Summer break

Today was the kids 1st day of their summer break! I now have me a big ol 2nd grader and I couldnt be more proud of my lil man, he did really good this year and we where blessed with such a wonderful teacher! He got chosen to be a weather man or news reporter for their morning school videoed news for the 2008-2009 school year and he is super excited about that and I cant wait to see it myself, since he tends to be on the major shy side so it ought to be interesting. But hey it might bring him out of his shell a little more.


As for Cami she is on the same schedule as Caleb and thats and all year round school so she will start back at her Preschool when he does and thats on July 21st. They get 6 weeks off. She will NOT be having any services this summer, they told me they only offer speech and it would be at another school and is only offered for 4 weeks. We will be gone on vacation for 2 of those weeks so I decided not to do it. SO I instead loaded myself up on the signs they really are wanting her to do and have them posted in the kitchen so I can work on them with her everyday. I pray she doesnt regress!

Oh speaking of signing it brings me to the big news of the week, Cami signed her 1st sentence to me 2 nights ago. We where sitting at the table eating supper and she signed to me "Mama, All Done" I about fell over and was overwhelmed with excitement for my girl. She is finally getting it and maybe she will start communicating to me this way instead of me trying to figure out her different whining. I'm so proud of my girl I know this is the start of many great things :)

Now to the sleeping med I have to say I was about to give up but once we upped it she has done wonderful. She usually falls asleep around 10ish then we put her in her bed and she actually sleeps there until 6:30am its been wonderful having the bed all to ourselves! I sometimes here her moving around but its not alot like it use to be and I dont think the tossing and turning is waking her up because if it did she would be in bed with us so I hope this too is a new beginning!
Yesterday in fact with her having such a great night sleep and a 2 hour nap she was in the best mood just happy as she could be and signing away. So maybe the sleep issues where holding her back!

Well thats about all I have right now! I hope everyone has a wonderful summer and enjoy the kids while they are out we have many camping trips planned out, boating, fishing, Aquarium trip and library activities which Caleb loves and just trying to keep them entertained for 6 weeks. So Happy Summer breaking :)

Just me being me.....

SO we have upped the med to 2mls now and she seems to be sleeping a little better but is still waking during the night not really sure how often though I've not been sleeping well so when I do sleep its a hard sleep! Why you may ask and that will lead me into the story of me just being me....a very paranoid person....LOL!



Well this will take us back till 2 Mondays ago. I of course was home alone that night with the kids it was Jason's night at the fire dept. And as I always say things always happen when he is away. Well here's the story our house alarm went off at 12:45 a.m. just 30 minutes after I fell asleep. Me of course very alarmed jumps out of the bed runs to the other end of the house grabs Caleb and the telephone and locks ourselves in Camis room! My heart is racing a hundred miles an hour just thinking that I probably just ran through where this person was to get to my kids but I didn't care my kids safety was 1st thing on my mind.

So the alarm continues going off for about 10 minutes then shuts off. I'm trying to remain quiet as possible then pick up the phone and try dialing out and you guessed it no dial tone panic has now overcome me but I'm not letting it show to Caleb....Cami is still sound asleep. So I think ok well the alarm people will call the police so just wait and stay calm. Well 30 minutes later there we still sit. Caleb at this point is wondering why I have woken him up and is ready to go back to bed, I say no because we are fixing to go out the window then I look up and see the baby monitor sitting there turned on.....Crud whoever may or may not be in the house just heard my idea so I go over and turn it off. Then open the window push out the screen grab Cami hand her to Caleb said don't move. I jump out the window which if I'm standing outside lets just say its over my head and I'm 5'9. Anyhow I say hand me Cami and I then grab him and off I run like a mad woman barefoot with two kids in my arms to our neighbors who is a cop. That's when the tears started to flow, I was scared outta my mind!
I don't know what they where thinking having someone beat on their door that early in the morning but they answer the door call the cops 2 minutes later there where 3 cars flying up at my house. They get out run around the house guns and flashlights drawn searching the outside. They say clear and call me over asked me if I was the one who came out the window I say yes. They asked me what happened I tell them. They asked me if I had a key to get back in.
Now that's when I wanted to say real smart like, "Yeah right here with my purse and cell phone". But I said no and that my husband was at work and they asked me how I was going to get back in? At that point that wasn't even a concern to me!!!! They said we can go get a key from your husband or you can go in back through the window. Where I then say "You can go in through the window but I'm not" so they do and search the inside everything was clear.
Ok as of now the whole neighborhood of dogs is going nuts, we have 4 next door to us and yes I do have a dog and where you might ask was she. Well she was in the back yard laying in her dog house, the cop shined his flashlight back there and she just looked up at him then layed back down...What a guard dog!!!
Well I couldn't get over the shakes so me and the kids stayed at my in laws for the remainder of the night which by now it was 3am. Ok so next morning we get home when Jason gets in from work and he calls the alarm company. They said they see where it went off and it was because our phone went out causing it to set off but they don't call anyone for that reason. Ok so what if someone cuts out lines???? Hello what the heck are we paying these people for? We have had this alarm company for 6 years now and they call if our electricity goes out from a storm so why not for the obvious? And what really got Jason is how they didn't even call his cell phone like they are suppose to when it goes off. Maybe had that have happened I wouldn't have had to go out the window because he would have been in route to us! Uggghhhhhh!

