Our Helper

Brett is such a big help, and he is super cute.

Snow Shoveling

My boys shoveling snow(not the greatest photos, but I got the memories)...
Buying Brett his own little shovel, was worth seven dollars

Christmas Lights At the Zoo

We went to see the Christmas Lights at the Toledo Zoo. We had fun despite the cold weather. Here are a few picture of the lights, enjoy.
Brett Had Kate's blanket on his lap, cause he was chilly.


Brett's beloved Penguins.

They had lights that flashed to music(singing lights), which entranced Brett.

Ice sculpture of a penguin. Brett loved the chain saw.

While we were at the Zoo, we had to stop by and see the Elephants. We don't dare leave the Zoo with out seeing "Lumpy." So we go to the elephant exhibit, only to find a sign that told us that the baby elephant had been throwing things at visitors to get attention. I took this opportunity to tell Brett that the baby elephant had been bad, so he was in time out. Brett was kind of surprised that Lumpy gets time out, but I think that he got the point. We later find out from friend that live in Toledo, that the little elephant had been throwing Poop. Yuck!

Masters

In December, Jon graduated with his Masters. We are so proud of him! Mom and Dad Wierschke took us out to Applebee's to celebrate. Sadly this was the only picture that was taken the whole evening.Congrats, Jon! Thanks for all of your dedication and hard work, we love you!

Christmas Teeth

Kate got her two front teeth for Christmas!! She cut the first tooth on the 28th and cut her second one on the 1st. Brett never cut two teeth in one week, which just goes to show that every kid is different. You can click on the image so see her front teeth!!

Kate at 6 months

Our Bug at 6 Months.

I posted a blurb about Kate at six months and was slightly troubled that she had not made much progress from 5 months. Well that is cause I got a little mixed up, that was really her 5 month update. I think that I am losing it.

Anyway, at 6 Months Kate:

*Is eating tons of solid foods.

*Hates sleeping through the night.

*Is a fast mover.

*Wants to do anything her Brother is doing.

*Cut two teeth.

*Had Surgery.

*Has a laugh that is contagious.

*Came down with a mild cold.

* And is just dang cute!! Our Doctors appointments are always longer then they should, cause everyone in the office has to have a look at her. What can I say? We have cute kids.

New Doctor And The Gluten Free Diet

People have been asking why I am on a gluten free diet, so here is the answer. I am on a gluten free diet, because Kate has rashes all over her body. I know that she is allergic to wheat and gluten, so the only way to cut that out of her diet, is for me to stop eating it cause I am nursing her. Plus I am allergic to wheat. I don't think that Kate or I have celiac, it is just something that I am going to try. I want to see if it will help Kate out at all. Really it all just comes down to the fact, that I am really desperate to get her feeling better. A few sister at church said that her face was already looking better, so I guess we will see.

I decided to take Kate to a new Ped. I think that her old Ped. just didn't have the time to look at her, and I couldn't ignore the fact that something is wrong with my baby for another three months. I got some recommendations from some sisters in the ward. I called the first doctor on the list and we were able to get Kate in last Thursday. I spent 6 hours on Wednesday night trying to compile a list of everything that is wrong with Kate, all of the things we have done to try and solve the problems. When I arrived at the appointment, they weighted Kate, I just about died(will explain in a minute). Then I handed my paperwork to the Dr and we talked it over. She looked at the papers that I had compiled and she simply told me that we were not going to be able to solve anything at this appointment. She also told me that she needed to review Kate's records from her old Ped., and that we needed to go see a gastroenterologist as soon as possible. She said that once she had the records from the old Ped. , and the report from the gastroenterologist, then she could try to start piecing together the puzzle. She told me that Kate's symptoms were weird and confusing and that a GI would be able to shed light on the mystery. We have our appointment with the GI scheduled for this Thursday, I am praying for answers.

When they weighted Kate, I just about had a heart attack and I wanted to cry, in fact I still want to cry. Kate has successfully gained a pound or more every month. Last month we added solids for the first time, and Kate has been going crazy, she loves them. Last month when they weighted her,she was 17lbs. This month when they weighted her she was 17lbs 2.2oz! 2.2oz? That's it, that is all she gained in a month. I have tried to justify why she didn't gain any weight, but nothing make sense. The scales are calibrated before they weight her, so that possibility is out. She has been eating like crazy, so I am not starving her. Yes, she is mobile, but not mobile enough to slow down her weight gain. I don't know, I am just sick thinking about it. I just want to know what is wrong with my baby.

Kate at 7 Months

Here are the fun things has been up to:

*Tried Meats and loved them.

*Pulling Herself up.

*Was 17lbs. 2.2oz.

*The next week she weighted in at 17 lbs. 4oz.

* Went to the Gastroenterologist.

*Jabbering like crazy---"Ba ba ba ba ba."

*Has her first sippy cup and LOVES it!!

*Crawling like crazy(shes fast).

*FINALLY slept through the night!!

We are lovin' every minute of having her in our family.

Sammy Sandwich

We have had to be very creative with lunches lately. The more picky Brett gets, the more creative we have to get. Hence our new friend, Sammy Sandwich.

Our Frog

This picture was taken the day before Kate's Surgery. Cute, huh?

Torture

This is Day 4 of the Gluten Free diet and I am still going strong(I am the only one on the diet). Although last night, Jon and I were watching TV, and Dominoes Pizza is offering two medium, two topping pizzas for $5.99. GRR.....are you kidding me!! I was seriously tempted to give in to dominoes and start the diet over again on Sunday, but if I give in it will only make it easier to give in the next time I am tempted. I am still toying with the idea of getting a few par-baked and freezing them for a month.

I don't think I even realized how many things that I eat that have gluten in them. In the same sense I and quite surprised at how many thing that I eat that don't have gluten in them. I thought that I would be more tempted to break the diet then I have been, that was until this silly pizza ad. Gluten Free is not as bad as I thought that it would be, I may lose a few pounds, but that should be the worst of it!