Well, here we are.
The drive was less stressful than expected.
We left Woodstock, Georgia Tuesday, Nov. 27th at around 5:15pm. Our time table was all flipped because the loaders were a lot slower than promised.
There was the passing of Trent to neighbors to babysit on the fly. And trying to make sure the midget wasn't squished like a fly wandering around the house.
Nora coming home from preschool to find her room packed up, first excited then panicked to find all her shoes packed! Three pairs packed in the luggage was just not going to be enough. Mmmmm, I have a shoe diva on my hands.
We had a kerfluffle with the kitty cage not fitting in Rich's car how we thought. Ooops. Funnier, we had a conversation two days prior about testing it out. We had not executed the plan.
And so began our journey.
Rich had meticulously mapped our entire route across the country. Near destinations with hotels if we got tired early in the late afternoon. Long destinations if we wanted to burn some midnight oil. From the start we were leaving about 4 hrs later than anticipated so we had to punt on the first hours of travel.
Atlanta, like most large cities, is a commuter nightmare. After the emotional toll of two packing and loading days we would lose our minds in stop and go traffic. We opted to go north to Nashville, instead of west towards Memphis.
Both us were powered only by adrenaline that was overriding the exhaustion. I likened it to giving birth, you are so tired afterward but can't sleep for hours caught in the excitement of it all.
The kids behaved most of the time. There were fights about who was holding the DVD player or touching something, but hey that can happen on a normal day in our house.
The lights of the city fascinated at night. Lulled into a state of peace by the twinkle of lights and promise of sleep we rolled into Nashville.
Our thoughts the next morning were only of getting on the road. Get the kids dressed, get breakfast, find the cat in the hotel room. Secure cat in cage. Pack all the electronics and travel hoopla up. Away we go.
Ring, ring,,,''Yes?'' (I need to mention that I was in my car with the kids, Rich had the cat in his car. We drove tandem across the country)
Rich, ''Loki has escaped.''
Me, ''what?"
Rich, "Well, I looked back to talk to her and isn't in the cage. And what's freakier is I didn't hear her get out!"
Me. "Where is she in the car?"
Rich. "I'm pretty sure shes squished under the passenger seat."
Me: ''Ok, she probably feels safe there. Loki and the great houdini escape. Ahh.....tick that one off the crazy adventure list.''
And so started located Loki in the car before making a well thought out car exit.
I spent the rest of the morning listening to Toy Story on repeat, trying to counteract it with some Andrea Bocelli in the front seat. Occasionally, I would be told to turn my music down please, ''we can't enjoy the movie''. Sigh......background noise of my life, children's cartoons.
In contrast, Rich was listening to ''Lord of the Rings'' book on cd. Sweet necture of mental driving bliss that it is for him.
We stopped in Arkansas for lunch at a McDonald's. Blech! But they had an awesome playground. We stayed for 1.5 hrs to get the wiggles out of the kids. They were behaving so well, almost angelic. The memo about no craziness, no whining, no screaming being allowed had somehow gotten translated. They laughed, they played, they were in awe of the new landscapes. Nora cheered with excitement as we crossed state lines.
Mommy and daddy just tried to focus on the road and not think about how much farther we had to go.
We put our sights on Oklahoma City, mental braced for a long long afternoon and night. Rich's matrix of travel had OKC as the stopping point the second day of travel. Sheer determination was going to get us back on schedule. We wanted to make a point to ourselves, that we could do this. Some people suggested that we were crazy for driving in two different cars and we were going to prove them wrong.
That it CAN be done, you just have to be ready for twists and turns in the road.
(story continued in another post, must cook dinner)
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Pause
And now there will be a brief pause in blogging due to unpacking the 13,900lbs of stuff we moved across almost 2400 miles.....back in a few days with tales of our venture.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Last Day
Today is the last day in our house before the packers arrive.
I've woken up in my misty green bedroom for the last time.
Snuggle with my kids in my bed for the last time.
Made my last cup of coffee in the kitchen.
I will clean my house for the last time(although honestly moving to a 1800 sq. ft. house from this 2900 sq. ft. is going to be awesome in the realm of cleaning)
Last meals to be had, last giggles in the rooms we have called home for almost 9 years.
We are working on all the last touch ups and to do's before we hand over the keys. (We have a renter for the next 18 mths we will be gone)
I am hoping we come back. Pulling away on Tuesday will be a sad moment.
Nora is already crying daily about not leaving Georgia. Why can't daddy get work in Florida or Texas where her cousins are? Her last days have been filled with final playdates and goodbyes that the 5 year old heart cannot understand.
Rich and I are doing our best to keep going since we have not choice. I think the enormity of it all hits us at night before we go to bed and in our restless sleep.
This house has become part of hearts.
I've woken up in my misty green bedroom for the last time.
Snuggle with my kids in my bed for the last time.
Made my last cup of coffee in the kitchen.
I will clean my house for the last time(although honestly moving to a 1800 sq. ft. house from this 2900 sq. ft. is going to be awesome in the realm of cleaning)
Last meals to be had, last giggles in the rooms we have called home for almost 9 years.
We are working on all the last touch ups and to do's before we hand over the keys. (We have a renter for the next 18 mths we will be gone)
I am hoping we come back. Pulling away on Tuesday will be a sad moment.
Nora is already crying daily about not leaving Georgia. Why can't daddy get work in Florida or Texas where her cousins are? Her last days have been filled with final playdates and goodbyes that the 5 year old heart cannot understand.
Rich and I are doing our best to keep going since we have not choice. I think the enormity of it all hits us at night before we go to bed and in our restless sleep.
This house has become part of hearts.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Being Sincere
I don't know if I read it somewhere or heard it at church, but there is a thought stuck in my head.
''Be sincere in your prayers and thoughts, God will make things happen.''
For five months we have had a diagnosis hanging over our heads, I must admit that in that time I questioned things and got mad at the world. I think Rich took over with the denial phase for me, he denied anything was wrong until we actually got an answer.
We had a conversation last week, where I told Rich that these last five months have taught me more about patience and letting control go than anything else in my life. I don't have time or the energy to dwell on negativity. I can't. On that day, I didn't know what my prognosis was but I did know that my time on earth might be shorter than expected.
I declared myself DONE with worrying my life away. My marriage and kids are the most important things, nothing else compares to that.
My thoughts went upward with a sincerity of hope. Someone or something give me hope and open that proverbial window. I was at peace over the weekend, not knowing. A voice inside me told me everything was going to be ok, to just hold on for the ride.
Note taken.
On Saturday we had a man from Connecticut walk through our house as a potential lease. We happened to be home but sequestered to the backyard doing chores while he toured the house. He came out and asked us questions and I just got the feeling of a truly honest person.
That day after he left, I stopped and sent up another wish. Please, please let him be the one to rent our house, he feels like a kind soul. And with that, the rest of the weekend unfolded perfectly into that last blissful moment of Sunday night.
Monday morning, Bonnie Jo called from the neurologists office. I didn't even hold my breath as she spoke the words, ''Your spinal tap is clear honey. We are referring you back to the hematologist for Hughes Syndrome.'' And the weight of the world seemed to come off my shoulders in that moment.
Yes, I'm still sick. Yes, I still have a mountain to climb but it's doable. This disease is treatable. I will still be able bodied mommy. All the fears of moving forward as a mom and wife were cut in half. Thank you, thank you to all those angels looking over me. Thank you for putting doctors in my path that cared with understanding hearts and believed in their patient.
One hour later we found out that the man from Connecticut was flying his wife down to make the final decision on the house. WOW! Our house was also his favorite according to the realtor.
I was home again when the wife came by. She is a kind and sweet soul that exuded warmth and a relatable momminess. I felt like we were old friends as she asked me questions about my home after touring it. An hour after she left, we got a call saying the couple had put an application in on the house.
Our prayers and hopes for the next stage of life have been answered.
''Be sincere in your prayers and thoughts, God will make things happen.''
For five months we have had a diagnosis hanging over our heads, I must admit that in that time I questioned things and got mad at the world. I think Rich took over with the denial phase for me, he denied anything was wrong until we actually got an answer.
We had a conversation last week, where I told Rich that these last five months have taught me more about patience and letting control go than anything else in my life. I don't have time or the energy to dwell on negativity. I can't. On that day, I didn't know what my prognosis was but I did know that my time on earth might be shorter than expected.
I declared myself DONE with worrying my life away. My marriage and kids are the most important things, nothing else compares to that.
My thoughts went upward with a sincerity of hope. Someone or something give me hope and open that proverbial window. I was at peace over the weekend, not knowing. A voice inside me told me everything was going to be ok, to just hold on for the ride.
Note taken.
On Saturday we had a man from Connecticut walk through our house as a potential lease. We happened to be home but sequestered to the backyard doing chores while he toured the house. He came out and asked us questions and I just got the feeling of a truly honest person.
That day after he left, I stopped and sent up another wish. Please, please let him be the one to rent our house, he feels like a kind soul. And with that, the rest of the weekend unfolded perfectly into that last blissful moment of Sunday night.
Monday morning, Bonnie Jo called from the neurologists office. I didn't even hold my breath as she spoke the words, ''Your spinal tap is clear honey. We are referring you back to the hematologist for Hughes Syndrome.'' And the weight of the world seemed to come off my shoulders in that moment.
Yes, I'm still sick. Yes, I still have a mountain to climb but it's doable. This disease is treatable. I will still be able bodied mommy. All the fears of moving forward as a mom and wife were cut in half. Thank you, thank you to all those angels looking over me. Thank you for putting doctors in my path that cared with understanding hearts and believed in their patient.
One hour later we found out that the man from Connecticut was flying his wife down to make the final decision on the house. WOW! Our house was also his favorite according to the realtor.
I was home again when the wife came by. She is a kind and sweet soul that exuded warmth and a relatable momminess. I felt like we were old friends as she asked me questions about my home after touring it. An hour after she left, we got a call saying the couple had put an application in on the house.
Our prayers and hopes for the next stage of life have been answered.
Friday, November 9, 2012
No News
I'm going to go with the old adage ''No news, is good news'' since I haven't heard from my neurologists office about the spinal tap results.
It leaves this weekend to solely focus on the last push of organizing and cleaning before the move. ALL the furniture not going to California will be in my in-laws basement. Minus a few nick nacks the pain of 'moving' will be over for us.
I spent the morning cleaning all the windows with Windex to work off my nervous energy. The cat, Loki followed me around basking in the sunlight and purring. Almost two hours later I was done, minus a half bottle of Windex and almost two rolls of paper towels.
Now I am sitting here relaxing. Taking the day off as I promised myself yesterday.
It's a good day.
It leaves this weekend to solely focus on the last push of organizing and cleaning before the move. ALL the furniture not going to California will be in my in-laws basement. Minus a few nick nacks the pain of 'moving' will be over for us.
I spent the morning cleaning all the windows with Windex to work off my nervous energy. The cat, Loki followed me around basking in the sunlight and purring. Almost two hours later I was done, minus a half bottle of Windex and almost two rolls of paper towels.
Now I am sitting here relaxing. Taking the day off as I promised myself yesterday.
It's a good day.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Lying Here Looking Up
It's not every day you get to view your world from a horizontal position.
All. Day. Long.
Yesterday was a challenge. It was spinal tap day, up early and to the hospital for what will hopefully be the LAST major medical test.
I found myself sublimely calm about this one, even Rich admitted that yesterday was the least stressful and emotionally taxing of the whole diagnosis ordeal. And by the way, he talked to a guy at work who's daughter in law was diagnosed with MS in 3 hours at Piedmont Hospital.....ummm, I've been doing this for almost 5 months. But at least I've learned some patience during that time.
All the doctors were female again which I tend to find comforting. So, I spent 2 hrs hooked up to a EKG and IV fluids to monitor me beforehand.
