Another Scare! SERIOUSLY!

I woke up this morning with horrible pressure and pain where pain and pressure shouldn't be these days. After trying to doctor it myself for 2 hours and just putting up with it, I followed the advice of Amanda, Kerkman and Jolene and called the doc!

I got a free trip to the hospital! Once here they hooked me up to the monitor and he looks great! We also did a biophysical profile and that looked great as well. He is still a big boy! The rest of his body looks good, but his head is starting to make me nervous!! I should have known though, both of the boys had big noggins!

I had quite a bit of blood in my UA and therefore doc is wondering if I have an infection going on that is upsetting my body! So I have had 2 doses of IV antibiotics and working on dumping another bag of fluid in me! We will see what doc says when he comes after clinic!

Mr. Christopher

For those who have been waiting to here...aka Anne Tucker! I thought I would share the little man in my bellys name!


After many weeks of threatening Jason that this child would have severe issues if we named him Johnathan Wayne, we settled on Christopher Wayne! This being after two amazing people! Unfortunately, Jason and I haven't met either member from the opposite family!

I'm sure most of you know that Christopher comes from my cousin Chris Vandersnick who was killed in a car accident along side his wife in 1996. He was like a big brother to me and one of the most amazing people I have ever had the chance to meet! He was notorious for joking around was very competitive! One of my last memories with Chris was a very intense croquet game which Chris attempted to win by cheating, but still ended up losing!

Wayne comes from Jason's grandfather who passed away in 1997 or 1998! (Jason can't remember! HAHA!) Jason and Grandpa Glover were very close and he misses him very much all these years later! I think Jason even may slightly blame his Grandpa for the Iowa State win last weekend! Grandpa Glover was an avid Iowa State fan!! He loved to fish (so did Chris)!

To add too it, being born around Christmas I wanted to go with the "Chris" theme and it helps that my great-grandpa was Christian and my dad had a brother Christopher.

We also decided to add another God parent for this little man. His god father will be my best friend, Matt and will have have 2 god mothers, one being his Aunt Jairren and the other being Chris' daughter, Emily. She was excited when I called her last night! Jason has yet to call Jairren...so by the way Jairren when you read this...SURPRISE!

Only 7 more weeks until we get to meet this little man!

Scare

With 7 weeks to go and me hoping I was about out of the woods with the problems that I had with Matthew, I began having a few contractions last Thursday!

With Matthew's pregnancy I would have contractions for 2-3 hours at a time and that was with meds on board. These are just a couple here then a couple a few hours later and maybe one or two that get my attention!

I wasn't worried about it and wasn't going to go into the clinic early until I had a nightmare last night that I had lost this little man. The freakier thing is that Jason had a similar dream last Thursday!

I went in to the clinic and doc decides to check things out just in case. His non-stress test was awesome! Doc was even surprised at how reactive he was for only being 32 weeks! I would be more impressed if the kid could produce a non-reactive strip! He never settles down! :) I guess he settles down when the boys try to feel him moving! HAHA!

The scary part was that they checked my cervix and I was already dilating! Doc reassured me that this was normal for a mom that already had a couple of kiddos, but it still worried me because it took me forever to dilate with both of the boys!

He thinks that there could be some type of infection that is upsetting and irritating my cervix. I got a round of antibiotics and another visit for Thursday! :)

So we will see! I'm not planted on the couch yet! And my goal is to not be! I would only have 4 more weeks to be on bedrest anyway!

Matthew in his Prime

Matthew and I snuggled last night and he was in his prime mode!! I jotted down some of the funny things he was saying!

Matt: "How you feel Mom?"
Mom: "Good! How do you feel, Matt?"
Matt: "Perfect!"


Matt: "My tummy hurt."
Mom: "Is the jell-o helping?"
Matt: "Right here it do. Right here it do not!"
A little later.
Matt: "Now, over here feel good too!"


He handed me a play cell phone and goes..."Somebody text you a message, Mom!"

What a character!!!

Influenza day 3!

Andrew's fever broke last night around 7 or so! He was immediately feeling better!

He broke my heart however, when he wanted to snuggle with me and I made him sleep in his own bed. I tried to explain to him that we couldn't run the risks of getting Mommy and the baby sick! He didn't understand! He just knew that he was starting to feel better and he wanted to snuggle with Mom!

This morning he slept in late...like 10:15...and when he woke up he was feeling a LOT better! He is back to his self and is running around the house, playing with Matthew! He would still rather eat applesauce versus real food, but I'm okay with that!

Sickness...once again!

As, I was trying to go to sleep last night, the only thought I could get through my head was...why does Andrew always seem to get the weird things! Not that they are weird, but Drew just gets them!

When Andrew woke up yesterday to get ready for school, he was complaining of a headache! In true parent manner I gave him a Tylenol and told him to get ready for school! He went and I went off to work for a 9 hour day of meetings/training.

A little after 1230 I got a call to call my mom on her cell phone! I knew that she was on her way to pick up Andrew from school because he was told to call Grandma if he needed to go home. I was proud of him for that! He was running a fever and continued with complaints of a headache!

I emailed our doc real quick to tell him what my plan of treatment was and what he suggested...all his reply said was...influenza swab!

I ran him into the clinic at 4 p.m. and they did a quick swab...which after my last nurses meeting, was the correct way...but that's besides the point! We waited the 10 minutes and then the door swung open to the room and doc just stood there with a grin on his face! All I had to say was, it's positive isn't it...A or B?

Of course, it was A pos, which for those of you oblivious to the rest of the world right now or like me avoid watching the news...a positive influenza A swab translates to positive for H1N1! NICE!

It wasn't like 30 min before we went to the doc that I was joking in my nurses meeting that since H1N1 had hit the hospital I was feeling contractions and would need to be off until after the flu season! :) The supervisors didn't find it funny, but the rest of us did!!

Needless to say, Andrew, Matthew, my mother and I all got prescriptions for tamiflu! I just feel bad because I feel like I'm treating him like he has the plague! Trying to prevent Matt from getting it and myself, but all I want to do is snuggle the poor kid!!

Now, I'm pretty sure he can't tolerate the tamiflu because he starts puking about 30-45 min after the medicine! We will try it again tonight and see what happens.

We will see what the next couple days bring!

Like a Cow

After running to the grocery store this morning for 7 up and other supplies, Matthew was helping me unload the suburban when we got home. I grabbed the two bags and told him to grab the milk.

His response..."Mom, I can't carry it! It's like a cow!!"

I said...From a cow, yes! As heavy as a cow...I don't think so!

I then told him that his baby brother would weigh about that much and if he couldn't lift the milk he probably wouldn't be able to hold the baby!

Amazingly...he carried the milk into the house AND put it in the fridge! Crazy how things like that happen!

Stop Jumping!

Matt was rummaging through the fridge tonight looking for something to snack on. He brought me a sandwich and told me that he thought I should eat the sandwich because that would make the baby stop jumping!

I don't know where he comes up with these things!!!

Wise Beyond His Years

I don't know that I should admit this story because it was a horrible moment in motherhood, but I was so proud of Matthew when all was said and done!

I was highly stressed this weekend, not sure as to why, but I was. Matthew caught me in a bad moment tonight and I snapped at him, yelling at him to get to bed.

He ran into his room and fifteen minutes later I went into his room! I knelt at his bed, leaned in and kissed him and apologized for yelling!

I said...Can you please forgive Mommy? I shouldn't have yelled at you!

He said...No..

I said...Why?

He said...because I love you mom!

I then had to explain that when someone asks you to forgive them, you usually say yes. He said...OH! Yes, Mom, I forgive you!

All I could do was kiss him over and over again!

Wish List

I asked Matthew tonight what he wanted for Christmas tonight and he simply said...a shovel.

Jason asked him what kind of shovel he wanted and his reply...

I want one my age. I don't want one you age!

Jason is pretty sure he can fullfill this request!

True Love

This isn't about the boys tonight!

We have a mouse in our house and living next to a field, I expect it!

Jason was setting the trap and so he asked me to put peanut butter on the trap. My theory...the more peanut butter...the quicker I am catching this damn rodent!

With peanut butter piled high I hand the trap to Jason and he sets it and then it immediately goes off in his hands. Luckily for him, he didn't get it!

His reaction...You can't weigh down the trap! You have to make it want to get on!! You're not making it a F***** sandwich!!

This lead to uncontrollable laughter and my husband questioning my genius!

