Fun Times

Layla has been enjoying fall. The cooler weather has meant for some great out door activities.

A trip to Hillridge farm and a day at Duke Gardens!

Layla had her first pony ride! She doesn't tend to like rides but I was surprised that once the lady helped Jatovi to get her sitting on it, she stayed.

Parents Morning Out!

Layla started a parents morning out class this morning! She will go on Tuesdays and Thursday from 09:15 to 1200. She eats lunch there as well. Although I am terrified and sad all at the time to leave her with strangers I think it will be good for all of us. I plan to use my time wisely, lunch dates, shopping cleaning...the ideas are endless. How ever I really think Layla will benfit the most. She loves watching older kids and she doens't get to play with others as much as I wish. She needs to lean to share and other basic social skills. Because lets face it, her Grandparents and Jatovi and I give her what ever she wants!
The program goes until 1300 but because she is the youngest in the class I will be picking her up at 1200 for a couple of months. After the kids eat lunch at 1130 they go out to the playground. Although Layla loves the playground we do superivse her closely still. The teachers have alot of children to montior so the kids generally play on their own. The program director moved Layla up into the older class. This class is from 18 months - 3 years old. Layla along with two others kids won't be 18 months until this fall sometime so they will all get the ealry pick up until they turn 18months.
I was so proud of Layla she didn't cry at all, and boy some other kids sure did! When I picked her up both days this week the teachers said she did great and played well. Other than them taking her down from the tables that she had climbed up on:)
Her one teacher even asked me how old my other children were? I looked at her confused, she stated she was sure Layla had older siblings beacuse her speach and play were "advanced". I am sure she says that to all the parents, but it made me proud anyways!!

Follow up...

As I sit here writing this I am scared...Layla has been asleep for almost 3 hours. Before last Friday I would have been in heaven. A long morning nap, when she hasn't take a morning nap in over a month would be awesome. Instead I have to keep telling myself it is ok, she was up late last night and is just tried.
Since last Friday Layla has been just fine. No signs that anything is wrong at all. I wrote the doctor an email telling her about my history of seizures and that I was wondering if this information changed anything? She wrote back a very nice email. The bottom line is she doesn't know what happened last week and she agrees that just plain dehydration probably isn't the cause. If it were after the juice and teddy grahams she would have been awake not sleeping in food lion. I later that day received a phone call from Layla's regular doctor. Dr Deimling had called her and notified her of the events so she could do a follow up. Yesterday we took Layla in to see Dr Sloik. Layla was active and crazy as usual. The Dr said she has ruled out dehydration completely and she believes that a seizure is a possibility. After a long talk we have decided that seeing a neurologist now is not needed and we will wait and see if it happens again. The Dr wanted to repeat her labs to see if they were normal now with her "acting" normal. We were off to the lab and I was scared to see them hurt my baby. I said to Jatovi" we are going to see the reaction we all wanted last week". Jatovi held her body and I held her arm, e were prepared for a fight....and go nothing again. They took 5ml of blood with Layla just watching her. She smiled at the lady when she put the bandage on her, didn't seem to mind at all. So maybe that wasn't such a sign last week after all. What kinda kid doesn't mind lab draws??
So we left believing it was probably a seizure and if it happens again I am to call 911( that's what the doctor wants me to do).
That lasted for 3 hours when the doctor called me. Her labs were all completely normal now, bicarb was 23 and fasting BS was 81. Perfect!! And after giving it thought she doesn't know if it was a seizure either. She said possibly metabolic since the bicarb was 15 at the time. The key is waiting to see if it happens again. She really just doesn't know what happened.
So I take from this the fact that everyone is just as confused as I was. And we just need it to not happen again!!!
As you can see she was just fine during her appointment!

Follow up to the follow up.....

Layla had more labs done this week (September 12 2011) at the advice of a metabolic specialist. We are still waiting for the results, however Layla is acting so well I really try not to even think about it.

Another Scary Day

Friday started off great, we all got to sleep in. Thursday we had gone to the pool to meet Hilary and Mary so Layla had had a tone of fun. She had so much fun she fell asleep in the car on the way home. She slept for the 35min drive home and refused to take her nap. This made for a long afternoon. By 6:45 she was a cranky mess so I put her to bed. That brings me back to Friday...I woke up at 6:55 to Layla crying alittle. I told Jatovi the time and said "It is too early she is not getting up". Not a problem she went back to sleep. Jatovi and I both stayed in bed awhile longer. Then got up, showered and ready for the day. I peaked in on her around 9 and she was sound asleep sucking on her pacy. So I went about enjoying my free time. I figured she was just still sleepy from her busy nap free day the day before. By 1030 I was starting to worry...15hours of sleep?? I walked into her room and she rolled over and sat up. I picked her up and she laid her head down on my shoulder. I sat down on my chair in her room. I was talking to her and looking at her. She was half asleep still. Then I could hear her stomach making noises and she started to vomit. It was a small amount of clear fluid but it worried me none the less. I laid her down on the change table to clean her up and she was asleep again. WHAT IS GOING ON??? I started to pinch her and call her name. She would open her eyes and look at me but not cry. I didn't know what to do. Could she just be that tired? I called the nurse advise line and she of course made it worse by saying I needed to bring her in immediately.

