The Mysterious Case of the Red Rash

Friday, August 30: GC wakes up and I notice a small red bump on her shoulder looks to be infected. I let it go all day, but by naptime it is VERY red and streaking, so I call the doctor. We take her in, get amoxicillin to treat the infection and head on our merry way to Tuscaloosa for the long weekend.

Saturday, August 31: Jeremy's sister mentions to me that GC feels warm. I take her temperature and she has a low-grade fever. I chalk it up to the infected "spot" and let it go.

Sunday, September 1: We notice a few red bumps on GC's arms, legs, hands, and feet. Jeremy's sister says it looks like Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. Since we are out of town, a Google search has to confirm this diagnosis. We begin treating the fever. GC takes a FOUR HOUR NAP.

Monday, September 2: The bumps are worse, the fever up to 101.5. We travel home, continue to treat the fever, knowing that it's a virus and nothing more can be done.

Tuesday, September 3: GC stays home with my mom and is fever-free all day! I arrive home at 6:00 p.m. and her fever is back up to 101.9, so she has to stay home from school AGAIN on Wednesday.

Wednesday, September 4: GC stays home with my sister and I come home at noon to relieve her. NO fever all day - yay! She sleeps well, the bumps are disappearing and the HFM seems to be gone.

Thursday, September 5: GC goes to school. I go to work. J works at home. All is well!

Friday, September 6: Happy 5th Anniversary to us!
GC wakes up with a mysterious red rash on her face, arms, and back of neck. Puzzling, but looks like an allergic reaction, so I take her to school and I go to work for 2 hours. When I pick her up, the rash has spread to pretty much every part of her body. I send pics to doc. Looks like allergic reaction. Doc says watch her for trouble breathing or discomfort. We go home. GC naps. After nap the rash is RED and ANGRY. I call doc. We go to doc. Doc takes one look at her and says, "Yep, that's an allergic reaction to amoxicillin." Bummer. We take her home, treat her with Benadryl and Zyrtec and lay low for the weekend because she looks like this:

 

Is that not the most pitiful thing you've ever seen? Breaks my heart. She was so irritable and fussy all weekend. I know she had to be uncomfortable, not to mention in a fog from all the meds. Poor buddy.

So, in the last week we have treated an infected "spot" which I assume was a bug bite, self-diagnosed HFM (I KNOW that's what it was. Classic symptoms and fever and our doc agreed). Then learned of her allergy to amoxicillin while treating the infection from the bug bite.

It was a crazy week for us and our girl. She's a trooper, though, and handled it all.

Funny side note: it seems that nearly every time we visit Jeremy's family or they come here something happens: stomach bug, RSV, pink eye, ear infections - all have happened at their house or when they were here. And now we can add HFM to the list! It's so sad, but kind of funny at this point. Bless them all!

14 Month Update!

-Size 12 month clothes
-Size 3 diaper and size 4 at night
-Weight: 23 lb. 4 oz. 
-Height: Not sure, but you look much taller to me! 
-One nap a day from 12-2 p.m.
-You eat 3 meals a day and one afternoon snack
-You drink whole milk and water
-You love to eat pretty much anything, though bread, pasta, and cheese are favorites!
-You know the signs for please, thank you, more, milk, cracker, red, apple, yellow, and bird
-You say bye-bye, bath, moh (always accompanied by the sign for more), muh (along with the sign for milk), mama, dada, and lots of other babbles that I don't fully understand yet 
-You have EIGHT teeth (and maybe are working on a molar or two?)
-You walk and run everywhere!
-You are really good at climbing up stairs, but haven't figured out the coming down part yet
-You promoted to the "Garden Sprouts" room at school in early August and have done well with the transition
-You come home from school dirty every day - you play hard! 
-You are friendly and smiley to everyone and wave to people as we go by
-You are a climber! You love to climb up on your little table in the den
-You like to get ALL of your toys our at one time
-You pointed to daddy's banana that he was eating for breakfast and said, "nana!" last week
-You are a good sleeper and take one, two-hour nap per day and sleep 10-12 hours at night 
-Pinky Poodle is still your favorite and you can't sleep without him 

Here are a few pictures of GC at 13 and 14 months:  

Evening Snuggles with Pinky Poodle

Climber! 

