the store (we have not even reached the picture frame area) and i feel the vibration on my arm and it is pretty loud. Amy looks back at us and just laughs because it is so funny that he does it every time for me. We keep walking and it is one of those smelly varieties. Breastfed babies have sweet-smelling poops right...Oh yeah, they are surely sweet. They are not bad, but they have a certain odor to them. I am looking at the picture frames and looking around wondering who else smells it. We find a frame we like and I adjust Peyton in my arms as the arm muscles are getting tired. Then I figure out we have a bit of a problem. Daddy must have deflected all of the poop up and out of his diaper the way i was holding him. It is all over the back of his outfit. Remember, no diaper bag. We just start laughing. We find the picture frame and then move over to the baby department so we can buy an outfit to get him out of the soiled one. It was a beautiful fall day, temperatures in the 80's and all of the outfits we find are long-sleeved. We walk around every carousel of baby clothes and finally find one set that has a short sleeved onesie. We hurry to the cash register. I am holding Peyton away from my chest so i don't get the poop on my shirt, but i am trying to conceal the poop from anyone looking at us. Not an easy task and a Very DIRTY task. Thank goodness for baby wipes and hand sanitizer. We pay for our picture frame and outfits and head to the truck. My arms are shaking from holding him the way i am holding him and the truck is parked at the other end of the parking lot. We make it and change the outfit and diaper (some made it in the diaper after all). To put this into perspective, it was about a 6-wipe change. We throw the outfit into a plastic bag and dispose of the diaper and we have a clean baby again.
This past Saturday, we went to our weekly dinner destination, No Frill Grill, and we are waiting for a table to open up. We are standing outside and the vibration is felt again. I am now a little paranoid so i immediately turn him around to check his back...you guessed it...another blow out. Not nearly as bad (3-wipe change) with only a small spot on the back of the outfit. There i go with the diaper bag and Peyton towards the truck to change him. A couple minutes later and the 3 wipes later, he is a new baby ready to go watch his Mommy and Daddy eat dinner.
Signed,
Peyton's natural laxative

Mastitis

Daddy Here:
Last Wednesday Amy woke up and noticed that one of Peyton's milk jugs (her boobs) was very sore and hard. She scrambled around for answers. Where was the book from Birthing Class that gave her instruction on what to do? She burned through Google searching for anything she could do. She also set up an appointment at the doctor to get it checked out. It was Mastitis. Nobody wanted to put her on antibiotics because of the side effects that could find their way to Peyton. Instead, she found the Cold Pressed Castor Oil (Thanks Claudia!) and immediately soaked a rag with it and placed it on the infected boob. She also started taking Vitamin C and tried to feed or pump every hour and a half. At the end of the day, she was exhausted, but the boob was better. She beat the infection in a single day, or so she thought. Friday it reappeared and lasted through Friday night and into Saturday. We went out and bought the next ingredient in the battle against Mastitis, Echinacea. It was not helping. What would she do? Antibiotics are Bad, but severe Mastitis would be even worse. She kept on the same regimen as Wednesday with the addition of Echinacea, but it was not going away. She went to bed Saturday night disappointed. She woke up Sunday morning and it was gone again. We are proud to announce that it has stayed away and we are planning on keeping it away.
On a sidenote, the amount of Vitamin C that she was taking certainly did some exciting things with Peyton's Poop. Smelled different, looked different...OH MY!