Background information
1. I hate to bake (if this is new information to you, you clearly don't read my blog very carefully).
2 My sister Amanda loves to bake.
3. TJ loves to bake.
4. Amanda and her girls spend at least one day a week visiting my mom. Amanda needs some occasional adult interaction.
5. Today was a snow day.
TJ walked into my mom's house this morning and was quite pleased to see Amanda was there. He announced, "We need to bake today. We haven't baked in AGES! You've been too busy having babies!"
They baked brownies together at nap time.
TJ has no idea why Bill and I were laughing when Bill related this story to me at the dinner table. He was quite offended that we laughed. He insists that Auntie Boo's babies truly are the reason they don't bake much these days....
Monday, January 28, 2013
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Glimpse into the future
Bill and I signed a contract with Tony VanOyen Builders yesterday to build a new home. It's the four bedroom two-story home we wanted when we built our current home (but due to the hit we took on our Comstock Park home, we had to settle for a ranch instead). The only downside of this new home is that it's a nearly two hour drive from Grand Rapids. We will be living in New Hudson and the boys will attend South Lyon public schools.
Here's a portion of the development we are moving to. We will be on lot 31. We won't have acres of property for the boys to explore, but we will have neighbors and lots of kids for them to play with.
And I also snapped a picture of our lot on Magnolia Drive. This is the 'Before' picture. You have to wait until August to see the 'After' picture.
Here's a portion of the development we are moving to. We will be on lot 31. We won't have acres of property for the boys to explore, but we will have neighbors and lots of kids for them to play with.
And I also snapped a picture of our lot on Magnolia Drive. This is the 'Before' picture. You have to wait until August to see the 'After' picture.
Friday, January 25, 2013
An illustration of my life
People ask me to explain to them what's wrong with me, and that's tough, because neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS) is so hard to understand. I came across a funny blog today that really helps explain it. Pardon the language.
Click Here to read the blog.
Dysautonomia is another name for neurocardiogenic syncope. And yes, those symptoms all sound familiar. I even have some bonus symptoms. Because my blood pressure is low, the blood pools in my legs and doesn't go to my head. This makes me lightheaded, but it's also giving me problems with varicose veins. I had one fixed the year after Sam was born and I'm getting another one fixed next month. Oh joy.
I have days where I feel almost normal and other days I can hardly get out of bed. My medication causes me to retain fluids. I have gained over 30 pounds in the past two years. I am so thankful I am married to a very patient person who never gives me a hard time for feeling ill and never makes me feel unattractive. He's a rock.
My sister deals with lupus on a daily basis and I know she feels worse than I do most days. She also has to put up with having a confusing illness that most people don't understand. But that doesn't mean it isn't real.
I am not complaining. NCS stinks, but I could have it so much worse. Some people with NCS faint multiple times a day and are unable to drive. But I am still a mostly-functioning, somewhat normal member of society. That's my story. And I'm stuck to it.
Consider yourself educated.
Click Here to read the blog.
Dysautonomia is another name for neurocardiogenic syncope. And yes, those symptoms all sound familiar. I even have some bonus symptoms. Because my blood pressure is low, the blood pools in my legs and doesn't go to my head. This makes me lightheaded, but it's also giving me problems with varicose veins. I had one fixed the year after Sam was born and I'm getting another one fixed next month. Oh joy.
I have days where I feel almost normal and other days I can hardly get out of bed. My medication causes me to retain fluids. I have gained over 30 pounds in the past two years. I am so thankful I am married to a very patient person who never gives me a hard time for feeling ill and never makes me feel unattractive. He's a rock.
My sister deals with lupus on a daily basis and I know she feels worse than I do most days. She also has to put up with having a confusing illness that most people don't understand. But that doesn't mean it isn't real.
I am not complaining. NCS stinks, but I could have it so much worse. Some people with NCS faint multiple times a day and are unable to drive. But I am still a mostly-functioning, somewhat normal member of society. That's my story. And I'm stuck to it.
