I ran out as soon as it stopped hailing and took a few pictures. It continued to rain, so the hail has shrunk a bit, but you get the general idea :)
A wee jaunt to Scotland – Glasgow
22 hours ago
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Another TX Milestone
Last night as Rob and I were going to sleep, we heard thunder, then it started raining. Shortly after that we heard the pings of hail. Hail is not uncommon here - nearly every storm that comes through is preceded by a warning that golf ball sized hail or tennis ball sized hail is possible. We've never been hit by anything bigger than maybe a marble though. Last night the pings kept getting louder and louder and when we looked out the window, the hail was about golf ball sized. The house directly behind us has a swimming pool and the hail was hitting the pool with such force that the splashes dwarfed our six foot tall fence. I was afraid it was going to break a window and Rob's car was outside in the driveway (we technically have a two car garage, but if you park two cars in there, you have to climb out the window to get out of the car, so we usually only bring his car in when we think there is going to be a really bad storm) and we couldn't go out and drive it in with that hail falling. His car now has quite a few dents, but they are pretty small at least :) It's not horribly noticeable. Apparently the area just a mile or two south of us got tennis ball sized hail. A friend called this afternoon and her neighbor lost his windshield to their hail. Her roof now looks like it's made of swiss cheese and is going to have to be completely replaced. I hadn't even thought about our roof - we are going to have to get up there and take a look at it (and by we, I mean Rob :) I don't do heights).
I ran out as soon as it stopped hailing and took a few pictures. It continued to rain, so the hail has shrunk a bit, but you get the general idea :)
I ran out as soon as it stopped hailing and took a few pictures. It continued to rain, so the hail has shrunk a bit, but you get the general idea :)
Maybe . . .
I stopped by our local little health food store this morning to see if they had yarrow tea for Megan as I was hoping that might help her abdominal pain since motrin doesn't help. I told the store owner her symptoms and he suggested that we eliminate gluten from her diet. I googled gluten allergy when I got home and one of the sites that came up was about celiac - an autoimmune disease that is related to the body's response to gluten. It fits every one of Megan's symptoms (abdominal pain, tingling in arms and legs, joint pain, greatly increased number of antibodies, anemia) - except for the fever. People are born with the condition, but often doesn't show any symptoms until triggered by something such as an infection, a pregnancy or a surgery. If the fever was initially caused by an infection of some type, that could have triggered her condition and made it much harder for her body to fight off the infection. We are going to get her tested for this. Fortunately one of my best friends has celiac and is helping me with the diet :) This condition is so severe that we will have to replace all our plastic dishes, containers, cups, etc. Megan would not even be able to have french fries that have been fried in the same oil as something with flour (like fried chicken).
Below are some excerpts from the website I found ~
Though the symptoms may appear similar, gluten intolerance is not a food allergy but rather an inherited autoimmune disease. The body's immune system mistakenly identifies gluten as harmful. This leads to inflammation and damage in the small intestine. A food allergy to wheat results instead in an allergic response, with symptoms such as itchiness and rash.
Damage to the small intestine can occur when a person with gluten intolerance consumes even a small amount of gluten. Symptoms can include abdominal pain and diarrhea.
The intestinal damage weakens the body's ability to absorb nutrients from food. This can lead to malnutrition and related conditions, such as weight loss, osteoporosis and infertility. Patients may also face increased risk of conditions including diabetes, thyroid disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and some cancers.
It is important to note that although some people with gluten intolerance suffer severe symptoms, others have no symptoms. People who do not experience symptoms, however, may still suffer damage to the small intestine.
People with gluten intolerance (celiac disease) are extremely sensitive to the protein gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, rye and possibly oats. The condition involves an inappropriate immune system reaction to gluten that causes inflammation in the small intestine.
This inflammation damages the interior wall of the small intestine, specifically harming tiny protrusions called villi. These villi are responsible for absorbing nutrients into the bloodstream. The loss of the villi often leads to malnutrition and related complications such as bone disease.
Although patients with other food intolerances may tolerate "small amounts" of the problem food without triggering a reaction, people with gluten intolerance cannot safely consume any amount of gluten. Though some people may believe they can tolerate a small amount of gluten because symptoms do not occur, ingestion can still result in damage to the small intestine.
Though symptoms may appear similar, gluten intolerance is not a food allergy because the immune response to gluten is different than an allergic reaction. The immune system turns upon itself with both conditions, but gluten intolerance results in specific damage to the small intestine. A food allergy, though, often results in a more generalized reaction that occurs as histamines travel throughout the bloodstream. Although it is possible to have a food allergy to wheat and wheat protein, this condition is not related to gluten intolerance.
Infections. Patients may be at increased risk for serious infections such as tuberculosis, possibly because of poor absorption of vitamin D, researchers have found.
For unknown reasons, the disease sometimes emerges after some sort of trauma is experienced, such as an infection, an injury, pregnancy or surgery.
The main signs and symptoms associated with gluten intolerance (celiac disease) are due to the inadequate absorption of nutrients from food. This condition results in:
*
Abdominal bloating and pain
*
Diarrhea
*
Constipation
*
Foul-smelling gas and stool
*
Steatorrhea (an increased amount of fat in the stool)
Some of the signs and symptoms associated with gluten intolerance occur as a result of the malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies often caused by the condition. These may include:
*
Anemia (low number of red blood cells) and fatigue. Due to a lack of absorption of vitamin B12 and iron.
*
Weight loss. Due to poor absorption of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
*
Bone pain, bone weakness and osteoporosis. Due to a lack of absorption of vitamin D.
*
Swelling (often around the ankles and feet). Due to fluid retention.
*
Tingling and numbness from nerve damage. Due to deficiencies of B12 and thiamine.
http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/gluten-intolerance.html
Below are some excerpts from the website I found ~
Though the symptoms may appear similar, gluten intolerance is not a food allergy but rather an inherited autoimmune disease. The body's immune system mistakenly identifies gluten as harmful. This leads to inflammation and damage in the small intestine. A food allergy to wheat results instead in an allergic response, with symptoms such as itchiness and rash.
Damage to the small intestine can occur when a person with gluten intolerance consumes even a small amount of gluten. Symptoms can include abdominal pain and diarrhea.
The intestinal damage weakens the body's ability to absorb nutrients from food. This can lead to malnutrition and related conditions, such as weight loss, osteoporosis and infertility. Patients may also face increased risk of conditions including diabetes, thyroid disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and some cancers.
It is important to note that although some people with gluten intolerance suffer severe symptoms, others have no symptoms. People who do not experience symptoms, however, may still suffer damage to the small intestine.
People with gluten intolerance (celiac disease) are extremely sensitive to the protein gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, rye and possibly oats. The condition involves an inappropriate immune system reaction to gluten that causes inflammation in the small intestine.
This inflammation damages the interior wall of the small intestine, specifically harming tiny protrusions called villi. These villi are responsible for absorbing nutrients into the bloodstream. The loss of the villi often leads to malnutrition and related complications such as bone disease.
Although patients with other food intolerances may tolerate "small amounts" of the problem food without triggering a reaction, people with gluten intolerance cannot safely consume any amount of gluten. Though some people may believe they can tolerate a small amount of gluten because symptoms do not occur, ingestion can still result in damage to the small intestine.
Though symptoms may appear similar, gluten intolerance is not a food allergy because the immune response to gluten is different than an allergic reaction. The immune system turns upon itself with both conditions, but gluten intolerance results in specific damage to the small intestine. A food allergy, though, often results in a more generalized reaction that occurs as histamines travel throughout the bloodstream. Although it is possible to have a food allergy to wheat and wheat protein, this condition is not related to gluten intolerance.
Infections. Patients may be at increased risk for serious infections such as tuberculosis, possibly because of poor absorption of vitamin D, researchers have found.
For unknown reasons, the disease sometimes emerges after some sort of trauma is experienced, such as an infection, an injury, pregnancy or surgery.
