All About Hearts.....

O.K. to change direction drastically (and move to the center of the body), we did screening EKGs on the three youngest kids last week. Two came back 'normal', and one came back w/ an abnormality. What does that mean? I don't know, but I'd sure like to. All my pediatrician said was that there was some indication of an enlarged right atria, but it could be nothing. But- based on the family history he recomends following up w/ the pediatric cardiologist. So, I did, but they initially said we couldn't be seen until late January. Which means being in limbo on my child's heart until then, because it's 'probably nothing'. If I had a dollar for everytime I've been told my kids issues are 'probably nothing', I'd be very wealthy. Of course those were all ear issues, this is something I know very little about.

Anyway- I called the ped. cariologists office back and told them that in light of my husband's recent cardiac arrest, and the fact that my child is telling me her heart is bugging her when she runs, they needed to see her soon than January. So, we go next Wednesday. Hopefully, there is nothing going on at all (but a slightly paranoid mom), but better to be safe than sorry. I'm going to have to become an expert on Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy at this point. I'm hoping we'll beat the genetic odds the *opposite* way this time (since we're alreay four for four on a recessive gene :)

Taking a break from the worst Christmas special ever...

I really have enjoyed most of the series, but "Shrek the Halls" is just too much for me. It comes off as a schizophrenic add-on to the three movies, that is hard to follow, and IMO impossible to watch. It could also be due to the 10,000,000 commercials. So, my three kids are downstairs enjoying it, and I am up here...enjoying it. FYI- for those who keep track, yes I have four kids, but one is at soccer right now.

It is Jake's birthday today (bday post coming tomorrow), but let's just say it was a bit like "Shrek the Halls"- schizophrenic and hard to follow (or at least keep up with). However, he had a great day and loved each and every one of his gifts :) So- I'll put that in the 'good job' column for now. He requested lasagna for his special birthday dinner, which is only funny if you were at our house between 9/26 and 10/15. People were so amazing with their outpouring of help after Rob's cardiac issue and I am truly grateful. But (please re-read the last sentence before reading our family humor), we had lasagna coming our of our ears. We ate it for breakfast, we ate it for lunch and of course for dinner, for about 3 weeks. And, I was always grateful not to have to scramble to cook, but it became a running 'funny'. So for Jake to request lasagna, was just FUNNY! And, I made it willingly, with love.

Certain items are essential in our house- tubing for earmolds/hearing aids being one of them

Yesterday, the tip from Delanley's hearing aid ear hook broke off, into her tubing (which is ANCIENT at this point), which meant she was not able to wear her hearing aid. This was catastrophic to my middle school daughter, judging by her reaction. She was forced to wear her CI only- suffice it to say, we did not feel *too* sorry for her. The great audiologist from Trey's school replaced the now shortened ear hook for me, and we were on our way. At that point, I realized her tubing was so old, it was molded permanently into one position and would no longer work with her hearing aid. You'd think I'd have a stockpile of certain things, like hearing aids batteries, and replacement tubing, but I haven't had to use it in so long, I didn't realize I was out.

And then this morning, Jake's tubing split in two- Cracked right across the middle (obviously caused by me, and the fact that I haven't changed it in a long long long time, and their ears just don't grow as much, so we're not going through huge quantities of ear molds).

Anyway- tubing, for all you hearing aid parents- stock it, and avoid my hearing aid drama!

Trey's evaluations.....

is he making progress? Yes- is it enough? At this point I'll take what I can get, but it is a little disheartening to see that he is still testing at around a 24 month level (he's 4 1/2 years old). And, this is the child the school district wants to put into their non-specialized program because they think they will succeed where highly trained people are struggling. Nope- not on my watch.

Major head cold warning....

I woke up on Sunday with the start of a hugely annoying sinus cold. So, that's my excuse for the horribleness (is that a word???) of my updates lately. It's difficult to think, much less translate those thoughts into any sort of semi-entertaining babble put down on 'paper'. But, I'm going to try :) And, now to blow my nose, Bye!

I'm not sure you can see the house from outer space....

but we're working on it. Trey motivated me to hang our Christmas lights yesterday (basically by chasing me through the house with the lights in his hands, yelling "LIGHT"....I just couldn't take it anyore). It's the first time I've done it. Typically Rob braves the elements, climbs up the ladder, and gets them up, but because he takes blood thinners, I decided he's now retired. It wasn't so bad, although when the rain kicked in and it started getting windy I became a lot less picky about how they looked. Not to mention there is one portion of the house that can only be reached by having someone else stabilize the ladder (picture one leg of the ladder off the ground), and I wasn't totally confident Delaney had it totally under control.

We're meeting at some point this week to review Trey's progress to date. I think he's definitely making progress, but he is still so, so delayed in speech/language. (Oops- Rob just called and the meeting was supposed to be this morning.) I had Thursday marked on my mental calendar. Rob left the paperwork for me at school to review, so I'll update later once I've glanced at it.

December 1st.....

It kind of snuck up on me this year. 25 days until Christmas, and only four until Jake's 6th birthday. I'm MUCH more prepared for one than the other, and unfortunately it's the one I have a lot more time for. Jake's birthday is sandwiched between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and is smack in the middle of the holiday activity season. That said, we're having a party for him on Sunday afternoon, at our local Jump/Inflatable place, and we'll open family gifts on Thursday, in between two basketball practices. Happy Birthday Jake, hurry up and open your gifts, shove that cake in your mouth, we're off to Basketball!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and enjoyed some time-off. We managed to, broken dishwasher, window, and all-LOL.