Just thought I'd throw in a quick reminder that tomorrow is National Pancake Day. Which means that once again IHOP is giving away a free short stack of pancakes all day (well, from I believe 6 am until 10 pm) to every customer. Any donations they get that day will go to the Children's Miracle Network to support local children's hospitals. Which is always a good thing. If they do the same as last year, you can donate on their website if you don't want to fight the crowds that are sure to be there.
Last year I decided not to fight crowds and just made pancakes at home. May do the same thing again. Especially since Dylan has developed quite the runny nose.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The Best-Laid Schemes
As is written and often quoted (albeit often misquoted I discovered recently) poem by Robert Burns, things in life don't always go the way we plan for them. Like having a child with a CHD. But we make the best of what ever comes are way and are hopefully the better for it.
Once again Russ and I find ourselves heading down a path we didn't plan. And that path starts with a 9 month journey. Yep, that's right. Russ and I are expecting our 6th child. Before you start asking if we know there are things that can prevent that, yes we do and yes we used it. It just didn't work as it sometimes doesn't. And for the most part I'm fine with it. I do worry about little things like where on earth will we fit another body in our car that is full and what are we going to do with a baby when it's time for Dylan's next surgery. But I know that things will all work out, as I know that this child was meant to be a part of our family. Just not quite what we expected at this point. (Granted, I'm sure my older sister who is also expecting but who will be 41 close to when she delivers feels much the same way.)
I will be 10 weeks tomorrow, which puts the due date as September 15. We told the kids last night and they are thrilled. Russ and I aren't quite as excited as they are, but we're getting there.
Once again Russ and I find ourselves heading down a path we didn't plan. And that path starts with a 9 month journey. Yep, that's right. Russ and I are expecting our 6th child. Before you start asking if we know there are things that can prevent that, yes we do and yes we used it. It just didn't work as it sometimes doesn't. And for the most part I'm fine with it. I do worry about little things like where on earth will we fit another body in our car that is full and what are we going to do with a baby when it's time for Dylan's next surgery. But I know that things will all work out, as I know that this child was meant to be a part of our family. Just not quite what we expected at this point. (Granted, I'm sure my older sister who is also expecting but who will be 41 close to when she delivers feels much the same way.)
I will be 10 weeks tomorrow, which puts the due date as September 15. We told the kids last night and they are thrilled. Russ and I aren't quite as excited as they are, but we're getting there.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Dylan's 18 Month Checkup
Dylan had his 18 month checkup today. I laughed because the nurse at first asked if he were in for his year checkup. Apparently time has gone by just as fast for her. She commented about remembering when he first went there.
Dylan was surprisingly good this time. At his 15 month appointment he cried nearly the whole time he was being examined. This time he was nervous but just watched the doctor very carefully. Even smiled at him. Briefly.
Dylan is just below, but very close to the average for height at 32 inches. He now weighs 24 pounds, 1 ounce, which is only a very slight gain from last time. But after a week of not eating much because of a sore throat and then a recent bout of diarrhea, it's not surprising. His doctor wasn't concerned at all as it is still a gain and he's above the 25th percentile. Added that with the statistics of so many teenagers being overweight, it's not a bad thing to keep him on the lean side.
I did chuckle when after listening to his heart the doctor said, "Yep, sounds like a Maytag." I've read where other people with truncus kids have had doctors tell them their hearts sound like a washing machine. Of course, Dylan's doctor doesn't know I've read that, but I still thought it was funny.
Dylan had his last shot until his kindergarten checkup today. I was smart. I let him pick out a sucker from the sucker drawer and so when the nurse came back in to give him his shot, he had that happily in hand (with the wrapper still on). He started to cry when she gave him the shot but I quickly pulled off the wrapper and he happily stuck it in his mouth, stopping any thoughts of the shot. He was just happy to be going, as anyone who was near could tell by his happily heading out the door saying, "Go! Go!"
The next checkup he should have will be his next echo sometime in May. Which reminds me. I suppose I could call and schedule that appointment soon. They did say they would send me a reminder card to schedule the appointment, but I may not wait for the card to do that. Hopefully he won't need to go to the doctor for any reason before then. That would be nice.
Dylan was surprisingly good this time. At his 15 month appointment he cried nearly the whole time he was being examined. This time he was nervous but just watched the doctor very carefully. Even smiled at him. Briefly.
Dylan is just below, but very close to the average for height at 32 inches. He now weighs 24 pounds, 1 ounce, which is only a very slight gain from last time. But after a week of not eating much because of a sore throat and then a recent bout of diarrhea, it's not surprising. His doctor wasn't concerned at all as it is still a gain and he's above the 25th percentile. Added that with the statistics of so many teenagers being overweight, it's not a bad thing to keep him on the lean side.
