We are on the mend! Alefreakingleuia!
Merritt is much better. He escaped from his crib again this afternoon. I came upstairs to the sound of knocking. He was knocking from inside his room on his door because he wanted to come out . . . and, yes, he had totally dismantled the humidifier, that wonder that has water.
Evy is feeling better (he was afflicted by the middle of the week). Erik is better and Sheila took a nap!
We had a great time at Dessert Group last night with several other families from our congregation. Just a great group of people with some really nice kids!
I don't remember much else that happened during the week except I have never seen our house that messy/disorganized. We've mopped and the kitchen is clean. All is well.
Merritt has a well check this Tuesday. That in itself isn't interesting, but Sheila and the pediatrician's office are at an impasse. Tuesday will tell if Sheila made the right choice in continuing to go there. (Pediatrician was adamant on the phone that all will be taken care of despite, uh, inaccuracies in the past.)
We continue to stay busy with our callings.
High note: the weather is warming up. We fed the ducks and seagulls (?!) at the local "lake" on Saturday.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Great Documentary
According to Netflix, my taste in movie viewing runs along the lines of documentary, independent films, films with strong female leads (I can hear my family chuckle at this one), and inspiring family movies. Never really considered how to categorize my prefences, but they make me sound kind of boring.
In any regards, I watched a documentary recently that was worthwhile, A Walk to Beautiful. Brings a reminder to state that I love my parents, my husband, and my children. I am very blessed.
In any regards, I watched a documentary recently that was worthwhile, A Walk to Beautiful. Brings a reminder to state that I love my parents, my husband, and my children. I am very blessed.
Chills and Thrills
In all, it was a busy week. Aunt Debbie's Baby Party went well. The games, food, and hostesses--awesome! We LOVED having the cousins come to visit, and Sheila especially appreciated visiting with her sisters and parents. We enjoyed celebrating Riley's birthday on Saturday!
We are now cable free. Took the help of two tech savvy friends. And, the installation of an antennae in our attic and some new technology (bye, bye 1996 TV)--we are cancelling cable this week. We've actually not used it for over a month now. And, we need it no more. And, I can record the beloved Dinosaur Train for whenever we want to watch it. "Waahooo-we love to chew!"
Merritt has added the word "ball" to his list that includes: hi, bye-bye, night-night, dada, sorry (oowwyy), momma, baby, Evy (ewwyy), and no (nununu). He is great at playing ball and is the best dancer in the house.
Evy, thankfully, has been able to take his new medication with relative ease! This was quite a worry because it is an acid . . . not very tasty (and no one in our town carried the medication . . . less than 1% of his peer population has the type of problem that he has). And, the pharmacy promised to keep the medication in stock for him.
We've had our share of medical bills lately, and they continue to stack up. Merritt went to an acute care facility on Sunday and the ER on Monday. He is finally pulling out of the fever from his ear infection, upper respiratory infection, and wheezing. We are back on the nebulizer every four hours, and he will not tolerate his steroid. (In fact, Erik is cleaning up the vomit from tonight's medicine right now.) Not sure what we will do 'cause none of our usual tricks worked. But, at least tonight his breathing wasn't as labored as the previous two nights.
(Grandma Albritton---We LOVE the new stethoscope!)
Erik is braving a back injury and a touch of some cold. We (insert "Sheila") are looking forward to cheerful Erik making a comeback. We (insert "Sheila") may not laugh at every joke, but he always lifts our spirits.
Sheila is busy with her calling and the boys. They had some great playdates last week with boys the same age as Everett. With Merritt's recent sickness, Sheila is trying to not fall into a desperate hysteria at the end of each day---and is doing so with marginal (ah-hem) success.
We are now cable free. Took the help of two tech savvy friends. And, the installation of an antennae in our attic and some new technology (bye, bye 1996 TV)--we are cancelling cable this week. We've actually not used it for over a month now. And, we need it no more. And, I can record the beloved Dinosaur Train for whenever we want to watch it. "Waahooo-we love to chew!"
Merritt has added the word "ball" to his list that includes: hi, bye-bye, night-night, dada, sorry (oowwyy), momma, baby, Evy (ewwyy), and no (nununu). He is great at playing ball and is the best dancer in the house.
Evy, thankfully, has been able to take his new medication with relative ease! This was quite a worry because it is an acid . . . not very tasty (and no one in our town carried the medication . . . less than 1% of his peer population has the type of problem that he has). And, the pharmacy promised to keep the medication in stock for him.
