Monday, November 30, 2009

Are You Ready for Some Football?

Parker is, along with his serious game face!


He's a Drooling Machine!!!

We can't get many pictures these days without drool or bubbles! Guess we'll have to get out the bibs. I can't imagine the drool once he starts teething!

Another good weekend and we are prayful that it will continue!!!

Parker's First Christmas Ornament


The day after Thanksgiving we went out and bought Parker his first Christmas ornament from Hallmark. As you can see, he is excited. :-)


Thanksgiving Surprise


Since our plans changed and we stayed in Plano and Laurie and Henry went to the Cowboys game, they came by and visited us and Uncle Henry clipped Parker's nails again while Aunt Laurie fed him.(Thanks Henry!)

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving

Don't let this picture fool you.....our plans for Thanksgiving changed, we ate Thanksgiving lunch at 11:30 am in our pjs, Black Friday ads are scattered all over the living room, and while we ate Thanksgiving lunch, Parker slept in his swing. However, we've had a great day in our own way!!! We have so much to be thankful for: our families, loyal friends and a God that is merciful!

We hope you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Test Results

I called and talked to Dr. Baker's nurse (and I hope the Thanksgiving break will help her attitude!!!) and she said the test was normal that we did on Friday. We are to call back in 2 weeks and let Dr. Baker know how Parker is doing. If the symptoms are no better, we will need to do an EGD. Here is some information on this test: http://www.giforkids.com/?a=Procedures&b=Upper%20Endoscopy%20(EGD%20or%20esophagogastroduodenoscopy)

We are no longer giving Parker Tylenol and so far, he is doing fine. We did buy some Hyland's tablets. During crying fits, these tablets help to calm him down. We are still giving him Prevacid, Gripe Water and (of course) Mylicon.

We are hopeful and prayful that our "good days" continue and our little boy will continue to feel better. I know he has been feeling better for the past 4 days because he is smiling!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Comparison Picture

This bathtime picture is from 9/24/09:
And this one is from 11/19/09:
To me, he doesn't look like the same baby!

Daddy Can Always Make Him Smile

When Bryan gets home, he and Parker will sit and "talk". Bryan can always get Parker to smile. I finally got it on camera!

No news from the doctor yet....

Friday, November 20, 2009

X-rays

This picture was taken before all the excitement began. Parker did really well this morning...Partly because his Daddy had just fed him and got him to sleep. The only time Parker fussed was when the tech had him pinned down. This was the same kind of test and equipement from when we did the upper GI.

The doctor doing the test was very good and showed us where the contrast filled the bladder and did NOT reflux into the kidneys! Praise God....this is what we prayed for! Now we will wait for Dr. Baker to get these results and see what the next step is from here.

Thanks for your prayers, calls and emails!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Next Test....This Pains Me!

We are going back to Plano Pediatric Imaging tomorrow at 8 a.m. We are thankful that Parker doesn't have to be fasting BUT they have to insert a catheter. Ugh! The test is called a VCUG (without sedation). Maybe they should sedate the parents. The test should only take about 20 minutes. Here is some more info:

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=voidcysto#part_seven

Please pray for our boy!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Test Results

Dr. Baker called (love that!) just now saying Parker's right kidney is enlarged or dilated. He mentioned this to us when we met with him on Monday, as this happens a lot in babies this young. The condition is known as Hydronephrosis and is explained in detail here (with pictures):

http://www.pedisurg.com/PtEduc/Antenatal_Hydronephrosis.htm

Dr. Baker has ordered some more tests to confirm this diagnosis. It is possible that these additional tests could show an immature kidney/bladder function as opposed to blockage.

I know nothing more and no, I am not going to Google it because you only find the worst cases, it seems, on the internet. As always, we'll keep praying and I hope you will too. More to come...

BTW...I think it's kind of odd that I had kidney stones while I was pregnant with Parker and now he is having kidney problems....hmmm....

