Reflux and Scrapbooking

Emma had her follow-up. I was SO nervous. But Tuesday, she brought home Rumplebear. The class bear. He comes home with each child a few times during the year, and he has a journal, to write about his adventures. So we took him to the hospital. He even got his own ultrasound! It was so nice having him with us!

Her nuclear cystogram, was kind of a nightmare. She did NOT want the catheter. Who does? But did ok! Then when it was time to take it out, and "go" on her own, she FREAKED OUT. Screaming and crying. She held it, for like 8 minutes. BUT...it was kind of good. It proved...HER REFLUX IS GONE!!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!!! Even with her holding it, it never went back up...YIPPEE!! BUT...she has a UTI. The night before, she was crying that her bladder hurt. They always send some to the lab, when they do the cystogram, and sure enough, there was bacteria. She is doing better now! The doctor said, 2/3 of kids that have this surgery, will still get bladder infections or UTI's. It just won't hurt her kidneys now. And...we never have to go back again. Of course, if she has problems, ya...but as of right now...she's done! Cool huh...

I also had to make a scrapbook page for Emma's class. Like an "about me" page, for a class scrapbook. This was my first attempt at digital scrapbooking. What do you think? Oh...I'm looking for praise and accolades... *grin*

Let's do a One Eighty...

Sorry about making everyone cry. I just have to blog what's on my heart. And that was... BIG time yesterday.

ANYWAY....

I took Emma and Jack on a bike ride today! I know...HOLY CRAP! My legs are like spaghetti, but we had a great time, at the little park we rode to. Here are some pictures...some...you know me... There are pictures of the bike, and me on it, as proof!! *rolling eyes*

I got some cute video too! There are two parts to the swinging. He was so cute!





Then...on the ride home, Emma took video. OH MY HECK...it's too funny. Shows her tenaciousness... It's 4 min 24 sec. long, so just follow this link... It's hysterical.

And thanks for all the support, and great comments! You guys ROCK!!!

Updates and thoughts...

I've had so many deep thoughts this week, I realized I haven't given any updates! So here goes...

On being a guest speaker:

It went great! It was so fun. And people had really good questions. It's funny how when you tell a story, you don't realize what you've left out. Some were medical questions, some emotional. The professor asked, "Where do you find your strength?" How's that for a loaded question. The number one thing I said, was FAITH. Faith that he would be ok, faith that we would be able to handle it, if he wasn't. I also said how having support of family and friends makes a HUGE difference, and support groups too. I would totally be in the corner, sucking my thumb(to quote a friend) if I didn't have the support of those who have been there done that... They loved the video. I turned off the music, and let it play again, while I answered questions, so they could see the pictures again. They liked it, I think.

So, of course I forgot a couple of key points, but the most important one...not to terminate based of prenatal findings, I remembered. And, I told them about Early Intervention and how important it is, and how much they have helped Jack.

It really is amazing to me, that not only did I do well, but wasn't really nervous. Anyone who knows me can attest to the fact the old me, would NOT have done that!


On being the Sacrament Meeting Chorister:

It's going really well. So far. We've all been there together, it's been nice. Last week, Emma sat with me for the first two songs. She was cute, and so excited to sit up front! I've also had at least two people say..."SURE, I'd LOVE to sit with the kids!" One friend even said, "You don't even have to ask, I'll just do it." SO nice!!! It's so fun to stand up in front of everyone, and see my favorite people smiling at me! I also LOVE to sit up there, and watch Jack. He is so cute, and I love watching Steve with him. He loves Daddy so much!


On Emma's broken arm:

She's doing great! It smells, and is filthy, but she really isn't complaining much. She gets it off, a week from Monday. If you missed the picture before, here it is. She was SO adamant on NOT having her picture taken. She has her own mind, if you didn't know that already! So this one, I snuck in!!

She's been so excited to have people sign it, and shows it off all the time!!

She's even been great about taking a bath, she just puts her arm on the side of the tub. She even does a good job washing her hands!! I'm proud of her, she's been great! Although, her follow-up with urology, is this week, SO dreading it, I can't even tell you. I'm going to call on Monday, and see about some"don't care drugs". ugh


On the boys and school:

Nick is doing GREAT. His IEP is the BEST thing we could have EVER DONE He is struggling with old issues in a couple of classes, but the other 4, he has an A in! Math, the reason we even STARTED the IEP process, is going great! He has lots of extra help, and has had two tests now, and got an A on both!! He LOVES Jr High and Young Mens, and is just a busy little bee. He always has something going on. It's so fun watching him grow up!

