Chiropractic Care For Infants

I had acid reflux my entire pregnancy. I took Tums until they quit working and then the OB had me taking Zantac. *Note* I hate taking medicine. The Tums and Zantac didn't stop the reflux they only made it so it didn't burn. At times the reflux was so bad it caused me to throw up, this happened about once a day for my entire pregnancy. I even had acid reflux while I was in labor, crazy right?!? They gave me something nasty to drink and it instantly went away. Where was this magic drink during the rest of my pregnancy?

I shouldn't have been surprised that Bubba developed acid reflux when he was about a month old. He would scream and wail while nursing. When he was done nursing and I went to burp him he would typically throw up nearly everything he had eaten. I felt so bad for him!

When Bubba had his seizure the doctor prescribed a form of Zantac for babies. The Zantac seemed to help with the pain but it didn't stop the reflux or the throw up. The prescription ran out and almost instantly the pain Bubba had previously experienced with the reflux returned.

I took him into the doctor and was issued another prescription for Zantac. I also noticed that Bubba's weight dropped for an eighty something percentile down to the teens because of the vomiting from the reflux and this concerned me.

I began researching online to see if there way anything more I could do (we kept him upright after nursing, his bed was on an incline, etc). A few people suggested ta,king reflux babies to see a chiropractor. Initially I thought to myself, "That is ridiculous! Why would you want someone cranking on your babies neck?"

A short while later a friend who is an RN suggested just that, that I take Bubba in to see a chiropractor who had specialized in babies. She said she had taken her kids to him and that he was really good.

Next thing I know I am calling up this chiropractor to see what he can do for my baby. I filled out some paperwork before taking Bubba to the chiropractor's office, the papers asked all kinds of questions about his delivery- I thought that was interesting.

The day of the appointment arrived and I didn't have any expectations. We met with the doctor and he seemed very friendly. He began asking questions about my pregnancy and about labor and delivery. He became more concerned the more I talked. I was especially concerned when he heard that they used the vacuum not only once but twice to get Bubba out.

He said that during labor and delivery the goal is to get the baby out alive and they will do just about anything to get a baby out, but often that can cause spinal misalignments that can affect people for the rest of their lives if left untreated.

He checked Bubba's spine and sure enough things were out of place. He was super gentle with him and used his "activator" tool to realign Bubba's spine. Bubba didn't even cry!

The doctor suggested taking him to see a massage therapist who specializes in craniosacral work just to see if anything was wrong there.

I took Bubba in to see the massage therapist. I know what your probably thinking, "You took your baby to a massage therapist?" I sure did.

It didn't seem like the massage therapist did anything but he assured me that Bubba would sleep better and that his wet diapers would no longer bother him. Sure enough Bubba began to sleep better at night and the wet diapers no longer bothered him. Previously he would scream every time he had a wet diaper- we went through a lot of diapers for awhile.

We returned to the chiropractor and he could tell that we had taken Bubba in to the massage therapist. He said a particular area of his head/neck region had moved about an inch and looked really good.

We have been going to the chiropractor once every two weeks since February and I have to say I am impressed with the results we have seen. Bubba is off of his Zantac, he has normal baby spit up instead of Niagra Falls, he sleeps better at night, he is taking naps during the day, he doesn't get mad every time he has a wet diaper. And he smiles every time he see the doctor. Occasionally he will cry when he hears the "activator tool" but overall it has been a wonderful experience.

At our last appointment the doctor said Bubba was looking so good that our visits will now be once a month. I feel like we have witnessed miracle after miracle with this chiropractor and I am so grateful for the care he has taken in treating our family. Yes, we are all seeing him now for various reasons. If your child is struggling with acid reflux I highly recommend taking them in. We will definitely take any future children we have in to be adjusted.

As I was sitting in the waiting room one day I noticed some patient stories on the wall and was really impressed with one in particular, I will summarize it briefly below.

There was a family who had a son around 8 or 9 years old. This little boy was really having a hard time. He was constantly sick and in and out of the hospital, he was struggling in school so much that the family had hired tutors for him and his vision was terrible. The family took him in to see the chiropractor we go to. It wasn't too long before the family began to notice changes. Their son didn't get sick anymore, his academic performance improved greatly and he no longer needed his tutor and when they took him into the eye doctor his vision was perfect- the eye doctor was floor.

Crazy story, right?

I am truly amazed by what chiropractic care can do. If your in the Eugene/Springfield area and looking for a chiropractor let me know and I will gladly give you our chiropractor's contact information.

