Anna's Place

Celebrate Life

2010-04-22T20:37:00.007-05:00

Did you know that April is organ donation awareness month?

Every year in April Children's Memorial Hospital hosts a Celebrate life party for all transplant recipients from the hospital. We went this year (I think we've only missed two others in eight years) and we had a great time. It's such a wonderful thing to see, all these children that would not be here if it weren't for organ donation.

This year it was at the Brookfield zoo. They reserved the Private picnic area for our group. What a blast! It's nice to be able to meet other people who have children that have been through similar experience's as your child and it's especially nice for Anna to meet other kids like herself.

Oliver was one of Anna's wish granters. He is always at these party's to perform magic for the kids (spending a little extra time with mine because of his special connection with Anna). As always it is so nice to see Oliver and he has promised Anna that he will come and do magic at her next Birthday party! She was (is) so excited for that.

Secretary of State Jesse White came with his tumblers too. We didn't know but One of Anna's tumbling coaches is part of the team. Anna kept telling me that she saw her coach but I wasn't believing her. When I got a closer look I realized that it definitely was him! After their awesome performance Anna went up to him and he was more surprised to see her than we were to see him. I never had the need to let him know of Anna's condition so when he knew why we were there he was shocked! He was very excited to introduce Anna to Jesse White as one of his students!

Happy Anniversary Anna!

2010-03-20T20:40:00.004-05:00

I can't believe it's been 8 years since Anna transplant. March 6th was Anna's Anniversary and we celebrated another healthy year. It has become tradition to go out to eat at TGI Friday's every year and come home and have caked and presents just like another birthday. The Anniversary is actually really close to Anna's 1/2 Birthday and if you take a close look again at the montage to the right of the screen there are a couple pictures of us celebrating her 6 month birthday in the hospital only 3 days before going home after her transplant.

In honor of Anna's Anniversary I would like to share something that I wrote as a story for a fundraiser for Children's memorial hospital Which took place in late February. She has sure come a long way.

Anna was born on September 14 2001 weighing in at 8 pounds five ounces. She was sent home with a clean bill of health.

About a week after coming home her parents noticed that her skin tone was a little off. At her fist visit to the pediatrician her parents were told that Anna had newborn jaundice and putting her in front of a window in some sunlight should do the trick. When that didn’t work Anna’s parents brought her back the pediatrician and they ran some blood tests. Her bilirubin wasn’t high enough to be at a critical level so they said, once again, to put her in a window and she would be fine.

This went on until Anna was about six weeks old. With each blood test her bilirubin level got higher. At six weeks old Anna’s jaundice could not be classified as being just normal newborn jaundice anymore and Anna’s pediatrician sent her to children’s memorial Hospital the very next day to see a liver specialist.

There they saw the head of Hepatology, Dr Whittington. After going over Anna’s chart he suspected she had a liver disease called Biliary Atresia. Anna was admitted for further testing which included a liver biopsy to confirm Dr Whittington’s suspicion.

Biliary Atresia is a disease which happens when the liver’s bile ducts are blocked and/or there are few present.

Once this diagnoses was confirmed Anna had an operation ,called the Kasai, that would possibly prolong the life of her liver. During this operation they attach the small intestine to the liver to drain the bile and toxins. Anna’s parents were informed that most babies with her disease need a transplant before the age of 2.

Anna did well after her operation and went home just seven days later. Anna went home and enjoyed the holidays with her family. Her color got better and things looked good for a couple months.

In January Anna’s skin started looking yellow again and her parents soon discovered that she had an infection in her liver called cholingitis. This problem occurs in children that have had the Kasai operation and is treatable with antibiotics. Anna was once again admitted to Children’s. She was put on IV antibiotics and a permanent line was placed into her arm so that she didn’t have to stay in the hospital for treatment. Anna’s parents were trained on how to take care of her line and administer her antibiotics through a pump. Children’s also sent out a home health care nurse to check on Anna, change her dressings, and draw labs every other day.

Two days before Anna’s 4 week treatment was scheduled to be done Anna started getting very irritable. Her color was getting bad again and her belly was so large from extra fluid from infection that her belly button started to stick out. She was also having a hard time breathing. Even though the home health care nurse was scheduled to come out the next morning Anna’s parents though it was best to rush her to the emergency department at Children’s to get her checked out.

Anna was admitted once again with recurring cholingitis. Just a couple hours later Anna’s breathing got worse and the doctors decided that Anna needed help breathing. She was then transferred to the Pediatric ICU and put on a breathing machine. It was soon found that Anna’s infection had spread throughout her body. They would have to put her on heavy duty antibiotics . Dr. Alonso, another wonderful liver doctor at Children’s Memorial explained it as, “they have to put out a big fire.”

Anna soon became very swollen and unrecognizable to her family. She laid there under sedation, not able to breath on her own, and so helpless. Anna was put on the inactive list for a liver. Because of her condition Anna would not survive a transplant at her current state so if a liver became available she could would not be offered it. It was at this time that Anna’s mom stepped forward to be a living donor for Anna. Instead of waiting for Anna to fight the infection and then wait to be active on the list Anna would have the perfect liver waiting for her when she was ready.

After days of testing Anna’s mom was found to be a good match for Anna! The only problem was trying to get Anna better from this infection. She had so many lines, so many medication pumps going, they were having a hard time stabilizing her blood pressure, and her heart rate dropped so low at times that the nurses had to call a Code Blue on her. Everyone started to worry that Anna would not make it to have the chance at a life saving transplant, but four weeks after Anna got transfored to the ICU she started doing better and even made it out of the ICU! Transplant was scheduled for the following week.

The same surgeon that did Anna’s first operation performed her transplant. His name is Dr. Superina, or as Anna’s parents like to call him DR SUPERMAN! Anna did so well that just nine days after her transplant she was discharged from the hospital.

Besides a few minor bumps in the road Anna is just as healthy and spunky as her older and younger sisters. Without the Doctors and Staff at children’s memorial hospital Anna would not be here today. There is not a day that goes by that Anna’s family doesn’t think of how far Anna has come and how thankful they are for all This hospital did for her. They are truly miracle workers!

As you can see I have not been able to post often. It's really hard to do with having a full time job and three very active little girls. There is also lots of homework and school stuff, orchestra, softball coming up, gymnastics and so on. There was also Jenny's (my best friend) wedding in which we were all in. I was her maid of honor, Mary a Junior bride's maid, Anna and Alex were both flower girls and Jason was an usher.

As always I have to supply some pictures. I wish I had some from the wedding but they are all copywrited and we all were a little to busy to take them ourselves. All I have are a couple of us while we were getting ready.

Anna got a new leotard for her Anniversary

Still around

2009-12-04T10:22:00.006-06:00

Since the last time we updated:

We got a puppy!

Alex likes to believe he's her dog

Gizmo kind of likes him

Did I mention his name is Hester (as in Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears)

We all love him!

And, Halloween came and went.

Mary was Michael Jackson

And just recently Thanksgiving came and went. I hosted this year and cooked the entire dinner on my own! I ended up roasting a Turkey in the oven and Jason deep fried one. Both Turkeys were excellent!

Back to school!

2009-09-01T20:44:00.004-05:00

Mary started Middle school this year and is loving it! She thinks it's awesome that she gets to travel from class to class, have a locker combination and all of that. She is making tones of friends and can't wait to get check out some of the clubs. Anna is now in 2nd grade and she loves that she can now walk to school (since we moved just down the block from it) and she got one of Mary's old teachers this year. Alexandria started pre-school today. She was so excited and loved every minute of it! She got one of Anna's old preschool teachers who we just adore. She is actually one of our favorite nurses from Children's PICU, mother in law.

2009-07-19T21:08:00.004-05:00

Sorry I haven't updated since that last post when Anna had her biopsy. I know I said I would let you know the results, and I'm sure most of you do anyway, but for those of you who only know of us from this blog I'm sorry I left you hanging. I actually just found of a couple people who read this blog that I didn't know even knew about it. For those of you, sorry. I really didn't think many people looked here. Also I have been working a lot, have been really tired, and we just found out last week that we are moving at the end of this month so I just haven't had the time.

We didn't get the results we wanted to get. Anna is still having mild rejection. It was another shocker that no one expected. Her doctors said the expected to see resalution. Let me tell you, even though we knew that she had rejection in January, it was unexpected that it would still be going on 4 months later, especially with Anna being put back on her meds. The good news is that it still looked better than her last episode (which they said was mild) so this is even more mild. They did not have to put Anna back on steroids, they just put her on a twice a day dose (up from a once a day dose) of her immune suppressant medication. This stinks because it's twice the amount of immune suppressants. A week later they turned up her dose a even little more than that. I just figured out the other day that she has not been on this high of a dose since she first started taking this med when she was 2 (a different immune suppressant was used before that). We once again have to worry about her picking up every little virus floating around. Since then she picked up a strep skin infection, a summer cold, her eczema is back full force, and she seems to have an ear infection now that I'm taking her to the pediatrician tomorow.

Once again, all of her blood work looks perfect! Nobody understands why nothing shows up in her labs and only in her biopsy's. We talked to the doctor and expressed our concerns that this might be something else but she assured us that it was rejection, the biopsy did not show any liver damage, and we'll just continue to monitor. Another biopsy will be repeated in 6 months and labs still every 2 weeks until her medication level stays where they need it to be to control this rejection and to keep an eye on her liver numbers. I feel like we are where we were a year out of her transplant and that is a hard place to be right now.

Sitting here at Children's

2009-06-16T10:20:00.002-05:00

I'm just sitting here in the surgical observation area, watching Anna and Jason sleep. We woke up at 4:30 this morning so they are pooped. I on the other hand, I guess I'm just used to waking up early. On a normal work day I am already up for for an hour and a half by that time.

Anna went in for her biopsy by eight this morning, done by 8:15am, and it is now 10:00am. She did so well, as usual. I was a little worried because she was a bit nervous this time around. Her nervousness really surprised me because she is usually so nonchalant about this stuff. I guess she is just getting older and more aware of what is happening and why. Before it was all fun stuff because she gets spoiled here.

Dr. Ekong came out after the procedure, said everything went fine, and was on her way to do a biopsy on this tiny little baby that was waiting in the holding area. The mommy handed the baby off with tears in her eyes. Being here brings back memories of Anna when she was that little and how scared we were for her. I wanted to go over to that mom and give her a hug, and tell her it would all be OK. It feels like just yesterday when Jason and I were in those parents' position. I also remember that there is nothing you can say that would comfort those parents. The only thing would be for the doctor to come out and say that it was all a big mistake, your child does not have a liver disease, she is perfectly healthy!

So Anyway, Dr. Ekong let us know that she was not going to put a rush on looking at the biopsy because she doesn't anticipate anything showing up especially with her labs from Sunday looking so good. When she left Jason and I discussed how very silly that sounded to us. Didn't she say that last time? Her labs did look perfect, but there were still signs of rejection in her biopsy. It's not that I want her to put a rush on it because Anna is not showing any symptoms of any sort, it just sounded silly the way she put it. A few days is nothing, and I'll bet everything is fine.

So, here we sit until 2:00 this afternoon, and they had better let us go right away! I'll go nuts just sitting her. I don't know how I did this for weeks at a time.

Ballet rectial

2009-05-16T21:13:00.005-05:00

Alex did so well in her dance recital today! I actually had to get this video from her dress rehearsal from the night before because we weren't allowed to take video at her actual recital. She looked so cute and did very well for her first time!

Alex is the one in the middle with the extremely long hair!

And some more pictures!

Don't they look cute as.....

2009-05-05T15:59:00.002-05:00

Anna as a walrus.............

Mary as a tiger..............

Alex as a monkey..............

Jason as a bat................

If you haven't guessed it already, we went to the zoo last weekend for the last time before our membership expires. I don't think we will be getting another membership this year because we have had one every year for the past three years and it's getting a little old. We always love the zoo, but you get a little burnt out on it and to tell you the truth I don't think we'll really use it this year. I might be getting a full time position at the hospital that I work part time at right now, and it will be hard enough to get pool time let alone enough visits to the zoo to make a membership worthwhile.

So, sorry all you Mumbles that we visit at every trip to the zoo, but we will see you next year!

Just a little inside joke guys!

2009-04-28T15:32:00.003-05:00

To my lovely brother-in-law.

You know I love ya!

2009-04-10T17:15:00.012-05:00

Hey all!

Sorry it's been so long. Ok, I know, I know, I seem to always update starting out that way. I doubt anybody even visits here anymore, so if you have patience with me, thank you so much!

I am finding it hard to balance my time between kids, housework, school, and getting those naps in during the day (which is absolutely necessary when you get up at 3 in the morning for work, and can't get to bet until 10 or later depending on when the kids finally get to sleep). I rarely get to sit down to do anything more than check my e-mail, online banking and a quick check on some blogs that I like to visit. I don't have the time to comment, or write e-mails so I am sorry for that too.

A few things have happened this month. First of all, Alexandria celebrated her 4th birthday! I can't believe she is four already! Gosh, time flies! In events ot come, Alexandria has her first dance recital in May! Can't wait to post pictures of that one! I love first dance recital pictures!

Then:

Now:

Next, Mary started her first year of softball. She has done baseball in the past, I want to say in first and second grade, but not since then. I think she was kind of in between wanting to keep going with baseball, but not sure how the boys would be as they get older (probably not that great of an idea, when they are little it's fine but they can start really not liking having a girl on their team after that) and wanting to try softball, but she wasn't sure how different it would be and I don't think she likes the competition with other girls! So anyway, she finally decided she wanted to go for softball this year and she really is very good. These other girls on her team are no better than her, which Mary was afraid of because most of them have been playing since T-ball without a break. I think her experience with baseball (and the fact that Jason always plays catch and takes her to batting cages) really helped her and she will be just as good (or better) than the other girls on her team. Plus, she seemed to really hit it off with these girls and I think she will have an awesome season with lots of fun!

Then:

Now:

And last, but not least, Anna is thriving in the new gymnastics facility where she is taking classes. For a while we had her in classes at out park district building, but the room was so small that she could not advance any further. This is a bit more expensive, but so worth it! Anna looks forward to going every week and the class is long enough to where it seems like they have more of a chance to work on tricks they learn that day where as at the other place it seemed that they would have time to learn something, maybe try it a few times, then it was time to leave and by the next class all is forgotten. So anyway she was started in beginners 2 only because she needed to "clean up" her tricks. They are more strict here with how they want things done but not harsh on them, which I like. So, during spring break they had what they call Flip Flop clinic where they concentrate only on how to do a flip flop (translation: back flip using your hands). We signed Anna up with the intention of getting her familiar with how it done and to get a feel for it because in the Advanced beginners class (the next level up which she will be in next session)this is where they start to learn to do it. Well, in one hour, Anna learned to do it! She can do a flip flop! I never would have imagined she would learn that so fast, and neither did anyone else. I could tell how impressed the coaches and other mothers where. I am so mad I did not have my camera with me to take a video of it. I wasn't able to go to the last class either because I was in the ER with strep, and she can't do it yet at home without a large padded mat (I won't let her, she probably would if I let her). I promise to take a video when we go again, I promise!

And here is a photo of Anna, just because I posted pictures of the other girls!

Look for updates on Easter, and our First Cubs game outing of the season.......Eventually!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYBODY!

Locks of love

2009-03-13T09:36:00.004-05:00

Out of the kindness of her heart, Anna decided to cut a couple more inches off her hair than she was going to, so that there would be enough for her to be able to donate hair to locks of love! It was such a sweet thing to do, Mary did it too last year! Anna's reasoning for this..."I know what it's like to be sick and sad."

Happy 7 year transplant anniversary Anna!

2009-03-05T07:51:00.012-06:00

Seven years already! We celebrated Anna's anniversary last night by going to TGI Fridays as we do every year. We make a big deal out of her anniversary every year, we treat it kind of like a birthday party. Well, it's like a re-birthday party! Anna gets presents too, and this year since she's a big shot gymnast now, she asked for a new, good, leotard. I guess the ones she has is just not good enough now that she is in an academy and all the girls wear really good leotards. In my mind 35 dollars is a bit much for such a small piece of fabric but after I purchased it I could see how much nicer it is than the ones she has and it will probably last longer too. If you have time, take another look at the Anniversary video on the right side of this screen. I made it last year but it still a great reminder of how far Anna has come!

Alex and I also made Anna a cake, Alex put the sprinkles on! Also Notice the spelling of Anniversary!

Also, today I made some cupcakes for Anna's class at school. I am getting ready to bring them in. Supposedly Anna is going to tell the class about what the green ribbons mean. That would be great, but is she doesn't they still just look pretty!

Stuff to update

2009-02-15T19:38:00.006-06:00

Well, since the last time I updated there have been some things going on around here. First of all..........I got a job offer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Wooohoooo!!!!!!!!!!!

It might not be exactly what I had in mind, but I gotta take it because I am lucky to even get an offer the way the job market is right now. It's part time, 4am-8am. Ouch! It's an awesome hospital though, it's where I did my internship at so I know how things are done, for the most part. They offer benefits, the pay is good, and hopefully when a full time position comes along with the hours I like, I'll be considered. I'm just happy to be able to do this. Another good thing is that I'll be home for the girls all day and I won't need to spend lots of money on child care.

In other news we purchased a second car! It was getting old having only one car and with me starting a job it was needed even more. It's a 2006 mini van, in great condition, very low millage, and we got a great deal on it. Good thing I had an extra Donate Life magnet to put on it or nobody would know it's mine! HAHAHAHAHA!

Also, we had an appointment at Children's last Thursday and Anna's doing great! Her labs look perfect, still, and we were able to get a lot of questions answered from our favorite (not to mention, the best) liver doctor. She really put our minds at ease with this whole rejection thing. We feel so much better about everything now. She will be watched closely, still with biweekly labs, and she will have a repeat biopsy in late spring/early summer. We are assuming that everything is fine with her being back on her meds with liver numbers staying stable. They said that the biopsy definitely showed rejection, no doubt about it, but it was caught before it showed up in her lab work. If she wouldn't have had her biopsy when she did, and was still off of her meds, there is no question that her labs would have started to show increases in her liver numbers. She would have become noticeably jaundiced, along with other signs of liver problems. At that point there would have been some amount of liver damage. So, since it was caught right away, all is good, her liver is still perfect!

Also, Mary and I went to a solo concert on Saturday where Mary was judged for her performance. She did very well, she did mess up once, so before she got her score she was freaking out. They are judged against themselves and it's scored according to grade level, how long they have played for, appearance, memorization, and how they hold themselves and their instruments. May got the highest score possible! She will receive a medal in class next week! Go Mary!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Disturbia

2009-02-03T10:45:00.003-06:00

I took this video of Alexandria dancing to her favorite song, Disturbia! Not the most appropriate song for a 3 year old, but oh well! She was watching the video a lot on TV and learned the dance on her own! It's so cute, the only problem is that the video is dark. I tried to do it this morning with the sun out and the shades open, but she won't do it on demand anymore. There are some parts that she just stands there, but mostly she is jamming! SO FUNNY!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Anna's doing fine

2009-02-03T08:47:00.005-06:00

Anna's labs looked good. This would make me feel better, but since her labs looked good the same day of her biopsy, it doesn't make me feel as good as it should. Now Anna has a cold! The joys of immune suppression.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Update~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sorry to leave everyone hanging. I know I left the last post in a very negative attitude, but I am feeling better about this now. It's just that I have never had to deal with the news of rejection before, and I have been so used to good news when I get called with results, it was such a shocker! The main thing is that Anna's doing fine. We are still waiting on her last labs though. I will let you know when we get results (probably later today).

She has been a little cranky and getting headaches which are probably side effects from being on these medications again. Otherwise, she is the same beautiful, sweet little girl.

Biopsy results:(

2009-01-22T23:09:00.002-06:00

Dr. Ekong called me today to tell me that Anna's biopsy showed rejection. I can't even believe this, she has NEVER had rejection before. I talked to Dr. Ekong and then Joan our liver nurse and they are also in disbelief. Even the blood they took on Tuesday, the day of the biopsy didn't show anything suspicious

I am feeling super guilty right now. I made the decision to go ahead with this study, and now I feel like I put my daughter in jeopardy.