Here a Wheeze...There a Wheeze

For the last couple of years, it has been normal for Matthew to have a little asthma attack when it goes from warm to rainy and cold. Drs. Kronberg and Murphy have both just told us to expect it! It's only when he runs a temp that throws me off! Thank God for Jessica answering text messages at all hours! :)

Needless to say, Matt attacked this weekend and earned himself a trip to the ED because of course it was on a Sunday! We have pediapred and breathing treatments for a few days. By Sunday night though, I thought we should have padded walls, because he was bouncing off of them! Gotta love pediapred and albuterol!

As I snuggled into bed last night, I was so looking forward to sleep, but about that time, Drew started with a tight harsh cough. At midnight I started neb treatments and then every 2 hours until we got to the doc a 9 a.m.!

Hit up the doc at 9 a.m. and tells me what I was kind of thinking...Drew is now attacking as well! I questioned that his PFTs were normal in July and so how could this be? He said...things change nurse Jennifer! I knew this, but Dr. Murphy was so hopeful that we would avoid this!

Now, I have TWO children on pediapred and I would like to thank the doctors right now for helping me to lose my hair! JK!

2 O'Clock

Matthew has decided that he is learning to tell time! He is always asking what time it is! Last night around 10:30 he said...let me see your phone, I want to see what time it is.

I showed him my phone and he goes..."2 o'clock!"

I chuckled of course, but tonight at 8:45 p.m. Matt says..."Let me see your phone, I need to know what time it is!"

I show him my phone and he goes..."2 o'clock!"

What a kid!

What a day!

I started the day by calling the doctor today to let him know I've been a little crampy the last couple days, instead of being like "Okay, watch yourself." I get..."Get in here as soon as possible!"

I go in and he says that he's worried about my history...pre-term labor with Matthew...and my job...being a nurse! :) He then sends me up to the hospital for a non-stress test, which at 27 weeks, isn't the greatest, but would show what my uterus is doing! :)

The test turned out fine, it was actually really good because he was more reactive in the test than he should be at 27 weeks! However, he wanted to see if bringing my stress level down would help with the cramping, so I get to get acquainted with my couch for the next couple of days!

He also sent me home with instructions to drink lots since my heart was racing and my urine wasn't really good!

I have to go back in Friday and get the final verdict then!

This child I have a feeling is living up to his namesake...early! I think he may have flipped too because my ribs are getting kicked tonight, rather than my bladder!!

Choke!

Matthew is taking Dallergy twice a day during this awesome time known as allergy season!

I had forgot to give him the pill tonight, so I said to him real quick...Matthew should we go take your pill real quick?

He goes...YES! Momma, I need milk with it though so I can choke it down!

I'm not sure where he came up with this, butI got a good chuckle out of it!

God Moment

I find joy in many little things and can cry at pretty much the smallest things tonight, but this took the cake!

I am putting together a small scrapbook for my boys about their Great-grandparent Shoemakers. Matthew was snuggled up next to me and was looking at the pictures and he goes..."I know him."

For those that don't know...my Grandpa passed in 1998.

I asked and said..."How do you know him?"

He said..."That my Grandpa."

With a big smile on my face, I showed him another picture...all of these pictures are from way before even my time!!

I again asked..."Who is that?"

He said..."Bob, my grandpa!"

I started crying. I talk about their great-grandpa often, but not in great details. I will say things like..."Your Great-grandpa would have loved you so much!" I say this when they are being goofy and I can picture grandpa sitting here smiling!

I asked further..."How do you know who that is?"

Matt said..."I see him."

I asked..."Where did you see him?"

"In my head!"

Then I started telling him about how Grandpa went to live with God way before Matthew was ever born.

Then Matthew said something that stopped my heart..."Momma, he was with God when I see him!"

Now, I'm not a quack, and it's not like I take what a 4 year old tells me to heart, but it was just one of those perfect moments.

For those that don't know...Matthew was named after his great-grandpa...Matthew Robert!

Dreaming

last night Matthew crawled in bed with me about 3 a.m. He crawls in bed with me and tells me that when my tummy gets big enough...the baby will just "pop" out! I chuckled and then he snuggled right in!

Who knows what he was dreaming about, but he is so concerned about this baby and how he's going to get out of mommy's tummy!

Updates!!

We visited with Dr. Murphy and Dr. Rhinehardt again today!

Dr. Rhinehardt said that Matthew's hypermobility is doing great. Needs some more help to stabilize hips and ankles, but we can do that! He said as far as long run, we don't need to see him, unless we have issues. As far as long, long run he may have to wear ankle braces to support his ankles from rolling when he plays sports, but so did Jason and I!

Okay...so allergy update!

Drew's regimen got all changed again today! He will continue with the Dallergy twice a day and the steroid cream for now, but since all of his allergies are things we can't control...grass, trees, ragweed...and the medicine isn't working very well, we get to start allergy shots.

He said with Matthew's being food allergies, we could take them away from him so therefore no shots. This is not the case obviously with Drew.

They mix up the serum and then send it to the clinic here and then we go in once a week for shots.

He wanted to do this therapy so he doesn't have to shove pills down his throat for the rest of his life! :) I like that theory!

He was very hopeful that we could make Drew feel better! He said the downfall to all of this, is that he's allergic to all the things that little boys love!

Matt got some help out with allergies too, and possible future testing later, but for now, just a pill to help!

School

I picked up Drew this afternoon from school this afternoon and said tohim...what did you learn today?

Reply..."NOTHING!"

I said, "surely you had to learn something!"

He goes..."No mom, we learned absolutely nothing!"

Who knows...but he cracks me up!

Speech Practice

Matthew has been taking speech therapy for almost 2 years now.

He brought home words tonight to work on and so we sat down to work on them. The focus was on the three syllable words and getting all of the syllables. We had a few issues...funny ones...

"animals" came out... "ani animals"

"camera" came out... "have cam-er-a"

and my favorite...

I said..."sa-lam-i"

Reply..."sa-lam-you!"

Rock it!

I noticed today while cleaning that one of my Willow Trees was missing.

Matt attempted to put a hat away and all of a sudden I heard this noise that sounded like a rock rolling down the wall...

What do you know...my WILLOW TREE!

Jason goes..."What is that?"

Matt replied...

"I don't know, but it sounded like a rock!"

Birthday gifts

My dad had picked up Matthew's birthday presents for me at John Deere...of course.

I thought I was being tricky by changing it from my Dad's truck to the back of my suburban. I was in the house talking with my parents when I looked out in the suburban and saw Matthew sitting in his seat. From the suburban he yells...

"Mom, come see the toys that I found!"

My thought...CRAP!!!

I got them home and I brought him in the house and Jason strategically moved them again and then let Matthew go.

Next I knew he came whining to me...

"Mom, the toys are gone."

"What toys?"

"My toys!"

I knew what he was talking about, but was obviously playing dumb. Jason and Drew played along and he was heart broken for awhile...

Then he forgot.

Dad informed me that he also found the gift from my parents!!

China

Matthew has been in a "mood" today! I'm sure it's because his birthday is tomorrow!!

After a day of putting up with his last day of him being 3...I simply said to him...

"Matt, how do you feel about China?"

His reply...

"Good."

Before that chuckle could be over, Andrew yells from the bathroom...

"Mom, I know you don't like Matt, but would you send me to China? I want to try to food!"

That one took Jason and I to the floor!

GREAT news!

I'm not sure if I shared, but the first ultrasound we had of babe went good, but he had questionable measurements with the ventricles in his brain. The report said something like...borderline dimensions, short term followed up recommended.

I spoke with the doc and we talk about what this could mean, including hydrocephalus. We would have to repeat the ultrasound and if there was a change and they would have enlarged then we wouuld trip to Omaha to have a specialist look at them.

Needless to say, I haven't slept much the last 4 weeks.

We had our repeat ultrasound this mroning and everything went great! His ventricles are fine, no enlargement and he looks great! He kept his hands up by his face the entire time!! He looks like the has the longest legs!!! I have to pull out Matthew's ultrasound pics, but he looks like he has Andrew's nose! :)

I'm so excited! Now we just have to decide on a name!

To think...I could be holding a new baby in as little as 15 weeks!

Thinking...

Today, I was laying in bed before getting up to get ready for Uncle Bob's party. I asked Matthew Robert if I could have a kiss before I got up and he didn't move. Normally he's jumping right on top of you to give ya a big kiss so I said...

"Can't Mommy have a kiss?"

His reply...

"I'm thinking about it!"

Andrew's First Day of Kindergarten

Well, we all survived the first day of Kindergarten. It's amazing how easily I can get out of bed when I have to! HAHA!

I took him into the classroom and got clear outside before my aunt had to remind me that my baby was going to school. I only teared up! He was ready for it though!

