Easter - Updated

**UPDATED - No strep! I'm so thankful. It's just a cold/virus. All three of them have had it and a big praise, Titus' lungs have remained clear despite his nasty sounding cough.**

We all (amazingly) made it to church this morning and 15 of the 17 expected were at dinner. We have one that woke up from his nap with a fever but not feeling bad (after being well over 24 hours without one). Tomorrow, we head to the doctor. I'm concerned that it may be strep and I hope we didn't share - we would have cancelled or had it elsewhere if we had suspected he was still sick. Pictures hopefully to come! All in all, it was a really nice day and my boys looked super handsome in their matching outfits! :)

Ty

I meant to write this on Friday...we are so thankful that Titus had a great report from the doctor on Thursday! For the first time since November, he has clear lungs - "crystal clear" in the doctor's words. :) We are so glad! He will continue to have nebulizer treatments but he no longer needs one of the medications. We pray that he will stay healthy and that in the next couple of months we can totally eliminate the nebulizer.

That was the best news of our week!

Thanks & Time with Calvin

Praise God - Ty seems to be a little better today. Still a little wheezing and some coughing but he just sounds a little better, not well, but better. I'm relieved - I think it's going to take awhile for him to be completely over this (and yes, it is likely RSV or a related virus - that's what I suspected and unfortunately the doctor confirmed on Thurs.). Thank you for continuing to pray!

Calvin and I had some time out together today and it was delightful. I cherish the individual times I get with my boys! He talked my ear off, recited his favorite book (Brown Bear, Brown Bear), helped pick some Christmas presents, ordered his own lunch (chocolate milk & pancakes with two whip creams :)), and just generally made me smile. He has such a big heart and is such a sweet, affectionate child. He is working so hard on his speech and it's wonderful to hear him using sentences and trying to speak clearly. He has a long way to go but every week, his therapist tells me that he is working very hard during their sessions.

Calvin is a child that has overcome so many obstacles - malnutrition, cleft lip & palate, developmental delays, and speech delays - some we are still working on but he is a tenacious kid with an unquenchable spirit. He is a fighter and a clown and his smiles, laugh, hugs, and kisses make my day. One of my favorite things is that he ALWAYS refers to our house as 'our home' or 'my home'. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy hearing him talk about it. I'm so thankful and so blessed that God gave Him to us for our oldest son. He is a unique individual (like each of our sons!) with wonderful character traits, lots of personality, and tremendous potential. What fun we had today! Next time it will be Patrick's turn - I can't wait!

One of These Days...

...we'll all be healthy. :) I headed back to the doctor with Ty - he started wheezing and sounding much worse Saturday night. I could hear it in his lungs with my stethoscope. This morning I called the doctor and got an appointment - we don't mess around with respiratory illness once we hear wheezing etc. Anyway, they think it's probably viral especially since he doesn't have a fever but we'll keep an eye on him.

In the mean time, he has a chance to be introduced to the nebulizer :) - every 4 hours while he is awake. It will help and I'm glad that I took him in. I'm also really glad that we already have a nebulizer from Calvin's respiratory issues a couple of years ago. I filled the Rx for the baby dose and we are settled at home. No more gatherings for awhile - he attended 5 different events and was held by countless people who love him. Which, while fun and enjoyable, was probably too much for such a little guy. Oh well, live and learn and we were happy to see everyone! :) We'll take it easy this week and recover.

Andrew won't be home much due to work so it will just be the boys and me. Time to get caught up on laundry and dishes and start preparing for our annual holiday open house. The open house will be Friday, Dec. 19, 6-9p. at our place. We would love to have you so feel free to stop in!

Day & Doctor

My husband is home today - hooray! He needs to work a little but we have a long to-do list and then a fun evening with the kids!

I think I'm going to call the doctor on Monday - Titus still has a nasty occasional residual cough from the colds we all had awhile ago. It's getting better but it's not gone and after getting a second and third opinion last night (and feeling like I need peace of mind), I think it's time to check in with the doctor. No fever, no breathing difficulty and no other symptoms thus I haven't rushed in. We had lots of respiratory stuff with Calvin and this definitely isn't like that was...scary stuff.