She is not being admitted right now. They put her high doses of Prednisone and back on Prograf. Now we need to monitor her level of Prograf and watch her numbers to make sure they stay were they should be. They don't plan on doing another biopsy after her treatment, they are just going to watch her labs and if they stay down they will just assume the medication took care of it. Well if they didn't see this in her blood work the same day the biopsy was done, how are they going to know if or when the treatment is working? I don't get it.

Anyway, she is pulled from the study. They will not try this again which is fine with me. I just want her to stay healthy.

Why did we try to fix what was not broken? Man I am a mess right now!

BIOPSY DAY

2009-01-20T20:33:00.003-06:00

Anna had her biopsy today. Everything went well, we will know the results in a few days. I'll update then because it's been a long day, right now I'm sleepy, doing laundry, trying to get the kids to bed, need to work on an assignment for one of my classes, and I have to get up at 5am for another 8 hour day at the hospital for my clinicals.

2008-12-30T11:51:00.004-06:00

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~UPDATE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anna is feeling much better today than she has in the past few days. Anna's labs are great! I'm glad we waited until she was feeling better to get them done. I think I overreacted, but it's hard not to with her. Everyone is on the mend, thank goodness. Just in time for me and the girls to go back to school!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~UPDATE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Christmas came on went so fast this year. Possibly because I have been dealing with a lot of sickness floating around our house since Thanksgiving. Off and on, at least two people at a time in our household have been down with something. Anna is always the first to get it, which I thought was weird especially since she isn't immune suppressed anymore. Then it's me (is it because we share the same liver?), Alex is next. Jason had something for a few days only and Mary had nothing more than the sniffles. We had a day here in Chicago where it was 62 degrees! Couldn't believe it, but I thought great, open all the windows, do some major cleaning, wash all bedding and get these germs out of here! Guess not though, Anna spiked a high temperatures last night, and she is feeling very crummy. I automatically thought it was the flu because it has hit us for the last few years at the same time of the year, even with us all getting the flu shot. The flu is the worst, it sucks when we all get it and I'm the one, no matter how crappy I feel, to take care of everyone. So I start mentally preparing myself for every to be sick. After thinking about it for a while I wonder if maybe it might not be the flu. This is a fragile time for Anna with stopping the immune suppression, I started worrying that maybe it's rejection. I found myself praying for the flu at that point. I called Children's and they just want me to watch her and gets labs done in a few days. This is hard for me to accept, no one else is feeling bad (except Alex has an ear infection and a lingering cough). If we get labs done Anna's numbers will most likely be elevated as with any other normal "healthy" person who has a fever. It would make them want to jump to conclusions and may buy her a bed at hotel Children's Memorial Hospital and an early biopsy (she already has one scheduled for late January). So, we are watching. I find myself looking at the whites of her eyes for a tinge of yellow, I can't even tell you how long it has been since I have done this, it was a habit for the longest time, but she has never had rejection so I don't think of it often at all anymore until now, knowing she isn't on the medication that transplant patients take to avoid rejection, usually for their whole life. I knew this was the kind of thing that I was risking with this study. Please pray that this is just a virus for Anna.

In other news, other than sickness, which by the way I'm sorry for boring you with, everything else is normal. I can't wait for school to start again. The kids are getting cabin fever even with all the new stuff they got for Christmas. I need to find ways of entertaining them without going broke! I need to keep busy or I'll drive myself crazy with them, and also the nervousness I have about starting my externship January 12th! I am excited, but so nervous. It's been so long since I've worked, and while this is for class, it's going to be more like job training. That means drawing blood of complete strangers and trying to gain their trust as a student phlebotomist. You have to wear a student badge, and I'm wondering how many times I'll be turned down. I can't take it personally though, I know I have turned down students in the past while Anna was inpatient. I just couldn't trust a student "practicing" on my baby. I know it will make me feel bad, and then I'll know how it felt to all the students I turned away in the past, but it will still really suck. I just can't wait to get past my clinicals and get a badge when I am hired on, that doesn't say student. Wish me luck!

By the way, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stay safe!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas (an update in pictures!)

2008-12-25T18:41:00.008-06:00

Making cookies with Noah! (Noah's bug brother Brandon too, but he doesn't like his picture taken!) Getting ready for Santa's arrival!

Christmas is here! Santa came!

Cats love Chirstmas too! What a day, I'm tired. Crap, it's only 9 am!

Merry Christmas, hope every had a wonderful day!

Go Elf Yourself!

2008-12-06T23:23:00.001-06:00

So, just in case I don't post till after Christmas, GO ELF YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, it's a lot of fun!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

2008-12-03T21:27:00.004-06:00

Anna is done with her medicine! The medication that helped her body accept her liver. The medicine we were told in the begining of all of this, that she would need to be on for the rest of her life. She doesn't have to take it anymore! The withdrawal study has gone smoothly, Anna is in perfect health, and her body has agreed to let her liver make itself at home!

Anna took her last dose of Prograf today!

Of course I took pictures to document this special occasion! As you can see, Anna wasn't nearly as thrilled as I was, plus she is not a morning person!

7 years ago today.

2008-11-11T22:07:00.003-06:00

Seven years ago today Jason and I handed our 7 week old baby girl off to total strangers. We put her life in the hands of a surgeon we never even got the chance to meet. Just days before we found out that Anna had a terrible liver disease and would one day need a liver transplant. Our whole world came tumbling down.

During those 7 hours of waiting, with very few updates, Jason and I sat in the surgical waiting room very quietly. I don't think we knew what to do, what to say to each other. We were just so worried our baby. Not only about what was going on during the time she was in the operating room, but about the rest of her life. There was so much to learn about this disease, there where so many unknowns, we only just heard of Biliary Atresia a few days before, when her diagnoses was confirmed by a liver biopsy. From what we read, and the way the doctors talked about, it sounded so terrible. It was so terrible.

It was so hard to see her afterwards, that long incision across her belly, all the lines she was hooked up to; machines, medications. At that point of time I felt bad for Anna. I never thought she would live a normal childhood. It seemed to me that this was going to be it, she would spend all of her childhood in and out of the hospital, her quality of life would not be good.

I had not thought of this today until I was in class, drawing a classmates blood, and filling out my orders. I asked someone what the date was, and then I remembered. Memories came flooding back to me. I would have never thought, 7 years ago while sitting at Anna's bedside in the hospital, that we would be where we are today. Just earlier this morning I got a phone call from Children's letting me know that Anna's blood work that she had drawn yesterday was perfect. Again. Music to my ears every time I hear it. It never gets old. She is in perfect health, she is like any other healthy 7 year old, she is thriving in 1st grade, she is a little gymnast. She enjoys life, she lives it to the fullest, she doesn't let anything get in her way, she is a fighter.

She is my inspiration. I have had a feel good day today. I love what I will be doing for a living. Working in health care is what I want to do. I am good at it, I enjoy it, I want to help people. I don't know if I would have been inspired to do this if it wasn't for the road I have traveled with my little miracle baby. I was Anna's nurse for those times in the hospital, I jumped in and did anything they would let me do. I know I still have so much to learn before I am a certified nurse, that wasn't my training, but it sure didn't hurt.

Thank you Anna, for the lessons you have taught us, for being you.

Wonderful little girl.

Halloween Pictures

2008-11-03T06:43:00.009-06:00

We had a fun filled Halloween! Not only did the kids get to dress up on the day of, but they dressed for a fun fair at the park district where Mary won most beautiful costume, and Alex cried her little eyes out because she thought she deserved a trophy too (and if you ask me she should have won cutest superhero!). We also went to a birthday/costume party the day after Halloween, so that was three times the fun this year!

In other news Anna is now on a once a week, once a day dose of her immunosupression! I can't even believe it, not even a bump in her liver numbers! She'll take her last dose in early December and then that's it! After that she will still go every other week for blood draws and every three months for clinic for a while, and in February she will have a biopsy to make sure her liver is handling everything. Also, Annika is doing great, she got released from the hospital and is staying at Kohl's house for a while as she needs to be monitored very closely. Let's hear it for healthy livers!!!!!

`
Oh yes, let me also post pictures. We actually also went to a little fun fair at the girl's school where they got their faces panted, so it wasn't a Halloween thing but I'll post those pictures too!

Most Beautiful!

2008-10-26T20:14:00.002-05:00

No, I'm not just bragging, the vote was unanimous!

Mary won most beautiful in a costume contest at our park district's Halloween fun fair!

2008-10-15T17:50:00.006-05:00

Let me just first let you all know, for those that don't check Annika's Mom's blog, that Annika is doing fine. For updates please visit Moreena's blog here.

I have had a busy week. First of all last Thursday Anna had her annual 3 month checkup at transplant clinic at Children's. She had something like 12 tubes of blood drawn, and we saw the doctor. Her part in the study is going very well. All of her labs (which are drawn every other week) have been looking normal, even now with her only taking her medication twice a week! Also, her liver feels good, they can't feel her spleen (that's also good), everything checks out! If you weren't looking at her charts or her scar on her belly, you would just never know she ever had anything as serious as a liver transplant. Lately I have really been reflecting on Anna's past and her health now, how we got to where we are, and how lucky we are to have this precious little girl in good health with us today. What a little miracle!

We also got to see Moreena last Thursday after clinic. Anna had gotten Annika something special thinking that she was just going to be inpatient and we would be able to visit with her and her mom. Then I found out late the night before that Annika had been called for transplant! Obviously, since Annika was basically fresh out of the OR, we only just met her mom outside of the Pediatric ICU to give her the gift for Annika. We found out that Anna and Annika picked the same costume for Halloween this year, must be because they are liver buddies!

Speaking of Halloween, we spent much of the day yesterday searching Halloween stores for cool costumes. Mary is going to be Miss America, Anna is going to be a zombie cheerleader, and Alex will be super girl! Mary's costume is easy because we already had the dress, all she needed was a Miss America sash, which I found on ebay, and a tiara. Anna's costume is also easy because Mary was a zombie cheerleader when she was in first grade so we already have the costume. I thought maybe Anna would change her mind while shopping because she wanted to be part of the shopping experience, but she was fine with not being able to buy anything. We did get some black and white makeup for her, so maybe that helped. Alex picked Super girl! She has really been into the new Superman movie, Superman Returns, so I could understand why she picked that. I just don't know how she started liking that movie so much because it's not really a movie that you would think a 3 year old would like, but Alex does. I'm most surprised that she didn't want to be a princess of some sort. We are also attending a costume party/birthday party this year, and the host says we all have to be dressed up in order to come, so Jason and I had to get a costumes also. It might sound lame, but I'm going as a pink lady, and Jason is going as a greaser aka, T'Bird! I love Grease, so Jason graciously agreed to be a greaser to compliment my pink lady costume! Thanks babe!

We also had Noah's 1st Birthday party over the weekend. I can't believe my baby boy (I mean Jenny's baby boy), is already one! He has been walking for almost a month now, if I hadn't mentioned that before. I think he enjoyed his party, he didn't really get deep into his cake, he was trying to pick up the number 1 written on his cake with blue frosting with he thumb and pointer finger, it was so very cute! He did make out with some very awesome clothes, really cool toys, and mu-la for other stuff he needs and wants! The best gift of all for him was having his favorite "Auntie" and "cousins" there! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Other than that I have just been studying for my midterm for one class, and a final exam for another class. I took those today and I think I did well on both exams, but it wouldn't hurt to have some crossed fingers for good results so that I can keep up my 4.0 (please don't get that excited for my having a 4.0, it's counted for 1 class that I did over the summer, my first ever college course!) It would be awesome, however, to keep that 4.0 because it would help me to get into their nursing program, which is my ultimate goal.

Ok, what else. I think that's about it. I'll just finish up with a couple of pictures from Noah's party!

From this..............................

To this...............................
How does that happen in a year?!

More random pictures from the party.

Prayers for Annika

2008-10-08T20:30:00.005-05:00

Update:

Continue to PRAY PLEASE. Annika is needing a lot of blood and fluids during her transplant.

*****************************************************************************************************************

Ok, everyone who might still read my blog. Hopefully people will browse here by chance, maybe even pass it on to your friends.

We need prayers for a fellow liver buddy of ours. Her name is Annika, some of you might read her mom's blog, Falling Down Is Also a Gift. She was listed for her third transplant within the past few weeks, and she received her call for transplant today, and on her mom's birthday!

Unfortunately, this will not be an easy transplant due to many past surgeries she has had in that area, not to mention her previous 2 transplants. Her surgeon (the same surgeon that did Anna's transplant) is estimating 18 hours. Please say prayers for this sweet little girl who has been through so much, her family, and the donor family.

Gosh, this picture is so old, Anna was 4, so three years ago. I think that was the last time we saw Annika, I just wanted to put a face to Annika's name.

Time for a real update!

2008-09-23T14:41:00.005-05:00

It's not laziness! I have school to blame! There is always reading to do, studying, I have two big research papers to get done, and tests coming up! School is kicking my but! I can't wait to be done with this, and it's not even close to being over! Don't get me wrong, it's great to know that I am doing something that is going to benefit all of us in the end, it's just a lot of work. Plus Jason still works lots of hours, so I am full time at home too, so I guess I can say that school is only a part time thing. I don't know what I'll do when I start working, we are going to have to split up house work, dinner's, and all that. Time to actually fill out that chore chart we bought so long ago...if I can find it! We'll work it out, we always do!

Another September is almost gone, but not before another full weekend of birthday parties and a baby shower, and a baptism! Oh man! What is with my family and September?

Well last weekend we finally gave Mary (now 11) and Anna (now 7) a real birthday party. I think it's been since Mary's 6th and Anna's 2nd birthdays since we threw a party with friends from school and more than just our immediate family. I was worried that at this age they wouldn't want a combination party (their birthdays are only five days apart), but when we mentioned having one they were all for it! I think maybe they were just grateful that we were able to do it for them this year, they weren't about to push their luck. We let them pick 5 friends each from school, then we had a few family members with children and close friends. There were about 20 kids all together, so it was definitely doable. We had it out in our front yard, Jason cooked up some hot dogs and burgers, and we hired a magician! Fun was had by all, it was a great day! The best part of the day was seeing the girls have so much fun and feel special. They really deserve it, but I think Jason and I got more out of it than they did. It just felt good.

So, Mary got a new digital camera for her birthday and Anna got an IPOD shuffle. Both from Papa and Gama. I am jealous of Mary, her camera is way better than ours, the pictures came out beautifully! Most of these photos are taken with Mary's camera.

Guess who's birthday is coming up....HINT, CAMERA, HINT, HINT! (I know you read this Jason!)

An update in pictures (because that's all I have time for!)

2008-09-10T20:30:00.003-05:00

Time for school!

Alex starts Ballet!

Look how big Noah is getting!

Mastering new skills!

2008-08-10T14:58:00.002-05:00

The girls and I have gone to the pool a lot this year. We will spend 3 to 5 hours there when we go! It is so relaxing, the older two are off on their own and they will meet friends there, and Alexandria loves the sand and wadding pool. Anyway, this year Mary finally worked up the guts to go off the diving board (not to mention I bribed her with money, but only because she is a good swimmer, and has been for years, but she just never felt like she could swim in 16 feet of water!) I knew she would love it when she did it, and she sure did! The rest of that day she only went off the diving boards, well the low dives anyway. When we went the other day she went off the high dive, on her own, without me having to bribe her!

Now, Anna, she has been asking me (actually begging me) to let her use the diving boards since the day Mary first went off of them in the beginning of this summer. I have been hesitant only because she has only been able to swim well since this year and she wouldn't go where she couldn't touch the bottom. I told her that if she could jump in 5 feet and then swim to the edge I would let her go. Well, the same day Mary went off the high dive, Anna was practicing in 5 feet and finally felt comfortable in water that was deeper than she was tall. I still had a lot of hesitation just because Mary has been swimming for years, and Anna for only months. I let her try it. It was funny because the first few times up, she went to the edge and chickened out. She then told me that she'll need to wait till she is seven to do it, which I was fine with! Next thing I know she comes up to me and tells me that she's gonna do it, and she went right up there and jumped like it was nothing! She swam up to the edge just fine, and after that she wouldn't leave that area!

Ok, so that same day, Alex decides she wants to try the water slides. These aren't just little baby water slides, they are big, fast, and long and twisty slides that you would find at a big water park! She was just tall enough for them, secretly I was hoping she wouldn't be tall enough. The great thing about this pool is that the lifeguard will catch a non swimmer at the bottom if you ask them to. After waiting in the long line, down she went. To give you an idea about how long these slides are, I had enough time to run down a lot of stairs to meet her at the bottom in time! Poor baby, came down sideways, and it looked like that big bad slide whipped her all over the place! She was crying, so I thought she was scared. She was only upset because she had water in her eyes, she said the slide was not scary, it was fun!

So, ok, Mary goes down the high dive, Anna down the diving boards for the first time, and Alex down the giant slide..........Oh, my babies are growing up so fast!

Over a month!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-07-24T12:37:00.006-05:00

I am so sorry to anyone who might still be checking in for updates! Anyone? I am so sorry, we've just been enjoying our summer, and school for myself is taking up a lot of my free time! We haven't gone anywhere on vacation this year, and the girls start school in less than a month, so I don't think we will. I can hardly believe that summer is almost over and I will have both older girls in school full time. I don't know what Alex and I will do without the older girls around, but we have lots of time with Anna going into first grade now. Anyway, Mary is doing a summer orchestra, and Anna has started gymnastics. Mary is getting really good on her viola, and Anna is obsessed with perfecting her cartwheels, roundoff and hand stands into back bridges ( I don't know what the term is for that). So, look what she can do now! HERE

GO CUBS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-06-21T15:32:00.002-05:00

THIS IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS CUBS/SOX SERIES TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rainy day!

2008-05-31T16:21:00.003-05:00

So yesterday it rained, a lot, all day! The girls were bored, and since there wasn't any thunder or lightning, I let them go out to play in the rain! This brought back so many memories as a kid. We always went outside (in the summer) when it rained. I don't let my kids do it a lot, and I have no idea why. When I told them to go outside they looked at me like I was a nut, like I had totally lost my mind. This made me feel bad, so I felt like I should take a couple of cute pictures to document. A couple pictures turned into a lot, and some videos too! Then, I thought of a song that Mary loves, that would was running in my head the whole time they were out. This inspired me to create a Montage! Watch it, it's not too long. They were so adorable!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Gone Fishing!

2008-05-26T16:33:00.002-05:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day!

On Mother's Day

2008-05-14T10:48:00.005-05:00

Mothers day was great! Actually, it was more like a Mother's day weekend! Jason decided to take me shopping for clothes the Friday before Mothers Day because I was in serious need of some new clothes, and I would never go out and buy for myself because I always feel that the money should either be saved, or the kids need something more than I do. I'm glad he made me get all we did, but it didn't stop me from feeling bad about it and cringing when the lady was done wringing us up at JC Penny. Jason told me to just keep breathing. It wasn't that bad actually. I got a lot, and we hit some great deals.

Saturday I also went to get a contact lens eye exam. It has been months since I threw away my last pair of contacts. Again, I didn't want to spend the money so I was dealing with just my glasses. That is hard for me to do because I hate wearing them, they make me feel claustrophobic and uncomfortable, so I'll go without them while dealing with terrible headaches from eye strain. Not a good thing to do. Anyway, I did a little research before deciding where to go and I found a great deal. America's best sells a membership that gives you 3 years of free eye exams, and 10% off of contact lenses for 99 dollars! A regular contact lens eye exam will cost 69 dollars, so for 30 more you get a whole 3 years worth. That will give me no excuse to let my prescription expire. So, anyway I did that, I got my contacts, I even got a cheap pair of sunglasses. It feels good to wear new clothes, to be able to see without feeling uncomfortable, and even look stylish!

