tummy specialist

We took Tyler to the pediatric gastrointestinal specialist this morning. We were referred to him because Tyler throws up all the time, and has had eating issues since birth. The visit didn't start well, but ended on a very positive note!

Chad took Tyler to the scale to do the standard height, weight and head circumference check. While in the exam room finishing up paperwork, I heard the nurse say his weight. I rushed out, as she repeated, "18 lbs. 15 oz." Tyler lost weight since his last doctor visit a couple weeks ago. I was initially very upset and concerned. He also hasn't grown in height (27 3/4") at all since his 6-month check. He's now in the 50% for both weight and height. I was very thankful that Chad came with us. He calmed me down and insisted that everything was okay. Tyler, of course, was just as happy as always and didn't seem to notice anything!

The doctor, dressed in a lime green Hawaiian shirt, came in a few minutes later and gave us a little more piece of mind. He asked about 10,000 questions, checked Tyler's tummy and took a sample of his poopy. He stopped several times to play with him and comment on his haircut (to which, I made a pouty face). The doctor said a lot, so here are the bullet points:

• Tyler's three-hour eating pattern is typical for a true breastfed baby, and we should not worry or try to change it. He is in a pattern of eating a certain [smaller] amount and is basically too old to change.
• Tyler most likely has "spitty baby syndrome," which means he has reflux or GERD. The majority of children (60-70%) outgrow this by 6 months. There are a small few (30%) who have a more severe case and do not outgrow it until 12-18 months. Tyler falls into this category.
  
• We were instructed to stop all nighttime feedings, which also includes the bedtime feeding. Due to Tyler's reflux, he needs to be fully upright for at least one hour after eating.
  
• Keep breastfeeding. If Tyler does have a lactose protein sensitivity issue, breastmilk is much better than formula. There is no compelling reason to wean at this time.
• We need to continue giving him Zantac twice daily and may even need to increase the dosage.
• He insisted that Tyler was a very healthy and happy child. The drop in weight was nothing to cause concern and can most likely be attributed to a leveling out of growth. Since all his measurements are in the exact 50% percentile, he said we should feel relieved, not the opposite.
• The doctor said there was a small chance Tyler has Pyloric Stenosis or Intestinal Malrotation (click links for explanations). He ordered a UGI just to make sure these problems didn't exist.

Immediately after the appointment, we went downstairs to the Plano Pediatric Imaging Center for the UGI. (On a sidenote, the building was great: pediatric specialists of all kinds, including sleep doctors and a surgery center.) The UGI was a little difficult for both Tyler and me. Chad was the brave one, comforting Tyler and encouraging me to stay calm. The doctors had to lay Tyler down on a magician-style board with his arms raised above his head. He was tightly secured down with five straps at every section of his head and body, so they could turn him in all directions. The nurse gave Tyler a bottle filled with a sweetened Barium, and the doctor watched the liquid travel through his stomach on an X-ray like machine. She took numerous pictures, and said she would have the final results by the end of the day. Her preliminary diagnosis looked good--no obvious signs of deformity, Pyloric Stenosis or Intestinal Malrotation! Thank God! She did, however, notice significant reflux. Instead of traveling down normally, the liquid he drank went down and then all the way back up to his throat. She said this could be causing all his issues.

Chad took a picture before Tyler's head and arms were fully secured. I'm not sure anyone wants to see it, but I thought I'd share anyways.



Tyler did okay. He cried a lot when they turned him in the many directions. He drank the bottle though, and finished up strong. He's pretty resilient. In fact, after the doctor was finished, he was laughing and smiling at her!

We'll know the final results by the end of the day. But it looks like our little guy just has a really bad case of reflux. We'll just continue giving medicine and make the adjustments mentioned above, and hopefully, he will outgrow the condition by 18 months.

Haircut No.4

Tyler's had three haircuts before this one, but none of them have upset me. I saved my little piece of hair (for the first two), took a bunch of pictures and went on with the day. Yesterday, Chad took Tyler to the barbershop he's been going to for 16 years! They both got haircuts. OkHui wanted to make Tyler look more groomed. Chad loves the "high and tight" look, but I miss his curly locks!

Dwell Studio contest

We entered Tyler's nursery in the Dwell Studio contest on Facebook. Tyler has their bedding, custom window treatments, pillow and decor! If we get the most "likes," we win a $1,000 shopping spree on their website! I definitely need this to decorate the new house!

Go to Facebook and become a fan of Dwell Studio (you'll want to be a fan anyway; they have amazing home, baby and kids decor). Find the How you Dwell contest in their photo album, and vote for Tyler's nursery!

Here's a link to make it easier. Thanks for helping us!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pid=3802898&id=29206454820

Motion 101

CRAWLING
Tyler can crawl, right on track at 7 months, 2 weeks and 1 day old! I'm counting yesterday as the official day he learned how to do it, although it's been a slow evolution. It started with a tummy-slightly-elevated scoot backwards a couple weeks ago. Then, it progressed to a scoot forward. Last weekend, he started rocking back and forth on all fours with his tummy completely off the ground. And yesterday, he learned to put it in motion. He basically jumps on all fours, thrusting both hands off the ground simultaneously a step ahead of himself, then following with his knees. He still can't really take off, but he can definitely go places!