Riding in your Cozy Coupe at Nana and Pop's House

Brown--Eyed Baby

 We love this girl so very much and really can't remember what life was like before her. She keeps us busy and on our toes, for sure, but it's all so much fun. 

Thank you, God for Gentry Claire! 

GC is ONE!

-Size 12 month clothes (a few 9 month pieces still fit, too!)
-Size 3 diaper  (day and night)
-Weight: 20.12 lbs. 
-Height: 27 3/4 inches 
-Still nap twice a day for the most part, but are gradually moving to one afternoon nap
-You eat 3 meals a day and one afternoon snack
-You started drinking whole milk on your birthday and like it just fine - milk and water are all you drink
-You love most all food and enjoy eating the more "seasoned" food off of our plates. Favorites are green beans, spaghetti, carbs of any kind (!), cheese toast, and Nutri-Grain bars.
-You have EIGHT teeth 
-You started walking the week you turned one and it's definitely your preferred mode of getting around now. It's still shocking to me sometimes to see you walking all over the house.
-You are friendly to everyone and rarely cry when I hand you to other people. You do cry at school/church drop-off, but settle quickly and have so much fun!
-You are a climber! You love climbing in and out of your pink chair and this weekend went up the entire staircase at home (with me right behind you!) Yikes!
-You like your toys, but don't seem to have a real favorite right now. You move around from one thing to the next very quickly.
-You said "duh-do" anytime you see an animal and something that sounds like "that dog" or "get dog" when you see Scout. 
-You are a good sleeper, but recently naptime has become more of a challenge. You are so tired, but fuss when I lay you down and usually have to cry for a few minutes before settling down and falling asleep. 
-Pinky Poodle is your lovie of choice. You LOVE him and stroke his ears and suck your thumb to soothe yourself.

I haven't taken your monthly "sticker picture" yet, but here are a few of you at "ONE!" 

A favorite activity: climb on the zebra, then climb off the zebra, repeat. 

Happy girl at school on her birthday*

Party Day! *

Opening gifts! *

We are so thankful for such a sweet, smiley, laid back baby girl! It's been such a fun year with you! We pray that you are always so sweet and tender-hearted. 

We love you, Gentry Claire! 

*photo credits to Jennifer Tramel:  http://www.lookingglassphotos.org/

Spring is Here!

We had SUCH a pretty day here on Saturday, so we spent some time outside...

 Laughing...

 Posing...

 Touching the grass, but not wanting to get IN the grass...

 Being brave on the slide...

 Realizing that sitting in the grass can be fun...

 EATING the grass....

And having so much fun!

Happy Spring! 

Gentry Claire at 9 Months!

- At your 9 month check up on March 29, you weighed 18 pounds and were 27 3/4 inches long. (50%)
- You are wearing size 6-9 or 9 month clothes.
- Size 3 diapers
- You love bath time and have fun splashing and chewing on toys.
- You are a great sleeper and sleep all night long: 7:30 p.m. until 6:30 a.m. (or later!)
- You LOVE to eat and have started eating more table foods: green beans, green peas, noodles, yogurt, carrots, potatoes, chicken, spaghetti, and rice.
- You started blowing kisses this week and it's really cute, when you decide to do it! :)
- You love to pull up to your knees on anything that will stand still.
- You crawl everywhere now and usually put your leg out and crawl on one knee and one foot.
- You are very busy at home and play well independently.
- You tried yogurt at school this week and LOVE it - especially mixed with fruit.
- You are a very happy baby and rarely cry unless we have to lay you down to dress you or change your diaper - not your favorite things!
- You understand what "no" means and hear it often when you're trying to get Scout's toys!
- You are very curious and watch other people closely.
- At your 9 month check up the nurse had to prick your toe, you didn't cry at all, but leaned in VERY close to her to see what she was doing - so funny!
- You like going to Gigi and Papa's house and have a favorite remote control there that you play with.
- We went to Gatlinburg with Nana, Nikki, Brody (10), and Mason (6) a few weeks ago and you were so good and rolled with everything. You love Brody and Mason - I think it's because they're smaller, like you!
- You are starting to pull up to standing on two feet, but always holding on to something.
- Daddy bought you a swing last week and you love it. We play on it in the afternoons when we get home from work and school.

