Charlie's Appointment

Charlie's appointment was yesterday. The orthopedist said that Charlie has congenital kyphosis. This is a condition that could lead to paralysis. By every indication (including what the doctor said as well as what I've found on the Internet), surgery is always the best option. Thankfully, we noticed the problem early and were able to recieve the diagnosis now, since the best time to operate seems to be before the age of five.

Now Charlie has to have an MRI to determine if he should have surgery right away or if we can wait a little while.

I am still kind of stunned, and trying to wrap my mind around the fact that one of my children has a progressive condition that could potentially cause serious medical issues. However, we live in a great place when it comes to medicine - Houston has outstanding doctors and hospitals.

And, yes, I am doing the mom thing: asking myself if I took enough folic acid in the beginning of my pregnancy, or if the medicine I took to stop my labor may have caused this, or did I eat too many brownies . . . even though know that this probably just happened because it did, I still go back in my mind and try to remember.

The above picture was taken of him just after his appointment. He was eating Oreos. :o)

Spinal Scare

Baby Butterbean is walking around here like crazy. He'll be running soon. It's crazy!

Not long after he started sitting up, I noticed something that I didn't like about his back. The lower part of his spine was sticking way out, curving outward, and he almost looked hunch-backed or something. I mentioned it to my doctor at his six month checkup, but the doctor didn't seem alarmed, saying that as long as he was sitting up fine and it didn't hinder his movement, it was nothing to be immediately alarmed about. We LOVE our pediatrician! Love him. And at the time, BB was going though some rough stuff with several bouts in a row of RSV, about which the doctor was alarmed.

Fast forward to BB's 12 month checkup, which he had just a couple of weeks ago. I again pointed out my discomfort with his spine situation, and the doctor spent a good bit of time examining BB's back. This time, he was concerned. So he ordered x-rays, and I got a call today that has gotten me unnerved. Even though the doctor said it is not an emergency, I'm the mommy! I have a right to be unnerved.

I still don't know exactly what is wrong, but to hear the words "malformation," "deformity," and "congenital" about a condition that involves my child made me want to cry. The doctor said something about certain bones not closing properly, a curving of the lumbar, and "spinal dysplasia," that is, if I caught everything! He may have said more . . . I don't know. Anyway, I had to get busy right away securing films of BB's xray as well as getting an appointment with a pediatric orthopedist.

BB is the one of my children who has ever had health problems. The asthma issues, bouts with RSV, even the eczema, have all been hard on me. I know that I am blessed, that there are parents who deal with so much more serious issues. Still, I am a worrier by nature, so it has all been kind of tough to take. I just want BB to be the happiest, healthiest baby around. And it's hard to be happy while being sicky. Still, I think he has weathered it all better than I have!

So we'll be meeting with the orthopedist on Aug. 12 and will know more then. I'll keep you all posted. Please keep my little Butterbean in your thoughts and prayers. He is so happy and cute and we are all so happy he's in our family. I just want him to be OK.

You Are One, Little One!

Our sweet Baby Butterbean turned one on Friday! It's hard to believe that he could have started out at just a little over 5 pounds. Now he is my chubby little monkey. I am still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that we've had him in our lives for an entire year.

We love you Baby Butterbean! I'm so glad you are part of our family!

Cute Baby Playing in the Grass

Baby Butterbean and Baby Butterbean's Brother

Baby Butterbean is getting big. Too big, if you want my opinion. I don't like it. Not even a little.

Anyway, here's a list of Baby Butterbean's milestones:

*He turned 9 months old on the 12th of this month.

*He's babbling. "Da da da da da da da . . . " It's way cute.

*He has four teeth and is in the process of getting his fifth. Again, serious cutness. Well, they're cute after they come in, but getting them is a nightmare for him. Poor guy.

*He's getting some adorable, fuzzy, chicken-type fluff on his head. Nice to pet.

*He's trying to crawl. He's getting close. Way too close.

*The strawberry on his nose is fading. But even that makes me sad. It's like the last mark of his very tiny infanthood. I think his red nose is absolutely adorable.

*He can hold his bottle.

*He is eating all kinds of food.

*He thinks he's all big and almost not like a baby anymore. I like to remind him that he's wrong about that. I remind him a lot.

Also, Baby Butterbean has the best big brother in the whole, wide world. Banana wanted in on the picture-taking action this morning. I said I would take his picture if he gave me his very best and biggest smile. What do you think:

Just Chillin' in my Crib

Stop Getting So Big!

