Smart, Smart Boy!!

I just can not get over how smart Finnegan is.  I suppose that I never realized how smart a child was, at such a young age.  Finnegan understands all tha we say to him and can respond to most of it.  Tonight, we were watching Cars on TV and the old firetruck, was spraying water on McQueen, and Finnegan was staring right at the TV and signing water.  

I am so thankful for a smart little boy.  I hope the rest of our children are as smart as he is (each in their own way, of course).  

My sickly husband...

As most of you know, Ken doesn't get sick, unless he's really sick.  He got food poisoning on our last trip to Disney (from a Cracker Barrell) 4 years ago, and then this past summer he was real sick from a Taiwanese fruit that a friend from work offered him.  So, for Ken to be sick on this most recent trip, just wasn't expected.  And also, most of you know that Ken (being an engineer by trade) is more of a quiet, non communicative being.  He doesn't describe each detail to you or outwardly analyze every situation as I do.  So, when he told me on Monday night that he wasn't feeling well, that was the end of the conversation.  "When did it start?  Do you feel like you'll be sick?  Do you wanna go home?" were all the questions that spewed from my mouth (and I sure a few more) and he had no answers for them.  So, we moved along.  

Mom and Dad (with Andrea, Beth, Jeremy and Izzie) were running late.  So Ken took his first trip to the bathroom and returned without an update.  So I had no idea how bad he was feeling.  Mom and Dad and the crew arrived and we made way right for our photo opportunity before our reservation.  Right after we finished in front of the Christmas tree, Ken and Finnegan were gone.  I thought Ken had gone to explore with Finnegan... But then I didn't see them still.  So I called them.  Ken was in the bathroom with Finnegan.  But still didn't tell me he was sick.  I figured he had to go quickly, but he didn't explain that the "quickly" was coming from both ends!

Our reservation came, and we made our way to the table.  Ken was still in the bathroom of his third visit.  Each visit was getting longer and longer and his visits to the table were getting shorter and shorter.  I began to get concerned and knew that he couldn't return back to our hotel, the way that we arrived (two monorails and a bus trip).  I made a trip up to the guest relations desk to ask for a favor.  I explained that my husband had food poisoning and that he had been sick in the bathroom for several hours and won't be able to return to our hotel, because it was so far.  He'd need another way.  The gal that I spoke with was very generous and offered a free cab ride from this hotel to our hotel.  I gratefully took the offer and returned.  Ken was still in the bathroom so Dad went into the restroom to tell Ken about the offer.  Ken would call us when he was ready to leave and I would go with him.  Finally our dessert was over and we were ready to leave, but Ken was still in the bathroom.  I was packing Finnegan up and I got a call on my cell, it was Ken, and he was still in the bathroom.  The service on Disney property is absolutely horrible, so I couldn't understand a word he was saying, althought I was standing less than 50 feet from him, behind a door.  So I entered the bathroom.  He was in the stall, unable to stand up.  Unable to move.  He was so pale and burning up.  My dad followed me in, and I made the decision to call 911.  There was no way for us to move him, and he needed medical attention

While we waited in the stall, another guest knocked on the door to see if he could help.  He was very kind, and generous, but unfortunately there was nothing he could do to help.  

 

The ambulance arrived with a security escort.  Ken was placed on a guerny and taken outside.  We were receiving all "the looks" from other guests, curious to know what was wrong with him and if he'd be ok.  We boarded the ambulance, Ken in back with a medic, and I in front with the driver.  The driver wanted to talk about the economy and where we were from.  So I appeased him, while my husband was ill in the back.  I heard him a few times get sick on the way.   We exited the hotel from a back enterance, obviously out of sight from regular guests.  

We arrived to the Hosptial ER department and waited to be helped.  Ken sat on the guerny in front of a circle counter, while a nurse and data processor took his medical and insurance information.  He got sick again while we waited.  And no one moved.   The paramedic did what he could, but the nurse didn't turn around.  I couldn't think why they weren't moving to help him.  But I know they have to gather the information and we have to sign on the dotted line before they'll help us.  

The paramedic wheeled him down to his room and got him moved over to the new bed.  The nurse came down and said she'd return with some supplies.  She brought a bed pan and other supplies to begin an IV and take some blood for tests.  Once these proceedures were done, she left and I began to get Ken undressed and into his gown.  He began to get sick again into the basin in his lap and he muttered something... "I can't feel my legs."  What??  And then he repeated it... And got sick again... "Now, my hands are going numb."  I looked down and his fingers were like straight twigs coming from his hands.  He couldn't grasp anything any longer.  I quickly pressed the call button and the nurse came across.  "Um.Yes," she said.  "My husband can't feel his body.  It's going numb!" I told her.  "I'll tell the nurse."  