The procedure was in an xray room that I'm pretty sure I had my HSG procedure in almost exactly 6 yrs ago. I'll let you all look up HSG if you are curious what that is. Once again being in the same room, oddly comforting.
I had to lay on my stomach with my right leg out to make a '4', supposedly this opens the spinal gaps. Dr. Wendy, the physicians assistant walked me through the whole thing. REALLY cold betadine rubbed on my back three times. Bee sting like prick and burn with the numbing meds. I jumped both times she stabbed me.
Now time for the needle. Pressure, pressure and a small pop. ''We are in, you did great''. Take an xray of the needle placement.
Ok, we are going to tilt the table to help the spinal fluid flow out. Mechanical sounds and the table tilts to about 30 degrees. Dr. Wendy takes the first 2 cc sample...drip, drip into a little vial.
I lay there thinking that I have so many people watching over me during this. If this is MS, I have two aunts looking down on me, protecting me and blessing my journey. I know I have grandparents that are doing the same. I am blessed.
Procedure all done. ....16 cc's of spinal fluid. Rich tells me this is just short of a tablespoon. My math genius had to do the conversion. (Smile)
Lay on my back for another two hours to make sure I don't have excess bleeding. If I'm vertical too much in the next 24 hrs I could get a spinal headache, of which no meds will touch the pain of. Sounds awesome. I'm staying still, laying like broccoli, but Richard Gere is no where around....not the same. (If you don't get the reference, you aren't a chick)
Head home to become mommy immobilized for the rest of the day. Rich has to go to work for a telecon with the people in California.
Hmmmm. So here I am. Mommy on the floor. Ready to test how well behaved my children really are, how strongly are they under my thumb?
Lay on the toy room floor and play puzzles upside down, blocks, and cards. Send Nora to get diapers, juice, and snacks. Watch the kids pop all the balloons from Nora's party with a tooth pick. Fantastic entertainment for 10 minutes.
I've been told that I can only get up for 5 minutes every hour. Those 5 minutes better count! Bathroom, drink, snack....assume the plank position again. This would be easier if I actually FELT sick.
Should I count the splotches on my ceiling? Nah, can't be as fun as counting ceiling tiles in the MRI room.
Lay on our bed and watch movie with Nora while Trent naps. Doze in and out since nervousness woke me up at 4am. At this point, I'm pretty sure the achiness is from being horizontal all day and not moving. Ironic, since I normally hurt from moving around too much.
Oh look, wow that fan is dusty. I need to do something. Damn, the internet is down. This has got to be a sanity check. It sounded sort of fun at first, a day off. Now it's just torture.
Lay on the bean bag in the toy room and watch cartoons, do lacing cards and play airplanes with Trent. Talk to friends and family on my cellphone. Intermittently worry about the disaster my house is becoming in one day! Then forget about that when Trent snuggles in, ahhh content.
Daddy's home with dinner! He feeds the kids. Daddy has to do dishes. Mommy to the bedroom to lay on much comfy bed. Internet is back! Netflix to the rescue of my boredom. Daddy, plays with kids, baths them, and has to put them to bed. This is actually painful for me to watch and listen too, I want to help!!!
Go to sleep, tomorrow you get to walk around again.
And here I am this morning, up and sore, ordered to ''take it easy''. Today, I'm thankful to be mommy again. Blessed that I can help my kids and hold them.
All. Day. Long.
Yesterday was a challenge. It was spinal tap day, up early and to the hospital for what will hopefully be the LAST major medical test.
I found myself sublimely calm about this one, even Rich admitted that yesterday was the least stressful and emotionally taxing of the whole diagnosis ordeal. And by the way, he talked to a guy at work who's daughter in law was diagnosed with MS in 3 hours at Piedmont Hospital.....ummm, I've been doing this for almost 5 months. But at least I've learned some patience during that time.
All the doctors were female again which I tend to find comforting. So, I spent 2 hrs hooked up to a EKG and IV fluids to monitor me beforehand.
The procedure was in an xray room that I'm pretty sure I had my HSG procedure in almost exactly 6 yrs ago. I'll let you all look up HSG if you are curious what that is. Once again being in the same room, oddly comforting.
I had to lay on my stomach with my right leg out to make a '4', supposedly this opens the spinal gaps. Dr. Wendy, the physicians assistant walked me through the whole thing. REALLY cold betadine rubbed on my back three times. Bee sting like prick and burn with the numbing meds. I jumped both times she stabbed me.
Now time for the needle. Pressure, pressure and a small pop. ''We are in, you did great''. Take an xray of the needle placement.
Ok, we are going to tilt the table to help the spinal fluid flow out. Mechanical sounds and the table tilts to about 30 degrees. Dr. Wendy takes the first 2 cc sample...drip, drip into a little vial.
I lay there thinking that I have so many people watching over me during this. If this is MS, I have two aunts looking down on me, protecting me and blessing my journey. I know I have grandparents that are doing the same. I am blessed.
Procedure all done. ....16 cc's of spinal fluid. Rich tells me this is just short of a tablespoon. My math genius had to do the conversion. (Smile)
Lay on my back for another two hours to make sure I don't have excess bleeding. If I'm vertical too much in the next 24 hrs I could get a spinal headache, of which no meds will touch the pain of. Sounds awesome. I'm staying still, laying like broccoli, but Richard Gere is no where around....not the same. (If you don't get the reference, you aren't a chick)
Head home to become mommy immobilized for the rest of the day. Rich has to go to work for a telecon with the people in California.
Hmmmm. So here I am. Mommy on the floor. Ready to test how well behaved my children really are, how strongly are they under my thumb?
Lay on the toy room floor and play puzzles upside down, blocks, and cards. Send Nora to get diapers, juice, and snacks. Watch the kids pop all the balloons from Nora's party with a tooth pick. Fantastic entertainment for 10 minutes.
I've been told that I can only get up for 5 minutes every hour. Those 5 minutes better count! Bathroom, drink, snack....assume the plank position again. This would be easier if I actually FELT sick.
Should I count the splotches on my ceiling? Nah, can't be as fun as counting ceiling tiles in the MRI room.
Lay on our bed and watch movie with Nora while Trent naps. Doze in and out since nervousness woke me up at 4am. At this point, I'm pretty sure the achiness is from being horizontal all day and not moving. Ironic, since I normally hurt from moving around too much.
Oh look, wow that fan is dusty. I need to do something. Damn, the internet is down. This has got to be a sanity check. It sounded sort of fun at first, a day off. Now it's just torture.
Lay on the bean bag in the toy room and watch cartoons, do lacing cards and play airplanes with Trent. Talk to friends and family on my cellphone. Intermittently worry about the disaster my house is becoming in one day! Then forget about that when Trent snuggles in, ahhh content.
Daddy's home with dinner! He feeds the kids. Daddy has to do dishes. Mommy to the bedroom to lay on much comfy bed. Internet is back! Netflix to the rescue of my boredom. Daddy, plays with kids, baths them, and has to put them to bed. This is actually painful for me to watch and listen too, I want to help!!!
Go to sleep, tomorrow you get to walk around again.
And here I am this morning, up and sore, ordered to ''take it easy''. Today, I'm thankful to be mommy again. Blessed that I can help my kids and hold them.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Thankfully Reminded
I apologize for the blog taking a turn into my diagnosis and thoughts for a while, but I need to process all of this.
This week, I am reminded to be thankful.
Thankful that whatever this is, while serious is not eminently life threatening. I am praying for a young mother and friend in my home town. She is 5 mths pregnant with her third child and was just diagnosed with breast cancer. My battle feels small next to the mountain she will have to climb.
Thankful for two kiddos that understand mommy is tired and needs to rest. Snuggled against me and half on top of me they watched a movie in our bedroom while mommy dozed. There is something so calming about your kiddos snuggled into you on a windy day.
Thankful for a night out with old friends filled with laughter before we leave on this grand adventure. They helped me remember all the crazy things we have done in the last 11 years.
Thankful for modern medicine. Even though this is scary at times we a blessed to be in a country where I can be treated.
I am mostly thankful for my husband, family and friends that keep encouraging me to move forward. My sister says, ''you are a priority, do not forget that''. So easy to forget when raising children, and so easy to think of it as being selfish. Lesson, I need to chose when to be selfish for my health, rest, take meds, so I can be unselfish and giving of myself with renewed energy and better health.
This week, I am reminded to be thankful.
Thankful that whatever this is, while serious is not eminently life threatening. I am praying for a young mother and friend in my home town. She is 5 mths pregnant with her third child and was just diagnosed with breast cancer. My battle feels small next to the mountain she will have to climb.
Thankful for two kiddos that understand mommy is tired and needs to rest. Snuggled against me and half on top of me they watched a movie in our bedroom while mommy dozed. There is something so calming about your kiddos snuggled into you on a windy day.
Thankful for a night out with old friends filled with laughter before we leave on this grand adventure. They helped me remember all the crazy things we have done in the last 11 years.
Thankful for modern medicine. Even though this is scary at times we a blessed to be in a country where I can be treated.
I am mostly thankful for my husband, family and friends that keep encouraging me to move forward. My sister says, ''you are a priority, do not forget that''. So easy to forget when raising children, and so easy to think of it as being selfish. Lesson, I need to chose when to be selfish for my health, rest, take meds, so I can be unselfish and giving of myself with renewed energy and better health.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
The Start of the Journey
Met with the Hemo. Little crazy being in a Cancer Research Center, but I processed it. Had some nice EARLY morning conversation with other female patients in the waiting room. They said I looked to young to be there and they hoped it wasn't ''anything serious''. I didn't disclose the reason I was there.
Had ANOTHER nurse misguess how much I weigh and then tell me ''you must be all muscle, because i would have never guessed''. Good little up moment in my day.
So the hematologist, set up my treatment plan for the coagulant problem.....good, good. Got that one solved. She's not convinced that is my only problem. In her words, "your symptoms are very lupussie, very MSsie."
By the way, she looks like the actress that plays the lead in ''My Big Fat Greek Wedding'' and has the same energetic, we are going to figure this out, you hang in there attitude that is contagious. She told me, ''your story isn't over, we will fix you.''
She then proceeds to get on her cell phone and call my Rheumo and Neuro directly! By George people, why can't I get service like this all the time! Ten minutes of doctor to doctor phone and tada.....
I get to have a spinal tap! Yeah me! Truth be told, it's the only way to definitely rule out MS. My understanding is that MS puts a specific cellular debris in the spinal fluid. That is what they are looking for. After having two epi's with my kiddos this should be cake.
I am unusually calm about all this. Maybe it's because we've finally hit the end of the line. There will be a diagnoses soon, I will have my journey's starting point.
This morning I told myself to feel lucky. Lucky, that today I felt well enough to get out of bed, clean my house, play with my kids. There is a big part of me that is still scared and worried, but the calm is breaking through.
One day at a time. One day at a time.
Had ANOTHER nurse misguess how much I weigh and then tell me ''you must be all muscle, because i would have never guessed''. Good little up moment in my day.
So the hematologist, set up my treatment plan for the coagulant problem.....good, good. Got that one solved. She's not convinced that is my only problem. In her words, "your symptoms are very lupussie, very MSsie."
By the way, she looks like the actress that plays the lead in ''My Big Fat Greek Wedding'' and has the same energetic, we are going to figure this out, you hang in there attitude that is contagious. She told me, ''your story isn't over, we will fix you.''
She then proceeds to get on her cell phone and call my Rheumo and Neuro directly! By George people, why can't I get service like this all the time! Ten minutes of doctor to doctor phone and tada.....
I get to have a spinal tap! Yeah me! Truth be told, it's the only way to definitely rule out MS. My understanding is that MS puts a specific cellular debris in the spinal fluid. That is what they are looking for. After having two epi's with my kiddos this should be cake.
I am unusually calm about all this. Maybe it's because we've finally hit the end of the line. There will be a diagnoses soon, I will have my journey's starting point.
