fun times with photo booth

another blog to check out

My good friend Alyse passed this blog onto me, so if you get a minute, check it out and pray for this courageous, inspiring family. It was so awesome to read of his remarkable faith and his journey through what I'm sure is so difficult.

http://cfhusband.blogspot.com

SOME PICS

____DYLAN MADE THEM SHIRTS---


-------- GO HEELS!!!------------

-----------------------GREAT MAWMAW--------------------

Crazy J Man-------------------------













-------------------------------------So Serious Thomas

so here we are...

So after so much prayer and tears I have decided that it is Thomas' best interest to try the hypoallergenic formula. I attempted this morning, not thinking, to give it to him. Not thinking about how totally different it must have tasted (it smells aweful). He totally refused it and screamed to the top of his lungs for about 45 minutes. This of course didn't help me to feel at peace about my decision. Later I pumped and mixed in just a little and he took it fine. Tonight I did the same, so hopefully over a day or so of adding a little more in, he will be ok with the taste.
It will be so much better to know he is free of milk/soy/egg. I do feel like this was the right decision, despite the cost. I am working on getting multiple coupons from people and hopefully some samples from the doctor. There is even a possibility that insurance could cover it or that we may be able to qualify for WIC. That would help a lot. Anyway, we are assured God will take care of us and make my sweet baby well.

eczema strikes again

The checks on Thomas' poopy diapers were positive for blood which is what we figured. The doctor said I should attempt to eliminate all dairy as well as soy from my diet and to limit my egg intake as well, since Jeremiah was allergic to them. So that leaves me to eat meat, fruits, and veggies (PLAIN). Anyway, this is so hard for me to know what to do. It can take up to 3 weeks for all the dairy to leave my system so any dairy that is remaining is still affecting Thomas and if I happen to accidentally ingest any, I will be to blame for continued stomach aches, prolonged crying and his itchy, eczema on his face. But if I switch to formula, which would have to be hypoallergenic, not milk-based or soy-based, and 3 times the price of normal formula, then I will be robbing him of the benefits of breastmilk. Either way, it is hard to know which is the right decision to make. I just want him to feel better and not cry or hurt.
Pray that I can be at peace with what I decide to do. Pray that we can afford it if it happens to be formula and that I can find things to eat and be satisfied if i chose the dairy/soy/egg free diet.

VT fans no matter what

We pulled for Tech and they lost. Thats ok, we are still proud to be fans of Virginia Tech.

Thomas at one month

Christmas Eve waiting on Santa

Little Thomas Gray is 1 month old. He now weighs 10lbs 10 oz and is 23 inches long. He is 75% on his height and between 50-75% and his head is still 50%. He is sleeping a stretch of 5 hours usually but it starts around 10 most nights, which would be great if I went to bed at 10. Other than that it is still every 3 hours to eat.
We recently have noticed what appears to be blood streaks in Thomas' diaper so we are having to check his poop for blood and take it to the doctor. They think as of now it could just be that he is straining to poop or that he could possibly have a milk allergy or sensitivity. I am having to avoid all dairy since I am breastfeeding him. That is super hard. Please pray that it isnt an allergy. One kid with an egg allergy is bad enough. I cant imagine an egg and a milk allergy.
Here are a few new pictures. I was really bad at Christmas and didnt take many so I am waiting on mom and Harriet to send me more.