Monday, June 10, 2013

There's a New Kid in Town!

It happened! We had another beautiful baby girl. Her name is Raven Star Porter. She was born May 29th and 3:54am (on her due date!) She weighed in at 6lbs 11oz and 19 1/4" long.  To answer the burning question, no she does not have PKU. We found out when she was 6 days old that her levels came back normal. I think that I was shocked, I was expecting her to have PKU. But what a relief it is. Raven has nursed like a champ since she came out and I really did not want to have to take that away, if even temporarily. I am so grateful and feel so blessed. Having  a non-PKU little baby and being able to do things "normal" has been like I am a first time Mom. It is not something to be taken for granted. I am relishing in every cry. every late night feeding in every poopy diaper.

Breeze is adorable with her and calls her 'Baby Sister awww' The aww part came in because if she would kiss Raven or hug her people around her would go awwww, and it stuck. Its pretty cute and I hope it stays around for a while. She is adjusting to sharing Mom as well. I just make sure to get lots of cuddle time with Breeze when baby sister is sleeping.

With Raven not having PKU its hard not to think about the issues that may arise with having one sibling with and one without. But that's for another blog in another year far from now. So at the moment  I'm just going to enjoy the many blessing that have come my way.



Friday, May 17, 2013

Time Flies

Holy cow where does the time go? I am at the moment, Mom to a 19 month old toddler with,as you all know, CPKU. I am also expecting another babe any day now, I am 38 weeks pregnant. In case you were wondering the chance of us having another PKU child is about 25%. I am fine saying out loud that I hope that this next baby does not have PKU. Some have asked, wont it be easier for Breeeze? My answer is this. Maybe, but why would I wish something on my child that will make their life hard just so that Breeze will have that in common with her sibling? There are plenty of other things they can have in common that can help create that bond that siblings have. I have tried to not think to much about it and will nurse in complete bliss until we find out the results of the newborn screen. I've been there done, done that and will just role with what ever happens. I'm sure I will cry either outcome.

Breeze is THRIVING. There is no better word to describe her. She brings so much joy into our lives. She has become quite the little talker putting three-four words together already. Her vocabulary is huge, and I am not just saying that cause I 'm her Mom ;) She took off walking two days after her birthday and has been running ever since. She loves to swing, look for airplanes and birds,watch her signing times videos, go to the park, play in the water, love on her babies and make people laugh. She looks at my belly and says" big ball" or as of recent, 'baby loud" After hearing the babies heart beat the other day at our appointment.

Breeze is not quite as good of an eater as she use to be but I think this is a common frustration with any Mom of a toddler. Its just a little more stressful on a PKU Mom. But her phe levels have still been good, if even slightly low. I stopped nursing around 14 months but had a freezer full of frozen milk so it wasn't until around 16 months that she was completely done. She now gets phe from food and whole milk that I add to her formula. To some whole milk may come as a surprise, but she cant taste it, so she is not acquiring a taste for milk and its better than giving her say 'real' bread that she would acquire a taste for. She eats a mixture of fruit, veggies, some gluten free products, lo protein pastas, rice, cheese, bread, crackers. Im always trying to come up with new ideas and new products to give her. I do feel like the more products she can buy from a grocery store the easier it will be for her to stay on diet when she is older. I am lucky and blessed to be able to spend a little more on food!

I will keep you posted about baby #2!