Wild animal in the night

Hello everyone! I wanted to post this video of a wild animal we caught on video in the dark.
Little Tess just loves her Scandishake that she drinks every night. It has 60 calories/ounce, so you can imagine how sweet it is. She has a sugar-high freak out before she crashes every night! It's surely our evening entertainment! Enjoy!

Feeling Better, Eating Well

Papa and Nana Lola gave Tessa a room make-over for her birthday!



pushing her kitty in her wagon

Great Great Grandma Powell

Nana Lola

Pushing cousin Alex in her wagon

our darling animals!




I've been told by a few folks now that it's time I update the blog--sorry! I took Tessa to a GI Specialist last Tuesday that determined she had something called C-Diff that was causing the vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Apparently, after she was on antibiotics for Strep after her birthday, it killed off all of the bacteria in her GI tract, except for a tougher one that flourished and took over, causing her to feel ill. They treat this with Flagyl, but luckily we didn't need it, for she got better on her own. During this latest illness, her Pediatrician basically told me he wanted to consider putting this feeding tube in in 2 weeks. After voicing my concerns to the GI Doc, he thought we should first try to put her on a new "diet;" consisting of almost nothing but Pediasure. He also perscribed a high calorie shake for bedtime that has 60 cal/oz. He thought we first need to get her back on the growth curve, and then worry about getting her to eat more solid foods. Ingenious. He also said there's drugs out there that can increase your appitite, so we have a few options if this "diet" doesn't work. Tessa has been doing great with this diet and we think has been getting the calories she needs for the first time in her life. I have very little doubts this plan won't work! Thank god! She has been a happy kid this last week! She's even been entertaining herself for 20 minutes at a time! Her kitty is feeling better as well (we named her Porkchop) and they are the best of friends. Tessa is certainly not afraid of sharp kitty claws! We've realized she picks up on things very quickly. I often do something only once in front of her, and see her repeating it on her own minutes later. She has learned how to take off the battery cover to the remote control and successfully replace the batteries in the incorrect position. She's also mastered getting down the stairs and off the couch all by herself. What a big girl!

1 year and 1 week old

Thought we'd post some new videos. Tessa must have caught something at her birthday party, for she has been sick with a terrible cold, a fever of 103 and strep throat (we found this out at the UR Friday night). She is starting to feel a bit better, but hasn't eaten anything in a week. Her 1 year doc appt showed she's only gained 1/2 lb in 2 1/2 months, putting her at the 2% at 17 lbs. We go in next month for a weight check, and Dr. Kautz says if she's not gaining, there's talk about a feeding tube. She just can't afford to be sick, so we'll have to be extra cautious about who we expose her to. On the bright side of things, we got a kitten yesterday, and Tessa just loves her. After being cooped up in the house for a week, this was the highlight of our day. No name for the kitty yet, so if you have an idea, we're all ears! Nana Lola leaves tomorrow. Pretty boring trip for her this time, but I am sure glad she was here to help with Tess and keep me company. We will miss her!

Happy Birthday!

Our little angel turned 1 this past Friday and we threw her a big birthday bash Saturday. I think over 40 people showed up; we had a taco bar and good Jesse homebrew on tap--it was a hoot! Tessa had 9 Grandparents at the party, as well as many other wonderful relatives and friends. Thank you to everyone that sent Tessa cards and gifts. She's got quite a few new toys to keep her happy for a while!

Our little climber!

We're moved in!

Well, we're almost moved in! We just love our new house and feel very lucky to have it. Landscaping this spring is our first big home project. Tessa, as you can see has found the one non-baby-proofed spot in the living room! Can we say trouble? She's a climber!

New Casa!

Cruising with her new wagon...

Tessa loves her rice pudding!

The view from our new house!


Well, with help from Grandma Nancy, Uncle Josh and his girlfriend, Lauren, we were able to do some serious damage in the moving department Saturday. We now have most everything out of the old house, into the new, and unpacked! The garage is another story, but we're hoping to get it moved over here this week, for we want to go to Breck and ski this weekend. We all just love the new house--it is beautiful! You all are welcome anytime!
Tessa has been a little doll lately. Something new everyday! She learned how to roll her tounge, blow spit bubbles and is starting to listen to us when we ask her to do something. She is starting to say different words we teach her; not every time we say them, but frequently enough to make us both believe she's starting to talk. We went to a Ped. Dietritian last week and she told me Tessa is a grazer. Since we have been feeding her on more of a schedule with more options of food at each meal, she has been eating like a champ! She feeds herself bagel pieces with cream cheese, dips crackers in pudding and loves grapes, corn, peas, cheese and anything else she can feed herself.
Hope everyone is doing well! Keep in touch!
Love,
Lindsay, Jesse and Tessa