Sunday morning I woke up to breakfast in bed. Jason and the girls do this every year and I love it! I spent the day cleaning my house because it needed it. As much as I would have liked to just lay around, this needed to be done. The girls helped me, so that was great. They cleaned their room and did a really great job on it, which is very unusual for them. Mary did the morning dishes too. They were really very sweet all day, and that made all the cleaning I did that much easier. Later Jason's parents came over and when Jason came home from work we ordered Chinese food. This is Jason's mom, and my, favorite thing to eat. We have gone to restaurants on Mother's days in the past, but that is such a pain. They are always so busy, it takes forever to get seated, and it's all just such a hassle. This way it takes 15 minutes for the food to get done so you can just basically leave to pick it up right after calling it in. It was very good, as usual. Later we gave Jason's mom her gifts. We got her a DVD version of Anna's 6 year Transplant Anniversary Montage that is on the side of this blog. She loved it, and It really nice to watch on a bigger screen. We also got her a nice toaster. Sounds lame, but she really needed a new one, and she is like me, she won't spend money easily. That was it, it was a nice mothers day. Hope you all had a good one too!

Alex decided that is was just too messy with the wrapping paper on the floor, so she took it upon herself to clean up.

Celebrate life!

2008-04-26T22:51:00.006-05:00

We got to go to Navy Pier tonight for the Celebrate life party at the Children's museum. What a place! The kids had a blast, I was a nervous wreck though. Jason was out of town so I went on my own with the three girls. First of all, I have never driven into the city on my own (I mean into the heart of the city, and Lake shore drive), I can get to Children's with my eyes closed, or drive around that area, even the north side where we used to live. Driving in the city is very intimidating with all the traffic, the one way streets, the people, the angry drivers, the angry cab drivers, they all hated me today because of my driving slowly and not knowing where I was going. Mapquest got me as far as Navy Pier, but I had no idea where to go from there. Somehow I found a parking garage and parked. Then somehow I found out how to get to the museum from inside the garage. This was enough to make me wonder why I bothered in the first place. Once we got there though, we were there. I felt more calm as the night went until it was time to go home and get back into the car, and find my way out. That's a whole other story though. HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

It was fun, the girls had a blast. Just a museum full of miracles! We saw lots of new faces, and lots of old faces. We saw Oliver the magician, who is also Anna's make a wish, wish granter. He is great with the kids. Anna warmed up to him right away, she remembered him so that was great. The secretary of state was also there, and some of Anna's doctors and nurses. We ran into a couple of kids that are in the same withdrawal study that Anna is in. One of them has been off for a while and is doing great! No complications at all! I think the other was almost done and is doing great. This gives up so much hope for the future. I am so happy for these kids and their families, and so grateful to the wonderful doctors and nurses for conducting such a study. It's amazing to me that my daughter will be off all meds by Christmas this year, since we were told in the beginning that she would be on medicine for the rest of her life. All these advances in medicine!

Here are some pictures. Enjoy!

Anna with Oliver, her wish granter.

Water fun!

Digging up dinosaur bones!

Catching up

2008-04-16T11:03:00.006-05:00

*********************Upadate***********************

Perfectly normal labs!

Did I just dream that this child had a liver transplant?

********************Update*************************

It's been a couple weeks now since I posted. Not a whole lot has been happening, so that's why I haven't posted. Everyone is doing well. Anna had her labs done yesterday, so I'll hear back results today I hope. Two weeks since her first medicine reduction, and I think she's fine. I am watching her very closely, but it was such a small reduction it's hard to think anything (for example, rejection) would happen. That's why I'm so comfortable with this study, the weaning is done so slowly, and so carefully. I will make sure to keep her prgress updated.

Today I get to take Grandma for her last radiation appointment. This is very exciting for us. We are going out afterwards for lunch, and then this weekend we will be celebrating her birthday! I can't wait to show her what a special lady she is. I'm thinking I'll get her one of those digital picture frames (good thing she doesn't read this). They still use a film camera, and since I have gone digital, I never get copies of pictures. I should, but I don't. And at this point it would be hard, and expensive, to get all the pictures from my computer to paper. So, a digital picture frame would be perfect! And they are mostly pictures she hasn't seen, so that will be even more special. Any other ideas for this special lady would be appreciated!

I have pictures from Alexandria's birthday too. She had a blast. She is such a sweet little girl. She is still thanking us for her birthday party, and it's not like we had a big party. Just us, Grandma and Papa, and our friends Michelle, Ben, Hunter, Maya and Sophie. She still remembers her cake with the strawberry's in the middle, that is what she talks about when someone asks her about her birthday. Silly girl. She got her very special Giselle dress from Enchanted, our new favorite movie, a play guitar that when she opened she said she got her very own Guitar Hero. She's funny. Her big gift this year was her big girl bed. Take a look at her special day.

April is National Donate Life Month

2008-04-07T12:01:00.010-05:00

Did you know?

April is National Donate Life Month. Donate Life Illinois is a coalition of statewide donation agencies focused on an 18-month effort to register 3.5 million Illinois residents in the state's new organ/tissue donor registry by the end of April. The effort calls attention to the 4,700 Illinoisans who are waiting for lifesaving transplants. During the month of April, Donate Life Illinois will be traveling throughout the state to their "Drive for 3.5" hosting donor registration drive. It is crucial that Illinois residents understand that you need to RE-REGISTER after Jan. 1, 2006 to join the new registry. Donor families, recipients and advocates are gathering to call on fellow Illinoisans to register as an organ/tissue donor. Donate Life Illinois mascot Morgan D' Organ will join Donate Life Illinois Volunteers at 2 locations in Glen Ellyn. A special guest appearance will be made by Secretary of State Jesse White at 10:00a.m. at the BR Ryall YMCA and the at 10:30a.m. at the Glen Ellyn Public Library.

We went. I was going to post this before the date, which was on the 5th, but I forgot. It was Alexandria's Birthday on Saturday (update on her Birthday celebration and pictures to come) so we were very busy. So sorry to anybody who might still be reading this blog, for the lack of updates and blogging. I am going to catch up on reading blogs I promise.

Anyway, it was fun! People were registering which was exciting. It was great to be there so people could see the miracle of organ donation in Anna, and other recipients there. The girls were a little afraid of Jesse White, but I did get a picture of Mary and Anna with him (Alex wouldn't go anywhere near him). They got a kick out of Morgan D' Organ, who was a giant Liver! So funny to see a giant liver standing outside of the public library! So, good times!

The other people in this picture is a family from Mary's old school in Glen Ellyn. The man standing at the end on the far right side is a kidney recipient. The man standing on the far left holding a little girl is his donor. The recipient is now a volunteer with Donate Life Illinois, and is getting near his 1 year transplant Anniversary. The other girls are his daughters, one of whom Mary was in Girl Scouts with. Very nice family!

Day at the Museum!

2008-04-02T11:54:00.005-05:00

My good friend Michelle and I decided to take the kids downtown to visit the Field Museum yesterday! It was a great idea since we have nothing else planned for spring break and the weather still isn't very warm. After a bit of a rough start (having to stop on the way there for a potty break for two new potty trained girls, and Alex getting car sick 2 minutes before we arrived, also having to leave the long ticket line for another potty break for the 2 little ones) we had a great time. I don't think I have been to that Museum since grade school for a field trip, so I was excited as well! You will all be proud of me for remembering to bring the camera and taking lots of pictures! Enjoy!

I think our favorite exhibit was the mummy exhibit!

Taking turns lying on an ancient egyptian bed, and trying to pull an ancient row boat.

Another favorite was the Dinosaur exhibate!

And more, just random pictures!

Biopsy Thursday

2008-03-26T11:38:00.006-05:00

**********UPDATE**********

Everything went well today. We got there at 6:30 this morning, they took her in at 7:30 as scheduled, and we were sent home at 2:30. Anna didn't want to wake up right away afterward, but there weren't any problems, she was just tired. When she did wake up she was very loopy and kept dropping her Popsicle and giggling about it. She was adorable. Everything got done when it needed to get done, and everyone was nice as usual, and Anna got many parting gifts including her bubble gum scented sleepy mask. The only thing that didn't go well was the ride home! Snow again! I am so sick of it! It took us until 5:30 to get home, and it only took us 40 minutes to get to the hospital this morning.

Anyway, Anna is back to her normal self. We will get the results possibly by this coming Monday, and if everything looks good we will start the weaning Monday!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just wanted to let everyone know that Anna is participating in the withdrawal study. I talked about this in a past post, but it's been a while. You can read about it more HERE

When we went to clinic on Anna's anniversary, Jason and I talked to Dr. Ekong more about the study and our worries and concerns, and we decided to go ahead and do it! It only took a year for us to decide! It made us feel better when Dr. Ekong said that they "really cherry pick" the patients they chose to be in this study, and they wouldn't involve Anna unless they were sure that we could all handle it. Anna had some blood tests the week after she had labs done during transplant clinic. When all of those came back and looked good, they decided to go ahead and schedule the biopsy. They want to be certain that everything looks good before they go ahead with the weaning of her prograf, and that's why they do the biopsy for this study. The biopsy was one of the things that was holding me back from wanting to do the study in the first place, but now she is due for one anyway since it's been three years (our center likes to do a routine biopsy every three years).

I am nervous, but excited to do this! The weaning is done over a 9 month period. She will go back to going for clinic every three months, and labs every other week. If everything goes good with the weaning Anna will be off all meds by next year! I'm so excited for that! Maybe Anna will be a help for patients in the future!

Wish us luck tomorrow! We have to stay for 6 hours after they do the biopsy so that they can monitor her liver functions! It will be a long day, and Anna is a little nervous about it.

Easter Pictures

2008-03-25T11:55:00.007-05:00

We had a busy weekend. My friend Jessie was here for the weekend, and of course there was Easter! We had good food, and lots of fun. I hosted this year! Gave Grandma a break this year, so Jason's parents were here, uncle victor, and Baily, (the dog) since her family went away for the weekend! There was no playing outside though because of the snow we got, but the girls still searched for eggs inside the house and they got Easter baskets from the Easter Bunny and from Grandma and Papa. I might as well call the dentist and make an appointment for fillings now, because of all the candy they got! I have been helping them eat it though, you know, trying to do them a favor;)

Anna's new due!

2008-03-20T16:43:00.004-05:00

Anna got her hair cut! Remember all of this beautiful hair!

Well, it's still beautiful, just shorter!

By the way, this picture was taken only a few short days ago. Beautiful weather, now there is snow on the ground for Easter! That's Chicago weather for you!

Grandma Update/Breast Cancer Three Day

2008-03-18T16:54:00.004-05:00

Just wanted to post an update about how Jason's mom is handling her breast cancer treatments. Lynne is in her 3rd week of radiation. She had really positive attitude in the beginning, but it is getting very hard for her right now. Her spirit is a little low, and she is sick of going for treatments everyday and she doesn't like feeling so tired all the time. Her skin in the area where they shoot the radiation at is getting very red and irritated. It looks like a sunburn, and she said it is starting to feel like one too. She still has two more full weeks to go to make the 5 1/2 weeks full of treatment. If everyone can say a little prayer for her it would be greatly appreciated.

Also, a very good friend of mine who lives in Seattle is doing the breast cancer three day this year. I also mentioned this in a previous post. I have known Jessie since high school, we grew on the same street, and we are still very close. She is walking this year in honor of Lynne, and she needs a little help to reach her goal of money that she needs to raise to participate. I'm not asking for a lot, every little bit can help. If you go to her personal page HERE you can make a contribution of any amount that you would feel comfortable with. Please join her in the fight against breast cancer!

When will people mind their own business?

2008-03-17T10:29:00.004-05:00

We went shopping at Kohl's last night for Easter dresses for the girls. Alexandria was acting like the typical two year old, running around the store, hiding in the clothing racks, pulling clothes off the hangers, stuff like that. I had finally had enough so I put her in one of those stroller carts. She wasn't very happy about it, but I didn't want to chase her around the store anymore. I wanted to look around with the Jason and the girls and see how they looked when they tried on dresses. So, Mary and Anna go into a dressing room and Jason and I wait outside of the dressing room by the girls' clothes browsing some more. Alex is crying to get out of the cart. Jason gets a dirty look from some random shopper that I didn't catch. I hear this lady tell Jason, "I think she wants to get out!" I turn around thinking that it was a sarcastic comment made by some knowingly mother, so I say, "you think?" But then I see her face, and I hear Jason telling her to mind her own business I knew she wasn't just being sarcastic. After that I said, "Are you serious, your actually serious?" She goes on to tell us that she can't stand to see a child restrained and how would we like it if it were us! She was acting as though she caught us beating our child! Oh, my goodness! I was almost speechless! Comments were made back and forth. She was calling us bad parents! So I ask her, "I'm sorry, but is it terrible that we don't want her running around the store destroying everything, or getting lost and snatched up by some creep? This makes us bad parents?" Gosh, I don't' remember the conversation exactly, but I started getting loud and Jason had to pull me away before I went after that B@*%#!!!!!! What gave her the right to try to tell someone that they were bad parents, and how to be a good parent? What makes someone think that they can just go around telling people what to do? I am still fuming about this! Why did Jason hold me back? I would have felt so good to slap that woman right across the face!

2008-03-15T15:25:00.004-05:00

I forgot to post the pictures we took at Anna's Anniversary celebration last week. We had a great time at TGI Fridays, followed by cake and presents at our house later. Anna had a wonderful time on her special day. We are all very blessed to have this little girl in our lives. I can't imagine it being any other way, and that's why we celebrate our little miracle girl every year.

Kids say the darnedest!

2008-03-10T21:45:00.002-05:00

It's been hard for me to post because I wanted my priviest post to stay up because of the montage. Problem solved though, I was able to put a small player on my sidebar! How exciting!

Anyway, I just had to post this. Everyone I've told has cracked up over this. We were at church on Sunday. We are still new to going to church, and I don't think I have really blogged about it yet, but that is something I can always get into later. Anyway, the Bishop led us in prayer after the sacrament. In his payer he mentions Jesus Christ (not something unusual at church, right?). Mind you, everyone is silent, even most of the kids. This gave my lovely, new to attending church, almost three year old daughter, the opportunity to ask about Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ??????!!!!!!

Who the heck is that??????!!!!!!

Who the heck is Jesus Christ??????!!!!!!

Jesus Christ?????!!!!!!!

It took everything I had to NOT laugh at her, but at the same time I was so embarrassed. Same with Mary and Anna, and almost everyone in the church! She was so loud! Guess we need to attend Church more frequently! LOL

So, this also reminded me of some similar things the older girls have said that was hilarious, and we all still talk and laugh about today!

Anna had a stomach bug once. I felt bad for her because she was on the toilet all day. She was probably almost three years old in the summertime. Anyway, she is sitting on the toilet for the umpteenth time that day. I walk into the bathroom and I ask her in a very sincere tone, "Anna, have you got the runs?" She looks up at me and she says, "no Mommy, the Cubies get the runs!"

Maybe this is not funny to some if you don't know Chicago Cubs baseball. During the 7th inning stretch they have someone lead the stadium in singing, "take me out to the ball game," and when the song is over they say, "lets get some runs!" This a big thing in our household, we all stop to sing along, and that's where Anna got, "no Mommy, the Cubies get the runs!" LOL

And now we get to Mary. Probably about the same age, 2, almost 3. A dear friend of ours comes over and we decide to go to the Chinese Buffet across the street for dinner. Of course Buffet means all you can eat, which means we all stuffed ourselves. So, we get home and Victor (our friend) is moaning and groaning. He says, "Oh man, I feel fat!" Mary says to him, in a very matter of fact tone of voice, "but Victor, you ARE fat!" LOL! Don't worry, his feeling weren't hurt and he still laughs about it to this day!

Don't kids say the darnedest things?

6 years for Anna!

2008-03-05T16:44:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow is Anna's 6 year transplant Anniversary! I can't believe it's been 6 years already! It seems like just yesterday, but it also seems like forever ago

Tomorrow we go for transplant clinic. We are going bright and early for ultrasound, then labs before clinic, and we just might sign the papers for the withdrawal study during clinic after Jason asks the questions and voices the concerns he has ( he hasn't been able to speak with the doctors directly about it yet). I'll let you know what we decide. We most likely will do it, and I am very excited about that! We will also have to schedule a day to get Anna's biopsy done, because they like to do that every three years. After that we have more plans for the day to celebrate, so that is why I am posting today!

I also made a Montage in honor of Anna's 6 year liver birthday! This is my first Montage, and it took me a while to make it, so please take a look if you have the time. I think it came out ok!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Brilliant.....AND Nurturing!

2008-02-28T20:48:00.005-06:00

Jason started teaching Alexandria, a couple weeks ago, how to write her name. Ever since then she has been obsessed with writing letters. Never a bad thing. She has this fort builder that she got for Christmas, and look what she did with the pieces!

I know she didn't put the letters in order to actually spell her name, but she did include each letter from what we have taught her (we have only taught her to spell ALEX because ALEXANDRIA is a little long!). I had to stand up on the arm of the couch to get all the letters in one shot. I just can't believe how smart this child is. She is not even three yet! I know I am bragging, but I don't care. She is my child and I have a right to brag, what mother doesn't?

Also, I finally got to babysit for Noah. I haven't had a chance to have him all to myself yet. Not that I don't like to have Jenny around, because I really do, but it was a lot of fun to take care of Noah on my own. I little taste of what it might be like to mother a boy. Just a little taste though, Alex actually hogged him pretty good. Her Mommy instinct kicked in full blast today, and she was really protective and nurturing to Noah. She helped feed him, she looked after him in the back seat of the car while we took a ride to bring Anna to school and Grandma to radiation, she got me his diaper and wipes when I needed them, she rocked him in his carrier to get him to fall asleep, (we could probably ignore the fact that she woke him up right after he feel asleep because she wanted to play with him again), she got him toys to play with, held him.....the list can go on. So much fun! I just adore this little boy, and obviously so do my girls. Adorable, just adorable!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I might not post again until next Thursday night. I am working on a Montage for Anna's 6th transplant anniversary, coming up on the 6th of March, that I will post when I'm done, along with an update about how clinic goes on Thursday too! We have a long day next week at Children's. We have to be there at 7:30 to have an ultrasound, then go for labs, then breakfast at McDonald's (inside the hospital), transplant clinic and we have to schedule for a biopsy (routine) and talk to the doctors about the withdrawal study I have mentioned in the past. Then we are going to stop on the way home to have lunch at Jason's cousin's restaurant.
Wish us luck!

Treatment has started

2008-02-25T19:27:00.004-06:00

I love my mother in law. She means the world to me and I hate that she has to go through cancer treatment.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in October and she has had five surgeries since her diagnoses. I would have never imagined it would take this long to start radiation, but they wanted to make sure they got all of the nodes that the cancer would travel to. She also needed time to heal between surgeries and before she could start radiotion. While I know that she has a good prognoses, all of this has really taken a toll on our family. Stage 1 is a really good stage to be at (if you have to be at one), and no chemotherapy is great! But the fact remains that she still has cancer, and she is tired of all of this already, and treatment has just started....TODAY! Going everyday for 5 weeks is going to be hard for her.

She doesn't deserve this. Nobody ever deserves this. We need to find a cure.

A good friend of mine who lives in Seattle is doing The Breast Cancer Three Day this year in honor of my mother in law, mother to Jason, wife to Bill, and Grandmother to Mary, Anna, and Alexandria. Lynne.

We love you so much Ma! Go on and fight cancer's but!

Just a little obsessed?

2008-02-21T13:29:00.005-06:00

Noah again!!!!!!!!

He is feeling much better!

Take a look at the little angel.

I can't get enough of him!

Can I have him Jenny?

Welcome Baby Sophie Lynn!

2008-02-18T16:02:00.006-06:00

Yes, all my friends and relatives are having babies!

My friend Michelle had a baby girl yesterday at 1:30pm.
Sophie Lynn weighed in at 7 pounds 12 ounces, and 21 1/2 inches long.
Mommy and baby are doing very well!
Big brother Hunter and big sister Maya are very proud!

