We are just a family of five...three boys, a mom, a dad, a hamster, and dog. Welcome to our crazy world. Our adventures will make you laugh, cry, and pee in your pants...
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Monday, December 31, 2007

Still barking...


Other than the barking...things are pretty good here.  I can't believe it's New Year's Eve!!!  We're SO Old...not planning on doing anything, going anywhere, or even staying up until midnight!  Joe still won't cave in and take the boys to the strip...he doesn't even have to go ON the strip...just close to see the fireworks....but, no luck!  (maybe next year boys!)  Because I'd take them in the thick of it all if I wasn't sick and sleep deprived!  (we're so old and lazy!)
Ok...we have more good news to share.  If you don't know already...I LOVE fixing up old houses.  My brother and I have bought a few and fixed them up.  Well, the last house we fixed up just closed today!!! (We finished it last year....it's about time that it closed!)
Did I tell you what Joe got us for Christmas??  Tickets to Disneyland!!!  So, I called Dr. Mayman (card) and asked if we were allowed to take Isaac and he said, "YES!"  (and he can even ride the rides).  So, we're heading out on Wednesday  and will return on Sunday.  If I'm still barking...Isaac and I will just hang out more in the hotel than the park.  
Are you thinking that we're crazy??  Going on vacation when you don't have a job??  Well, yes...if you lived in our house you would GO CRAZY!!  But, I'm certain that a week in Disneyland with all the kids...Joe will RUN home and say "YES" to the first job offer he gets!!!
I'll take the camera and get lots of pics!  I think I'm as excited as the kids are!!!  

***I just read Kate's recent post....and she's not doing too good.  Please check her blog (listed on the right) and keep her in your prayers. 

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Happy Birthday to my little sister Christy!


I hope your little stinkers behave today, that your little princess sleeps good, and you get a good nap today!

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Sunday, December 30, 2007

Still barking....

me...not Isaac.

That's all.

OK...well, let me think about what I can tell you then...geez!
I'm barking still.  (if you missed it before).  Isaac scoots all over the floor.  Not so much rolling, but picking his bum off the floor and scooching on his back to where he wants to go.  He doesn't go very far...but, he moves all over the area rug.  (so cute).  He cried every time we turned Yo Gabba Gabba off today.  Joe wanted to turn it to the football game this afternoon and Isaac wouldn't allow it...ha ha ha!
Eli got a bounce house for Christmas and we let him put it our front "nice" living room. It sounds like a vacuum cleaner is on (so loud)...but, he AND Chris jump in it all day long!  Isaac is finished with his antibiotics and I'm feeling a lot better, just barking.  Joe has a beard on his face...it's getting pretty long...maybe we'll be able to braid it soon!  
That's all I've got for you.  I need to take my old sick self upstairs and get some sleep...because someONE poops every hour and makes me stay up all night!  (It's the antibiotics...maybe tonight will be better and he'll stop with the pooping)

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Saturday, December 29, 2007

Here's an example of why I haven't gone crazy yet:

I spent the day barking (still), filling out paperwork, making copies of medical records, and changing poopy diapers. Finally, we eat a delicious dinner of burgers and cheese puffs and then it happens! ISAAC ROLLED OVER!!! Finally, he's 9 months old and he did it!!! See...it could have been another stressful day...but, ended with Isaac rolling over. I don't know why...but, that's how it's been around here lately. We'll be hit with bad news and then something always overshadows it....something as simple as a baby rolling over!!! I couldn't be happier!!!

So, here's a little video with my big mouth in the background (you may want to mute your computer). Sorry it's so shaky, Chris was busy watching the football game and not Isaac!

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Friday, December 28, 2007

Still barking like a dog...me, not Isaac.  He has a little cough now and then...but, he's ok.

