A Path to Travel

On July 5, 2012 we got the news we have been waiting 2 1/2 years to hear. There is a reason for Nathaniel's slow growth and probably many of the other things we have been concerned about the past few months.

On July 5, 2012 we got the news we have been waiting 2 1/2 years to hear. There is a reason for Nathaniel's slow growth and probably many of the other things we have been concerned about the past few months. At 6 months of age, Nathaniel started to fall off the growth charts for his weight and by age 8 months he had completely fallen off. It took us until about Thanksgiving of last year (about 1 1/2 years later) to get him back to the 5th percentile for his weight, however by March of this year his height dropped off to the 5th percentile too.

In the past 2 1/2 years Nathaniel has had multiple blood and urine tests, a couple of bone age scans, an endoscopy, a G-tube trial, a growth hormone stimulation test, and many many specialist appointments. Nathaniel's growth hormone test came back indicating that he is deficient in growth hormone and will need to start hormone replacement therapy once we have prior authorization from the insurance company. He also gets very hypoglycemic when he goes more than a couple hours between eating (which happens on most days). After talking with Nathaniel's endocrinologist about the results, I am beginning to think some of his behaviors may be related to being hypoglycemic. Hopefully with the start of hormone replacement therapy, some of our issues with Nathaniel's challenging behaviors will get better. We are also hoping that it will stimulate his appetite a bit making mealtime less of a struggle.

We still have a long road ahead. Nathaniel has a sleep study coming up next week. He will see his gastroenterologist next week also. He has an MRI the following week to check his pituitary gland. At some point soon we will schedule his hormone treatment and we will have an appointment to get trained on that. Once treatment is started we will have very regular blood checks to test his hormone levels. But the good news is that we finally have an answer and we have a direction to follow.

I am glad we really pushed through with all the tests, appointments, etc and stuck with our gut. Over the years my gut was telling me that there was more to this than the unsolved mystery. Then when Andrew was born and ate similar amounts of breastmilk each day as Nathaniel did at those same ages and was maintaining at the 50th percentile. Andrew's 6 month check-up was the clincher. Andrew eats 5-6 ounce bottles during the day, just like Nathaniel did at that age. The big difference is that Andrew sleeps through the night, whereas Nathaniel still woke 2x/night to eat at that age. Knowing what I know now, he was probably getting hypoglycemic and it is no wonder he didn't sleep through the night until 11 months and then had a period of time from age 14-18 months where he didn't sleep through the night most nights either. He continues to have sleep issues and I wonder how often he is just very low in terms of his blood sugar levels. My gut was telling me to keep looking for an answer. So thankful that we have finally gotten one.

Here are some pictures of Nathaniel at 7 months and Andrew at 6 months. I think can really see the difference in their size & definitely tell they are brothers.

Long Overdue

I really need to get back into the habit of blogging more, but sadly this has moved to the bottom of my ever-growing "to do" list.

Let's start with being a wife ... well Anthony is working late and weekends and all the time and I'm busy with the boys, the house, work, and school. We snippets of each other. We have quick conversations over the phone about goings on. I stay up many nights waiting for him to get home and plugging away at homework to pass the time so that we can have a few minutes of adult conversation. Today we actually had a family day and it was awesome to just spend time around each other.

Now onto being a mom ... that part is certainly keeping me busy. Nathaniel is approaching 3 years old. The big day is on Tuesday! He tries my patience and those of his grandparents, great-grandparents, aunties, and others on a daily basis. He is just too smart for his own good sometimes. We love him though and he is ever filled with comments that make us laugh and forget all the "no no things" he does each day. Andrew will be 7 months on Thursday. He is my happy guy. He gets fits of giggles often and adores his big brother. He sits pretty well now on his own, though we still spot him in case a topple occurs. He scoots backwards everywhere and gets up onto hands and knees sometimes, but hasn't quite figured out the forward yet which really bothers him. He primarily uses rolling to get to everything in sight.

As for being an OT ... well work is in the midst of a complete restructuring. I am on the committee helping to put processes in place for the transition which is not always the best place to be, but hopefully will lead to some good outcomes. I just finished a week off of work and should have 2 more weeks off, but I am picking  up several extra days to help with the transition. I must be nuts considering the 5 medical appointments we have for Nathaniel in the next 2 1/2 weeks, but more on all of that in another posting. School is insane. I am barely keeping up with the work, but I am really enjoying the topic and the learning and hoping that this course will encourage and inspire me to be a better leader in my work environment.

A couple pictures of my little guys ...

Bob the Builder can we fix it? Bob the Builder Yes we can!

