Sunday, December 27, 2009
We Wish You A Merry Christmas...And A Happy New Year!
We had such a lovely Christmas this year. Everyone was healthy, and the girls were so happy and excited about Santa. I have always loved the holidays, but seeing the magic through their eyes makes it even more awesome than it was before!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Sad News
I am so, so sad for my friends today. They have been through so much, and my heart truly breaks for them.
Pam and Namir first contacted me several years ago when their girls were very small. They live nearby and we have had a chance to meet in 'real life' several times now. Lessa and Ivy are 24-week triplets who lost their brother Galen at 11 days in January of 2006. Their brother Reid was born last October after a full-term uncomplicated pregnancy. He was unexpectedly diagnosed with Joubert syndrome after his birth and spent 105 days in the NICU.
Reid passed away suddenly yesterday after a complicated life. He was a lucky little boy to have spent his short life surrounded by so much love.
Please visit their blog to offer your sympathies, prayers, and kind words. I understand there is very little we can do to ease their pain, but at least we can let them know we care.
Pam and Namir first contacted me several years ago when their girls were very small. They live nearby and we have had a chance to meet in 'real life' several times now. Lessa and Ivy are 24-week triplets who lost their brother Galen at 11 days in January of 2006. Their brother Reid was born last October after a full-term uncomplicated pregnancy. He was unexpectedly diagnosed with Joubert syndrome after his birth and spent 105 days in the NICU.
Reid passed away suddenly yesterday after a complicated life. He was a lucky little boy to have spent his short life surrounded by so much love.
Please visit their blog to offer your sympathies, prayers, and kind words. I understand there is very little we can do to ease their pain, but at least we can let them know we care.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Delayed Reaction
We established some time ago that Holland has food allergies. She is one of those classic kids with the eczema/food allergies/asthma trio that seems to be pretty common. She had a very clear reaction to eggs when she was a baby. After that happened, we had skin testing done - where they pricked the skin on her back and tested several different things, including eggs, peanuts, and several varieties of tree nuts. She had a positive skin reaction to eggs and cashews. She was negative for peanuts, but not long after had a reaction after getting peanut butter on her fingers. After that incident, I just always counted peanuts as an allergy (especially since John has a mild peanut allergy). I don't believe we ever tested almonds (or maybe we did and she was negative), but our nephew Connor has a pretty serious almond allergy, so we decided to stay away from those as well. So, we just pretty much followed a nut free diet for a few years. And we had an EpiPen handy at home and at school...just in case.
We steered clear of eggs with Holland for about a year. Then we slowly started introducing food items like pasta, salad dressing, cakes, and cookies with egg IN them, and she did fine. Eventually we tried egg again, and it seems like she has completely outgrown that allergy.
I guess as the time passed I kinda lightened up about the food allergy thing. I still checked labels for nuts, but didn't think a whole lot about it. About a year ago, we were grocery shopping and I had to run out to the car for something. When I came back into the store, Holland and Eden were sitting in the cart eating WINDMILL COOKIES, which are full of ALMONDS!!! I freaked out a little bit, AND realized that I didn't have the EpiPen (had forgotten the diaper bag, and didn't think about it because so much time had passed without needing it). But everything was fine and Holland didn't have a reaction to the almonds. So cool, no allergy there.
Then probably 4-6 months ago John made angel hair pasta and chicken with sundried tomatoes and pesto for dinner one night. I checked the label and it said it contained "pine nuts." We talked about "do you think she could be allergic?", but went ahead and tried it anyway. She was fine. Not allergic to pine nuts.
I guess that's where I started getting TOO comfortable, thinking that possibly she had outgrown ALL of her food allergies, or maybe even that she never had them in the first place!
Well, we loved the pesto so much the first time we decided to buy more. This time we shopped at a different grocery store, and the only pesto they had said that it contained cashews. We had another conversation about it, along the lines of "do you think she is allergic to cashews?" "Well, I guess we can try it, so far she has been fine, not allergic to anything." So we bought it and about a week later, John made it for dinner. Honestly, I didn't even think about it again.
