A lazy Sunday

This past Sunday was a lazy day. We did a little yard work and did a little playing.

While cleaning up in the yard we found a little frog. We put him in the pool and watched him swim. The boys thought it was hilarious.

We eventually let him go. While hopping away, Tonka caught sight of him. He followed him to a tree trunk. I made sure Tonka would not hurt him.

The boys then ran up to the small tree beside our AC and bathroom window. It has little white flowers on it that are falling off. If you shake the tree, they fall off faster. It looks like snow. I caught some great pictures. My sister said they looked like they belonged in the Garden of Eden. I'm sure not because of their angelic ways but probably because Teagan was naked. ;)

While the boys were playing with the frog and in the tree. Daddy was on the roof trimming the big tree out front. I think he had fun doing that!

After a while, the bugs were too much for use and we went inside. After dinner that night we played Monopoly. I was out of the game quite quickly. Joel and Gavin cheated by swapping cards to get a full set. I never got a full set. They finally called an end to the game since Gavin had to get ready for bed. Joel won!

I love days like this. Everyone is happy and good. We find something new and fun to do. Ahh, my life is beautiful.

Just something new

I moved the boys in to the same room to sleep. They each have their own bed. I put all the toys and their TV into the other room. There were toys everywhere and Gavin was up all night watching TV, so we had to change something.

I've repainted the room they are sleeping in to blue and they boys made some artwork. I am hoping to do a bit more decorating since the walls are bare, but here's some photos.

Gymnastics!

I know, Gymnastics is a girl thing. But I wanted some activity they could do through the entire year, for both of them. There really is nothing else. It really isn't that bad though.

Teagan's class does have another boy in it, he started a couple classes late but he's there. His is a half hour long and needs a lot of parent involvement. A lot of rolling, crawling through things, and jumping on a trampoline. There is also learning the rings, walking the beam and climbing.

He loves it.

Gavin's class is an hour long and is no parent involvement. Teagan and I sit in the viewing area up above the gym. He is a monster and never sits still. But Gavin is the smallest in his class. They do a lot of arm strentgh work. Doing different things on the rings and the bars, 'swimming' in the foam pit, and lots of stretching/warming up. He loves it as well. He is in an all boy class so it's a lot of fun.

About Gavin and his seizures!

This was the message I sent my family, it explains most of everything.

I know I didn't contact everyone about Gavin's diagnosis. Sorry!I'll share a couple links giving info though.He has Benign Rolandic Epilepsy (BRE) He'll out grow it around puberty. Hisseizures happen in his sleep and do not cause him any major harm. The worsewe'll see is maybe some speech and/or reading problems.He has been stuttering the past few months, it could be developmental or itcould be the seizures. I spoke with the speech therapist at his school and theyare monitoring all Kindergarteners this year. She said she'll keep a note ofGavin's epilepsy and talk to his teacher about how it affects his day.The type of seizures that we have seen (body stiff and shaking, eyes rolled up,etc.) are called tonic-clonic formally known as grand mal seizures. (petite malseizures are no movements, also called absence seizures) These are the seizureshe will be having so we don't have to be on the lookout for any other type ofweird actions from him and wondering if it was a seizure.We were offered medication. The neurologist said some parents like to have itfor a peace of mind. It has to be taken twice a day reguarly. Even with the medshe can still have seizures (i'm sure we all know this since Doug is on antiseizure meds and he'll still experience a seizure now and then) The meds alsohave their own side effects. From what I've read, they can change a child'swhole personality. We decided the effects and the demand (you can not miss apill) from the meds were worse then the seizures. Our neuro told us if we everwanted them to just call her. She did prescribe us Ativan -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ativan - to use if we decide to travel longdistance again. It will make him sleep and not seize. It is basically an antianxiety med that relaxes the nervous system. It scares me. We all hear storiesabout people taking sleeping meds/anti anxiety meds and they don't wake up. Butshe told us to use it and travel at night so he'll sleep. Or she suggested wecould travel a little bit at a time and to stay overnight somewhere on longtrips.His seizures are triggered by being very exhausted. The neuro said the car ridesreally have nothing to do with it, he was just very tired each time.We still have diazepam- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valium - to use if he has aseizure lasting more than 3 minutes (we were told by an ER doctor to use itafter he was seizing for 10 min. but the neuro said 3). We inject it rectallyand it stops the seizure. We hope to never use it.Epilepsy is hereditary. Neither Joel or I have anyone in our families withepilepsy (except Doug but his epilepsy is different), that we know of. Gavincould just gotten it out of no where or it could have came from someone. Wedon't know. If it was passed down then I think there is a chance Teagan couldget it as well (I need to talk to the Neuro about this though) and I believeGavin could pass it to his children. Just keep an eye on your kids just in caseit is hereditary and from our side of the family.My biggest concern is if he has a seizure and he stops breathing. This is aconcern with any type of seizure.But we've been working hard on getting a good bedtime routine in place. We startbed time at around 7-7:30 and they are finally asleep around 8-8:30. He wakes at6:45.Ok, if any of you have questions let me know. I'll do my best to answer what Ican.Here are two websites:http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/epilepsy_benignrolandichttp://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/benign.html

