Monday, December 17, 2012
My Baby is a Lady's Man
I was dropping Nathan off at daycare this morning when I noticed a little girl had her eye on Nathan. As I took off his coat and hugged him goodbye she came closer and waited for me to put him down. I set Nathan down on the ground and she immediately took his hand in hers and they walked off to play toys together. What a little stud.
Seizure Update
Nathan has been doing awesome on phenobarbital. He hasn't had a seizure since the end of August and once his body got used to the medication we haven't had any issues. One of the downsides of having him on Phenobarbital is required blood work every three months. But getting Nathan's blood drawn every three months has been definitely worth no seizures.
Well I took Nathan in two weeks ago for the routine blood work and didn't think twice about it. Well that is until his neurologist called two days later. They want his phenobarbital numbers to be between 16-40 and Nathan's last numbers were 22 which was perfect. Well his numbers have dropped to 14 and he has not gained even a pound in the last three months. And this is not a good thing.
She was extremely concerned that his numbers were that low and especially that he hadn't gained weight. It is looking like his body is metabolising the medication too quickly which is what happened when he was taking the Kepra. And since the little stinker hasn't put on much weight the doctor was only able to increase his medication by 7 mg per day. We meet with the doctor again in two months and will evaluate his levels then.
Even though we only increased the medication by 7 mg Matt and I are definitely seeing the side effects of the increased dose. The nightmares, the stubborn attitude, and the tantrums have returned. And we have returned to being two very tired parents who are having serious flashbacks of our summer of constant seizures.
It took three weeks for his body to regulate the medication last time and we are hoping it will take less time than that where he is already on the medicine. The hardest part about Nathan lately is knowing that we are the cause of his frustration and anger. But anything is better than going back to seizures. Keeping our fingers crossed that our little monkey will feel better for Christmas!
Well I took Nathan in two weeks ago for the routine blood work and didn't think twice about it. Well that is until his neurologist called two days later. They want his phenobarbital numbers to be between 16-40 and Nathan's last numbers were 22 which was perfect. Well his numbers have dropped to 14 and he has not gained even a pound in the last three months. And this is not a good thing.
She was extremely concerned that his numbers were that low and especially that he hadn't gained weight. It is looking like his body is metabolising the medication too quickly which is what happened when he was taking the Kepra. And since the little stinker hasn't put on much weight the doctor was only able to increase his medication by 7 mg per day. We meet with the doctor again in two months and will evaluate his levels then.
Even though we only increased the medication by 7 mg Matt and I are definitely seeing the side effects of the increased dose. The nightmares, the stubborn attitude, and the tantrums have returned. And we have returned to being two very tired parents who are having serious flashbacks of our summer of constant seizures.
It took three weeks for his body to regulate the medication last time and we are hoping it will take less time than that where he is already on the medicine. The hardest part about Nathan lately is knowing that we are the cause of his frustration and anger. But anything is better than going back to seizures. Keeping our fingers crossed that our little monkey will feel better for Christmas!
Friday, December 14, 2012
Zoo Lights
This year Matt and I decided to take Nathan to the Zoo Lights. We both had never been and decided we wanted to start our own family traditions this year. Well the Zoo Lights did not disappoint. The entire zoo was decked out in lights and there was Christmas music playing everywhere you went. Santa was there with two reindeer as well as Christmas carolers dressed in costumes. But Nathan's favorite part were all of the animals made out of lights. They were absolutely incredible and so fun to see.
Lit Up Bridge
The Iconic Lion Drinking Fountain
Nathan would giggle and laugh at all the animals and even though we only made it an hour before we were too frozen and left we had such a good time. And we will definitely be going back next year!
Monday, December 3, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thankful
I love the month of November. I love that fall is here and in full swing, I love the fallen leaves all over the ground and I love the crispness of the air. I also think of November as the calm before the storm. Between Halloween and Thanksgiving you get a few weeks of pre-holiday excitement/anticipation before the Holidays hit with full force.
