Tonsils Out

A few weeks ago, Adalyn had her tonsils out. I debated even writing this blog post, because I want to keep some of our kids information private, but I also thought this could really help other parents in the same situation. 

Adalyn did not have her tonsils out because of recurring strep. She just had really large tonsils. Her uvula would constantly touch one of her tonsils. She is also a thumb sucker. We meet with an oromyofunctional therapist for Gretchen, and she suggested that one reason Adalyn might still suck her thumb is because it keeps her mouth propped open, in turn, opening her airway, which was partially blocked due to her tonsils being so big. 

I had asked every pediatrician we've ever seen about her tonsils and they have never been concerned. But tonsils that large cannot be okay. 

Our oromyofunctional therapist, gave us a few names of ENTs in the area last summer, and I really just waited and put it off. In December, Adalyn started taking much longer than normal to chew her food and said it was really hard to swallow. She would take 45 minutes to eat dinner, and there were some foods that she couldn't swallow at all. I called and we were able to get in right after Christmas.

Once we met with the ENT, he asked if we would want a sleep study done. In my opinion, it didn't matter if she had sleep apnea; the tonsils were causing her throat to hurt, her not able to eat, and may be contributing to prolonged thumb sucking. The outcome of a sleep study wouldn't change the fact that these tonsils need to be out. 

We were able to schedule the surgery for 2 weeks out which gave plenty of time for my mom to make arrangements to fly down and be here. 

The day of her surgery, my mom and I went to the surgery center with her. Only 2 adults were allowed to be with her, and this allowed DJ to take Megan to school and get a few hours done at work. He eventually met us at the surgery center, and no one said a word.

I went back with her and helped her change. We gave her the loopy juice, which she hates. We have to give it to her at the dentist too, and it's always awful for her. She eventually got it down, and we waited maybe 30 minutes or so before they took her back. 

In recovery, DJ and I were able to go back with her. She slept almost all of the time. The doctor's spoke with us about what to expect and 2 hours later, we were on our way home. (Do you see they gave Ballet Baby a hospital hat, mask, and shoes- so sweet.)

We picked up prescriptions, went home, and pushed lots of water. I think Adalyn ate half a popsicle that day too. The doctors had told us no dairy products for the first 24 hours, because dairy actually causes a lot of mucous production. Personally, the most difficult part was getting her to take her medicine. 

It's a very rare occasion that my kids take medicine. We typically use wholistic remedies when they're sick, so medicine just isn't something Adalyn is use to taking and she hated the taste. At one point, it took us an hour to get 6 mL in her. 

I felt so guilty about the entire situation; seeing your child in pain is no fun and I even wondered if we had made the right choice. I am so so thankful that my mom came so I could return to work. When I got home, we would cuddle, and I would try to push some more food and her medicine. There was one day, I came home, and Adalyn had refused her medicine, so my mom didn't make her take it. I told my mom she was a horrible nurse! Ha! (My mom is a retired nurse, so I knew Adalyn was in good hands, but I also told my mom that if a patient at the hospital had refused, she'd find a way to get it in them if it were doctor's orders.) Sigh. 

I definitely could see an increase in mucous when Adalyn ate dairy. She had requested purple jello, so I mixed red and blue together for her. We had a huge bowl in the fridge and maybe half of it was eaten. We also made her chocolate pudding, and had chocolate and vanilla ice cream as well as popsicles, and soup. 

On Wednesday night, she felt good enough for me to give her a bath and change her pjs. She enjoyed cuddling with Megan but refused to talk to Gretchen. Gee slept with her most nights, and we only woke her up for medicine the 1st night. 

By Friday, Adalyn was getting some energy back and feeling better. Nana sent her flowers. 

Slowly she started to eat more foods. We convinced her she could eat "real" food as long as it was soft, so she began to eat some mac & chese, pb & j, baked potatoes, and soup. 

