"Jello in hees mouff"

Troy got his first bloody lip last night. In my opinion, at 11 months old as active as this child is for this to be the first bloody lip, we have done pretty good protecting his little face. Last night the kids were playing in Troy's room while I was running back and forth trying to get them dressed for bed. It was kind of late because we had ballet last night and the later it gets the more wobbly Troy becomes. He was walking around his room like a little drunk man and smacked right into the side of his crib. I was in the other room making a bottle and Sophia comes in and says "Troy has jello in hees mouff."
I ran in the room to find him screaming only to find blood in his mouth and all over his jammies. I grabbed a burp cloth and the mommy in me took over. I explained to Sophia that the red stuff wasn't jello, it was blood. She was explaining what happened to Troy to her grandma on the phone and it went something like this...
"And Troy bumped hees mouff, then he had bloud in hees mouff, then he was screamin', and his teeff were bleedin', then momma put a rag in hees mouff, and he was cryin', then it yooked yike jello in he's mouff"
Troy is alright and we are defiantly going to work on the L sounds, the W, the TH, and those stinky pronouns... :)

Updates on Prayer Requests...

Maciee is doing good. Hopefully they will be going home from children's hospital today or tomorrow. They did find that she had a virus that attacked her brain causing nuerological symptoms. From what I hear she is on antibiotics, doing much better and the swelling in her brain is going down., God Bless them! I am so relieved that she will be ok and they are coming home.
As for my friend, Chantal, she is still in the hosptial waiting to have that baby girl. They are going to keep her until the birth of the baby. She isn't on steroids anymore... basically from what I hear they are just waiting for the baby to be born.
Thank you for your prayers.
God Bless.

Pray with Us

Sophia's dear friend, Maciee is sick. They don't know exactly what is wrong with her. From what I have been told she woke up Saturday morning dizzy and couldn't stand. She has been at children's hospital since Saturday. She is in good spirits but not understanding why she can't go home. I am sure her parents are exhausted and terrified. We are praying for a simple answer but the unknown is so difficult as most of you know. Awaiting results from a spinal tap and an MRI. Please keep sweet Maciee in your prayers. Sophia adores her and was very upset that Maciee wasn't in school today. I told her she'd be back next week :)

Also, friends of ours our sitting tight in the hospital awaiting the birth of their sweet baby girl. She is 7 weeks early and mom is on steroids to help the babies lungs. They have three other children waiting at home for their new sister's arrival. Keep them in your prayers too, please.

As always pray for our government. Our country.

God Bless.

Hope everyone has a blessed week.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Wow! Was I emotional at that last post or what???

So here's the deal, the new doctor felt that it was necessary to take Sophia into children's hospital for a 72 hour EEG study... during this time they would try and provoke her to have a seizure, this way the could see exactly what her brain does during the seizure, the would be able to identify if it is generalized or all over and what part of the brain is affected. She said if Sophia had a seizure during the 72 hours we would then be discharged and wouldn't have to stay for the remainder of the time. They just want to see one episode on the EEG. When I say provoke a seizure we would interrupt her sleep patterns and other things- I don't even want to think about it. Obviously it wouldn't be painful just stressful... I hate to think we would deliberately try and stress her to the point of a seizure. I see the benefits of the test but it's a lot to think about. After the past two years and trying to prevent seizure after seizure to now say we are going to try and make one happen... I just can't wrap my mind around it. I don't know what to do. I am going to be making some phone calls this week while the doctor's office deals with the insurance and hospital stuff... I figured I'd go ahead and let them make arrangements, it will take long enough to do that. So, that's what the doctor wants to do. She was hopeful that if the EEG did come back totally normal that it might be possible to take Sophia off of an every 12 hour type of seizure medication and instead use the Diastat only when she is having a seizure and Clonazepam when she is running a fever to prevent the febrile seizures. That was an exciting possibility. I love the thought of not having her on the Trileptal anymore. I just hate the thought of that test. If any of you have done that email me or comment and let me know how it goes...

On a brighter note: Today was my Dad's Birthday!!! We went to my parent's house and had a BBQ. The kids made a scarecrow for the front of the farm and we spent the day together as family. It was fun! It was relaxing! It was wonderful!

Sophia and her cousin, Gracie... their scarecrow!


Me and My Sweet Boy

Then, the daddies (Tony and my brother, Virgil) took over the scarecrow...

Their finished product... minus a head!

My Mom and Dad with the scarecrow... minus the pumpkin head...

