Reflux update

Well, today was the day we visited Kamryn's urologist--wasn't exactly what I was hoping for. I was really looking for the she is getting better and keep doing what we are doing. We almost got that--her reflux is looking better and it looks like she could grow out of it; however, there is another issue now. Her right kidney is smaller than her left--I ask about this--could it be a problem. Well, apparently it is a problem, this could mean she has kidney damage--oh, and did I mention that can't be fixed. So, he wants us to have some more tests done and see him--all in the same day. This will not be an easy task, and it will all have to be done at the medical center--downtown. If the results of the test show there is kidney damage, then we have to stop the preventive medication and fix the reflux--which means surgery. So, I was a bit freaked and upset this morning. The doctor is about 30 - 45 minutes from our house--there was not a word spoken all the way home. So, I have now had time to process it and I am mainly scared and worried because of the unknown. It took us 6 weeks to get this appointment, I really hope I do not have to wait that long again. So, again I will pass on what information I have when received. I am not looking for sympathy or pitty, I know there are kids out there a lot worse--but please keep Kamryn in your prayers that there is not too much damage and that we can move passed this soon. Not too make matters worse, it appears she may be developing another yeast infection--those are not fun when you understand what is going on. It is not slowing her down though--Christmas is coming you know.

Asthma.....really?

I know it has been a long time, but Kamryn got sick and then apparently me. Oh yeah and between all that I am trying to get ready for my parent's birthday party here on Saturday and did any of you realize Christmas is next week. Well, Kamryn ended up with another UTI. Really, I thought this is why we were giving her preventive medicine every night. This is going on my list of questions for her specialist next week. Then I start to get sick this weekend. The sneezing and the coughing started getting bad, but I live in South Texas. The weather changes hourly and that does a number on the allergies. I know this and I have adapted to this. When you go to the doctor they always say the same thing, it is a virus and it needs to run its course--and I pay money for them to tell me this. So, I normally don't go to the doctor unless there is a fever and green stuff--this will normally mean an infection and something can be given. So, no fever no green--work as usual (you all have meant my father right). Except Tuesday threw a wrench into my theory. I woke up with such a bad headache I got up took some cold medicine with headache pain and laid back down for a little while. Headache would not go away, I would get up and brush my teeth--could stand up any longer and had to lay down again. After about the third time trying to get up and get ready for work, decided was not going to happen. Made the appropriate calls and waited for Zayne to come home so I could find a doctor. Side note: do not like my primary anymore--was not happy the last 2 times I went and something about the home page advertising specials on botox really turned me off. Not really sure what happened to the place, but does not make me feel good about it. So we found a local urgent care place and off we went. Didn't have to wait too long and back I went (alone--they made Zayne wait in the lobby). The doctor listened to my lungs and started asking me if I smoked or was ever diagnosed with asthma. I am started to freak now and begin texting Zayne--who was just full of funny comments. They had me take some test breathing through tube and apparently I am only breathing at 13--not good, doc said sever blockage. So, they gave me a breathing treatment and checked again, this time I am up to a 30. The doc said he would like me to be a 50, but I was okay enough to go home with lots of medicine. So, apparently I have seasonal asthma and I am now the proud owner of my own inhaler--which I think has speed in it because I am jittery with all this energy after inhaling. I know asthma is not some life threatening ailment--but it means I have a box to check on medical history. The funny part is now Zayne blames another one my Kyle's and Kamryn's ailments on me. Kyle was diagnosed with an asthma a few years ago and Kamryn has wheezing problems sometimes--so now these are my fault (in case anyone has forgotten, Zayne is perfect). So, now we are all on our way to getting better and I can get ready for all of our fun holiday festivities. In case I don't have a chance to get back on in the next week I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Hopefully the holidays are good and safe for everyone!!!!!!!!

