Yes, I pulled this from the other post so when I get a picture I can simply add that picture to this :)
I opened the grocery bag and handed Ellie the cookie box for her to look at. At first she puzzled out what her special treat was going to be. She did not realize she was really holding a box of cookies. Then it hit her.
Suddenly, her mouth dropped, her eyes popped, and there was this little gasp, as her hand flew to cover her mouth.
All of a sudden, she started jumping up and down as her hand clasped her mouth harder and she held back her scream.
The squeal that erupted instead was a tiny delighted scream that would not disrupt the other classes.
Yes! I made her day!
Next thing I knew she flew at me with a huge jump, huge, and giant thank you, as she ran into her classroom to put her cookies where she could have them during the activity.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Today has been a long and crazy day. To begin with I had to get paperwork filled out for Zach for a school camping field trip he has coming up that I had forgotten about. The paperwork is due back at the school by Friday (oops), drop that off at the peds office, drop more formula off at the elementary school for Ellie, then get Jade for her follow up derm appt.
With Zach's paperwork now filled out, the formula in the car, I realized I had to wait to drop by the elementary school and went straight to the high school to get Jade. Her appt went very well and over in a few minutes. Another round of freezing on the wart on her hand, scheduling for another follow up in 3 weeks and we were on our way again.
As Jade and I headed home, we decided to stop by the grocery store and look for something special for Ellie. In the gluten free section, we found TWO kinds of cookies that were casein, corn, soy, egg, nut, free and everything else she is allergic too. In total excitement we grabbed one box of chocolate chip and brownie chocolate cookies and left.
I dropped Jade off at school, and headed home. I now had about 45 minutes before I had to leave again and headed home to relax for a few. With the few minutes I had, this was the perfect time to take care of the neuro paperwork for the next appointment.
I now had 20 minutes until I had to leave again. This was the perfect amount of time to head to the elementary school, dropped the needed formula off to the office, then headed to Ellie's classroom. In a couple hours her class would be having a special authors tea party to celebrate the creation and publishing of their class book. Originally, I was going to attend this little celebration. However, a last minute/urgent appt made that impossible.
While waiting to see Ellie, I got to talk to her teacher for a quick minute and explain to her that she had never had a cookie before and today would be a first for her.
I opened the grocery bag and handed Ellie the cookie box for her to look at. At first she puzzled out what her special treat was going to be. She did not realize she was really holding a box of cookies. Then it hit her. Suddenly, her mouth dropped, her eyes popped, and there was this little gasp, as her hand flew to cover her mouth. All of a sudden, she started jumping up and down as her hand clasped her mouth harder and she held back her scream. The squeal that erupted instead was a tiny delighted scream that would not disrupt the other classes. Yes! I made her day!
Next thing I knew she flew at me with a huge jump, huge, and giant thank you, as she ran into her classroom to put her cookies where she could have them during the activity.
Next, I grabbed my son from the middle school and we left for John's Hopkins for his appt where we sat and waited.
I sat and waited anxiously watching the time go by knowing I was going to cut our arrival at the scout ceremony either late or extremely close. Finally, nearly an hour and a half late, we got in with the neurologist.
Dr K was wonderful and knowing we were running so late now did everything she could to help us get the needed time with her, yet still leave as soon as we could.
With Zach's paperwork now filled out, the formula in the car, I realized I had to wait to drop by the elementary school and went straight to the high school to get Jade. Her appt went very well and over in a few minutes. Another round of freezing on the wart on her hand, scheduling for another follow up in 3 weeks and we were on our way again.
As Jade and I headed home, we decided to stop by the grocery store and look for something special for Ellie. In the gluten free section, we found TWO kinds of cookies that were casein, corn, soy, egg, nut, free and everything else she is allergic too. In total excitement we grabbed one box of chocolate chip and brownie chocolate cookies and left.
I dropped Jade off at school, and headed home. I now had about 45 minutes before I had to leave again and headed home to relax for a few. With the few minutes I had, this was the perfect time to take care of the neuro paperwork for the next appointment.
