Saturday, November 13, 2010
Emergency Room
Hey buddy. Well, to say it's been an eventful day around here is an understatement! I took your big sister to the doctor this morning because she was running a fever and acting sick. So they gave us a prescription and sent us on our way. Now tonight she has a fever of 104* and is having trouble breathing! Now your daddy and she are in the emergency room. Your daddy said they told him that her tonsils are huge so they were going to give her some steroids and motrin. Your daddy just messaged me and said she threw her medicine up. :-( I wish I could be ther with her, but I have to be home with your baby sister. Your daddy just called me and said they put some anti-nausea meds under her tongue to hopefully make it so she can take some more medicine in a little while. It broke my heart to hear your big sister say, "Mommy, I puke" and then say "I want to go home". Hopefully they can get her fever down a little bit. It looks like there won't be much sleep in our house tonight. And now I'm super worried that your little sister could end up with this too. :-( Only time will tell I guess.
Friday, November 12, 2010
A Tune-Up
Hey little one. Well, now I guess I should give you an update on what’s been happening in the day-to-day lives of your family huh? Your daddy went back to work this week. Your big sister continues to go to “school” every day and your daddy and I surprised her with an early birthday present (her birthday isn’t until December 13th). She loves playing “tent” and LOVES anything “princess”. So it seemed logical for us to build her a princess tent bed! My goodness was she happy. She still is actually. Every evening she asks us if we want to go play in her bed with her. =- )
I’d say it was a gold medal decision for a present! Your little sister continues to grow and change like she should. At least it seems like she’s doing what she should. I’m somewhat paranoid if she doesn’t do things just like the developmental charts say she should, but she seems to be pretty close on everything.
Your sisters continue to be the lights of my life!
Hmmmm…now for an update on your mommy. Well, I went back to see my counselor this week. I was in need of a tune-up. I was having some struggles and knew that my wonderful counselor could help me work them out. Basically, I was having trouble with my relationship with God. I have still been struggling with my prayer life. I just don’t know the words to pray. But she assured me that even when I can’t find the words, God still understands and even though I don’t feel like I’m praying…I am.
WHEW! Major relief! So, the other good news is she is letting me go 3 weeks before coming back. And it will be good timing because I’ll go see her right when I go back to work. I’m sure I’ll have all sorts of emotions that week!
So, that’s what’s been up with us lately. I wish I could ask you what’s been going on in your world too. Someday...but until then take good care of yourself and remember I love and miss you more than you could ever know!
I’d say it was a gold medal decision for a present! Your little sister continues to grow and change like she should. At least it seems like she’s doing what she should. I’m somewhat paranoid if she doesn’t do things just like the developmental charts say she should, but she seems to be pretty close on everything.
Your sisters continue to be the lights of my life!
Hmmmm…now for an update on your mommy. Well, I went back to see my counselor this week. I was in need of a tune-up. I was having some struggles and knew that my wonderful counselor could help me work them out. Basically, I was having trouble with my relationship with God. I have still been struggling with my prayer life. I just don’t know the words to pray. But she assured me that even when I can’t find the words, God still understands and even though I don’t feel like I’m praying…I am.
WHEW! Major relief! So, the other good news is she is letting me go 3 weeks before coming back. And it will be good timing because I’ll go see her right when I go back to work. I’m sure I’ll have all sorts of emotions that week!
So, that’s what’s been up with us lately. I wish I could ask you what’s been going on in your world too. Someday...but until then take good care of yourself and remember I love and miss you more than you could ever know!
It is set!
Hey buddy! I am super excited. The headstone that Carter’s Cause helped pay for is set! We made it just in time. The ground hadn’t frozen yet and the people at the cemetery were able to set it on Monday! Here is a picture of it. 
And here is a picture of yours with the other two (one on each side - Christalina and Tex) that were recently set. It is because of you, and these two little ones that Carter's Cause came to existence.
It makes me so happy. I was able to give an update at church on Sunday about Carter’s Cause and you should have seen the smiles on everyone’s faces when I told them what had happened. You are an amazing little boy, Carter Alan. I couldn’t be more proud of you and what you continue to do even from up there!
So now we just wait for the inevitable…because there will be other babies buried out there by you and when that time comes, we’ll hopefully get to help their families by buying headstones as well!