Adventures On The Clearwater Path

I went on a four mile walk this morning with my good friend Kirsten. About halfway through our walk I began to notice slugs on the path. I made it a point, to point out the slugs so neither of us would accidentally step on one because that would be GROSS.

So we are walking along and I am pushing Bubba in his stroller and the next thing I know I am sliding and it feels as if I slipped on some non-existent ice. I was sure I stepped in a big pile of dog poop.  I turned around to see what I'd stepped in. To my surprise, I saw a mutilated slug. It was SUPER DISGUSTING!

Kirsten and I both started laughing. I laughed so hard I almost cried. I'm super grateful I was pushing the stroller. If it weren't for the stroller I would have not only landed on my butt, but landed on the slug as well. I'm it I didn't die because of a slug. So GROSS!

Counting my blessing!

Chickies

Oh my sweet boy, we just love you! Saying it doesn't even begin to express how much we truly care for you!

This past week you decided it would be fun to scream A LOT. It didn't matter what I did, you would just scream and scream and scream. I was starting to get scared that the neighbors were going to call C.P.S. on me. And then I discovered your kryptonite: the stroller. I would put you in your stroller and as soon as we would start walking, you would fall right to sleep. So, I walked and I walked and I walked, even in the pouring rain. One day as I went to put you in your stroller, you started laughing, I suspect you knew we were going walking.

You've gotten really good at using your hands, little one. You can pull your binky out of your own mouth and have figured out how to put it back up to your mouth- you haven't mastered getting it back in though.

And those feet of yours, you love to grab them!

I think the highlight of the week though was that our little family grew. We are no longer a family of three, we are a family of seven. We purchased four little chicks, we are crossing our fingers that they are all hens. We got one Rhode Island Red, one Welsummer and two Ameraucanas. We would have bought more birds but the city and H.O.A. will only allow us to have four. Someday maybe we will be able to afford that farm Mommy and Daddy dream of having.

When we arrived at the farm supply store you were asleep, we were kind of disappointed. Don't worry, you woke up right before we left and you saw your first animals. You saw a dog, chicks and bunnies. You were super fascinated by the chicks. It will be fun to see how you take to them later.

Bubba At 5 Months

I woke up this morning and realized almost immediately that you are 5 months old today. Has 5 months already passed? It feels like it was just yesterday that we found out we were pregnant, that that baby bump started showing and we were in the hospital anticipating your birth.

At 5 months you like to laugh, talk (baby babble), kick you legs (I think you will be a runner someday). You love splashing in your bath tub, pulling Mommy's hair and when Mommy sings the Winnie the Pooh song and the little mouse song. You anticipate Daddy coming home from work each day and you get so excited! Your favorite toys are Kevin the stuffed pink bird and Ellie the elephant.

Your hair is starting to get thicker and it has a red tint to it. You have discovered you feet and are constantly pulling your socks off. You can pretty much bend your body in half, maybe you'll be a contortionist someday.

Oh how we love you little one! Please stay young awhile longer and please stay sweet. We just love you!

You Control The Paint Brush

 I just love this quote by Oprah! It is such a good reminder that we are the ones who ultimately control our lives, nobody else does.

"No matter what challenge you may be facing, you must remember that while the canvas of your life is painted with daily experiences, behaviors, reactions, and emotions, you're the one controlling the brush." -Oprah

Grandma To The Rescue

Hey! It's me again, Bubba. I thought it would be fun to shake things up a little bit on the blog and tell you about this past week. This past week my Grandma was here. Grandma came to help out because Mommy and Daddy both got sick and well, I thought it would be fun to stay up at night.

Grandma held me in the mornings so Mommy could get some extra sleep. She played with me, sang songs, cooked food, ran errands with Mommy, went on a walk with us and even came along to our bi monthly parenting group.

You mean to tell me, you're leaving?

I'm so glad Grandma came! I cried when she left, I miss her.

Sunday was my first Easter, I'm not really sure what this holiday is about but I'm sure I will love it when I'm a little bit older. Mommy and Daddy were going to take me to an egg hunt but I fell asleep. Oops!

Well, it's past my bedtime so I really should get going. It's been nice chatting with you.

Love,

Bubba

4 Month Checkup, Illness & A Visit From Grandma

You are growing so fast little one, I can't even believe it! It seems as though it is almost a daily that you learn something new.  You have discovered your feet! You love to kick, pull your socks off, attempt to walk and bend your legs all the way up to your face - I wish I could move like that!

Mommy took you in for your four month check up and you are doing well as far as your height and weight are concerned. You are a tall little boy! 26.5 inches long puts you in the 89th percentile for height.