The main signs and symptoms associated with gluten intolerance (celiac disease) are due to the inadequate absorption of nutrients from food. This condition results in:
*
Abdominal bloating and pain
*
Diarrhea
*
Constipation
*
Foul-smelling gas and stool
*
Steatorrhea (an increased amount of fat in the stool)
Some of the signs and symptoms associated with gluten intolerance occur as a result of the malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies often caused by the condition. These may include:
*
Anemia (low number of red blood cells) and fatigue. Due to a lack of absorption of vitamin B12 and iron.
*
Weight loss. Due to poor absorption of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
*
Bone pain, bone weakness and osteoporosis. Due to a lack of absorption of vitamin D.
*
Swelling (often around the ankles and feet). Due to fluid retention.
*
Tingling and numbness from nerve damage. Due to deficiencies of B12 and thiamine.
http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/gluten-intolerance.html
Monday, March 30, 2009
Easter Cookies
First a few random pictures ~
Meg giving Jack a piggy back ride. It's one of his favorite things to do - he especially loves it when she bounces him. I do NOT especially love that part as it gives me a heart attack watching her do it because he always comes so close to falling off her back . . .
A beautiful picture of Beth that captures her personality perfectly :) . . .
Megs and Kylie . . .
Last night we made Easter cookies for family home evening. I had the kids help me roll out the dough and cut out the cookies, then we took the rest of the dough, divided it into 4 sections and gave each child their own cookie dough to do whatever they wanted with it.
Kylie rolled hers out just like I had done and used the egg shaped cookie cutter. She had a bit of a problem with the dough sticking to the rolling pin.
Megan and Beth spread their dough out with their hands and used our big Easter bunny cookie cutter. Jack pounded his dough into a pancake.
After creating his pancake, Jack ate half of his dough - all at once.
After the cookies cooled, the girls changed into old t-shirts (yes, I should have thought of it earlier, but flour is easier to get out of dresses than food coloring) and we frosted our cookies. Each of the kids frosted their own cookies (or batch of cookies in Kylie's case).
Megan helped me frost the rest of the cookies.
Kylie, Beth and Jack decorated them with candies after Meg and I put the frosting on.
The kids with their finished products :)
On the Megan-front, no news today. The specialist's office returned my call and told me it would be Thursday or Friday before they got the results of the lupus panel. The pediatrician's office called and said they should have the results of Friday's blood tests by tomorrow. They redid the strep test (LOTS of fun), which was, of course, negative, and they drew blood for a CBC (MD), an iron panel, a leukemia test, a chem 7, and I'm sure I'm forgetting a few others. Megan is still complaining of abdominal pain and a sore throat, but the pain that was in her arms and legs is now in her wrist, armpit, and knees. Her fever is gone, but she has a horribly stuffy nose. She seems to be much more emotional than usual. I just wish we could figure this out so I could stop the pain.
Meg giving Jack a piggy back ride. It's one of his favorite things to do - he especially loves it when she bounces him. I do NOT especially love that part as it gives me a heart attack watching her do it because he always comes so close to falling off her back . . .
A beautiful picture of Beth that captures her personality perfectly :) . . .
Megs and Kylie . . .
Last night we made Easter cookies for family home evening. I had the kids help me roll out the dough and cut out the cookies, then we took the rest of the dough, divided it into 4 sections and gave each child their own cookie dough to do whatever they wanted with it.
Kylie rolled hers out just like I had done and used the egg shaped cookie cutter. She had a bit of a problem with the dough sticking to the rolling pin.
Megan and Beth spread their dough out with their hands and used our big Easter bunny cookie cutter. Jack pounded his dough into a pancake.
After creating his pancake, Jack ate half of his dough - all at once.
After the cookies cooled, the girls changed into old t-shirts (yes, I should have thought of it earlier, but flour is easier to get out of dresses than food coloring) and we frosted our cookies. Each of the kids frosted their own cookies (or batch of cookies in Kylie's case).
Megan helped me frost the rest of the cookies.
Kylie, Beth and Jack decorated them with candies after Meg and I put the frosting on.
The kids with their finished products :)
On the Megan-front, no news today. The specialist's office returned my call and told me it would be Thursday or Friday before they got the results of the lupus panel. The pediatrician's office called and said they should have the results of Friday's blood tests by tomorrow. They redid the strep test (LOTS of fun), which was, of course, negative, and they drew blood for a CBC (MD), an iron panel, a leukemia test, a chem 7, and I'm sure I'm forgetting a few others. Megan is still complaining of abdominal pain and a sore throat, but the pain that was in her arms and legs is now in her wrist, armpit, and knees. Her fever is gone, but she has a horribly stuffy nose. She seems to be much more emotional than usual. I just wish we could figure this out so I could stop the pain.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Back to the Dr
Meg's temp hit 100 at school today, so we picked her up. We are going back to the pediatrician (NOT the infectious disease specialist) this afternoon. Will keep you updated.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Things I Keep Forgetting to Mention . . .
Yes, I started grad school three weeks ago. I am currently only taking one class, but my second one starts in about a week, so I will be full time at that point. I'm majoring in Marriage and Family Therapy. My first class is an introductory one designed to ease us into the program and the online format. The first week was easy. The second week was fairly easy as well. The third week is requiring a bit more work. My first major paper is due next week. Last night was the first time in this program that I stayed up until after midnight working on an assignment. I think that may be more the rule rather than the exception in this program. I am so lucky I have a husband who totally supports me in this! Thank you Rob! :)
Grad school is a bit different from undergrad :) Much more is expected of us. There are no posted reading assignments, no guide as to which chapters we should find the material we need for various assignments. All assignments need to be written in third person. That takes a bit of getting used to. Several of my classmates tackle this particular hurtle by using their names instead of saying "I". For example, Laney thinks that Freud was a demented freak :) (He really was - he must have had a very messed up childhood.) That method sounds odd to me, so I don't like using it. I was speaking to a friend today and she laughingly pointed out that it's interesting that we are going into the mental health field and some of us are starting to talk about ourselves in the third person - which can be a sign of mental issues :) Maybe they are helping us relate to future patients :)
I'm finding myself getting more and more interested in the topics discussed. I apologize in advance to my friends and family members who I know I will attempt to debate random topics with :) I will try and restrain myself :) Today's topic of interest, at least to me, is whether autism would fall into the nature or nurture category. I am aware that the answer to that question cannot be verified until the causes of autism are proven. I happen to think it falls into the nature category. Anyone who would like to discuss or debate the topic is welcome to email me :)
On a different topic, I broke my toe (or bruised it really, really badly) last week. At least it was my little toe, so I can still walk reasonably well :) Kylie was enthralled by it; she said she had never seen a purple and blue toe. The whole toe is very swollen and the bruising covers the toe and spreads out a few inches onto my foot. Very attractive :) I ran full speed into Megan's metal scooter in my attempt to rescue Jack from falling off the edge of the kitchen sink (which he had climbed up to via a chair he pushed over to it and then kicked over) onto the tile floor below. I made it - although it's a good thing that I hit the scooter only a few feet away from reaching Jack (it was left in the middle of the kitchen floor). The scooter is no longer allowed in the house.
Megan seems to be doing ok. Her temp has hovered around 99 this week, which is elevated, but not considered a fever. She is still complaining of abdominal pain and a sore throat, but hasn't mentioned limb pain in a few days. We are still waiting for the lupus panel results. It's been a week today and we were told we would have them on Monday. Apparently they take 5-7 days, so I think the Monday deadline was a bit skewed, but I really hope we get them today. We've decided to wait for those results before taking our next step. She has gone to school every day this week, although she has visited the nurse every day as well. I don't know if we've turned her into a hypochondriac or if she's really not feeling well. It's so hard to tell . . . I need a crystal ball - anybody have one to spare? :)
Exciting news for us . . . Andrea Bocelli is coming to Dallas in June!!! He is one of Rob's very favorite singers and we have been trying to get to one of his performances for quite a few years. He came to San Antonio last year, but the tickets sold out so quickly we were not able to get any. This time around we were able to buy them before they went on sale to the general public by using our American Express card, so Rob and I are going to see Andrea Bocelli!!! Tickets are insanely expensive, so we have nosebleed seats, but I'm sure it will be amazing! :) What a perfect birthday present for Rob (even if it will be a month early)!
