What happened???

Friday March 26th life went on as usual .... Saturday March 27th things started getting a little weird with Sophia ... maybe just a fluke? Sunday March 28th Sophia started acting just plain "weird" -- not her normal self. My conversation with Nate Sunday night after I got home from work ...

Nate: Sophia didn't really want to eat much tonight. She wouldn't even touch her toasted cheese sandwich. I could only get her to eat her Trader Joe's Ravoli and peas.

Me: Oh, I wouldn't worry about it ... who knows why ... probably b/c she missed her mommy all weekend (big smile!)

Nate: She was just "weird" all day today ....

Me: What do you mean?

Nate: I can't describe it ... just weird ... not herself ....

Me: Guess she must be starting to realize her mommy isn't home 1 weekend a month (another big smile)!

End of conversation ....

Monday March 29th Sophia was EXTREMELY clingy -- so much I couldn't get anything done. I just chalked it up to me being gone all weekend at work. Tuesday my parents are out and she was still clingy to me -- which never happens. When they are around she could care less about the mama that gave birth to her ... she wants to be with her grammie and grampie!! She hardly ate anything for lunch and was just somber most of the day. Tuesday for dinner all she would eat was bread! (WEIRD!) She wouldn't even eat chicken which she LOVES!! I took her temp before bed and it was 99.8. Hum ... low-grade? Wonder if those top two molars are trying to finish coming through.

Wednesday - Friday she still continued to eat like a bird, which if you know Sophia any bit at all you know she eats me out of house and home! She didn't get to be 24 lbs for no reason. I begin to slightly worry ... why isn't she eating much at all? What happened to my biggest concern of her eating too much??? Thankfully she was still gulping down her milk and tons of water! (Mental thought ... maybe she is getting too full on liquids). Ok, so I know I am really pulling at anything now .... however, Friday night when we had over some friends ... she ate like a champ! (Sweet -- back on track).

Saturday morning she ate a decent size breakfast, but practically nothing for lunch and hardly anything for dinner. (Ok, so the worry is getting bigger).

Sunday morning she ate a whole banana (yay!), but then would hardly eat anything (just a few bites) of lunch and dinner .... (Ok, so the worry is starting to be monster size now!) What the heck is going on???

So my medical analysis ....

- Decreased appetite

- No point tenderness in the abdomen for the past 6 days

- Daily poops

- Good amount of wet diapers

- Only one low-grade temp last Tuesday night

- Not pulling at the ears, no difficulty in swallowing

- Acts very playful with her toys, very spunky when she isn't in the high chair

- Sleeping well at night and through the night, good naps

- No apparent pain?

- Some belly weight loss (have to put the diapers on tighter) - nothing to worry about probably since she had her own personal "beer" belly! Ha!

- Has all 4 molars, but the top two are still finishing fully breaking the skin (although her teeth have rarely bothered her)

- No runny nose, no congestion, minimal cough

- Nate has a gluten allergy and lactose intolerance .... is she developing food allergies?

- Does she have an ear infection with an atypical presentation?

What am I missing?? Is this just a stage? Is 15 months a new parenting nightmare? Am I worrying over nothing? So you may say, why don't you take her into the doctor if you are so worried .... well, we have an HSA and a $6,000 deductible AND she has a 15-mon well-visit one week from today. I would hate to have to pay over $100 for a sick-visit when well-visits are covered. (Side note -- HSA's are an excellent way to control medical costs b/c they really make you think before you just run to the doctor's office b/c you only have a $10 copay!)

I did call the pediatricians office this morning to see if they thought I should bring her in ... they weren't concerned at all ... just told me to make sure she gets at least 16 oz of food/milk per day ... that is it. She also told me it was probably just a "STAGE." Really? Is that possibly all it could be? Am I worrying myself over nothing ....

Not that I don't trust the doctor .... but any of you wise mother's out there have any advice or opinions??? Please leave me a comment!!

It is just hard to see her eating like a cow one day and a bird for the next 7 days!!!

