Seizure Free Day - Hurray!!

Over the last week or so, Julia's seizures have been worse. We had nothing to explain it - she seems to be recovered from her sinus infection and healthy otherwise. And, we're back to the 'magic' medication combo that worked wonders late last fall. So, we were stumped. After 6+ years of challenging seizure activity, you would guess that I would be used to this guessing game. But, whenever her seizures act up, I get a knot of stress in my stomach. It just hangs there and casts a cloud over me.

Then, today came like a breath of fresh air - an entire day with no sustained seizures. Just a few myoclonic jerks, but nothing like the last few days. She woke up in a great mood, stayed in a great mood all day, was more active and excited than she has been in weeks - just a happy day. Even a couple of cat naps that did not end with a seizure. The knot in my stomach is loosening a bit.

I am hoping and praying and hoping and praying that this is not an isolated day, but instead will become the 'normal' for her.

Whose Toes are They?

Yesterday, while Luke was putting on his sandals, he said, "I'm trying to get my toes in just the right place, but they keep wiggling around." So, that makes me wonder - who is in charge of the toes?

Today, the boys ran in the sprinkler and played with the hose. When I told them they could spend the afternoon doing that, they were so excited. Luke said, "You are so nice, Mom." What is it with kids and water...it never gets old for them. It was fine until Luke got me soaked...I guess it was a good excuse to get into my jammies at 4:30 in the afternoon.

Six Words

A little while back, I read a book where people gave their 'story' in six words. So, here's mine.

Too much worrying ruins nearly everything.

I've come a long way, but I still need to obsess less and relax more.

Routines and Sleep

Number one lesson learned during Week 1 of summer vacation - do not stray from routine bedtimes for more than a day or two. If you do, you run the risk of crazy, crabby kids. Last week was busy, especially for Alex. Monday - Great America, Tuesday - Sleepover by Grandma and Grandpa, Wednesday - Ducky's Birthday, Thursday - Start of summer school and Complete Meltdown, Saturday - Another Complete Meltdown and Sleepover at Jacob's, Sunday - Yet Another Complete Meltdown. Poor kid was so out of whack, we made him take a nap on Saturday and Sunday.

Thursday might be the worst day in my parenting history. Alex and Luke were at each other even worse than usual, the lawn service came so we couldn't go outside and Julia had a monster seizure in the middle of it all. Deep breath in, slow breath out, repeat. I thought Aubrey was going to make a run for it. But, she held on, the boys were bribed into a little bit of peace with a promise of a trip to visit the Hanus boys, Julia stopped seizing and went to dozing...we made it. Matt came home, got the vibe of the house and gave the kids bathes before dinner so we could put them all in bed by 7pm.

We did have fun at the Hanus', though. They have a four-wheeler (I rode with Alex after Cheryl did), a golf cart, baby chicks, a big play center...we definitely need to go back on a day when the kids are not crazy-tired.

Moral of the story - kids need sleep. You can skip sleep to have more fun for a little while, but if you do that too often, you ruin all the fun.

Accidents Happen

Luke had his first post-potty training accident today, and it was #2. See, it goes like this. We're outside - I'm hanging up laundry and he's playing where the water from the sump pump comes out. He's not supposed to be there and he knows he's not supposed to be there, but the draw is irresistable. So, he's gotta go poop, but he can't go inside because his shoes are wet from playing in the water in the place he's not supposed to be. One thing just leads to another, and then there's poop to clean up. But, on the up side, his face always gives him away - I can tell with a glance when he's been up to something. And, he has not yet mastered lying, so we usually get the truth from him. Lord help us if that boy learns how to cover his tracks.

Girl Stories

Julia has really been 'discovering' the right side of her body. Over the last few days, I've really noticed her looking towards her right. I love when she looks at me as I come to get her out of bed in the morning. And, she's looked to her right side to check things out in other positions, too.

And, tonight she spent some time grasping and even shaking a maraca. She gave it some big shakes with her left hand and some little shakes with her right hand. And, I must add it was hilarious to watch Erica try to put the maraca back into Julia's hand after she dropped it. Finally, after a couple of unsuccessful attempts at jamming it into Julia's fist, she announced, "Julia done." That Erica is quite the mother hen. It is absolutely heartwarming to see her love on Julia. As often as I think of how nice it would be if each of the kids could have their own room, I always end up more grateful for how close the girls are, due in part I'm sure to the special bond that comes from sharing sleeping space. Even the boys will typically turn off their fighting once they're in bed for the night. Turns out this house is just the right size.

My Boys - The Wheels are Always Turning

Alex - Still gives me a hug and a kiss every night when I tuck him in. I hope he never gets 'too old' for that. But, that's not the story that fits this post. Here's that story. Within the last couple of days, I've had to pull over for emergency vehicles twice while Alex as in the car. So, Alex asks me how many times I've had to pull over in my life so far. While I'm thinking about it, he guesses 50. I say, "Hmm, probably more like 20." His immediate reply, "Oh, that would be about once a year." Umm, yep, that's exactly right. And, after further review, I think his guess of 50 is closer - after all, one per year isn't all that often. Especially if you consider two in the last two days. And, let's not mention the two times I pulled over for an emergency vehicle and it pulled over right behind me...yes, speeding tickets, and no, there were no kids in the car with me, and yes, I obey the speed limit now (and least MOST of the time). On a related note, Luke calls officers 'police cops'.

Luke - Has strep. It must be a mild case because he doesn't seem to feel all that bad, and there's none of the terrible whining we saw the last time he was sick. And, he was a very brave boy when they did his throat culture. Funny story from our visit to see Dr. Griswold - while we're in the exam room waiting for the doctor (just Luke and me because the rest of the gang stayed by my parents), Luke tells me to sit in the chair without arm rests. I told him I wanted to sit in the chair with arm rests. So, he crawls on my lap, points to the armless chair and says, "That chair is for people without hands." What made him think of that? And, why does it make me crack up every time I think about it?