Just Be

Sitting in the sunlight outside. Troy is napping and Sophia is inside watching Dragon Tales in my bed. I couldn't get her to take a nap today so that quiet time will have to do for today. She went to her new neurologist today, she's pretty wound up about that. That's probably why she didn't nap today. We drove down to Orlando just Sophia and I. She cried on the way there begging me to turn around and go home. She asked me if she could listen to her "musicick", she loves the Casting Crowns CD that I keep in my car. Funny that she asks to listen to it every time we are going to a neurology appointment. It must bring her comfort. My grandmother came over and kept Troy. It's too much having both of them in the room and trying to speak with the doctor. It is hard enough with Sophia, who gets nervous and talks a million miles a minute and interrupts every other word, much less adding Troy in the mix. Thank God for family at times like this, and the friends who so kindly offered to keep him, thanks Katie and Doreen. It is never fun to drive this drive, but I was comforted to know he was happy and safe spending some quality time with his GREAT grandma, the kids call her "GiGi". She is a God-send to our family, I don't know what I'd do without her, always there to tie up the loose ends when we need her.

I have a throbbing headache and am torn as to what path to take with treatment for my sweet girl . The new doctor was great. I agreed with most of what she said and loved that she was hopeful at the possibility of having Sophia off an everyday type of seizure medication. There were some things I was hesitant about, tests and such that she felt were necessary, but I know this is part of our course with our sweet girl. Tony says we owe it to Sophia to see what is really going on in that head of hers so I think we are going to continue with this doctor's plans and pray faithfully that questions will be answered.

It is so difficult to know what is the right thing to do. I know it's not, but there are days I feel it is all on my shoulders, why can't the plan for treatment be in a book laid out for us, why does it have to be so vague? The brain is a complex thing I guess. God made it wonderfully complex.

I imagine, not having her on seizure medication though? I wonder what ways things would be different? Would she have so many mood swings? Would she complain of her tummy hurting as much? Would she have more absence seizures? Would she be happier? Could she be any happier? The positive and the negative waying heavy on my heart right now. The questions are flooding my mind.

It feels good to be. Just be. Outside feeling the sun on my denim jeans, the slight breeze that comes every few seconds only lasting moments, the neighbors dog barking in the background, someone mowing their grass, an airplane over head, breathing the warm air and feeling it fill my lungs. Take a moment and just be.

I am going to meditate and pray for God's will....

Thanks for being here, reading, and praying... I'll update more later.

Tony, the dishwasher and the brownies

"Tony, I am going to my mom's with Sophia. When I get back I will load up this dirty stuff (the things in the sink and some on the counter) and I'll wash them, unless you feel like helping..." Hint: Load this stuff and wash it!
I guess he half heard what I was saying.. he responded, "You got it babe. What do I feed Troy for breakfast?"
I gave him a breakfast bar for Troy before running out the door with Sophia to have breakfast and go to mom's to pick up some awesome toys and clothes that she bought for the kids. We had a great time, just me and Sophia. I love it when we are able to get away just the two of us.. it's so fun. Sophia savors every minute of it too. She wants me to hold her, she loves having my undivided attention. She's so sweet.
We got back home with the van literally filled to the roof, to find Tony and Troy outside washing Tony's car. I unloaded all the goodies from Mimi and I went into the kitchen hoping that Tony got the hint and all that stuff was clean in the dishwasher or even better, maybe he put it away. The first thing I noticed was the green light on the dishwasher indicating that whatever was in it was clean. Then, I noticed the counter... filled with sippy cups, bottles, pacifiers, glasses, and dishes.. just as it was before I left- ok, I need to clean the kitchen, he didn't get the hint- but what did he wash? What was clean?
One bottle and a coffee mug. Really, he loaded... one bottle and a coffee mug and ran the dishwasher. Like my grandma always says,
"He's just mere man."
I have to give him credit though, he did make the best brownies I have ever tasted tonight after dinner. I made the dinner, but he did a great job with the brownies, the secrets out... I'll never make brownies again! Tony has a new job in this house.
Maybe he'll even wash his dishes that he uses- oh wait, he's just mere man, I guess I'll settle for his delicious brownies.

Have a good weekend...

Well, I have strep throat... Sophia has strep throat. Troy is hanging in there, I am hoping his immune system is staying strong. I am so thankful for good doctors.

I'll tell you what. I am a nervous ninny about the economy. What a scary time in our country and what a frightening time to have small children. As a parent my main concern is my sweet children and I am so scared for their future. The future of America.

I am not using this blog as a place for people to post their opinions but just a blog asking us all to unite together to pray for our country and our leaders.

