Just Another Day

In the Tallon House. I have decided that life is good when every day is different but man I sure don't like the days when they are against us.

Monday
I had school on Monday so I went and things went well. I left school and go to the corner of Bay and Tittabawassee and stopped behind the other cars at the light. Watched the car behind me stop and watched a police officer pull up next to us. Then I felt the car jolt because the guy behind me rear ended me. The police officer watched it all. I got out to tell the guy to pull into the Kohls parking lot...he didn't want to. The police officer than got out and told him to pull over. Thankfully there was no damage to either car so I just let it go. The guy got off with out a ticket and the cop told him he was lucky that I was doing a good deed. Then the guy lied right to me and the police officer. He told me somebody hit him...well there was nobody else in sight and the police officer witnessed and said that nobody hit him. I am just glad nobody was hurt and no damage was done!!

Tuesday
It was such a beautiful day out. When Makenzi got home we decided to head outside for the afternoon/evening. I set up a couple chairs outside on the sidewalk to watch the kids ride their bikes. Everybody was having lots of fun. Last year we put down crushed asphalt in the driveway to cover all the mud. Well the kids have not rode their bikes on it much so they needed to get used to it. I had been working with B to try and ride with 1 training wheel but it wasn't going well so I put his training wheel back on and just sat down. I watched Makenzi slide off her bike and hit the ground. Makenzi is our drama queen. She instantly was screaming, jumping up and hopping around. She lost her shoe, so I thought she hurt her foot/leg. I told her to get her shoe and that she was fine. She sat down to put her shoe on and I could see a pool of blood forming above her eye. Reminded myself to remain calm and to get a clean towel to apply pressure before looking at the wound. I ran for paper towel. By the time I got back Makenzi had blood down her face, all over her shirt and hands and was in freak out mode. I applied pressure, checked the wound which was laying open and deep. I ordered Makenzi to apply pressure and for the kids to get into the van. I ran in the house grabbed my bag of steri strips and we headed to my mom's house (she is an RN). I was hoping for steri strips but knew our chances or stitches were great, since the cut was right at the eye brow and a steri strip may not be possible. Makenzi calmed herself down on the ride over. My mom looked at it and we debated which way to go but we also knew that stitches would be very traumatizing. Thankfully my mom was able to get the steri strip to work on the second attempt. Her eye was a little puffy but nothing too bad, until Wednesday morning. She woke up with her eye almost completely swollen shut. That is very annoying to her but she isn't having any pain. She was nervous to go to school though for fear the kids would tease her.

We are hoping for a much better Wednesday.

My niece (Josie) is headed to Ann Arbor today for her procedure. Today she is having all her pre op tests and tomorrow is the actual procedure. Please keep her and her parents (my brother Joe and my sister in law Sheryl) in your thoughts and prayers.

Spring Break

Is fast approaching and I can not wait. Do we have anything planned...of course not but that is the best part. I am so excited to sleep in. My youngest two are finally learning how to sleep past 6 and that is a great thought. The best part is that Braxton is finally learning how to stay in his bed all night as well.

Over Spring Break I hope to get Makenzi together with her little friend Abby. Makenzi is going to have a special day with her Grandma which she is very excited about.

Braxton is also hoping to have a friend over but we have to wait and see if that will work out.

I still have class on Monday which bums me out but the kids will get to go play with their cousins so they will enjoy it.


This week I am asking for prayers for my niece. She is having heart surgery this week in AA. She has a hole in her heart that has been there since birth and it is time to fix it. Her surgery is Thursday at 730am and if all goes well she will be home that night. That is just crazy to me but I am glad to hear it is an "easy" procedure".

Is pondering...

I am pondering a couple different things. One I am not ready to share yet but I am asking for prayers that I see the door that is open and the right decision is made. It is a life changing event but it would all be good and exciting. I also ask for prayers that my family (husband, children, parents, and siblings [both my side and Scott's side] are open to the idea) Scott does know my idea of course and is on the same page of checking it out and seeing where we are lead.

The second thing I am pondering is double majoring at school. I am really enjoying being in school (crazy thought in its self). Right now I am majoring in Physical Therapy Assistant. I have one more class to take in the Fall and then I am in a 6 year waiting game to get into the program. I am now considering during that 6 year wait list to and take my classes for Registered Nurse. Once I finish all my book work for that class it would be in plenty of time for my PTA clinicals and then I would finish those just in time to take my clinicals for RN. I would come out with 2 Degrees in the same amount of time pretty much.

I also plan to take a Health Unit Coordinator class next Spring as well. This way if I wanted to or needed to work I would have a degree to help me get in to a hospital or doctors office. It is a lot to take on but I am excited and determined to further my education and help my family out to the best of my ability. My goal is to do all my schooling while the kids are still home but once Ahna starts Kindergarten I would love to start working some...at least part time.

I think...

