Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone!!!

We have so many things to be thankful for this year. We are in such a different place than 1 year ago.

Wishing everyone a very happy Thanksgiving!!

XOXOXO

MRI - 1 year ago

WOW.....it was 1 year ago today that Char and I took Anderson to the hospital for his MRI. Only to find out what our future would hold.......

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Anderson's Update

This was from Anderson's 1st day of school. He was so ready that morning. I just downloaded the pics off my camera....and found this one. LOVE IT!! Had to share.

Can't say school has been as great as the 1st day. In fact, we have only been back 2 times.

A's first day was wonderful....his 2nd day going they told me he cried for the 3.5 hours. The 3rd day I told them to not let him cry that long, to call me...they called after 2 hours of crying. But, during these days we know he was fighting ear infections...so, we are cutting the kid a break.

I have not sent him back since his surgery b/c he has been having a few MINOR side effects from surgery. He had a low grade fever (never over 101), and he has a runny nose and will not swallow his saliva. He will swallow his juice/milk, his appetite is "okay"...but you can tell the adenoids were bothering him. The nurses called and told us this is all "normal" things to happen after removing the adenoids. So, we have kept him home from school this week. His immune system is down, and still is not "himself". So, we will try again after Thanksgiving.

Hoping school goes better then! :)

More to update tmr on Anderson....too tired right now. We saw an ortho doctor today, I talked to my hematologist and got a referral to take him to a pediatric one, and also got told by the ortho that we need to take Anderson in to check something on his head.....

Again, will try to update tmr. Long story and too tired to type out tonight :)

good night!

Contractions - Ummmm...how did they start?



So, 2 weeks ago tonight.....I went to Madonna....

Yes, that is Madonna!! 4 friends and I drove to the concert....well, I drove b.c I am prego, I was DD. I have traveled for Madonna b/4 and I have been prego at her last 3 concerts. So, I was not worried about traveling for this one (heck, I was not as far long this time as I was with Ryan and Anderson).....I had been there, done that. I was only 25 weeks for this concert.

We drove there...took us 4 hours to get there. It was CRAZY traffic. Took 2 hours to drive 1.8 miles. AHHHH, we were pulling out our hair (and about to pee in our pants!) But, we got there...and in plenty of time b/c she did not start for about 2.5 hours later than the time on the ticket.

It was GREAT. My friend, Lyna and I sat together, the other 3 girls were in a different area (long story, could not get all seats together). So, Lyna and I are in these "box" seats close to the floor. We have a little table in our "box". I MIGHT have been dancing on the table during the concert for almost 2 hours....MIGHT have been. (As Lyna is yelling at me I am going to fall and go into labor :)...yes, Char she was watching out for me!)

Anyway, Madonna had told the crowd she could not see us b/c of a staging malfunction....and she wanted to see her fans. She said #$^%^&*@ the men/women in the yellow jackets (security) and COME to me, COME to my stage....so....people were running to the stage. I DID wait until the mad rush ran...then, YES, Lyna and I jumped the fence to the floor...again, I WAS DRAGGING Lyna, she did not want me doing it :).....but, we got about 100 ft from her stage. It was amazing!

FUN night.

Next morning...woke up to 2 peanuts in my face (Char out of town)......MOMMY, how was the concert?? Mommy, tell my EVERY song Madonna sang (my kids MIGHT know a few of them!) It was 6 AM, I fell into bed at 2 AM. The day started...and opppsss..what was that? A contraction. OH, GReat.

Get Kaitlyn to school, Ryan to school, Anderson to therapy....contractions thru all of this. Home from therapy...have 4 contractions in a 1/2 hour time frame. Okay, getting nervous and call the doctor. Charlie is now on a plane back from NYC and has no idea. My doc tells me to get a babysitter ASAP and get in bed!

With the kindness of 2 sitters, I can cover the time until Char gets home....and with the kindness of 2 friends...Bridgit picked up Ryan, and Mary picked up Kaitlyn...I was in bed. My contractions slowed down to every 10 minutes, then every 15 minutes, and so we did not go to the hospital (despite) my doctor's orders. (Sorry, doc...hate hospitals and hate drugs!!) We were managing this on our own.

Saturday, felt great...but stayed in bed. But, took a drive for Kaitlyn to the American Girl Doll store to pick out her bday present. I felt fine.