When the doctor asked Mommy if she had any concerns she started to mention teething, the doctor cut her off and said that he knew what she was going to say. He said that there is no research that babies feel pain leading up to a tooth coming in. He went on to say that when teenagers get their wisdom teeth you don't see them drooling and fussy; therefore, babies don't feel pain.

When Mommy mentioned that you had been up every hour lately he told her to put you in your own room and let you cry all night for 3-5 nights. He chuckled, looked at you and said, "You have no idea what we are talking about."

Mommy left the doctors office feeling pretty uneasy. She decided that it is time to find a new doctor, one that actually cares about your well being.

Daddy stayed home sick half of the week. While he was sick you decided it would be fun to keep us up all night. After several days of this Daddy decided to call your grandma to ask for advice. He told her what was going on and she said, "She wished she lived closer so she could help us" and she just bawled on the phone. The next day your grandpa called and said they were going to put your grandma on a plane to come up and help us.

In the meantime Carrie (a friend from Santa Clara 3rd Ward) came over one day and just held you. This gave Mommy a much needed break- I was able to get a shower and fold the ever growing mountain of laundry. You eventually fell asleep in Carrie's arms for about two hours, it was amazing!

Somehow Carrie holding you lead you to start taking two sixty minute naps each day, this was a huge answer to our prayers!

Your grandma got in around midnight Friday night.

Bath time with Grandma

It has been a bit of a roller coaster since you were born. You sleep good some of the time and terribly at other times. It's been nice to have the extra help, so Mommy and Daddy can get some sleep and a few things done around the house. You can tell your grandma really loves you.

An Act Of Faith

I have been thinking a lot this past week about the Prophet Joseph Smith. I am so incredibly grateful for the young boy Joseph who lived nearly 200 years ago. My life has been forever blessed because of the faith of this young man.

He was raised in a home where he learned to love the Lord. He had a question, he pondered on that question, he looked everywhere to find the answer to his question (the Bible, different religious congregations) and he just couldn't seem to find an answer. He decided to pray to God for an answer to his question as directed in the book of James and something miraculous occurred- He saw God the Father and his son Jesus Christ and he received and answer to the question that troubled his soul. Because of the faith of this young man the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth and that is nothing short of miraculous.

I cannot imagine what my life would be like without the knowledge of the Gospel. I know who I am, I know why I am here and I know where I want to go. I am a daughter of God. He loves me. I am created in His image. I am here to learn, to grow, to be tested and to try to become like Him. I hope in living a life patterned after his that I can return to live with him someday.

Andy's Birthday, Color Me Rad & General Conference

It's been a very long and tiresome week, Bubba. The week started off with celebrating Daddy's birthday! We had pizza, Mommy made cupcakes that turned out terribly (sometimes that happens) and we rented a movie. It was the perfect little celebration for your Dad. We sure love him!

Mommy found this picture on Daddy's phone. Apparently he likes to put garbage on your head. What are we going to do with him?

Later that night Daddy started feeling sick. He went to work the next day and came home early because he felt so sick. He ended up staying home the rest of the week.

For some reason, you decided it would be fun to be up every hour of the night while Daddy was sick and you are still on this party all night kick- it's been awful! I'm not sure how many more days like this we can handle. We feel so worn out and tired that we can't even think straight. We are in survival mode at the moment.

Back in January Mommy signed us up to do the Color Me Rad Race and it happened to fall on the same weekend as General Conference and at the same time as Daddy's illness. We figured since we had signed up for it, we might as well do it.

You're such a good little eater.

You just love that rice cereal.

We ran and walked the 5K with our friends Kirsten and Jonathan and their family- one of their little girls was having some hip pain hence the walking. Honestly, it was really nice to get out of the house, get some fresh air and enjoy the sunshine. We put the rain cover on the stroller and buckled you in. We enjoyed watching your eyes get huge as people threw color on the stroller. Eventually you got bored and fell asleep.

At the start of our run.

Look at those big eyes.

Andy and Bubba.

Andy, Bubba & Me.

The Party Crew!

Congrats Bubba! You completed your first race! Before we know it, you will be running 5K's with your own two legs- please don't grow up too fast!

We grabbed some Dickie Jo's before heading home to watch General Conference.

I just love General Conference! I love listening to the Prophet, apostles and other church leaders. I always walk away from Conference feeling so motivated, uplifted and inspired to do and be better. I hope you learn to love General Conference too one day, Bubba. Living the gospel of Jesus Christ brings so much joy to my soul! It truly is the ultimate source of truth and happiness.

Also worth mentioning, you discovered your penis. You have been grabbing it during bath time lately. Daddy pries your fingers off and you try to grab it again. What are we going to do with you?

Who me???