Shortly after we began the meal, Holland started to complain about a stomach ache. Now, you have to realize that we have been through 5 years of feeding issues. It's not uncommon for either of them to complain about...well, pretty much anything....to get out of eating. So, I kinda blew it off and made her keep eating. :( Then her eyes started itching and she started rubbing them. Again...not really all that unusual. Sometimes if she is playing with the dog too much, or crawling around on the floor before dinner, and rubs her eyes, they get itchy. Then she rubs them with greasy dinner hands, and they get worse. So I STILL didn't realize what was happening, and I STILL made her keep eating. BAD MOM ALERT! I took her to wash her hands thinking that it could be the dog, brought her back to the table to sit on my lap, and put a few more bites in her mouth. Then all of a sudden it dawned on me.
"John, is this the pesto that had the cashews in it?" "I think she might be having a reaction to the cashews!" By then, her eyes were starting to swell...especially her left, her nose was running, she was really, really itchy all over her body, and she was complaining about her tummy hurting.
I gave her a dose of Zyrtec (which she was due for anyway) and took her up for a bath thinking I should at least get it off her skin. She was pretty cheerful and played in the tub, despite the fact that by this point it was getting late and she was in pretty pitiful shape. After her bath I did our usual hydrocort and Aquaphor routine for her eczema, put her in her jammies, and put her in bed while I went to call the doctor. I didn't know if I could/should give her a dose of Benedryl right after she had her Zyrtec, and I wanted to know what to watch out for.
While I was waiting for the doc to return my call she started throwing up. She threw up once or twice, then fell asleep. John laid with her while I was on the phone. When I came back in to check on them she started throwing up again, this time in her sleep while lying on her back. That was pretty scary. We got her up, she threw up again, then went back to sleep. After that she was fine...slept threw the night with no issues, and woke up in the morning back to normal.
I did locate the EpiPen in the midst of this, but was pretty aggravated with myself for not having it more handy. I got a little lax. But now we know. She IS allergic to cashews and I will make sure I keep checking labels and always know where the EpiPen is!!!
About a week before this incident she had an appointment with the allergist and we had talked about doing bloodwork/more allergy testing, but I still haven't followed through on it. It's not just about making the time, but about whether the benefits of drawing blood will be worth the drama of putting her through that. She had to have so many immunizations this year, on top of one hospitalization and IV in October. I'd really like to wait a loooooooong time before having to approach her with any needles again. I'm almost more comfortable avoiding peanuts and any tree nuts that we aren't sure are safe for another year or so...and keeping the EpiPen handy. Still trying to decide on that one.
We steered clear of eggs with Holland for about a year. Then we slowly started introducing food items like pasta, salad dressing, cakes, and cookies with egg IN them, and she did fine. Eventually we tried egg again, and it seems like she has completely outgrown that allergy.
I guess as the time passed I kinda lightened up about the food allergy thing. I still checked labels for nuts, but didn't think a whole lot about it. About a year ago, we were grocery shopping and I had to run out to the car for something. When I came back into the store, Holland and Eden were sitting in the cart eating WINDMILL COOKIES, which are full of ALMONDS!!! I freaked out a little bit, AND realized that I didn't have the EpiPen (had forgotten the diaper bag, and didn't think about it because so much time had passed without needing it). But everything was fine and Holland didn't have a reaction to the almonds. So cool, no allergy there.
Then probably 4-6 months ago John made angel hair pasta and chicken with sundried tomatoes and pesto for dinner one night. I checked the label and it said it contained "pine nuts." We talked about "do you think she could be allergic?", but went ahead and tried it anyway. She was fine. Not allergic to pine nuts.
I guess that's where I started getting TOO comfortable, thinking that possibly she had outgrown ALL of her food allergies, or maybe even that she never had them in the first place!
Well, we loved the pesto so much the first time we decided to buy more. This time we shopped at a different grocery store, and the only pesto they had said that it contained cashews. We had another conversation about it, along the lines of "do you think she is allergic to cashews?" "Well, I guess we can try it, so far she has been fine, not allergic to anything." So we bought it and about a week later, John made it for dinner. Honestly, I didn't even think about it again.
Shortly after we began the meal, Holland started to complain about a stomach ache. Now, you have to realize that we have been through 5 years of feeding issues. It's not uncommon for either of them to complain about...well, pretty much anything....to get out of eating. So, I kinda blew it off and made her keep eating. :( Then her eyes started itching and she started rubbing them. Again...not really all that unusual. Sometimes if she is playing with the dog too much, or crawling around on the floor before dinner, and rubs her eyes, they get itchy. Then she rubs them with greasy dinner hands, and they get worse. So I STILL didn't realize what was happening, and I STILL made her keep eating. BAD MOM ALERT! I took her to wash her hands thinking that it could be the dog, brought her back to the table to sit on my lap, and put a few more bites in her mouth. Then all of a sudden it dawned on me.