Sunday, felt good.....stayed in bed until K's bday party. Did not feel the greatest at her party.

Monday, my doctor wants to see me b.c of the Friday incidence. Not so great going to my doctor's, more contractions. My doc was MAD at me b/c I did not listen to her instructions and go to the hospital on Friday. I can't blame her for being mad, but I HATE drugs. She made me promise I would listen go forward.

Monday night...start contracting again. Okay...WHAT is going on. I am okay on Saturday at American Girl, I am okay Monday morning doing morning routine stuff...what happened Sunday night and Monday on the way to the OB? Guess what....wore my Seven Maternity Jeans. YEP. They are TIGHT around my incision and on my lower uterus.

Now, I think it was TOO much Madonna....6 hours in the car, and 2 hours dancing...too much. My theory....got my contractions going (which TENDS to happen to me when I overdo something). Then, my "cool" jeans I wore Sunday and Monday......just irritated my uterus that was already irritated and was starting them back up.

I KID you not when I tell you that I have been in YOGA pants since then...and NO contractions. NO kidding. Okay, maybe 1 here or there...and I can tell when I have been holding Anderson too long b.c they will start to kick in...but SO much better!!!

WHEW. Madonna....you did me in this year, but it was a BLAST!! Thanks girls!!

I missed my dear dear friend at this concert. Kristen has been with me at the last 3 Madonna concerts. For reasons, sadly, Kristen could not make it....we were both sad. Missed you girl!

Sorry so long


since my last post......for those of you that know where we live....you know we had a VERY VERY VERY busy weekend around here. We are doing great now. Charlie was at school and came home early from school.....and as a result of this weekend......Kaitlyn did not have school ALL week. I can't say that I am upset by this by ANY means! :) HA! I LOVe LOVE LOVE having my daughter home with me.....it is the BEST!!!

This picture was taken from the balcony off the 2nd floor Master in our home.

We feel very blessed after this weekend, that is for sure!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Home Resting

Anderson has been resting now for 2.5 hours. He was happy to be home.

The surgery went great. The ENT said there was a lot of fluid behind his ears, and his adenoids were in fact too big. So, the surgery was a success. Anderson was in recovery a little longer than we expected, but he had a few problems getting the breathing tube out (from the adenoids) and other complications from the adenoids.....but all "typical" things that can happen...and he was our little warrior. He did great.

Hoping he wakes up not so "dizzy"....all the medications (anesthesia, muscle relaxers, and pain meds) were making him wozy....made me nervous he was going to fall and crack his head!

Anderson is doing great. Poor little guys has been thru so much in 28 months.....2 MRI's, 2 ear tube surgeries, and 1 brain surgery. When they asked us if he ever had anesthesia....we just smiled at ech other....uhhhh, YES, this would be his 5th time! GULP! Lets hope the LAST!! :)

Ear Surgery - 4:15 AM

Good morning....It is EARLY in the morning here....we need to be at the hospital at 5 AM, as Anderson is the 1st surgery of the day at 6 AM. We should be on our way home around 7 AM....

We have a babysitter here (she spent the night).....she will stay with Anderson while I drive the other kiddos to school (Charlie is in class today...he will be at surgery with me, but will leave for class straight from surgery....)


Keep you posted......

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Ears and my Boys

As many of you know....our boys have BAD ears......not just in the fact they don't listen all the time...ha!!! They get many many many infections. Ryan as a baby had infection after infection. Finally at 18 months and MANY doses of RX, our ped told us he was still not ready to see an ENT. We took him anyway (sorry ped...yes, I changed peds).....The ENT recommended surgery. The results from this ear tube surgery in 03/06....was incredible. The ENT said it was the worse ear he had seen in 25 years of practice (thank you ped VERY much...told you!)....and Ryan was ear infection free for over 1 year. In addition, it was as if God came to us that morning and dropped an ANGEL in our lap....his temperament changed completely...he was so calm, so happy, so relaxed...he was no longer in pain. He had approx 4 words prior to surgery (at age 18 months)....they were ma, ma..da, da...dog...ball. Two weeks post-op....he had over 20 words...and I AM NOT KIDDING!!!

Then...Anderson was born. At 4 months of age, Anderson started to get ear infections. At 8 months of age, ENT put ear tubes in Anderson's ears. From age 4-8 months...Anderson never slept more than 30-90 minutes at a time during the night. The night he had surgery, he slept for 6 hours consecutive....the next night, 8 hours, then 10, etc. It was AMAZING! What a difference!

