Gig'em Andrew (and Aggies)

So Andrew had a cat scan Friday morning of his head/neck, ordered by his ENT. A little over three weeks ago the boys went in for their 6 month ear tube check up. At the time Andrew had a cough and running nose and some enlarged lymph nodes. The ent put him on a round of antibiotics and then wanted to see us back after a few weeks.

After antibiotics his lymph nodes were still noticeably enlarged, but in pediatrics this isn't always out of the ordinary. But that combined with potential sleep apnea, allergies, sinus issues, he decided to order the cat scan to get a better look at his airway and sinus cavities in addition to ordering just about every blood test out there for allergies and everything else. The doctor was very serious that they draw the blood while he was under sedation to make this as easy on Andrew as possible.

Andrew has always coughed at night when he's lying down and when he has a minor cold he gets this terrible croupy spasmy cough where he coughs so hard he throws up. Plus he always looks like he hasn't slept in days with big bags under his swollen eyes even though he gets 12 hrs a night. And lately he's been especially grumpy, thought I'm not totally convinced that's not just his age.

So anyway hopefully we'll get some useful info to help him to feel better but not something serious like lymphoma or something scary like that (very unlikely).

I got to hold him while they gave him the gas to start the sedation for the test since there was no way he would be still for the procedure. He has never had trouble coming out of anesthesia before but this time was pretty rough. He was psychotic when he came out of it, kicking and screaming. He was ripping all the leads and bandages off and writhing around. Not fun, that was the hardest thing for me.

(He was also retracting hard and making this whistling sound when he would breathe and the anesthesiologst thinks perhaps he has an obstruction in his larynx or trachea. So hopefully the ent will be able to check that out on the scan.)

I finally calmed him down and got him to drink some juice when the worst thing happened. Two ladies in white lab coats came in and said they had to draw additional blood because someone didn't count all the blood tests correctly. Like I said, this was supposed to be done while he was out but someone screwed up big time.

Andrew lost it, he would not let us even touch his arm or sit him on the bed. It took 4 people to hold him down so they could get the blood. He was screaming in very complete sentences "I don't like you! I don't want you touch my arm! I don't like this! No touch me! Let go Let go a me!" I've never heard him talk quite like that before but it was just heart breaking!

I gave them all a piece of my mind for that. He's going to be traumatized for sure and I pity the next nurse or doctor that tries to lay a hand on him. The only thing that finally calmed him down again was chocolate. A boy after my own heart!

They said it would be two weeks before we know anything on the blood work and we have an appt with the ENT to go over the cat scan so I'll keep you posted once we know something.

Thanks for your prayers!!

And don't forget to enter our giveaway, down below I'm going to leave it open a while longer.

Please pray for Andrew, he's having a cat scan under anesthesia in the morning.

First Ever Give Away!!!

I recently discovered the most genius kids product ever. If your kids are anything like mine, the recent time change has thrown them for a loop and they continually end up in our room at the crack of dawn, well before I'm ready to step into my mothering shoes and begin the day. And since my kids are not quite three and don't tell time, I can't just stick a regular old clock in there and tell them to come out when its 7am.

While doing some Christmas shopping on the Internet I came across a product called "My Tot Clock". I was hoping to find something that could train my kids back into our routine but with the sun rising so early, they just don't get why Mama isn't ready to start the day when they are.

After reading several of the highly positive reviews I decided to order it, thinking I'd save it and give it to them as a birthday gift. But let's face it, this is really a gift for me ;-) so when it arrived I couldn't wait to try it out. It was a little pricey (49.95) but believe me it was worth every penny.

It looks complicated at first glance but it's very user friendly. You choose bed time and wake time and the clock lights up Blue to symbolize night time and turns yellow at the time you set for wake. This way I explain to the kids that it's still night time as long as the blue light is on and they can only get out of bed when the yellow light is on.