Me...I spent the day on the phone with Insurance companies and social security.  First of all..we have this 22k bill from April when Isaac was in the NICU.  It appears that although the HOSPITAL we were at takes our insurance, the neo-natologists that care for your baby do NOT!  Then, I got a call last night from the pediatric surgeon that did Isaac's stomach surgery.  She said that our insurance company hasn't paid their office yet either....16k.  It too appears that this surgeon was not yet contracted with Blue Cross.  Now...she was the only surgeon on call in the hospital that day that could perform the surgery...we weren't informed that our insurance wouldn't cover her services (I didn't want the stinkin' surgery anyway!).   Now....that just bugs me!  From now on...I suppose I'll hang a sign on Isaac's hospital bed that reads:  "If you don't take our insurance...don't stop and look at our baby...keep walking!"
Like we need one more thing to worry about.  UUrrrggghhh!
We got our Cobra statement in the mail.  And...our new insurance premium will be $1100 a month (how funny is that...$1100 a month with NO JOB!)  This whole ordeal is getting a little out of control.  On top of that new premium we need to pay to keep Isaac covered...Joe's stupid company policy changed and starting 1/1/08, the family deductible went from $100 a year to $6000 a year.  Yes...I typed the correct amount of zeros....6k!  So, with all of Isaac's doctor appointments for the month of January...we'll have to shell out the whole 6k probably..and he's suppose to have his cleft palate surgery anytime now....(I'm putting that on hold until we figure out the whole insurance deal!)  So...we're leaving the house, getting an RV, and moving to Mexico to sell T-shirts on the beach!  (no...not really...but, that's my dream!)(I'm still biting my tongue about his company...but, I'm giving them them the EVIL eye right now...can you tell!)

Isaac has been awake ALL day.  This little guys will not go to sleep!  I've seen HOURS of Yo Gabba Gabba...and he starts to cry when the episode is over to let me know that it's time to start a new one!  I've heard rumors that it's been cold outside...but, I wouldn't know...I've been hanging out on my couch...making sure that it doesn't try to run away!  I asked Joe if he was taking the big boys to the strip for new year's....and the laugh he gave was my answer....looks like they'll be watching the fireworks for the comfort of their room! (You can actually see them from their bedroom...small, but, you can see!)  The silver lining to my day is the fact that it's PIZZA NIGHT!  I have my pizza hut coupon and placed the order, and Joe just went to pick it up!  

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Thursday, December 27, 2007

It's bronchitis!  URRGGHH!!!

But, I'm on antibiotics (and so is Isaac)...so, I'll feel better soon.  
I'm currently buried under a MOUND of paperwork.  Once you have a special needs baby...you are inundated with paperwork!  Insurance this, social security that, everyone needs theirs first...and I'm not the best organizer...so, it just sits in piles until I get the urge to sift through the mess. (which doesn't happen very often...I mean...when do I really have time to WANT to do paperwork??)  I need an assistant.  That works for free...and does laundry, and dishes...and cooks!
Isaac ate another tablespoon of chicken soup and some mashed potatoes today.  He's been making the  AHHH sound....but, that's about it.  We did start watching our baby sign language videos today.  We'll watch them a little each day and hope that in a few months he catches on and can start signing since he's deciding to be the strong silent type!  Chris and Eli are glued to their televisions and videogames and Joe can't pull himself out of the garage.  (Good...I get Isaac and the big screen tv to myself!)
No appointments this week!  We do see Dr. Mayman next Tuesday!!!  I've got nothing else...so, have a good night...and I hope something interesting happens tomorrow to report!!!

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Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas!!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Sorry I didn't make a lot of calls today...I sound like a barking dog with a stuffy nose! (What a combination..I know!).
The boys are all doing well...Eli is feeling a lot better....it appears that I am the germ pot now!
Janice and Natalie came over today and brought us a Christmas dinner and it was DELICIOUS!! Thanks you guys!
We have so many things to be thankful for this year. For OUR health, our son's health, the wonderful doctors and nurses, the awesome heart moms and dads we've met, our friends and family who have supported us this CRAZY year, and for our faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus....that we're not ever alone in all that we endure....that we KNOW we're always loved and that there's always a hand on our shoulder when we need to be strong when times may be tough.
(sappy...I know) It's just been a long year....(I'm on lots of cold meds)...but, we have been thrown curve balls and could easily sit on the floor and cry...but, we're NOT! We're so happy right now...spending time together as a family...while we make the plans for our future. (Our cups are ALWAYS half full!)
Enjoy our Christmas pics...IT"S LONG...so, just press play and dance around the room to the music!

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Sunday, December 23, 2007

First of all...I will CHANGE my password so that my LITTLE SISTER cannot post on this blog!


