pictures

Joshua kills me with his gorgeous eyes!

So cute and innocent...

Ladies & Gentlemen, lock-up your daughters!

Jenna's swallow study...she actually enjoyed it!

Quite possibly the cutest picture ever!

Jenna's future is soooo bright...shades are a must!

The youngest of my brother's kids. 2nd place for cutest picture ever!

Bath-time buddies!

My friend Jennifer came for a visit. Joshua was actually falling asleep while she gently stroked his cheek. Neat trick, eh? Learned it from my SIL :-) She's a genius!!

Jenna's 1st swim! Adorable suit compliments of her aunt and cousins :-)

"You're kidding, right?" (baby S again)

jenna update

Jenna's GI Doctor, Thomas Sferra, called today. Jenna does in fact have C-DIFF. She will be taking a very potent antibiotic over the next week (every 6 hours) and then she will be re-evaluated on July 2nd to see if the medication performed its job. I am also giving her acidophilous to help restore the good bacteria which the antibiotic will take away. Thankfully, Jenna is still in good spirits. Her only obvious symptoms are her stool and bloated belly (I have been having to vent her Mic-Key button much more often than normal). Below is some information I read on an informative site about C-DIFF...


Other names that the disease can be known as are:

Clostridium Difficile Colitis, Antibiotic-Associated Colitis, C. Difficile, C. Dif, C.D., A.A.C.D. and C.D.C.

What is Clostridium Difficile - in easy terms to understand?

C - difficile is a bacteria in your intestines. It is found normally in healthy and ill people alike. There are millions, perhaps billions of different types of bacteria in your body. Bacteria are an important part of your health. They help break down and digest food. They also ward off many "bad" or foreign bacteria that you may come in contact with. In fact, the "good" or normal bacteria on your hands can kill certain bad bacteria which you may pick up handling food or touching everyday items and fixtures.

How do I get Clostridium Difficile Colitis or Antibiotic-Associated Colitis?

Your body has lots of "good" and necessary bacteria. It also has some "bad" or dangerous bacteria. Clostridium difficile is a "bad" bacteria. Fortunately, when you are healthy and not taking antibiotics, the millions of good bacteria in your system keep the c - diff under control and in smaller numbers. However, when you take an antibiotic, the levels of good bacteria are reduced down to a smaller number. If your c-diff is strong and doesn't get killed by the antibiotic along with the good bacteria, then it is possible that the c-diff will overpopulate inside your intestine or colon. When this happens, you may get the illness called clostridium difficile colitis. When you have an imbalance of bacteria and c-diff takes over, it creates two main types of toxins that affect your body and give you the symptoms of the actual disease. The toxins attack your intestinal wall and left untreated may cause ulcerations. Your symptoms may include diarrhea and cramping at first. The later stages are commonly flu-like symptoms of weakness, dehydration, fever, nausea, vomiting and in advanced stages - blood in your stool / feces. If a patient is left untreated, they can die from it. This is rare.

more catching-up

About 2 weeks ago, Jenna started having questionable stools. I called her GI doctor after one week and from my description, he feared she could have blood in her stools. We collected a stool sample last week and it was confirmed to have blood, so now we're waiting to hear back on further testing. Sometimes the antibiotics given in the hospital can have this affect...causing a virus called C-DIF. Don't ask me what that stands for or means, I just know it's an icky virus that wreaks havoc on little bodies :-(

Jenna started waving a couple of weeks ago too. It's so sweet! However, she has figured-out that we think it's cute; she uses this to her fullest advantage!! Little stinker :-) She loves to play with my phone, so if she wants it, she does her little wavy and uses the other hand to gently sneak the phone away. Talk about naughty!! Oh, she also now has 4 teeth (2 upstairs, 2 downstairs). I'm curious to see how it affects her eating since the teeth don't line-up due to the cleft. Speaking of eating, Jenna had her swallow study a week ago and passed with flying colors :-) We're just waiting for our GI appointment on July 2nd to find-out what we need to do as far as adjusting her continuous feeds to allow for more room in her tummy, as well as find-out which foods she will best tolerate. I am so thankful to the Lord for this awesome blessing! We actually got to watch her swallow on an x-ray...too cool!! I took some pictures on my phone, so I will do my best to sync them to the computer soon.