Parker is doing great too! He's loving 4th grade, and has gotten really great about taking his meds, ON HIS OWN!!! YAY! Such a triumph! He's really growing up too! He does hate getting left behind, when Nick is off being "older". But that's life right! I think it's my fault. When they were little, they came as a set. They did everything together. So I recognize, he doesn't like being left behind. Hopefully, he'll be over it by the time Nick goes on a mission, or at least when he gets married! I picture him running after the limo...screaming...WHY CAN'T I COME??!! Ok, don't tell him I said that!!! *grin*


On Jack:

He's doing fine. We have another CT scan, a week from Monday. I think it will be fine, but who knows. One thing I am concerned about, is his under-bite, seems to be getting worse. His bottom teeth, completely cover his top two teeth.the middle front ones. I don't think they would do anything now, but it just adds to my worry, ya know? And his ankles are just getting worse. Oh my heck. We are currently waiting for a physical therapy consult, with our old PT, from early intervention. I'm tempted to just call up to Shriner's, and make an appointment. I think I'll wait to hear from Mike, and go from there! His OT, really wants to get some ideas, and helping him walk with his legs straighter. He walks so well, but with his knees bent. His hamstrings are pretty tight, which has always been an issue. So we'll see how that goes!


On ME:

It's been a week now, and I think the meds are helping with my mood. But I've also been really busy this week, with things that are good for my mood. If that makes sense. But... I never, at one point, didn't want to do anything. Ok, maybe a little, but I was able to overcome it, and go for it! That's HUGE!! I'm so glad I got off my butt and did something about my funk!

Also, MANY people this week, have had SO many great things to say. I encourage you to go read the comments. I especially want to thank Lisa, and Dan. You guys have helped me SO much lately. You ALWAYS have the right thing to say, and REALLY support me in everything I do. And have helped me see how great I can be! Even though I tell you, you are are mean(all the time) ;), I really appreciate it. Thanks guys!! I LOVE YOU GUYS...more than you'll ever know! I'm so luck to have you both in my life! And Steve has been great lately too, helping with the kids, and being willing to let me loose a few times. That is a GREAT mood stabilizer, getting out of the house!!! Thank You, Honey! I LOVE YOU!

Well, that's it for now. Lisa dragged me to a conference, and I really want to tell you about it, but I'll save it for tomorrow! :)

Oh, I also added another "Kid-ism"(scroll to the bottom of the page), and you can see all my Youtube videos, under those! Check it out!

A week of "FINALLY'S"

Here are the contest results...FINALLY...

First of all, thanks to all those who voted for Parker, but alas a younger, cuter child won. ...toddlers... *rolling eyes* Here is the link to see who DID win.

And the caption contest. That was fun huh? I have a zillion more...If I remember, we'll play again tomorrow. That is... if I make it out of church alive. Anyway...Caption...

THE WINNER IS.....

"Yeah, really funny, I know where this thing is supposed to go. I am not amused!" by Christine!!!

So the other "finally's"...

Jack was fussy all week, in the evenings. Classic sign of over draining. Also the back of his head seems to have increased in size. Just the back, below, of course, where they measure his head circumference.
So after much thought, and worry, I FINALLY took him in. I showed them this picture, and the Dr say, "Well, it 'FEELS' ok, I think he's fine." She's right, it doesn't feel squishy. So that's good. But why is it bigger. Some say it's the light in the picture, some say, OH MY HECK, you need to call. Who knows. But I noticed it first,
caressing the back of his head.

Of course since I took him in, he has been better. Of course. I think maybe he was just getting used to the new pressure in his head. But it doesn't explain the bulge.

Emma started school!! FINALLY. She's is having a blast! I had quite the moment the first day. The last time Emma and I walked into Miss L's class, Emma was a newborn, in her car seat! It hit me so hard, and I almost started to cry, but decided, it would only embarrass her! She is so big! She is so OLD. It's just crazy. My friend was just reminding me all her kids are in the double digits! Goodness, where does the time go...

