Julia's GI Appointment

I took Julia to see a GI (gastroenterologist) doctor today after concerns about her weight. It isn't that she isn't gaining weight, but it just seems to be at a really slow rate. For example, at her two week check her weight was in the 59% at her 4 month check it was in the 48%, at her nine month check it was in the 27% and at her 19th month check she was in the 10%. So, the pediatrician and the allergist thought it would be a good idea to see a GI.

The GI said there would be two reasons that Julia wasn't gain weight like she should be:
1. Not enough calories
2. She could have some kind of nutrition absorption issue.

The GI had us keep a food diary for a week. She said that from what she saw it looked like Julia wasn't consuming enough calories. She said that there could be a few reasons for that.
1. Because of her food allergies it is hard to get her enough calories and fat in her diet. For example, because she can't have milk, which has 149 calories per cup and I have to substitute almond milk, which has 60 calories per cup. So, she doesn't drink whole milk and I don't cook with it, that can cause a huge calorie reduction.
2. She could be having some kind of reflux issue that makes it uncomfortable for her to eat.

The GI wanted to start with addressing her caloric intake. So, we are doing the following.
1. She prescribed an acid blocker for her in case she was having reflux issues.
2. She is doing a full panel blood screen to make sure there isn't a hidden reason for the slow weight gain.
3. We are going to calorie boost her diet by doing the following:
    Providing strict meals and snacks with no grazing in between.
    No water or juice.
    Adding a high calorie formula to her diet.
   Giving her only 20-30 minutes to finish her meal.

The doctor is going to see her again next month to see how we are doing.

Update on Hives and Allergies......

We had our appointment with the GI doctor on Monday, the 19th. After discussing Natalie’s history and her current allergy skin prick test results, which showed she was allergic to wheat, we have decided to proceed with a scope procedure next Tuesday the 28th. She had blood drawn the same day to test for Celiac’s disease. For right now we have put her back on wheat for the scope. She has been off of wheat since Friday the 9th. The scope will show if she has any additional allergies or any other issues. We should have more answers by the end of next week.

On Tuesday the 20th I went to get my hair cut. When I came home I was getting ready to brush Natalie's teeth when Jeff mentioned he thought she had some red spots on her face. As I began looking she began to get more spotty. I took some photos, but they proceeded to get worse and worse so I called her doctor. The doctor said that sometimes when you take food away that they are allergic too and then reintroduce it, you can have a more severe reaction. Great, I gave her a whole wheat roll at dinner time. The doc said to take her off wheat again. Here are a couple photos of the hives as they were appearing.

On Wednesday the 21, Natalie woke up with hives still on her. I couldn't believe it. The girl hasn't had a hive in her life. I called the allergist and she sent a prescription out for an epi pen for Natalie. She also said to keep giving her Benadryl.

Thursday seemed better. Until we answered the door and I noticed that Natalie's feet were a little red. They then proceeded to get redder and began to swell. Natalie complained that they hurt. She then got hives clear up her legs to her waist line. I called the doc back and she sent out a prescription for a steroid. The GI doctor also called and had to move her scope to the 31st of January due to the steroid treatment.

On Friday she got hives again and then later that night got these strange looking blood blisters on her lips. I called and they thought we should just watch them. I couldn't give her any more medicine since I had just given her some for hives and she wasn't having any trouble breathing and was acting fine.

On Saturday her lips seemed a lot better, but she still got hives in the afternoon. Sunday and Monday we had more bouts of hives and more doses of Benadryl. I am planning on calling the doc tomorrow to see if they can tell us what is going on. It is getting a little stressful around here!

Merry Christmas!!!

I can't believe that Christmas  is here. With the medical issues that we have had recently, it seems as if time is just flying by! We did get cookies made on Friday and the girls had a great time decorating them. I found a wonderful allergy free recipe and they roll out and taste great!

Julia always seems to be eating, here she is with plenty of sugar, a candy cane and an applesauce. Oh, this is her new cheese face.

 

 On Christmas Eve we always get together with my parents to exchange gifts. This year we celebrated at our house. We got together in the afternoon and then had dinner. You can tell by all the gifts that it was very merry at our house!

 

I love this photo of my girls.

Here is Julia in her new cow boots. Of course, Pa Pa has cows and Julia just loves them.

My brother got me this wine glass. Its says it holds an entire bottle of wine....hmmmm....

 

Yea!! Julia got more bubbles!!

Here is Mom in her new coyboy slippers. She loved them and they will be perfect at the ranch!

Natalie fell in love with this dress that has a matching dress for her doll. Of course we immediately had to change clothes.

Julia and Mom.

Jared and one of his great gifts.

I made some Rhodes Red Angus sweatshirts for all of us and they were a hit!

Natalie and her pink stuffed dog from Jared. She of course named it Riley.

Love the girls in their jackets.

Julia in Mi Mi's slippers.

Jared with his awesome handmade gift.

 

Julia cruising on her new ride on.

Julia and her new baby doll. It has a paci and pig tails just like her!

Here is Julia with me showing off our homemade Buche de Noel.

Julia with her new purse. I am pretty sure this is the, I am done with photos, look.

And what good is a sweatshirt without a matching hat?

I am not sure who was more excited for Christmas, the kids or us. The night started out rough. We knew that Natalie would get up and we wanted to be sure and see her face when she saw the gifts. I told Jeff I would sleep on her trundle in her room and then I would just text him when we were awake. The plan went flawless until midnight when Julia decided that she wanted to get up with a low grade fever. Her and I ended up sleeping in my bed and Jeff ended up on the trundle. It was so cute, when Jeff called to wake me up I heard Natalie ask if he was talking to Santa. Evidently, Jeff had to say that he would have to call Santa on his cell phone if she wouldn't go to sleep. Too funny. Anyway, here is Julia's first look at the gifts!

And here is Natalie's.

Here is Julia opening up a Winne the Pooh puzzle.

 

Here is Natalie opening up some new stamps.

Just opening up more gifts.

We opened a couple and then took a break so I could get breakfast going. Here are the girls watching Julia's new favorite show, Melmo.

Because of Natalie's no wheat diet she couldn't have the cinnamon rolls that I made. I asked her what she wanted as her special Christmas morning breakfast and she told me mac and cheese. Wish granted. (Rice noodles of course.)

Julia LOVES candy canes. In fact she almost knocked the tree over trying to get one off! She doesn't suck on them at all, she just takes bites off and chews them.

 

More gifts. A bubble wagon!

Jeff, in his ridiculous Rudolph footie pj's the girls picked out, with his new belt.

Jeff and Natalie.

Don in his Rhodes Red Angus hat!

Natalie got a princess alarm clock and Julia was mesmerized by it. I think I know what I will put on her birthday list!

Me and my baby girl. Yep, she is opening my gift.

Natalie and Jeff with his new shoe organizer.

Me and my new purse. Yep, that is Julia on my lap pinching my armpits. I don't know why she does it, but it is the way that she soothes herself. It is pretty funny.

Yea!! My surprise gift!!

Julia hates to brush her teeth. I thought that if I got her a doll that comes with a tooth brush and toothpaste it might help. Not sure that it has, but I am sure that it is adorable to watch her take care of her baby.

Jeff with his new watch organizer.

Don gave the girls a teeter totter and they loved it!! Natalie has wet hair because she had just gotten out of the shower. We had a small incident at lunch where she ate too much too fast and got sick.

I think this photo sums up the day. 

Don also got the girls this play market and they love it. It is so cute to hear Natalie say, "What may I help you for today?" The girls have bought all kinds of things around the house!

We hope that everyone had a very merry Christmas!!!