Crazy Hair Day and Pityriasis

Pin It Now!

Friday was Crazy Hair Day at school for Lydia and Elijah. Lydia wanted mutliple pony tails and braids. I didn't have a lot of time so this is the best I could do . . .

I know, I know. Out-of-control crazy.

Elijah was gonna represent some true crazy. We were going to shave Elijah's head (he's been begging for it) with some lightning bolts and such. But instead, we ended up at the doctor's office getting his rash/spots checked out. On his birthday morning :( But at least it was only Pityriasis and not the Chicken Pox and he headed back to school. But no crazy hair.

His frown turned to a smile and we had an awesome party that I will post about soon.

Pin It Now!

Be a Fan

The Evolution of Sick Lydia

Pin It Now!
My spirited, full of life child has been sick with a fever the past few days. Last night she was really sick and needy. This photo is not staged. Poor little thing. I did a lot of head scratching for her and we almost made a trip to the after hours clinic, but then her fever subsided and she went to bed.

She has been sleeping in her toddler bed in our room so we can keep an eye on her while she is sick. The other night she crawled into bed with us at 3 am. She was wide awake. And perky.

She said to her half asleep mom, "Mommy, you know why I am sleeping in your bed? Because I love you and I'm sick." Even though I was barely awake and had drool crusted to my face I wanted to kiss her.

Last night when I put her to bed she said, "Mom, I want to sleep in your bed because I love you." I told her if she really loved me she would stay in her bed because I can't sleep when she is in the bed with me. She asked why. "Too many bodies." I replied. Then she fell right asleep.

Of course, a part of me (the part that doesn't need or care about sleep) loves it when she climbs into my bed and whacks me in the face.

Today she is doing much better.

Update: 12:04 pm: Fever is back. She doesn't want the lunch I just made for her (that she requested). But she is still way better than she was last night.

Pin It Now!

Be a Fan

Swine Flu?

Pin It Now!




Swine flu or H1N1--both names are ridiculous. You're either a pig or a chemical-grade weapon. Not sure if that's what we've got going on here, but all 3 kids are sick. Started with Croup for Jordis. Then turned to snot, fever, bad cough, and now ear infection. Lydia picked up the snot, fever, and bad cough. Elijah just joined in the party yesterday with headache and snot.
Later today we will go to Target, Chuck E. Cheese, and as many kid friendly places as possible in order to try and spread our love. It's the right thing to do--gives people something to blog about.

Thanks for your pre-orders of my book! Keep 'em coming. I don't want to store them in my garage. And don't forget to leave a comment to win a cute shirt and free book. I know, I know, other bloggers are giving away computers and gift cards, but whatever. I am giving away free illness and that should count for something.

Pin It Now!

Be a Fan

Kidney Reflux No More

Pin It Now!

On Thursday Jordis had her follow up VCUG to determine if she'd outgrown her kidney reflux. As you may remember, I chose NOT to put her on a year of antibiotics (against all doctors' advice). It has been 14 months she had that urinary tract infection that put her in the hospital for 4 days and made us aware of her stage 2, bilateral kidney reflux. (Don't forget about the stomach flu she brought home from the hospital and gifted to all of us.)

I am so thankful to report that not only did she not have another UTI, but all of her kidney paraphernalia are fully developed and in working order. She has outgrown her kidney reflux! Woohoo!

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Nothing like a random medical tool to keep a 14 month old entertained ... until the actual procedure begins. Then it is ten minutes of non-stop screaming. Not so much from pain, but from the lack of freedom as a result of Mom and nurse keeping her still.

Who invents these crazy contraptions?

Pin It Now!

Be a Fan

I heart San Francisco

Pin It Now! Shiloh and I had a date in San Francisco!!! Actually, it was someone else's date (their wedding), but we got to participate. Shiloh performed the ceremony and did an excellent job. People kept telling him he could "do weddings" for a side job. If the real estate market doesn't pick up here soon... anyone want a hot guy to marry them?

Ava and Ari stayed with the kids. Yesterday's post featured the drama leading up to our departure to the city. Once we made our escape we had a wonderful, kid-free time at the wedding. We sat next to my parents and cupcakes. Cupcakes that stared us and called out for us for 4 hours until we were able to finally rescue them.



