Seriously....how big is Allie Rae?

I often talk about how small Allie is for her age but really you probably don't comprehend the full picture.  Allie is 33 months old - in just a couple months she will be "3" years old.  When running errands, walking into a store or restaurant or simply leaving the house and putting her into the van, I still carry her.  She is small enough where I can carry her for a half hour and my arm doesn't hurt. 

Here are Allie's measurements:
Weight - 24.6 pounds (below the 5th percent)
Height - 34 inches (below the 5th percent)
Head circumference - 45.5 cm (below the 5th percent)

You got it, Allie is off the chart for everything!. 

To give you a better perspective, here are a couple pictures I took this morning.  I was going through Allie's old cloths to donate them and I had this idea of trying a pair or two on her.....here is what I discovered.

Here is a cute little outfit that Allie used to wear (a long time ago)

Here is Allie in this outfit TODAY - 33 months old - almost the big age of 3.................  Don't forget this outfit is the size 6 MONTHS!

Yup - it still fits.  A little snug length wise but besides that she has plenty of room.

 I also pulled out a 12 month pair of shorts thinking they would fit but probably bit too short.  Here is what she looked like in them.....

Allie showing us how big she is!

I see Allie everyday and I know she's tiny but until I get her next to other kids her age, I forget how tiny she really is.  A couple weekends ago, we went back home for our niece, Bella's first birthday party.  My friend Brooke was there with her family and she has a 14 months old.  Here is a picture of Reese (14 months) and Allie (33 months).

For size wise, it's hard to believe there is a 19 month difference between these two little pumpkins. 

I don't know what my intentions are for showing you how small Allie is but posting this and sharing it with everyone is "proof" to ME that Allie needs to grow!!!  Sometimes seeing it in black and white is a reality check and for some reason I had the urge to try 6 & 12 month cloths on Allie.  I know deep down I was praying that I couldn't even get the cloths on Allie, but unfortunately that wasn't the case.

So today - I am reassured that my goal is to start getting MORE food into Allie so she grows.  I spoke to our Dietician this morning for 2 hours discussing what we can do to increase Allie's free water fluid intake (she currently receives 24 oz of fluid a day and she needs 38 oz). Her free water fluid intake consists of Neocate Jr, E028 Splash, a homemade blenderized diet and water. Upping her intake by 14 oz a day is huge and honestly I highly doubt we can do it without excessive vomiting.  Allie has been vomit free for a little over 2 weeks and it sure is nice - for all of us, especially Allie. 

We will start slowly and try increasing Allie's fluid intake and pray for no vomiting.  As a mother - I hate being the one who pushes her too far and she vomits - it's just not fair for her.

Remember.....Allie may be small but she has a lot of spunk in her and she is one strong little girl! 

I love Allie Berndt

Feeding Tube Awareness Week February 6-12, 2011

As many of you know, Feeding Tube Awareness Week is coming up quickly.  I am very excited about this and cannot wait to start blogging throughout the week of February 6-12th.  I have joined an amazing group of parents who are working together to help spread positive awareness about feeding tubes. 

If you haven't done so already, please check out our Feeding Tube Awareness website.  This site provides a lot of great information about feeding tubes, why children need them, how they work, what medical tests some children get done before getting their tube and the list goes on and on.  Allie's picture and story is listed under "tubie kids" and I also provided information on gastric emptying tests and allergy testing under the "tests" section on the site.  Check it out - I promise you will find great information and you will learn something new!  You can find the website at: www.feedingtubeawareness.com

The goal for Feeding Tube Awareness is to spread awareness and to educate as many people as possible through facebook status posts, twitter, blog posts, email...basically however you can help spread the word.

There will be a new topic everyday to help raise awareness.  I personally will be blogging each day on the topic to help spread positive awareness.  Here are the scheduled topics.

February 6th - Video Launch - Why does your child have a feeding tube?

February 7th - Before and after the tubie (post pictures or a photo album).  What is the most positive benefit your child has received because of tube feeding?

February 8th - Addressing misconceptions. What do you want people to know about tube feeding?

February 9th - Call to action - emailing Sesame Street.  How would you like to help raise awareness about tube feeding?

February 10th - Engaging friends and family. GO AHEAD AND ASK ME.  What do you want to know about tube feeding that you have been afraid or uncomfortable asking?

February 11th - Turning a negative into a positive. Describe a negative experience you encountered because of tube feeding and explain how it could have been more positive. What should have happened?

February 12th - Wrap-up.  Describe a positive experience you have encountered because of tube feeding and what made it positive for you and/or your tubie?

So, make sure to check back starting February 6th - let's all work together and help spread awareness.  Everyone wants their child to be accepted by their peers.  Allie will be starting preschool next year and I'm scared of how other children will accept her.  Please - for Allie and all the other little children with feeding tubes, help spread positive awareness.  The feeding tube is an amazing medical device that is saving a lot of precious kids!!! 

**To Shannen in Scotland.....thank you so much for your email and sharing your story.  I hope you will continue to follow my blog and I hope it helps you better understand feeding tubes.  Please feel free to contact me at anytime with questions.  Good luck to your cousin and he will be in my prayers!

As always, here are a couple recent pictures of the girls - enjoy!

Allie showing off her necklace she is making - this is the "Beads for Good Behavior" project we are doing.

Chloe showing off her necklace too! 

1, 2, 3 - Strike a pose!

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