I am terrible about updating this blog. I am still slightly confused on Katie's health. She had another CF sweat test. Her results were 56/58. 60 and higher is diagnosed as CF. But, she had a DNA test done and it indicates that she does not have CF. This is fantastic news! She is officially diagnosed with CRMS or Cystic Fibrosis related metabolic syndrome. The doctor says it is comparative to mild mild mild mild mild mild CF. She had another ear infection in July, it seems to be a monthly occurrence for her :( Just last week she had viral pneumonia. The doctor explained that with CF, children start out with GI issues, next comes the mucus (sinus issues), then the lung issues. Hopefully, the pneumonia was not the beginning of lung issues for Katie. She is feeling much better. Last Friday, the doctor released her to go back to daycare after a week at home. We did switch her from Albuterol to Xopenex. Wow! What a difference! On the Albuterol Katie was super hyped up and couldn't sit still at all (worse than normal!). The Xopenex is so much better. Her next scheduled doctor's appointment is with the ENT in September for a hearing test. Then in October at the CF clinic. She is still going strong in Karate. She really seems to love it :) She is on her second belt (white belt/yellow stripe).

On Sunday, Andy woke up feeling miserable. Took him to the doctor and he has strep throat. He had to miss the first day of 6th grade! He was able to go back on Tuesday. So far he loves all of his teachers :) Hopefully, he will have a great year. Football practice started a couple of weeks ago. Games start on Sept. 11th. I am excited about this football season :) And I know Katie is ready to cheer for her brother. Jay says Andy is doing really really well at practice. He is growing up so fast! He is a blue belt in karate now, and super excited about it. It won't be too much longer until he is a junior black belt.

I am still doing karate. I got my invite to belt test this weekend, my first belt test. I am absolutely terrified. I have heard that they really push you on endurance. My lungs can't handle too much. Hopefully, it won't be as bad as I fear it will be.

What a journey

I am so bad about updating my blog! Honestly, I don't even know if anyone even reads it. LOL!

This year has been quite a journey for us so far. At the beginning of the year, I took Katie to the pediatrician. She had a funny looking bump on her nose and I wondered if she had actually broken it when she was about 2 and fell into the cabinets. I wondered if it was the reason she snored like a freight train, was always breathing through her mouth, and sometimes seemed to stop breathing for a few seconds while she was sleeping. Our pediatrician referred us to an ENT. He nose was fine, and she will probably outgrown the funny looking bump. But, the said she had obstructive sleep apnea. Between that and her constant ear infections, the ENT recommended surgery to remove her tonsils and adenoids and to place tubes in her ears. We decided that this would be best for her. She had her surgery in February. Her adenoids were blocking 90% of her nose!!!! It was painful for her, and so hard to watch as a parent :( She handled it like a champ though! She is a strong little girl! The snoring came to an end and she began breathing through her nose. She made it through the recovery and was doing really well until Spring Break.

On the Saturday before Spring Break, she started complaining about having "hammers in her head." So, I gave her some Motrin to help with her headache. Jason and I were going out with some friends that night, and the kids were spending the night with my Mom. We went ahead and took them over there. Mom called a little while later to let us know that Katie's head was much better. Sunday Mom called to tell me that Katie had started running fever late Saturday night. But, that she was fine. Mom wanted to take the kids to the zoo on Monday. Sunday night, Mom calls.....Katie's fever is 105.5. I ask her to take it again, it's the same. So, we meet at Children's Hospital ER. The immediately strip her and put cold rags on her. Feed her popsicles and start her on an IV. She was so miserable!!! And the treatment wasn't exactly pleasant for her either. She was terrified of the IV, and they messed up the first one! Her white blood cell count came back extremely elevated (at 34,000) so they admitted her to determine why. Her ears were also severely infected. The next day the doctors said her white count had come down and they believed it was from running such a high fever. Katie got to go home :)