I now had 20 minutes until I had to leave again. This was the perfect amount of time to head to the elementary school, dropped the needed formula off to the office, then headed to Ellie's classroom. In a couple hours her class would be having a special authors tea party to celebrate the creation and publishing of their class book. Originally, I was going to attend this little celebration. However, a last minute/urgent appt made that impossible.
While waiting to see Ellie, I got to talk to her teacher for a quick minute and explain to her that she had never had a cookie before and today would be a first for her.
I opened the grocery bag and handed Ellie the cookie box for her to look at. At first she puzzled out what her special treat was going to be. She did not realize she was really holding a box of cookies. Then it hit her. Suddenly, her mouth dropped, her eyes popped, and there was this little gasp, as her hand flew to cover her mouth. All of a sudden, she started jumping up and down as her hand clasped her mouth harder and she held back her scream. The squeal that erupted instead was a tiny delighted scream that would not disrupt the other classes. Yes! I made her day!
Next thing I knew she flew at me with a huge jump, huge, and giant thank you, as she ran into her classroom to put her cookies where she could have them during the activity.
Next, I grabbed my son from the middle school and we left for John's Hopkins for his appt where we sat and waited.
I sat and waited anxiously watching the time go by knowing I was going to cut our arrival at the scout ceremony either late or extremely close. Finally, nearly an hour and a half late, we got in with the neurologist.
Dr K was wonderful and knowing we were running so late now did everything she could to help us get the needed time with her, yet still leave as soon as we could.
We already know that if Corbyn gets up to fast (especially if he has been sleeping) he will get dizzy and fall. We also know that he has been having off spacing episodes and has been losing track of time.
Well the neurologist saw exactly what happens when he gets up to fast and is not worried about those spells at all. He simply has an obnoxious autonomic system that is freaking out as she put it. However, what they are worried about are the episodes that are causing disorientation, loss of time, the stiff and jerky movements he sometimes has, and more especially the fact that he does not know when he is having these.
I was asked if he gets tired afterwards and falls asleep, he right away said "nope I am just fine" as I was shaking my head no letting the dr know he is not just fine. When I was asked I let both Dr K and the head neurologist (when he came in) know that Corbyn does indeed get very tired and will just fall asleep right afterwards. Once I said that, he mentioned, oh yeah, if I try to watch tv or read, I do find I fall asleep without knowing it.
Apparently, these episodes of "spacing out" or what I have thought were spacing out may be seizures instead so he is getting an EEG, and something else done to look for seizure activity. Tomorrow, I have to let the school know that they suspect seizures and that he is to monitored more closely, and anything out of the ordinary is to be reported back to the nurse, then to me, so I can report it to the neuro team.
She is hoping we can prevent future ambulance trips to neuro shock trauma, (not a fun ride) and future ER trips due to this can be better defined. At this point I am just glad we are looking to have a better answer why he is having some of his episodes like he is.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Ellie's Question on Foster Parenting
Last week Ellie asked me, "Mom why do some raise foster children?"
I told her they bring children in their homes that need a temporary home because something went wrong in their home. Well she replied back.
"Well yeah, but why do they give their home and treat them like their kids?"
With Ellie not being satisfied with my answer I turned to FaceBook and asked friends on there who are foster parents for their reasons. The answers we got back made Ellie very happy.
The answers we got back were:
Patty:
Because some have lots of love to give to children who need it that don't have children at home
Aunt Barbara:
Also some kids are without parents and are looking for parents to accept them for who they are and say your my child now.
Aunt Teresa:
Great questions, Ellie! I can't speak for other foster parents, but we started taking kids in because I was in foster care when I was little and I wanted to return the favor. Uncle is a good man and agreed with me. so when our girls were old enough, we started fostering. As far as why we welcome kids into our home and treat them like our kids...God wants every one of His children to have a home where they are safe, loved, and taken care of. When we became foster parents, we made a promise that we would treat any child who enters our home like we would our own children. We can't always give every child what they need, but we do our very best. Love you and your inquisitive mind, Ellie!
