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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Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Going back to Vegas

So, for the last few weeks, Isaac has been sleeping a little longer and wanting to take naps. Usually, this should overjoy a parent...but, it just didn't sit right with me. Remember, Isaac can't even run...he doesn't do anything that exerts a lot of energy. He just sits in his swing or rocking chair all day....or he's laying on the floor.

As I watch this change at home, I start getting calls from his preschool that he's just laying around on the floor at school too. So...I call our cardiologist. The appointment setter was nice enough to remind me that I was just there three months ago..but, moms know best, and they should see him

Whew. I just know that I'm over-reacting, but I'm ok with that. They get us in that week (last Thursday). Dr Ludwig listens to my concerns and then starts the echo. Then, turns to me and says , "can you be in Las Vegas in the next week or two? He needs to go in for a cath now!"

What??

He said that just since our last visit three months ago, the pressures in his right side have gone up way too fast. He reassured me that it's probably just narrowing in some pulmonary arteries that he just can't see on the echo and Isaac will just need ballooning or stents.
With my luck...all the fatty foods I feed him to gain weight has blocked an artery!!

Dang it

So...we have our cath next Friday (first one of the day...thank goodness). And dr. G knows isaac's heart as good as my Standord favorites. It just scares me to death that it's fairly urgent to get in and start working on it...And his only symptom was fatigue. His Sats are fine, no puking or wretching. It's just weird.

Now....if my nerves aren't torn up enough already. While I was on the phone with the heart center making my appt for the cath, Eli was in the bathroom getting ready for scouts. Something just told me to walk out and look in the garage (while I'm talking to the scheduler)...when I open the door from the laundry room that leads out to the garage...I see Isaac...STANDING in the ROAD.

Yes

He knows how to open doors now. And when he sees us getting ready, he will head for the door. I have NO idea how he walked over the threshold by himself ( he's not a good walker), or down the slope of the garage floor or the driveway.

Yes

I'm on the phone trying to save his heart and he could have gotten run over by a car.

Yes.
I do listen to that still small voice. All the time.

I need a nerve pill now.

As for the rest of the family, If Chris can pass algebra 2, he will graduate June 9th ( if he doesn't pass...he will be listening to my nagging all through summer school). Eli is doing awesome in school...and did I tell you that his car won first place in the pinewood derby race? And joe...got promoted. He's now managing over 100 banks.

(I typed all this in my little phone because I'm just too tired and lazy to sit at my desk) and...I don't see a spell check button!

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Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Guess Who's FIVE years old today!!??!!

I know...what a slacker blogger I've been.
I'll try and do better.
Today, we're SO excited to celebrate Isaac's 5th birthday. We're not planning any crazy extravaganza....just some cake and ice cream and lots of presents (which he still can't open!)

Look at how much he's changed. From a babydoll in the NICU...

To our little stinker with the curl on top of his head...

To the wise old man with glasses...

To the MOST adorable creature on this planet!

To the now super cool kiddo that he is!

SO...at five years old, Isaac can:

  • work the ipad and iphone AMAZINGLY well. He can find his movies in Netflix, start his songs, and start his apps (he doesn't play them, just opens them...waits a moment and closes them)
  • he can say "ma ma ma"..but, he doesn't mean ME....he uses it when he's mad at something. He can also say "ne ne ne ne" which means NO. REALLY mad NO!
  • he giggles now...a few times a day. I love that sound!
  • he continues to love YoGabbaGabba and he also loves Dora.
  • his favorites snacks at the moment are sour cream and onion pringles and chips ahoy cookies (he can pick them up and eat them. Well, he doesn't really chew....they just absorb in his mouth and he can then swallow them).
  • he's still in his "special" preschool class and loves it. he gets all his therapies, horse therapy, and swimming once a week.
  • he LOVES to swing (so much so that we've made a swing for him to use in the living room)
  • he lets me brush his teeth now! (we have a singing Veggie Tales tooth brush and a Gabba one)
  • he can't talk, but he pulls us by the hand and guides EVERYONE to what he wants.
  • he his leg braces and still walks a little wobbly (but, he can walk~!)
  • he's still in diapers (and I don't see an end in site)
  • he eats four meals by mouth a day (pureed and I have to spoon feed him) He can't drink liquids yet, so they all still go in his g-tube
  • he hates wearing his glasses, but he has crazy eyes when he takes them off!


Isaac is our miracle baby and we're so blessed that he chose us to be his parents. He's SO lucky to have great big brothers that look after him and love them with all their heart (well, maybe Eli shows more love than Chris--i think)

Thanks for loving our little man.


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Monday, December 19, 2011

Where to start...

First of all...Yes, I'm pretty sure those are gang signs that he's sporting, and yes...he probably will be in jail soon if he keeps driving his GIRL around in his car before it's LEGAL to do so.

The Beast continues to amaze us. He LOVES this computer (it's a touch screen)...and he loves to play NickJr....touching the screen, licking the screen...he just can't get enough.

