My Little Lantana

This week has been exciting, unfortunately. Little Miss Kelsey decided to sneak a Lantana Flower for a snack on her afternoon stroll in her pink hippo. She soon started to gag and that's when we found a leaf on her belly. Luckily, we were able to identify the flower by the leaf. When the gagging wouldn't stop and the vomiting, nose running, and watery itchy eyes began we finally realized that maybe we should call poison control; who told us to go to the emergency room immediately. By the time she saw the ER Dr. she had vomited three times. Each time containing hot pink swirls from the flower petals. The ER Dr. ordered four x-rays. If you haven't seen an infant x-ray device, see picture below. It looks like a torture device.

As if hearing your child gag, vomit (all over you and her), scream (from the flower and it was way after bed time), and cry isn't hard enough, lets now put her in this contraption. They covered me in lead while I yanked her arms above her head, as seen above, and held them in place while she screamed, cried, and was trying to jerk free. This went on for about 5 minutes. It was torture for me and her. About as bad as when they take blood from a baby, which she just had done last week! If your a mom, you know that is such a hard thing to do. At least for me it was. We then observed her for about an hour. Soon after the ER Dr. came in and said that they found nothing in her throat or chest. Thank GOD! Because I don't know if I could have prepared myself for what they would have to do to remove anything from her throat or chest.

She has been fine since she got it all out of her system. She is 100% back to normal and we thank God for answering all our prayers in this nerve racking event. Fortunately, we knew what type of plant and were able to treat her immediately.

These situations are a reality check. I hope none of you ever have to put your child into one of those devices. For any of you who know Andrew well, we have been to the ER multiple times for some serious and some funny bizarre instances that Andrew finds himself in. I am hoping that Kelsey hasn't decided to follow in her father's footsteps! She will now and forever be my Little Lantana!

9 Months Already

Can you believe 9 Months already! I can't, but I am loving every minute of it. She has so much personality and humor. She is an extremely happy baby. I can't believe she's mine half the time. People tell me how lucky I am all the time and they're right. Kelsey is an amazing blessing. Kelsey is trying to learn how to crawl and pull up but she likes to roll best. No matter the method she will get to her destination. She is saying Mama and Dadda and she laughs and babbles all the time. We are working to get her onto table food and switching her to cow's milk. I hope by 1 year to have the bottle, the paci, and all baby food gone. That's the plan at least. She's already well on her way. She prefers adult cups to sippy cups and table food to baby food and she only needs her paci when she's tired or upset. So, we are well on our way.

Last weekend she had her first trip to the Zoo. She went to Nashville Zoo (Grassmere, not sure the name) with her Uncle Erik, Aunt Jennifer, Extenda-Aunt Rachel, and Extenda-Cousin Emily. (Extenda is the term we use for amazing people in our lives that are not actually related but should be.) She had a blast. She petted a camel and a goat and LOVED the fishes. In fact, when we pass fish tanks at the hospital she will wave "Hi" to them. It's so cute.

She loves books, especially The Belly Button Book. We have to take at least 2-3 every where we go. It's almost more sacred then a paci. She also loves her big sissy Alice. They get along great and enjoy playing with each other.

She is growing up fast and I hope to keep you posted as best possible. If you are on Facebook, you can keep up with us there too. I am able to post many more pictures on Facebook!