Well I kept the kids home that day because we where up all night so we slept most of the day away. Then I get up to take a bath and while removing my sweatshirt I noticed my arm was hurting I look down and I have the hugest bruise on my right arm I'm guessing from my leap out the window. Then I notice that I have small bruises all over the bottoms of my feet from running barefoot through the rocks. Guess my adrenaline was running that I didn't even notice I got hurt!




Super Mom....LOL....I didn't know I had it in me but when it comes to my kids anythings possible!

We need sleep...

Ok so the med worked good for one night! I waited the week as instructed and raised the dose last night and it seemed to make her scream out even more. We could not touch her to console her if so she would just scream even more. I just dont think this med is going to work but I'm willing to give it a few more weeks to let her get adjusted to the new dosage. Its got her all messed up she has become more irritable in the afternoons and more attatched if thats even possible. We have noticed her doing a "chill" or "shiver" if you will since starting this med not sure if its something new she just likes to do or if its something else. So we are off to report to the Dr.s again I'm just at loss for words I feel like we are starting this all over again. One thing always leads into another.

We are fastly approaching the end of the school year and Caleb is thrilled! He cant wait for the summer break to begin. I'm in the process of looking into Camerans summer school plans. Not sure how it all works but I will update soon as I find out something. I'm sorry I've not posted in a while but I had an incident this week that I am still trying to get over I will post about that soon as well! Lets just say its another crazy thing added to my book of shame....LOL!

Appeal Denied

Well I got the papers in today on the bed regarding the appeal we filed and I just want to scream! It says its been viewed by a UHC Field Medical director and he made the following determination: The plan pays for Durable Medical Equipment(DME) that is:
*Ordered or provided by a Physician for outpatient use;
*Used for medical purposes;
*Not consumable or disposable;
*Not of use to a person in the absence of a sickness, Injury or disability;
*Durable enough to withstand repeated use; and
*Appropriate for use in the home.
This bed does not meet the above criteria in that it can be used by anyone. Therefore, no benefits are available under this plan.

What kind of crap is that? I am so fed up with insurance and cant wait for the July window to open up for a change to another company! Ugghhhhhh! If the insurance had all these standards they follow why in the world did they give the approval for something they had no intentions on paying? In what way is she not using it for its purpose? And the Dr. did write a script for it in which they cant even approve the bed if they dont have it. And it not being used for repeated use she sleeps in the thing every night! I am so confused???????

How shes doing?

Well seems she tolerated the med well and had a very peaceful sleep from 9:30-3:45, man that was great! She didn't do any of the jumping and flipping around when I got her down so that was nice. After 3:45 she was back to her normal flipping and flopping and crying out but man I was just excited that she got 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep. I hope it continues!!!! She did however have a foggy morning of this .....LOL, poor gal her body will adjust in a few days!

I got her report in the mail here's what it says.

Camerans test showed no evidence of obstructive sleep apnea(hypopnea index= 0.3, normal is less than 1). The total number of breathing disturbances per hour was elevated above the normal(2.1; normal is less than 1), but a majority of these events were "central" apnea's, which are normal, particularly during REM sleep. The minimum oxygen saturation was 85%, though this was an isolated reading. The number of awakenings or "arousals" throughout the night was 21 per hour (arousal index+21.3). She had a decreased amount of stage 3/4 or "deep" or "delta wave" sleep.

It says the next step is to start her on gabapentin(Neurontim), a seizure medication that we often use for patients with an increased number of "spontaneous" awakenings. It is used at a lower dose than if used to control seizures and seems to improve sleep quality and increase the amount of Stage 3/4 sleep. Start the medication at 50mg nightly. Increase the dose to 100mg nightly after one week if you feel Cameran is tolerating it and it seems to be helping. Follow up with progress.

Sleeping med

So the med they put her on is called Neurontin. I'm still researching looks to be used mainly for seizures and pain do to shingles or something like that. Does anybody have any experience with this drug for sleep issues? Not sure what to think guess we will see how it works!

Sleep Study Reults

The results are in and they are surprising! You have 5 stages of sleep Stage 1 and 2 is your light sleep, stage 3 and 4 your deep sleep and then REM(rapid eye movement sleep)this is the stage when most dreams occur.