Grad school is a bit different from undergrad :) Much more is expected of us. There are no posted reading assignments, no guide as to which chapters we should find the material we need for various assignments. All assignments need to be written in third person. That takes a bit of getting used to. Several of my classmates tackle this particular hurtle by using their names instead of saying "I". For example, Laney thinks that Freud was a demented freak :) (He really was - he must have had a very messed up childhood.) That method sounds odd to me, so I don't like using it. I was speaking to a friend today and she laughingly pointed out that it's interesting that we are going into the mental health field and some of us are starting to talk about ourselves in the third person - which can be a sign of mental issues :) Maybe they are helping us relate to future patients :)
I'm finding myself getting more and more interested in the topics discussed. I apologize in advance to my friends and family members who I know I will attempt to debate random topics with :) I will try and restrain myself :) Today's topic of interest, at least to me, is whether autism would fall into the nature or nurture category. I am aware that the answer to that question cannot be verified until the causes of autism are proven. I happen to think it falls into the nature category. Anyone who would like to discuss or debate the topic is welcome to email me :)
On a different topic, I broke my toe (or bruised it really, really badly) last week. At least it was my little toe, so I can still walk reasonably well :) Kylie was enthralled by it; she said she had never seen a purple and blue toe. The whole toe is very swollen and the bruising covers the toe and spreads out a few inches onto my foot. Very attractive :) I ran full speed into Megan's metal scooter in my attempt to rescue Jack from falling off the edge of the kitchen sink (which he had climbed up to via a chair he pushed over to it and then kicked over) onto the tile floor below. I made it - although it's a good thing that I hit the scooter only a few feet away from reaching Jack (it was left in the middle of the kitchen floor). The scooter is no longer allowed in the house.
Megan seems to be doing ok. Her temp has hovered around 99 this week, which is elevated, but not considered a fever. She is still complaining of abdominal pain and a sore throat, but hasn't mentioned limb pain in a few days. We are still waiting for the lupus panel results. It's been a week today and we were told we would have them on Monday. Apparently they take 5-7 days, so I think the Monday deadline was a bit skewed, but I really hope we get them today. We've decided to wait for those results before taking our next step. She has gone to school every day this week, although she has visited the nurse every day as well. I don't know if we've turned her into a hypochondriac or if she's really not feeling well. It's so hard to tell . . . I need a crystal ball - anybody have one to spare? :)
Exciting news for us . . . Andrea Bocelli is coming to Dallas in June!!! He is one of Rob's very favorite singers and we have been trying to get to one of his performances for quite a few years. He came to San Antonio last year, but the tickets sold out so quickly we were not able to get any. This time around we were able to buy them before they went on sale to the general public by using our American Express card, so Rob and I are going to see Andrea Bocelli!!! Tickets are insanely expensive, so we have nosebleed seats, but I'm sure it will be amazing! :) What a perfect birthday present for Rob (even if it will be a month early)!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Our Gander at Gardening
Rob and I have tried gardening before and have decided the plants sprout, take one look at us and give up :) We are nothing if not stubborn though, so once again we have tried our hand at planting a garden. We kept it really simple this year though. We have a turtle sandbox on the back patio that hasn't been used as a sandbox for several years because of TX storms. We drilled some holes in the bottom and filled it with organic gardening soil. We had pots left over from last year's attempt, so we let the each of the girls pick out a packet of seeds (we decided Jack was a bit young for his own pot) and they got their own container to make a garden in.
Rob filling the turtle with the help of Megan, Kylie and Jack ~
Beth picked green beans and decided the best way to plant them was to dump the whole packet out in one pile ~
Kylie picked corn and carefully poked holes all over her dirt and put one kernel in each hole (yes, we are would have preferred them not to pick corn and green beans, but that's what they insisted they wanted)~
Megan picked out a packet of beautiful blue flowers, however the seeds were apparently VERY small and after much loving handling, no seeds were actually in the packet by the time it got opened, all of them having drained out of a hole in the corner. We had another packet of wildflower seeds that we had planned to plant around our "tree" (I use the term loosely) in the front yard, so I gave those to her so she would have something to plant~
Jack helped me fill three holes with tomato seeds and the sections between where the tomatoes will hopefully eventually come up with cilantro, parsley and basil~
After we got everything planted and watered, the kids were very excited :)~
This last picture is from this morning. Rob's brother emailed us new pictures of our nephew yesterday. All the kids (and the two of us) love seeing them, but Jack especially gets so excited when he sees them. I got a shot of his face as he noticed what was on the computer screen this morning~
Rob filling the turtle with the help of Megan, Kylie and Jack ~
Beth picked green beans and decided the best way to plant them was to dump the whole packet out in one pile ~
Kylie picked corn and carefully poked holes all over her dirt and put one kernel in each hole (yes, we are would have preferred them not to pick corn and green beans, but that's what they insisted they wanted)~
Megan picked out a packet of beautiful blue flowers, however the seeds were apparently VERY small and after much loving handling, no seeds were actually in the packet by the time it got opened, all of them having drained out of a hole in the corner. We had another packet of wildflower seeds that we had planned to plant around our "tree" (I use the term loosely) in the front yard, so I gave those to her so she would have something to plant~
Jack helped me fill three holes with tomato seeds and the sections between where the tomatoes will hopefully eventually come up with cilantro, parsley and basil~
After we got everything planted and watered, the kids were very excited :)~
This last picture is from this morning. Rob's brother emailed us new pictures of our nephew yesterday. All the kids (and the two of us) love seeing them, but Jack especially gets so excited when he sees them. I got a shot of his face as he noticed what was on the computer screen this morning~
Monday, March 23, 2009
Backyard Adventures
The weather here has been gorgeous lately! The kids played outside almost every day last week. It was a nice break for Megan after spending several mornings getting various tests done.
Megan dug for treasure, found some buried cables and had to be moved to another part of the yard for further excavations ~
Beth wore her sunglasses almost the whole time and did not want to smile for the camera as she rode Travis's old kettcar ~
Kylie pushed Jack on the swings as Beth and Meg used the other two swings (we really need to get a fourth one and upgrade at least one of the infant ones so the three girls can swing by themselves) ~
Rob and I have decided we need to get a second opinion about Megan. The dr didn't do a very good job of explaining any of her test results to us and after asking for specific figures, we've discovered that there were a lot of things we were never told and the dr never did anything about. The ANA test I mentioned in the last post, for example, was not 1 out of 180. It was 1:180. Normal is 1:40 or less, meaning that she has over five times the number of antibodies in her blood that she should have. We have not gotten the results of the lupus panel yet, but from what we've heard and read, it's fairly common to get false negatives several times before you get a positive. We have decided to try and find a pediatric hematologist and see what they have to say.
Megan dug for treasure, found some buried cables and had to be moved to another part of the yard for further excavations ~
Beth wore her sunglasses almost the whole time and did not want to smile for the camera as she rode Travis's old kettcar ~
Kylie pushed Jack on the swings as Beth and Meg used the other two swings (we really need to get a fourth one and upgrade at least one of the infant ones so the three girls can swing by themselves) ~
Rob and I have decided we need to get a second opinion about Megan. The dr didn't do a very good job of explaining any of her test results to us and after asking for specific figures, we've discovered that there were a lot of things we were never told and the dr never did anything about. The ANA test I mentioned in the last post, for example, was not 1 out of 180. It was 1:180. Normal is 1:40 or less, meaning that she has over five times the number of antibodies in her blood that she should have. We have not gotten the results of the lupus panel yet, but from what we've heard and read, it's fairly common to get false negatives several times before you get a positive. We have decided to try and find a pediatric hematologist and see what they have to say.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Today's dr visit
Everything was normal except for one test. Her ANA test came back a very low positive (normal is 0, Meg's results were 1), so they did a lupus panel. If that comes back negative, then the official diagnosis is unidentified infection or virus that her body managed to finally take care of itself :)
We're hesitantly excited - I think we're afraid to be excited after all the things they thought it could be. We're afraid that we missed something or that we'll think it's over and then everything will come back, but these results are definately more than we ever hoped for! :)
Laney
We're hesitantly excited - I think we're afraid to be excited after all the things they thought it could be. We're afraid that we missed something or that we'll think it's over and then everything will come back, but these results are definately more than we ever hoped for! :)
Laney
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Making Bread
We've had a bit of a break from Meg being sick. Her temp stayed normal this weekend. On Saturday we did nothing - really nothing. We all relaxed in our pj's all day and took it easy. We needed a day like that. Sunday we all were able to go to church. I think that's one of the first times we have all been able to go to church since before my surgery in January. It felt kind of odd. Rob and I have both gone almost every Sunday, but we've had to switch off so that each of us can make it to our meetings but sick kids were able to stay at home.
