OH MY GOSH! IT IS FRIDAY!

So yeah, I have a lot of updating to do... who do you want me to start with?!?!?

I will start with Sydney since she has the oldest update... nothing major to report at all (Can you believe it?!) Although I have to still schedule her appointment to rule out/diagnose Central Auditory Processing Disorder. Mayve I should get off here and do that! Oh wait, they are probably on lunch. So... She had her follow up with her cardiologist.... Dr. Sara Ford at Hasbro. She is incredible. If you ever need a pediatric cardiologist, I totally recommend her. She is so easy going and HUMAN! HAHA! Great bedside manner. Totally easy to talk to. Everything went well for Sydney. Of course they could still hear her VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect = Murmur)(it will probably not ever close) and her WPW (Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome = Tachycardia, bad electrical pathway in the heart) which was officially cured in November 2008. Since she has gone this long since her ablation, she should be OK! I expressed my concerns about what would happen as she grows and hits puberty and what not and the doctor seemed very confident that everything will be OK! (but I am not going to be ignorant and assume that it is 100% true because I know there is still a percentage of it coming back) So, since I dont feel comfortable being discharged from cardiology and just have her cardiac stuff taken care of by the pediatrician (or whatever we happen to see at the Naval Clinic) she said COME BACK IN 2 YEARS! although, we wont be here. SO, She was able to give me the name of a friend of hers who is a pediatric cardiologist in Florida. So, all is well with Sydneys heart! (Although the other night, WEDNESDAY she told me her heart did a little jiggle.... oh boy. Guess I should write that on a calendar.)

ASHLEY: She had her appointment with the Pediatric Endocrinologist at Hasbro on Wednesday. Her thyroid is definitely "swollen" but he would not call it "enlarged". It is soft and palpable which means that there is no goiter present. All of her TSH levels were within normal limits (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) but the Naval Clinic did not complete a Thyroid Antibody test. So, she had to have that drawn by the Hasbro lab and we will find out in about a week the results of that. Should they be negative then we are good to go. If they come back positive, Ashley will have to have her thyroid levels drawn at least every year and we will just wait until her hormone levels are out of whack. Which would mean she would probably have the Hashimoto's Disease that I have. There is one big reason as to why her thyroid would be enlarged. It is often a precursor to puberty! *WHAT*... OH LORD.... Seriously...........................................

So... yeah.... the doctor had two students with him and they were also great. I dont mind students. Someone has to be their teacher.... and now not only is Sydney a teacher... now Ashley was. There are no physical signs of puberty yet! WHEW! BUT they told me that I was late to start... but that doesnt mean anything because kids now are starting so much earlier. Ashley was quite embarrassed that the doc had to check her parts for signs. It was pretty amazing to see how everythign worked at the pediatric endocrinologist. They measure the height 3 times! That is routine! They have to be EXACT when kids might have a hormonal problem! OH, and ... HAHAHA... When I went with Sydney to her neurologist many eons ago now, The doc measured my head because Sydney's head had measured big! Well... they found out why! .... Genetics.... Sydney has her momma's big potato head... so, because I have thyroid disease (Hashimotos Thyroiditis) the doc at one point reached over and felt my thyroid!! L O L... GLAD I can be so helpful! GOOD NEWS... he did NOT feel a goiter! LOL!
So, we will wait it out about a week and see what this blood lab shows.

After the appointment, I got Ashley a McFlurry at McDonalds... and they made the thing with the Shake ice cream! She was not happy. I was trying to give her something to enjoy after a less than enjoyable appointment and they made it with the SHAKE?!?!?!!? BOO ON MCDONALDS!

I have started the biggest loser challenge here on base. I will be weighing in on Mondays. My starting weight was 204. I hope to have at least a 2 lb weight loss on monday. I have been trying to make better choices with my eating. Eating my required fruits and veggies. Exercising regularly. I will be keeping you all posted on my progress! OH, and I have not eaten fast food in over a week which I think is a world record for me!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. IT IS FREEZING here today and the kids had a 90 minute delay for school because the wind had knocked power out. All the toys and garbage cans are blowing around my backyard. It is loud!

