Very Long Day

Yesterday was a very long for us that started out as a normal day. We woke all the kids up for school like normal each day, had them shower and dress. This is when things became interesting. 

I prepped a new bag for Ellie's feeding pump, hooked her up and the pump alarmed right away. With pump alarming a flow out error, I checked to make sure there were no kinks, hit run. Same error right away. This time I removed all the tubing from the pump reset and and tried again. Same error (sigh)... This time all the tubing was removed, her extension removed, everything primed again, new extension, same error. (UGH)... This is when the frustration set in and I told the boys they would be catching the bus and their sister not.

At this I started trying to push water through the J-tube with the extension and this just resulted in water spraying in the front room and a giggly child. After several attempts I then moved to the slip tip syringe right in the button. Using pressure only sprayed the water made Ellie giggle, plunging made her giggle as the syringe popped out. By this point offices were starting to open. I called the GI office and left a message however, with no real voice it was hard for the doctor to understand. I called the peds office and they told us to just take her to ER as they can't do anything more than we had already done. 

Unfortunately due to budget cuts we could not take her to our local urgent care clinic for a KUB to check for a kink in the tubing we had to take her to the ER. Well for Ellie this meant taking her to Baltimore, to John Hopkins Children's ER, where her specialty doctors are.

After a very long day I was to exhausted to post anything last night after our ER trip with Chantelle. Turns out her j-tube is clogged and totally unusable and the soonest her G-Jet can be changed is "possibly" Monday or most likely on Tuesday. We let the ER know everything we tried, and they also tried each of those methods with the exception to the KUB and the clot buster. They also tried these and nothing worked.

While she does have her g-tube she does not typically digest her formula properly or at a high enough rate to allow for weight gain and growth. Because of her functioning g-tube we are home with her and running fluids as much as possible, and trying to get her to drink water and eat ice cubes to fight off dehydration as much as possible. While hesitant, we all knew home would be the best place for her this weekend. At any point if I feel we are not keeping up and start losing the battle we are take her back and they will admit her and place an IV until her tube can be replaced. 

Sadly while we were SO excited to have seen her get sick and tolerate her new formula Elacare Infant, while sick and not have to totally drop the formula and give only Pedialyte.

Google Attack...

This morning we got the kids ready and loaded in the truck to take them to school for the Read Across America Day, and just as Frank and I were about to get in the truck i got a very strange text message.

"Your Google verification code is (numbers)" At first I was puzzled, then shocked. Suddenly, I realized that someone was trying to hack into my Google account.

Quickly with Frank's help we gathered my laptop, charger, and other things in case I could not long into the internet at the school. At the elementary school I was able to log in and change passwords. I then went and read to 3rd graders.

A couple more "Your Google verification code is...," shortly followed by, "Your Google log in password incorrect." By this point I was not only upset, getting a bit freaked out, yet VERY VERY glad that I have my Google set  up with the very annoy multi-step verification process. Because of this process I was able to protect my accounts this morning.

After returning home I contacted Google customer support and they found out that i have not compromised my computer in any way. there is nothing downloaded anywhere that would allow an attack from the inside out. Sadly this was a deliberate attack from the outside in.

Birthday Party with Friends

Today Ellie had attended a birthday party with one of her newest classmates in school. Omar has become another very best friend to her because he too is like her in some ways. While Ellie eats with a feeding tube, Omar moves around in a wheel chair.

The kids had a blast during the party and the kids energy level was very high. Omar was so excited to have 10-12 of his new classmates show up to his party. For him this was so exciting because he has only been here in MD for just over a month.

At the party the kids were delighted to have Lucky the Magical Clown painting faces and twisting balloons. Her face painting was amazing and the balloon twisting was also very good. What I was most impressed by her was her patience with the very energetic kids, and how they responded to her. While she was twisting the balloons she involved the children with as much as she could. Today's party did not have any magic tricks as there simply was not time for balloon twisting, face painting, and magic. For more about Lucky the Magical Clown see her website at http://www.luckythemagicalclown.com/

The hardest part for Ellie tonight was the fact that she is back to nothing but her formula, ice, and water again (ice and water in very small amounts). She was wishing she could have food with her friends. Yet she had a blast with a good number of her classmates showing up for Omar's party today.

For me the weirdest part was realizing I am now in the group of parents of older children, and no longer fit in the group of parents of young children. Ellie was one of the oldest children there today, and is our youngest. Somehow this transition has happened without my realizing it happened. Still trying to figure out exactly when that happened as I do not recall that happening LOL...

Family Pets or Working Dogs

Last night I had the opportunity to teach kids at church about the differences between family pets or working dogs. The girls I was teaching were all amazing smart and knew more than they realized.

While we are in the process of training Ava our German Shepherd, to be a service dog, we have discovered that most do not understand the differences between family dogs and working dogs.

