An update

Things have been crazy busy lately but I finally have a minute to update.

The boys have been doing awesome in school. They just got their state report grades back and they got a 93 and 94. They are due to test again in karate this week but a doubt they will be allowed to since we haven't been able to go twice a week all month. Plus, I don't think they know all of the kata. The boys had a home soccer game this afternoon but lost 3-6. Oh well, they'll win the next one!! Go Bobcats!

Saige is keeping us on our toes. She has learned to say J (for Julie). We're still working on getting her to say Stephen but that's a tough one. She always calls out to Mike. She is picking up so many new words. She says nite nite, bye, I love, da da, ma ma, mom mom (this is what she calls my mom), what, why, cup, more, kitty, woof, please, ouch, cow, bath, fish, no, eye and so many more. We did a double take yesterday when she changed the TV to video so she could watch the Wiggles. There's a button on the front of the TV that you have to press to get it to come on and I guess she's seen us do it enough that she had it all figured out. lol. She understands alot also. I think she even understands more than we catch on to. I still can't believe we've been a family of 6 for 6 months already. Where has the time gone?

As for Julie, we finally found a new pediatrician and we absolutely love him. He went over Julie with a fine tooth comb. The last "specialist" (insert eye roll) we went to didn't even give Julie an exam, just said what she thought she didn't have and sent us on our way. Even had the nerve to tell us to take her off the antibiotics. I couldn't believe my ears. Anyway, the new pediatrician ordered a ton of bloodwork and not only said she should stay on the antibiotic but even upped her dosage. She is feeling a little better but has some complaints that worry me. Her "tired" legs and her inability to straigten her knees without pain are just a couple. The fact that my once very athletic child has NO interest in the sports (karate, swimming and soccer) that she once loved is another biggie. Julie has an appt with the orthopedic doctor this week and we hope that will either shine some light on whatever is going on or atleast rule some things out. I feel like I belong on the show Mystery Diagnosis these days. I just want to know what to do to get my little girl feeling better again. There's nothing worse than watching your child suffering and not be able to do a thing about it.

Ugh

It's been an incredibly aweful week. Today was the worst by far. Julie hasn't been herself ever since having mono in Dec/Jan. The past couple months she's been complaining of aches and pains which for the first month I attributed to her recovering from mono and having her tonsils removed. The past couple/few weeks she's been complaining more and more about SO many different things. Belly aches, knee pain, dizziness, tiredness just to name a few. This past week has been the worst for her. We took her Tuesday to get bloodwork done that would tell us if she has Lyme or not. We are STILL waiting for the results. I had to pick her up from school today because her legs were bothering her so much and I could just tell she didn't feel well just by looking at her. The pediatrician was hoping the results would be in today but no such luck. I think he wanted to help preserve what very little sanity I have left so he went ahead and started her on a 28 day course of antibiotics. Nothing gained nothing lost if she turns out to not have lyme. I don't know what to think. On one hand if it were a positive result atleast we would have an answer to what is wrong with our little girl. If not it's back to square one and more tests. Can't win for losing...

Happy 11th Birthday Stephen and Michael!!

I can't believe my boys are ELEVEN already. WHERE did the time go? We had a great day today. We got up bright and early and hit the 10:40 showing of Monsters vs. Aliens. GOOOOOOD movie! The kids liked the movie and I got to listen to Hugh Laurie's voice...good deal! Then it was off to get the boys a much needed haircut. They were going through that "I want my hair long" phase. Stephen wasn't happy with me at first for making him cut it but when he looked in the mirror he decided he liked it. Michael didn't care either way. He's my easy going boy. After haircuts it was off to Laser One for some laser tag and arcade games. When it was dinner time we went as a family unit out to Log Cabin then came home and had ice cream cake. WHAT a day! I'm exhausted. The boys are still going strong though. They are in their rooms putting together all the Star Wars lego's that they got. I figure it'll keep them busy for the rest of the week. lol.

Julie keeps getting better every day from her surgery. Mornings are the worst but once she gets her pain medication it is bearable.

Saige was back to the ENT yesterday with another ear infection. This makes 4 in almost as many months. Not good. The ENT is hoping that once the weather breaks that she will stop getting them but if not she's looking at tubes. She's on another strong antibiotic and seems to be better today. Julie is going back to the ENT on Friday for her post OP appointment and he said he wanted to see Saige also, just to make sure that the antibiotic is working. Fingers crossed!

Happy Easter!!

We had a great time last night coloring eggs and getting ready for the Easter bunny. The kids had a blast coloring their eggs.
This morning we discovered Saige LOOOOOVES to collect eggs and she figured out very quickly how to pop them open and get the yummy candy inside. The boys and Julie had fun helping Saige find eggs. The bunny brought the boys a Lego set, Julie a Hannah Montanna doll and Saige got a ride on turtle.
Julie is still feeling sore from having her tonsils out on Thursday. I think the second day was the worst for her. Right now she's still on lots of pain medication and it makes her very sleepy. She's been getting lots of rest and eating lots of pudding and ice pops. Hopefully she will be back to her old self in no time.
I hope everyone has a great Easter!!


Nooooo!!!


Julie


Eggs!!


Hey this is fun!


What does this button do?


Our egg creations



Hey this is a REAL egg!


Michael


Julie


Stephen


Julie and Saige about to give kisses


Saige in her adorable Naartjie outfit (thanks M, now I'm hooked!)

Late post

This post should have been done yesterday but here it is. It's been one year since we saw who our daughter was for the very first time. Talk about love at first sight! I had to do the picture of Saige holding her referral picture like so many before me have done. It's a cute reminder of where we were then and where we are now. One year ago all we had was a picture to memorize and today we have this beautiful little girl to love.



Spaghetti head!

If I had a dime

for everytime I've heard Saige say "MIIIIIINE" I would be so rich. lol. This is definately the word of the week. She says it so crystal clear and with such meaning that you don't DARE take away what she is calling mine unless you want to feel the wrath of Saige. Fortunately for me MIIIINE has been nothing but harmless toys. lol.

As for everything else, Saige is a whole new kid. She's done a total 360 ever since I switched her to a hypoallergenic formula. Amazing that I (along with a few members of the TQ group) had to figure out what was wrong with my kid. My pediatrician practically laughed at my milk allergy theory which turns out to be EXACTLY what the problem was.

All I have to say about that is if you have a feeling that something just isn't right with your child and your pediatrician won't take you seriously then seek a second opinion. Shoot, seek opinions until you get someone to listen. Afterall YOU are the one who knows your child best. Listen to your instincts.

5 months together as a family of 6!

I shot this video this morning. Julie was making Saige laugh hysterically. I swear it's the best sound in the world!