Getting better!

Hello! In my last post, we had gone to Dr. Russo and he wanted to move the boys to a different formula and off the NeoSure. Well, Katie found the Similac Alimentum formula which is a Hypo-Allergenic formula and it is doing the trick! They are not lactose intolerant but have some sort of goofy allergy to that other formula. The reflux is reduced greatly and the discomfort has subsided for sure. It is not 100% gone, but there is SIGNIFICANT improvement. Dr. Russo RULZ!! Claire is still on the NeoSure which has more calories than normal formula and we think she will be on it a while so that she can catch up with her weight and size.

All three are just growing like a weed! The boys especially are really getting to the point where they can hold their heads up pretty good. There is a little "bobble head" action going on but the tummy time is paying off! They are 12 weeks or 3 months old this week, holy smacks, time flies! Katie brought them all up to my office last week to show them off to the folks at work. The babies are AWESOME on field trips, they love em. We took a field trip 2 weekends ago to Grapefest in Grapevine, Texas, close to our house. Pretty typical festival deal and they did great, it got a little hot so we cut it a tad short. This picture is of my dad with Claire, my cousin's wife Linda with Matt and I am holding Drew. We had quite the crowd coming to the table and looking at the babies and asking questions, a part of it that we are going to have to get used to...

After the "fest" we went for a cruise over to Ft. Worth to see the newest addition to the Lichtie/Branch family, Reagan Lichtie, Katie's sister's new baby girl. We got all the cousins together for a group shot, one of MANY I am sure that will take place over the years! From the left, Matt, Clarita, Drew and Reagan. Drew made quite the pillow for Reagan! Fun times!

As I mentioned in my last post, there are SO many things that Katie and I are and have been thankful for through our time together over the past three plus years and now raising these three little munchkins. I couldn’t help but to look back at the happenings and wonder “why?”, “how come?” and the simple “your kidding me?”. Going all the way back when I moved from Tulsa to the Dallas area in 2006, I didn’t know Katie and was really just flying solo and by the seat of my pants in many different ways. When it came to purchasing a home, I really wanted a used home with a pool, those that know me, know that I normally get what I want, maybe not when I want it, but I usually get it. This is the rare occasion that I actually didn’t and it turns out there is a good reason why!

I settled on buying a new home, with a small backyard with no shot of having a pool. I bought the home when it was a slab and did everything myself from the bottom up, from design, some custom features, etc. Its 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home and just shy of 3,800 sq ft. I constantly got the question, “your a single guy with a 3,800 sq ft. house? What are you doing in that place?”. At the time I honestly looked at the house as an investment, its in a nice area, at the time the real estate market was solid and thought that if I ever had to I could turn the place for a profit.

Looking back now, there is a reason that I built this house and a reason that I settled for a place WAY too big for a single dude in a great community with a great school system. The reason is that I would soon meet the love of my life, she would bring her two dogs (they are really my dogs now!) and her cat here and really make the house a home. Not only would the home include Katie and the pets but now three beautiful babies that are healthy, happy and just perfect!

Can you imagine what it could have been like or currently be like if we were in a small 3 bedroom place with a pool that I could have bought, with the addition of Katie, 3 babies, 2 dogs and a cat? Sheer madness! Trust me, insanity. I am convinced that there is a reason and purpose that I bought this house and have now made it into a home for our family. As I continue to write about this stuff, it is really clear to see that God works in mysterious and incredible ways really when you have NO idea it is happening or why! He put us in a home where we are comfortable, have plenty of room and a place where I know he wants Katie and I to teach, mentor and love our children for many years to come. I am so thankful that he is watching over me and our family, there is a peace knowing that you are where God wants you to be and your doing what he wants you to do in your life! Does it REALLY get any better than that, absolutely not.

This is really the “tip of the iceberg”, I have so many more notes in my journal about times that God has touched our lives and taken us down a path that really is amazing. Almost surreal to be a part of, that is partly why I am concerned that I don’t miss or gloss over a important time, event or blessing that has touched our lives. I can’t wait to share them all with everyone that reads the blog! We are so blessed and thankful everything that God has given us in our lives.

In closing I hope that God touches your lives like he has touched ours in so many ways. I hope that this post finds everyone happy, healthy and ready for a beautiful fall season! Go Red Raiders and Go Bears!! Till next time! Peace.

