Christmas Tree

Here are some pics of Ava and our Christmas tree, and a few we tried to take together.  Didn't work out too well.

4 Month Check Up

We went to Ava's 4 month check up today.  We arrived at the doctor's office at 4:45 for our 5:00 appointment.  We left the doctor's office about 7:00.  He was running behind.  He gave us a $20 gift card to Chili's since we had to wait so long, though, so we were okay.  Ava weighed 15 lbs. 14 oz and was 24 and 3/4 inches long.  She is in the 90% for her height and weight, but she is the perfect height for her weight and the perfect weight for her height.  He approved of our new formula, and I've found I can buy it on diapers.com cheaper than the store and it's free shipping!  He also said that we can start feeding Ava solid foods.  She got three shots and one oral vaccine.  She didn't cry at all after the first shot, but her face sure did get red after the next two.  It didn't last long, though.  Micah also got a shot.  He got his flu shot, and he wasn't looking forward to it, but he was brave.  He actually said it didn't hurt at all...I had already tried to tell him that.  It really is one of the most painless shots I have ever had and I recommend it!!

Dr. Pepper and Me

Okay, so here is my health rant.  I wake up every morning and one of the first thoughts on my mind is "When can I have a Dr. Pepper?"  I try to drink only one a day, so I try to plan the perfect time to enjoy it.  I usually don't make it to lunch before I have to drink a Dr. Pepper.  Since I drink it so early, usually by the evening I'm ready for another, so lately I've been having one then, also.  And I wonder why my baby weight has stopped coming off!  So today, after I had my morning DP, I decided I needed a reality check.  I think I have an addiction, and I'm not okay with that.  So I looked up the health effects of drinking soda, because I knew that if I could read the info on it, that would help me not drink Dr. Pepper.  I'm sure we all know that there are no health benefits to drinking soda, though my mind makes me think it makes me relax and feel good.  We are also all aware of the outrageous amount of sugar in these drinks and how that leads to weight gain, diabetes, lack of energy, etc.  What you may not know is how much calcium soda robs from your body...very bad for children (affects their bone growth and makes them more susceptible to bone fractures) and people with a family history of osteoporosis or other bone problems (that would be me!).  So why would anyone drink something that is so bad for you?  Well, it tastes good and I like it!  But no more.  I want Ava to grow up thinking that water is what you drink, and other things, like sodas and caffeinated sweet teas (they're worse than soda!) are unhealthy.  I'm sure I've offended some, because just about everyone I know drinks soda and tea, including my husband.  But this is my blog and this is what I think!  Also, don't think that drinking diet drinks or using saccharin in your tea is a way to get by.  Artificial sweeteners are not good for you at all.  I have never heard or read anything good about using artificial sweeteners.  Even splenda, which many people think is okay, is not.  It is a derivative of sugar with chlorine added to it (do you think it's healthy to drink pool water?) and it was discovered when some chemists were trying to create a new pesticide.  Doesn't sound like a healthy alternative to me.  Anyway, below are a few sites that list some of the health effects of soda and artificial sweeteners.  Check them out if you want, there are plenty more out there.  I had to finally make myself look at this stuff, because I have known how bad Dr. Pepper is for me, I just haven't wanted to admit it.  Now that I know, I have no excuse for continuing to drink it.  I'll still decorate with it, though, and I will always remember my love for Dr. Pepper.

http://www.naturalnews.com/004416.html

http://www.healthbolt.net/2006/12/08/what-happens-to-your-body-if-you-drink-a-coke-right-now/

http://www.ghchealth.com/artificial-sweeteners.html

4 Months Old

Ava was 4 months old yesterday.  Everyone is commenting on how big she is getting, and she really is.  It took months for her to outgrow her newborn clothes, and now she is outgrowing things in days it seems.  She is also doing lots of new things.  She talks and laughs all the time and loves it when people pay attention to her.  She also really likes loud noises and music.  We were at Home Depot buying paint and she thought the guy hammering on the lid was the funniest thing.   She is rolling over both ways now, but she does much better going from her back to her front.  She will grab anything within her reach and put it right in her mouth, making it necessary for me to be more vigilant.  She goes to bed at nine and will sleep till nine in the morning...I think that's great!  Overall, she's a pretty good baby.

 

I Did Run In The Turkey Trot...

...and here is the proof.

Carpet and Allergies

We are getting new carpet in our new house today!  Yeah!  Once we have carpet it is pretty much ready for us to move in...not done yet, but done enough so we can move in and continue to put the finishing touches on.  And we are only a week off schedule!  I am planning on making a video of the entire process, so you'll have to check back in later to see our house from start to finish.  

Now for the allergies.  I think Ava is allergic to something.  What, I don't know.  Awhile ago she had some eczema spots on her arm, the dr gave us some medicine and they cleared up.  Now, her legs are totally broken out with the same spots!  I don't know if she is allergic to something in our detergent, a fabric, or animals.  We have also switched her formula to an organic one because the FDA found that the formula she was on contained cyanauric acid, a byproduct of melamine (that's the stuff that caused all the problems in babies in China).  The organic formula we switched to has been tested and found to not contain melamine or any byproducts, but I am wondering now if she might be allergic to something in it.  We go to the doctor Friday for her 4 month check up, so hopefully I can find something out then.