The Greenstick Fracture

Well, it seems that our little Jack loves taking trips to the emergency room. This time it wasn't the ER, but an Urgent Care Clinic affiliated with the local hospital. It all started yesterday afternoon while I was mowing the lawn. I stopped to come in for a drink of water and heard Jack crying. I knew by the way he cried that he was really hurt, it wasn't the usual "kiss my booboo mommy, it hurts" or the "Ouch, I need a band-aid" cry, it was the "I am seriously hurt" cry. I found him curled up in a ball in the corner of Sarah's room. There were Sarah and Adam just coloring away next to him. I said "Why didn't somebody come and get me?" Sarah said, "I don't know" I guess since I told the kids that unless it was an emergency not to interrupt me while mowing the lawn so I could finish faster. She apparently thought Jack's cries were of the usual reasons stated above. When I asked what happened, both Sarah's and Adam's stories were pretty consistent, but very vague. I thought to wait it out because our kids are always hurting themselves and within an hour or two if not seriously injured they would forget that got hurt in the first place. So he exhausted himself from crying and fell asleep on the couch while I massaged the foot that he pointed out to me that hurt. A few hours later and a completely mowed lawn I came back in and Jack was just waking up so I watched him to see if he would still favor that leg. He did, he tried to crawl off the couch and the moment he touched his foot on the floor he cried out in pain. I took him back on the couch again and examined his foot, this time it started to look swollen so I decided to take him to the doctor, afterall, better to be safe then sorry right? So I thought they would tell me that it was bruised pretty bad, but he would be fine. Instead after 3 x-rays all of which looked normal, the doctor informed me it might possibly be fractured. I was confused, I mean how could he think it might be fractured if the x-rays revealed nothing. That is when he told me about the Greenstick Fracture. He showed me an area on the x-ray that concerned him and that area was consistent with the area of swelling and tenderness of Jack's foot. So now he must see a specialist to confirm the diagnosis and treatment. For now Jack is in a splint made up of a partial cast and ace bandages. Dan with his brilliant mind got his garage chair on wheels out and strapped Jack down since he can not walk on his cast and now I won't have to carry him around all day.

I DID IT!

I past my 3 hour Gestational Diabetes test. Yipee for me! It was the most horrible experience (well, maybe not most horrible, but pretty darn bad). I didn't realize that I had to get my blood drawn right when I got there, then drink the really strong "orange pop" then get my blood drawn every hour after that for three hours. So I got poked four times and since they couldn't find a good vein in my left arm they drew everything from my right which left me with four holes. I did get some good reading done and it really helped pass the time. It left me kinda drained, but at least I past. There's one less thing to worry about this pregnancy. Oh! and my mid-wife said my sugar levels were so low, she was shocked. It makes me wonder why I didn't pass the 1 hour. Oh well, it's all over now. *sigh* :D

Offically in the two weeks...

Well, as the title stated I am offically in the two weeks portion of my pregnancy. I just had my last monthly appointment with my mid-wife yesterday and all checked out great. Now I start the appointments every two weeks, then down to once a week up until the baby is born. I just can't believe how fast this pregnancy has gone. I mean I still have a ways to wait yet and I am no where near the "count down", but I am already 7 months pregnant! It seems like yesterday I was squinting to see a big fat positive test result. We still haven't decided on a name yet and so the saga continues...But like I mentioned before everything checked out great at my appointment yesterday. I am growing like I should and the doctor was suprised at how well she could make out babies parts. She showed me where she felt the head and arms and legs. It was incredible even though every part I felt, felt exactly the same. So I guess since baby seems to be healthy at this point in time as far as we can tell, we shall worry about the name later. I am sure it will come to us and we will finally agree like we did with the other three. Another hurdle I must face comes tomorrow morning in the form of a 3 hour Glucose Tolerance Test. Since I didn't pass my 1 hour with flying colors I must subject my health to the 3 hour nightmare. It isn't so much drinking the "orange pop" in five minutes part that bothers me. It's the waiting to have your blood drawn part. I was bored out of my mind with the 1 hour and now I must return to sit in the waiting area for 3 hours and get my blood drawn every hour. But since I don't want to push out a 15 pound baby, that would most definetly be the case if I had Gestational Diabetes and left it untreated, I will grin a bare it. I've got my Voice in the Wind book by Francine Rivers to bring tomorrow to help pass the time. So I'm off...