Love,

Todd, Katie, Claire, Matt and Drew

Hopefully making some progress!

The family took a big field trip today! Before I get to the doctor's appointment with Dr. Russo for Matt's tummy, we were able to take the babies over to see Dr. Zaretsky and his wonderful staff! Dr. Z is in the same complex as Dr. Russo, so we gave them a "head's up" that we were going to be over there. What a thrill! Dr. Z, Leah and Sharon took such wonderful care of Katie and the babies during the pregnancy, it was just awesome to actually let them hold the babies that they took such great care of before they were even born. We had a GREAT time and I think Dr. Z and the crew really enjoyed meeting the babies too! Below is Leah on the left holding Drew, Dr. Z holding Claire and Sharon holding Matt.

After our visit with Dr. Z, we over and met Dr. Russo and to check out Matt's tummy. The good news is that there are really no red flags or major issues that he is concerned about. His exam went great, everything felt and looked good. He did a pretty exhaustive exam on Matt and in the end and the first step we are taking is to change Matt's formula. He is concerned that he may be milk intolerant or have an allergy to something in the Neosure formula that the babies are currently on. This is the first step and we are going to give it two weeks and see if there is some progress. If the new formula doesn't help, we may move to some reflux medicine. Unfortunately, many of the infant reflux medicines in studies have proven to be somewhat ineffective and cause more side effects than they do good. Getting all cranked up on meds that may or may not work and cause side effects is the last resort.

Both Katie and I really liked Dr. Russo and his approach on the treatment. He is very soft spoken and very conservative, you can tell he is very intelligent and that today wasn't his first rodeo. We are giving this new formula to Matt and Drew both at this point to see if it makes a difference, we are going to continue to pray that these two little guys grow out of this deal soon. Good news, no surgery or anything wild like that! Whoo Hoo!

Claire is doing great, Claire is being Claire the little cutie pa-toot-ee that she is! Does it really get any better than to grab your daughter in the morning, bring her into bed and cuddle for a few minutes before you start your day? I don't think so!

As I mentioned in my last post, I am going to start touching over a series of posts about our journey that reaches back probably before I even met Katie actually. I have been taking notes in my journal to make sure that I don't miss anything, I hope I don't.

The basis around my posts and my series of information about our journey really is wrapped around the wonderful blessings that Katie and I have experienced in the last 10 months. I am really doing this for a couple of reasons. The first being, for the babies, I intend this to be a little narrative piece that the kids can look back on in the years to come and see just what wonderful little miracles they are and how the Lord has blessed their lives and ours. Secondly, I am documenting this for Katie and I. I want to be able to go back and remember and keep top of mind just how blessed we are to have these three lives enter our world. Lastly, for our friends and family, there are events, people and things that have happened to us that many people do not know, and I think it is important to share them. By being able to share our story, hopefully our friends and family will be able to see and understand what an incredible role that God has played in our family.

I am really looking forward to writing this in the blog, for those that follow, I hope you find it interesting and compelling. I'll do my best not to get sappy and still "land the plane" and get to the point! I'll start my first post next time, wish me luck!

Our family continues to thrive, the babies continue to grow and it is the support and assistance from our friends and family that keep Katie and I somewhat sane! My dad has been a GREAT help over the last month, he's an amazing guy, I love him so much. We had a great visit with Katie's mom Caroline last weekend, we were so excited for her to meet her grand babies! Channel our nanny started on Monday and that is going GREAT as well, she jumps right in and helps with whatever we need. The babies are going to be baptized in Mason at Paul and Judy's church, Mason Methodist Church the Sunday after Thanksgiving, I am so excited to get them to the ranch and to get them into church (I know they are 10 weeks old!)! That is going to be a hoot! Cheryl, our volunteer from church is just a wonderful help as well, so wonderful to have her in our home.

I'll leave you with a little peak of "tummy time"! The babies are getting so strong and doing great holding their head up, etc. Now, Frank is a little protector and babysitter and he does NOT let Claire out of his site, period. When she is on the floor he is right there making sure she is OK and cheering her on! This picture is great! Drew on the left in the yellow, Matt in the middle and Claire on the right and Frankers watching over HIS baby!!

Thank you for the notes, emails and cards, praying for Matt. We appreciate and feel each one of them! We all hope that this post finds everyone safe, healthy and happy for each day! Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,

Todd, Katie, Drew, Matt and Claire

They are growing!