The first day, they were to bring their favorite bear. Of course I forgot, but luckily, there were some to choose from in the car! Chicken Little, and a frog. Emma chose the frog. They went around the room, and Miss L asked everyone their "bear's" name. Emma's was so unusual, she asked her where she got it? Emma said, "From the CAR!!" Oye...

Then on Thursday, they had a parade, and picnic with them. This is Emma, taking her "frog" to go down the slide.

As I've told you before, Nick and Parker both had this sweet teacher. And when we bought Emma's backpack, I had forgotten, that this teacher, supplies them with a book bag. So now, we have set out, to make her book bag, all pink and High School Musical, like her back pack! Hopefully, she'll still like it for kindergarten. You know, how their favorites change so quickly! I'll put up a picture when we get it all decorated. I ordered the cutest iron on off Ebay. She'll get the bag on Monday or Tuesday. And then begins my own personal struggle of, letting her do what she wants, and making it look "nice" ...hate that struggle!

Then Thursday, Parker FINALLY turned 10, AND got his skate board. Ever since they were about 3 and 5, the 21 days between their birthdays, has been filled whining from Parker. "When is it MY birthday?" "How come Nick got presents?"...you know stuff like that. I thought it would get better the older he gets. I guess it has just gotten different. This year it was, "Nick won't let me ride his skate board!" Although... he was MUCH more willing to let other people ride his, always with the..."See I can be nice and share"...tag...but still... He is so happy to have his OWN skate board!!



As far as the rest of the week, well you know what happened! *rolling eyes*

Sunday, I start leading the singing. *sigh* I'll let you know what happens! I do want to share this though. My dear sweet Lisa reminded me of something. Here is what she said:

"When Ethan was in NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit), for those longs months, I had the opportunity to meet one of the twelve apostles. He said something very curious to me, that I’ll never ever forget.

He said, and I wish I had it written down, so I could quote him word for word, but it went something like this…'It is our obligation to provide service, even if we don’t feel like the person who is asking, actually needs that service. It is not our place to question, them. It is our responsibility to help them. As well as it is their responsibility to ask. There are grave eternal consequences for those that do not ask for help. They that deny others the opportunity of service, are far worse off, than those who don’t help, those that ask.'

It still gives me goose bumps. He was so close to me, and his hand was on my shoulder, and I didn’t just hear what he said, I felt it."

Thanks LIS!! I'll try to remember that...and try to FINALLY swallow my pride, and ASK!!!

Another trip to the ER...

That would be Emma. She had been complaining about her arm, off and on, since Monday. She had fallen out of our neighbors little tree, but seemed fine. I checked it just like the Dr does. Pushed her hand backwards, squeezed it from the sides, and top and bottom. Asked her to rotate it. She did them all pretty well. No screaming in pain. A couple of, pulling her arm away. Last night, she was complaining again. This am, she was playing at said neighbor's, and when I picked her up, her hand was swollen, and she was SOBBING. Then I told her we needed to go get it looked at... SCREAMED even harder.

Luckily, she fell asleep on the long drive to PCMC. When we got there, she noticed where we were and started to cry all over again. Once I convinced her there were not going to be any needles, or pokies, she was ok.

We checked into the ER at a little before 1:00. We got right in. She did GREAT for the X-ray, and got her little splint on. She has a buckle fracture. When they went to put her splint on, she was wearing a longsleeved shirt. So we had to take it off, and get a shirt from the hospital. This picture, is awful, cuz she didn't want me to take it, so I took it fast. And she was in the middle of telling me, she didn't want her picture taken. heehee, I told her we had to show everybody!!

She'll get a cast, hopefully on Tuesday. And I can assure you...it will be pink, or purple!

The one silver lining, when we got home, I looked at the clock...3:04.

Oh the joys of being a Simmons...

Parker's a DECADE!!!

Well, we never thought we'd make it 10 years! But we/HE did! What a kid! Before Jack came along, Parker was our biggest "medical" kid! He inhaled a peanut, had 4 broken bones, before he was 4. He had extensive dental work done-twice, before he was 6, and has had more bumps and bruises, than I can count!

