Happy Birthday Branna!

April 12, 2007

Bluebonnets

Like most Texas families, we had to get our picture with the bluebonnets this year. Finding a good patch nearby was a little hard to do, but I think all-in-all the pictures turned out pretty cute.

Dress Up

Being the "typical" girl, Branna does love to play dress up. Her latest outfits include my shorts on her head like a hat, her pants worn over her arms like a jacket, and last year's swimwear worn like floaties. (This is where it's atypical... not exactly dressing up like a princess!)

This is Branna's rendition of a motorcycle Momma:

In this shot, she says she's dressed like Snow White... I guess it's because of the apples on the dress? :)

Homework Helper

If anyone is in need of a tutor...


Branna thinks she can help! :)

After eating our dinner, she said that she wanted to read a book and came back from the office with one of Branyon's Quantum Mechanics book. She actually looked through it for a few minutes, but decided that she would leave that subject up to Daddy. ;)

Diaper Duty

Notice anything unusual about those pictures? As you look again, notice all the diapers... that are on all of the stuffed animals! While I was working on a few things around the house, Branna quietly decided that all of her toys needed diapers, including her tricycle and her frog Easter basket! I walked into the the living room and found this. What a silly kid.

Pinecone Research

I thought I'd post this link for anyone who might be interested in joining the Pinecone Research Panel. Although the compensation is low ($3 per interview and an entry into a bi-weekly sweepstakes), I have enjoyed being apart of Pinecone for the last 4 years and have found it to be a very legitimate company. The interviews are fairly short, usually not taking more than 15-20 minutes. What I think is the best part is the products that you get to try!
If you're interested, here's the link and also some info some the Pinecone website:

http://www.pineconeresearch.com/signup/ds531Referral1.asp

"PineCone Research conducts on-line interviews with consumers from all walks of life to obtain their opinions about new products. It's easy and fun to see and evaluate new product ideas in the comfort of your own home AND get paid $3 PLUS be automatically entered a bi-weekly Sweepstakes to win additional cash prizes for your time. Each interview usually takes 15-20 minutes of your time. Plus, you are free to leave the panel at any time should you choose to do so.

We will occasionally ask some questions about your household in order to match the appropriate questionnaires to you. These usually includes just 3 or 4 questions and are brief. These short screeners are uncompensated."

Pictures

While Branna and I were visiting family last week in San Angelo, we took some time to get Branna's pictures taken. (It had been almost a year since we'd had any taken!) Here's a sampling of what we got. They all turned out really good! Thanks Mindy!

Branna and PaPa Andy

Vesicoureteral Reflux Update

Yesterday, Branna had her sonogram as recommended by her pediatrician. (She did very good considering she was scared out of her mind!) We were looking for any scarring on her kidneys that might have been caused by her vesicoureteral reflux (see previous posts). I just got word back that everything looks great and there is no sign of scarring. Getting the clean report is such a relief! Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.

A Day at the Park

Last weekend, we took advantage of the good weather and took Branna to a park. As you'll be able to tell from the pictures, she thoroughly enjoyed herself! The park had a slide that was just the right size for her and, for the first time, she was able to slide down by herself. She's getting to be such a big girl!

Weeeee!!!!!

But I'm not ready to go!

I can't believe that I've let more than a month go between blog postings! I'll dedicate this posting to playing a little catch up...

Like most of you, we were very busy over the holidays with family and friends. Branna had a great time being around everyone and, or course, showing off. :)


She really got into Christmas this year and figured out that there was more to it than just boxes and wrapping paper! I'm not so sure that that a great thing, though, since she's still asking for more presents. :)




Besides that, Branna has been doing GREAT with her glasses... better than we ever expected. There are very few times that she takes them off during the day and has even asked for them a few times when she's taken them off. In about 2 weeks, we go back to the opthamologist to get our update.

(Notice the earring? It's part of her Mrs. Potato Head parts. LOL!)

In other medical news, you may remember that back in August, Branna was diagnosed with a grade II vesicoureteral reflux. According to current recommendations, she has take a daily low dose antibiotic for a year to avoid recurrent urinary tract infections and prevent any possible kidney scarring. At Branna's last well baby check up in October, her pediatrician wanted us to call after the first of the year in hopes the new guidelines would allow for Branna to stop her antibiotics, which is the case for grade I reflux.
I spoke with the doctor earlier this week who was advised by a pediatric urologist that there were no changes in place right now. So, we'll have to continue with the daily antibiotic for another 6 months and reevaluate the situation then. We'll also need to have a sonogram soon to make sure there has been no scarring to the kidneys. This will be much less traumatic than the VCUG Branna had done in the fall.

I'll do my best this year to keep the blog updated with the most current Branna news! :)