We love you so much, Gentry Claire! It's hard to believe that 9 months have already gone by. We are thankful that God chose to add you to our family and can't imagine our lives without you!

Happy Easter!

We had a great first Easter with Gentry Claire this year. We went to church, taught Sunday School (9 one-year-olds! Yowza!), celebrated in morning worship, and enjoyed a yummy lunch made by my mom. 

My mom made this dress for GC. It turned out gorgeous! 

Checking out what's in the basket!

She was most interested in the empty plastic eggs! 

Happy Easter, Aunt Molly!

We went simple for GC's Easter basket this year and probably always will. I gathered up some toys she had never played with before or hadn't seen in a while and put them in her basket and they were like new to her. She liked the empty plastic eggs more than anything else!  I did buy her some little toy boats for her bath (she loves bath time) and gave her those.

Happy Easter! He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

Gentry Claire at 8 Months!

Gentry Claire turned 8 months old on February 27 - the time has flown! Today is her 9 month birthday and I'm just getting around to month 8. GC is so much fun and has a sweet personality. She definitely lets us know when she's unhappy or hungry, but overall has a laid back and content attitude. 

- Size 3 diapers day and night. 
-  Size 6, 6-9, or 9 month clothes depending on the type.  
- You started crawling on March 4 (daddy's birthday!)
- You can pull up to your knees on the coffee table, little piano, or pretty much anything that's the right height.
- You sometimes push up to "standing" on all fours. I feel like you'll walk before you are a year old - oh my!
- You love to go after Scout's toys.
- You are still great sleeper and sleep from 7:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. on school days and usually later on the weekends. 
- You don't cry when you wake up, but just lay in your crib and "talk" until we come get you.
- You wave and say, "bye-bye" but are selective about doing it. :) 
- You don't care for bananas, but will eat most anything else we give you: broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, green peas, lima beans, corn, squash, apples, pears, mango, berries - you like it all!
- You still get 4 bottles a day (6-7 ounces each) and eat breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner, too!
- You tried macaroni noodles last night and liked feeding yourself.
- You eat "puffs" or banana Mum-Mums for afternoon snack.
- You are practicing with a sippy cup and are getting better. We offer you water and/or formula in it and you take it well. 
- You don't like to lay still to get dressed or have your diaper changed - you are so squirmy!
- You like taking baths and have discovered splashing!
- You have two bottom teeth with no more in sight!  
- You rarely laugh - it takes a lot to get a laugh out of you!
- You babble a lot "mamama," "dadada," and "huh!" 
- You started dancing and kind of wiggle and bob around when we sing with you or when you play your piano.
- You like playing on the floor especially with your piano and little house.
- You love your daddy and will laugh harder at him than anyone else. 
- Your separation anxiety has gotten stronger. You usually cry when I drop you off at school or work, but settle quickly and have fun playing.
- You don't like it when the other babies at school get in "your space." It does not make you happy!
- You have become very attached to "Pinky Poodle," the little pink lovey that cousin Terri gave you. Every time we give it to you your thumb goes right in your mouth and you stroke the poodle's ear. 
- You are a thumb-sucker, big time, and that's how you fall asleep. 
- You are busy, busy, busy and aren't still much anymore unless you don't feel well.
- You are friendly to strangers and will go to just about anyone and aren't scared.
- You still take a morning nap for about 1-1.5 hours and an afternoon nap of the same. Sometimes you still like a late afternoon nap around 5:30, especially if we are in the car. 
- You squeal and talk a lot now.
- You still keep headbands on your head and rarely pull them off unless you are sleepy. 
- Your nighttime routine works well. We get home from work/school around 6:00 p.m. and have a bottle, dinner, bath, playtime, and bed. You go to bed around 7:30 and wake up around 6:00 - 6:30 a.m. - sometimes we have to wake you up and you do not like that! 

We love you, Gentry Claire, and are so thankful for you! 

Gentry Claire at 7 Months!

Gentry Claire turned 7 months old on January 27. It's hard to believe that 7 months have passed since GC entered our lives. We are loving this age and stage. She's so much fun and a joy to be around. She's showing quite the personality these days and we love it! 