This morning I told myself to feel lucky. Lucky, that today I felt well enough to get out of bed, clean my house, play with my kids. There is a big part of me that is still scared and worried, but the calm is breaking through.
One day at a time. One day at a time.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
And another Theory
UGH!!!!!
This diagnosis process is so frustrating and emotionally taxing. We are now start month 5, yes, month 5 of tests and doctors and blood.
The Rheumo was more personable yesterday, so that was a saving grace for me. He says all my Lupus numbers are borderline positive so we need to 'wait and see'. Ok, I can do that. I was also told that my uric acid is double the normal level, so the Gout that runs in my family is headed my way. Just one more health similarity I have to my dad.
So now, it's on to the Hematologist next week. When I explained the order to start taking baby aspirin daily to the Rheumo and spots on my brain he said, ''oh, positive lupus anti-coagulant tests, vasculitis. hmmmmm.'' Lupus anti-coagulant is NOT lupus, just a misnamed blood disorder. The vasculitis refers to the hyperintensities on my brain MRI, where blood flow has been cut off and caused the little dead spots of tissue.
The sticky blood problem I might have comes under a couple names. APS/Hughes Syndrome and is only recently discovered in the early 80's. It comes with whole host of potential health problem, but there is treatment. Oddly, it can mimic MS so they have found many patients misdiagnosed with MS with actual Hughes Syndrome.
Many of my symptoms line up with this problem, so maybe we've found the next theory. I just want an answer, want to know what I'm fighting so I can move forward! The emotional limbo is torture, more so than any problem I'm having.
This diagnosis process is so frustrating and emotionally taxing. We are now start month 5, yes, month 5 of tests and doctors and blood.
The Rheumo was more personable yesterday, so that was a saving grace for me. He says all my Lupus numbers are borderline positive so we need to 'wait and see'. Ok, I can do that. I was also told that my uric acid is double the normal level, so the Gout that runs in my family is headed my way. Just one more health similarity I have to my dad.
So now, it's on to the Hematologist next week. When I explained the order to start taking baby aspirin daily to the Rheumo and spots on my brain he said, ''oh, positive lupus anti-coagulant tests, vasculitis. hmmmmm.'' Lupus anti-coagulant is NOT lupus, just a misnamed blood disorder. The vasculitis refers to the hyperintensities on my brain MRI, where blood flow has been cut off and caused the little dead spots of tissue.
The sticky blood problem I might have comes under a couple names. APS/Hughes Syndrome and is only recently discovered in the early 80's. It comes with whole host of potential health problem, but there is treatment. Oddly, it can mimic MS so they have found many patients misdiagnosed with MS with actual Hughes Syndrome.
Many of my symptoms line up with this problem, so maybe we've found the next theory. I just want an answer, want to know what I'm fighting so I can move forward! The emotional limbo is torture, more so than any problem I'm having.
Monday, October 8, 2012
This Diagnosis
Well, we are getting closer to knowing WHAT is going on with me. The doctors have been acting like vampires for the last 4 months taking copious vials of blood. Not kidding here, at least 65 vials have been drawn since the middle of June. And then there was redrawing of blood, because the first blood was tainted when it got to the lab.
There's the insurance now asking the Rheumotologist to please call them personally because they want to know WHY a third MRI has been ordered. This one is just of my right hand. The big ones were the head(in July) and then the spine MRI about three weeks ago. The spine one I was in a tube, like a coffin for two hours. No so fun. They tried to brighten it up a little by putting star stickers like you get in kindergarten on the ceiling of the tube. Bwahahahaha! Still not fun.
The Rheumo has absolutely no bedside manner. Very abrupt and ''ok, see ya when we get that blood work back have a great day''. Yeah, I'll just keep hanging on the bare threads that remain of my bravery, thaaaaat'll get me through another month of the unknown. Maybe I have him to thank for sending me over the edge into the panicked abyss again. It was awesome, two whole days I don't remember and two really fuzzy ones last week. Better now, meds are good. I think I might keep them for a while.
Hope you all can keep up the the abbreviated specialist names because I can't spell them and neither can spell check here on blogger.
I still have to see the hematologist because the latest blood panels for Lupus have come back positive. There is some small percentage that they could be wrong, but ''probably'' not based on my blood work and symptoms according to the Neurologist. So we are GUESSING that the culprit is Lupus at this point and not MS. For some reason Lupus seems doable and MS is just scary SH**. Sorry, I normally don't cuss but I'm passed correctness right now. Four months in emotional limbo does that to ya.
The Hema is suppose to call me, hasn't happened yet. Might start pestering them tomorrow, ya know whole California move is looming and what not.
Going back to the therapist to talk out the new more life altering craziness. Rich went with me for the first time last week. Can't love him enough for that. Lots of the big life questions to get straightened out. Existential this and that. Learning to live with dependencies and weakness. Deep stuff. The kind of uncomfortable I hate to feel, but probably need too.
So, that's the diagnosis so far. In short, we still don't know, think we might have an answer, but in the meantime trying to maintain mental and emotional stability.
There's the insurance now asking the Rheumotologist to please call them personally because they want to know WHY a third MRI has been ordered. This one is just of my right hand. The big ones were the head(in July) and then the spine MRI about three weeks ago. The spine one I was in a tube, like a coffin for two hours. No so fun. They tried to brighten it up a little by putting star stickers like you get in kindergarten on the ceiling of the tube. Bwahahahaha! Still not fun.
The Rheumo has absolutely no bedside manner. Very abrupt and ''ok, see ya when we get that blood work back have a great day''. Yeah, I'll just keep hanging on the bare threads that remain of my bravery, thaaaaat'll get me through another month of the unknown. Maybe I have him to thank for sending me over the edge into the panicked abyss again. It was awesome, two whole days I don't remember and two really fuzzy ones last week. Better now, meds are good. I think I might keep them for a while.
Hope you all can keep up the the abbreviated specialist names because I can't spell them and neither can spell check here on blogger.
I still have to see the hematologist because the latest blood panels for Lupus have come back positive. There is some small percentage that they could be wrong, but ''probably'' not based on my blood work and symptoms according to the Neurologist. So we are GUESSING that the culprit is Lupus at this point and not MS. For some reason Lupus seems doable and MS is just scary SH**. Sorry, I normally don't cuss but I'm passed correctness right now. Four months in emotional limbo does that to ya.
The Hema is suppose to call me, hasn't happened yet. Might start pestering them tomorrow, ya know whole California move is looming and what not.
Going back to the therapist to talk out the new more life altering craziness. Rich went with me for the first time last week. Can't love him enough for that. Lots of the big life questions to get straightened out. Existential this and that. Learning to live with dependencies and weakness. Deep stuff. The kind of uncomfortable I hate to feel, but probably need too.
So, that's the diagnosis so far. In short, we still don't know, think we might have an answer, but in the meantime trying to maintain mental and emotional stability.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Trent
Trent pointing at a picture of mommy in her wedding dress and saying, ''Princess!'' Awesomeness.
We were in Walmart yesterday, and a newborn was crying that strangled whine. Trent, says, ''Baby sad. Baby a cryin', needs a covers in the bed. A nap. Baby really tired mommy, need a nap. Is sad.'' This so reminded me of a conversation with Nora at this age. There was a baby crying and she said, ''Baby crying, baby need a byes.'' ''Byes'' being her name for a pacifier. So odd to see them mimicking the same reactions to another childs' sadness.
We were in Walmart yesterday, and a newborn was crying that strangled whine. Trent, says, ''Baby sad. Baby a cryin', needs a covers in the bed. A nap. Baby really tired mommy, need a nap. Is sad.'' This so reminded me of a conversation with Nora at this age. There was a baby crying and she said, ''Baby crying, baby need a byes.'' ''Byes'' being her name for a pacifier. So odd to see them mimicking the same reactions to another childs' sadness.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Imagination
Nora is not lacking in this capacity....
''Buddy....I know all about coal fish. Coal fish are sent by the king of the mine. They have ordinary powers and can do double flips. And I saw one in my dream and it was very very big. It ate a ship full of treasure. The treasure made it's tummy hurt and it died. Then the pirates swimmed down and got the treasure back.''
Trent, 'WOW!''
''Buddy....I know all about coal fish. Coal fish are sent by the king of the mine. They have ordinary powers and can do double flips. And I saw one in my dream and it was very very big. It ate a ship full of treasure. The treasure made it's tummy hurt and it died. Then the pirates swimmed down and got the treasure back.''
Trent, 'WOW!''
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
I Should Be Sewing.....
But instead, I sit here thinking about all the cute things my kiddos have said in the last several weeks.
Trent is convinced he needs to use the potty, only to sit there and do NOTHING! He screams, ''Mommy is not wooookin?! Is na woookin?!'' As he pulls on his penis trying to go pee. Can't really help him with that, but glad he has the general concept of sitting on the potty down. Most of the time he will tell us 'yucky diaper!' while he's actively peeing. Little too late at that point.
He likes telling us 'No poopy in there(giggle) when we try to check his pants. Come on buddy, connect the dots mommy would love to get you out of diapers!
Our little buddy has gone off to preschool like a pro! No tears, no fuss. He's our shy and introverted guy but is coming out of his shell a bit. Ms. Kim says he is such a sweet boy and asked for hugs and says 'tink you' and 'beeees' with everything they ask. He has become my little squishy bundle of love.
Nora is on the other end of things these days. She tells me that all people have holes in their head...it's where the hairs come out. True...true.
She has started saying her brain 'just went crazy' when she's done something mischievous. Like some crazy little elf took over her cognitive abilities for a few moments. This happens a lot when I've told her no to a snack and somehow five minutes later she has one! To punish or not?
The spiritual is starting to intrigue her as well. She came home yesterday talking about how she needs to pray, that God likes for her to talk and pray. We havn't really prayed with her yet because I wanted her to first grasp the WHY of it. We are big believers in letting our children understand the reason behind things instead of just mimicking a behavior. In the end, I think she will be more connected to her thoughts and heart with her prayer messages.
Trent is convinced he needs to use the potty, only to sit there and do NOTHING! He screams, ''Mommy is not wooookin?! Is na woookin?!'' As he pulls on his penis trying to go pee. Can't really help him with that, but glad he has the general concept of sitting on the potty down. Most of the time he will tell us 'yucky diaper!' while he's actively peeing. Little too late at that point.
He likes telling us 'No poopy in there(giggle) when we try to check his pants. Come on buddy, connect the dots mommy would love to get you out of diapers!
Our little buddy has gone off to preschool like a pro! No tears, no fuss. He's our shy and introverted guy but is coming out of his shell a bit. Ms. Kim says he is such a sweet boy and asked for hugs and says 'tink you' and 'beeees' with everything they ask. He has become my little squishy bundle of love.
Nora is on the other end of things these days. She tells me that all people have holes in their head...it's where the hairs come out. True...true.
She has started saying her brain 'just went crazy' when she's done something mischievous. Like some crazy little elf took over her cognitive abilities for a few moments. This happens a lot when I've told her no to a snack and somehow five minutes later she has one! To punish or not?
The spiritual is starting to intrigue her as well. She came home yesterday talking about how she needs to pray, that God likes for her to talk and pray. We havn't really prayed with her yet because I wanted her to first grasp the WHY of it. We are big believers in letting our children understand the reason behind things instead of just mimicking a behavior. In the end, I think she will be more connected to her thoughts and heart with her prayer messages.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
The Holes in My Head
There is still no final diagnosis for what is going on with me, but there are a few things we do know about my noggin.
Under MRI imaging, I have 10 small hyperintensities of an unknown cause that are not concordant with my age. The hyperintensities are areas of cell degradation and tissue damage, just to clarify. These are mostly seen in the elderly, people with migraines, or some neurological issue. Ok, fine I can deal with that.
Rich and I are not good with serious topics, we tend to crack jokes to break the tension. And while this may all be serious, I can't focus on that. The what ifs will drive you crazy and some days I already feel crazy enough.