When most are asked what a working dog is the first responses are police dogs, fire dogs, farm dogs, and search and rescue dogs. The other working dogs that are not often thought about are right away are therapy, service, emotional support psychiatric, military, cadaver, drug detection, boarder patrol, guard/security, animal herding, show competition, sledding, hunting, dog sports, and dog comfort, service and obedience training.

Just like with jobs humans do, there are many different jobs that dogs can do. Also just like some people have a need to remain busy and active, some dogs breeds also have a higher need to keep busier and work harder.

We first talked about hygiene and the importance of brushing hair. For a dog brushing the hair serves several important purposes. The kids brought up some of the most important reasons. Dogs hair like theirs needs to be brushed to keep the tangles, fleas, ticks, and other unwanted critters out. Also brushing reduces the shedding and hair around the house.

Walking and playing with the animal is very important because like kids their pets need exercise. We  talked about not giving to many treats. They made funny faces at the thought of just sitting and being quiet, then being given candy, cookies, cakes, or other treats every time they were asked to be quiet. Then funnier faces at the thought of not just one or two treats a day but five, six, or even eight treats they had to eat everyday and not be allowed to exercise.

Then about this point we discussed the differences between pets and working dogs. We talked about places where family pets are allowed. Petco, PetSmart, and the Vet are designed for all animals. Then we talked about places that would be weird if everyone just brought their pets. The kids giggled at the thought of everyone bring their pets to church until we talked about different pets like spiders, snakes, scorpions, and the noise of everyone having a cat or dog, or what would happen if a pet had an accident on the carpet. Suddenly the thought of pets in church was not so funny.

So what are some of the working jobs dogs can do?

Family pets can do a wonderful job working around the home and the farm.  These family pet/working dogs are the dogs that protect the family property, are protective of the family members, especially children, or parents while running or walking.

Animals with more training and specific skills that need consistent training, and working with are performance, animal herding, show competition, sledding, hunting, and dog sport animals.

Police, fire, and search and rescue, military,  cadaver, drug detection, boarder patrol, and customs dogs are all trained to work with specific emergency, law enforcement or military forces to help with a variety of tasks as needed for patrols, rescues, or missions.

What is the difference between therapy, emotional support, service and psychiatric?

Therapy dogs are trained specifically for providing comfort, affection, and support to individuals in schools, nursing homes, hospitals, ER's, hospice centers, and libraries. Service dogs perform functions and tasks the individual with the disability cannot individually perform. Therapy dogs are not service dogs and are only permitted in schools, nursing homes, hospitals, ER's, hospice centers, and libraries as set up with therapy dog handler. Business owners are required to permit therapy dogs into businesses.

Emotional support animals are family pets providing an additional level of therapeutic benefit to the owner. This animal offers emotional support through companionship and affection. These animals do not require additional training, other than to be among other humans without being a danger or a nuisance when in public. Emotional support animals are not recognized as a service animal and business is not required to admit to the animal into the business.

According to the Department of Justice, beginning March 15th 2011, only dogs are recognized as service animals, a service animal is a dog that is trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability, and the service animal must be permitted to accompany the individual with the disability.

Service dogs are specifically trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Psychiatric service dogs are trained to perform tasks to mitigate psychiatric disabilities of the disabled individual. Service, Psychiatric, and Neurological service dogs are all covered and protected under ADA laws and protections.
   *   Businesses are required to recognize these service animals and admit these animals into all places of business.
   *   Limited questions may be asked concerning the purpose of the dog and individuals disabilities.
       1      is the animals a service animal due to a disability
       2      what task does the dog perform
   *   allergies or fears of dogs are not valid reasons to deny access
   *   inability to control the animal, or lack of house training are the only valid reasons to tell a disabled individual to remove the service dog
   *   service dogs must be allowed in public areas where food is prepared or sold
   *   people with service animals cannot be isolated due to the animal
   *   additional fees may not be charged (unless the animal causes damage)
   *   staff are not required to care for the animal (only the disabled individual may care for his or her service dog)
   *   http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

Sunday with a Toddler Dog Training as a Service Dog

So we have been training our dog Ava to be a service and in most areas she is doing amazing. She is also a very smart dog.

Sunday I decided to take her inside the Cultural Hall where the rest of the family was as we were running late. Annoyed  once she discovered this would be another time where she would be laying down a lot again she did her normal stand and flop thing. Except this time her flop echoed. Promptly she stood up again, I motioned for her to lay down while hiding a treat in my hand. Once again she suddenly flopped to the floor with a loud "THUMP!" A third time same thing stand and down with a loud thump.

Suddenly, as if a light bulb went off in her head she looked up at me, without any direction, stood, looked again, and plopped without any direction causing a loud enough "THUD" to make others look around.

At this point i was already gathering my stuff and getting ready to this mischievous toddler puppy out to the foyer where if she wanted to flop she could and she would not make noise. As soon as we were back out on the carpet she slowly slid into a laying position and laid down in her pouting position.