I did chuckle when after listening to his heart the doctor said, "Yep, sounds like a Maytag." I've read where other people with truncus kids have had doctors tell them their hearts sound like a washing machine. Of course, Dylan's doctor doesn't know I've read that, but I still thought it was funny.
Dylan had his last shot until his kindergarten checkup today. I was smart. I let him pick out a sucker from the sucker drawer and so when the nurse came back in to give him his shot, he had that happily in hand (with the wrapper still on). He started to cry when she gave him the shot but I quickly pulled off the wrapper and he happily stuck it in his mouth, stopping any thoughts of the shot. He was just happy to be going, as anyone who was near could tell by his happily heading out the door saying, "Go! Go!"
The next checkup he should have will be his next echo sometime in May. Which reminds me. I suppose I could call and schedule that appointment soon. They did say they would send me a reminder card to schedule the appointment, but I may not wait for the card to do that. Hopefully he won't need to go to the doctor for any reason before then. That would be nice.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
National CHD Awareness Week
Today marks the start of National Congenital Heart Disease/defect Awareness week. There are a few things associated with this and with the local support group that I belong to (Intermountain Healing Hearts) that I am aware of.
Up at Primary Children's they have a banner on the parking structure stating that it is National CHD Awareness Week and have a table with cookies. Also this week on the 15th, Paul Cardall is having a concert with a silent auction to benefit some who have been affected by chd's. I believe tickets are still available. Later this month, on the 20th at the Kearns Olympic Oval from 1-4 is an event sponsored by IHH to raise funds for research and awareness for chd's including prize drawings and a silent auction (not to mention ice skating, music and food). Admission for that is $10 per person or $50 for a family of 5 or more, including an entry in the drawing for each family member.
Me? I'm not sure yet on if we will be going to the ice skating thing (although I'm sure my kids would love it, especially since every time we drive past the frozen ponds where we saw a family playing hockey one day they ask when we will take them ice skating). But I have put the Valentine's hearts on my car again this year and plan on leaving them up for as long as I can stand this month. And seeing as my polka dots have all faded, I may just keep them up all month. Much to Jimmy's chagrin.
I saw this poem on the blog of one of my second cousins who lost a daughter to a chd. Thought I would repost it here and add, as she did, that I hope the author doesn't mind. I believe it was written for CHD Awareness Week.
Up at Primary Children's they have a banner on the parking structure stating that it is National CHD Awareness Week and have a table with cookies. Also this week on the 15th, Paul Cardall is having a concert with a silent auction to benefit some who have been affected by chd's. I believe tickets are still available. Later this month, on the 20th at the Kearns Olympic Oval from 1-4 is an event sponsored by IHH to raise funds for research and awareness for chd's including prize drawings and a silent auction (not to mention ice skating, music and food). Admission for that is $10 per person or $50 for a family of 5 or more, including an entry in the drawing for each family member.
Me? I'm not sure yet on if we will be going to the ice skating thing (although I'm sure my kids would love it, especially since every time we drive past the frozen ponds where we saw a family playing hockey one day they ask when we will take them ice skating). But I have put the Valentine's hearts on my car again this year and plan on leaving them up for as long as I can stand this month. And seeing as my polka dots have all faded, I may just keep them up all month. Much to Jimmy's chagrin.
I saw this poem on the blog of one of my second cousins who lost a daughter to a chd. Thought I would repost it here and add, as she did, that I hope the author doesn't mind. I believe it was written for CHD Awareness Week.
Somewhere...someplace... today...
A family is waiting to hear...
Is something wrong with their baby?
The answers aren't quite clear...
This family has entered an unwanted world...
And they just don't know what to expect...
Somewhere...someplace... today
They first heard the words: heart defect.
And how they hoped this was not true...
And thought... this cannot be...
I too... know just how this feels...
For one day...this was me.
Somewhere...someplace...today...
A man and a woman embrace...
Their baby is in surgery...
They long to see her face...
They haven't got to hold her yet...
Without...a cord or line...
They pace the room awaiting news...
And hope she'll be just fine.
Prayers fill this busy waiting room...
And mom and dad are scared...
Somewhere...someplace..today...
The tiniest hearts are repaired.
Somewhere...someplace...today...
A child's growing fast...
Smiling,laughing,thriving...
His mom thinks...can this last?
It's almost easy...to forget...
That anything is wrong...
Somewhere...someplace..today...
Her child seems so strong.
Somewhere...someplace... today...
A little boy fights...just to live
A father holds his tiny hand...
His love...all he can give...
The doctor's are all baffled...
They fear that he might die...
Somewhere...someplace...today...
A family says goodbye...
Somewhere...someplace...each year..
More than 40,000 families will see...
What it means...when something's wrong...
They'll face a CHD.
Today...for just a moment...
Stop...remember...reflect...
Make time to tell someone you know...
