Feeling better

Isabel is feeling better. After having a tag team effort by Gigi and Meme, I think we've got Isabel under control - although I sent her to nursery with a bag full of medicine.

Here is our new routine.
Antibiotic for the new ear infection - twice a day.
Anti-fungal cream for yeast infection on bum- every diaper
Breathing treatment for wheezing - three times a day

Not to mention she is eating like crazy! She loves some carrots, applesauce and bananas. We are trying peas this coming week. She can't wait... Oh, the simple things in life.

I had an impromptu photo session with her yesterday. I couldn't help but take pics of that little bum bum.

Enjoy!

Poor thing

Isabel has been getting one of two comments lately, Poor thing or Bless her heart.

Reason being, this girl still has a cough! We have been dealing with this thing for 5 weeks, so today will be the final day of my patience. We go to the doctor this afternoon to see what else we can do. I'm ready to go to a pulmonologist or allergist at this point. She just can't shake it.

She finally is off the oral steroids, which made her CRAZY. Luckily for two of those days, she was with her Gigi. Sunday, she was back to her old self.

Meme is coming in today to take over for this week. Hopefully having her out of nursery for a little while will help get the yuck cleared up.

Oh well. We'll figure it out! At least she enjoys cuddling with her mom and dad in bed between coughing fits. I just wish mom and dad could sleep through them like she does.

Pool time and bananas and coughing, oh my!

I haven't given an update in a while, and I apologize.

We have been quite busy at home. Isabel is now enjoying some yummy foods. We've only tried applesauce and bananas, but the other night she was crying during her bottle because she wanted some real food. That's my girl!

She is back on a few breathing treatments, because she had a cold that immediately descended into her lungs. Poor thing. She inherited her Pop Pop's respiratory system, so it's no surprise! (Her mom has it too...) She is great even after a few treatments and her hacking cough has subsided. We had a full night sleep last night (all of us) for the first time in a few weeks, so that is a nice change. She is also getting over her first ear infection, so the poor girl has been through the ringer.

Isabel did get to celebrate her first July 4th this year. We took her to the pool for the first time, and she didn't quite know what to think about it. Jeff took her around and she just kind of stared around at the crazy new thing she was in. She loves bathtime, so it won't be long until she is kicking around. Thankfully, she didn't cry - so she doesn't totally hate it. (I'll upload some bathing beauty pictures this week.)

Mom and dad also had their first trip away from Isabel. We went with friends to Charleston and had a blast! Although, we did miss the little stinker the entire time we were gone. She didn't hate us too much when we got back, but she wasn't very happy with us either. A bottle and nice nap took of that disposition, and we were soon back in her good graces.

We are looking at some home time in the month of July - which is fantastic! We've had Isabel on the go for the last six weeks, and we are looking foward to quality time with our little family.

Isabel's Baptism

We just celebrated a really exciting day with Isabel. We had her baptism on Sunday, June 22, and it was gorgeous. Miss Isabel Merritt was baptized into the Christian faith and Westminster Presbyterian's church family by Reverend Dave Carlson, the same minister that baptized Isabel's big sister Elizabeth Scott.

Jeff's family comes from a Baptist background, so I explained that we do things differently at our church. In explaining the infant baptism and eventual confirmation process that Isabel will go through for church, it made me realize the importance of what she's doing. It is amazing to think that Isabel was baptized the same way that other babies have been for hundreds of years - since the first church. It's awe inspiring to think of it that way.

Isabel wore a gorgeous gown that her Gigi bought her with the discerning eye of her Aunt Angie. She was an angel in it. We are going to have her name and her baptism date embroidered on the slip. All our other children and maybe even grandchildren will wear that gown and have their names sewn on the slip as well. We have one picture with the bonnet, and the rest are without it. Jeff was not a fan of the bonnet!

She was asleep when it was her turn to be baptized. I handed her to Dave, and he doused her really well with Holy water. She must have felt the Spirit because she woke right up and let us know she was there. After she was safely in her mother's arms, she nestled back to sleep for the finishing prayers. It was just a lovely moment. Her in my arms with Jeff beside me. I just looked at my little angel and stroked her cheek as she slept. Oh, how sweet that face is!

We enjoyed the service for a while longer, but she let us know that she was ready to go to the nursery during the sermon. The other little boy that was baptized with us chose an opportune time (during a prayer) to have a very noisy BM, so I guess it could have been worse. I found out from his mother later that he only goes once a week and of course decided to go then. The Spirit REALLY moved him.

Did anyone tell you that this day would be crazy stressful? Well, it was. With families to juggle and visiting cousin that got sick and friends that traveled from everywhere - it could have been a recipe for disaster. Luckily, I had the forethought to have my best friend Kristin as Isabel's Godmother.

Before the service, Kristin was telling us how the Godmother used to be the one at the church and the mother stayed home. In the Presbyterian service, the Godmother unfortunately isn't involved in the service. Well, we found a job for her. It was to keep me sane. Kristin was a Godsend. Literally. She schlepped around the diaper bag and helped calm my nerves for the day. I can't imagine what a basket case I will be for Isabel's wedding day - so Kris, get ready for that one. (Oh, and this weekend was Kris's first BIG dose of birth control - bless her.)


AND our dear - fantastic - friends Jo Ann and Ray Hollins hosted the baptism luncheon for Isabel. It was beautiful and delicious. We are so lucky to have them in Greenville. Not only for hosting such a wonderful day for us, but also being there for help whenever we need them. Its no wonder they are my parent's best friends.

Thank you to all friends and family that joined us. It was such a special day to have everyone there celebrating. Oh, and Angie - it was such a special time. (Oh, and could no one fix my Pepper Mint Patty hair sweep in all these pictures... that was not the look I was going for.)

Flat headed girls - you make the rockin' world go round

Well, our little darling is having some issues with her head. Her mother noticed she was favoring her left side for everything but had no idea it would affect that sweet round head. Now she has a little flat spot on her left side.

The doctor is giving us a month to work on it ourselves. After that, we may have to consider a - BIG GULP - helmet. We are repositioning her when she sleeps and rubbing that head like a crystal ball every time we can. She is at nursery now, so every time I'm in there I say "tummy time." I'm sure they want to shoot me.

Wish us luck and if you have any "don't worry, she'll be fine" anecdotes with your children OR any "try this, it worked for us" advice. I would love to hear it!

We have considered having Gigi paint some faux curls on the helmet, should it come to that...