A Long 4 Months

     Well, I've appreciated all the advice we've received over the past 4 months.  I know everyone just wants to help and make things better and we've taken advice and tried more things that I can even remember or count. Sometimes it seems like there is an improvement after trying something, but then we realize it has nothing to do with what we tried. 

   3 weeks ago while Malia was screaming, I got a great glimpse of the roof of her mouth and thought it looked a little unusual.  Wish I could get a good pic to post, but this is the best I can do.  Anyways, she has her gums/jawline, but then there is another ridge that goes around on the inside of that.  I have no idea if that is normal, never looked in my babies mouths or any other baby's mouth for that matter.  I began to wonder if that was what was causing her to take in so much air when she eats.  Originally we thought she just sucked too hard.  We had switched her to bottle and pumping, because she was even worse when she nursed and had even more gas and fussiness. 
    Well, today she had her 4 month checkup and I was a little nervous as to what the doctor would say when he saw her mouth.  I was relieved to find out that he was not very concerned about it.  I had read a lot about high palates, etc and different suggestions as to how to help them eat better, etc.  Also read that a lot of babies with it when it is associated with other things, also tend to deal with malnutrition.  She does have a slightly high palate, but not too bad.  He said sometimes high palates are related to different syndromes and such, but doesn't feel that is the case in her case.  She is developing perfectly and growing great, definitely not malnutritioned! 
    Her tongue does slip when she is eating, but he wasn't concerned because she is still eating well and in a timely manner.  And she seems to be improving more little by little.  Her spitting up is reflux, but there is no acidity to it, so no need for reflux meds because they don't control the volume that she will spit up, but the burn, but she doesn't appear to have any burning (we did try the reflux meds, but didn't help at all, so it all makes sense).  She does not seem to be allergic to or have any big issues with anything dietwise, etc either.  So he has suggested that adding rice cereal to the bottle to thicken it might help to reduce the amount she spits up or make it easier to swallow it back down.
    He said she simply is Colic.  We've tried what we can and will wait it out.  And I feel peaceful about that, I'm DONE going crazy over figuring out what is bothering her.  She has definitely made improvements over the last month or so, but I know its still a long road.  I'm just grateful for the peace of mind that came today (along with what feels like a renewed dose of patience to continue on).  She is Healthy and having more happy moments during the day too, so I can't ask for too much more.
   I felt that we were warned before she arrived that there was going to be a period of DIFFICULTY!  When I was pregnant and feeling FABULOUS (seriously! by FAR the easiest pregnancy), I had the feeling that there was something coming down the road so enjoy it now.  And I DID!  And I remind myself very frequently of that as I struggle now.  Gives me the strength to hold on and not go insane. ;)
   These pictures are a big improvement over all the crying ones I got in the months earlier, she has more happy/content moments than she used to, so we will take it! :)  (Don't expect many to read all this, but wanted it for my record).

Malia Brianna

In some ways its hard to believe its been 3 weeks since this little girl joined our family, but at the same time in other ways lets just say its been a LONG 3 weeks. ;) 
   Malia joined our family the afternoon of Leap day.  Weighing in at 7 lb 8 oz (our smallest baby, though not by much).  She also has a LOT of hair, which is something new for us for a newborn.  She was breech for so long in the womb, turning just 2 weeks beforehand, so for the longest time she was most comfortable with her legs up as high as she could get them once she came out.  Her legs have finally begun to relax a little. 
    Most pictures of her are while she is sleeping, lets just say that is because she's not the happiest girl awake. So it doesn't cross my mind at the time to take a picture. :( 
   The kids adore her, and there are no jealousy issues with any of them, especially Baylee which is a HUGE blessing as we are dealing with Malia crying so much.  Hoping that improves in the near future and she figures out some sort of sleep schedule at night.
  This was by far my easiest pregnancy, and all along I wondered if maybe it was because the Lord knew we might have a difficult newborn coming or something.  So I have to remind myself daily how grateful I am the pregnancy was so enjoyable (to give me strength to handle these first few months that likely lie ahead).  The Dr. gave her a perscription to see if by chance she has acid reflux and see if it might help her to feel better and be happier, it took 4 days to get the compound pharmacy to finally get it completed which was agonizing, so hoping we might see some relief in the next few days.  If not, then we'll just have to wait out what is likely colic in the weeks ahead I guess. 
   Malia is still perfect and precious in every way.  We wouldn't change her for the world.  Labor and delivery went well, all things considered.  To put it short, the epidural did not work correctly but considering what others were going through on the labor and delivery floor at the same time as me, I was just grateful to be dealing with what I was dealing with, vs what others were.  It made it bareable when I needed it most.
   Life is good, even sleep deprived.  Brady's mother came and helped in the beginning which was great and then my mom came shortly after which was also great!  The extra help was wonderful and I am so grateful to both of them for it!  Wish they were still here. :)  Spring break started today for Camden and tomorrow for Tayson.  They are excited and even more excited that Tayson got a 2 hour delay this morning because of snow.  They enjoyed playing in it this morning.  I always have to laugh when school is canceled or delayed because of a little snow on the ground, so different from Utah, but that's fine by me.  I LOVE only having snow once or twice a year.  Crazy though that it is coming SO LATE this year.
   We've had some odd weather this winter.  It had been in the 50s for a while and then the day Malia was born it decided to snow.  Then 4 days later on my birthday it was in the mid 60's LOL.  I've heard there's been crazy weather all over the country though so I'm not surprised by our weather (such as hail in Hawaii).  Just would be nice if it looked/felt like spring this week and next for "Spring" break.
   Well, that's all for now, just proud of myself for finally finding time to post. YAY!
  