Little man gabbing away at mommy

Unprepared and Overwhelmed

So my first semester of my doctoral work went amazingly well - now that I am finished I can say that. It was a lot of work, but I did some wonderful learning and growing as a professional. When I finally finish this program, I am going to be a much better OT and hopefully a better leader as well. Best part is that not only were my professors, classmates, and mentor (who is a highly respected OT nationwide) impressed and excited about my work, but my supervisor was as well.

Now onto course #2. It was a much much needed 2 week break from coursework. I was able to get some things in order around our house. I am managing the best that I can as a mom. I am praying that turning 3 will help us turn a corner on some behaviors for Nathaniel. Is so so bright and fun, but also such a challenge as he just doesn't seem to understand consequences or hurtful behaviors? The joys of parenthood. Luckily Andrew has overcome his crying and screaming phase and has become an easy-going and happy baby.

So why am I overwhelmed, probably because I am trying to do too much. I am trying to be a mom. I am trying to do 1.5 FTE of work in my already cramped life. I am busy with many many many medical appointments and hopefully answers soon for Nathaniel. And I am insanely going back to school to pursue a doctoral degree. As Anthony put it in his choice of card for congratulations on completion of my first semester, "you Crazy genius".

Our class size nearly doubled (4 students to 7 students). I think that is making it more overwhelming as the number of discussion posts have more than quadrupled. Hopefully it tames down as time goes on. Also, I didn't start the readings early enough as I spent the weekend being a mom and loving it rather than reading for school. I also have put off a lot of work at home to try to get done in the office, but that just isn't happening - SIGH. Please keep my family in your mind as I continue to work on my work-school-life balance and do my best to put my boys first. I am sleeping little as I want to spend time with the boys in the evening rather than doing housework, etc, so dishes get started at 9 and homework or work work at 10. Keep Nathaniel in your thoughts as he has 2 big tests coming up in the next month. Keep Anthony in your thoughts as he struggles to fine balance too and is at work all the time. I know the boys miss him (I do too - I need my listening ear) and he misses them as well. Hopefully balance will arrive soon, but first I have to help the 4 of us sift through the mud.

Long Overdue

Well the hopes of this blog being a relaxation method went by the wayside when I started school and ended up with virtually no spare time. I am currently on break from school and have a few more days before summer semester starts, hence a blog post.
I managed to get back to work full time, complete my first doctoral course, and take care of the house through all the chaos that is our never able to plan ahead life right now. We are in the home stretch of the school year and heading into a tumultuous summer of transitions at work. Bottom line, everyone in the de Sam Lazaro household is surviving.
Just a few updates:
Let's start with Nathaniel. He attended preschool 2 mornings a week for the last 3 months and will take a break for the summer before starting a new preschool (which will be much more convenient for pick-up/drop-off) in the fall. He LOVED school because he loves to learn, but is still working on getting along with friends, being flexible with what he wants to do versus the routine of the classroom, and participating in circle time (singing, books, etc). He is constantly learning new vocabulary and has a memory better than anyone I know. I hope that we can continue to challenge his little mind as it is always working. Below are a few pictures of him from this spring.

My prince with his crown on the way to mass

Taking a speed walk

Cheering the racers at the Race for Justice

Checking out Daddy's Headphones

Lounging

The slide at Gordy's

Now onto Andrew. He came into the world screaming and he continues to let you know when he wants to be heard. He seems to have gotten over his reflux issues thanks to medications (and hopefully some increased growth and core strength for sitting). He has always been a happy guy, except when he was having crying spells. The crying spells have ceased for the most part (rare occasions now), so he is happy basically all the time. He ADORES his brother and cousin and is laughing, smiling, and talking away all the time. He is now rolling onto his tummy from his back and his back from his tummy and starting with some consecutive rolls - not long and he will be highly mobile. Just a few pictures of my every growing little man - he is getting very heavy and will undoubtedly outweigh his brother by Christmas.

Playing on his dino blanket from Auntie Cherie

Hanging out in Cloquet

He loves to talk - wonder where that comes from?

Just a few more pictures to show how much they adore each other. I have to be honest. It has been a lot of work. Full time job, 2 young boys, doctorate coursework, and a husband who works a lot of long hours. However, everyday they both do at least one thing that makes it all worthwhile. I love my family and wouldn't trade it for anything.

Matching outfits from the Jamesons

Love!

Nathaniel loves to chill with  Andrew in his crib.

OTD

Last week Thurs and Fri I had orientation on campus at St. Kate's for my doctoral program. It was both overwhelming and exciting. We are the first OTD class at St. Kate's. This is again very exciting, but in some ways intimidating as well. Our cohort consists of 4 St. Kate's grads. All 4 of us work in the school system and 3/4 of us work together in St. Paul Public Schools in early childhood. The fourth one works in another district, but graduated with one of us St. Paul folk. The other 2 in our cohort are from Iowa and teach in the OT department at St. Ambrose. We seem like a good fit for a group and I am excited to get to know everyone a little better over the next 2 1/2 to 3 years.

