Recent Cuteness

Can't get enough of this little gal!

Church Baby Dedication

October 28, 2012, Indian Springs Christian Church in Kingsport

We took part in our church's baby dedication service. It is a service where we pledged to raise Anna Ruth to respect and love God, surround her by church activities where she can grow into full maturity in the life of faith, and look forward to the time when she voluntarily affirms her faith and acknowledges Christ as her own Savior. It was so special to make those commitments as parents in front of our church family. It was also a wonderful reminder that she is a beautiful gift from God!

Our good friend Kelly

Our wonderful minister Mike with Anna Ruth

Special Visitors

In October, my best friend Rachel, her mother and her two kiddos came all the way from Jackson, TN to visit us. They spent the afternoon with us and we all had a wonderful time catching up. So glad my childhood best friend could meet my daughter. We really do wish we lived closer!

Rachel meeting Anna Ruth for the first time

We have so many fun memories together!

My extended family

Acid Reflux

If you have ever had reflux then you know the pain associated with it. If you are a parent of a baby who suffers from it then you know what a nightmare it is not only the child but for you. Anna Ruth was diagnosed with reflux when she was only a few weeks old. She has silent reflux which I have been told can be more painful for the infant because they never actually spit up, it just travels up the esophagus and back down, burning the whole time. I had reflux before I got pregnant and know what it feels like and that is why it kills me to see her suffering.

It was nice to finally figure out why she was crying all the time. If I had a dollar for every time someone said she is just suffering from colic, I would be one wealthy lady. Talking with our pediatrician and doing hours of research, I discovered that colic is not a diagnosis. It is simply a term used to describe symptoms of "fussy" babies. In fact, there really is no clear definition of colic. There are however developmental stages and times of the evening when lots of babies are not happy and seem to cry more than others (again, not colic). But, Anna Ruth was not happy for most of the day. I would find myself standing up bouncy up and down for the majority of the day just to keep her from crying. Talk about a major leg workout! Heaven forbid I put her down or even sit down while holding  her. She would scream her head off.

We have been playing around with medications to see which one(s) will help her best. Currently, she is on 2 different ones. I know that they are helping some, in fact, I would hate to think how she would be if she wasn't on them. Still, they aren't making the reflux totally disappear. She still has feeding issues which, in turn, leads to sleeping issues. And while she is not near as fussy as she was in the beginning, she defiantly has her times in the day when she is hurting. And during those times, I cry along with her because I so wish I could take away her pain.

Another issues is that she seems to only be really content with me. Of course that leads to comments about how I have "spoiled" her. Well, those comments really get to me because of course I am going to pick up my child when she is hurting and comfort her. I am a Mother and that's what you do to take care of your child. I am the one that is with her most of the day and therefore she is more use to me. And the reason that she isn't content with anyone else besides myself or Clint is because everyone is so quick to give her back to me saying, "She just wants her mommy." So, how will she ever get use to others?

I realize this sounds like a venting post. And maybe it is...no sleep and long days will do that to you. But, really I wanted to explain why my child doesn't seem as happy as some babies. I don't even know why I feel compelled to justify it to anyone. I just wish people could see the sweet smiles and laughter I get during the day and the happy times. Unfortunately, most of that happens when it is just the two of us or with Clint. We know we have a happy baby underneath all the pain.

I also want to make clear that I am extremely thankful for an otherwise healthy baby. When I was pregnant and we got back the test results that showed an abnormality for Downs Syndrome, I prayed that God would make her healthy. And He did and I haven't forgotten that fact. She is such a blessing to our family! I know she will grown out of this and even if she doesn't, I wouldn't trade her for a million other non-reflux babies.

3 Months!

Not sure if you can tell the change of a month from these pictures, but we certainly can. Her hair is growing out now and it looks like the color of Clint's hair, dirty blond. Just can't wait to see what this little lady is going to look like when she gets a bit bigger. So far, most everyone thinks she looks like Clint. I have to agree!

Bath time

AR's favorite time of the evening...can't you tell? She is such a happy bath baby!

Happy Halloween

It was a cold Halloween this year so our little pumpkin stayed in her PJs all day. Which was a good thing since we didn't have a costume. We really couldn't justify buying one when we weren't going anywhere. :)