What GERD looks like

So reflux is common among babies. They spit up. All babies spit up.

But GERD? Oh. My. Word. It's just another story all together. There are no "spit ups" in our house. Only explosions. I honestly change Porter's clothes 3-4 times a day. Every day. It is crazy! He can soak an outfit with one spit. It doesn't matter the position he is in, how well he burps, or even if it's been two hours since his last feeding. He can soak himself completely when a flare-up hits. (He is taking iron supplements for anemia which is why there is such discoloration of his outfit in this picture.)

Over the weekend, our friends the Kinseys went with us to my mom's house. From Saturday at 1:30 p.m. until Monday at lunch time, Porter went through all NINE outfits that I had packed for him. Nine outfits in less than 48 hours. I have witnesses if anyone doubts me!

Poor little fella, GERD hurts. :( He is well above the maximum dosage for his "gestational age" of 2 weeks. But, since Porter is actually 9 weeks old, he is on the maximum dosage the GI doctor would put him on. Not that I am a fan of putting any drugs into his system, but sometimes we just do what we have to do.

This is a 6-9 month bib. I like these big bibs because they cover most of his outfits. If they do their job well, we can sometimes salvage an outfit for two feedings.

I have gotten very strange and curious looks when we've been out in public and people see Porter with a bib on. I forget sometimes how tiny he looks to everyone else, and their faces scream, "Why in the world does that mama have a bib on her newborn?" If they only knew how a bib can hold off a wardrobe change while the rest of his laundry is being washed!

And burp cloths? Boy do I ever use them! And wash them just as often as I was Porter's clothes. This burp cloth is from ONE "spit up" - and it's from the the same one that soaked his bib pictured above. Is it any wonder why this tiny fella wants to nurse all of the time? He stays hungry because he's rarely satisfied.

Those pitiful cries are somewhat constant these last few days. We really thought the increase in meds would help to manage the pain, but unfortunately they haven't yet. Maybe soon, though. We hope!

She lost her first tooth!

At 5 and 3/4 ;), Ella Beth lost her first tooth. She is so proud of the new hole in her mouth!

We were at my mom's for Memorial Weekend. Her tooth had been loose for a while, but just in the last week it became really loose. We were eating an apple and I jokingly said, "If you bite that apple just right your tooth may pop out." She was taking bites from the side of her mouth but finally took a bite with her front teeth. She said it hurt, so I never mentioned it or really even thought about it again.

Then she left the room.

And she came back with that tooth in her hand!!! I could not believe that she pulled it. And neither Scott nor I were with her when she did it. She just went into the bathroom and pulled that sucker right out. We were so proud of her!

She smiles this BIG at everyone now to make sure they can see her missing tooth. :)

Of course, the Tooth Fairy had to make an appearance. That was fun! Now, if *I* were the Tooth Fairy I would have made a little envelope with a Tooth Fairy seal and left it under sweet girl's pillow.

(Not that it matters at all...but her hair has never - I mean never - looked like this before. Man, the Tooth Fairy must have had to work hard for that tooth!)

Just another milestone for this sweet girl. And her mama.

Time sure does fly by......

Multitudes on Monday

1074. long weekends at the lake

1075. time spent with really great friends

1076. really great friends who have really great kids

1077. hearing kiddos squeal with delightful laughter on tube rides

1078. "faster! faster! faster!!!"

1079. sun hats

1080. an adaptable 9 week old little boy

1081. a sweet 9 week old little boy

1082. continuing to show Porter off to extended family and friends who prayed fervently for him

1083. a washing machine that can tackle the enormous amount of laundry brought about from a long weekend at the lake

1084. warm evenings to hang clothes out in the sunshine to dry

1085. a great hubby who likes to have fun with kids

1086. a boat ride before supper

1087. coming from way behind to beat everyone at cards

1088. a little girl who lost her first tooth

Psalm 118:19 "Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD."

Life in the trenches

I have often heard that being a mother to young children is like "being in the trenches." I totally get it. Man, some days are just hard.

Some days the once easy baby just starts crying and fussing and just. won't. stop. And I can't figure out why.

Some days the oldest is sassy and pushes my buttons just because she knows how.

