Ryan learned to

Yahoo! I taught Ryan and Kaitlyn to blow bubbles with their chewing gum....such a necessity in life :) I got a picture of Ryan...still working on Kaitlyn's bubble picture...to be continued!

We were on vacation for the past week...I will need to post about that later...when I am not chasing Anderson around and he is napping. We had a great time!

Had to happen

at some point...

Yes, this was in the cards...for sure.....

Last Friday, we (meaning Kaitlyn, Ryan, Anna, and I) took Anderson to therapy. Yes, EVERYBODY...it was Spring Break! Dropped Anderson off with the therapist, we had 2 hours to pass by. We had breakfast in the hospital, we played games, we talked, it was nice to have my "big kids" around to hang out with....

As a bribe...(yes, I said bribe)....When I have JUST Ryan on Tuesdays, I let Ryan pick out candy at the end of the 2 hours of therapy in the hospital gift shop. It is my "tool"...if he starts to act up...guess what I take away....the piece of candy from the gift shop. They have those 5 cent and 10 cent single pieces of candy that Ryan thinks are the "bomb"! Today, Kaitlyn gets to enjoy this treat!

Well, this particular Friday, Kaitlyn and Ryan want to wait for Anderson to pick out their candy (We usually make it part of our "time killer" in the 2 hours). We go to gift shop, I hold Anderson (yes, 32 lbs)...pushing Anna while K and R pick out their candy (well deserved...they were GREAT at therapy).

Next, as always, we take off our badges and we use the anti-bacterial hand solution as we walk at the door. Ryan puts his candy in his pocket to "wash" his hands.

We are walking to the car when....I hear...BANG! I turn around...Ryan has walked straight into a metal pole. WHAT? Are you kidding me? You have to be okay. I hug him...you okay little buddy. I move his hair off the front of his head. YIKES!!!!! A HUGE, I aM TALKING...HUGE!!!! BUMP the color of a BLUEBERRY sticking out from his head only 20 seconds after the BANG! Okay...what were you doing. He says, "Getting my candy out of my pocket! "

Back into the hospital....all 4 of them, Anderson still in my arms. ( MY back hurts thinking back to this story!) I go to the front desk where the check in girl knows us. I told her what happened and asked if they had ice. She said she would go get some for us. (THANK YOU, did not want to drag my 4 kids any further into the hospital).

The ice comes...Anderson is screaming b/c he is tired from therapy. Ryan puts the ice on his head, my friend who brought the ice sees the damage and says, OH MY, I think you need to go the the ER. I need to call triage for you, I will be back.

Oh great.

Then, a director of the hospital walks in, she sees the "Craziness" and hears Anderson. So, she comes over. She takes a look at Ryan's head. She says to me..."I can't make you go to the ER, but I would ADVISE you to go." Oh brother.

My friend comes back...she says, "I talked to triage, we can't make you go over the ER, but they would recommend you going. But, since your son did get hurt on our property, regardless of your decision, you have to wait for security to come and file a report." ARE YOU SERIOUS?

So, the security guard comes...again, someone that recognizes me. He says, "OH, No...not YOU!" HA!

He looks at Ryan's head (which is now 20 minutes after the BANG)...looks TONS better. I am not just saying this, really...has had ice now for 10 minutes, it is looking GOOD compared. He comments what a good job Ryan did on it, etc. He takes a pic of Ryan and his bump, asks a lot of questions (phone number, address)...Ryan can answer all of these. SO, I am feeling like he is doing okay. (Have I mentioned that Anderson is STILL screaming?)

The security guard finishes up, says to me..."Has anyone talked to you about going to the ER?" I tell him yes. He asks if he can help me. I told him I thought I would call the pediatrician from the car. Security guard said to me..."based on your son's alertness, and the "Crew" of kids you have...and your experience...off the record...that sounds GREAT!" HA!!

So...we leave...the security guard tells Ryan to watch where he is walking :) and we leave.

We made it to the car finally! WHEW! Called the ped...got the "signs to watch for"....and all is well. Ryan finally "dug that candy" out of his pocket and he was good to go.

