Jaylee is Double-Digits!!!

I have been a mother for a DECADE!!!!

I think that makes me really old!

 

Here she is...

the beautiful birthday girl.

 

We had a relaxing, very slow, stay at home day until her bday party at the Littiz Rec Pool.

She was supposed to have a sleep over with 10 girls at our house, but blood clots put an end to that idea.

It was from 6-8... 1 hour of swimming...

The girls played sharks and minnows,

laughed about the men splashing them off of the slide,

 and swam swam swam. 

 Jennibelle worked on her freestyle swimming.

 

 

 

Then 1 hour of eatting and presents.

She got s-p-o-i-l-e-d.

cupcakes, pretzels and a few games of hangman.

 

Christmas 2012



I know every year I say it, but this was definately the best year yet!!!!  And other than just being overly happy about being alive, feeling pretty well and being home with everyone!  Christmas Eve dinner was at 2 at Poppop and Nan's. Ham, scallops, scalloped potatoes, etc.  Yummy!!!  Then, after Poppop's 4th or 5th helping, we finally did gifts... lots and lots of gifts.  Meg and George even gave the family a family gift!!  Of course, everyone made out!  Aunt Donna joined us this year. We even got 2" of snow!!!  Very pretty to look at, but the drive home at 7pm was scary.  We did a Nativity picture with Morgan and Cole too, and hope to do this every year.  When we go home, we called Seattle, wrote Thank you letters to Santa, put out cookies, read Twas the Night... and the Story of Jesus' birth, played a game of Zingo and headed to bed early. 

 

Christmas started at 0345 this year ... I think that is our norm.  I was able to get the first four minutes on video, but then our Video camera died for good.  I am so thankful that I go the initial WOW moments recorded!  It took 2 hours to do gifts... it was so nice, doing them one by one with playing in between each gift.  It was so relaxing. Gosh I love my kids!  The girls decided to hide Jason's 5 gifts around teh house and send him on a scavenger hunt, so we made a movie for him with instructions. His only gift under the tree was the CD.  It was really fun! Around 0600, Jackson, Jason and I headed back to bed. Poor Jason has a teribble cold.  We re-woke at 0930 and kept playing.  The girls played with their American Girl dolls the whole time we napped!  Jackson went straight back to walking in circles around his train table.  Ill never understand his idea of fun!  The girls spent the afternoon turning the Play room into a huge Barbie house.  They decided to put their Littlest Pet Shops into the attic to make more room in their :(  Nan and Poppop stopped by around 1330 to exchange gifts.  I made out witha few maternity outfits (very good timing!!), Jason got accessories to go with the Suit I got him. And the kids got some nice outfits, etc.  Unfortunately that is when Jenni really went down hill and spiked a 103 fever and her nose started to run.  So she, Jackson and I went off to nap again!! That gave Jason 2 1/2 hours to play his new computer game... I don't think he minded!!  We had steak and mashed potatoes for dinner followed by ice cream cake for Jesus' birthday.   This is one day I hope to never forget!!!  And here's the kids rundown: (WE stuck to our budget of $125 each kid!!!, but I'm not sure anyone else stuck to their budget!!)  I got a year membership to the Rec center, Wawa rolls, a calinder, cutting board, memory stick and wallet.  Jason got a suit, Assasin's Creed III for the computer, a rubber mallet, tools, and a light for working on the car.

 

Jaylee:

 

Fell asleep early and easy. Set alarm for 0145 but Daddy cancelled it. Woke the smaller kids at 0345 . Never napped.  Kept the secret perfectly!! Was a shepard in the Nativity picture. Ate dinner on her Fitness Ball.  Made the family a Calendar with everyone's bdays on it!

 

Dress outfit with access., Fitness Ball, Oragami kit, annual ornament, Travel kit for American Girl.  Scrabble Flash and Light up pillow. Cash. Webkinz and shirt from Gap. Owl sewing kit and DIY Hair access kit. Home made Spa Kit. Nanny McPhee movie. Homemade Body pillow spray painted pillow case.  Microscope and Telesope. American girl outfit and craft kit with stickers. American Girl closet, Seahawks Jersey, watch, American Girl Wheel chair "All Better" set, Duct Tape.