Matt on the other hand took it pretty hard. We came home and he laid on the floor/couch/bed and didn't move (unless to a different location) until it was time to go pick up Drew.

The day is done, and we are getting ready for day 2 to begin. Drew's only comment was that he was disappointed that they didn't learn anything on the first day! His comment was, "Mom, we didn't even learn anything today!"

I hope that appetite for education stays with him!

Our biggest feat today was trying to win the allergy battle!

More Allergies!!

It seems to be that the only time I write on here is when the boys have some new medical advancement! HAHA! Needless to say, we do!

I took Andrew to see Dr. Murphy on July 27, for a little allergy intervention. I knew he had been having allergy issues, I was just not sure as to what he was allergic to. We had it down to dogs for sure, but knew there had to be other things.

They did the scratch testing and after waiting the 10 min for results, Drew had reactions to 20 out of the 28 possibilities!!! In comparison, Matthew had 3 or 4 positives, with maybe a couple questionables. Andrew did not leave anything up for question!

Fortunately for us, no foods, so that means no altering the diet. Unfortunately for us, it's the rest of the world that he is allergic to! I need to add to my fortunately list, that house dust is not a positive either!! YAY FOR ME! Since those of you who know me, know I don't like to dust! :)

His list covers, but is not limited to, trees, grass, cats, ragweed, mold and other things that just naturally occur in the air. There are others, I just can't remember them off the top of my head.

He was started on D'Allergy medicine twice a day and a cream to his skin when his eczema gets really bad.

He also has to carry around an epi-pen since there are so many allergies. I'm not sure how this will work with school. I'm sure it has to be kept in the office, but after thinking about this, the office is a ways away from his classroom should they need it right away! This is something that I will be looking into in the near future!

He also had lung function tests which showed that he does not have asthma, but Dr. Murphy said we can't rule out some serious sinus problems in the future. He can thank his dad for that one!

So this is where we are at. We check back in with Dr. Murphy in 2 weeks and then see him again in September.

Matthew is now looking more and more like my healthy one all the time! :)

Exhaustion

Matthew has been working so hard the last couple days to learn how to ride a big boy bike!!

So when we came into the house tonight after everyone had left from Drew's birthday party...everything has been in tears. He lays down wrong and he cries...Drew puts up hi farm and he cries... He is so tired...

Needless to say, we were in the bathtub by 6:30 p.m.!! :)

My Little Man

It's amazing...we just celebrated Andrew's 6th birthday! His birthday was on Thursday, but Sunday's work best for partys.

I am loving watching him grow. He's writing and trying to use computers. He loves riding his new bike and has this huge interest in playing basketball. He got a basketball hoop for his birthday and spent the afternoon running Uncle Luke in circles, but he had fun!

Now he's busy laying on the floor putting together his farm that Bob and Mariclaire got him! His patience is getting longer and he is so kind and gentle with Matthew! He is also into fishing and loves it!

I am so proud of the man he is becoming.

Recap!

I just realized that I didn't post much since last week. I didn't finish with the whole story!

After seeing Dr. Reinhart on Wednesday of last week, we went and met Kate Collins, a physical therapist at Children's. I had spoken with one of our physical therapists here in O'Neill and she suggested that we be "eval'd" by a PT at Children's since ASAH doesn't do a lot of pediatrics.

Kate was really good with Matthew and it was even better that she had done some of her clinical rotation at ASAH so she knew how it worked. Matt was kind of shy at first, but she got him playing and worked with us, showing us how to work with him. She was then going to report off to the PTs in O'Neill so they could do the therapy here! It wasn't anything major! Just basically a playdate!

Friday the MRI was done and when we got there, Matthew was a champion! He got dressed like they asked, he let them take his vitals like he asked, the only thing he did was kept repeating...no shots! I just agreed! Technically he wasn't going to get a shot...he was getting an IV!!

We were all set and then were notified that there was an emergency and that we were behind by about an hour, which was no problem. The anesthesiologist, Dr. Druvall, ( I think) who is amazing and spoke with me and shared concerns with me. I stated I was concerned with the knees, but it had only been ordered a pelvic. She was going to talk to Dr. Kronberg and see what he said.

Twenty minutes later, I am on the phone with Dr. Kronberg. He shares that he thinks the diagnosis from Dr. Reinhart is basically bogus and then asked what labs he ran. When I said none, he states...I am ordering a uric acid, LDH and CBC right now! They waited til Matt was asleep before they drew the blood.

This put another worry in my head. I was so happy with the way the two days had gone prior, that I just wanted to cry! I just kept thinking...Why couldn't it be that simple!

They came and took Matt, did the MRI, and in the mean time I found out that all of Matthew's labs were normal! YAY! This meant to Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis! I was happy!

When I talked to Dr. Kronberg about the lab, Matthew had been back for awhile and we were getting ready to go home. He stated that he was happy with Matt's labs and he was even happy with his CBC that showed that Matt's allergies had been in check! YAY! I was doing something right! :)

At this point he hadn't heard anything from the MRI and stated that they would have called him by that point had something been off! I was okay with that!

One of the nurses had come in and asked Matt if he wanted some juice and crackers. He said, no...SOUP! The nurse brought him crackers and he asked...where's my soup! So the amazing nurse went and got him a bowl of chicken noodle soup! He ate it down like a champ! Then we got to go home!

Here we are...4 days post MRI and no news. I figure no news is good news, but Dr. Kronberg will be getting a call from me in the a.m.!

We've only had one night of leg pains...which Dr. Reinhart said will happen with this syndrome...so I am happy with that...and it wasn't all out crying...just kind of moans.

OH!!! Yeah, what Matthew has is a syndrome! It's called Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome or BJHS! Like I previously said, he is just a freak and can move his joints moreso than the most of us. It is genetic and Auntie MC had researched it more than I have! The PT will help build up the muscles around the joints to help alleviate the extra movement and therefore help alleviate the pain!

Let's hope! It's been a long year...a long 3 1/2 years to be exact! I am just happy he's healthy!

Hand Socks

I always joke around with Matthew and tell him he's weird or he's a nerd! He usually replies with...No you a nerd!

But he has hit new heights in his weird habits tonight!

For much of the day he has been walking around with socks on his hands! He took them off to eat supper and then when i said to get ready for bed...yeah...socks back on his hands. So when I asked him why he had socks on his hands and his simple reply..."Mom, my hands are cold!"

I guess that tells it all!

MRI Today

We have our MRI today...

We have to be at the hospital by noon then be there for the next four or five hours. Not to be selfish, but can I say that I am starting the day off exhausted!

So now...the next two hours of my day is focused on Matthew not eating or drinking anything. I am like the..."Don't go in the kitchen!" Warden!

I have a feeling I will be ready to pass out this evening.

Did I mention that Jason is still in bed? Yeah...whole other blog!

Rab-BIT!

So we were coming from Children's Hospital today to JCPenney's to pick up picktures!

Anyway, Matthew is not able to say rabbit. It comes out Ra-hit. So Mary-Jo his therapist says to use the phonetic sign for 'b' to help him. He can say rabbit beautifully with that.

So, today I said, Matthew can you say rabbit.

He replied..."Ra-hit."

So, I went on to correct him and his reply this time was..."Mom, I'm not playing that game."

I waited for awhile then tried it again..."rabbit!"

"Mom, I can't talk today."

I gave up!

Matthew on a ball.

I was talking to Mariclaire tonight about what we had found out about Matthew today. So she wanted to talk to Matthew. When Matthew was done, Drew was asking to talk...Matthew looked straight at him and goes...Too bad!

Then...at lunch/supper...I was telling Matthew that if he didn't sit still I was going to take away his food! He looked straight at me and said to me...No mom...I take away your food!

Yet again, in the same meal, Matthew, said to Drew...I beat you down Drew!

It was too funny...so just to add to it all...I put in this innocent picture of Matthew that I found!

ANSWERS!!!

So...we met Dr. Reinhardt today. A rheumatologist at Children's Hospital. At first I was leary of him, but then he started to asks lots of questions. Finally he said that he doubted that Matthew had arthritis. That was a sigh of relief.

So he started poking and proding at Matt. Docs theory was that maybe matthew had a condition where he could move his joints more than most people could. So he moved legs and arms and wrist and fingers and toes. WHen I saw him bend his fingers almost back to his arm then pull his leg out to almost a 90 degree turn...I was like...yeah, I'd say he had movement! :)

So he said that he has what is called hypermobility of his joints! All it is going to take is some physical therapy. The down side to that is that it isn't a few weeks of it, but more like a few months.

