PRICELESS!!!
Carving the pumpkin at home
and
trick or treating at the Mann's
Emily (Snow White), ?, ?, ?, Lily (Bumble Bee), Isaiah (Super Why) & Addy (Patchwork Witch)
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Happy Halloween 2009!
MORE PICTURES
PRICELESS!!!
Emily (Snow White), ?, ?, ?, Lily (Bumble Bee), Isaiah (Super Why) & Addy (Patchwork Witch)
PRICELESS!!!
Emily (Snow White), ?, ?, ?, Lily (Bumble Bee), Isaiah (Super Why) & Addy (Patchwork Witch)
Friday, October 30, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
And his name will be...
Alexander "Alex" Christian Elliott
a.k.a ACE :)
I wanted to have him named before I went into surgery - so he was named around 1pm on 10/09/09.
a.k.a ACE :)
I wanted to have him named before I went into surgery - so he was named around 1pm on 10/09/09.
Surgery
This article pretty much describes my condition. The doctor will be doing an open incision rather than lapropscopic, to go in and see what the exact problem is. Once inside he will determine what part of me needs fixing and do what he can to fix the issue. It could be the unused portion of the stomach, intestines and bowels or it could be the good stuff; he will not know until he is in there.
He said that he will "untwist what's twisted and suture it in place so that it cannot become twisted again". Sounds simple enough...
I cannot wait to be able to eat again. Since Wednesday I have not been able to hold anything down. I would eat and within an hour I would have this gut-wrenching pain followed by extereme vomiting. This would go on until my stomach was completely empty, actually longer - I would be throwing up stomach contents, acid and such. It was absolutely miserable.
The surgery is supposed to start around 2 and could take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 1/2 hours. I will more than likely have a lot of scar tissue on my abdomen from the gastric bypass and the gallbladder removal surgeries; so it is expected it will take at least an hour and 1/2.
I have never really been one to fear surgery... but this time is different. I feel so out of control that it had to happen when I was pregnant and now I will be taking 'him' into surgery with me.
God, please be with us...
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The BIG Ultrasound!
This morning we went in for the big anatomy ultrasound!
They said that the baby looks perfect and everything is measuring as it should - exactly 18 weeks, 6 days.
The tech actually said that the legs are really, really long! 70th percentile!
HE will be a tall one!
Yes! HE! IT'S A BOY!!!
We cannot wait to meet you lil man!
They said that the baby looks perfect and everything is measuring as it should - exactly 18 weeks, 6 days.
The tech actually said that the legs are really, really long! 70th percentile!
HE will be a tall one!
Yes! HE! IT'S A BOY!!!
We cannot wait to meet you lil man!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
ER Visit
I was sitting at the kitchen table making candies when I noticed that my vision was starting to get blurry. I glanced across the room to see if I could read the digital clock and I couldn't. The same thing happened to me yesterday so I was really starting to get concerned about what this could be.
As I started getting Addy up and dressed I thought maybe it was my blood pressure so I checked it. It was normal - 117/72. But I was still concerned so I called Doug to see what he thought it was. While I was on the phone with him I noticed that I had lost my peripheral (side) vision and I started freaking out! He just said that I should call Dr. Mason and see what they had to say. I called Aunt Debbie next and she didn't have a clue either; so I called my OB.
When I told the nurse my symptoms she told me that I needed to get to the ER ASAP... so I called Doug back and he came home and took me in.
When we got to the ER the waiting room was packed but it only took us about 20 minutes or so to get called back. In triage they freaked us out by saying "possible TIA or stroke" and whisked me away to a really frantic area. All of the doctors and nurses kept coming by and staring at my face saying "Bell's Palsy" this, "Bell's Palsy" that... I kept saying over and over, "YES! I have BP! That isn't what I am here for! I have had it for 7 years!" But... it didn't help; it went in one ear and out the other. Soon after they moved me out of that frenzied area and to my own cot in the ER area. All of this time Doug and Addy had to wait in the ER waiting room because the first area they took me to was patients only. It took about 1/2 hour for them to finally bring Doug and Addy back to me; they actually kind of snuck her in there - kids under 12 weren't supposed to be in that area either.
