What's the big deal??

Braxton has a peanut allergy. When he was a little over a year old we had him tested for allergies because he was having a reaction to milk. At the time they tested him for a lot of food and he had a reaction to a lot of them. This winter when we went beck he had grown out of some of his allergies. Milk was better, soy was better, and the egg was a little better. Most food allergies get better over time, most - not peanut. We try really hard to be careful and watch for nuts in things so that Braxton is not exposed because a peanut allergy only gets worse with each exposure and can potentially become life threating. We were given all this information and an epi-pen when he was first diagnosed. Labor Day weekend we went to Texas Road house in Tulsa and Braxton was playing with the peanuts in the floor. Not eating them - just touching and crunching. He starting rubbing his eye and starting swelling. Uncle Brent was there and came to our rescue by running to get some Benadryl, within 30 minutes of taking it the swelling was gone and we were back to normal. When I told the allergist about the reaction he said that it was a true reaction and that he was allergic to peanuts and that we needed to keep him away (sometimes the initial test can be a false positive). So I keep Benadryl in the diaper bag all the time. Well Tuesday night was were ready for bed and I was feeding Brayson and our house got quite - I called for the boys to see what they were into - it was just too quite. Braxton comes running in with a red streak on his face. I asked him what they had been into and after a minute he tells me that he found some M&M's in the bottom if the diaper bag that was in the floor. Andy and Karl came in about that time from the A&M vs. ISU game (our Aggies won Big) and Andy brought him in - his eyes were starting to swell, so we gave him some Benadryl. 30 minutes later the swelling had not gone down at all. In the mean time we had washed his face, given him a bath, and were trying real hard to keep him awake. I called my friend (and doctor) Michelle for suggestions - Take him in was the advice. I kept asking Braxton if he could breathe and he said yes, but at the same time I was wondering if a 3 year old could understand just what I was asking. I kept putting off using the epi-pen in hopes that the Benadryl would work like it always had in the past. After much debate we went to the ER. Any stayed with the boys and Karl went with me. After a few doses of some anti-histamines and some steroids and much waiting we came home - 2am. Braxton was exhausted and ready for bed. That is where he went to bed; they said at the ER he should be okay on meds till 6am. He was up at 7 ready to go. What caused all this adventure?? Peanuts?? NO I had a package of cashews in the diaper bag. They had been opened and also spilled in the bottom of the bag. The cashews and M & M's had come in contact with each other. He did not eat the cashews only a few M&M's and had been rubbing his eyes. It was an adventure and one I do not care to repeat any time soon. Here are some pictures of my poor kid in pain, but I wanted everyone to see just what happened.

Initial reaction - this is what he looked like just 10 minutes after eating the M&M

Wanting dad to hold him

A few spots starting to show on his chest

The next morning

Still had a lot of swelling.
It has been 3 days and there is still some swelling and redness but MUCH better, oh and while we were there in the middle of a 10 inch snow storm we found out he has an ear infection as well.
Things are getting better - the lesson in this post is DO NOT GIVE BRAXTON ANYTHING WITH NUTS!!!
Mom learned her lesson.

A visit from MeMe and PaPaw

I am going to have to go back a little bit but I wanted to make sure I got some of the pictures out here. MeMe and PaPaw came to see Brayson and play with Braxton and Brazos. The older two boys had a great time playing and being spoiled rotten. Brayson enjoyed time being cuddled and held. Here are a few pictures from our visit.

MeMe feeding Brayson while PaPaw plays with the older two.

Braxton giving Brayson some love while MeMe holds him

PaPaw looking him over

Two pround grandparents

Building with PaPaw


Brazos kicking over the tower

The tower falling on Brazos while Braxton runs!

Game time

Who is winning - nobody knows - the rules are made up as we go
Thanks for taking the time to come and see the boys - we all had a good time.

We are on our own

I have a lot of catching up to do but I will have to do it as I have time. First here are some pictures from last weekend - it was in the high 40's and the kids had a great time outside with uncle Karl and aunt Andrea. Mama Z was here for a little while, then we took her to the airport and traded for MeMe and PaPaw. We have enjoyed having everyone here and the help has been fantastic but now reality sets in and we are on our own.
So far thing are going okay the boys are adjusting to sharing their time with someone else and look forward everyday to dad's leg getting better so dad can play again. Uncle Karl has done a terriffic job of playing with the boys and keeping them active - THANKS Uncle Karl.


Brazos getting ready to go down the big snow pile - He was not excited about it - it likes things better when he is in control. We are still trying to figure out who he belongs to - me or his dad?!?!

Then there is Braxton - my little Daredevil. He is ready to try anything at least one time. He was ready to fly down the hill and try to jump the fence. Uncle Karl was so hoping he could make it over but it did not happen - I am thankful. He had a great time.

Here is Braxton at the bottom of the hill. All smiles and ready to go again.

The boys in their snow gear. They like to put all the garb on and walk around the house. Me - I am looking forward to the warmer weather so that it does not take so long to get out of the house. But I am glad that they enjoy being outside not matter what the weather.

Brazos finally warmed up to being pulled on the flat ground by aunt Andrea. But once again it had to be his idea and he wanted to control where they went and when. He had a good time.

I finally got a bunch of my pictures on the computer so I am going to try and get them posted. I guess we will see how the week goes.