I almost cried and jumped across the room to hug the doctor! It wasn't going to take any medication or any pills, but just lots of physical therapy!

I can do that! I can do exercises and therapy! Answers...FINALLY...answers!

However, we are still going to do our MRI on Friday just to be sure that it isn't something else too! But I am finally content.

What a champ!

Last night I stayed at Mom and Dad's. I wasn't working, but technically I was still on call and if I got called in during the night, I would have to have the boys be somewhere. Anyway...we just lay down to sleep and Andrew starts coughing. He coughed and coughed and coughed. I finally got him woke up to go downstairs to ask Grandma for cough syrup when he gets two steps down and he starts throwing up.

This is his norm. He throws up a couple times and then feels better and goes back to sleep and doesn't have any more coughing.

So anyway, he threw up like a champ, cleaned up and went back to bed without any further events!

The funny part was while we were in the bathroom to get cleaned up he just started stripping. He was half asleep still and I had to shake him and go.."Drew, what are you doing?" He was like...whoa! Then got his clothes back on! TOO FUNNY!

Week of Answers

I have one more night of work...then hopefully our week of answers will begin.

Wednesday we are on the highway again to Omaha to visit with Dr. Reinhart, a rheumatologist with Children's Hospital. We get a days break and then Friday is our big day with our MRI. Hopefully between the two appointments, we will find something out...something simple that is.

The other day Matthew Robert told me his legs were hurting and so I said...where. He said "Inside and outside." When I asked him to point out what is inside and what is outside, he pointed to his thigh for inside and knee for outside. So I'm not sure. Part of me just wonders if he learned two new words! :)

Matthew-isms

I'm so orignial on the titles on these Blogs!! HAHA!

Matthew has been in his prime these last few days!

The other night I was in the bedroom working on something and Matthew climbs on the bed and taps my leg and says...in Matthew language..."Mom, you need me, you call. I come right here!"

I was impressed with the sentence! :)

Then today he came across one of my stethoscopes and decided he HAD to use it. So he was trying to get it out and it was stuck. So he would pull then he would have to take a "break" and get a drink and then go back to trying to get it unstuck! He went back and forth like this for five minutes or so...HILARIOUS!

Then tonight we were making cookies and Matthew kept eating the dough and I said...NO MORE! He looked at me, put another finger in and goes...one taste mom!

Results

I didn't waste any time today calling Dr. Kronberg's office!

I got a quick return that the ultrasound was negative and showed nothing! I was able to breath again! :)

So although we found out nothing this time, we still have our appointments at the end of the month! I'm okay with that!

OCD

One of the on going jokes in Jason's family is about Jason's Dad's OCD tendencies!

This morning we were putting together valentine's and I had bouncy balls and little bubbles in them! Me being me, I was purposefully mismatching them.

Then Mr. Matthew comes behind me and matches up the colors! I mismatched them again, he matched them up again! It went on like that until I finally gave in!

Thanks, Papa K! HAHA! JK!

Little Room

We had girl's night last night at our house and then shortly after everyone left, I got called into work for a car accident with four victims.

So a few hours later I got to come home and finally crawl in to bed! When I woke up a couple of hours later, I was sleeping on about 6 inches of bed and being smothered by two little boys!

Oh! Did I mention we have a king size bed?!

Guilt

I was in Omaha with Matthew on Friday for doctor's appointments/tests.

I left Drew in O'Neill because I didn't want to have to worry about two babies in Children's Hospital when one could hang out at home with a sitter. Plus one less kid I had to tote around...I know bad mother again!

Anyway, the guilt sank in so while I was at Walmart I picked him up a couple Lego pieces to build. It's amazing how the kid puts them together! I think I would have difficulty with them!

So, early this a.m. he brings them to me to show me what he accomplished and says..."Sorry Mom, I had to get up early so I could start working on these!"

I loved it!

Food

I can't remember where we were or what we were doing, but it was Matthew and I. I was asking him what he wanted for supper and without a moment of hesitation he says..."Food!"



He has more and more of these one liners that remind me of his dad everyday!

A long frustrating wait!

Well, we had Matthew's ultrasound done yesterday (Friday). He was such a champ. In the morning I sat down with him and kind of walked him through what they were going to do with him. So when they took him back to the US room, he crawled up on the table, crossed his legs and laid there like a big boy! I was SOOOO proud of him!

When we were done, the tech had to go make sure it was all good and when she came back she simply said...."You know that if it was really bad you would be talking with Dr. Kronberg right away!"

I said, yes, thank you and knew that she probably couldn't tell me much more than that! Then to top it off, we would have to wait until Monday to get results!

However, my mind hit hyper drive about 90 minutes later. I was driving down Maple St. heading out of town and it all sank in! I started crying, almost to the point of hyperventilating and just kept thinking...so it's not REALLY bad, but what if it is BAD or not SO bad!

I mean I was there for the whole thing and it went smoothly other than when she was looking at the liver and the portal vein. She hung around there FOREVER!!!

Big Matt had just left us so I'm pretty sure that's why reality set it and so I called another friend and crying to their voicemail! It's all so frightening!

Dr. Kronberg is sure that they won't find any thing with the ultrasound. I know this makes me a horrible mother, but I want them to find SOMETHING that will explain my baby waking up at 2 a.m. just about every night screaming and crying. Or why he can't walk on certain days or why he won't walk stairs another! Tell me it's because he's growing too fast and I will be fine with it! Just stop telling me it's in my head! A child does not scream like that for a minor ache in their leg. A child who likes to run and play does not decide to just not walk one day! He may be cute, but he hasn't learned all the tricks quite yet!

Okay, sorry, side rant there! So now, we wait for the MRI and Dr. Kronberg wants us to meet with Dr. Reinhart, a rheumatologist. Lots of back and forth over the next few weeks.

I just thank Dr. Kronberg for doing all this. Okay, not for the hefty bills that are coming with it, but he said on Thursday when we saw him, "I would never forgive myself if we missed something!"

You can't be upset with a doctor for that!

More Testing

Matthew has been doing so good this winter. He has only been sick once minus all these leg problems. I was so proud of myself and I knew better than to say it outloud and jinx myself. He now has fought an URI and an ear infection! Oh well, I can manage those.

However, it brings me back to his legs! When the boys picked me up from the airport on Sunday night Matthew didn't want to walk. I thought it was because he didn't feel good, but am now pretty sure his legs were hurting. All this deduced from him crying and saying "My leg hurts."

After talking to Jessica, I learned that the previous day he had not wanted to walk down any stairs. Although that sounds minor, that is usually my cue that something is hurting.

So, I was on the horn to Dr. Kronberg today! After three phone calls and lots questions we are to this point:

This Friday we go to Omaha to do an abdominal ultrasound because Dr. Kronberg has been doing some research and wants to rule out and abdominal mass. Then on the 27th of this month we return for an MRI in which Matt will have to be under general anesthesia because of age and weight. The MRI will be looking for vascular issues.

So this is where we stand. Another few weeks of waiting and wondering. I just thank heaven for Dr. Kronberg.

Another Frustrating Day with Docs

So... We met Dr. Hasley today! Super nice guy, but he frustrated me!

I told him twice, and his PA, what has happened over the past 9 months and after examination he basically told me that he's fine and I need to stop worrying!

I left so frustrated and although I am perfectly content for my child to be healthy, it's frustrating because my child should NOT wake up and just not walk for the day!

So, now I get to sit here and watch him like a hawk! Then, if it happens again, I will call Dr. Kronberg!

Never a dull moment in this house!

Drew-isms

On our way down to Omaha on Saturday, I had attempted to contact a friend and ask about a nursing class.  When they didn't answer, AJ asked why and I said...

"Oh, they are probably sleeping!"

Drew then states...

"Well, Mom, some people need to hibernate and if they are hibernating you shouldn't disturb them!"

I laughed!

Then tonight I had gotten Drew ice cream.  ( I hope you can keep up with all his nicknames!! ) At one point he said, oh that's cold. I questioned it.

His reply...

"I will have to eat smaller bites next time!"

He still does not cease to amaze me!

D Day

So, tomorrow is the day!  We go meet Dr. Hasley tomorrow!  

It made me nervous when I called Dr. Kronberg today to remind him to talk to Dr. Hasley before we go see him and he calls me at work and tells me that he wants to see Matthew TODAY!

Luckily for my sake, Jason just happened to be in Omaha with both of the boys. 

To cover my tail, I requested that Dr. K call me and he did!  I know I have said this a million times but Dr. K is one of the most amazing doctors EVER!  