I went to the hospital to visit today. She is a very pretty baby!
I just love newborn babies, and I started thinking, maybe just one more! Then I got home and realized that the three I have are more than enough, they don't stay newborns for very long, and I just love my girls (plus the fact that I am done with diapers). I'll just keep letting my friends and relatives have the babies, I can enjoy them, and hand them right back!

********Update on Noah********

Noah went home last night with a take home nebulizer because he still needs treatments. He is feeling much better!

Prayers for baby Noah

2008-02-16T13:41:00.004-06:00

I got a call this morning from my friend Jenny's mom today saying that 4 month old Baby Noah was admitted to the hospital last night (I have mentioned him in a few posts). He spiked a high fever last night and was wheezing quite a bit. He had been sick for a few days, maybe almost a week now. My understanding is that he has a viral or bronchial infection of some sort. They are doing nebulizer treatments every couple of hours. The doctors are also wondering if maybe he has asthma like his older brother. Jenny is exhausted. Noah has not been getting much sleep so that means she hasn't either. They might be able to go home today if the need for the nebulizer can go for four hours in-between treatments.

Just wondering if anyone reading this can say a little prayer for Jenny and Noah. I know how hard it is to have a sick child in the hospital no matter what the severity of the situation is.

**********************update******************************

Noah is staying another night. Mike came to the hospital after he got off work so Jenny was able to go home and take a shower and eat something other than chips.

2008-02-11T15:08:00.001-06:00

Wow! I have been slacking on this blog! So sorry everyone!

There is not much to report, so this is just an entry so that you all know that we are all alive and well!

This cold weather has been kicking our buts! I can't stand the snow at all, and we have had a couple of below zero days. It's brutal! Winter in Chicago is not an easy thing to deal with. I can't wait to be able to just have the girls slip on their sandles and just walk outside. It can take so long to bundle all three up to go out.

School has been keeping me busy too. I am studying my butt off! It's not easy with three little ones who want/need my attention. I have been feeling really bad that I have been spending so much time with my nose in my books because my girls are not used it. Also my house is not looking so hot either because when it's all said and done the last thing I want to do is clean my house!

A post would not be a post without a picture or two, right?! Remember when I posted almost four months ago that my best friends baby and my niece were born a day apart from each other? Well, I never had a picture of my niece to post because my camera died out that day after taking so many pictures of Noah (Jenny's baby whom I went to visit first that day). I finally got to see baby Christina last week for the first time since I saw her in the hospital when she was born. We were over at my brother's house for a few hours and this baby didn't cry, or even fuss once! She is so good, she just sits there and takes everything in! What a doll!

Christina's big sister wanted nothing to so with having her picture taken!

Snow Day!

2008-02-01T15:20:00.000-06:00

I don't understand, when I was a kid growing up, I didn't get a snow day! Not once! Not even when it was waist deep! And, we would always walk to school in it. It was so much fun!

Last night we got about 10 inches of snow. I got a call from the school at 5:30 in the morning (automated) saying that all of our district schools were closed for the day. It didn't matter to me, I had no plans for the day and it was nice to be able to stay home and relax without having to bring the kids back and forth all day. The girls are playing out side in the snow. It's been about an hour already and now it is snowing again! Fun! They wanted me to play with them but I only got as far as taking a few pictures. Anna was too busy to turn around and stop what she was doing for a descent picture, but I got Mary and Alex! The little hams. I just didn't want to actually go out in it, so I stood at the patio door to take these. I know, I'm a party pooper.

You won't believe this child!

2008-01-26T19:46:00.000-06:00

I know this is hardly an update, but none of you would ever guess what Anna just did!

She pulled her tooth out with a pair of pliers!!!!!!!! Trust me, it is nothing I allowed her to do, but how could I be mad at her. When she came out of the bathroom she looked so proud of what she did. She had a tooth that was loose (from only this morning) and it was bothering her, she pulled it out. Problem solved. Would else would she do?

Maybe I will have a little dentist on my hands!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

2008-01-21T11:45:00.000-06:00

Today is Jason's 32nd Birthday! Happy Birthday Jason! We celebrated last night at his parents house because we have so much going on today. Among-st other things, Jason's mom is going for yet another surgery today! This will be th fourth since she was diagnosed to have lymph nodes takes out. They wanted one last one taken out about two weeks ago and they did it, but when she went to see her oncologist last week he felt the same one he wanted removed last time. That means they removed the wrong one, so now they want that same one removed. This time the oncologist circled, with pen, where the lymph node is that he wants the surgeon to remove. So, 32 years years after giving birth to Jason, she is going in for surgery. Poor lady, she is so sick of this already, and she hasn't even started the treatment yet. She is supposed to go on Wednesday to have her first radiation treatment, I don't know if that will have to be postponed or not. Please pray all goes well with that.

Yesterday before we celebrated Jason's birthday Mary and I went dress shopping for my friend Jenny's wedding. She isn't getting married until December, but we want to get as much done now as we can. Anyway, dresses are a big deal, it will take a few trips to figure it all out I'm sure. Jenny has eight brides maids, including myself as the maid of honor, and Mary as a junior bridesmaid. Anna and Alex will be in the wedding too, they will both be flower girls! It's going to be fun!

Tonight Jason's good friend Victor took us out for dinner at Joe's crab shack for Jason's birthday! This is our most favorite restaurant! This time, instead of the regular kids menu stuff, Mary and Anna had snow crab! It was so fun for them to crack open the crab legs, and take the meat out, a lot of work too! Alex had the mac and cheese though. I was surprised that Mary and Anna wanted the crab and ate it too! I thought maybe they just wanted it so that they could crack the shells open, but they ate it up! So cute! We had a lot of fun. Thank you Victor!

Alexandria using the Potty!!!!!

2008-01-10T14:31:00.000-06:00

Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This has me so excited. We have been trying for so long to potty train this child and it has finally stuck with her! Over the past few days she has had only a few accidents. Last night she fell asleep at 6 o'clock in the evening, slept through the night until 7 this morning and she stayed dry! No accidents today so far also (knock on wood). I took her to the store with big girl Disney princess pants on and she kept dry while we were out! I thought of putting a pull up on, but I figured why not try our first trip out without a pullup and see what happens. She is doing really good, and I have let her decide when it's time to go instead of asking her to try every 30 minutes. Looks like we are almost there! So excited, no more diapers for me to change!!!!!!!!

Happy 2008!

2008-01-07T09:51:00.000-06:00

Hope you all weren't too worried about us! No, we are not still sick, although while we were it was a pain in the butt to get rid of, but it's all gone and everyone is back in health. We had a busy 2 weeks while the girls were on Christmas break from school. It's hard to update when everyone is home and we have to share one computer! Today the girls go back to school! Thank you God! Mary and Anna where at each others necks for two weeks. You would think with all the new things they got for Christmas they would be occupied. We actually didn't do very much of anything for these two weeks, some of it was trying to feel better and doctor appointments, and who gets what medicine at what time while trying not to mix up the bottles.

Last week we got to have my good friend Jenny and her two boys over. That was fun, the girls had a good time, and I got my baby fix! Baby Noah is almost three months old and as cute as ever! He is giggling a lot, always smiling and just such a happy baby! Jason was home this time so he got to see what it was like to have some boy children around! HA HA!

Brandon doesn't like the camera, so that's why he is not in any of these pictures. Sorry Jenny. And for some reason nobody likes to take pictures of me at all!

I still have yet to see my niece Christina since I visited them in the hospital after she was born. Whenever I make plans with my brother they get canceled for one reason or another. I hope to have pictures of her too soon. She is just one day older than Noah. I might get a chance this coming Friday. I had to make an appointment for Anna at the dentist at Children's because I noticed that one of her larger filling fell out! Now she has a big hole in one of her teeth, and that can't be good. My brother's house would be basically on the way home, so I'll keep my fingers crossed that we can keep this date and I'll remember my camera.

Also, in news for Jason's mom. She had some of the lymph nodes, along with the mass in her breast, removed. Three surgeries. The first was before she was diagnosed, she had the lump removed and it was found to be cancerous. That was back at the end of October. Then, she had surgery to remove some of the lymph nodes on that same side. That wasn't done until after Thanksgiving. Then she had one last lymph node removed last week that showed up. All of the nodes were found to be non cancerous! This is very good news! That means the cancer didn't spread to them, and now she is classified to have stage one breast cancer. She will start radiation treatment next week. It will last for 4-5 weeks. I think she will have to go daily, and I am not sure how long each treatment lasts for. I know she is not looking forward to this, but she is so grateful that she will not have to do chemotherapy right now. This is good news, and we are all so grateful. Lynne is also in very good spirits and she is ready to fight cancers butt!

As much as I hate making new years resolutions, this year I did. I don't' usually keep them, but I will try so very hard this year. My goal is just to keep every eating healthy and getting exercise. That shouldn't' be too hard, right? Diets aren't easy, and that's what I usually shoot for. A lifestyle change should be lots easier. Actually it already has been! Keeping a nice big bowl of fruit out to snack on seemed like it would not have worked, but I did it and it is a hit! Everyone loves it, and it curbs your appetite while giving you something sweet as well. My fridge is stocked with yogurt and veggies, and diet soda instead of regular. My meals are more balanced, and I haven't used my deep fryer in weeks! Everyone is really taking to this and it is a lot easier than I thought it would be. I am having a ball taking recipe ideas from my cooking lite magazine! It is fun to have a healthy, tasty meal and learning new ways to make healthy foods taste great! The only thing that is challenging is the exercise part. Jason and I have had only one day when we were able to do this. We can't leave the kids in the house by themselves, Grandma isn't always feeling well enough to have them over, and it's hard to walk with sidewalks full of snow. We walked for 2 and a half miles the other day and it wasn't easy. The day after it was 60 degrees outside, beautiful, but my shin muscles were hurting to bad to walk. I know it sounds pathetic, but I really don't get exercise, so this was really different. I know once I get past the achy muscles and learning the right way to breath I'll be just fine. My goal right now is to be able to run for two and a half miles without running out of breath.

Anyone else doing the healthy eating thing for their New Year resolutions?

2007-12-28T12:02:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the lack of updates. I have been sick, again. Oh boy, am I sick and tired, of being sick and tired. This has been going on since Thanksgiving, and it keeps getting passed around. I was sick on Christmas, and went to urgent care the day after. I have a sinus infection, Bronchitis and pink eye. I had a breathing treatment and was sent home with antibiotics, Robitussin with Codine, and some eye drops. I don't think I have ever had such a bad sinus infection before. It was so bad I couldn't even lift my head off the pillow in the morning. And the coughing is so bad sometimes I can't catch my breath and sometimes vomit. I have been through 5 big boxes of puffs plus with lotion and Aloe in three days and I still look like Rudolf the red nosed reindeer! It's terrible! Jason went to urgent care after I came home from there. We had to take turns. He also has Bronchitis, not a sinus infection, but strep throat! The girls are fine, I can't believe it. I am so glad though, but I feel terrible that I was miserable during Christmas and Christmas break for them. The house is a terrible mess! I promised them that we could host play dates here while they are on break from school but now that's a no. Maybe these antibiotics will kick in and by next week I'll be feeling much better.

Anyway, I want to post some Christmas pictures. We still did manage to have a nice Christmas day. I felt the worst the day after, so I am thankful that I was able to do stuff with the girls.

Here are some pictures of the girls decorating the sugar cookies the Saturday before Christmas.

Here are some taken on Christmas eve and Jason's parents house. Alexandria took a nice long nap, which did not help her to go to bed early enough that night for Santa to arrive early. Mary and Papa doing a crossword puzzle together, Mary playing some Christmas music on her Viola for us, and Anna made the programs for Mary's performance! Jason and the girls putting out the milk and cookies for Santa, and then myself and the girls!

Santa came!!!!!!

Cats love Christmas too!

Anna got what she asked Santa for!

Mary got what she asked Santa for too!

All three must have been on the Nice list!

Playing on Chirstmas day!

Grama and Papa come to visit too!

Santa and stuff

2007-12-19T17:44:00.001-06:00

So sorry it's been so long since I've posted. I decided to take a little break from the computer in general. Things are going ok. The girls can't wait for Christmas break. We have some things planned, so it'll be nice! Jason and I went shopping for the girls gifts from Santa yesterday. It was the first time we went shopping this year for Christmas, and It'll be the last. It is really disappointing to see such crabby people throughout Toys R US, and even more annoying that the workers act as if your pulling their teeth to help you. I know they get bombarded with questions and have to deal with some mean and rude people, but it doesn't give them the right to treat ALL of their costumers that way. Oh well, we got what we needed to get for them and we were done. I will not be going over there again, and it's not just because we don't have any more money to shop.

We also went to the mall to visit with Santa! That was the high light of the day/season. Alexandria was supper excited to see him (from a distance anyway) and the other girls kept rehearsing the way they would tell him what they wanted. The only thing I could get out of Alex was that she wanted a blue present with big ribbons. Here is how the conversation went:

"Alex, what are you going to ask Santa for?"

"Ummm.....get me presents!"

"OK, but what kind of presents?"

"My OWN presents!"

"Ok, of course your own, he will get Mary her own, Anna her own, and you your own, but what do you want your present to be?"

"Ummm....a blue one with....big ribbons!"

"Ok, how about when you take off the big ribbons and blue wrapping paper, what do you want to be inside?"

"Ummm....a present for me!"

I gave up, she doesn't care I guess. We went through the Toys R US big book and she pointed to every single thing on every single page. So, I will have to make sure Santa's present is in blue wrapping paper with a big bow. Not too hard. Anyway, we only waited 30 minutes for Santa, and we were the last people he saw before he went on his break for dinner. Thanks to my good friend Michelle, we got free pictures because she knows the people who take the pictures for Santa. Otherwise, I wasn't going to buy them. I think it is terrible that they won't let people take their own pictures anymore. I think they will start charging people to just have their kids sit on Santa's lap! It's terrible, I think, to not let people take their own pictures. Oh well, it's all about the money now. Alex wouldn't sit on his lap, she was so excited to go see him, but once we got up there she was scared, she cried and wouldn't sit on his lap. I did expect her to, but oh well. Once we left to view the pictures and he got up to go to dinner, she was all about him again. Waiving and calling out his name and everything. Oh well, she still had fun!

If I don't post again until after Christmas, don't' worry. I will be busy for the rest of the days with cookies and grocery shopping and all that!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Tis the season!

2007-12-07T10:19:00.000-06:00

Not Pneumonia!

2007-12-03T13:34:00.000-06:00

Maybe I was being a little dramatic in my last post. I finally went to urgent care yesterday because my fever did in fact, stay high. Also, when I woke up yesterday morning my ears hurt. I was having a flashback from when I was a kid. I got ear infections a lot, and that feeling came back just the way I remember. They said my lungs sounded clear, so they didn't think a chest x-ray was necessary. She said the feeling I am getting when I breath in is just that my lungs are sore and tired and weak from all the coughing I have been doing for the past week. Both my ears are definitely infected, and I am on antibiotics. This morning I woke up with an extremely sore throat. With a flash light I can see that my tonsils are swollen, and I have some white puss pockets in there. My throat didn't hurt at all yesterday, and now it looks like I might have strep throat! URGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! I called the doctor today, and the antibiotics should cover strep throat too if that is what it is. I am not trying to breath on any of my kids today, keeping my coughs to myself as best I can, and using lots of hand sanitizer and Lysol disinfectant spray.

Here is someone who can't leave mommy alone and let me get some rest. She is always by my side, and when I am sick and lying around, she can't function either.

Will this ever end?

2007-12-01T20:24:00.000-06:00

Still sick here. I actually think I have pneumonia! All fevers are gone, except for mine. Everyone is coughing, but I am coughing the most. I can't stop, it's ridiculous, and it comes at the worst times, you know, those spells. Anyone can have a cough, but when you get that scratch in your throat, and cough and cough and can't stop! On the phone, at the store, at an appointment! And then it feels like I will either pop a vessel in my eye, or bust an aneurysm in my brain. I am sick of it already! I am going to go to urgent care tomorrow if I still have a fever. I am almost positive I have walking pneumonia though. My lungs just feel week and tired when I breath, and when I try to take a deep breath I almost cough one up!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today I took Anna to Children's to get her labs done, and for a study that she is participating in. Not the withdrawal study that I have been talking about in past posts though. I have decided to put that one on hold until we know what is going on with Grandma. This one is a totally different one. It is titled "Functional Outcomes in Pediatric Liver Transplantation." It was fun for her, she played games! It took 2 hours though! I knew it was going to be long, but I couldn't even be in the room with her! I had to fill out questioners about Anna and her physical, mental, and emotional development. It took me 2 hours, I was done only 2 minutes before Anna was! I let her pick out a little something at the gift shop when we were done, and she got her daddy THIS. It was only $5 on the clearance table, and he has to wear ties at work so one more won't hurt!

When we walked outside the snow started falling. When we got the care and paid for parking it was snowing a little harder. By the time we got to the first stop light, it was coming down in big flakes. It was so pretty, but traffic was not. It took us 2 1/2 hours to get home when it would normally only take us 45 minutes when traffic is good. People were driving like they had never driven in snow before. It was ridiculous!!!!! I was so annoyed. Lucky Anna slept through all of my frustration, which was really good. She didn't need to hear some of the things coming out of my mouth anyway. To make things worse, my cell phone was dead. I had no battery power even though it had just said that it was fully charged. My phone has been acting up lately, and I am lucky when it does work! I knew Jason and his parents would be worried about us. By the time we were half way home the snow turned to sleet and the roads got really slippery. Try stop and go, bumper to bumper, highway traffic in a stick shift little Dodge Neon. Every time I had to stop (which was often) when I would try to get going I was all over the place. It was a little scary, but we made it home ok. When I walked into Jason's mom's house I could see the relief in her face. She was really worried about us, and she said Jason kept calling her to see if I had called. It sucks that everyone was so worried. That another one of the reason's that I was so frustrated on my way home. So, anyway, our driveway is like a skating rink. I swear you could put on Ice Skates and be able to skate on the sheet of ice. I won't try though. I refuse to go back out there tonight.

Gotta love winter in Chicago!

The flu, I think

2007-11-28T08:48:00.000-06:00

So, remember when I said that we were all feeling better? Scratch that.

The night before last, I think the night I wrote my previous post, I went to bed early, a lot earlier than usual. I just felt worn out. I woke up the next morning with a temperature of 102.7! I laid in bed all day ( thank God Jason was off yesterday ). I can't control my cough at all, and I had sharp stomach pains, not to mention my whole body ached. I sent Mary to school yesterday morning, even though she woke up that night with a temperature. In the morning she was fine, and she didn't want to miss orchestra practice for a concert that was last night. Anna was fine. Alex was fine. Go figure, the two you would think should have it the worst. Anna because she is immune suppressed, and Alex because she is so little. I was able to make it ( just barley ) to Mary's first Orchestra concert last night. I was the one in the front row coughing, the one everyone hates. Too bad though, I couldn't miss her very first concert. This morning I had to call Mary in sick from school, and Jason had to call into work. Jason has it now. He is laying in bed as we speak, and he looks and feels the way I did last night.

I think it's the flu. These symptoms are very similar to the ones we had last year. I just don't understand, we all had the flu shot this year. Last year it was only Anna and Alex, and they both got it anyway. I know that the shot doesn't cover every strand of the flu, so of course we got a strand not covered. But, that doesn't explain why Anna and Alex didn't get it. Are they any extra covered because they had the flu shot 2 years in a row? Hmmm, guess we'll never know.

Game winning field Goal!

2007-11-26T14:50:00.000-06:00

Ok, I know that I don't post much about sports. And I know that the Bears are stinking this year. But Sunday the Bears put on a good show. Very exciting game! With not much time left in the game (ok, I don't know about statistics, and I don't have a good memory, I know this could me a little more specific) the bears scored two touchdowns to tie the game, sending them into overtime. For those who don't know much about football, in overtime the first to score wins the game. Thankfully the Bears won the coin toss, and got the ball at the start of overtime. Rex Grossman (their quarterback) stepped it up and got them into field goal range. Robbie Gould kicked the game winning field goal, and the game was over! Bears win! The score was 37-34. Definitely not a boring football game! Now all they need to do is win all the rest of their games to make it into the playoffs (I think that is what Jason said, and no, I do not watch sports center).