OK...that said, we're all SICK!  Coughing, runny noses, stuffy noses, wheezing...It's me, Eli, and Isaac.  (out of the three of us, Isaac is doing the best).  Looks like Joe and I will be up all night.  I'll take care of Isaac and he will get Eli...at least Chris & Katie (the dog) will sleep soundly!  Eli sounds the worst.  I just want to hold him down and put the blue snot-sucker up his nose and suck it all out...his sniffing is getting on my nerves.  (I won't suck his snot out...but, I keep threatening it if he doesn't blow it often enough!)  

Here's a non-Isaac story...but, very funny!
Joe goes to Taco Bell every weekend for us.  Well, we all get the same thing.  When he went this time, I changed my order from the zesty chicken bowl to the chicken quesadilla.   So, he places the order and drives up to the window.  The girl always recognizes him and the boys...and she asks Joe if he wants her to add a chicken bowl to the order.  Joe said, "No."  and the girl said, "Well, what is your wife going to eat?"  How funny is that....the drive thru gal at Taco Bell knows what we all eat every weekend!!!  

One other funny thing.  My nephew Seth called to tell me that he bought a Frosty the Snowman birthday cake for me.  Well, Seth lives in Phoenix...and plans on eating this cake by himself...but, he just wanted to call and tell me that he got one for me!

We were going to try and venture out to my favorite Mexican restaurant tomorrow...but, if we're all sick...looks like it will be carry out!  Oh..well!!!  I think there was another funny story to tell...but, my brain is fried and just not working anymore tonight!  So..let's hope the kids sleep good, the snot dries up, and the coughs disappear!!  

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Hey everyone. This is a couple of hours early and hopefully Kathy won't kill me but....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
YOU BELONG IN A ZOO
YOU LOOK LIKE A MONKEY
AND YOU SMELL LIKE ONE TOO!!

I hope you have a great 32nd birthday Kat. :)

I love you,

your YOUNGER little sis Mandy

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Hers's some Christmas pictures for your viewing pleasure.

We're all sick...so, I'll give detailed updates tomorrow!

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Friday, December 21, 2007

I know it's Friday...but, let me tell you how our Thursday went!

First, we started our morning off with the fact that Isaac didn't sleep AT ALL!  Joe swapped with me about 2am so that I could get some sleep.  He was just coughing and retching all night.  So....we start our day with NO sleep and a trip to the docs to get our flu shot and RSV shot for Isaac.  He was a champ.  (only crying for a minute!).  Then, we go home and with a little help of Tylenol, he took a good nap.  Mark (speech therapist) and Nicole (developmental specialist) came over about 3:00.  Mark got Isaac to eat some cream of chicken soup!  (not much...but, every little bite counts!).  Nicole showed me new ways to help him learn to sit up better.  (Yes...Isaac will be 9 months old next week..and he still doesn't sit up on his own...he still has a bobble head at times!)  Isaac decides when his sessions are over...and he started crying...so, we made appointments to see Mark again in two weeks.  
Isaac has been coughing a little more frequently and his breathing sounds junky at times....so, I wanted to be safe...so, we went to see the pediatrician at 4:50.  He said the lungs sounded good, he could still just have a virus.  So, I'm just giving breathing treatments every 4 hours (as he needs them), squirting saline drops up his little nose, keeping water in the humidifier, and keeping him on his regular meds and feeding schedule.  
Now...we're still checking his glucose levels.  Last night 3 hours after a feed, it was high again...184!  YIKES!  (normal, should be 40-100)  So...we had to increase the amount of corn starch in his milk...he now gets 1 teaspoon for every ounce!  (that's some THICK milk!)  Last night, his last feed was at 11:00 and he slept until 6am (my Christmas miracle!).  Well, I checked his levels when he woke up (8 hours after he ate last) and his levels were 101.  URRhhhh!   After this last feed, I checked it thirty minutes after it finished and it was 139...which was better (Dr. Baron said that it should stay under 140 right after you eat).  So, I've got to remember to check the levels throughout the day and report these numbers to the docs next week.  Maybe these high levels are causing the retching.  
AND...we had visitors last night.  Holly brought over some peanut butter treats (my favorite)!  Lilly brought over some delicious bread...and we have a secret santa leaving treats on our door each night.   WHAT FUN!!!  

Really....all things considered...Isaac is doing great...and so are we.  (Well, we're all a little snotty right now...trying  to keep it away from Isaac...but, we're great)!!!  Joe's taking the boys to church on Sunday and is excited to be able to sing with the choir...I'm trying to tell him to just sing on the strip in one of the shows...he doesn't listen to me though.  

