Welcome, welcome! Thanks for taking the time to read about our crazy, fun life. Look around to learn about us, our adoption story, or to find out how to contact us. Feel free to make comments (LOVE comments). We do have the comment moderator on, so if you want it private, just say so. Also, we have pass along cards. If you'd like some, just let us know! Thanks again and happy reading!

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Eval results!

The evaluation went great! I'm so excited to be working with this company. Yes, "Thor" does qualify, BUT it's not what you're thinking... or maybe it is :o) He qualifies simply for his eating! He is fine and exactly where he should be in his movement, his response, etc. He's not developmentally delayed. It's just that darn eating!

GOOD NEWS though! We may have a solution. The occupational therapist that came for the feeding evaluation is thinking "Thor" has reflux! Now, I'm not glad he has reflux, but if it is, we can easily manage that. We're waiting to see if the pediatrician will let us start a med. He's out of the office today, so I will hear about that tomorrow.

Now, why all the sudden the suspicion of reflux? I'll be honest, I probably gave the therapist "you're a crazy lady" look. I feel bad, but once she started explaining and answering my questions I really think she could be right. So, "Thor" does not have the typical extreme spit-up/throw-up and he does not fuss, get colicky ... which is why I thought she was crazy. The therapist pointed out though (she tried feeding him and he should have been hungry while they were here) that he:

1) does better eating while sleeping- a sign that I didn't know about

2) it's kind of subtle, but he does have a pain response when the nipple come to his mouth and a bit during eating- didn't register that's what he was doing. noticed, just didn't think about it.

3) does better being held up when eating- once again, knew but didn't think about

4) the fact that he only eats little bits at a time

The therapist said that he may not have the colic, fussiness because... all he knows is he feels better than when he was born. He does know he can feel even better. Totally makes sense!!

So yeah... next step is doctor approval. I'm feeling like the worse nurse, momma right now for not catching all that. But I figure... nursing wise, I haven't worked with babies that much. And... everyone makes mistakes. Keep ya all posted. Until then, love to all!!

Monday, January 30, 2012

Quick update

So... some of you may not care about this, but I just wanted to give a quick update on how "Thor"'s eating is going...

Overall, okay. We can usually get him to get 20-21 ounces in a 24 hour period... like with the 3 ounces every 3 hours. I think I'm going to keep this up until his 10:30 pm feeding tomorrow... then I'll see how he does on his own again... keeping better record of it this time. He does okay with rice cereal. He likes it, but still is not getting the tongue thing down. I'm not worried about it yet because he is only 4 months. I got a call from an organization called Kids on The Move. I guess "Thor"'s caseworker is worried he's a bit developmentally delayed. I personally don't see it but this organization also helps with feeding problems, on top of you can never be too cautious! They're coming to evaluate him tomorrow. I'll keep everyone posted.

This last weekend we did respite (remember, that's baby-sitting kids in the foster care system for a couple of days while their foster parents get a break!) this last weekend. Sibling group of 4. Yes, Jared and I took care of 5 kids! It was a great party at our house. :o) The 4 kids are awesome, they range in age from 12-4... so it wasn't bad at all. Other than that, we're same ol', same ol'.

Hope this finds everyone well. Love to all!!!

Monday, January 23, 2012

4 month stats


Nope, not "Thor" just thought this was a cute 4 month old baby

This morning we went to the pediatrician for our 4 month check up. "Thor" looks great they said! The doc. isn't quite worried about his eating YET but he does want us to try feeding him 3 ounces every 3 hours. We also get to start rice cereal. Yes, I will be heading to the store today, as soon as I can. :o) Other than, we're suppose to go back in a month to have a weight check but that's it!! Now for the stats:

Length: 22 1/2 inches ~ less than 3%
Weight: 10 lbs, 1.5 ounces ~ less than 3%
Head circ: 41.7 cm (i think 16 inches?) ~ 34%

So there ya go... I got a small baby with a big head, compared to the rest of him. :o) He sure is cute though. Can't wait until I can share pics of him.