My, How Times Have Changed

One of the nurses from our birthing class told us to take a picture leaving the hospital in front of our car. She said our child would look back at that picture one day and laugh at the car we were driving. We did so and I haven't shared the picture as of yet because it's not a great picture! However, I ran across the picture of my Mom bringing me home and so I couldn't pass up posting both pictures. Again, neither are good pictures so NO laughing or reprinting!

8/8/76: My Mom bringing (carrying) me home from the hospital
9/11/09: Bryan & me bringing Parker home from the hospital

Abdominal Ultrasound

We went for the ultrasound yesterday (Tuesday) and it was fast and pain-free. As you can see, Parker was fine. They checked his gall bladder, kidneys, pancreas, stomach and bladder. Nothing else to report right now. Once we get the results, we'll let you know. We are still praying that everything checks out ok!


Monday, November 16, 2009

GI Appointment Update

We went to the GI doctor this morning and based on Parker's medical records and a thorough exam, Dr. Baker wants to check Parker's kidneys. We have an ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow at 10am. We will know the results of this test before the end of the week. Dr. Baker doesn't expect to find anything but of course you have to go through an entire list of things to find one thing. We'll keep you updated.

Parker's stats: 12lbs 5oz and 23.5" long

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Weekend Update



This is what five days of no major issues looks like.  Parker has been in a much better mood as of late.  We haven't had any major screaming spells due to pain.  We have him on a regimen of several different medications which we don't plan on being an ongoing thing.  We have our appointment with the GI doctor tomorrow to learn more.  We'll keep you posted.





Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Mr. Fan

Bryan & Parker looking at Mr. Fan. If there is a fan in the room, Parker does not take his eyes off of it. If I am rocking him in the living room and he can't see the fan, he will find the fan in the study and stare at it for a while. So funny!

Update

No matter how Parker feels, he still loves taking a bath. This was last night.

The new formula, which was milk-based, did not treat Parker well over the weekend. The doctor told us to switch back to the formula that we were on and add a thickening agent to the formula before he eats. With the formula being thicker, it helps keep the stomach acids down. We have an appointment with a gastroenterologist on Monday. We are also trying some Gripe Water, which is a natural solution of Fennel and Ginger. It acts kind of like a Ginger Ale would for a grown up.

One thing (there are many, I know) I am thankful for is the nice weather outside. We walk around the neighborhood a lot which Parker seems to like.

Keep praying that my little guy will feel better soon!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Too Early for Christmas?


We don't think so! We are getting a head start on the outdoor decor since we haven't done any decorating outside in the past. We were replacing the red lights that we have with white lights. Parker & Millie enjoyed the red lights.

Our First Trip to Lowe's

While this may not be the perfect picture, we had to document Parker's first trip to Lowe's yesterday. I believe we (along with some other members of our family) have kept Lowe's in business over the years. We were shopping for trees to plant and Lowe's was on our list of places to shop. However, as you can see in the picture, they didn't have much to pick from.

Friday, November 6, 2009

And With a New Day Brings Hope

Maybe it's the Tylenol or the answer to prayers or a combo of both but today brings new hope! No crying today and a lot of sleeping. I am sure he is catching up from yesterday.

Thanks to all who have called and for your prayers!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Two Month Check-Up

Well, it started out as a bad day and just got worse. Parker started crying around 9:30 a.m. and didn't calm down until 3ish. Poor guy!

We had the 2 month appointment (with SHOTS!) this sfternoon. Parker is now 11.5lbs and 23" long.

He received 5 vaccines, which included 3 shots and 1 oral medication. He got 2 shots in one leg and 1 in the other leg. He was not happy and neither was I!

BUT, after a little cuddling, he calmed down. He was only up for one pic with daddy. Our next appointment is at 4 months, which will be 1/8/10. The new plan is to change formulas again, check his kidneys by way of a culture that was obtained today and if not any better in a week, we will go see a gastroenterologist. Your prayers are very much appreciated!!!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

First Photo Session at Two Weeks Old

A little late with this post but just a couple pictures that Tom (www.tomkphotography.com) took when Parker was only 2 weeks old. Time is flying by already!


Monday, November 2, 2009

Hmmmm......


Bryan             Parker     
What do you think??