To make a long story short, we were then at the doctors 2hours with Layla basically asleep for most of the time. She would wake up with stimulation but not cry or doing anything. She would follow you with her eyes and respond to her name. But as soon as her head was down she was asleep again.Since Jatovi was at work I called Grannie on my way to the doctors. She took over trying to get a hold of Jatovi for me. Then her and Granddad came to the doctors as well. The doctor had me take her to the waiting room to see if she would react to them. Nope nothing, she starred at them like they were strangers. Her neuro exam was normal other than the sleeping. The doctor planned to take labs. If a blood draw didn't get her to respond she said we would then be transferred to the ER for a head CT. I was sure a blood draw would do the trick! When the lab tech arrived he had Jatovi hold her arm and me her body. We were prepared for a fight....and got nothing. She just lied there looking at all of us. Well that was enough for me, the tears came and didn't stop. What was wrong her my baby? A second doctor came into assess her and found nothing different. Since Layla had not ate anything since dinner, they said to try to get her to eat while they ran the lab work. With her favorites of juice(pedialyte) and teddy grahams to work with we woke her up and offered them to her. Two teddy grahams later her eyes her wide open. She took some juice and looked down at her band aid from the labs and said "WOW" and smiled!!! YAY, could it be alright? Maybe low blood sugar? The doctor came in and saw that she was perking up. Her blood sugar was 61...so not low enough to cause any issues. I was thrilled that Layla was starting to be her self again. I finally asked the doctor what do you really think is going on her. She said she really doesn't know but some ideas were a unwitnessed seizure in her crib, or a UTI. They had previously put a bag on her to collect urine. She peed around it which meant they needed to do a cath on her. I left the room...could not watch that. And I think Jatovi and I both needed to take a breath of fresh air. When they did it I heard her cry...wasn't sad at all. I was thrilled..the perfect reaction.

Her labs came back showing she had a slight infection, but no fever. Her urine did not look like it was the cause but it did have ketones. Since her diaper was almost dry when I had woke her up the doctor thought she possibley could be dehydrated. Since by this point Layla was running around acting like herself the doctor felt like sending her to the ER was not necessary. If she had had a seizure there was nothing that could be done at this point. We were sent home. Layla kept sleeping, in the car on the way home. I had to stop at food lion to get her pedialyte and she was so sound asleep that I had to carry her around the store. I tried to wake her up and put her in the cart but she looked drugged sound asleep slouched over. So I carried her trying not to cry. Why was she asleep again. I pinched her hard...and got her to wake up. It worked, she was awake until we got home.

The doctor called me later to let me know the rest of the labs were back. They had ran a tox screen in case she had ate something...all negative. But the doctor wanted me to know that her co2 on the BMP was low at 15. She was still concerned but since Layla had taken a nap and was eating her dinner at this point she said just make sure she drinks alot of fluid over the weekend. If anything like this happens again take her directly to the ER.

At this point I was so relieved that she was awake and eating (it was now 5:30) that I didn't ask many more questions. I went with ok she is dehydrated and she needs to drink.

That was fine until I spoke with my mom. I told her everything and she then reminded me that our family has a strong history of seizures....that includes me. I had several seizures from the time I was 6months until I went to school. They never found a reason, I just stopped having them. Our family history includes other people as well, so this has me a little more concerned. I completely forgot this while taking to the doctors because I really just didn't want to think she may have had a seizure.

So now 3 days later Layla is active and well. I am trying not to focus on what it was or what may happen again but it is hard. The doctor said we just have to wait and see if she does it again.

Boy I am terrified of that happening.

Precious Moments

Layla has been a good sleeper for the most part for months now. So at bedtime we just put her in her crib and walk away. I guess at some point she lies down and falls asleep. Well since reading books has become one of her favorite things to do I have added it to the bedtime routine. After she is in her pj's we sit and read a story.

During the day we read...and read books all day, But she won't sit on your lap to read them. She brings them to you and no matter what you are doing she expects you to stop and read. If your reading to slow she will try to change the page, or walk away to get the next book before that one is finished. How ever bedtime story has turned out to be one of my favorite times of the day....and not just because she is going to sleep! Layla will cuddle in, lean her head on you and just listen. I find it so relaxing and heart warming to spend these few quiet moments together at the end of the day.

I can't believe I love this little person so much!

15 Beautiful Months!

We now have a 15month old beautiful little girl in our house. I can not tell you how amazed I am with Layla everyday. Her vocabulary is going. Some of the new words are car, more, ball, no, and go. She seems to have a new word every couple of days. But what really impresses me is her understanding. The other day as a joke I asked her to put her shoes away. Layla picked them up and walked over and throw them by the shoes at the door! I was flabbergasted!! She knew what I meant and did it. I have since asked her to do several things like get your shoes, bring me your cup, go get a drink and she does them all. She has been able to "bring me a book" for weeks but it had not occurred to ask her to do anything else. I now ask her things all the time, and some times she does it. I have even tried to tell her to put her shoes on. It is so cute because she will sit down and try, of course not being able to do it but trying none the less. The funniest part...I was so happy I called Grammie and Grandpa and told them she is a genius! I mean it is big that she can put her shoes away right? Well the next day I read on line that at 15months this is normal. So maybe not a genius...but perfect in my eyes!!