"I've been changed by a heart defect"
Author - Stephanie Husted
Monday, January 25, 2010
Words, Words, Words
You'd think that with my 5th child I wouldn't be amazed at how well and how many words he says. Especially when all of my children have been good talkers. Sure, I've had more than one amaze people in nursery when we've gone to pick them up and they start chatting because they don't say a single word while we're gone, but they really have all been good talkers. Back in November when Dylan had his last echo, his cardiologist asked how many words he says. We made a quick guess because we hadn't counted at that point. Russ guessed between 20 and 30 words. I thought it was closer to about 15. And you know what? I still couldn't tell you exactly how many words he says. He does sometimes say a complete sentence though. Lately he likes to say, "I wanna go!" No, he doesn't care where, he just wants to go for a ride or go outside and play.
I couldn't help yesterday but smile when we were at our special Stake Conference with Elder Holland of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. Russ had given Dylan a piece of paper and a couple of crayons and he happily sang (for a good part of the meeting, I might add), "Color, color, color!" Yes, I know that we have said we are keeping Dylan home from church and things during the winter to try to keep him from getting sick. Besides the fact that he still catches everything, neither of us wanted to miss this meeting so we decided to take him yesterday. A bit selfish of us, I know.
In fact, Dylan is getting to be a toad when it comes to coloring. He will find a crayon and color on whatever surface is nearby. Including the tablecloth, the dishwasher, the fridge and the cabinets. One time I found him crouched under the bench for our organ coloring the underside. He got mad when I didn't let him color on the computer screen. But he's the happiest toad as he's doing it. And happily singing like he did yesterday. He makes me laugh though. If he gets a piece of paper, he will take it and lay down on the floor to color on it. Here's a picture of him doing it. No, I still haven't found my camera so this was taken with my cell phone, hence the poor quality.
I couldn't help yesterday but smile when we were at our special Stake Conference with Elder Holland of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. Russ had given Dylan a piece of paper and a couple of crayons and he happily sang (for a good part of the meeting, I might add), "Color, color, color!" Yes, I know that we have said we are keeping Dylan home from church and things during the winter to try to keep him from getting sick. Besides the fact that he still catches everything, neither of us wanted to miss this meeting so we decided to take him yesterday. A bit selfish of us, I know.
In fact, Dylan is getting to be a toad when it comes to coloring. He will find a crayon and color on whatever surface is nearby. Including the tablecloth, the dishwasher, the fridge and the cabinets. One time I found him crouched under the bench for our organ coloring the underside. He got mad when I didn't let him color on the computer screen. But he's the happiest toad as he's doing it. And happily singing like he did yesterday. He makes me laugh though. If he gets a piece of paper, he will take it and lay down on the floor to color on it. Here's a picture of him doing it. No, I still haven't found my camera so this was taken with my cell phone, hence the poor quality.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Jimmy's Science Fair Project
I realize that I haven't posted in a while. Just really haven't had anything to post about. Unless I wanted to complain about realizing I'm not as young and in shape as I used to be each time I get on the treadmill. Today is the school's Science Fair. Most of the month of December Jimmy would tell us that he needed the plants for his project since the science fair was toward the end of January. Silly thinking on my part, but I assumed he was wrong and the science fair was toward the end of February. Luckily we finally took him and got the plants he wanted. He decided to get three plants and use one for a control and the other two he would talk to and measure their growth to see if the talking actually had any effect on them. One of the two he would say only positive things and the other he would say only negative. He also made sure that when they needed watering, he always watered the same amount to each plant and watered them at the same time. Knowing that even indoor plants tend to go dormant during the winter months, I worried that he wouldn't see any results.
Being a family of procrastinators (for the most part), we waited until last night after dinner to even go buy Jimmy the display board for his project and get putting it together. Which meant we were up a bit past bedtime getting it done. Surprisingly, the girls actually fell asleep earlier last night than they usually do so it made it a little easier.
Russ helped Jimmy measure the plants when he first got them and again last night to show the final results. After measuring them, Jimmy came up to me convinced the project had failed. I asked him if there were any changes in height this time. He said that yes, the one he talked negatively to had gotten shorter, so surely it had failed. Asked him about the other two. He told me that the control stayed the same and the one he talked positively to had grown a little. I told him that those all showed results. I think he got more excited about that project than he had at any other point as he worked on it.
Jimmy then typed up all of the information for each plant and his hypothesis and conclusion and printed them up along with photos of each plant. Apparently they didn't want them to bring anything other than the display boards, so he did need the pictures of the plants. Still not having found my camera, we took pictures with Russ' cellphone and sent them to the computer so he could print them up.
I thought his board turned out well. Especially considering the late start we got working on it last night. I did help him a little with it, but my help mostly consisted of reminding him which information he needed to show and cutting out the pictures and things and helping him glue them on the board. He really did the work for it.