We've had our share of medical bills lately, and they continue to stack up. Merritt went to an acute care facility on Sunday and the ER on Monday. He is finally pulling out of the fever from his ear infection, upper respiratory infection, and wheezing. We are back on the nebulizer every four hours, and he will not tolerate his steroid. (In fact, Erik is cleaning up the vomit from tonight's medicine right now.) Not sure what we will do 'cause none of our usual tricks worked. But, at least tonight his breathing wasn't as labored as the previous two nights.
(Grandma Albritton---We LOVE the new stethoscope!)
Erik is braving a back injury and a touch of some cold. We (insert "Sheila") are looking forward to cheerful Erik making a comeback. We (insert "Sheila") may not laugh at every joke, but he always lifts our spirits.
Sheila is busy with her calling and the boys. They had some great playdates last week with boys the same age as Everett. With Merritt's recent sickness, Sheila is trying to not fall into a desperate hysteria at the end of each day---and is doing so with marginal (ah-hem) success.
Friday, February 19, 2010
State of the Neurons
*Neurons (c) IMB LabsToday was the neurological follow-up to Evy's testing. The doctor started the conversation off by reviewing what I had told him about Evy's seizures and "neuro-ticks." Didn't seem like the kind of thing to do if the tests showed all clear.
The MRI was fine. There were no physical abnormalities on the MRI that would explain what happened or is happening. No signs of an aneurysm or a brain tumor. The EEG, however, did show seizure activity. In all, we have come to the conclusion that Evy experiences generalized seizures, specifically absence seizures. It isn't a clear science particularly in someone as young as Evy. We will start him on medication today.
Hopefully, since his brain is so young, preventing the seizures will allow the brain to, in a sense, heal and prevent the need for lifelong use of anti-seizure medication. Or, the condition is heredity and he may grow out of it. At this time, he'll be on medication, twice a day, for two years. The medication does have side-effects. So, we'll be going in for a blood test in three weeks and then routinely go in for a blood test every three months.
If all has been posited correctly, he should fall less and not have any "illness" related seizures while he is on his medication. (One of my concerns has always been how much he falls when he is running, standing still, whenever. For awhile I just attributed it to clumsiness and his delay in motor skills. Now, his falling makes more sense.)
And, we have determined that he never had febrile seizures. It is more likely that Everett has been experiencing this generalized seizure disorder since at least a year old and those febrile seizures were grand mal seizures triggered by illness or fatigue.
We are grateful. Evy, despite being premature, has had relatively few long-term issues. He is bright, cheerful, inquisitive, and ever sensitive to others.
In the elevator going to the doctor, another couple stepped into the car with us, and Evy slid over to Merritt's stroller, stroked Merritt's head, and said,"Don't worry, I'll protect you." He is a sweet boy.
Cool Stuff . . . for the wiggly wittle one
Merritt is a mover and a groover. When he plays he roams the rooms, the house, climbing and emptying everything in his way.
When he is in a grocery cart, his curiosity and propensity to move aren't hindered at all by that strap that comes with the wheeled vehicle no matter how tight I pull it. And, he can stand within seconds . . . and get himself into trouble.
Each time we went out and used the grocery cart, I ended up continuously restrapping him in after he maneuvered himself to the surfing position again, and again, and again. You know the position . . . where he is standing facing away from me with his hands gripped firmly on the cart squealing with delight as if I was moving fast enough for wind to rush through his hair.
A couple of months ago, in that place of many embarrassing mommy moments, the grocery store, he stood up-turned around-and jumped for a flip all in the moment it took for me to look at a label and back . . . split second timing. Thankfully, that inadequate strap was adequate enough to hold him from flipping completely over (I was lucky he didn't step out of the strap before jumping). He was upside down with "grill" marks across his face. In all, no permanent damage. Some blood (and, yes, I am going to start his dental savings account any day now), some hysterics, and lots of concerned looks from passerbyers.
That day I went home to find a harness. One that would keep him safely inside the confines of the sitting area so he wouldn't flip over and "grill" his face again.
I decided on the "baby sit-tight"--and, no, the "I'm wearing overalls" look isn't quite what I would have gone for in the baby couture . . . but it keeps him safe. The straps that go over his shoulders prevent him from standing up (and the straps are adjustable). It is pretty compact and fits right in with even my smallest bag that I use with the boys. After using it for awhile now, I consider it one of the best purchases I've made for him.