For me it is the time that I start thinking about Christmas presents, fun Christmas traditions, the lights on Temple Square, and yummy food on Thanksgiving but more importantly it gives me time to think about what I am grateful for. I love how everyone on Facebook has been listing something they are thankful for everyday. I thought about doing it as well but I am just not that diligent so instead I am going to keep a running list of what I am thankful for this month. (The only order they are in is how they came to mind.)
I am Thankful For...
1. Nathan. 'Nuff said right? I am so thankful to have my little monkey in my life. Nathan has such an outgoing bubbly personality, he is so smart, he is such a goof. Oh how much I love my little guy.
2. Fall Leaves. I love the colors, the mess they leave on the sidewalks, the crunchy noise they make when you walk on them.
3. Coach Bags. What can I say I'm addicted.
4. Gilmore Girls. The one show you can watch over and over and over and it is still just as good as the first time you watched it.
5. My Job. I feel very lucky to have been able to find a job where I get to use Cad every day and do what I love.
6. Annie. She is the sweetest most loving dog I could have ever asked for.
7. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. This show saved us when Nathan was having seizures and wouldn't stop crying. Pop on an episode of Mickey and you could get a solid 20 minutes without crying.
8. The Weather. I love that in Utah we get to have four seasons.
9. My Parents. My parents are everything to me. They are always there for me to laugh and cry with me. They have taught me to be the person I am today.
10. Pepsi. Some days it is the only thing that can get me through the workday without sleeping at my desk.
11. Chocolate Cake. Nothing makes you happy quite like chocolate cake.
12. My Marriage. They say that marriage is hard, wow they weren't kidding. But the best things in life are the things worth working for and that is definitely true about marriage. I am so thankful that Matt and I have tackled the hard times together and never given up. Yes there have been hard times but there have been even more amazing times filled with so much love. I'm so thankful for that.
13. Friends. I have been lucky to have made some amazing friends who really have shown me what true friendship is.
14. Digital Cameras. I love that you can take nine billion pictures of your crazy kid and then just delete the ones that don't turn out. I have been able to take so many fun pictures of Nathan throughout the past year. Remember the days of having to get your film developed? That is just crazy talk.
15. Matt. He is always there to cheer me up, to make me laugh, to confide in. He is my best friend and my rock and I don't know where I would be without him.
16. Temple Square. A place of beauty and peace when you feel like the world may be crashing down on you.
17. My Sisters. My sisters and truly my best friends. I'm so lucky to have such wonderful sisters.
18. Daycare. I am so thankful that Nathan's daycare is so good to him. Nathan loves the daycare workers and playing with all the kids and is always so happy when we drop him off. I love having peace of mind when I drop him off that he is taken care of and happy.
19. Books. Even though the Nook is so much more convenient I love to read actual books. I love the smell of books, turning the pages, getting caught on in the story, sneaking a preview of the ending because you can't wait any longer.
20. Grandparents. I am so grateful for the example that that they have set for me and the influence they have been on my life.
21. Baby Swings. I think Nathan may have spent 1/3 of the first six months of his life in his swing.
22. Modern Medicine. This is a big one for me this year. I am so grateful that the doctors were able to find a seizure medication to help Nathan. Every morning when my baby wakes up and is happy and healthy I remember how thankful that we have modern medicine.
23. In-laws. I am thankful for my in-laws and the love and support they are always giving Matt and I.
24. My Boss. I got lucky because my boss has actually turned in to one of my best friends. She is so fair and hard working and inspirational. She has also been so understanding with how much work I have missed due to Nathan's seizures. I couldn't ask for a better boss.
25. Carters. Hands down best place to buy baby clothes. It is my one stop shop!
26. Women's Rights. I'm grateful that I have rights. That I can vote and work alongside men and be seen as an equal. I'm grateful that I was able to get a degree and have the right to go after my dreams
27. Brother-in-laws. I didn't grow up with brothers but I love that I get to have them now. My brother-in-laws treat me just like their sister and I love knowing I always can count on them.