Rhonda:
I was the "host child" (the biological/legal child) in a foster family. We took in kids because everyone deserves to have a family.... and if their first family wasn't able to fulfill the job, we wanted to do it. As soon as a girl came into our home, they were my sisters.... my parent's daughters. There was no distinction. Just like an adopted child grows in their parents' hearts, the same happens with foster children. When they walk in the door, they become family.... with the same rights, responsibilities, and love as anyone else.
Jinjue:
Yes we do. We treat them like they are one of our bio kids. Our home is their home. If we go somewhere they go. If we go to a family gathering, they go.
Michelle:
Because there is enough love & room in our hearts...and if a kid needs a family, even just for a little bit, they should get a 'real' family full of real love.
When I shared these answers with her, her response melted my heart. Not only did she love them, but her love for others was clearly shown by the answer she gave back. She said "I know all your friends make the best foster parents. And my foster cousins get the best mommy and daddy ever, even if it is only for a day or two. Those kids are lucky to get special love like I do."
She has such a gentle and loving nature about her. No matter what is going on in her life, she thinks about others first. Even when she is in the hospital, she wants to be in the playroom where she can make others smile (when she is allowed to).
Music Theater Classes
I have loved listening to Ellie's voice develop and grow with the help of her amazing voice teacher Cathy Mooney Koncurat.
Well today during her musical theater classes, families were coming into the church for a piano recital, and while Ellie was singing "The Girl I Mean To Be" from The Secret Garden for the other kids.
Families for the recital started piling up in the hall to listen to her, and were commenting on her voice and how young she is. Yes the classroom door was closed.
Oh yeah, total proud mama moment right there.
Friday, February 13, 2015
Stitches are out
Yesterday I got my stitches out! However, not in the manner planned. I had an appointment with my doctor, yet Wednesday evening during scouts and young men/women's I started having bad tummy cramping but was able to mostly ignore it. By the time I was out with a friend helping her get some shopping done it had become more intense, but still mostly ignorable.
Well that is until about 2 am when it became really bad. By 4 am I was vomiting every few minutes and diarrhea had also hit. By the time of my appointment I could barely stand and even with Zofran I was still vomiting everything up. Needless to say I was not getting my stitches taken out by my doctor. Instead she wanted me taken to the ER immediately. Jade's appointment had also been canceled and she too was to be taken to the ER with us as the clinic felt she needed a stronger breathing treatment then they had available. (her visit was short as she has pneumonia)
During my ER visit I was given multiple doses of Morphine and Zofran and I was still in severe pain and vomiting. I had to have contrast for a CT-scan along with the allergy meds and steroids to reduce a reaction. The CT-scan came back showing inflammation and infection in ileus section of the bowels. The cause of the severe pain. I am now on several pain meds and antibiotics. I am also having to focus on the liquids now because eating causes severe pain.
For now I am waiting until I can get into the GI to find out exactly what is going on and how to prevent further ER trips for the same thing again. I was supposed to see the GI already, and had been putting it off. However now I can't put it off any longer.
Oh and while I was waiting in the ER, the doctor removed my stitches. Thank goodness my face is healing up nicely!
Well that is until about 2 am when it became really bad. By 4 am I was vomiting every few minutes and diarrhea had also hit. By the time of my appointment I could barely stand and even with Zofran I was still vomiting everything up. Needless to say I was not getting my stitches taken out by my doctor. Instead she wanted me taken to the ER immediately. Jade's appointment had also been canceled and she too was to be taken to the ER with us as the clinic felt she needed a stronger breathing treatment then they had available. (her visit was short as she has pneumonia)
During my ER visit I was given multiple doses of Morphine and Zofran and I was still in severe pain and vomiting. I had to have contrast for a CT-scan along with the allergy meds and steroids to reduce a reaction. The CT-scan came back showing inflammation and infection in ileus section of the bowels. The cause of the severe pain. I am now on several pain meds and antibiotics. I am also having to focus on the liquids now because eating causes severe pain.
