Update On Mr. Trey

Well it has been awhile since I have given an update on how Trey has been doing with his feeding progress. Unfortunately I don't have any super exciting news to report. We finally were forced to increase his tube feeding volume he gets a day because he pretty much decreased or stayed about the same weight since December. And obviously that is too long to stay on that growth path. And the arrival of Noah has definitely caused a regression in eating volume progress. I am happy to report that even though his caloric volume had to be increased he has started adding more foods to his current list of foods he will eat or at least try which is exciting. Our dietitian says we will attempt another tube feeding wean after they have seen an appropriate weight gain.

Trey was supposed to have some procedures done this next week at Mary Bridge and at Seattle Children's. But his 2 specialists up there suggested we wait until the lovely whooping cough epidemic has slowed down to especially keep our little Noah safe since he is the most at risk if he were to catch it. And with our luck we decided to be safe than sorry since the procedures are not urgent to get done.

So in August he will have to have a repeat MRI done at Children's to check the status of his Chiari 1 Malformation. He isn't displaying any physical symptoms that things have changed so the neurosurgeon was fine with postponing to have the scan done. He will have to be sedated for this testing which is a bummer because while we are up there he has to have a procedure done on his G-tube which also requires sedation.

Trey has some extra skin growth around his tube which normally can be burned off but the tissue sometimes becomes so thick which in his case has and could eventually cause problems with his tube placement. So it will need to be injected with a medicine that will hopefully shrink the excess tissue surrounding the outside of his tube and on the inside his stomach surrounding the tube also. But his GI doctor was also fine with us waiting because the tissue isn't continually growing or causing any problems at the present moment. So not a very fun reason to come up in August.

But on a happier note Trey is busier than ever these days. He is taking a mini hoops class (blog post to follow) which he loves and I have just signed him up for Tiny Tykes T-ball this summer. Which should be very entertaining. He of course loves being outside when the weather has permitted. We are definitely anxious for the warm weather to stick around.

The things that come out of this little boy's mouth makes us hysterically laugh and cringe at times. He as usual keeps us on our toes. He is becoming quite the little man. Three has been challenging but we love him to pieces.

Too Funny

My friend posted this on her blog and I couldn't resist sharing...

Juggling Two

As I have said before juggling two little boys has been quite the adjustment for me. I wish they would send you home with a manual in the hospital. Wouldn't that be nice??

I have struggled with the guilty feelings of not being able to give Trey 100% of my time like I use to. There will be stretches where I feel like all my time is consumed with caring for Noah (especially this colic phase) and I have abandoned Trey for the morning. But I know this comes with having a newborn baby. Trey has adjusted quite well to playing independently when he has to.

Some days of course are better than others. Ones where I feel like super mom when Curtis is out of town and I have got the laundry done and both boys are down for a nap at the same time. And others where I could literally pull my hair out because I can't seem to make either one of them happy. I was telling my friend you know you are a mother of two little ones when you have one hand occupied with a baby breastfeeding and the other hand playing Candy Land. But I wouldn't trade this mommy job for anything in the world.

Keeping both of these rascals occupied.

Getting Trey ready for a nap with the help of Noah.

Easter

This is late blog post of course.... A few pics from Easter morning at the Allen household.

One Month

Well I am a little off with my one month pictures and update on Noah. I figure with how busy life seems these days I will always be almost a month behind. Mr. Noah turned one month on April 1st. I can't believe how quick time is flying. With Trey being my first I was so anxious for each developmental milestone to approach and with Noah I just want to press the pause button.

I know every child is different but it's crazy how different my 2 boys are. I try not to compare the two but it does happen. Noah at the beginning was very easy going but a strong personality has quickly developed. I can already tell he is going to be a very strong willed little guy. When he is ready to be picked up or it is time to eat you will surely know.

Our little guy is a wonderful eater. Which we are excited and very relieved about. I am breastfeeding but we have introduced a bottle with my breast milk so Curtis can help in the evening. Such a different experience this time around. Noah LOVES to eat and suck on a pacifier.

