Christmas Past Part 2

Christmas Portraits

(Dalan and VaRonica, 1981)

(Me, 1981)

(Me, Cole, and my cousin, Ben, 1985)

Happy Birthday, Grandpa Reg

Today is my father-in-law's 70th birthday!

(although you would never know it by looking at him...)

We are so lucky to have Ron in our lives.
(Dalan calls him Reginald, but his name is Ron.)
He is generous and kind.
He is funny and a character.
He is just awesome.
We love him so much!

("Co-sleeping" with Quinn yesterday!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Eating

Quinn's biggest challenge for quite sometime has been eating. The first few times she took a bottle, the developmental therapist assured us that this kid could eat, and she would have no problems. Then she lost interest in eating, or it started to hurt, or something, because her eating got worse before it ever got better. But it did get better after we changed formula and did a few other tweaks. We had a swallow test done, and all her parts checked out to be working correctly. The NICU team, as well as, Dalan and I were pretty sure that once Quinn came home she would start eating whole bottles. And while her eating did get slightly better once we came home, it seems progress has stalled again.

This week has been the worse yet. I am guessing it is because I went back to work, and her routines have changed. Quinn has also always eaten the best for Dalan and me, but now other people have to feed her again. However, with the introduction of other people feeding her, she is eating worse for Dalan and me now. She is also spitting up again. She cycles with the spitting up, and I am hoping we are about to move away from it, but there is nothing more frustrating than feeding a baby that doesn't want to eat, putting the rest in a tube, only to have her spit a lot of it up promptly after the feeding is finally over.

I feel so bad for my baby and that she doesn't want to eat. I just want to fix her. I wish they could figure out what is "wrong." That being said, I am scared we are heading for a g-tube (a feeding tube in the belly). I am not even opposed to a g-tube, if it helps her, I just prefer that my baby doesn't have something surgically implanted into her stomach if possible. The doctor has not even mentioned one, and has said as long as her weight gain is good, (and it has been better the last two weeks, even with the spitting up) he is just going to see if she will out grow a lot of this. However, as of today, things seem to be getting worse not better, and that is scary and frustrating.

It just sucks to have a baby that is happy and thriving in all other areas, except for this one. Eating is miserable for her, and therefore can be pretty miserable for us. I feel like we have used every trick in the book, and nothing is working, and in some ways just getting worse. I am not looking for suggestions, just a whole lot of positive vibes for Quinn. Maybe it will be a Christmas miracle, and Quinn will start eating and maybe even enjoying it a little. I just want a happy and healthy baby, that's all.

The Quinn-ster

Yesterday, Quinn had a particularly cute day. She was happy from the moment she woke up. (Well, except for her bath. She now hates her bath. Sigh) She smiled. She giggled. She played. She talked. She was on room air for 8 hours. She was so much fun. She can now pick up a toy and play with it. She sometimes bops herself in the head, but she doesn't seem to mind too much. I also bought her some little barrettes to help tame the wild, ever growing widow's peak. I think these are some of my favorite pictures of Quinn to date! (Look at her chubby belly!)

Naked thumb sucking

Naked thumb sucking is Quinn's new lifestyle choice. She'll do either independent of each other, but the combination sends her over the moon. She is so active and happy when she is naked...she rolls, she talks and coos, and she sits up (with the help of the couch or mommy), she slips and slides, she chews on her hands, and of course, sucks her thumb. She sucks her thumb more and more often these days. This morning, she even put herself to sleep by sucking her thumb rather than the binkie (gasp!) Also, it is important to note her hair getting crazier by the day!

Christmas Past Part 1

Jessi and Santa
(1983-1986-ish?)

A Sellers?

Quinn compared to her Dad....





Quinn compared to her Auntie VaRonica (along with some adorable pictures of Dalan as a toddler) ....


Quinn compared to her Grandpa Reg. (Ron)....

(I love these pictures of Ron!!!!)

I am kind of seeing Sellers in her big time, especially compared to that first picture of Dalan. It will be fun to continue to compare as she gets older.

Maybe she is just the perfect blend of mom and dad. All I know for sure is that she is adorable!