Kamryn's Reflux Update

On Monday we took Kamryn for her most favoritest test (not really). To refresh some people, about a year ago Kamryn got a urinary tract infection (UTI) and when this happens in children under 3 they run tests to make sure there isn't some underlying problem. Well Kamryn did, minor, but this is when we found out she bilateral reflux. For those that don't remember, or didn't know, this is where the tube from the kidney's to the bladder basically goes straight in instead of at an angle. This will cause urine to reflux up into the kidneys which could cause problems. Kamryn's is minor and did not need surgery at the time, but we have to give her preventive antibiotics (which is very difficult for two parents who don't like having to rely on medication) and she needs to retake the tests in a year. So now we are up to speed. We went last week for the ultrasound and this week for the VCUG. The VCUG is the one that they put a catheter in her and fill her bladder up with dye and then she has to pee so they can see if any goes up. Well, it still does so we have to keep her on the medicine. We have only seen the radiologist and all he had was the test at hand--not the one from last year to compare. So I am not sure if it is better, worse, or the same. We will see the urologist Dec 23 and should have more information at that time. Just wanted to keep everyone posted, she does great--no infections or anything so we are still positive on the fact she will outgrow this and not have to have surgery.

Disney On Ice

We took Kamryn to her first ice capades, Disney on Ice was in town--and she loves Mickey and the princess'. She was really not sure about it, you could tell she was really watching though. She was trying to take it all in, her little head was just moving all around. She knows Mickey (she LOVES watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) and she knew the princess'--she just wasn't sure about the rest. Kyle didn't want to go (can't imagine why not), so it was just the three of us--and she got to go to Denny's when it was over. Below are some pictures, we borrowed brother's camera so bare with the quality of some of the pictures. She wore her "pretty princess" dress, I didn't get them in the picture, but her Disney Princess boots. She loves those boots.

Kamryn and her daddy

Mickey and Minnie started off the show

Snow White and her Prince

Here comes Goofy

And don't forget Donald

Mickey came down from the ceiling in a hot air balloon--she thought that was neat and silly

Goofy and Mickey again, they are the band leaders

Lion King--Hakuna Matata is mommy's favorite

Here is the finale with all the characters

Dinner at Denny's--Kamryn loves her eggs now (still a big fan of pancakes too)

Halloween

I just realized I never posted the Halloween pictures. We had our annual chili night and the girls were adorable. Mom and Dad (Pops) came over, Zayne's parents and Tricia came with Angela. Kyle decided this year he was too cool to hang out with the "ole family" so he followed the girls with his friends. Zayne, Julie and Tricia took Kamryn and Angela trick or treating. Kamryn was a ladybug (that is what her dad calls her) and Angela was a princess. They started to realize this year what was going on and was excited. They lasted about an hour and then they came back and Kamryn helped pass out candy, she thought that was a lot of fun. Below are some pictures, hope you enjoy!!!

Kamryn and Nana playing with her toys.

No, Nana--it goes like this.

Kamryn and Angela really enjoyed swinging with Kamryn's Paw Paw

Aren't we just the cutest.

A little ladybug and a princess--we are ready to go. And we are off!!!!!!

Look what we got Nana!!!

Here we go, swinging again--this time with Nana.

Can you tell these girls love to swing.

Even with all the chocolate we have eaten, we are starting to get tired.

Kamryn the little ladybug. I even have Halloween pajamas!!

Kamryn's First Visit to the Zoo

I know, it is pretty sad my daughter is 2 and a half and she hasn't been to the zoo yet. I really wanted to wait until she could really enjoy the whole experience. So last week my mom and I took a day off work and spent the day at the zoo. Kamryn really loved it, she had a few meltdowns (expected with no nap) but was great overall. The first exhibit we went to was the rain forest and there was this section with a squirrel. This squirrel was running around and trying to dig in the sand for food. Kamryn was apparently yelling at the squirrel to eat its food. We were there for about 10 minutes watching this--I thought to myself at this rate it will take us three days to get through the zoo. We finally made it through there and off to some more. She was not sure about the monkeys though. She loves monkeys, she has a Curious George monkey and she absolutely loves him. She loved this stuffed animal to the point that we have monkey jewelry and several monkey pajamas. However, when you go to the zoo the monkeys don't look like her monkey at home so she thought we were crazy. Below are some pictures and I will add more with them.

