Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!  We have SO much to be thankful for, especially this year!!!  We are so so so blessed and thankful for having each other, our sweet baby boy, our family and friends, and that we are all healthy and happy!!

It's crazy to think that this time last year I was keeping one of the biggest secrets I've ever had since we had plans to share the news of "Bellyot" with our families over Thanksgiving.  And now this year we will be giving our 5 month old mashed potatoes at the dinner table!

Speaking of 5 months old, I decided to make a hand turkey for Elliot's 5 month picture since it's November.

For some reason my pictures aren't uploading but I will update with a picture once it's working again.

Hope you all have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!!

Being a parent is scary business!

Saturday (Nov 13th) started like a normal weekend day would ... Chris let me sleep in (thank you!), he woke up with Elliot to give him breakfast, play and watch cartoons.  Around 11 am Chris came in to wake me up since he had a tee time scheduled for 12 noon with a friend from work.  By the time we came out in the living room, Elliot had rolled over and scooted from his play gym mat to the entertainment center ... he is on the move!  Not crawling but scooting.

Chris left for golf and I prepared Elliot's afternoon bottle as it was nearing his usual afternoon nap time.  I sat down to feed him and he appeared hungry.  After a minute or 2 of feeding I noticed that he was shaking his arm, this isn't unusual for Elliot but it is usually accompanied by agitation and whining - translation: "mommy, feed me faster" or "mommy, give me the bottle back!".  The only issue ... he wasn't whining or agitated - he was calm and almost sleepy-like.  I realized what was going on, put the bottle down, held up up and saw that his whole body was trembling - almost like a shiver ... not like a violent seizure.  He wasn't stiff, his breathing was normal, he didn't change colors, his face appear calm - almost asleep.

I immediately called our Pediatrician's office and the on-call Dr advised me to go to the ER and preferably have someone ride in the back with him.  We got to the ER and they took us right back to Peds.  Meanwhile our Moms were on their way up from Sarasota - huge thanks to Chris' mom for bringing my Mom!!  Not too long after we were there we saw the ER Doctor who said that she wanted to run a urine and blood test and that he would be admitted.  They were discussing whether he would be staying at LRMC or going to St. Joseph's in Tampa.  Urine and bloodwork came normal!!  Thank you Lord no infections or anything weird!  We spent the night and he didn't have any other episodes so we were discharged the following morning.  So far so good ... I hope to never experience that again!  All the doctors (ER, Peds, and Our Ped) feel that this was NOT a seizure episode but rather a sign of possible acid relux.  Such a relief!!!!

I have pictures but they didn't want to post so I might try again later...

THANK YOU for all of your prayers and well wishes for Elliot.  We pray this was a one-time, never going to happen again experience and should it ever happen again, we pray that it is reflux related!!

With love,
Connie

Quick update

Elliot is 4 months and 3 weeks old - can you believe it!?!  My baby boy is almost 5 months old!  Where has the time gone??  It is incredible how much Elliot changes EVERY single day!  I know he is only 4.5 months old but he has such a great personality and a sense of humor too ... not to mention a HUGE flirt!

Elliot loves to smile, giggle, and squeal ... he's such a happy and content baby.  We are so blessed!

What's new with E:  I'm pretty sure he is in full teething mode but no sight of any pearly whites yet.  He can sit up in his tri-pod stance (for longer periods), roll over (both front and back), LOVES to blow bubbles, "talks" often, likes when we dance with him and loves music in general, likes tummy time a lot more and even turns and "scoots", loves looking in mirrors, and likes eating oatmeal (prefers over rice cereal).

Here are some pictures from his 4 month photo shoot:

~~ Photography by Studio One to One ~~

~~ Photography by Studio One to One ~~

~~ Photography by Studio One to One ~~

~~ Photography by Aimee Vignocchi ~~

~~ Photography by Aimee Vignocchi ~~

~~ Photography by Aimee Vignocchi ~~

~~ Photography by Aimee Vignocchi ~~

~~ Photography by Aimee Vignocchi ~~ (notice the words on the crate)