A day in the life of the Milam's

Ready for spring!!

2010-02-17T19:04:00.003-06:00

I love snow as much as the next person but the cold drives me crazy! So much so that I decided I needed a little spring in my life. So I went to Michaels and gathered all the pretty spring flowers I saw and made myself a spring time arrangement!! It may not fight off the cold but it makes me feel warmer looking at it!

We Love Cupcakes!

2010-02-16T19:55:00.003-06:00

I have a great recipe for allergy free cupcakes and when the occasion calls for one I'll whip some up and let Isabella have one for a snack or dessert. This night Isabella got a "happy plate" for eating all of her food and therefore got a cupcake for dessert. This was soon followed by a bath...
You've also got to love the shirt!!! Roll Tide!!

Blizzard '10

2010-02-12T19:28:00.000-06:00

Ok so it wasn't exactly a blizzard but we did get about 3 inches at our house! This time Isabella seemed to enjoy it more, I guess because she is walking now and doesn't have to be face first in it!

Isabella's party

2009-11-01T22:10:00.002-06:00

The Birthday Girl!Her new big girl chair...Her 1st pony...Ok, it's not pretty but she can eat it!This is the cupcake cake everyone else can eat...In the birthday dress I made her...She loved opening her presents...

Yummy! Anyone want some?

Her birthday plate that came just in time!

Isabella's invitation

2009-10-30T20:05:00.002-05:00

This is Isabella's birthday invitation that I am so proud of!!

Happy Birthday Isabella!!

2009-10-29T22:13:00.005-05:00

It is so hard to believe that my sweet baby girl is 1!! Here is the story of your Birth day Isabella:

In February 2008, your daddy and I found out that I was pregnant with you. Well, we didn't know it was you yet. Other than being tired, I had the best pregnancy! You grew and developed right on time! Every time I went to Dr. Lemons he commented on how great we were doing.

On the morning of June 12, 2008 we found out you were going to be Isabella! We couldn't have been happier!

The night before you were born you made a HUGE turn in my belly!! Little did I know that you were turning your hiney to face down!

On October 30, 2008 I woke up as usual and was about to get ready for work. Then, my water started leaking. I called Dr. Lemons and got ready to go to the hospital. We went to Baptist Montclair. It was a beautiful sunny day! After I got there they went to put a monitor on your head but guess what? It was your hiney they were feeling! You couldn't be born like that so we went to the operating room so they could do a c-section. Everyone was so nice and took very good care of us! C.C.'s friend, Ms. Rhonda, was working at the hospital that day and she picked out the doctor that would give me the medicine so it wouldn't hurt when you were born! There was no mistaking when you arrived because you cried so loudly everyone down the hall could hear you! You were born @ 8:44am weighing 7lbs 7oz and 19 &1/2 inches long. They wrapped you up and brought you to me and when you heard my voice you stopped crying and tried to open your eyes. I had never seen such a beautiful baby! You had the perfect little nose and roundest little head! I was hooked!

You have continued to grow and learn so fast! You are crawling now and pulling up on everything! You babble all the time but only you know what you are saying. You love animals and get very excited when one comes near you. You make silly faces and laugh when we do them back. You now have 8 teeth and love to crunch on puffs. You can hold your sippy cup but you refuse to hold your bottle! When you get sleepy you snuggle so sweetly and lay your head on my shoulder and sing to me. You start my day out very happy because I can come into your room and you're waiting on me with a smile on your face, waiting for me to sing good morning to you. Your daddy and I love you so much and could not imagine our lives without you!

Happy Birthday Angel!

New Endeavor

2009-09-20T20:03:00.003-05:00

I've started a new craft...wreath making. I started putting one together one night and it turned out well so I made some more. I'm selling some so if anyone is interested let me know! I'll also do some Christmas wreaths and post later.

This one was my 1st and it is on my door...

I made this one for mom...

The picture doesn't do this one justice!! It's much better in person!

And the winner is...

2009-09-12T14:08:00.003-05:00

As you all know, I have been searching and trying to find new recipes that Isabella can eat since she has food allergies. For the most part I can stay away from milk and eggs and have learned a few tricks to substitute things in place of these items and so far have done pretty well. Since Isabella's birthday is coming up in October I have tried to find a bakery that makes allergy free cakes at a reasonable price, but I have come up short. I've now decided to make it myself. I have tried several recipes and I think I've found a winner. It comes from my good friend Jenna who has a neighbor with food allergies. So far everyone who has tried them (including Brian, who never eats sweets) have approved! Now I need to get my decorating skills down so it can also be a great looking cake.