Jennibelle:

 

So stressfully excited, she was still up when Jason and I went to bed at 10:30!  Was the Angel in the Nativity picture. Spiked a 103 fever on Christmas afternoon.  Made the family a pottery bowel and a book about our Christmas Traditions.  Her list for Santa included "Pickles, Pickle underwear, and Abby." Found the pickle this year!!!

 

Bean bag, Dress outfit with shoes and hair acces., jewelry beading kit, & annual ornament. Zingo (bingo game) and Lego Friend Beauty Shop. Cash. Webkinz and Barbie laundry fruniture. Raccoon sewing doll kit and DIY hair access kit. Home made Spa kit. Homemade matching BFF Dollie and Me shirt. Barbie movie.  Monster High Doll and puzzle. 18" cheerleading with access. (Pickle prize: Nail dryer). Pickles, Battery for Power Wheels, Duct tape, Abby (Monster High Doll), Monster High PJs and robe with slippers, Baseball glove w/ 2 balls.

 

 

Jackson:

 

Woke up pleasant and very excited for Santa when the girls woke him at 0345. Took two naps. Didnt notice the train table in the middle of the Living room.  Found his big horsey right away and loved it.  Was very excited about opening presents and got the hang of it quickly.

 

Matchbox car set, Thomas train, Bean bag, annual ornament.  Book with Grandma's voice reading it to him and a toy for the bath.  Cash. Little people 2' tall car garage with slides.  RV car.  Homemade four capes, including a Super J!!!! Large riding/rocking horse. Spongebob movie.  Little People Zoo.  Train table with access. Aqua Doodle, Bath crayons, bubbles and flashlight.

 

Baby J:

Jamie: Homemade onesie.  Meg: Lamb hat for winter time.

 

If you don't want to be bombarded with pix, it is now time for you to X out this page.

Here is our Christmas Time 2012...

Ginger Bread House

Christmas card pictures.

 

Candy making.

Jaylee in Poppop's church program.

She did awesome for her solo!

 

 

Christmas Eve.

Jaylee played Jingle Bells for everyone, and then Morgan wanted to learn.

 

First Annual Nativity Picture.

Santa was here!!

Yay... Wawa rolls!!!

 

Completely oblivious to the train table behind him,

completely happy with riding his bus on the couch!



 

Starting the scavenger hunt...

Goof balls.

Jaylee really liked the pillow case Jenni made!

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!

Im one of the "weird" Moms that doesn't get thrilled about homemade gifts. 

But this year, there were some GREAT ones!!!

Alwasys my favorite shot! The AFTER shot!

 

Then, Christmas Number Two.

We always joke that Nan and Poppop put Santa to shame...

 

I love how "into" Jackson the girls are - awlays excited for him!!!

Nothing like a little Diego before bed. 

 

*******

 I still need to add...

 

RIP Bouncy Snowman.

10 years was a good run.

Keep singing to us, even thoughyou can't bounce :(

 

 

Jaylee's Random Act of Kindness homework was to bring me a plate of cookies to the hospital :)

 

 

 The kids each got their own ornament containers so when they move out,

they can take them with them :)

 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

 

 



Are you KIDDING me?!?!?!

Dx: B/L PEs in Pulmonary Arteries, Hiatel Hernia and Pregnancy

 

 

WHAT THE HECK?!?!?! 

What did we do to deserve this?

This is so scary!!!!

 

The beginning of this pregnancy I was EXHAUSTED, and I mean literallly EXHAUSTED!!!!