It was going to happen at some point...2.5 years later, dragging MULTIPLE children down to the hospital...something HAD to happen at some point.

It was quite the crack up!

We saw the security guard again today while we were having breakfast...he came over to "check on" the kids. IT was so sweet of him! He told Ryan again to keep his chin up and watch where he walks :)

Good advice for all of us...keep your chin up!

You know you are a Mom

When.....

you look down at your arm and see "dried" green snot on it...and you have no idea how it got there. Last time you checked, 1) you did not have a runny nose and 2) you typically find a tissue when in need to blow your nose.

Wonder which little one left that present behind for Mom......

NICE!

PS - Did I mention it is sad that the snot was DRIED b/4 I noticed?? Does that tell you I am busy or what? I know...GROSS!

SOOO LONG!

Oh my!! I can't believe how much time has passed since my last post. So embarrassing!

Life is great, just super super busy with 4 children....6 and under, and oh, did I mention that one has special needs. I can't COUNT how many people say to me, "boy, you've got your hands full". But, let me tell you....as an old man (lets say a great grandpa looking guy working the train at the zoo) once said to me...."bet you are the best busy you will ever be". CLASSIC!!! LOVE that grandpa's comments!! He is SO right...the BEST BUSY I will ever be. People ask me how I do it....one day at a time with a smile. I LOVE IT! Yes, I have hard days, but life is good...and so much to be thankful for.....we are truly blessed...now to some posts....

School District

Yesterday was Anderson's big day with the school district. The meeting was at 9AM on Thursday. Charlie ran into work first thing in the AM, to check in with work and pull together a packet for us to present. He put a cover page with a picture of Anderson, a table of contents, label pages for the info in the packet...he did such a great job. My Aunt and I had printed copies of Anderson's "Chiari" MRI and printed a copy of my MRI of a "normal brain"...well, lets say mine is normal at least anatomically :) hA! Anyway, it is an amazing visual for someone to physically SEE what is wrong with Anderson's brain.

We decide to take Ryan with us b/c Anna has to come (since she is nursing every 2 hours)...and they wanted to meet Anderson. So, we were not going to get a sitter for Ryan. The boys and I stop at Star*bucks on our way over to the school. We pull up to the special education school....wait for Charlie.

As I am sitting there, I just start crying. I CAN'T believe I am sitting in this parking lot. I can't believe the knots in my stomach as I walk into this school for special needs children, I can't believe I have to go into this school and discuss MY special needs child with a school psychologist who has probably never heard of Chiari and probably can't spell it! AHH!!!

Charlie pulls up, comes up to my window, gives me a kiss and he can tell I am in tears. He asks me what is wrong. I try to say b/w my tears that I can't believe I am here, I can't believe we are doing this, I DO NOT WANT to be here....and he said, what do you mean, you do not want to be here. I told him, we have to be here, but I DO NOT want to be here. All I could think about was wishing I was at the zoo with the boys, or at the park with them getting ready to go run and play...and for Anderson to yell...MOMMY across the playground, WATCH THIS. Instead, I am getting ready to go into a room with my son's case worker and a school psychiatrist to "fight" for the BEST possible education we can get our son at this point who can't even utter 1 word that a stranger can understand.

WOW, what a hard day it was yesterday.

In the end...the meeting was great. I felt great when I left. The school psychologist was wonderful, intelligent and sweet. I felt that she "listened" to us, and is going to do her best to help Anderson. Felt like we had a partner...but, this is only meeting #1 :) I am cautiously optimistic at this point.

We shall see....they will do 6 assessments on Anderson in 2 - 45 minute sessions (now, you tell me....think that is going to work....1.5 hours to determine in 6 different areas where he should be placed?). Anyway, we are trying to "trust the system" and see what happens......

Big Week at our home.

Sorry for the delay in posts...I usually post at night when all the kids are asleep...with a newborn baby, it is a bit harder...I tend to go to bed WITH the kids :) HA!!

But, I had to write about the week we had the week of March 9th!

It was a great week at our home.

Ryan was line leader at school (which, when you are 3...is a BIG deal!!) He was line leader and got to bring in a share item to school on Friday. He loved it.