Yay, Robbie Gould!!!!!!!!!

Go Bears!!!!!!!!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just in cast anyone was wondering, we are all feeling better. Not 100%, but good enough for the girls to be able to go to school today!

Thanksgiving...........

2007-11-23T20:41:00.000-06:00

It was a nice day. Jason's uncle Tommy (Grandma's brother) flew in from Texas. It was a last minute trip, he made his flight reservations when he found out about his sister's cancer. Even though it was under those circumstances, it was so nice that he was there. Really nice, he is a great man. It had been about a year and half since we saw him last. Alex was only just a year old at the time. It really made it nice for Jason's mom to have her brother there. Lynne cooked, it was delicious. I made my now famous apple pies for dessert. I made pumpkin pie too. Actually I made two of each since there 12 people there. The most we have had in years. Jason's Aunt also came with her her two sons. It has been five year since we've seen them. It's a long story that I can't get into, but it was nice to see them too, and the girls had fun with their cousins. I guess sometimes it takes something like someone being sick to pull the family closer.

The only thing that could have made things nicer would have been if Anna was feeling good. She wasn't able to play with her cousins or sisters all day. She didn't eat dinner, or dessert. She was lying around with an icky tummy. I was worried the whole time. You just never know with her, if it can be something more. She eventually threw up, but never started to feel better. I went to the store to get some Ginger Ale for her. She didn't even want to try to drink it. Everyone else seemed fine. Later, after we got home, Jason started to not feel well. Then Mary. Anna feel asleep in bed. Alex went to sleep only to wake after she vomited in her bed. Then Anna again. Mary started too. I was a very busy lady last night. I got sick, but I had to be the one to clean up after the girls. It was a very long night. There was a lot of laundry to do today. I am tired today.

This afternoon everybody started to feel better. Maybe a 24 hour stomach bug. It wasn't the food, I know that for sure. Everybody else is fine. I actually know who we got it from, but I wont name any names. I can't blame either. It's just something that happens. Just when I thought it was all better....Mary spiked a fever of 103. Nobody else has a fever, so I don't know where that came from. I just hope that everyone who was there doesn't get sick. Especially grandma. She is going for a CAT scan on Sunday. She has to drink contrast. That is just not something you can keep down when you feel the way we felt last night. Everyone planned on going to dinner with Uncle Tommy toniught, and since they all figured they had already been exposed to whatever we had on Thanksgiving day, why not still do what we had planned. We did decided to go to dinner with Uncle Tommy. Mary had taken some Tylenol and her temperature was down. I offered to stay home with Mary, but she insisted on going. She didn't eat anything at all, Anna only had a couple bites. Mary spent the whole time with her head down at the table. Maybe we should have made her stay home, but she didn't want to miss out. We got through dinner, got home and now everyone is sleeping. Jason went to his parents house to spend a little more time with his uncle since he has to leave tomorrow while Jason is working.

I hope for a restful nights sleep, and a better day tomorrow.

Apple Pie

2007-11-16T14:21:00.000-06:00

A couple years ago Jason came home from a friends house telling me about the best apple pie he had ever eaten in his entire life. A neighbor friend, of his friend, just happened to drop off an Apple pie one day while the guys were watching football (probably why I wasn't there). I was extremely jealous beaus I am not a baker, although I try. I can make a pumpkin pie OK, from the pumpkin pie filling in a can, where all you have to do is add a couple of ingredients, mix, and bake. Cookies, break and bake, or a roll of sugar cookie dough with thanks from Pillsbury. Boxed cake mix too. I don't understand, I can cook OK, but I'm a dits when it comes to baked goods. Or at least, I used to be.

I think back to that day when Jason came home bragging about that apple pie and I still getting jealous. I wanted him to brag about MY apple pie. I have been working on finding the right recipe for a while now. One year I tried, and it was a runny mess, and the apples weren't done all the way. Crunchy apple pie? I don't think that's the way it's supposed to be! I would have just gotten this recipe from our friends neighbor, but I didn't know her! So, I tried a few more times. One day I made one, and Jason said it was the best one I have made, but I don't know if that was saying much. Tried again, and he said it was close! Tried again, still only close but still closer, but close enough, and he ate it with a lot of enthusiasm. I thought it was pretty darned good myself. I took the crust from one recipe (nice and flaky), and kind of put a couple of different filling recipes together. Pretty darned close, I'll take it! This woman was probably making apple pies her whole life, so If I can come that close to hers, I'll take it!

We had Jason's parents over the other day for dinner, with apple pie for the dessert. This how Jason's dad came into my house: It's kind of an inside joke. He couldn't get over how good it was the last time I made it!

Besides my apple pie, we had a nice evening. We had a nice time, and I got some pictures of Grandma with the girls and a nice one of Jason with his mommy.

Today, six years ago

2007-11-12T10:45:00.000-06:00

Six years ago today I handed my baby girl off to surgery. This was the hardest day of my life. To know that your 7 week old baby was going to be cut into, for a surgery that may not even work. It could maybe just buy her more time. I had never had surgery. Mary was always so healthy too. Nothing big, medically, has ever happened to our family. It didn't seem fair that my new baby had such a tough road ahead of her. How quickly things can change in your life. Just one week before, besides being concerned as to why Anna was still jaundiced, we were just like any other happy family.

It all happened so fast. There were so many tests being done. From blood tests that our pediatrician ordered, to being sent to Children's. Anna was admitted the same day she saw the liver specialists at Childrens for more tests, Dr. Whitington was certain he knew what she had. Just a few day later a biopsy confirmed the doctors suspicions. Biliary Atresia. We were then scheduled for surgery after the weekend. It was nice to be able to go home and spend time with our baby before her operation. Sunday night she was admitted for her surgery the next morning.

That was the longest 7 hours of my life, the time Anna was in the OR. It didn't help that they had a Poud family marathon running the entire time! I swore after that day that Mary would not be allowed to watch that show again! We tried to sleep, but we couldn't. We tried to read, and I just kept reading the same paragraphs over and over because I couldn't concentrate at all. We made phone calls for progress reports to family. We never left the waiting room for fear of not being there when they wanted to give us an update, or when it was time to see her. Too bad they didn't have the pagers then for people waiting for their children to be done in surgery like they do now.

When it came time to see her, I was not prepared at all. She had so many wires coming off of her from everywhere. They had her arms in splints so that she couldn't pull out any wires. I broke down when I saw the bandage at the site where her Kasai was preformed. I didn't expect it to be such a big incision. I felt so fearful for her, I wished I was feeling the pain for her. It wasn't long before Anna got her room and we met her surgeon. We never had the chance to met with the surgeon prior to the surgery. He let us know that everything went as well as expected, but it will have to be a waiting game from here on out.

Anna's recovery went smooth. Anna was released 7 days later. It was so nice to have our baby back home and getting peachy! She would have to endure so much in the time between her Kasai and her transplant. This procedure gave her time to grow and gain weight, so that she was ready when the time came for her to get her new liver. For that, I am thankful.

Mother in law update

2007-11-06T10:02:00.001-06:00

The results of the biopsy are in. Jason's mom has breast cancer. She has known since Halloween day, but I haven't had the energy to write on here. Also, it wouldn't have been right to post about it before other family members and friends were told. Lynne is in good spirits about it. She has either stage one or two, we'll know more once they run further tests and she sees her oncologist. She has an appointment for the 19th of this month. I will update when I get more information.

This news has really hit me hard. My mother in law is my best friend, and she means the world to the girls. Jason also took the news hard, this IS his mom we're talking about! We did tell the girls. Jason has a way of explaining things to them in terms they can understand. Alex obviously doesn't understand. Anna was ok about it too. Mary, cried, a lot. It didn't help that we had just watched the movie "Stepmom" together a few nights before we got the news. What she doesn't understand is that not everyone who gets cancer dies, and that is what she thinks will happen to her Grandma. We told her that we have every reason to hope that it will turn out to be ok. She is afraid that if Grandma looses her hair she might accidentally look at her funny and hurt Grandma's feelings. I guess I didn't realize, either, that Mary has come to the Children's with us many times, and classifies the kids with no hair as kids that have cancer. As it looks right now, Chemotherapy might not have to be done, but I can't guarantee it won't need to be. Please pray for her.

I will try to update soon, I have been working on this post for 4 days now! I have been finding it hard to sit at the computer with so much going on. Today the girls had their flu shots. Alexandria has developed a high fever. I don't know if it is a side effect from the shot, or it's a coincidence and she has some sort of a virus. She hasn't let me leave her side, that is what she does when she doesn't feel well. She is sleeping on the couch now, probably until her Motrin kicks in, then she'll be back to her normal self. Hopefully.

Halloween Pictures

2007-11-02T13:35:00.000-05:00

The girls had fun on Halloween, they got too much candy though! Not the best thing for Any kid, let alone my child with supper weak teeth (Anna). It was a beautiful day, the sun was out and the temperature was nice. Towards the end we had to wear jackets. They had a parade at school, then we went trick or treating with our good friends Michelle and Ben, and their children Hunter and Maya. We were out for 2 hours with them, then came home and went more with Jason since he didn't get off until 6:00 that evening. Here are the pictures I took throughout the day. I think Jason wanted to look like Kenny Chesney;-)

Fun Fair

2007-10-28T11:20:00.000-05:00

It was fun fair night at the girl's school Friday night. Unlimited games, face painting, a big bouncy, a maze and bake sale. They had a blast. But of course, once again, my camera lost battery power. I don't understand why my camera sucks up this much battery, it's not even a very good one! I was able to take a picture of the girl's faces when we got home with their little 1.2 mega pixel cameras! The guy that was doing the face painting used to paint faces for Cats! He did it, it was worth the 40 minute line for sure! Mary got a Tiger face and Anna got a butterfly. Of course Anna's makeup was just about wiped off by the time we came home, but Mary was very careful about her makeup.

Alex was not feeling well at the fair, and was not up for face painting at all! She did, however, stand in line like a very good two year old. That is not in her character though. I expected to have to chase her around, I told the girls not to follow me if I took off. Poor baby, when we got home she felt warm. I took her temperature and it was 102.2! She continued to have afever through the night, and all day Saturday. Today she is fine, she must have just been fighting off a bug.

*I started this post Sunday afternoon, it is now early Monday morning*

This morning I dropped my Mother in law off for surgery. She is having a biopsy done on a lump that is directly under her left breast. The surgeon we saw last Wednesday wanted to get it out and biopsied as soon as possible. I did not see this coming. She just had a PET scan done last April that found a mass in the middle of her chest. It was biopsied and found to be benign. It was such a relief. But, it's only been a few months since then, and she is going through another biopsy. The surgeon said that he really didn't like the feel of this lump, and it needed be taken care of right away. To see the surgeon on a Wednesday, and have surgery scheduled only 5 days later is scary, but I am so grateful that he is on top of it. Please say a prayer. She should be able to go home later this afternoon, and results won't come back until this Wednesday afternoon, or early Thursday. Depending on the results of this biopsy, we might hold off on the study I talked about in my last post.

Medical Studies........

2007-10-24T09:19:00.000-05:00

I got a phone call yesterday from one of Anna's liver doctors about a couple of studies she wanted us to participate in. The first study is a tolerance study. It's titled, "Immunosuppresion Withdrawal for Pediatric Living Donor Transplant Patients". This study seeks to understand if it is possible to slowly reduce and then completely stop your child's anti rejection medicine safely and find out if there are blood tests that can help transplant doctors in the future identify transplant patients who may be taken off of their anti-rejection medicines without developing rejection."

This is a study that was brought to our attention a couple years back. I was all for it when we first started discussing it, but since they wanted Anna to be on her once a day dose of Prograf for at least a year (which at the time, we were just starting) we decided that we would wait for her next appointment, next year, to really talk about it. Well, when Anna had transplant clinic last March it was indeed brought up again. I wanted to say yes right then and there, but I didn't have Jason with me and I wanted to discuss it with him first. We were given the information on the study when we left. After reading the information the cons outweighed the pros. We read things in this study information that scared us, and we had many more questions to ask. The main thing that worried us was the possibility of rejection. Anna has never had to deal with rejection, so why put her in harms way now? Also, this would require Anna to have a biopsy before the study starts. After that, Anna's medication will be slightly lowered every two weeks along with biweekly labs. Once she is totally weaned off of her medication, she would continue to have biweekly labs for 6 months, then monthly labs for 3 years! I wondered how Anna would deal with this. This was my dilemma, if Anna was having trouble taking her medication, or having some of the side effects from it, or if she was constantly getting sick (because this medication suppresses her immune system), or even problems with her kidneys from being on it for so long, this decision would be easier for us. We decided to hold off, until Anna's next appointment so that we could discuss this further with Anna'a doctors.

So, back to my phone call yesterday. Imagine my surprise when, out of the blue, Anna's liver doctor calls me. Of course my first thought was that there was something wrong with Anna's labs. But since it has been over a month since she last had them done (she gets labs every 3 months), and I was already told they were fine....anyway, the liver nurse is usually the person that calls! She has been meaning to call me for some time now, but she is a busy lady. She didn't waste anytime (she is a very busy woman you know)! We discussed my concerns and she answered my questions. She has always had a way of making me comfortable about Anna's care. She reassured me that the risk of rejection in so small, and since she will be monitored very closely, if there is any rejection it would be treated easily. We can withdrawal from the study at anytime, and she wouldn't blink an eye. She thinks that Anna would be one of the best candidates for this study. In her words, "Anna is a superstar! If anyone can do this, it is her." Then my next concern is the biopsy, but the doctor reminded me that Anna will be due in March again for a biopsy anyway. I forgot to ask if this would require additional visits to transplant clinic, and that is something I will e-mail her about today, along with a couple other small questions I failed to remember to ask. Usually, I would have a list, but I never expected her to call me! We also discussed this with Anna last night. She is totally fine with it. Jason did a great job at explaining things and answering her questions about it. Her only concern is missing school. Since she is in afternoon kindergarten, we would gets labs done either in the morning, or on Saturdays. Her biopsy would probably have to be done on a week day, and yes she would miss school that day. Of course, in the case of rejection, Anna would miss a few days if she has to be treated inpatient for that. It depends on the severity of the rejection, and again the risk is there, but it is minimal. Anna has always been fine with blood draws, she actually sits there with a smile on her face. She even thanks them when they're done. Actually, she has always been fine with everything medical in her life. She has done this stuff since day one.

Our decision, if you haven't guessed it already, is yes! It is always something that has interested us, something we always wanted to do. How cool would it be that Anna not have to take any medication, at all, after all of this! After all we have been through. When Anna was first diagnosed I knew our lives would never be normal again. I worried about Anna's quality of life. Now, six years later, Anna has a farely "normal life" Also, if people never participated in studies like these, where would we all be right now? I think of the first person that gave the ok to do the Kasai procedure on their baby. This procedure gave Anna much needed time to grow before she needed her new liver. In some cases, the child does well for years without a transplant. I went on to think of the first transplant, the first split liver transplant, the first pediatric liver transplant.....the first living liver donation transplant! I don't know if Anna would be here if it weren't for living donation!

Since I have been torn for, I guess about two year now, it seems a little strange that we are going for it now. It was the talk with Dr. Alonso that has pushed me. It's not like I was pressured into this at all. I just think that we are at a point in our lives that we are just ok with it. Both Jason and I have that feeling deep down inside, that Anna will do fine. Be fine.

I will update when I know what the plane is. Wish us LUCK!!!!!!

Early Holloween!

2007-10-20T08:37:00.000-05:00

I know I should wait until Halloween to post pictures of the girls in their costumes, but I couldn't wait! They look so darned cute! There was a Halloween party at the park district building here in town last night. I wasn't going to go, but I was convinced by a friend who was taking her kids too. Since I didn't have Anna's snow white wig yet, I had to run to the Disney Store to pick one up. I was pleasantly surprised to see that all of their Halloween stuff was 40-50% off! So, I got a wig for only $6.50! Then I had to try to get the kids ready, and since I wasn't planning on going in the first place, I was rushed and flustered, but I figured it's better to get more than one wear out of the costumes.. It turned out that I had all three of my girls ready before my friend Michelle had her two ready. They both had pirate costumes on, but they didn't have to get their hair done. Here is a picture of all of them getting ready to go to the party.

Mary was Elizabeth Swan from Pirates of the Caribbean, Anna was snow white, Alex was a pretty ballerina (Anna's old recital costume), and both Hunter and Maya were pirates.

They had a blast. There were games, trick or treating, a costume contest, and a magic show! They had many different categories for the costume judging. I thought for sure Alex would win in the prettiest baby, or prettiest costume categories. I know she is mine, and it's my Job to think this, but compared to all the other babies, she was by far the prettiest, the cutest, and her hair wasn't all over the place. I worked so hard on keeping it that perfect bun. It's not like I am one of those pageant moms, but I really thought she should have won that cheap plastic trophy! Actually, all three of mine should have one! Anna was pissed, even though there were so many snow whites, nobody else had the wig, or the red lipstick! HA HA! Same with Mary, there were so many other pirates, but she had the best, and she was the only Elizabeth Swan Pirate!

Happy Birthday to me!

2007-10-18T17:01:00.000-05:00

Well, today is my Birthday! Happy Birthday to me!!!

So, guess what I got to do today? I got to wake up at 6:00 in the morning to get ready to drive into the city for an appointment at Children's for Anna to get filling number 7 and 8. I don't think I have had that many cavities in my life time ( I'm not giving out my age for anybody who doesn't already know)! Her appointment was at 9:00 in the morning, and it took two hours to drive through traffic! If I was smarter I guess I would try to find a local area pediatric dentist to take care of my 6 year old's very weak teeth. I just really trust children's with all of Anna's care. If anything were to happen we are right near the main hospital, and they have her medical charts and everything. They are so good at this dental office, we have never had a problem. They just know how to deal with kids, and they are used to taking care of kids with medical problems. You can't get an appointment unless the child is already a patient at the hospital, or you are a sibling of that child.

Anyway, it still doesn't stop me from being totally fed up with Chicago traffic, and trying to wake a sleeping child who really values her sleep (just like mommy)! We did however make it out of the house on time to stop for coffee and hot cocoa! We made it there on time, we had the first appointment, and Anna was as good as gold, again, as always! That is one part that makes it so much easier on me, and the dentist. She even got three stickers, a toy, and a little book because the dentist and his assistant were so grateful to not have to fight with her. That's my girl! Apart from the morning traffic, everything ran smoothly!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Since Anna couldn't come to visit baby Noah last Saturday, we stopped by Jenny's house on the way home. Anna was in love, just as Mary and I were when we visited him in the hospital! She couldn't get enough of him, it was sweet. I just had to make sure to sit close to her while she held him because she was just a little on the rough side.

She wants a baby borther now!

Baby Pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-10-13T20:06:00.000-05:00

For those of you who didn't get the chance to read my other posts:

My best friend Jenny, had a baby today. He was named Noah Gregory, and he weighs 7 pounds 11 ounces, and is 20 inches long. Mary and I were able to visit with Baby, Jenny, and proud Daddy today. Mommy, and baby are doing well. Daddy is as proud as can be, and I know Brandon was excited that his baby brother is finally here. Nine months is a long time to wait! It was a wonderful experience, as it has been nine years since Jenny's son Brandon was born. Jenny and I have known each other since high school, and have grown closer over the years. Mary and Brandon have been friends since they were babies, and will hopefully always know each other. Jenny is the kind of friend who is always there for you, and never expects anything in return. My girls love her, I love her, and I am so proud to call her my friend. Congratulations Jenny, Brandon, and Mike! Noah is so beautiful, and I can't wait to watch him grow up!

*I do realize that my camera's date is so wrong, probably due to a certain 2 year old that we all know....*

He is here!!!!!

