Bisphenol-A

When Kylie was on formula and getting fed via the bottle, we decided to switch from plastic to glass bottles with the recent hype on BPA. I looked into the issue a bit and tried to decide what would be best. There were a few studies I read where BPA was tested on animals and bad outcomes were found- such as cancer, diabetes, obesity. We switched over to glass for peace of mind and it's challenged me to look at what I drink or eat out of (no more Nalgene bottle). Although, I recently found Nalgene has a new water bottle BPA free. I had no idea the recycle symbol on the bottom of plastic bottles/containers can tell you if it contains BPA. So finding a number 7 on the bottom of my tupperware or bottles wasn't a good thing. I would love any additional information on the subject if you have it!
Thanks for encouraging me to blog about it Candace.

(Matt's first blog entry)

Mother's Day was the BEST! Matt took our own
rice milk into Carlino's Coffee House to make a
latte for me. It has been months since I have been
able to enjoy such a treat. He also brought me lillies
and a "tear jerker" card. He is the best husband!
His family came over for a wonderful brunch.



Please don't tell Matt...but I don't think he's the father!
She's too cute to be his.



Kylie with Grammie. Again...I don't think she is Matt's.

Our friend Annie Hess is pretty extraordinary...
Matt calls her a "physical specimen" it doesn't
hurt my feelings...really it doesn't. I have to agree
with him. When it comes to track and field, well actually
throwing discus the girl is absolutely amazing. We went
to watch her throw hammer at one of her meets last
month; unfortunately we missed the discus. At that meet
she set a stadium record for the discus at Mt. Hood
Community College. Good luck at the Olympic trials!



ENGAGED
One of my best friends, Lisa Russell recently got engaged
to a great guy named Brian. Matt and I spent a little
time with them a few weekends back and enjoyed our
time with them getting to know Brian. To our surprise, and Lisa's,
he popped the question on a Mexico getaway about a week
ago! We are so excited for their future together. They'll
be a blessing together and will touch so many lives as a
married couple!

Redmond

Finally I was able to upload a picture!! Computer troubles.
Anyway...here's Kylie playing with her first pinecone in
Redmond. We went to Eagle Crest with Paul and Karyn, and
their baby-to-be. We stayed a few days, enjoyed the sun and
quiet atmosphere.

Update

So we've been off the blogging radar the last month. We decided to save a little cash and cancel our phone, internet and cable. In turn, I haven't had internet access during the day so blogging got put on the back burner. The last few weeks have been a blur of formula, bottles, and pumping- yes I mean breast pumping. I know to some that might not sound like fun or what you want to read on a blog, but it's true. We took Kylie to an Allergist who agreed with the pediatrician to put her on a hypoallergenic formula as a trial to see if the blood in her stool went away. It did, along with other signs of something irritating her... like her constant diaper rash and eczema. The trial lasted roughly 3 weeks and now we're attempting to get her back nursing full-time. She's been back on mother's milk 24hrs and seems to be tolerating it. As for me, I am on what some may say a crazy diet... trying to avoid all possible allergens. I will begin to reintroduce foods and see if we can pinpoint the culprit. We see the Allergist again next week, so I am hoping to continue breastfeeding if all goes well.
Aside from that, we have been busy spending time with friends. I've been meeting with a few gals each week and have really enjoyed the blessing of friendship. Earlier in the week the three of us, along with Paul and Karyn, went over to Redmond so Matt could see customers. We enjoyed the sunny, crisp weather over there. We relaxed, read, and went on walks while Matt was busy calling on customers. He enjoyed the company in the late afternoon and evening! We're looking forward to the summer and more fun times ahead.

Starting Solids...Kylie Tells All

You're finally going to let me eat!!


I don't know about this?


Ugh...the texture is making me gag!


This eating thing isn't what I thought it would be.
I'm a little disappointed.

Can You Believe It's Been 6 Months?

Kylie turned 6 months old today. When she woke up this

morning, I told her the story about the day she was born- minus

the gory details. She gabbered right back like she was telling

her side of the story. She's such a blessing in our lives... a

true miracle to me. To celebrate, I made chocolate cupcakes

with white frosting and an M&M that says her name!

Tomorrow we see the doctor for her 6 month appointment.

I am looking forward to hearing what the doctor says in

regards to her possible allergy. And then maybe I can enjoy

one of the cupcakes!

Piper and Kylie Finally Meet On St. Patty's Day

Here's a little background... Matt and Breanne went to
high school together, and last spring we met with her and
her husband to talk about our upcoming Hawaii trip. We were
both pregnant for the first time. After having our little girls
nearly 3 weeks apart, we finally get to catch up on all the mom talk!
The babes looked at each other as if looking in a mirror. They
grabbed each others' feet and hands- too cute!


Matt joined us for a little floor time. Piper moves all
around the floor... rolling place to place and jabbering!