Anderson said 3 words at therapy...YES, 3!! We were so excited...he said, "Oh, WOW", "dog", and "duck". The "g" and "ck" were not too clear, but the therapist said he was making distinct sounds that were different and identifying the object as well. WAY to go little guy!!

And then ,Kaitlyn...was awarded the "Franciscan Award" at school!! The teacher told us ahead of time that they were going to give her this award. It is given to 1 student in ech classroom every month. They present it to the kids at the weekly flagpole ceremony on Wednesday. Charlie and I, Ryan, Anderson and Anna surprised Kaitlyn and showed up to that flagpole ceremony when she was presented the award. The award its given to a student "who has cheerfully shared a spirit of friendship, cooperation, responsibility, punctuality, good study habits, and courtesy." We are so very proud of Kaitlyn for receiving this award!

What a big week. We had a celebration with ice cream and popsicles at the end of the week!

XOXO

ONE YEAR AGO

Yes...one year ago Anderson had his brain surgery in Chicago! It is so hard to believe that 1 year has passed us by already. We are so very proud of Anderson and all of his accomplishments this past year. Most importantly, we are so very happy he is no longer in the pain that he was in prior to surgery. Anderson continues to teach US something all the time!

This day 1 year ago is still so vivid in our minds.....I can remember so many of the details of the day...what time things happened, where we were sitting in the hospital, what we ate, the look in Charlie's eyes, talking to the doc after surgery, etc. It is so "real" in my mind still today. One year ago tonight, the NSG came into Anderson's room and told us how the surgery went. I can still hear him say...Anderson was "special", he had the 4th ventricle of his brain blocked, and when the NSG sees this....it typically means that the surgery will be "more successful"!!! We could not believe it! A "best case" scenario was happening in this terrifying event in our lives. I can still picture little Anderson lying in his hospital bed after surgery, I just wanted to pick him and take away all of the pain. Still brings tears to my eyes. But...1 year later....WOW...is all I can say!

It has been a remarkable year.....we have a long way to go, but we believe we are on the correct path. We are so very thankful for the neurosurgeon who believed in Anderson and how he could help Anderson. Thank goodness for that doctor. We feel so very blessed.

We had a celebration tonight with the kids to mark this milestone for Anderson!

Congrats little buddy, we are so proud of you!! We love you!

WELCOME ANNA!!

ANNA...2 minutes OLD!

Okay, sorry for the delay of this announcement....

IT IS A GIRL!!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT????

Anna Marin Mescher was born February 4th at 12:33pm, 7 lbs, 11 oz, 19 inches.

We are ALL so thrilled.

I was in COMPLETE shock, let me say it again, SHOCK when my OB announced in the OR it was a girl. I was beside myself and MIGHT have started screaming at the TOP of my lungs...and the other docs in the room, and nurses, MIGHT have started laughing asking if I was surprised! Good thing I was numb and could not move, b/c I might have fallen off the table.

Anna is so sweet and adorable. We are so very thankful for her!!!

5.5 hours to go!

We are almost there!!!! :) Baby is scheduled for delivery via csection today at 11:30 AM!!! We are VERY excited!!!

Bummy

At dinner a few nights ago:

Ryan was squirming around in his dinner chair.

Mom: Ryan, pls be careful honey, you are going to fall out of your chair (which has happened).

Ryan: Sits down starts analyzing the chair and the position of HIS bummy on the chair....(mind you, he is SO little at 4, I could hold his in the palm of my hand!) Then, starts analyzing the position of my bummy on my chair......

Ryan: Mommy, why is YOUR bummy SO big?

Kaitlyn: Ryan, that is NOT nice...Mommy has a baby in her belly and she needs something to help her hold up her belly!

Charlie and Me: LOL!!!! The truth of a 4 year old! And the smarts of a 6 year old!

Getting Ready

Only 7 more days to go....YIKES!! Guess that means I better start to get ready! Need to call insurance company and confirm the pediatrician in the hospital is a participating provider, better pack my bag, better get all the #%&%^* out of the bassinet so the baby has a place to sleep, better get the email addresses ready for Kristen to email out family and friends....should I keep going?