Tuesday morning, the hospital calls to tell me that one of her blood cultures came back with bacteria in it. But, the would need to run more tests to determine if it was a skin contaminant or a blood infections. They said if she starts running fever again, we should bring her back. Of course, later that night Katie started running a fever again. I called the nurse's desk at the hospital and asked them what I should do. They said to bring her in through the ER and they would have a bed waiting for her. When we got there that night, Katie was so miserable. She couldn't keep anything down. She was complaining about her neck hurting and her head hurting. The doctors suspected menengitis. Sadly, this required a spinal tap. But, from the research I had done, I agreed that this was a possibility. The had to do a CT scan first to make sure there were no lesions on her brain from the severe ear infections. This is where they discovered a pretty nasty little sinus infection. But no brain lesions!!! Then it was time for the spinal tap. Let me tell you, Katie is a tough little girl. She handled it much much better than I would have. You have to stay awake so they can watch for neurological symptoms. They gave her a local anesthesia and that was it. It was not pleasant. The staff at Children's was amazing with her. They will forever be my hospital of choice if the need arises. After the spinal tap, Katie was finally admitted to a room. The next morning the spinal tap came back clean. We were so relieved. But, also worried because something was going on with our little girl. Later on, the blood culture also came back as a skin contaminant in her blood. Great news, no blood infection. So, what was going on with our little girl? The doctor started running random tests. Finally, one came back positive. Katie had Mono! So, not a month after surgery Katie had severe ear infections, a sinus infection, and Mono. We got to go home on Friday :)

The following Monday, we followed up with the pediatrician who referred us to an Allergist. After her surgeries, she should not have gotten another ear infection. Especially so soon! A week later, we saw the Allergist. He did a skin test on Katie's back. She reacted to everything!!! She has an allergy during every season plus dogs, cats, and fire ants. So, he put her on three meds a day for the allergies. He also ordered a CF sweat test based on her chronic constipation, abnormal asthma, and constant infections. So, in April we did the first sweat test. The results came back in the 50's which is a gray area for CF. (Above normal, below CF diagnosis). So, a second test was ordered. This test came back in the 40's. Still in the gray area.

At the end up April, Katie woke up with a bunch of gunk draining from her ear. Yay for the tubes working! Boo for ANOTHER ear infection!

At the beginning of May we went back to the Allergist to followup from all the tests. He wanted to test her immune system. So, after the appointment we went and got more blood drawn :( Then had to go back to the office for a pnemonia vaccine. He also wanted to put her on a preventative antibiotic. Unfortunately, it was one we believed she was allergic too. So, the following Monday we go to the office for a drug challenge. They gave her the first dose and watched her for any reactions. She usually doesn't react to the drugs right away, so I wasn't surprised that she was fine that morning. The doses are small and only three times a week. So far, there has been no reaction :)

The following day, we had an appointment at the CF clinic at Children's in Dallas. They wanted to see her due to her elevated sweat tests. I was expecting to go in for more tests and have to wait for more results. But, they had a diagnosis for us that Tuesday. They believe Katie has CFTR-related metabollic syndrome. She does not have Cystic Fibrosis, but has some of the similar yet minor problems of cystic fibrosis. (If I understood it all correctly.) I was a little overwhelmed that morning. They are running a whole bunch of tests to determine the specifics. To see what her body is not absorbing and how different parts of her body are functioning. They are also running a DNA sequencing test. This will determine what genes are mutated to better treat her. They are also looking to see if she is a CF carrier. If she is, the we will have to get tested too to determine the possibility of any future children having CF. Another sweat test has been ordered, and we will be doing that next week. She also has several new prescriptions. She is on pancreatic enzymes, two new inhalers, and a few other things.

Overall, I am glad they finally have a name and a treatment plan for Katie. Hopefully, she won't get sick as much going forward. It's a lot of meds for her to take. But, as a great friend pointed out: She was always on meds because she was sick anyways. We are still waiting on more tests, and hopefully will know much more in a couple of months!

On a lighter note, our family has been as busy as ever! Jay and the kids are all playing ball. Katie's team is so comical to watch. They are just adorable! Even when they are playing in the sand. Andy's team is really good this year! I love to watch them play. And Jay's teams are still winning championships. We haven't been to any of his games this season and i miss watching him play. We did go out to the fields a few weekends ago and hit some balls. I hadn't hit the ball in over a year and I did really really well. Some of them were even going into the outfield! I kind of miss playing.

The kids and I are all taking karate classes now. Andy is the highest ranked out of all of us. Katie is doing really well in the classes. Much better than i thought she would. She begged and begged for us to sign her up. We finally gave in and are super impressed!!!

Well, that's about it for now. I will try to update again soon.

Wow! It's been a long time!

It's been a really long time since I have posted anything. The kids keep us pretty busy. Andy played football this past fall. His team did great! They made it through the second round of playoffs. It was a fun season and I am really proud of him. Both kids are about to start baseball again this Spring. Katie will be playing tball this year so it should be entertaining. Andy gets better and better every year! I can't wait to watch them play. Jason will also be playing softball this Spring so it will be a busy couple of months!

Katie has some minor surgery coming up. She is going to have her adenoids and tonsils removed and tubes put in her ears. She has a lot of ear infections and quite a few throat infections too. She was also diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. So, these surgeries should help her be a much healthier little girl. I am nervous of course.

