Kyle- 9 Months

Baby Kyle is 9 months old already!

I truly feel like his first year has just slipped by so quickly.

Having a baby in the house very tiring and a fair amount of 

work but he has really been a big blessing! 

There really is nothing sweeter than cuddling with your fuzzy-headed babe.

We are so lucky to have had a healthy pregnancy that happened the first second we even thought about it! I felt guilty even thinking about having a fourth baby, wishing Daron and Feifei were in a position to have one instead of us.  I am so thankful we went for it though as we knew we wanted four and Kyle was born before Daron was too sick to meet him.  I'll always be grateful for that!

So what is Kyle up to these days?

This month he has learned to crawl.  He gets everywhere, fast!  He also pulls to a stand and can cruise along the couch (a tiny bit).  He is quite determined to get places and really would like to be able to walk.

He is still getting most of his nutrients from nursing.  He nurses every 2-3 hours during the day and 1-2 times at night.  Most nights I only feed him once between 7 pm and 6 AM.  He often wakes up by 5:30 AM wanting to get out and eat again but we make him stay put until 6 AM.  Sometimes he is quite mad about this, sometimes he just plays, and sometimes he sleeps until 6:30 or 7:00.  My milk supply is holding up, but I have no extra at all!  This is a new experience as I usually have a large oversupply.

He eats pureed food 2-3 times a day.  I've given him table food a few times but he doesn't know what to do with it yet.  He has no idea how to drink out of a sippy cup or straw yet either.

Overall, his oral skills are lagging a bit.  He doesn't babble with consonants at all yet either.  He says, "awww, awww" and "mmmmmm,mmmmm"  but no ma, ma, da, ba,etc.  Carson was slow at this too, so we will see what happens.

Kyle has been very congested for the past 2 months and has patches of eczema.  After having a taste of ice cream and strawberries he developed a fiery red rash all over his cheeks.  I think he may have a dairy intolerance/allergy.  He has an appointment with the allergies on June 12th.  For now, I have cut dairy out of my diet.

Kyle is a fairly happy little guy.  He has big dimples and flashes them at us.  He is doted on by his siblings all day long and usually seems happy with that. Ha!

Kyle has terrible stick up hair.  We call him fuzzy wuzzy.  I am letting it grow out, with hopes that it will lie down eventually?  So far, it has not!  If it keeps sticking up no matter how long it is, I will probably get him another buzz cut. 

Kyle James, we love you dear boy!

What to Blog?

The past few months my blog has been very quiet.  Partially due to being busy and partially not knowing what to blog about.   I think I'm probably still in a bit of a funk because blogging about day to day events seems a little bit insensitive to me.  I feel like readers might think I've forgotten about Daron if I talk about my normal, happy, essentially problem free life.  I haven't forgotten him at all and I'm sure no one would really think that but that is how it feels. 

But, this is my "baby book" for our family and I don't want it to be completely idle! 

So I'm going to try to get back to one post a week.  Hold me to it, if it stays too quiet!

Happy Birthday Daron!

Yesterday, Daron would have turned 32.   Tomorrow marks 7 weeks since he passed away.  To be honest, the first 3-4 weeks I felt mainly distracted (2000 mile drive with 4 young kids) and relieved.  He'd suffered so long that I was/am thankful that he is no longer in pain.

About 2 weeks ago, the first wave of deep sorrow hit me.   For about 5 days I was in a major funk and didn't realize until I got out of it that that was grief talking. I think we've been grieving off and on the entire 2.5 years he was sick but during the time, no matter how bad he felt, he was always there for us.  When he was ill and I was feeling sad or panicked about his illness, a phone call or visit with Daron almost always was a source of comfort and encouragement.  He had a calming presence and really expressed very little fear or anger about his situation.

I don't feel panicky now, just sad.  I miss him.  He was my friend and brother.  During the past 20 months that I've been working part time I have always called him on my way home from work.  He didn't always pick up but I always loved it when he did.  There were many days that I spent 30 minutes sitting in my driveway or the gym parking lot talking to him about my day.   He always seemed interested in hearing about my unique patients (no HIPPA violations were made!).  No one else has the same interest and knowledge about my medical stories and I miss sharing that with him.

 Yesterday, was a crazy busy day.  Victor's birthday is May 17th.  He is out of town so we celebrated his birthday last night before he left.  The kids make birthdays a lot of fun now!  My day was filled with cooking, baking, and exuberant kids.   I am so so thankful for the daily joy my kids provide.  They are a wonderful distraction.

Knowing Daron's birthday would be centered on Victor this year, we celebrated Daron last weekend.  My aunt Janet lost her son Jay shortly after birth.  For the past 26 years (almost) she has baked a cake on Jay's birthday and given it to someone who needs an extra hug or is really important to her.  I've always loved that idea, such a kind way to remember your loved one.  I am going to do the same thing to honor Daron.  I love that Daron's birthday will never be forgotten and will be marked by a kind act.

This year, I picked my friend Cherie to be the cake recipient.  Cherie has been watching my kids on Wednesdays since November.   My kids LOVE her and so do I.  She is wonderful and I have had to tell her to be a little less fun because I think my kids like her better than they like me! :)  In addition to a friend and sitter she is simply one of the most generous people I've ever met.  While Carson was in the hospital she sent him toys and balloons.  She's made our family dinner (while watching my kids)! And she sent the largest boquet of flowers I've ever laid eyes on to my parents for Daron's funeral.  I've been so touched by her kindness and am so thankful she is part of our life!

Daron's favorite cake is a poppyseed cake with caramel frosting so that is what I made her!

Thank you Cherie for your kind heart and support!

We really appreciate you!

Mother's Day!

I had such a nice Mother's Day this year!  The kids are old enough to be super excited about parties and Victor did a good job of helping them make this day special!

I woke up to homemade chocolate chip pancakes and strawberries dipped in chocolate.  Yum!

 Very cooperative kids.

The kids each selected gifts for me from target.  I got a Navy blue Romper from Lainey.  A (short) white dress from Erik, a reading light and books from Carson, and a gift card to Chic-fil-a from Kyle.

I'm pretty sure I haven't worn a romper since 1985 but apparently they are back in style.  I actually wore the romper, along with a necklace Lainey had picked out for me for my birthday, to church this morning.

We were able to get cute photos today using the "magic" camera (timer).  I hope to make that a yearly tradition.

Erik's teacher's had the kids each make a book.  I loved it!

Our day was pretty quiet - breakfast in bed, church, spring cleaning the closets, homemade peanut butter cake with LOTS of sprinkles, 5 mile run/bike ride with Erik.   I am so thankful for my four kids and pray I never spend a Mother's Day without one of them here on earth.  My heart was heavy for my mom today who had to do that for the first time.  I made sure to hug my kids a little bit tighter thinking about my friends and family members who are missing their sweet babes. 

Videos of Sweet baby Kyle!