ER scare...

Last night I woke up to the cries of my youngest, Jack. He was calling me crying and I could tell his breathing was labored. I ran in a grabed his clamy body and ran back to Dan. I called 911 because he was having so much trouble breathing I was flipping out. I hung up though before they answered because Dan said he would drive him to ER since it is less then 3 minutes from our house. I would have had to stay since our other two kids were sleeping. Well, once you finish dialing that last "1" the operator will call you back to make sure all is fine. So I told him what was going on and since the Fire Department is two blocks away they arrived in about 30 sec. His blood oxygen level wasn't looking to good and he had a terrible "barking-seal-like" cough. They all agreed he had "CROUPE" and said he should probably be taking to ER for a breathing treatment since his breathing was so labored. So I took him while Dan stayed with the kids. They did chest x-rays, two breathing treatments, and an oral steroid medicine to open his airways. I was there about 2 hours and they sent us home with an RX for the steroid for the next 3 days. So he was offically diagnosed with croupe which sounds scarier then it is. He blood oxygen level increased by the time we left so they were happy about that. My nerves were on edge the rest of the night and I checked on him every hour as he sleep. He is feeling better this morning so I am relieved. Last time I had to call 911 was for my oldest when she was 10 months old and had a febrile seizure due to a severe urinary tract infection. Scary, scary, scary to have to call 911. I am sure some of you have been there before. I never want to go there again, but I am glad that I live so close to the hospital in cases like these.

A child's prayer

I overheard this prayer from our daughter Sarah before bed:

Dear God,
Thank you for the ups and downs, the lefts and rights, and the straights and backwards...Amen

Now if only we as adults could be so thankful. I often times only thank God for the good in life, forgetting about the hard times that I should be grateful for as well, since it is through these hard times that we grow stronger. So with that, I second my daughters prayer. Thank you God for the ups and downs the lefts and rights and the straights and backwards! AMEN!

Grown-up words

Yesterday Adam said, "By the way...", but before he could continue his thought, Sarah interrupted with, "Hey Adam, did you know that 'by the way...' is what grown ups say? So you're gonna be a daddy soon!" It was so cute, I just had to laugh, apparently this phrase is only to be used by grown-ups and in order for Adam to be a grown-up he has to be a daddy. Kids....gotta love 'em.

Finished another Novel...

by Francine Rivers, entitled Redeeming Love, Wow! What an amazing love story. This is a must read in my opinion. It is based on the book of Hosea from the Bible. It is a beautiful portrayal of God's redeeming love. Not to mention the love the characters share in this novel. WOW! that is pretty much all I can say. It has given me a stronger love pull for my dear hubby, if you know what I mean, but maybe it is because he has been gone for a week to a youth summer camp from church. Whatever ever the case, I can't wait for him to get home, I miss him sooo much, as do the kids! He comes home today, I am counting down the hours until I pick him up at church, and share this romance novel with him. :D

Embarrassing moment

Last weekend we had a grill out with some friends at our house. Adam disappeared for awhile so I knew he must be in the bathroom taking care of business. After several minutes he popped his head out the back door and called at me to come over. I refused because I was talking at the moment and told him I would be there in a sec... Well, apparently he didn't have a sec to wait so he opened the door and came hobbling out with his pants and underwear down around his ankles. He told me he had an accident in his underwear and proceeded to show me the mess. I was so embarrassed for him and rushed him into the house. Everyone was laughing and thought it was so cute. Dan ran into to help him and make sure he wasn't embarrassed and make him understand that he can't just walk out of the house half naked. Our friends who have 3 girls and are expecting their first boy, just two days before our baby girl arrives, said "Well, at least now we know what to expect from boys". I said "Yep, that's a boy for ya!" :D

