Laryngomalacia...our little boy's struggle

When our children are born they are nothing but perfect in our eyes!  10 tiny fingers wrapped tightly around yours, 10 little toes that are absolutely perfect in your eyes, and you gaze in wonderment at the miracle you have brought into this world.  You will go to all lengths to protect them from anything. 

Our journey with Laryngomalacia began around Thanksgiving of 2011 when we got back from our Turkey weekend at the trailer.  About a week later our lil man caught a cold and it seemed he was forever getting rid of the cough and he always sounded like he had wheezy or laboured breathing.  Out of concern I booked a doctor's appointment.  Now Dallin has always had funny breathing and to us that was normal, we didn't know there would be anything wrong. 

By the time we saw the doctor in the beginning of November, we ended up being hospitalized for what they believed was an RSV virus or bronchiolitis.  Neither of which he had, but the treatments they provided him definitely helped.  It wasn't until the next week, when we arrived back at emerg again, that they tried a different approach.  They still did his treatments, but they also called for the Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist to come in and have a peek.  Upon his departure it was discovered that Dallin had been diagnosed with Laryngomalacia.  Nothing life threatening, by any means but the road ahead for the next 2 years atleast is going to be long and most likely "gravel with big potholes"  LOL, as I like to put it!

Laryngomalacia simply put means floppy trachea, so when Dallin breathes his trachea collapses where a normal baby's would expand.  So it makes eating and breathing a little difficult and if he gets sick, than it makes things a lot more difficult.  

Laryngomalacia: The epiglottis is small and curled on itself (omega-shaped). Approximation of the posterior edges of the epiglottis contributes to the inspiratory obstruction.

So far to date,  he's been hospitalized twice and has had 3 colds in his short 4.5 months.  The winter has been against us from the start, with the fluctuating temperatures, it's hard to keep the germs out.  You can only disinfect things so much, and I have since taken to disinfecting twice a day.  I refuse to keep my son in a bubble because he might get sick, but at the same time I try to stay indoors as much as possible, while he gets over whatever virus he has at the time. 

We were back at the hospital the other day as something wasn't right.  It's pretty bad when the local hospital knows you and your child by name.  But, I'd rather him be there and nothing be wrong than be at home and something terrible be wrong.  Turns out is was nothing really, until we got home and confirmed ourselves that our son has a intolerance to lactose.  We had just started a new box of cereal, the "Just Add Water" kind.  It's just add water because the milk products are formulated into the cereal.  No wonder he wasn't right...poor little guy's tummy was hurting!  So, now on top of Laryngomalacia, we now have to keep an eye on everything that enters his mouth as well. 

So, the next two years while he grows out of his Laryngomalacia (hopefully), maybe he'll be one of the lucky ones and grow out of his milk allergy!  But, for now we'll live and learn and have fun in the process.  Nothing beats having a child...so we will not dwell on this.  We will take it one day at a time, and keep on truckin' like we always do!  We will be fortunate that it is nothing worse and pray for those who struggle daily!  We may not know you, but our prayers are with you. 

Love, hugs and kisses to all

Cereal Anyone???

It seems that as the days go on...my boy gets messier and messier as he eats his cereal.  I have taken to feeding him with nothing but a diaper on.  If he would sit in the reclined chair it would definitely be easier...but NO...my son thinks he's a big boy and wants to sit like a big boy in the high chair.  This definitely makes feeding cereal a little different!  About half way through I give up altogether trying to keep his hands outta his mouth!

He's a kid...he's supposed to get dirty, that's what baths are for!!!  LOL!!! But, I'm so glad he loves his cereal! He almost loves his cereal more than his Bubba...but not quite! 

There's nothing like watching your child grow before your very eyes, especially while you are watching him develop his tastes buds and learn his chewing techniques. 

For now, I'll enjoy these messy moments, as soon I won't have them.  And I'll mostly enjoy those extra sweet moments we spend together in the bubbles, splashing and swimming and squealing with delight.  These are the moments that will grow as my boy does, these are the moments I need to cherish forever!

Love, hugs and kisses to all!

Bye bye January...Hello February already????

Oh my time flies!

Especially with a little one.  This time last year, I just nearly learned I was pregnant and I remember thinking with heavy shoulders that September would never arrive!  And now that September, October, November, December and just about January have come and gone, I'm thinking that time can officially slow down. 

I'm 4 months old!!!

There are not enough hours in the day to be able to deeply breath in that wonderful, sweet scent of my little man; to watch as he learns and discovers new things everyday; or just to spend those few quiet moments before bed.  Please time...stand still for just a moment so I can have more of these special moments with my precious little one! 

Me and my girlfriend Abigail!  She's so cute!!! 

Over the past month, Dallin has grown ever so much!  And he's dying to get going!  He just fits into the walker that Nana and Poppa smuggled over the border and he is slowly learning how to operate it.  Look out, because in about a week or two I'll be chasing him up and down the hallways! 

Me n My New Wheels!!! Wheee!!!

We've also offically started cereal.  We first started with once a day in the morning for breakfast, but that quickly got increased to twice a day when he got over his last cold and was beginning to wake up throughout the nights again.  He loves his cereal.  It's quite comical to watch him eat it though, because he can't quite sit in the highchair yet without leaning over, so it's always interesting with every bite to figure out where his mouth will be...sometimes we have to hold his head back to shovel it in there otherwise it just falls right back out.  At dinner time he usually eats with just the diaper on, so it's easy access in case a sink bath is needed lol!!!  Oh mister, you bring so much joy to Mommy's life!!! 

