Girls photos

Here are some of the pictures we had taken the beginning of March.  These photos were taken by Creative Images Tammy Photography.  She does wonderful work!!!

The last couple of weeks...

The last couple of weeks have been rough for me so there wasn't much picture taking.  Here are some of the latest...

she seems to really like sitting in the Bumbo seat...

Update...

I really don't have much to update with.  I saw a GI specialist last Wednesday.  He ran several more blood tests to try to come up with something.  Unfortunately none of the results were very clear.  I had a follow up appointment on Thursday.  I had my labs drawn before my appointment then Michelle and I headed up to see the doctor.  We had to wait about 45 minutes for the labs to come back.  It was nearing noon and Michelle needed to leave to get back to work.  She wrote down a list of things to mention and questions to ask.  As she opened the door the doctor was heading in.  She said to him that she needed to leave and he said again he was headed in.  Michelle asked him if he wanted her to stay and he said, Yes...  My heart sank for a moment! 

It appeared that my liver enzymes were recovering but my bilirubin levels went up significantly.  From 4.3 to 10.9.  This would explain why I feel like complete crap and look like crap.  I looked more yellow than ever and could hardly stay awake.  Mind you I had continued to go to work every day through all of this. 

Anyway, Dr. McCashland recommended I have a liver biopsy right away.  He was able to get me in Friday at 1 pm.  I was nervous, I had been hearing all kinds of bad things about these biopsies.  We reported to UNMC at 12 to check in.  They took me back to a curtained off room and prepped me for the procedure.  They put in an IV and they allowed Brian and Michelle to come back until they started.  Thankfully when Dr. McCashland arrived he said they could stay and watch.  That made me feel a lot better.

An ultrasound tech came in to find the best spot for the needle to go in.  I was given some medication that made me very sleepy.  Then he numbed the area and thats about all that I remember.  During the procedure they insert a needle between the ribs and extract a piece of liver tissue.  They showed me the sample in the jar and it looked like a little worm...

I then slept for quite a while.  They kept me a little over 2 hours after the procedure to monitor my vitals and to make sure there was no bleeding.  I took it easy and rested the remainder of the day. 

As of now I really have no pain from the biopsy, couldn't be happier about that.  Now we just wait until Monday to get the results.  Again, hoping this is something very simple to fix. 

Here is another look at my jaundice tan...

Mommy is sick...

Several weeks ago I had a bad cold or the flu.  Never went to the doctor.  After a week and a half I started getting better.  Then a week ago Tuesday I started developing all new symptoms.  Some I won't mention...  My biggest complaint was constant itching all over.  I had Brian call the doctors office for me on Wednesday but they wouldn't talk to him about my medical issues.  I couldn't be by a phone all day so it made it difficult for me to try to talk to them.  Part of the day I started to feel better so I figured I would wait and see how I felt the next day.  As Thursday rolled around nothing had changed so I went to the doctor over my lunch break.  Sure enough something was wrong but I didn't know exactly what.  I was told I had billirubin in my urine and that is what the itching was from.  Hmm...  They ran several blood tests and said I probably wouldn't hear until morning.  My doctor said my labs would more than likely come back abnormal and that I would probably need an ultrasound of my liver the next morning.  Geez, I was really started to get worried. 

Friday morning came and I received a phone call from my doctors nurse stating my labs were abnormal and I needed to be at the hospital in an hour for the ultrasound.  Brians sister Tina was able to watch the girls for me on short notice, couldn't thank her enough. 

Luckily I hadn't eaten or drank anything yet because otherwise they wouldn't have been able to do the ultrasound.  I also haven't had much of an appetite.  The ultrasound didn't take too long and I was instructed to report to the doctors office for the results.  Sure enough the ultrasound showed inflammation of my liver.  Thankfully there were no masses or anything of that sort.  Everything else looked great!  Only problem was we don't know what is causing this.  I was given 2 prescriptions to help stop the itching.  I was itching so much I was bruising my skin!  Not fun...

Brians sister Teresa was sweet enough to take Lily for a couple of days so I could get some much needed rest.  Lily spent the night with them Friday and Saturday night.  Seriously can't thank her enough!!!

On Monday morning I still wasn't feeling well.  Very fatigued, loss of appetite, still itching, and now my eyes looked yellow.  I called the doctors office and they suggested I have my blood drawn again so they could re-check my liver enzymes.  I went in on my lunch hour and was again told it would be at least 3 hours before I would hear anything.  By 5 pm one of the nurses called and said they hadn't gotten the results.  Finally after 3 phone calls I got an answer at 11:30 on Tuesday.  Mind you by this point I am completely jaundice!  Skin is yellow as are my eyes.  To my surprise and theirs my liver enzymes had doubled.  At this point they said they wouldn't be able to help me and I was referred out to a GI specialist.  Thank heavens I got an appointment at UNMC for Wednesday morning.

I was very thankful that my sister went with me to the appointment.  There is so much of the lingo that I don't understand.  The doctor and his assistant went over all of my lab results and ultrasound as well as my history.  They definitely said that something is wrong but we need to figure out what exactly.  They could see my yellow skin and eyes too...so it wasn't just me.  Oh and I have lost 7 lbs in the last week. 