"John, is this the pesto that had the cashews in it?" "I think she might be having a reaction to the cashews!" By then, her eyes were starting to swell...especially her left, her nose was running, she was really, really itchy all over her body, and she was complaining about her tummy hurting.
I gave her a dose of Zyrtec (which she was due for anyway) and took her up for a bath thinking I should at least get it off her skin. She was pretty cheerful and played in the tub, despite the fact that by this point it was getting late and she was in pretty pitiful shape. After her bath I did our usual hydrocort and Aquaphor routine for her eczema, put her in her jammies, and put her in bed while I went to call the doctor. I didn't know if I could/should give her a dose of Benedryl right after she had her Zyrtec, and I wanted to know what to watch out for.
While I was waiting for the doc to return my call she started throwing up. She threw up once or twice, then fell asleep. John laid with her while I was on the phone. When I came back in to check on them she started throwing up again, this time in her sleep while lying on her back. That was pretty scary. We got her up, she threw up again, then went back to sleep. After that she was fine...slept threw the night with no issues, and woke up in the morning back to normal.
I did locate the EpiPen in the midst of this, but was pretty aggravated with myself for not having it more handy. I got a little lax. But now we know. She IS allergic to cashews and I will make sure I keep checking labels and always know where the EpiPen is!!!
About a week before this incident she had an appointment with the allergist and we had talked about doing bloodwork/more allergy testing, but I still haven't followed through on it. It's not just about making the time, but about whether the benefits of drawing blood will be worth the drama of putting her through that. She had to have so many immunizations this year, on top of one hospitalization and IV in October. I'd really like to wait a loooooooong time before having to approach her with any needles again. I'm almost more comfortable avoiding peanuts and any tree nuts that we aren't sure are safe for another year or so...and keeping the EpiPen handy. Still trying to decide on that one.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Ten Things I Don't Hate About You
One of the biggest life lessons that I have learned through the experience of having extremely premature babies and children with disabilities is to never take the good things in my life for granted. Over the past five years I have learned a new and greater sense of appreciation for so many little things in my life that may have been overlooked had I not had the experiences that I have had. There have certainly been times when I have wallowed in my misery, and have felt the grips of grief and despair. But there are also times when I can truly appreciate the beauty of my life, and am awed and humbled by how very lucky I am.I am thankful for so many things; my children and the joy they bring, my amazing family (especially my mother who loves me and helps me out in so many ways), our health, our jobs, a comfortable house, and so much more than just what we "need."
I am also so very thankful for my husband and the amazing connection that we have. As with any relationship, things are often far from perfect. We have obviously had our share of trials and tribulations. We have had the usual stresses of any relationship, and then some... We argue and we get really annoyed with each other. We get angry and hurt, and we fight. But through it all, we have persevered, and I can truly say that I love my husband more now than I ever have. Even if it sounds cliche, I feel that our trials have brought us closer, and have made us stronger as a couple than we may have been otherwise.In many, many ways we have always been perfect for each other....and we still are.
I have been meaning to do a post like this for a loooong time, but just haven't made the time to sit down and actually do it. I find myself waiting for the right occasion...his birthday, our anniversary, Father's Day...but then those days come and go and I don't get around to it. So, I am doing it today. Thanksgiving. A day for giving thanks.
So, John, these are Ten Things I Don't Hate About You!
(Or Ten Things I Love About You...whichever you prefer)
10. I love that you email me links to articles or information that you find online that you are interested in and that you think I might like to read.9. You help with the cooking and dishes, and you pick up after yourself. You also help me with my tech problems and take the garbage out!
8. Your passion for music. I love that you play in bands and are so driven to create. I love that you buy new music for me and care about what I like, and that you are introducing our girls to music. I especially love listening to you play Hannah Montana on the guitar and that you learn all the lyrics and sing along just to inspire our kids.
7. The way you smell.
6. You always remember special occasions, even things other guys might think are cheesy (like the anniversary of our first date and sweetest day) and I love that you sometimes bring me flowers and cards for no reason at all!5. You are the most honest and trustworthy person I have ever met. I love the security I feel in your love for me, and that I have never had one moment of doubt regarding your dedication to our relationship and to our family.