So they say Cameran stays in the light sleep and then the other 30% of the time she is in the dream sleep. Said that she awoke 21-22 times per HOUR....That is crazy, is she getting any sleep? That's per hour not whole sleeping night!

They tested her for sleep apnea said that above 1 is abnormal and hers was 2.1 BUT that was only during her dream stage which does not worry them. Her EKG looked good and no seizures where found so that is great news!!!!

They are putting her on a seizure sleeping med I don't know the name if it yet but I will let you know as soon as I get it which will be today! They are starting her out on 50mg a night then will increase it in 2 weeks time to 100mg if needed. They will only keep her on this med for a few months just trying to get her use to a deep sleep and then they will pull her off of it in hopes that she remains getting the sleep she needs without the med. Said the only side effect to the med is sleepiness which is what she needs...well at night that is!

So that is it so glad to finally have that over with. Now I hope my baby girl can get some much needed sleep and mommy and daddy too!!!! I'll keep you all updated on how it goes.

Heres some more info on the sleeping stages:
Stages of Sleep
Usually sleepers pass through five stages: 1, 2, 3, 4 and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. These stages progress cyclically from 1 through REM then begin again with stage 1. A complete sleep cycle takes an average of 90 to 110 minutes. The first sleep cycles each night have relatively short REM sleeps and long periods of deep sleep but later in the night, REM periods lengthen and deep sleep time decreases.

Stage 1 is light sleep where you drift in and out of sleep and can be awakened easily. In this stage, the eyes move slowly and muscle activity slows. During this stage, many people experience sudden muscle contractions preceded by a sensation of falling.

In stage 2, eye movement stops and brain waves become slower with only an occasional burst of rapid brain waves. When a person enters stage 3, extremely slow brain waves called delta waves are interspersed with smaller, faster waves. In stage 4, the brain produces delta waves almost exclusively. Stages 3 and 4 are referred to as deep sleep, and it is very difficult to wake someone from them. In deep sleep, there is no eye movement or muscle activity. This is when some children experience bedwetting, sleepwalking or night terrors.

In the REM period, breathing becomes more rapid, irregular and shallow, eyes jerk rapidly and limb muscles are temporarily paralyzed. Brain waves during this stage increase to levels experienced when a person is awake. Also, heart rate increases, blood pressure rises and the body loses some of the ability to regulate its temperature. This is the time when most dreams occur, and, if awoken during REM sleep, a person can remember the dreams. Most people experience three to five intervals of REM sleep each night.

Infants spend almost 50% of their time in REM sleep. Adults spend nearly half of sleep time in stage 2, about 20% in REM and the other 30% is divided between the other three stages. Older adults spend progressively less time in REM sleep.



As sleep research is still a relatively young field, scientists did not discover REM sleep until 1953 when new machines were developed to monitor brain activity. Before this discovery it was believed that most brain activity ceased during sleep. Since then, scientists have also disproved the idea that deprivation of REM sleep can lead to insanity and have found that lack of REM sleep can alleviate clinical depression although they do not know why. Recent theories link REM sleep to learning and memory.

Little bit of Luck!

Ok so I have to say we are typically not the people you would consider having "good luck" as far as winning things goes. So we where thrilled on Saturday when it seemed our luck had changed!


This past Saturday Caleb and Jason(hubby) went to the local MS walk with my mother-in-law who has MS we do this yearly and its for a great cause, she amazes me everyday with her strengths. Unfortunately Cami and I didnt get to attend this year since she has an ear infection and sinus infection and it was rainy that morning. So Jason sends me pics throughout the walk of different things they are doing and the last one I get is the following.

At the walk they are doing a raffle for Belks shopping sprees of $100 well they get to the last one and call out Calebs number and he has won a $500 shopping spree to Belks. Now imagine this, the ticket that he had was given to him by 2 women that said they couldnt stay and handed him some tickets one of which was the winner. So later that evening we made it to Belks and did our shopping which took 3 hours. You know $500 doesnt seem like much until you get there and learn you have to spend it all at once, we where running out of things to buy that we like. This store is huge but prices we learn are big, I often found myself not wanting to get some things because of the cost even though we werent paying for it. Weird I know but when I know I can get that same pair of shorts for $7.00 at Carters or Childrens Place I couldnt see myself paying $20.00+ for them. I got the kids some really great things though and Jason got him some much needed clothes I only bought 3 items. Jason told me after we where done that "This is my dream come true a shopping spree and I only bought 3 things". But honestly I didnt mind they needed stuff way more than I.

So afterwards we stopped over at our Avenue(shopping center) and bought the kids a cookie and a drink for being so patient. 3 hours is alot to ask of a kid in 1 store, Caleb was so over done but Cami did really well, she wanted to go up and down the escelators and heaven forbid we walk pass them and not take her.



