Western Day

Thank God Samantha is feeling tons better. Her gums are still a little sensitive, but everyday she is able to eat like her old self again. Today was her Western Day party at school and she was adorable (and her teacher said she ate like a little piggy)! I wish any one of us was able to attend with her; there was a petting zoo and face painting! She said she petted the horse and tried to hold a chicken! As for her face painting, she requested a bat. The mommy told me that while all the other kids wanted hearts and rainbows, Samantha just wanted a bat! That's our girl! :)

 

The  bat

 Grandma started her chemo today. We are pulling for her and so far she has handled it like a champ! No Way Jose! (Daddy's old shirt and saying)

Funny Side Story~ Not allowing Sam to watch Dumbo for the millionth time this evening, we played with her babies in her room. She was being all maternal and changing all their diapers. When Daddy came home, he came and relaxed on the floor with me and a few minutes later Sam came back, pulled her pillow off her bed and forced it under my head (Daddy was already lying on the cow pillow). She took 2 washcloths and placed one on each of our backs, got us each a baby doll and a book, kissed us both night-night, walked out and closed the door behind her. Daddy accidentally kicked the trash can and she came in demanding "What was that?" I told her Daddy kicked the trash can, then she moved it across the room and left again. Daddy kept telling me to cry, so I started to and Sam came apologizing with hugs and babies and invited me to go lay in her bed, but I stayed on the floor. Then she started singing Twinkle Twinkle in the sweetest little voice <3

PS~ She said that she fed a big horse. I really wish someone could have been there! I just get these "stories".

Up A Little More

Samantha's feeling better! She'll even tell you. She's again eating more substantial foods, now if we could brush her teeth again without the pain. And we're hoping for no blood in her mouth in the morning.

~art~

It breaks my heart when Sam's down and sick, but on the other side it warms my heart how well she receives then passes on the care. Daddy has sore legs from playing paintball the other day and told Samantha how his legs hurt. She kept repeating, "I'm sorry, Daddy." Daddy had to make sure she understand that it wasn't her fault, then she immediately grabbed Mama's shirt and wrapped it around his foot and hugged and kissed it. Then she called for some Mama-lovin' as well and grabbed her doctor kit for us to fix him.

Our lil' MD...

95%

Samantha is almost there! She feels so much better that she is starting to eat more non-liquified items. Last night she had 2 helpings of chocolate oatmeal, this morning chocolate chip pancakes, (lunch was a bust) and for dinner she gobbled up small bits of chicken, mashed cauliflower and a roll! We're using salt wash 3 times a day, mouth wash 3-4 times a day and Magic Mouthwash as needed. I think they are really helping her mouth heal faster... and definitely helping her breath smell better! Can't wait til she's 110%!!!

Silly Billy

Samantha woke up fever-free, with a little mouth pain and quite groggy; but after a little bit she was ready to go-go-go! She was so excited to see Grandma and Naters! She seems to be back to her especially sweet and happy self, but she's definitely not 100%. We'll still do what we can to make her feel better.

She got a new roller coaster! Weee

And a new 'doggy': "His name is Farts. He poops a lot."

"I Feel Better"

Samantha's mouth bled all over the pillow and sheets last night, and besides her up and down of emotions, it was a good day. She's starting to feel a little better... Nothing a little Dumbo and new books can't fix.

making her own oatmeal

Half Mama's. Half Daddy's. Half Down. Half Up.

Daddy and I split the day to watch Samantha, so we were both able to get work time and cuddle time. I decided to bring her in to the doctor first thing this morning, for the just in case. I was correct, Sam does have gingivostomatitis and it's yucky! Dr. Lam checked her mouth and it had spread to her tonsils and down her throat (luckily hands and feet were all clear and tested negative for Strep), so she gave us a recipe for Magic Mouthwash, and luckily I work in a pharmacy and had everything at a hand's reach to make it. It is suppose to numb the sores to help her eat and drink without it hurting so much. Whew! and it helped a lot! Tonight was the first time she ate something more than applesauce or ice cream for a meal- she had Daddy's special beef stroganoff, but just the noodles and sauce. Of course, she enjoyed a special afterwards, chocolate pudding!... and I was able to brush her teeth oh so very lightly :) I think after a nice dinner, a nice bath with hair washed and semi-clean teeth, she is going to be better tomorrow. She was still about 100.5 at bed time, but her spirit was high, so I was against the pain meds.

"Dr. Lam, I don't feel good."

I got a mystery flavored lolli!

 

Home Diagnosis

Well, Samantha is still sick. She was up throughout the night and still with a fever (~101-102*) and we still went to work this morning and had Grandma watch our lil' Hot Pocket. I also did a little research about swollen gums and fever and although I'm no MD, I think I diagnosed her to have gingivostomatitis. All the symptoms match up: fever (up to 104), swollen gums, irritability, lack of appetite and thirst, bad breath/drooly, and this one when I looked this evening, sores in her mouth/on her lips. Daddy and I even spotted a large one in the back of her throat. So, the next question: Do we go to the doctor even though we know it's a virus and the only suggestion the doctor will give us is "No antibiotics will help. Just keep her comfortable."? Hmm, I guess I'll call in the morning and see what she wants to do!