And one more thing...I'm sending Crabby Old Man a BIG hug!  Thanks for always keeping us in your prayers and following our little Isaac and our crazy family! Everyone has made us feel so loved this year....we couldn't have made it this far without all of your help and support!

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Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Here's Mr. Isaac with big brother Eli. How do you like the princess crown?? Mandy bought a birthday cake and we had fun playing dress up with Isaac with the crown...(I know...he's not my little girl...but, I couldn't help myself!)






Here's Isaac with big CRAZY brother Chris...oh, the things Chris will teach him!




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Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Sorry about not posting yesterday...but, once again the day got away with us!
The interview with CNN went great!!! The hour long special should air at the end of January. When they let us know, we'll be sure to let all of you guys know!!

My sister from Phoenix came over last night and brought my stinker 6 year old nephew and my 1 year old niece (who's my little magpie!). They had a blast running around the house and eating nothing but junk food!!! (What are aunt's for anyway??). They left late today...so, I'm still trying to CLEAN UP AFTER THEM! (yes...Mandy...you make a mess!)

As for Mr. Isaac. He started this morning with some horrible retching episodes. Where he was throwing up at the end of each one. POOR THING! But, as the day progressed...the better he got. He got a bath tonight...so, he smells SO GOOD. He's smiling ALL DAY LONG! He LOVES his big brothers. If they walk past him and don't stop to talk...he starts to cry. It's the sweetest thing! He still doesn't make any noises. He did just start squeeling at his toys when he gets excited...but, no babbles yet. I say "ma ma" to him all day long...in hopes that he'll call me FIRST! His g-tube site still leaks at times. But, both docs have looked at it and say that the size is correct. My only guess is that after surgery, he got swollen, then lost weight...and now is slowly gaining it back...so, maybe the skin around the site is just stretched out and not as tight. (maybe??)

I'm trying to download new pictures...but, I'm having technical difficulties. Joe had the camera attached to his computer, so...I just unplugged it and plugged it into mine. WELL...it says that there are no pictures to download...WHAT?? I forgot to "safely remove hardware" from his computer before I unplugged it! (I'm not telling him though...) I plugged it back in and I'll let him figure it out....ha ha ha!

So...hoping that I didn't erase a thousand pictures...I'll post tomorrow!

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Sunday, December 16, 2007

Our fellow heart mama, Terri, is going to change the insurance industry for everyone!! She got us an interview with a CNN reporter for tomorrow. They are doing an hour long special about insurance!!! Why us you ask.?? Well, what a story we have to tell. The parents of two healthy boys, then...to find out we're pregnant with a third boy that has a heart defect and DiGeorge Syndrome. This is shocking considering we're both healthy, non-smoking, non-drinking, non-ANYTHING kind of people....that just wanted to have another healthy baby. Now, 5 heart caths, 1 stomach surgery, 2 open-heart surgeries later...three weeks before Christmas...the AWESOME dad of our household gets fired from a job we've been with for almost 10 years. Now, Isaac has appointments with a specialist almost every week. He needs mouth surgery this spring, he will need another heart surgery at some point, AND his t-cells are low and we'll find out next month if he needs to go to California for bone marrow studies. So, we are out of insurance as of January 1st. Hopefully, we'll find out how much Cobra is this week..BUT, without a job...How do you pay for Cobra?? We will be SURE to tell CNN our entire story...the good and the bad...and I'm SO GLAD that they realize the need for such stories to be told.

NOW...that being said...I have to CLEAN my house and get some sleep....We need to look fresh for the cameras tomorrow!!! (well, as fresh as you can when you're waking up every 3 hours to start a feeding pump, change a diaper, or pat a little bum to sleep).

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****Pictures****

I didn't have time to write captions under each one...and there are some turned sideways...(just lean to the side to see it!).
Isaac is doing good. Still retching..but, we're working on it!










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Friday, December 14, 2007

I know...I know....where are the PICTURES??!!??

Well, I still can't find the cord and my computer doesn't take the camera memory card. So, I was going to upload the pics on Joe's computer...but, his is having issues today. Eli's computer is SO old, it's only useful in getting him on the internet...and Chris's computer...well, I can't find it! He must have taken it upstairs...(He's in BIG trouble!)...

