Thursday, December 18, 2008
…and what a day!
My precious friend Rebecca (Annabelle’s mommy) knew that I wasn’t as tough as I’d like to think I am and insisted on going with me to Evie’s procedures yesterday to support me in C’s absence. A good thing too!
The ultrasound of her kidneys was fairly uneventful.
The cath procedure was another story. They mentioned at Admissions that they typically sedate patients because its so traumatic. Because of Evie’s complicated history however, sedation wasnt recommended for her. So she just had to be a tough girl.
After strapping her to a barbaric board on the radiation table, they tried to cath her. The Physicians Assistant quickly saw that this 18 pounder was a little spit-fire and called for an extra set of hands.
“You’re going to need it” Rebecca piped up!
It was quite an ordeal to get it in. Evie was fighting with everything she’s got and quite frankly, was winning. Twice, she pushed the catheter out. When at last they got it in and filled her bladder, we prayed for pee so they could get the x-ray pictures they needed.
The PA remarked that in all her years of doing this proceedure, she’s never had someone fight her so hard.
That’s my girl!
Then this morning, little Missy woke up with heavy breathing…her classic symptoms of fluid on her lungs. By the time she got up from her morning nap, she needed oxygen, was running a high heart rate and had a fever of 102.0, so we headed for the Pediatrician. After 2 hours there, we were sent to a clinic to do an x-ray of her lungs and draw a bunch of bloodwork. In addition to
Pediatrician
Pulmonologist
Opthamologist
Therapist
and Cardiologist,
we are adding an Immunologist and Geneticist to her list of doctors. The work-up will go to them to begin looking for immune disorders and such. Since we didnt get to the clinic before cultures were picked up by the currier, we have do go do the same ordeal AGAIN tomorrow! Baby dearest went to sleep with a very uncomfortable adhesive baggie that is supposed to be collecting pee for the lab work. As if she weren’t miserable enough already!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Tristan: “Daddy, is it always warm in Florida?”
C: “Yep”
Tristan: “Does it never snow here?”
Ch: “Nope”
Tristan: “Then, can we stay forever and ever?”
A boy after my own heart! After 5 years in Ukraine, Ive seen enough snow to last a lifetime.
I don’t wish for a white Christmas.
There is no inner conflict when I see palm trees instead of evergreens decked out in white twinkle lights.
The sand.
The sun.
The vastness of the ocean
…all so therapeutic and reminders of magnitude of the Lords embrace.
My favorite childhood memories are on the beach…
C grew up a California surfer-dude…
We were married on the beach at sunset in the middle of a thunderstorm…
Many of our most cherished moments have been those with the tide lapping at our feet. This week was no exception. Evie’s first beach trip. All the “firsts” with her hold special significance. The little bathing beauty (with her silver scar peeking above her suit line) loved the beach. Of course she did…she’s a Smith. We watched her teething on shells and wiggling her tiny toes in the sand. What a joy to see her loving life, healthy today, soaking up sun and delighting in the Lords gifts to her!
We played hard… And slept hard…
And just so you know, this is what happens when your two-year-old insists that she can put her bathing suit on “BY MYSELF”!
Enjoy the pics of our crazy bunch. Hope you can taste the salty-sea-spray and for those of you praying for snow, steer clear of me!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Auntie’s are the best! The kids and I stayed with my sister overnight in Atlanta waiting to pick up C coming back from Ukraine before we headed down to Florida for a couple meetings and a family get-away. “Aunt Katherine” was precious to accommodate all of us in her adorable ritzy Vinings apartment. We took the kids to a small-town tree lighting in the little village square a couple miles away from the house I grew up in.
…pony rides
…a choo-choo train
…free Cold Stone ice cream
…Santa arriving on a fire-truck
Life is beautiful! There is nothing like seeing the magic and sparkle of the season reflecting in the eyes of your children!
Evie checking out Santa…not too sure about this guy
The pajama-parade drinking hot chocolate to thaw out frozen fingers and toes