I also think he is having a growth spurt! He wants to eat a lot! :)

Sickies

I have several blog posts floating around in my head but all three boys have colds (we've all been passing it around). C & P are doing pretty well - they were on fall break yesterday which was good. They are just a little extra grumpy and have yucky noses. Poor Titus just wants me to hold him. He doesn't have a fever - he has a cough and a little bit of runny eyes and nose. This is his first time being sick and he just doesn't know what to do. So we are cuddling lots and playing - I'm still getting smiles and coos despite him not feeling very well.

All of that to say that I hope to blog some this weekend but today we are laying low. I'm pretty much catering to everyone's needs and we stayed in bed (piled in our king) late this morning. My sweet boys need some extra TLC! And I love giving it!

On an unrelated note...thank you so much SBP for the book - I've already started it!

Home

I was planning to accomplish many things today including grocery shopping (I've only managed Costco this week) but instead I am home with a sick little boy. I knew he wasn't feeling good when I told him he wouldn't be able to go to school today and he was fine with it. :) Ty also had his one month appointment this morning and got another clean bill of health - he is 9lbs. 3 oz. and 21 inches long. My mom graciously stayed with the sickie. Honestly, it's been kind of nice not to have to be out much (though I'm sorry for the reason). We just really hit the ground running when Ty joined the family.

I've been working on home organization...how we manage to have things scattered everywhere, I'll never know. I feel like I'm constantly de-cluttering yet never catching up. :) Last night I tackled our room and today I've worked on the play room. So I'm off to rest a bit myself before all my boys are up and needing attention. :) This coming weekend will be our only weekend that is not full of commitments for probably a month so I'm trying to get things ready for us to seriously clean, de-junk, and donate.

Doctor's Report

We just got back from the doctor and things look good! He gained 2 oz. which is right on track. He cooperated beautifully but was a little dramatic - grunting everytime the doctor touched him. :)

I'm hoping to put up an album on facebook soon - we can't access anything here very well so it will probably be next week. If you aren't already my facebook friend - feel free to ask. :)

And if you still haven't received a picture and stats - please e-mail me again or leave a comment with an e-mail address or way to get in contact with you! I've been working on it...

Quick One

We are feeling better - praise the Lord! Hopefully it will stay away! Andrew went to the hospital early this morning and I stayed to rest for awile because I was still not feeling quite right. I was so glad he was feeling back to normal and was able to go because it broke my heart to have to leave last night. He is on his way back to the hotel to get me so I can go love on my baby boy. :) Thank you, thank you for the prayers. We will update later if we get a chance...or you may be getting sick of 2 and 3 posts a day...in that case, sorry, they probably won't stop at the moment. :)

News - Kind Of

I saw two doctors this morning (chiropractor and md) who both think it may be a herniated disk in my neck. Neither one know why my hand, wrist, and forearm are so swollen. I've started on Prednisone and hopefully I will feel better in the next couple of days - if not, I will have an MRI. It's all a little scary. The good news is that they don't think it's a blood clot - my circulation seems fine. All this, in the midst of our insurance change - yay, or definitely not. I'm praying that it will heal and there will be no further complications. I will call the doctor on Monday to let him know how I'm feeling and I will also see the chiropractor again on Monday. In the mean time, we are headed out of town. I'm hoping and praying the pain will decrease and I will be able to enjoy the weekend.

Pain

I have done something to my right hand, wrist, and arm which has been worsening all week. I'm not sure if it is tendinitis (it's been years since I had a flare-up) or a sprain or what but it's painful and I'm limiting my use of it to allow it to heal. Today it's to the point that I called into work for tomorrow, plan to see a doctor, have it wrapped, am putting ice on it periodically, and I'm taking an anti-inflammatory. I have a history with this arm but I'm hoping this is not a recurrence of past problems - it's been really good for a number years. So, I'm going to be avoiding typing for the next several days and other repetitive things. See ya when I get back!