What a sweetheart he is. He is also a master ANNOYER, all in the same kid! He's good at everything he does. I keep trying to find something he isn't good at! He's hit 4th grade...so I'm sure we'll find something soon. ;)

PARKER, YOU ROCK!!! You make our house VERY entertaining...We'd be so boring with out you!!!

I LOVE YOU DUDE!!!!

Caption Contest

So I thought it would be fun to have a contest. Oh sure the prize is only the announcement that you are the winner, but still!!

So leave a comment, on what you think the caption for this picture should be! If you email me, I'll add it to the comments, with your name, if you want!

Let the games begin...

It's been a day...

Jack vs Cocoa


Butter vs Jack

Fun pictures!!

Check out these new pictures!

Here is a preview...





And don't forget to VOTE FOR PARKER!!!

:)

Mad or blessed!?

So here I sit, alone with my thoughts. OH NO!!, you say. Well, not really...

He has done so well today, I can't even believe it! I'm still waiting for something bad to happen. Our room is small, but fine. It's certainly not where Em stayed, but it's nice, and clean. He was up running around all day! Took a little nap around 6:00, and was up and running when Gramma, and Emma came. We kept asking him, if he knew he'd had surgery.

He has never been fussy, or grumpy, or even acted like he's uncomfortable! He wasn't even a bit loopy. It is just weird. The Dr asked how he's been the last week, and was seriously shocked when we said totally fine!

Everyone...of course...is totally in love. He just stares everyone down. It is hysterical! He doesn't trust anyone! But he is very pleasant about it!

I did think about a few more things I hate about being here.

The pink admit bracelet.

Hearing the life flight helicopter, land on the roof.

The phones ringing, with their "non"ring. HATE IT!

The way his breath smells, from being intubated . HATE THAT TOO!

His name written in black on our name tags. Red for going home that day, Black for being admitted. Black...bad.

Did I mention the phones? It's like a Pavlovian response. I get all panicky. Hate it.

The fact that they tell you, you can't use the bathroom in the room. For pete's sake. He's a baby, like I'm gonna leave him to run down the hall.

On the bathroom note. I hate it when I go in there, and they come in the room and leave, thinking I'm not in the room. Murphy's law. Stupidness...

I hate the sound the IV fluids make. If you have heard it, you know what I mean!

I hate the D*** beeping, when he knocks off a lead, or his O2 thing. SHEESH!! Makes me nuts.

So...this is what I LOVE about coming here...and don't make fun of me!

The floor is clean.

They come and take out your garbage once a day, and I don't have to ask them 4 times.

They have fun toys.

My opinion matters. They ask me how I learn stuff. They ask me if I want to be involved in his care. They think I'm smart.

I am as important as Jack is. EVERYTIME someone comes in the room, with the exception of the garbage people, they ask if I need anything!

Every person that comes in the room, addresses Jack. They talk to him. They make sure it's OK with HIM if they come in, and do something. The man with the menu, talked to Jack, and showed him his name tag, and said he was from the kitchen. When Emma was in, the child life specialist, introduced herself and said I'm from the playroom, can I come in YOUR room!? Of course Emma said no, but that is irrelevant! ;)

We have the cutest male nurse tonight. We have chatted quite a bit about our mutual favorite TV shows, and he is SO cute with Jack, and me for that matter. He told the charge nurse I was his new girlfriend. So sweet...to flirt with a fat old lady in her Mommy jammies!!!

Sure I can't rewind the TV, and sure I have to look up, but it's here, and it keeps me entertained!

This whole experience has been so interesting. If he had not been sick, last May, and we had not asked for a CT scan, and requested an MRI6 months ago, I don't know what would have happened! We seriously fell over this. Tripped on it. Had it land in our laps. He had NO symptoms, yet the shunt was totally blocked, and not working. Someone commented, that they were thankful to be prepared, and not follow an ambulance. I'm certain, we would have! I am SO thankful, he is all fixed. And there was no trouble before hand. I had heard story after story, about kids in constant pain, and screaming for months, and not being themselves. I have been so blessed. I may have been mad yesterday, but today...I am counting my blessings.

Cute boy!!

TLC Impressions

Need I say more...really...

Pictures!

I went to my friend Tasha's house today, and we got some CUTE pictures!!

Here is the link, and you can see more of HER pictures... And her blog is here. Check it out, and if your in Salt Lake, or close by, contact her to do your photos!! But hurry, she is large with child and getting larger...you may have to wait till she pops, in November!!