Swing of things

Okay first I have to say a BIG THANK YOU to my loving husband who has been wonderful to update this blog for the past two weeks while I have taken a small break. Today is the first post I have done since Brayson's arrival.
Things are going well and we are still trying to find a routine. We are thankful for all the help we have had and continue to have. Mama Z was here for a week, she left the same day and MeMe and PaPaw came in. PaPaw had to leave today but MeMe gets to stay for another couple of days. We are getting things in order and are thankful for all of our wonderful families.
Not to go unmentioned is all the help that we continue to get from Karl and Andrea. The boys have really enjoyed all the attention and love from everyone.
Braxton and Brazos seem to really like Brayson. Braxton would like to carry him as much as he can. Brazos could really care less most of the time but he like to put his paci in when he thinks he needs it. Brayson is growing and is still changing every day. I have still not ventured out by myself and I guess I will not for a little while longer as I still have not been released to drive.
Brayson will go to the doctor on Thursday for his two week check and I will have some numbers then.
Here are some pictures from the last couple of days. I have more but have not put them on the computer yet so you will have to check back later!
Braxton playing with his CAT equipment. These are some favorites at this point.

Brazos putting lotion on his face.
Dad and Brayson enjoying some time
A warmer day to get out and move some snow.
Braxton working hard
Brayson and Kaden taking a nap during all the outside activity
This is suppose to show the 8 inches we had in the front yard. More came today.
This pile is one that Uncle Karl made in the back yard for he kids to play on. I will have more on that later!

Doctor, Doctor

Everyone is doing great at home. We all at home now. Mama Z is helping to care for the boys. We are glad she is here. This week, we have had 3 doctor appointments. The first was Lyneil to have here staples removed. The next was a check-up for Brayson. He passed his jaundice test so he was jaundice-free this whole time. The last appointment was Andy and his knee. The doctor took more X-rays and said everything was coming along very well. He had very good motion in his knee and the scars were looking good. He was released to bend his knee (with brace on) at work and to also drive (when necessary). We don't know which he was more excited about.

Mama Z smiling big with Brayson

Big eyes awake

Brayson's first bath with lots of extra help.

Andy's incision. It is really smooth and tightly sealed.

Watching for my brothers to come.

Braxton is preaching and Brazos is watching over us.

3 B-Z-Bs together

Special thanks to Andy for keeping this blog updated and everyone informed. He has this one ready to go so I thought I would add to it before he posted it. Things are going well and we should get to go home tomorrow. Brayson is doing better and seems to be breathing a lot better. He had his circumcision today and is sleeping well at the moment. We talked to Andrea earlier and the boys seem to be doing well. Tiffany has been here to help and Mama Z will arrive later today. The boys will be very glad to see her and will be ready to play. Thanks for all the comments and e-mails we are glad to have our family complete and are ready for the adventure that this life will hold. I will quit talking now and let you read Andy's post. Thanks again!!

Aunt Andrea made the boys matching shirts. Text found below pictures if you cannot read it.

BZB's laying together for the picture.

My first chance to hold Brayson. This lasted for only about 30 seconds and then he was DONE!

Braxton talking to Brayson. He asked to hold him because he is "big". He did curls with him while Andy held Brayson's head to show his strength.

The Beck family pausing for a picture.

Let's add in Cousin Kaden, the Observer.

Braxton's shirt says:

Busiest

We are the Becks!

I am the busiest

B-Z-B

Braxton Zant Beck

I'm the teacher!

Brazos's shirt says:

Busier

We are the Becks!

I am the busier

B-Z-B

Brazos Zane Beck

I'm learning!

Brayson's shirt says:

Busy

We are the Becks!

I am the busy

B-Z-B

Brayson Zade Beck

I'll catch them fast.

Kaden's shirt says:

Observer

It's too busy here

Leave me out

Kaden Wayne McDonald

It's busy on the farm

All the Beck Boys (and more)

Yesterday afternoon and evening, the rest of the Beck and McDonald clan came to visit. Braxton and Brazos were happy to see their brother...for a short time at least. They were happy to just be out of the house now as well. It is a whopping 6 deg F right now with expected lows of -9 F tonight and tomorrow. Andrea has been taking care of them and Kaden while we are in the hospital. She is a great trooper to take on this task, AGAIN.

Brayson is doing great, except he is having some trouble breathing. Sounds all stopped up so they took an X-ray of his chest. We have not heard results yet. Update will come soon.

Hmmm...what will I do today? I know. Sleep, Eat, Poop. Repeat.

My first bath to clean up. My hair was filthy.

The calm before the storm.

Braxton and Brazos checking out Brayson with Dad.

He is "cute and tiny" as described by big brother Braxton.

"Chunky Monkey" (Kaden) napping with "Cute and Tiny" (Brayson)

Chillin' with Mom before bedtime

How does hand taste? (Not for long)

Brayson Zade has arrived!

Lyneil and I welcomed Brayson Zade Beck into this world at 8:37 AM today on January 17. He weighed in at 7 lbs, 3.5 oz and is 19.5 inches long. Lyneil and Brayson are doing great. Below are pictures for you.

Dressed for surgery

His first picture (I am a little more upset than my brothers were!)

Weighing in at 7 lb, 3.5 oz

With Mom

Last, but not least...

Happy Birthday Emaline!