For now I am waiting until I can get into the GI to find out exactly what is going on and how to prevent further ER trips for the same thing again. I was supposed to see the GI already, and had been putting it off. However now I can't put it off any longer.
Oh and while I was waiting in the ER, the doctor removed my stitches. Thank goodness my face is healing up nicely!
Jade had pneumonia again
Yesterday we took Jade in (again) to see why she keeps running fevers, coughing, and vomiting. Turns out the poor kid had pneumonia.
Second time this school year she has had severe respiratory issues.
At the beginning of the year, she had the and severe bronchitis causing her to miss the 1st month of classes. Now she has once again missed just over a week.
Poor girl can't catch a break. With the marching band trip/competition next month and not being able to play her flute for nearly 2 weeks, she is going to have a lot of last minute practice to make sure she is still up to speed.
I know playing wise she'll be ok. The biggest question is, how will she be lung and energy wise.
Funny Stories For Lip Injury
So I got tired of saying I collapsed a seat in a van to load dog crates and smacked myself shoving my glasses into my lip. Yes, something that takes real talent, so I asked for some funny stories about how I ended up with a huge cut and stitches on my face. Here are some of the responses I got back :)
Cheap way of a DIY nose job (Jo)
I knew I should have warned her about that Ninja that hides in the back of my van. Oops (Trish)
I know I don't cook often - and this is exactly why. My concoctions are SO good that people go a little crazy fighting over the leftovers - this poor girl obviously missed her mouth completely and injured herself with the fork. (Les)
"So I was taking an e-cig smoke break at work when this van suddenly pulled up to the curb with a loud screech. Out jumped three hooded men dressed in black, and they grabbed another man in a dark blue suit, threw a hood over his head, and started dragging him into the van. Having recently graduated from Marielle Hanson's International School of Kickboxing and feeling a bit over-confident, I decided to intervene.
"The first guy never saw what was coming and may never wake up. The second guy saw what was coming, but not quickly enough and is now recovering nicely at the VA hospital, although it's not clear whether he'll ever be able to eat anything but soup again. The third guy proved to be a little more problematic because he was trained in the martial arts and threw a few punches that landed before I took him out with a roundhouse to his chest that cracked three of his ribs and punctured a lung.
"Anyway, it turned out that the businessman was Ryan Gosling working on the set of the new Jason Bourne movie, and that I was finally able to quit my day job and become Hollywood's newest female action hero. Look for me and Gosling in the movie when it comes out. We kind of hit it off, so to speak, and recently decided it was time for us to share a loft in SOHO. He's even better looking in person than he seems onscreen." (Micheal)
Cheap way of a DIY nose job (Jo)
I knew I should have warned her about that Ninja that hides in the back of my van. Oops (Trish)
I know I don't cook often - and this is exactly why. My concoctions are SO good that people go a little crazy fighting over the leftovers - this poor girl obviously missed her mouth completely and injured herself with the fork. (Les)
"So I was taking an e-cig smoke break at work when this van suddenly pulled up to the curb with a loud screech. Out jumped three hooded men dressed in black, and they grabbed another man in a dark blue suit, threw a hood over his head, and started dragging him into the van. Having recently graduated from Marielle Hanson's International School of Kickboxing and feeling a bit over-confident, I decided to intervene.
"The first guy never saw what was coming and may never wake up. The second guy saw what was coming, but not quickly enough and is now recovering nicely at the VA hospital, although it's not clear whether he'll ever be able to eat anything but soup again. The third guy proved to be a little more problematic because he was trained in the martial arts and threw a few punches that landed before I took him out with a roundhouse to his chest that cracked three of his ribs and punctured a lung.
"Anyway, it turned out that the businessman was Ryan Gosling working on the set of the new Jason Bourne movie, and that I was finally able to quit my day job and become Hollywood's newest female action hero. Look for me and Gosling in the movie when it comes out. We kind of hit it off, so to speak, and recently decided it was time for us to share a loft in SOHO. He's even better looking in person than he seems onscreen." (Micheal)
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