Even better, he doesn't mind it all . . . and probably would like it if I brought his cowboy hat to complete the look.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
I love me a good football movie . . .
Whenever I see an old lady slip and fall on a wet sidewalk, my first instinct is to laugh. But then I think, what if I was an ant, and she fell on me. Then it wouldn't seem quite so funny. [by jack handy in case you couldn't tell]
How often do we really put "important" in the proper place with "urgent" . . . How often do we respond only because we are the ant . . . How often do we put energy into something that, on the surface, has no tie to us but is solely for someone else . . . How often do we put ourselves before others, before others' children?
When Evy was a young toddler, he was placing books in the book return box at the library. A lady rushed in, shoved Evy aside to put her books in while breathily saying,"sorry," and then ran further into the library. Do we do that . . . okay, not literally shove a kid, but do we overlook children? I am sure the lady would have been appalled if she had really thought about what she was doing.
I've been thinking quite a bit about stewardship recently. The stewardship of children.
Several weeks ago, I spent hours trying to figure out how to present the needs of children who are at-risk to a group that, at best, probably gives the topic a passing thought, when forced to. The group members aren't callous . . . but, in reality, they probably don't think they come across a child who is "at-risk" on a daily basis. So, why should they care about what I have to say?
Why do I care about what I have to say?
I ended up presenting it as a leadership issue. Those children that are at-risk eventually become adults and the behaviours, attitudes, and habits that developed through their childhood are part of who they are and how they function. As leaders, we work with adults who were children that were at-risk. That kind of strategy.
After presenting, I am not sure it was the right way to present it. I know of at least one person in the group that refused to embrace the idea that we should hold ourselves responsible as leaders to meet those we lead where they are and find ways to support them for success.
I think quite a bit about my role as a mother in my home and what responsibilities I have to children outside my home. What can I do on a daily or weekly basis to be a help, a support, a whirl of energy for improvement rather than a blind eye? On the days when I am grateful for just a chance to use the bathroom by myself, I would say that I have no idea how to accomplish all that and make sure the kids don't eat cookies for dinner (though I think Erik would be okay with that one).
As I push ideas around in my head, squashing some . . . making room for others . . . colliding those that seem to maybe work together, I am sure I'll figure out whatever this is that is motivating me to think about the stewardship of children. The responsibility to them that we all have as adults. To be mentors. To be supports. To be providers. To be teachers. To be examples. To provide love. To provide consequences. To provide safety. To give them space to make mistakes.
I love me a good motivating sports movie . . . especially if it revolves around football (Rudy being my favorite). I recently saw the movie The Blind Side. It might rank right up there with my Rudy. To me, this movie was all about the stewardship of children.
As I endeavor to find ways to teach my children about Christ and about right and wrong all while we change diapers, laugh, get on each others' nerves, and fight with the cable company, I don't want to let the urgent cloud what is important . . . I want to harness this motivation to do something to better embrace fulfilling the stewardship of children and do it alongside my children. I lack the eloquence to fully phrase my meaning here. But, fragmentally phrased, we need to honor the stewardship of all children . . . it is our responsibility as adults.
And so, I have no grand resolutions. I have no huge project to do this. I just have to continue to keep it uppermost and try to do it every day.
How often do we really put "important" in the proper place with "urgent" . . . How often do we respond only because we are the ant . . . How often do we put energy into something that, on the surface, has no tie to us but is solely for someone else . . . How often do we put ourselves before others, before others' children?
When Evy was a young toddler, he was placing books in the book return box at the library. A lady rushed in, shoved Evy aside to put her books in while breathily saying,"sorry," and then ran further into the library. Do we do that . . . okay, not literally shove a kid, but do we overlook children? I am sure the lady would have been appalled if she had really thought about what she was doing.
I've been thinking quite a bit about stewardship recently. The stewardship of children.
Several weeks ago, I spent hours trying to figure out how to present the needs of children who are at-risk to a group that, at best, probably gives the topic a passing thought, when forced to. The group members aren't callous . . . but, in reality, they probably don't think they come across a child who is "at-risk" on a daily basis. So, why should they care about what I have to say?
Why do I care about what I have to say?
I ended up presenting it as a leadership issue. Those children that are at-risk eventually become adults and the behaviours, attitudes, and habits that developed through their childhood are part of who they are and how they function. As leaders, we work with adults who were children that were at-risk. That kind of strategy.
After presenting, I am not sure it was the right way to present it. I know of at least one person in the group that refused to embrace the idea that we should hold ourselves responsible as leaders to meet those we lead where they are and find ways to support them for success.
