Summertime Ready

A continued celebration of a good day...

Zay's first time at the fish hatchery. Now, I'm not a big fan of fish...I don't eat it, I can't recall ever having a pet fish that lived for any amount of time, but there is something so cool about visiting the fish hatchery. Particularly, with a little boy! 

They give you the fish food to throw into the water...and the fishies were well fed thanks to us the other day.

It's days like these when I really start getting excited for summer. While I was still working, I dreamed of staying home with Zay and those thoughts always centered around summertime. I love other seasons too, but there is just something about running through sprinklers, picnics at the park, spending an entire afternoon at the pool and well...visiting a fish hatchery I suppose.

Here's to hoping for a lot more summer days to be celebrated! Thanks for making my days so much fun, Zay! 

a good day

Today was one of those days that I fully appreciated my role as a stay-at-home mom. To have the privilege to capture everyday moments with Zay makes me more thankful than words can express. It was just an impromptu date with Grandma Becky and cousins Izzy and Wyatt. But altogether it equaled to be a day of so much fun.   

We planned a last minute excursion to the Osborne Nature Center. We admired the birds, bears, bugs and so much more. It was so fun to see watch them investigate all the animal cages. A whole world of new discoveries for Zay.

To have other littles around to literally run the energy right out of my little guy...magnificent!

And some sweet moments captured between my mom and my son...

We found a pretend little old-fashioned town...with trains. A little boy's heaven.

And Wyatt provided the humor for the day. Running back from the 'outhouse' screaming...

"THAT IS SO COOL!
Grandma!
Jackee!
You don't even have to flush! It just goes all the way down into the ground!"

And when we got to the schoolhouse......Wyatt is chatting away about the classroom, then says "Wait! Grandma...did you go to school here?"

Tonight, I'm tired. But happy. It's been a good, good day.

Ultrasound Update...

We had our level 2 ultrasound today.....and I'm not sure if we actually received good news or bad news. What I do know, is that they said that overall she looks good, but she's still small. Not small enough to categorize her as in danger, but small enough that they need to monitor her growth....

So...in four weeks we will be back to have another ultrasound. I can't honestly say that I hate the ultrasounds. It's so much fun to see her and watch her move around in there...but I could most definitely do without the added concerns. Today when the ultrasound tech left to get the doctor and then she returned with three different doctors, I was NERVOUS. I honestly didn't suspect anything to be wrong until that moment when 3 people filed in after her. And really...they assured us that she looked great, but she has gone from measuring about a week behind, to measuring about 11 days behind. :( 

I don't really know what this means or might mean, and I'm trying hard to not let my mind wander. I'm so thankful to be at the University of Iowa Hospital with great physicians! And like my unshaken husband says, "This is in God's hands". We've said this many times before when dealing with our children! And I know in my heart he's right. God will take care of her. And He will take care of me...nerves and all. 

Here are some pics of our little gal...LOVE this first one. She's got her little foot all the way up to her mouth! 

And to lighten the mood a bit...as we are sitting in the ultrasound room waiting around for them to gather all the docs to come talk to us, I'm completely miserable. I had had my regular appointment, then we met with a genetic counselor, and then a informational little sign told me I could not empty my bladder before the ultrasound. Well, level 2 ultrasounds are not quick...and then waiting for doctors is not quick...so I was utterly uncomfortable and then my dear husband starts discussing my discomfort. He tells me that he's picturing the movie Baby Mama, and I should just hop up on the sink because I can't take it any longer...thank you, sweet, lovable, charming husband of mine, you truly are so thoughtful...and so mature. :) (For the record, I can't deny that I love the laughter and amusement we have together when we are put in uncomfortable situations...we are such a team!) And also for the record...I did NOT imitate the picture below. :)

Phone Dump

I've slacked a bit on getting my camera out lately...but that's not to say we haven't taken pics over the last week or so...

I finally downloaded instagram...I know, I know...I'm only 2 years behind! Better late than never, right? Here are some recent pics of our week! 

Our "Moo Moo"

Isaiah has recently decided that we have a COW for a pet. He calls our Bongo "Moo-Moo"...as in that's what cows say. Once in awhile I can get him to go back to saying "Bo-Bo", but only after he's called him Moo-Moo first. We have shown him cows  before, however I'm not sure he remembers. And to him, Bongo looks as though he's a cow. I suppose as I look at the picture below...Bongo does look a bit like he's grazing in the grass, just like the "moo-moos" we see in the pastures along side the road....

A boy and his cow...nothing cuter!

Mr. Independent

With each day Zay gets more and more self-sufficient. It's a balance for me to be oh-so proud of him and to not be overwhelmed with each passing day that the learning comes easier, faster and more effective than the day before. I can hardly keep up with him some days. He's such a problem solver. And with his speech getting better each day the ongoing effects of knowing how to argue is becoming apparent. 