Venting

Can I just vent for a moment? I'm so frustrated with insurance companies. We are trying to change plans - mainly because of astronomical costs, increased out-of-pocket expense with not the greatest coverage. The sad part, we cannot get independent insurance for Calvin. They refuse him based on his cleft. I find it utterly horrifying that people with disabilities and illnesses cannot get coverage outside of their company. And this is a child!!! We've explained that we are using Shriner's Hospital and that the insurance will not be billed but they are worried we might change our mind. We would be happy to sign an agreement that they won't cover any cleft surgeries or related complications. So irritating! Hopefully it will work out and we will be able to just leave Calvin on Andrew's plan (with Andrew, of course) but they aren't sure if we can even do that. It's just been a frustrating morning. End rant, for now. :)

**UPDATED: We are all insured - praise the Lord! It worked out for Calvin to stay on Andrew's work plan and Patrick and me to be on the independent plan. We are thankful that it will cut our monthly premiums in half!**

Appointment Report

We were so exhausted by the time we got home last night that I didn't post. We got up at 4:15 yesterday morning and left a little after 5. We arrived at the hospital with about 25 minutes to spare so that was great!


The appointment went very well. They are pleased with his speech progress and thought his scar looked very good. The speech pathologist (and cleft team leader) wanted to know what our secret for minimizing the scar was. :) The truth, we don't have one, he just looks really, really good. So, everything is healing properly. The ENT does want to replace his tubes - the right one is out and there if fluid in his hear and the left is getting close to coming out. We will schedule surgery in the next couple of months - it will be outpatient. I was very encouraged that he did pass his hearing test this time!

We have to give an updated immunization report and cardiology report before they will schedule surgery so doctors appointments are the next thing on my to-do list. He is due for both appointments in April, anyway. I think we have to do another EKG just to verify that his heart is fine.

So, that's the report. Other than the tubes, we probably won't have another surgery until he is 8 or 9. We are thankful. I will write more on speech decisions later. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!

**The pictures are progressive - before surgery (8/07), after surgery (9/07), and last week (3/08).**

Tomorrow

We are having some trouble with our laptop thus the lack of posting. :) We are headed to Chicago tomorrow for Calvin's appointment. We are praying for a good report and safe travel! We know he has lost one of his ear tubes so we are interested to know if he will need them again or if he is hearing better. We hope to have a better idea of how many more surgeries he will need and when. Also, this will be the first time that we are driving up and back in the same day and I'm sure it will be exhausting. His appointment is at 8 and he will see various doctors and specialists. We anticipate being there until 3 or later. Patrick will remain here with Nana. So that's what is going on here. I'm off to fold clothes while the kids nap - I'm rather behind. :)

Ear Infection

Yep, it's an ear infection. I didn't even consider that! He hasn't complained about his ear at all and had tubes placed last August - not because of ear infections but because of hearing. Anyway, one of the tubes came out of place but is still in his ear - in the canal instead of the drum. The doctor said his ear looks pretty bad and prescribed antibiotics. I'm definitely hoping that this will kick it and that all the symptoms are related to the infection or inconsequential. His fever is down this morning but we will alternate Tylenol and Ibuprofen if it starts rising so high again.

He isn't eating anything, just drinking lots of fluids. We are going to have a low key day and keep him hydrated and resting. Poor baby. I'm glad I took him in - his ear drum probably would have ruptured before I realized it was an ear infection!

We haven't been to the doctor since the boys' 2 year old check-ups in August - right before Calvin's surgery. Most everyone knows us at the doctor's office and they were absolutely amazed at how good he looks and how grown-up he is. I beamed with pride and agreed. We are blessed, so blessed. Which is why I become a mama bear when my kids are sick or hurting, I want to protect them, make them well, make them feel safe and loved...I can't imagine life without them.

*The picture was NOT taken today - he definitely doesn't feel that good. He is cuddled up next to me watching Ratatouille - he didn't get to finish it before the doctor. :)

The Doctor

We are headed to the doctor this morning. We could only keep Calvin's fever down throughout the night by giving him Tylenol every 4 hours - by that time, it had spiked high again. He has added lethargy, coughing, and sneezing to his symptoms. He wanted to watch Ratatouille this morning so he's doing that while I get ready for the doctor. They gave me an appointment in an hour. Andrew will stay home (and work) with Patrick who feels great this morning and is making Calvin crazy! :) I think it's the flu but want to be sure.

Work and Mysterious Illness

I filled in for one of our hygienists whose grandaughter was born today. I enjoyed the day - the patients, having lunch with my husband (we work 2 blocks apart), and visiting with my co-workers (I rarely see some of them these days with my very limited hours). It's been a long time since I worked most of a full day. It was nice but I was glad to see my boys!

