Being a Big Sister

Being a Big Sister is a big job! Gwen is learning that she has many new responsibilities now that Wyatt is here. However, she is also learning that with this new role come some very cool perks! As a belated birthday gift and a Big Sister surprise, Gwen went with Auntie Ashley and Gram to see Disney Princesses on Ice! She also went to a Fancy Nancy Tea Party with her "cousin" Sophia! Here are some of the highlights :-)

Being a Big Sister means...

getting to have tea parties with Mommy

telling Wyatt story after story

wearing fancy clothes for fancy parties!

holding Wyatt

going out with Auntie Ashley

going to Disney Princesses on Ice dressed as a princess

having Gram and Auntie Ashley all to myself

taking pictures on big days

getting personal photo shoots with Gram just because

Gwen's recent quotes that make us smile:

-Mommy is pumping while Gwen is around playing. G: "mommy can I use that (the breast pump) for my boobies next week so I can feed my baby brother?"

-At the store, Gwen turned to a women in line behind Gram and said: "I like your necklace on your teeth (aka braces)"

-G: "When the doctor got Wyatt out, did he make a hole or a door?"

-Out to eat at Gwen's favorite restaurant, Applebees. Waitress-"Do you help give your brother a bottle?" G-"No, boobies"

-Daddy: Gwen did you say "thank you to God?" G: "yes, God says 'Alleluia' to all the children and their parents"

Wyatt is 1 month old!

Our little Dude is 1 month old already!

Wyatt is now 1 month old and what a month we have had!!!!!! Not much has changed since I last updated the blog...my diet is driving me crazy (I never realized how much I like the things I am avoiding!) and Wyatt is still throwing up at least 3 times a day. He is, however, still very sweet, cuddly, and is growing like crazy! I don't know his exact weight today, but it is over 8 lbs! Here are some pictures of the last week or so and more insight as to what is going on may follow next week :-)

Auntie Kelley has a chance to meet Wyatt at Riley

Daddy and Wyatt had lots of quality time while up in Indy

Wyatt is filling out his car seat quite nicely

Sleeping is one of Wyatt's favorite hobbies

Gwen is 3 years and a month old and Wyatt is 1 month old. They love there matching bunnies too...thanks Auntie Kelley!

"Don't even thinks about taking my bunny....it's mine!"

The adventure continues...

Well, the results of the biopsy came back negative for Hirschsprung's Disease, however it has not been completely ruled out. The doctor's are still considering it as an option, but the next test to determine the disease cannot be done until Wyatt is 6 months. So, until then we have to try and treat his symptoms. Interestingly, the biopsy did show cells that are consistent with an allergic reaction. So, Wyatt is being treated for Allergic Colitis, aka milk protein allergy. We are trying to first eliminate dairy and wheat from my diet and continue nursing, but we may have to switch to a formula specially made for infants with allergies. An MRI has also be ordered, and will be on April 14th, to check and see if Wyatt has a tethered code. His spinal cord may have a "knot" in the bottom which might inhibit the nerves from sending the appropriate signals.

Since returning from Riley, Wyatt has thrown up less and is not as distended. We are having to help him poop twice a day right now, definitely not my favorite thing to do, but it seems to be helping. We have follow up appointment scheduled for next week and the week after, so we will keep everyone posted. Gwen is doing amazing with all of this. She is so observant and listens to everything that is said, so she probably knows way more than we had hoped. She is working on sharing the attention at home and enjoying her time with each of us alone. I have noticed that nap time is a bigger fight than it used to be, but I think she doesn't want me to have alone time with Wyatt. What she doesn't know it that my intention is to put her down, get him to sleep, and then take a nap myself! It has almost been a month, so we are all still learning :-)

Wyatt"s Wild Adventure!