Gavin's First Day of School

He had a blast! I was going to drop him off at school be he really wanted to ride the bus. He was so excited waiting for it. I got a few pictures.

Last thursday was the school open house. We got to tour the school, meet teachers, meet bus drivers, etc. Gavin was very excited and loved the school/classroom. He didn't want us to all leave. Well he didn't want to leave. He wanted us to leave and leave him there. When we told him we were just meeting people he cried and whined.

I picked him up around 5pm today. He got to stay with the after school care called Tiger's Liar. I will be using it occasionally when I work late. He had fun there as well.

For his first day of class he got a GREEN stamp. He was good. :D

He said he likes all his new friends and his teachers. When I asked him what he did today he told me he took a nap. Then after some prodding I got other information like how they talked about the rules. So it was a great day.

A new chapter!

Wow, I can not believe summer is over! School starts on Monday. We did not get to do even half of what I had planned. No worries! I'll try to keep them up during school time.
I have been doing great at work. Everyone is so nice and I seem to be learning quickly. The hours haven't been too bad and the boys are enjoying the time at the sitters.
Gavin will starting Kindergarten next week. He's so excited to be going to a big school! I am too!
I have also signed them up for Gymnastics. Classes are once a week. Teagan's is a mommy and tot class from 6-6:30 and Gavin's is from 7-8. I think they'll love it.

Another adventure we are embarking on is not one we are enjoying. In June Gavin had two seizures in one day. We were with my sister going from VA to GA. We woke up at 4 am to get started. About 2 hours in, 30 min. after Gavin fell asleep he had a seizure. We called 911 and determined everythign was fine, we should hurry and get home. Three hours later, after eating and Gavin fell asleep for 30 min. again he had another seizure. Both were about 30 sec. long. This time we took the ambulance to the hospital. We stayed overnight for observations. They ran tests (urnine, blood, CT scan) nothing abnormal came back. They had him on fluids during the stay. The doctor determined it was dehydration and exhaustion. Some kids just have seizures and are fine. She gave a recommendation that we go to a Pediatric Neurologist. Our doctor and insurance company approved this. Of course, when I called the earliest they could see us was Sept. No biggie, we thought those would be the only seizures. We were wrong.
This past weekend he had another seizure. This time we were going from GA to NC to see Joel's sister before she deploys. We left in the evening. Gavin was awake the entire time until the end. He finally went to sleep around 11pm. About 30 min. in to his sleep he has another seizure. He throws up during the seizure too. This one is about 1.5 - 2 min. long. It was very scary. It took him much longer to come to after this one. His head seemed very heavy for him to hold up and when I asked him to look at me, he looked at the opposite side of the truck, where I wasn't. After a min. or so he finally was better.
At this hospital, he was not given any tests. But they again said it was normal for kids to have seizures for no reason. They did give us Diazapan (sp?) for if he has a seizure longer than 10 min. we can use this medicine to stop it. I hope to never have to use it.
I called the Ped. Neurologist office. We are able to do the EEG next Wed. but still have to wait to see the Neurologist until the beginning of Sept.
I am hoping to figure this out. I know it's normal for kids to have seizures for no reason and they outgrow it. But i'm scared. I don't want to just be waiting around for another one to happen and just ehh, let it go.
Joel and I have been researching and reading alot to match his characteristics to those of other types of seizures. Like having them in his sleep when he's very exhausted, throwing up, etc.
We found one that matches his, but the cases from this one say the seizures last very long, like hours long. I am hoping that is not what we have to look forward too.
This is what we are thinking: http://www.ilae-epilepsy.org/visitors/centre/ctf/pana_synd.html
But I don't want to self diagnios, so we are anxiously waiting to talk to a doctor.