Bama Baby

2009-09-07T16:29:00.003-05:00

Isabella was dressed and ready for the 1st Bama game of the season. She helped pull the Tide to a 34-24 victory against Virginia Tech.

OK, can't resist a naked butt pic.

We're #1!!!

Watching the Tide Roll!!

Singing "Yea Alabama..."

Isabella's Birthday dress

2009-09-06T09:51:00.003-05:00

Here are some pics I promised on the dress I am smocking for Isabella's 1st Birthday. It's a Bailey dress that is going to have cup cakes across the front. Remember, this is my first dress so don't look too closely!

This is the very beginning.

One cup cake and 2- 1/2 cup cakes...

That's where I've gotten so far. I'll post more as the dress comes along.

We can have wheat again!

2009-09-02T12:39:00.003-05:00

Sunday, the 30th was Isabella's 10 month birthday! My, how time has flown! Here are some of the things she is currently doing:
Sitting up by herself, rolling across the room (still refusing to crawl), scooting on her bottom, jabbering all the time, saying dada and FINALLY mama, trying to hold her sippy cup, and making the transition to solid foods. She wakes up every morning with the biggest smile on her face and starts my day off bright! She loves to snuggle at night before she goes to sleep. She only wants a bath in the big bathtub so she can scoot around and make big messes splashing. She has got to be the sweetest, funniest baby there is!

I'm trying to get some ideas for her 1st birthday. Right now I am smocking her dress and I will have some pics of the progress to post later. I have also been toying with some cake recipes which brings me to my next topic:

Yesterday we went to see Dr. Larussa (the allergist) for Isabella's check up. She has done so well with eating new foods and has not had a break out in weeks (I am knocking on wood) or needed any Benadryl. Her pediatrician recommended a while back to start giving her foods to pick up and feed her self. Well, besides cooked and chopped fruits and veggies, the only other thing I could think of (to give her some variety) was puffs. Unfortunately they contain wheat. Dr. Larussa said that since wheat was one of her lowest allergies she can try some as long as eggs, milk or peanuts were not in it! This is such a blessing because that has been the hardest thing to avoid since it's basically in everything! Now Isabella has gotten some puffs close but not quite in her mouth yet and she is having a great time trying! He also gave her some new creams for her skin because her eczema is really acting up right now. She is also starting on Zyrtec to help with the itching. She is so good at taking her medicine! She sits on the counter and opens right up! This will also be the first time she will get a flu shot. Since she has an allergy to eggs she will have to go in prepped with benadryl and plan on staying after to make sure she does not have a bad reaction (the flu shots have egg ingredients in the preservatives). This worries me but so does the flu. When it comes in a few weeks from now we will see how it goes.

The Beach!!

2009-08-15T10:09:00.006-05:00

We finally got to go to the beach this summer! Brian and I have been so busy at work we weren't sure we would get to go. I didn't get a chance to blog while we were there so now I'm making up for a whole week.

8-10-09

We left home and headed to Orange Beach, AL. I was really worried about the ride down. Isabella is not the best car rider and she had been running a low grade temp the day before, she is cutting another tooth. We decided to take a chance and go during the day instead of night since she tends to scream her head off at night. She was awesome!!! I sat in the back with her and she played, sang and watched her DVD's. We only had to stop 3 times to stretch and eat lunch and we made it in 4 1/2 hours which I think it pretty good considering we had a 9 month old! We got to the condo and ate dinner with my parents. Isabella was exhausted from riding all day and fell asleep at dinner.

8-11-09
The first day on the beach Isabella was miserable! It was so hot and there really was no relief from the ocean or pool since it was like bath water. Later that night after dinner Isabella was really cranky. Again, she is cutting a tooth and it is really bothering her. When we made it back to the condo I felt her head and she was warm. I took her temp and it was 101! I gave her tylenol and after the 2nd dose the fever broke. Why do teeth have to be so rough? That day was also Jonathan's (my brother)24th Birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE JONJON!