   

Life

I know I need to get some more pictures up here, but at the moment I'm not in the position to do so, but felt I ought to at least put a new post up with happier things on it.  Its hard to believe its already Feb. 12th!  As an update for my cousins, Ryan and Kelly are both home from the hospital and continuing to recover.  Kelly had to go back in to the hospital for a little while because of an infection I believe, but I think she is home now.  They have received so much help financially through fundraisers and donations, etc it is amazing.  I know they are still far from having what they will owe for hospital costs, etc (especially since the other driver unfortunately had no insurance), but every little bit helps!  We are so grateful to all those others, especially strangers who have pitched in to help.  What a blessing! 
    It is hard to believe that in 2 1/2 weeks we will become a family of 6.  Am I ready for a new baby?!  No.  But I HOPE to be by the time she comes.   I am excited to meet her, but at the same time in NO rush for her to come right now.  I know life will only get crazier.  This really has been the greatest pregnancy I could ever ask for and I feel VERY blessed and am very grateful.  Its made it so easy to just enjoy the pregnancy and enjoy the time we have before life changes again.
   As for names, we still don't have a clue!  I thought since we knew it was a girl beforehand this time around it would be easy to come up with a name before she arrives.  But no such luck.  So any suggestions are great.  I'm sure we'll eventually figure it out.  Baylee is very excited about the baby coming, but I think she will also have a hard time adjusting.  Hoping it goes much better than I am expecting.  I have no doubt she will adore her, but at the same time she LOVES having mommy to herself when her brothers aren't around. 
    To me, Baylee is still my baby, so it all just seems so weird to me that she won't be the baby for long.  She's short for her age so she seems so little still, but yet she talks CONSTANTLY and I'm always asked in the store how old she is.  Everyone is surprised she talks so well for being so young.  She cracks everyone up with the things she says and once she realizes that people think she is funny, she REALLY puts on a show.  Very different from the boys at this age. 
   I know when the baby arrives, suddenly Baylee will seem so much bigger to me, just like Tayson did when Camden was born and just like Cam did when Baylee was born.  I'm just not sure if I'm ready for her to seem suddenly bigger/older to me.  Oh well, ready or not.
   We made it through Brady's Chicago trip this past weekend which is a relief just to know he will be mostly nearby these last couple weeks just in case this little one should have a mind of her own and choose to come earlier than planned, but I doubt she will and that is A okay.
    Life is good, we are happy and grateful for it.  That's about all for now.