Enough of the Wally-the-worrier .... here is a cute picture of her seeing her shadow for the first time! She kept looking and pointing to her shadow!!

Here she is again ... but Somber Sophia ...

... did you see what little friend stuck by her side during the whole run? A trusty BULLDOG!!

Go Butler!!!

PS. One last final hypothesis ... maybe she has just worried herself sick with these Butler Basketball Games that she has no appetite until they play to win the National Championship!

Allyson

The.best.weekend.ever!

We had such an amazing weekend!!! Topping the list was the Butler Game on Saturday afternoon! I watched every single minute of that game and my stomach was a HOT MESS!!! The last 4 minutes consisted of me standing, jumping up and down, screaming, cheering, biting my nails ... need I go on??? Sophia, bless her heart, just had no idea what in the world her mother was doing .... she just looked at me and started squealing back ... I would scream at the TV and she would look at the TV, then look at me, then squeal back!! When the game was over my head was pounding .... massive headache .... but you know what, IT WAS ALL WORTH IT!! I had tears of joy in my eyes and such a glad feeling in my heart! These boys deserved it! They worked so hard to get RESPECT from other in the basketball community! Too bad some commentators are still dogging my dawgs!! "Kansas St was just too tired ..... They couldn't deal well with the altitude ... They had to work too hard against Xavier .... and on and on ..." Seriously, cut the crap and just realize that the DAWGS are a good basketball team and they deserve everyone's RESPECT!!! From an upstanding coach, to intelligent basketball players, to excellent students, to the "team" first, not "me" first ... the DAWGS have it all except a National Championship .... which will happen Monday night!!!

Here are a few of my favorite articles:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303429804575150220889592644.html?mod=wsj_share_facebook

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=dw-butler032910&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

http://tourney.si.com/2010/03/27/homeward-bound-butler-to-the-final-four/?eref=sihp

Saturday, 6pm, CBS .... be there ....

GO DAWGS!!!

Allyson

Rainy Monday's at the Library

Today we met some of Sophia's closest friends at the Plainfield Library for a play date! If you live in Hendricks County or near it ... you MUST check it out! It is by far the nicest library (for kids) that I have EVER been to in my entire life!! They have so much for the little guys to do and it keeps them occupied so the mamas can chat!

I only got two pictures and neither are fabulous, but heck ... why not share them?

Nathan and Maeve ... They were both smiling and looking adorable about 5 seconds earlier before my dinosaur of a camera took the picture!

She loved riding this little thing ... What is it exactly? I am not sure ... but it was so cute to see her roll off it and try to get back on herself!!

Hope the rain clears, the sun comes out, and brightens my day after last night's DISASTER of a vote in Washington! Ahhhhhh ..... don't even get me started on the health care bill! :( If I had 4 thumbs they would all be pointing down!! So long free-market, hello socialism ...

Allyson

Sunday mornings are the best ....

Here is a shot of Sophia before church this past Sunday!

She loves hanging out with all her friends in the nursery at church!! We are so blessed with wonderful nursery volunteers so Nate and I can enjoy the service!!

Allyson

Why?

When horrible things happen to those closest to me, I find my self asking, "WHY?" I know there must be a reason ... but it doesn't make dealing with the situation any easier. The only thing that crosses my mind are thoughts such as "They deserve this ..." "Why did it happen to her, she is so worthy and prepared ..." "Why did you let it happen to ___ when they aren't prepared and in no want." "It just isn't fair ..." "Can't you see the pain, please relieve it?" "Why? Why? Why?"

Sometimes on this side of heaven, we will never know the answer to these questions ... but I believe God is an honest God and wants us to be honest with Him about our feelings ... I know we can't stay there ... we must move forward despite the pain ... although, it seems soooo extremely hard to do! I believe God is good and His will and plan are perfect .... but right now I don't understand His will ... Lord, please lift her burden and answer her prayers! She is such a faithful servant for you ... Lord I pray for a miracle!!

Mrs. George Washington

Doesn't she kind of look like a female version of George Washington with her little white bow and her "tails?" Ha! We couldn't help but laugh!!