Addy was SUCH a good girl all day! I couldn't believe how quiet and well-behaved she was. Everyone kept commenting on how good she was and kept giving her snacks and stickers, cartoons kept her well-entertained.
The nurses came in and put in an IV line (which was never used otherwise) and took some blood; soon after another one came in and did an EKG. I was seen and questioned by about five doctors by this point. Eventually a neurologist student came in with a ton of questions and a battery of tests – within an hour her teacher came in and did most of them again along with another student. I couldn’t help but feel like a freak-show since everyone that questioned me couldn’t help but stare at my crooked face! It starts to get to you after a while, especially since most of the asymmetrical-ness has dissipated over the last several years. Just when you get to feeling normal, as normal as can be for having such an affliction, there is always someone to help make you feel like a freak-a-zoid once again.
Anyhow…
Doug had taken Addy home to take a nap. Meanwhile I was told that I needed to be admitted for a “23 hour observation”; so I was taken up to my new room after lying on a cot in the ER for about 4 hours… could have been worse.
After I got up to my room things started to slow down; I really didn’t see anyone except a couple nurses that walked me through procedures and took my vitals. I was STARVING! I hadn’t had a thing to eat all day and, believe me; I had asked people on several occasions. Not good for me, not good for baby!
Oh! How’s the baby you ask!? Hmmm… I would love to know too!
I phoned in a meal and tried to rest. A while later my meal came up and I devoured it! Shortly after a doctor came in to ask another ton of questions and yet again said that I was going to get an MRI. By this time I was so irritated, it was almost like it was a line of BS since I had been hearing that all day and still nothing! Well – that’s when I told her that I needed to get it done ASAP because I needed to be discharged today because I do not have child care and my husband cannot miss another day of work. She said that she would get it ordered STAT.
Doug showed up shortly thereafter with Addy – within half an hour I was taken down for the much-promised MRI. It took about 45 minutes and I was in pain the majority of the time. I was having right shoulder tenseness to the point I could hardly remain still enough for the procedure. Whewww! It’s finally over.
I was taken back to my room to wait some more. A while later the nurse came in to give me some more info and I informed her that I needed the results read ASAP. She told me that the doctor was in a c-section and that the other doctors would surely not read them tonight. I told her I needed to get discharged or I had to leave AMA. A while later she came in and reiterated that none of my doctors would authorize for me to go so I had to sign myself out and promise to call Dr. Mason in the morning for the MRI results…
How’s the baby!? Again – I would love to know as well. I asked every single doctor, nurse, student… – every single person that I had contact with – to at least doppler me so I could hear the heartbeat… NOT ONCE did anyone check on the baby!!!
As I started getting Addy up and dressed I thought maybe it was my blood pressure so I checked it. It was normal - 117/72. But I was still concerned so I called Doug to see what he thought it was. While I was on the phone with him I noticed that I had lost my peripheral (side) vision and I started freaking out! He just said that I should call Dr. Mason and see what they had to say. I called Aunt Debbie next and she didn't have a clue either; so I called my OB.
When I told the nurse my symptoms she told me that I needed to get to the ER ASAP... so I called Doug back and he came home and took me in.
When we got to the ER the waiting room was packed but it only took us about 20 minutes or so to get called back. In triage they freaked us out by saying "possible TIA or stroke" and whisked me away to a really frantic area. All of the doctors and nurses kept coming by and staring at my face saying "Bell's Palsy" this, "Bell's Palsy" that... I kept saying over and over, "YES! I have BP! That isn't what I am here for! I have had it for 7 years!" But... it didn't help; it went in one ear and out the other. Soon after they moved me out of that frenzied area and to my own cot in the ER area. All of this time Doug and Addy had to wait in the ER waiting room because the first area they took me to was patients only. It took about 1/2 hour for them to finally bring Doug and Addy back to me; they actually kind of snuck her in there - kids under 12 weren't supposed to be in that area either.
Addy was SUCH a good girl all day! I couldn't believe how quiet and well-behaved she was. Everyone kept commenting on how good she was and kept giving her snacks and stickers, cartoons kept her well-entertained.