Well the day continues and we decide to try out the lottery since its been a good day so far. So we stop at the gas station and buy 5 powerball picks. 1 I choose the numbers, 1 Caleb chose the numbers, 1 Jason did, 1 I did of the kids B-days and one Quick pick. Well have you know when we got home and checked the numbers Jasons pick had won. He got 4 out of 5 numbers so he had won $100 but because it was the x5 he won $500.00. We couldnt believe it I mean what are the odds to win 2 500's in 1 day. What made him really squirm was that he was 1 number off from the million dollar win, man that would have been nice! But what we got was plenty enough for me!

Must have been our lucky day probably want happen again for another 7 years....LOL!

Newest on Cami

Ok well here is my update on Cami sorry its long overdue, its been a crazy week.
We've celebrated her 1 year seizure free, had her 1st meeting with her OT, started her full time at school, TCAP testing with Caleb all last week I was a proctor so I was there everyday and then we managed to squeeze in another wonderful camping memory in our book this past weekend. What a way to end the busy week!!!!!

So I'll start with her party, it was the sweetest memory for her. I took her a cake and a huge flower balloon up to her school to let her friends celebrate with us. I got some amazing pics(thanks Mrs. Mandy) and they had also sang a song for Cameran called Happy Seizure Free Day Cami sang in the Happy Birthday tune! It was the sweetest! So here are those photos:

Me and Cami


Some hand over hand feeding


Trying to figure it out


There you go Cami....Look what she can do


I love this picture:


Yummy


Her class friends


I love my balloon...she kept rubbing it!


Some smiles for my little sunshine

Thanks for celebrating the day with us!



We had a meeting with her OT and PT where we discussed where Cameran is at and go over their Evaluations. Physical Therapy part went really well basically she is doing well far as her movement that she doesn't need it anymore. She is where she needs to be, super news!!!!!
Now for her OT report: She transitions well for her time with the OT. It goes on to say Cameran was able to attend to most tasks for about 15 to 30 SECONDS. She became easily frustrated when she could not complete a task that was given to her. If she couldn't attempt the task she seeked help from the evaluator and if she didn't assist Cami would get mad and start throwing the objects. She was able to follow simple one handed verbal directions with modeling. Cameran is a very bright 3 yr old and she used her eyes and body language to communicate with the evaluator. She was very consistent with what she wanted to convey and overall, she was able to cooperate with OT in order to get an adequate evaluation.

Neuromuscular and Gross Motor observation:
Camerans muscle tone was observed to be low, however within functional limits. Although not formally assessed, she has full range of motion in both upper extremities. Cameran has a lack of joint stability and she displays scapula winging. However, she is able to compensate for her instability.


Fine Motor Skills:
Cameran picked up small objects using a raking grasp and an immature pincer grasp pattern. She was not able to twist off the cap during the fine motor assessment. However she was able to pull off the top and place objects inside the bottle using an immature pincer grasp. She had difficulty demonstrating isolated finger movements. When stacking 1 inch blocks Cami stacked one block on top of the other with her right hand. She did not utilize a controlled release instead she demonstrated increased pressure with complete extension of her elbow as if she were slamming the blocks into place. Cami was able to place one shape into the correct puzzle slot using a trial error method. However she was not able to place any pegs into the peg holes utilizing the same method. She did not cross mid line when stacking blocks or when attempting the puzzle.

Pencil and Paper skills:
Cami colors with her right hand using a palmar grasp pattern. She was not able to to imitate horizontal strokes, but she does scribble. She displays weak muscle development in her hands.

Sensory Processing Tactile: Cameran is often sensory seeking needing to chew and place objects in her mouth. She does not want to touch certain consistencies and textures. She does prefer no clothing and no shoes.

Vestibular: Cameran seeks movement. She likes to run and about freely.

Hearing: Cameran appears to like noise and she makes squealing sounds to express her emotions.

According to the PDMS-2, Cameran's Visual Motor Subtest scores fall within the very poor performance range. This score translates to the age equivalent of a 2 year old. Cameran is often sensory seeking and appears to be tactile defensive.

She will have OT weekly and started school full time this week, so far she has been very clingy to me not wanting to go but once I leave they say she does pretty good. I got a call yesterday from her teacher requesting another pair of shoes because during potty time she stuck her foot into the potty with her new pair of brown leather sandals..... Ackkkkk! Today I took her and then she called me saying Cami was running temp so she is at home but I've not seen a temp yet but she does have a runny nose.



