Blessed

Friends, thank you for your prayers this week. And thank you for being so kind to let me whine a little. I know Ephraim is relatively healthy. The things we are dealing with are so minor and fairly treatable. We are so blessed to have two healthy children. I know many people, and some of you at times, have had children with very serious health issues. I just wanted you all to know I do have some perspective. Sometimes it is hard to convey in a few paragraphs written while half asleep.

I also wanted to add, that in all the sickness I forgot a very important thing...Ellie scored her first goal at her soccer game Monday night. It was the only goal her team got that night. (She also scored one for the other team!) We were so proud of her. She is really enjoying soccer. The above picture is from her first game (see, her hair is still long). I can't get any good shots during the game - I need a bigger lens for my camera (Scott, are you reading, dear?) Anyway, way to go Elle!

8 Months Old and Sick... AGAIN!

Ephraim was 8 months old today (April 22). It is so hard to believe!

Yesterday I had to take little E to the pediatrician's office. His cough was back and he was wheezing. You guessed it... we are back on breathing treatments. This time we have two different breathing treatments we have to give him, one of them every 4-6 hours until his cough is gone, and the other twice a day... FOR 3 MONTHS! He has a virus, and in a baby, with the second episode of wheezing, it is considered that your baby has asthma. So we go back in 3 months. If there is no further wheezing in the next 3 months, he can go to once a day on that breathing treatment for another 3 months for a total of 6 months. Yikes.

To top it off, Ephraim had a suspicious poo-poo diaper that morning. I took it with us to the pediatrician's office and confirmed that he is bleeding again. This, my friends, brought me to tears, and has several times since. My poor little boy! Our pediatrician recommended that I put a call in to our GI doctor. He called me back yesterday afternoon. He said not to get too excited, it wasn't even necessarily something that I ate, that it could be a virus. He had me to cut out the only new thing I've been eating, bread from a local bakery, and I have to mail in a stool sample in a week. He said he did not think I needed to switch him to formula (much to my relief).

Last night Ephraim had a fever, so I had to call out of work today. So he and I spend most of his 8 month "birthday" in bed. Oh, did I mention I am sick, too, with an awful cold. So, if you happened to think about it, pray for us. If Ephraim is not better by Thursday or Friday, we will have to add another breathing treatment. And PLEASE pray for a his little intestines to heal and that he would outgrow his food allergies soon (85% of babies do by their 1st birthday). Thank you so much!

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!

We finally found something Ephraim will eat... green beans! It is one of the few things Ellie would never eat when she was little. She loves them now. I wouldn't go so far as to say that Ephraim loves them, but at least he'll eat them. So a small victory for us.

We are enjoying eating dinner on our back porch. These pictures were obviously taken before Ephraim ate - he is still clean.

Ellie's First Haircut

Ellie got her first haircut today. I got mine cut first so she could see what was going to happen. Before I was even done she was asking for hers to be cut! Her long hair was pretty, but by the end of the day it was always a tangly mess. This will be easier on everyone. AND it is super cute!

Prepare for Battle!

We have finally entered the world of baby food. After a recent setback with some mislabeled cinnamon rolls, his little tummy was all cleared up and ready to eat! We can only eat plain foods (no blends) and have to stick with only one for a week to make sure he doesn't have an allergic reation. Last week was sweet potatoes - didn't go so well. He didn't really seem to like them, but at least he wasn't allergic. Last night, as you can see above, we tried butternut squash. He didn't really seem all that crazy about it either.

So ladies (and gentlemen too, I guess). I am looking for any suggestions to get this boy to eat and like it! I feel like I'm going into battle everytime I feed him. It is very exhausting. And I have to completely undress him because it is so messy. I usually end up dirty, too, but don't worry, I'm keeping my clothes on! Would love some comments from you wise parents...

Spring Has Sprung

Today was the first day we have been able to get outside and enjoy the new spring season. Scott had to mow the yard, so I took the kids out to play. Ellie had a blast on her swing set. I was surprised by how much bigger than last summer she looked out there playing.

It was lovely out. I wore Ephraim in a hip hammock, so there are no pictures of him from our time outside. He enjoyed it, too, though. I was glad he did. He has not been fond of being "worn" by mommy in the past. I think he felt too constrained - he's a big boy.

We are looking forward to more wonderful spring weather in the near future!