So, bottom line.... We have 4 computers in this house...and I can't get a picture uploaded on any of them! (oh me!)
Tomorrow, Joe is going to watch Isaac so that I can take Eli out shopping...I'll get a new cord then (I PROMISE).

As for Mr. Isaac....we went to see Dr. Baron today (Gi doc). We increased the amount of corn starch we put in his milk. That's right...corn starch! It helps lower his blood sugar. So, right now we're putting 1 tablespoon for every 5 oz of milk...but, I can go up to 1 teaspoon per ounce if we need to. (WOW...that'll be some THICK milk)!! He didn't have a fever today. He had a lot of retching episodes today...but, each day is getting a little better. He's back to his normal feeding schedule of 5 ounces of milk every 4 hour (and I give it to him over 1 1/2 hours)...still using the feeding pump. We haven't tried baby food in a few days...he's just been too sick. He weighed in at only 15 pounds (he was 16 1/2 pounds 2 months ago!). He's currently not even on the charts...but, I'll work hard to fatten him back up (he's still in size 2 diapers...and they're almost too big!!)! The incision on his chest is healing great! He reaches for toys now and it's SO cute! Still a bit of a bobble head...and sitting up by himself will not happen for a while. That's ok though...I'll keep snuggling him!! Eli and Chris have been the best helpers and big brothers (almost TOO helpful!) and my Joe....He's been working on my "Honey Do"list like a champ and giving me much needed breaks! I LOVE my boys SO MUCH...all four of them....(well...until I go in a bathroom after one of them...)but, overall...LOVE THEM!!!

Chris is having a few guys over tonight to watch movies and play video games...Joe is in the garage working on his jeep..Isaac is alseep...and Eli and I are watching the Grinch....What charmed lives we lead!!!

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Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Sorry...I still don't have any cute pics posted...but, we had a BUSY day!!
Here's how it went:
**Chris's alarm clock went off at 6:30...and like the great kid he is...he got himself up and started eating his breakfast. (Joe and I were DRAGGING trying to get out of bed!)
**Joe helped get Chris off to school and and I got Isaac ready to get up and downstairs (which entails getting all of him, his supplies, and feeding pump supplies gathered and taken down with him!)
**Joe showered while I got Isaac's morning feed started, while I made Eli oatmeal for breakfast, and I ate too!
**I showered while Joe then watched Isaac and Eli.
**Then...we all went out the door at 8:30am to go see Dr. Mayman (our card.)
The heart checked out GREAT! No fluid around the heart. His sats were 97!!! WHOO HOO! We decreased the amount of lasix he gets to only once a day. He too was a little worried about how Isaac's fever and behavior has been this week, so he called and got us in to see the pulmonologist this afternoon! But, first, we had to get blood drawn and a chest xray.
**So...we drive to the other office (15 miles away) and ATTEMPT to get blood from Isaac. Three nurses and 5 tries later...and faces that no mom should have to witness...Isaac was not giving up ONE DROP OF BLOOD to them. They talked to Dr. Mayman and decided that it wasn't worth torturing him any longer. (We have to go in next week for the rsv shot...and if he's still feeling bad, we'll try again then).
**NOW...feeling defeated...we go downstairs for our chest xray. UURRGHHH!!! They tried to lay Isaac on a table where the sheets were all rumpled...because SOMEONE ELSE HAD BEEN LAYING ON THEM! Then, one lady tried holding him down and she was sniffling...GROSS...I couldn't wait to RUN out of that GERM POT room! But, we SUCCEEDED...we left the building with one chest xray in hand!
**We drove through McDonalds and headed for the house. It's now like 1:00...and I have to leave at 2:00 in order to make it across town to our 3:00 appointment with the pulmonologist.
**This time, Joe and Eli stayed home.
After waiting at the office for 2 1/2 hours...we checked out with a clean bill of health. There are no problems with his lungs. No one knows what the deal is with my little man. He didn't have his fever today....so, maybe whatever he's been fighting is FINISHED!

GUESS WHAT??
After we left the pulmonologist's office...I drove over to Terri's house! Finally...we met! What a cutie pie Matthew is...and Terri is as beautiful as her pictures! And...she gave me some of her xmas treats that she made (I ate a few on the ride home).

So..it's 9:30, the Biggest Loser is on, Chris and Eli are asleep upstairs, and Isaac is asleep right here! What a productive day!!
Oh...I FORGOT...when I came home tonight...Joe and boys had cleaned the house AND cooked dinner!!! What an AWEOME DAY!!! I couldn't have asked for a better one!

