Braska Bear

We had a quick visit with Dr. B this morning, just long enough for him to confirm that Braska's issue is pyogenic granuloma. He said we'll have to see about having it removed. He would have done it, except we can't be sure she'd be still enough for the procedure. Actually, we're SURE she wouldn't be still. (Graphic warning, again.) If you dare, here's today's pic . We called the GI office to see what's next. They wanted to see it themselves, but chose to go the digital picture route, so we sent them both of the pics from today and yesterday. Of course, they didn't call back before the end of the day, and now we wait til Wednesday. We treated with the silver nitrate again tonight, as the nurse from the GI office said to continue to do that once a day. Braska didn't care for that at all. It obviously hurt her. And they've told us that it wouldn't have any feeling, so I don't know what's up. For now we wait...

This morning Mommy and Pop and I went to the doctor's office. Pop was already gonna go, and Mommy said Dr. B would take a look at this weird thing on my button to see what to do. He said I need to see somebody who can take it off. Sounds like we'll get to go back to St. Louis soon. Mommy will probably tell you about that. Then Mommy and I went with some of our friends to a playground to play. I got on a funny blue thing that went back and forth. I think when I get bigger it'll be really fun to ride it. Tonight we played after Pop got home. Mommy said tomorrow is a new year, so make it a good one!!

Straight up, this is just gross. That's what I'm thinking as I'm trying to figure out what is up with her g-button stoma. (Warning: Icky picture on link.) There's a picture of her button here if you are curious enough, or brave enough, to see it. I didn't put it on this page in case you prefer not to see it. It's gotten much worse, much larger, so darn quickly, and I'm at a loss. I'm taking her in again tomorrow, hopefully to someone here in town (her pediatrician or a trusted doctor client of mine), but I wouldn't be surprised at all if we're back on the road again tomorrow to St.L either to the GI doctor or to the ER at Children's. I hope that's not needed, but I'm not unpacking my suitcase yet. I will refrain from being more descriptive of what it's going or how we're dealing with it, because it's pretty icky and disturbing. I hope we get some good answers or help tomorrow. I'ts looking like I'm gonna have a lo...

Today we cleaned up Auntie Rachel's house and packed up the car to go home. While Mommy packed, I watched Baby Einstein on a little TV. I liked it alot because I could bang on the desk while I was watching, and that was really fun. I played for a while with my mirror this morning too. I have a funny thing in my mouth that Mommy calls a tongue. It's fun to see it in the mirror. Sometimes I get too close though. When we left, I went to see the people who gave me my glasses so they could make them fit better. Then we went to Grandma C's house and I stayed with her for a while so Mommy could go get her hair done . Then we came all the way home. Tonight when we got home I played with Pop a little. I sat up high and used his face to keep myself sitting up. He said I squished his face. He does it to me all the time, so I thought it was ok. When it was almost time for bed, Mommy and Pop decided to go to Toro for some quick dinner. Miss Martha saw me coming in outside and was alrea...

We've had a good almost-three-months with the stoma site and PEG/button, but it's now started to grow some granulation tissue. Let's just say it's not fun to deal with. Look, if you like ,at an example. Tonight it escalated to the point that I used silver nitrate on it, so we'll see how it looks in the morning. We may have to check in again with the doc before we leave here to head home. I'm praying it just goes away quickly. As an FYI, this is a normal thing that often comes with the g-tube/button situation. Nothing unexpected or especially dangerous, I just had hoped we could dodge it.

Yup, we're back in St. Louis again. We got home on Tuesday night, then Mommy and I came back on Wednesday morning after she talked to my doctor and he wanted to look at my button. That's alot of time in the car! They put me on the silly scale and guess how much I was?? 15 lbs and 15.4 oz. That's almost 16 lbs. Must be that new food we switched to! We got some stuff to put on my button if it doesn't look better soon. Then we came out to Auntie Rachel's house to spend a few days since she's in Boston visiting Mr. Patrick's family. Tonight we got invited to dinner at Uncle Jody and Auntie Skye's house. So I thought I should clean up nice. I was happy to see that Auntie Rachel has a nice baby hot tub like we do a home, right in the kitchen! Her water comes out in fun ways, too. Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com After my bath, I stayed warm with my new robe that Grandpa J got me for Christmas. It's nice and soft and cozy. I showed...

We had a big weekend at Grandma C's house with lots of good times and fun games. When we got there on Saturday, I sat at the table to learn how to play some cards. It was hard, so I don't think I'll be playing for a while. This is my Grandma C and Great-Grandma Eunice. They play cards pretty good. Sunday I got all dressed in my Christmas dress and shiny shoes. Before we went to church, I got to play with a new toy from some friends in Kansas, and it is pretty fun. It makes sounds when I pat on it. I like to pat on alot of things now, so that is the perfect toy for me. I also took a picture with Belle. She's kind of like my sister but she's a dog. On Monday I went to get my glasses, but you probably already read that story . I got to see Uncle Levi too, and I like cuddling with him. He's pretty funny too. Tuesday was Christmas! We got up early and everyone went to the big room. There were a bunch of great big socks on the floor with bunches of st...