Other than that, there isn't much going on........

Busy Busy Busy

Now that baseball season has begun, I think all I do anymore is transport children from one location to another! Katie is playing Blastball this season. It is a toddler's version of tball. The kids hit a foam ball off the tee with a foam bat. Then, the run to first base, jump on it and it "honks"! That seems to be their favorite part. For fielding, they are supposed to collect the ball and tag the runner with it. Katie's first practice was a couple of weeks ago. She did pretty good on the field. But, she wouldn't stay out there without me. Her second practice was yesterday evening. She picked quite a few flowers and then kept running off the field to give them to me. She did do good when it was her turn to bat. Although she colors with her right hand, it appears that she is a lefty at bat! Interesting....

Andy is also playing this season. He is doing really well. At his last practice, the Coach was working with him on pitching. Andy really likes to pitch. He got his first taste of it last Spring. He needs to work on it a little more, but he is pretty good. This season we will be traveling to Celina and Prosper for a few of Andy's games. Andy also had a belt test a couple of weeks ago. He now has the Orange/Black Stripe belt. I always enjoy watching his karate testing. It is so hard to believe that he can do all the things he can do! Andy is also doing very well in school! He had really turned a corner and we are so proud of him :)

Jay is also playing ball this season. We don't get to see very many of his games. Andy has practice the same night and by the time that is over, we have to go home, eat, and get ready for bed. I miss watching him play. But, the kids are having a blast!

As for me, I have been working out lately and am starting to see some small results. It was really encouraging this past weekend when a couple of people commented on my weight loss. I know that what I am doing is working! LOL! Hopefully, I can keep going. It is fun to work out with Jason each night. Even though we are both listening to different music and doing different activities, it is something we now share.

Our schedules are packed and we are having a great time! I will try to do better posting pics and stuff as the season goes on.

Family Update

It's getting harder and harder to keep up with my blog. There isn't too much going on in our family at that moment, but that will all change when the Spring season of sports begins. I signed Andy up for Spring baseball. This year he will be playing for Little Elm again. However, we will have games in Prosper, Celina, and Gunter this year. It is great that there will be more teams to play against, but I am not looking forward to driving to Gunter for a game! I signed Katie up for Blast Ball. It is a toddler's version of tball. I think she will have a blast and we will have a great time watching her. It will be neat for her to have something of her own rather than just watching everyone else. Jay will be playing again on his two teams. I am not playing this year. There aren't enough people interested at the office to form a team. But, I think it is for the best since we will have two kids and Dad with practices and games. I doubt I would have the time to play! I am looking forward to it all. I don't mind being the sports Mom and wife :)

Tomorrow is Jay's birthday. Tonight we are going to my parents house for his birthday dinner with them. Then tomorrow night we are having a small party at our house for him. Of course, it is also Valentine's Day so we will make a big deal out of that for the kids. Jay and I usually exchange small gifts. However, I feel that love should be shared year round rather than emphasized on one day. So, we make a bigger deal of Jay's birthday that we do Valentine's Day. Everyone deserves a great birthday! Tomorrow will be pretty busy. We have to get the house cleaned and ready for the party. Plus, I still have to go out and get his birthday gift. Nothing like waiting until the last minute!

Other than that, there isn't really much going on in our world right now.

