Braska Bear

Here's a quick rundown of all the recent appointments and such... Dietician--Miss Tara was great. We're working on a plan to do continuous feeding overnight via the NG and then take it out during the day to work on spoonfeeding, trying the bottle, etc. We'll also be adding olive oil to her spoonfed foods to bulk up the calories as well as continuing to concentrate the breastmilk by adding powder formula to it for extra cals. And she gets to try some avocado as well...we'll see how that goes. The goal is to avoid needing to go to G-tube, since she's been on the NG for about 5 of her 6 months. DS specialist--Dr. G felt she was doing very well. She said that considering the surgery at 3 months, she was progressing very well. They drew labs for thyroid, but we don't have them back yet. I really liked this dr and was pleased with her attention to a thorough exam. She gave us a script for stool softener for Braska to see if that helps with her 5-6 days "of...

After we came home from St. Louis, I went to see Dr. Y today and Miss Laurie put me on the scale. I'm up some more! (11 lbs 11.2 oz)

I guess not everyone that we saw today was a doctor, but they were all pretty smart, so I can't tell. Mommy is going to tell you the important details when she can, but for now I'll just tell you my side and show you some of what we did. Here's today's fashion show pictures....from very early this morning before we left. Guess where we parked today? First we saw a nice lady who told Mommy she was a social worker. She checks in with everyone, and she was friendly, but we have already got lots of help, so she didn't stay very long. Then we saw Miss Tara, the dietician, and she and Mommy talked a long time about how to get me to gain some weight and get rid of this tube. They have some new ideas, so Mommy will probably tell you about them....I was busy with a new toy they had there on the table for me. If you'd rather see me in action, see the post below from Mommy. (If that's not enough, here's a little more .) Then we saw Dr. G. She was very nice. She ta...

Here's how Braska kept herself busy between appointments today... details to come.

We didn't do much this weekend...Pop called it hot, lazy, and TV-filled. (He was bored alot, I think.) Mommy said this is the first Memorial Day that we haven't had a big pool party to kick off the summer, but everyone we know is moving or out of town, it seems. So we just stayed home and did nothing much. I did get to wear a few new things this weekend, so Mommy took some fashion show pics. I wore this pretty dress to church Sunday...My friend Olivia let me borrow it since it's too small for her. This is a neat outfit that shows that I'm Pop's girl. Then today I got to wear my first real summer outfit that Mommy's been saving for me. I put it on for a quick trip to the store and then a stop at a place where Mommy and Pop had some dinner tonight.

A couple of days ago, we watched Happy Feet, the movie we thought was all about dancing penguins. I'll spare you the details of our discussion about the actual story of the movie. (Way to hijack a cute little movie with a social statement...not what we were looking for in the flick...but I digress. The promos just showed the fun and dancing.) At the beginning, Baby Mumble is hatched, a little later than the others...and he initially looks like the other baby penguins. But it doesn't take too long to realize he is a little different. His feet move kinda funny. His parents are embarassed and try to keep him from showing this to others. A little later, all the baby penguins go to learn how to find their heartsongs. All the penguins have a heartsong and can sing beautifully. They just have to look deep inside their hearts and let it out. Mumble doesn't find a song, he finds a dance. His feet start to move, and he is very happy about it. He is ridiculed for being different, and ...

That's what Mommy called it today. I think it's because Mommy and Pop just stayed in their PJs all day around the house. Mommy and I took a nap this morning since I got her up kind of early again. Pop was sneaky and took a picture when we didn't know it. It's fun to nap in their big soft bed. We didn't do a whole lot today. I got to play in a nice warm bath for a while because Mommy thought it might help my tummy ache that I had. Mommy made some biscuits this morning, and that's kind of a big deal, because she doesn't really cook stuff like that. Since Pop doesn't eat much stuff, she says she forgot how to cook real food. But this morning she did biscuits because she said she just felt like it. It looked like fun because she played with her hands in the sticky stuff. Someday I'll get to help her do that, but I think I have to get a little bigger. I did practice my head-up exercises with Mommy, and the rolling over ones too. We've got to get ready...

There is a neat shiny thing that hangs over my chair. It has pictures in it that move and change. Mommy calls it the mirror ball. I have always thought it was neat, but the last couple days I've noticed that I can see a baby in there! So I have been looking for her alot. She smiles sometimes, too. It's time for bed now, so I'll see ya later.

This morning, we hit the 9000 visit mark!! And that's in just over 3 months! So I wanted to just say thanks to all of you who check in on us, whether it's sporadically, daily, or several times a day. It's fun for me to do this, and it will be a great way to show Braska what things were like for her and her parents at the beginning. So keep coming back, we'll keep trying to be creative and interesting. And for heaven sake...leave a comment! :o) (If you missed it, the instructions are above. We've tried to cover all the bases!) A special note to all of you who have contributed to Braska's Benefit Fund ... you have made the world of difference in our lives. The simple thank you's fall far short of expressing how grateful we are for all the support-- monetary, emotional, and sometimes tangible. In the midst of all this, we could have been in big financial trouble, and you have helped to save us, whether your gift was large or seemingly small. We consider absolut...