I could hardly sleep days before the wedding. Not just because Jordis woke up because of her fever or because my cats use the litter box in the middle of the night and it sounds like someone is trying to break through a wall. No, I was restless because I was so excited to freely boogie on the dance floor at that wedding. And freely boogie I did.


Shiloh loves to dance watch me dance at weddings. Because he thinks I am so awesome ridiculous. Free entertainment - it's what I do.

Thanks to the parents of the groom, we got to spend the night in the Monaco hotel. They even paid for the $50 parking. The next morning we slept in until 8am, had breakfast with my parents and walked to The Coffee Bean. Even though it was 40 degrees outside, I loved my ice blended mocha.

We returned home to "I still have a fever" Jordis and "I now have a fever" Lydia. Elijah remained unfevered and greeted us in his Michael Jordan get up for the 20th day in a row.

I love my life. It's full of twists and turns and nearly unbreakable glass. I have a husband who thinks I am hotter today than I was yesterday (early onset of dementia?) and children who like to cuddle with me when they are sick.

Today embarks a new phase of my life. As of today, I have a kindergartner.

They say that time flies when you have little kids. I think that's a lie. But I'm sure when my kids go off to college, get body piercings in Mexico or decide they want to go into full time bird watching, I too will perpetuate that myth. I will see a vulnerable, desperate young Mom who has changed her fifth blow out diaper of the day, cleaned up cat throw up, spent 4 hours trying to get a child to nap, spent 45 minutes encouraging her kids to get their shoes on, made two trips to the doctors office and gotten 5 hours of interrupted sleep. And then I will say to her with a sweet smile,

"Enjoy every minute of it because it sure goes by fast."

Until then - the days go by slow and the years go by fast. And I'm lovin' it. Even when it sucks

it's hard. Pin It Now!

Be a Fan

Stylin' Saturday #16

Pin It Now!
If you can get past the painful expression on Elijah's face or the disturbingness of his bottom teeth situation, you might catch the fashion tip for the week. Nightshirts. Never go out of style. Just ask my Dad who passed along this fashion tip to my son. Thanks Dad. We owe you.

Incidentally, this is the big "injury" that caused the drama. Can you see it? Me either. A little light saber whack from the sister. I've seen worse. And just so you know, I know there will come a time when this post will get deleted. "Sorry this post has been removed by... the author's son. And he no longer speaks to her." I gotta post this junk while I still can.

Pin It Now!

Be a Fan

boys will be boys

Pin It Now!

Boys will be boys...



We always try and get a good, visible injury right before our "well" child visit at the doctor. Elijah has his 5 year/pre K appt tomorrow.

Here are the girls...




Pin It Now!

Be a Fan

Kidney Reflux Update

Pin It Now!
And for those of you wondering what we decided to do about her kidney reflux here's the scoop:
Got referred to a pediatric urologist at Children's Hospital in Oakland. He recommended the standard treatment that everyone does - especially with a baby of her age. In fact, the pediatric urologist has not had a patient that does otherwise ... until me. Without boring you with too much detail suffice it to say that I researched it a lot, prayed about it a lot, etc. I think antibiotics do have a place in this world, BUT if you overuse them then they loose potency when you really need them. And the Dr. said 2 things that actually made me feel better about not giving Jordis the antibiotic treatment:
1. She would probably not get another infection (the kids that have recurring infections usually have something else going on that makes them more prone to them).
2. If she does get another infection it is very unlikely that it would cause kidney damage (the more you get UTI's the more likely to cause damage, but unlikely to cause damage with 2 infections).
Call me crazy, but why would I put her on JIC (Just in case - my term) antibiotics if she is not likely to get another infection and if she does, it is not likely to damage her kidneys? Especially when I believe that a year of antibiotics will definitely cause problems - increased yeast, future resistance when needed, killing all the good bacteria in her body, etc. I said to the nurse practicioner, "What if I take Jordis's pee in to my pediatrician every week to be tested to perhaps catch an infection early on if she has one?" (Jordis's pediatrician said that if I didn't want to give her the antibiotics she would refer us to a pediatric urologist and ask that we bring in a urine sample once a month.) She kind of chuckled, "I don't know. No one has ever done that before." So that is what I am doing. Every week, I deliver a gift to Jordis's dr.'s office. They love me there.