Prayers please

Christmas is usually a time of joy and happiness and excitement and we still tried to incorporate some of that in to our Christmas this year, but unfortunately we were faced with a tragedy this year.  Christmas Eve night I received a phone call from my dad letting me know that my cousin Ryan and his beautiful wife and 2 sweet little boys had been in a very serious accident around 6pm Utah time in SLC.  A  large surburban somehow crossed a median full of rocks, boulders and small trees) and hit my cousin's small sedan head on.  Their small car burst into flames immediately we were told.  Three life flights were sent to the scene.  Reportedly, all five (four of my cousins and the driver of the other car) all left the scene in critical condition or so we were told at the time.  I spent Christmas Even night in and out of little sleep and checking for updates on the condition of my cousins. 
  We celebrated Christmas morning with the kids as usual and had fun watching the kids excitement in opening their gifts.  But at the same time we waited for word.  From the comments I had heard from those who had seen the scene, it looked as if the suburban had rolled right over the top of the sedan it was so unrecognizable.  We feared the worst!  It was a MIRACLE that had left the scene alive.
  All of our family and many of our friends (some of you who didn't even know Ryan and his family) prayed for them.  We received word that afternoon that the baby, Colum, had a completely severed spinal cord and there was nothing the doctors could do.  Ryan and Kelly had been in and out of surgeries throughout the night and Christmas morning.  Ryan was pretty beaten up mainly with broken bones, but Kelly was worse off with many broken bones but also a lot of internal damage too.  She had to have her bowels completely reconstructed and had a lacerated liver, from what we were told.  At that point our prayers turned into prayers that with God's help, and the help of life support, Colum would be able to hold on long enough for them to get Kelly out of surgery and stable enough to bring the baby over so they could say their goodbyes. 
  Though it was not in the Lord's plan for Colum remain here on this earth and recover physically and stay with his beautiful family, he did show his mercy in helping Colum to hold on.  We had a united family prayer all over the country that evening for Ryan and Kelly's family.  Once Kelly was stable enough, we were told they were moving Ryan down to Kelly's room and then were going to move Colum over to them (from Primary childrens hospital (Ryan and Kelly were at the U hospital), but that Colum would likely pass during transport).  But God blessed him to hold on so that Ryan and Kelly could spend his final hours with him in their arms.  Sweet Baby Colum passed away Christmas night shortly after 9pm. 
   Fortunately it was in the Lord's plan that sweet Finn (age 3) miraculously had almost no injuries.  They ran some tests on him to be safe and he was released to my cousins (Ryan's sister and her family) on Monday morning.  What a blessing in all the heartache.   Ryan and Kelly both had two more surgeries each on Monday and tuesday.  Both are recovering, Ryan quicker than Kelly as his injuries were not nearly as severe as hers, but she is also slowly recovering physically. 
   I can't even begin to imagine all they face both physically and emotionally on top of it all.  We are just so GRATEFUL that we did not lose them all.  Though we will all miss beautiful baby Colum.  I am relieved to know that little Finn will likely have both his mom and dad around to raise him and watch him grow in the years to come.  That is a BLESSING!  We will forever hold baby Colum in our memories and hearts.  We are SO grateful for the knowledge of the Gospel and Eternal Families!  You can follow Ryan and Kelly's progress at www.kellypack.com.  Ryan faces 6+ months of recovery ahead and Kelly at least 12 months.  They can use all the prayers they can get for a LONG time to come.  Thanks!
  

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Summary of Whetten family fun for 2011

January:  Boys 1^st Snow Skiing lessons!  They LOVED it! Tayson also had a blast with basketball.

February:  Brady presented for the first time at CSM (national physical therapy conference).  Camden turned the big 5!! 

March:  Rachel turned the big 30!  3 days later Brady took his GCS exam (Geriatric Clinical Specialist). 

April:  Great family camping trip on the Oregon Coast. Camden gets his first turn at T-ball. Oh the fun!!

May:  Baylee turned 2!  She will repeat ANYTHING you say! She has most definitely become the princess of the house.

June:  Brady ran his 2^nd marathon.  Rachel opted to watch the kids this time around and support from the sidelines. ;)  We enjoyed a great weekend at the coast as a family.  Brady found out he PASSED the GCS exam!!!!! 

July: Trip to Hawaii for Brady’s family reunion and ward camp.  Brady also enjoyed finally certifying in Scuba while he was there.  Also a fun trip to Utah for back to back family reunions for Rachel’s family.

August:  Trip to Couer d’lene, ID for Brady’s first Olympic triathlon (and his first flat tire) and to visit some friends. 

September:  Rachel completed her 1^st sprint triathlon 3 ½ months pregnant with baby #4. The following week the boys began school: Tayson - 2^nd grade, Camden - Kindergarten!)  They both LOVE school, especially Cam, who comes home almost every day saying, “Mom each day just gets better and better!” Tayson loved playing quarterback for his flag football team.

October:  We enjoyed a quiet October.  Brady was released as the 11 scout master and called to be the assistant Varsity coach for the Teacher’s quorum which he is VERY excited about.

November:  Brady completed his first trail ½ marathon up at Silver Falls Park (BEST race he’s ever participated in, even despite the rainy, muddy conditions).  We had our first real Thanksgiving dinner as our own little family here at home since we’ve been married, followed by a fun-filled family weekend in Portland which the kids LOVED (roller skating, zoo, OMSI, Christmas shopping, swimming, etc).

December: Tayson is anxiously awaiting his 8^th birthday at the end of this month and the arrival of both sets of Grandparents just days after Christmas for his baptism. 

The kids are all VERY excited to welcome their new baby SISTER in March, though Rachel is in no rush for her to arrive yet.  Considering Baylee will be DETERMINED to put headbands on the baby’s head regardless of the gender, it’s a good thing it’s a girl. ;)  Rachel has been blessed this year with her easiest pregnancy thus far, which has been WONDERFUL!  We are grateful for wonderful family and friends, and most importantly, for the gift of Jesus Christ in our life.

 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!

Another Great Giveaway!!!

This is my friend's blog and the cute bags that she makes!!!  She is giving one away for free but today is the last chance to enter!!!!  Do it fast!!  You have till midnight Hawaiian time!

12th day Giveaway!!!

Once again, this is my cousin's crafty blog and all of her fun giveaways.  Only 2 days left to enter!  Check it out!!! She designs her own jewelry too!!  GORGEOUS!
http://thesassypepper.blogspot.com/2011/12/on-12th-day-of-christmas.html