She has been playing with glue, markers, paint, beans and she loves it all. I'm working on colors with her here at home and having her point out pics of aniamls....shes doing it somewhat and she knows the sign for dog....she pats her right leg its the cutest!
Around here at home I've noticed a few changes in her. Shes become more interested in T.V. mainly cartoons that sing. Like Spongebob she just loves to watch the song they sing when its coming on and then shes done but I love how she is slowing down to pay attention. Outside she started a couple new things this week. She has figured out how to climb up the ladder on the play set all by herself(we are in trouble) and she also figured out how to swing herself on the big kid swing. She lays on her belly the runs forward then lifts her feet up and swings back and forth. I'll have to get some pics of her showing off her new talents.

Her balance has greatly improved, she can walk up stairs foot over foot motion holding onto the rail, she can kick a ball with out losing her balance and she can run like the wind and tackles her brother to the ground. She still has the no sense of fear in her in which the PT mentioned but in time I imagine that too will just be a thing of the past! Shes doing great!

Goofy boy

Oh Caleb hes at such an intresting age. Exploring, learning how to read and just all around trying to understand the world! Some recent conversations of ours makes me love being a mom all that more!



Where is In the Middle of Nowhere? This is something I hear him talk about all the time actually its every other day that I hear these conversations.

Caleb says: Momma one day I would like to go to the middle of no where to see what it looks like! What do you recon is out there in the middle of no where?
Me: There are probably lots of things like trees, grass and sometimes houses.
Caleb: well how can people live out in the middle of nowhere, how would they get food?
Me: They would have to drive to a store.
Caleb: What if in Tennessee there were no stores or restraunts then what would we do?
Me: Then maybe no one would want to live in Tennessee, or maybe we would have to grow a garden and hunt our own food to live.
Caleb: Well I think I would just like to go see that sometime.

Next day in the car on the way home from school he says will this road take you to the middle of nowhere? If you had a tornado out there in the middle of nowhere would it tear anything up?
Me: yes there are still trees out there
Caleb: well what if there wasnt anything?

I'm telling you the questions just go on and on.

Yesterdays car conversation was about Butterflys. This is what they are learning about this week along with other insects and plants.
He asked me momma do butterflys make butter?
Me: I am about to die laughing trying to explain that no butterflys dont make butter.
Caleb: But it says butter then fly
Me: I'm not sure why they call it a butterfly but thats not where butter comes from.
Caleb: well my backpack goes on my back and see the 1st word says back and thats what it does and its a pack like what you put your stuff in.
Me: I'm stuck I didnt no what to say so I changed the subject!
Where do they come up with this stuff?
Kids say the darndest things!!!! But man do I adore these conversations!

Heres a few pics of him from our camping trip this weekend just being a silly ol boy!





He must get it from his daddy....Teehee.....


I'm so gonna pay for that one...LOL!

Time to Celebrate!

On April 15th marks 1 year since Camerans had a seizure! We are so thrilled, as this is a huge milestone for Cami!!!!!!! She has come so far and has made lots of progress this past year. Just watching her play with her brother seems different she has so much light in her eyes. My goal for her last year was for her to interact with us and I'm thrilled to say she has achieved that goal. She may not be able to talk to us but she has shown a communication to us in her very own way. Just her showing interest in what we are doing is huge. I'm so proud of my baby girl!!!!




I will be bringing a cake to her school tomorrow so they can help us celebrate this mark in her life. She is doing so well in pre-school and is making progress there as well, she starts full time next week so I cant wait to see what she shows us next. We have such high hopes for our baby girl and just having her beat those nasty seizures so early was a miracle.

We love you Cami!!!

Glad....

To have that Sleep Study behind us now we just wait for the results.



We went in Monday evening to The Vanderbilt Marriott Hotel, very very nice room. Nothing like I was expecting, big room double beds. Some reason I was thinking hospital room with a roll out cot for me to sleep on. We where told that only one parent was aloud to stay and no co sleeping with the child during the study. Turned out to all be the opposite. My hubby got to stay and they asked me to sleep with Cami to keep her from getting wrapped up in all the cords.

We arrived at 7:30pm they came in at 8:00 asked about her bed routines and of her normal bed time which I told them is typically between 9-9:30. SO he came in at 9:45 she had just fell asleep he asked how long she had been asleep I said a few minutes so he said he would come back in 30-45 minutes to let her get into a deep sleep before hooking her up. He told me I probably wouldn't get much sleep that night and he was right I got little to no sleep.



I was already so nervous because now I am in full view of the camera and a speaker hooked to her bed hearing every drop of sound. Anyhow he made it in to hook her up around 10:15 who knew it would take over an hour of hook-up it was very similar to an EEG for those that have been through that torture and mess. They put about 20 electrodes around her head, face, chin and chest. They then put too straps around her chest watching her breathing. She started to wake during that part so he stopped for a minute then moved down to attempt the leg electrodes which she did not like. She started flipping and flopping in her sleep and immediately started getting tangled so he said it wasn't worth the risk so he took them off. Since she woke up a little bit and then managed to pull a few of those wires out of her hair he said he would come back when she was back asleep again. That was another 30 minutes now its after midnight and I'm exhausted and thinking how much worse it will be if I drift off to sleep because I will be snoring up a storm. How embarrassing, all I could think was them coming in to check on who was the snorer...LOL!