No Imagination

Yesterday I was at my monthly pre-natal office visit and the mid-wife was letting my kids hear the new baby's heartbeat. They all just stood there and stared at the doppler machine in amazement, so the mid-wife says "What do you guys think?" They just stared in silence. So she asks, "Does it sound like a horse gallopping?" Their heads shake "No", "Does it sound like a washing machine?" Again their heads shake "No", "Does it sound like a helicopter?" Still they shake their heads "No", Finally she asks with a friendly smile, "Well, what does it sound like?" and Adam pipes up "A heartbeat" saying it was such knowledge. I burst into laughter and said, "Sorry, my kids don't have an imagination" and we both had a good chuckle about it. :D

By the way, the rest of my appointment went great and everything is growing properly. I was 24wks 4days the day of the appointment and I measured at 25 so I am right on target for my due date still. The mid-wife was alittle upset that I only gained 2 lbs. since my last appointment cause she wanted me to gain 10?!? Whatever, I think I am doing fine. This weight gain has brought me up to 12 1/2 lbs. which I think is excellent, but since I lost 5 1/2 lbs in the beginning (throwing up) she thinks of it only as a 7 lb weight gain, which again I think is just fine. I say the more weight you gain, the more you have to loose after you give birth. Besides, I am doing nothing to keep any weight off, I eat when I should (which is whenever I am hungery, which is all the time) and the only exercise that I have been getting is mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, cleaning house, and chasing my kids around. So I think I am doing just fine. She (my mid-wife) did say I look like a million bucks, just not a plumb million bucks I guess :D

Our growing Garden, My growing Belly

This is me at 24wks 4days

You can tell I was taking my own picture using my reflexion in the mirror, a very dirty mirror I might add. :D

I think I know a thing or two about kids!

While working in the church nursery this past Sunday, I was reminded by a teen helper that I might want to get some water for the kids since eating graham crackers makes kids very thirsty. They're kinda dry you know. Something inside of me wanted to scream and say "Ya, I think I know a thing or two about kids since I will soon have 4 of them", but I just bit my tongue and smiled. This is not the first time I have heard little reminders about what kids like, what they need, how to do this and that. It comes from all different people too. I have to step back and wonder if they know I have kids or just think I am stupid. Ah well, I guess these things will happen all my life so I just have to get used to them or think of a really smart remark to say back :D

What does pink smell like?

Well according to Adam, pink smells like eraser. :D He found one of Sarah's big pink school erasers in her closet today, smelled it and determined, that since it is pink and has a unique smell, that it must be the way that pink smells. I tell ya, I could sit here all day and just watch my kids play, smiling inside at how cute they are. It seems like something new is made up and floats from their minds out of their mouths all the time. It is so darn cute!

Why is it that...

Whenever we go out to eat with the kids grandma and her husband, the waiter always thinks they are the parents, and not Dan and I? Can somebody please tell me why this happens? I am sitting there next to Dan (with my pregnant belly I might add) surrounded by my kids looking at the kids menu trying to decide what to get them, when the waiter comes up and asks grandma what she would like to order the kiddies! I never get angry about it, it just strikes me awkward. This always happens though. I mean, I know we may look young and of course grandma and her husband look young too, definitely not like "old grandma" look, but when will I look old enough to have almost four kids now. I'm 26 years old, how old do they think I am? I can't look 16 or something, and Dan sure doesn't look any younger then he is, in my opinion. So why? Of course this is the highest complement for grandma and her husband because it reaffirms their "youthfulness" :D so cool beans for them, but what about me! The only time this doesn't happen is if it's just us with the kids eating out. I guess then we are the only obvious choice!! Does this happen to anybody else or are we the lucky ones? :D

Some funnies for your day...

Ever Spoken and Wished You Hadn't?