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Monday, December 10, 2007

Isaac STILL has a fever. (Just 100-101..but, still high for him). This is day SIX....I'm not sure if I'm convinced that it's still a virus. He still has no cough or runny nose. When the fever comes, he will start to retch until he spits up (or throws up...because sometimes it's a lot). So, I stopped the milk again and started the continuous feed of pedialyte. I just checked his sat levels, and he's in the low 90s. urrghhh. He's wheezing a little today. He is normally on morning and night breathing treatments (2 each time)...but, because of the low sats and wheezing, I just gave him another round (maybe that will help). We see Dr. Mayman tomorrow....GREAT! He'll find the problem and tell us how to fix it!!!

So, I still can't find the cord that attaches the camera to my computer...but, my brilliant Joe just reminded me to take out the memory card and upload the pics onto his computer!! (Why didn't I think of that??) So, I'll work on that tonight!

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Saturday, December 08, 2007

one more thing to add...

Isaac ate HALF A JAR OF CARROTS!!!
Whoo hoo. It was 6:30, and I decided to just give it a try. I gave him the Nuk brush to play with and stick in his mouth, while I would squirt a tiny bit in his mouth with a syringe (I mean TINY...like 0.3ccs at a time). After 20 minutes, the jar was half full and I decided to finish on this high note!!!

He's been snoozing in his swing for the past 2 hours. I'M SO EXCITED!!! It's a MIRACLE! Even if he doesn't eat another bite for a year...I'm SO glad for this small victory!!

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Oh..it's such a BUSY day...Here we go:

**I can't find the cord that attaches the camera to the computer to download pics. (I'm looking, I'm looking)
**Joe and Eli hung the xmas lights outside this morning (FINALLY)
**Chris decorated the other xmas tree this morning (very cute)
**Joe no longer works in the mortgage industry. CRAZY!! It's been our world for the past 10 years. It's a good thing that Isaac has turned us into positive and patient people...or this would drive me INSANE!!! (Now...I have my husband around to work on my honey-do list....He might not like it, but he humors me!)

(Yes...you read correctly...and as I've promised in past posts....I will not speak ugly about situation.) But, I am SO glad that our shopping is done and we have already started making small changes in our lifestyle to accomodate Isaac's medical needs. We're too happy, strong, and wonderful people to let a little thing like a JOB ruin our spirits. Where one door closes, another always opens. And....I'm looking at a LONG hall of doorways, we're fortunate that we get to choose which one to open! (I'm Joe's cheerleader!!! And I take my job very seriously!)

Isaac....he STILL has the 101 fever! (Could a virus still cause a fever this long...this is day five!) I started him back on my milk today (not fortified). I'm feeding him 2 ounces, every 2 hours (over the length of one hour). Which...keeps me BUSY! He's retched a few times....but, nothing like a few days ago. He's just not his happy self yet. (But, his cheeks are PINK...can you believe it!)

So...I have plans to make hamburgers for dinner...and we'll put our lawn chairs out in the front yard and gaze at our lights! (just joking...but, wouldn't that be fun!)

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Friday, December 07, 2007

OK...you are all GENIUSES!!!
The pedialyte is working like a charm!! He's taken a good nap today, he hasn't retched once, AND I'm keeping up on the Motrin and Tylenol so we haven't seen a fever yet!!!
He's laying back now watching Ellen...a man after my heart!!!

We FINALLY have the Christmas tree up, the garland on the stairs, AND the other tree put up (you see...MOM bought more ornaments...so, now we have enough to decorate TWO trees.) So, I'm letting the kids decorate that tree. I will take pics tonight and try to upload them! They're SO excited. And Joe PROMISED that he'd hang the lights outside tonight and put out all the reindeer lawn decorations. (our neighbors house looks SO good and ours looks like the grinch lives there!)

It's been such a CRAZY year...and if we had no presents, no trees, no xmas cookies...I'm SO Thankful that we have each other and three HEALTHY (ok..kinda healthy) BOYS!!! They are more than we could ever dream of having!!!