Anyhow he came back in and fixed the head and chest electrodes she pulled out then wrapped them all in a long braid. I was shocked he didn't wrap her head in the mummy fold I think it wold have held better. He also put the pulse thing on her toe and that was the piece that kept falling off all night long. Weird having a strange man coming and lifting the covers to fix that thing every time she kicked it off which was like every 20 minutes. She did lots of tossing and turning and crying out in her sleep so he asked that I sleep with her to keep her from getting tangled in that braid. She managed to pull out some of the electrodes in her hair so he would come in and re-glue those back on......It was a loooong night and an early morning. He came in at 5:45 and started taking the things off of her of course she woke up screaming mad because she is tired and is awaken by tugging of her hair. I immediately start thinking of Dawsons dad saying that out of all the technology out there, there has to be an easier way of going about this. It took me 4 washes of shampoo to get that glue out of her hair and 2 baths and to get all that sticky tape stuff off of her legs and chest. What a pain! But the guy was super super nice an English man I just loved his accent and they took very good care of us. He was funny because he said Cami would probably grow up speaking like an English man after all that horror! he then told us it would take 2-3 weeks for the results because it has to run through allot of people and they have to watch every second of the night with different specialists. So now we just wait and catch up on our sleep!

Autism...

For a good cause!
Since April is Autism Awareness Month, Chevrolet has decided to donate to autismspeaks.org EVERYTIME someone goes to the below site and watches the video. Heres the site just copy and paste it into your URL!

http://www.chevrolet.com/autismspeaks/?evar10=autismspeaks_chevy

Thats all you have to do!!! For every view that is logged, Chevy is going to donate money!!!! Simple as that!

What a great week....

Of Camping in Gatlinburg, Tn!

The temperature for this trip couldn't have been more perfect for our first long travel with the camper. The kids had a great time and man did we have the best spot on the campground. Set right on the edge of the creek, it was beautiful! We got to stay for 5 days at Jellystone Park which was very kid orientated it was perfect. They had their very own movie theater that played movies every night, putt-putt course 9 holes you couldnt ask for it to be any better, on 18 holes I think they start to lose interest. They had their very own game room which we tried out quite often. Me and Jason ended up playing quite a bit of rounds of pool and we even attempted the dancing machine....don't know how the kids do it, but it was funny to try it out. It was real quite around the campground we stayed in the days it rained when everyone else took the opportunity to sight see the shops and such. So we had the place pretty much to ourselves which was wonderful! The days it didn't rain we took hikes around our camping site, then took a drive up in the mountains too see all Gods great beauty! On the way up the Mountain Cameran kept saying Up Up Up it was the cutest. When we got back to the camp she came up to me saying Up up up holding her arms up at me wanting me to hold her brought tears to my eyes, her 1st real request. She did really great while we where there we thought it was going to be a constant battle chasing her but instead she surprised us and stayed right around our camper site. She played ball and if it bounced off she would only go as far as our car then wait for us to get it for her. She loved the creek also but would only go down the rocks when we took her down and she loved putting her feet in the water. The only problem we really had out of her was the fire she kept showing lots of interest in it which scared us to death.
We did get a visit from Yogi bear himself and Caleb was thrilled. He came to our site and at the time Cami didn't see him and we got a few pics with him and the kids. He came back around for a 2nd time and we couldn't get her near him she was backing up fussing. SO woo hoo for her 1st fuss at a stranger...bear that is....LOL!

Of course we took out a day of fun and headed to Pigeon Forge where its nothing but games galore! You have tons of putt-putt courses, go carts galore, laser tag, bungee and lifts for the more adventurous and shopping! Lots and lots to do, we tried out the Dinosaur boat ride which was interesting very loud and smokey but it was a neat experience but not worth the money for a 10 minute ride.

Gatlinburg is such a great spot for family time and this was our first time camping there which was so much fun. Specially with the creek it was so peaceful just listening to that water run all day. Caleb spent most of his time playing in the creek tossing rocks and sticks in to watch them wash away. I captured lots of beautiful pictures! So I hope you all enjoy them!!!!

Troubles in Louisiana

We are still here at my moms in Louisiana, we leave out tomorrow to go back home. I have really enjoyed my time here but I am so ready to go home! Cami has been in complete destruction mode since we have been here. Caleb has been sick with a cold all week and their heavy pollen down here is making it so much worse! On top of all that they both have had poor appetites since we have been here. Neither wanting to eat much of anything in fact its a daily struggle I'm just ready to give up. Its either mac n cheese or grill cheese this week, how much cheese can one person have! Sounds like a riddle. Oh and I bought hot dogs the kids favorite but it wasnt their normal kind Oscar myer with cheese in the middle. Instead I had to get what the store had and it was ball park hot dogs with cheese. Well have you know that neither one of my kids will touch the stinkin things! They are both so picky.