Where's my Cereal???

We also see the beginnings of wanting to crawl!  One day I have a feeling I'll run into the kitchen for something and when I come back to the living room he'll be motoring around!  I won't be able to get the camera ready fast enough. 

Do I fit in here?

This winter has definitely been a trying one with illnesses.  I'm sure there are many more to come too!  Living in a house full of adults who bring god knows what in, the little gaffer is bound to get sickly.  We've been in the hosptial for a second time at the beginning of the month, right after New Year's.  We were in again for 2 nights, and he is just recently getting over another cold, but we are taking every precaution to not have to return to the hospital!!! 

In the jail bed again :(

My sweet little prince has also become an avid swimmer at the Breithaupt Centre where both he and his big brother have been enrolled in swimming.  He absolutely loves it and it brought joy to my heart to be able to create that experience with him!  He even let me dunk him! He's such a big boy!

Look at me blow bubbles in the water!

Spent the first night away from Mommy and Daddy as he went to spend the weekend with Aunti Mani and Uncle Mike, while Mommy did some much needed bedroom cleaning!  With the humidifier in his room the walls got so salty and I couldn't stand touching anything in there anymore!  So Daddy and I cleaned until Midnight, and then spent the night in Niagara Falls on Saturday.  I know it probably seems weird that we went away when we had the house to ourselves, but we hadn't been there in a while and for Stephane it's like going home.  Stephane doesn't get to see what is left of his family much if at all, so to take him to Niagara Falls is like going home!  I know he enjoys it, and we enjoy our time together!  But, boy were we sure glad to see our little munchkin on Sunday when we met Aunti Mani in Vaughan!  Hopefully he was equally as excited!

Laying in my unborn cousins bed! Tee hee hee!!!

Well the monster is finally waking up from the longest nap I think he's ever had in the morning, so I better sign off with hopes to not be so long in posting another blog.

Me, Aunti Mandi and Jackers!!!

Love, hugs and kisses to all!

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2012! A new year means a clean slate!  Not that Stephane and I had a bad year last year, our slate was pretty clean, but boy oh boy was it full of memorous occasions.  I can't wait for another year of amazing memories!

We rang in the New Year as a complete family, as we offered to take Robin!  We knew that both boys would be in bed early, and that Stephane and I might not be too far behind them, as we were all sick.  But, Stephane and I didn't manage to make it until 12:10 I think!  LOL!!! YAY for us!

All New Year's Eve day Stephane and Robin played games on the Wii.  Robin I think is addicted to bowling!!  It's so cute to watch him bowl too, and sometimes he does better than Daddy!  They also played a few other games, while I did some things around the house and took care of Dallin.  They took a slight break to help me take down the Christmas tree, and then were back at it again.  I got to test out my new video camera Stephane bought me for Christmas and it worked perfectly! 

Dallin watching Robin golf

We had finger food for dinner after Dallin went to bed and played some of Robin's new games he got for Christmas.  He loves the memory game, he didn't quite understand what you were supposed to do at first.  But, oh man look out, because now he just whips the cards over and you've got to be really quick to see them! 

After Robin went to bed, Stephane and I washed bottles and played Cribbage.  WOOHOO!!! Such the party animals we are!  We rang in another year together, and as always, it there is nothing like ringing in the new year with the one you love.  It puts a twinkle in your eye and wraps your heart in the warmest hug! 

New Year's Day was very entertaining.  We took Robin home around 2ish, and as Dallin and I were waiting in the car for Daddy to come back, suddenly the back door opens and Robin's back, with tears in his eyes.  He didn't want to go home just yet.  He wanted to stay another night with Daddy!  So, back home we went.  For another afternoon of bowling and games!

January 2, 2012 there was a free skate at the local arena that I promised Robin we'd take him too!  My parents got him some new skates for Christmas and I wanted him to be able to use them right away.  So, there's no better way than taking him to the Tim Horton's free skate!!!

It was an amazing afternoon, Stephane wasn't feeling well, so while Dallin had his afternoon nap, I took Robin skating.  As I was getting his skates on, Robin was frantically waving to someone, and I had no idea who he would know out in New Hamburg.  As I turned around I saw Aunt Jennie and Uncle Eric!  That was quite a surprise!  Robin could hardly contain himself!  As soon as he stepped on the ice, I barely had time to say hello and Uncle Eric had his arms around Robin saying lets go!  It was awesome to see that!  I cannot find words to tell you how I felt!  It was priceless!  So, I whipped out the video camera and video taped my big boy's first time skating! 

When I took over, Robin was bound and determined to do it on his own!  Unfortunately all the bars were in use, so my back was set to suffer a little.  I was there to catch him every step of the way.  Near the end of the hour he was actually skating on his own for a little bit.  He had to remember to lean forward and go slow.  He also had to remember to look straight ahead instead of watching what everyone else was doing.  He's quite notorious for that!  Eventually we did get a red bar and he made it one lap around the ice before he was ready for his hot chocolate!  I was so proud of him! I wished that Daddy could have been there to see him, but Aunt Jennie and Uncle Eric were perfect!  I did call them later to thank them again, it meant a lot to me!

The rest of the afternoon Robin and I went out for lunch and got the promised hot chocolate and then went home and spent time with Daddy and Dallin! 

Our year started off with some very amazing moments!  We can only hope your year is filled with lots of love, happiness and above all memories!  Cherish whatever memories you make, as we will cherish ours!  We wish you all much joy and health!  You are always in our thoughts, and I hope you continue to follow along, as you watch Dallin in his first year! 

Love, hugs and kisses!