Even though these pics are orangey-yellow (we STILL haven't picked out a new camera!), there's no denying that Baby Butterbean is so cute! And TOO big! Week before last, his first tooth came through. His second will probably pop out this week. You can see it beside the other one. Also, he rolled over for the first time on Wednesday.

I've been reluctant to accept the fact that Baby Butterbean, that little guy that came into the world at 5lb., 12oz., would grow up. I have tried to keep that from happening. Unfortunately, I haven't yet figured out the magic formula for keeping babies little. Baby Butterbean will be 7 months old tomorrow.

As soon as Noodle saw that I was taking pictures, she wanted to be in them. I said she had to comb her hair first. Well, as you can see, she got really dolled up here, donning barrettes and a lovely necklace. Noodle is getting too big, too. She'll be five in May!!! Does anyone out there know how to make this stop?????

Photo Shoot

Nine Weeks Old

Dear Auntie Boss,

Thank you so much for the great blanket! As you can see, it keeps me cozy and warm and helps me take great naps. Mommy loves that! I love looking at the sharks and whales on it when I am awake. I love my great shirt, too. I'm wearing it, only I'm covered in fluffiness from the blanket, so you can't see it. I love you, Auntie Boss!

Love,

Baby Butterbean

Our Baby Butterbean

Sweet little snuggler

Noodle can't stay away from her new brother! She loves him so much.

Cuddling with Daddy.

Bright eyes.

Don't you just want to kiss those chubby cheeks?

Pictures and Stuff

I'll be calling the baby Butter Bean, in keeping with the Tasty Names Family tradition. No, he doesn't eat Butter Beans, but he looks like a little Butter Bean. Butter Beans are cute, and so is he.

Noodle sure does love her baby brother! She is always hugging him and kissing him and patting his soft head. She is fascinated. And he is such a good baby.

We are doing well. A little sleep deprived, but that's par for the course. It is amazing how much better I feel. I don't miss bed rest at all, and I'm recovering well from the C-section. I've even cooked a meal or two! Our Sunday school class called to see if we needed meals, and I said no. I felt horrible pre-delivery. My parents took great care of us the first week post-delivery, and by that time, I was feeling great. Now, I'm not even minding doing laundry and cooking a little. And Buffalo Wings is great to do anything that needs to be done. I am SO glad he's home with me this summer.

Right now, we are looking very forward to the wedding of my brother! This will take place in a couple of weeks. I am so excited, I can't even stand it. We have been waiting for Matt to find his someone special for a very long time.

OK, so here's something Anita and Zalo in Peru tagged me on. Ten random facts about myself:

1. I do not like doing my hair. I don't like doing my girls' hair. I don't have time to mess with it, so that's why I keep us all in as short as possible hairdos.

2. I like my fingernails. I've always had great fingernails.

3. I do not like seafood, except red snapper.

4. My favorite show is House. I haven't had a real, honest-to-goodness favorite show in a long time. I just started watching House this year. I lose interest in most other series; I lost interest in Lost.

5. I think that most people don't know that my favorite actor is Ethan Embry.

6. If I'd had another baby girl, I would have wanted to name her Camille Renee.

7. My favorite vacation area (besides San Francisco, of course) is Savannah, Georgia.

8. I was once almost run over by a car when I was in first grade. It happened as I was getting off the school bus to go home.

9. I once stole crackers off the salad bar at Pizza Inn. It was humiliating, because I got caught, even though it was only a joke.

10. I collect VWs and VW items (books, symbols, etc.), stamps, keychains, and magnets. Am I a party animal or WHAT????

More Pictures

Our only picture from the hospital. Partly because we didn't bring it the night we went in, partly because our camera is stupid and after this picture was taken, the camera stopped working.

Our wonderful, amazing Dr. F!!!!!

Just looking around - first week at home. All of the following pics are from Baby's first week at home.

Grandma and Pappa with all of the grandkidsChicken Nugget gets to know her new baby brother.

Noodle loves spending time with her new baby brother!After his first bath at home. He was pretty relaxed at this point, but didn't enjoy the actual bath so much.

Cute chubby cheeks!

Banana loving his new baby brother . . . Baby Brother's not sure how he likes being loved on!I just think this is the cutest picture!

The proud Dad with his new son.

Chillin' with his paci

Even fussy, he's such a cutie!

So peaceful . . .