No, think I will go take a nap instead! HA

Names???

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. You would think all my time on bed rest over the past few weeks I could be updating. I will have to come back and try to update what has been going on. But, the important thing is....I am doing MUCH better and I am on "modified bed rest".....meaning do what I can tolerate, STOP when I can't tolerate any longer. With this being the 4th time I've gone into preterm labor (happened with the other 3).....it is no big surprise and Charlie and I know what to do :)

Anyway, Charlie and I have a girl's name picked out...and we had a boy's name....but just trying to be sure the boy's name is "right". (Hey, when you have used 2 other boys names....the pressure is on for #3!)

Ryan gave us his idea that I wanted to share.....Ryan told us he wanted to name the baby "MIX MASTER MIKE". (That is a name of a snowboarder on his video game!) He continued to ask us if that was "too many names"....like his name was "Ryan Charles Mescher"....Was "Mix Master Mike Mescher" too many names?

We told him it was a great suggestion and we would add it to our list! :)

Thanks Ryan!
XOXO

It's a Boy.....well, according to Ryan

Ryan came to me yesterday.......

Ryan: Mom, I think the baby IS a boy.

Me: Why did you change your mind?

Ryan: Remember when Mima and Popo were here and we watched that video (FYI, it was the ultrasound video).

Me: Yes

Ryan: Well, I saw the "PEANUT"....it's a boy.

Me: What did you see?

Ryan: I saw the PEANUT, it is going to be a boy :)

Sweet Kids

1) On Christmas Eve, Aunt Sara was having a hard time getting on her plane b/c there was so much snow. Kaitlyn was so worried and so sad. Kaitlyn said, "Christmas will not be Christmas without Aunt Sara. Christmas is about family, and we need Aunt Sara here to be part of our family to celebrate Jesus' birthday".

2) Our wonderful babysitter is getting the kids lunch and ready for the park.

Ryan comes into my bedroom and says: "Mommy, is your belly feeling better?"

Me: Yes

Ryan: So, do you think you could come to the park and sit down on a chair and watch me play at the park?

** Oh, my heart sank....I want MORE THAN ANYTHING to go to the park and PLAY with the kids. I was so sad.

Lets hope the RX works and I am off this bedrest by the end of the week!!

What sweet little ones!!

Labor and Delivery Update

We never have a dull moment around here :)

On Friday, Charlie had me take it very easy b/c of Christmas Eve and Christmas. Friday night, I had this VERY intense pain down left side of my uterus. Then, about 3 hours later in the middle of the night, I had the same pain, but down my right side. I woke up screaming and woke Char up. The pain lasted about 1 minute and went away....but, then, I woke up to contractions on Saturday AM. I was on the couch resting the ENTIRE day. Drinking lots of water....and rest. By 1:30 PM my contractions were 5-7 minutes apart....and I was having back pain (the baby is posterior, so back labor is a concern too). ......sooo we called the OB on call. She felt that the pains I felt Friday/Saturday were intense labor pains. She said you can have initial labor pains that are "one sided". She wanted me to go into the hospital labor and delivery (L&D).

Charlie and I headed into L&D while Aunt Sara watched the little ones. We got checked in, set up on monitors...yep, 5-7 minutes apart. So, I took the med to stop them. They wanted to monitor me another hour. The baby's heart rate was "dipping" every so often, so they wanted to do an ultrasound. The u/s came back just fine...so, we were able to go home about 4 hours later. Aunt Sara said she charges a VERY high hourly rate! HA!

Sunday, I never got off the couch....just to use the restroom. I had contractions in the AM about 20 minutes apart. By dinner, they were 10 minutes apart. I was not in nearly as much pain as Saturday, so I decided to wait until this AM to call my OB (although, my OB would NOT be happy with that decision!!) I am waiting for them to call me back. I think I have a bladder infection causing this. Well, at least...hoping....I am hoping there is a "reason" this preterm labor is happening. I have more than 5 weeks to go!!!! YIKES!!! A bladder infection caused me to go into preterm labor with Anderson....so, hoping again that is the case. I just need the OB to call me back so I can go get tested b/4 my contractions get closer. They are about 20 minutes apart right now.