And Eli. He's still working hard in scouts, and yes...he wears these glasses (with no lenses) daily...even to school. (they actually came in Isaac's DJ Lance Rock costume package)

We have just been SO totally crazy busy here. Let me just give you a quick rundown: (although, I can't remember where we last left off)....Since moving to Reno in July, we've:
  • Chris is doing just HORRIBLE in school (we can only hope at this point that he actually graduates THIS year)
  • Chris is NOT wrestling because of his grades
  • Chris wants to do LaCrosse this year (even though I've warned him he better get his grades up)
  • Chris had a girlfriend, then didn't, but he's now working on getting her back
  • The CrapStang continues to be crap and he loves driving it.

  • Eli LOVES his teacher (as do I)
  • Eli is in the gifted and talented program (of course he is)
  • Eli is making SO many friends at school (SO much better than last year)
  • Eli is NOT allergic to Nevada (yeah for us!) He's dropped 5 meds since moving from WA!
  • Eli is still the apple of my eye:)

  • Isaac can work the ipad now like there's no tomorrow. Starting his videos, rewinding them, turning up the volume. He's getting quite clever. Although, he's still eating it, and licking it...and getting food stuck where you charge it. (there's currently a big crack on the front screen. I anticipate a new one will be needed this year)
  • Isaac loves going to school. He rides horses, swims...they have his favorite chips and cookies and they even have YoGabbaGabba on a cd player for him.
  • Isaac rides the bus home from school everyday (like a big boy)
  • Isaac still doesn't talk (or babble for that matter), doesn't drink by mouth yet, and still eats stage 2 baby food by mouth. (he can eats Pringles and chips ahoy cookies by mouth...don't ask, because I don't know)

  • I LOVE Reno.
  • Joe and I have started eating vegan/vegetarian (when I have the will power) and I've lost about 15 pounds.
  • Over the last month I've had 3 different "attacks". After checking my heart, we discovered it was my gall bladder. We'll be taking that thing out in a few weeks.

  • Joe is my MAN!
  • Joe was diagnosed with Stage 2B colon cancer a few months ago.
  • Joe went through 2 surgical procedures to remove all the cancer.
  • Joe went through 6 weeks of chemo...all without missing a day of work.
  • Joe is crazy
  • Joe started back taking JuJitsu classes...and loves it.
  • Joe tore his rotator cuff...and will need surgery in a few weeks too (I guess which ever one gets it scheduled first gets to go first!)
  • Joe LOVES Reno and working with his new team here.

Well...that about sums it up. That's why I haven't been on here alot (I know, I've been working over HERE and not paying enough attention to this blog). I will do better. We LOVE all you guys that love us and check on us.

***Don't worry about Joe. He's too mean for cancer to take him down. They've got it all out...and he'll have check ups every 6 months to make sure it stays out!!

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Thursday, October 06, 2011

Look Who's Riding the Bus!


Here comes the bus. I've been meeting her right in front
of the gates to our neighborhood...

Not sure if you can see him...but, he's sitting in his stroller at the
first window.
(the driver is taking off the straps that keep his stroller secured)

and then...they wheel him on out!
This bus has a driver and an aide (that's the ONLY reason I let him ride)

and...he's happy to see me! (i think)
Please notice...he has his paci, two books, and the driver even
has a cassette recording (front and back) of our favorite
Yo Gabba Gabba songs (in case of emergency!)


I'm so proud of him (and me)....

I still take him to school each morning...get him all settled in class and talk with his teacher.
THEN...I come home...
and relish in a moment of silence...
before I go out to wait for him.

IT is the BEST thing ever!


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Monday, September 26, 2011

Family Fun Hiking

Have I told you lately that we LOVE it here in Reno?? We have been taking advantage of the outdoors as much possible. Christy sent me her baby backpack...and we already bought hiking boots when we were in Washington...so, it was the perfect day for a hike.

Last month, there was a fire on a mountain near our house. Eli calls it "Thor's Hammer"...because of all the burnt ground you can see. WELL...we decided to check it out!

Just look at my guys...

Isaac just loved sitting on Joe's back...


Then...the boys saw a lizard...and the hunt was on!

Yes...it took them ALL to catch that little thing! (ok, it
took just Joe...but, they all tried)

Can you believe how pretty it is?

and this is right in our backyard!
Literally...





I think this is the spot in the middle of the burnt mountain...
Eli striking a pose...
of course.

Chris...enjoying the view and staying as FAR away
from us as possible.


Taking a breather...
I am SO glad that I didn't have to carry Isaac.


And...before long...the baby was snoozing.

and Eli started leading the pack.

This weekend...we have GREAT plans! We're headed back to Virginia City to see the Outhouse Races! It's going to be SO much fun. Then, the next weekend is the Italian Festival!
OH...there are SO many things to do and see. I'm glad that we have the opportunity to do all these things now...because, I'm hearing that Reno gets a LITTLE chilly in the winter. BUT...then, we'll put on our snow bibs and hit the slopes!
GOSH..I can't wait.

In other news...Chris has his license. His car is registered. AND..he's almost mastered driving a stick. SHOOT...that means that I will have to let him drive to school anyday now...and I AM NOT ready for that. (no girlfriend yet...thank goodness)

Eli LOVES his new school and class. They got him in the gifted program and he's making friends. He's become the "first pick" goalie at recess when they play soccer. (so proud of him).