After joking around with me, he then told me that as far as he was concerned Matthew is doing excellent.  Then I questioned scoliosis and the way his feet point in and he said...you had to ask about the two things I didn't focus on huh?  Then he laughed of course!!!

He assured me that Dr. Hasley is not only an amazing Orthopedist, but the best spine guy in Omaha as well.  

So tomorrow is another day...I just pray it turns out good!

Allergies, Allergies Everywhere!

About 4-6 weeks ago, Andrew was diagnosed with nummular eczema. Forget the first word, just realize it is eczema.



Anyway, as we well know, allergies, eczema and asthma run hand in hand. All of this from Matthew however.



Tonight, the boys hung out with their great aunt and uncle, who happen to have two dogs by the way. Andrew came home with a face that was fire engine red and exacerbated like you wouldn't believe!



I thought one kid was bad enough!

Sharpie attack!

This morning I was emailing friends and family and Andrew comes running to get me!

"MOM, Matt colored on himself again!"

I hoped it was about like the night before as the yellow marker had attacked. This time however, it was a black sharpie marker. We hit every part of our bottom half from our hips to our toes and everything in between!

Not only did he get his legs, but he also got his jungle that he just got from Uncle Brandon and Aunt Christi! At least it wasn't Andrew's bedroom wall as it was the other day!

So needless to say, my new best friend is rubbing alcohol! There are still remnants, but it's not as prominent. We are however, sterile now in this house! :)

Matthew update: 1/6/09

Dr. Kronberg, our pediatrician from Omaha, called late last night to check on Matthew again, for the third time after I initially talked to him. He asked lots of questions and checked on him. He was happy with the fact that the limp was starting to go away and he wasn't seeming to be in any more pain. Matt slept through the night with me, after a long nap and spent much of the night coughing.

I did question Dr. Kronberg last night about leg-perthes. An idea that Dr. Pete had planted in my head. When I researched leg perthes, those signs and symptoms seemed to fit Matthew better than the toxic synovitis.

Then again this morning, Dr. Kronberg called and asked yet more questions about Matthew, including whether he had been constipated, which he hadn't and whether he was fully potty trained. I said no to both, but I said I think the potty training could be because he was stubborn and Dr. kronberg laughed and asked where he got that...jokingly. He said that the potty training issues could be related to issues with the spine. Although i don't want it to be an issue with his spine, it would make my attempts to potty train him a lot better!

He also said that there are scans that he wants to run on Matthew but he wants him to see Dr. Hasley, the pediatric orthopedist before he orders them because tthey would have to sedate Matthew to get things done.

So, we go to see Dr. Hasley on the 20th. As of now, that's where we stand.

Another Scary Day!

I have had way too many of these days, but they come. I had another terrifying day in regards to Matthew's health!

Matthew woke up this a.m. and couldn't walk. I shouldn't say he couldn't walk, but he couldn't keep his balance. The first few times he fell I mad a joke out of it and said...Matthew Robert, didn't you get enough sleep last night!

I knew this couldn't be true because he slept next to me last night! He had woken up in the middle of the night and was crying saying he hurt! ***HELLO MOM! But at 2 a.m. you don't think much of it after you ask him and he falls right to sleep!

So once I noticed him continually falling, I knew I had to seek out a doctor and immediately. After our scare last June, I was terrified by this point. I just wanted to cry!

I happened to be at the hospital to put my time off for work in and heard Dr. Pete talking so I told him right away. He ordered just what I wanted him to and we got that done at the hospital before we left.

I felt like a moron because since I had surgery only 2 weeks ago, I couldn't pick him up and people were looking at me strange. I had to just keep going! When I came back to the hospital later however, I brought the stroller so he didn't have to walk!

So, while we were waiting to go to Dr. Pete's I was on the phone with Omaha to Dr. Kronberg's office! I also planned to get on the hi-way to Omaha.

Dr. Kronberg called me himself and stated that he was pretty sure that it was a case of toxic synovitis. For those of you that don't remember, Andrew had it at 14 months! Although this brought me a little comfort, I was still unsure that it was the correct diagnosis! I just felt it couldn't be that simple with Matthew! Nothing ever is1

So we then went to Dr. Pete's and found out that the lab work was okay and the x-ray showed nothing, although I already knew this because I had already talked to the people at the hospital!

Dr. Pete gave us the same diagnosis with the further possibility being leg-perthes.

So here we are, two Motrin doses later and four calls from Dr. Kronberg himself, he isn't limping as much and called his dad to say, "me better now dad! No hurt me now!"

But for both Jason and I, another heart stopping day!

thoughts

I sit here and watch Matthew and he does weird things. Funny things! I just wish I knew what was going on in his head at that time! Most likely it is probably, "You don't know what you are talking about, MOM!" or "Drew I'm gonna kick you in the shin if you do that again!"



It's just hilarious to watch his face and watch him walk around! He totally beats to his own drum!

Heartbroken

So...I have this friend that i've known for the last 9 years, he actually graduated with my husband. Anyway, I thought he was a good friend. Little did I know he was a blogger as well, so I go to read it and find out that I have to be invited! What in the world!

Jeremy! I take back all of my 12 hugs for the last 9 years!! :)

Just kidding! I still love you guys!
000000000000

You there?

Matthew was in his bed tonight and I have been sitting here quietly on the computer blogging all of this.

Matthew starts yelling...mom, mom, momma, mom!

I just sit here quietly and continue to type. Pretty soon I hear...Mom, you there?

I can't help but chuckle. So then it starts all over again...Mom, mom, momma, mom! I said what this time and he goes...dad there?

I replied...yes, he's sitting here.

Matt does his contagious little giggle and goes...OH!

Melt My Heart

I'm very guilty for saying to Matthew...Hello, love of my life, or goodnight love of my life. It's just what I do with him! With Andrew I always say, goodnight George! (Georger is his nickname!)

Anyway, tonight Drew asks me...Mom why do you say Matthew is the love of your life.

I replied...it's just something I say.

Drew counters...why don't you say it to me?

I felt horrible. I don't love him any less, it's just been a thing with Matthew and I.

So as I feel horrible and I tell him I love him as I am putting him to bed...he says...Mom...I love you to the moon!

I know it is totally from a book, but it totally melted my heart!

I think we found our thing!

Bed!

Matthew has been sleeping in our bed a lot lately, moreso because he is superglued to my side for some unknown reason. So he automatically goes in to our bed. However, if i get up, he gets up, if i lay down, he lays down...on top of me!

Tonight jason was taking out the garbage and he pounded on Andrew's window. I heard him come back into the garage and said to the boys...here he comes you better get in your bed.

Matthew went running down the hall to then stop in the hallway and cry because he didn't know which bed to crawl into. He just stood there and cried...bed, which bed?

I had to laugh!

Sir!

Matthew doesn't talk much but lately he has a new thing as he's starting to put 2 and 3 words together.

His new thing...Yes/No Sir!

Clean Up Your Act!

Tonight, Jason was taking out the trash when I was reading him an email in it and it has a curse word in it and I read it in front of Matt. Jason says I need to clean up my act or all the swear words Matthew knows is going to come out in speech therapy!

Matthew asks..."What Dad?"

So then Jason says to Matt that he needs to clean up his act. So Matthew spent the next few minutes looking for his act to clean up! It was great!

Help Finally!

Well, we had the meeting today and set up the time...Matt gets to start speech therapy on MONDAY! I've been wanting this for so long, but then as I'm sitting there, listening to what his speech therapist has to say it is frustrating. In my head all I could think was...he doesn't seem that bad to me!

I guess I am his mom and I understand him quite well. Then they started talking about his cognitive help that he may need and that we should get it started before he gets to school rather than waiting until he gets to school. I just kind of sat there in shock and was like...what? Huh? When we did the test the things he didn't get were things that he had to speak. I just passed it off that it was his speech and we would re-evaluate it later. Now I'm thinking...is that the wrong idea? I don't want him to be behind. he's just three though and he has this imagination like wild.

But as she was saying at the meeting today...he doesn't know his colors, he doesn't know his numbers...Andrew new all this stuff at this age!!! Could it be because I snuggle Matthew where I worked with Andrew? Maybe working full-time isn't worth it!

It's just all a lot to swallow.

On the other hand...I am so excited he is finally getting speech help!

Holy Empty Leg

Matthew ate half a frozen pizza today! I took a minute to check his legs real quick for hollowness, but there wasn't anything rattling in them that i could tell. I am just impressed!

Rhyming

Andrew, Matthew and I were driving to Norfolk last week to do a little shopping. Lately has like to do this rhyming game...does this rhyme with this and what rhymes with that...