I love you!
And here is a picture of yours with the other two (one on each side - Christalina and Tex) that were recently set. It is because of you, and these two little ones that Carter's Cause came to existence.
It makes me so happy. I was able to give an update at church on Sunday about Carter’s Cause and you should have seen the smiles on everyone’s faces when I told them what had happened. You are an amazing little boy, Carter Alan. I couldn’t be more proud of you and what you continue to do even from up there!
So now we just wait for the inevitable…because there will be other babies buried out there by you and when that time comes, we’ll hopefully get to help their families by buying headstones as well!
I love you!
5K – Complete!
Well Carter, I did it! I completed my Couch to 5K training program. And last Saturday I ran my 5K. I was lucky enough to have a friend run it with me. And thankfully that friend is pregnant…so she was under orders from the doctor to take it easy…otherwise she would have run me into the ground!
I didn’t run fast. I did run it all though. And I tried my best to just stay positive while I ran it. It was hard for me though to not get frustrated though since I LOVE running 5Ks and I felt like I was in horrible shape for it. I just need to remind myself that I am not even 3 months post-partum and that I’ll get there. I’ll be able to run as fast as I had been 2 years ago before I got pregnant with you…someday. And I’ll lose the remaining 23 lbs I have to lose…someday.
One of my friends made me happy the other day when I was talking to her. I was telling her about how I was frustrated about my weight and her response to me was, “It took you 9 months to gain it!” So that was a nice thought…I don’t have to lose it all now. I will work hard and continue exercising because that is what I love to do and eventually, the weight will come off again. (Maybe laying off the sweets would help too though huh?!? =- ) )
I didn’t run fast. I did run it all though. And I tried my best to just stay positive while I ran it. It was hard for me though to not get frustrated though since I LOVE running 5Ks and I felt like I was in horrible shape for it. I just need to remind myself that I am not even 3 months post-partum and that I’ll get there. I’ll be able to run as fast as I had been 2 years ago before I got pregnant with you…someday. And I’ll lose the remaining 23 lbs I have to lose…someday.
One of my friends made me happy the other day when I was talking to her. I was telling her about how I was frustrated about my weight and her response to me was, “It took you 9 months to gain it!” So that was a nice thought…I don’t have to lose it all now. I will work hard and continue exercising because that is what I love to do and eventually, the weight will come off again. (Maybe laying off the sweets would help too though huh?!? =- ) )
Thursday, November 4, 2010
You Did It!
Great news, Carter! I know I told you before, but we raised enough money at church for a headstone! Before I tell you all about what has happened with it, here are a couple of pictures of what we put in the bulletin at church explaining "Carter's Cause".
So, I called the funeral home to ask about paying for a headstone. The good news started when they told me that one of the babies next to you was going to get his headstone because his mommy and daddy were able to pay for it. Then the lady from the funeral home called me back after looking into the situation for the little girl on the other side of you. Her name is Christilina and she was born still on July 3, 2009. Her mommy and daddy ordered her headstone last summer and put some money down on it. But, they have not been able to finish paying for it. The balance owed was just over $600 and I was SUPER excited to tell the funeral home lady that our church wanted to pay the entire amount!
Today, your sisters and I went to the funeral home with a check in hand. And the story just gets better! I asked for clarification on the story behind the headstone. When I asked if the stone still needed to be ordered her response was, no...it was there and it would be set in the next few days! What wonderful news! Not only did we raise enough money because of you, but because of you, the family gets instant closure! You are quite the kiddo! I'm so proud of you! I am also looking very forward to telling our church congregation the great news this weekend!
And to top it off, there is still money left over so we will get to help another family in the future too!
I love you Carter. Thank you for being the best little boy a mommy could ever ask for.
So, I called the funeral home to ask about paying for a headstone. The good news started when they told me that one of the babies next to you was going to get his headstone because his mommy and daddy were able to pay for it. Then the lady from the funeral home called me back after looking into the situation for the little girl on the other side of you. Her name is Christilina and she was born still on July 3, 2009. Her mommy and daddy ordered her headstone last summer and put some money down on it. But, they have not been able to finish paying for it. The balance owed was just over $600 and I was SUPER excited to tell the funeral home lady that our church wanted to pay the entire amount!