Consider yourself educated.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
The things Sam likes
Sam sat down the other day and made a list of the things he really likes. Here they are, in no particular order:
1. Sprinklers
2. Furnaces
3. Christmas lights
4. RVs (campers)
5. Weather / Radar
6. Trains
7. Antennas (cell phone towers, radio towers...)
8. Building (as in construction projects)
Go ahead. Find me another six-year-old with the same interests. Not one toy was mentioned. Bill seemed quite proud when reviewing Sam's list.
1. Sprinklers
2. Furnaces
3. Christmas lights
4. RVs (campers)
5. Weather / Radar
6. Trains
7. Antennas (cell phone towers, radio towers...)
8. Building (as in construction projects)
Go ahead. Find me another six-year-old with the same interests. Not one toy was mentioned. Bill seemed quite proud when reviewing Sam's list.
Monday, January 21, 2013
The Facts of Life (according to Nolan)
Earlier this evening, Nolan was watching me take out my earrings and put them away. He wondered if it hurt to put earrings in. I assured him that it didn't hurt one little bit. Nolan then told me I had beautiful earrings and that he really liked them.
"But I don't want to wear earrings. Those are for girls. Girls grow up and turn into Moms. So I won't do that. You know what I'm doing to have when I'm 20? A beard."
I was having a little trouble following this conversation so all I could come up with was, "You want a beard?"
Nolan looked at me like I was incredibly dumb. "Not NOW, Mom! When I'm 20!"
Well, duh.
"But I don't want to wear earrings. Those are for girls. Girls grow up and turn into Moms. So I won't do that. You know what I'm doing to have when I'm 20? A beard."
I was having a little trouble following this conversation so all I could come up with was, "You want a beard?"
Nolan looked at me like I was incredibly dumb. "Not NOW, Mom! When I'm 20!"
Well, duh.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
I'm a Belieber
Yesterday, I took the boys to Kohl's with me. It wasn't my smartest move. They weren't horrible, but they also weren't cooperative, obedient, patient, or quiet. And there were lots of good deals to be found on the Boys' clearance racks, so I definitely wanted to do some browsing so I could get clothes for TJ to grow into.
In an effort to get them to stand still and just talk with me instead of causing trouble, I focused in on the music playing over the speakers. It was a Justin Bieber song. TJ is NOT a fan of Justin Bieber (wise young man) and Bill and I often tease him about this.
I told TJ one of his favorite songs was on. TJ listened closely, then snorted and rolled his eyes at me. Sam was immediately curious and wanted to know who it was. I laughed and told him it was Justin Bieber. Sam asked if it was really Justin Beaver. I laughed again and said yes, it really was 'Justin Beaver.'
Sam listened to the song for a moment then asked, "Is Justin Beaver a girl or a boy?"
Awesome moment.
In an effort to get them to stand still and just talk with me instead of causing trouble, I focused in on the music playing over the speakers. It was a Justin Bieber song. TJ is NOT a fan of Justin Bieber (wise young man) and Bill and I often tease him about this.
I told TJ one of his favorite songs was on. TJ listened closely, then snorted and rolled his eyes at me. Sam was immediately curious and wanted to know who it was. I laughed and told him it was Justin Bieber. Sam asked if it was really Justin Beaver. I laughed again and said yes, it really was 'Justin Beaver.'
Sam listened to the song for a moment then asked, "Is Justin Beaver a girl or a boy?"
Awesome moment.
Friday, January 11, 2013
On a lighter note...
The other night, as Sam finished up his shower, he was calling out status updates to his father.
Dad, I'm all done!
Dad, I washed everything!
My bottom is clean and shiny!
Dad, I'm all done!
Dad, I washed everything!
My bottom is clean and shiny!
Life's little challenges
We have made some progress in our quest to find out why Nolan has leg pain and low stamina. Or, maybe we haven't made any progress at all.
On Wednesday, Nolan went to the pediatric orthopedic doctor again. His physical therapist met us there. I cannot tell you how grateful I was that she was there. My concerns were taken much more seriously. She was very specific about the skills Nolan struggles with (he can't hop or jump on his left leg, or balance on it). She also mentioned that while Nolan's ability to walk on the treadmill has improved, he still can't do more than 20 minutes (when he started therapy, he could do 4 minutes). The physician assistant ordered some more x-rays and it was determined that Nolan had a curve to his spine, but it is not severe enough to be scoliosis. The therapist's suspicion was also confirmed--Nolan's left leg is shorter than his right.