Where do I begin...Since our last post life has been anything but average. Gwen and Wyatt are getting along well, however Wyatt is continuing to have some issues. He is gaining weight and growing steadily, his appointment on the 26th had him at 7 lbs. 12 oz. and 21 inches and on the 31st he was 8 lbs.! Wyatt's big adventure really took off on Friday March 25th when Auntie Erin, Uncle Don Don, Lilly, and Gammy were on their way down to visit. During an afternoon diaper change, I noticed a line across his belly (that had appeared on Wednesday) had turned purple. This line looks like a spider vein that is 1/2 inch wide that stretches from his left side to his right. The line was initially pink, but this particular afternoon it was violet. Below this line was also purple and bruised looking and was very distended. A call into the pediatrician's office and we had an appointment for first thing Saturday morning. Saturday morning appointment was a surprise. I thought Dr. Kreilein might tell us to start using gas drops and tell me that it was nothing and send me on my way. I was wrong. Not only was she concerned, but she wanted him to go to Indianapolis to Riley Hospital for Children ASAP. She believed there was a an obstruction in his bowel that was causing the distention and possibly all the vomiting. Wyatt was to leave immediately for Indy via ambulance with Brad and I was to follow behind in the car with Gammy. A nasogastric tube was put in to drain Wyatt's stomach and an IV was started to keep him hydrated. Our visitors, including Carolyn, Steve, and Gwen, met us at the hospital to say "hello" and "good bye" and off we went.

After a 2 1/2 hour trip, Wyatt arrived at Riley's ER and the tests started. First an ultrasound and x-rays were done to check for abnormalities and/or Pyloric Stenosis (a narrow opening at the base of the stomach into the intestines). The ultrasound and x-rays were normal. Next a barium study was done to watch for how food would work through his system. Again, everything looked normal. Some reflux was seen during the barium study. Since his stomach was emptied during the ride up, and he wasn't allow to eat over a 24 hour time span, his belly was deflated and back to normal coloring. Wyatt was monitored and then discharged on the afternoon of Monday the 28th. The only changes made was to add rice cereal to my milk and give him a bottle to help with the reflux. Once home things seemed to be okay....or so we thought. As the week progressed, Wyatt started vomiting this entire feedings again, and did not have a dirty diaper. On Thursday (March 31st) we visited Dr. Kreilein and she again wanted us to go back up to Riley for more tests. This time we were able to drive Wyatt ourselves. We arrived to the ER late last night and around 4 am we were back on the surgery floor. This morning Wyatt has had a barium enema and a biopsy of the rectal tissue to determine if he has Hirschsprung's Disease (a portion of the large intestine is developed without nerves to tell stuff to keep moving out). As of this moment, the radiologist said things looked suspicious. However the surgeon we spoke to during the the biopsy felt that this diagnosis was unlikely. The results of the biopsy won't be back until Monday morning, so we may be hanging out here in Indy or may be going home...not sure yet. Please keep Wyatt in your thoughts and prayers so that he can get to feeling better and stay at home.

Some pictures of the last week:

Gwen telling Wyatt a very interesting story

Sibling bonding!

Quick quiz...of the 2 bath pictures, which one is Brad and which one is Wyatt?

Wyatt was 2 weeks old on March 23rd!

Riley stay #1

The little guy was so tired from crying for food, he finally gave up and passed out.

Wyatt is now 3 weeks old!

Riley stay #2

Exhausted after a morning of tests, Wyatt took a good nap

At home with 2!

Wyatt has now been home for a little over a week and a half and wow have things been interesting!!!! Here's a little about what everyone is up to (and how they are handling the new man) and some pictures since they're always fun to see ;-)

Wyatt: Before leaving the hospital, we were trying to figure out why Wyatt was spitting/throwing up after certain meals. He doesn't do it after every feeding, but when he does it isn't a little bit. It is everything he just ate. He doesn't seemed bothered by it (more bothered about the changing of clothes and the bath he gets), and is ready to refill himself about 10 minutes later. He showed off his skills during his little boy surgery and the pediatrician ordered an x-ray to make sure there wasn't a blockage or obstruction. The x-ray came back normal except that he has gas from top to bottom. As a result, Wyatt has been going to the chiropractor a couple time a week to try and help move the gas out. Our "episodes" still occur, but usually only 1-2 times a day. We are all still hopefully he will simply grow out of this. Despite this minor issue, Wyatt is adjusting just fine to the noise and excitement that makes up this place we call home. He sleeps through anything, waking only when he is hungry it seems. He is sleeping between 2-3 hours between meals during the day and night. He is most alert around 2 pm and 2 am, but he is adding a 7 pm slot in there too. He is a definite snuggler and loves being held and just watching everything around him. He is also a pacifier kiddo--he is still getting the hang of how to keep it in his mouth, but when it is there he seems to love it! At his check-up with the pediatrician on the 14th, Wyatt weighed in at 6 lbs. 4 oz.--just 1 oz. under his birth weight!!! And, we had another check-up on Friday the 18th and he was 6 lbs. 11 oz.!!!!!! So, his overall stats are: 6 lbs. 11 oz. (23rd %ile), 20 inches long (72nd %ile), and head circumference is 12 inches (less than 3rd %ile).