Here are a few pictures from this week ~
Kylie as "Batman"~
We baked bread on Monday. This is at least a weekly occurrence in our house as we all love homemade bread - especially during the winter when it's cold enough that homemade soups and breads are perfect dinners. Jack was the first to figure out that I was cooking and come running to help ~
Beth wasn't far behind ~
Of course, all 4 had to help knead at the same time :) ~
The bread turned out wonderfully!
We recently placed an order for dehydrated food to put in our emergency kits. We have our little tornado closet all set up and emergency kits in them, but the food in them left something to be desired and had to be replaced every year or so. The company we bought it from guarantees a 30+ year shelf life and you only have to add water to rehydrate it - most of the food doesn't even need to be heated. They only sold it in bulk orders though - the smallest being a month's supply - so we split it with three other families. The box arrived yesterday and after helping me sort the food into four sections, the kids apprehended the box :) First it was a car, then a house, then several other things. They finally managed to break through the bottom of the box and then it was a tunnel until it collapsed. They still jumped on it for a while, pretending it was a trampoline. Why do I spend money on toys??? :)
Megan did not go back to school on Monday. It's spring break - a bit ironic :) Anyway, we are enjoying having her home and having her feeling a bit better. She's been complaining that her stomach hurts and that she has a sort throat since last Thursday or Friday and last night she woke up around 11pm and came into our room because her legs and arms hurt. During the day she seems better though. Her temp hasn't gotten above 99.2 since last week. The past several days she has been eating a lot more, although she's starting to not eat as much as she had been. I don't know if that means that she's getting sick again or that she's just caught up from not feeling well. We had her abdominal ultrasound this morning. Her echo is tomorrow morning and afterward we are headed back to the dr.
We are definately becoming familiar with Cook's. They do a wonderful job at keeping things fun and interesting. The hallways are lined with pictures and virtual fish tanks and other fun things. The parking garage looks like a castle. There are tv's in every waiting room that show kids movies all day (we watched Ratatouille this morning). I don't think I could ever work there though. It would be so hard to have to constantly see what these kids are going through. No six year old should know how to pronounce echo cardiogram . . . but mine does now. I'm trying to appreciate every normal day. Suddenly it doesn't matter as much if the kids want to help knead the bread and end up poking it and snitching handfuls to eat. I don't care if the dishes aren't done or if someone sees my house very messy. I haven't posted on here as much because I don't spend as much time on the computer. Wherever this ends up, I'm glad I'm appreciating my children more. I don't want to miss a minute of time I could have spent with them.
Here are a few pictures from this week ~
Kylie as "Batman"~
We baked bread on Monday. This is at least a weekly occurrence in our house as we all love homemade bread - especially during the winter when it's cold enough that homemade soups and breads are perfect dinners. Jack was the first to figure out that I was cooking and come running to help ~
Beth wasn't far behind ~
Of course, all 4 had to help knead at the same time :) ~
The bread turned out wonderfully!
We recently placed an order for dehydrated food to put in our emergency kits. We have our little tornado closet all set up and emergency kits in them, but the food in them left something to be desired and had to be replaced every year or so. The company we bought it from guarantees a 30+ year shelf life and you only have to add water to rehydrate it - most of the food doesn't even need to be heated. They only sold it in bulk orders though - the smallest being a month's supply - so we split it with three other families. The box arrived yesterday and after helping me sort the food into four sections, the kids apprehended the box :) First it was a car, then a house, then several other things. They finally managed to break through the bottom of the box and then it was a tunnel until it collapsed. They still jumped on it for a while, pretending it was a trampoline. Why do I spend money on toys??? :)
Megan did not go back to school on Monday. It's spring break - a bit ironic :) Anyway, we are enjoying having her home and having her feeling a bit better. She's been complaining that her stomach hurts and that she has a sort throat since last Thursday or Friday and last night she woke up around 11pm and came into our room because her legs and arms hurt. During the day she seems better though. Her temp hasn't gotten above 99.2 since last week. The past several days she has been eating a lot more, although she's starting to not eat as much as she had been. I don't know if that means that she's getting sick again or that she's just caught up from not feeling well. We had her abdominal ultrasound this morning. Her echo is tomorrow morning and afterward we are headed back to the dr.
We are definately becoming familiar with Cook's. They do a wonderful job at keeping things fun and interesting. The hallways are lined with pictures and virtual fish tanks and other fun things. The parking garage looks like a castle. There are tv's in every waiting room that show kids movies all day (we watched Ratatouille this morning). I don't think I could ever work there though. It would be so hard to have to constantly see what these kids are going through. No six year old should know how to pronounce echo cardiogram . . . but mine does now. I'm trying to appreciate every normal day. Suddenly it doesn't matter as much if the kids want to help knead the bread and end up poking it and snitching handfuls to eat. I don't care if the dishes aren't done or if someone sees my house very messy. I haven't posted on here as much because I don't spend as much time on the computer. Wherever this ends up, I'm glad I'm appreciating my children more. I don't want to miss a minute of time I could have spent with them.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
How Megan is Handling Things . . .
I've had several people ask me how Meg is dealing with all these tests. She is actually doing incredibly well :) The techs at Cooks (the children's hospital) are really good :) Meg says the blood tests barely hurt and one she didn't even feel. She hates it when doctors use tongue depressors (she once threw up because of one), but she has learned that as long as she opens her mouth really wide, they don't use one. At her last visit, Dr Eger (the Infectious Disease specialist) joked that she could see all the way down to Meg's kidneys because Megan opened her mouth so wide. I've tried to explain to her what each of the tests are and I tell her what she is going to get done so she doesn't have to worry that they are going to do something else. I'm not quite sure how to explain an echocardiogram to her as I've never had one. Can anyone tell me what they are like? I'm assuming they are similar to ultrasounds, but on your chest.
Megan's drs have been wonderful. Our pediatrician, Dr. Robert, calls us several times a week from his cell phone after he gets off work to see how she's doing, make sure he's gotten the latest test results, and answer any questions I have about them. All of the nurses and drs we have worked with at Cooks have been wonderful. The other night we decided to do a "family date" and asked the kids where they wanted to go. Megan asked to go to Cooks :) At least she's not dreading it!
I've worked hard to make sure she has things to do while we wait. We work on homework or read books. She and I are reading "Little House in the Big Woods" - the first book in the Little House on the Prairie series. She draws pictures and writes letters. Christy and Molly have both gotten her coloring and activity books to give her something new to do.
Along the lines of writing letters to people, Megan has now learned to send emails. She has sent them to several people and she and my grandmother email each other several times a day now :) I think I may end up setting up her own email account . . . :)
Megan's drs have been wonderful. Our pediatrician, Dr. Robert, calls us several times a week from his cell phone after he gets off work to see how she's doing, make sure he's gotten the latest test results, and answer any questions I have about them. All of the nurses and drs we have worked with at Cooks have been wonderful. The other night we decided to do a "family date" and asked the kids where they wanted to go. Megan asked to go to Cooks :) At least she's not dreading it!