8-12-09
We didn't get alot of time on the beach since it rained most of the day. What a way to relax! Sitting on the balcony watching a thunderstorm roll over the ocean, nothing like it. Isabella slept alot this day. After the storm we went out and took some pics of Isabella on the beach. She was so sweet! The only way I could get her to pose and not worry about the sand was to play "pattycake". What ever works! At this point Isabella has been in the ocean a few times and I've noticed that her ankles, which are usually really torn up from her scratching her eczema look really good. Her calf which was also really bothering her was not itchy! Oh the healing powers of the ocean. That night we decided to stay in and eat. Again, Isabella ran a temp and was pretty fussy. She did not sleep well and ended up in bed with me for most of the night. The play yard that we used for a crib was not comfortable and I can't blame her for wanting to sleep elsewhere!

8-13-09
This morning we did our family pics. For Steve (my other brother), this was his last day. He had to make it back in time to pick up his step-daughter from school (because he really missed her)and make it to work. This was a better day as far as Isabella felt. Her tooth had finally broke thru so all is better right? By this point we have abandoned using her bathing suit and just let her play in her swim diaper. Two things we will never go to the beach without, 1.a tent, 2.a baby pool. We filled her baby pool up with water and put toys in and she was content to stay there for hours!! She even got in the ocean a few times and loved it! Again she slept in our bed most of the night.

8-14-09
Our last day! I got Isabella up and changed her diaper and...she has a rash all over her stomach. She had a few places that look like she is having a reaction so immediately I give her benadryl. She seems to feel better and the rash seems to get better. She played in her pool for a while and took a short nap at the beach. When she woke up the rash was back. I took her up and gave her a bath to cool her off and clean off anything she was having a reaction to. Then it hit me. Fever for about a week, cranky, loss of appetite, rash after fever broke... ROSELOA! I called her pediatrician and got a confirmation based on her symptoms. How awful do I feel?!! I have kept my baby, who has not felt good, out and about thinking all her symptoms we're based on her tooth. After she had her break out she seemed like a different baby! When we got home that night she was really excited to be home. We walked into her room and she had the biggest grin on her face and looked up at her light (which she is facinated with) and laughed. What a sweet joy! I miss the beach but it's so good to be home!

4th of July, on the 20th

2009-07-20T21:18:00.004-05:00

Yes, I'm just now getting 4th of July pics posted! I guess I've fallen behind on my blogging. Work has been really crazy lately and I get home and play with Isabella and then crash! We're going to the beach in 2 weeks and I an excited to see how Isabella likes the sand and water. She definately likes the pool so hopefully she'll like the ocean too. She continues to say "dada" very clearly and when I say "Mama" she just grins and goes on saying "dada, dada". Traitor! She still won't crawl. She prefers to lay on the ground and roll to where she wants to go. I guess being ambulatory is all that count's! When we get back from the beach I'll post some more pics! Until then, enjoy!!

Mothers day

2009-05-10T22:02:00.003-05:00

What a wonderful Mothers Day! We started the day with Isabella's dedication at church and ended it at Jim N Nicks. Can it get any better? Dedication got off without any problems. I think every Mama in there was wondering if their child would be the one who would act out in front of the entire church. Isabella sat in my arms and kicked her feet like a little River Dancer and only fussed once for about a second. This was the best Mothers Day I could have ever asked for!

Cereal!!

2009-05-05T21:04:00.004-05:00

After yesterdays ordeal we needed some fun. Since we knew Isabella wasn't allergic to rice we decided to give her some cereal. She ate the whole bowl but seemed to like the spoon the most!!

It's a gluten free life

2009-05-04T15:47:00.004-05:00

Today Isabella went to the allergy doctor. The actual tests themselves weren't as bad as I thought they would be. She was so into watching what was going on around her (mostly SpongeBob on the TV) that she didn't even flinch! After 13 different scrapes my worst fears were confirmed. She is allergic to milk, eggs, wheat and peanuts. He told us that hopefully she will grow out of the milk and egg allergy by the time she is 5 but the peanut allergy is probably for life. He gave us some other prescriptions for her skin to help with her esczema and one for an epi pen. The though of actually having to use the epi pen has me terrified! The questions keep replaying in my head...Where did this come from? How could I have prevented this? Why does my baby have to go thru this?

Fortunately we have some answers and hopefully won't have any suprises when it come to her diet. She'll have continued visits over the next few years to monitor for any new allergies. One of the things we have to keep an eye out for now are signs of asthma. Apparently children with food allergies are more likely to develop asthma.

Knowledge is power and now we know what was causing her problems. We will continue to pray that God will heal her of these allergies and keep researching so that she can have a normal life gluten free.

We have a tooth!!