Ryan's ear tubes fell out after 12 months for 1 ear and then 18 months for the other ear. Just in time for last winter (2007-2008 winter). Guess what....more infections for Ryan....every cold/sinus infection.....an ear infection. So, end of Feb. 2008 (remember....1 week b/4 Anderson's brain surgery)....Ryan had ear tube surgery #2. Our ENT told us that a 2nd set of tubes happens in only 5% of patients. Yep, it was us. Now.....9 months later...NO problems for Ryan!

Okay...Anderson's 1 tube fell out during the summer. The 2nd tube was still in his ear and not functioning. In August 2008.....Anderson had an ear infection. In September....he had fluid in his ear....In October...he had fluid....it cleared up. Anderson was still grumpy last week, so I took him to the ENT. Guess what...the tube was still in his 1 ear and had started to have granulated tissue grow around it adhering it to the eardrum.

So, last week....the ENT had to pull that tube out while we were in his office. The nurse held Anderson's head, while I held his hands....Anderson SCREAMED!!! The ENT had to scrape the tissue off, pull at the tube, scrape more off, then pulled the tube out...all the while...Anderson had NO anesthesia and NO numbing agent. Poor honey. I felt SO bad for him. But, the ENT said that the granulated tissue was painful and could be causing Anderson problems.

This past Tuesday, Anderson came out of PT...his therapist that has seen him since he was 3 months old came out and said, "What happened to my little Anderson, he DOES NOT seem like Anderson today". That was it.....Charlie had said that over the weekend Anderson was a WRECK (long story where I was...that is for another post another time!). So, I called the ENT and said I am across the street may I come in? They said yes....(The ENT has told his office staff if Mrs. "M" calls.....GET her an appt :)....I KNOW when my boys have ear infections by now...trust me!) In to the office we go immediately following therapy......

YEP, you got it!! Anderson has fluid in his ear. SO....Aug, Sept, Oct and Nov. ENT said...time for ear tube #2 for Anderson and take out his adenoids (sp?)..automatic take those out in surgery #2....Ryan did too.

Surgery is scheduled for this Friday at 6 AM. We are happy for Anderson b/c he will feel better. He has not been himself for the past 4 months...poor honey. Plus, with his speech delay, the ENT and we feel that we can not RISK ANY REASON for him not to be speaking.

We are said that Anderson will have his 3rd surgery in 28 months on Friday. But, somehow this tube surgery that will take 15 minutes seems SO EASY compared to March's brain surgery that was 5 hours!

We are happy that BOTH our boys will have tubes for this winter season....hoping that means no ear problems for the 1st winter in the past 4 winters!

Our ENT asked me when our baby was due, I told him February...he asked if I knew the gender....I told him NO, but if I have a BOY, I am SURE it will become a patient of his by the time it is 3 months old!! :)

Monday, November 10, 2008

Happy 6th Birthday Kaitlyn!!


I can't believe you are 6 years old today. You are the sweetest little girl I know!! You melt our hearts Kaitlyn!! We love you!!!

Saturday, November 8, 2008

PHOTO - TAG


I was tagged a few days ago by my friend, Michelle. I am suppose to post the 6th picture from the 6th photo album on my computer and name the picture. Well, here you go....this is from April 2006. Kaitlyn was trying on her Christmas dress in the Spring time b/c she loved it and was posing for me. Kaitlyn insisted I take a picture of her. So cute!!!

So, now I get to tag my friends.....

  1. Amanda - who I will not publish her blog b/c she keeps hers private :)
  2. Kristen - http://four4now.blogspot.com/
  3. Jen - http://meetmaximus.blogspot.com/
  4. Sara - http://myleegrace2006.blogspot.com/

ENJOY!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary Charlie!! 9 glorious years......thank you!

Cheers! I Love you!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Marry Me

I HAD to write this one out from today....

7:30 AM -

Me (to the 3 kids): Kids, thanks for getting ready for school this AM. You were all very good listeners...you worked as a team and got ready 5 minutes early for school. I appreciate you working hard this AM since Daddy is out of town.

Me (again): Do you know what tmr is?

Kids: No, what?

Me: Mommy and Daddy's anniversary....

Kids: What does that mean?

Me: Mommy and Daddy were married 9 years ago tmr.