Then appx 2 weeks ago I started noticing that I was way more out of breath than I should be... every time I would walk upstairs I'd huffing and puffing.  I thought "It sucks being old, fat, out of shape AND pregnant!!!"  Then last night I started with sudden stabbing right shoulder blade pain that got a lot worse with deep breaths.  Today I thought that something was wrong, but was I just paranoid?  I had my BP checked at CVS while we picked up Jackson's THREE new meds for recurring croup - a  whole nother story- and my BP read 140/90.  Whoah!!!  My BP is usually 80/60.  So, then I panicked.  I drove around the corner to my OB office but they were at lunch.  The receptionist spoke with a Dr who said that I shold go to the ER since it was not OB related.  I drove to the ER and then Jakson randomly threw up in the back seat - are you for real????  So I waited 15 min and drove back to the OB office knowing they'd be back from lunch.  A nurse reluctantly rechecked my BP at my request so I knew if it was ER worthy or not... 102/80.  Whew....  But they made me promise to see my family Dr today about my other symptoms.  Luckily Mom had headed up my way since Jason was in West VA for the day working.  I made a 4pm appt with the family Dr but when the nurse told him my story he wanted me to go straight to the ER.  For real?!?!?!?  So, reluctantly I went.  I knew something was wrong but was not prepared for the 4 hours of tests that resulted with me being told I have 2 blood clots - 1 in the main branch of each pulmonary artery.  Luckily they are both stuck to the sides of the artery and do not block the blood flow totally.  I was told I'd be in the hospital for a while on blood thinners and that my pregnancy would be "very rough... but atleast you have 3 great kids".  Then we talked about bedrest... How in the world would this work?!?!?!?!?!?  I was completely devestated and in tears.

 

It is a few hours later, Im up in my room and the OB and Medical Dr came to talk to us and I am feeling much better... She says I'll be on Lovenonx (blood thinner) shots that Ill give to myself twice a day for the whole pregnancy plus a few weeks, but that it is relatively safe for the baby.  She said that she does NOT want me on bedrest b/c that will put me at more risk for more clots.  My c-section will be high risk because of the blood thinners.

 

I still have pain, and these shots sting quite badly, but I am ok... not short of breath at all b/c Ive been laying around for hours now.  Jason is home with Jackson and the girls are at my parents.  This makes me double think our idea of moving away. 
 

 

Holy Moly...!!!!!!


While in the ER after getting the bad news, carollers came by singing... Silent Night... and I thought, what a great song for a funeral.  So, I am going to start "planning" my funeral... I dont want an open casket b/c I hate how people look dead.  My family can come see me in the morgue without all the fake makeup - than I'll look like they know me!!  I dont want a sad sappy meeting... it should be informal, comfortable clothing, with singing and story telling.  There should be lots to eat and room for the kids to run and play.  And in all seriousness, "The Witch is Dead" better be played, since we've joked about it so long now.  I'd also like everyone to sing along with "I Can Only Imagine." I know my Mom will want to plan it and take control and make it her way... you are the best planner Mom so you will probably have to take charge for Jason, but this is how I want it... thanks!!! 



*****************
It's been two days and I am feeling a little better each day.  The pain in my right shoulder blade is almost gone and I no longer feel like I have to yawn at all times.  I left the ICU last night and will hopefully get home today. Im having an irregular heart beat at times that they are not sure of.   Im very excited to get home, but at the same time paranoid and terrified to leave the Drs and heart monitors.  Now we have to figure out how to manadge money while Im pregnant.... there's no way I can keep working all of the night hours... I will now weekly see my family Dr and OB and MFM, as well as Jackson's Dr appts. I won't be on bedrest or any real restrictions, other than "taking it easy".  It's gonna be a long 6 months!!!!

Optimism

There!  I said it, and I mean it... I think!

Things have been going - knock, knock - very well for Mr. Jackson.

His last kidney infection was back in July, and other than "normal" kid stuff, he's been doing great. He is totally off meds, though he may been to restart his Prevacid to rule out GERD, again. 

We have gotten rid of all bottles (finally), and had even gotten him down to just 1 can of Pediasure a day, rather than 3.  However, today I realized that he is losing weight, so we're bumping it back up to 2 cans daily for now.  He is growing and developping and talking our ears off and jumping off of everything and climbing up everything he can and sleeping through the night and enjoying his time in the Church nursery and Library classes.  His urnie bow dips WNL, no traces of protein. His belly is not nearly as unproportionately big as it had been.  He doesn't seem to need as much water as he had in the past.  He's eatting more of a variety of foods, rather than just those high in sodium.  He even no longer needs night time diapers, b/c he isn't soaking through his normal diapers anymore. 

