Hives

Tonight I had one of my first health scares with Isabella.  When picking her up after work I noticed she had a red bump/welt under her eye.  So I asked her caretaker if she had hit something (which is highly likely now that she is becoming more mobile). The response was no, and that she had a similar mark earlier in the day.  So we proceeded to check her body.  She had a small mark on her hip, and a larger mark on her chest.  We wondered if it were a rash.  I decided I would stop at Rite Aid on my way home to pick up some Benadryl. 

By the time I had arrived at Rite Aid (15 minutes), the mark under her eye had spread.  It now covered half her cheek and was moving to the other side of her face.  I asked the pharmascist what type of allergy medicine he would recommend.  He wasn't sure it was an allergic reaction.  He thought it could be a fungal infection.  He suggested I call the on-call doctor or try a walk in clinic, and to always keep Benadryl on hand.    

When I arrived at home another 10 minutes, I decided to check her body again.  It had spread all over her body.  She had a huge hive covering her whole shoulder and part of the arm, hives all over her legs, and arms.  I immediately called the on-call doctor.  The hives were spreading fast.  The on call doctor called immediately.  She said it sounded like hives and to try the Benadryl.  The Benadryl began working almost immediately.  What a relief. 

According to the doctor the hives could have stemmed from the following: medicine, food, or a viral infection (i.e. cold).  As luck would have it Isabella has started coming down with another cold and the only new food I have tried lately is yogurt.  So we aren't quite sure what caused it, but hopefully it won't happen again.

Here is a photo of her shoulder/arm hive and leg hive.  The photo doesn't clearly depict how awful the hives looked.

9 month stats

Isabella had her 9 month check up on December 30th.  Both Garrett and I were able to go.  Everything checked out good.  Her stats were as follows:

• Height was 26.5 inches (25th percentile)
• Weight 14lbs 11 ozs (5th percentile)
• Head Circ is 16.75 inches (15th perentile)

As you can tell from her stats, she is on the small side for her age.  Her next check-up is at one year.

First Haircut

Garrett and I finally broke down and decided it was time to give Isabella her first haircut.  I must admit it was pretty difficult.  I was sad to see those baby curls go.  Afterwards we both agreed her hair looked better. 

Here is a before photo.  Notice the long wispy hair in the back.

Here is an after photo.

Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year.  It was extra special as it was Isabella's first Christmas.  We spent the morning at home as a family.  We had fun openning stockings, a few gifts, and hanging out around the Christmas tree together.

Mid morning we journeyed out to my parents house.  There we also got to spend time with my brother, his wife, and my sweet niece Kyah.  Let me tell you, when you have little ones around your schedule is dictated by theirs.  You fit in the socializing, gifts, food, etc inbetween their naps and feeding times.  We finally made it through all the gifts late afternoon.  At which time we headed to our next destination.

We finished off the day at Garrett's side of the family.  This year the gathering was held and Nate and Sarah's.  The food, company, and gifts were great.  Poor Jackson, Isabella's cousin was not feeling well.  Now we know he came down with an ear infection in both ears.  He decided to join Isabella in her misery. 

We didn't take many photos on our camera so I can only post a few until I get others from the Grandparents.

Christmas Eve

This Christmas Eve was different than priors.  Not only because this year we have Isabella, but also because this year we only had to attend one service.  Normally every year Garrett and I attend two services, the first being our own church with his family and the second being my childhood church with my family.  It happened to work out this year that both sides of the family attended our church.  What a blessing it was. 

Here are a few photos from Christmas Eve.

A family of three this year.

Isabella with cousin Jackson

Isabella with Cousin Kyah

First cold and ear infection

Well I am sad to report that Isabella came down with her first cold and ear infection right before Christmas.  On the 20th, she didn't nap well, was a little fussy, and sneezed alot.  We had an inkling that she was coming down with something.  Well the next morning she was pretty congested and snotty, and very fuusy.  Being a first time parent, and overprotective at that, I decided I should probably take her in to the pediatrician.  Knowing my luck if I didn't she would probably need to be seen on Christmas when they wouldn't be open.  I called and made an appointment.  I felt a little silly, and thought they probably would think I was being silly.  However, it turned out she had an ear infection and the doctor was glad I brought her in.  After a few days of being on antibiotics and Tylenol Isbella finally became her joyous self again and the sparkle returned to her eyes.  I think she is finally on the mend, but we will see after her appointment on the 30th. 

6 Month Check-Up and Photos

As always I am behind in my blog postings.  So you are getting a bunch all at once.  On October 3rd, Isabella turned 6 months old.  At her six month check up she measured 25 1/2 inches in length which is 50th percentile and weighed a whopping 13lbs 2oz which is 5th-10th percentile.  The doctor had no issues with her weight and said she was growing excellent.  Everything checked out well.

A few highlights/updates of her progress and growth are that she is rolling all over the place.  She can sit up and is pretty sturdy in doing so.  I anticipate it won't be too long until she is crawling.  She is now eating rice cereal, oatmeal, avacado, sweet potatoes, apples, carrots, and zucchini.  When I say now eating, I mean has tried.  A few of these she absolutely refuses to eat, or I can get her to eat a little if I hide it in her cereal. 

We had her 6 month photos taken on October 1st.  Below are some of those photos.