Now my last complaint will be is why do kids always come down with stuff while you are out of town? Story Caleb has been off and on complaining of leg pain in both his legs for about 2 months we always just thought growing pains. Well we get down here and on Tuesday morning he wakes up crying that his legs hurt the boy wouldnt even walk on them. Cried if I touched them and he had bruises up and down his legs. Well I call his Pediatrician and they just ask me a ton of questions. He then instructed me to take him to the nearest walk in clinic and have them run a CBC! SO this is 4:30 in the afternoon. My sister comes and picks us all up takes us to a clinic they know and I go in the woman is talking on her cell phone and just says real quick like are you new I say yes and she points to the papers for me to fill out. So me and Caleb are sitting and filling out papers for about 10-15 minutes I get up to give them to her and tell her the situation and she says oh why didnt you tell me they needed a lab ours closed at 5:00! I say well you where on the phone when I walked in. I just sat there and filled all these papers out for no reason. She said oh I will just shred it, she said you will have to go down the road here to Quick Care! Ok I'm so name dropping this place because it was the worst.... THE WORST place I have ever in my life been to. So if you are ever in Shreveport, La and need to see a Dr never got to Quick Care and see a Dr. Smith! I stayed only because I was worried for Caleb. Anyhow the Dr. was so incredibly rude that I couldnt believe he was even a Dr.

He says why would your Dr. wait till you got out of town before he started to run a test for the possibility of Leukemia. I'm like what I didnt even get that impression from our Dr. just maybe it was low sugar or something. SO I start to freak out a little bit. He just went on and on ranting about our Dr. when I'm trying to defend. Calebs Dr. didnt even know the pains he was having till Thursday when I took him in for his temp from a cold the day before we left. Which we didnt even see his regular Dr. it was a different one and the Dr says well was it in the same clinic I say yes, He says you recon they read from the same file. I said I guess so but I then say do you read your patients full file before seeing them, in which it wouldnt even matter because this leg issue was just brought up last week. Anyhow they run the test and it is now 6:00 and we are suppose to be meeting at my sisters house for a grill out. So I ask the dr. if I can send my sister home with Caleb and Cami and my neice while I wait for the results. He said just about as rudely as someone could possibly get No cause if he dose have Leukemia we are sending him to our Hospital or St. Judes....My response....Ummm no hes not going anywhere if he has something I will take him where I know we would get some descent care, he then slammed the door. I was furious! We waited 40 minutes and the test all came back fine his HGB hemoglobin was a little low but that was it. Have you know on Calebs papers he wrote injury most likely from just being a boy! Accckkkkk......I will never never never take my kids to another Dr. in Louisiana! My sister said she has had to see him before and said he was that way with her. SO why does this guy still have a license?

SO let me finally say that I'm so thankful for all the wonderful Dr.s we have in our lives who deeply care for my children! We have been blessed with a wonderful Pediatrician and Neurologist!

Happy Spring

Well today is Caleb and Camerans last day of school for 2 weeks for Spring Break, they are on a all year round schedule and I love it! Me and the kids are heading down to see my family for a week, our first Easter gathering with my side since the kids have been born. SO I'm super excited. My hubby unfortunately want be able to attend but when he picks us up next Saturday he has us prepared for another trip starting the very next day. He has made us reservations to Jelly Stone Camping park in Gatlinburg Tn( http://www.greatsmokyjellystone.com/ ). This will be our 1st long distance in the camper and our longest stay in it. We love Gatlinburg its beautiful and they have tons of activities to do along with trails and beautiful mountain sights, its about 4 hours from us. Caleb couldnt be anymore excited. At this particular campground it is kid based so they have theme weekends of movies, hayrides with Yogi bear, arts and crafts. SO it ought to bring another great memory in our book!

Cami still continues to do well in school. She is doing the cutest thing right now. If you ask her to dance she wil start moving those feet real fast like she is tap dancing across the floor. Its the cutest!
Her Neurologist called yesterday with her lab results of her Depakote we had cheked while we already there. He said it was elevated again...105 last time it was 130 so not as bad but he still doesnt like it up. We are going to leave the med where its at right now since we are heading for out of town. After her sleep study is done and if it doesnt show her movements being seizures at night we will wean it down. Her liver looked fine.

Caleb is so ready for his Spring Break but says he will miss school too.