The open house for the Science Fair is tonight. They will give awards there. I won't be sad if Jimmy doesn't get an award for his project. I just hope that he gets a decent grade on it.
I find it interesting to think of the results he found even in a shorter time than he would have liked to work on it. These are plants. They aren't self-aware like we are. Yet the one he said negative things to actually got smaller. Makes me think of the effects negative and positive words have on each of us.
Along the same lines of Jimmy stuff, Jimmy told me yesterday that he moved up to a higher math class yesterday and they took a spelling test in his class and he was the only one who would have gotten a 3 on it (3 basically being an "A"). He said everyone else would have gotten 1's, so his teacher didn't record the scores and they will do it again. He also was one of the two fastest typists in computers.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Belated Christmas Post
About a week before Christmas I told Jimmy how I remember Christmas morning as a child. We would line up in the hall at a bright and early hour and wait for the okay to all rush into the living room where Santa always had lots of presents for us. The order of the line changed every year to try to keep it fair. Of course, the one who was sick that year was the one who got to go first. Jimmy asked me what happened if more than one person happened to be sick that year. I gave him the only answer I knew: I don't know. I should have known that I had just cursed my family.
A few days before Christmas, I noticed that Lyssa looked a bit flushed and her eyes looked bright red. Soon thereafter Molly and Emma also had the bright red eyes. All three had what I fondly term "eye boogers" and I knew conjunctivitis had invaded. And so the day before Christmas Eve I ended up at the doctor's office with the three girls to get the needed eye drops. I asked how long I should consider them being contagious. The nurse told me that as long as their eyes looked goopy.
Every year on Christmas Eve we get together with Russ' family for food, presents, and a program. That morning Russ was in a bit of a bad mood. Not only did the girls still have eye boogers, but Dylan now had some. Plus Russ said his eyes felt itchy and he was a bit coldy. So it ended up that Jimmy and I were the only ones who were able to make it to the party. Which really made it easy for me, but I would have preferred it if everyone had been able to go. The girl's eyes really did look much better by the time I got home from the party. So there was hope for Christmas day. Especially the way Jimmy was constantly washing his hands to try to avoid getting it.
Christmas morning arrived and the kids were happy to see the stash from Santa and seemed to like all of their gifts. The only remaining gifts were to my parents, whom we planned to visit that afternoon. Russ and I worked on putting together the treadmill he got me for Christmas when Jimmy came out of his room with a grunt and his shirt pulled up over his face. Yes, despite all of his hand washing (and sanitizing everything with Lysol), he got it. So again I was the one to go while Russ stayed home with Jimmy. Only this time the girls and Dylan were able to go with me.
We didn't stay all that long because Dylan didn't get a nap and was cranky. At one point he tried to get me to stand up and kept saying, "Go!"
At least we were generally well for New Year's.
Yes, I know I have no pictures with this post. I did take a few. And then couldn't remember where I put the camera. Then I found it and set it somewhere so I would remember where it was. Yeah, I shouldn't do that. Once again, I can't remember where I moved it to.
A few days before Christmas, I noticed that Lyssa looked a bit flushed and her eyes looked bright red. Soon thereafter Molly and Emma also had the bright red eyes. All three had what I fondly term "eye boogers" and I knew conjunctivitis had invaded. And so the day before Christmas Eve I ended up at the doctor's office with the three girls to get the needed eye drops. I asked how long I should consider them being contagious. The nurse told me that as long as their eyes looked goopy.
Every year on Christmas Eve we get together with Russ' family for food, presents, and a program. That morning Russ was in a bit of a bad mood. Not only did the girls still have eye boogers, but Dylan now had some. Plus Russ said his eyes felt itchy and he was a bit coldy. So it ended up that Jimmy and I were the only ones who were able to make it to the party. Which really made it easy for me, but I would have preferred it if everyone had been able to go. The girl's eyes really did look much better by the time I got home from the party. So there was hope for Christmas day. Especially the way Jimmy was constantly washing his hands to try to avoid getting it.
Christmas morning arrived and the kids were happy to see the stash from Santa and seemed to like all of their gifts. The only remaining gifts were to my parents, whom we planned to visit that afternoon. Russ and I worked on putting together the treadmill he got me for Christmas when Jimmy came out of his room with a grunt and his shirt pulled up over his face. Yes, despite all of his hand washing (and sanitizing everything with Lysol), he got it. So again I was the one to go while Russ stayed home with Jimmy. Only this time the girls and Dylan were able to go with me.
We didn't stay all that long because Dylan didn't get a nap and was cranky. At one point he tried to get me to stand up and kept saying, "Go!"
At least we were generally well for New Year's.
Yes, I know I have no pictures with this post. I did take a few. And then couldn't remember where I put the camera. Then I found it and set it somewhere so I would remember where it was. Yeah, I shouldn't do that. Once again, I can't remember where I moved it to.
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