Some days the middle is whiny and mumbles all throughout the day and I have no idea what he's saying.

Some days the hardwood floors have milk spots all over them from the reflux baby who shoots milk everywhere, and I just have to look at them over and over and over again while I'm pacing the floor over and over and over again.

Some days the oldest and the middle just want Mommy to play with them, but as soon as we get started the baby is fussing crying screaming. Again.

Some days I just want to exercise because it makes me feel better. But that is the last thing on my list of never-ending things. I could exercise at 5 a.m. if I was more dedicated, I suppose. However, after getting up at least twice a night for the last 9 straight weeks - I am not that dedicated.

Some days it's just so stinkin' hot that even going outside for some fresh air backfires.

Some days the baby just wants to nurse every two hours, and I just don't have it in me. Literally.

Some days I just want to lock myself in the bathroom and cry. Or just catch my breath. But, I know if I did that I'd see how dirty the floors are and I'd for sure lose it.


Some days I wonder what in the world He was thinking giving me three children, because some days are hard.

Those are some days.

But every day, every day I look at three precious little people that God has entrusted to me and I am thankful.

8 weeks

At 8 weeks, this boy is pure sweetness. Is it any wonder that I have a hard time putting him down?

He weighs 7 lbs even, and he is 20 in long.

He nurses 7-8 times a day, and takes Prevacid twice a day for GERD.

He cries when he has a dirty diaper, a reflux flare-up, or when he is overly tired. Other than that he is the sweetest and most content little fella.

He has to be swaddled at night, but during the day he will sleep for an hour or two all sprawled out.

He has captured so many hearts already - from his siblings, his Daddy, his grandparents, nurses, dear friends, and his Mama. I have to remind myself daily that Jesus loves him even more than I do.

Porter is so loved, and his place in our family is just perfect.

Multitudes on Monday

1059. a good GI specialist appointment with Porter this morning

1060. a growing baby boy

1061. another fun photo shoot at home with my sweet, naked baby boy

1062. one-on-one time with Landon

1063. playing Operation

1064. fun file folders to organize never-ending papers

1065. medical insurance

1066. good prescriptions to help sore throats and coughs

1067. evening walks

1068. thunderstorms that aren't severe, but rather relaxing and calming

1069. working on a child's heart - it is not easy, but I know it is worth it

1070. being in a book club with other lovely women

1071. comparing baby pictures of all three kiddos

1072. time-out...for everyone in the family so that we can re-group and regain our composure when it's needed

1073. extending grace

Psalm 35:18 "I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you."

Home Decor: DaySpring Review

One of my favorite sounds after the kiddos run to the mailbox is, "Mama! You got a package in the mail!"

Who wouldn't love those words?

And opening a package to find beautiful artwork to hang on the wall? Even better!

I love how this simple artwork made from metal reminds me of how my Heavenly Father calls me to Himself.

Abide: (verb) To remain, continue, dwell; last 

My deepest desire is to remain, to dwell, and to last in Him - to be a permanent resident in the presence of my Savior.

There are times when we Abide in Him simply because we have no where else to go, nothing else to do. All three of my children have now spent time in the hospital for different, but all very serious reasons. It was easy to Abide in Him during those many dark hours and days. But what about the rest of my days? What about the good days? The loud and messy - and will my house ever be clean again - days?

This art reminds me that nothing is more valuable than time spent with Him as often as possible. To schedule my quiet times, to express my thankfulness, to worship Him with my heart, words, and actions. To fully dwell in His presence. Oh, how I pray that my acts of Abiding in Him will be evident to my children. That they will grow, watching me dwell in His presence so that they, too, will Abide in Him. 

And, oh...how I dearly desire for the Lord to Bless This Home. For Him to dwell here with us, in our home. For Him to be spoken of often, trusted in deeply, and prayed to without ceasing. I truly believe that when we invite Him in - when we simply ask Him - that He is present. That He delights in blessing our homes; our lives. 

Blessings don't always come in the exact ways that we expect them to, but if we ask the Lord to Bless This Home - He will.

Full Disclosure: I was provided this artwork to review by DaySpring. I was not compensated in any other way for the review, and all opinions expressed in this post are fully my own. This beautiful artwork is on sale during the month of May here.