I went to pick up the kids who had spent the afternoon at Nana's house and Calvin felt warm. My mom said he had been drinking a lot of water and hadn't taken a very long nap. We took his temp and it was over 103. We stayed a little longer and I took it again and it was over 104! The strange thing was that he was acting completely normal. The other times he has had high fevers, he has been lethargic and flushed but he did not exhibit these or any other symptoms. I brought him home and gave him Tylenol which brought his fever down significantly but did not take it away. He watched a movie (in an attempt to encourage quieter activity) and played, ate dinner, and went to bed. I'm thinking he may have other symptoms tomorrow but hopefully he'll be okay - he is coughing just a little.

Patrick is fine and really, you wouldn't know Calvin is even sick. Sadly, we had to cancel a play date for tomorrow that we were really looking forward to and I'm thinking we will also have to cancel speech therapy but we'll see. There has been so much going around that I'm guessing he just picked up a virus. It's always hard for me to see my kids sick. I wish I could just take it away!

Ugh.

Just when I thought we were in the clear...I came down with the worst flu known to man. Okay, maybe that is a slight exaggeration but I think it might be the worst I've ever had. Evidently we've had two different types of flu at our house and this is what Andrew had on New Year's Day. Yuck. I'll pass on ever having it again - 5 hours of agony and then a fever all day today. I feel better but not well and still have the fever and headache. My husband is a dear and has been playing mommy and daddy and nurse today.

Calvin was adorable, he came in this evening and I reached over and covered his hand with mine and he kissed it - awww. :) Patrick said, 'Hi' and wanted to show me his mad keyboard skills. :) They both wanted me to read them some books and I obliged. Calvin blew me kisses on the way to bed. What sweeties - I've missed them today!

I'm praying we are done being sick for awhile. Then I can be on to more interesting blog subjects and maybe I can get the rest of my Christmas decorations down and my house cleaned...

I'm off but thanks for all of your kind comments about our room. I've seen alot more of it than I expected this week - I'm so glad it's done!

Our New Year's Eve

Well, I had big plans for finishing some organizing and cleaning on this, the last day Andrew is home. But at 4:30a.m. I woke up to Andrew coming back to bed after being very sick. So needless to say, our day is not going as planned. Oh well, the boys and I have enjoyed putting together puzzzles and reading books - now they are playing with their cars on the floor of our room - Andrew is sleeping in the guest room at the other end of the upstairs. :)

We had a small, fun New Year's Eve party (at least until Andrew came down with the flu). We had 2 of my sisters and 1 of my brothers and their significant others. We played Trivial Pursuit, Dutch Blitz, & Play Station (for the guys), ate too much food, and watched the ball drop (poor Dick Clark - that was pretty bad).

I did all of the food. For those of you interested, here's the menu I came up with while standing in the store yesterday afternoon :): cocktail shrimp (they were buy 1 bag get 2 free!), queso, guacomole (well, Liz actually made this when she got to my house :)), and salsa with tortilla chips, bacon wrapped beef smokies, and honey fruit and nut brie w/crackers and bread cubes. I made chocolate fondue (I actually used white and dark swirled chips which made it not quite so rich) for our sweet and served it with angel food cake cubes, shortbread cookies, brownie bites, and strawberries.

We ususally do a bigger party but we have been so busy that I just wasn't up for it and this was the perfect way to ring in the new year. Who knows, it might even become a tradtition!

Update...

I'm doing okay today. Very sore, but okay. I know work would have done me in for the week because of the back pain so I'm glad that we made the call for me to stay home. I went to my chiropractor and feel a little better from that. Hopefully by tomorrow or Wednesday I'll be mostly pain free - maybe, although I suspect my tail bone may take a bit longer than that. :) What a weird accident; I'm just thankful it wasn't worse and that I wasn't carrying one of the boys.

Calvin and Patrick both had doctor's appointments this morning and that turned out a little unexpectedly. We will be headed to Riley for outpatient surgery on Friday. Nothing serious but Patrick needs a procedure. Our doctor was so gracious to offer it before the end of the year to maximize our insurance and deductibles for this year.

I'm taking it easy this afternoon but hope to get a few things started for the weekend later tonight. I'm not sure if Andrew will be home this evening - he was kind enough to stay home a couple of extra hours this morning so I could go to the chiro. by myself. :)