4. You are 100% a hands-on dad. You are *present* with our girls...completely involved in their care since day one, from waking in the night, changing diapers, feeding, bathing...everything. I can leave them with you on my (rare) girls' weekends with my friends and never worry for a second. You do it all, and you do it at least as well as me...sometimes better.
3. You play. I play too, but you have infinitely more patience for it than I do. The girls are so excited when you get home from work, or when the weekends come, because they know you will think up the coolest, most elaborate games to play with them...from obstacle courses, superheroes and villains, hidden clues and mysteries to solve, and secret agent notes to decipher...they love to play with you, and I love to watch the three of you together(when I am not playing myself)!
1. I love talking to you. After 16 years I still feel like you are my best friend and I enjoy your company. We still have things to talk about, and we see eye-to-eye on the majority of life's most important issues. I always sense that you feel the same. I feel like you value my opinions, you listen to me, and you help me to always remember the big picture.
The big picture is that we are still "meant to be." You are my soul-mate and I am so very thankful for you!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Flashback Friday: Pumpkin Fun
October 1993:
October 2009:
Also quite fitting for a Flashback Friday, I got the most lovely comment on an old post today. It made me smile. Thank you Mel!
October 2009:
Also quite fitting for a Flashback Friday, I got the most lovely comment on an old post today. It made me smile. Thank you Mel!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Fashion Show in Review
The show went great. We had a lot of fun, and we raised a lot of money for an amazing cause.
The event was hosted by our NICU Family Advisory Board (FAB), a group of volunteer parents (including me) who have had children in the NICU, and who are committed to making it a better place for all families in the future. The fashion show is the FAB's major fund raising event of the year, and the money that we raise is used to fund several important programs, including our monthly Pizza Nights, Educate and Create, Parent-to-Parent training and support, holiday gifts for NICU families, and our popular Annual NICU Reunion. These programs and gifts support and touch the lives of families during what is often a very emotional and stressful time, and often have a lasting positive impact on NICU families.
The girls were good and cooperative for the most part. I can't say it went off without a hitch...Eden was pretty zoned out because of all the commotion, and Holland was bursting into tears every 5 minutes when things didn't go according to her agenda, but we got through it and they looked fabulous!
The liquid leggings were surprisingly comfortable, and I BOUGHT them...because I go to so many events where liquid leggings would be the PERFECT touch. Not. But I feel like a rock star in them , I love them, and I WILL find somewhere to wear them!
If nothing else, I can pair them with my mask and go as Catwoman next Halloween;)
Billie Before:
After Hair and Make-up:
After Wardrobe, with my good friend Allison:
Rock and Roll Family:
Fashionable Girls:
Family on Stage:
More Liquid Leggings:
The event was hosted by our NICU Family Advisory Board (FAB), a group of volunteer parents (including me) who have had children in the NICU, and who are committed to making it a better place for all families in the future. The fashion show is the FAB's major fund raising event of the year, and the money that we raise is used to fund several important programs, including our monthly Pizza Nights, Educate and Create, Parent-to-Parent training and support, holiday gifts for NICU families, and our popular Annual NICU Reunion. These programs and gifts support and touch the lives of families during what is often a very emotional and stressful time, and often have a lasting positive impact on NICU families.
The girls were good and cooperative for the most part. I can't say it went off without a hitch...Eden was pretty zoned out because of all the commotion, and Holland was bursting into tears every 5 minutes when things didn't go according to her agenda, but we got through it and they looked fabulous!
The liquid leggings were surprisingly comfortable, and I BOUGHT them...because I go to so many events where liquid leggings would be the PERFECT touch. Not. But I feel like a rock star in them , I love them, and I WILL find somewhere to wear them!
If nothing else, I can pair them with my mask and go as Catwoman next Halloween;)
Billie Before:
After Hair and Make-up:
After Wardrobe, with my good friend Allison:
Rock and Roll Family:
Fashionable Girls:
Family on Stage:
More Liquid Leggings:
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Happy Homecoming Day
Not only is today National Prematurity Awareness Day, it's also my original due date, and the day my girls finally came home from the hospital together for good. I cannot believe it has been five years...
Happy Homecoming Day Holland and Eden. You continue to delight and amaze me everyday and I cannot imagine my life without you.
You are my joy.
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