This morning we went to our friend Miss Allyson's house where she has a special place to take pictures of people. She does lots of neat pictures, especially of babies, and it's called Sweet Pea Photography . This was the first time I had pictures taken that wasn't just by Mommy or Pop. It was alot of fun, and sometimes it was like when Miss Robin comes to play. They wanted me to hold my head up and everything. Mostly, I got to just play on the floor or on a pillow, and Mommy and Pop held me the rest of the time. Mommy changed my clothes three times, and they even took pictures of me in my diaper and with nothing on at all. That seemed silly, but it was fun to play and kick like that. Pop thought I was going to wet on him, but I didn't. In a few days, the pictures will be up for us to see them all and pick out what we want to get. But here's some shots from the fun we had today that Mommy and Pop took.

Mommy and I pretty much stayed home today, so I played alot while she worked. We also napped, which made Mommy very happy. After Pop got home from work, he found me playing in my gym, and thought this was funny. I was just kickin' around being happy, and all the sudden my leg was stuck. Pop helped me out, but he had to take a picture first.

I was doing the "follow the link" game I do sometimes where I just pick a blog on the blogroll of a site I visit often, then pick one from there, and it continues. I end up at some neat places, and sometimes see things that I think were put there for me to find. Most of you know that I don't do forwards, I don't generally send articles or such, and I'm rarely one to read any type of news item. The same goes for blogs, and I usually don't pass things on, even if I like them...just a thing of mine, I guess. Today I found an article posted by Jessica over at Raising Joey that I felt was important to share. Maybe it's because it illustrates things I've thought about or things I've been afraid of. Maybe it's because it just hits home. Either way, I highly recommend that you take the time to read it. Thanks for posting it, Jess. Retarded by association: When you make fun of my sister, it hurts me

At my house, Tuesday means some regular things happen. Today we had some regular things and some other stuff, too. Regular thing: Miss Robin comes to play with me. Today we played with a toy that had a funny face and made noise when I moved it around. I liked holding it, but Miss Robin kept wanting me to put it in my other hand. I don't know why it matters to her which hand, but she seemed to think it was important. She also told Mommy that she wanted me to practice playing with things in front of me so I have to reach for them. She left me this neat toy that lights up and makes music, my favorite things, so Mommy and I have been playing with it. I always reach with one hand, and Mommy reminds me to use the other one. I guess she thinks it's important too. Other stuff: Mommy and I went to the store again. She said it was time to get healthy food for her and Pop. She didn't seem very happy about it though. I slept most of the time, because I was tired from working hard with ...

Miss Robin came this morning for Braska's weekly OT session. We've been working on head/neck strength, rolling over, and trying to get her to be as fascinated by her left hand as she is her right. Braska was in a very good mood, even though she'd been up for close to three hours by the time we got started at 8:30 a.m. She did extremely well tracking the toys with a consistent gaze, which is great. She wasn't nearly as interested in rolling as she was last week, but that's kind of typical for her. If she doesn't want to do something, it's just not going to happen. Robin made the statement that she is "an all or nothing kind of girl," which is probably no surprise at all to those of you who know her father to be just exactly that kind of guy. I was just saying that I've yet to identify any of her traits that seem to come from me... she's all daddy's girl at this point, for sure. When she did get the whim, she rolled over to her side...

Today was pretty nice. Me and Mommy just worked around the house and played. That's my kind of day! We worked on the pool this morning, getting it all clear and pretty. Mommy says it's more fun to swim in when it's all clear. Now we just have to wait for it to heat up some. I heard Mommy say that we'll put a blanket on the pool to help it get warm. That's what I use blankets for, too! I wonder if I have one like the one it has, a solar blanket. I'll ask Mommy... Here's what it looks like from where I sit outside while Mommy works. I spent some time with my music gym and Mommy got pretty excited when she saw I was playing with Mr. Zebra with both hands. I guess she likes when I play with my toys, so we'll get along just fine. And this afternoon, it was pretty warm, so Mommy told me I could wear only a shirt with my diaper. Isn't that fun! I can kick and squirm so much better without pants! So I got to wear my neato Montana shirt that Grandma C and Mis...

I'm 6 months old today. Wow...it seems like a lifetime!! Mommy helped me put together a neat thing to share with you, but you should know that it's really for my dad. He's the best Pop a girl could have. Just remember, girls, he's mine and Mommy's, and we're keeping him! Hey Pop, thanks for hanging in there with us for six whole months! Go Team Woods! Make a video - it's fun, easy and free! www.onetruemedia.com

This morning I got up early, and when Mommy came to get me from my room, I handed her my tube. She didn't seem so surprised this time, but I guess that's because I have been having it ready to give to her almost every day lately. She took me back to her bed and after I got some food, I went back to sleep for a while. Mommy said that made me her favorite girl today. It's a good thing that Mommy and Pop have such a big bed, because it would be crowded with four of us in a small one. (Belle sleeps with Mommy and Pop all the time.) At church this morning, Mr. JP told some good stories, but I was much more interested in my hands. I hope he didn't notice that I wasn't paying close attention all the time. I did try to say hi to him once, but Pop told me I had to wait til afterward to talk to him. I guess it's not nice to talk while someone else is talking and a whole bunch of people are listening. Here's what it looks like from where we sit. (Mommy said she forgot ...