2009-04-23T21:41:00.003-05:00

We have a tooth!!! Actually now a second one has broken skin. The first one started breaking the skin last week and is almost completely in! They're both on the bottom. Isabella has been relentless on her fingers and today while she was chewing on them she cried like she bit too hard and it hurt. Now she has little sharp things instead of nice soft gums.

On a skin note: Thank you Jesus for hearing our prayers!! It has been one week since our trip to the doctor and her skin has never looked better!! She is only taking her formula now and we recieved a prescription for some cream that has worked wonders. It is now smooth and soft and rash free. Yea!! She still has an appointment to see the allergist on May 4th before we can start her on any foods. My continuous prayer is that this will be her only allergy and it will be something she will out grow.

1 step forward, 10 steps back

2009-04-17T19:19:00.002-05:00

Ok, so I'm thinking of changing this blog to the daily trials of allergies. Yesterday we had to take Isabella to her doctor as an emergency. I tried a new formula that was lactose free. Unfortunately that doesn't mean milk free. She started getting red around her mouth and for the 1st time ever she broke out in hives. I had my mom put her in a cool oatmeal bath (which has helped before with rashes) and I put a call into the doctors office. Thinking it was like every other rash she's had before, I went to the store to get her other formula that didn't give her problems, and when I got back my mom was holding her in a towel. She thought Isabella was having trouble breathing. Fortunately her breathing was fine. She was so miserable she was holding her breath but her ears had begun to swell. We loaded her up in the car and I sped to the doctors office. After taking one look at her they were able to get her right in. They gave her a dose of benadryl and her symptoms quickly went away. They kept us for an hour to make sure she got better. I'm normally pretty calm about things, but this freaked me out!! How horrible I felt for her!

I've always been taught to look for the blessings in life and the blessing that came out of this is that we now know that she has a true milk allergy, not a sensitivity. The reason the lactose free formula didn't help was that lactose intolerant people are sensitive to milk sugar. Isabella is allergic to the protein in milk. She has an appointment to see a pediatric allergy specialist on May 4th. Before, her doctor wanted to wait until she was over a year old but given the severity of her reaction he wants her tested before she starts foods. My prayer is that she will only have an allergy to milk and not other foods and that it will be something she will grow out of.

Oh, and if she didn't have enough going on, she started cutting a tooth the same day!!! I swear, I knew from the day she was born (remember c-section) that this child would not do things the easy way!

Isabella's 1st Easter

2009-04-12T18:28:00.003-05:00

What a wonderful day!! This morning we all got up on time and were ready for church! Isabella loved her new beautiful dress so much she kept trying to eat it (ok maybe it has a little to do with the fact that she puts everything in her mouth). Her new sandals would have completed the outfit but she kept kicking them off. Today we were broken into nursery duty with the 3 year olds. Poor Brian had no idea what I was getting him into! We had 12 precious sugar loaded children. I can't wait for the day when Isabella knows what Easter is really about and asks Jesus to come into her heart.

One Week

2009-04-05T21:48:00.002-05:00

What a difference a week makes!!! I started Isabella on formula and her skin is so much better! She is taking a bottle from me now except for at night. Our first night I tried to competely stop nursing her. BIG MISTAKE! After taking a bottle all day from me I tried to give her one before bed. She pitched the biggest fit I have ever seen! She cried, I cried. It was a huge mess. I'm now trying to only nurse her at night since that is the one she won't give up. Right now it seems to be working fine. She still has some areas that haven't completely healed but it's a far cry from before! I still have to watch my dairy intake but it doesn't seem to have as much of an impact now.

Today we went to Brian's parents house for our Easter with them. Isabella got to go on her 1st Easter egg hunt. She seemed only slighlty interested, mostly because I woke her up from a sound sleep to participate. We had such a great time! Brian's sister and kids were in from Georgia so it was nice to spend time with them. We also learned that Brian's parents have a Wii. After months of trying to talk Brian into getting one, he finally gets it!! We spent a great afternoon playing games with eachother and getting a workout at the same time! I may get my Wii fitness now!

2009-03-29T16:44:00.002-05:00

Isabella is now 5 months old. Where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday we were finding out we were having her. She went for her check up and shots on Thursday. She weighed 15lbs 3oz and was 25in long. She is perfect!

