1-year pics

Alex's Pictures

We just got these taken yesterday morning, so this is all I've seen so far. Hopefully we'll get to see the rest soon.

Dietitian Update

I took Alex to the dietitian last week. She hasn't gained as much weight as they hoped, but given all the antibiotics, the dietitian isn't alarmed. We're starting to give Alex dairy products to see how she does, so far with success. She is drinking Pediasure 3x's a day instead of formula. It's the consistency of a milkshake and comes in chocolate and vanilla flavors. It is also about double the calories of formula.

The hope is she starts gaining weight like she should. She weighs almost 18 lbs, or two pounds away from getting her car seat turned around even though she's 14 months old, to put it in perspective for you. But she's thriving. She goes to the specialist next week to see about having tubes put in her ears. And we'll take her back to the dietitian in about a month.

Besides all this, Alex is still fantastic. We bought her a little foam chair that has Disney Princesses on it. It sits on the floor of our TV room, and she loves sitting in it like a big girl. I'll get some pictures of her in a few days, after I'm done driving to school for the week.

Health Update

Sorry for the long, long time in between posts. I'm back in school and we're trying to get back into some sort of routine after all the holiday craziness. I know some of you have heard bits and pieces about how Alex is doing, but I thought I'd put it all together for you...

Alex's stomach problems seem to be essentially better. We have started working dairy into her diet, with mixed results. This has been complicated by her being on 3 different antibiotics back-to-back since Christmas, so it's hard to tell if what we're feeding her is bothering her or if it is the medicine. I am taking her to see a Pediatric Dietitian on Thursday, so hopefully we'll get some better direction then on what to do with her feeding.

In a related matter, she seems to be gaining more weight, but I'm also hoping the Dietitian will say yes, she's okay or no, we need to do more tests because she's not gaining enough. My gut feeling is she's fine, but I'll feel better hearing it from an expert. She's definitely gotten taller too, I'll let you know how tall after she gets measured again.

Alex has had 3 ear infections in a row, thus the antibiotics. We took her for her one-year checkup on 12/23, and she had her 1st infection in one ear, so was given antibiotics. She had two teeth break through just days later. When we took her for a recheck 10 days after she started antibiotics, the doctor gave her the all-clear (it was a Friday). The following Monday, we had to take her back and the infection was in the same ear again. They gave us another antibiotic that made her miserable with tummy problems the entire time she was on it. Almost two weeks later, she was given the all-clear again. Four days later, we took her back again and her other ear was infected. She's just finishing up her 3rd round of antibiotics now, this one hasn't made her too miserable and seems to be clearing up the infection, but we'll see.

Her doctor has scheduled an appointment for her to see a ear, throat and mouth doctor for 2/25 to see about putting tubes in her ears. We're not sure if they'll schedule that automatically or if they will wait and see. I've heard mixed opinions, some wait until they get 5 infections in a year. Others say at her age they put them in if they have a string of problems like this, because the infections affect their hearing and balance, and she's working on both walking and talking right now. So we'll find more out on this subject soon too.

Besides that, Alex is just fabulous. She knows her ears, eyes, nose, and mouth. She snorts like a pig, moos like a cow, and does several other animal noises. She's starting to say some discernable words, and is constantly jabbering as she plays. She is on her feet most of the time and has to love on every stuffed animal, doll, and other favorite toys every time she comes near them. Her loving is to pick them up, hug them, and pat them on the back several times. If she's in a particularly good mood, she'll also give them a kiss and wiggle her feelings on their belly saying 'tickle-tickle-tickle'. It's pretty sweet to watch.

More wedding pictures

The groom with his siblings




The happy bride and groom




The flower girls

Wedding Pictures

A lot of you have seen pictures of Greg & Kasey's wedding, but for those of you who haven't, here are a few highlights (mainly Alex-related of course!).

Guess What?

See what Alex decided to do tonight!

Happy Birthday!

Alex's 1st birthday party was yesterday. She had a blast and thoroughly enjoyed her cake and presents. Here's a few pics to try and capture a bit of the joy!

Happy Happy Happy

Sorry I haven't written in a while. Here are a couple new pictures of Alex being a ham for the camera. We've been very busy. My school finals are next week. Our kitchen is pretty much done, here are some pictures of the new room as well. Greg & Kasey's wedding is in 12 days, then Alex's 1st birthday and Christmas. Busy, busy, but we're happy and healthy. Enjoy the new pictures!