We were too busy taking video, and I just realized we didn't get a single still shot. I don't know how to work Chad's fancy video camera or editing software, so I can't upload the video. Sorry! He's a picture from when he started the rocking though.









SITTING UP
A few hours after the big crawl, he decided to pull himself up to a sitting position. He can get there from his belly, walking his hands backwards. After we watched him do it the first time, we put him back on his belly to try to recreate the moment. Sure enough, he did it again.

PULLING UP
Before bedtime, Tyler was playing on the ground again to release all that extra energy. He crawls over to the coffee table, sits up and starts pulling up on the table. Apparently, he wanted to prove that he could hit all the milestones in one day! He didn't quite get all the way up to a standing position, but I have a feeling it's coming any day.

We managed to grab the still camera in time for this moment.

All his little buddies

Tyler has been blessed with lots of little buddies his age. He's going to have so much fun growing up with them, learning and exploring the world. We have tons of pictures of all the babies, from playdates, music class and holidays. Here are just a few from the past 7 months of Tyler's life.

Tyler meets Jacob Tyler at the hospital. Tyler was only three days old, and Jake was about 6 weeks.








Tyler meets Carter Owen. Tyler was 5 days old, and Carter was about 5 months.








Tyler meets Tre Chauvin. Tyler was 1 week old, and Tre was 2 weeks.












Tyler meets Charlie Holovach. Tyler was about 2 weeks old, and Charlie was about 3 months.








Tyler goes to his first playdate and meets Ryan, Derek Halvorsen and Ava Seamans. Tyler was 3 weeks old, and they were about 3-6 months.









Tyler meets Lily Goza. He was 3 months old, and Lily was about a week.









A playdate at our house: Carter (7 months), Jake (4 months) and Tyler (2 months)








Halloween party: Carter (7 months), Tyler (3 months) and Jake (4 months)








New Years Eve party: Tyler (5 months) and Charlie (7 months)








Tyler (6 months) at music class with Madison Culp (about 11 months) and Brinley McAdams (about 8 months)









Tyler (6 months) has a mini-playdate with Lily (3 months)








The most recent playdate picture: Tyler (6 months), Madison (11 months), Brinley (9 months), Jake (8 months) and Carter (11 months)
Ava (11 months) not pictured








Trip to the Dallas Arboretum for Dallas Blooms: Brinley (9 months), Ava (11 months), Tyler (7 months), Jake (8 months), Madison (11 months), Katelyn (1 year) and Carter (11 months)









Tyler's best little buddies posing by the flowers: Jake (8 months), Tyler (7 months) and Carter (11 months)

growing up and growing teeth

It seems like every day brings a first for Tyler! I am humbled by the wonder in his eyes when he sees or does something new.

He got his first little baby tooth last Thursday! I didn't even notice it until I was letting him borrow my finger as a "chew toy," and suddenly it hurt. I inspected his mouth and found the tip of his little white weapon.









On Sunday, we took Tyler to church and left him in the preschool for the first time. I ran back twice to check on him and "leave my cell phone number in case of emergency," as I explained to the teacher who laughed at me. I made it though a never-ending 40 minutes and rushed back to get him before the close of the sermon. The teachers said that Tyler sat on the floor and watched all the other babies cry. He wasn't quiet sure what to make of all their fussing!

We also went to daddy's first softball game! Chad started a new softball league, first one since we were just dating in 2004-05. Chad loved playing again, and Tyler enjoyed watching ... as much as he could have while bundled up in the Baby Bjorn, a coat and two blankets. It was cold, and I'm overprotective. I'll just admit it!

Tyler had a major growth spurt last weekend, just in time for his 7-month birthday. Out of the blue, he started eating, eating, eating and eating more. After an emergency, late-night trip to buy formula, we woke up the next morning to find that Tyler would no longer fit in his clothes or diapers. And now we are in size 4 diapers and 12 month pajamas. I need a pause button on this baby. I'm not ready to shop in the toddler section

And just to make sure we heard his loud declaration of "un-babyhood," Tyler showed mommy that he knows how to slap. It's his new favorite thing to do during feedings. He has also started objecting to naps and (never thought I'd say this) ... the jumperoo! The days on endless enjoyment from bouncing up and down have been replaced with attempts at belly-lifting and backwards scooting. He's also been working on his hand-eye coordination, specifically the hand-to-diaper maneuver where he pulls off the sticky tabs just as I get the diaper perfectly positioned.









I quickly forgive Tyler for all the quirky baby things. He's adorable, and I love him infinitely. He must love me too, because he's started calling for me. It goes something like this, "uuuummmm ma."