Easter Pictures

Willa and I made an impromptu stop to see the Easter Bunny at the mall after a quick trip to the pediatrician (had to get a second medicine for that pesky ear infection). Willa got very excited as we walked up to the photo area. She even started woofing at the big bunny. I plopped Willa down on the bunny's lap and was waited for a smile to break out across Willa's face. Nothing. I waited for Willa to try and tug on the bunny's face or bow tie. Nothing. Would she cry? Nope. She did nothing.

After Easter service we did a family photo session around the yard. Big thanks to neighbor Kathy for taking our family picture.

55 Goldfish

Fifty-five goldfish. Fifty-five stinkin' goldfish is a serving. Who the heck can eat that many cardboard like snacks?

For the past three weeks we have been very focused on calories and serving size because we are tracking Willa's daily calorie intake . Usually Willa is getting between 675 - 750 calories per day and has surpassed 800 calories on four occasions. I felt like those  800 days were a cause for celebration…until this morning. I sent an email to the nutritionist at UNC to find out what our daily/weekly caloric goal should be for Willa to gain weight. Her response made my heart drop -

Hi Shelly,

 

I’m glad you are tracking Willa’s caloric intake.  She needs 900-950 calories per day to promote catch-up weight gain.  Hope that helps.

 

Elizabeth

Does anyone know how to set up a direct line of bacon grease or ranch dressing? Maybe we need to visit cousin Regan so she can teach Willa how to dip all foods in ranch. Trying to put weight on a toddler is a tougher than trying to lose weight as an adult. Also, I'm sure it doesn't help that Willa is always on the go. Walking has been replaced by running. The one time she isn't exerting calories is when riding her buggy. No calories are being burned because Daren and I are the ones making the car move across the room. She has us well trained. 

because he MATTers to me

The entire Streett family joined in for the fun at the 2014 Triangle MS Walk. We are a part of Team Habib to support our great friends Matt, Erika and baby toddler Brooklyn.  Matt was diagnosed with MS in the summer of 2010. We had 40 team members and raised just over $1300! TEAM HABIB!

The Triangle MS Walk isn't a small event. It is a fun filled family extravaganza! In total, there were over 4,000 participants, a live band, tons of dogs and tailgating fun. I know Willa had a tough time deciding what group she wanted to hang with because she was running from tent to tent the entire time we were there. I'm hoping next year that Willa will be content with chalk and bubbles like the other children in our group.

I think the Team Habib pictures do a better job of describing how much Matt matters to us more than any words I could type.

Medical Update

Last week Wednesday Willa had an appointment at UNC with the trifecta of specialists - GI, feeding/ speech and nutrition. This is an appointment that we requested because Willa continues to have some massive burps that can lead to throwing up.

As always, the visit started with measurements. Since February, Willa gained two centimeters and is now just over 30 inches in length. Unfortunately, she didn't gain any weight. Daren and I were not surprised on the lack of weight gain because, at that point, Willa had been congested for over a week. Congestion = difficulty drinking.

The feeding therapist watched Willa eat. While she was very happy to see Willa signing and asking for "more" food she didn't like Willa's lack of actual chewing. We have homework. Also, we need to restart feeding therapy sessions at daycare. Sorry if you come join us at the house for a meal because you will probably see Daren and I chewing with our mouths open to show Willa how fun it is to chew food versus swallowing large pieces.

Nutrition suggested we start giving Willa Duocal for an added calorie boost. Duocal won't change the taste or texture of food or drink but it does add an additional 25 calories per serving. We can give her up to four servings a day.

Enough doctor stuff.

Willa has 9-ish teeth. There might actually be 10 teeth but I'm unsure if that fourth molar has popped though. Here is a pic of the bottom two teeth.

Willa is wearing size three diapers! It happened much sooner than I anticipated. We had to move up a size because the size two diapers got a bit short.

I know I go on and and on about how much I enjoy our neighborhood but I'm going to do it again. About a month ago one of our neighbors knocked on the door bringing us a tricycle. Still working on the tiny details that a helmet must always be worn and hands belong on the handles.

Today wasn't an ideal day to be outside but we made it work. There are quite a few tiny cars that cruise the sidewalks of Bellemont. Today, in the blustery cold, was Willa's first spin. She smiled non-stop!

Barnyard Fun

Last weekend we took a quick trip to a local garden center to pick up a few bushes to replace the ones that died in our flowerbed along the house. Walking around a bunch of expensive, prickly and wet plants is not an ideal place to let Willa roam. However, this is very family friendly garden center. They have goats, chickens, geese, ducks and swans!!! The ladies encouraged us to go feed the goats and handed us a bag of animal crackers (ironically enough). Had I known about the photographic opportunities I would have done three things differently -

1. The pictures were taken using Daren's cell phone. The pictures are good but I wish we had our nice camera.
2. I would have dressed Willa in a cuter outfit or at least pants that aren't two inches too short.
3. I would have showered and worn my contacts.

Willa's initial reaction to the goats is just precious. Interestingly, the goats did not hold her attention for long. She wanted to chase the geese. Are geese friendly?

Expressing Her Opinions

Shoulder ride to get her back in the house

Willa is just shy of 17 months old but she seems to be full of opinions well beyond her age. A food Willa previously loved suddenly gets batted across the kitchen. I'm constantly sitting in the wrong spot on the floor while leaning against the couch. It seems I'm always sitting in the exact spot that Willa needs to be. Daren's suggestion of things to mention includes: hats, shoes and teeth brushing.

We jest, but most of the neighborhood has witnessed Willa's opinion of when someone tries to interrupt her pacing walking up and down the sidewalks. Heaven forbid someone try to turn her around to face her away from the road...BHJEHWJWAAAAAAA.

Willa is the happiest when she is outside. So many cars to wave at and blow kisses to. Also, we have lots of dogs in the neighborhood. When the young boys are playing basketball or hockey is when she has the toughest time containing her excitement while shouting ball.

Have we mentioned that Willa has a posse?? Actually, all the toddlers and babies in the neighborhood are subject to fangirling. The upper elementary and middle school kids are so good with the young ones. Daren and I have been able to get work done inside and outside the house for the past two weekends because the girls in the neighborhood came over to watch Willa. There is no way we could have hung a ceiling fan with Willa wreaking havoc around our ankles. Fingers crossed our fabulous weather returns and we can all be outside again this weekend.

Walking and Talking

Here is just a glimpse of Willa's decision to become a full fledged walking toddler. Actually, this video is outdated because she has started to run! I think we owe all of the credit for the running to baby Connor from daycare. Thanks buddy!