Joshua is improving more and more on his speech...putting together long sentences and speaking more clearly. He still likes to jabber, but that is becoming more and more less of a normal occurrence. Poor Joshua is sick right now. He's been throwing-up since about 5pm today and has a temperature of 102.1. We can't keep any fluids down him. Every time he wakes from being asleep for a bit, we try to offer him just a sip, but it only stays down for a few minutes. I'm hoping he's better by morning. I hate having to take him into the doctor...it's definitely not one of his favorite things :-(

Joshua and Jenna take baths together now :-) Jenna loves the company and Joshua thinks Jenna is hilarious! They make little noises back and forth at each other and just laugh as they play with their bath toys. I found a bubble bath that is safe enough to use on a daily basis, so the kids really love playing with bubbles :-)

It has been so hot lately! Joshua has enjoyed playing with his cousins in the water. Jenna doesn't tolerate the heat very well. She turns beat red even in the shade and becomes lethargic. Everyone comments on how pale she is, but we don't have much of a choice right now. I will be glad when Fall arrives because Jenna loves to swing. Nick put together an awesome play center for the kids with two swings and a slide, but we only have one tree offering shade in the mornings. The afternoons it's completely exposed to the sun, but later in the evening, our neighbor's tree offers some comfort.

This post was mostly for family, but perhaps some of you learned something you didn't know :-) I'm going to try and post once a week. Once I have that down as a routine, perhaps I will be adventurous and post twice a week...woo!

ouch

I got a root canal today. I cracked one of my mollars by brushing my teeth of all things! Root canals are NO FUN! Not that I can recall anyone saying otherwise :-)

I promise to upload pictures soon. For some reason I was having difficult doing so the other night. I will try again when my mouth isn't killing me!

pictures

Joshua learned that you're not suppose to eat peanut shells!

Mommy tried to take a picture by herself.

Ah yes, another bath picture.

This picture has received mixed reviews. Well okay, only one person told me they thought it was questionable. Can't a tired mom have some fun?

Joshua was giving some encouraging words to Jenna. She pulled-up in her crib for the first time and he was her cheerleader.

Despite a stressful day full of labs and tests, Jenna had a sweet smile to share.

Princess Bubble Beard! Everyone needs a pirate name :-)

Grinny girl!

My nose may be snotty, but I'm still cute!

Of course I'll pose for the camera!

brownies

So I made some Ghiradelli brownies the other day in an 8x8 pan. There's only one little piece left and it's calling my name. I think Nick's probably had a few pieces. I'm going to resist the urge as long as I can, but I know that when I get-up in the middle of the night to take care of Jenna, it will be there taunting me. So the question is...now, or later?

yeah, yeah

Where do I begin? Yes, it has been forever since I posted and I feel I owe mostly family an explanation because I know you rely on this for updates on Jenna. I apologize. Let me be honest, I have been extremely depressed and sleep-deprived. I've just been too tired to stay-up long enough to post and when I have been up late enough, I just haven't felt like it. There's no way to completely help you understand just how I feel most of the time. If it weren't for my sister-in-law next door, I would most likely be in the loony bin (not joking). No, life's not always so bad, but satan sure knows how to pull me down! Want a list?

Here's where satan attacks me:

• my walk with God
• my marriage
• Jenna's health
• my patience with Joshua
• my family
• my health

There are more ways, but those are the biggies. I started seeing a counselor about a month ago. I'm not sure she's the right one for me, but the price is right (free). I don't see where God is leading right now, but I'm trying to trust Him completely...not quite there. My head is spinning with the daily attacks, but I keep forgetting to look up. However, God is there with reminders that I'm not in this fight alone. Again, my sister-in-law has been such a rock for me...especially lately.

My sister-in-law threw me the most fabulous, surprise 30th birthday party. I'm still speechless. She planned and planned for months. I think the most remarkable part of this is the fact that she has six kids (the youngest not quite 4-months-old) and a husband to care for. This is how it all took place...

The plan was just an intimate gathering...me, my sister-in-law, and one of our mutual friends (who needs to create a blog...ehem...not saying any names, but you know who you are...if you read this that is). I went next door to meet-up for our departure, but there were 2 more faces there I didn't expect to see. I was thrilled because these ladies rock :-) So, we left and the plan was to go downtown and stuff our faces. Well, my sister-in-law appeared a little frantic. She completely missed the turn we were suppose to take which is totally out of character. I should've suspected something at this point, but I'm a total space cadet. Anyway, here we are, a suburban full of crazy women, zooming (and by that I mean flying) down a typically cop-filled area, finally finding our way to our destination. Downtown was especially packed this night...prom, baseball game, yada-yada. Well, my SIL was playing things off very well (which implies that she's an excellent liar...hmmm) as we walked-up to the restaurant (Zio's). The line was almost out the door and it looked like it would be forever before we got to eat. WELL...my SIL just continues to walk past the long line and I'm thinking, "What the heck is she doing?" One of my other friends looks back at me with a puzzled look on her face (another good liar), shrugging her shoulders. Of course I follow rather sheepishly because I didn't know what else to do. Guess what? There was a huge table packed full of some of my most precious friends! I was completely blown away. Balloons, gorgeous flowers (thanks big brother), and lots of smiles and camera flashes. But wait, this isn't even the best part. My SIL arranged a fun "How much do you know Hilary" game, individual delicious cupcakes (which she and the kiddos made), and the most touching, incredible testimony of each of my friends sharing memories of our friendship. Ugh! I'm tearing-up now just thinking about it. I felt so undeserving of such an event, but I'm so honored and grateful...truly. After we enjoyed our dinner, one of my friends brought a delicious cake which we all shared. Some friends were able to stick around. We took some pictures and just goofed around for a bit. I'll post some pictures of the night.

