Tough Days

Man, have we had some tough days! Kyle and I are totally exhausted.

We took Zachary and Max to the Allergist to test Zachary. It was a looooonnng appointment.  After the consultation, the Doctor recommended we test for 11 different allergies.  Zachary sure didn't like being pricked 11 times on his back, but we saw some immediate reactions.

The top allergies were nuts, eggs, grass,.......and dogs.  The worst was just brought to our attention and it's clear Kimbo is hurting Zachary.  So, what next?

Some say, "But Kimbo is going to a great home."  Some say, "He'll have a great family".  Yes, those things are true, but we are Kimbo's family and he helped make our house a home.  I guess it's hard for people to understand that don't have a dog or don't know Kimbo.  He's a 12 year old dog and it's hard to think about him with another family.  We have a great home set up and hope it works out for everyone.  We've made it clear that if the family isn't able to make it work with Kimbo, we'd keep trying to find a great home for him.  Our test run with them is tomorrow.

Our family is going through an incredibly challenging time.  Kyle and I have to encourage each other every day just to make it though.  Our family has been though intense emotional, physical, and financial stress over the past few months and it may get worse as I head back to work next week.

Thank you for those that have been by our side, especially over the last few weeks.  It's very difficult to talk to some, telling them we're seeing a dermatologist, pulmonologist, and allergist at the same time, as many families see them over a period of time, not in one month.  The results have been challenging, but we're praying Zachary gets better soon.

SHARK!!!!

During the Christmas break, Kyle took a few days off to spend some time with us for a staycation.  Much of the days were WAY too cold to play outside, so we decided to spend a morning at the aquarium.

Zachary as been into everything about sharks, so we were surprised to learn his favorite part of the aquarioum were the otters.  He stood up to the glass, clintched his entire body, and yelled, "OH MAN!"  Parents gathered around him and chuckled, as it was the cutest thing you've ever seen.  He was so excited!  It's certainly a memory we'll never forget.

We had a fun time and look forward to warmer weather to visit the zoo.

"SHARK!!!!"

He even found a tunnel to explore

Dear Max,

You've gone from teeny little baby to pork chop in just two months!  I'm so proud of you!  During your last two month visit, you were 12 lbs and in the 50th precentile.  You're growing so fast!  So fast in fact, you've barely worn even half of the clothes in your dresser.  I thought this tuxedo outfit your Dad got you was so cute, but this was the first and last time you'll wear it.  I couldn't even button up the back.

You've been such a great little guy these past few months.  Very easy going and very flexible on your schedule.  You've recently transitioned from sleeping with your Mom to sleeping on your own in your room all night.  We're so proud of you!!!

Here are some of your favorite things:

- Sitting out when we hold you so that you can see what's going on

- Eating your hands

- Watching your mobile

- Pooping

- Eating (all the time)

- watching your brother and your dog

- SMILING- you Love to smile

- Doing Raspberries

- Grabbing Mom's hair

- Kicking with your pants off

- Hanging with Mom the backpack

You and I spent some time last week in your room at school.  Your teacher Rosie is great and funny enough, she was Colin and Dylan's teacher when they were babies, so Mom feels confident she'll take good care of you.  There are a few other babies in the class, but you're going to be the smallest for awhile.  It will be a big change for you, but your Mom, your cousins, and your brother made it through, so I'm sure you'll do great and make some friends along the way. 

Happy two months little man.  You are Mommy's favorite little guy.

Love, Mom

It's Almost Over

Uuugh!  My maternity leave is almost over!  There are so many mixed emotions.  On one hand, I'm ready to (hopefully) not smell like spit up for eight hours a day and bring home a great paycheck for my family, but it's also hard to think about this special time coming to an end.  Unfortunately, much of Max's time with me was spent in Doctors offices for his brother, so I tried to take some time to hang with him in his room while he played in his gym.  

This is special time for us as Max coo's, smiles and giggles at me.  I'd like to think he's telling me that I'm doing a decent job and that he's enjoyed the time together as well.

