A Sort of Quick Update

It's been two months since I last updated. I'll start with Sydney. Originally we were planning on sending her to pre-k instead of kindergarten. In March, we were both helpers for her preschool class and her teacher said that she's made a lot of improvements since Christmas. Her teacher felt that Sydney would do great in kindergarten. She has her orientation on April 20. She's interacting with her peers more and seems to be talking more with the kids. Sharing is a big thing that we work on since she doesn't have anyone to share with at home. She's becoming more protective of Brooke. One time, she spent the night in Brooke's room. She talked to Brooke for several hours before falling asleep. It warms my heart to see her trying to interact with Brooke more. She is a fabulous big sister!

Brooke has been doing well with her g-tube. Since her January appointment, she's been at 29-30 lbs. This week we've been dealing with a sick Brooke. On Tuesday, she was fussy before school but there was no mention of fussiness while she was at school. Later that night she ended up spitting up and had a temperature. I managed to get her temperature down but when she got up Wednesday morning, it was back up. My plan was to just keep her home and to monitor her fever. She threw up so I called the doctor. We took her in the afternoon and she was tested for several things. She was swabbed for strep and had an X-ray done for pneumonia. Fortunately both of those came back negative. Her doctor noticed that she had a tiny bit of liquid in her right ear but that may have been caused by all of her congestion. Sydney and I are allergic to amoxicillin so he was ok with Brooke getting a different antibiotic. Sadly my insurance doesn't cover what was prescribed so we'll call in the morning to get another script. Hopefully the antibiotic will prevent her from getting an ear infection.

This is something I've probably already said but I'll say it again. I am constantly amazed at the excellent health our daughters have. Most of friends are dealing with horrendous illnesses and for some, it never ends. We are extremely blessed that our girls haven't had to experience anything horrible.....yet. Growing up I was rarely sick so maybe they got their kick ass immune systems from me. :)

I haven't been feeling well lately but I'm going to the doctor today (Thursday) and hopefully I'll figure out what's up. I have a feeling I know what it is. :)

Brooke's Buttons

During Brooke's follow up appointment with the surgeon, the nurse saw Brooke's button cover and mentioned that a lot of parents ask about alternates to gauze and tape. After thinking about it for a little bit, I decided I would make a bunch of covers and see what happens.

I will make them out of: organic bamboo velour which will go against the site area, organic bamboo french terry which will be a middle layer, organic bamboo fleece which will be on top and possibly the last layer if no designs are wanted and a variety of flannels and cotton prints on top. I will use KAM plastic snaps as the closure. I'm not sure how much I will sell them for but I will make a decision before I activate my FB page.

My plan is to make a lot to send to Children's Hospital. I will sew up little bags and include two pads and a business card in each bag. The parents and guardians can try them out free of charge and if they decide that they like them, they can order from my FB page.

My organic bamboo fabrics should arrive within a week so I hope to have a box ready to send to Children's by the beginning of March. I hope I have a lot of success with Brooke's Buttons. :)

Follow Up with the Surgeon

On Thursday, January 26, we headed down to Children's Hospital for Brooke's follow up appointment with her surgeon. Sydney had spent the night and was spending the day with my mom so that we could give Brooke our attention 100%. We didn't have to wait very long which is always nice. The nurse weighed her and she was 29 lbs! That's a six pound weight gain since her got her tube on November 28, 2011. The doctor was very pleased with her gain. Since she hadn't had her tube taken out before the appointment, she was in pretty good shape. She does have some granulation so silver nitrate was applied. It burned a little so diaper rash cream was added to help soothe the area.

I changed her button and I'm pretty sure I'll be the one changing it from now on. It was very easy and it could be done by one person but it is nice having the extra set of hands. She doesn't have to go back until the end of July. :)

I looked online a lot for button covers and decided that I would make my own. I still need to perfect the pattern but I got an idea when the nurse mentioned that a lot of parents always ask about alternates to gauze and tape. Once the pattern is perfected, I could make up a bunch of these and send them to the hospital. Then the parents can choose a few to try out. I would have part of the proceeds go towards the hospital. I was also thing of making up little wet bags (bags with a waterproof lining) and put little handle on the bag so that it can be easily attached to cribs, strollers, etc. I'll have to research the materials used and see what can be bought within my budget. It's just an idea but hopefully I can turn into something that will provide us with a little more income.