Christmas Lights at the Zoo

Fun at the Lights Before Christmas at the Zoo with our pals, The Powell's 

Lucas was a little upset at first, but he did a lot better than I anticipated

But Audrey Blake was not happy at all

We love the Powell's 

20 Weeks

We've reached the halfway point with Lilly Grace. It's hard to believe we're already that far in. We spend so much time counting down and looking forward to all the milestones, but it's a little sad how truly fast it passes in the grand scheme of things. I pray I enjoy and soak up every week and moment left in this pregnancy. At 20 weeks, the LG is the size of a mango! At our ultrasound, she was measuring only 1 day ahead, good news. All things look good and I'll return on Dec. 30 for my glucose test and another check up. The doctor even said we'd take another look at her because they couldn't see all of her spine. No worries, he just wants to be able to see it, and her position wasn't very cooperative. I am of course excited because that's another ultrasound to see our little princess!

Lucas is starting to remember a baby is in mama's belly, but I don't think he truly understands yet. But I know he'll be very excited once she arrives, although, he may not be happy she stays :) But he'll get there. We are very excited for the next 20 weeks, and we are so blessed.


And for a few weeks, we will have a pretty background for our baby fruit and bump pics!

Baby Girl or Baby Boy?

We've been anxiously anticipating this day for weeks now, even months. We got up, got ready, had breakfast, and headed off to our doctor's office, Lucas included. So not only was today the first day of our Thanksgiving break, but it was also our 20 week ultrasound to reveal the gender of Baby Oliver #2!

After our appointment, we went to Wal-Mart, Build-a-Bear, and lunch as a family ;) Here's a look at what we got on our stops.

So it's confirmed...it's a GIRL 

We both thought it was a girl and we both wanted a GIRL!! We are so excited to meet and welcome Lilly Grace Oliver into our family come April 2016. Her due date is April 15, 2016. Above all else we wanted a healthy baby, and how lucky and blessed are we, that she's healthy and it's a SHE like we wanted and like we thought!!! 

 

Lucas' 2nd Birthday Paw-ty

While this weekend was full of bumps, ups and downs, today we had a great time celebrating Lucas turning TWO!

Oliver on the Way Updates

17 weeks-size of an onion

18 weeks-size of a sweet potato

19 weeks-size of a tomato (That Lucas wanted to eat)

So far, the bump is showing, but comes and goes as far as how big it feels as the baby moves around more. Baby does move a good bit, especially after eating or laying down. I have pretty good energy (most times), and I feel pretty good (most times). We are excited for counting down to our gender reveal ultrasound...it's only a few days away on Wed. 11/25/15. Be on the lookout later on that day for a reveal showing if Lucas will have a brother or sister.

Our vote is girl...what's yours?

Our girl name is 

Lilly Grace Oliver. 

This is the name we chose for a girl when we were pregnant with Lucas. At first, I was unsure about using that name as at first I felt like it was meant to be for that baby if it was a girl. However, after much deliberation and talking, and coming up with other names, I couldn't find anything that I loved as much. So we went back to it.

Our boy is not nailed down. We have some competitors.

Either Collin Bradley Oliver or or Collin Edward Oliver or Bradley Edward Oliver.

I think because we are feeling it's a girl, we aren't stressing about it.....yet. But either by or on Wednesday, we will have made our decision.

The countdown is on...and we are excited that it is just days away. 

Lucas Update and Trial Period

So many people have been asking us and praying for us and with us for Lucas. Over the past 5 months, we've been trying to heal his skin from what doctors believe is eczema. In addition to the eczema we had him tested for allergies, and found out a few weeks ago that he has mild allergies to:
cow's milk
egg whites
soy
peanuts
cat dander

And high allergies to:
dog dander

After SO many appts, doctors, medicines, etc we think we have a plan to help Lucas get relief.
The plan is to avoid cow's milk, egg whites, and soy, which takes a lot of monitoring and working. We are going to try this for about 4 weeks and see if his skin improves. We've only done this since Wednesday morning and we already see improvement. Sadly, with eczema, it comes and goes, up and down, and there isn't a sure answer to heal it or get rid of it. He is on an antibiotic to help clear up the skin since some places can become infected. He will also be on a zyrtec and benadryl type medicines to prevent allergies and scratching. His highest allergen is dog dander and with two dogs, that one is tough, but we trying to just avoid direct contact as much as possible.

The allergist wants to keep him eating peanuts and hopefully build his tolerance to it. Our goal is to hopefully narrow down and find his trigger for the eczema, if the allergies and eczema are related.