I like to imagine that the ten spots make some fabulous connect the dots puzzle or constellation, just to keep the radiologist amused while viewing my scans. Because wouldn't it be awesome to have a star map in your head? (I have not actually seen the pictures from the MRI)
In the moments, when I realize that the holes have stolen a thought from me or made it hard to find conversational vocabulary I have to see some humor in the situation. As you can imagine, frustration at my inability to articulate builds. Ironically, while talking to a friend yesterday, I couldn't bring to mind the word ''troubleshooting''.
Problem is. No one seems to be at the help desk some days. Those are the bad days when I have horrible mood swings feeling frustrated. Thankfully, I have a husband who realizes when I need a minute to myself. He clears out the kids so I can relax. The more stress I feel, the more problems I have.
There are moments when I've been listening to Rich and typing in instant messenger, having transcribed my verbal conversation onto the screen. Look down to see ''Amanda, have you lost your mind. What was that about?'' referring the above comment.
For a long time before I went to the doctor, I thought I was imagining things. I was just busy. Just anxious. Just tired. Just being a mommy.
Nope, I just have holes in my head.
It's a veritable black hole as far as short term memory goes. We now laugh at how many times I have to remind myself to pay bills or call someone. If I havn't called you back or promised to do something and forgot, I swear it is not on purpose or mean spirited.
While I'm anxious to get into the neuro to get a possible answer, I've started to embrace all of this as my new normal. Just a few holes in my head.
Under MRI imaging, I have 10 small hyperintensities of an unknown cause that are not concordant with my age. The hyperintensities are areas of cell degradation and tissue damage, just to clarify. These are mostly seen in the elderly, people with migraines, or some neurological issue. Ok, fine I can deal with that.
Rich and I are not good with serious topics, we tend to crack jokes to break the tension. And while this may all be serious, I can't focus on that. The what ifs will drive you crazy and some days I already feel crazy enough.
I like to imagine that the ten spots make some fabulous connect the dots puzzle or constellation, just to keep the radiologist amused while viewing my scans. Because wouldn't it be awesome to have a star map in your head? (I have not actually seen the pictures from the MRI)
In the moments, when I realize that the holes have stolen a thought from me or made it hard to find conversational vocabulary I have to see some humor in the situation. As you can imagine, frustration at my inability to articulate builds. Ironically, while talking to a friend yesterday, I couldn't bring to mind the word ''troubleshooting''.
Problem is. No one seems to be at the help desk some days. Those are the bad days when I have horrible mood swings feeling frustrated. Thankfully, I have a husband who realizes when I need a minute to myself. He clears out the kids so I can relax. The more stress I feel, the more problems I have.
There are moments when I've been listening to Rich and typing in instant messenger, having transcribed my verbal conversation onto the screen. Look down to see ''Amanda, have you lost your mind. What was that about?'' referring the above comment.
For a long time before I went to the doctor, I thought I was imagining things. I was just busy. Just anxious. Just tired. Just being a mommy.
Nope, I just have holes in my head.
It's a veritable black hole as far as short term memory goes. We now laugh at how many times I have to remind myself to pay bills or call someone. If I havn't called you back or promised to do something and forgot, I swear it is not on purpose or mean spirited.
While I'm anxious to get into the neuro to get a possible answer, I've started to embrace all of this as my new normal. Just a few holes in my head.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Sometimes God has a sense of humor.
In one of the most stressful times of our marriage, He has made us laugh with irony. We had put the idea on the backburner, pie in the sky dream that it was.
Back in April, Rich came home one night and said, 'So, you want to move to California?' To which I completely laughed. In the last 5 years, we have been approached about relocation to, Fredericksburg, VA, Asheville, NC, and Charleston, SC. All of which came to no fruition and fizzled. ''What the heck hon, say yes. It will never happen anyway!''
We went through two months of human resources telling Rich....'let's meet on Monday about the details' for the meetings to be cancelled. The weekends were filled with what if scenarios and daydreaming that both excited and scared us.
And now we've been told a date that Rich MUST be out there. No one get to excited about all this and start the presses. There are so many details that have to be right with finances, housing, and all the moving logistics. We may still say no if the salary and moving package isnt' what we want.
There are so many big decisions and information to absorb right now. Have to trust that there is a reason or plan for all this.
In one of the most stressful times of our marriage, He has made us laugh with irony. We had put the idea on the backburner, pie in the sky dream that it was.
Back in April, Rich came home one night and said, 'So, you want to move to California?' To which I completely laughed. In the last 5 years, we have been approached about relocation to, Fredericksburg, VA, Asheville, NC, and Charleston, SC. All of which came to no fruition and fizzled. ''What the heck hon, say yes. It will never happen anyway!''
We went through two months of human resources telling Rich....'let's meet on Monday about the details' for the meetings to be cancelled. The weekends were filled with what if scenarios and daydreaming that both excited and scared us.
And now we've been told a date that Rich MUST be out there. No one get to excited about all this and start the presses. There are so many details that have to be right with finances, housing, and all the moving logistics. We may still say no if the salary and moving package isnt' what we want.
There are so many big decisions and information to absorb right now. Have to trust that there is a reason or plan for all this.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
That Sucked
I would rather be poked or zapped!
The MRI is not a test for me, my anxiety or claustrophobia.
I was doing so well. Laying there listening to rat tat tat rat tat tat boommmmmmm. Little ticking noises at my head. My head that was immobilized with a cage around it! The Man in the Iron Mask kept coming to mind to my small amusement.
Sometime during the third series of pictures the technician came in to tell me, 'Hey, based on your family history of MS the radiologist wants to do the contrast.' Until that moment I'd kept it together, and then it got all to real. This was really happening. I could really have a serious, life changing disease.
Cue crazy snowball of worry to start rolling down the hill.
''Ummmm, hi!!!!!! Are you there? Are we almost done with this one?'' I was half way through set four when the guy had to come in to talk to me.
''You ok?''
''Not really, are we almost done I'm having a panic attack....or at least the start of one.''
''You have 1 minute left on this one, then we can take a break.''
(rat tat tat rat tat tat boommmmmmm. ticky ticky ticky tat, hmmmmmmm)
DONE!
Oh thank God. Get me out of this thing! I needed a mental break.
''I'm sorry. I have anxiety and claustrophobia and it has gotten to me. Can I take a break?''
''Sure.''
''Can I sit up?''
''No, the picture build on each other so if we move you right now we'd have to start over.''
''Ok, do I have to do the contrast today? Can I come back with someone to hold my hand and calm me? I usually take Xanex for this nerve racking stuff but had to drive myself.''
''Sure. You can come back. We don't want to stress you out this much.''
At this point a few tears were rolling down the sides of my face from the stress. Lord knows, I've been putting on the brave face for weeks now. The MRI is the culmination of the tests. The LAST one. And it's intimidating to be immobilized and helpless. Giving a vial of blood doesn't make me feel helpless, but this one hit the core of me. That vulnerable spot.
As the technician said, ''We have your brave meter turned up really high today.'' High? Yeah, that meter is about to break a coil from straining at the 'high' reading level.
''There is one more set, can you do it? I'll be right in there. They don't pay me near enough to watch people be tortured.'' as he squeezed my hand. God Bless this man for his bedside manner.
I got through that last set by shear will.
The good news. The radiologist may determine that I don't need the contrast tests and corresponding MRI based on what was already taken.
If I do, my husband will be there with me as I take that final round of scans. He held my hand on our wedding day and rubbed my thumbs to calm me during our vows, I know he will do it again to see me through.
The MRI is not a test for me, my anxiety or claustrophobia.
I was doing so well. Laying there listening to rat tat tat rat tat tat boommmmmmm. Little ticking noises at my head. My head that was immobilized with a cage around it! The Man in the Iron Mask kept coming to mind to my small amusement.
Sometime during the third series of pictures the technician came in to tell me, 'Hey, based on your family history of MS the radiologist wants to do the contrast.' Until that moment I'd kept it together, and then it got all to real. This was really happening. I could really have a serious, life changing disease.
Cue crazy snowball of worry to start rolling down the hill.
''Ummmm, hi!!!!!! Are you there? Are we almost done with this one?'' I was half way through set four when the guy had to come in to talk to me.
''You ok?''
''Not really, are we almost done I'm having a panic attack....or at least the start of one.''
''You have 1 minute left on this one, then we can take a break.''
(rat tat tat rat tat tat boommmmmmm. ticky ticky ticky tat, hmmmmmmm)
DONE!
Oh thank God. Get me out of this thing! I needed a mental break.
''I'm sorry. I have anxiety and claustrophobia and it has gotten to me. Can I take a break?''
''Sure.''
''Can I sit up?''
''No, the picture build on each other so if we move you right now we'd have to start over.''
''Ok, do I have to do the contrast today? Can I come back with someone to hold my hand and calm me? I usually take Xanex for this nerve racking stuff but had to drive myself.''
''Sure. You can come back. We don't want to stress you out this much.''
At this point a few tears were rolling down the sides of my face from the stress. Lord knows, I've been putting on the brave face for weeks now. The MRI is the culmination of the tests. The LAST one. And it's intimidating to be immobilized and helpless. Giving a vial of blood doesn't make me feel helpless, but this one hit the core of me. That vulnerable spot.
As the technician said, ''We have your brave meter turned up really high today.'' High? Yeah, that meter is about to break a coil from straining at the 'high' reading level.
''There is one more set, can you do it? I'll be right in there. They don't pay me near enough to watch people be tortured.'' as he squeezed my hand. God Bless this man for his bedside manner.
I got through that last set by shear will.
The good news. The radiologist may determine that I don't need the contrast tests and corresponding MRI based on what was already taken.
If I do, my husband will be there with me as I take that final round of scans. He held my hand on our wedding day and rubbed my thumbs to calm me during our vows, I know he will do it again to see me through.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Kid Commentary
Just a few things from the kids lately.
''Mommy, this princess dress has a hole. We need to go to the princess store to get another one.'' Lifting an eyebrow, ''The princess store? Where is there a princess store.?'' Nora smirked, ''On highway one!''
''Nora what happened to your arm!'' She was standing in front of me with a hideous bruise in the crook of her arm. My mind raced through the last 24 hrs to think of accident, nothing. The explanation I got, ''Brother bit me.'' WHAT! ''Brother bit me and then suck me like a fish!'' Bwahahaha! ''Trent gave you a hicky? He sucked on your arm?''......''It was like a fish!'' What kind of fish has my daughter been around!
I was in a cleaning frenzy before leaving for the trip and came upon the kids toilet depleted of water. Sigh....darn it, a plugged toilet! Is the plunger in here? Look left of toilet, nope...look right. You have GOT to be kidding me, as I stare at a trashcan filled with water. Floating pile of trash and a little plastic cup. I couldn't help the laughter, Trent had scooped all the water from the toilet. Ah, my son and his mischievous streak continues
''Mommy, this princess dress has a hole. We need to go to the princess store to get another one.'' Lifting an eyebrow, ''The princess store? Where is there a princess store.?'' Nora smirked, ''On highway one!''
''Nora what happened to your arm!'' She was standing in front of me with a hideous bruise in the crook of her arm. My mind raced through the last 24 hrs to think of accident, nothing. The explanation I got, ''Brother bit me.'' WHAT! ''Brother bit me and then suck me like a fish!'' Bwahahaha! ''Trent gave you a hicky? He sucked on your arm?''......''It was like a fish!'' What kind of fish has my daughter been around!
I was in a cleaning frenzy before leaving for the trip and came upon the kids toilet depleted of water. Sigh....darn it, a plugged toilet! Is the plunger in here? Look left of toilet, nope...look right. You have GOT to be kidding me, as I stare at a trashcan filled with water. Floating pile of trash and a little plastic cup. I couldn't help the laughter, Trent had scooped all the water from the toilet. Ah, my son and his mischievous streak continues
Traveling with Kids
We did the unthinkable and DROVE 1000 miles to Texas and back again with two kids. It was actually pretty awesome.