Today, your sisters and I went to the funeral home with a check in hand. And the story just gets better! I asked for clarification on the story behind the headstone. When I asked if the stone still needed to be ordered her response was, no...it was there and it would be set in the next few days! What wonderful news! Not only did we raise enough money because of you, but because of you, the family gets instant closure! You are quite the kiddo! I'm so proud of you! I am also looking very forward to telling our church congregation the great news this weekend!
And to top it off, there is still money left over so we will get to help another family in the future too!
I love you Carter. Thank you for being the best little boy a mommy could ever ask for.
Best Possible Outcome
Hey Carter. Well, our appointment with your little sister last week was absolutely as good as it could have been. It even started out well. We got in early and the doctor and medical resident that we saw were WONDERFUL! They were friendly and reassuring. It was nice.
The diagnosis for little Abby is a Congenital Melanocytic Nevus. Here's the explanation of it according to Wikipedia:
The congenital melanocytic nevus is a type of melanocytic nevus (or mole) found in infants at birth. Occurring in about 1% of infants in the United States, it is located in the area of the head and neck 15% of the time.
The appearance of the congenital melanocytic nevus is similar to those of acquired ones, but are usually larger in diameter and may have excess hair, called hypertrichosis. If large with hypertrichosis, it is called giant hairy nevus.
Microscopically, the congenital melanocytic nevus appears similar to acquired nevi with two notable exceptions. For the congenital nevus, the neval cells are found deeper into the dermis. Also, the deeper neval cells are found along with neurovascular bundles with both surrounding hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and subcutaneous fat.
Many are surgically removed for aesthetics, but larger ones are excised for prevention of cancer. 5 - 15% transform into melanoma.
The lesions are often flat at birth, brown to black in color. They often grow proportionally to the body size as the child matures. As they mature, they often develop thickness, and becomes elevated. Prominent terminal hairs often form, especially after puberty. With maturity, the nevus can have variation in color, and the surface might be textured with growths.
The benign congenital nevi often have characteristics resembling melanomas, often breaking most if not all of the ABCD rules. Dermatoscopic findings of benign congenital nevi are usually benign in nature.
So, it's just a birthmark! We will go back to Denver Children's Hospital once a year to have it looked at. But other than that, we just get to live our lives with a wonderful, happy, healthy baby. As long as it doesn't start growing disproportionately large and she continues hitting her developmental milestones, we just life life!
We are extremely grateful. We couldn't have asked for a better diagnosis. =- )
The diagnosis for little Abby is a Congenital Melanocytic Nevus. Here's the explanation of it according to Wikipedia:
The congenital melanocytic nevus is a type of melanocytic nevus (or mole) found in infants at birth. Occurring in about 1% of infants in the United States, it is located in the area of the head and neck 15% of the time.
The appearance of the congenital melanocytic nevus is similar to those of acquired ones, but are usually larger in diameter and may have excess hair, called hypertrichosis. If large with hypertrichosis, it is called giant hairy nevus.
Microscopically, the congenital melanocytic nevus appears similar to acquired nevi with two notable exceptions. For the congenital nevus, the neval cells are found deeper into the dermis. Also, the deeper neval cells are found along with neurovascular bundles with both surrounding hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and subcutaneous fat.
Many are surgically removed for aesthetics, but larger ones are excised for prevention of cancer. 5 - 15% transform into melanoma.
The lesions are often flat at birth, brown to black in color. They often grow proportionally to the body size as the child matures. As they mature, they often develop thickness, and becomes elevated. Prominent terminal hairs often form, especially after puberty. With maturity, the nevus can have variation in color, and the surface might be textured with growths.
The benign congenital nevi often have characteristics resembling melanomas, often breaking most if not all of the ABCD rules. Dermatoscopic findings of benign congenital nevi are usually benign in nature.
So, it's just a birthmark! We will go back to Denver Children's Hospital once a year to have it looked at. But other than that, we just get to live our lives with a wonderful, happy, healthy baby. As long as it doesn't start growing disproportionately large and she continues hitting her developmental milestones, we just life life!
We are extremely grateful. We couldn't have asked for a better diagnosis. =- )
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