Needless to say, Char is at work, and a babysitter is with the kids, while I am in bed....bored out of my mind!!! 4 days of resting and I am BORED!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!! We had a wonderful Christmas and were so lucky to have Aunt Sara here to spend it with us. What a TREAT! We went to Christmas Eve Mass and out to dinner to our (charlie and I) favorite restaurant with the kids :) They thought it was such a treat to eat at a "special" restaurant where just Mommy and Daddy go throughout the year!

The kids went to bed fairly easily. They were anxious to go to sleep, however, they were in our bed by midnight! Kaitlyn was CONVINCED she was hearing Santa's bells, the reindeer on our rooftop, Santa's Ho, Ho, Ho...all night. So, every so often, she would wake us up to ask if we heard it. Ryan came into bed around 1 AM with us....There was not much room for 4 of us in bed, so Charlie (my sweet hubby) slept across the bottom of the queen bed, as the kids and I slept at the top! HA! It was a site....needless to say, no one had much sleep!

Finally, at 5 AM, we were up.....We waited until closer to 6 AM to wake up Aunt Sara and Anderson and we headed downstairs to SCREAMS of complete JOY! It was wonderful. Such a great morning celebrating Jesus' birthday and family!

32 weeks

Sweet sleeping baby at 32 weeks 3D
Look at those lips!

3d side view at 32 weeks
Love the nose!

Front of the sweet face at 32 weeks 3D

Side profile without 3D

Feet at 32 weeks! Kaitlyn counted all the toes :) for us!

Yes, it is hard to believe....we were 32 weeks yesterday!! 32 weeks prego!!! HOLY COW this is going FAST!!

We saw Dr. A today, our perinatologist for the last time. GOOD NEWS....the baby's central nervous system looks perfect!!! WHEW. Those were incredible words to hear. Merry Christmas to Charlie and I! So far so good.

The baby weighs almost 5 lbs. It is measuring actually at 33 weeks....so bigger, which is great! (I keep saying I am not going to make it to the scheduled csection....we shall see!!!)

The u/s tech showed us where the baby already has a TON of hair and has 2 more months to go! HA! No big surprise since the other ones were all born with hair as well. Then, it all falls out and it takes until they are 3 to grow back!

This was probably our last u/s. We took Kaitlyn and Ryan with us. And, by surprise, Anderson got to come too (our sitter over slept her alarm). The baby was sucking on its arm at one point and then its fingers and the kids got to see it. It was VERY COOL! This happened while the tech was in 3D, so it was so "clear" and "perfect"! This u/s meant the same to us as the very 1st one we had with Kaitlyn almost 7 years ago. The excitement, fun, and joy you feel when you see the baby never changes.....what a blast!! The kids were DYING for the tech to tell them the gender...but, we held out.

After the ultrasound, Kaitlyn is convinced the baby is a boy now....and Ryan thinks it must be a girl b/c girls have LOTS of hair :) how sweet! :) Only 8 more weeks!

The baby's heart rate was 155 today, and moved....no longer breech. However, it is posterior. It is the SAME as Kaitlyn.....placenta is posterior covering whole front of my belly, and the she was posterior....as this baby is!! (It is "facing" the wrong way...looking at my back rather than looking at my belly button.)

Charlie and I are still thinking boy......

Charlie has picked the boy's name out. After my OB appt about 4 weeks ago and the heart beat was only 130 and the OB said she wanted to change her prediction from girl to boy :) Charlie felt pressure and picked the name. He asked me what I thought....I said..."Charlie, we could call this baby "butt face" for ALL I care if it COMES OUT HEALTHY!" Charlie proceeded to spit out his drink and laughed SO hard!! You get my point.... I don't care... I want to hold a sweet, healthy baby in my arms in 8 weeks...NOTHING ELSE matters to me!

PS - We saw the baby rub its hands on its face....and it "seperated" its fingers out....this was significant to us b/c Anderson STILL is so "fisted" and hardly EVER seperates and individualizes his fingers! IT was SO cool for us to see!