28. Prayers. I am thankful for the power of prayer and the comfort that it can bring. I am so thankful that I can freely and openly talk to my heavenly father and ask for his comfort and guidance.
29. My Religion. My religion is my rock, it is who I am and I feel so blessed to have the restored gospel in my life.
30. To be a Mother. There is been nothing more rewarding in my life than to be a mother. It has brought me the greatest joy and I am so thankful to be the mother to such an amazing boy.
For me it is the time that I start thinking about Christmas presents, fun Christmas traditions, the lights on Temple Square, and yummy food on Thanksgiving but more importantly it gives me time to think about what I am grateful for. I love how everyone on Facebook has been listing something they are thankful for everyday. I thought about doing it as well but I am just not that diligent so instead I am going to keep a running list of what I am thankful for this month. (The only order they are in is how they came to mind.)
I am Thankful For...
1. Nathan. 'Nuff said right? I am so thankful to have my little monkey in my life. Nathan has such an outgoing bubbly personality, he is so smart, he is such a goof. Oh how much I love my little guy.
2. Fall Leaves. I love the colors, the mess they leave on the sidewalks, the crunchy noise they make when you walk on them.
3. Coach Bags. What can I say I'm addicted.
4. Gilmore Girls. The one show you can watch over and over and over and it is still just as good as the first time you watched it.
5. My Job. I feel very lucky to have been able to find a job where I get to use Cad every day and do what I love.
6. Annie. She is the sweetest most loving dog I could have ever asked for.
7. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. This show saved us when Nathan was having seizures and wouldn't stop crying. Pop on an episode of Mickey and you could get a solid 20 minutes without crying.
8. The Weather. I love that in Utah we get to have four seasons.
9. My Parents. My parents are everything to me. They are always there for me to laugh and cry with me. They have taught me to be the person I am today.
10. Pepsi. Some days it is the only thing that can get me through the workday without sleeping at my desk.
11. Chocolate Cake. Nothing makes you happy quite like chocolate cake.
12. My Marriage. They say that marriage is hard, wow they weren't kidding. But the best things in life are the things worth working for and that is definitely true about marriage. I am so thankful that Matt and I have tackled the hard times together and never given up. Yes there have been hard times but there have been even more amazing times filled with so much love. I'm so thankful for that.
13. Friends. I have been lucky to have made some amazing friends who really have shown me what true friendship is.
14. Digital Cameras. I love that you can take nine billion pictures of your crazy kid and then just delete the ones that don't turn out. I have been able to take so many fun pictures of Nathan throughout the past year. Remember the days of having to get your film developed? That is just crazy talk.
15. Matt. He is always there to cheer me up, to make me laugh, to confide in. He is my best friend and my rock and I don't know where I would be without him.
16. Temple Square. A place of beauty and peace when you feel like the world may be crashing down on you.
17. My Sisters. My sisters and truly my best friends. I'm so lucky to have such wonderful sisters.
18. Daycare. I am so thankful that Nathan's daycare is so good to him. Nathan loves the daycare workers and playing with all the kids and is always so happy when we drop him off. I love having peace of mind when I drop him off that he is taken care of and happy.
19. Books. Even though the Nook is so much more convenient I love to read actual books. I love the smell of books, turning the pages, getting caught on in the story, sneaking a preview of the ending because you can't wait any longer.
20. Grandparents. I am so grateful for the example that that they have set for me and the influence they have been on my life.
21. Baby Swings. I think Nathan may have spent 1/3 of the first six months of his life in his swing.
22. Modern Medicine. This is a big one for me this year. I am so grateful that the doctors were able to find a seizure medication to help Nathan. Every morning when my baby wakes up and is happy and healthy I remember how thankful that we have modern medicine.
23. In-laws. I am thankful for my in-laws and the love and support they are always giving Matt and I.
24. My Boss. I got lucky because my boss has actually turned in to one of my best friends. She is so fair and hard working and inspirational. She has also been so understanding with how much work I have missed due to Nathan's seizures. I couldn't ask for a better boss.