Onto Jenna. Jenna's palate surgery went very, very well. It has been 2 weeks since surgery. 4 more weeks and the stitches should be completely dissolved. A friend of mine bought Jenna a sippy cup with a silicone mouth thingy. All she has to do is chomp down on it and it allows water into your mouth. My friend's daughters both went through the cleft lip and palate surgeries, so she's an experienced mama :-) I'm not sure how much Jenna's actually getting into her mouth, but she really enjoys chewing on the cup! Today, I decided I would experiment with a syringe. She drank about 2 ounces that way. Nick has been experimenting with straws whenever we're out and she seems to like that too. She doesn't suck out of the straw...Nick dips it into the water and creates a vacuum at one of the straw and dribbles it into her mouth. We've tried some softer foods, but she doesn't seem ready for that yet. Hopefully we will get her in for a swallow study soon so we can see just how effectively everything's working. I have to call radiology tomorrow...they were suppose to call me, but that has happened.

I think Jenna's veins must be improving. She was able to have a normal IV during her hospital stay which is far better than having to do her normal pick-line (sp?). She also had to do labs today for a chromosome and hepatic panel (liver function) test and they got her on the first try. This is a huge answer to prayer. I absolutely dread taking her to get labs because they normally have to stick her half a dozen times. We just cry together; poor Joshua gets upset too.

Jenna's 1st birthday was so much fun. The morning of the party was so cold and soggy. Not a very good outlook for her park site party. Well, God moved and made it possible for us to have an indoor party. A sweet couple from a former church called her daughter who owns a gymnasium and she opened-up her entire facility to us...free of charge (I made her accept a donation). What a blessing! I'm still speechless about this event too. So many people came (including Jenna's first NICU buddy, Cooper). We had a huge facility and filled-it up quickly! I think we had about 100 people there (no joke...we handed-out 42 goody bags to the kids old enough to have candy).

Joshua's really talking-up a storm. I still only understand about half of what he says, but he improves daily. My parents came to help us during Jenna's surgery and when they left, and even now, Joshua says, "I want grandpa!" It's so sweet...and sad :-( I wish they were still in Oklahoma. Sometimes, Joshua will say something that will just stun us. My second oldest brother was visiting not long ago and he owns a truck. Joshua walks-up to him and says, "Cory, is that your truck?" It's so cute...his little voice :-) In addition to being extremely cute, Joshua has developed quite an attitude. I fear for my sanity sometimes because I see myself in a padded room in the near future! I think I just need a mommy vacation because if I'm gone for a short period of time (grocery store even), I come home and feel like I've been away from him for such a long time. Nothing's sweeter than his little arms wrapping around my neck and the kisses he generously gives. He's such a kissy boy!

Joshua loves to go out in the yard with Nick, especially recently. Nick put together an impressive play set for Joshua and Jenna. He still needs to add the canopy to the top and assemble a tire swing for the end, but it's finished enough for the kids to enjoy. The slide goes a little fast for Joshua's liking, so he always asks one of us to catch him so he doesn't bump his bottom on the hard ground. I fear we may have a broken arm in the future. He's become very brave and rambunctious! I can't believe he's going to be 3 in a few, short months :-( Ugh! I'm so not ready for him to grow-up, but at the same time, it will be nice when he is able to pick-up his toys! I think it's time to start thinning-out his toy collection. Some toys and books have been passed-down to Jenna, but I don't think she's really going to be into some of the boy stuff he still has. He's really into Thomas the Train, Hot Wheels, play food, and his teddy bears. He's such a cute kid and has a good heart. I hate that I lose patience so easily with him. I know it has a lot to do with my lack of sleep, but it also has much to do with depression and not having a church home. Bleh.

Nick and I have been struggling. We've struggled in the past and worked through things, but this time it has been MUCH more difficult. Please just add us to your prayer list.

I think I'm going to end with that. Good night.