Isaac is trudging along at preschool. He has swimming two days a week, horse riding one day a week, music therapy, pt, ot, and speech. AND...we're trying to get him to hold his own spoon and feed himself (no real luck yet...but, we're doing "hand over hand" and I'm sure that one day, he'll surprise.). SIT DOWN...are you ready? Isaac is going to ride the school bus home from school tomorrow. NOW....I've met the driver, we're going to let him read his Gabba books, AND..the sweet driver is going to play "Yo Gabba Gabba" music on the bus for him! He should be in HEAVEN!
(I'll keep you updated on how that goes...)

Joe's been busy with work and other things...
and I'm just trying to get into a groove so that I can be a LITTLE more organized and productive. (if it's even possible)

Thanks for checking on us!
(and yes...go ahead and tell me how awesome my pics are!)

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Tuesday, September 13, 2011

WE've been SUPER busy!

Let's just talk about the weather here for a moment...
LOVELY!
Isaac LOVES to go to the park and swing his little heart out.

First Day of School...Looks excited, doesn't he. Eli has started making friends, is the first pick on the playground for soccer, and is in the gifted program. All is right in his world (for now).

First day of school for Isaac. He was just walking down that sidewalk like he knew where he was going. We decided to put Isaac in a Special Needs school. His class can only get up to 6 kids (where as a special class at mainstream school can get up to 15 kids). This school has all the therapies (pt, ot, and speech) and it even has music therapy, swim therapy, and horse therapy. So far..so good. The only downside to this school is that it's 20 miles away (one way). SO, many days I just volunteer in class or run errands on that side of town to save on gas.


There is the COOLEST sporting goods store here called Scheels. It has a ferris wheel right in the middle...look at Chris being such a good brother and riding with Eli...melts my heart.


Here's a pic of Isaac enjoying his horse riding. He gets to ride every Thursday...and he just laughs and does his dancey dance the whole time. It is just the cutest thing I've EVER seen!


Two weeks ago we had the Rib Cookoff downtown. We walked in the heat, ate some delicious food, and the kids rode a few rides...


and that's Eli in the middle going down the slide. (yes...he wore those huge sunglasses all day long).

Last weekend we had the Hot Air Balloon Races in town. When we pulled up to drop Eli off at school...we were shocked to see TWO huge balloons on the playground.

On September 9th...we celebrated the birth of Christopher. Nothing like a six pack of Coke and a dancing hula girl to make a teenager happy!

This past weekend...we ventured to Virginia City...an old mining town in Nevada. It was the annual Camel Race...and we had a BLAST! Isaac did a great job holding his ipad and just taking it all in (although, it overheated after about an hour and had to be put away)

This is what the camel races looked like. Then, ostriches raced...and then little kids chased Emus and chickens around the arena. It was so funny to watch!

That's what Isaac looked like towards the end of our stay at the Camel Races.

There are my other handsome boys...
(yes...i was beating the ladies back with a stick!)

Well...that's about it. I'm SLOWLY getting Isaac into all his specialists. Chris goes to take his driving test next week (i am shaking in my boots for him!). He is a HORRIBLE driver (he must get that from his dad...not me:) I am still unpacking boxes and trying to organize (I just don't like doing that kind of thing)...but, we are STILL LOVING Reno! It's just the perfect little town for us!

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Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Two little monkeys

Chris is in Las Vegas this week visiting his friends...
(I stole this picture off his facebook wall)...
Looks like he's having fun!


OK...first...this is just an example of the crazy that I live with each day.
He was helping me clean his room...
dressed like this...
all DAY long.


SO...while I'm still recovering from my hernia surgery..I can't pick up heavy items...
like 30 pound butterball turkeys!
In my EVER evolving infinite wisdom...I decided to take off the side of Isaac's crib...
and it didn't fall apart.
AND...Sir Isaac and can in and out of bed ALL by himself.
(yes...those walls are RIDICULOUS...we're renting this house...but, I will paint them..
one day)

and...after his hard days of watching Gabba Gabba, eating every 3 hours...
it takes a toll on this little man...
He will just fall asleep in the middle of the floor...
and sleep for HOURS...
and now, it's almost 11pm..and that stinker is WIDE awake!
(I suppose I shouldn't have let him nap so long)
BUT...it's not nice to wake a sleeping baby.
oh my goodness...I am STILL in love with Reno! It's Hot August Nights this week...so, we'll have to get out and look at some classic cars (but...they're driving around all over town).
I still have boxes to unpack...and all the other household chores...one day...it will be done.

We did meet with our new cardiologist (his part of the same practice in Las Vegas). I loved him. Isaac is doing great. They told me that our docs in Vegas were already doing the valve replacements via cath...but, that Isaac won't be a candidate until after his NEXT surgery. IT's SO exciting though...maybe just one more open heart and then all the other tune-ups can be done in the cath lab!!

Going to go snuggle a stinker now...(that would be Isaac..not Joe)

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