2007-10-13T08:29:00.000-05:00

Noah Gregory was born at 2:10am on Saturday October 13, 2007. He weighs in at 7 lbs. 11oz. and is 20 in. long.

I've hear he is beautiful, and looks just like Jenny!

Mary and I are going to visit both babies this afternoon! I still have to go pick up my camera, but I promise pictures soon!

Yay, baby day!!!!!!

(P.S. If you happened to miss what is going on, read the two previous posts.)

One down, one to go!!!!!!!

2007-10-12T14:51:00.000-05:00

My niece made it safely into the world this morning around 10:00 am. Christina Elisabeth was born by c-section. My brother and his wife are now holding, and loving on their 6 pound, 5 oz baby girl as we speak. I will go visit tomorrow morning, hopefully with my camera so that I have a picture to post soon.

Jenny is still waiting. She went in at 7:00 this morning to be induced. She has been on pitocin for hours now, but hasn't really dialated much. She was in labor with her first for something like 36 hours, but that was nine years ago. Lets pray that it won't be this long her second time around. I haven't spoke with her directly, I am waiting on updates through her mom because I don't want to bother her while she is contracting. I know I didn't want to be on the phone much while I was in labor. I think Jenny's mom said the contractions are 3 minutes apart now. I'm sure I won't update until she has had the baby. Hopefully I can visit them tomorrow and take a picture of a healthy baby boy, to post soon.

Anticipation

2007-10-09T20:54:00.000-05:00

For what??????

Not for my baby to be born ( and before anyone starts to question it, I'M not pregnant). But, I do know how terrible those nine months can be when all you want to do is meet your child.

My best friend was due on the 4th of this month with her second boy. Now she is five days past her due date. I call her daily (sorry Jenny) to check on her. I know she is tired of getting phone calls from everyone (including me) asking her if she had the baby yet, I remember those calls. It's like you wonder, don't they think I'm anxious too!!!!!!!! I am almost as excited as Jenny is, I swear I must be, I have to be, it's on my mind all the time! This baby will be just like a nephew to me (as is her older son Brandon). Anyway, Jenny went to the doctor today and she will be induced on Friday the 12th! Hopefully this baby won't give her a hard time, and come out nice and fast!

So, the 12th is a good day for baby's to be born I guess! My sister in law is scheduled for a c-section that day too! This one biologically my niece ;)! Her name will be Christina Elizabeth (or Elisabeth?). My middle name, Elisabeth, is spelled with an S, if you didn't notice. And no, my brother is not naming her after me. But...well...sort of I guess. My Mom's middle name is Elisabeth, as was my Grandma's middle name, and my little sister Deborah. So, it's a family name. I'm just not sure which way it will be spelled and I guess it would depend on the way it is spelled.

Aren't I the lucky one! I get two babies born in one day, assuming they both hold on that long! The best part is, it's not me this time! Sure, I love being pregnant, I love new born babies, but I've been there done that. Now I get to enjoy being on the other side, you know?

So, to get along with the post, since it's on the topic of babies, I will include a baby picture of Alex. Just because I don't have a scanner, or a camera to take a picture of a picture of Anna and Mary as newborns ( I left it at Jason's cousins house last weekend). So, it's just Alex because that's when I got my digital camera. If I get permission, I will post pictures of my new nephew, and niece. I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Proud Mommy stuff!

2007-10-02T15:38:00.000-05:00

Anna's school pictures came out pretty good! Somehow we only received Anna's pictures and not Mary's. Actually, the photo lab messed up more than loosing Mary's pictures. Anna's background was just supposed to be basic grey, not green, but actually I don't mind the green. I could send them back and have her take retakes, but i don't want to do that just because the background isn't the right color. With my luck her eyes would be closed in the pictures they takd on retake day. I don't know what's going on with Mary's pictures, she might have to go on retake day. Anyway, here is Anna's picture.

(click to enlarge)

But, I do have a proud Mommy thing to use for Mary. Last year in third grade Mary took the ISAT (Illinois Achievement Test) tests for the first time. Actually, she missed the whole week of testing because she was sick with the flu that whole week. She was able to do makeups, and she was so sick with nervousness about sitting in a room on her own and not doing them with everyone else, that I thought for sure she wouldn't do her best. Turns out, I was wrong. Mary exceeds Standards in both Reading and Mathematics. In National comparisons, in reading Mary did as well or better than 79% of students national, and in Mathematics, 88%!

`
And Alex, I'm always proud of my Alexandria Rose. She just doesn't get school pictures or test results from school. She sure is growing up though. Although I am still waiting for her to potty train, she is so supper smart. I know that she can use the potty because she stayed dry for two days when we first started. She just chooses not to use the potty. She can sing her whole alphabet, has a huge vocabulary (sometimes too huge) and can sure play dress up, and dresses herself when she plays. She can count up to 15, sometimes missing a number or two, and up to ten in Spanish, Thanks Dora!

Happy Thursday!

2007-09-27T08:49:00.000-05:00

Why am I happy today???????????

My two favorite shows have their season premiers tonight! Greys Anatomy and ER!!!

I don't know why I am into the medical shows so much. Everyone thinks it is because of Anna, but really I loved ER before Anna was born, and Strong Medicine, and Chicago Hope. I could never get into any of the Law in order shows or anything. Although, last night I watched Private practice, a new spin off of Greys Anatomy. I have to admit, I could get addicted but I will try not to. I am not one of those people who has a show to watch every night or more, and has to TiVo them. I don't even have a TiVo because that would be trouble for me. Because I could be one of those people. One night, back to back shows, that's all I can do. I can't afford to become addicted to other shows! I make sure the girls are in bed, and I watch. No one is to bother me. Should I feel guilty? I don't think so, but sometimes I do. I put them to bed early, so that I can watch a show or two. It's not like I'm hurting them by watching my shows, I even let them put a movie on in their bedroom (so that they don't bother me). HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

2007-09-21T12:05:00.000-05:00

Well, the Birthday week is over. The girls have had a fabulous week full over birthday celebrations! Monday we went to Giordano's with Jason's parents. Aside from them screwing up our order and having to have the Birthday girl's wait for their peperoni pizza, it was fun.

We came home (stuffed) and had cake (which I had to force down my throat) and the girls opened their gifts from Grandma and Papa. I originally made a cake for the girls, but somehow while I was frosting it, it fell apart. It was so bad that it was unsaveable. Since I waited till that day to make the cake, I didn't have time to attempt another one, so I had to go buy one for $13.99. Otherwise, the cake mix and the frosting barley reached three dollars. Oh well, I tried.

I would have taken more pictures, but of course my camera ran low on batteries and I didn't have anymore on hand. I really hate when that happens because I am all about taking pictures! And, speaking being camera happy, the girls have been taking many pictures with their new "digital camera's." They have taken a lot, and most of the time they don't turn out very well, but once in a while you'll get pictures like these that makes it all worth while:

They took their camera's outside and obviously forgot to take any of Anna! Mary and her friend were too involved with taking pictures, and having pictures taken of themselves with Mary's webkinz and Brianna's (Mary's nieghbor firend) guinni pig. Uncle Victor came over Sunday to watch the Bears, and that picture up top of Mary with him, Anna took. I love how the girls possed the barbie dolls for a photo shoot! And the poor cats, with the wbkinz.

Tuesday wasn't really celebrated, unless you want to count a trip to the Dentist the day before Mary turns 10, a birthday celebration. It wasn't bad this time though. Mary cooperated for once, so that helped. Anna has two more cavities. This makes 8 cavities in her 6 years. When Anna opened her mouth for the Dentist, he took one look and wanted x-rays. I knew this wasn't good. So, we go back next month, on MY Birthday of course, to get fillings. They also let me know that Anna doesn't have much room in her mouth for all of those teeth that are coming in, so they WILL grow in crooked. She WILL need braces in the future and possibly some teeth pulled to make room. The poor girl, and of course it has to be her that has dental problems, right? Mary's teeth are perfect though. Thank God, because she could not handle fillings.

Tomorrow we are going for labs and a 24 hour urine creatinine clearance test. Today I am collecting all of the urine Anna passes and keeping it in my fridge in a container clearly marked so that no one mistakes it for apple juice. YUCK! This test is done to monitor kidney function of children who have been on medication that can affect kidney function. I'm sure it will turn out fine though!

My Birthday Princess'

2007-09-15T20:53:00.000-05:00

Anna's 6th Birthday was yesterday. I really wanted to post, but I was having trouble with my Internet. I can't believe my beautiful girl is 6 already. She has been through more in her life than most people go through in a lifetime. God bless her, she is just a perfect little girl.

Also, my older little princess, Mary, will be 10 next week! I have no idea where those 10 years went. Double digits, that's a big deal! She is starting to act like a preteen, let me tell ya!

We did things a little differently this year for them. We usually have two separate family parties for them on their original birthdays so they have their own special days. I am so over that! It just didn't work out conveniently this year, so we decided to just wing it.

Yesterday for Anna's birthday Anna and I made cupcakes for her class. I was also classroom helper mom. It was nice to watch Anna in the school environment, see how she acted with her teacher and classmates. I got to watch her friends sing happy birthday to her and them all indulge in their cupcakes, along with Anna's teacher! I will do the same for Mary on her Birthday!

Today we decided to let the girls go on a shopping spree. They had a blast! Usually when we go to the mall they aren't really allowed to buy stuff for themselves because we are usually there to go shopping for things we need or birthday parties, and stuff like that. They shopped the sales! Of course we gave them a spending limit, but they got a lot more for the money than we expected. They each got an outfit (pictured below), a necklace from the Limited Too that have their first initials on it, a digital camera (those little Disney ones), a webkinz, and Anna got a pair of shoes. The digital camera's work ok, I guess I expected a little better. Here are some of the pictures that the girls took:

I asked them if they wanted to take the camera's back, but they want to keep them. I quess they just like knowing that they can take pictures on their own.

Here is a picture of them after their "shopping spree"

Check out these outfits!

Moday we are celebrating with Jason's parents. Again both Birthdays at the same time. The girls gave Grandma and Papa some nice long lists. I really hope they don't get them everything they asked for! So, more pictures to come!

Night Out

2007-09-10T08:47:00.001-05:00

I never post pictures of
Jason and I together, do I?
We had a great weekend. It
has been a long time since
Jason and I have had a night
out. Our good friend Justin
got Married Saturday,and Jason
was one of the groomsmen. It
was the perfect excuse to get
out without the kids, and we had
an awesome time. There were a lot
of people there that I haven't
seen since High School. It was
just about as awkward as a high
school reunion at first, but then
after a while we all got comfortable
with each other again. Of course, I
brought my camera but didn't take
pictures at the reception. We were
having too much fun for me to really
think about it. I can't wait for the
professional pictures though, they
will look a lot better than the one
up top with my cheap-o camera.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Vin Diesel! Just kidding, but doesn't Justin look like him? You should see, a lot of their mannerisms are the same too. It's not just the bald head, trust me.

Justin with his beautiful 2 month old, Haley. Such a proud Daddy.

Just a little tipsy.

The girls had a nice time at my friend Michelle's house. Jason's parents are usually the ones to watch them, but they came to the wedding too! Good thing because were seated at the same table, and I didn't have Jason because he was at the head table with wedding party. Like I said, it was a little awkward at first. Anyway, we didn't get home until about 1:00 AM so obviously the girls spent the night. When I went to pick them up the next morning I didn't even get a "hi mommy." They were all playing a game and barely noticed that I walked through the door. I had to get them early because I had a baby shower to go to that day. Without the kids, again. Actually I would have loved for them to come but it was at a fancy house full of breakables and God knows the girls would have destroyed something. Jenny got a lot of stuff, and that baby is going to be a very well dressed little boy.

Now that the weekend is over it's time to plan for next weekend. Anna's Birthday is on Friday and I will be helping out in her classroom along with bringing a birthday snack for the class. We will be doing something for both of the girls over the weekend since Mary's Birthday is on the 19th. We usually just celebrate them both together since the Birthdays are only 5 days apart. I am sure I will have pictures to post of my Birthday girls soon!

Hello September!

2007-09-04T11:56:00.000-05:00

Things are settling down around here for now. Last week Mary and Anna had a less eventful week at school than the week before with the Tornado Warning and being held at school on the second day. Both Mary and Anna are loving school so far. I went to both of their curriculum nights last week. Curriculum night is when you go to your child's school and listen to what the principle and PTA has to say, then you are dismissed to your child's classroom to hear what the teacher has planned for the children during the school year. It was nice to get out, without the kids even though it was for the kids. This week is a short week with Labor day. Mary is starting orchestra today, she was so excited to bring her Viola with her to school. She is also going to sign up for the 4Th and 5Th grade chorus. So, between Orchestra performances, and rehearsals and Chorus performances and rehearsals, our year will be booked. I also plan on Anna starting Daisies this year. Mary did Daisies in Kindergarten and was a brownie through 2ND grade. She would still be in it if it wasn't for her starting 3rd grade in a different school district. They didn't have any room in their troop of 22 girls at her new school. It wasn't that big of a deal to her, she was disappointed but got over it pretty quickly. I think she was outgrowing girls scouts, and they usually start dropping out in third grade anyway. So, now I am filling up my calender with school stuff.

September will very soon be a busy month, the quiet will not last for long. Anna's Birthday is on the 14Th, Mary's Birthday is on the 19TH, we have a wedding to go to this Saturday, and a baby shower the day after. Then we have my niece's 7Th Birthday and Jason's second cousin, so the girl's third cousin's 8Th Birthday. Not to mention all the school functions going on. But the thing I am most excited for is that my friend Jenny is due to have her baby late this month, she is expecting her second boy, and we just cant wait!

Last Saturday the girls enjoyed going over to their cousins house for a visit. It was nice to visit with my sister Wendy and her kids Randy and Krystal. My brother Tim also showed up with his wife and 2 year old daughter Hannah.

Also, over the weekend Anna lost her 5Th and 6Th tooth! The tooth fairy is going broke! Her teeth just keep falling out, with a little help from Anna of course. She just won't leave them alone. I begged her not to mess with them until at least some of her big teeth come in! One more thing on the to do list this month is to pay a visit to the dentist for Mary and Anna. Last time we were there, only 6 months ago, Anna only had a few loose teeth. Our dentist is going to have a heart attack when Anna opens her mouth for her! Every time we go to the dentist we are told that Anna needs work. Poor girl has already had a root canal and 6 cavities. She was having problems with sensitivity because she grinds her teeth in the middle of the night, and she had them ground down to the nerves. She has had a set of sealants put in that are already gone from her grinding. I guess it's a good thing she is loosing all her teeth at once, because once she gets all her big teeth she will be fitted for a night guard so that she doesn't ruin her big teeth. The way things are going, she will loose all of her teeth at once and they will all grow in at the same time and we won't have a problem with ruining her big teeth. Thank god she is good at the dentist. Mary freaks out when she goes, and she hasn't even had a cavity yet! Anyway, wish us luck with that, hopefully she won't need any additional work done this time!

Ok, I know I am a picture freak, but I just can't help posting pictures of the girls!

Here are the with their cousins at my sister's house. From Left to Right: Mary, Anna, Krystal, Hannah, Alexandria, and Randy
I don't know why I never get anyone to take pictures of me with my girls, or with my niece and nephew, or with my own Sister and Brother. If you want to see a picture of Wendy and myself just look at the picture of Mary, and the one of Krystal together, and there you go. Me and Wendy as kids! It's uncanny!

And, miss Anna with all of her missing teeth being silly! She says she looks like a Halloween pumpkin. At least she has that big front tooth, and her two bottoms growing in so nicely!

Back to school!

2007-08-25T17:46:00.000-05:00

I was going to post pictures of the first day of school a couple days ago, but my Internet was down do to some strong storms here in Chicago.

The first day of school was not the same for Mary and Anna although they go to the same elementary school. Since kindergarten is only a half day and the first day for the older kids is only a half day kindergarten starts the day after grades 1-5 do. Kindergartners got to come to school to drop off their supplies and meet the teacher and explore the classroom that day though. They got to see where they sit, where they hang up their backpacks and found their cubby holes. There were two other kids from Anna's preschool last year that were going to the same school as Anna and they are both in her kindergarten class, so that was exciting for Anna. Mary also got to find that there were a few girls from her class last year in her class this year, so that was really good for her since this is only her second year at this school.

Everything went well on the first full day for both the girls. Anna goes in the afternoon session (because the girl is not usually a morning person) but all morning she was asking how long until school starts! Jason was able to come home in time to come with me to drop Anna off. Grandma even came! This was a big deal for all of us, our little miracle girl starting kindergarten! There is a special playground for the kindergarten classes that is closed off, which makes me more comfortable with the whole recces thing. The older kids look like they would squash the littlest kids in school! The teacher came out, asked the kids to line up and took them away when it was time to go in. Oh, how sad for Daddy, Grandma and I. Anna barley had time to say goodbye. Some of the kids were hesitant to leave their parents side but I didn't see many tears from the kids. The parents; We all looked like the paparazzi with our cameras flashing (a couple even with camcorders), calling out to the celebrity children! It was a funny site, I'm sure.

Anna playing before school

Anna and her good friend Hunter from preschool, before school

Lining up for the first bell

Anna coming out of school, very excited!

Mary and Anna after school!

Thursday, which was only the second full day of school, was very interesting. Just 15 minutes before school was out, the skies got very dark and the Tornado warning sirens came on. I was told in the past that when there are weather warning, children would remain in school until the warnings expired. This is something that has never been an issue since I have had school aged children, and since it was only the second day of school I panicked a bit. It was very hard to be stuck at home without your children in severe weather. I was scared, Jason wasn't home, Alex was napping, and I had no idea what was going on since the girls were supposed to be picked up by Hunters father. Ben (Hunter's dad) called me to let me know that he called the school and they weren't going to let out of school, and to wait around until the weather calmed and the warning expired. I was nervous for the girls, especially Anna since they have not had time to have tornado drill with it only being the second day of "real" school (as far as I know they didn't practice this in preschool, only a fire drill). I pictured her crying and scared, and Mary being scared, but knowing what to do in the case of an emergency since she has practiced this before. Everything turned out ok in our area, even with the strong winds.

It was a mad house at the school when it was time for the kids to be picked up. Parents had to go to the office to sign their kids out, then the kids were called one by one to the office. There were lines and groups of people everywhere. I don't think anyone was really prepared for anything like this as we don't have very much severe weather in the Chicago land area. I signed out for the kids, and Anna and Hunter were the first to come out. I expected tears and strong hugs, but they were totally fine! Obviously the teachers and staff were good at keeping the kids calm. When Mary came out, however, she had the look of terror on her face. She called out "Mommy" ran up to me and hugged me tighter than she has hugged me in the longest time! She's still my baby!

They ended up cancelling the next day of school due to power outages in half of the districts schools, and unsafe conditions on the school premises. This was an interesting first week of school, that's for sure. Hopefully next week will be calm so that we can get into the swing of things.

Here are a couple pictures of some of the damage done in the area around us. This was taken in Elmhurst, which is just about 10 miles east of us.

One Little Girl, One Big City!

2007-08-20T14:53:00.000-05:00

My friend Jenny just sent me these pictures that she took of Anna at the Shedd Aquarium the week that Mary was in the Dells. I still have to develop the pictures that Mary took while she was on vacation, and I'll get those on a disk so that I can share those photos too!

Anyway, I just love the picture on the top of this post of Anna in front of the Shedd because she looks so little compared to that big city skyline in the background. Leave it up to Jenny to take some pretty cool pictures!

I love the look on Anna's face in this picture. I have to ask Jenny what Anna was looking at in this picture, doesn't she look like she is really concentrating on something?

I wish Brandon would look at the camera when someone takes a picture because he is such a good looking boy!

Here is another cool one! You can't see Anna's face, but you can see her reflection off of the fish tank!

************************************************************************************
Anyway, we are all feeling much better, just coughing up a little more Flem, yuck! Mary starts her first day of school tomorrow, for just a half day. Anna doesn't have her first day of school until Wednesday, and Mary will start full days on that day too!