But these are some of my favorite..and there are more to come! I can't wait to show you what we did, it's kind of a project!! Be excited!!

He was TOTALLY done. Right after this picture, he started crying. It sad and cute!!

We were TRYING to get them to look at us, but this came out SO cute!!

So pretty, even with staples in her head!!

Remember Jack?!?

I didn't realize how much I missed him till he came up tonight! I guess I've been too busy with Emma. When he first saw me, and looked at me funny for a minute, and then lit up! Oh man he is sweet! This picture is just him being cute with Nick. I can hardly stand it!

I got some more video of him walking. He is doing SO great, walking and walking, and walking.

I think it's ironic, to have video of him walking so well, in the hospital!! :)

IT'S OFFICIAL!!!

oh my heavens...

We have been laughing to tears over this one. He had pancakes for breakfast, and had syurp all over his face, making his eyelid stick together!

I grabbed the camera in HOPES of catching it stuck...

Here it is...

Oh and you can see his prosthesis, AND that his soft palate is together!!! COOL!!!

The whole picture!

At the risk of exposing my "back fat", and fat bum-bum to the world...

Here is the whole picture!!



Amy and Pam win!!!

Heehee, maybe we'll do a harder one next week!!

Thanks for playing!!

guessing game

Guess what Jack is laying on?

I'll post the whole picture tomorrow night!

Let the guessing begin!!!

Oh, and Lisa can't guess cause she saw it...and no cheating...

Got some things to tell ya!

As you know... it's been a wild couple of months. But this week, a few GREAT things have happened.

Of course, Donny was SO great!!! You'll have to read the comments if you haven't. Also, I've added a few I got by email, cuz they were great!! And Nick was so amazing.

Then on Wednesday, the most WONDERFUL surprise came in the mail. I've told you of my LOVE for "Wicked" the musical. Well, a friend was taunting me about how so was going to see it. It isn't in Salt Lake, and I have NO idea when it will be. ANYWAY....

SHE SENT MY THE PROGRAM. Now...before you think...Oh...that's just mean...It's 12 by 14, FULL of pictures from all different productions. It is SO beautiful, and really gave me such a better picture. Here are some of my favorite. Emma LOVES it, and every time we listen to the sound track now, we have to look at the book, and the corresponding pictures. It's too cute!!

It seems like such a simple thing, but it meant the world to me! Seriously cried looking at all the pictures!

Then, we got Jack's Dafos, "altered". They weren't giving him quite the right amount of support. NOW, they look great!

THEN, I took Em and Parker to the dentist. I was telling the dentist, how I really wanted to fix my yellow teeth in front. They are yellow from fillings, and the ONLY way to whiten them was veneers. We have a flex spending for medical expenses, and this year we put aside money for Steve to get lasik. Well, he didn't qualify. Bad for Steve, good for me.

I asked the dentist if there was anyway to get them done before we go to Vegas, on the 21st. He said, How bout tomorrow morning?

OH MY HECK!!


$825 later, I have two new teeth. Right now they are temps, but the permanent ones will match my other teeth. I really never thought it would happen. I thought I'd have ugly discolored teeth forever. He also suggested invisalign. And to fix everything else, to have "perfect teeth", will cost...ready...$11, 450. Um...maybe not...of course my portion would be half. Um...still...no! I MAY do the braces another time, that would be $2500. And take about a year to get them straight.

I'm sure, you never even noticed, if you know me...but I did. It is so nice. I have honestly NEVER spent that much money on something for ONLY me, in one stop. I have twinges of mommy guilt, but I'll get over it...I promise!!

Then last night, I went off the deep end.

Thats right...Hamsters. Dwarf Hamsters to be specific. Call me crazy. But...I thought we could all use a cute distraction. Everyone is TOTALLY in love. Here are more pictures of our newest family members. Freddy, and Nibbles. I got them off Freecycle. Meaning they were free. :)

So...that's about it.

Thanks for sticking till the end. Also, I''ve joined a group of bloggers called Wordless Wednesday. So be looking for that on Wednesday.

Till then...

Dreams do come true!

Make fun all you want. I have loved this man since I was like 8. Ok ... maybe more like 12, but you know what I mean.