I can officially say that my baby is no longer a baby. She is officially potty trained. She went all day today with no accidents and even told us when she had to go! We even went into town again and she did great! Success...now just hoping I didn't jinx myself.

Awesome Day...

Well today was a wonderful day. I got up with Kenzi and got her on the bus this morning. The youngest two children slept in until 730 (Ahna) and 750 (Brax). It was so quiet in here the first 30 minutes without the kids. That never happens.

When Ahna woke up she was screaming...momma, momma. When I got in there she started yelling...potty, potty. So we took off running to the potty. She had a wet pullup but she sat right down on the potty and peed and pooped! I was so excited. Pooping has been hit or miss the last several days. This was the second day in a row of going on the potty. I stuck her in undies right away and we went about the day.

Breakfast was served and then onto cleaning. I got the house picked up, vacuumed and mopped and a few loads of laundry done. I made the kids a snack. My mom called and asked if we wanted to ride into town with her and do some shopping.

I stuck Arianna in a pull up for our shopping trip. Messy pants didn't sound fun when shopping. I made her go potty right before we left at 11. We got into town and did a little shopping...where I got Kenzi a winter coat, snow pants (that don't have straps on them, that is very important to a 6 year now, because all the friends have that kind), Scott a pair of jeans and myself a pair. It was great.

Then we went to lunch and Ahna had to use the potty again. It was now 100. She finally went more than 20 minutes without using the potty. She was dry still!! At 130 I made her go potty again before we hit the next store. She was still dry and went again! We arrived home at 245 and Arianna was snoozing. I thought for sure she would wake up wet. She woke up at 4 and was dry. She ran to the potty so fast though. Another successful trip!

We then headed outside for the next couple hours. Ahna told us everytime she had to go potty without an accident. Not one accident all day! I am so proud of her progress.

We had such a fun day. I love when my house feels so clean and nice, when the kids get to play outside and see their grandparents. The weather has been so beautiful and it is so refreshing. I love it. I can't wait to be outside all day every day.

Another day

I should have known today would be a tough potty training day. Within 15 minutes of Ahna being awake she pooped and peed in her pullup. Ugh. Got her cleaned up and set her on the potty for awhile...nothing. A little later (30 minutes about) and she told us she had to go potty..yes, looks like it is turning around for the better. She peed on the potty, then got off and within 15-20 minutes she peed her pullup. 15 minutes later she told us she had to go potty and peed on the potty again. Looking like a long day ahead. She only had a small cup of milk too.

I decided to put her in undies and try that route. As I was getting the undies around, she peed on my living room (the only room on the main floor with carpet). We put the undies on her and continued to remind her to tell us when she had to go potty. Before long she told Scott she had to go potty. He took her in and she pooped and peed on the potty! Whoo hoo! She peed on the potty a couple more times at her request.

Then she peed her pants right after us reminding her. Hmm. A couple more times of peeing on the potty. Then she peed her undies again. Although she was standing at the bathroom door waiting for us to let her in.

We put her back in a pullup for now since she is going to be napping and we are leaving the house tonight.

Even though she is having several accidents, I am so proud of her progress. She is amazing us. Hopefully soon the accidents will decrease and we will be out of pullups except for nap/bedtime. Then we will tackle that hurdle.

Potty Training fun....

Well we have started working with Ahna to go potty. Arianna started a couple months ago with showing great interest in the potty. I just let it go because I wasn't ready...I mean I did just finish potty training the boy child in October. A break was greatly needed.

Well my break is over and potty training is in full swing. Monday I decided to try her to poop on the potty. When she showed her signs of having to go I grabbed her up and took off to the potty. She went poop on the potty. Lots of cheering and excitment. Tuesday I did the same thing. I decided if I could even poop train her I would be thrilled. On Wednesday I decided to go full strength and try to pee train her as well because she loves the potty.

On Wednesday, Arianna had 4 pee accidents. I was happy. Today we decided to go right back at it. My mom was watching her this morning because I went on Braxton's field trip. I was gone from 8am to 1pm. Ahna had 1 accident (pee and poop) but peed on the potty every other time. My mom felt bad because she missed the signs of her having to go poop though. Arianna is very proud of herself. She is starting to say "Pot" for potty so hopefully soon she will be able to tell us when she has to go. She definitely has full control of it.

I will be thrilled if she potty trains so easy and before her 2nd birthday. My goal is to have her completely trained before the end of April. I want to be able to go outside and to the cabin without packing diapers and wipes and such. I can't wait.

Arianna is no longer a baby...she is getting so big. It makes me kind of sad to see her growing up so fast but so happy to be saving on diapers.

It is OVER!!

Well our awful ride is finally over. Today we went to the cardiologist with Arianna. The staff and doctor was amazing. Ahna was upset as soon as she seen the exam room.. The nurse worked her butt of to win Arianna over...it never happened. She took down the family history, she then did an EKG, a pulse ox, and her weight! Thankfully she had bubbles and played with her. Arianna wasn't happy at all.