I've worked hard to make sure she has things to do while we wait. We work on homework or read books. She and I are reading "Little House in the Big Woods" - the first book in the Little House on the Prairie series. She draws pictures and writes letters. Christy and Molly have both gotten her coloring and activity books to give her something new to do.
Along the lines of writing letters to people, Megan has now learned to send emails. She has sent them to several people and she and my grandmother email each other several times a day now :) I think I may end up setting up her own email account . . . :)
Dolphins and Stress
From my mother ~
Okay, read this very carefully, It totally works!
I am not exactly sure how it works, but this is amazingly accurate.
The picture below has 2 identical dolphins in it. It was used in a case study on stress levels at St. Mary's Hospital.
Look at both dolphins jumping out of the water. The dolphins are identical. A closely monitored, scientific study revealed that, in spite of the fact that the dolphins are identical; a person under stress would find differences in the two dolphins. The more differences a person finds between the dolphins, the more stress that person is experiencing.
Look at the photograph and if you find more than one or two differences you may want to take a holiday.
Okay, read this very carefully, It totally works!
I am not exactly sure how it works, but this is amazingly accurate.
The picture below has 2 identical dolphins in it. It was used in a case study on stress levels at St. Mary's Hospital.
Look at both dolphins jumping out of the water. The dolphins are identical. A closely monitored, scientific study revealed that, in spite of the fact that the dolphins are identical; a person under stress would find differences in the two dolphins. The more differences a person finds between the dolphins, the more stress that person is experiencing.
Look at the photograph and if you find more than one or two differences you may want to take a holiday.
Reality Check :)
Ok, the initial euphoria of the blood test results has worn off and we realize that the results don't mean that Megan's illness has floated off into oblivion. It does mean that she feels much better for the moment and it does give us some more clues as to what's going on with her.
A week ago, Megan's neutrophil count (that is a type of white blood cell) was 600. Normal is 1500-7000. When it hits 500 and below, your immune system is compromised to the point that you can get sick just from the bacteria that lives in your body naturally. Usually you don't see levels that low unless you are going through chemo. Yesterday her neutrophil count was almost 3000. From what I understand, your body produces a new batch of blood cells approximately every 21 days. Three weeks ago, Megan had about three days without a fever. It looks like her bone marrow is producing neutrophils like it's supposed to, but somehow they are dying or being destroyed by something after they are released into her body. Now we just have to verify that and then figure out why and how. The fever is probably only her body trying to fight off viruses that she has caught as soon as her neutrophil levels aren't high enough to stop her from getting sick. If this is the case (at this point, it's all conjecture as we only have the two sets of blood work to go off of), then abut every three weeks, we will have a few days where we can take Megan to public places and she won't get sick. We'll have to see what continued testing tells us about her. Hopefully we'll be able to figure it out and hopefully it's something that she can be treated for.
A week ago, Megan's neutrophil count (that is a type of white blood cell) was 600. Normal is 1500-7000. When it hits 500 and below, your immune system is compromised to the point that you can get sick just from the bacteria that lives in your body naturally. Usually you don't see levels that low unless you are going through chemo. Yesterday her neutrophil count was almost 3000. From what I understand, your body produces a new batch of blood cells approximately every 21 days. Three weeks ago, Megan had about three days without a fever. It looks like her bone marrow is producing neutrophils like it's supposed to, but somehow they are dying or being destroyed by something after they are released into her body. Now we just have to verify that and then figure out why and how. The fever is probably only her body trying to fight off viruses that she has caught as soon as her neutrophil levels aren't high enough to stop her from getting sick. If this is the case (at this point, it's all conjecture as we only have the two sets of blood work to go off of), then abut every three weeks, we will have a few days where we can take Megan to public places and she won't get sick. We'll have to see what continued testing tells us about her. Hopefully we'll be able to figure it out and hopefully it's something that she can be treated for.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Yesterday's Blood Test Results!!!
The nurse just called with the results from Megan's blood work yesterday. Her levels are all back to normal!!! Her SED rate had been 4 times the normal level (42) and it is down to 10 :) Her WBC had been 3.8, which is about half what it should be and it's now 6.7 :) Her neutrophil count had been 600 (normal is 1500) and it's now 2948!!! YAY!!! She never developed a fever last night - the first fever-free night in I don't know how long. She slept on the mat next to our bed and I kept leaning over and feeling her forehead because it felt so odd to not have it burning to the touch. She can go back to school on Monday as long as nothing changes over the weekend. They are still going to continue with the tests to try and figure out what happened as it may have been a flare up of a chronic condition (such as lupus or something like that), but at least she's feeling and doing so much better!!! That is such a relief :) :) :) She started complaining of a stomach ache last night and says her throat is "spiny", so we are keeping an eye on that and will make sure they don't get worse, but other than that, she is doing so much better!!! Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers!!! I'm sure each one helped :) I know it's not over yet, but I'm certainly enjoying this moment :)
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Castles and cupcakes
Megan's class at school did a unit on fairy tales that culminated in each student building a castle. As Meg has been home for several weeks now, she and I studied up on castles ourselves online. We even used Google maps to find the Tower of London on a satellite picture. We learned about moats and keeps and gatehouses. She built a wonderful castle and painted it orange with yellow spots and brown towers. The keep is striped red and purple. We had a lot of fun :) Rob dropped it off at school for us with her homework (I've been working with her at home so she keeps up with what her class is going over - her teacher has been wonderful :) ) and we were able to stop by for just a little bit during the open house so she could say hi to her teacher and see her castle on display with the other castles. Below is a shot of her with her finished masterpiece ~
Our friends have been such a support through this whole ordeal. The other night the doorbell rang and it was a friend with chocolate cupcakes that his wife made for us. All of us enjoyed them, but Jack managed to enjoy his to such an extent that frosting even ended up in his hair :)
Megan went back to Cook's today for her chest x-ray and more blood tests. We have appts next week (Wed.) for the echo and abdominal ultrasound. I'm gaining empathy for parents of seriously ill children. Rob and I are having a hard time with this. Some days I'm fine and able to look on the bright side of things and other days I feel like all I do is try to stop myself from being too scared to function. I think the waiting is the worst part. They run tests on Meg, then we have to wait and wait for the results. The tests don't give many answers, so we have to go to another dr appt, where we wait and wait and then they tell us what tests they're going to do next. I go home and try to figure out what all the new information means and then we go get more tests done. We come home and wait and wait for the results and the cycle starts again.
Fortunately we have an incredible support system. Even when I withdraw and ignore everyone, friends show up at our doorstep with dinner or call and leave messages or send emails letting me know they are there. Beca took me out for dinner and shopping on Saturday to give me a break (Rob got out later that night so he got a break too). Angela brought over dinner on Sunday. Jayneanne brought over dinner on Monday. Crysta sent over cupcakes and has spent hours on the phone with me. Laura (who is a nurse and works in a pediatrician's office) has spent countless hours (seriously hours and hours) helping me understand what the test results mean and helping me learn what I need to in order to make sure that Megan gets the care she needs. The primary president arranged for someone else to teach my class at church. Others from church have filled in for Rob or let us know to call them if we need anything. Rob's team at Fidelity is working with him so he can take off the days we need him home. Christy brought us dinner last night and took this afternoon off to watch the other kids while I took Meg in since Rob's taken off several days this week already. Her boss at Fidelity has told her he will make sure she gets time off when she needs it to help us out. He even put Megan's name on his church's prayer group list. Molly sent a care package with goodies for the kids. My parents have offered help in so many ways, even offering to pay for a plane ticket to fly someone down to help or if we can't find someone to drop everything and fly down themselves. Rob's parents have been such an emotional support for him and his mother is even considering coming down if we need her to. Kate has sent text messages and voice mails and called several times. Sus and Trav have done the same. Meg's teacher at school is working with us so she doesn't get behind in any area. The school secretary is doing what she can to make sure everything is documented so that the amount of school Megan is missing isn't a problem. That's not including any of the emails, calls, text messages and other ways people have let us know they care. While this is one of the hardest things I've ever gone through, we are so lucky to have so many wonderful people in our lives! Thank you to each of you :)
Our friends have been such a support through this whole ordeal. The other night the doorbell rang and it was a friend with chocolate cupcakes that his wife made for us. All of us enjoyed them, but Jack managed to enjoy his to such an extent that frosting even ended up in his hair :)
Megan went back to Cook's today for her chest x-ray and more blood tests. We have appts next week (Wed.) for the echo and abdominal ultrasound. I'm gaining empathy for parents of seriously ill children. Rob and I are having a hard time with this. Some days I'm fine and able to look on the bright side of things and other days I feel like all I do is try to stop myself from being too scared to function. I think the waiting is the worst part. They run tests on Meg, then we have to wait and wait for the results. The tests don't give many answers, so we have to go to another dr appt, where we wait and wait and then they tell us what tests they're going to do next. I go home and try to figure out what all the new information means and then we go get more tests done. We come home and wait and wait for the results and the cycle starts again.