A pretty eventful week around the house. This week Katie and I were flying solo with out any help staying with us. All in all it went pretty well, we made it through it! We are certainly ready for my dad to come back on Tuesday though, we ALL miss him!

On Thursday we went back to the Pedi for our 2 month check up. The babies are growing and putting on weight! They all grew over an inch and Matt is weighing 9lbs, 7 oz, Drew is 9 lbs, 5 oz and Claire is 7 lbs, 5 oz. They are putting on that baby fat and are looking so cute and chubby! The Dr. was real happy with their progress and our next appt. isn't for another 2 months. Drew and Claire are doing great, Matt is our little hurting boy...

Matt's tummy continues to give him issues. Do to the reflux you can tell in his cries and him grunts that he is a bit hoarse. That is some of that acid going down the wrong pipe into his air way and getting on his vocal chords, etc. Not good, that can lead to asthma, etc. when he is older. So Matt gets to use an nebulizer and have steroid treatments twice a day for two months, hopefully this will clear up his throat a bit. Friday morning Matt vomited so hard and violently that when he was sitting in his bouncy seat the vomit hit his feet and the floor. It freaked me out since it happened when I was feeding Claire. We got a hold of the Dr. and to make a long story short, he had an Upper GI done yesterday afternoon to check out his stomach and intestines. Good news is that everything looked fine and normal, no surgery, bad news is that passing 5oz of barrium is just very painful for him and he is miserable at times.

We were referred to a very good infant GI doctor at Children's Plano and we have an appt. with him on Sept. 17th. Chances are that he will get Matt on Reglan to help control the spasms that he is having with his stomach. The 17th seems far away but we were told that sometimes the wait to see this guy can be 6 months! In the meantime we just try to make him as comfortable as possible and try to keep the formula down.

Dr. Naylor also told us we could take off his heart monitor during the day and only have it on him at night! Whoo Hoo! That thing is needed I know, but really a major pain in the rump to lug around with him. Hopefully he'll be off it soon completely! Little dude has enough going on with him.

On the homefront, we found a part time nanny to help Katie during the day, her name is Channel Wilson, she is a junior business major at the University of North Texas, about 20 minutes from our house. She is going to be here from about 2pm-6pm everyday to help Katie with the babies and to help with the chores around the house. 4 hours of help doing things is going to be a HUGE help for us. She starts on Sept. 14th, we are excited!

Here are a few pictures of the babies from today in their Texas Tech gear all ready for Red Raider football! Our great friends from Lubbock the Massengales sent us these awesome outfits!

Here is Claire resting up for the big game!

Drew is getting ready for the game too! Nothing like a good paci after some chips and salsa! (J/K!)

Matt is a big boy too and he loves when the Red Raiders score touchdowns!!

But on the other hand, Matt does NOT like when the other team scores touchdowns! Would you look at that face! He gets that forehead so scrunched up and tight it is hysterical!

We are looking forward to having my dad in town this week, he is huge help when he is here and we enjoy his company. He is really able to help us with the feedings and having another set of arms and eyes on these babies. So far the diaper supply is holding up pretty well, I would guess that we go through 25 diapers a day on average. When you can get them for about $.20 a piece $5.00 a day isn't too bad. What amazes me is how much the stinking formula is! Holy cow. The babies are still on this preemie formula from Similac and it has to be the most expensive thing out there. We go through 18 bottles a day now which eats up about a can of formula a day and the cans are $15.50 a piece at Wal-Mart. I seriously can't believe how much that powder formula is! What a rip...

Besides the lack of any sort of consistent rest, we are doing pretty well. Katie and I have a routine down and it seems like we pick up where the other one left off pretty well. Its been nice having a 4 day weekend, it seems like I have bonded with the babies a little bit more. Little Clarita (What they call her down in S. Tejas!) sure loves to take naps on her daddy's chest! Good stuff!

Please pray for little Matt and hope that his tummy starts feeling better soon. He needs all the prayers he can get. We appreciate everyone thinking and praying for us, as I have said before we feel them everyday. The Messerle family hopes that everyone had a WONDERFUL Labor Day weekend with friends and family! Till next time!

Love,

Todd, Katie, Matt, Drew and Claire