I discussed the problems we've been having with her skin with her doctor. His thoughts were that she may have an allergy to food, most likely milk products. When I'm at work she has been getting formula mixed with breast milk. After this appointment I had my mom start her on formula only and immediately her skin seemed better. So my choices are these: start a lactose free diet for myself or give her formula only that is lactose free. I had originally planned to nurse for 6 months since work will start getting busy as summer starts and I won't have the time to pump, but it seems my decision may be made for me earlier than I had planned. This morning Isabella had a horrible rash after nursing and threw a huge fit. The only thing I can think is that I had quesadilla's at dinner last night that were loaded down with cheese. I have to consider that my daughter's comfort comes before anything else. As much as I'm going to miss nursing, I think I'm going formula only.

I was the most concerned that she will not take a bottle from me since we have had problems with it in the past. Today we all went to a cookout with some of Brian's co-workers and instead of leaving to find a place to nurse, I took a bottle. Thank God she didn't have a melt down like she did last time!! I think I can get thru this as long as Isabella doesn't have complete come aparts! I am going to miss this terribly. It has been the most wonderful experience bonding with my daughter!!

This is for you Amy!!

2009-03-08T21:26:00.002-05:00

Ok, so Amy told me that I am definately a mom now since I keep up a blog talking about my child's rahes and skin problems. So Amy, this is for you!

What a wonderful weekend! Saturday was spent playing with Isabella while Brian was at work, and trying to catch up on chores around the house while she was sleeping. Amy came over with her mom and stayed all afternoon. The boys got off of work and we actually had adult company and conversations!! (some of which I'm still trying to forget!) I can't wait for them to live closer so we can do that more often!

Today was perfect weather! Brian had football practice so Isabella and I went and walked around the track. God bess her sweet heart because it was right in the middle of her nap. She was so tired but wouldn't sleep! She finally fell asleep literally 2 minutes after we got in the car and slept for 3 hours! We may have a late night tonight!

2009-03-04T22:23:00.002-06:00

I finally gave into exhaustion and my mom came over last night to get up with Isabella. She pitched a royal fit the night before when I tried to give her a formula bottle to help her sleep longer. I really have never heard her cry like that or kick and hit! She is usuall a very sweet natured baby so it came as a suprise. Mom gave her the last bottle around 11:30 and wouldn't you know that stinker slept all night!! No fits like the night before, no waking up every 2 hours. Hopefully, since she didn't get a good nap today, she'll sleep all night again.

SNOW

2009-03-01T18:31:00.002-06:00

I am so excited that Isabella got to see her 1st snow today. We got about 3 inches total. She wasn't sure what to think at first but I think she liked it. Melody couldn't get enough. She would go out and stay until she got cold and came back inside until she ot warm enough to go out again.

2009-02-28T14:10:00.003-06:00

Sucking her thumb!

I think we may have hit a growth spurt. Isabella is hungry all the time now! She has started taking an extra ounce in her bottle. Unfortunately, she is waking up more at night hungry. I haven't been up this many times at night since she was sick! We may start getting cereal in our bottle soon!

On a skin note, we are singing praises to the Head and Shoulders makers. It has helped Isabella's head so much! She hasn't scratched as much and It doesn't have all the scratch marks any more!!

Tonight we are going to Brian's parents for Brian's B'day dinner. He has a suprise that I have been trying not to spill. I think he will be so excited!

2009-02-25T13:13:00.002-06:00

Well I have made a mixture that will hopefully help my sweet baby girls skin. I've tried it for two nights now and already some of the redness is better. It's a mixture of original Desitin (it has 40% zinc) and coconut oil. I can't put it where she can reach like where she needs it the most, her head, but her other areas seem to have improved. I'm giving it 2 weeks. After that I'm all out of ideas! Lets pray that it works!!

Skin problems

2009-02-22T13:16:00.002-06:00

So yesterday Isabella had another rash. It started when we went to Brookwood and went all over her body. It is so pitiful when this happens! She starts to scratch and feels miserable! I haven't found a cause for this yet but it is another problem for her skin. She already has dry skin that I keep covered in the mildest lotions and oils. I really hope she grows out of this! On a brighter note, she is "talking" all the time now. I think she'll speak full sentences by 6 months ;0)

Cheryl

2009-02-21T12:43:00.002-06:00

OK, so now I'm a blogger! I'll try to keep this thing updated but with a 4 month old it may be hard! Right now she is asleep so I'm able to write but my time is limited. Isabella has been a little fussy the past few days and chewing on her fingers which makes me think the may start cutting teeth soon. Even when she doesn't feel well she is still the sweetest baby! This morning Brian had to go to work so when Isabella woke up I put her in the bed with me. She is such a sweet snuggler! I love days when I'm home with her. She is waking up now so time to wrap this up!