Have a super fun and happy Christmas Day!

That's what Mommy calls this thing on my face. Glasses. She says they're supposed to help me see things, and I'm kind of surprised that they do help. I can see things close up so much better. But they feel funny on my face. Here's my first picture with my new glasses. (I was kind of tired.) When I got back to Grandma C's house, everyone came all around me to see how I looked. I think they all thought I was pretty. Grandma C took a bunch of pictures of me playing with Mommy in the kitchen. I tried to take my glasses off a few times, but Mommy kept on playing games to keep my hands busy. I was sitting like a big girl and I could see Mommy's face so much better that I got all giggly. Mommy says I look like a big girl and not her little tiny baby. Silly Mommy...I've been a big girl for a while now. What do you think of my new glasses??

First, I forgot to tell you that on the 14th it was one year since I came home for the first time from the hospital. So Mommy put up pictures of us then and us this year's 14th too. It's over here if you wanna see it . And she also told the story about our BIG day in that one too. I'm gonna tell my side now. Yesterday was a BIG day for me! I did some fun new things that surprised Mommy and might surprise you too! We got up early and took Belle to see Miss Wilma for a haircut. While she was there we went to the store, and I kept trying to tell Mommy I wanted to sit up more than in my seat. So she decided to try to put me in the big kid seat in the cart. And I liked it alot! She was very proud that I was sitting good in there, and I liked that I could see everything all around! We picked up Belle and went home for a while. Mommy helped me change clothes so we could go out to lunch with Miss Janet. I got to wear a new outfit that Grammy Jan gave me before I was even...

Wednesday morning I started playing my piano again early, but then I found a new way to play it. Mommy was glad to see how I was laying back and then sitting up again. Miss Louise came in the morning to play with me. She even brought me a present! Isn't that nice? It's some music for bedtime, and I like music alot! She played with me while I watched this little baby. Mommy told me later that this is ME! It's called a mirror and I think they are pretty neat. Miss Louise would say some things I thought sounded funny, then I would say things back to her. She and Mommy were pretty happy about it. It's a fun new game we're gonna play. That night I helped Mommy in the kitchen while she was cooking. She put me by this new toy and my mirror. I thought it was pretty fun and I just kept on pulling it. Then I got to the end and Mommy took it away to fix it. So I played with the little part that was left. We went out for a quick run to the bank too, and I wore my sweater with t...

Last night, Mommy and Pop found out that Pop's Uncle Tim, Aunt Doris, and cousins Zach, Larae (like my middle name!!), and Priscilla sent a very special Christmas present for me. It's not the kind I can show you a picture of, but it will help me be able to keep seeing my doctors so I can get big and strong. That's the best gift they could give to me, and Mommy and Pop too! Mommy and Pop just looked at each other all surprised, and Mommy and I made sure to say thank you prayers to God for our great family way out west. So THANK YOU bunches and bunches! What a VERY merry Christmas!

**New post below** Check out this link about some great billboards that you might have seen around. We have one here in Champaign-Urbana, and I've also seen one in Rolla, Missouri. "Every baby is a blessing!" billboards.

Miss Judy came this morning for my playtime exercises. It was pretty fun today! She had a new toy that made neat sounds and if I pushed on the blue part a ball came out and lights looked all pretty. Then she had a fun ball that I played with for a while too. She says it's practicing my legs for when I want to walk later. Tonight the Bears were on TV, so we got in our "Bears wear." While I was getting dressed, I showed Mommy and Pop how I could sit for a while, and they thought it was pretty fun. Pop took some movies too for you to watch, but Mommy thinks she sounds silly on them, so don't tell her that I let you see it! Shhhhhh.... Oh, and I almost forgot to show you my snazzy new outfit from Auntie Rachel today...it's red for Christmas, but I'm almost too long for it already because I'm a big girl!

Snow came down all day Saturday so we stayed inside. It was COLD! Pop tried something new, and it was kind of fun! I thought it was neat to see up high like that. And I was holding on tight to his hairs so I didn't fall off. Saturday night Mommy and Pop went to a Christmas party with some friends, so I went to see Miss Debbie and Mr. Kevin at their house. It was a fun time and Mr. Kevin even did exercises with me. This is what Mommy and I sat and watched tonight. I thought it was very pretty, and Mommy says that every time it snows we will get to sit down and watch it because it's her favorite thing. I think it's gonna be one of my favorite things too. On Sunday there was even MORE snow! So we stayed in the whole day, even church was cancelled! It was really fun to see all the snow, but Pop didn't like having to push the snow outside so that we could get the cars out of the garage. Mommy decided I should look sunny and bright since there was so much white snow aroun...