In the rain forest building, there was this tube you could crawl through and be surrounded by the fish--Kamryn thought it would be cute to smoosh her face on the glass.

She really loved watching the "pretty fish" swimming around too. That is my girl--I could sit there for hours watching the fish.

Another animal she really likes are "baby elephants" (I believe this is my grandmother watching over her). I don't think she anticipated the elephants being so large.

At the children's zoo section there is a carousel, unlike her mother, Kamryn did not enjoy sitting on an animal and going around in circles. She prefers to just sit on the bench. She really loved the playground though, she would slide down and then run around for another turn--she could have stayed here all day. Except, a little girl took too long and it was the beginning of one of the meltdowns. There was also a petting zoo. This was right after the playground meltdown so at first she wanted nothing to with touching or brushing the animals. We finally got over the meltdown and then we had to brush every animal there.

They had this pretty cool exhibit where she could stand up in these domes like she was a gopher. It took awhile for us to be able to see her--she is on her tippie toes. You can't tell in the picture, but there are gophers around the domes.

Random statue there that Kamryn wanted to sit on. I believe it was a buffalo.

Then of course you can't leave the zoo without riding the train. However, next time we may do it first before she gets tired--I think she would enjoy it better. She was on her last stretch at this point--she fell asleep before we got on the freeway to come home.

Lake Charles

Last weekend Zayne's cousin got married in Lake Charles, so off to Louisiana we went. It was a nice weekend, didn't start off too good, but it managed to turn around. Kyle got some kind of 24 hour thing Thursday night and we weren't sure how he was going to be. He slept on the way out there and by the end of Friday night he was back to himself. It was a lot of fun, some of Zayne's cousins from Nebraska and S. Carolina were there. All of his aunts and uncles were there too. Grandma is not doing so well lately so it was nice to see her too. Zayne has been able to make it to the reunions lately; however, due to the timing of the reunions and busy times at work I have not been able to make it, so it has been years since I have seen some of the family. It was so nice to see them, I also met some new additions I have never met. Kyle got out and did some dancing, rather cute watching Kyle do the YMCA (definitely a picture below). The weekend seem to come to an end too quick, with everyone else traveling farther--everyone left early on Sunday.

Grandma, Zayne and Kamryn

Kyle dancing with Zayne's cousin Judi and her daughter Dana.

Here is my little boy doing the YMCA.

Zayne's cousins Jodi and Judi

Kyle with Zayne's Aunt Nora

They have a cute "inside joke" about ironing.

Kyle and Kamryn

Kamryn took her first visit to the zoo this past weekend--will post soon.

Oops

I somehow posted the pictures before describing them or checking my spelling. The first set are of the work on the house. Then there are pictures of Kyle, they started having him hold the ball now too. There is also a pic of Angela at the game. Then the pictures of the cook-off--all the entries we turned in. There is also a picture of pops--this is what happens when you fall asleep around Kyle.

What a week

Well what a week it has been. Uncle Jim came into town last Sunday night and he and Zayne did work on dad's house. And this time it went by with no injuries!!! Uncle Jim took pictures of some of the work in progress, I will post them later. Tuesday night Kyle had a football game, probably one of his best. It had rained a lot here and they didn't want our fields to get messed up so he got to play at the high school on astroturf. They won their game and they are now 4 and 0. Of course more pictures to follow. Then this weekend we had another cook-off. This one was the Fire Fest, kind of where it all started for us. 2 years ago Zayne, Mike and Adam did the cook-off as a team; this year each of them were on their own team with their wives. It was a lot of fun-and very exciting for us. My dessert got 1st place and Zayne placed 3rd in chicken and 5th in ribs. It was all around a GREAT weekend, even though it rained on us and we were in a mud pool.

Down comes the ceiling

More pipes to work on

Okay, we can get ready to