The nurses came in and put in an IV line (which was never used otherwise) and took some blood; soon after another one came in and did an EKG. I was seen and questioned by about five doctors by this point. Eventually a neurologist student came in with a ton of questions and a battery of tests – within an hour her teacher came in and did most of them again along with another student. I couldn’t help but feel like a freak-show since everyone that questioned me couldn’t help but stare at my crooked face! It starts to get to you after a while, especially since most of the asymmetrical-ness has dissipated over the last several years. Just when you get to feeling normal, as normal as can be for having such an affliction, there is always someone to help make you feel like a freak-a-zoid once again.
Anyhow…
Doug had taken Addy home to take a nap. Meanwhile I was told that I needed to be admitted for a “23 hour observation”; so I was taken up to my new room after lying on a cot in the ER for about 4 hours… could have been worse.
After I got up to my room things started to slow down; I really didn’t see anyone except a couple nurses that walked me through procedures and took my vitals. I was STARVING! I hadn’t had a thing to eat all day and, believe me; I had asked people on several occasions. Not good for me, not good for baby!
Oh! How’s the baby you ask!? Hmmm… I would love to know too!
I phoned in a meal and tried to rest. A while later my meal came up and I devoured it! Shortly after a doctor came in to ask another ton of questions and yet again said that I was going to get an MRI. By this time I was so irritated, it was almost like it was a line of BS since I had been hearing that all day and still nothing! Well – that’s when I told her that I needed to get it done ASAP because I needed to be discharged today because I do not have child care and my husband cannot miss another day of work. She said that she would get it ordered STAT.
Doug showed up shortly thereafter with Addy – within half an hour I was taken down for the much-promised MRI. It took about 45 minutes and I was in pain the majority of the time. I was having right shoulder tenseness to the point I could hardly remain still enough for the procedure. Whewww! It’s finally over.
I was taken back to my room to wait some more. A while later the nurse came in to give me some more info and I informed her that I needed the results read ASAP. She told me that the doctor was in a c-section and that the other doctors would surely not read them tonight. I told her I needed to get discharged or I had to leave AMA. A while later she came in and reiterated that none of my doctors would authorize for me to go so I had to sign myself out and promise to call Dr. Mason in the morning for the MRI results…
How’s the baby!? Again – I would love to know as well. I asked every single doctor, nurse, student… – every single person that I had contact with – to at least doppler me so I could hear the heartbeat… NOT ONCE did anyone check on the baby!!!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Playdate with Emily
MORE PICTURES
Addy & Emily playing with the chalk/dry erase board box that Addy got from Uncle Frank, Aunt Tammy, Aiden & Gavin for her birthday.
Emily & Jessica came over today for a playdate
Addy & Emily playing with the chalk/dry erase board box that Addy got from Uncle Frank, Aunt Tammy, Aiden & Gavin for her birthday.
Emily & Jessica came over today for a playdate
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Addy in Her Birthday Dress from Aunt Debbie
MORE PICTURES
Addy wearing a dress she got for her birthday from Aunt Debbie
Heading to Cracker Barrel for breakfast.
Addy wearing a dress she got for her birthday from Aunt Debbie
Heading to Cracker Barrel for breakfast.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Hess Hathaway Park & Lunch
MORE PICTURES
Addy, Lily & Isaiah at Hess Hathaway Park; Waterford, MI
Afterwards we went to Olive Garden for lunch.
Addy, Lily & Isaiah at Hess Hathaway Park; Waterford, MI
Afterwards we went to Olive Garden for lunch.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
12 Week Ultrasound and Doctor Appt.
I had a fantastic appointment today!!
I had a Nuchal Transluncency scan and bloodwork done.
The baby - at first - was lying face down and not moving much and all of a sudden it flipped and started dancing like crazy!!! The tech kept saying "your baby is cracking me up with all this moving!" It was soo cute! There were several times I could see it sucking its thumb - I could even see all of the fingers. The ultrasound was nearly an hour. I absolutely love watching it; I could watch it all day, everyday!
Addy and Doug were able to come with me as usual. She was so well-behaved; she just sat in her stroller always yelling out "baby!" and pointing to the TV. She is going to make an excellent big sister!!
