Sick

So my illness turned into Bronchitis. Yuck. I'm coughing all the time, and sometimes cough for 5-10 minutes straight. My stomach muscles hurt. While nursing, Heidi flinches when I cough, and she looks at me as if trying to say "what are you doing mommy? I'm trying to drink here."

In all the numerous books I read during pregnancy, and with all the families I worked with, and in my college/post-grad classes, no one warned me how challenging it is to be sick and try to take care of a baby. It's hard! For a couple days, Heidi lay on the floor with toys around her, and I lay next to her. She was fed, with a clean diaper, and I was guzzling apple juice. That was the extent of my abilities. Sure glad that the dogs realized I was sick, and weren't demanding. My mind feels better, but I still don't have energy. If I try to do something, even like folding laundry, the coughing increases.

A change of plans with Heidi's helmet. The company is not expediting the appointments, so we have yet had the next appt for more detailed images of Heidi's head. We therefore would only be able to have one adjustment before moving. And with the company being something like 6 hours from where we are moving, that didn't seem realistic for 8 or 9 weekly trips for adjustments. Now, I will get a second opinion from a company, Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics just a few miles away! And it also gives me a month to try extensive re-positioning and neck stretches to see if that makes a difference.

Oh, and I just left everyone hanging about Skipper's vet appt last week. He did really well, and his heart and blood pressure are much better. He's cleared from visiting any vet for 6 months, unless I see a change in his behaviors or eating patterns etc. Yay! Now he has to remain on a 2 times daily medicine regime, with 2 pills each time being shoved down his throat. At least we have a while longer with him. I wasn't ready to say bye... will I ever be ready?

Insurance update on Heidi's helmet.

We absolutely appreciate all the support that has been given to us. I now know why people keep blogs in trying times. It's easier than having the same conversation over and over, but we are still able to keep people updated. And to top everything off, I became sick, as in throwing up and fever. Medicine is keeping the fever down, but I still feel crappy. Heidi has received extra naps these last two days, as that is all I want to do.

An insurance update: Before we even went to the appt, I talked with Heidi's insurance at length, and was told that there were no exclusions to prevent them from covering a helmet. Well, fast forward, to Cranial Technologies telling me that insurance is saying "no" to her helmet because her plagiocephaly is not severe enough! Even with this, I still need to write a letter to insurance describing how I have already tried re-positioning techniques. Grrr... and it probably won't make a difference. A slight positive is that Cranial Technologies will "only" charge us the price that they would charge insurance, $2,400. Not great news, but do we really want Heidi's ears to be off center, to cause possible ear issues in the future, and for her eyes to be unbalanced? Easy answer, no. Anyone have money laying around...???

I think my sister sums it up the best.
        "Well good thing you have 
        A. Savings and 
        B. Parents 
               haha" 

I am thankful that I caught this before it became more pronounced.

I am thankful that I have had experience stretching other babies' necks. It is heart wrenching to watch her cry. She is not in pain, but is uncomfortable and is sure to let us know. And we have to do the stretches at least 5 times a day. After diaper changes is easier to remember.

I am thankful that I saw pictures on the internet of a baby wearing the stocking over their head, otherwise that would have freaked me out a little. We saw the pictures, and with her hair and ears covered, it doesn't even look like her!

I am thankful that her pediatrician took me seriously, and made the appropriate referral.

I am thankful that there are locations up north, with this same company.

If only I had energy to start packing up the apartment, but that will wait.

If only I felt like eating, anything. Apple juice it is!

Why I read ingredient labels on food items

We were given a container of Greek Yogurt, Vanilla and Honey flavored. It tasted great, and I put the yogurt into the same molds that the fudge pops were made in (yes, the fudge pops are all done, including the second batch!). I enjoy frozen yogurt, as it can taste like ice cream, with more health benefits.

I happened to look at the ingredient label, and was shocked by what I read! Most people feel that Greek Yogurt is a healthy option, but buyer beware! This yogurt has 280 calories per cup. Which makes it the same caloric count as ice cream, which can come in at 140ish calories per 1/2 cup. Wow. The fat (14grams) and sugar (32 grams) content was way high, and there was only 6 grams of protein per serving. Now compare to my non-fat plain Greek Yogurt, which comes in at 120 calories per cup, 0g of fat, 9g of sugar, and 23g of protein. Yes, that is almost 50% of daily amount of protein!

Yes, the flavored Greek yogurt tastes better, but not enough for all those calories, fats, and sugars. I'll stay with my non-fat, plain Greek yogurt, and add to it such things as: fruit, granola, honey, or into a smoothie.

Healthier doesn't mean less flavor! Just smarter choices :)