DJ and my mom left on Sunday, so she slept with me while he was away. She stayed home from school on Monday with her sisters (our district closed for covid cases, so Adalyn missed 2 less days of school thanks to that) and DJ's aunt came over on Monday to spend the day with the girls. Our original plan was that Adalyn would go to work with me on Monday and Tuesday. We were told she needed to miss a week of school. 

On Tuesday, a week later, she still wasn't eating a ton (she lost 6 lbs in the week) but she was feeling better. She ate a doughnut and other soft foods throughout the day, and on Wednesday she returned to school with a lunchbox full of jello, yogurt, cereal bars, and half an uncrustable. 

I will say, I mostly just felt guilty and wondered if we had made the right choice. We are 2 weeks out, and I'm feeling better about the choice- and she hasn't sucked her thumb since her surgery! We simply told her she can't do it while she's recovering because it might hurt the scabs, and she's done great!

She was really tired (mostly because of the pain medicine) and she ate less than I thought she would. The first 3 days were pretty miserable. Day 4 and 5 were much better; although we went shopping for a few hours on day 4, and that wore her out. The whole week she kept whining because she couldn't have real food, which I thought was ironic because she typically doesn't want to eat real food when I cook dinner. Mostly, she asked for pizza and couldn't wait until she could get it again. 

In all, it was hard. I didn't realize how much pain she'd be in, but I think we made the right choice for her and overall, I think we'll see some improvements with thumb sucking and sleep. 

 

My Favorite Oils When Life Gets Crazy

Oh friends. The holidays, the traveling, the New Year... it can all be a stressful time for so many of us. I'm really working this New Year on managing stress and taking time to unplug, get outside, and breathe. Because gosh, we need it. 

Y'all know I love essential oils and I love being able to help them to balance my emotions.  I turn to them to help us sleep better, settle nervous feelings,  support our body systems, and yes, even to manage some stress when life gets a little crazy. 

Did you know that stress has some negative effects on your body? While stress is normal and a part of life, it's so important to get it under control. Stress can lead to headaches, upset stomachs, increased blood pressure, and sleep problems. 43% of adults suffer adverse health effects from stress, and 75-90% of doctor visits are because we are stressed!

Diffusing and applying essential oils topically can help when you might be getting a bit overwhelmed at life! 

Calm CBD roll-on combines CBD with essential oils, so you're getting a double whammy. This CBD also has 0% THC and an array of essential oils: lavender, eucalyptus, frankincense, orange, vetiver, and ylang ylang. Gosh, all of these oils are so good, and when combined with CBD, you have a powerhouse. We apply this roll on before bedtime to help us sleep, but also when life is spinning out of control as it does sometimes. 

Sacred Mountain is a woodsy, grounding oil. It was formulated to bring you closer to nature and creates moments of peace. Hello, stress relief. Connecting with nature can bring you comfort, so when you can't get outside, put a few drops of this oil in your diffuser. 

Peace & Calming is one of my favorites to reach for when the girls are acting crazy! This oil works miracles on crying kids. One year, we were traveling to a bowl game, and we were on the bus after the game, and the girls were tired and fussy. The athletic director was on our bus, along with other staff, alumni, wives/families. The girls were little, and of course DJ was on another bus. I couldn't get the girls to calm down and didn't want to make a scene, so I pulled out some peace and calming, swiped two drops on them, and within a few minutes they were calm and quiet again. It's definitely a powerhouse for when kids are overwhelmed, but it's a great one for adults too. Put a few drops in your diffuser before bed to help you sleep, or apply to your wrists when you're feeling overwhelmed. 

Stress Away is my go to for when I'm overwhelmed. It comes in a roll on, or in a single oil. I keep this one in my purse, and apply it right before I walk in the door. It helps me stay sane on those busy evenings where I'm rushing girls to activities, trying to cook dinner, pick up the house, and I feel like there's just too much to do. This one really calms me down, and I'm so thankful for it. 

Here are a few other tips for managing stress:

1. Sleep! Gosh friends, sleep is so important. You really need to be getting 8 hours a night!

2. Take a bath! Throw some unscented epsom salt in the tub and just soak! Read a book, but avoid the candles as synthetic fragrance contains endocrine system disruptors.