The heartrate was a very strong 155bpm :)
The tech wasn't overly friendly; but not horrible either. She did manage to print out a picture for me:
I had a Nuchal Transluncency scan and bloodwork done.
The baby - at first - was lying face down and not moving much and all of a sudden it flipped and started dancing like crazy!!! The tech kept saying "your baby is cracking me up with all this moving!" It was soo cute! There were several times I could see it sucking its thumb - I could even see all of the fingers. The ultrasound was nearly an hour. I absolutely love watching it; I could watch it all day, everyday!
Addy and Doug were able to come with me as usual. She was so well-behaved; she just sat in her stroller always yelling out "baby!" and pointing to the TV. She is going to make an excellent big sister!!
The heartrate was a very strong 155bpm :)
The tech wasn't overly friendly; but not horrible either. She did manage to print out a picture for me:
This is a shot of the baby face down with its feet to the left and head to the right.
After my ultrasound I went next door to see my doctor.
I gave my usual urine sample, had my weight and blood pressure taken. I am only up 2 pounds since my last visit 5 weeks ago and my blood pressure was excellent! Something like 117/78 or so.
They didn't do a pap test last time so they did a quick check and everything is looking good down there.
After a while the doctor came in with an entourage of four students. He briefed them on my history (without looking at my chart at all - that's something I really love about him). He asked me if I had any questions and the only one I could think of is how is my weight gain - he said it was perfect. This pregnancy has been so easy that I really never seem to have any questions or concerns.
He then tried to do the doppler to get the baby's heartrate; he could only pick mine up so he took me over, with the four students lol, to do a quick ultrasound. He is so sweet! I told him that the ultrasound tech didn't get me such a great pic and asked him if he would snap one for me and he did! I love my doctor!
Both a doctor that came in during my screen for Down's and Trisomy and Dr. Mason said that the numbers are completely within normal range, everything looks good and to call in about a week to see what the final results are.
My doctor said that everything is progressing so well; he seems much more optimistic than he was when I was pregnant with Addy.
They gave me an order to have bloodwork done to see if I am immune to Rubella now. When I was pregnant with Addy I wasn't so when I gave birth I was re-immunized and now they are going to check to make sure it took. And also to check some vitamin levels.
I have another appointment with the doctor in 4 weeks - Sept. 17th; I will be 16 weeks then.
I think that is too early for gender determination; so I will probably have my anatomy ultrasound that will determine gender two weeks following that, when I am 18 weeks - around the 1st of October! I am so, so, SO excited to find out if Addy is going to have a brother or a sister!!!
After my ultrasound I went next door to see my doctor.
I gave my usual urine sample, had my weight and blood pressure taken. I am only up 2 pounds since my last visit 5 weeks ago and my blood pressure was excellent! Something like 117/78 or so.
They didn't do a pap test last time so they did a quick check and everything is looking good down there.
After a while the doctor came in with an entourage of four students. He briefed them on my history (without looking at my chart at all - that's something I really love about him). He asked me if I had any questions and the only one I could think of is how is my weight gain - he said it was perfect. This pregnancy has been so easy that I really never seem to have any questions or concerns.
He then tried to do the doppler to get the baby's heartrate; he could only pick mine up so he took me over, with the four students lol, to do a quick ultrasound. He is so sweet! I told him that the ultrasound tech didn't get me such a great pic and asked him if he would snap one for me and he did! I love my doctor!
Both a doctor that came in during my screen for Down's and Trisomy and Dr. Mason said that the numbers are completely within normal range, everything looks good and to call in about a week to see what the final results are.
My doctor said that everything is progressing so well; he seems much more optimistic than he was when I was pregnant with Addy.
They gave me an order to have bloodwork done to see if I am immune to Rubella now. When I was pregnant with Addy I wasn't so when I gave birth I was re-immunized and now they are going to check to make sure it took. And also to check some vitamin levels.
I have another appointment with the doctor in 4 weeks - Sept. 17th; I will be 16 weeks then.
I think that is too early for gender determination; so I will probably have my anatomy ultrasound that will determine gender two weeks following that, when I am 18 weeks - around the 1st of October! I am so, so, SO excited to find out if Addy is going to have a brother or a sister!!!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
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