Both of these items will be monitored as he grows, to make sure the problem doesn't get worse. So, that's good. However, neither of these problems would be causing his pain and strength issues. They don't think these are orthopedic problems.
So now we are being referred to a neurological/developmental doctor through Mary Free Bed. I just want answers. I don't want to see Nolan struggling to keep up with his classmates. I just hope and pray that whatever is wrong with Nolan is something that he can overcome.
On Wednesday, Nolan went to the pediatric orthopedic doctor again. His physical therapist met us there. I cannot tell you how grateful I was that she was there. My concerns were taken much more seriously. She was very specific about the skills Nolan struggles with (he can't hop or jump on his left leg, or balance on it). She also mentioned that while Nolan's ability to walk on the treadmill has improved, he still can't do more than 20 minutes (when he started therapy, he could do 4 minutes). The physician assistant ordered some more x-rays and it was determined that Nolan had a curve to his spine, but it is not severe enough to be scoliosis. The therapist's suspicion was also confirmed--Nolan's left leg is shorter than his right.
Both of these items will be monitored as he grows, to make sure the problem doesn't get worse. So, that's good. However, neither of these problems would be causing his pain and strength issues. They don't think these are orthopedic problems.
So now we are being referred to a neurological/developmental doctor through Mary Free Bed. I just want answers. I don't want to see Nolan struggling to keep up with his classmates. I just hope and pray that whatever is wrong with Nolan is something that he can overcome.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Fire Hazard
This afternoon, I went in to TJ and Sam's room to strip their beds. I found the lovely display you see below. TJ had kindly hooked up the extension cord so he could decorate the bunk beds with Christmas lights. Sam loved it and plugged in a few more lights. I believe there are at least three strands of Christmas lights, a small Christmas tree, and two Nintendo DS chargers plugged into the extension cord. I rearranged a few strands of lights so that I could accomplish my bedding task.
Bill walked in while I was working and took a good look at the boys' electrical creation. "Well, that's probably not safe" was what he muttered before he started unplugging things. I laughed and asked him how many times his parents said those exact words when discovering things Bill had done around the house when he was a child.
Bill walked in while I was working and took a good look at the boys' electrical creation. "Well, that's probably not safe" was what he muttered before he started unplugging things. I laughed and asked him how many times his parents said those exact words when discovering things Bill had done around the house when he was a child.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Mispronunciations and amusement
Happy New Year!
For Christmas, the boys each got a Nintendo DSi. Nolan cannot remember those three letters. He calls his a GPS. This drives TJ nuts but I think it's adorable.
TJ isn't perfect either. He doesn't understand abbreviations. He calls Super Mario Bros., "Super Mario Broes" (rhymes with grows). Despite us explaining this to him several times, he still doesn't grasp that "vs." is "versus". He says "Vee Ess".
Nolan gets nasal spray on a nightly basis for treatment of his allergies. He HATES the spray but he also accepts that it's important. When Bill or I tell him it's time, he walks over to us and says very seriously, "Hold me down. Hold me down hard." He knows if you get him in a headlock the medicine will only take a second and he won't reflexively jerk away. It looks like child abuse, but he insists!
For Christmas, the boys each got a Nintendo DSi. Nolan cannot remember those three letters. He calls his a GPS. This drives TJ nuts but I think it's adorable.
TJ isn't perfect either. He doesn't understand abbreviations. He calls Super Mario Bros., "Super Mario Broes" (rhymes with grows). Despite us explaining this to him several times, he still doesn't grasp that "vs." is "versus". He says "Vee Ess".
Nolan gets nasal spray on a nightly basis for treatment of his allergies. He HATES the spray but he also accepts that it's important. When Bill or I tell him it's time, he walks over to us and says very seriously, "Hold me down. Hold me down hard." He knows if you get him in a headlock the medicine will only take a second and he won't reflexively jerk away. It looks like child abuse, but he insists!
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