Gwen: Miss Gwen is trying very hard to be the best big sister ever, and adjusting to sharing the attention. She is wonderful when around Wyatt, giving him lots of tickles, hugs, and kisses. She is my number 1 assistant and is great about running to get me diapers, wipes, burp clothes, and running dirty diapers to the trash. She is the first to alert us that Wyatt is awake, loves to introduce him to new people and show him off, and is very upset if she doesn't get to kiss him good night. She is absolutely loving all the visitors that we are having and all the birthday parties we have had. But....she is also showing some new "tricks" as well. Gwen has a new obsession with singing like American Idol. She is also demonstrating that she is great at the art of ignoring directions and that she doesn't care what kind of attention she gets (positive or negative) as long as she is the center of it. We are working on the listening a lot and trying to give her time with each of us daily. It has helped that she is going on outings with Gram and with friends, even if I am sad to miss out :( It is a new adventure for Gwen, but we are optimistic that she will make a great big sister and we will all make it through this "phase". Gwen had her 3 year check-up and she is 34 lbs. (80th %ile) and 36 inches tall (18th %ile).

Now for the pictures:

Wyatt's trip home from the hospital and first car ride; he slept the whole way :-)

Gwen learning how to hold her baby brother

Wyatt gave Gwen this princess dress as a Big Sister present, she added the fairy wings

Gwen loved her princess dress so much, she just had to sing about it!

Poppy came over to visit that night and finally was able to hold Wyatt for the first time

Gwen's favorite game is still hide and seek, so we played while waiting for Bubba and Gammy to arrive (she still isn't great about keeping her location a secret)

Once Bubba and Gammy were here, Gwen felt it was a great time to show off her American Idol skills

She doesn't miss anything!

Wyatt showing off his blue eyes and crazy hair

Gammy getting some cuddles

Bubba telling Wyatt all the things he will teach him now that there is a boy in the family

St. Patrick's Day is coming, so our chefs went to work making Grandma Casey's Irish Soda Bread! (Later we also had Green River Floats--YUMMY!!!!!)

Gwen was hard at work mixing the batter

Gwen thought it would be nice for Wyatt to sleep in her cradle. He fits with room to spare!

Gwen kinda fits

Bubba and Gammy loved meeting their newest Grandson and seeing their first Granddaughter!

Gwen loves giving Wyatt kisses

Bubba and his buddies

Wyatt doing what he does best--sleeping through everything

Wyatt's first walk, and Gwen's first time walking instead of riding!

Tea time at Gwen's Place!

The Big Sister had a very special tea party while Wyatt napped.

Wyatt at 1 week!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

(we caught this picture right before Wyatt made a mess all over himself and we had to change clothes...at least he wore it for 20 minutes!)

What should you do to celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

Gwen says have a hot dog picnic! So, outside we all went and had a picnic--thank goodness it was warm! We also had some green milk and Green River Floats later that night to celebrate how much we love being Irish!

More to come soon.....

Videos of Gwen and Wyatt

Gwen's first meeting with Wyatt

Gwen's first imitation of Wyatt...with many to follow I'm sure :-)

Welcome Wyatt Alexander!

Wyatt Alexander Tempel arrived this morning at 2:43 am EST. He is 6 lbs. 5 oz, 20 inches long, has blonde hair, and blue eyes. He has Brad's nose and my mouth, or at least we think so. So far, he has been a very good little boy--sleeping and eating great! I am doing well too. More pictures and video to come of his first meeting with his big sister Gwen!

My Little Man

"Hi Baby Brother"

"Will you hold my hand?"

The new and improved Tempel family!!!!

Gram was the very first of our special guests today!

"Life doesn't get any better than this!"

"Tickle Tickle Wyatt!"

"He's holding my hand! He loves it!"

The men of the house!

"I see my brother!"

"Say hello to my baby Wyatt!"