We pray for Lucas every night and we hope you will, too. Also, praying for patience as we make changes and find substitutions as it is a difficult transition for him and us at times. But we are thankful for a plan and possible solutions.

14, 15, 16 Week Update

14 week updates-size of a lemon

15 Weeks-Size of an orange (we chose to use a small pumpkin)

15 week ultrasound from our new doctor, we are much happier! 

Baby Oliver has his/her own pumpkin

16 Weeks-Baby is the size of an avacado

I've definitely felt different this time around. I still have more energy and can eat usually, but still have some stomach aches at times. So far, I can feel some movements this week and it still surprises me, but I'm excited for Andrew and Lucas to be able to feel baby move. I can't wait for our 20 week ultrasound and gender reveal :) Then we can start decorating and designing the nursery.

In preparation for baby 2, we've tried to get a few things ready. We found our double stroller at Once Upon a Child last weekend, tonight we found a Rock n Play at Once Upon a Child, and Andrew also got another camera to go with our current monitor online-all of these things we got for almost half of the original price. We are excited for these finds. We know with baby 2 we won't need as many big items as we have so many from Lucas, but these few things were needed/wanted. 

A Prayer, Please

You'd never know it...you'd never know Lucas was still in pain, still scratching, and not being allowed to eat some of his favorite foods, he is so sweet, so happy, and so easy going. We are truly blessed with the most low key and happy sweet boy, and I couldn't feel more blessed with our support system. But I feel like we are in need of prayers. The next couple of weeks we have so much going on for the lil man. This week he is going to the allergist to have his allergy test read and hopefully with guidance on how to best treat these 'mild allergies' as his dermatologist called them. We had a test done through our dermatologist since we had more accessibility tothem, and the results were mild allergies to peanuts, milk, soy bean, egg whites, and pet dander. We have made some changes and are trying to be smart about what he eats, but at the same time, the pediatrician doesn't necessarily believe the allergies are related to the eczema, which we thought.

He is also going to the dermatologist this week, as a follow up on his eczema. Until recently, we thought it was under control as well. However, in the last few weeks, it has gotten progressively worse. It is so hard to watch him scratch uncontrollably. We haven't changed anything as far as his eczema treatment, except no oral meds and rarely using topical meds and steroids, unless in dire need. It is quite terrible to watch your baby being in so much pain, and yet he is a delight 99% of the time.

I know people (and doctors) will and have told me that eczema is tricky because there are no direct answers and that it can come and go, but to be in month 5 of what feels like an endless battle, that does not comfort or help me in anyway. Sorry if those were your guiding and comforting words. I know there are many worse situations that could be trumping us and that everything else is just perfect and magical for us, but my heart is still broken for my baby boy. To watch him scratch to the point that he bleeds and puts himself into more pain, and damages his skin even more, just breaks my heart. When we apply medicine although he will struggle and fuss, he will say "Thank You" after in his sweet little voice, and that breaks my heart even more.

I want answers and not only answers, but solutions, that will last and give him relief, and not temporary, steroid induced relief, but true, lasting, real relief. My real true prayer is that one day soon this is gone for our sweet boy. I pray he grows out of it all.

So my plea for prayers is for answers, solutions, relief, and healing.

God is in control.

In addition, this sweet boy has also been healing with his cast on, and it hasn't slowed him down. But, every time I change his clothes or unbag his arm from a bath, he'll ask "What happened?" And I have to tell him, "You broke your arm, remember?" It's quite cute and sad at the same time. Luckily, even though it's another appt, # ????? this year, we go to the orthopedist next week to get the cast off and get an x-ray. Prayers please that his arm has healed and he will not need any further treatment.

Paw Patrol Pawty Planning

Last year I ordered a lot of things for Lucas' FIRST birthday, after failing to create anything I liked. This year I got a head start and with our theme being Paw Patrol, it seems to be easier to create things for his party that I would otherwise pay for. I'm pretty excited for all the planning and creating I've done through this time. Can't wait for his TWO year old pawty :)

Cupcake Toppers

The top two were made by me. The invitation was not, and the shirt is one Lucas' grandmaw got him. I think instead of a monogrammed shirt, we are going with this one (of course, if he still has a cast or splint, we may not be able to, but I don't think he will). 

Fractured Fall

It has been quite the week in Columbia and the Oliver household evidently wanted to add to all the crazy events happening.....