3. Exercise. If the weather is nice, then get outside and get in some Vitamin D while you move your body. If not, then move your body indoors. Aim for 30 minutes of movement every day.

4. Say no. It's okay to say no to people. And you don't even have to give an explanation. Learn to guard your time and don't agree to do something if you really don't want to. 

What are some ways you relieve stress? I'd love to hear your ideas in the comments! 

 

Gretchen's 14th Birthday

I blinked, and somehow our oldest daughter turned 14. It's crazy to me that we only have 4 more solid years before she moves out and goes to college. She's already counting down the days, and I'm wishing we could go back in time. I always try to surprise the girls with a fun family celebration on their actual birthday, and this year was no different.

Last Tuesday, Megan had gymnastics and our aunt took Gretchen to dinner & a movie, which left Adalyn and I plenty of time to bake a cake and decorate. 

We made a delicious gluten free chocolate cake with lots of sprinkles! 

Every year, we re-use Gretchen's party hat from her 1st birthday.

And every year, I try to take a "last day as a ___ year old" picture. So, here's her last day as a 13 year old. 

And one with momma too!

I was feeling all sentimental and looking back at her baby pictures. This one makes me laugh every time, because who doesn't want to smash in to cake and have it all over?!

And how precious is this one of her. 

DJ was out of town on her birthday morning and we were all trying to rush out the door, so we skipped morning celebrations, and opted for celebrations after school. By that time, DJ was home and we could celebrate as a family. 

She opened presents and got lots of little random things from paper clips to sticky note tabs, nail polish, cricut vinyl and more. 

Then we sang to her and she blew out her candles. 

Precious, precious girl. 

Gretchen didn't really know what she wanted for her birthday, so I gave her some suggestions, and she asked if she could get highlights; I think she was shocked when I told her she could! I messaged our hairstylist, and he was able to get her in Saturday night, so we took her in for a much needed cut and a subtle hint of color with a balayage. 

Here's a little before

and after.

The cut is perfect, and  do wish the color was a bit brighter, but it should lighten up with the balayage and I'll be honest, the change isn't huge or shocking, which is perfect for a 14 year old.

This weekend we are celebrating with friends and having a bowling birthday party!

Gretchen Rose, I'm not sure how you grew up on us, but you certainly did. 

 

Wednesday What?!

Happy Wednesday. I feel like I have finally had a moment to sit and breathe for the first time in several weeks. I have a random assortment of Wednesday What?! for you today, so grab a cozy cup of coffee, and enjoy. 

First up, Young Living's free gifts with purchase this month, are incredible. If you're a member, just log in and place your qualifying order. If you aren't a member, you can click here and make a purchase; orders at 100 PV (that's basically $100.00) ship free, and at 190 PV, you start earning free oils, and this month you can ear up to 8 free oils! I say all the time that I've stopped buying oils from Young Living because I literally get them for free. So, I'll buy make up, shampoo, and supplements, and then get my oils free. 

 I randomly picked up this mascara from Ulta after a hair cut, and I'm loving it. My old mascara would rub off during the day and smear underneath, so I definitely needed something new. This one is so good. 

I had heard great things about this eye balm, and I grabbed it too! 

While we were traveling over Christmas, I placed a Thrive Market order so we would have a few groceries and snacks when we got home. My girls love the Good Chips, Adalyn loves the Turtle Splash cereal, and I found some gluten free ramen for Gretchen! I love that I can search by grocery category and diet specific, if you haven't tried Thrive Market before you can click here and get 40% off your first order and a free gift! 

And, if you haven't heard, I started a new Instagram account because, I just can't get enough. The Welte House documents are home, decorating, and some updates we have planned for 2022.  I can't wait to share all we have planned and our home updates with y'all! My style is a mix of farmhouse, traditional, boho, and antiques mixed in. It's such a hodge podge that works, and it's home decor on a budget. 

The weather here has been a bit up and down. We'll have 2 warm days, and then a few colder days. I live for those warm days. Last week, I went on a walk near the lake, and then sat and did my Bible study and it did my heart so good. 

