I gave up... for a while

I've definitely slacked before on my blogging, but never for this long! I guess the month in Florida came and went by so fast. And then... of course, the three day drive home. Somewhere between 28n04, 80w34 and 44n48, 93w32 Ariana contracted what I believe to be influenza. She stopped eating on Sunday- the last day of our trip, and pretty much ate only 2 bites of avocado and one string cheese for the next 5 days. Likely due to her 104 fever that she endured for nearly five days straight. Add that to the fact that we already greatly struggle with keeping weight on her, and it was- to say the least- a bit of a stressful first week home.

But- that really only brings me up to Thursday, February 5th. Because she was better by then and I had nothing other than (you know, the daily, typical chaos of life) to stress me out. I think I figured that I lost the 2 blog readers that I had. So, what was the point.

But! Then, I remembered, the real reason I started this, and am doing it, is to keep a journal for the kids and to print it out in book form... thank you, Blurb.

So- I am back.

I do have one request- if you are reading this, and ever think of it- please keep my little Ariana in your prayers. She is very small and hasn't gained an ounce in over a year. Thankfully, she's put on a little bit of height- but her weight gain is just non-existent. They have run every conceivable test- and every serious and worrisome "possibility" has been ruled out. But she needs to start eating more and for those of you who have (or have had) a TWO year old, you know how well it goes over when you try to "make" your toddler do anything. I have had to be very creative in what I am feeding her and in trying to load in extra calories (toddler "formula" sprinkled in dinner, anyone?? real butter slathered on everything? yummm) but it seems to be making a bit of difference. I have been encouraged the last week because- thanks to prayers- she seems to have had her hunger reignited. She has been eating great and, because I am tracking all of her calorie consumption, I am thrilled that her calorie consumption is sky-rocketing from a previous typical intake of around 600 calories a day... to over 1,000 calories. HUGE answer to prayer.

If she ever pops into your mind- I ask that you join me in praying that she will feel hungry, eat fast and furiously and that we will see REAL progress in the next 30 days. I asked the Dr. for one more month before we send her to the feeding clinic at Children's hospital.

Blessings!
Angela