In the past, it's been a huge tantrum fest when I lead them back to their beds but after getting the clock, I just point at it and say "Mr. Clock is blue so it's still night night time. When he turns yellow, then you can come to Mama's room". And much to my amazement, they didn't even argue this. I have our clock set to play soft good morning music when the yellow wake up light comes on. The kids get so excited when this happens.

In addition to the colored lights it has many extra features including nap time setting, time out settings (red light), reward settings (green light). And it also comes with a cartridge that if you so choose, it will read them a bed time story, then play lullabies, and finally switch to white noise all based on your preferences. You can order other story cartridges through their site.

The bed time story/songs feature is really great. Instead of begging me to read "nuther book" over and over, they are eager to listen to Mr Clocks story and haven't been fighting bedtime. I wish I'd bought this clock back when I first converted the cribs to toddler beds because it's been a lifesaver.

I'm SO excited to announce that one lucky reader is going to get their very OWN awesome My Tot Clock!!!!

I recently wrote to the company to profess my love for their product and they generously offered to sponsor a give away here at Adam & Andrew's blog. This is a value of $49.95 and would make a fantastic Christmas gift if you don't have little ones of your own.

So how do you enter???

Simply leave a comment on this post telling me how you originally found Adam & Andrew's blog and then go back to your own blog (or Facebook page if you don't have a blog) and post about our giveaway and include Adam & Andrew's badge/link (instructions/code down below). Make sure your comment has a link back to you. Out of appreciation to My Tot Clock for their generosity I want to get the word out as much as I can about their product.

Only one entry per person, US residents only please. I'll use random.org to generate a random number that will select our winner.

Copy & Paste the code below into the "Edit Html" of your post so that Adam & Andrew's badge appears in your blog post:

<a href="http://adam-andrew.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m98/aggie01l/badge.jpg" /></a>

Prematurity Awareness Day

In nearly three years, not a single day has passed by where we aren't affected or reminded of Adam & Andrew's premature birth.

(this is my child size pinkie finger by the way)

Prematurity can happen to anyone. Even you, regardless of how many full term babies you've had or how healthy you may be.

Far too many parents have to travel down this road.

Far too many parents will leave the hospital with empty arms.

The premature birth of our children has impacted us forever. We are not who we were before, going through life in our safe little bubble believing things like this didn't happen to regular people.

Now every time I pass by a hospital I think about all the families inside and the ones that have come and gone before them, and the ones that will be uknowingly thrust into that world in the future. Sometimes the magnitude of suffering overwhelms me, I could never see or grasp it before Adam & Andrew came along.

So many children suffering, so many families hurting. The numbers are endless.

Please don't forget God's littlest warriors.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:23-26

A little of this, a little of that

A few more pictures of Adam's nose injury. It was SO swollen it hardly had any shape to it.

Rub a Dub Dub

A half time parade

Enjoying the gorgeous weather yesterday at the ranch

Andrew has really made some progress on his trike and does well pedalling down hill

Working really hard

Granny got a push motorcycle and it was a big hit!

Off roading and exploring

We attended three basketball games in three days! Today the Lady Aggies upset Duke in a real exciting match up, WHOOP!

Andrew was singing Old King Cole with Granny

I LOVE this sweet face!

You can tell that Adam's face is almost back to normal, he still has some nose bruising but added a black eye on his right eye from where he collided with Andrew a few days ago. I think he needs to wear his Lightning McQueen helmet all the time!

Ben's Special Day

I'm way overdo on this post. We had the honor of celebrating the baptism of our nephew Benjamin Lee. It was a very special day and the whole family joined together. Adam & Andrew dressed in their Sunday best, ties and all. Ben was just perfect and smiled the entire time. He is the best baby! Praise the Lord for bringing this joyful child into our family, what a gift he is to us all!

ALL the cousins

I feel very old now that we have a kids table at family gatherings again and my children are sitting there instead of me!

More October Fun

These photos sets should finish up October for our family.

