Sunday, August 31, 2008

Big Boy Bed

My Little Man,

I took the plunge today and took the side off your crib. I had actually been thinking about it for some time since you are getting to be so independent. Thankfully you have not ever pushed the issue by climbing out of the crib on your own. But as of today, you can now get in and out of your be like a big boy. I am taking a chance, since you ordinarily do not sleep all night, let alone in your bed.

But, maybe this will be different (I hope). You are growing up day by day and while it is sad sometimes to me to see my baby boy get so big, I rejoice in every way when I see you master each new thing.

Daddy wisely gave you back your pacifier (even though you didn't use it camping all weekend with Nana & Papa). As tired as you were tonight, we didn't want to push too much change on you all at once. So from now on, till you get used to your bed, you can have your "paci" in bed at night only.

You'll do great, you are so independent and I know you will master this new phase in your life. :)

I love you buddy. Sweet dreams.

Old Blue Chair

Had a conversation in the car last night when out for our 7th anniversay with Jim about Kenny Chesney's song Old Blue Chair. I found out some information that I really didn't know about him and his faith and I am in awe and in love all over again.

Here are the lyrics to the song:

There's a blue rockin' chair,
sittin' in the sand.
Weathered by the storms,
and well oiled hands.
It sways back and forth,
with the help of the winds.
Seems to always be there,
like an ol' trusted friend.

I've read a lot of books, wrote a few songs.
Looked at my life, where it's goin', where it's gone.
I've seen the world, through a bus windshield.
But nothing compares,
to the way that I see it,
to the way that I see it,
to the way that I see it,
when I sit in that Old Blue Chair.

From that chair I've caught
a few fish and some rays,
and I've watched boats sail,
in and out of Cinnamon Bay.
I let go of a lover,
that took a piece of my heart.
Prayed many times for forgiveness,
and a brand new start.

I've read a lot of books, wrote a few songs.
Looked at my life, where it's goin', where it's gone.
I've seen the world, through a bus windshield.
But nothing compares,
to the way that I see it,
to the way that I see it,
to the way that I see it,
when I sit in that Old Blue Chair.

That chair was my bed one New Year's night,
when I passed out from too much Malibu and diet,
and I woke up to a hundred mosquito bites. I swear.
Got 'em all sittin' right there, in the Old Blue Chair.

There's a blue rockin' chair,
sittin' in the sand.
Weathered by the storms,
and well oiled hands.

His "old blue chair" he told me is his hunting stand. He is able to utterly and totally relax, kind of a meditation of sorts, and he said that he prays more there than anywhere else. I have to admit that I was actually shocked. I know that Jim loves hunting, but never really thought that he would also use his time in the woods in such a profound manner while he is waiting and watching for deer.

Then in his silly way he started making up his own lyrics to the song and actually said that he was going to write them down. I hope he does, so I can write them here and compare the two. :) Each day I love him more and more.....

I really need and want an "old blue chair"...but I don't think that it is something that you can really seek out...I think that something that special and profound should just happen. I have been floundering in my faith for some time and honestly have just come to realize just how much. It was a rough spring for the family, and though things are better in some respects...we are struggling in others. And so I have been struggling within myself. It's hard to just let go and let God.

And so here I ask, though I know that He never left me, for the Lord to come back into my life, watch over me and mine and to guide us in His way. Amen.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Some Lab Results...

Okay, so some of Jay's results are back from the lab and it's got me worried....

The DNA screen for Celiac is not back yet, that one takes about 10 days...I won't be able to get that one until next week.

But he is anemic again (sigh). His iron level is at 28, and his saturation is low. Which I guess is normal when your iron levels are low. We've been through the low iron before, he was on an iron supplement for a while..it was doable although it's nasty smelling stuff....even stained our carpet green.

I am worried about the fact that his red blood cells are low. 3.88 and normal is 4. I wonder what that means? I am tempted to search the web but am afraid that it will just scare me.....I know I will post on my mommy boards for sure. I know, it doesn't seem very low at all when you know 4 is normal...but I worry about the whole picture.

What if this whole celiac thing is way off? If not celiac and not an allergy, what is going on with his poor little body? How sick could he really be when he basically looks like a healthy, happy little boy? Ugh.

I'm starting to be scared. Just a little, but scared nonetheless.....

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Almost 2 pounds gained!

Jay had an appointment with the GI yesterday and while he still is not at a diagnosis I feel that we are coming close to one, which is good. He gained almost two pounds, and though it doesn't seem like much, for Jay it's a lot.

Here are the stats since we started a gluten free diet:
1/24/08 23.08 lbs. (10%)
4/22/08 23.74 lbs. (9%)
8/25/08 25.29 lbs. (12%)

Of course we all wish he would have gained more, but I can tell a difference and almost always know if he has ate something that had gluten in it (which I won't tell the disgusting details of his diarrhea...)

I had done some research and through discussion on the boards (thanks, Sensible Celiac) had learned that there are actually DNA markers for Celiac. Having the markers doesn't mean that you have Celiac Disease....it just means you are a carrier and could develop it. Of course with the symptoms.... It can also be a helpful route if all tests have come back negative as Jay's had.

I mentioned the testing to the nurse practitioner, and she stated that she and the doctor had been discussing that very thing (score one for me!) and since they wanted to do another CBC and check his iron levels again, they just added that to the lab slip as well. Our GI said that with his improvement...if he doesn't have the markers, then he will diagnose just a plain old allergy to gluten. If he has the markers on HDL CQ2 and CQ8 then it's just another piece in the puzzle and we go from there.

In my opinion though, if he has the markers then it's a done deal, especially considering all the other factors. Maybe this can prevent another EGD and colonoscopy.

Now all I have to do is wait the week and call on Tuesday if I don't hear from them first......

Thursday, August 21, 2008

New Park!

So, we have a new park in our city, a boundless playground. That means that anyone, regardless of their ability can enjoy most if not all of the playground equipment. (you can even access the structure if you are in a wheelchair) :) We have more parks here than the surrounding cities do. Two within a block from our house and the elementary school 5 houses away. But this new park is really cool...it's got some neat features that non of the other parks do. I've taken the kids a few times, and thought I would post some pics from the day we took their cousins to play. It's the kids favorite park right now..and mine too.

Tommi and her cousin Andrea


The Gang

Stephen and Andrea

Jay

Tommi

SPAM

I hate it. I. HATE. IT.

And we are not talking about the disgusting food in a can here. Junk mail is the worst invention ever. I don't mind if it comes in the mailbox in paper form...some of that is actually interesting.

But the crap that comes in your inbox is horrid. Who really cares about enlarging penises and performance enhancing drugs and all those too good to be true you won a gift card things, take this survey and pay an ungodly amount of money to get your free stuff emails? I sure as hell don't. If me or Jim needs performance enhancing drugs we most certainly would not be buying them over the internet for goodness sake...we'd be having that discussion with our doctor.

So my yahoo and gmail, I do expect it a a little more, but the real culprit here is my work email. You've got it right, my work email. I had 72 pieces of SPAM in the junk mail folder alone and then 3 in my inbox... GRR.... It's bad when you have more SPAM than relevant email. And the folders were empty when I left work at 5:30 yesterday. I can't wait for Monday....that is three whole days of collecting crap. Woohoo! (insert eye roll here).

Who wants to guess the amount I have after the weekend! 1st prize is all my forwarded SPAM!