Lastly, Adalyn had her tonsils out yesterday, so my mom is in town ( I couldn't do it without her!) and we plan on giving her lots of cuddles this week. 

Happy Wednesday!

Tell me WHAT has been going on with you in the comments; and if you're on the gram, I'd love to connect with you there. 

 

The Last of 2021

The day after Christmas, we packed up and headed to Arkansas. It was the first time in 4 years that we haven't been bowl eligible and we were  able to go home for Christmas. We drove to my mom's house, and spent the night, and on Monday, we got up and drove to Jonesboro to see DJ's mom, sister, and her kids. 

We went bowling and the kids had a blast. 

The next day, we went to brunch, and headed to the campus store to pick up an ASU flag for our camper. 

We spent the afternoon at the theater watching Sing 2. 

The next day, we gave big hugs to Nana and we drove to visit DJ's dad and stepmom. 

Silly girls. 

Pops and Grandma Dee spoiled us all. They had sent us presents to our house for Christmas, and then when we got there we had stockings and a few more presents. 

We exchanged gifts, played way too much pinball, and enjoyed being together. I literally spent the week just enjoying the time and have hardly any pictures to show for it, but gosh, it was wonderful. 

On New Years Eve day, DJ's sister brought over her kids (they were ringing in the New Year with the grandparents) and we were excited to see them again before we left. One big family picture, and then we drove back to my mom's house. 

We made a huge charcuterie board for New Years Eve dinner, played lots of games, and stayed up until midnight. I think we were all surprised we made it that late! 

Sister-cousins ready to ring in the New Year. 

All the girls.. 

ready to toast... 

On Sunday, we went to my sisters to visit my her and my niece's little girl, who is almost 1. The girls ate her up, and she wasn't too sure what to think! Ha!

It was wonderful to get away. We loved seeing everyone and celebrating the season with family. 

 

Christmas Weekend

Our Christmas was wonderful. Our kids typically wake up stupid early on Christmas morning, and somehow, when we told them they couldn't wake up and come downstairs until 7:30, they believed us, and they slept until about 7. I think last year they were awake at 2 and 4 and we had to tell them to get back to bed, and we were up around 5 or something crazy early opening presents.  I was so thankful for a little bit of sleep on Christmas morning. 

The girls came downstairs and Megan found the pickle ornament so she was able to open the first present. 

Then Gretchen and Adalyn had their turns. 

Adalyn asked for a stuffed Buccee toy and I told her she should ask Santa for one. She promptly told me that Santa does not shop at Buccees. Oh, but he does. 

Megan also asked for a stuffed Bevo at every single football game, so Santa brought her a super soft one. 

Adalyn got new bedding for her room. We plan to paint it in the next few weeks and get her room all set up for her, and maybe she'll finally sleep in it again. She's been sleeping with Megan ever since March 2020. 

Adalyn got a Barbie helicopter from her grandparents. 

Megan's big gift was an air track. She immediately started jumping on it! 

One of the sweetest presents I received was this hand embroidered picture from Gretchen. When I worked in the schools in Indiana, I had a patient who had hand drawn the scene, and he was working on cross stitching it. Sadly, he passed away before he could finish it, and the classroom teacher let me have the project. It sat unfinished, and I asked Gretchen a few months ago to finish it for me, and she did! I was totally surprised and I love it so much! 

Gretchen's big gift was a Cricut Joy. She went to work figuring it out and put her name on her machine. 

 We opened the stockings and the girls played with their presents. WE stayed home, didn't have a big meal, and just spent the day together. 

On Sunday, we headed to Arkansas. We stopped at Buccee's and Santa Buccee was there! Only two of the girls were excited to have their picture with him! 

We made it to Gee's house in record time. The traffic was light and we only had a few stops and made it an hour before we thought we would. We had dinner, and the girls exchanged presents with Amelia, Gee and Papaw. 

Gee and her girls. We were so thankful to be with them the day after Christmas, even if it was just for the night.