I got a call from the school nurse one day last week as she was looking over Anna's medical forms. She wanted to know what they could do as far as making sure Anna was safe in her class room. She wanted to know if she should send out a health letter to all of the Children in Anna's classroom, and inform the staff. I told her that I already had a letter that I have handed out in Anna's past years in preschool, and if she just wanted to look it over and OK it, this would save her a step. I told her I would bring it in later that day so that she could have it ok'd by the principle and staff so that it would be ready for the first day of school. I had no idea that not only was the nurse waiting for me, but she had Anna's teacher on standby so that we could have a meeting about Anna. The nurse went ahead and read up on transplants and Anna's medication and had a few questions to ask me. I was bombarded with questions from the both of them, and to tell you the truth it was a little overwhelming just because I wasn't expecting it! I guess I didn't think that this was going to be a big deal, but neither the nurse nor the teacher have had a student with these medical issues. After much discussion I was comfortable with the nurse and teacher and it felt so good to know that they have so much care for Anna and our situation. We are going to be on the computer as a contact when any big illness is going around in any part of the school. They only usually send things out to the parents in the particular classroom of the sick child, but I will always be informed because if those germs are in the school; if anyone would catch them it would be Anna.

This is a letter that I got from a fellow liver mother that her son's school nurse typed up for the kids to take home to keep parents informed. This is what will be handed out to the parents. Here is what it reads:

Dear Parent/Guardians:

This year we have a student in your child's class who has had a liver transplant. She is healthy and active and can participate in activities along with your son or daughter. Some of the medication that he has to take to prevent her body from rejecting her liver also weakens her immune system and makes her more susceptible to infections.

You can do the following to help prevent the spread of infections.

Teach your child about frequent hand washing

-After blowing noses and catching sneezes
-After using the bathroom
-Before eating

Do not send children to school if they are actively sick with vomiting Diarrhea, cough, sore throat, or fever. Children should be fever and symptom free for 24 hours before returning to school.

Keep children home if they have had a strep test until you know that both the rapid test and the overnight test are negative or until they have been on antibiotics and are fever free for 24 hours.

If your child has a rash that you think may be contagious, please do not send him or her to school. Call your doctor for advice or an appointment. If your child or a sibling has been in school and is then diagnosed with a contagious disease such as strep, mono, chicken pox, conjunctivitis (pink eye), gastroenteritis (vomiting and/or diarrhea), please notify us as soon as possible. This is particularly important to limit the spread and sometimes re-infection of both bacterial and viral infections.

The parents of this student appreciate your assistance in making attending school a healthy experience for their child and all the children in class. We view this as an opportunity to continue to instill healthy habits in all our children. Limiting the spread of germs that cause illness is the goal of our whole school community. Thank you for your cooperation. Working together we should have a healthy school year for everyone.

So.......Yes.........I am feeling good about Anna starting Kindergarten!

More on Illinois Donor Diaries

2007-08-16T20:23:00.000-05:00

Anna's story is now up on the Illinois Donor Diaries and the I am, Are You blog! Please stop by to take a look, and register to be a donor if you haven't done so already!

Sorry for the short post, we are all sick here with a nasty cold, possibly flu, virus. I hope it goes away before school starts this coming Tuesday!

Dog Sitting

2007-08-11T17:09:00.000-05:00

We are in our glory with a dog in our house! Some friends of ours went away for the weekend and we begged them to let us watch their dog, Baily. She is a golden retriever and a beautiful one at that.

It has been a little over a year since we had to get rid of our dog, Annie. Annie was a great dog, but we had to move into a place that doesn't allow dogs, we had no choice. It was one of the hardest things that I ever had to do, she seemed so sad, and the girls were heart broken. Thanks to my good friend, Jenny, we got Annie a great home where she is spoiled rotten! She lives with a single Man, he revolves his whole world around "our dog" and we are so grateful to him for that. Jenny even works with Annie's new owner, Paul, and she gets to see Annie once in a while. At first I thought that we would schedule some visitations with her, but as time went by I wondered if that might not be such a good idea. I started thinking that all it would do is stir up some emotions in the girls, and maybe even in Annie. Paul said that she went through a period of depression, being taken away from the only family she knew for 6 years. We are just letting Annie and Paul be happy with each other. Just knowing that she is alive and well makes me happy. You still can't bring her up to Mary without Mary putting on the water works.

Anyway, I forgot how nice it is to have a dog around. I don't think I realized until now how much of a dog person I am. Don't get me wrong, I love my cats, but dogs are just totally different. You have to earn a cat's love, but dogs love you unconditionally. The girls haven't left the poor thing alone since the moment she walked in the house. They want her to play all the time, we have to remind them to let her rest! We have taken her outside to play so many times, and take her for nice long walks. She slept with Jason and I last night, thank God we have a king size bed! Her owners warned us that she might not eat because of being in a strange place, but she is eating just fine! I think she likes us! I think we might not answer the door when they come home tomorrow night! I haven't even heard her bark once, my landlord would never know!

While the girls are away......

2007-08-08T09:13:00.000-05:00

Monday morning Mary left early for vacation, without us! She got an offer from Jason's cousin to tag along with him and his 7 year old daughter to go to Great America for a day, then drive up to Wisconsin Dells and stay at the Kalahari Resort (this is a hotel with a water park in the inside and one outside) for 3 days! Mary, of course, was excited. Anna was less than thrilled. Anna didn't think it was fair for them to want to bring Mary and not her! At first I actually didn't think it was fair for Anna either, but after giving it some more thought, why hold Mary back? It's really hard to give to these girls equally. When Mary gets to do something, Anna feels left out, and when Anna gets to do something Mary feels left out. Granted, Anna has not yet had the chance to do what Mary is doing this week, but it doesn't mean that she never will. She will get her chance. Besides, I didn't have to pay for anything, in fact Rob (Jason's cousin) told us not to send Mary with any money! Good thing because I didn't have any money to give to her!

I tried explaining to Anna that she wouldn't have been able to go on a lot of the rides that Mary and Samantha would be able to go on, because they are much taller than she is. Also, Mary and Samantha both know how to swim (this is probably helpful to know how to do at a water park), and Anna is not a strong swimmer. Also, Anna is really good at wondering off into her own little world, you have to remind her to watch where she is walking and to stay with you. When she sees something she likes she WILL beg for it and she is very good at arguing her case. Especially, I wouldn't want to give Rob the responsibility of remembering Anna's medication every day at the same time and measuring it out and all of that.

We are trying to think of fun things to do with Anna while Mary is gone. The day Mary left, Jason, Alex, and I went to the local public pool. Wouldn't you know it, an hour of swimming lessons with Jason and Anna was swimming! She swam the whole width of the pool! She is a swimmer now, I am so proud of her! Alex decided to get really brave this time too, and she was floating around with her arm floaters in the deeper water. We didn't go into the baby pool at all this time, she was jumping into the water to me, making me hold her belly to make her swim, and was having races with Jason and Anna! It was so adorable! Later that day Anna went to Grandma's house for a sleep over. Anna's Grandma made her favorite dinner and Papa and Grandma took Anna out for ice cream when they were done eating. A day at the grandparent's house is always fun for the girls!

Of course, that left Alex and I home alone because Jason was working late that night. Alex was less than thrilled, I guess I am chopped liver compared to her sisters. She always has one sister or the other with her, and I obviously just don't play the right way with her. She threw a huge fit because I didn't have any icy colds ( aka, Popsicles) for her, and because I wouldn't take her outside in the thunderstorm! I guess in a two year old eyes, they don't see the rain and lightning as a threat, they just want to ride their tricycle! Eventually, we found something to do that pleased us both. I painted Alexandria's nails for the first time! She felt so pretty, she said she looked just like Mary and Anna now! It was very cute!

"Alex, show me your nails!"

"Let Me Try to get a close up!"

"Ok, one ore Alex!"
Jeez Mom, that's enough!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yesterday we had Anna's friend from preschool over, Hunter, and his little sister Maya. They always have fun together! Hopefully Anna and Hunter get into the same Kindergarten class together because he will be the only other one from preschool who is going to the same elementary school. I know Anna will make friends, and pretty soon it will not be cool for Hunter to be friends with a girl, or for Anna to be friends with a boy, but for now and at first, it would be nice for them to at least know each other to get through the first few weeks!

Anna and Hunter making silly faces, and Alex and Maya making silly faces!

Then later after they left we went to Anna's favorite restaurant, the Mongolian BBQ! This is a very good, all you can eat, put it together yourself stir fry. They always a good variety of meats and veggies and sauces. You put together all your favorites, and watch them stir fry it in front of you. They sometimes throw the knives up into the air, and do some little tricks, and they have a big symbol they gong when you throw a tip in the jar. Anna loves it! It is very good food!

I'm not sure what today holds yet as it is still early, but tomorrow my friend Jenny is taking Anna and her son Brandon out. Possibly the Shedd Aquarium in downtown Chicago. That should be fun!

So Staley Da Bear, we meet again!

2007-07-30T18:34:00.000-05:00

Jason ditched worked on Saturday so that we could go to Bourbonnais, IL to watch the Bears at their training camp. Jason has always been a huge Bears fan, and goes every year to watch the bears train for the season. Of course this year was very crowded. I'm thinking it's because the Bears made it to the super bowl last season. Everyone has high hopes for them this year.

Two summers ago we brought Anna with us to training camp for the first time. This was also the same summer we went to Disney for Anna's wish trip. Anna was afraid of the team mascot, Staley the bear, that summer. She wanted to see him, but once we got up to him she freaked out. He acted as though he was upset that she didn't want to see him, and walked away with his head down. Later on she decided that she wanted to go give him a hug, but we couldn't find him. She was three, but almost four that year. We were actually afraid that she wouldn't want anything to do with the characters at Disney, but it turned out that she gave each and everyone of them a hug! Maybe she didn't want them to feel bad the way she made Staley feel. Anyway, after I wrote about this in Anna's old caringbridge page Staley must have googled his own name and found the post about himself on Anna's page. He ended up writing her a letter in her guest book. Unfortunately I had to erase Anna's page because someone spammed the guestbook it with porno(how anyone could do this to a little girls Caringbridge page is beyond me)
After he wrote it, I printed it out for her and put it in with her baby book, and other stuff I save for her. This is what it read:

Dear Anna,
My name is Staley Da Bear and I just read the article your mom wrote about Training Camp last year. I wanted to let you know that you didn't make me sad. It's ok to be afraid of the big brown grizzley bear. Sometimes I wish I didn't look so scary, but that's just the way I am. I hope you are doing well. Please visit me this year at training Camp!

Love your friend,
Staley Da Bear

I'm sure you can imagine the excitement Anna had over this letter. Heck, so did Jason, Mary, and I.

Anyway, last year we went to family fun night at Soldier Field. All Anna did the entire time was look for Staley so that she could give him that hug. We found him and she did give him a hug and this time I did not forget my camera!

As you can see, in both of the pictures Staley has got a hold of Anna's hair! When he pulled Anna's hair this last time, he did it, he made Anna totally obsessed with him. Since we stayed for the whole day (got there for their 9am practice, and stayed the day to go back for the 7pm practice) all Anna could talk about was how Staley remembers her because she hasn't seen him pull on any other girls hair and she couldn't wait to go back to see him later. When we saw him that evening, she asked him if he remembers her and if he remembered writing her the letter. He pointed to her and nodded his head. She was ecstatic! For the whole two hours, every time he would come near where we were sitting, she called out to him. She wouldn't stop. She kept on talking about how he knows her, like they were best buddies. She is friends with a celebrity! It was so precious.

Anyway, it was a great time this year at camp. The weather wasn't so hot because the sun was hidden behind the clouds. We hung out in the van and watched Harry Potter movies and ate the packed lunch Jason made that morning. The evening practice was awesome, they had a little kiddie training camp set up for the kids, which they got a kick out of. Through out the day we got some autographs, Mary thought that was really cool because last year she was really into watching the games with Daddy, so she knew the people. It was hard to get good pictures of the players we got autographs from just because everyone was pushing to get through, but I got a few good ones!

Robbie Gould #9; Tyler Mcmeans #62

Roberto Garza #63; Fred Miller #69

Drisan James (rookie); Lovie Smith!!!!! (head coach)

Muhsin Muhammad #87; Greg Olsen #82 (rookie, Jason says he'll be awesome!)

Here is a good one, three in one. Tommy Harris #91, Devin Hester #23, and Charles Tillman again.

This one Alex took of the Mary and Anna

This one is scary, all three of the girls with Robbie Gould faces!

And these are of the girls in training camp!

Illinois Donor Diaries

2007-07-23T16:51:00.000-05:00

I was browsing the blogging world last night and came across this blog, "I am. Are you?". The blog is a part of the Donate Life of Illinois campaign.

One of the reason's I started Anna's place was to tell Anna's story. To let people know the importance of organ donation and what good it can do. My blog has since turned into more of a family journal. Not that that's a bad thing. There is just not much to report on Anna, health wise. She has been in great health since her transplant!

After leaving a comment on "I am. Are you?" I recieved an e-mail from the creator of this blog asking me if I would like my story in a Illinois Donor Diary entry. I will have to write our story along with a picture of Anna and describe my personal story/tie to organ donation. With hopes that this would help others to register as donors, I would love to help!

Upon discussing this with a friend I was asked why my story would help; because I was Anna's donor. This took me by surprise, she knows us, knows our family, and she knows what Anna has been through! I explained to her that even though I was Anna's donor I still like to promote oragan donation. Living donation is not possible in every case, and a living donor can only donate part of a liver, or one kidney. What about hearts, lungs, ect....... This pushed me more into wanting to do this. Some people don't understand the importance of organ donation. If myself, or any of my family, weren't able to donate to Anna, I would have hoped that someone would have made the selfless choice to donate their own or their loved ones organs. We were very lucky in our case, but not everyone is.

Here are some statistics:
Almost 100,000 men, women and children currently need life-saving organ transplants.

Every 12 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list.

An average of 18 people die each day from the lack of available organs for transplant.

In 2005, there were 7,593 deceased organ donors and 6,895 living organ donors resulting in 28,108 organ transplants.

In 2005, 44,000 grafts were made available for transplant by eye banks within the United States.

Approximately 1,000,000 tissue transplants are performed annually.

According to research, 98% of all adults have heard about organ donation and 86% have heard of tissue donation.

90% of Americans say they support donation, but only 30% know the essential steps to take to be a donor.

So stay tuned, I will let you know when our story is up, but for now you can read other stories here!

These are other ways I have been promoting organ donation awarness:

My car is decorated with this: You can purchase this, and other great items here

And This:

And My family Wears these:

I wear these

And Anna wears this:

I know it doesn't seem like, but I get a great response to these and then I get to tell our story. I get people thinking. Anna has touched so many lives around her. A lot of people come up to me and say that they changed their minds about donation and register to be donors after knowing about Anna.

More fun at the zoo

2007-07-20T17:15:00.000-05:00

I'm a little behind on blogging again. There is just not much going on here. We went to the zoo for the third time this summer. We have season passes that my good friend Jenny got for our family as a Christmas gift. It's really nice to take advantage of Brookfield Zoo being so close to us and being able to go anytime. You pack your lunch, even bring along one of the neighbor kids and you have yourself a nice outing that doesn't break your wallet. This zoo is big and unless you feel like spending the ENTIRE day there, you can't see everything. This time we spent a good amount of the time at the Children's petting zoo and near the bears, who were being very entertaining! Also, in the restrooms, since Alexandria is being potty trained and anytime a 2 year old says she has to go, you better get her there fast. Anyway, here are some pictures and a video of the brown bear there. He was doing the back stroke over and over again! It was so cute, and you just wanted to jump right in there with him because it was so HOT!!!!

This is so Cute if you want to check it out! This Bear was having a grand time swimming and showing off for everyone!

Mama Bear and baby Bear playing in the water, and piglets (Alex swore that one of them was Wilbur from Charlotte's web!

Miss Anna trying to brush a Billy Goat. This one kept running from poor Anna! Alex really enjoyed the petting zoo and brushing the Goats as well!

Mary wasn't as thrilled as the little ones (or at least she didn't want me to know she was, but I told her to smile). Then one of the girls with Shantana (the neighbor friend that we snagged to come along with us)

In a few years???????

2007-07-11T21:38:00.000-05:00

Mary has been taking Viola lessons weekly from my little (soon to be married) sister, Deborah. Today we went to her 3rd lesson and Deborah says that, for this being only her 3rd lesson, Mary is doing very, very well. Deborah thinks that by the beginning of the fall, when Mary starts Viola in school, she will be way ahead of everyone. I wonder if they might transfer her to the fifth grade Orchestra? Deborah says she might be playing actual songs by this time, and fourth grade Orchestra will be teaching reading notes and plucking songs(something Mary can already do). Mary loves everything that has to do with music. She has a guitar and has taken lessons from a friend of Jasons. Mary also has a piano (keyboard) which she teaches herself to play. She just has it in her blood. She totally looks up to Deborah and hopes to play as well as her some day. Deborah said she has had students in the past that just don't seem interested at all, but Mary is different. She wants to learn, she practices all the time! So...in a few years...if she sets her mind to it...she could very well be as good as Deborah (or at least close to it)!

Once again, my little digital camera isn't the best for recording, but it is all I have. The sound doesn't do Deborah justice. Deborah has studied mostly Violin since she was in fourth grade, but this is her on her Viola.

Mary has a ways to go...here she is practicing her notes.

Celebrating Family!

2007-07-06T15:49:00.000-05:00

I feel terrible. The only pictures I took for the fourth were of Alex and her cousin's. We were going to stay home and just have Jason's parents over for the fourth of July, but we were invited to Jason's cousins house instead (along with Jason's parents because Jason's mom is Jason's cousin's auntie). The more the merrier! It was nice for the girls to get to see their cousins, but I didn't get to see my 2 oldest girls much that day. Samantha who is almost 8, had a friend over who was just one school year younger than Mary, and they all thought it would be cool to go to the park down the street instead of hanging out with the old people and the babies (meaning Alex and the littlest cousins Michael,3 and Mathew,2). Normally Alex would have wanted to go with her sisters but she was having too much fun getting her pig tails pulled by her very boyish, and active cousins. I think she loved being chased down by them, and they loved having a little girl around to torture, that wasn't their sister. I'm sure Samantha lets them know who's boss! Sooo, I got pictures of Alex playing in the back yard with the boys while the older girls were at the park. They came back, we ate, and they went back to the park. When it came time to see the fire works I made sure that my camera was in my purse. Since we had to carry chairs, blankets and a cooler for 3 blocks, I decided to leave my purse in my car. Forgetting of course, about my camera. The pictures would have been great too! There was a park that the kids played in before the fireworks started. Rob got the kids all an ice cream and they all made such a mess since it was so hot and humid out. I LOVE messy pictures! Oh well. The girls loved the fireworks as always. We had a great night with family!

Even though I feel guilty that I don't have a picture with all of the kids from the fourth, I will still post these of Alex and her cousins. And just so that I don't leave the other girls out, here's some that I took outside today of the girls riding their bikes.

Speaking of family, this August we will welcome a new member to the family. My little sister called me this morning to announce her engagement! She is having a little wedding in early August. She sure didn't leave herself enough time for planning! Deborah will be starting her third year in college this fall, and I guess she wanted to get married soon so that they can find an apartment near her school in the city. I mentioned to her that she CAN move in with him before getting married.....but my parents raised a good Christian girl! She will not live with him unless they are married, that is her reasoning behind getting married so soon! I still think of Deborah as being Mary's age, it seems so weird that she is in College and is getting married! She is studying music, and is planning on being a music teacher/instructor. She was so excited to learn that Mary has expressed an interest in playing the Viola this fall. Deborah plays the violin, the viola, piano, cello, and bass I think. She is so good, she can make you cry and she can make you laugh when she plays. For the past few weeks she has been giving Mary private lessons. She doesn't ask for payment, and she refuses my money. She looks at it as a learning experience for herself and Mary. Like they are both getting something out of it. Guess I'll just have to get her a few things on her bridal registry! Since my mother only lives about 20 miles from my house it's not a big deal to drive there weekly, but I don't know about driving out to the city for Mary's lessons! (We'll talk about this next week Deborah!)