Traveling with small children does present some challenges.
Of course, we hadn't been on the road long before the 'mommy, I was a juice....momma, moooweee beez?'' started. Out came the snack and on went the movie, just to clarify what Trent was asking for.
There is the ''I have to go potty really bad!'' and you just happen to be in the middle of nowhere Mississippi. You drive down the road trying to ascertain the cleanliness of gas stations from the signs posted at exits. We were NOT catching a virus and taking the plague to Texas again this 4th of July. Garmin has a fabulous feature that can 'mark' places you pit stopped. We took note of the good, bad and ugly of them.
I think there were many fervant prayers for car naps so we could get that few extra miles down the road before the next stop. The naps were SHORT, most likely do to the inactivity of the car. More fascinating is a child's ability to stay awake late into the night. Nora road as Rich's sidekick until 11pm the first day we were driving to Texas.
Watching your toddler walk into the hotel at 11:15 at night bow legged from sitting in a carseat most of a 12 hr car ride. He collapsed into the bed with his sister and they snuggled together.
WHat? Wait! WHY are you awake! The 7am wake-up call from Nora the next morning honestly just made us angry, in that grumpy road-weary parental way. Lesson learned on what all that running around during the day does for kids...it makes them SLEEP!
Patience will wear thin for no reason other than the fact of being trapped in a car. Emotional claustrophobia of the worst kind because mommy and daddy can't take a mental break.
That all said, trips with the kids will get better. They won't need breaks as often. They will be able to get into the snacks on their own.
Mommy and daddy will get better about coordinating ideas and responsibility for travel and packing. How does it happen that the wife mommy gets to pack for everyone, including daddy? Oddly, my sister in law and her husband have the same issues. They get in horrible arguments while packing up the car for trips.
This is the problem. The MOMMY has to have access to all the items to insure happiness to each child. Invariably, daddy doesn't know about some of these because YOU are the mommy and it comes with the title. Do you have Trent's bebe? Yes. The green one? No the blue one. Ummm, we need the green one, he likes that one better. Daddy getting frustrated that what he did isn't right. Insert another dozen discussions like that over sunscreen, shampoo, car toys, snack selection, etc. What do you get? Mommy and daddy on the verge and not one mile has been traveled yet.
Even more fantastic....get on the road. ''Do we have everything?'' Yep. Have your sister call and randomly ask, ''Did you bring Rich's suit?'' &*@*&#@$@*#$ Not three miles from the house and we had to turn around!
Try to remember that anything forgotten can be bought while you are on the road, most likely for a high price at a seedy gas station!
Traveling with small children does present some challenges.
Of course, we hadn't been on the road long before the 'mommy, I was a juice....momma, moooweee beez?'' started. Out came the snack and on went the movie, just to clarify what Trent was asking for.
There is the ''I have to go potty really bad!'' and you just happen to be in the middle of nowhere Mississippi. You drive down the road trying to ascertain the cleanliness of gas stations from the signs posted at exits. We were NOT catching a virus and taking the plague to Texas again this 4th of July. Garmin has a fabulous feature that can 'mark' places you pit stopped. We took note of the good, bad and ugly of them.
I think there were many fervant prayers for car naps so we could get that few extra miles down the road before the next stop. The naps were SHORT, most likely do to the inactivity of the car. More fascinating is a child's ability to stay awake late into the night. Nora road as Rich's sidekick until 11pm the first day we were driving to Texas.
Watching your toddler walk into the hotel at 11:15 at night bow legged from sitting in a carseat most of a 12 hr car ride. He collapsed into the bed with his sister and they snuggled together.
WHat? Wait! WHY are you awake! The 7am wake-up call from Nora the next morning honestly just made us angry, in that grumpy road-weary parental way. Lesson learned on what all that running around during the day does for kids...it makes them SLEEP!
Patience will wear thin for no reason other than the fact of being trapped in a car. Emotional claustrophobia of the worst kind because mommy and daddy can't take a mental break.
That all said, trips with the kids will get better. They won't need breaks as often. They will be able to get into the snacks on their own.
Mommy and daddy will get better about coordinating ideas and responsibility for travel and packing. How does it happen that the wife mommy gets to pack for everyone, including daddy? Oddly, my sister in law and her husband have the same issues. They get in horrible arguments while packing up the car for trips.
This is the problem. The MOMMY has to have access to all the items to insure happiness to each child. Invariably, daddy doesn't know about some of these because YOU are the mommy and it comes with the title. Do you have Trent's bebe? Yes. The green one? No the blue one. Ummm, we need the green one, he likes that one better. Daddy getting frustrated that what he did isn't right. Insert another dozen discussions like that over sunscreen, shampoo, car toys, snack selection, etc. What do you get? Mommy and daddy on the verge and not one mile has been traveled yet.
Even more fantastic....get on the road. ''Do we have everything?'' Yep. Have your sister call and randomly ask, ''Did you bring Rich's suit?'' &*@*&#@$@*#$ Not three miles from the house and we had to turn around!
Try to remember that anything forgotten can be bought while you are on the road, most likely for a high price at a seedy gas station!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Well, hello again
I've been gone for a while. Sorry about that, traveling and a bunch of other chaos in our lives with all the medical stuff. Here is what we know right now.
1. I'm ANA positive (ananuclear antibodies) This means I HAVE an auto-immune disorder of some kind.
1. I'm ANA positive (ananuclear antibodies) This means I HAVE an auto-immune disorder of some kind.
2. I am Vit. D deficient at a 27. The normal range is 50-100.
3. My thyroid is elevated at a 3.9....normal is 1-3.0.
Dr. Parmen feels better/less worried about me than when he saw me two weeks ago. He that Vit. D deficiency can cause muscle aches and fatigue but my levels are not low enough to cause what I'm describing. Vit. D is absorbed in the small intestine and I'm missing a part of mine so that might be the cause. I am now taking a prescription vit. D with extra calcium.
As far as the ANA is concerned. The ANA cells are antibodies/rogue cells that the body creates to attack itself when it thinks there is a foreign body present. In the case of thyroidosis, they could be attacking my thyroid. In MS, they attack nerve endings. In Lupus, they attack organs. The ANA can indicate about 20 different auto-immune diseases. The 'speckled' pattern that I had indicated Lupus and about five other things are most likely. The speckled pattern happens when the blood dries on a slide.
I have the electroneural test on Friday that will measure the nerve impulses from my spine to my extremities. They will be able to determine if my myolothial sheath around my nerve center is being attacked. This happens with MS in most cases and a few other nervous system auto-immune diseases.
They took about 7 more big vials of blood and a urine sample. They are looking for Lyme disease(from a tick bite) since we did grow up in an area of the country with ticks. The other vials are doing deeper testing on my thyroid, blood protiens and a few other things I didn't get details on.
My right hand has been xrayed because of the pain I'm have in my pinky fingers' knuckle. It's been there for 6+ wks and isn't getting better. It's an 'odd' digit to be hurt according to Dr. Parmen.
I have an full body MRI scheduled for July 19th.
In good news, my bad cholestorol is down 50 pts from two years ago. Parmen says this proves I'm not 'lying' about good eating and exercise, that a number doesn't drop like that on it's own. (It went from 225 to 175)
The joints are very achy these days and I have a slightly stiff neck besides the fatigue that is always there. Just taking one day at a time and getting done what I can. My first priority has to be the kids so most of my energy goes there.
Thanks to everyone thinking about me!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Nummas!
I realize I don't write much about Trent on this blog. Not to worry, my little man is not forgotten.
He now has a vocabulary of about 150+ words.
One of his favorite words is 'nummas' to indicate anything he might want to eat.
This morning I was reading an article on Cnn.com and he was snuggling with a fever. Up pops a little ad for M&M's on the side bar. Trent, ''Nummas! Nummas! me! Nana's house? Nummas!'' Well, we know who has been spoiling their grandson with chocolate!
I was actually impressed that he recognized an animated version of a piece of candy. Was it the shape? The color? Or the 'M' on Ms. Brown's stomach? Makes you wonder.
Then again, he's also pointed at Wendy's and uttered the words, ''Nun get. Nummas. Nun get Nummas''. Since mommy has been doing a LOT of vendor fairs, daddy does special lunches with the kids at Wendy's.
His independence streak regarding food can be frustrating at time. He demands the whole package to portion out his own food. There have been countless bags of raisins, cheerios, graham crackers dumped on the floor. He finds cans of beans (green beans, baked beans, and black beans) in the pantry and insists you open them....''bens! bens!'' He will gladly eat a half can of any of these.
Weird things he eats: Sharp cheese, feta, salt and vinegar kale chips, fish sticks, hungarian beef.
________________________________________________________________
Adding this on 6 -13
My little genius busted out some new ideas yesterday that I wanted to write down.
We were riding in the car and he was mad the sun was in his face...''Sun! Not nice! Night night, sun all done! Sun off!''
At lunch time the kids were eating pepperoni and he was playing. I wasn't paying much attention to what he was doing and then his words hit me...''Circle...round and round...circle....round and round.'' He was saying this as he made one pepperoni slice orbit the pile on his plate. I called Rich, just so the Georgia Tech daddy could relish his son's genius.
He now has a vocabulary of about 150+ words.
One of his favorite words is 'nummas' to indicate anything he might want to eat.
This morning I was reading an article on Cnn.com and he was snuggling with a fever. Up pops a little ad for M&M's on the side bar. Trent, ''Nummas! Nummas! me! Nana's house? Nummas!'' Well, we know who has been spoiling their grandson with chocolate!
I was actually impressed that he recognized an animated version of a piece of candy. Was it the shape? The color? Or the 'M' on Ms. Brown's stomach? Makes you wonder.
Then again, he's also pointed at Wendy's and uttered the words, ''Nun get. Nummas. Nun get Nummas''. Since mommy has been doing a LOT of vendor fairs, daddy does special lunches with the kids at Wendy's.
His independence streak regarding food can be frustrating at time. He demands the whole package to portion out his own food. There have been countless bags of raisins, cheerios, graham crackers dumped on the floor. He finds cans of beans (green beans, baked beans, and black beans) in the pantry and insists you open them....''bens! bens!'' He will gladly eat a half can of any of these.
Weird things he eats: Sharp cheese, feta, salt and vinegar kale chips, fish sticks, hungarian beef.
________________________________________________________________
Adding this on 6 -13
My little genius busted out some new ideas yesterday that I wanted to write down.
We were riding in the car and he was mad the sun was in his face...''Sun! Not nice! Night night, sun all done! Sun off!''
At lunch time the kids were eating pepperoni and he was playing. I wasn't paying much attention to what he was doing and then his words hit me...''Circle...round and round...circle....round and round.'' He was saying this as he made one pepperoni slice orbit the pile on his plate. I called Rich, just so the Georgia Tech daddy could relish his son's genius.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Big Questions
Living with an almost 5 yr old is a ride. A big ride filled with lots of questions and observations we adults never stop to question. The observations can be completely wrong or illogical but that is how Nora perceives the world.
* ''Mommy, why do girls have hairs on their legs and arms? Only daddy's need hair. Brother will get lots of hair like daddy? - mind you, she did not tell me WHY daddy's need hair.
* ''How do mommy's get the baby? - Yes people, she asked the million dollar question at 4 yrs old!
* ''Those peckerwoods(woodpeckers...but HAHAHAA at her mistake) they hammer at the pine tree and eat like squirrels. (What!?) They hammer a hole and hide a nut just like the squirrels. (Oh good, because for a moment there I thought we had carnivorous woodpeckers hunting the squirrels)
* ''You see that rainbow mommy? Watch a unicorn will ride down it.''
* ''This lock on the gate is soooo meannnnnn! It won't let me out!'' (Um, that's the purpose of a lock!)