Andrew joined me in orientation all day both days. He is still eating every 2 hours so it would have been more difficult for me to be separated from him that to bring him along. He was not lacking for attention and did fabulously well both days. Everyone was eager to pass him around and take turns in giving me a break when Andrew wasn't hungry or needing a diaper change. I didn't take any pictures at orientation, but did buy Andrew a St. Kate's onesie. With 2 boys I won't have a "Katie", but I felt he needed a St. Kate's shirt, especially since the boys have "future U of MN Law Student" shirts. I figure it only fair to make Andrew at least where a shirt from my school.

I am excited about the opportunities this will hopefully bring. I have begun to look through my coursework and I am looking forward to the first course. We will see how I feel in a few weeks when we are in the full swing of classes. Just one picture today of my 6 week old in his St. Kate's shirt.

6 week old Andrew

30 months and 1 months

Nathaniel turned 30 months on Tuesday and Andrew turned 1 month today. I can't believe I have been a mom for 2 1/2 years already. Where has the time gone?

Andrew had his 1 month check-up today and everything looks great. He is growing well and now weighs 10 lbs even (he was 6 lbs 11 ozs when we left the hospital on Dec 14th). It is no wonder that I feel like I am feeding him non-stop and that when I am not feeding him I am preparing food and eating with Nathaniel. So happy to have another healthy boy!

My 2 1/2 year old continues to be clever and cunning and works on many ways to get my attention for good or bad throughout the day. More and more he is getting used to our new routine, but doesn't like being home without lots to do. He is so used to being out and about and around other people that mommy gets boring. Thankfully it has been warm enough to venture out with the two relatively easily. I am not so sure he will be happy with a day at home that I have planned for tomorrow. But maybe helping with laundry, dishes, vacuuming, and dusting will do the trick.

He got weighed today as well and gained 4 more ounces for a total of 24 lbs 12 ozs. He started off gaining well (not as much as Andrew, but steady - 11 lbs at 2 months). I really hope Andrew continues to eat well and gain so that I don't have this worry with both boys. My other worry with Nathaniel is random vomiting. I am so thankful that he is able to tell us when he needs to throw up. However I am very worried by the random out of the blue vomiting episodes he has had this past month. No medical reason for the slow weight gain could be found - just small appetite and appetite for lower calorie foods (fruits and veggies). I will be checking in with the acupuncturist again soon and monitoring things closely again. I am just so thankful he is healthy and developing new skills all the time. Just wish we could figure out this weight gain and tummy business.

So much to be thankful for today and over these past 2 1/2 years of being a mommy and past month of being a mommy of 2. I couldn't ask for better boys. Amidst the exhaustion and terrible twos and non-stop nursing I really find so many simple joys in my boys and our family.

Whirlwind

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind. Andrew is 4 weeks old - he will be one month old tomorrow. Anthony has been back to work full time for a little over a week. Nathaniel is getting used to his brother more and more. And me, well I am getting the hang of long days with both boys on my own and learning to handle the endless challenges of a very clever 2 year old. I even managed to care for my 2 boys and my nephew for a few hours with a little help from my baby sister. She thinks I can handle three and wants Anthony and I to get started on having a niece for her. I keep telling her not for a long while and maybe not ever. It has been fun having all the boys together and watching the new things they are all doing and learning every day. Here are some pictures of the boys hanging out on the floor together yesterday.

All 3 hanging out on the floor

Andrew and Nikolas kicking away

Andrew - 4 weeks and 1 day old

The next few weeks are going to fly too. Tomorrow both boys get weighed. I am excited to see how much my hungry little one has grown this past month. He is so long in some of his 3 month clothes already and getting some chubby legs too. I am hoping Nathaniel has gained a little and isn't just maintaining. We are going to make a trip into my work briefly tomorrow and then visit Oma and Opa (who is finally home after lots of tests and 6 days in the hospital).

Next week Monday all 3 boys are having their pictures taken in matching outfits (1 month, 4 months, and 30 months - super fun) and then Thursday and Friday Andrew will get introduced to St. Catherine University as I will be bringing him along with me to my OTD orientation. Lucky Nathaniel gets to have a day with Grandma Betts and a second day with her and Nikolas. And then the following week my cousin Amy is getting married. Before I know it January will be over and February will be here and I'll be going back to work. By then I'll probably be starting to get the swing of things around here with 2 little men.

Just a few more pictures from Andrew's Baptism and one from Andrew's first Edelweiss party. I will be sure to update on the boys' weights - hopefully sooner than later.

Andrew's introduction to Edelweiss - 1 week old

Wearing the same gown as mommy, aunties, and big brother wore

Wide eyed and ready for cake

Nathaniel loved watching Andrew get Baptized