I think quite a bit about my role as a mother in my home and what responsibilities I have to children outside my home. What can I do on a daily or weekly basis to be a help, a support, a whirl of energy for improvement rather than a blind eye? On the days when I am grateful for just a chance to use the bathroom by myself, I would say that I have no idea how to accomplish all that and make sure the kids don't eat cookies for dinner (though I think Erik would be okay with that one).
As I push ideas around in my head, squashing some . . . making room for others . . . colliding those that seem to maybe work together, I am sure I'll figure out whatever this is that is motivating me to think about the stewardship of children. The responsibility to them that we all have as adults. To be mentors. To be supports. To be providers. To be teachers. To be examples. To provide love. To provide consequences. To provide safety. To give them space to make mistakes.
I love me a good motivating sports movie . . . especially if it revolves around football (Rudy being my favorite). I recently saw the movie The Blind Side. It might rank right up there with my Rudy. To me, this movie was all about the stewardship of children.
As I endeavor to find ways to teach my children about Christ and about right and wrong all while we change diapers, laugh, get on each others' nerves, and fight with the cable company, I don't want to let the urgent cloud what is important . . . I want to harness this motivation to do something to better embrace fulfilling the stewardship of children and do it alongside my children. I lack the eloquence to fully phrase my meaning here. But, fragmentally phrased, we need to honor the stewardship of all children . . . it is our responsibility as adults.
And so, I have no grand resolutions. I have no huge project to do this. I just have to continue to keep it uppermost and try to do it every day.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Chills and Thrills
At some point, I will post pictures . . . until then, know that we are smashingly handsome and dazzlingly beautiful!
I've been reading a new "digital" project for a couple of weeks now and deem it worthy to share. If you are interested in the role of women and how other women fulfill their own paths, I'd suggest taking a look: www.mormonwomen.com
This past week we had a great time gearing up for our Valentine Party, which we had last Sunday, a visit from Grandma Powell, and taking care of the day to day business.
We invited over several friends for a Valentine dinner, made Valentines to share in preparation (which included our yearly "recycle crayon bits" project in making new crayons in the shape of hearts), and enjoyed good health this past week. Sheila made a pavlova, a dessert named after Russian Anna Pavlova, for the first time, and it was HUGE. Much bigger than she expected. (She also made a lemon tart which ended up being more of her favorite.)
Merritt is on fire walking everywhere and climbing everywhere else. Evy is doing just fine.
Erik and Sheila went to a movie for the first time in ages. Excellent time! There is an Indian restaurant in our little town now . . . yippee!
Last week we had over 10 inches of snow. Everett loved it and enjoyed going sledding (on the golfcourse) for the first time. And, just as a perfect experience with snow goes, it is already gone! No grey or yellow snow around here.
We visited with Grandma Powell for several days. Evy and his grandma played "sword fights" and made chocolate covered pretzels (with sprinkles) together. Merritt was charming, as always.
This coming week we are preparing for Aunt Debbie's Baby Party and excited to visit with cousins!
I've been reading a new "digital" project for a couple of weeks now and deem it worthy to share. If you are interested in the role of women and how other women fulfill their own paths, I'd suggest taking a look: www.mormonwomen.com
This past week we had a great time gearing up for our Valentine Party, which we had last Sunday, a visit from Grandma Powell, and taking care of the day to day business.
We invited over several friends for a Valentine dinner, made Valentines to share in preparation (which included our yearly "recycle crayon bits" project in making new crayons in the shape of hearts), and enjoyed good health this past week. Sheila made a pavlova, a dessert named after Russian Anna Pavlova, for the first time, and it was HUGE. Much bigger than she expected. (She also made a lemon tart which ended up being more of her favorite.)
Merritt is on fire walking everywhere and climbing everywhere else. Evy is doing just fine.
Erik and Sheila went to a movie for the first time in ages. Excellent time! There is an Indian restaurant in our little town now . . . yippee!
Last week we had over 10 inches of snow. Everett loved it and enjoyed going sledding (on the golfcourse) for the first time. And, just as a perfect experience with snow goes, it is already gone! No grey or yellow snow around here.
We visited with Grandma Powell for several days. Evy and his grandma played "sword fights" and made chocolate covered pretzels (with sprinkles) together. Merritt was charming, as always.
This coming week we are preparing for Aunt Debbie's Baby Party and excited to visit with cousins!