And then there is a little problem with his 'time-out' consequence. I'll state the question "Isaiah, would you like to listen to what Mommy said or do you want to stand in the corner (his timeout spot)?" And he will promptly choose the corner! I've started making him stand there for a longer period of time, but it's just comical to me that he prefers the corner over doing (or not doing) a simple instruction. Shane and I have to try hard not laugh at his self-talk while in the corner. And there are many times that while he is making his merry-little-way over to the corner, we can completely read the expression on his face saying "That was totally worth it!" Lord, help me when this boy is a teenager! :) 

Even though discipline is a essential part of parenting a 2-year-old, I've found so much more satisfaction and payoff through positive reinforcement. Zay responds so well to helping around the house. So much so that I've found times where he initiates helping out or finding things that he can do all by himself. 

For example, for a long time now he's enjoyed helping unload the clean dishes from the dishwasher. It started out him putting 'his dishes' away in his cupboard. I basically just have a couple baskets where he can put his sippy cups, plastic bowls, plates, etc. Then he graduated onto assembling the protein shakers for me. 

Then he would hand me the silverware and I would put them away (after all the sharp items were removed of course). And now...the other day, as I'm putting dishes away...I notice he's putting all the silverware away by himself...sorting them and everything! 

Love the fact that he loves to help!

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There are days that Zay likes to have and do whatever Mommy or Daddy are doing......and Mommy sometimes wear's her sunglasses on her head. Didn't quite work the same way for Zay....

"It's ok, Mom...I think I can fix this..."

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And to round out our week...pictures of some sprinkler time! We've had many 80+ degree days around here and it's been great! Lots of outside time!  

The game is to throw all the balls into the water and then run in and get them! 

motherhood

It's been a long week around our house...full of sad little puffy eyes, coughing fits, and snot...lots and lots of snot. We are trying desperately to make the best of it. Zay is a little boy full of determination to be happy and play even when he feels yucky. 

We've had a toddler join us in bed for the last few nights. Makes for challenging and sleepless nights for all of us. I'm not sure if it's just because I'm pregnant or what, but my own body isn't dealing well with the lack of sleep coupled with the whiny days of a needy little boy. But my heart breaks more for Zay and I'm finding it to be an honor to be the one he wants and the one he needs. Even though Daddy tries and helps where he can, I can't resist dragging myself out of bed when I hear him cry for his mama. Even if when it means I'm exhausted and coming down with the sickness myself. This is motherhood.

Hoping to see happier eyes in the next few days. And praying for patience and maybe a little more sleep!

National PKU Awareness Month

I recently joined the Iowa PKU Foundation board and although I'm not too involved yet, I have a feeling it will be a part of my life for the foreseeable future. On our conference call the other night I was reminded of what I had intended to do on our blog a long time ago.

To advocate. To support other families dealing with PKU. To be a friendly face to new moms who need to know everything will be okay. And to be an example of a family who has lived through it.

So, in honor of PKU Awareness Month, I finally got my "PKU Page" done! Maybe some of you have noticed tabs at the top of our blog...one of them reads"PKU". And now it finally has the links to specific blogposts I've done in the first few years of Zay's life relating to PKU. Looking back at some of those posts made me realize how painful unpredictable circumstances can be. Brings back feelings...happy ones, sad ones, and everything in between. My hope is that others can see that although our family isn't perfect - we've survived and thrived after learning of the genetic disorder that makes us unique.

So...it's there. A little 'ol link that takes you back in time and shares our journey on discovering a little thing called PKU. Tell the world...Happy PKU Awareness Month! 

Unexpected...but it's all good!

Not long after our 20 week appointment with our little Miss, I received a phone call from my OB. First to tell me  I needed to change my thyroid medication and then she went on to tell me the doctor that had reviewed our ultrasound recommended we come in for genetic counseling. 

I had to chuckle, because at our last appointment, Shane and I explained further in depth to my OB what PKU was, what it means, why there is a chance for our next child to have it, and how we handle it with Isaiah. Who needs 'counseling' on the topic? We've got this. ;)

And I should clarify, I would not expect my OB to know this information. She takes care of me and baby right now. And right now we are perfect and healthy! There is no evidence of PKU. PKU is something that we find out about after our bundle of joy is born! 24 hours after her first meal to be exact.

However, my heart sank when she mentioned the doctor advised we be seen again for another ultrasound. I think I started giving her twenty questions...wondering why we would need to be seen if everything on the first ultrasound was fine?

Well....it seems that since we know there is a chance for our little girl to have a genetic disorder, my pregnancy is considered high risk. And therefore my ultrasound was flagged because of the history of PKU. Even though our little girl looks great. 