They are running several more blood tests in which I probably won't get the results until Monday.  I think there were about 8 tests in which they took 4 vials of blood.  IF they do not get an answer from these tests I will have to have a liver biopsy next week.  I am praying this doesn't have to be done.  I've heard they can be quite painful.  We are speculating a few things at this time but are no where near certain.  I have no idea if this is something that will affect me the rest of my life or not.  Just trying to remain positive and am asking for a few extra prayers.  Will update when I know more...

heres a peek at my jaundice...its a nasty looking tan!

Marley is 4 months old!

Marley was 4 months old on March 9.  She is growing so fast and developing more and more tricks every day.  She has now started blowing raspberries...so cute!  She is getting better at eating cereal but has still not mastered it.  She doesn't seem to like is near as much as her big sister did.  Marley loves to have constant attention.  If you are not in her eye sight or right in front of her she will cry until you appear again.  This makes it very difficult to get things done...  I hope she will outgrow that soon but something tells me she wont. 

Marley is still eating 5 oz of formula 5 times a day.  She sleeps anywhere from 10 1/2 to 12 hours every night.  No complaints there...  And she naps 3-4 times as well during the day.  So proud of her!!!

First time sitting in the high chair!  

4 mo check-up

Before

Today Marley had her 4 month check-up.  At 11:00 I started getting Marley in her carseat and got everything ready to go.  I went to look for my car keys and low and behold I couldn't find them!  Brian came home on his lunch yesterday because he had forgotten his wallet.  He decided to take my car back to work since it gets better gas mileage.  I just knew he forgot to put them back in my purse or hang them by the door.  Sure enough I called him at work and they were in his coat pocket.  Seriously? 

Thank heavens I had already arranged for Teresa to go with us to the appointment, this way she could sit with Lily while we saw the pediatrician.  I called Teresa and she was able to come and pick us up...Thank you!!!  Brian met us at the doctors office and gave me my keys...  At least this way I could get into the house!

Marleys appointment went great.  She weighs 13 lb 1 oz (39%), is 24" tall (43%), and her head measures 16.14" (53%).  At Lilys 4 month check-up she weighed 14 lb 12.5 oz and was 23.5".  Marley got 2 shots and 1 oral drink.  She only cried long enough for me to pick her up off the table which was only a split second.  What a trooper! 

We are to continue her Zantac (twice/day), Prevacid (once/day), and Levsin (up to four times per day).  Hopefully she will be off all of this medication by 6 months of age.  We will also continue the same formula as long as she doesn't develop any new issues.  We can also keep trying with the cereal once a day then move up to twice a day at 6 months. 

Marley is now getting herself onto her elbows and holding her head high when she is put on her tummy...  So big!

After

 and she rolled over!!!





Marley's room

I can officially say that Marley's room is complete.  Since she is still sleeping in our room I wasn't in a rush to buy her crib mattress.  I finally purchased that on Saturday. 

A few weeks before she was born I made the letters that hang above her crib.  They were super easy.  I bought the chipboard letters from Hobby Lobby for a little over a dollar a piece.  I traced the letters onto scrapbook paper then glued them on and added some decorative pieces.  They turned out so neat! 

The vintage onesie that hangs above her changing table was a gift when she was born from Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Don.  Birds is the theme for her room and this is so adorable.  Then for Christmas I mentioned I wanted a birdcage for her room and Cindy came across an antique birdcage from her sister.  Oh my goodness...I fell in love with it. 

Then to finish it off she got a wonderful cross stiched piece from Eva and Larry.  Eva does such wonderful work...just precious. 

Now her room is all ready when I decide to put her in it...maybe in another month! 



Miss Lily and her dress up...

Yesterday I ran a few errand in the morning and when I came home this is what Lily had on...bless her heart!

oh and look at her beautiful long hair...

Marleys 1st bite of cereal!

Miss Marley will be 4 months old on Wednesday and since Brian and I were both off on Sunday we decided to let her have cereal for the first time.  This way we could both see it, video tape, and take pictures.  Surprisingly she did quite well.  The first few bites came right back out of her mouth but soon she got the hang of it.  So fun!!!

Marleys Baptism

Saturday we celebrated Marleys baptism.  It was sort of a last minute thing.  I was previously a member of the Lutheran church in Avoca.  This is also where Lily was baptised.  Since we have lived in Bellevue nearly 3 years I figured it would be best to transfer my membership to a church near our home.  Thankfully there is a church just blocks from our home.  So a couple of weeks ago we joined the church and scheduled Marleys baptism. 

It was sort of an informal private ceremony with family.  Marley has 2 sets of godparents as does Lily.  We chose my sister and Ed and Brians sister Teresa and her boyfriend Kurt as her sponsors.  The blessing only lasted a few minutes then we were able to take some pictures.  After pictures we headed to our house for a nice dinner. 

Marleys godparents Kurt & Teresa and Michelle & Ed

Marley is wearing a gold ring from Grandma & Grandpa Sampson and she even wore Courtneys white booties from her baptism 11 years ago

Grandma Lori and Grandpa Mike

Cousins

Grandpa Don and Grandma Cindy

Aunt Teresa and Uncle Kurt

Marley looks an awful lot like Lily in this picture!

Cashman is a baby hog!  He was so worried about where she was and just kept kissing her!