Hair Salon-
I walked into a hair salon with my husband and three kids in tow and asked loudly, "How much do you charge for a shampoo and a blow job?" I turned around and walked back out and never went back. My husband didn't say a word...he knew better. Melinda Lowe, 39, Seguin, TX
The Pad-
An insurance man visited me at home to talk about our mortgage insurance. He was throwing a lot of facts and figures at me, and I wanted to follow as best I could, so I told my 6-year-old son to run and get me a pad. He came back and handed me a Kotex right in front of our guest. Kathy Newman, 46, Winston-Salem, NC
Toilet Paper-
I was taking a shower when my 2-year-old son came into the bathroom and wrapped himself in toilet paper. Although he made a mess, he looked adorable, so I ran for my camera and took a few shots. They came out so well that I had copies made and included one with each of our Christmas cards. Days later, a relative called about the picture, laughing hysterically, and suggesting I take a closer look. Puzzled, I stared at the photo and was shocked to discover that in addition to my son, I had captured my reflection in the mirror - wearing nothing but a camera.
Golf Balls-
I was at the golf store comparing different kinds of golf balls. I was unhappy with the women's type I had been using. After browsing for several minutes, I was approached by one of the good-looking gentlemen who works at the store. He asked if he could help me. Without thinking, I looked at him and said, "I think I like playing with men's balls." Colleen Collins, 31, Ferndale, MI
Nuts about You-
My sister and I were at the mall and passed by a store that sold a variety of nuts. As we were looking ! at the display case, the boy behind the counter asked if we needed any help. I replied, "No, I'm just looking at your nuts." My sister started to laugh hysterically, the boy grinned, and I turned beet-red and walked away. To this day, my sister has never let me forget. Faye Emerick, 34, Ellerslie, MD
Behave-
While in line at the bank one afternoon, my toddler decided to release some pent-up energy and ran amok. I was finally able to grab hold of her after receiving looks of disgust and annoyance from other patrons.
I told her that if she did not start behaving "right now" she would be punished. To my horror, she looked me in the eye and said in a voice just as threatening, "If you don't let me go right now, I will tell Grandma that I saw you kissing Daddy's pee-pee last night!" the silence was deafening after this enlightening exchange. Even the tellers stopped what they were doing. I mustered up the last of my dignity and walked out of the bank with my daughter in tow. The last thing I heard when the door closed behind me were screams of laughter. Amy Richardson, Stafford, VA
Thumbtacks-
A lady picked up several items at a discount store. When she finally got up to the checker, she learned that one of her items had no price tag. Imagine her embarrassment when the checker got on the intercom and boomed out for all the store to hear, "PRICE CHECK ON LANE THIRTEEN, TAMPAX SUPER SIZE." That was bad enough, but somebody at the rear of the store apparently misunderstood the word "Tampax" for "THUMBTACKS." In a businesslike tone, a voice boomed back over the intercom. "DO YOU WANT THE KIND YOU PUSH IN WITH YOUR THUMB OR THE KIND YOU POUND IN WITH A HAMMER?" Diane E. Amov
No Accident-
Have you ever asked your child a question too many times? My three-year-old son had a lot of problems with potty training and I was on him constantly.
One day we stopped at Taco Bell for a quick lunch in between errands. It was very busy, with a full dining room. While enjoying my taco, I smelled something funny, so of course I checked my seven-month-old daughter, and she was clean. Then I realized that Danny had not asked to go potty in a while, so I asked him if he needed to go, and he said "No." I kept thinking, "Oh Lord, that child has had an accident, and I don't have ! any clothes with me." Then I said, "Danny, are you SURE you didn't have an accident?" "No," he replied. I just KNEW that he must have had an accident, because the smell was getting worse. Soooooo!
I asked one more time, "Danny, did you have an accident?" This time he jumped up, yanked down his pants, bent over and spread his cheeks and yelled. "SEE MOM, IT'S JUST FARTS!!" While 30 people nearly choked to death on their tacos laughing! He calmly pulled up his pants and sat down. An old couple made me feel better by thanking me for the best laugh they'd ever had!
The promised eight Inches-
This had most of the state of Michigan laughing for 2 days and a very embarrassed female news anchor who will, in the future, likely think before she speaks. What happens when you predict snow but don't get any... a true story ... We had a female news anchor who, the day after it was supposed to have snowed and didn't, turned to the weatherman and asked: So Bob, where's that 8 inches you promised me last night?" Not only did HE have to leave the set, but half the crew did too they were laughing so hard!