And the LOVE is deeper than "puppy love". When I was little, he and Marie were on TV. My family was SO drawn to them, because we were the only Mormons in our town, and to see them on TV was the greatest thing for us!

As I got older and more into singing, I grew to love him on a different level. He has a voice that touches my soul.

My life long dream is to sing with him. I've emailed Oprah, but she hasn't gotten back to me yet. It's only been 4 years. I may send her a reminder. :) I told him that by the way, and he told me to keep trying!! heehee

I also had a chance to talk to his wife. She was so nice. I HAD to tell her what I've just told you, and, most importantly, that she is my hero. she giggled when I told her that. I said, "Um, you ARE married to Donny Osmond! I asked her if he was planning on an upcoming TV projects, and she said nothing was on the horizon. We talked about that All American Dream Show, and how it was such a disappointment. I told her I wanted to be on it, but my dream is to sing with Donny, so that would have been weird. She said, "That would have been cute!!" Oh well, that dream was killed.

Now...I will tell you how the meeting came to be...whether you want to hear it or not!! ;)

We have some friends who are in The International Children's Choir. They were performing at the Rotary International Convention, opening ceremonies. They also were planning on being the flag bearers, like in the Olympics, ya know!

Well, the kids wear VERY elaborate costumes, and it was too soon for them to change out of them to do the flags. So my friend called me to see if Nick wanted to! He was so excited!! At first they told us parents couldn't come to watch. But Sunday morning, my friend called to tell me they had made arrangements for the parents to be able to watch, on the jumbo-tron back stage. I was so excited to get to watch Nick participate in such a cool, once in a lifetime thing. I got a few of pictures, and a little video of it. Note that we were watching the back of the jumbo-tron, so everything is backwards. He was so old, and really "owned" it. We were SO PROUD!!!

So once I was there, I was told that they had seen Donny earlier in the day. I almost fainted. Was I really going to get to meet him? Then Nick called, and said he had just seen him. So off on a quest I went. Everyone was making fun of me. But I totally didn't care. I would have stayed there till midnight just to be able to talk to him. When I was "looking" for him, I was so nervous, and "twitterpated". Then, as I came around a corner, there he was, with his wife, and youngest boy. And some escort lady. I opened my mouth and out fell, "I've been looking for you!" He said, "Oh really??!!" I shook his hand and told how, I just loved him, and have for years...of course. Then I told him how I was gonna try to be on Pyramid just to meet him. He said, well, your too late for that! And we laughed. Then I told him about Oprah, which I have already told you about. And he graciously took a picture with me. I was very "not crazy". He he was so genuine, and sweet. I was calm, and acted my age, I know a stretch for me. When he was out of site of course, I had to sit down.

*sigh* It was everything I hoped and dreamed it would be. Well, we didn't get to sing together, but I'm working on that letter to Oprah! His even wife told me to keep trying, cuz he has never been on Oprah!!

So that was the healing for my soul event of the year. What a year it's been, even the last few months.

And thanks for sticking with me to read the whole story!!!

Dreams DO come true...

A new milestone...

That's right ladies and gentleman...Jack has swallowed a penny!

The most interesting thing about this is...as developmentally normal as it is, for him to swallow a penny, and get it stuck in his throat. They could not get it out "normally". They tried to get it out with a catheter ballon, under xray. I told them he was very stubborn and won't open his mouth. And I thought they really should sedate him. Well, they said, "This usually always works! um...it didn't. Because of his lowtone oral muscles, he couldn't swallow it down, or up. So they called the ENT. They decided, instead of puting him under, which would mean intubating him, risking pushing the penny into his airway, they would sedate him. This would give him more control over his airway.

That was really the worst part. The sedation gave him Nystagmus which was totally freaky! He was so lifeless, it was really yucky. But...once he was sedated enough, they just reached in and pick it right out.

So...what an adventure! He was pretty good getting the IV, and it took them 3 tries. Once he "came back" he was pulling all his leads off, and happy as a clam.

*sigh*

Oh, and notice on the xray, how cute his profile is. It almost looks like a portrait!! You can also see his under-bite, which he may or may not grow out of.

What is in store next week!

Oh, and he has oral thrush, that we started treating yesterday. Which is an issue in itself, considering he won't open his mouth....*rolling eyes*