Fortunately we have an incredible support system. Even when I withdraw and ignore everyone, friends show up at our doorstep with dinner or call and leave messages or send emails letting me know they are there. Beca took me out for dinner and shopping on Saturday to give me a break (Rob got out later that night so he got a break too). Angela brought over dinner on Sunday. Jayneanne brought over dinner on Monday. Crysta sent over cupcakes and has spent hours on the phone with me. Laura (who is a nurse and works in a pediatrician's office) has spent countless hours (seriously hours and hours) helping me understand what the test results mean and helping me learn what I need to in order to make sure that Megan gets the care she needs. The primary president arranged for someone else to teach my class at church. Others from church have filled in for Rob or let us know to call them if we need anything. Rob's team at Fidelity is working with him so he can take off the days we need him home. Christy brought us dinner last night and took this afternoon off to watch the other kids while I took Meg in since Rob's taken off several days this week already. Her boss at Fidelity has told her he will make sure she gets time off when she needs it to help us out. He even put Megan's name on his church's prayer group list. Molly sent a care package with goodies for the kids. My parents have offered help in so many ways, even offering to pay for a plane ticket to fly someone down to help or if we can't find someone to drop everything and fly down themselves. Rob's parents have been such an emotional support for him and his mother is even considering coming down if we need her to. Kate has sent text messages and voice mails and called several times. Sus and Trav have done the same. Meg's teacher at school is working with us so she doesn't get behind in any area. The school secretary is doing what she can to make sure everything is documented so that the amount of school Megan is missing isn't a problem. That's not including any of the emails, calls, text messages and other ways people have let us know they care. While this is one of the hardest things I've ever gone through, we are so lucky to have so many wonderful people in our lives! Thank you to each of you :)
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Meg's first appt with her specialist
Meg and I went to the infectious disease specialist at Cook's today. She did another physical exam and ordered several more tests. Since we got out of her office so late, the labs at Cook's were closed, so we are headed back tomorrow for another complete blood work up, chest x-rays, an abdominal ultrasound and an echo cardiogram. We did learn that her white blood cell count is actually on the low side, so the fever may not have anything to do with what she actually has - it may be that she's fighting a virus and can't fight it off as well as she should be able to.
I will update when we get those results back.
I will update when we get those results back.
Test results
All the tests they ran at Cook's on Friday came back negative. We now know she does not have mono (yes, they had run another test for mono, but this one is more accurate), cat scratch disease or brucellosis. Back to the hospital this afternoon . . . I will update as soon as we know anything else.
Monday, March 9, 2009
ABC's of Me
Megan was sitting on my lap reading with me as a read a friend's blog (yes, Wendy - that would be you :) ) and saw that she had typed "TAG, you're it!" at the bottom. She told me that meant I needed to do it now, so she is helping me :)
A
- Available: Not usually
- Age: 30
- Annoyance: People who are in college level classes and don't bother to proof-read their posts. While I often don't bother to capitalize comments when instant messaging someone and often make spelling errors, I at least check my classroom posts!
- Animals: 3 cats
- Actor: Don't really have a favorite. Maybe Brendan Frasier?
- Actress: Meg Ryan
B
- Best Friends: Rob, Laura, Leah, Justin, Beca, Crysta, Allison
- Blind or deaf: Neither
- Been in Love: Yes
- Been on stage: Not since college
- Believe in Ghosts/spirits: Yes - I lived in New England. I think anyone who has lived anywhere that has been around longer than 50 years probably believes in them.
C
- Candy: Toffee and chocolate - oh, and Haribo gummi bears
- Color: Blue
- Cried in school: Is there a female that hasn't?
- Chocolate/Vanilla: Usually chocolate
- Chinese/Mexican: Yum!
- Cake or pie: Depends on the day
- Country to visit: Italy
D
- Day or Night: Depends on the activity
- Dance in the rain: Always. And when it's not raining, I dance in the kitchen :)
E
- Eyes: Dark brown
- Everyone has: Skeletons in their closet (hence the reason I'm becoming a therapist) :)
F
- First crush: Not sure I remember that far back
- First thoughts waking up: Jack is awake or why isn't Jack awake?
- Food for thought: Live so you don't regret your birthdays :)
G
- Greatest Fear: Something happening to my children or Rob - and spiders I guess. Heights aren't great either . . .
- Giver or taker: Depends on the day. I think healthy people are both.
- Gum: Spearmint or Orbitz sweet mint.
- Get along with your parents: Usually ;)
H
- Hair Color: Dark brown with about 4 gray hairs
- Height: 5'10"
- Happy: Usually
- Holiday: Hmmm . . . Christmas I guess. Although I like them all.
- How do you want to die: When I'm old and have completed what I want to do and within minutes of Rob :)
I
- Ice Cream: Depends on the day - Dove has an incredible chocolate toffee one . . .
- Instrument: Voice - although I would love to be able to do more than pick out my part on the piano.
J
- Jewelry: Three rings - wedding set, great-g'ma's engagement setting with my birthstone and an anniversary band - and simple tiny gold hoops to keep my ear holes open.
- Job: Best in the world :) Mom :)
K
- Kids: 4 - 3 girls and a boy
- Kickboxing or karate: Neither, although I end up watching some kickboxing with Rob
- Keep a journal: I keep meaning to . . .
L
- Love: The most important thing in the world :)
- Laughed so hard you cried: Of course :)
- Love at first sight: No, it took about 24 hours
M
- Milk flavor: Chocolate
- Movie: Don't watch very many, but my favorites are When Harry Met Sally, La Vita e Bella, Amalie, and Down with Love
- Marriage: 11.5 years :)
- Motion sickness: No
- McD's or BK: BK if I have to choose between those two
N
- Number of Siblings: 4, plus 3 more through marriage and almost two more through marriage to sibilings (Q's wife and Brian so no one thinks I'm implying anything about anyone else)
- Number of Piercings: Each ear
O
- Overused Phrases: To reiterate again . . .
P
- Place you'd like to live: New England, NM, possibly some off-the-beaten-path town in Italy
- Pepsi/Coke: Virgils
Q
- Questionnaires: I like them :)
R
- Reason to cry: Do you need a reason? Since having kids it seems like I cry at commercials and songs on the radio.
- Reality T.V.: I like A&E and TLC and things like that - not the prime time realtiy shows
- Radio Station: Soft rock, country or oldies
- Roll your tongue in a circle: Yes
S
- Shoe size: 9
- Salad Dressing: Blue cheese or 1000 Island or vinagrette
- Slept outside: Yes, but my idea of camping is renting a fully furnished cabin with heat and central air.
- Seen a dead body: Yes
- Stuffed Animals: Gave all mine to my kids. They have too many though . . . I think they multiply when we're asleep
- Single/Group dates: Both can be fun depending on who you go with :)
- Strawberries/Blueberries: Yummy :)
T
- Time for bed: After the kids are asleep.
- Thunderstorms: I love them - one of my favorite parts of TX
- TV: Don't watch much.
- Touch your tongue to your nose: Yes
U
- Unpredictable: the stock market and the weather :)
V
- Vegetable you hate: I don't really like eggplant.
