Ms. Chocolate Face

I did something very out of the ordinary (for me at least) today.  I exercised!!!  And...in case you were wondering, I do consider 20 crunches and 2 minutes worth of leg lifts a full workout.  Hey...it's progress.  And guess how I rewarded myself for such good behavior?

I made cookies.

It wasn't really my fault because I needed a mother-daughter activity today and Alexa said the only thing she wanted to do was make cookies.  She definitely said that.  Really.  I promise.

Well ok, no she didn't. 

I do have a feeling she'll probably ask to do this again, though.  They were a hit!

Twenty-nine

My Valentine (also known as Paul) was born twenty-nine years ago today.   He weighed in at 9 pounds, 11 ounces (I can't even imagine).

This is the birthday boy at 8 months old.  Oh my goodness, he was is a cutie! 

Have a great birthday honey!  

We love you!!!

Toys

Alexa has some pretty cool toys.  She has books that read themselves to her, stuffed animals that talk to her, toys that light up, play music, and interact with her.  But you know what her favorite toys are?  Paul's old toys from when he was a kid.  Especially the weeble people.

 
Why do we buy her the latest and greatest toys?  I really don't know?  Oh yeah, probably because we (as in Mommy and Daddy) like to play with them.

When she's not playing with weeble people, you may find her: 

sitting in boxes

discovering the joy of sponge curlers

making sure Parker gets in on the action

making tents out of blankets in the living room 

 playing dress up

and, again, not leaving Parker out (he looks thrilled).

Not only does Alexa like "old-school" toys, she also likes movies from the past.  You'd think with all of the blu-ray/high-definition DVD's out there with the bright colors, fun music, and silly characters that she'd really enjoy watching movies with all that jazz.  Well, not my daughter.  Her favorite is none other than Tom & Jerry.  Whenever I tell her that we can watch a movie for a little bit (usually when I have to get something done without the help of a 2-year old) she always asks for "Tum an Jereeee".  The problem we have is that there isn't much out there these days for Tom & Jerry.  And Tom and Jerry definitely doesn't tour live.  So when "Elmo's Healthy Heroes" came to town, we thought we'd see how she liked it.  And....it was a hit!!

But the next time she was allowed to watch a movie again it was still "Tum an Jereeee".   Oh well.

Big Boy

My little guy is now 15 pounds!!!  Well, almost...he weighed in at 14 pounds 15 1/2 ounces yesterday at the Doctor.  I think his new formula is working - although it took quite a bit of effort to get there.  He's pretty sensitive and we have to get just the right dilution so we are weighing out all of his formula powder on a gram scale to make sure he's getting the exact right amount.  But, it's totally worth it.  I have my happy little man back which is soooo nice because he was pretty miserable there for awhile.

 I really don't know what to do about this hair - any suggestions are appreciated!

On another note, I'm so glad it's Friday.  It has been a busy week!  We saw 7 Doctor's and 3 therapists this week.  Luckily, the majority of these we saw all in one day at Children's Hospital at one of the clinics that Parker goes to there.  The good thing is, we are winding down on all of the follow up appointments and initial appointments with new Doctors.  We only have few Doctors to see in March and I can say I am ready for a break (as I'm sure the grandparents are as well since they usually end up watching Alexa or coming along).    I'm also very excited because this weekend Paul and I get to go on a date!  Paul's birthday is on Valentine's Day and I knew it would be hard to find a nurse that night so instead we are going out tomorrow afternoon.  I think we're going to go to a movie and I can't remember the last time we did that.  We have definitely learned to appreciate the little things :o)

Chromosome Disorder Outreach (CDO) YouTube Video

Rocky Road Fudge Bars

You SERIOUSLY have to make these

 

I mean, seriously.  Put down whatever you are doing right now and go in the kitchen and make these!  They are full of ooey gooey yummy deliciousness and in my opinion are way better than the mocha brownies I shared a little bit ago (then again I don't like coffee).

