Scar Cream

Yep.  I'm blogging about a scar cream.  wow.  how my days have changed.  :/

Sorry, these pics were both taken with my iPhone, in my bedroom - with the poorest lighting ever = not great quality.  But the first pic was taken 2 months ago in early January and the second was taken today. 

My father-in-law is also a pharmacist and he went to a convention (was that the one in Vegas??? only he would go to Vegas and actually attend the conferences - ha!) and he came back talking about a specific lecture he heard on a new prescription scar cream.  Oh the conversations we have at our dinner table between medical family members!  ;)  And he, being the totally awesome compounding pharmacist that he is + my doctor of a hubby who wrote the rx, made Merritt this scar cream.  I was a little hesitant to use it in the beginning because the scar is literally ON her liver (that bulge you see is her herniated liver) plus her age plus I assumed it would be greasy and leave stains on her clothes.  Nope.  None of the above.  Its awesome.  And I know my FIL and hubby would never give her something that could cause a potential problem.  No worries there.  

It has definitely decreased the redness and made it smoother overall.  I'm hoping the surgeon will not have to open her back up and he is hoping he can do it laparoscopic (where they will just insert tubes through smaller holes sort of like the way they remove gallbladders now or normal hernias!).

We're still using it, just wanted to share the progress in 2 months.  Its a compounded cream, with several ingredients.... don't think it has an actual name yet.  or maybe it does and i'm failing as a pharmacist here.  

Ok. I won't blog about creams about anymore. Although I'm thinking about using it on my C-section scar now.  Don't think there's enough cream in the world to cover up my barcode down there. 

Hopping to catch up

Now that his party is over, I am finally catching up from the last month.  Seriously - I've done whatever to get by for weeks, so Spring Break is here - its Spring cleaning time! or in my case, just cleaning up.   I have spent the past 3 days doing laundry, dishes, cleaning, ironing, packing up, reorganizing, obviously catching up on blogging, and planning some things for the weeks to come!  

Couldn't resist reposting these - they are so darn cute!  Happy Easter (early) from Merritt.  She has finally reached my favorite stage:  the 6 month age (even though she's 8 months old).  She's a little "chubby" (for her), still stationary, laughs at absolutely everything, has the 2 cutest front bottom teeth, the hair does its own thing, and well just down right adorable overall. 

I thought the drive down to Byram was worth it, don't you think? ;)  Not sure the bunny would agree after almost losing his ears to an 8 month old.   But he was a trooper for the sake of a cute pic.  

8 months and Cardio update

Punky is 8 months old! She weighs exactly 13 lbs. (which I think is starting to feel a little heavy - ha! maybe I should up the Jillian workouts).  I call her Punky sometimes... because she's just got that Punky Brewster attitude to me.  Or something about her just reminds me of the word spunky.  She's got spunk.   She's got attitude.  She's got drama.  Ain't nobody gonna ignore her!  ;)  (i don't use double negatives for those of you who don't know me...just a little southern talk there.)  She's a fighter, not a lover!  (I kid - sort of)

Her belly looks the same overall.  We have been using a scar cream for the past month and it has dramatically decreased the redness and definitely made it smoother.  We have an appt later this week with our surgeon (who moved to Baptist - so we are TOTALLY done with UMC now and I couldn't be happier about that!) - but we already know he is tentatively planning to do her next surgery for her "secondary hernia" after she's 1. We would like for her to be walking because her ab muscles will be in better shape for recovery.  And she's more likely to "bounce back" if walking is normal for her.  

It's been 4 months since we saw the cardiologist last.  Dr. Braden at Baptist is awesome!  To sum up:  she originally had 3 holes in her heart (1 being the bigger problem aka VSD).  At the last appt, we thought the 2 smaller ones had closed.  One of them is not actually closed, but they can only see it when she cries.  So it's not technically closed, but extremely small.  The VSD is smaller again, but still there.  He said "it can't get any smaller without closing."  So we will recheck in 4 months again, and if its still the same he will let us go an entire year before rechecking it.   So overall, it was pretty much the same as last time, and we're ok with that!  It was all good.   And to think if we had stuck with the other cardiologist - she would have had major open heart surgery by now!! And obviously she did not need that ---> she's doing fine!  She is not on any medication and hasn't turned blue (that I know of) in months.  She does breathe faster than a normal baby and I'm hoping that will slow down when the holes close.  We'll see...

The 8 month update: 

• Weighs 13 lbs
• Wears size 1 diaper (although I think we're moving up in the near future)
• Wears 3-6 mo/some 6 month size clothes
• Sleeps a maximum of 4 hours at a time (day or night).
• Got her first two bottom teeth in the last week!  oh they are precious. 
• BUT...has started biting mommy while breastfeeding.  momma don't play like that. :/
• Still not sitting up on her own, but can balance a little if holding onto something or if something is around her waist.  Usually takes a nose-dive after a few seconds. 
• The H.A.I.R is coming in....nuff said for now.  

Monkey'in around

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MATTOX!! YOU ARE 3 TODAY! I LOVE YOU my little monkey man!