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Ok...it's 2am and Isaac has been retching non-stop for about an hour. He's on a continuous feed (which is suppose to be easier on his little tummy). He's only getting one ounce an hour. Well, he's thrown all that up already! He's still got the fever of 101. Maybe we'll just stop the feedings for a little while, get the fever back down, and start them back up. GEEZ!!! I've tried talking to him and telling him that if he'll just start eating FOOD that this might all be better. (He just smiles back at me...ignoring me like the rest of the boys do)!

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Thursday, December 06, 2007

Isaac still has a low grade fever...100-101. This is the third day. I called Dr. Mayman's office...and Terri was right...he's out of town. But, the nurse told me that she didn't think his symptoms sounded like his heart. She told me to see our pediatrician. Now...I've told you that our pediatrician is scared of Isaac...he always just tells me to go to the hospital. So, we saw a new one....and she was AWESOME! But, just told me that Isaac probably just had a virus and it needed to run it's course.
We also saw Dr.Kogut, the surgeon who did Isaac's g-tube surgery. He started leaking around his g-tube site...about 1/2 ounce each feed. She just added a little more water to the balloon...and told me to just keep him on continuous feeds day and night for a few more days. He hasn't retched since starting the continuous feeds. So, we'll see!!!
My mom went back home today. We're all SO SAD!!! She did SO much while she was here...even cleaned my room! I love you mom...thanks for taking care of my butterballs!

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Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Oh...my sweet Isaac followers...I have some stinky news to tell!
Isaac has retched about 10+ times today. His blood sugar is up in the 200s again, his mickey button is leaking about 1/2 and ounce with every feed, AND he has a FEVER...(and last night, he was sweating alot and breathing heavy)...
So, I'm going to see the surgeon AGAIN that put the gtube in. (Because of the crazy leaking and the sudden retching)...I'm calling Dr. Mayman to try to squeeze in tomorrow....and I just hope he's not coming down with anything. I suctioned his nose out this morning and got some boogies...but, nothing since. He is coughing....but, only a little before he wretches. He's drooling like a mad man (so, maybe it's teeth trying to come in)...
He went from my happy guy to my stink-pot...like overnight!
He's snoozing on the floor right now, with a cool rag on his forehead (he likes the rag when he's distrought!).

Everyone please say your prayers for Mr. Mason Manning. He's in surgery as we speak at Stanford. click here to see how cute he is!

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Tuesday, December 04, 2007








I've started updating this blog for two days now....
FINALLY...I have a minute! Yesterday we saw Dr. Sirsey (our pediatrician). Isaac weighed in at 14 lbs 8 ozs. Today, we went to see the surgeon who did the g-tube surgery. They put a little silver nitrate on a tender spot...and he didn't even cry! WHOO HOO! Then, Mark (speech therapist) came over to work with Isaac's feeding. Well, Mr. Isaac was in a STINKY mood and would not cooperate. So, no food was swallowed this day! I hooked his feeding pump up tonight and it became disconnected somehow (i don't know how)...and his entire feeding went in the crib! What a MESS! (well...for Joe. He was watching Isaac for me while I ran out. Sorry babe!)

So, tonight I hope we all sleep! This morning about 3am Isaac started crying. So, I got up, started a new feeding, changed his diaper...and he would settle down, I'd crawl into bed...start dozing off...and WHAAAA! So, I'd get up, check the diaper, feel him to make sure he wasn't too hot or too cold...and he did this until 5am!!! Oh my GOSH! Finally, I decided to reach in and pick him up...and his back was WET! Now, I have never figured out how boys pee out of the back of their diapers...but, poor little guy was trying to tell me for 2 hours that his jammies were wet! Oh, I felt so bad! So, I changed his clothes and put him in bed with me (which, by now is about 6am). Before I knew it...it was 6:45 and time to wake up Chris for school! UURRRGHHH!!! And we've been up ever since!

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Saturday, December 01, 2007

My days are LONG...and still I haven't had a chance to upload any pics. Isaac is awake ALL day! He is not as fussy today...just requires my undivided attention. Eli slept with me last night...and at 5am...threw up. Good Morning MOM! He's got a fever now...YIKES...I'm keeping the boys on opposite sides of the room...and washing my hands far too much (they are so dry!). Joe and Chris come back from their "holiday" in Utah tomorrow. (thank goodness!) Isaac ate a few spoons of banana baby food today (baby steps, baby steps)...and NO WRETCHING since the heart surgery!!! And...I did a little xmas shopping online. Just boring details to report. YEAH!!!
We're SO glad to be home!

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