Lucas was trying to follow in his Pop's footsteps and fractured his right arm. He was climbing on the stairs in our house, the baby gate was not up, and the dogs were around, but I was not home and Andrew was in another room. Sadly, somehow, someway, Lucas took a fall and fell down the steps. I honestly was more worried about a concussion than anything because Lucas wasn't just crying. I assume for a broken bone he would be, but I guess I dealt with a fractured bone for hours and just cried intermittently. I kept telling Andrew something was wrong and I thought we needed to go to the doc or emergency room. He wasn't so sure, but Lucas was clingy and whiny if you pulled on or touched his right arm too much. He wasn't using it much. We did get in touch with an after hours pediatrician's office and they suggested the emergency room, especially since it was like 7pm on a Friday night. We took him to the ER at Palmetto Richland Children's Hospital. Things moved pretty quickly until the x-ray, waiting on that to be read after it being taken took forever. The doctors and nurses were great, and Lucas was the ideal patient. He laid in the bed watching TV mostly, and just rested. He didn't fuss when they did anything really, and he was sweet and loving. We are truly blessed with an easy going sweet baby boy. The orthopedic specialist came in and wrapped Lucas' arm in a splint and gave him a sling to wear.

After getting home, he of course went right to sleep as it was after 11pm. He slept well that night and the next day during nap. He doesn't seem to be in pain and this hasn't slowed him down at all. The only thing that's slowed down really is eating, because he usually eats with his right hand dominantly. However, I can say he's learning how to do without or try to do with it, and he's been communicating what he needs if he can't do something. It's been a true blessing so far. We call the orthopedic doctor on Monday to schedule a follow up and find out if/when Lucas will need or get a cast. I can say I handled this pretty well all things considered...seeing as I never knew how I would handle something like my baby being hurt, although, we've been battling other things. But Lucas being so calm and so good made things easy for mommy. 

I am so thankful he's ok. I am thankful for all the prayers, calls, texts, messages, and concern. My sweet little boy may temporarily be broken, but he's a trooper and we are very blessed. I pray he heals quickly and this is not something we repeat or experience anymore. Everyone keeps saying he's a boy--yep--but no broken bone records, please :) Also, wee had some great friend by our side at the hospital. Kristen and Rebecca showed up in the ER to keep us company and keep us laughing. Thanks ladies, your love and support are never ending and we are so thankful.

And on Saturday we watched the game with Aunt Kristen, who is the SWEETEST. She made cupcakes and brought them to Lucas along with milk :) How sweet, and it was even sweeter because she got almond milk, since we found out one of his allergies is cow's milk...reminds me I need to blog about that outcome. Clearly Lucas enjoyed the cupcakes Aunt Kristen. 

Ending the First Trimester-13 Week Update

We've reached the end of the first trimester. It's come with lots of changes, all of which I am happy about-feeling like eating, feeling like myself again, and not being so overcome with fatigue. I can't even say tired because anyone who has been through the first trimester will agree with me it's way more than tired. But with all that said, I am really excited to go through it because it means soon we'll feel BabyOliverOnTheWay move and then meet him/her.

Another change I am anxious yet excited about is changing our doctor. I am not thrilled that we need to change our OB doctor, but I am happy with our choice and at peace with our decision. I can't wait for Monday to come so I can call the new office and reschedule my upcoming appts, including the 20 week ultrasound with the gender reveal! I'm hoping I can get the appts rescheduled close to what my previous office offered. We prayed about this decision and talked with friends as recommendations, and feel excited about this new decision. Unfortunately the doctor that I went to with Lucas has moved and her practice moved, and it's too far of a drive now. But I am excited for the new change. 

I did find some cute maternity clothes and some SHORT length jeans at Motherhood Maternity, and will probably have to go back for more :) But I am excited to have maternity jeans that will fit correctly. 

Baby is the size of a peach (we used a pluot, since peach season is over).

12 Week Baby Bump Update #OliverOnTheWay

Here's a look at our little #OliverOnTheWay. Baby was moving a lot during this appointment, but looking healthy. Feeling lots better so far and not so sick or tired. Weight was down 2 lbs, probably because of not wanting to eat so much. We will have our next ultrasound around Thanksgiving time. Excited to know girl or boy :) as long as he/she is healthy we can't ask for more, but our vote and hope is girl. :) 

Waving Hello

Heart rate was at 165...Last appt was 170 something (Our vote is girl, we keeping calling baby a her)

Baby is the size of a plum this week. Clothes still fitting, but below you can see I am expanding my wardrobe and my waistline (at some point)