RYAN: (teary and heartbroken): But, Mommy, I WANTED TO MARRY YOU....!!

Me: Oh, honey, of course you can still marry me!! :)

RYAN: Okay.

FEW MINUTES PASS......

RYAN: Mommy, how old do I need to be to marry YOU?

Me: Ummmm, let me think....I think 3.

RYAN: But, I am 4....that is more than 3....does that mean I can marry you?

Me: Yep, you got it!

FEW MINUTES PASS......

RYAN: I would like to marry you on "Wednesday". When is Wednesday?

Me: Today is Wednesday, Ryan.

RYAN: GOODY....WE CAN GET MARRIED TODAY!!!

**Tonight at dinner.....my Mom and I were talking, I am telling her the sweet story above....Ryan then says: Mommy, I guess I will need to wear a ring once we get married...that's what married people do!! :)

HUGS to my sweet sweet boy!!

Monday, November 3, 2008

8 months to the day.....

Yes, it has been 8 months to the day since Anderson's brain surgery. Can you believe it?? WOW...how things have changed for the better in the last 8 months.

AND...today was REALLY exciting b/c Anderson started SCHOOL!!! Yes, SCHOOL!!! A few weeks ago, Anderson's speech therapist approached me and said she felt that Anderson would benefit from being around"typical" 2 year old children. The hope would be he would mimic/imitate their behavior and their speech!! The therapist also felt that Anderson's play skills and receptive language skills were ready. So, you know me....I was on the phone 2 hours later with 6 different schools trying to find the BEST match.

I found one....I felt like I hit the jackpot when I found this school. It is a "sister" school to Ryan's preschool. If I could...I would send Anderson to Ryan's preschool, but they only take 3 year olds and potty trained (which Ander is neither!). So, I went to the sister school that has same teaching philosophy, same discipline, etc....but they take 2 year olds and not potty trained! YAHOO!!!

I went for a tour...and golly, it was WONDERFUL!! Everything was "Anderson's size".....minituare. PERFECT! The jungle gym, the picnic table, the school tables, the chairs, potty, sink...everything. the play equipment is a big one for us b/c Anderson can' t have any high falls....and you would NOT believe the size of some of the play equipment in these toddler programs :) I am sure that is not a "Typical" concern for most parents, but it is a BIG one for us! This school....had JUST the perfect size everything!

MOST importantly....during our tour....Anderson JUMPED right in and played with the kids. He was hanging out with the class like he had been there for the past 3 months. IT made me cry. Char and I NEVER dreamt it would be possible for Anderson to attend a "typical" school...we were assuming he would go to a special needs school (which he could still end up in one eventually)...but for now...we are THRILLED at the possiblity of him being integrated with typical 2 year old children.

Anderson will go 2 times a week for about 3.5 hours. This is IN ADDITION to his 5 hours of individual therapy at Children's. So.....lots of work for Anderson!

Today was Anderson's 1st day at his new school. HE LOVED IT!! He had NO problem leaving me (which we assumed....) b/c at therapy I do not go with him. Charlie came with me to drop him off this AM...and Char could NOT get over how "perfect" the school was for Anderson! HA!! He said...no wonder you called me 20 times asking if you could turn in the deposit b/c you found "THE" school! It was a school made just for little Anderson!

When I picked Ander's up from school today....he was sitting at the table, having lunch just like all of the other 2 year old kiddos. He came RUNNING over to me and gave me the biggest, sweetest hug! I picked him up and he let out the BIGGEST yawn :) I took that as success!

The teachers said he did wonderful...no tears the whole day. They said he did great walking to the main gym for an assembly. The "lizard" guy came to school today to share some of his reptiles. Anderson walked to the assembly holding the teacher's hand (never does that for me!)...and he did "2 finger gentle" to the turtle and loved every bit of it according to the teacher. I had a hard time believing he did not run up on stage and try to rip the snake out of the lizard man's hands! HA!! I was so happy for Anderson. The teachers also said....he is QUITE a big eater. Yep...that is my Anderson, he eats more than Kaitlyn and Ryan combined! :) No kidding!

What an amazing day!! I was so proud of Anderson and I am so very very very happy for him!!

PS - I will post pictures tmr. I am TIRED tonight!! Plus, I have more to post....we had a busy weekend..Mima and Popo were here for a visit and we had Halloween. I will try to post more tmr night!