Tummy trouble = Fixed!

My life has officially become a little easier.

Anyone who knows Emma or has held Emma has had to deal with spit up in some form or another. 

Ever since she was born she has spit up, copiously. 

Everytime I nursed her she would spit up at least half of it.

Especially at church in the hallways...

It hasn't seemed to be a discomfort for her and it hasn't prevented her from gaining weight.

It's just an inconvenience for me and anyone who is in charge of cleaning floors/doing laundry/ ect.

So really, it's not too serious.

But once she reached 6 months the spitting up became exacerbated. It became projectile at large amounts.

Sometimes it would come through her nose. 

This isn't spit up. Just baby food. But this
picture seemed fitting....

Her doctor said it would pass and it's "normal". But for all I could see it was just getting worse. And it was NOT normal. 

From my research I have found that things like this peak around 3 months and then stop by 6 months. But that wasn't the case for Emma.

The doctor was willing to prescribe medication for her but I didn't want to resort to meds.

In most cases they just mask the symptom of the problem but don't solve the underlying problem.

The medication would have just reduced the acid in her stomach, which absorbs important nutrients. I didn't want that...

One day I called my mom in frustration complaining to her about it. She suggest I take her to the chiropractor. 

I did a little research and sure enough, babies are cured of reflux from chiropractic adjustments very often.

I didn't really understand how it would help but I though what the heck...

So we tried it.

The chiropractor said that since she was born with forceps and the cord was wrapped around her neck there could be something out of line. 

And sure enough.

There were a few vertebrae out of line, including the one covering the nerves that connect to her little stomach. 

After a few appointments, she spits up only once or twice a day.

She never spits up more than an ounce, whereas before it would be up to a fourth a cup each time.

She's so much more happy! 

And so am I! 

I don't go through more than one outfit a day (both for her and me!)

SUCH A BLESSING!!

Christmas tree hunting

December is here. The month of change.

Missions & moving. We are on the brink of a new year.

Not to mention, the holidays are here!

Ryan and I started a new tradition today. 

As I was feeding the baby her breakfast of fruit and cereal this morning (in my pajamas and my hair sticking up in every direction possible) Ryan came in and announced that he wanted to go get a Christmas tree. In the mountains. In the next few minutes.. Oy. Unexpected early starts aren't easy for me. 

After I threw on a hoodie and tamed my hair we were off on our adventure. To hunt down and gather the perfect tree. 

Now, this is something I've done with family on multiple occasions. It can be a long tedious process depending on the people you're with. 

So I was open minded to the fact that this could be a long day. But it was Ryan's first time hiking a snowy mountain to find a tree so I wanted it to be a good experience.

We found an area that allowed the public to cut down trees and it looked pretty promising.

So we started our hike. It was icey, uphill and I was carrying a 17 pound baby. Ryan hiked behind me so he could push me along when I started sliding backwards.

We hiked for about 20 minutes. ( I made sure Ryan brought pepper spray and a knife because I'm a little paranoid about getting eaten by bears or mountain lions...) We wandered through twisty trails, in between trees trying to find the perfect tree. It's a good thing Ryan has an excellent sense of direction because I would probably be in Wyoming by now still trying to figure out where I am if not for him. 

As time went on it got colder and colder. And the baby's little nose started getting red. So we had to decide fast. We weren't seeing anything beautiful so we were going to settle with a twiggy Charlie brown tree ( which I have no problem with, I love gimpy trees. Their adorable.) 

But we spotted one. The perfect tree.

So Ryan got to work hacking it down (he let me try but... I failed miserably. So he took over again) with his saw. 

Emma sat in the snow, as happy as could be. She loved touching the ice with her bare hands. So when I tried covering her hand she got a little sad.

her snow suit is twice her size. We could fit two of her in there.

Sad day. Her hand is now imprisoned

FAIL

.

SUCCESS

 Before we knew it we were on our way back down the mountain towards the car. 

We slid down half the mountain because of how icey it was, so the trip down was really fast (and fun!) 

We got to the car, strapped it to the roof and were on our way.

We sang Christmas songs on the way there and back and snacked on Tomato basil wheat thins. 

Emma was so happy the whole day. I may be a little biased, but in all honesty, we have the perfect baby.
:)

We came home, set up our lovely find in the stand and got our house ready for Christmas. 

Before.

We have a big, beautiful, (VERY authentic looking...in fact it kind looks like we chopped off the top of a huge tree) in our house and it smells amazing.

 After

Now we're home. Cozy and warm. It's been a great day.

Awkward hair

Postpartum baldness = awkward, random and slightly crazy looking hair. I have wings growing on my forehead that will not be controlled.

What I look like....

What I feel like...

Will my hair ever be normal again?

P.S My baby is 7 months today! I'll take golem hair any day for that little munchkin!