Monday, February 08, 2010
Chills and Thrills
The past several weeks have been busy but good.
We are awaiting the appointment with the neurologist.
In the meantime, we've been able to visit with friends and family here and in Waco. Sheila presented at McClennan Community College. Erik has been working really hard.
In all, we've been relatively healthy and appreciate all our blessings.
Evy has taken to being an ice hockey player. He has a special whistle that he devised . . . he sticks his finger in his mouth, purses his lips and then screams a "whistle." He uses it to start races, get Merritt's attention, and for everyday revelry. He knows how to turn his socks so that they are "swippery" and he can "skate on the ice." Yesterday he told me that his buddies wanted him to go skating with them. I said okay and he proceeded to skate along the hardwood floors.
Merritt is everywhere. He is the cutest one baby demo machine ever. He can now climb up the drawers in the kitchen . . . I am just waiting for him to discover the countertops. He is daily analyzing doorknobs and refuses to drink milk.
This week we have family visiting and a Valentine Party planned.
We are awaiting the appointment with the neurologist.
In the meantime, we've been able to visit with friends and family here and in Waco. Sheila presented at McClennan Community College. Erik has been working really hard.
In all, we've been relatively healthy and appreciate all our blessings.
Evy has taken to being an ice hockey player. He has a special whistle that he devised . . . he sticks his finger in his mouth, purses his lips and then screams a "whistle." He uses it to start races, get Merritt's attention, and for everyday revelry. He knows how to turn his socks so that they are "swippery" and he can "skate on the ice." Yesterday he told me that his buddies wanted him to go skating with them. I said okay and he proceeded to skate along the hardwood floors.
Merritt is everywhere. He is the cutest one baby demo machine ever. He can now climb up the drawers in the kitchen . . . I am just waiting for him to discover the countertops. He is daily analyzing doorknobs and refuses to drink milk.
This week we have family visiting and a Valentine Party planned.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
"I want PIZZA!" screams Evy
We are back from the MRI. All went well with the anesthesia and the staff was wonderful.
Evy is exhausted and is a cranky drunk. I am exhausted. I totally underestimate the stress I experience with each of these procedures. Something about leaving my little boy in the hands of strangers to be put in an artificially induced sleep kind of exhausts me. Then there is the "they are taking longer than they said they would, a lot longer, does that mean something . . . ." Sort of how you are when you apply to college and you get a reply . . . and you anxiously wonder as you walk into the house: is a skinny envelope good or bad? Illogical or not, there it is.
And, Merritt's godmother sends me a link that sends bells going through my head. It helped me with the vocabulary needed to describe what Everett experiences. When he was initially diagnosed with febrile seizures, the doctor basically said "it'll be okay, nothing to worry about for the long term." So, what I focused on was febrile seizures. I didn't try to build a knowledge about epilepsy. I wish I had. I am not saying he has epilepsy, but knowing more about the larger realm of seizures would have made me a better advocate for him.
So, if your child has febrile seizures, take a look at this link and be sensitive to what your child experiences: Types of Seizures
And, Evy just screamed in with, "Where's Merritt?!?" (For the record, a very nice friend offered to watch him longer since Everett is a cranky drunk right now.) Even while Cranky Drunk Evy, Evy thinks about his brother. What a nice boy!
Evy is exhausted and is a cranky drunk. I am exhausted. I totally underestimate the stress I experience with each of these procedures. Something about leaving my little boy in the hands of strangers to be put in an artificially induced sleep kind of exhausts me. Then there is the "they are taking longer than they said they would, a lot longer, does that mean something . . . ." Sort of how you are when you apply to college and you get a reply . . . and you anxiously wonder as you walk into the house: is a skinny envelope good or bad? Illogical or not, there it is.
And, Merritt's godmother sends me a link that sends bells going through my head. It helped me with the vocabulary needed to describe what Everett experiences. When he was initially diagnosed with febrile seizures, the doctor basically said "it'll be okay, nothing to worry about for the long term." So, what I focused on was febrile seizures. I didn't try to build a knowledge about epilepsy. I wish I had. I am not saying he has epilepsy, but knowing more about the larger realm of seizures would have made me a better advocate for him.
So, if your child has febrile seizures, take a look at this link and be sensitive to what your child experiences: Types of Seizures
And, Evy just screamed in with, "Where's Merritt?!?" (For the record, a very nice friend offered to watch him longer since Everett is a cranky drunk right now.) Even while Cranky Drunk Evy, Evy thinks about his brother. What a nice boy!
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