Alex Loves Ella

2007-06-23T16:14:00.000-05:00

Alexandria has a new favorite movie. Ella Enchanted. This is a lovely movie, we all just love it. It has the familiarity of Cinderella, but with a lot of different fairy tale themes mixed into it. Alex, being a two year old, has seen this about 25 times in the past 2 weeks. As much as I adore this movie, I am thankful that the girls have a tv/dvd combo in their room. Alex has started to know the words to two of the songs in this movie. One is a remake of "Don't go breading my heart", and the other is "Somebody to love." (I think it is a song by "Queen"?) She also dances to them. I haven't been able to REALLY capture it when she REALLY does it. She sees the camera (if only I had an actual video camera) and gets a little shy with it. The quality is not so good, just because I used only my cheep digital camera.

This is her dancing along to "Somebody to Love"

And here she is dancing to "Don't go breaking my Heart" She doesn't like me to sing with her, it can only be her, or she gets mad.

In other news, we got our Kitten Diego neutered last week. Of course, nothing medically in my life can ever just be a "simple procedure." The poor boy only had one dropped testicle, so they had to go in to find the other one before they could neuter him. He was in so much pain when he got home, it took him three hours to crawl out of his carrier. The first place he walked to was his litter box. I had to help him in and out though. My poor baby kitty. To make matters worse, Gizmo my older cat, who was so sad that Diego was gone, must have thought we brought a different cat home. He was hissing and growling at the poor guy. Finally after 5 days, he is starting to accept him again. I don't know why he was acting like that, I thought he would be so happy to see him come home after crying all day for him.

Mini Vacation!

2007-06-11T23:05:00.000-05:00

Didn't forget about my blog again guys, don't worry! We went up to Wisconsin Dells for the weekend! Our lovely friends Matt and Jonelle rented a house on the lake for the weekend and invited us to come along! We haven't been on vacation since Disney World 2 years back so this was a treat for us! It's always nice to get away, we brought the two oldest girls with us, and poor baby Alex gets left behind again. Not by herself of course, but with her grandparents. I think they were more excited to get Alexandria to themselves than we were to go without her! I did feel really bad to leave her when it came down to it, but a potty training 2 year old would have made it difficult. Not to mention the three hour car ride.

Our first night there we went to the Tommy Bartlett show. The girls just loved it. So did everyone else, but it's way cooler when your a kid. If your ever in the Dells, I highly recommend this show, but go for one of the night shows because that's when they have the water and light show too! When we got back to the house we built a fire and had smores! It was the perfect end to a perfect day! On Saturday we had a rental boat for the day. It was nice for the guys to go fishing with Mary and Anna while the gals went to a craft show and downtown shopping! We all went on the boat later, just cruised around, and Jason and the girls went swimming in the lake (with life jackets of course)! We had to check out early on the last day there. After check out we went to a water park. It was fun, but Jason and I got sunburned.

When We got home we picked up Alexandria right away. We all missed her so much! To make it up to her we went to Brookfield zoo the next Morning. We had already had plans to meet up with some friends there, but we stayed for only a few hours. It was hot, and the Cicadas were all over the place. One flew in my ear! I probably looked like an idiot screaming and flailing all over the place, but the darn thing was screaming in my ear. I hate those things. Also Anna was crabby. She had an eczema flare up, probably because of the lake water. Jason and I were uncomfortable with our sunburns anyway, even though we covered our shoulders just the sun beating down on us! We got to see Alexandria's favorites though, the Monkey house and the dolphin show. That's all that matters!

Thanks for checking in, and of course I will post pictures too!

Here was the back of the rental house.

Here is a view from the deck looking our into the backyard where the lake was.

Mary and Anna at the Tommy Bartlett show.

Anna and Jonelle by the fire.

Mary and Anna sitting on the dock waiting for the boat.

On the boat with Daddy.

See how happy Alex is? At the zoo!

Waiting for the Dolphine show to start. The girls with my friend Jenny's son Brandon.

Another one bites the dust!

2007-06-05T19:58:00.000-05:00

Anna just lost another tooth! She doesn't leave the suckers alone. She asked Jason to use the pliers to pull it out for her the other night. She was afraid that she would swallow it in the middle of the night. Of course he wouldn't do it, and neither would I. Teeth don't usually bother me, but this one sure did! I'm not sure why.

Mary on the other hand, just lets them come out when they are ready. She baby's them, won't touch them, won't bite or chew her food near the loose ones. She cries because they hurt her. I guess Anna has known true pain, so this is nothing to her. She has already had 6 cavities filled, and one root canal. She constantly fiddles with them.

Anna and I looked all over the place, but Anna doesn't know where or when she lost it. She is very upset, to say the least. She really wanted the money that the tooth fairy leaves. I think I might just put a note under her pillow from the tooth fairy, with money in it. Maybe the note should say she has secret powers to locate lost teeth, and she found it? Something like that.

Were back and ready to keep this blog to date!

2007-06-01T21:23:00.000-05:00

Feels good to be back, but I have to get myself established again! I'm pretty sure that by now people who used to come here to visit have given up on me. Ghost town by now for sure.

So much has happened since last time I updated. Let me just first say that it has nothing to do with Anna's health. She has been great as a matter of fact!

Over a year now, huh? Can't believe I survived without one of these things (a computer) for so long. When my computer broke I had a neighbor friend who's husband works on computers for a living so she offered to have him fix it for me. Turns out that it was loaded with viruses, and needed a part that had to be special ordered and was a little pricey. I left the computer with them, in trust because what was I going to do with it? Besides, Lorraine and I had started being close friends when we were pregnant together, me with Anna and her with her daughter. She did a lot together, from having coffee in the mornings and watching each others kids when needed, to just hanging out and talking later in the evening watching our favorite shows. Really close.

A few months after I gave them the computer our husbands had a fight and there was a falling out between her and I. I figured a little cooling off time and things would go back to normal. In the mean time, they still had our computer and Jason was having trouble with finding a job to suite him. Jason had won Cubs tickets weeks back, and decided to call into work sick and take Anna to the game that day. Not the best move I know, but people do it. Lorraine, knowing Jason had the tickets, must have saw him leave that day. She had the nerve to call Jason's fairly new job, and ask for him. When they told her he wasn't available, she asked if he called in sick. I don't know if this is legal, and I still question it, but they told her that he had. She proceeded to tell them that he wasn't, that he was at the game and told them that he was the kind of person that couldn't be trusted in addition to a few more nasty comments. Now I ask you, what kind of person does this? Jason's boss called him a little later and told him that he saw Jason and his daughter on TV during the seventh inning stretch while they sing "Take me out to the ball game." Jason couldn't deny it because if it had been true that he spotted them (and it's not unlikely for them to catch a lot of fans on TV during this time in the ball game) he would be caught in an even bigger lie. He didn't get fired, but regardless of the fact, it's just not something that a friend does. I had a very loud talk with her, and from then on I knew that things would never be the same. I would have never nothing anything to that extreme to hurt a friend. Not only would she have hurt Jason by trying to get him fired, she would be hurting all of us. I did get the computer back but in much worse shape than when I gave it to them. Since I know nothing about computers I had no idea that parts were missing. I brought it to a dear friend of mine whose father also works on them. He told us there was nothing he could do for it. He said that he could tell it was intentionally broken beyond repair. I never could get a hold of Lorraine to get my parts, or whatever was missing from it. I decided to just leave it alone. It was not worth the frustration.

Since we lived in the same building with these "friends" we knew we needed to move. Since Jason wasn't making a whole lot of money at the time we didn't have a whole lot of options. We moved into the same apartment complex as Jason's parents, and had to get rid of our dog which was hard on all of us. It's a nicer, bigger place for us though. There are a lot of kids for the girls to play with, and a huge court yard for playing area. Mary had to switch schools. She was upset at first but made friends very fast. Anna had a very difficult time moving away from her best friend that she had known since the day she was born (Lorraine's daughter). Jason found a stable job and things have gotten better for us since. We got a kitten for our cat Gizmo because he was sad to loose his best friend in the whole world, the dog we had to give up. Of course the girls loved the kitten, but when you mention our dog Mary will break down and cry. Very sad, but we found her a good home, a friend of a friend that is taking great care of her.

The girls have all grown so much since I last posted. Alex most of all. From 1 to 2 is a big step. Anna just graduated from preschool, and is on to Kindergarten in the fall. I hate to report that she did not pass with high honors (ha ha). She is a talker for sure. I often got reports of her interrupting class, and not listening. That's just Anna though, hopefully it won't be a huge issue in kindergarten and years beyond that. Funny thing is, Anna's teacher and I figured out that her daughter in-law Heidi treated Anna in the PICU before and after her transplant. And she wasn't just any nurse (and fellow liver moms, or any frequent flyer's of hospitals, will probably know what I mean by this) she was THE nurse. We spent a good month there, so we got to know her well. She had Anna on most of her shifts, and had so much compassion. We love you Heidi!

Anna, like Mary, had no problem making new friends. A couple of close ones too. Only two kids from her preschool class will be going to the same elementary school, but I am not worried, she will make more friends and keep the old! Although she does mention her old best friend and how she misses her once in a while, she is getting over it, as am I.

I want to include some pictures of all three of the girls. This way I get to show you how much they have grown and milstones along the way! That will be it for this post. It's hard trying to remember how to do all of this stuff!

We celebrated Anna's Five year transplant Anniversary, she gets a new Leapster!

Close to around Anna's Anniversary she gets a clean bill of health at Transplant clinic and sits alone to get her blood drawn for the first time ever. What a big girl!

Then Anna gets her preschool diploma!

Then lost her first tooth!

Alex celebrates her Second Birthday

Then gets her ears pierced!

Mary, the nice big sister!

Gets her hair cut, first BIG cut in all of her 9 years. She loves it, and so do I! What a mess it was to brush through!

No worries

2006-03-28T11:53:00.000-06:00

Hey guys, sorry for the lack of updates. Everything is fine here. All the girls are great, doing well and healthy and growing. In fact, next week Alexandria turns 1 year old!!!!

My computer crashed, and that's why I haven't updated in a while. It's done, and we don't have the money for a new one right now. I am a little lost without my computer. The little things like e-mail, mapquest, and online banking. But especially my buddies over at Liver families and my favorites blogs to visit. Hope all is well with every one out there!

Monday Memories: Our Recovery

2006-03-13T16:02:00.000-06:00

Monday Memories: Did I ever tell you about My recovery after the living donor surgery, and Anna's recovery after her transplant

I was dazed for the first two days after my surgery. The first thing I remember after waking up was how much pain I was in. I vaguely remember waking up in recovery, and seeing Jason. I don't think I really knew what was going on, or if I asked about Anna at all. The first time I really woke up, and was aware of what was going on I felt the worst pain I have ever felt in my entire life. Maybe even if you put together all the pain I have ever had my entire life all together it might add up to what I felt. Maybe not. It's hard to explain. Anyway, I was being wheeled up to my room from the recovery room I believe. I woke up moaning and groaning, and was heaving. I didn't have anything to throw up, but if I did it would have all come up then. Can you imagine? Do you know how many abdominal muscles you use when you throw up? It was terrible, I thought my incision was going to bust! So, then I hear someone say "maybe we need to turn on the epidural" Well, yeah! What are they waiting for? I thought they were going to turn it on before I woke up, so that I didn't feel this intense pain! The rest of the day of, was a blur. I remember getting a phone call from Jason, telling me that Anna's surgery was over and she was doing well! He came to me after seeing Anna in recovery. He looked so relieved, and tired. How hard that must have been on him to have the both of us in surgery, and waiting all that time. He called me his hero.

The second day I was there, they made me get out of bed. I was so angry with them. How on earth did they expect me to get out of bed after such an operation? They pulled my epidural early that morning so that I could walk. I had to walk the halls for a little while. The first time took me forever to just stand up. There was a lot of crying involved. [Let me just say that I never, ever, regretted doing this, even in so much pain, but it doesn't change the fact that I was in a whole lot of pain.] I felt ok enough to talk on the phone, although a little loopy, I could carry on a conversation I called Anna's nurses a lot, and talked to her doctors. That afternoon Jason came to see me. He had spent all that time with Anna (as it should be). He let me in on a little good news, Anna was already extabated not even a full 24 hours after her transplant! She was doing very well, no complications, but was resting and on some strong pain medications. Jason stayed with me for a while, but I was in and out of it. I didn't like what pain medication they had me on, I didn't like feeling so out of it, but didn't like being in pain either.

Jason went to the cafeteria that evening, and brought back up a visitor that he ran into there. Her name was Becky Wilczak. I knew her from high school, a friend of a friend. Hadn't talked to her since high school. She had been in the 2002 winter Olympics, and I remember being in the PICU with Anna, watching about her and her dad on the news. About how her dad needed a liver transplant, but snook to Italy to see Becky in the Olympics, when he was supposed to be at home awaiting his new liver. I knew that she luged, but was still shocked to see that she was in the Olympics. When Jason came in the room with her, I was surprised, to say the least. Jason only had met her one time, but recognized her from watching the news. I guess her dad had received his transplant earlier that week. She didn't even know that I had kids, and it just blew her mind, the reason I was there. I was still in a daze, probably made no sense to her whatsoever, but I'm sure she understood. That was really cool.

Anyway, on the third day I was sick of it all. No more fancy pain meds for me. I decided on taking only an over the counter pain medication, just because I hated feeling out of it, slipping in and out, and not knowing exactly what was going on around me. Although, that meant being in a little more pain. That day, they wanted to kick me out of the hospital. Maybe because I was not taking the pain medications, and they thought I was doing well? I'm not sure why, but I was not ready to go. I had some asshole "doctor" trying to tell me that I didn't care to see my daughter when I told him them that I didn't feel ready to leave yet. When he left, and said they were going to write up my discharge papers, I called Jason right away, and he could tell that I was obviously upset. They actually made me feel guilty! I thought maybe it was because of the insurance, or maybe he was just being an asshole. This made Jason really mad! He made some phone calls to Northwestern when we got off the phone. I didn't know he was doing this until after a social worker came in and told me that I could stay for as long as I needed to, and apologized for the way I had been treated. Jason told me later that, to hear me that upset, that someone made me feel the way they did, made him angry. I am not sure who he talked to but this is what he told me he told them. "This person made my wife cry, and that is not acceptable. She just gave part of her liver for her very sick daughter. Nobody made her do it, of course she cares about her. For you to make her feel low right now, when she is in obvious pain, is unacceptable. Plus, she has been on an emotional roller coaster for five months, what do you think this does to her state of mind right now." I know there were more words, that is just a glimpse that Jason has told me. After that though, I didn't want to stay any longer anyway. I left early the next morning, and went straight to see Anna.

When I first walked into the PICU, I got a very warm welcome fro the staff. I walked over to see Anna. I could not believe how good she looked! She was smiling, she was peach, she was beautiful!! I couldn't believe her color, she had been yellow for her whole life. She still had a tinge of yellow, but still a drastic difference. She looked happy to see me, and hear my voice. I hated that I had not been there with her this whole time, but I obviously couldn't be. She had Daddy, Grama and Papa, and always her loving nurses. Always someone by her side. She had been in good hands. Before we left to go home later that night, we got word that Anna was being transferred to the 6th floor. Already! I wanted so bad to stay with her that night, but it was too hard. I couldn't lift her at all, or even do things for myself. They told me to go and get rest. They told me all the time to not overdue it, but I didn't listen all that well. I had already stayed that first day longer than I probably should have, I stayed until I couldn't move anymore. Walking up two flights of stairs when I got to Jason's mom's house was horrible. You never know how many abdominal muscles you use until they are cut into. I think we used all the pillows in the entire house to make me comfortable, or as comfortable as I could could get.

We went the next day to visit Anna again, and this time I stayed the whole day. It was a bit easier with her being on the floor, and I could finally hold her again. I was amazed at how well she seemed to feel. She would cry if she was moved the wrong way, but when she was still, she was fine. She was eating good, her color was even better than the night before, and she was all smiles. You could tell she felt much better. It felt good that I contributed to that.

On the eighth day it was Anna's half birthday, 6 months old! Since I didn't listen when they told me to take it easy, a part of my incision broke open and got infected. I had gone to Northwestern to have my drain pulled, and my incision cleaned out a couple day before this. I got to the point where I couldn't go to visit Anna on her special half birthday, so I stayed home and my neighbor friend watched after me while everyone else went to the hospital to hang out with Anna. Anna's grandparents bought Anna a half cake, and Anna's nurses made her a sign. I was so sad to not be a part of that. I should have listened when they told me to take it easy. But, I have pictures! I guess everyone thought it was a neat idea to celebrate half birthdays!

Links to other Monday Memories

(If you participate, leave your link in the comments and I'll post it below)

Shelli
Kimmy
Candace
Yellow Rose
Rowan
Libra Girl
Mama Kellys Musings

Click here for the Monday Memories code
Click here for Shelli's blog

Trackbacks, pings, and comment links are accepted and encouraged!

View More Monday Memories Participants

Anniversary

2006-03-10T09:30:00.000-06:00

We celebrated Anna's Anniversary last Monday! I updated on that day with her transplant story, but now I want come back to present time! We really celebrated the night before her actual anniversary by going out to eat with Anna's Grandparents. Mary and I also made a cake for Anna. Now, I am no baker, but this one turned out pretty well! (with help from Mary, that's probably why it turned!) We like to make Anna's anniversary a special day, so the day was ended with a few gifts for her. Nothing huge, but she has wanted roller blades for a while, I believe it's been since Mary got a pair for her own birthday in September. Jason and I got her the roller blades of course. Grama and Papa got her a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards. She's set! Mary even spent some of her own money and got Anna a Dora playground ball! Anna had a nice day, and she felt very special. She deserves that.

Here are some pictures of Anna's special day:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yesterday Anna had transplant clinic for her four year visit. She also had her routine yearly ultrasound and blood work. As always, Anna was as good as gold. They were busy in the lab, and it took us a while there. We ran into our liver friend Natalie there, so it helped for passing some time. It's so hard to not want to look at Natalie's pretty little face, she is such a sweet girl and her parents are awesome! It's always nice to see friends in the hospital!

So we got in the room, and Anna stuck out her arm to let them know where the needle goes. Sat and watched them put in the needle and talked to the lab tech while she was filling up the vial's. Good old Anna. They all love her down there, probably because she doesn't put up a fight, ever, and because she is so freaking adorable. She doesn't even flinch, cry or say ouch. I am always so proud of her with that!

After getting her blood drawn, we went to ultrasound. Anna wasn't able to eat or drink that morning because of having the ultrasound. Poor thing was starving, and we didn't get done there until quarter to eleven. I hate starving my child. She laid still for her ultrasound, even held her breath when they asked her to so that they could get good pictures. The only thing she complained about was that she was thirsty and very hungry. After the first tech was done and while she was waiting for them to ok her pictures, they let Anna eat a snack. Luckily I was thinking when we left that morning, and I had a bag with juice boxes and snacks for her.

After that we headed up to transplant clinic. There wasn't a long wait there, thank goodness, because Anna and I were so ready to go so that we could eat (I usually don't eat either when Anna can't simply because it wouldn't be fair for her, and I would feel guilty). Everyone was very pleased with how Anna is doing. There wasn't much for them to say! Anna is in the 75th percentile for height and weight! Her liver numbers came back from the lab, and they were perfect! Her liver feels nice and soft, she doesn't have any swollen lymph nodes and all her vitals are perfect. We heard the word perfect many times yesterday! Dr. Alonso looks at Anna in amazement at how well she is doing, and has done since her transplant! Her weaning is doing good, she has not showed any signs of rejection since we started that. They won't lower her dose right now for fear of rocking the boat, but I am fine with that. She has gotten a lot less sick this year than last year before we started to wean. That's because of being on such a low dose of Immune suppressant. It will be little by little, and that is fine, I am happy with how well things are going too!