I couldn't believe it!! I looked back at him, and his lips were turning blue.  Almost more every second.  I had to take a couple of looks to be sure.  I rang the bell again.  And just then, the nurse was at the door.  I told her... well, more like shouted at her "His lips are turning blue!!"  She had oxygen tubes in her hand and fixed him up with oxygen to help him stablize.  It was hard for him to breath in through his nose.  He later told me that at this point, he was on the verge of passing out.  

Over the next four hours, we kept him covered because he was freezing.  The nurse returned a couple of times to check on him.  They brought antibiotics and a second bag of Sodium Chloride.  He was so dehydrated.  After finishing his second bag of saline, the nurse came with a small bottle of gatorade for him to be sure that he could keep things down.  Once he was able to do that, they discharged him with perscriptions and instructions.  

Within 12 hours he was ready for more Disney excitement, althought I was now sick with the flu and required to stay in the room for the day.  :)  Stepping back for our event, I was glad that we made the decisions that we did, to call 911 and to take him to the hospital.  Who knows what would have happened, if we had or he had gone back to our hotel alone.   

Now, we're home in WA again and he continues to take his antibiotics.  He's back to normal and doing his best too help Finnegan and I get over our flu :)  

Three Little Princess's

If you've never experienced the Magic of Disney, let me share a glimpse of it with you. During the past few years, "becoming" a princess is a new "fade". However, Disney has seemed to take hold of the idea and run with it. When first hearing about the Bibbity Boppity Boutique that is on the Disney Property, I was a bit skeptical. Ok, so it's a "salon" for little girls. For one, I thought it was over priced and totally ridiculous to do this for a child. Especially, since I was not part of the generation that had birthday parties at a salon with all my girlfriends having their hair done, while my mom paid the bill. But, my recent experience at the BBB has changed my mind, regarding the need for my daughter, or any other little deserving girl, for that matter, to become a princess for a day.
Our day started by dressing all of my neices (on Ken's side) in their party dresses, as they were going to the Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom that night with their families. Kelly and Kate (the girls mom's) were to meet us at the salon and Jon and I were taking the girls to get started.

The girls arrived on time, and were very anxious for what was going to happen. Each one was presented with a Royal Invitation to the salon and each were serviced with a "Fairy Godmother", who would make them over. In the Royal Invitation, there were three hair styles for the girls to choose. They got to pick the hair style that they wanted. Then, they picked out their make up, for a few selections of eye shadow, blush and lip gloss. They also had their nails painted. After wards, they each were sprinkled with fairy dust, and turned to face the mirror where they got the first glimpse of their new look. Each girl was delighted to see themselves all made up, and truly felt like a little princess.  And too finish the experience, they each were given a wand and a special crown or clips.  They were simply delighted.  Below are some photos of their transformations... What an exciting day for three little princess. :)

On the way to the salon!

Emma, ready for her beauty treatment!

Olivia, is very ready!!  Look at that face!

Bella, a princess, indeed!

And all the girls, with thier favorite Aunt!!  :)

More signing progress

Oh, we have had some great signing breakthroughs during our trip and also now that we've been home. During our trip, Finnegan finally began to sign "eat" and "drink" consistantly. It was great! He then began to sign "water". But we have two signs for "water". One meaning to drink water, the other is the water that you play in (whether it is a fountain or pool or similar). And with these two new break-throughs, He can now tell us what he needs in almost every situation and then we can give him a choice... Do you want to drink milk or water? And he answers back!! Oh, what a blessing!

We still are battling with the temper throwing instead of signing first, but once he's able to sign what he needs, he quickly is realizing that all he has to do is sign and we'll help him. Also, we've always struggled with him throwing food on the floor when he was bored or finished eating. And with the dogs, he loved to see them run after it. Even while being on vacation, he was forever throwing food on the floor when he was finished eating. Starting this morning, when he was done eating his breakfast, he signed "all done". I acknowledged his signing and removed his tray. Not one morsel of food hit the floor. Then at lunch, the same thing. He still isn't eating a whole lot, due to being sick, but he is eating and signing when he is finished, which is such a blessing!!

Now, we are on to working on that terrible attitude when he doesn't get his way, or something is taken away from him. I'm sure we'll be working on that one for a while!! :)

Finally Home!!

It has been a great trip but a very eventful one!! I have already called it "the trip from Hell." I must say, it wasn't all bad. It started off very well and we had a great first week. But the last five days seemed to have many things go wrong. Although we had some very delightful and memorable moments, and for the most part, had good attitudes about all the mishaps - I am certainly glad to be home.

Here's a list of the mishaps that plagued our trip -

- Finnegan teethed the whole trip, and was on a constant dose of tylenol and oral gel.
- My mom ran over our new stroller and snapped the wheel off, during our first day together. We had to go and purchase a new one.
- My mom ran over my dad's leg... or should i say, up my dad's leg with her scooter.
- Ken got food poisoning and was sick to the point of exhaustion and had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. We spent 5 hours in the hospital where he lost feeling in all of his limbs and began to turn blue. VERY SCARY!!
- I got the stomach flu and was out of commission for a full day.
- Then Finnegan got a touch of flu too and is still battling it.
- Beth forgot ALL of her medications (except her back pain meds). So was basically a wreck the whole trip.  