Mom knows best....

I sometimes question how well I know my children. I am sure I do not know them as much as I would like to know them.... I always get worried because I dont know what they are wearing everyday and GOD FORBID something happens to them, how would I know what to tell the police?
I would look like a BAD PARENT if I dont know! UGH.
I would stumble on my words trying to recall where their birth marks or scars are. This is something I feel I need to write down and photograph. Having 4 children, these things can get jumbled up!
So... how well do I know my children??? How do I know "Mom knows Best"?
Well... yesterday Ashley and Sydney had a dentist appointment. Ashley was a bit disgruntled when she came out... JUST like her mother. The novocaine really throws her for a loop. She is really bothered by it. JUST like her MOTHER. Anyways. As she was sitting waiting for her sister to be done, she was sitting next to me with a HUGE sulk on her face. (is sulk a word?) I felt bad because I know exactly how she is feeling. MISERABLE. Well. Then she swallowed. AND OH MY LORD... What did I SEE?!
IT LOOKED LIKE... SHE HAD AN ADAM's APPLE!!!!!! She swallowed AGAIN. THERE IT IS. BOB. UP AND DOWN.
PROTRUDING.
HUGE.
is it HUGE because she is a bean pole?
What is it?
IT HAS to be her thyroid.
She is only 9.
Why would she have a huge thyroid?
Maybe it is from the tick bites she had?
Could the tick bites enlarge her thyroid?
It is in the lymph system, so why not?
Where is Sydney?
I need to compare the two.
How long has it been like this?
I am a bad mom, why didnt I notice this before?
Was it like this last week?
Last month?
Oh, how much longer before Sydney comes out?
::::Worst case scenario runs through my mind:::::::
::::And again:::::
::::And again:::::
I need to make an appointment.
I cant make the appointment with her listening.
She will freak.
What is wrong with my kid?
OH PLEASE I CANT DEAL with something else.
PLEASE let it be simple.
...................................
ahh.... the wonders of the mind of a mother.
I made the appointment.
I scheduled it for Today.
That was another drama scene trying to get my kid to a simple appointment without having a track of hurdles to get over to get there.
FINALLY
We get to the appointment.
More Drama because I have the 2 littles with me.
Doc comes in.
Doesnt believe this is tick related as nothing came back from them.
Thyroid definitely enlarged.
Not astronomical but surely enlarged.
NOT common in a child this age.
Genetic predisposition doesnt make it impossible.
I have Hashimoto's.
Did I give my kid something?
I know genes are the inner workings of everything but DEAR GOD.. I brought this baby in the world so THIS IS MY FAULT.
Blood work.
should be back tomorrow.
Thyroid panel and blood count.
PLEASE DEAR LORD....
I hope this is "simple"
but whatever is in the stars we shall deal with.....

.....update tomorrow......

Hopefully.

Soccer 2009

I will add Kiley whenever we get her photos back!