*I got these in an email from a friend and thought I would share them :D

YEAH!

Ali is home now. She still has more recovering to do, but is well on her way. Being at home I am sure will speed up that process. They never did figure out the exact cause of the seizures but have them under control and she has been seizure-free which is wonderful news. She has much rehab and physical therapy to do as the massive seizures did a number on her memory but she is already showing signs of improvement. God really did amazing things through this situation and her family's strength is an inspiration to us all. They lived by faith and trusted in God the entire time. It is a miracle that she is doing as well as she is. She has touched many lives throughout her illness and she is only just beginning to realize this. She is a very strong and courageous girl. Way to go Ali and welcome home! Praise God!!

Happy 6th Birthday Sarah! (June 18th)

Yesterday was Sarah's 6th Birthday. It is so hard to believe that she was born 6 years ago. Wow! time flies. Anyway, Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Father's Day!

To my wonderful husband and father of my children! He is so special to us and he deserves to be celebrated on this day. I would also like to send a special father's day kiss to heaven for my dad, who was the best dad in the world. We love you both, happy father's day!

PRAISE GOD!

She is awake, Ali is awake. Please read her update at carepages. Our God is an AWESOME God. He is doing mighty things through this situation. If you haven't logged on to the carepages before you have to set up a member login and then enter: aliupdate, when asked for the carepage you would like to read.

Well, it's a............................

GIRL!! We just had our ultrasound yesterday and found out we are indeed having another little girl. That will make two girls and two boys for our family. Sarah was so excited and asked if we could name her "Vexie" she was so proud of that name she made up. Kids are so funny with the names they come up with. I think the real name is going to take a lot longer to come up with. Dan and I usually disagree on names and the challenge has already begun. It took several months to come up with Sarah's and Adam's names, but we finally agreed a month before the birth. With Jack we didn't decide until 10 minutes before he was born and I've got the feeling that it is going to be the case with this baby as well. We do have 4 more months to go so no hurry I guess. Adam is still in denial. He has been going around the house saying "It's a boy, it's a boy" with Sarah following close behind him arguing "No, it's a girl, it's a girl". He wanted a boy so bad. Sarah didn't understand that of course she said "But Adam, you already have a brother, and I don't have a sister." Now she will have her sister. Jack said he wanted a girl the morning of the ultrasound, but I really don't think he understands what is going on just yet. Also, I think he was coached by Sarah a little so he would say that. Everything else about the ultrasound looked good too, I measured right on at 20wks 3days the day of the ultrasound which was exactly what I was that day. The tech said she is about 12 oz. so hopefully I will have a nice average size baby instead of a 1o pounder like Jack (9lbs 13oz). So my due date remains exactly the same, October 29th.

Prayers Needed

One of the students from our church youth ministries (a friend) has become very ill. She began having severe seizures last Thursday evening. She spent a few days at our local hospital with no explanation as to why she is having these seizures. Every test they preformed came back negative. She is normally a very healthy girl. The doctors here could not explain what was happening to her so at the request of her parents she was flown by helicopter to University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor where a team of professionals was waiting for her arrival. They jumped right into more tests, but have yet to discover the cause. The family has posted a carepage for visitors to get updated information about her condition. Her name is Ali and she needs your prayers. The webpage is http://www.carepages.com You will need to sign in with a member name and password to view the postings and then it will ask for the name of the carepage you would like to view and you will need to type in: aliupdate.
The family has offered this site to be viewed by whomever can pray for Ali. Thank you!