Allyson

My initiation with baby boys ....

Friday February 12th, Matthew Robert Sturm decided to enter the world 5 weeks early!! Guess he was ready to come out and play!! Maybe he wanted to get a jump start on the traditional "Sturm Family Adventure Vacations!" He had a rough start, but is doing awesome now!! His mama, my dear dear friend from college, Abby, is totally rocking new motherhood!! Brad's doing a great job too, he is an excellent father!! I took a trip north to Michigan this past weekend and stayed for 3 days to help out!!

I arrived Sunday evening and had the chance to feed him a bottle. Such a sweet guy! Abby headed to bed early to get so much needed rest, so Brad and I stayed up for the late shift. I had so much fun rocking Matthew to sleep and getting him all tucked in! (12:45am -- the latest I have been up for a LONG time) Unfortunately, I was initiated into having a boy, as I didn't get the diaper on correctly! I thought it had it pointed "down," BUT I must not have b/c he was all wet by 2am! I felt so bad!! I didn't mess it up again though after that!! Nevertheless, Matthew was kind to his guest, he didn't spray me once!!

Since my breastfeeding support group helped me out a TON, Abby found one at her local hospital. We went on Monday afternoon and were so glad that we did! She had great success and found out the little guy gained 1 lb in the past two weeks!! Yay Matthew!! Abby learned some new techniques and is doing such a great job nursing him!! Keep up the good work Abby!

Tuesday we had a nice day out running a few errands. MI weather was kind to me ... sun all three days!! For those of you that are familiar with their weather, that is VERY rare at this time of year!! I was sad to head out late Tuesday afternoon, but I knew Abby was in good hands with her mama coming up that evening!

I had such a wonderful time, although I know I am not ready for the "newborn" phase again anytime soon!! I am too spoiled with Sophia sleeping through the night, her ability to communicate what she wants, and her mobility! Maybe in another year we will be ready to brave it again. Although, God is gracious and allows us to forget those first few months ... if He didn't, I think most families would have 1 kid! Ha!!

Here are some pictures to enjoy!! He is a tiny, yet strong little guy!!

The famous milk coma -- mommy's milk is the best!

Another milk coma ... I already miss his precious face!

Snuggling up on my shoulder ... ahhhh....

Big, bright eyes ... swaddled like a mummy!

Tiny little Matthew looked so small in this giant lamb swing ... It was so cute!!

Hope you enjoyed the pictures as much as I enjoyed my trip!! I am so thankful that I am staying home with Sophia so I can take little trips like this to help out!! Thanks to my parents for keeping Sophia so I could go "unattached."

A very content Allyson

Maeve's 1st Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAEVE!

On Saturday, Nate, Sophia, and I had the opportunity to celebrate Maeve's 1st birthday! I met Maeve's mom, Libby, at my breastfeeding support group back in Feb 09! Libby was one of those people that I just clicked with and we have become close, thanks to our daughter's being such good playmates! It is so much fun having girls so close together in age (Sophia is only 2 months and 3 days older than Maeve). It seems like we get to hit all the milestones together and encourage each other in the current parenting dilemma!

We just had a wonderful time meeting their families and sharing in such a fun time! Maeve was a true birthday girl rock-star!! She and Sophia entertained the guests to say the least! :)

Libby did such an awesome job decorating the house with Maeve's pictures from the past year! She also made these cute little cupcakes and two ladybug cakes!

What a sweet portrait of Maeve that Nate was able to snap while she was holding on his leg!

Maeve did so well with her cake! Chad had to give her a bath afterwards b/c she was a mess!

Such a challenge to get both girls to smile and look at the camera! I'm not sure what Sophia was laughing at ...

Sophia ended up in Maeve's birthday Princess chair by the end of the party! :) Sophia looks so big in it!! Guess she is ready for her own Lazy-Boy rocker!

Can't wait to celebrate Isaac and Nathan's first birthday, the other two kiddos in our group of four!! The girls are older than the boys and are very intrigued by them! At such a young age ... I know! :)

Allyson