Anyway, he as I am driving I throw out...what rhymes with truck. Without hesitation he returns...F***!

I couldn't help it...i laughed. All I could respond was...although you are correct, it does rhyme, that is very inappropriate!

He knew I was proud of him though!

failure once again!

So Jeremy informs me the other day when i call him and attempt to pawn clothes off on he and Therese that I haven't been blogging enough lately! For a couple days i had my computer on and I would just come straight to it to type what the boys did funny. Please note earlier in the comment...for a couple days! It's not that the funny things haven't continued, it's just that sometimes it is hard to keep up!

So this is for you Jeremy...I'm trying!

yet another one liner!

While watching the Olympics...he asked to watch the Chinese...don't know why...

"That's not a China guy, that's a normal guy!"

Andrew's newest one liner!

"Matt, I'm not a kid anymore!"

So Strong!

We carry a diaper bag with all of Matt's meds that he may possibly need at any time. It is where I keep the tylenol there and needed to give some to Matt tonight as he was complaining of a sore throat.

I asked Matt if he wanted to go get the diaper bag and he did. So he went over to get it and it was heavy...of course, it carries a nebulizer...anyway, he called for help. Instead he dropped it to the floor and dragged it.

I said, "Wow, you got it!"

Matt replied, "I strong!" Then proceeded to go over to Drew and show off his muscles.

Then later Matt had water and Drew wanted a drink. Matt rolls it on the floor and in Matt language basically said...go get it dog! he was treating Drew like a dog! I laughed...

The most terrifying experience of my life!

Wow, I didn't realize it had been almost 2 months since I last blogged. Things have been completely crazy around here.

We finally got to the point with Matthew that they were going to put tubes in his ears and take out his adenoids. Dr. Denman was in Omaha and is amazing! Yes, he looks 12, but he's awesome. He has that...I'm a parent too...feel to him and I have no clue if he has children or not.

So yesterday we were off to Omaha. Matt had to be at Dr. Kronberg's to have a pre-op physical done. He checked out perfect of course. I asked Dr. Kronberg however, about this leg pain that Matthew continues to have. He'll limp some days or he wake up in the middle of the night screaming that his legs hurt. Some nights we are doing this like 3 or 4 times. They Motrin or Tylenol will no more wear off and he'll be screaming again.

I asked Dr. Kronberg about this and he got serious really quick. He looked over Matt's legs and moved them and poked them and manipulated them and then said...

"Guys, I'm not trying to scare you, but we have to rule out BONE CANCER!"

At the first I was like...okay, no biggy and we finished with the physical and received instructions to head to Children's Hospital where they would draw a CBC, CRP and sed rate. Dr. Kronberg also wanted to do a hip xray.

We stopped to have lunch at Red Robin...Awesome if you din't know that...and then we headed to the hospital.

I opted for the xray first and then the lab work. That's what you learn in school right, least invasive first. Then after all that we headed to find baby gifts.

I slowly began to think about things. Over and over in my head, all I could hear was BONE CANCER, BONE CANCER, BONE CANCER! He couldn't have cancer, no way, he just had ear infections, not cancer.

I found myself playng out every scenario in my head that afternoon. I'd after postpone boards....he'd have to have chemo at Children's...I wouldn't be able to work...and last but not least. BONE CANCER! When you are diagnosed with bone cancer...that's pretty much it.

I was fine until about 5 p.m. I'd been waiting to hear from Dr. Kronberg and he wasn't calling. I knew the clinic was closed and I hadn't heard anything. At this point my thought process was, it's bad and he won't tell me bad news over the phone so maybe he'll be meeting us at the hospital tomorrow. I wasn't sure. I had made it through the previous five hours without crying....until now.

I lost it, I just cried and cried and cried. I didn't know what to think or what to do! Jason was so calm. He wasn't doubting that Matthew was sick. I couldn't imagine not having my big brown eyed boy. The little boy that could make me laugh with just a smile.

When we got to Cindy's house, I was physically and emotionally exhausted. I saw a note on her buffet though that said..."Blood work normal, no xray." I immediately asked... "Is that Matt's?"

I could breath again! I was so excited. Granted the xray wasn't back yet, but it didn't matter. The blood work would have to be indicative too for a cancer diagnosis. I could deal with a malformation or disformity.

So we went to the hospital this a.m. and had our tubes put in and our adenoids out. It all went off without a hitch and the x-ray came back clear. It was a great day!

I told my friend Kim that through all of this another thought of mine was...I hope there isn't an increase WBC. Then they will call off the surgery and I don't want that to happen.

Kim agreed that only a nurse would think like that!

Delivery or Di'Giorno

Jason asked Andrew what he wanted to eat tomorrow while I'm at work. So I was rattling off the list of stuff that I got at the grocery store today for the boys to make. After the fettucini alfredo, spaghetti, chicken, hamburgers and green bean casserole, Andrew decides on macaroni and cheese and pizza. So after all that, then he asks:

"Mom, is the pizza, Pizza Hut or Caseys?"

I said, "Excuse me?"

So he asks again if it is Pizza Hut or Caseys and i tell him it is frozen and he goes...

"Oh, grocery store!"

Sentimental memories

Yesterday we were on the interstate driving to Kearney for my sister's induction in to Sigma Theta Tau. Anyway, we were almost to Kearney and out of no where Andrew asks:

"Mom, How do you send cards to heaven?"

First, I asked him to repeat it, then I asked him why he wanted to know that:

"Mom, I want to send Great Grandma that lived at the nursing home a card cuz I miss her."

I started crying. You never quite realize how much a four year old understands until moments like this. It's been almost 2 months.

Big Brother's Fault!

Andrew and Matthew were playing outside today and Matthew came in and I could smell something. When I asked him if he dirtied his pants he goes..."No, Drew!"



Already knows to blame big brother!

Just because he's cute.

Isn't he so damn cute?

More allergies!

Andrew was in the hospital last weekend for just a few hours while they dumped some fluid into him.

Anyway, the rest of the week, we've been battling the tape thing on the arm ya know? So the other night I get out some alcohol wipes out of my stash from work and clinicals and was rubbing at it. This is the conversation that came as i rubbed...

Andrew: "Mom, what is this?"
Mom: "Alcohol"
Andrew: "Mom, I'm allergic to this!"
Mom: "How do you know that?"
Andrew: "Mom, can't you see my eyes burning?"

I just laughed and and replied...whatever kid!!

Never Close Your Eyes Around A 2 Year Old

I've been overly tired lately and today I got up and fed the boys and fell back to sleep on the couch...not meaning to. I woke up to Matthew smelling like sweet pea fragrance and attempting to put mascara on me!



When I told him to put it away and that he was NOT to touch it...he pointed to my eye and said..eye...pretty!



All I could say was...GRRRR LITTLE BOY!

Happy Easter

So, the other day i was talking to Andrew about Easter and I asked him what it was all about. Of course he said the Easter bunny, but then he said...The rebirth of Jesus! I was floored and started laughing because I wasn't expecting it at all!

Then today, I thought I would ask him again what Easter is all about! This time he said...it is when jesus comes back life!

I was so amazed at how much a four year old knew! I don't know where he picked it up, but I know that if his Great-Grandpa Shoemaker heard it...he'd be crying!

Speech Eval

So...Matthew finally had his Speech eval. Mary Jo came to the house to eval him and he did okay. He took a few minutes to warm up to her, but then once he did he did very well! He passed the comprehension part with flying colors and is slightly ahead of where he should be at! However, he is way behind on his speech and Mary Jo said that she could see that while we did the study. I was surprised that he knew more than I THOUGHT he did.

In the end he didn't qualify for services becuase his comprehension was too high and it off sets the vocabulary! It seems like he's been talking more now that we had him evaluated. We will re-evaluate in August if we can because they can do more on his articulation at that time!

He just came up to me and puts his hand up and goes...up then he puts it down and goes...down! I didn't know he could do that! He's leaping and bounding! I LOVE IT!

Toot Toot!

For just this once, I have to toot my own horn.

Saturday, Feb. 16 was the Nebraska State Student Nurse Convention which was held at NECC. Our SNA had put a bug in my ear that they had nominated me for a Community Service award. I had kind of forgotten about it until yesterday at convention when someone asked me how I pronounced my name.

Needless to say, I was awarded the Individual Community Service award for the mentoring program I put together for our program at NECC. The program isn't the greastest yet, but we are working the bugs out of it.

I just wanted to share.

Valentine's Day

I haven't made a Valentine's day box in a long time...roughly about 15 years. However, my parents helped us make some REALLY cool Valentine's boxes.