Dinner + Dumbo = A Happy Place

A Feverish Celebration

Samantha came down with a fever last night and was up multiple times throughout the night. She was still pretty under the weather this morning, until the Ibuprofen kicked in, then she was ready to celebrate Nate's birthday! She had a great time at the party bouncing, sliding, and avoiding the water balloon fight (like last year), but had enough once we overstayed the time limit. The fever came back and she was just yuck. No runny nose or anything, but she says her arms and back hurt and her gums looked swollen all around to me. Hoping she feels better tomorrow!

Everyone's tired. It's time to go.

Kite Festival II

We went to the Leander Kite Festival hoping that we would get our kite up without having to fight about a million others, like at Zilker. Although there was lots of space to fly, the wind came in intervals. We'd get a kite up quickly and just as quick, it would come shooting down. So.... we went to the water and threw/skipped rocks.

 

 

 

Crab Rangoon Style

Samantha made some deee-licious crab Rangoon with Grandma today!

 

 

Strong & Growing

When I picked Samantha up from school she smelled a little funky, like old lady funky. I thought maybe they had a visitor or someone that she hugged. I asked her who she hugged today and she said "Mama and Daddy" (although Daddy left very early for work this morning). I kept smelling her, wondering what it could be; and I even texted Daddy about it. Still wondering over it, I asked Sam if she put anything on her head, "Yeah, shaving cream! And I rubbed it all over my hair like this!" ha ha ha! That solves that!
This picture this morning makes me laugh!

We started Samantha on Flintstones vitamins tonight. She's not a very picky eater, but some days are better than others and the pedi said it would be best for her to be on them (although I had to ask about it). She loved them and wanted more!

Lil' Sweetness- Dr. Update (30month)

We stopped by the hospital to get some baked goodies from the March of Dimes bake sale honoring a friend Jess who lost her preemie last year. Samantha visited the pharmacy and had lunch with all the girls there and also ventured through the hospital and met a lot of Mama's nurse friends. Everyone asked her what her favorite cookie was and chocolate was the top answer (duh!).
She also kept requesting to go upstairs to visit the sick people and she wanted to see the babies. She invited me to go with her. 

After nap we went to the doctor for a check-up. She did great except she was pretty shy answering Dr. Sperling's questions. I forgot to mention Sam's ABC and 123 skills. Oh well.
Weight: 28 pounds (49 percentile)
Height: 34 inches (23 percentile)

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

We've been having a little problem with Samantha going to sleep at night. Somehow- at some point- we got totally off track with her sleep schedule. Lately, it's been like this: Wake up around 8 or 9am, nap 2:30- 5 or 5:15, dinner at 8, bedtime around 9:45, which she stays up until 11:30! and then this cycle repeats. Although she's been doing awesome in her new little girl bed, we've come across this problem. So, we decided to cut some sleep from her day, which when you wake her from nap when she's not ready, boy she is a FUSS BUCKET! We've had Grandma cut her nap down to an hour and a half yesterday and today she only slept in the car (twice). When we got home, I couldn't wake her for anything... Needless to say, we are back on track of sleeping by 9:30, awake at 7:45ish.

Cutting Links

Samantha learned how to use scissors today (the kid ones that were Daddy's) and she made an art project at Grandma's. She was so excited to show Daddy her links she taped up for him. It was beautiful... and she hung it on her dresser knobs.

Bed Book Worm

Samantha has been in her little girl bed just over a week and she has been doing a great job. It seems to take her a little longer to fall asleep because she's so proud to be independent she has to get up to go potty or get up for books. Since she was a baby, she loved having books in her bed and now that she is mobile, she will get up and get them and switch them out. Brainiac! We are going to have to try harder to put her in bed earlier so she has the time to wind down and not fall asleep at 11/11:30! Soon, we will also try to start night time potty training!

Shiner

Nate, Samantha and Stella. Sam's hiding behind a ice towel because she just got a bo-bo by a stethoscope.  Poor baby; she's going to feel it in the morning. Nonetheless, we had a great dinner with the Tonn's and Baby Stella is just as sweet as can be!

Sweet Cousins

Grandma strolled Samantha and Nate to the park for a picnic. They had such a great time playing and sliding. This is my favorite video that I received...

A Blu-tiful Flowery Day

After school we stopped to take some red poppy flower pictures and Samantha did not want to behave well. So, after nap we had our weekly play date with Christian and Ms. Wendi and brought the camera to hopefully get improved shots and sun. Ms. Wendi made the kids laugh so much, the pictures came out hilarious. Then she had a bright blue idea to take some blue bonnet pictures and we got in the car. The pictures were great!

 

 

 

 

 

*you know I don't spoil you and put the best pics on here ;)


Samantha also learned how to shuck corn tonight. Some parts were a little difficult, but she did it!