- You had a check up on February 8 and weight 17 pounds, 4 ounces. 
- Size 2 diapers (barely) we are finishing the last pack of size 2 diapers that we have. 
-  Size 6 month, 6-9, and 9 month clothes. 
- You love to sit up and can scoot around to get things you want. 
- You haven't crawled yet, but you can get up on your hands and knees. Crawling will come soon!
- You are still great sleeper and sleep from 7:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (yes!)
- When you wake up in the morning, you just lay in your crib and "sing" or babble. You don't cry! 
- You say "ba-ba-ba," "da-da-da," and lots of other babbles. 
- You don't care for bananas or jarred green beans. I make most of your food and you seem to prefer it. 
- You still get 4 bottles a day and eat breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner, too!
- You nap well at home, taking 2-3 naps per day, but have a hard time napping at school sometimes. Most days you are SO tired when its' time to go home.
- You like taking baths and chewing on the wet washcloths. I think they feel good on your gums! You like to have one toy in each hands while you take your bath.
- You have two bottom teeth.  
- You still don't laugh very much, but you are all smiles most of the time!
- You like playing on the floor, mostly with rattles or toys that make some kind of noise. 
-  You've had a hard time at drop-off on Sunday mornings, but settle quickly once we leave you. 
- You like playing with Scout. You pet her and let her lick your fingers. 
- You have a sweet personality and smile at most everyone. You are friendly and aren't scared to go to other people. 
- You are easygoing and adapt well to changes in your schedule or if we are away from home on the weekends. We can take you pretty much anywhere. 
- You sit in highchairs at restaurants now (unless you are asleep) and really like being a part of the action. 
- You tasted Broccoli Cheddar soup at Panera last week and LOVED it. 

We love you, Gentry Claire and can't wait to see what this next month brings! 

We woke up to a nice dusting of snow today.

 Not enough to really do anything with, but enough to go out and snap a few pictures. 

It was her first snow, after all! 

We took it all in and then ran back inside to get warm! 

It's cold here today.

Happy First Snow Day, little girl! 

Gentry Claire at 6 Months!

Gentry Claire turned 6 months old on December 27, which also happened to be my birthday. She was born on my 1/2 birthday and her 1/2 birthday is my birthday! Confused? Hooray! 

We had her 6 month "formal" pictures taken last week (courtesy of Wendy Tate Photography).

She's technically closer to 7 months now, but that's just how it worked out. 

I am in love with these new pictures, but it kills me how big she looks! 

I love her crooked grin! 

- At your last check up, you weighed 15 lbs. 11 oz. (50%)
- You are 25 1/4 inches long (50%)
- Size 2 diapers, size 3 at night (if I remember!)
-  Size 6 month clothes (and a few 9 month pieces, but your legs are short, so they tend to be too big for you!)
- You were sick the week of Christmas and we found out you had pink eye, RSV, and a double ear infection.
- You started sitting up this month and that's your preferred position.
- You haven't crawled yet, but you kind of pull yourself around to reach toys when you're on your tummy.
- You are a great sleeper and sleep from 7:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. 
- I put you in your crib at night, awake, and you soothe yourself to sleep after about 5-10 minutes of babbling.
- You say "ba-ba-ba."
- You love to eat and have eaten everything I've given you: carrots, peas, butternut squash, acorn squash green beans, yellow squash, pears, apples, blueberries, bananas, cauliflower, and broccoli. You just started eating "mum-mums" or mashed bananas for an afternoon snack, too. 
- You get 4 bottles a day and eat breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner, too!
- You nap well at home, taking 2-3 naps per day, but have a hard time napping at school. Your classroom is so busy you don't want to miss out. 
- You like taking baths and chewing on the wet washcloths. I think they feel good on your gums! We got you a new inflatable tub that you can sit up in. 
- Your first tooth is coming through and it hasn't bothered you at all. 
- You laugh out loud sometimes, mostly at your daddy or Scout!
- You got lots of fun toys for Christmas - a piano, baby doll, pop beads and so much more!
- You like sitting in your jumper at home or playing on the floor. 
- You like going to school every day and do well in the church nursery, too. The teachers all comment on how laid back you are. 

The Christmas dress that Gigi made for her!

Gentry Claire, you are a doll and we love you so much! It's hard to remember what life was like before you. You have a sweet disposition and smile. We are so thankful for the gift of you!   

Sweet smocked dress from Nana!

6 Months and SO happy about it!