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Thursday, January 15, 2009

Light Up Shoes

It is a good thing my kids have grandmas. Without grandma, we would not have these fantastic light up shoes. Let me highlight their features:

1. Light up areas on the side and bottoms of the shoes.
2. Multiple colors of lights-these babies are red and blue. Pretty much, you could mistake Carter's feet for the lights of an emergency vehicle.
3. They are navy blue, black, electric green with white accents. You CAN not miss these shoes.
4. They have a bit of a high heel. This feature is awesome. Pants that are a little bit on the short side instantly become floods.
5. Size 11.5. This is a half size bigger than our regular size, so they will last a LONG time.
6. Carter reports that all of the kids at preschool LOVE his shoes. Apparently Miss Sherilyn really loves to see them light up under the table. (I bet)

So, thank you Grandma for letting Carter have the coolest shoes he has ever owned. He would not have them without you :)

(Really Grandma thanks for the shoes, even if they are light ups)

Monday, January 12, 2009

The Verdict

The pediatric GI called this afternoon and the verdict is in...Eosinophilic Esophagitis. If you are curious, here is link http://allergies.about.com/od/foodallergies/a/ee.htm After talking to the doctor, I've decided that this sucks, but we can deal with it. The plan is to elminate soy from his already restricted diet. That means no soy, gluten, dairy, eggs, or peas. I'm sure there will be a learning curve to this, but I hope that the main change will just be from soy milk to rice milk. Fortuantely, he already eats very little processed food, so maybe this elimination won't be as hard as the others? Keep your fingers crossed. In addition, he will begin with a systemic steroid for the next few weeks and then move to a topical steriod. The hope is that this will clear up the inflamation so that he can handle food better.

Thank you so much for all of your concern and support over the last week. The process of waiting and worrying was overwhelming, lonely and draining . Your support and love made the process easier. Often, I find myself worrying that I've done something wrong, something to cause Spike suffering. Your sweet comments and emails helped me to find confidence in myself and my ability to be a good mother to my boys. Thank you for being our friends. Thank you for loving us despite all of our shortcomings. Thank you.


Wednesday, January 7, 2009

So I was Wrong

Yesterday morning, we braved terrible roads, early morning hours and a 17 month old without a bottle/breakfast, to take Spike to his endoscopy at Primary Children's. This test was ordered in the end of October and we just got in this week. (As a strange coincidence, it was on this day two years that we saw the first extensive ultrasound of Spike). I've been dreading this test for a number of reasons. First, I am just a nervous person and the thought of putting my baby under general anesthesia and handing him off to people I don't know is scary. Second, I have been convinced there is nothing wrong with Spike and this is a waste of time and money. It seemed ridiculous to spend a fortune and put Spike through an ordeal to find out what I already knew, he is healthy.

Well, after two chats with the pediatric GI, a trip to the "consultation room" and a long time in the recovery room, I can say it, "I was wrong." There is something wrong with Spike's esophagus. We are still waiting on some biopsies to make a final diagnosis, but most likely he will have a course of treatment that may involve limiting his diet further and introducing steriod therapy. Honestly, when the doctor was talking, I felt like I couldn't even listen because I was so shocked there was actually something wrong. To be even more honest, I'm still not sure I believe there is anything wrong, even after seeing the pictures, reading the literature, and talking to the GI. Spike has been doing so much better lately that I just can't get my arms around it. I guess I think the pathology will come back that all is well....although the doctor's comment to that idea was, "it is highly unlikely." Whatever, just because he's been to medical school and in practice for 25 years he thinks he knows more than me. :) j/k. I feel like the guy in Dumb and Dumber...."so, you're saying there's a chance".

Anyway, the best part of the story is Spike. Even under icky conditions, the child was 100% spunk. While waiting for the anesthesiologist, he was throwing toys and being wild (while I recieved dirty looks from all the other parents). When he came out of surgery he was "agitated" to say the least. He held his breath for 30 seconds and turned blue, requiring supplemental oxygen, because he was so mad. Every time a nurse would come he'd hold up his arm with the IV and scream "ting, ting". Meaning, "TAKE THIS THING OFF MY ARM!" What can I say, the kid knows how to win friends and influence people.

I had a picture of Spike in recovery to post, but for some reason it won't load...maybe I'll try again later. In the meantime, I realize what we are going though is NOTHING in comparison to what millions of parents endure every day. Even so, if you have any extra time in your prayers, throw in a wish for Spike.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Seven Things

My friend Kristen tagged me to do this. It seemed like a good way to start the new year with some reflection. Who knows, maybe I can turn some of my "can nots" into CAN'S this year!

Seven Things I CAN do:
1. Cook 3 meals a day that are gluten free, dairy free and egg free.
2. Read for hours.
3. Make good chocolate chip cookies.
4. Run 2 miles (which is 2 miles more than I could a few months ago).
5. Tune out noise and chaos.
6. Save a lot of money grocery shopping with coupons (Embarrassing, but I love it).
7. Dance crazy with my kids to loud music.

Seven Things I CAN NOT do:
1. Clean when there is something fun to do with my family.
2. Watch movies that are scary or uncomfortable.
3. Stop worrying.
4. Make everyone happy.
5. Back a trailer.
6. Ski moguls.
7. Do a cartwheel. (don't ask why, I just can't...and I've really tried).

Seven things that attracted me to Jeff:
1. His faith.
2. His optimism.
3. His humor.
4. His generosity
5. His love for his family.
6. His dedication.
7. The way that everything feels better when he's with me.

Seven things I say often:
1. Spike, No, NO, NO!!!
2. Where is Spike?
3. Carter ask again the right way.
4. I love you SO MUCH
5. Be careful.
6. Whatever
7. Bummer

Seven People I Admire:(how do I answer this? I admire something about almost everyone I know!)
1. My Mom
2 Ashley
3. Jeff
4. Cindy
5. Krysti
6. My Nana
7. Grandpa Dick

Seven Favorite Foods/Drinks
1. DIET COKE!!
2. Gyro's
3. Hamburgers in the summer
4. Treats, any kind.
5. Callaways Santa Fe Alfredo
6. Eggs Benedict
7. Fresh veggies from the garden

Seven People I tag:
Anyone who wants to do it. It's harder than you think!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

wheew.....

I am back! We have had a crazy month. Have you ever seen people moving everything they own in the middle of a snowstorm and you think to yourself, "Who in their right mind would do that?" Well, I have the answer, me. We began moving on the first real snow day of winter. Special thanks to Ash who braved Parley's canyon to help us, Kevin who sacrificed his body when he fell/slid down the snow/ice covered trailer door carrying our couch, Gil and Cindy who watched the kids, and my mom and dad who came down the week before and helped us pack, mom who came down the next week to help me clean the old house. We are "mostly" moved in. What that means is, the stuff we use is unpacked. The boxes we have moved with us for the last 8.5 years are, well, still in boxes.

I had planned on getting out Christmas cards with our new address, but that was a dream that didn't happen. If I had your email address, I sent you a dorky picture and the new address. If I didn't, here is the picture anyway. Send me your email address at audrey.drury@gmail.com and I'll send you our contact info.