Snowflakes for Sandy Hook CT

Over the past month the CT PTA has been collecting snowflakes for the Newtown Community that was devistated after the shooting that took place on December 14th.

While the school is not opened due to on going investigations the community is working to recover and prove they are stronger than ever. One project that has been in the works to remind the community about their strength is the Snowflakes for Sandy Hook. While this project started out to provide paper snowflakes to line the walls, windows, and hang from the ceiling in the new school, nobody could have imagined the international response that has been recieved.

In my email from the National PTA President has spoken for all PTA schools, individuals, and non-PTA affiliated individuals and families that have responded to this request. Coming from Betsy Landers the National PTA President and her responce to the Newtown Donations:

Good evening to each of you,

Nearly one month has passed since the horrific school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Every day since then, staff and volunteers throughout the state have dedicated their time to helping the community heal. And for the foreseeable future, the Connecticut PTSA and National PTA will continue to support the families of Sandy Hook.

Please read below a heartfelt message from Jim Accomando, President of the Connecticut PTSA, and watch CBS Evening News (“On the Road” with Steve Hartman) on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. ET to see the impact their making.

On behalf of the Connecticut PTSA, I must express how grateful we are for the incredible outpouring of love and goodwill that followed the unspeakable tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14. The Snowflakes for Sandy Hook Project—a unique and thoughtful idea meant to engage the emotions of children and parents through the creation and sending of snowflakes—has amazingly snowballed into a worldwide blizzard, pun intended.

The Connecticut PTSA is a small operation. We have an office of approximately 2,000 square feet with one full-time and one part-time employee. On December 18, our office received the first Sandy Hook snowflake and now—three weeks later—we have completely filled, from floor to ceiling, the entire office, as well as an additional 2,500 square feet of office space donated by our landlord, a 48’ trailer, and two 12’x 12‘ storage pods. Meanwhile, the post office is storing four additional 48’ trailers filled with snowflakes, correspondence, cash and checks, all designated for the families of Sandy Hook School.

Each envelop, package, and box we received is filled with emotion, and each contains a unique story. Senders included heartfelt cards and letters; some contained loose change and small bills from a child’s savings. Checks of all amounts continue to arrive daily. We received beautifully crafted snowflakes of all colors, shapes, materials, and sizes, as well as school supplies, plush animals, toys, decorations and personal tributes for the victims’ families.

The Sandy Hook and Newtown families know of our efforts and are most grateful. We have met with our Newtown PTA members several times and remain in daily contact with Sandy Hook. This past Monday, parents from the Sandy Hook PTA joined us, along with National PTA President Betsy Landers, Beth Rorick and Abi Weaver, to open mail.

Currently, with our volunteers and staff working tirelessly, we have processed approximately 10 percent of the received mail, with new trucks arriving daily. We have received packages from all 50 US states, every province in Canada, and more than 40 countries worldwide. We have enough snowflakes to decorate each of the PTA schools in Newtown. We will distribute additional snowflakes to private and parochial schools, daycare facilities, town buildings, and any other facility in the community that wants to display a winter wonderland in solidarity with Sandy Hook. If you have created snowflakes, but have not yet mailed them, please keep and display them in your school or community. We will, however, continue to collect all personal and fundraising donations indefinitely.

How You Can Help the Connecticut PTSA

As you can imagine, with such an awesome response, our current challenge revolves around logistics. With limited workspace, only 15 volunteers can process mail each day. Even with 30 volunteers working 10 hours a day (as was the case this past Saturday), we were able to make a small dent that was buried under new arrivals within two days. We welcome all volunteers to join us; we work six days a week, and promise a gratifying memory to cherish forever. Lastly, all food used to feed volunteers is purchased from donations made by our Executive Officers and Board Members. No PTA funds are used for this relief effort. We welcome any non-PTA donations to offset volunteer and logistical expenses as we continue to work over the next several months. Please send all donations to: Connecticut PTSA, 3000 Whitney Avenue Suite 121, Hamden, CT 06518.

After receiving thousands of emails and phone calls of support, we need to express our thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers to the Sandy Hook families and our Connecticut PTA community. We feel your warmth and have expressed this to the Sandy Hook PTA many times.

Jim Accomando, President CT PTSA, on behalf of the Staff and Board of the Connecticut PTSA

In addition this heartfelt tributes include:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO64urOFNaY

National Bubble Bath Day

If you look online you can find a holdiay or special day for almost anything. Well today is one of those days. Jan 8th is National Bubble Bath Day.

So why would anyone want a bubble bath? Well the nice hot wather soothes muscles after a long day. Adding lavander increases relaxation, and finally while relaxing in the bath you get a chance to let your mind calm down too.

To get the perfect bubble bath one needs something to make the perfect bubbles. Are these bubbles made using jets in a tub, using a faucet in the bath, or other means. Many have various means for ariating the water and soap for the soapy foamy bubbles.

So have fun and enjoy a nice bubble bath tonight!