In your prayers this week... regardless of your political stance, our country needs prayers. Our leaders need strength, knowledge, and understanding. God Bless America

Update on mom and grandma

I just wanted to give an update. Thank you for praying and your emails of concern.
Grandma went home today. They did not do open heart. She is too high risk and has some drug allergies that would complicate surgery. I went and saw her today before she was discharged. She was in good spirits and said she was going to "live the rest of my life, however long I have left." It was nice to go see her. I went while the kids were in school and it was nice to visit just the two of us. The kids are such a distraction.
Mom, well, she ended up having pneumonia. She is in the hospital and will be there until at least Friday. She is going for chest xrays and breathing treatments. She is doing good though. I went and saw her today too. She and grandma are in the same hospital so that made things easy. She is doing good. My mom is a busy person. If she wasn't in the hospital laid up in a bed she'd be working and going nonstop. She doesn't know her limits so I am glad they have her stuck in the hospital. She is healing and getting some good rest. She is already planning to be back downstairs on Monday (she works in the operating room).
So, that's that.
I have a nasty head cold, again! It hit me this afternoon, fever and all. I am just hoping Sophia and Troy stay healthy. Believe me I am pumping them full of vitamin C and yes Mich. I'll be heading to the health food store tomorrow for your secret virus remedy!
Hope everyone is having a good week.
Again, thanks for the prayers. God Bless!

Happy Tuesday

The kids spent the night with my mom Saturday. Tony and I went and saw the movie House Bunny... stupidly funny. It was cute though and in a ridiculous way it did have a good message. I kept the kids home from school yesterday because I wanted to spend sometime with them after they were gone overnight I missed them. This was only the second time that they have both spent the night away. I also wanted them to catch up on their rest. Troy though, that kid doesn't stop! Before 830am he had made a huge mess in my bedroom... consisting of a plastic cup, water, chocolate sauce, 3 spoons, and a fork (don't ask!), it was a mess! Then while I was cleaning he got it to a package of cotton balls and decided that he should drop them into the dog crate. UGH! By 11am I was asking myself WHY I decided to let them stay home! Sophia took full advantage of it though... asking me, "mommy, can I just wear my pajamas all day and lay in your bed and watch TV?" My little teenager. She would have laid in there all day if I would have let her. We ended up going out to the mall with my friend and her son, so that was fun. Then kids played together at the house for a bit. It ended up being a nice day. I was pretty tired though. I just feel like being tired is becoming a constant state around here! Have I mentioned that Sophia loves Jon and Kate Plus 8, she asked me the other day if Leah could come over to play.
Troy has turned into a sneaky little thing. Yesterday, Tony and I were in the kitchen talking and I saw Troy out of the corner of my eye- he walked over to the table and grabbed a cheeto off of the table took it in his tiny hand and jetted across the room out of the kitchen, into the living room, behind the couch and shoveled that cheeto into his mouth... what a sneaky little cuss. He peeked from behind the couch to see if I saw him. I was looking at him, he smiled at me. He knew he was caught. This morning the kids were outside playing on the patio. The grill is on the patio and the kids know not to go near it. It was a rule that I strictly enforce. Hot or not they don't go near it. They are pretty good about it. Sophia is great. I don't trust Troy though. I was watching him and he would walk near it and look at it then toddle away giggling. I knew he was thinking about touching it. I turned my head and watched him out of the corner of my eye. He walked over to it, looking back at me. He put his hand inches away from the grill and then I turned my head and he put his hand down and walked away acting like he wasn't up to anything. Walking away laughing to himself. He is so funny. He stood by the water hose (that he isn't supposed to play with) and just looked at it, looked at me, then looked away acting like he wasn't up to anything. It's so funny he thinks he is being sneaky and it's totally obvious. He looked out the screen and then reached his hand to grab the hose while acting like he was looking out the screen... "Troy" I said... he walked away laughing clapping his hands.
Sophia has ballet tonight, she was thrilled about that. When she was at soccer on Saturday I caught her numerous times on her tippy toes twirling around. She doesn't seem to trilled with soccer although she is happy when she is there she is more of a cheerleader. After their game she yelled "everyone did a great job today", during the game she was standing on the field hollering "everyone we brought snacks today, so when we are done playing we can all eat, there's enough for everyone!" Tony said she a true sanguine (if you don't know... more on that later). Tonight will be fun.
We have some sickies in our family right now... my grandmother is in the hospital awaiting to see if she will need open heart surgery. I just got a call a few hours ago that my mom who works at the hospital is in the emergency room with a 104 fever and severe headache... I am waiting for a phone call on that. She had gone to work this morning and almost instantly started feeling terrible and they took her over to the ER when she felt so weak that she couldn't walk. They are doing blood work and hoping that she just has bad viral infection or something. Prayers would be appreciated!
Hope everyone is having a happy Tuesday!

In loving memory. God Bless!

In memory of Landon John Weatherby. www.caringbridge.org/visit/landonweatherby

Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week - September 21-27, 2008 Disease affects 1 in every 4000 people. Mitochondria are tiny “engines” that live inside our cells and they are responsible for converting food and oxygen into energy. When the mitochondria aren’t working properly the cells don’t get enough energy to live, and they begin to die. Many parts of the body can be affected by deficient Mitochondria including the liver, kidneys, eyes, digestive system, brain, and the heart. Mitochondrial disease is not a simple disease, it can affect any organ, it is progressive, and to date has no cure, but with awareness comes power, and a cure.

Love you Tami and Paige