Ashley is NOT tone deaf

Tonite while watching television we accidentally switched it to one of those local television stations that often has "fundraising" efforts to "save" the television station. I am sure you all know the channels I am speaking of.
Anyways... it was a beautiful accident to have landed on this station.
This station made bunch of amazing lightbulbs go on in Ashley's little 9 year old brain.
At the beginning of the school year Ashley had decided she wanted to be in the orchestra again and play her Violin. So... like the great mom that I am, I sent the paper back in to school.
THEN... we got the paperwork from the Band. She wanted to be in the band. We attempted to get her to understand the success she has had with her Violin and the opportunities out there for great violinists. We tried to explain what happens when you join the band and the opportunities for kids who are in the band vs. orchestra. Well. She is 9. That didnt matter. What matters is TODAY. So. I sent the paper in to the band director like the good mom that I am and she was selected to play the clarinet in the band. THEN... the day orchestra had practice, her teacher went down to her room and told Ashley she WAS going to be IN the ORCHESTRA. NOT band. She wasnt going to let Ashley go. Ashley of course was a bummed little 9 year old pretty much stomping her feet because she wanted to be in the band.
Of course at her age they cant quite grasp the idea that one day they will be 90 and look back and think "Maybe I should have stuck with the violin". No regrets right?
I tried to explain to Ashley that she could have the band instruments as a hobby and the Violin as her "job" so to speak. We would try and get our hands on some band instruments for FUN and she can just work with the orchestra teacher on getting her Violin lessons and skills.
That sort of made her happy. NOW Sydney has gotten the Cello so it is another instrument Ashley has been able to sort of toy with. She HAS the skills.
So. Tonite on our accidental television mishap... We stumbled upon a man named David Garrett who was playing his Violin... and he is INCREDIBLE. For a pledge of 70.00 you could get a ticket to his concert in Hartford. Well. We tried. My mom was going to purchase 2 tickets for Ashley as a birthday gift so I could bring her to see David. Well. We didnt get tickets. After much research tonite I know why. This man has set the world record for being the fastest violinist. He has been playing since he was 4 years old and has not mastered the Violin. He plays on a multimillion dollar Violin. Amazing. Ashley is enamored. She was SOLD when she heard him playing smooth criminal on his Violin. The lights went on. She GETS it... SHE SEES now what practice and hard work can get you. She pulled the seat closer to the television and was gone. She was in the zone. She has a new idol. When she got the opportunity she went to her room and reappeared in the living room with her trusty 3/4 Violin. She thought for a minute... and then... there it was.... she played the beginning of Michael Jackson's smooth criminal in under a minute. WITHOUT looking at anything. This child is amazing. She just might have some talent! I am SO glad she stuck with the violin and didnt act like she was so completely stuck in the mud and wasnt going to budge in her decision to join the band.
I hope to one day get her to see David Garrett but, I dont know that my wallet would survive a ticket sale!!! The 70.00 tickets were a DEAL.
My kid GETS IT... SHE SEES that she can play ANYTHING on her violin. She doesnt have to practice what the teacher shows them in their little handbook. SHE CAN DO IT. She can hear a note and quickly place it CORRECTLY on her instrument! She is incredible.

Sisters through and through....

I love how they love each other. I love that they miss each other when seperate. I love the love they have shown each other when reunited from experiences away from one another. They fight, they argue. They share, they care. They tattle on each other. They play with each other. They share bunkbeds but often you find them snuggled in one bed together. They worry about each other. They taunt one another. They compete. They suffer defeat with each other. They encourage one another. They are almost the same size. They do things together.

I love that they love each other.

Just some pictures....

Sydney was so proud of the cucumber she peeled all on her own! They have been having a blast playing on the (NEW) slip n' slide but they get COLD so fast.. as you can tell Kiley was FREEEEEZING
Like I said in my last post, Ashley is loving the thought of going back to school. She is so excited about all her new clothes and can't wait to show them off to her friends. (did we worry about this when we were in 4th grade? I dont think we did...)

CJ LOVES TOOLS... and now he ALSO loves THOMAS the Train...

Bell Family Updates

ME: I am trying to plan to get down to fleet and family service to figure out how I could go about getting some schooling done to become an RN. I graduated from URI in 1999 with a BS in Human Development and Family Studies but I am really drawn to medical stuff. It is all I ever have on TV. Chris always picks on me about having "The Placenta Channel" on all the time. So, I am hoping to find out something about how I can go about getting more education. Chris will be out of the Navy in a little over 5 years... so that is my time frame! Even though we will most likely be moving next July, I want to start getting the ball rolling in my education. (Again!)
I have my follow up on the 24th. I have not been taking my pills like I should be. I keep forgetting and have been trying to tweak a schedule that will work for me and bring me the most comfort. They arent major pills that I have to take. I do still take my Synthroid religiously but I need to put the Os-Cal (cant be taken with Synthroid) 2 times a day and the Prilosec. I have been getting some multivitamins in there as well. I was trying the Synthroid in the morning but it was making me feel like I had a swollen throat. BUT it also could have been a bout of allergies. Who knows, I am more comfortable with taking it at night. I have been anxious about the start of school and how our schedules will work out with the girls being at different schools. I have been at the base clinic over and over for appointments for everyone. I think they should have an open slot just for the Bell Family. I am getting a lot accomplished though. Slowly but surely.