So, either things are going totally well and I am expecting near-miracle ultrasound and lab resluts in January OR I am totally off my rocker. Really, it could be either!!! But lets hope for the best!!!!



Randomness

Random Fact #1:  Maternity pants should NOT be needed at week 10!!!!!

Fact #2: My baby Jaylee will be 10 in 3 weeks, I remember the day she came fought and fought and fought to NOT come out, but... I won!!!

Fact #3: I seriously fall more and more in love with Jackson everyday.  He is the perfect kid... happy at all times, funny, cute, pretty obediant, sleeps through the night, goes to bed without a fight, loves to show affection.  I often makes myself sad, just thinking about his stay in the PICU, and if things had turned out differently.

Fact #4: I am pregnant, yet I do not feel pregnant AT ALL!!! It's very weird.  Maybe b/c I am too busy with three kids, to think about it much.  Maybe Im just having a great pregnancy!!  Other than being VERY VERY tired, and tearful at times, I am very lucky!

Fact #5: My Mom is, by far, the hardest person to shop for.  I am down to 22 days.  Anyone have ideas?

Fact #6: My car is the cleanest it has ever been, and it brings me great peace!!  Is that weird?

Fact #7: Mandy, Jennibelle and I went to see Twilight at 10pm on Firday night... My 7 year old walked into a movie way after her bedtime with her 2 foot purple bunny... a comical sight.  That girl is so darn smart though... she has blossomed at school this year!  She is already mastering her multiplication facts and really understands WHY she gets the answers, not just memorizing the facts.  At the movie, she was explaining to me whta different characters were thinking and why they were doing certain things!

Fact #8: We miss our family in Seattle... maybe Santa will bring them all lotss of money and they can come visit!

Fact #9: I have officially become socially awkward!  It might be time to start working with humans again!!! 

Fact #10:  I am so completely excited for Chirstmas!!!!

Baby Numero 4

Funny how your life can change in one day!!

Wait, didn't I say that just about 2 years ago after an ultrasound?!?

 

Over the past 4-5 weeks, I have not been feeling myself... very tired, unable to sleep, lacking motivation, uneasy, irritable, tearful. I saw a depression commerical that inspired me to start on Prozac. A week later, I was an anxious mess. So, my Dr. switched me to Lexapro.  I took it for 3 days but still felt very anxious so I stopped it.  I had been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Jackson had been stable for 4 months, and I was told that this is quite common in Mom's of chronically-ill children.  So, it all made sense. I was embarrassed and told no one, not even Jason.  I finally oponed up on Facbook to a group of Kidney Moms that I have never met, hoping that I was not the only one dealing with this.  The very next morning, I felt a sense of "relief" when I got on Facebook and learned that I was not alone... many of the Moms have experienced similar episodes.  In fact, a few Moms were thankful that I brought it up b/c they were secretly suffering too.  I almost started to feel better, just knowing I was not going crazy and was not alone. 

 

But in a mere 2 hours, everything changed.  After volunteering in Jenni's class for an hour, I could not understand why I was starving... again... already.  A very long red light gave me time to check my date book... whoops!!!!!!  Those 3 weeks flew past, without me ever realizng that I was late!!  Imagine my surprise 10 minutes later when I peed on a stick, laid it down and almost walked away without ever checking the results - expecting a single line.   

 

Luckily Mandy was here, because I was very confused when I saw the two lines.. I had bought a box of 3 tests, many months ago and had thrown out all of the directions. So, we googled it.  And then I called my Dr and then I called Jason and then I saw my Dr after lunch and then I got an ultrasound right away and then I learned I was 7 1/2 weeksalong  and the baby would be born in June and then I came home to the girls drinking hot chocolate and then I handed them the pictures of their baby and then I chased down Jenni to see if she was running around in excitement or distress and then I made some calls to family and then I made a delicious dinner and then I consoled Jenni when she realized that it may be another boy and then Jenni kissed my belly goodnight and then Jennib decided we needed to have a family prayer for the baby's health and then I drifted off to sleep, EXHAUSTED.