Mom and daughter festive in their St. Patty's
Day color! Oops, I forgot my green.

Aren't Aunts Great!

Over the weekend, Kylie and I were on our way downtown
so I could register for the Shamrock run. My parents were
visiting my Dad's Aunt Margaret, so we decided to join them.
This was the first time Aunt Margaret and Uncle Emil got to
meet Kylie. It was a quick visit, but fun to see them.

Aunt Anne

Matt's sister Anne came over to visit Kylie yesterday
and see her sitting up. Kylie loves grabbing her head to
give her big kisses and pulling on her hair and earrings!


Easter Best... Aunt Anne bought this adorable
little Easter dress for Kylie. She's giving it a
thumbs up!

Sitting Up

Hooray! Kylie's new little trick is sitting up!


She's been practicing and getting close the last couple weeks.
And a couple days ago she did it on her own. Here she is
workin' her abs.

Little Bunny Foo Foo...

I can't wait for Easter....

Day Trip

Last sunday we drove to the tri-cities to meet friends. We
decided to make a day of it and spend a little time at one of
my favorite parks in Kennewick on the Columbia River. The
park includes a play structure, skate area, and a trail that goes
along the river (one of my favorite places to run). After a little
stroller walk, Matt opted for a nap in the car while Kylie and I
played in the back.


We had to get her some shades for the sunny weather!

You Zi

What are you talking about, you zi? I will explain...
As some of you know, Paul and Karyn Meier, our close
friends have a passion for China. Paul has spent lots
of time there, and has knowledge of the culture and
language. When they came over on Wednesday for
bible study, Paul saw a pomelo sitting in our fruit basket
and said "oh a you zi!" Matt and I asked him what he was
talking about. He explained what the fruit was called
in China, and that he and Karyn had seen a you zi tree.
Matt and I had bought the pomelos at costco thinking
oh cool a huge grapefruit, and it says they're sweeter
than grapefruit. We brought them home, and
proceeded to cut it up like a grapefruit! It was
slightly difficult to eat, as those of you who have
eaten pomelos (you zi) know. Paul explained to us
that you peel it like an orange to eat it. So the four
of us shared the fruit, as you can see Paul is
demonstrating the correct way to peel a pomelo.
After a little research of my own, I found the you zi
is also known as the reunion fruit or that of blessing.
The name is similar in Chinese for "to have" and
often means abundance, prosperity or having children.

Sacrifices

Over the last couple months we've been suspicious
that Kylie has a milk allergy. I've gone on and off
most dairy on my own, and saw the doctor at her
four month appointment and informed her that we'd
recently seen blood specks in her poo (sorry for those
with weak stomachs). She thought it was unlikely but
encouraged me to give up the basics and the most tasty
of course... milk, butter, ice cream, etc for a week. Since
that appointment I have still continued to see it in her diaper.
I made another appointment this week and saw a
different doctor who thought it is an intolerance to milk
and probably soy. She recommended that I go off these
for at least 3-4 weeks. So, 2 weeks and 2 days more
without milk and soy. I was unaware that soy is

in a lot of food products..ugh. I have to say, it's a

little easier of a sacrifice than I thought it would be...

thanks to rice milk, lots of fruit, and flax bread!

To be honest I did contemplate giving up breast-

feeding, then I thought how selfish of me. I can

give up these things for another seven months if

I have to! I will just say goodbye to Starbucks

for those months!!

This is just the beginning of sacrifices I will make

for my little Kylie....

Mommy Newell

Earlier in the week we went to see little
Lucy Piper Newell and check on how the new
parents were holding up! She's a month old already,
and they're fitting into parenthood nicely.
It made us laugh when Jason asked if we could
remember the days when Kylie was that small...
she never was! (Big 9 pounder)

Kylie is 5 months old!

Kylie loves her little jumperoo (Thanks Tom Fam)-

here she is getting her groove on!

Naples and Largo, Florida next

We stayed in Naples, Florida on our way to and
from Matt's Grandparents'. His Aunt Joan
and Uncle Joe let us stay with them. Here we
are out for breakfast on Aunt Joan's birthday.


We stayed two nights with Matt's Nana and Papau.
They were delighted to meet little Kylie;
she was equally excited!


Nana and Kylie wearing matching outfits on
our last day staying with them!


When we came back through Naples...
Matt and I got out for a jog together, and
lounged at the pool before heading back to Miami.
Aunt Joan and Uncle Joe were great babysitters!


Headed back to Portland!

Headed to Miami Beach

On our way to Florida...waiting in the airport!


Kylie can't wait for the sunshine


Curtis is almost 1 year old! He's so cute


We had so much fun visiting the Tom's! We loved
the walks along the beach, swimming in the pool,
and catching up.
Thanks for letting us stay with you guys!


Visiting the happening scene.. Lincoln Road