Ok!
So this is the changes that have been happening in our family. So are great and fun, others are scary but we are still a very strong and loving family. We will get through this. We will be supportive.

My first day!

It was just like the first day of school. I was anxious all night and couldn't sleep right. I was giddy all morning getting ready and then nervous as I pulled up.
It wasn't that bad.
The first few hours were extremely boring. I watched two hours of video about burgluary, bomb threats, the security system, safety, natural disasters, etc.
The next hour I spent watching a teller behind the line. She was very helpful at showing me things and giving me tips for when I will be working alone. Then I was moved for the last hour to watch the two drive thru tellers. Their system was a tad different but they were a lot of fun to chat with and get to know. The ladies in the bank all seem like a lot of fun and I'm excited to get to know them all.

Teagan did great at the sitters. He just woke up when I showed up. I'm so proud of how good he is getting. Gavin is with Aunt Loretta today. My mom went to DC with Gavin and Austin and Retta and Joe meet them there. He was supposed to come home this weekend but my dad ruined our plans. So he may be staying an extra week if he is wanting to. I miss him a ton, but I want him to have fun. He'll be in school soon enough so for him to relax with his cousin and not worry about his brother bothering him is OK for a little longer.
So I'll see how tomorrow goes!
I was wanting to go to the library but I am a bit worn out. Joel has PT tonight so I may just go when he goes back to work. Ehh, we'll see...

First day of work tomorrow!

Well I applied and got a part time teller position with a bank. It was such an adventure doing the phone interview to the panel interview and then going in and meeting everyone I'll be working with. Tomorrow I start my training. Mostly I believe I'll be watching a video. I have a great sitter for the boys until school starts. She will be begininng her in-home childcare then and she doesn't know if she'll have spots open. So in about a month I'll be on the look out for a new sitter. Gavin will be in school so he should be fine. The bank hours work perfectly for when he is in school. They are M-Thur 9-4, Fri 9-6 and Sat 9-1. I'll be working almost every Saturday, hopefully Joel won't be working Saturday mornings. If I work until closing, I would just need a sitter for Gavin for an hour or so until I get home. I'm hoping to find a teenager or a SAHM in the neighborhood so he can ride the bus home. But I'm super excited to have a permenant job again. I haven't had one since 2003 and those were teenager jobs. I feel so grown up!
I also love that I won't be working late evenings. I was worried about getting a job before and not being able to sign Gavin up for sports. But with this type of schedule I don't think we'll have a problem making practices or games.

They have given me my first two week schedule and I am working 4 days a week. I hope it stays this way. 4 days a week is great. Oh and the pay is more than I was expecting so I feel so much more confident.
I'll be back tomorrow afternoon to update on my first day.

More of July 4th 2009

More photos of my beautiful family!

July 4th 2009

For July 4th we went up to MD to visit my family. We had a blast for the 4 days we were there.

I'm going to share the photos I got of my nieces and nephews!
By the way, my camera charger was at my sister's house. :D So she gave it to me when we came up to visit. YAY!

This is Ethan and Elise. They are my younger sister's babies. Ethan turned 4 in Febuaray and Elise turned 3 in May.

This is Lance and Weslee. They are my brother's boys. Lance will be 7 in November and Weslee turned 3 in April.

Austin is the oldest. He is my big sister's son. He just graduated from Elementary school and will be going to middle next year! He'll be 12 in Feburary.

Ok, now some more random pics from the day.

And a few of my guys.

I have plenty more pictures but it's a pain to post so many on here. Maybe tomorrow I'll throw some more out there. They are all such cuties.