25. Carters. Hands down best place to buy baby clothes. It is my one stop shop!
26. Women's Rights. I'm grateful that I have rights. That I can vote and work alongside men and be seen as an equal. I'm grateful that I was able to get a degree and have the right to go after my dreams
27. Brother-in-laws. I didn't grow up with brothers but I love that I get to have them now. My brother-in-laws treat me just like their sister and I love knowing I always can count on them.
28. Prayers. I am thankful for the power of prayer and the comfort that it can bring. I am so thankful that I can freely and openly talk to my heavenly father and ask for his comfort and guidance.
29. My Religion. My religion is my rock, it is who I am and I feel so blessed to have the restored gospel in my life.
30. To be a Mother. There is been nothing more rewarding in my life than to be a mother. It has brought me the greatest joy and I am so thankful to be the mother to such an amazing boy.
Friday, November 16, 2012
This Week
Someone ate my lunch at work. SERIOUSLY this is no joke. It could almost be straight out that book "It Was a Horrible No Good Very Bad Day". And they stole my Tupperware too! No good dirty rotten co-workers.
Nathan said "banana". What a stinking cutie. We were sitting in church feeding him massive amounts of banana flavored puffs when he looked up and Britt and I and said banana. So we asked "what did you say Nathan?" and he repeated banana two more times! I love my little smarty.
Because I am a procrastinator I failed to schedule Nathan's one year pictures. I know I know epic mom fail right there for you. The soonest appointment Fotofly had was Christmas Eve. But today I got back on the website just to double check and someone had cancelled their appointment for next Tuesday NIGHT which means both Matt and I can come. Boo-ya the stars have aligned!
I have accumulated 40 vacation hours at work plus one floating holiday! Woop Woop I'm saving it up for hopefully another maternity leave next year. Oh but I have burned through my sick (thank you daycare!) and only have 14 hours left ahhh. Hopefully none of us come down with the flu this winter.
Nathan had peanut butter for the first time. But sometimes I rock as a mother and gave him his first bite of peanut butter in an absolutely delightful peanut butter rice crispy treat with a chocolate peanut butter frosting that I successfully made up on my own. And ya he loved it, I wonder why!
Matt got to go to breakfast at Kneader's this morning with his co-workers. Apparently they are pretty awesome at the Brigham Apartments because they get to go to breakfast for people's birthdays. And apparently the french toast is all you can eat. Thanks for rubbing it in sweetie.
Have a great weekend!
Nathan said "banana". What a stinking cutie. We were sitting in church feeding him massive amounts of banana flavored puffs when he looked up and Britt and I and said banana. So we asked "what did you say Nathan?" and he repeated banana two more times! I love my little smarty.
Because I am a procrastinator I failed to schedule Nathan's one year pictures. I know I know epic mom fail right there for you. The soonest appointment Fotofly had was Christmas Eve. But today I got back on the website just to double check and someone had cancelled their appointment for next Tuesday NIGHT which means both Matt and I can come. Boo-ya the stars have aligned!
I have accumulated 40 vacation hours at work plus one floating holiday! Woop Woop I'm saving it up for hopefully another maternity leave next year. Oh but I have burned through my sick (thank you daycare!) and only have 14 hours left ahhh. Hopefully none of us come down with the flu this winter.
Nathan had peanut butter for the first time. But sometimes I rock as a mother and gave him his first bite of peanut butter in an absolutely delightful peanut butter rice crispy treat with a chocolate peanut butter frosting that I successfully made up on my own. And ya he loved it, I wonder why!
Matt got to go to breakfast at Kneader's this morning with his co-workers. Apparently they are pretty awesome at the Brigham Apartments because they get to go to breakfast for people's birthdays. And apparently the french toast is all you can eat. Thanks for rubbing it in sweetie.
Have a great weekend!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)