- Vacation spot: Beach
W
- Which one of your friends acts the most like you: Most of my friends are pretty different from me. I would think the most similar to me is probably Crysta
- Who makes you laugh the most: My kids and Rob
- Worst feeling: Knowing that something is wrong with your child and not being able to fix it
- Worst weather: Hot
X
-X-Rays: Several I think
Y
-Year it is now: 2009
-Yellow: ??? Daffodils?
Z
- Zoo animal: Meerkats
- Zodiac sign: Taurus I think? I really don't know
A
- Available: Not usually
- Age: 30
- Annoyance: People who are in college level classes and don't bother to proof-read their posts. While I often don't bother to capitalize comments when instant messaging someone and often make spelling errors, I at least check my classroom posts!
- Animals: 3 cats
- Actor: Don't really have a favorite. Maybe Brendan Frasier?
- Actress: Meg Ryan
B
- Best Friends: Rob, Laura, Leah, Justin, Beca, Crysta, Allison
- Blind or deaf: Neither
- Been in Love: Yes
- Been on stage: Not since college
- Believe in Ghosts/spirits: Yes - I lived in New England. I think anyone who has lived anywhere that has been around longer than 50 years probably believes in them.
C
- Candy: Toffee and chocolate - oh, and Haribo gummi bears
- Color: Blue
- Cried in school: Is there a female that hasn't?
- Chocolate/Vanilla: Usually chocolate
- Chinese/Mexican: Yum!
- Cake or pie: Depends on the day
- Country to visit: Italy
D
- Day or Night: Depends on the activity
- Dance in the rain: Always. And when it's not raining, I dance in the kitchen :)
E
- Eyes: Dark brown
- Everyone has: Skeletons in their closet (hence the reason I'm becoming a therapist) :)
F
- First crush: Not sure I remember that far back
- First thoughts waking up: Jack is awake or why isn't Jack awake?
- Food for thought: Live so you don't regret your birthdays :)
G
- Greatest Fear: Something happening to my children or Rob - and spiders I guess. Heights aren't great either . . .
- Giver or taker: Depends on the day. I think healthy people are both.
- Gum: Spearmint or Orbitz sweet mint.
- Get along with your parents: Usually ;)
H
- Hair Color: Dark brown with about 4 gray hairs
- Height: 5'10"
- Happy: Usually
- Holiday: Hmmm . . . Christmas I guess. Although I like them all.
- How do you want to die: When I'm old and have completed what I want to do and within minutes of Rob :)
I
- Ice Cream: Depends on the day - Dove has an incredible chocolate toffee one . . .
- Instrument: Voice - although I would love to be able to do more than pick out my part on the piano.
J
- Jewelry: Three rings - wedding set, great-g'ma's engagement setting with my birthstone and an anniversary band - and simple tiny gold hoops to keep my ear holes open.
- Job: Best in the world :) Mom :)
K
- Kids: 4 - 3 girls and a boy
- Kickboxing or karate: Neither, although I end up watching some kickboxing with Rob
- Keep a journal: I keep meaning to . . .
L
- Love: The most important thing in the world :)
- Laughed so hard you cried: Of course :)
- Love at first sight: No, it took about 24 hours
M
- Milk flavor: Chocolate
- Movie: Don't watch very many, but my favorites are When Harry Met Sally, La Vita e Bella, Amalie, and Down with Love
- Marriage: 11.5 years :)
- Motion sickness: No
- McD's or BK: BK if I have to choose between those two
N
- Number of Siblings: 4, plus 3 more through marriage and almost two more through marriage to sibilings (Q's wife and Brian so no one thinks I'm implying anything about anyone else)
- Number of Piercings: Each ear
O
- Overused Phrases: To reiterate again . . .
P
- Place you'd like to live: New England, NM, possibly some off-the-beaten-path town in Italy
- Pepsi/Coke: Virgils
Q
- Questionnaires: I like them :)
R
- Reason to cry: Do you need a reason? Since having kids it seems like I cry at commercials and songs on the radio.
- Reality T.V.: I like A&E and TLC and things like that - not the prime time realtiy shows
- Radio Station: Soft rock, country or oldies
- Roll your tongue in a circle: Yes
S
- Shoe size: 9
- Salad Dressing: Blue cheese or 1000 Island or vinagrette
- Slept outside: Yes, but my idea of camping is renting a fully furnished cabin with heat and central air.
- Seen a dead body: Yes
- Stuffed Animals: Gave all mine to my kids. They have too many though . . . I think they multiply when we're asleep
- Single/Group dates: Both can be fun depending on who you go with :)
- Strawberries/Blueberries: Yummy :)
T
- Time for bed: After the kids are asleep.
- Thunderstorms: I love them - one of my favorite parts of TX
- TV: Don't watch much.
- Touch your tongue to your nose: Yes
U
- Unpredictable: the stock market and the weather :)
V
- Vegetable you hate: I don't really like eggplant.
- Vacation spot: Beach
W
- Which one of your friends acts the most like you: Most of my friends are pretty different from me. I would think the most similar to me is probably Crysta
- Who makes you laugh the most: My kids and Rob
- Worst feeling: Knowing that something is wrong with your child and not being able to fix it
- Worst weather: Hot
X
-X-Rays: Several I think
Y
-Year it is now: 2009
-Yellow: ??? Daffodils?
Z
- Zoo animal: Meerkats
- Zodiac sign: Taurus I think? I really don't know
More Waiting
Some of the tests they ran take a while to develop apparently. They said they won't know anything more about Megan until probably Wednesday, so nothing new to report today.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
A few recent pictures
Kylie rocking out on Jack's guitar ~
Best buds :) ~
Megan helping Jack ride Kylie's bike around the dining room ~
Kylie leading the procession with her drum ~
Beth posing ~
All four kids with Megan's completed castle (a homework assignment - notice the "keep" and the "moat" and the "drawbridge") ~
Best buds :) ~
Megan helping Jack ride Kylie's bike around the dining room ~
Kylie leading the procession with her drum ~
Beth posing ~
All four kids with Megan's completed castle (a homework assignment - notice the "keep" and the "moat" and the "drawbridge") ~
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Megan
Megan has had a fever now for 25 days. We've tried several things to treat it, but none of them have made much difference. Her dr and Rob and I are stumped. Thursday night it spiked to 103.5 again and we decided that we really need to figure out what is going on. Yesterday we spent the morning in the pediatrician's office running a bazillion tests, the results of which pretty much just tell us that it is not leukemia, which is a good thing :) We spent the afternoon and evening at Cook's Childrens Hospital running more tests. Meg was such a trooper and didn't even cry when they took the blood for the blood work! I think the tech did an awesome job though, which really helped. We will not know anything else until Monday. They said it's good that she seems to be in perfect health other than the fever. They didn't make us spend the weekend in the hospital, but let us go home after all the tests were finished.
Thank you to everyone who has expressed concern. Honestly at this point, we are all just completely drained and so we are checking out for the weekend and turning off the phones and trying to just relax. I don't mean to ignore anyone and we really do feel blessed that we have so many friends that care so much about us :) We are just going to spend time with our kids and try not to worry until Monday morning. I will post updates on here as soon as I know anything. Thank you guys again for your thoughts and prayers - they mean a lot to us!
Thank you to everyone who has expressed concern. Honestly at this point, we are all just completely drained and so we are checking out for the weekend and turning off the phones and trying to just relax. I don't mean to ignore anyone and we really do feel blessed that we have so many friends that care so much about us :) We are just going to spend time with our kids and try not to worry until Monday morning. I will post updates on here as soon as I know anything. Thank you guys again for your thoughts and prayers - they mean a lot to us!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Through My Children's Eyes . . .