I told the urologist that he could use us a case study (retroactive of course) as to what happens when a baby does not take the antibiotics. I gave him permission to talk to his colleagues about me, "I have got this one crazy lady..." And I told him that if Jordis does get another infection I would give her the antibiotics. Three months from her first infection...we are all clear!

Jordis will get tested again at 14 months old to see if she has grown out of the reflux. The chances of that are about 70%.

HERE IS THE UPDATE A YEAR LATER!

This is Zoe. Her Mom (Kim) and I were on dance team together at UCLA.

This is the kids with their Uncle Jonathon (Shiloh's 17 year-old brother). He came up from San Diego this weekend for a visit.

P.S. I thought "Seven Pounds" was really good. GREAT acting. Very sad. Creative story line. Congratulations Grant.

Pin It Now!

Be a Fan

Drama Details

Pin It Now! So for the full version of our recent sickness adventures ...
Sunday Sept. 21st. The day started pleasant enough. I got to go to Trader Joes all by myself. Like a big girl. As I was unloading groceries from the car I noticed something strange and quite disturbing. Rat booty. That's right folks. Rat bootie and tail poking out from some of the dirty clothes on the floor in front of the washer in my garage. It moved a little so I knew he was alive, but he didn't scamper off as one would expect. So being the typical woman that I am, I ran inside to get my camera... and Shiloh. I sat on a chair poised with the camera and Shiloh shooed the bad boy toward me with a broom. Then I screamed like a girl. And the rat was injured and I felt sorry for him. I will posted the video of this incident on previous post since this one is already going to be a long one. Click here for Rat Bootie Video.
Here is a pic.



Meanwhile, Jordis had been extra sleepy all day. After the RB incident, I took her temp because she felt a little warm. It was 101.4. So I took her to the weekend clinic in Walnut Creek at 3:30pm. Her temp was 103 by the time we got there so because of her age (8 weeks) they sent us to the ER at John Muir for tests. They tried unsuccessfully with two sets of nurses and 4 pokes to get a line for blood on the top of her hands. It was so sad. She screamed her little, actually, her big, head off. After about an hour of torture they called down the lab peeps and they were able to draw some blood using a different, easier method. it came back positive for a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) and they sent us up stairs to our hospital accommodations as we would be there for at least a few days.

My Mom came to the ER to be with us. When I heard we were going to be there overnight I ran home (what a workout) and got some overnight stuff and my Mom stayed with Jordis. While I was gone 2 more sets of nurses (including ones from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - who are supposed to the best vein finders in babes) poked Jordis again to try and start a line. After over another hour of pure screaming and discomfort, they gave up for the night. Two weeks later, the top of her hand is still bruised. Since they couldn't get the IV in her they had to give her 2 shots in the leg (supposedly much more painful than having an IV) of the antibiotic. We finally were left alone for some sleep around 12:30am.



Monday morning they tried again for the IV placement and finally got one ... in her head. And believe it or not, that was a relief. I never thought I would say, "Phew. I am so glad that got an IV in my daughter's head." But there I was, phewing it up.



Meanwhile, back at the ranch, my Dad came over to watch Lydia and Jordis so Shiloh could come visit us. Lydia had a poopy diaper so my dad changed it. But then he made a BIG mistake. He left our "handful" naked and unattended while he threw away the diaper outside. When he came back in she was standing on elijah's bed and said, "Hey Grandpa, I pooped on Elijah's bed." She must have been saving up for that.




And that is about if for the funny parts of the story. The rest was pretty sad.



Being in the hospital for 4 days and 3 nights. And on day 3 is when Jordis starting throwing up. We think she picked up that deliciousness from the hospital and if you've read my blog, you know she passed that along to people we love ... including our whole family. And we put one of my best friends into preterm labor and the hospital with it. Fabulous.



Here is my sister-in-law contracting the virus.
Pin It Now!

Be a Fan