Rocky Road Fudge Bars

BASE

• 1/2 c. margarine or butter
• 1 oz unsweetened chocolate, cut up
• 1 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 t. baking powder
• 1 t. vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 c. chopped nuts

FILLING

• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened, reserving 2 oz for frosting
• 1/4 c. margarine or butter, softened
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 2 T. all-purpose flour
• 1/2 t. vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1/4 c. chopped nuts
• 1 package (6 oz) semisweet chocoate chips (1 cup)

FROSTING

• 2 c. miniature marshmallows
• 1/4 c. margarine or butter
• 1/4 c. cold milk
• 1 oz unsweetened chocolate, cut up
• 2 oz reserved cream cheese
• 3 coups powdered sugar
• 1 t. vanilla

1) Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour 13X9 inch pan.  In large saucepan, melt 1/2 c. margarine and 1 oz. unsweetened chocolate over low heat, stirring until smooth.  Stir in 1 c. flour and remaining base ingredients; mix well.  Spread into greased and floured pan.

2) In small bowl, combine all filling ingredients except 1/4 c. nuts and chocolate chips.  Beat 1 minute at medium speed until smooth and fluffy; stir in nuts.  Spread over chocolate mixture; sprinkle evenly with chocolate chips.

3) Bake for 25 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Immediately sprinkle marshmallows over top.  Bake for an additional 2 minutes.

4) Meanwhile, in large saucepan over low heat, combine 1/4 c. margarine, milk, 1 oz. unsweetened chocolate and reserved 2 oz. cream cheese; stir until well blended.  Remove from heat; stir in powdered sugar and 1 t. vanilla until smooth.  Immediately pour frosting over marshmallows and lightly swirl with knife to marble.  Refrigerate until firm; cut into bars.  Store in refrigerator.

**Recipe from:  Pillsbury Annual Recipes 2008

For a girl who likes her chocolate, these are heavenly!!!

6 MONTHS

My little boy turned 6 months old today!  Wow!  These past few months have been quite the roller coaster and I won't lie it's been very difficult at times but I love that little guy more than I can even begin to express with words and he continues to melt my heart every day. 

Some of My favorite Things:

His precious little smile

His priceless facial expressions - even if he can't make sound because of the trach, he sure lets you know how he's feeling

The way he holds tight to my finger with his hand

His 2 cute little teeth (He doesn't like them so much though)

His crazy hair that sticks straight out the side of his head

His pudgy fat rolls on his legs.  Can you believe it, he has fat rolls now!?  WOO HOO!

The way he adores his big sister.  Seriously, his face lights up when he sees her and he DOES look at her (he doesn't always look at the rest of us)

How much he likes and responds to music

How much he likes bath time

WE LOVE YOU LITTLE PARKER.  HAPPY 6 MONTH BIRTHDAY!!

Parker's procedure updates

I promised updates to many of you regarding Parker's procedures today so here it goes:

Everything went as well as could be expected and Parker came out of anesthesia very grouchy but OK all in all.  The hearing test showed mild to moderate hearing loss in both ears and hearing aids have been recommended.  We expected this.  He got scoped all over and many pictures were taken of his inner workings.  He also got biopsies taken in many different spots.  We are just waiting results at this time and that could take up to a week.  The GI Doctor said nothing jumped out at him as concerning so the stool issues Parker has been having are most likely due to a milk/soy intolerance.  So no more breast milk or affordable formula.  Instead he's recommending a highly specialized, prescription-only formula to switch to.  My new battle will be to see if I can get insurance to help cover this.  Wish me luck :o)  The ENT said Parker's airway hasn't really improved at all since her last look and the underlying cause for all of that is unknown at this time.  So...don't know if/when the trach will get to come out.  She will just keep closely monitoring him and we'll have to wait and see.  

I got to hold him as soon as they let us see him and that made my day.  He's sleeping well now and I hope he gets to feeling like his old self again soon.  We're just hoping for no further complications and that we can hopefully go home tomorrow!  Thanks for the prayers!