There's one week left to go.  We're taking this weekend to try to prepare, but I have a feeling we're in the eye of the storm of Mom returning to work.  *sigh*

Just the Start for Zachary

Poor Kid.  Here's a snapshot of just a few of the creams and inhalers I use EVERY DAY to keep our guy going.  Believe it or not, but there's actually more.

I've scheduled his Allergist appointment for this coming Wednesday morning to confirm his environmental and food allergies.  We're still praying there's a shimmer of hope to keep Kimbo.

We are DETERMINED to get Zachary comfortable.

Tough Week

It's been tough at our house lately.

I've told a few family and friends about Zachary's numerous troubles with his skin and his breathing, but for those outside the immediate family, I've been too exhausted to talk about the extent of his progress/troubles.

For his dermatology, his skin is improving and our new process seems to be helping.  We're on the road to a more comfortable and less itchy world for our guy.

And then, the breathing trouble.  We were referred to a Pediatric Pulmonologist in December.  The first visit landed us with two inhalers a day as well as pills for the evenings.  We ended the appointment with a chest xray and blood work.  Both were very tiring for Zachary and for us.

Yesterday, Zachary had his follow up appointment with his Pulmonologist.  I'm sad to report he didn't pass his breathing check up, so we have more medications and a new process. Last night, I gave him five medications just to get him through the evening. And that's not the worst of it.  His allergy report came back with FIVE pages of concerns.  Everything to peanuts to grass.  And the highest spike was pet dander.  Out of a scale of 1-6, dog hair and dander was a 6, signaling that our beloved dog may be causing Zachary breathing trouble.

It's devastating news.  Kimbo has been a member of our family for five years and Zachary loves him.  Just this morning, Zachary was feeding him by hand and saying, "You're Cute!" over and over.  Kyle and I are trying to process all of the allergies and we're scheduling an appointment with an Allergist to do more extensive testing.  In the meantime, Kyle has looked for arrangements for a new home for Kimbo and it's killing us.  We love the dog as a member of the family, but in the end, we need to do what's best for our boys.  We rescued Kimbo from the pound a few years ago, and it's heartbreaking to think we wouldn't be able to see it through.  Guess it goes with the saying from pound dog animals about "Who Saved Who?".  Kimbo is a best friend to Kyle and Zachary and it's gut wrenching to think of him with another family.

I'll keep everyone posted, but please keep us in thoughts and prayers, as we are in a very challenging time with poor health as I prepare for back to work in a week.

2013

WOW!  It's the first day of 2013!

Last night, Kyle and I tool a moment to talk about what we're thankful for from 2012 and what we're looking forward to in 2013. Here's what we told the boys:

2012, What we're Thankful For:
1. Getting Zachary on the road to good health.

It's been such a tough year for our little guy.  We started the year hopeful with ear tubes (they've both now fallen out), had a trip to the hospital with an RSV stay, too many colds to count, too many stomach bugs to keep track off, too many many breathing treatments, too many skin creams, and too many sleepless nights.  BUT, we see the light at the end of the tunnel.  We're seeing the right doctors and taking the right steps and medications.  We're already seeing an improvement and thankful we're on the road to good health.

2.  A Healthy Max

Max sure wasn't the easiest pregnancy, nor the easiest delivery, but it was all worth it.  Max was sure eager about his arrival and came into this world the way he wanted to and the way we prayed for- healthy.  He is getting so big and it's a joy to watch him grow and learn.  He loves to coo and kick with his pants off every day and I love that.  I love that he rewards me with a smile for speaking softly and singing.  The world is the biggest and most curious place for him!  Believe it or not, but I always knew we would have two boys and Max has been an incredible addition to our family.

3.  A New School

Zachary has truly responded to his new school.  It's so great to hear him talk about colors, new animals, and enjoy washing the tiles in the bathtub, as he learns to clean up at school.  He is meeting new friends and it seems he is very affectionate towards his teachers, which means he likes them.  The school is ridiculously expensive, but in the end, it's a nominal cost to see him FINALLY happy.