Afternoon at the Pumpkin Patch

Every year, we go with Chris, Julie, and their kids (Alex's uncle, aunt, and cousins) to a pumpkin patch near Decatur. The kids we very excited that Alex got to go for the first time with them this year. They all had a great time.

October Update

Happy Fall! This is our favorite time of year... the air is getting crisp, the leaves are falling. But it's really busy at the Tanner house right now. Here's a quick update:

Steve is busy finishing everything to have kitchen cabinets installed a week before Thanksgiving. We are moving our kitchen into what used to be the TV room, but the room needed new outlets installed, the windows shortened, a little drywall work, the walls repainted, and floor stained. So no big deal :). He started painting last night and should finish soon, the floor and lighting is all that's left before the cabinets can be installed. Then he also has to do the plumbing for the sink and wiring up the outlets.

I am taking 9 credit hours (3 classes) for my MBA program. One is an internship that I a doing through my current job, so that one isn't too much extra work. I have two research papers due the same week the cabinets get installed (of course), so I am rushing to get one finished up and the other started. I then have a financial plan and 3rd research paper due right after Thanksgiving and two finals the week after. Greg & Kasey get married the week after that, then it's two weeks before Alex turns one and Christmas. So no slowing down until the new year. As far as school goes after this semester, I am taking two classes this spring and two in the summer and I will be done. I should officially graduate in August 2009, so I am getting close to being done!

Miss Alex is doing well. We've had some health concerns to deal with, but I don't think anything that will have long-term effects (hopefully). She has had ongoing tummy problems since she was born, but we think she is diagnosed correctly now with a milk protein intolerance, which most kids grow out of around their 1st birthday (only two months away!). The problem is she cannot have any dairy or meat in the meantime, so she has gained less than 1 pound since she was 6 months old. She is off the bottom of the growth chart for her age, so her doctor is concerned. We are working to get more calories in her, and she's going to see a pediatric dietitian the week of Thanksgiving for a consultation. Hopefully they can give us some good recommendations, because I'm at a loss for what to give her. Fruit, veggies, grains, and formula aren't really calorie-packed foods. The doctor also detected a bit of a heart murmur last time we were there, so we have to take her to get an echo done. Good chance this is nothing, it's a fairly common occurrence, but we need to get it checked out now just to be sure.
Besides all the health stuff, she is doing great. She stands up without holding onto anything or even using hands for assistance. She will be sitting with her bottom on the floor with nothing around her and just pop up. She stands and plays with a toy or something for even 3-4 minutes, and then sits back down. She has no interest in taking a step though. But she is a fast crawler, so we really aren't encouraging her to figure out how to walk either!

Sorry for the infrequent posts. As you can tell by the little run-down, there's a lot going on right now... even more than the highlights even mention. I'll continue to try keeping everyone updated at least monthly or so, and we'll definitely have new pictures posted as they become available.

Just playing!

Alex likes to follow Steve when he isn't watching. She thinks she's pretty mischevious. Here's a short film of them playing. Alex is also standing for a few seconds with no hands and loves to 'walk' with us holding her hands. She is 9 months old today and getting SO big. She babbles all the time, and she's trying to put her noises together. It used to be da da da da da ... or ma ma ma maaa... Now it's da ma ba nay da da da ba baaa... She's also very into touching everything. She sticks out her pointer finger and touches everything, especially pictures. That's about it, enjoy!

Swimming!

Alyssa Tedrick got 2 baby swimming pools for her birthday, so Alex got to inherit one. This has been the first weekend that's been nice enough out and quiet enough at home to get it out. As you can see, she LOVED it. Thanks for sharing Ali!

It's been too long...

Sorry for the major time lapse since the last post. Life's been crazy... Kirsten got married, I finished another class and have started 3 more... Alex is crawling, pulling up on the furniture, and getting ready to crawl.

We found out she has an intolerance to protein, which is why she's had all sorts of tummy problems. She's on special, expensive formula and can't have anything that has protein, so she's basically down to fruits and veggies. But it seems to be helping. Most babies grow out of this intolerance by their 1st birthday, so we're crossing our fingers that this will be the case for her.

Here's more pictures to enjoy, I'll try to add more soon!

Da Da Da!!!

Alex is talking (kind of)! She has a one-word vocabulary that she yells, whispers, chants...

New Alex Pics

I know this is what everyone wants... I've been too busy the last few weeks to post new pictures, so here's random ones from the last few weeks. Enjoy!