Chris: This man makes me crazy. In a good way! He CLEP'd 9 Credits last week! SEriously?! This man has the elephant brain in this house! He is going to try and get Technical writing done today. If he passes, he will have 12 credits in a WEEK. That is like completing one semester in college in A WEEK.... He even CLEP'd BIOLOGY... WHAT?! GOOD LORD... I am so envious of his brains... but so proud of him. He is hoping to get his bachelors within the next year or so. He has the hard courses left... such as Calculus and what not. He is still really bummed that he didnt make Chief but is already getting his ducks in a row to hopefully make it next year. We should be able to start looking at orders for his next job in October. It will most likely end up including a move to the Norfolk, VA area.

Ashley: Her Lyme test came back negative but she is still having to take Doxycycline for the Ehrlichiosis. She had taken Amoxicillin in the beginning of the summer for the possibility of Lyme when we had removed the tick and she was symptomatic. They never ran blood work. Because her lymph nodes in her head were still enlarged after 4 weeks I had made the follow up appointment with an AWESOME doc who sent AShley for some labs which is where we found out the HGE was still high in her blood... so the antibiotic had not wiped it out. She is so excited about starting the 4th grade even though she is not accepted in to the Magnet school yet. I am hoping the schedules all work out and she can stay put if that is what she decides should her name make it to the top of the magnet school list. This should be our last year here and changing schools mid year is kind of silly. I guess you could say Ashley is our "Easy" one although she is getting that Tween attitude. I just got the book Care and Keeping of YOU from Paperback Swap at the recommendation of some of the moms on the MckForum. She is getting to the age where her peers are talking beyond their understanding and I am going to have to start explaining a bunch of this stuff to her... and most likely Sydney, at the same time. So, we have some reading to do!!! She just finished reading Coraline which was a cool comic book type book. I have to schedule her annual eye exam but I will not be returning to Pearle Vision so I have to look in to somewhere that I can bring them.

Sydney: I have been trying to set up a PPT... The school of course has not returned my phone call. The Neurologist and her Pediatrician recommended I set this up. She will also be meeting with a Sensory Integration person or something like that and also be getting a Psychological Evaluation done. We are also going to be getting her... hmmm... Good lord. Something else. Oh, Speech evalauation. Her report card came back at the end of the year saying she wasnt meeting grade level expectations in several different areas. So, we are going to see what is going on considering the Epilepsy and what not. And of course the year with the horrible teacher. Whatever. I am so confused as to what I should be doing and if it is going to be fruitless at the end of this journey. We will know her IQ! HAHA! So, it wont be completely fruitless. Either way, it is best we make sure everything is ok. If she had a great class this year I bet you we wouldnt even be having this journey! We have the Exceptional Family Member papers getting filled out and we will be waiting for all these other results to come back before we submit them. She wants to go to the Magnet school next year but chances are she will not be at the top of the lottery list before the beginning of the school year. Once again, we will be moving after this school year and dont know if it is worth it to move her mid year should her name come up. Once again, it all depends on the classroom situation. If I am not happy with it, then I would contamplate pulling her regardless of the fact we will possibly move next summer. She is still pretty happy go lucky!! Oh, and she is now also on Periactin for allergies which the ped thinks will work on Sydney's headaches when school starts. She has not complained much of having headaches since school got out.... coincidence? She also takes Nasonex and Singulair... they all have a specific job too which is why the periactin was added. So far so good.... it could make her tired and hungry so she takes it at bed time.