That's about it for us though!!! Love to all!!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Bad at this blogging thing

I know I'm not as bad as some, but I feel like I am so bad at keeping up this blog! I think part of it is I can't post pictures of "Thor". 6 more weeks and we'll find out of if he's going to be our forever baby. I got a subpoena for our court hearing. Yeah, little nervous about that one. I don't know that it's completely hit me yet. I talked to the caseworker, she gave me a rough idea of what I'll have to testify about. That helped A LOT! Anyway~

Jared and I are, of course, same ol', same ol'. Pretty boring :o) Life's good that way, I think. My mom and younger sis. were in town last week for my niece's baptism. It was so fun having them around. There was just a lot of visiting, eating, and enjoying watching the kiddos play. I don't think I pulled out the camera like I should have ... but I'll double check and write another post.

"Thor" is a picky little kid! :o) He's an awesome, happy, smily, laughing baby. But he knows what he wants, when he wants it. I think that's typical baby though. The only thing that worries me is... so he'll be 4 month in like 5 days. I bet he ways 10-11 lbs. He's tiny! I know it's because he won't eat like he should. Right now, we're still in the process of finding a bottle he'll latch on too good. I think we found one, but we're still trying it out. I don't know... We go to the pediatrician for his 4 month check up on Monday. It will definitely be a topic of discussion there.

Think that's about it for this Payne household! Hope this finds everyone well!! Love to all!!!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Hello again

I'm really hoping I'll be better at this blogging thing once I can post pics. of "Thor". That is assuming, of course, he stays forever. 8 more weeks and we'll know for sure! Or at least have a better idea. Thanks so much for all the prayers, love, and support. Keep them comin' please. Especially for his birth parents. They really are awesome people, that just got on the wrong track in life and don't know how to get back on course.

Jared is still as amazing as ever. He's getting prepared for the Klondike camping trip. Last year he had boys forget some essential things, so he's doing everything he can to prevent that. Work is keeping him busy too. As Jared always says though, he's "partying out"!

I'm just lovin' being mom. I've been helping couple of different friends with kiddos, had fun with my aunt here for about a week, and just livin' the life! I don't know that I'd want it any other way.
I can't wait for my mom and little sis. to show up in like 2 days. WAHOO!

"Thor" is such a character! Just love that little man. Where to start with his growing. I take him to the doctor in like 2 weeks, so I can give stats then. But so last week, I'm pretty sure he started teething. He had a day or two of bad days, but has handled it much better. He started laughing too! It's not as consistant as his adorable smile, but he can laugh. Last night we put him in his own room for the first time! He handled it okay. He was up more then his usual once, but I think it's because I didn't give him teething tablets. And I'll tell you what, that little "Thor" has his dad wrapped around his little finger. lol Jared is such an incredible dad. But I do have to do tummy time (which is still a trauma here) while Jared is at work, or else Jared gives in to the crying. Oh well! I'm glad to be married to such a good man!

Anyway, I think that's about it for us. Hope all is well with all of you! Feel free to say "hi" anytime! Love to all!!!

Monday, January 2, 2012

Randomness

Wahoo! A real blog post :o) So here's a bunch of random pictures of what we've been up to. I wish I could post more, but seeing as "Thor" is in those pics, I can't post them. The first two are Christmas Day. Obviously with "Thor" being in the house, Santa mainly focused on him. Jared and I weren't forgotten though.

Jared got one of the book in the "Alcatraz" series, by Brandon Sanderson. Jared also got a night stand. Hey, it's what he asked for.

I got this converter for my ipad. LOVE IT! I also got 3 new undershirts.

As couple gifts we got $50, new pots/pans, and other odds and ends.
"Thor" got a new outfit, footie pj's, lots of bath toys, some other toys, and books!

These next couple of pictures are from when Mom and Dad Payne visited! It was so much fun having them. We miss there terribly!

Wed. morning, we had breakfast at Jason and Michelle's. Carter decided to help Grandma and Dad with clean-up. Thanks so much again, Jason and Michelle! The food was yummy and it was a great time!


Tanner helping Papa!

Tanner using Grandma as a teething toy :o)

This is just a cute picture of Buddy! I think I woke him up from a nap

At the beginning of the month, we went on a hot date! Thanks to our great friends Heather and Blaine. They took "Thor" while we went to dinner and to see Michael McLean's "The Forgotten Carols". Jared doesn't particularly care for the play, but I LOVE IT!!


Think that's about all we've been up to. This week my aunt is coming into town, then the following week my mom's coming up for my niece's baptism! So... I will do my following best to take lots of pics! Some without "Thor" so I can post! But in all fairness, "Thor" is the cutest baby EVER so I can't help but take pics of him, have him in them. Here's to a fabulous 2012!! Love to all!!