Then we went into the next room to meet the doctor. Arianna really liked him (he was very quiet and calming to her). He rubbed her feet (trying to get her pulse) she thought that was great, he listened to her heart, and just talked to her and us. He said her heart sounded great but he wanted to do an ultrasound just to make sure we weren't missing anything.

As soon as she seen the bed in the ultrasound room she freaked out. The screaming started and it didn't stop until she was fully dressed again. The doctor was very calm and never got upset when she was all over the place. I actually was pinning her down and trying to hold her still..not very successful though. He laughed and said "Ahna has 2 arms and 2 legs and she isn't afraid to use them for self defense". Ahna was hitting and kicking him, trying to roll away and screaming at the top of her lungs. My mom was with me so she was trying to help side track her but we didn't get far, then he went and got a nurse to blow some bubbles for Ahna...that worked for a nanosecond. Finally the ultrasound was done (probably only took 15 minutes).

He said her heart looked perfect..whoo hoo. He figures she has vasomotor response which is where the heart can not keep up with the circulation that she needs. It is not life threatening and does not require any treatment..eventually she should grow out of it. The only other thing he wants us to watch is when she has a blue episode is her heart rate and rhythm. If her rate his high we need to call him or if it happens to be irregular we need to call him. Otherwise it isn't a big deal and we just need to keep an eye on her!

We are very relieved to get this news. We will definitely be watching her close but it sounds like is no big deal. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers...they are greatly appreciated.

One thing leads to the next...

Well Ahna went back to the doctor again today...and the ride continues. Arianna is headed to the cardiologist on Tuesday. They took away the pneumonia diagnosis so we are starting over. If the heart is the problem it would explain the mottling, O2 stats. The doctor listened a couple times to her heart and then asked if her inutero ultrasounds should anything on her heart. Unfortunately they did but we were reassured it was nothing...maybe that reassurance wasn't 100% or maybe it was and we are dealing with something else.

Another possibility is Asthma. It could have been an asthma attack that day. Only time will tell.

Please keep praying for my sweet baby girl and me. This last week and a half has been the longest of my life. Unfortunately I have to wait to end this crazy week. I honestly have a gut feeling that there is absolutely nothing wrong with her and we are just racking up the medical bills...but I am afraid not to go through with it all because if something is wrong I would hate to have missed it. Stinking instincts sometimes.

Wrong again

The ride is not over yet...I think we are right smack dab in the middle of the ride.

Back to the doctor today. Ahna's hands, feet, and lips were purple this morning. Another chest xray done...perfectly clear. Labs ordered...CBC with Diff and Blood culture. Very long ordeal to get blood drawn...2 labs, 3 pokes and barely enough blood to complete the tests. Then the blood clotted in the CBC test so we get to do it all over again tomorrow. Lots of crying today from the baby. Doctor is wondering if she is Sepsis. Hopefully we get some answers soon.


Keep praying for my sweet baby girl please. We need all that we can get.

Wild Ride

I can definitely say the wild ride began on Wednesday but I am happy to announce I am exiting the wild ride and hope to never return to it.

Scott was able to come on Thursday night to help me out with the baby, which I was in desperate need of. On Friday, Arianna was stable and did really well. She acted like she was improving...whoo hoo.

Saturday came and she took a bad turn. By early afternoon Arianna was retracting (suprasternal) by her collar bone. I grew concerned and took her shirt off her so I could watch her chest, ribs and stomach. At 5 I decided to call my mom (an RN) who is in FL. She told me to call the doctor and be prepared to head to the ER. Scott didn't think it was necessary so I waited to call the doctor for an hour. Finally I called the pediatrician on call...who thankfully was the one who seen Arianna on Thursday. She agreed that any retracting isn't good but since it was just in 1 location that we could watch her, increase breathing treatments, and she was going to call in an oral steroid. Any more retracting (new places) and we were to head to the ER, any color changes and we were to call 911. I went for the steroid. When I got home Arianna was still retracting but now she was retracting between her ribs on her back. I dosed her with the oral steriod and we did a breathing treatment that was due. An hour after the oral steroid and breathing treatment she was back to just retracting by her collar bone. I watched her extremely close over night, with several breathing treatments being done.

Sunday she was still retracting by her collar bone but was stable otherwise. Thank goodness.

Today we have turned the corner. She isn't retracting at all anymore and she is eating again!! That is a sign of health coming back to her.

Tomorrow we go to the ENT for a follow up on her Ear surgery. I do know that the tubes look good...they have been looked at a lot this week.

Thursday we go to the pediatrician for a follow up on this week. Hopefully she checks out well.

Today I had the kids help me make thank you cards for everybody involved. TTA, Aunt Sheryl and Uncle Joe, Aunt Shelly and Uncle Jeff, Dorothy and Larry, Rodney and Karyn, and the neighbor. I wouldn't have survived this week without all of them.

The ride is over, and I hopeful that it was a once and a lifetime ride.