When I asked him what kind of birthday party he wanted - he didn't care.  But he was/is obsessed with monkeys.  And all he ever said was "monkey cake! monkey cake!"....but then about 3 weeks ago, he said he wanted a Batman party = too late to change plans.  I knew I didn't want jungle safari monkeys, or mod monkeys, or sock monkey - I wanted plain monkeys.  It ended up being more "Barrel of Monkey" type theme.   But he loved it and was very happy with it.  I have a gut feeling that we will be doing the superhero theme next year though. 

Yall know I love cuteness.  Matt thinks I can't refrain from doing any parties next year - but my goal is to take a break from parties next year since all 3 are getting parties this year.

I experiment when doing birthday parties...not all of it is from Pinterest.  What did I learn this time?

• DUCK TAPE IS NOT REALLY THAT STICKY!  Who knew that Duck tape doesn't stick to tissue paper? For real.... 
• I also learned how to make banana pudding!!  How is it possible that I've never made this before? yummo.
• Command strips are awesome.  They can hang/hold anything (even beyond their weight limit)

I did not post any pics of the jumper - mainly because the kids were always moving so fast, none of them turned out great.  But they jumped and jumped and jumped some more.  "Monkeys jumpin on a bed!"

ooh ooh ee ee - he's 3!!!

(Matt going against my insanity and choosing to wear non-party colors). 

"Monkey munch", banana chips, banana candy sticks

(was a little disappointed the bakery put PINK cheeks on a boy cake)

My fave of the party.  Banana pudding with the cutest wooden spoons ever!

Thank you, Amy - for making these for me!! You are awesome!  love it! yummy in my tummy!

Barrel of lemonade and a barrel of chocolate milk.  Why does the lemonade look green? 

Madness I say!

His best pal, Matthew!

Party favors: Barrel of monkeys and bags of banana Runts

My first wreath!

It does not get any sweeter than this! She LOVED the monkey pops! She is precious!!!

Macy Kate, where did you go? ;)  Mattox may have found a new friend-girl...oh sweet Emory wore her monkey dress!

...Partied out...still holding her balloon

3 little monkeys

His present from Gigi and Poppy

AND A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!  whew. i'm tired.

He's 3!

Mattox.  My sweet baby boy is 3 tomorrow!!!  I don't care how old he is, he will al.ways. be my baby boy. Lately I have been soaking in the snuggling and cuddling time with him... because I know its short-lived.  There will be a day when he doesn't want to sit on the couch with me, or give me a hug or kiss.  And it.breaks.my.heart.  I tell everyone he can be one of those really creepy old men who still live at home with their momma...i don't care! i kid ;)  He's going to Hinds and can live at home while in college - this boy is never leaving me! (again, i'm kidding).  Seriously,  he is growing up so fast.  He has been mistaken as my 4 or 5 year old many times.  He's been wearing some size 4's for many months = very tall.  But he gets that honest.  

Raising a boy was a foreign subject at one time.  I had no idea just how B.A.D. they can be but at the exact same time be the sweetest most loving little cuddly thing ever!  Mattox overall is a sweetheart!  He is nice to everyone except Mati Claire.  hehe.  He is a sweet big brother and pistol of a little brother. 

I try not to compare them... and honestly I can't - because they are so different.  But I had to laugh at Mati Claire the other night when she asked me, "Momma...why does Mattox mind better than I do?"  (obviously she needs to work on a few things):

Mattox is very easy-going, laid-back, minds for the most part, RARELY throws fits (and I'm not kidding), very lovable, hilarious, usually pretty quiet, and is the most SHY little boy I've ever seen! It takes him a LONG time to warm up to a new environment or new people.  But once he does, he's more talkative (hmmm...reminds me of someone else I know).   He loves to give hugs! 

The one thing that people comment on him without fail ---- is.his.HAIR.  Boy does he have some hair!  Ladies, I can assure he will not go bald when he gets older.  I call it the "Hypercolor hair" - he literally has about 10 different shades.  Sometimes I call it the "Bieber" hair right before he gets a haircut.  I can't even describe his hair sometimes.  Curly at times, straight at others.  Its blonde Its brown.  Its short its long.  

He is potty trained (during the day).  He still has a few accidents but that's usually at night when he gets tired.  He wears a diaper overnight.  Fine by me.

But when did this happen? Someone please stop the clock!  Make him stay 2 forever!!!!!! 

 

Another First

Merritt got her first tooth today!!! I think I'm more excited about this tooth than any other.  Maybe because everything she does is such a miracle to me.  We could be dealing with so much more health-wise, that I told myself I need to quit complaining about the lack of sleep.  But I was absolutely SHOCKED when she bit on my finger and I felt something sharp!  Did not see it coming.    

I see I haven't blogged in awhile...i have been busy being Homeroom mom! and chauffeur to Mati Claire and Mattox.  Dr.Seuss week day was last Friday...and it is a big deal at her school!  

blue jello with candy fish

"green eggs and ham" pretzels

Yink drinks pink ink! (pink lemonade)

Not quite as proud of these - I ran out of frosting, so the "hair" isn't quite as tall as it should be.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways!

And you see my hand made plates and utensil bundles.  I am proud of those. ;)

And then I've been super busy working on Mattox's birthday party stuff... but those pics will come later! He is SO excited  about turning 3! Me? not so much.