Miss Briss is 4 months and we have a new baby...

Miss Briss is 4 months and we have a new baby....ok...not a NEW baby...but a completely, 100% happier, healthier baby!  It is so amazing to see her still changing and growing out of this intolerance as it continues to leave her system! Its unbelievable how long it took for the dairy to completely leave her system.  Now that it is all gone she is the most smily, giggly, excited baby ever!  She is always laughing and smiling at people and loves to talk, babble, and make noise.  She is content most of the time and will sit for a while on her own and look around.  She had an appointment with Dr. Sabri from Geisinger on April 16th.  We loved this doctor!  He was awesome with her and was able to answer all of our questions about what to do, and where to go from here with Bristol's belly issues.  I told him that she spit up A LOT and he recommended starting to put rice cereal in her bottle.  It has to be Beechnut brand because it is the only brand that makes their rice cereal soy free. He said that because the Elecare formula is so thin that it is hard for them to keep down sometimes.  He said the weight from the cereal will help keep it down in her belly and keep her fuller longer so we do not have to increase the volume of food she is eating.  He said that if the cereal worked we could stop with the acid reducer medication. He confirmed that it was definitely MSPI and was fairly confident that she would outgrow it by age 2 if not sooner.  So until then, no teething cookies, toast, cheese, yogurt, or anything with dairy or soy can go into her little belly.  At age 1, we will "challenge" her system to see if she is able to tolerate the milk/soy proteins yet.  This makes me very nervous as I do not want to put her through the hell she dealt with for the first 3 months of her life :(  Unfortunately I can not keep her on formula forever though!  On another note, we were able to finally get her formula approved by Derek's insurance!  PHEW!  That is a HUGE relief for our checkbooks!

Bristol also had her 3 month...but actually 4 month well visit on April 23rd.  Dr. Terwilliger was thrilled to see her doing so well!  He was impressed with the difference this formula was making.  She weighed in at 16 pounds even and 25 1/2 inches long (both in the 85%).  She is meeting all her milestones and doing really well.  Dr. Terwilliger recommended that we start her on yellow vegetables. I am not so sure about this one! I was nervous to try the cereal...i'm not sure her system is ready for another change so quickly.  I will be calling her GI doctor and see what his opinion is before she gets any baby foods.  I feel that he would have mentioned this at her appointment if he thought she needed food.

At 4 months Bristol:
* is sooo happy
* is a snuggly love bug
* likes to sleep in the nook of my leg
* enjoys having her back or belly patted while trying to fall asleep
* still LOVES her noise machine and we still take it with us everywhere. People look at me like I am crazy when they hear it.  Oh well.
* likes going for walks in the stroller
* is a good shopper :)
* enjoyed visiting with the Easter Bunny for the 1st time
* weighs 16 pounds
* is 25 1/2 inches long
* drinks 4 ounces of formula with 4 tsp of rice cereal
* sometimes sleeps through the night but not often
* only wakes once usually to eat
* is wearing size 2 diapers
* wears 3-6 or 6 month clothing
* can still fit in 0-3 month onsies!
* is a peanut compared to Brooklyn
* loves to watch her sister and brothers and laugh
* startles very easy and will sometimes cry
* will sit in her Bumbo for a long time and just watch everyone go about their day
* likes to watch the TV if it catches her attention
* screeches in the most high pitch squeal I have ever heard come out of a baby
* coos all the time
* chews on her hands and thumb all the time
* puts up with her sister smothering her in kisses and patting (smacking) her belly and head
* loves her swing now!

Chewing on her thumb 

Look at those big baby eyes..love

All smiles while shopping

Sisters playing together

Please mom no more pictures..i'm trying to sleep!

Her first 5k! 

16 months and needs to slow down!

 This is a few weeks late but I've been working on it for a few weeks too in "ALL my free time" lol

We have a new nickname for Miss Brooklyn.  We now refer to her as "baby gorilla".  It fits her perfect!  She climbs, throws, hits, picks, pokes, rubs, pats, stomps, and terrorizes everyone and and everything in her way!  She can also be the cutest most cuddly toddler ever.  I think she is hitting the terrible two's way early.  She can throw a temper tantrum like no other!  And let me tell you, getting her dressed or changing her diaper is at least a half hour battle than usually results in her running around half naked with her diaper half way on. I am usually sweating by the time I have her fully diapered and clothed.

I have now experienced my toddler peeing on the floor, pooping in the tub, throwing yogurt from her high chair, rubbing bananas in her hair, eating crayons, and throwing fits...not so fun! 

But I have also experienced her exploring her environment and watching her learn.  She absorbs knowledge and new information like a little sponge!  She loves to do new things and be outside.  She got to play in her sand/water table the other day and the joy on her face was priceless.  She is so smart and amazes me everyday.  I have seen her learn to love and care.  She will give hugs if someone is upset or crying.  She loves to give kisses to her sister and is always concerned when sissy is crying.  I have experienced her doing new things that she finds funny.  She loves to to make people laugh by stomping her feet, spinning in circles, running wild, and screeching at the top of her lungs.  She is learning more and more everyday. All of these amazing new experiences far outweigh any of the not so fun toddlerhood experiences. She is a pure joy!

At 16 months Brooklyn:
* loves to love - give kisses and hugs
* listens to many commands and is able to complete most of them
* is fascinated with shoes and loves bringing everyone their shoes and trying to put hers on
* is able to do some sign language - more, eat, and please
* is the loudest baby I know!
* does not like to shower, but still loves her tubbies
* becomes very concerned when sissy is crying and tries to comfort her by shhhushhing her
* loves to eat M&M minis as a special treat when she is good :)
* loves veggie straws, crackers, raisins, and rice/popcorn chips as a snack
* needs her yo gabba gabba fix everyday
* is starting to use a fork or spoon and doing really well with it--FINALLY
* still likes to feed the dog and throw food she doesn't want on the floor
* loves milk and would drink it all day everyday
* loves pizza
* is starting to sleep through the night again (with a snack before bedtime)
* would be outside all the time if possible
* loves to play anything her brothers are playing
* likes to play with chalk
* is fascinated by her sand and water table
* loves the dog and always hugs and kisses her...and tries to pick her up lol
* still doesn't want to talk much (mama, dada, dog, more, hot, two) but thats ok her constant babbling and screeching makes up for her lack of words
* will ride in her stroller for hours as long as she has a sippy cup
* weighs 28 pounds
* is wearing 24 month - 2T clothes

* is the most carefree, fun loving toddler ever!