Yesterday I received another call, from the genetic counselor this time, who further explained to me that we had options of having an amniocentesis done to find out if our little girl has PKU before she is born. Shane and I discussed this, and decided that there was no point in taking a risk, even if it was only a small risk just to know sooner. The newborn screening is very effective and we have asked if we can have her tested at least twice for PKU after she is born just to be sure. I think our plan is to discuss with the genetic counselor if there could be any sort of rush on her test, since we know there is a 25% chance that she will have it. I would prefer to not have to come home, only to have to go back to the hospital like we did for Zay. The biggest relief for me is that we are the most emotionally prepared we can be for news of PKU. Physically I know the challenges of PKU will still be there with the extra work involved, but this time around I know we can do it and I know the amazing outcomes of our hardwork. 

I think I've mentioned this before, but after Isaiah was born and diagnosed I truly believed it meant no more children for us. And when I did think about having another baby, I was distraught with the thought that I would be putting another baby at risk for having PKU. Then, I met real life families that had LOTS of children! Some had PKU, some didn't and they were ALL thriving and doing so well! It gave me so much hope for our family! Some people may still judge us for expanding our family while knowing the risks, but Shane and I are confident that God will bless us with exactly what He has planned.

So after talking with the genetic counselor and her explaining the doctor's recommendations to us, we will have a level 2 ultrasound with my next appointment so they can check on our little girl again and make sure there are no concerns that would cause them to worry that she isn't perfectly normal and healthy. I don't expect them to see anything different than what they saw on the first ultrasound, but it's better to be certain! I'm not exactly sure what a level 2 ultrasound involves, but what I gathered from the genetic counselor was that a doctor will be present and they will just look at her with a little more detail. 

1 Peter 5:7 says: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. And that's just what I'll do. 

Progress and Productivity

It's always a good week when there is productivity happening in our house! The saying I keep saying..."It's good to feel good!". A rough first trimester makes me all the more appreciative for the second trimester! Energy galore! 

This past week Zay decided to like marinara sauce for the first time ever. Isn't spaghetti a food that every young kiddo likes?  We've introduced this tasty treat many-a-time to Zay, but he'd have no part. He would rather have his lo-pro noodles plain. Yet, the other night he actually ate the sauce! I won't say that he ate a TON of it, but the evidence is there...he ate some! Progress!

Yay! Another meal our family can eat together! Besides making Zay's separate noodles and separate garlic bread...it looks the same! 

Laundry is such an ongoing event in our house. Thankfully I have help.

In he goes.......after the dryer balls........then they are thrown throughout the house like they are baseballs. He puts his dirty laundry into his hamper, he helps hand me the clothes to put into the washer, he tosses the wet clothes into the dryer and he helps carry the folded laundry baskets to the designated room. But the dryer balls..........in his eyes they are 'balls' and not to be associated with 'laundry'.

We've done some organizing in a certain someone's room this week.

The boy doesn't lack in the clothes department! I imagine a girl will be even worse?

I found satisfaction in going through lots of clothes, toys, and odds & ends that needed to be bagged up to go to Goodwill. Zay on the other hand was perfectly content to find a tub of old toys he hadn't seen in a few months. Most of the toys I thought he would get bored with, but who knew I'd uncovered an hour's worth of entertainment just by opening his closet!

It's only Tuesday...here's to hoping there is even more productivity in our future this week!

Good Stuff

We've been spending a lot of mornings at home lately. And can I just say...I love it! Seems like many of our afternoons are tied up, mostly by looking at houses and more houses and even more houses. Still no luck in that category. But we've made the most of our mornings at home. Lots of play, a few walks, some PBS, and some baking. 

Mmm hmmm. Good stuff. 

The boy likes to laugh. And to wear balls on his shirts. He will consistently ask you for just one more hug or kiss. And roars when he gives big hugs...some people call them bear hugs, we've named this display of affection "roar hugs". And he gives the best ones. He will beg you to pick him up and hold him, but insists on being independent with climbing into his carseat, turning on lights, carrying laundry baskets, opening doors, throwing away trash and putting his dirty laundry into his hamper. And he asks his mommy to kiss boo-boos more than any child I've known. Love that. All of that. He's a keeper.

Sometimes we wear earmuffs in May? Don't you?

Chubby bare feet...those are some cutesy tootsies!

I woke Zay up from his nap early one day so he could help me bake cookies. I'm positive he loved me for it.

I've slowly learned how to not taste-test while baking with Zay. It's hard. I like cookie dough. Thankfully, never once has Zay even attempted to try food while we are making it. Good thing, since I like to bake goodies that sadly he can't have. Regardless, he's just plain grateful to get get to stir, slop and scoop whatever is in the bowl! Can't blame a mama on cutting a nap short for that kind of appreciation!