We didn't take any pictures today. I think Mommy and Pop just forgot about it since they were busy. And we didn't do much interesting, so you're not missing out really. I spent alot of time this afternoon with Pop while Mommy went to a bunch of stores to try to find some pieces that they needed for the pool. It was fun to just lay on the couch and kick alot. I'm not sure why it's so fun, but I could do it for hours! I also found out that my hands can reach my feet sometimes, so that was neat to try. Pop took my clothes off except for my diaper and then I found out it was so much easier to kick and wiggle... I guess he already knew that, though. My Pop is really smart!

I'm tired and Mommy says it's time for bed, but here's a quick one... ~Grammy went home this morning. Thanks for all your help, Grammy!! ~I went to see Miss Amiee and Miss Laurie this morning, and it was silly scale time again. Good news everyone! I'm up a little bit! (11 lbs 8 oz!!! 5.22 kg...up from 11 lbs 0 oz) ~We took Mr. Brent to the place where an airplane was going to pick him up. He's going to North Carolina to see friends. I'm not sure where that is, but I think he will have fun. ~We went to do the bank run today. That's where we get money from one bank and we take it to another. The girls at BB-S were so nice to me. They all wanted to say hi. They know Pop because they call him when they need their computers fixed. Hi girls!

I spent most of today with Grammy while Mommy went to do things and had meetings. I watched her work on cleaning carpets and cooking Mommy's favorite food. This afternoon we went to see Grammy's friend, Miss Ruth at a place called a nursing home. I heard Grammy say that the doctors are making her stay there to take special medicine so she can get better. She gets to go home in a couple weeks, so that's good. I got to sit with Miss Ruth for a while, and I showed her how I can pull my tube out, but Grammy caught me before I finished. We hope you feel better soon, Miss Ruth!!

Grammy Jan and Mommy did more work today. There was alot of stuff going on at our house, but I just played most of the day. My nose kind of tickled alot today with new smells because Grammy was cleaning our house real good, so she took me out for a little walk while Mommy was gone. It was a good day to be outside, so that was fun. I cuddled up with Mr. Pink Bear today and took a long nap. He is a good one for that napping stuff! After Pop got home from work, Mr. Michael came over to visit. Mommy and Grammy fixed dinner, and then Mr. Tim, Miss Mindy, and Mia came over too. They're gonna live in a new place soon, and Mommy says it's called Belgium. It's far away, so that's kind of sad. But it's only for one year, Mommy says. I think a year is forever!!! When they come back, they'll live in Kansas, but at least they'll be a little closer than Belgium. I'll miss my friend Mia.

Miss Robin came this morning to see me. She brought some neat toys with her too. This is kind of fun having people come play with me. They call it "therapy" but it seems like playtime to me. I did hear her tell Mommy that I was doing alot better than the last time she came and that she thought I was going to be a quick learner, which I think is good. She brought a really neat shiny thing that I liked alot. She kept moving it but I was not letting it out of my sight. Sometimes I did get tired and took a little rest, like this. But when I got my strength up, I was lookin' around and everything. There's alot of stuff to see in my house! Grammy and Mommy spent the day moving stuff around in the house, and I just watched. I don't think they needed my help, but I did try to tell them how I thought they should do it. Tonight I sat with Grammy while she worked on her computer. She was making me feel happy.

Miss Judy came to see me this morning and brought toys to play with. Mommy says she's going to help me to get stronger so I can play more. She's helping me learn to roll over and how to hold my head up better so I can see around me. It's hard, but it's kind of fun too. Here's a little bit of my lesson if you want to watch. Tonight Mommy and Pop went to see Mr. Matt, Miss Nico, and Connor, but I stayed home with Grammy Jan, because she came to visit me today and she's going to help us for a few days. Connor told Mommy to tell me hello and she took a picture to show me. Hi Connor! I'll see you next time!

Hope you all had a very nice day.

I've been so busy I didn't even get to put up stories for you last night. Sorry! FRIDAY Here's some of what we did for Pop's birthday. Mommy and I went to get him a tripod for the camera because he said a while back that he wanted one. Then we went to 4 more stores to get stuff to make Pop some cool things. We made him a neat picture thing for his desk at work, and I wrote a poem for him on it. We also got him a very special bunch of flowers...it had the cards that he likes alot in the bunch too. We took those to his work to surprise him. Then we made some T-shirts for Pop and some of his friends that play cards. Mommy says that usually she does a great big party for Pop's birthday called MunchCon, and lots of people come every year. But this year there's no big party, so we tried to make a little party. Mr. Brent helped us get something neat ready for the shirts. (I don't really understand, but it's about the cards... and it's kind of a joke on Pop,...