At her check up she weighed 23.6lbs which is only 1/2 a pound since her 1 year appointment, and she grew 1.5inches. She down to the 60% on both now. She is still in 18month clothes which is kinda funny since she has been wearing that size since like 6months. If she doesn't start growing she may be able to wear some of last years fall clothes. Layla's appetite has decreased a lot, still loves the graham crackers though the most. Crawling is a thing of the past. Layla walks full time and even runs! It is so cute watching her Daddy chase her and her running as fast as she can get her legs to move. Her croc's are still her favorite shoes...I am not sure why I keep buying her stride rites?

Our biggest issues this month is bath time. I am not sure what happened but she went from kinda disliking her bath to being terrified of it. It's not the entire experience just getting her hair washed. But since she knows that it is coming the entire bath she cries and act's terrified and tries to get out. It makes for a miserable experience for everyone involved. I asked her doctor about it and she feels like it is just her personality and she will get better. Oh boy are we in trouble is this is a sign! Jatovi has taken this responsibility over for the most part because he is way more calm and patient with her. I have signed us up for swimming lessons to get some advice on dealing with her in the water. The pool is fun as long as her doesn't get her face wet.She loves the spray yard as well, better chance of not getting water in her face. So I will take any advice I can get.

Layla's hair is continuing to grow, more curls. Some days they are tight curls some loose big curls. It would be pretty long if it were straight. Layla is up to 6 teeth! 4 came in all in one week. I am sure her little gums were sore but we really couldn't tell. There seems to be a large space between her two front upper teeth, but Aunt Jamel assures us that it is ok. Baby teeth are 1.5x smaller than her adult teeth so this means there will be enough room for her adult teeth....we will see!Layla seems to be down to 1 afternoon nap a day. After lunch she will sleep for 2-3 glorious hours!

At the Doctors for her 15 month appointment

Climbing into her high chair.....one of her favorite things to do

Her ears pierced still :) No infections

Snack time

Layla loves Cousin Alex!

This is what bath time looks like....so sad!

Road Trip

We took Layla on her first road trip home. Jatovi and I have done it tones of times....but never like this! We knew Layla doesn't like car rides...but how bad could it be right?
Well apparently it can be really bad! Jatovi had a baseball game Friday night but felt that if it was over in time leaving late Friday night would be the best. The game ran late so he was not home until after midnight so Saturday morning it would be. I woke at my usual 5am, which seemed perfect for me. I got Jatovi up we got ready and were on the road by 6. I woke Layla up changed her diaper and put her in the car. I was sure after a few minutes she would go to sleep. Boy was I wrong. We drove for 17hours leaving at 6am and getting to my parents at 1045pm. Layla slept for maybe a total of 2.5hrs the whole day. The remaining hours were spent watching kids t.v shows and Layla whining. She was so tired, and board she just was miserable. Which meant Jatovi and I were also miserable. We stopped several times, even once at a McDonald's so she could play in the play area. I had not wanted us to give Layla McDonald's how ever it was worth a try. She ate chicken nuggets and played for awhile, she seemed to enjoy playing but was not happy about returning to the car. The DVD player Layla got for her birthday was awesome, but I really need to get use to kids shows because they drive me nuts!
After a long day we were finally there!
The week was fun and relaxing. Mom, Layla and I spent alot of time together. Dad had to work, and Jatovi spent time relaxing the way he likes...playing video games and watching CNN.
Jatovi and I went on two date nights...awesome! We have only been to the movies once since she was born so we took advantage of my parents babysitting services and went to two. Layla decided to start walking full time while at Grammies. Grammie bought her a $8 pair of croc's to wear to the pool. The first time we put them on her it was magic, she started walking and hasn't stopped!
The drive home was sooooo much better. We took 2 days and Layla was much happier. We left later in the day so she was ready for a nap and slept the first couple of hours. After a night in a hotel Layla took several naps the next day. We had bought Gravol, a over the counter medication that is for "motion sickness" that also happens to cause drowsiness. I has not above treating Layla's "motion sickness" on the way home if needed. But THANKFULLY she was fine.

The biggest event of the week....Layla's grandparents "shot her up"! That's right they took Layla to get her ear's pierced. The deal all along had been not before her first birthday, and that was months past. I really didn't want it done, but had no good reason to keep saying No. Jatovi even wanted her to have them. So with no good reason to keep telling them no, I told them if they did it I didn't want to know that was what they were doing. They claim that she didn't even cry because they had some older girls play with her to distract her. She has not seemed like they bother her at all.

Grammie and Grandpa bought Layla her first bike...helmet and all!

Not all fun and games at the park

First time eating frozen yogurt

Feeding time with Grammie

We stopped in Niagara Falls to show Layla the water fall and visit uncle Jeff
Layla's crib at the hotel

Breaking the law with Daddy(in a parking lot)