First up are from a fun afternoon at Lauren & Blake's. The kids painted with their hands and feet, I think they enjoyed the squishy slimey paint under their feet.

Are they sweet or what?

Fun with the Wagon

These pictures are from a Halloween party at Kaylie's house. The kids had fun wearing their costumes and eating goodies.

Adam & Lauren, can't keep these two apart.

Whoa, Hubba Hubba!

My Two Turtles

The boys wore their Buzz Lightyear costumes to their school Trunk or Treat party. Sadly I was under the weather so I had to stay home instead of coming to the school. So fortunately some of the other moms took pictures of my kiddos for me. Thank you!

What a cute pair of Space Superheroes!

Adorable Class!!

October was such a blast!

Celebrating Life

Today I had the honor of attending the memorial service for a precious baby girl named Kaiya. She was perfectly formed and created by the Lord but she was born far too early to survive. My heart broke in pieces for her lovely family who is grieving such a devastating loss. In spite of this grief, baby Kaiya's grandfather spoke on behalf of the family and proclaimed that God is always Good even in times such as these. What truth and hope to remember when things just don't seem to make sense. Parents just shouldn't have to bury their children and we don't understand why, but God does. And sweet Kaiya is free from pain, celebrating with Jesus today and because her parents are believers, one day they will be together again.

In the words of Kaiya's grandfather, please join me in storming Heaven's gates with prayer for this sweet family and most of all for their daughter Kaidyn, Kaiya's twin sister who is fighting a very brave battle in the NICU.

I hate prematurity, I absolutely hate it. I hate how it steals lives and destroys the hopes and dreams of parents and families everywhere. But thanks be to a God who is Good all the time and has overcome even this.

Hmmm, where to start . . . . .

I guess I'll start with yesterday's marathon to Houston and back. Andrew & I left at 6am and because of traffic we just made it to our appt three hours later! The PM&R doc was very pleased with Andrew's mobility but wants to combine his botox treatments with serial casting which will all be done at Texas Childrens. The casting will be good for him and hopefully keep him from needing his heel tendons cut any time soon but they will definitely be annoying since Andrew loves to get in sand and dirt and water and splash around.

They also recommended we look into him receiving therapies at an exclusively pediatric facility, the closest of which is in the Woodlands so we will be pursuing that though driving all that ways once a week will be stressful. We've had some awesome therapists here but the doctor thinks our community doesn't have enough specialized pediatric equipment and experience with cases similar to Andrew's.

After PM&R I went to see my dermatologist where I got one the best reports in ages and didn't have to have any biopsies done so we were in & out, YIPEE!!

Next we met our friends Sarah , Payton, & Avery for a quick lunch, it was fun to see them, we miss them since they moved away!

Then we went back to the medical center to the orthopedic surgeon. He thought Andrew looked good and was happy with the plans to continue with botox/casting/braces. His leg length discrepancy hasn't improved like we hoped so they will continue to monitor that. If it should worsen he may need a procedure down the road for it but hopefully the botox will allow that leg to grow without facing so much resistance. He sent us for a hip x-ray and Andrew's hips look great, which is such a blessing! He wants to see us back in 8 months to repeat it.

After all our appts we got a special treat with a visit from our friends Hill & TJ who were passing through on a short trip home (they are living abroad). SO fun to see them!

Fast forward to today. My kids are now 2 for 2 on xrays the last two days. Not a trend that I care for. I was sitting in biblestudy this morning when I heard some crying down the hall. My kids LOVE going to the church nursery so I didn't think anything of it, assuming it was a baby wanting their mama. But then I looked up to see Adam being carried in and he was COVERED in bright red blood, all over his face. My initial fear was that he had fallen and busted out all of his fragile teeth but the sudden swelling of his nose told otherwise. He had apparently fallen off a step and didn't put his hands down to catch his fall and his nose took all the impact.