- Finnegan fell backwards off a bench, head first onto the concrete... luckily, he wasn't hurt!!


Oh - so crazy - but I'm glad to be home.

I'll post some photos soon!! We had a great time and enjoyed the times we had with our families.

Prayer for Beth

Update #2: 9pm EST - Beth has been doing well all day long with her treatment. The epidural shot has given her relief and she is managing her pain with pain medication. Her pain is almost cut in half and very tolerable (but still has a ways to go). We are hoping that the shot continues to strengthen it's effect and she's able to resume regular and guarded activity. She meets with her surgeon again on Tuesday for further questions. Please continue to pray for her upcoming Christmas Concerts with her chorus. Also, for our trip and wisdom about going and her further treatment and pain management.
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Beth Update: 11am EST - Beth is out of her proceedure and home. She is feeling well but it could take up to two days to feel the effect of the shot. The next two days could even be worse with pain, before it gets better. Please continue to pray for her healing, and rest. Also please pray for wisdom as we prepare to go on a family vacation out of state and the concerns that come along with being super ill and in tremendous pain while away from home. Pray that Beth and her doctors take all things into account when making a wise decision.

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Hey all -

Just a quick note to ask for prayer for Beth today. She's really been suffering these past few days with some serious pain in her hip and back. It's too the point that she can't sit, stand, or lay without intense pain. She's been to the ER several times within the past week without much relief. These past few days she was finally able to have an MRI on her hip and back. It was first diagnosed that she had bone spurs. Now, they are saying a bulging and herniated disk. The newest report is that her L5 vertibra is cracked and chipped. She is going to the spinal surgeon today to have a pain shot (basically an a shot of epidural) but they say that it is a 50/50 shot that it will work. If it doesn't work, she'll have to have surgery on her back to fix the nerve and bone damage that they believe was caused by her walking in Israel (remember when she had so much trouble back then?? -- She had some serious problems when she returned too, but they went away). With that said, she also is still planning to go on our family vacation... So there are many requests today regarding her...
1. Please pray for the precision of the doctors and that this pain shot is successful.
2. Pray that if the pain shot isn't successful that Beth will make the right decision about her long travel trip as well as time away from her doctors.
3. Pray for wisdom for my parents as the are with her in Nashville to help guide her and make some proper decisions, based on needs not wants.
4. Pray that she will have quick healing, weather by shot or by surgery.
5. Pray for relief of sleep and rest for Beth. These last 2 weeks have been especially hard for her.
6. Pray that she will have a good experience with pain medication and that she will be able to find something that will ease her pain (without becoming addicted -- she's on some heavy stuff, that doesn't seem to touch the pain she's having).

Disney - Here we come!!

For over a year or so, we've been planning (and over 2 years we've been talking) about going to Disney with Ken's siblings and their families. Ken and I, obviously, have the farthest to travel and will be flying straight through from WA to FL with Finnegan. A SIX hour flight (your prayers are coveted) with a 15 month old. :) Anyway, so we've been planning the trip and now, i'm officially in "prepare" mode. I have been packing and making lists and am getting excited to go.

Since moving to WA, I've learned that I get my hopes up and then I am crushed when things don't happen as people "promise". So, I have learned to have a guarded heart when people (even family) make statements like "let's do this together. I'll plan it" or "I really want to come visit you." Even after the plane tickets are purchased and all the plans are made, until our guests arrive or everyone is together, do I really enjoy what's happening. I've had my hopes dashed so many times, that it is hard to believe when someone says they'll be coming. I suppose it's a defense mechanism. I've struggled with the feelings of not being truly excited for weeks. I wasn't looking forward to going, the plane ride, the car rental, coordinating 12 people.

Anywho - Needless to say, each day we get closer to the trip - the easier it is becoming to be excited. I still dread the plane ride, but I'm looking forward to the special time with family and my sweet small family (and our quiet moments alone in the magical place on earth). :) We are planning several days with Ken's siblings and their families and then another several days with my parents and siblings and their families. We're even planning one big dinner with everyone... 18 people total!!

On the weight front... I blogged a couple of weeks ago about a crazy weight loss plan that I was planning with my girlfriend, Shawnta. Well, we've been at it for four weeks now, and have just begun week five. Here's the update... In four weeks, I've lost 4.2 lbs and 3.75inches. I am officially 10 lbs less than I was when I got pregnant with Finnegan. I am hoping to lose another 10lbs before getting pregnant with baby #2 so that I don't hit 200lbs in my pregnancy! But I'm not sure I have that much time!! Or perhaps I'll be working out so well that I gain less weight with this pregnancy than I did the last. I'll keep you all posted on that front!!

Have a great week!