PSS - I thought I heard the u/s tech say look at "him" at 1 point....and after the exam I asked her if she saw the gender....and she said "yes"! Ummmmmm...... :)

ENJOY the PHOTOS!!! We are loving them!

What is that?

Today it is raining. It has HARDLY rained here in the last 4 years we have lived in this area. The 1st year, when Kaitlyn was only 3....it rained aLL winter. Since then, we have only seen less than 10 days of rain if I had to guess.

Today, it is "pouring"...at least to our "new" standards.

Charlie drove Kaitlyn to school for me, so I did not have to drag the boys out in the rain (I love you babe!)....

Well, Charlie pulled out our BIG golf umbrella that we have and had it by the front door for Princess Kaitlyn (yes, Daddy really spoils his girls!)

Kaitlyn comes downstairs and says..."What is this?"....and Charlie tells her...Then she says, "What we will use it for?" HA!!! The only 6 year old that did not know what to do with a golf umbrella!

Happy Birthday Charlie!

Today was Charlie's birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the best Daddy and Husband!!

We had a great day spoiling Daddy with Starbucks bright and early, a day at Disneyland, getting our Christmas tree, stromboli dinner (his favorite!!! only made on his bday or a promotion at work :)! HA....and an ice cream cake!

What a great day for someone who deserves all of it and MORE!

XOXO Charlie!

Paycheck

Yesterday, we got Kaitlyn's report card from school. Charlie was at school yesterday and only got a chance to read it early this AM on his way out the door to school.

When I got it yesterday, I was so proud and happy for Kaitlyn.

Today, Charlie read it....he read it, handed it to me, and smiled. He said...."Here is your paycheck that started 6 years ago! It just took a long time to get 'paid back."

So sweet of my husband...and yes, it felt like a paycheck...to see all of our hard work in action, Kaitlyn putting forth what we have taught her at home and exhibiting it at school with her friends, and teachers. The teacher REALLY knows Kaitlyn and we felt like she described our "little sweet" Kaitlyn.

We are so proud of you sweet one!
XOXO

1 year ago

The date....came and went. November 28th, 2008 was our 1 year anniversary of Anderson's diagnosis. The day I learned how to spell CHIARI, the day I learned what the word meant. The day we became members of this "club" that we had NO idea existed....the day our whole lives would change.......

I can remember Nov. 28th, 2007 so vividly. It was a Wednesday....our big therapy day. He had 2 hours of therapy at the hospital. He had the MRI the day prior. We thought it would be Wednesday afternoon, probably Thursday b/4 we heard anything. As I walked out of the hospital, I pulled out my cell phone to see if I had a missed call. (I do not have reception in the hospital).

Yes, a missed call from a "blocked" caller. My heart sank. I quickly dialed my VM....heard our neurologist say..."Mrs. Mescher, this is Dr.X, can you pls call me at the office b/4 the end of the day?"

My heart sank further, my fingers were shaking as I tried to dial the number back.

I am in the parking lot of the hospital at this time, I FRANTICALLY dial the neurologist's office (at this point, I am only across the street from the neuro's office since I was at the hospital anyway!) I put Anderson (screaming by the way b/c he is tired from 2 hours of therapy) into the car. I get the receptionist at the neuro's office, tell her I am returned Dr. X's call. The woman says hold a second. I climb into the car expecting to give a # where Dr. X can call me back. NOPE, Dr. X on the phone.

GULP! Dr. X says..."Hello, Mrs. Mescher. It sounds like you are on a cell phone, do you want to call me back when you are home?" What in the #$Y$% is this lady thinking....I NEED to talk to you NOW...NO, I do not want to call you back when I get home....a) a dr. does not typically say to call them back b/4 the end of the day for a "good reason", and b) when you call back...you do not get connected to the dr right away!!!

I assure her I can hear her just fine, and I was in a parking lot, not driving my car :)

Dr. X says, "Well, I have the MRI results...we did not find a reason for Anderson's developmental delays, but we did find something else. Anderson has Chiari malformation".