* ''Mimi loves me SO much! Look at the stickers she gaved me!''
* ''Mommy can I buy something with my penny? It's almost a dollar.''
* ''Loki got shots at the vet, she was so brave. But they don't have suckers like at my doctor.''
* ''Mommy, why do girls have hairs on their legs and arms? Only daddy's need hair. Brother will get lots of hair like daddy? - mind you, she did not tell me WHY daddy's need hair.
* ''How do mommy's get the baby? - Yes people, she asked the million dollar question at 4 yrs old!
* ''Those peckerwoods(woodpeckers...but HAHAHAA at her mistake) they hammer at the pine tree and eat like squirrels. (What!?) They hammer a hole and hide a nut just like the squirrels. (Oh good, because for a moment there I thought we had carnivorous woodpeckers hunting the squirrels)
* ''You see that rainbow mommy? Watch a unicorn will ride down it.''
* ''This lock on the gate is soooo meannnnnn! It won't let me out!'' (Um, that's the purpose of a lock!)
* ''Mimi loves me SO much! Look at the stickers she gaved me!''
* ''Mommy can I buy something with my penny? It's almost a dollar.''
* ''Loki got shots at the vet, she was so brave. But they don't have suckers like at my doctor.''
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
These Hands
Lately, I've been thinking a lot about the scene in Neverending Story when the big rock creature starts talking....''these hands, these hands, used to be so strong.'' He has this confusion about how they could have failed him.
I understand this.
For a couple years now, I've noticed a clumsiness when grabbing things. Either I miss judge a distance and end up knocking things over or I go to put something down my hands seem to let go before I want to. Many, many cups of coffee have been spilled and/or broken in this way. I always credited it with sleep deprivation after having Trent almost two years ago, but that's not such an issue these days.
Then came me being tired every afternoon, no matter how much sleep I get.
After that was the depression and anxiety of last year which came out of no where.
And now, there is a weakness in my legs and arms. I can only describe it as the feeling after a really big workout when muscle fatigue has set in. If I vacuum, my biceps feel it, if I go up the stairs my thighs and calves are aching at the top.
Something is definitely going on. We have multiple sclerosis(MS) on both sides of the family so if I were a betting person that is where I'd place my money.
Oddly, we are calm about this.
I understand this.
For a couple years now, I've noticed a clumsiness when grabbing things. Either I miss judge a distance and end up knocking things over or I go to put something down my hands seem to let go before I want to. Many, many cups of coffee have been spilled and/or broken in this way. I always credited it with sleep deprivation after having Trent almost two years ago, but that's not such an issue these days.
Then came me being tired every afternoon, no matter how much sleep I get.
After that was the depression and anxiety of last year which came out of no where.
And now, there is a weakness in my legs and arms. I can only describe it as the feeling after a really big workout when muscle fatigue has set in. If I vacuum, my biceps feel it, if I go up the stairs my thighs and calves are aching at the top.
Something is definitely going on. We have multiple sclerosis(MS) on both sides of the family so if I were a betting person that is where I'd place my money.
Oddly, we are calm about this.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The Do Over
I'm angry right now.
A situation has gotten under my skin and I can't let it go.
To hear another adult express the statement of 'I'm too old to care about what they think of me. I'm done.'' is hurting me.
I didn't cause this pain but someone I know did.
Everything in me wants to ask, why? Why do you have to act so entitled and icy. Icy to the point that this person has noticed and made comment several times in recent years.
I feel like I need to apologize for the behavior. Because I know I was taught better, and now I feel guilty by association. Fact is, you were taught better too.
I understand in some ways. Not being able to mask envy or jealousy. I get it. I've been there. There have been times when I wish for a do-over.
I wish I could tell my younger self to stop being so damn stubborn. To let go, because I was only losing friends through my willfulness. There is a whole group of college friends that are gone because I was blind at the time. What I fought for wasn't that important in the long run....not more important than friends.
It's the proverbial burning of the bridge.
You need to listen. The war you are engaging in will cost you more than you shall gain. SO much more to lose. This battle is eating you alive. It is stealing happiness from your life, from my life.
And I don't want to hear excuses or apologies. I don't want flimsy emails filled with half-hearted reasoning and tales of woe. I'm old enough now to have experienced some of that myself. Life is a roller coaster, we all have our valleys.
Dust off the jealousy, anger and resentment....and MOVE ON.
The person you hurt. That person. Is someone I've grown to love dearly. They have lifted me up at my lowest point and held me. Given words of assurance. They gift laughter and love to this family with no strings attached, no expectations.
Put it in your mind that this is a DO OVER. Take the mulligan. And try.
To hear another adult express the statement of 'I'm too old to care about what they think of me. I'm done.'' is hurting me.
I didn't cause this pain but someone I know did.
Everything in me wants to ask, why? Why do you have to act so entitled and icy. Icy to the point that this person has noticed and made comment several times in recent years.
I feel like I need to apologize for the behavior. Because I know I was taught better, and now I feel guilty by association. Fact is, you were taught better too.
I understand in some ways. Not being able to mask envy or jealousy. I get it. I've been there. There have been times when I wish for a do-over.
I wish I could tell my younger self to stop being so damn stubborn. To let go, because I was only losing friends through my willfulness. There is a whole group of college friends that are gone because I was blind at the time. What I fought for wasn't that important in the long run....not more important than friends.
It's the proverbial burning of the bridge.
You need to listen. The war you are engaging in will cost you more than you shall gain. SO much more to lose. This battle is eating you alive. It is stealing happiness from your life, from my life.
And I don't want to hear excuses or apologies. I don't want flimsy emails filled with half-hearted reasoning and tales of woe. I'm old enough now to have experienced some of that myself. Life is a roller coaster, we all have our valleys.
Dust off the jealousy, anger and resentment....and MOVE ON.
The person you hurt. That person. Is someone I've grown to love dearly. They have lifted me up at my lowest point and held me. Given words of assurance. They gift laughter and love to this family with no strings attached, no expectations.
Put it in your mind that this is a DO OVER. Take the mulligan. And try.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Bang!
oh dear Moses!
We are having the siding replaced on two sides of the house this week. This house is a champ at maintaining and proving its' nickname ''The Money Pit'' Ugh! Add this to the list of things that are not fun to use a tax return.
This crew is working through some nasty wind, with gusts up to 30mph, they are balancing on ladders in the air! The idea of that is just terrifying to me. The men are great entertainment for the children.
Trent runs around the house yelling BAng BAng BAng! He has always loved hammers and has recently found the love of his toy saws. Maybe he'll build houses like my Bepaw.
Rich and I are enjoying the large construction dumpster on the driveway. Awesome garage cleanout happening. And since we cut the 140' of holly hedge last weekend, all that is going away as well. NO endless hours filling leaf bags with spiney branches.
I'm hoping the stone I bartered a landscaper for will arrive this week. The weekend looks like it's going to be beautiful weather. Last Saturday, we spent 8 hrs pulling weeds in the yard. My hands hurt!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Russia Loves Me
I only know one person in Russia, but I'm pretty confident he doesn't read my blog. Yet, I've had 64 hits in the last week.
Just wanted to say 'hi!' Welcome to my blog of randomness.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Me looking Back.
The anxiety has snuck in a little this week. Hello, unwanted friend. Can't say I'm happy to see you.
You see, I'm off all the meds now, which means I get to feel everything that comes with you.
Challenge accepted.
I go deep within, trying to find what is bothering me. That little tick on my subconscious that causing the flutter in my chest and sleepless nights.
On goes the music to distract my mind before I fall asleep. Wait. I listened to music to go to sleep back in high school?! What? No way. You were with me even then.
Anxiety is sneaky. Depression is just the tag along that comes with him. And they blind-sided me this time.
Give me some time to regain my footing. There's a lot to sort through.
You see, I'm off all the meds now, which means I get to feel everything that comes with you.
Challenge accepted.
I go deep within, trying to find what is bothering me. That little tick on my subconscious that causing the flutter in my chest and sleepless nights.
On goes the music to distract my mind before I fall asleep. Wait. I listened to music to go to sleep back in high school?! What? No way. You were with me even then.
Anxiety is sneaky. Depression is just the tag along that comes with him. And they blind-sided me this time.
Give me some time to regain my footing. There's a lot to sort through.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
He said, She said.
The kids are getting funnier! The last few weeks have left us with some good ones to laugh at.
Trent tells ONE knock knock joke at 21 mths old.
Trent: Na Nack!
You: Who's there?
Trent: Moooooo!
You: Moo who?
Trent: saw wee(sorry)
We are not too sure where the 'saw wee' comes from but when you here this joke 30+ times a day...not so funny anymore.
---------------------------------------------------------
The weather is warmer now which means the kiddos are playing with/in the water table again. Yes I said IN! Trent climbed into it and sat down. I thought nothing of this because hey, if he wants an elevated pool fine.
Until you find that your kid was sitting in a poopy diaper IN the water table. Sighhhhh. That's ok, Nora and Andrew swam in poop once too. If I could find the post I'd link to it just for nostagia's sake.
I brought the kiddos inside and stripped them down in the laundry room. Started the wash. Turn around and they are chasing each other naked through the kitchen. Trent is SHRIEKING happy squeals.
Me: Nora what are you doing to him that is so funny?
Nora: I grabbing his pee pee
Me: what?!
Nora: I grabbing his pee pee, he likes it!
Me: Noooooo! You do not grab your brothers penis no matter how funny he thinks it is! (file under: things you never thought you'd say)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trent is learning new words. These include the ones that are easily mangled.
Truck = suck (Better than when Nora called them 'cocks'_
Fork = foook (Please don't let this morph into something else)
Spoon - poon
Cookie = Toot tee
Foofee = ? We have figured out its 'coffee'
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nora was taking a ridiculous time in the bathroom this evening.
Me: What is taking her so long? Has she been taking notes from boys on how long to sit on the potty?
Rich: She very scientifically minded. She is analyzing her feces. (sarcasm)
Me: Yeah...you are going to eat those words.
Rich: (knocking on door) Baby girl are you done in there.
Nora: yes daddy....come look! There is a red poop!
(me hysterically laughing in Trent's room)
Rich: Honey, just flush the potty.
Nora: No daddy it's red!
Rich: Why yes, yes it is. That's fantastic Nora. And now I will defer to mommy on how you made that color.
Trent tells ONE knock knock joke at 21 mths old.
Trent: Na Nack!
You: Who's there?
Trent: Moooooo!
You: Moo who?
Trent: saw wee(sorry)
We are not too sure where the 'saw wee' comes from but when you here this joke 30+ times a day...not so funny anymore.
---------------------------------------------------------
The weather is warmer now which means the kiddos are playing with/in the water table again. Yes I said IN! Trent climbed into it and sat down. I thought nothing of this because hey, if he wants an elevated pool fine.
Until you find that your kid was sitting in a poopy diaper IN the water table. Sighhhhh. That's ok, Nora and Andrew swam in poop once too. If I could find the post I'd link to it just for nostagia's sake.
I brought the kiddos inside and stripped them down in the laundry room. Started the wash. Turn around and they are chasing each other naked through the kitchen. Trent is SHRIEKING happy squeals.
Me: Nora what are you doing to him that is so funny?
Nora: I grabbing his pee pee
Me: what?!
Nora: I grabbing his pee pee, he likes it!
Me: Noooooo! You do not grab your brothers penis no matter how funny he thinks it is! (file under: things you never thought you'd say)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trent is learning new words. These include the ones that are easily mangled.
Truck = suck (Better than when Nora called them 'cocks'_
Fork = foook (Please don't let this morph into something else)
Spoon - poon
Cookie = Toot tee
Foofee = ? We have figured out its 'coffee'
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nora was taking a ridiculous time in the bathroom this evening.
Me: What is taking her so long? Has she been taking notes from boys on how long to sit on the potty?