Me I'm so looking forward to a girls night out with my sisters tomorrow evening. And seeing all my family on Saturday and Sunday. I dont get to see them that often maybe twice a year. The only thing I'm not looking forward to is the 9 hour car ride. I recently took a fall at home this week. Tripped and fell down the steps in our garage hit the concrete garage floor pretty hard landed on my right side. Got quite a bit of bruises and a swollen ankle. So I cant imagine that ride being much fun. I tell you I could trip over the smallest thing, I'm just a walking disaster. Some might recall my incident this past summer trying to save a life jacket! My goodenss how much can a body take....LOL!

Well we wish everyone a Happy Easter cant wait to see some pics of all our little friends dressed and hunting for those eggs!

Sleep Study Scheduled

For April 7th

At The Dr.s appointment all went well. They just asked a million questions of her sleeping habits. How often does she wake at night? How long has sleeping issues been a problem? Does she sleep in her own room? How many hours of sleep does she get at night? What do we think is waking her at night? Describe what she is doing? How often does she do that during the night? Does she take in alot of sugar or caffeine? Does she nap during the day, if so how long? Does anyone in the family have sleeping issues? Does she seem awake or asleep? How does she wake, Happy, Moody? The list just went on and on. We were there for 2 hours! Then they just did a routine exam on her checking for body markings, reflexes and such. It was hard to answer alot of these questions because her sleep pattern is all over the place. Typically its a 20-30 minute fight to get her to sleep sometimes it takes an hour we start at 8:30 thats when Caleb goes to bed impossible to get her down before him. So she is most often in bed by 9:00-9:30 during the week sometimes its later. Weekends its whatever goes because Caleb is hyped up because he gets to stay up and it rubs off on her. So its not unusual for her to be up at 11:00 on the weekends but we do try to push 10:00 bedtimes of the weekends, doesn't really bother me because I'm a night owl but those nights to her are no different than the others she will still wake often.


Now during the night goes as follows, lets take last night for example she fell asleep after a 20 minute struggle and that was 9:25. We put her in the bed and come 11:15 she started the tossing about and started screaming. So we got her and put her in bed with us. I know we probably shouldn't but its the only way we get SOME sleep if not we are up and down all night checking on her making sure she is ok during these movements. Well she tossed about and cried out every 30 minutes last night, she definitely isn't getting the sleep she needs.
Ok now we do have easier nights and those consist of her being in bed by 9:30 and not waking till 2 or 3am but the rest of the morning is shot she will do the movements from then till my alarm goes off at 6:15. Now when I get up and get ready she is in a dead sleep then 6:50 she pops out of bed raring to go!


Naps vary during the week, well the days she has school she has to be at school at 8:30 which our day has already started at 6:50 for her because as soon as those little feet hit the floor she is in the kitchen wanting her waffle and milk. Caleb has to be at school at 7:20 so I'm back and forth all day seems like. Anyways she gets out at 12:30 so after I pick her up we come straight home which is only 10 minutes away. Soon as we walk through the door she searches for her blanket and crawls up in my lap and is out in a matter of minutes. Now why cant she do this at night time? Now she only gets an hour and 15 minute nap because Caleb gets out at 2:25. Poor gal! On her off days she will take a nap anywhere from 20 minutes to a hour and a half, depending on how long I'm willing to hold her. Spoiled I know!!!!


Well the Drs think it can be many of things Seizures, Restless Legs, Sleep Apnea, dreams and many other possibilities. We check in at 7:30-8:00 pm that evening they hook her up and they wake her at 5:30-6:00am and unplug her and we go home and wait for the results which take up to 3 weeks to go over the whole nights worth of testing . Now they will be placing many things on her.
It says the purpose of a sleep study is to obtain various measurements during sleep(brain activity, EKG,breathing) So they use the following:
*Electrodes attached to the scalp(at the forehead, behind the ears, around the eyes and below the chin). The wires are used to record sleep activity in the brain, eye movement and muscle tone. The wires are attached using an adhesive paste and cotton.
*Electrodes attached to the chest and abdomen used to record heart rate.
*Electrodes attached to the legs(just below the knees) to record leg and body movement
*Elastic bands placed around the chest and abdomen used to monitor respiration
*Nasal Tubing, similar to oxygen tubing, is used to monitor nasal breathing
*A soft finger wrap is used to continually measure oxygen level
*Oh and it will all be video taped
So I made them promise they wouldn't laugh and tell their friends about my sleeping habits....LOL! I tend to snore when I 1st fall asleep and thats after 1-2 hours of trying to fall asleep, so maybe she gets it honestly because I toss and turn alot too!
Only one parent is aloud in the room with her in fact no other parent may come into the room at all or siblings or they will cancel the appointment on spot. They say if she fights them while they try to put all the stuff on her they will wait till she is asleep but hopefully it want be a problem, shes always done well with all her EEGs.