I'm thankful and amazed that his teeth were totally fine and he didn't bust up his mouth. But his poor nose look like a marble had been shoved up one side and he was bleeding profusely and could only breathe through his mouth. He told me "I . . sniff sniff . . . need . . .sniff sniff . . Tylenol", poor baby!

Our pediatrician was able to work him in and by that time he was bruising pretty badly but was in amazingly high spirits. The pedi was pretty sure it would be broken and sent us for an xray but I was relieved to learn that he just has a severe soft tissue injury and despite looking terrible there is no fracture, the septum looks good and he should be just fine. What a relief, I had these visions of him having a nose like Owen Wilson or something. Pain meds and a follow up appt are all we have to do. My little man was so brave and tough!

And then somewhere in between all that I got a call from my doctor with the results of some blood work I had done a few weeks back and learned that I have a MTHFR gene mutation which is really interesting because it's known to cause miscarriages (which I fortunately have never had before) and pregnancy complications and the doc said while it probably wasn't the exclusive reason for my preterm labor, it did play a role. Fortunately I don't have the severe form of this and now that we know how easily it is to treat it, there is no reason why we can't have another baby in the future. So going forward for any future pregnancies I have more information to help be as healthy as possible. They put me on a presciption of special vitamins plus an additional high dose folic acid because the mutation impedes the body's ability to absorb folic acid and we are actually fortunate that niether of our boys had any neural tube defects since I wasn't getting proper levels of folic acid. So if we are able to have another child someday I'll be on baby aspirin through out the pregnancy to prevent blood clots to the placenta that cause miscarriage. Interesting stuff!

Now for some pictures of my sweet Adam: I can only imagine how it'll look in the morning, probably gonna have a black eye. The bridge is so much wider than normal.

Not to be left out, Andrew said "Mama, take Andrew's picture too!" And so of course I did!

Going along with the first part on Andrew's medical update. He just got in his new braces. They changed his left foot from a smo to an afo in an attempt to maximize the effect he gets from them and help with his stability and such. It will be a pain to keep clean, makes him sweaty, and is more obvious but it will help him and that's most important.

Check out the theme this time. We have such a great orthotist. When we went in for the molding they had me select the straps and I joked that they really needed to update their selection and he told me I could bring in anything I wanted and he would make it work and so I was able to make my sweet boy smile with his cool new "Aggie braces" and I think it's safe to say his are the only pair like them in the world.

Pair Number Three & The passage of time

Anyways, I'm super exhausted! I'm going to try and keep my family from needing anymore xrays the rest of this week!

A Full Day of Specialists plus a Pumpkin Carving

Tomorrow is going to be a jam packed day at the Medical Center in Houston. Since I have to be at Texas Children's before 9am and that's crossing Houston during rush hour, I really should already be asleep because it will be an early morning. Andrew has an appointment with a PM&R doctor (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation), then I have my dermatology check up, and then we see Andrew's Orthopaedic Surgeon and then we'll have his biannual hip x-ray. Hopefully everything will run smoothly and we won't be stranded anywhere for too long.

My parents are out of town so Kenny is taking Adam to school in the morning and then my sister is picking him up and watching him until we return. I'm praying I don't need any biopsies done because I won't have anyone to sit with Andrew during that. I had some done last time and they were fine so I'm hoping I get a pass this time. Dana loaned me a single stroller since I don't have one so I can strap Andrew down, park him in the corner of the procedure room with a movie while they cut on me if I have too. But I'm praying it won't even be an issue ;-).

It will be an exhausting day for both of us but it will be nice to get all this done in one trip instead of several.

Backing up a bit to last week. We carved our very first pumpkin in the nearly 5 years that we've been married and the first also for our boys. They enjoyed watching and Adam was more than willing to dig in and help but Andrew wanted nothing to do with touching pumpkin guts. I think it turned out nice, way to go Daddy!

Adam helps with the nose

Andrew helps cut out the eye

Another fun "first" and another good memory made