We unfortunately think that Mr. Noah has a milk allergy like his brother. He started to develop bloody stools so I have ultimated dairy in my diet to see if that would help. Which so far has stopped the bloody stools he was experiencing. His pediatrician is hoping this allergy resolves in a few months and new allergies don't arise like his brother. He does have pretty bad reflux so we tried Zantac which wasn't providing much relief so we are switching to Prevacid. So hopefully that will do the trick. Of course when these symptoms presented I went into a little panic mode. Worried that we are heading down the same path as Trey. But I am confident that we are catching things sooner this time around. I know Trey had actual feeding issues earlier on unlike Noah so I am taking comfort in that.

Noah has reached the lovely phase of colic. So we have a pretty unhappy little guy these days. This is the one phase I am ready to see leave. It has been quite miserable around the Allen household lately.

But I am loving cuddling with my little Noah and watching him begin to be so much more alert and interactive. And I can't believe 2 months is right around the corner.

Here are some pics of our little guy...


Big brother had to wear the sticker too.


Hello everyone.


Getting ready to go outside.



Love these toes.


First stroller ride.


Asleep after some hard playing.

Big Brother Trey

Well adjusting to being a big brother has been quite the transition for Mr. Trey over the last month. We knew the change was going to be overwhelming at the beginning but Trey has started to embrace the role of big brother. Not totally but we are getting there.

We talked throughout the pregnancy about baby Noah's arrival and how wonderful of a big brother he would be. I took pictures during the pregnancy of my growing belly. Here are a few of Trey's baby that he insisted on being photographed.





Initially after Noah was born Trey was really concerned around his little brother. He kept saying when Noah would cry "Baby Noah is sad". And obviously he was crying all the time so that left a very confused and worried Trey. But we talked through that this is how Noah tells us what he needs right now since he can't use big boy words like Trey. Now the crying has become a normal sound around the Allen household. A usual response from Trey these days is "Baby Noah is crying again".

Trey has slowly started to interact with Noah and actually acts like he exists at times now. In the beginning he had no desire to even be close to his little brother. There were many tantrums and acting out which we expected. One day he was so upset he was in his room and started throwing things. I walked in to address what was wrong. He said "I don't know. I am just so mad. This is bad day". Broke my heart.

But his new love he is discovering for his brother is precious to watch. Trey's first attempt came when the 3 of us were playing in his room. On his own he brought his favorite snow globe over to Noah and placed it right by him.



Thank you big brother.


Still learning about personal space.


Then he offered Noah one of his musical instruments during one of our jam sessions.


Slowly he kept getting closer and closer to laying by Noah.



Now Trey wants to do similar things Noah is doing. Whether that is laying under a play mat with him or even putting a pacifier in his mouth (which by the way he would never take).

Noah under his mat.


Trey under his.


My 2 boys.




And he has finally reached the point where he is comfortable to hold his little brother. I know Trey is going to be an amazing big brother to Noah.

A little scared on his first try.


I can't wait to watch these boys grow together but I am taking advantage of the fact that one doesn't move at the present moment.

I love these little guys.

More Family To The Rescue

After my dad headed back home Curtis's family came for a visit. They came as planned when Noah was first scheduled for the c-section. Unfortunately Curtis was gone for part of their visit because the Cougs ended having post season play and participated in the CBI tournament. So I was thankful to still have some extra hands around the house.

Curtis's mom and grandma were sweet and cooked everyday they were here. And yummy food it was.

Noah meeting Grandma Rachel for the first time.


Grandma Karen next.



Uncle Victor and Noah.



I found this picture of Victor holding Trey when he was first born. Noah happened to be wearing the same outfit as Trey. I can't believe how young Victor was here.


Some more pics during their visit.



These boys are going to be trouble.


Trey was in heaven with Victor's company. Victor was quite the entertainment. I felt like I barely saw Trey while Victor was visiting. Trey was so sad when it was time for his buddy to head home.


I was so appreciative for all their help and company.

Big brother pics still to come...