This year, we got to help make Andrew's. Man how things have changed. I never remember boxes being this cool! Although my dad did make an awesome one, one time. Here is what Andrew's looks like this year. Jason is so creative!

FINALLY!

So...3 months later i am finally getting to blog again. I have wanted something so many times to just be able to write little tidbits here or there about quirky things the boys said or were doing, but my desktop has been acting weird so I haven't had to been able to do it a lot. However, I invested into a laptop and hopefully that will change!

So bare with me and keep checking in!

The results are in!

I received Matt's test results in the mail today from Dr. Murphy along with the lab. His egg yolk allergy is completely gone...however...his egg white still exists. However, it has decreased by almost half since last January. It wasn't the result I was hoping for, but I still did the happy dance. His peanut allergy is on the rise however so we have to get a script for an epi-pen to carry with us at all times. I kind of fail at the "at all times" part of it. One time my aunt suggested to tape it to his back and I'm thinking that it was a good idea now. So on Dec. 14 we go in for what the call an open egg challenge. They will give him eggs in little increments to see if he breaks out or not. It will be interesting!

On another note, Andrew comes up to me tonight asking me if he can eat a green onion and I was like...What? He pulled his hand around showed me a green pepper. The kid ate them raw like they were candy. He is so not my child!

A Month Later

Oh my goodness, I can't believe that it has been a month since I lost wrote anything. SOOO much has happened since then, but I will keep to the simple thing since it is 11:30 and I have to be up in like 7 hours to drive to Norfolk for class.

Well, Matt went to see Dr. Murphy for his flu shot testing on the 16th. Much to both of our amazment, after 5 pokes he was able to get the entire flu shot! This gave us hope that he has grown out of the egg allergy and the following Monday we did blood work to see if he is or not. I don't have the results back yet, but I can share with you for sure that I am not volunteering to draw blood out of a baby any time soon! Dr. Murphy was elated though and prescribed him singulair for his "asthma" like symptoms. He's hoping that after this winter we can d/c the singulair and let him be a healthy and happy 2 1/2 year old.

One draw back however is that he woke up this a.m. in a horrible, terrible break out and I have no idea why. I am hoping for his sake that he is just getting a cold or something simple which now that i think about it, it won't be simple for him. Dr. K had told us that when he has an unnanounced break out like that, more than likely ther is an infection in his system. However, more than likely it is Matthew curled up in the corner eating something he shouldn't be!

Andrew is doing good too by the way. He's been kind of a little bully lately, but I have not be around much between school, work and family happenings with the parents and my little bro. He's good though. I was laughing on our way home from Iowa tonight because more than once I said..."Andrew, seriously! Be quiet for 5 min!" Then I had to laugh because I remember my dad saying when I was little..."Jennifer Marie, we don't need to be singing all the time!" Andrew has picked up on singing lots of different songs. The other day it was "We wish you a Merry Christmas" and he just sang it over and over and I finally had to get him to "And a happy New Year" after hearing the first part like 5,000 times!

OH Lord, please help me find my sanity!

Long Road Ahead

When we started all of this allergy stuff the doctors had told us that eczema, allergies and asthma go hand in hand. We have had the eczema covered for almost 2 years now...allergies will be 1 year in December (diagnosis) and now...I'm afraid the third part might be here.

Last night Matt woke up from his nap crying and Jason went into the room and got him. He came out and sat on the couch with him and he was just listless and you could hear him wheeze from across the room. I took a quick listen to his lung sounds then called the doctor immediately. So at 5 p.m. we ran to the doctor where he agreed his lungs sounded HORRIBLE. They gave him a breathing treatment and he perked up. However, his lung sounds still weren't the greatest.

We came home with 3 new meds, but our albuterol neb treatments. We go see Dr. Murphy on Nov. 16 in Omaha, he's the allergy/asthma guy so we will see what he says.

I don't think it has set in what this could all mean for him. I just keep thinking...what if...what if...what if...it breaks my heart. I know we'll get through it though and all will be good!

Scary noises

Last week there was this creepy man that had escaped from the Neligh jail. Whoop whoop, yes I know, but to a mother of 2 this can be a very scary ordeal.

Anyway I was in the living room studying when all of a sudden I heard a weird noise and I was too chicken to go investigate it. It didn't happen again so I didn't worry about it!

However, this is what I found in my room when I turned the light on when I attempted to go to bed 3 hours later!

Andrew had crawled into my bed at some point and had then fallen off, taking the whole top blanket with him. I got a good chuckle out of it!

Secret Covert Operation

As if I have to explain this picture yet again, but here is Matthew in another one of his funny moods. He looks like he's attempting to work for a secret group overseas.

Please excuse the picture quality...it's off my phone.

What a Matt-nificant day!

The 15th of this month we ventured down to Omaha to take Matt Robert to see Dr. K, the world's best pediatrician, for his 2 year check up. We came out fine minus the fact that he pulled this rice krsipie size ball of wax out of one of Matt's ears.

Since then, we have been talking up a storm. Saying words and repeating phrases. Each day I get more and more excited about new words he is coming out with. He talks up a storm. Some words continue to be hard to understand, but you know what he is attempting to say.

Today was awesome though. He was playing with this toy and it was counting and it goes "1 - 2" and Matthew goes "3!" I did my little happy dance and praised him. Then we went out side and as I was hanging out clothes he screams...MOM! I look over and he's climbed up the fort all by himself! What a kid! Scary for me...but what a kid! I am feeling SOOO much better as to the direction he is going. OH, and he can tell you how old he is!

Never a dull moment

Does this need much explanation?

Escape of the Baby Monster!

I had just laid down in bed last night and Jason was cleaning up after using his new toy we bought at an auction yesterday. Anyway, Matt was in his crib in his room and Andrew had just gone back into his room after going potty. All of a sudden I heard someone crying and laid there for a minute because I wasn't sure if it was Matthew or Andrew, upset that he had to go to bed. After about 30 secs I headed to Matt's room to find him on the floor! Of course I had to laugh, but I quickly picked him up and we snuggled for awhile why he healed. I couldn't see any bodily injury last night, however, things appeared this morning. He has what looks like a rug burn mark above his left eye and a bruise that I know is coming. Crazy kid. It might be time for bunkbeds.

Lord...PLEASE help me!

So I thought that Matthew was going to be my quiet one. Remember that actions speak louder than words? Yeah, well then Matt has been yelling the last two days! Last night I was in the basement when the doorbell rang and I thought...why did my doorbell ring, everyone walks in. I run upstairs and there stands the neighborboy with Matthew. He was ACROSS THE STREET in their yard, playing with their dog. I was horrified as a mother! Then this morning I was laying on my bed with a wet wash cloth on my face (My grandma and grandpa's remedy for horrible allergies) when Andrew comes and lifts the washcloth and says: "Mom, Matt has your stuff!" This is what I found:

He had gotten into my mascara et painted himself. I had to throw him into the shower and scrub to get it off!

Then tonight he got into the cake...don't worry. He can eat this one. I made it so he could eat it. He tried to serve himself. This is of course after getting into the loaf of bread. Nothing is safe anymore! The bread he couldn't have.

Below is Matt's ideal meal. He's my junk food eater. Crazy kid. I am pretty sure I have my hands full for the next 16+ years!

Oh how a year can change.

I was looking at pictures of Matthew's first birthday as we are getting ready to celebrate birthday #2 next week. I have pictures of him with his birthday cake and i'm thinking now...he doesn't get to have a real birthday cake this year. He can have an ice cream cake, but no birthday cake. He won't care, he'll eat it no matter what anyway! :)

First Day of Pre-School

Well, today was the big day! Andrew started pre-school today, and much to my amazement-I held it all together! :) I had to fight to hold back tears as I was walking throught the gymnasium, but I didn't shed a tear. Now that I am thinking about it, I start to cry too. He's not supposed to be this big! He has a class of 8. He is the tallest by I would say 6 inches, but knowing my judgement, minus a couple. One of the boys that was on his baseball team this summer is also in his class. He got to be the prayer leader, from what I overheard and the teacher said he taught everyone how to pray too. I was SOOO proud of him! He did so good. Here are a couple of pictures. One is at home before we left and the other is by where he hangs his backpack.

I should add that his Pre-school room was my 2nd grade classroom! That was sooo long ago.

Following the leader!

I just thought I would FINALLY write again and tell everyone about our 2 new additions to our family. Their names are Monkey See and Monkey Do.

Monkey See is 4 and resembles our oldest son Andrew. He is very outgoing and THINKS he knows everything. He starts preschool tomorrow and is excited about it, at times. He loves John Deere tractors, horses, and basically the color green.