Rich: She very scientifically minded. She is analyzing her feces. (sarcasm)
Me: Yeah...you are going to eat those words.
Rich: (knocking on door) Baby girl are you done in there.
Nora: yes daddy....come look! There is a red poop!
(me hysterically laughing in Trent's room)
Rich: Honey, just flush the potty.
Nora: No daddy it's red!
Rich: Why yes, yes it is. That's fantastic Nora. And now I will defer to mommy on how you made that color.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Gross! and OMG!
There is a quote circling on Pinterest that says boys - n. - noise with dirt on it. Couldn't be more true in this house. My little guy has turned into the character of Pig Pen most days. His escapades now include,
Painting himself from head to toe in finger paints, which he must come by honestly. Nora did this as well at his age. It's more like applying war paint in preparation for the next adventure.
The adventure may happen to be rummaging in the bathroom trash. Here we find treasures of the feminine product nature. AND in our natural boy curiosity decide to CHEW on an applicator. That's right folks, and he did this two days in a row just to make sure mommy and daddy were completely icked out!
Deciding he should cut the ickiness down a little, Trent scrubbed the toilet with my toothbrush. I must say it was clean.
With all this boy fun, Nora was NOT going to miss the kiddo shenanigans. As the oldest, she should really be leading the charge.
Upping the anti on brother was not difficult. In fact, it required a call to poison control. She brushed her teeth with ICY HOT! (Note: this stuff is in a toothpaste looking tube and smells pepperminty) That stuff is now HIIIIIIIIGH on a shelf.
Painting himself from head to toe in finger paints, which he must come by honestly. Nora did this as well at his age. It's more like applying war paint in preparation for the next adventure.
The adventure may happen to be rummaging in the bathroom trash. Here we find treasures of the feminine product nature. AND in our natural boy curiosity decide to CHEW on an applicator. That's right folks, and he did this two days in a row just to make sure mommy and daddy were completely icked out!
Deciding he should cut the ickiness down a little, Trent scrubbed the toilet with my toothbrush. I must say it was clean.
With all this boy fun, Nora was NOT going to miss the kiddo shenanigans. As the oldest, she should really be leading the charge.
Upping the anti on brother was not difficult. In fact, it required a call to poison control. She brushed her teeth with ICY HOT! (Note: this stuff is in a toothpaste looking tube and smells pepperminty) That stuff is now HIIIIIIIIGH on a shelf.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
What I've been up to.....
Been just a tad busy.
Doing craft shows! If you see something you like the picture, just ask. I might still have it!
Then there has been all the art to generate for this show. We will be at the Woodstock Market AGAIN in April.
Mom called about an invite for a Stock the Bar Party....
Doing craft shows! If you see something you like the picture, just ask. I might still have it!
Then there has been all the art to generate for this show. We will be at the Woodstock Market AGAIN in April.
Mom called about an invite for a Stock the Bar Party....
Monday, February 20, 2012
Thai Coconut Chicken!
So tasty! This was a little bit of an inspired meal for me.
Thai Coconut Chicken
2 lbs chicken tenders
Panko Bread Crumbs
3/4 cup. sweetened coconut
2 eggs
1 can pineapple tidbits, drained and reserve juice
1 T. Red Curry paste (or whatever kind you like)
3 T. soy sauce
1/2 can. coconut milk
1/3 c. chopped onion(I used a white onion because I didn't have green onion)
Preheat over to 375 degrees
In a bowl, whisk eggs until beaten. Set aside. Mix bread crumbs and coconut together and spread out on plate. Dip thawed chicken tender in egg then bread/coconut mixture. Place on greased cookie sheet for baking. Repeat, repeat, repeat.
Place in over and cook for 20-22 minute until coconut starts to brown and juices run clear.
In sauce pan, mix 1/2 can of pineapple tidbits, 1/2 the reserved pineapple juice, curry paste, coconut milk, chopped onion, and soy sauce. Simmer until it is 1/2 reduced and starts to thicken a little.
Plate chicken tenders and ladle small amount of sauce over each portion. Enjoy!
You could serve this over rice and make more of the sauce by doubling the sauce portion of the recipe. Since Rich is a little sensitive to curry, I put it in a bowl and we dip each bit in the sauce to our liking.
Thai Coconut Chicken
2 lbs chicken tenders
Panko Bread Crumbs
3/4 cup. sweetened coconut
2 eggs
1 can pineapple tidbits, drained and reserve juice
1 T. Red Curry paste (or whatever kind you like)
3 T. soy sauce
1/2 can. coconut milk
1/3 c. chopped onion(I used a white onion because I didn't have green onion)
Preheat over to 375 degrees
In a bowl, whisk eggs until beaten. Set aside. Mix bread crumbs and coconut together and spread out on plate. Dip thawed chicken tender in egg then bread/coconut mixture. Place on greased cookie sheet for baking. Repeat, repeat, repeat.
Place in over and cook for 20-22 minute until coconut starts to brown and juices run clear.
In sauce pan, mix 1/2 can of pineapple tidbits, 1/2 the reserved pineapple juice, curry paste, coconut milk, chopped onion, and soy sauce. Simmer until it is 1/2 reduced and starts to thicken a little.
Plate chicken tenders and ladle small amount of sauce over each portion. Enjoy!
You could serve this over rice and make more of the sauce by doubling the sauce portion of the recipe. Since Rich is a little sensitive to curry, I put it in a bowl and we dip each bit in the sauce to our liking.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Boy Shenanigans
This is a fly by because I'm about to head out for work....
Trent had a very 'Trent' morning
He shut himself in the shower and was yelling 'epppppp beees!' (Help Please!)I found him standing behind the glass panel, smiling and holding a bottle of shampoo. Luckily, it wasn't open.
Then he dunked a whole roll of toilet paper in the tank. Thank goodness for high volume toilets that don't clog. He did tell me this was 'uck' and then giggled.
Throwing mega blocks everywhere is fun. Booooom! Through the banister you say? What a fantastic idea, I'm sure mommy will love stepping on one of these.
He got a pen and went to town on sister's cardboard castle. She probably won't be too upset about that.
Throwing pretzels was great fun while watching cartoons. So much for vacuuming this morning.
Books thrown off the shelf for at least the third time before noon.
What? I'm not suppose to eat kitty food? He takes a nibble once a week, I guess just to make sure it hasn't gotten tasty.
Look! I have this weird black rubber thing on a stick. Noooo, that's the toilet bowl plunger! How did you get that!
Ooooo, mommy's new phone. Let me throw that on the floor a couple times.
(there seems to be a throwing things and toilet theme going on.)
And then, we fell asleep snuggling our 'bebe' in the car seat during preschool pickup. Such an angel when he sleeps, mommy can't be upset with his chaos for long.
Trent had a very 'Trent' morning
He shut himself in the shower and was yelling 'epppppp beees!' (Help Please!)I found him standing behind the glass panel, smiling and holding a bottle of shampoo. Luckily, it wasn't open.
Then he dunked a whole roll of toilet paper in the tank. Thank goodness for high volume toilets that don't clog. He did tell me this was 'uck' and then giggled.
Throwing mega blocks everywhere is fun. Booooom! Through the banister you say? What a fantastic idea, I'm sure mommy will love stepping on one of these.
He got a pen and went to town on sister's cardboard castle. She probably won't be too upset about that.
Throwing pretzels was great fun while watching cartoons. So much for vacuuming this morning.
Books thrown off the shelf for at least the third time before noon.
What? I'm not suppose to eat kitty food? He takes a nibble once a week, I guess just to make sure it hasn't gotten tasty.
Look! I have this weird black rubber thing on a stick. Noooo, that's the toilet bowl plunger! How did you get that!
Ooooo, mommy's new phone. Let me throw that on the floor a couple times.
(there seems to be a throwing things and toilet theme going on.)
And then, we fell asleep snuggling our 'bebe' in the car seat during preschool pickup. Such an angel when he sleeps, mommy can't be upset with his chaos for long.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Crayons As Art!
Found a bunch of people melting crayons on Pinterest.....then my brain went to work tweaking the idea.
Here's what I came up with.
Carousel
Dancer
I have a couple more ideas in the works
Coral Reef
Guitar
Antique bicycle with the BIG front wheel.
Stay tuned!
Here's what I came up with.
Carousel
Dancer
I have a couple more ideas in the works
Coral Reef
Guitar
Antique bicycle with the BIG front wheel.
Stay tuned!
Monday, January 30, 2012
5am!
There are nights as a mom that you are sooooo deep in sleep the calls from down the hall seem like a dream. This was me last night.
Somewhere in my head I was attending a really odd wedding involving people I didn't even socialize with in high school. There we flag people doing a routine outside the church and the guests were asked to guess the weight of the couples first child...yeah, yeah...WEIRD.
Then, Trent was calling from somewhere....mommy? nommy? Nope....NUMMMIES! Nummmies!
Groggy-brained mommy slowly filtered this information.
1. Open eye-ball and assess daylight: NONE
2. Turn head and look at clock: 5am!
3. Listen again to truly determine what he is saying: Nummmmmmies!
OMG! He woke up at 5am and is hungry? He is SO going back to sleep. This is unacceptable.
Wake up Rich and inform him of his progeny's crazy request. Go get him milk please.
Stagger to nursery. Arrive to find one happy bouncing child. 'Mak?!'
In a minute buddy, daddy is getting it.
Find that he had a primary reason for waking up....soaked in pee. Sighhh, stupid diaper leak. Change diaper. Change pajama pants. Sit in glider and wait for 'Mak' to show up.
Daddy arrives, ''Here you go buddy. Are you hungry?''
Trent, 'Nummies. Da doo''
At least he remembered to be polite at 5am.
Somewhere in my head I was attending a really odd wedding involving people I didn't even socialize with in high school. There we flag people doing a routine outside the church and the guests were asked to guess the weight of the couples first child...yeah, yeah...WEIRD.
Then, Trent was calling from somewhere....mommy? nommy? Nope....NUMMMIES! Nummmies!
Groggy-brained mommy slowly filtered this information.
1. Open eye-ball and assess daylight: NONE
2. Turn head and look at clock: 5am!
3. Listen again to truly determine what he is saying: Nummmmmmies!
OMG! He woke up at 5am and is hungry? He is SO going back to sleep. This is unacceptable.
Wake up Rich and inform him of his progeny's crazy request. Go get him milk please.
Stagger to nursery. Arrive to find one happy bouncing child. 'Mak?!'
In a minute buddy, daddy is getting it.
Find that he had a primary reason for waking up....soaked in pee. Sighhh, stupid diaper leak. Change diaper. Change pajama pants. Sit in glider and wait for 'Mak' to show up.
Daddy arrives, ''Here you go buddy. Are you hungry?''
Trent, 'Nummies. Da doo''
At least he remembered to be polite at 5am.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Words...more of them
Trent is getting to be such a little talker!
This week he learned to say 'Meeeesssss' in reference to toys all over the room. Not that he's helping clean them up any time soon.
He also told me, 'mommmeeee! Bee beek Mak' Translated: Mommy, microwave(beep beep) milk. The small sentences are starting.
This week he learned to say 'Meeeesssss' in reference to toys all over the room. Not that he's helping clean them up any time soon.
He also told me, 'mommmeeee! Bee beek Mak' Translated: Mommy, microwave(beep beep) milk. The small sentences are starting.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Just for Girls
Saying a shocking hello to the birds and bees conversation, at least a very edited version!
Nora discovered her vagina about two years ago while we were potty training. At the time, she went on a diatribe about it but we didn't need to go beyond 'God made you that way.' Rich and I were dying with laughter at the time because of her normal toddler curiosity. The why? Why it's big?
Tonight, I had to go further in the explanation.
Nora: Mommy, I have a hole right there, why? (At this point she is sitting in a not so lady-like position inspecting herself)
Me: Because girls are made that way.
