Catching Up

For New Years, our good friends Matt and Rachel and their son Joey came to visit. We had a great time catching up, playing some games, and ringing in the New Year with good ol' Dick Clark.

Just FYI...I was only drinking apple cider :)

We were also able to spend some lovely time with my college roommate and her hubby Rex and daughter Ruby. It was so good to see her and laugh with her. I miss you, friend!

Ruby and Riley


Jaron getting in some tractor time at my grandparents house. :)

Beautiful Avery

Update on Riley

I am just doing a quick post since today has been an especially rough day.
Jaron took Riley to see her new pediatrician yesterday, Dr. Vereschagen. She weighed in at 17 pounds 10 ounces. She had a chest xray and some bloodwork done. Jaron said she did such a good job. The doctor called us that evening and told us her chest xray was clear...no signs of inflammation or asthma. Her calcium levels came back high so we are being referred to an endocrinologist at Stanford to have some further testing done. We are also being referred to a pediatric GI.
For now, she will continue her prevacid tablets (for the reflux) and we have to try and get 400 extra calories in her per day. This, of course, is easier said than done. We are pushing the pediasure, but with the throwing up, I am still having a rough time.
Pray specifically for gaining weight and a decrease in her throwing up.
Pray also for my sanity.

Bowling

The Olson fam decided to go bowling this year so that we could spend some fun quality time together. We were not very good, but sure had a ton of fun trying!

Christmas with the Olsons

Cousins: Trevor, Riley, Avery, and Kaylin

Avery and Kaylin

Endoscopy Results

The GI doc called today with the news that the biopsy results were normal. There are no signs of damage or allergies. This of course is good news, but puts us back to not having any clue what is wrong. More to come after we see her new pediatrician on the 5th...

A Family Christmas

This year it was just the 4 of us on Christmas. My parents left for Costa Rica early that morning and we were celebrating with Jaron's family later in the week. We really had a wonderful time not having a schedule. We started with presents, of course and then went out to the movies to see Madagascar 2. That evening, Jaron cooked a prime rib dinner, which was delicious.

Riley with her new plush Dora backpack

Avery's ruby slippers

The Christmas Angel

Santa delivered Avery a late Christmas gift...a lump of coal! She kept teasing Jaron that all he was going to get this year was a lump of coal. I guess teasing your daddy puts you on the naughty list.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we went to church and then out to Black Angus for dinner. Jaron received a gift card from his boss...sweet! We then drove around to look at some Christmas lights before heading back to open one gift. Avery was so excited and had picked out her gift earlier in the day. She opened a gift from Aunt Kari and Dave...the Kung Fu Panda DVD. Riley also opened a gift from them...a boat filled with animals for bathtime fun.

After gifts, Jaron read the Christmas Story to Avery out of her Childrens Bible. We then watched the Nativity Story DVD, which we had never seen. We enjoyed some great family time and were looking forward to the following morning!

First Christmas

We celebrated early with my parents and uncle on Dec. 21st. We had a tasty brunch followed by presents. The girls received wonderful gifts. From my parents, Avery got a kids digital camera and has not stopped taking pictures since and Riley received a baby leapster with a few books to go with it. They also got some Dora instruments. My uncle got both the girls some fabulous wooden puzzles and games and a beautiful velveteen rabbit and book for Riley. She also got her first piggy bank. :) It was a very relaxing and enjoyable way to start the Christmas celebrations!

Riley's endoscopy

Riley had her upper endoscopy with biopsy this morning. She did great. She had to get an IV and general anesthesia, but the procedure was only about 15 minutes long. We were home by 10:45am and she is eating, drinking, smiling and watching Dora the Explorer. The doctor saw no abnormalities during the procedure, but the lab results on the biopsy will take a few days. She did weigh in under 18 lbs, which means she lost some weight again. That's not great news, but we weren't surprised since she has been a little sick for the past week or two. (That makes her cough, gag, vomit more frequently)

The Nutcracker

My mom took Avery and I for a very special day out yesterday. We headed to San Francisco for a very yummy lunch at Citizen Cake and then walked over to see the Nutcracker Ballet. Avery had been super excited and loved getting all dressed up for the event. It was family day so she got to take pictures with some of the performers. She loved the flower fairy, but would not go near the Mouse King. He was too scary, she said. We had wonderful seats and Avery was able to see everything. She was so well behaved and had a spectacular time. Thanks Mom for a perfect day!

Scrunch

Riley makes the funniest face when she needs her nose wiped. When I say, "Do you need a kleenex?" She scrunches up her nose in preparation.

Wedding

My cousin Lacey got married yesterday and the wedding was simple, elegant, and beautiful. Avery was the flower girl and did a great job. The weather was very cooperative and though it was cold, there was no rain. We had a wonderful time and are so happy for Lacey and Brandon!!

Harbour Boat Cruise

On Saturday, we were able to hang out with good friends. We had a yummy dinner then headed out on a boat cruise around the Huntington Harbour to look at Christmas lights. It was so great to have time with friends on our ultra short visit to Southern Cal.

Cookie Making

Creepy Clowns

Just for the record, I hate clowns. I think they are super creepy. My dad let me watch scary movies when I was little and I think my fear of clowns came from watching Poltergeist. Who would not be scared of a clown coming to life and pulling you from your bed?

Anyways - I was looking around at jewelry on Etsy.com and came across this necklace. Who would buy this?? Ahhh!

If you want to remain my friend, you will never buy me a clown or anything to do with them.

She gained 8 ounces!

Half of a pound is a big deal around here. Yesterday, Riley weighed in at 18 pounds 5.5 ounces. It felt so good to see it! I was not optimistic on our way in as she has still been throwing up. We also scheduled her endoscopy for Dec. 22nd. She will go in the morning and the whole procedure should only take about 15 minutes. I feel calm about the whole thing now, but come that Monday morning and I think I will be a stressed mess of a mommy. Does that sentence make sense?
She will be put under general anesthesia and that makes me a bit nervous as well. Our insurance will be changing January 1st so we thought we might as well pay only 20$ at Kaiser to have the procedure done. We will start with a fabulous pediatrician (so I have heard) on Jan 2nd. Jaron has already consulted with him a few times over the phone and he has been great and given us so much information. He is not taking new patients, but immediately said he would take her. We feel very good about the decision.
Overall, Riley seems to be doing better. Today is day #2 with no throw up, which is always so nice for me. :) Se did have fall into the brick fireplace on Wednesday and suffered a fat lip and bloody mouth. I mean, really, can I get a break???
I am always in awe that she is ALWAYS happy. Her smile and goofy faces always keep us laughing and when I think of how tired, irritated, and frustrated I am with the whole situation I look at her beautiful sparkling face and realize if she can have all this going in inside of her and be so joyful then I should be just as joyful. She really has something about her that draws you to her. So many people have told us this. God has given us a precious gift in our Riley Elizabeth.

Grandpa

Walking...finally!

Sorry it is sideways. I forgot I cannot take video this way.