Monkey Do is almost 2 and resembles our youngest son Matthew. He has this HUGE beautiful brown eyes that melts your heart in a matter of minutes. He has some allergy problems, but is doing well with them. He hasn't shown any direct attractions to any one thing yet, but basically likes everything that his brother does or likes.

I can't wait for you to meet them next time you are here to visit!

Andrew left to his own devices!

Earlier in the day, a couple of days ago, Andrew was in his room...he was SUPPOSED to be taking a nap. Pretty soon he comes out and wants to paint. I told him no...he needs to be resting for swim lessons. So he goes back to his room and I don't hear from him again for awhile. So I go into his room and find him sitting on the floor "painting." No water, no brush, just fingers, walls and carpet...not to mention the paint book he was trying to hit. Needless to say, mom was unhappy.

Later that night I go to put him to bed and much to my astonishment I find this:

Supposedly it is a map to Grandma K's! At first I was upset because he KNOWS better than this and like any other parent I question as to what I am doing wrong and why he is OBVIOUSLY screaming for attention lately. I put him to bed, on top of his road map, because I wasn't washing sheets at 9:30 at night. So I pulled them off the next morning.

Now, after I walk out of the room with my big eyes, I look at Jason and say: You won't believe what I just found on Andrew's bed! I preceded to tell him the story and after I am all done, he's laughing and I had to admit I was quite impressed by the artistry of the whole picture! I swore I could have picked out a cow and a couple other things.

I also put in what it looked like after I soaked it with stain remover, which did get it out by the way...it's miracle stuff, let me tell you!

Reality TV

I know...horrible, HORRIBLE mother for not sharing all my fantastic moments about my amazing boys, but they keep me going in circles, that it's hard to keep up!

Matthew is a busy body and has found his voice, although he still doesn't say much, he's hilarious. Tonight we had a choir performance of us going back and forth yelling for dad! He was giggling by the time it was done!

I have decided that he is the world's CUTEST kid. Pardon my unfair judgement, but this has been a process by looking at other people's kids too ya know. I think it's the big brown eyes. I have decided to propose to a television station about strapping a camera to the back of him and just video taping him all the time. He's so funny and loveable, but yet he doesn't like kisses...only when he has to. I just know he's going to reach amazing things in his life. He's so quiet, but man, if you tick him off...WATCH OUT! He's so much like his dad!

Catch up!

I know it has almost been a month since I last blogged so I thought I would catch everyone up with pictures! A LOT has happened.

My ABSOLUTE favorite picture of Matthew Robert...taken by fluke!

Andrew started playing baseball and this is him trying to work with his dad and Jason about ready to kick his butt for lack of concentration! I had a lot of fun laughing at him anyway! :)

Rose and Sophia came to celebrate Andrew's birthday with us! Isn't she the cutest EVER! Next to my kids anyway! :)

Luke helping us put together the garage sale. I don't care how much he pays me...I will ALWAYS know where this picture is! :)

Matthew Robert got his first haircut. He was working on the Roy comb-over, so we had to take action.

Papa and his boys spending the afternoon fishing...unfortunately they got rained out. Andrew did catch a fish though...Matt however, got shut in the car with me! :)

Great-Grandma and her boys...Andrew, Matthew, Nathan and Connor. An EXTREMELY cute bunch don't ya think?

Ryan and Matt became fast buddies while Ryan was visiting from Idaho.

Locked Up

Last night I was in the kitchen painting I believe when Andrew walks in the house and shuts the back door like he has finished his work for the day. I quickly asked him where Matt was and he quickly responded with..."In the shed." and kept on going.

I look out the back window and much to my amazement the shed doors were shut and I could faintly hear a kid SCREAMING from outside. So I run out the back door while threatening Andrew's life...not really, but I was yelling at him...and run to the shed where Matt is in full blown break down...which I would be too.

MEANWHILE, people are walking the track behind our house and hearing this screaming kid and looking at me like..."what kind of mother are you? Is that your child abuse chamber?" I wanted to tell them it wasn't me...it was Andrew, but who would they believe...Me or the cute 4 year old! Needless to say Andrew was in bed around 7 p.m. last night.

Mom is always right!

Jason's mom tells about when Jason was little he would come in from outside and he would get a bath and she would scrub and scrub and scrub to get him clean until she realized that he had tanned. I always thought it was a cute, funny story, but other than that I didn't think much of it, until tonight...

I brought Matt in tonight to give him a bath and his face looked filthy dirty so I scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed before I realized that the kid needed his forehead for protection! Like father like son I guess.

Deceit!

Is it bad to admit that Andrew is smarter than his mother? Today I got home from work and I was exhausted because of course I couldn't fall asleep last night until 1 a.m. and had to be up for work at 445 this a.m. So I crawl into bed to take a quick nap and Andrew lays down next to me and closes his eyes so I drift off to sleep! Come to find out...HE DIDN'T SLEEP! This little deceitful kid...just kicked his mom's butt in the intelligience department! :)

Easy Access

This is what I found this morning when I opened up my front window curtains...

After searching out...turning around...who did this, Andrew fessed up to it! I just about blew my top! I asked him why he did this and his response was..."I wanted to stick my hand outside." Like a kid who hasn't spent every day for the last WEEK outside!! I could have shipped him to CHINA! I was upset to understate it quite a bit. Needless to say, Andrew spent much of the morning in his room.

So, I was going to patch it up with duct tape...I know...CLASSY! However, I couldn't find any. So then I called my dad and ask him to come help me over his lunch hour, but I canceled that because a nap sounded better. So finally at 9 p.m. this evening, I decided to fix the screen because it had been annoying me ALL DAY! I just switched out the broken storm windows...I know SO white trash...but WHATEVER! I need new windows HORRIBLY bad!

Magical moment.

A couple of years ago when we were cleaning out my grandma and grandpa's house I spared my grandpa's shoes from the garbage. Each spring I plant flowers in them and by July...they're dead...but that's besides the point. Tonight it was kind of surreal because Matthew Robert helped plant flowers in Great-grandpa Robert's shoes. I know that he'll never quite understand but to me it was a moment.

Runaway

Okay...so I think by sharing this story I am sharing my fabulous parenting skills with everyone, but what can I say...it was kind of funny.

This evening, Jason was mowing the backyard and I was cleaning out my flower beds so I could plant lots of flowers tomorrow. I thought Matthew was with Jason in the backyard when I look down the street and Matthew is walking down the street pushing his lawn mower. The only thing that was stalling him was that the neighbor boy...who is 5...was asking him where he was going. I took off on a dead sprint...for me anyway...and went after him. I couldn't believe that he would do something like that. It was one of the worst moments in my parenting life! I can't believe that it happened.

Neglect

Oh my goodness! I knew I hadn't blogged in SO LONG, but I didn't realize it had been almost a month! What kind of person am I? It's not that I don't have any stories, cuz I do, but time is the issue in this situation!

Andrew is continuing to grow by leaps and bounds and spent much of last night and tonight helping Grandma paint her bedroom! He got $2 for it so he thinks he's a rich man now. Last Tuesday he woke up and said:

"Mom, I need a haircut today!"
I told him I would try and see what I could do.
His reply: "Mom, I need a haircut, TODAY!"

He was pretty shaggy, but looks very handsome now as I was able to get him a haircut! Thank goodness! He will be doing preschool two days a week next year and it is hard to believe that we are getting ready to celebrate his 4th birthday in a few weeks! His "birthday list" is a mile long already! He's way to smart for his age! He continually refers to Matt as "Buddy" or "Little Matt."

Matthew continues to be my mute. At the rate he is going, our third child...which is FAR FAR AWAY from now...is going to be talking before he is. He will randomly pull a word out of his head every once in awhile, but it's nothing too spectacular. He says hi and bye and that's about it. People tell me it will come, but I worry. Although Andrew doesn't stop talking long enough to let him say anything! The other day their great-aunt and her class stopped by our back yard (there is a walking trail behind out house) and yelled...HI ANDREW! Matt got up to the window and yelled...MATT!!!!! I don't question that he doesn't know things...I just don't think he has to...make sense?

Classes are over for me and finals are on Monday and Tuesday. We are pinned next Friday. My mom is pinning me this year. I figured that my dad handed me my high school diploma so my mom could pin me for the first time. Jason and the boys will pin me next year most likely. I'm looking forward to a break. I am taking a history class this summer, though. It's my prereqs for my BSN, but it's online, so that won't be too bad.

I promise, I will keep this more updated as the summer goes on. I will have more time to write things....okay I SHOULD have more time to write things. I would hate to jinx myself! :)