Nora: Not boys? Daddy doesn't have a hole?
Me: No. God made girls special so we could be mommy's. (Me begging in my head that she doesn't ask me to elaborate on that!)
Nora: Ms. Bev and Ms. Jenni are girls and mommies. (these are her preschool teachers)
Me: Yes.
Nora: All girls have holes, boys don't have holes. That's so silly!
At this point, I'm imagining her going to preschool and announcing. ''Girls have holes and boys have peanuts'' akin to the kid in 'Kindergarten Cop'. Peanuts is her name for brother's penis.
Oh my! Didn't realize I would be faced with questions like this at four!
Nora discovered her vagina about two years ago while we were potty training. At the time, she went on a diatribe about it but we didn't need to go beyond 'God made you that way.' Rich and I were dying with laughter at the time because of her normal toddler curiosity. The why? Why it's big?
Tonight, I had to go further in the explanation.
Nora: Mommy, I have a hole right there, why? (At this point she is sitting in a not so lady-like position inspecting herself)
Me: Because girls are made that way.
Nora: Not boys? Daddy doesn't have a hole?
Me: No. God made girls special so we could be mommy's. (Me begging in my head that she doesn't ask me to elaborate on that!)
Nora: Ms. Bev and Ms. Jenni are girls and mommies. (these are her preschool teachers)
Me: Yes.
Nora: All girls have holes, boys don't have holes. That's so silly!
At this point, I'm imagining her going to preschool and announcing. ''Girls have holes and boys have peanuts'' akin to the kid in 'Kindergarten Cop'. Peanuts is her name for brother's penis.
Oh my! Didn't realize I would be faced with questions like this at four!
Monday, January 23, 2012
ALL Boy day
Trent decided that it was time to prove how tough and strong he was yesterday.
For his first feat, one of strength as he single handedly broke the door off my dresser! The top drawer was out slightly and he was trying to close the outer door. He is either a ridiculously strong 18 mth. old or there was a sweet spot in the wood. It gave and split right off the hinge. My ears couldn't identify the sound of splitting wood fast enough to stop him. The ferocious little grunt he put behind the effort was extremely cute....I remind myself, he was just trying to help.
I lost track of Trent upstairs in the chaos of assessing my dresser door and removing it from the hinges. FOUND him. Second boy feat....eat toilet paper after dunking it in the toilet. He will defy the germs, mock them even. Gross, gross gross!
I need to get some things done before heading off to tennis, so I sent the kids out to the garage with Rich. He was setting up his new workbench from Home Depot. A combination birthday and Xmas gift. Yea, for no more door supported two saw horses!
I was now in the kitchen finishing potato salad for the tennis match when I hear screaming from the garage. Trent, the job foreman, had placed himself under the workbench to supervise....and it collapsed. Daddy to the rescue on this one. Rich sacrificed his back and shoulder to save our boy. Once again, I remind myself he was just trying to help.
Down for nap...no more excitement.
And he wakes up from nap and decides to climb the bathroom stool to get a toothbrush. Fine. Little man is obsessed with tooth hygiene. Fine, until he slips off the back of the stool, lands on his butt and sends his noggin flying back into the tile floor. Ohhhhhh, the tears. Rich swears he heard his skull crack, not so much.
So this is life with a boy. All adventures and owies.
For his first feat, one of strength as he single handedly broke the door off my dresser! The top drawer was out slightly and he was trying to close the outer door. He is either a ridiculously strong 18 mth. old or there was a sweet spot in the wood. It gave and split right off the hinge. My ears couldn't identify the sound of splitting wood fast enough to stop him. The ferocious little grunt he put behind the effort was extremely cute....I remind myself, he was just trying to help.
I lost track of Trent upstairs in the chaos of assessing my dresser door and removing it from the hinges. FOUND him. Second boy feat....eat toilet paper after dunking it in the toilet. He will defy the germs, mock them even. Gross, gross gross!
I need to get some things done before heading off to tennis, so I sent the kids out to the garage with Rich. He was setting up his new workbench from Home Depot. A combination birthday and Xmas gift. Yea, for no more door supported two saw horses!
I was now in the kitchen finishing potato salad for the tennis match when I hear screaming from the garage. Trent, the job foreman, had placed himself under the workbench to supervise....and it collapsed. Daddy to the rescue on this one. Rich sacrificed his back and shoulder to save our boy. Once again, I remind myself he was just trying to help.
Down for nap...no more excitement.
And he wakes up from nap and decides to climb the bathroom stool to get a toothbrush. Fine. Little man is obsessed with tooth hygiene. Fine, until he slips off the back of the stool, lands on his butt and sends his noggin flying back into the tile floor. Ohhhhhh, the tears. Rich swears he heard his skull crack, not so much.
So this is life with a boy. All adventures and owies.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Carpe Blah!
Better than I could have ever said it. Stolen from Jenni's FB page.
http://momastery.com/blog/2012/01/04/2011-lesson-2-dont-carpe-diem/
http://momastery.com/blog/2012/01/04/2011-lesson-2-dont-carpe-diem/
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Awesome Book List
Just plugging this one into my blog so I can keep track of the link.
http://www.peopleiwanttopunchinthethroat.com/2012/01/book-recommendations.html
I finally found goodreads.com....awesome.
http://www.peopleiwanttopunchinthethroat.com/2012/01/book-recommendations.html
I finally found goodreads.com....awesome.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Kids...
A fly by posting just to document some of the kiddos happenings..
OMG!
I just had to tell Nora, ''If you ask me one. more. time. I'm throwing it away''
In regards to her wanting to open her star full of colored sand and play 'pixie dust' with it. I would like to add I'd told her 'no, no, NO, NOOOOO, and NOOOOOOOOO' all before the threat. I didn't even yell, just became more emphatic.
On a better note with Nora, we did have this cute conversation at bedtime last night.
Mommy, you have hairs in your nose. Why are there hairs in there?
Because they keep the dirt out of your nose.
And bugs? (giggle)
Yes, and they keep bugs from going up your nose into your brain! (Me being silly and ticking her head)
If I close my eyes, I could see the bug in my head.
Really?
Nooooooo, I was being silly. (Then she delivers this line..in a serious tone) If I close my eyes, I see space.
Coool!
Yeah, it's neat.
OMG!
I just had to tell Nora, ''If you ask me one. more. time. I'm throwing it away''
In regards to her wanting to open her star full of colored sand and play 'pixie dust' with it. I would like to add I'd told her 'no, no, NO, NOOOOO, and NOOOOOOOOO' all before the threat. I didn't even yell, just became more emphatic.
On a better note with Nora, we did have this cute conversation at bedtime last night.
Mommy, you have hairs in your nose. Why are there hairs in there?
Because they keep the dirt out of your nose.
And bugs? (giggle)
Yes, and they keep bugs from going up your nose into your brain! (Me being silly and ticking her head)
If I close my eyes, I could see the bug in my head.
Really?
Nooooooo, I was being silly. (Then she delivers this line..in a serious tone) If I close my eyes, I see space.
Coool!
Yeah, it's neat.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Memories that Stick.
Over the holiday, some girlfriends and I were talking about our kiddos.
Nora came home from preschool one day after Thanksgiving with a sheet of paper starting...''The thing I am most grateful for is.....my daddy''
She's a daddy's girl, so I wasn't surprised. He is her everything, the first and most important man in her life. One day, I know Rich will get teary placing her hand in anothers....
Imparting this to friends, an older friend reminisced about finding a box in her attic with her sons school work. There was a sheet of paper, much like Nora's asking, ''What does your mommy do?'' His answer appalled her, ''mommy cleans''. Her advice, don't get too caught up in arbitrary things YOU think are important. That's what kids remember.'
The flight of the cleaning bee had just happened before this party. Spotless happens only when it has too.
Cleaning has never been a major focus for me. Organized clutter is a more accurate description of our home. Which makes it even funnier that my closest girlfriend calls me Martha Stewart, granted she is obsessed with cleaning and can't cook. Together we would make a pretty good team.
At the end of the day, all I want is happy kids and a content husband. Older mommies try to tell me I will miss the clutter of toys or finger smudges on my french doors. Maybe. Those smudges and clutter tell me how much fun they were having exploring.
Right now, there are smudgy chocolate finger prints downstairs. Sister snuck us our first chocolate. Big smiles with chocolate ooze. Giggles of sneakiness from my kiddos.
Giggle from mommy as I walk by and see the reminder to cherish this time.
Nora came home from preschool one day after Thanksgiving with a sheet of paper starting...''The thing I am most grateful for is.....my daddy''
She's a daddy's girl, so I wasn't surprised. He is her everything, the first and most important man in her life. One day, I know Rich will get teary placing her hand in anothers....
Imparting this to friends, an older friend reminisced about finding a box in her attic with her sons school work. There was a sheet of paper, much like Nora's asking, ''What does your mommy do?'' His answer appalled her, ''mommy cleans''. Her advice, don't get too caught up in arbitrary things YOU think are important. That's what kids remember.'
The flight of the cleaning bee had just happened before this party. Spotless happens only when it has too.
Cleaning has never been a major focus for me. Organized clutter is a more accurate description of our home. Which makes it even funnier that my closest girlfriend calls me Martha Stewart, granted she is obsessed with cleaning and can't cook. Together we would make a pretty good team.
At the end of the day, all I want is happy kids and a content husband. Older mommies try to tell me I will miss the clutter of toys or finger smudges on my french doors. Maybe. Those smudges and clutter tell me how much fun they were having exploring.
Right now, there are smudgy chocolate finger prints downstairs. Sister snuck us our first chocolate. Big smiles with chocolate ooze. Giggles of sneakiness from my kiddos.
Giggle from mommy as I walk by and see the reminder to cherish this time.
Words!
We did this with Nora at 15 mths as well...The final list of words Trent knows, because soon they will number too many.
Kitty - YEooooW
Daddy - Dahhh eeee
Nora - Nah Nah
Andrew - Ah dew (Nora said Handu)
Balloon - Boooo
Ball - Ba
Blanket - Be be
Shoes
Duck - Duh
Puppy - Puhpuh
Orange - onch
Banana - Nana
Milk - Mak
Juice - Juesss
Cheese - Chess
Noodle - na nool
spoon/fork - spoo
Numma Numma - When he wants a bite of something.
Hands - Ans
Nose
Uppies - Up Bees
Stuck - Stuhhh
Outside - Owwww
What's this - Wha dis?
What's that - Wha dat?
Sit down - Se dow
Help - eppp
Down - Dow!
Night - nigh nigh
Thank you - Day doo!
Uh -Oh!
Roaarrr! - the sound a dinosaur makes
WOW
WHOA
WEE - most often said in reference to swings
No
Hi
Bye
Ouch
Mine - mY My
Train - Choo Choo
broom - boom
Box
Books - Boos
Brush - bus
Buttons - buts
socks - sux
Kitty - YEooooW
Daddy - Dahhh eeee
Nora - Nah Nah
Andrew - Ah dew (Nora said Handu)
Balloon - Boooo
Ball - Ba
Blanket - Be be
Shoes
Duck - Duh
Puppy - Puhpuh
Orange - onch
Banana - Nana
Milk - Mak
Juice - Juesss
Cheese - Chess
Noodle - na nool
spoon/fork - spoo
Numma Numma - When he wants a bite of something.
Hands - Ans
Nose
Uppies - Up Bees
Stuck - Stuhhh
Outside - Owwww
What's this - Wha dis?
What's that - Wha dat?
Sit down - Se dow
Help - eppp
Down - Dow!
Night - nigh nigh
Thank you - Day doo!
Uh -Oh!
Roaarrr! - the sound a dinosaur makes
WOW
WHOA
WEE - most often said in reference to swings
No
Hi
Bye
Ouch
Mine - mY My
Train - Choo Choo
broom - boom
Box
Books - Boos
Brush - bus
Buttons - buts
socks - sux
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