 

At the moment, Jason is beaming with excitment, the girls have taken the ultrasound pictures to school (to show them off) and I've had a great morning with Jackson. I am full of excitememnt and optimism.  Next week is when the baby's urinary system will form... I may have very different feelings next week... only time will tell. 

 

I think it's a girl... Josie or Jillian maybe?  Perhaps it will be a boy - will I get my Jethro?  Jason would like a Jedi Stringham!  I like Jasper too...



PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

 

How freaking embarrassing is that?!?!?!?!?!

I guess that would explain the lack of sleep, excessive worry, uncontrollable tears and irritability though, huh? I tried the pill they gave me and it made me a-n-x-i-o-u-s so I stopped.  I can NOT imagine having anxiety issues... how do people function with it?!?

 

I'm hoping it's nothing a little exercise and mind-over-matter can't fix.  And with Chritsmas around the corner, I'm sure I'll snap out of it - right???  What can Christmas possibly not fix?!?

 

I just wish I truely understood why this is happening to me NOW, when we've had 4 good months?  It makes me feel weak, like a failure of a person to not be able to keep ot together.  I alwasy tried to focus on the good and positive, but lately I feel overwhelmed by the bad things that are to come.  I hate kidney disease!!!! I wish I knew how to talk to people about it, rather than bottling it up inside and then sharing it with this computer screen.  I admit though, it feels good to atleast get it out!!!! 

 

It sucks...

 

I wish this on no one!!!

Thankful for...

It's that time of year again.  This year Im hoping to include a picture each day - possibly without words, but I tend to like to talk!!!!

 

Nov 1st

Jackson's 20th month dirthday today!

He loves to pretend he's a doggy. He loves to find neigh-neighs, tractors, buses and trucks on our drives. He loves to watch, sing and participate with The Little Einsteins. He loves slides - climbing up them and coming down them.

 

Nov 2nd

We survived Hurricane Sandy -

I only have prep pix b/c there was nothing to show for it afterwards!

Thank you Jesus!!!!!

 

Nov 3rd

 The ideals that America was built upon.
Now, if we can only get back to them!!!!
An example of free speech...

  

Nov 4th
Seeing that your $2000 was well spent :)
(No more braces)

Nov 5th
craigslist
 

Nov 6th
Cousins!!!!!

 

 

Nov 7th
Family that helps without giving it a second thought!

Nov 8th

 

Nov 9th
ZZZZZZZZZzzz
 

Nov 10th

They teach me more than any Doctor!!!!

 

Nov 11th
Sundays, Seahawks and Veterans... could it get any better??

 

Nov 12th
91st and 32nd bdays!!!

 

Nov 13th
10 1/2 years, and counting...

 

Nov 14th

 

Nov 15th
Jackson LOVES his weekly Mommy and Me class at the Lititz Library

Nov 16th
When DVRs firt came out, I thought they were the dumbest idea.  Now I record mullitple shows a day and watch them - commercial free. LOVE IT!

 

Nov 17th
I did not expect to, but I LOVED the movies - all 5 of them.

Nov 18th

 

Nov 19th
My Mom...

 

Nov 20th

 

Nov 21st
Good friends...

 Nov 22nd

Thanksgiving meal... Mom's gravy and stuffing and sweet potatoes with my mashed potatoes... YUM!!
Then Black Friday Shopping with Mandy... only then would it be worth the 1-hour line to get into Toys R Us and the 1-hour line to check out, in order to save $12.50.
Then Black Friday Shopping with Jennibelle from 1-2 am because she was so very excited this year!
 

Nov 23rd
Park City Santa!!!

 

Nov 24th
Our Christmas Family Tradition.
We switched things up a bit this year. 
We grabbed some hot chocolate at The Hershey Lodge and then gave our gift away.
 What a thrill and a great feeling!!!

 

Nov 25th
Dad's 63rd b-day today and he's still the busiet person I know!!

 Nov 26th
Jaylee's sense of fashion

 

Nov 27th
The big sister that I knew Jennibelle would be!

 

Nov 28th
 

Nov 29th
 

Nov 30th