A friend sent this to me on Facebook and I thought it was an interesting and insightful look into how my children view me :)
1. What is something mom always says to you?
Megan ~ to do jobs
Kylie ~ clean up
Beth ~ to not pull my pants off
2. What makes mom happy?
Megan ~ gaving her a hug and a card
Kylie ~ us making a picture for her
Beth ~ having a mommy date
3. What makes mom sad?
Megan ~ not going to sleep on time
Kylie ~ not cleaning up
Beth ~ biting her
4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Megan ~ tickle me
Kylie ~ tickle me
Beth ~ make silly faces, actually I have two parts - tickle me and I don't know
5. What was your mom like as a child?
Megan ~ just right
Kylie ~ getting candy
Beth ~ little
6. How old is your mom?
Megan ~ 30
Kylie ~ 51
Beth ~ Kiki's age
7. How tall is your mom?
Megan ~ medium
Kylie ~ 51
Beth ~ very tall
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Megan ~ gaving hugs
Kylie ~ help us
Beth ~ clean up
9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Megan ~ sleep and rest
Kylie ~ try to catch me
Beth ~ stop
10. If your mom is on TV for something, what will it be for? (I don't think they understood the question)
Megan ~ to see what's new
Kylie ~ watching a movie
Beth ~ cut up (???)
11. What is your mom really good at?
Megan ~ putting in my password for webkinz
Kylie ~ going on the computer
Beth ~ swinging
12. What is your mom not very good at?
Megan ~ waking up in the morning
Kylie ~ watching tv with us
Beth ~ clean up
13. What does your mom do for her job?
Megan ~ to take care of us
Kylie ~ to make dinner
Beth ~ clean up (I'm seeing a trend here . . .)
14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Megan ~ soup
Kylie ~ sandwich
Beth ~ macaroni and cheese
15. What makes you proud of your mom?
Megan ~ having a family
Kylie ~ she reads books
Beth ~ I don't know
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Megan ~ Rapunzel
Kylie ~ a ballerina
Beth ~ Frosty the Snowman
17. What do you and your mom do together?
Megan ~ mommy dates
Kylie ~ make dinner
Beth ~ pull (??? - I asked her to elaborate and she shrugged her shoulders and repeated "pull")
18. How are you and your mom the same?
Megan ~ we have two freckles
Kylie ~ we have long hair
Beth ~ we are both pink
19. How are you and your mom different?
Megan ~ we don't have the same color hair
Kylie ~ not draw the same pictures
Beth ~ butterflies
20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Megan ~ because you're our mom
Kylie ~ because we're a family
Beth ~ cause me have shoesies
21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? (The two who gave answers listed their favorite restaurants)
Megan ~ Chili's
Kylie ~ IHOP
Beth ~ I don't know
A picture I took of the kids with my new cell phone to use as my wallpaper ~
1. What is something mom always says to you?
Megan ~ to do jobs
Kylie ~ clean up
Beth ~ to not pull my pants off
2. What makes mom happy?
Megan ~ gaving her a hug and a card
Kylie ~ us making a picture for her
Beth ~ having a mommy date
3. What makes mom sad?
Megan ~ not going to sleep on time
Kylie ~ not cleaning up
Beth ~ biting her
4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Megan ~ tickle me
Kylie ~ tickle me
Beth ~ make silly faces, actually I have two parts - tickle me and I don't know
5. What was your mom like as a child?
Megan ~ just right
Kylie ~ getting candy
Beth ~ little
6. How old is your mom?
Megan ~ 30
Kylie ~ 51
Beth ~ Kiki's age
7. How tall is your mom?
Megan ~ medium
Kylie ~ 51
Beth ~ very tall
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Megan ~ gaving hugs
Kylie ~ help us
Beth ~ clean up
9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Megan ~ sleep and rest
Kylie ~ try to catch me
Beth ~ stop
10. If your mom is on TV for something, what will it be for? (I don't think they understood the question)
Megan ~ to see what's new
Kylie ~ watching a movie
Beth ~ cut up (???)
11. What is your mom really good at?
Megan ~ putting in my password for webkinz
Kylie ~ going on the computer
Beth ~ swinging
12. What is your mom not very good at?
Megan ~ waking up in the morning
Kylie ~ watching tv with us
Beth ~ clean up
13. What does your mom do for her job?
Megan ~ to take care of us
Kylie ~ to make dinner
Beth ~ clean up (I'm seeing a trend here . . .)
14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Megan ~ soup
Kylie ~ sandwich
Beth ~ macaroni and cheese
15. What makes you proud of your mom?
Megan ~ having a family
Kylie ~ she reads books
Beth ~ I don't know
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Megan ~ Rapunzel
Kylie ~ a ballerina
Beth ~ Frosty the Snowman
17. What do you and your mom do together?
Megan ~ mommy dates
Kylie ~ make dinner
Beth ~ pull (??? - I asked her to elaborate and she shrugged her shoulders and repeated "pull")
18. How are you and your mom the same?
Megan ~ we have two freckles
Kylie ~ we have long hair
Beth ~ we are both pink
19. How are you and your mom different?
Megan ~ we don't have the same color hair
Kylie ~ not draw the same pictures
Beth ~ butterflies
20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Megan ~ because you're our mom
Kylie ~ because we're a family
Beth ~ cause me have shoesies
21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? (The two who gave answers listed their favorite restaurants)
Megan ~ Chili's
Kylie ~ IHOP
Beth ~ I don't know
A picture I took of the kids with my new cell phone to use as my wallpaper ~
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Webkinz
For those of you not familiar with Webkinz, they are stuffed animals that come with a code on their tag. When you go to the webkinz site and enter the code, you get a animated version of your stuffed animal that you can feed and care for. You can buy things for them at the store after earning money in various ways, such as answering quiz questions correctly or playing an online game.
Megan was given a webkinz (a platypus) for her 5th birthday. It took me a while to actually get online and show her what she could do with it, but now it is a favorite pastime of all the kids to either participate in or watch. I love how all four cluster around the computer, each giving suggestions or support.
Here are a few photos the kids took after I took the above picture (by the way, Beth is dressed up as Superman Girl) ~
We are taking it easy today. Megan still has a fever, so we'll have to take her back to the dr tomorrow. We didn't go to church as we don't want to pass the fever around to other families and we don't want to expose our kids to other bugs since Meg's immune system is obviously down at the moment. We've just hung out around the house. Rob read to Megan in Portuguese; Kylie cuddled with me. Jack napped and Beth played. Rob is taking a nap now (he let me take one this morning), the three girls have built a "castle" out of blocks in the kitchen and are playing with it. I love listening to the conversations they come up with! Jack has been cuddling with me, but he just decided to join the girls. I have a chicken roasting in the oven and the smell is starting to spread through the house. It's freezing outside (down in the 30's last night - where did spring go?), so no open windows or anything like that. I try to appreciate days like these and take full advantage of them. I think we'll have to make cookies for Family Home Evening tonight :) Maybe we'll change the decorations in the window too - our hearts from Valentine's Day are still up.
Megan was given a webkinz (a platypus) for her 5th birthday. It took me a while to actually get online and show her what she could do with it, but now it is a favorite pastime of all the kids to either participate in or watch. I love how all four cluster around the computer, each giving suggestions or support.
Here are a few photos the kids took after I took the above picture (by the way, Beth is dressed up as Superman Girl) ~
We are taking it easy today. Megan still has a fever, so we'll have to take her back to the dr tomorrow. We didn't go to church as we don't want to pass the fever around to other families and we don't want to expose our kids to other bugs since Meg's immune system is obviously down at the moment. We've just hung out around the house. Rob read to Megan in Portuguese; Kylie cuddled with me. Jack napped and Beth played. Rob is taking a nap now (he let me take one this morning), the three girls have built a "castle" out of blocks in the kitchen and are playing with it. I love listening to the conversations they come up with! Jack has been cuddling with me, but he just decided to join the girls. I have a chicken roasting in the oven and the smell is starting to spread through the house. It's freezing outside (down in the 30's last night - where did spring go?), so no open windows or anything like that. I try to appreciate days like these and take full advantage of them. I think we'll have to make cookies for Family Home Evening tonight :) Maybe we'll change the decorations in the window too - our hearts from Valentine's Day are still up.
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