A New Year

Wow! I didn't realize it had been so long since I posted. Christmas was wonderful. It is my favorite holiday of the year! The kids were super excited. Andy is on the edge of believing, he isn't quite sure which direction to go. So, he enjoyed the magic of the holiday this year. Katie was super excited about Santa this year. I took them to have their pictures taken with Santa like I do every year. This was the FIRST year Katie was not afraid of him and actually WANTED to sit on his lap and talk to him. She had a hard time understanding that he only comes on Christmas Eve. If it were up to her (and I am sure many children around the globe), he would come every night. We spend Christmas Eve with Jason's side of our family. It was a packed house and a great time. Christmas morning, we did our family Christmas. Every year I tell the kids that they are welcome to wake Mommy and Daddy up when they get up on Christmas morning and we will open presents. Well, Christmas Eve, Jason and I didn't get to bed until about 3am. Keep in mind that my children are not morning creatures. Andy sleeps until at least 8 and Katie will sleep until noon if you let her. So, you can imagine the suprise on our faces when we were jolted out of an hour's sleep at 4am on Christmas Day! Andy had woken up, gotten his sister up, and then proceeded to awake us. It was tough getting out of bed, but Andy was so excited there was no way out of it. Jason did his fair of grumbling, but he joined us in the living room as well. When I walked into the living room, Katie was patiently sitting in the living room floor staring at the tree. It was such a cute sight to see. I wish I had already had my camera in my hands. It didn't take the kids long to open their presents. Andy was much quicker than Katie. Then, Jason and I decided to steal a nap before it was time to head out the door. By this time, it is 5am. Back to bed we go. 30 minutes later, Andy is frantically waking me up because Katie is sick. She has thrown up twice. Her fever was well over 100. Poor baby, sick on Christmas Day. She spent most of the day being miserable. We left the house later than we intended (cleaning up constant throw up will do that to you.) When Katie's tummy seemed stable, we headed to my parent's house. Katie slept all the way out there while Andy played with some of his new toys in the back seat. We are very spoiled by my parents at Christmastime. I should have taken a picture of the living room when we first walked in. There was barely any place to sit. Katie suddenly felt better! Her and Andy found a place to sit and eagerly awaited presents. We had a blast opening thing. It is truly just as much fun to give as it is to receive (or at least for me). The kids received many wonderful things. They played happily all afternoon! One of the things I had repeatedly requested for Christmas was a GPS for my car. I had given up hope as I was opening the wonderful gifts that I received. Then suddenly, my Dad hands me a present from him. It's my GPS! I am so excited! Then a few minutes later, Jason opens a gift. He got one too! Come to find out, my Mom had gotten Jason one first. My Dad, knowing that I wanted one and that it would be difficult for me and Jason to share a GPS, had gotten me one too. I thought that was a really cute story. Jason and I laughed about it for a while. I truly am blessed with the wonderful family that I have. Not just at Christmas, but all year round. After presents, we watched a movie. Soon it was time to eat. After Christmas dinner, it was another movie. I actually fell asleep during this movie. I was exhausted! I only had about an hour and a half of sleep the night before. Katie had crawled into Mummum's lap because she was again not feeling well, and fell asleep. Jason woke me up about 5 so we could head home. I was so glad we were able to spend so much time with my parents (even though I was asleep for part of it). I know it meant a lot to them for us to be there all day. We then headed to Jason's Mom's house to visit. After a short time there, we decided we should get the kids home. Katie wasn't really doing very well and Andy wanted to play with all of his toys. With the exception of Katie being sick, it was a wonderful day.

New Year's Eve, we had some friends over to our house. We don't like to get the kids out that night, why take a chance of being hit by a drunk driver? It was a small crowd. We sat outide on the swing enjoying the new fire pit. Then we watched the motorcycle jumps, and eventually Dick Clark's countdown. It wasn't a crazy evening, but it was what we like. A relaxing evening with good friends.

Things have been pretty slow for us since the holidays came and went. It has been nice to just relax around the house and not have to rush off to one place or another. Katie has decided that she doesn't want to sleep in her room. She has been in bed with me and Jason for the past several nights. I know, I know.....I shouldn't do that. As much as I love cuddling with my daughter, I am about to start sleeping on the couch! With her in our bed, I don't get much sleep. When I put her to bed last night, I was determined to let her cry it out and eventually fall asleep in her bed. She won't get up unless you tell her she can. She went to bed a 9 and cried off and on for the next hour and a half. When we turned off the tv and headed to bed ourselves at 10:30, it suddenly sounded like someone was making a horror film upstairs. She wasn't only crying, she was suddenly screaming. My heart couldn't take it, I felt so bad for her. So, I told her to come on down to our room. I am exhausted today! Katie is a very wild sleeper, and she has to be touching me at all times. It doesn't make for a very peaceful evening. I guess I will have to figure out another approach for putting her to bed tonight.......

Preparing for Christmas

So, this week we started going through the kids rooms in preparation for Christmas. It is amazing how much they both have in their rooms. I have been known to hold onto things that I don't necessarily need to keep. I can find sentimental value in almost everything. So, Jason and Andy handled Andy's room. I made myself turn around as they began to carry things downstairs. Meanwhile, I started on Katie's room. I realized very quickly that I had not EVER gont through Katie's toys. I started with the clothes. I plan to make a quilt one day out of Andy and Katie's clothes, so I did hang on to several of her outfits. I also got rid of A LOT! Then it was on to the toys. I kept a few things since we do plan to have one more child. I have not finished her room yet, but I think she will enjoy it more once it is complete. I also plan to move her furniture around to give her more space to play. It may not look as cute, but it will be more functional for her. It has been fun to walk down memory lane. And you will never believe it but Andy has carpet in his room!