Kiley: We are getting her ready to start Kindergarten!! I am nervous. I am sad. I dont know if this is what I should be doing but the Pre-K was NOT enough for her. I know she will do ok. I am OK with it if she needs to repeat K next year because of her age or not meeting the expectations for the grade. I am worried about her getting on the bus by herself and crying. I dont want to watch the bus pull away with her with tears in her eyes. I wish one of the girls was also in the magnet school. I could pull her back to the local school but GOSH DARNIT... my kids deserve the BEST School in the District with the BEST teachers in the district. Why shouldnt my kids have the BEST equipped school and the BEST supplies... they have a nurse practitioner on staff, they have to walk every day with their class because it is a Wellness school... MY KIDS deserve it.. ALL of them. I wish there was some way I could get ALL of them in to the school before the beginning of the school year. Calling the schools now is NOT worth it... nobody is there. She has been having warts burned on her fingers which is not fun for her... and we found ANOTHER one on the bottom of her big toe. Grrr. I want them GONE. I dont want her to have anymore. I want the treatments to WORK. Ugh. We go back next week for her third time. First time for her toe.

CJ: He is in the QTEST kid contest for the local radio station and I think you should all vote for him a million times! He is # 102 in the 0-2 year category. I dont know what we would win but Gosh darnit.... whatever it is... we dont care, we just think he IS THE CUTEST! (except when having a melt down and decides to smack his head on the floor on purpose) PLEASE Vote for our little guy! Oh, and his name under his picture is Robert... because Robert is his REAL name!
He is going to miss his sissies when they all go to school. What am I going to do with just him?!
I went and had his exceptional family member papers filled out today for his Eczema and Allergies (peanut).... the doc wants him to go back to the dermatologist because of all the recent flare ups on my baby boy. I also have to get more aggressive with the lotion but he seems to hate me doing it.. I dont have eczema so I dont know if I am hurting him... he seems pretty uncomfortable when I do it and of course using hydrocortizone like it is going out of style isnt so cool either! He is finally getting better at being laid down in his bed to go to sleep without crying like a madman. He isnt too happy when we do but is settling down much better. He is asleep on my bed now for his nap because he was DIAPERLESS this morning. So, it begins!

I hope you are all having a wonderful Summer... mine has been full of medical appointments. As you can tell!!! School will start soon and we have entered the time of "No More's"
Meaning... No more August 11th's in Connecticut. No More 1st days of school in CT.... That is how we will be rolling until next July......

I want to always remember this...

Tonite when we were driving back from one of our Walmart adventures the girls were talking about what they are going to name their babies. Usually they come up with crazy non-human names for their babies. Tonite was different. I guess I will tell you the conversation started with us talking about our initials because I saw a car in the Walmart parking lot that had 3 letters which were EGL. Those were my initials growing up before I got married... Erin Gray Lannon.
So, the girls were asking us to say their initials in word form... AGB, SJB, KCB, RCB Jr.... Then daddy is RCB Sr. and I am ELB.
I told the girls that one of them needed to marry a man with the last name beginning with F.... and then name their baby William Thomas.... or, Winifred Theodora... so that the initials would be WTF.... They had no clue what I meant but it really got the ball rolling... for SERIOUS names this time! For ONCE... our grandchildren will not be named Doo Doo... or something.
Ashley is SO funny.... She is DEAD serious that her daughter will be named Sandy. And if she has a little boy, his name will be DANNY!!! ROFLOL.... Seriously?
Cute. She loves Grease and even got a jacket for back to school which is a super soft metallic gray color... which she says is from GREASE.... and not only from GREASE.... it is also like her new favorite singer's coat. Michael Jackson...
Funny Gal..

Tonite, Sydney will be naming her children Zoey... (which would have been CJ's name if he was a girl) or Robert... like daddy and brother.

playing with picasa