Avery?

We're not sure what is up with Avery right now. She began acting rather sensitive Friday, and has continued since. She cries at the drop of a hat, and is easily scared at random times. She begins to cry uncontrollably, and Jake and I have no idea what causes it most of the time. We just assume that it's because she started feeling bad, but it almost seems like she is traumatized at times! She did it at the sitter's house Friday, the Turner's house Friday night, the Pumpkin Patch Saturday, and then again Sunday morning and Sunday night in the church nursery. At the Turner's she did it after we took a picture with a camera flash, so we thought it may have scared her, and then Sunday morning, they brought a video camera in to get footage of her for their welcome video, so we thought that may have frightened her as well. However, the other times, there was nothing around to trigger the behavior.
Other than that, she started the usual clear, runny nose with a cough about a week ago. It has continued, but with no fever or chest congestion. We know she has fluid on both ears because of last week's ENT visit, so we thought they could've become infected. Yesterday morning, she began having diarrhea continuously (AGAIN), which gave her sensitive little bum diaper burn (AGAIN). She's been taking unusually long naps too. Poor Jake took her to her Endocrinology appointment yesterday (alone), and when her got her out of the car seat, she got diarrhea all over him and her! Then, she went ballistic (sp?) in the examining room, and wouldn't let him weigh her or ANYTHING. They had to weigh Jake holding her and subtract his weight. He was so stressed out by the time I got home! We scheduled another Pediatrician visit for today to check things out.
This morning, she woke up early screaming, while I was getting ready for work, and it took a good while to settle her down. I was totally upset leaving her, because I just hate seeing her like this. I had to peel her off of me to give her to Jake, and it killed me. I took off half a day, and met Jake at Dr. V's office. Avery screamed so loudly every time someone came in the room, that I had to pretty much speak in a yell, lol. I realize it's normal for children her age to cry at the doctor, etc. It's just so hard to tell when she it's something normal with her or a bigger problem. Dr. V checked her ears, and the left wasn't infected. I had to hold Avery down for her to pull some wax out of the right, but she couldn't tell whether it was infected or not (it's so hard to see in those tiny canals). No chest congestion still and she couldn't tell too much about her throat because A had been drinking orange gator-ade! Any way, she sent off for a stool sample, and put A on a different antibiotic upping the dose. She told me to keep her home for a few days until she starts feeling better. Poor little munchkin- we just hate seeing her like this, especially since she's usually so happy.
Thanks to all for prayers! On a brighter note, her Endocrinology appointment produced positive news. Avery has gone up on the growth charts a significant amount in all areas (head circumference, height, weight, etc.). I guess we must be doing something right! Surely God is continuing to keep his hands on her- that gives me much needed peace.

Ready for Fall!

Avery's ENT Appointment

I took Avery in for her appointment with Dr. Carron today to check out this ear/hearing situation. It's so funny how different doctors appointments are now that she is walking and more vocal, lol. At least she has a good little personality (that is unless you are trying to examine her- then whewww!). She was smiling and walking up to another lady and her son who were waiting near us. She even shared her cheerios with her old NICU buddy Andrew, when we ran into him and Angela. Now, back to the appointment....I held the little fiesty one down while Dr. Carron tried his best to look in her ears (the nurse had her feet, lol), and the fluid is still on both ears. He said he thought she may have a temper when he came in and saw a red-head. Boy was he right. We will go back in 2 months to check them again, if she still has the fluid, looks like she may get tubes put in. If there is no fluid, then we will re-test her hearing. Dr. Carron didn't seem too concerned, and Avery isn't showing any symptoms of hearing loss, so hopefully, everything will be just fine in that department.

Avery's Hearing Test

Avery had to go to a follow-up visit with the audiologist today, because her last hearing test was pretty much inconclusive due to her being so young. They didn't think anything was wrong at the time, just thought she may do better once she got a little older. I guess that wasn't very accurate. She went today (Jake took her because I am trying to keep from taking off of work), and she tested mild to moderate. The audiologist said it could be due to the fact that Avery has fluid in her ears, so she scheduled an app. with the ear, nose and throat Dr. for Tuesday. Jake said that Avery did fine at first, but then got fussy and the test went down hill after that. How those tests can be accurate with a child her age amazes me any way. Once she got done with the test, they checked her canals, and that didn't go over well either (of course). Now, she will see the ear, nose and throat Dr. and go back for another follow-up. The audiologist says that there may be nothing wrong, but they can't rule it out until she passes. I don't think hearing is a problem for Avery due to the fact that her speech seems to be right on track, and she doesn't show any signs of not hearing well. The way the little woman keeps up with the beat of music makes me think even less of it all! Still, in the back of my mind, I know that hearing loss is associated with TS, and it makes me a little nervous. Hopefully, all is well, and we can rule it out with the next test. Other than that, she has an endocrinology appointment coming up. I don't think there will be any unexpected news there....she may have some blood work done to check thyroid, etc., but I'm thinking it will be more of a check-up to record information on her. She's expected to begin GH injections once she turns 2 this coming summer. Praying for her to keep doing well, and for her hearing to be PERFECT like her sweet little smile!

Start! Heart Walk 2010

This is just another one of those days, that I realize just how blessed we are to have Avery. We spent the afternoon in downtown Jackson at the American Heart Association Heart Walk, and although the crowd was a bit overwhelming when you have a little one, it was great! We finally got to meet a few online 'heart friends' in person at the MS Mended Little Hearts group area. We even saw our wonderful social worker, Gayden, and caught a glimpse of the surgeon we are all so very thankful to have at UMC, Dr. Salazar. Mom and Dad came to support us, and while Dad had to find a shaded area as he is not supposed to be in the sun too much, Avery, Jake, Mom and I all walked the 1 mile route to support heart health and research. Thanks to several wonderful people I know, Avery and I reached our donation goal, and we are thrilled about that! The Hinds Cheerleaders led a warm-up, and Avery was "getting down" to the music- it was so funny. All I can say is, " I wonder where she gets that from?". LOL. She even got a Red Survivor Cap- at least she wore it for a few pics! Hopefully, next year, Jake will be feeling better. He had oral surgery this week, and is still in pain and having complications. Any way, it was a good day for a great cause!

The AHA Heart Walk

This is a video I swiped from Catherine's blog, because I thought it was cute. Catherine said "Not only is it funny, it does a great job of helping you learn more about the importance of the funds raised by the Heart Walk. And the best part is the music video was put together by some of the physicians and staff at Vanderbilt Heart (the group that treats adult patients). I guess not only do they treat patients...they also sing, dance, and support the Nashville Heart Walk too!"
If you haven't signed up for our local heart walk, Sunday, October 10, it's not too late! Also if you'd like to donate, every little bit helps! I've almost reached my goal of $250- just $25 more to go, thanks to Gene Newman, Edie Newman, and Suzanna Flotta! I added the link below if you'd like to visit my CHH page...I'll be walking as part of the MS Mended Little Hearts Team.