Grandma Cox's Visit, Part 1

Enduring Isn't Drudgery

"The Savior doesn't just ask us to endure to the end. He asks us to endure well. To me, that means pressing forward with not only steadfastness in Christ, but also a perfect brightness of hope. Enduring isn't drudgery. It's the means to happiness. The straight and narrow path is the path of repentance. And when we are repenting, we are being changed by the atonement. And that miracle is the essence of happiness. So to all of us, I say: happy journeying on the path of happiness."
- Michael Christensen (Our bishop in 2nd ward. This was a facebook status and I really loved it.)

"Don't hurry. Don't worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way. "
- Walter Hagen

GI Appointment

I finally got an appointment with the pediatric GI doctor for Cora! Whew!!!! Of all things that need addressed and corrected, it's her reflux and eating problems. It was a very overwhelming appointment, we went through a series of question and answers, ordered several tests, and I was supposed to remember it all.

They changed Cora's formula to Elecare which is $45 for a 16 oz. can which will last Cora 2 days. Yikes! But I don't care how expensive it is, if it shows improvement I will do anything for my baby. Dr. Z is wondering if Cora is allergic to the formula and rice cereal I was using as a thickener so we are trying this out. Today we also switched out the rice cereal for some stuff called Thick It which is $29 for a can. I really hope both of things together will help her tummy feel better over time.

Dr. Z ordered several tests, one was blood work to test her liver and pancreas which I've already heard back were normal so that's a good sign. She ordered me to collect poop samples to have that tested which is stored in a brown paper bag in the fridge. Don't eat it! Next week Cora goes in for a gastric emptying study and I have to take a certain antibiotic with me to give her halfway through the study. I'm not sure what they're looking for with the antibiotic. We were also referred to an ENT specialist. If the new formula and thickener doesn't work then we'll start a new reflux medicine and hope she doesn't have another reaction to it and if that doesn't work then she'll refer us to an allergist.

So for now, lots of appointments and tests and I'm really, really hoping we can get her severe reflux under control and find something that her tummy will tolerate. Poor girl!

Easter, Part 1

Grandma Cox sent the kids some Easter outfits, thanks Grammy! The kids just wouldn't cooperate for pictures. Not even after church when they got their baskets, no cooperation whatsoever.

Random Kimball Pictures

Kimball was supposed to be napping but when I checked on him he had emptied his whole dresser and was sitting in the drawer with his puppies and Elmo.

I guess you had to be there for this one. We went out for frozen yogurt one night and he had already bathed (those puddles are just so enticing) and had no other shoes left but his snow boots. I just thought his skinny legs looked funny with the boots. That's all. See, you had to be there.

 What a handsome stud!

Random Cora Pictures

Her smile gets me every time

 This is Cora's new "feeder seat" that the Guild School let us borrow for her reflux.

Watching tv with mom

They Must Be Siblings

Uncanny Look A-Likes

Can you tell who is who?

Top: Adam
Bottom: Cora

All Pettingill

I took a picture last week of Kimball playing in the dirt. He resembles Scott and Tim SO MUCH, I had to laugh out loud.

Scott, 3 yr

Kimball, 2 yr

 Tim, 4 yr

Isn't She A Sweetie?!

Good Bye Bug

This is the day Lance decided to buy a new car. I don't know why but he's selling the VW bug which is a shame, that's the one car of his I actually liked.

Little Everday MOMents

A few things I wanted to capture from the week that were sweet and also not so sweet.

Kimball and I made a birthday card for Grammy Cox. He's really been into coloring lately.

Yep. See this? I went to get Kimball from his nap and found him buck naked with poo smeared all over himself and the carpet. I really didn't want to spend the evening doing laundry and shampooing carpets but I didn't have much of a choice. Sigh. The picture of him in the bath - he usually loves baths but he knew he was in trouble for taking his diaper off so he pouted while he was in the tub. And in case you were going to ask, he has zero interest in potty training. In fact after he did this I put him on the toilet to teach him where he goes potty and he screamed bloody murder. This is one of those instances that I have to laugh because otherwise I'd just cry.

 Oh. Another mess. I've learned that having a two year old just means that you clean up messes all. day. long. I was not happy about the yogurt facial either.

 A few days ago I went to the store and found this toy on a great sale. It has cargo boats, speed boats, and a truck with a moving crane and all sorts of moving parts. You put a little water around the outside and various other pits are for sand or dirt. I thought Kimball would love it. Which he did but this is how he used it. Not at all like it showed on the box.

Sweet Cuddling

Spring Break

Last week was spring break which meant nothing for us. But we did enjoy play group at the park instead of the mall since the weather has been so springy! Tuesday and Wednesday were both spent outside, earning us the first sunburn of the season and lots of fresh air.

This picture is all of the big kids on the slide

(Friend, Travis, Annissa, Tanyth, Rayn, Ammon, Jacob, and Maddox)