4.  Good Jobs

It sure is a luxury to have a good job right now and our house is even luckier to have two of them.  Kyle was promoted at the end of the year and my bosses have been incredible supportive of my work and home career.  I've now been at my job for over a year and feel supported and challenged every day, but have the flexibility to care for my family.  We're hoping for even more success this year!

5.  A beautiful home

Again, a luxury for us.  We've put so much time, money and love into our home.  It's taken us over 4 years to get close to furnishing it and building my dream deck, but this house has turned into our palace.  It's feeling smaller, but I'm so proud and thankful this is the home we raised our boys in. 

Things We're Looking Forward to in 2013

1.  Making New Family Traditions

We have so many things we want to do with the boys!  From camping to the summer in the pool, we've got a big year of spending time together

2.  House projects

We have plans to work on our home again.  This summer, we'd like to do landscaping on our lawn for the boys.

3.  Being Healthy!

We're planning on getting the best care for our boys and watching them grow!

Thank you for all of the great memories in 2012.  We're thankful you're in our lives and look forward to seeing what 2013 brings us!

2012 Christmas- Max's FIRST CHRISTMAS!

We had a great Christmas this year. Both boys were totally spoiled and we have lots of toys to find a place for. Zachary still didn't totally understand Christmas with Santa and presents and he was a little overwhelmed, but he seemed to get into it by the end of the day.

 

We had a marathon day, starting with presents as a family at our house in the morning, followed by time at Grandpa and Grandma Tormoehlen's, then ending in the evening with the Walsh's. 

 

Here is a fun list of some of the great presents:

 

Zachary got:

- A fishing pole from his Dad

- Playdough

- His favorite Llama Llama books from Grandma Tormoehlen

- A snowsuit and sled from Dad

- A dinosaur from Dad and a dinosaur from Luis

- Bronco gear from the Walsh's

- A Leap Pad from Grandma and Grandpa Tormoehlen

- A Potty from Mom

- Money from Grandma and Grandpa Sawyer

- Puzzles from my cousin in Alaska

 

 

Max got:

- Lots of toys from Grandma and Grandpa Tormoehlen

- Money from Grandma and Grandma Sawyer

- New clothes

- A Collection of Baby's First Christmas Orniments from Mom

- Bronco Baby Bottles from the Walsh's

 

I'm now the official parent that looks back and says, "I can't believe it's all over!".  All of the shopping, (I became best friends with the FedEx Man), all of the wrapping and decorating, and all of the cold trips in the car and now it's all over.  Thank you to everyone that made this Christmas special for Zachary and Max.  Christmas is truly all about those you love and the little boys that make you really understand what that love is all about.

 

Merry Christmas Zachary and Max.  You truly are the best presents we could ever hope for.  Can't wait for more to come with you.

 

The Loot

This is the only photo I could get with both of the boys. 

You can barely see, but Great Grandma Tormoehlen got both boys matching Cardinals socks.  Zachary didn't want to pose for photos, he wanted to play!

"Boys, please sit on the couch for a photo".  Yeah, right.

MUCH better!

Cousin Dance Party!!



The biggest Cousin holding the littlest Cousin

Fa La La La La

The Holidays are so busy.  There is so much to see and do and it's a lot harder when all you want to do is sleep.  One of the best parts about maternity leave over the Holidays is getting to see friends coming home.

Here are a few photos of us enjoying the holidays with some cookie decorating and visiting with the Olsons and Kirsten- all the way from South Africa!!

 A busy mom of two boys gives in to the long process of making cookies.  This is a mother's dream come true- Break N' Bake sugar cookies and squeezie frosting in a can.  Just enough time for 2 year old's attention.  Zachary LOVED it.

 Beth and Andrew are great friends of ours.  They lived in Boston for a few years and now live in a home very close to us.  They have enough property to start a small farm, so you better believe Zachary will be over to visit!

Our dear friend Kirsten.  She made a special visit to our house and even had gifts for the kids.  I would LOVE for her to move back, but convincing her to leave the beach isn't that easy.  Thanks for visiting!!!!