Me: "Excuse me?"

Dr X: "Your son has Chiari 1 Malformation"

Me: As I pull out a grocery receipt from my purse and a pen...."Can you pls spell that for me??"

Dr X: "This was an accidental finding, he is asymptomatic, it is not like a brain tumor, you will just need to see a neurosurgeon at your convenience."

Me: "WHAT? A neuroSURGEON?"

Dr X: "Yes, I recommend Dr. Y over at Children's"

Me: "How do we know Anderson is asymptomatic....he can NOT SPEAK!"

Dr. X: "He has no symptoms"

Me: "I noticed about 6 weeks ago that Anderson is banging his head and rubbing his head like he is in pain...could this be related? Tylenol seems to 'soothe' him." Keep in mind folks... I have not even had a chance to google Chiari...just asking a question

Dr X: "No, that would be nothing related to this"

Me: "Okay, thank you".

Dr. X: "I know in the world of google you are going to go home and google this...PLS remember he has Chiari type 1...that makes a difference".

Me: "Thanks".....and you BETTER believe I am getting on google ASAP.

Completely bawling my eyes out, I try to reach Charlie...he is in a meeting...i leave a message to call me back ASAP. Next, I call my dear friend, and google expert, Kristen. I am now driving to pick up Ryan.

I tell Kristen between my sobs what just happened. She is on her computer in 1 second trying to see what she can find. First web site, first thing....#1 symptom of Chiari...HEADACHES. ummmm, and the neurologist said Anderson was asymptomatic??? UGGHH!!

I call the neurosurgeon's office the minute I get home....I tell them my son was just diagnosed with Chiari 1, and was referred to their office. (Now, I know another Mom who had to see this NSG, and she said it took her almost 4 months to be seen)....They got back on the phone and said, can you come December 1st? This was November 28th!!! HOLY #$^#%!!!

That is when it all started....in Children's Hospital Parking Lot, written on my grocery receipt, calling Kristen to google it for me.

Brings tears to my eyes thinking about this day. Our life has not been the same, obviously. We have changed in so many ways, and not by our choice....by God's choice. We have learned lessons in all of this, and we continue to do so. Patience, patience, patience.

In Thanksgiving, I am so thankful for our NSG in Chicago who "listened to us", and believed in us and Anderson. I am so thankful for the therapists that work with Anderson every week to get him strong and develop. I am thankful to our friends and family who supported us and continue to do so.

We still have good and bad days with Anderson. Today, was a hard day for me. Anderson was just so so so fussy, and so so so needy. But, 2 days ago.......Char and I felt like Anderson had the BEST DAY OF HIS LIFE, literally. He was so "on it"....so alert, so active, so happy, so great. Who knows what today was.....but, today, I was having a "I hate Chiari day". Wish I never heard that #^$%& word! But, 2 days ago....we could NOT have been prouder parents.

Anderson has taught us patience, listen to your voice, appreciate the tiny tiny things in life, love, more patience, and many other things.....he is our little warrior and we are so very proud of him! And he is so stinkin' cute too! (from his biased mother!)

As a Chiari friend wrote on her web site on Thanksgiving....I am NOT thankful for chiari, but I am thankful for my children! CHEERS Rachel!

** For those of you that remember our friend Baylie that we met in Chicago....pls see her caring bridge site: http://www.caringbridge.org/tx/baylieo/.

Baylie is getting ready to undergo her 3rd brain surgery next week. Pls pray for Baylie and her family.

1 year ago.....looking forward to next year, when November 28th with come and go and perhaps I will not remember it quite as vividly. :) I feel like it was yesterday. I can still "hear" the conversation with the neurologist in my mind. I can still "see" myself driving and talking to Kristen who was home googling for me. I can still "see" that grocery receipt in my car with the word "C H I A R I" written on it. It is all still so real and raw to me.

We are thankful that Anderson is doing as well as he is doing. There are MANY MANY little Chiari kiddos out there not nearly as fortunate as Anderson. We think of those families daily and pray for them as well.

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.......

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!

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......

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!! :)

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!!!