Not Me! Monday

That's right, I actually remembered (again) to post a "Not Me! Monday" on Monday! =0)

Welcome to "Not Me!" Monday!
This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Okay, so here we go . . .

I did not totally spend Saturday vegging and that did not include staying my pajamas all day. I, like everybody else, always change out of my pajamas at least 30 minutes after I wake up. And, I most certainly did not allow Isaiah to wear his PJs all day either. Nope, not something I would ever do . . . at least not today. =0)

I did not go to bed last night without picking up after my son. No way, uh-uh. I mean he's always organized because I am sooooo organized and hate messes! Isaiah always picks up after himself, and whatever he might miss, I always pick up right then and there. Sheesh! =0) (Love, ya, Terry!!!) =0)

I did not purposefully purchase shoes for my son . . . shoes with holes I might add. Nope, even if these shoes were designed for breathability, I would not ever purchase a shoe with holes in it. (In case you're interested where I found these, go to http://zerogllc.com/store/) Oh, yeah, and I almost did not purchase the tutti fruity shoes for Isaiah, even though they were his first choice. =0) (By the way, if these shoes help his tootsies, I will let you know - it took me a while to find a shoe like this, so I hope it's worth it . . . and they do have discount shoes . . . ). I think I should also add that I did not purchase these a little bit ago and forgot to put this in a post . . . a little bit ago. =0)

Isaiah did not ask his Mr. Potato, "You want a one eye or a angry eyes?" He also did not shove several sets of eyes into Mr. Potato's compartment (the one in his tush) and say, "You just never know, you need them!" Isaiah does not watch Toy Story 2 waaaayyy too much! =0)


Isaiah was not singing "Old MacDonald" at the top of his lungs. He did not say, "Old MacDonald had a pig! E-I-E-I-Oooo! With a moo-moo *snort*! An-a moo-moo *snort*" . . . more snorting . . . then he started singing "Old MacDonald had a Mommy! E-I-E-I-Ooooooo! With a 'no, no, no!'" Of course he did not stop there, he kept going with the "no, no, no's." =0) Hmm, do I say that too often . . . . . no . . . uh, I mean, nah! =0)



I did not buy yet another movie for Isaiah. Nope - I mean, c'mon, Isaiah has a ton of movies already. Of course, I did not buy it at the SPCA either. Who could pass . . . er, not pass up a new movie for $1.00???? =0) (and The Brave Little Toaster at that!) =0)

Okay, so maybe the picture shows Isaiah is reading a book, not watching his new movie, but you have to admit, the picture is totally cute! =0)

Isaiah did not show everybody (including at church and at the grocery store) his "bad toot" (bad tooth). Nope, not my little man. He would never!!! =0) He is way too proper for that!! =0)

I did notbuy Isaiah a Wall-E sleeping bag for Isaiah, complete with flashlight and matching Wall-E pillow. Nope, I most certainly would not! I mean, after all, I wouldn't go out and buy a sleeping bag just so Isaiah could have one like the boys (my nephews) - you know, one that is more his size. Why would I ever do such a thing . . . and he most certainly does not love the thing!!! =0) (no, he does not sleep in the thing, in bed, either) =0)



Isaiah did not have more to say this week, and I simply will not write them all down to share with you next time . . . =0) Hmmmm, maybe something that matches with this one . . . .

=0)

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Oh, yeah . . . any guesses as to what this is????

=0)

Wordless Wednesday

And a video for you of Isaiah and his "cam-ra" =0)
"Hey, Mommy! It's a baby hedge-og!"

(Can you tell what his favorite shirt is right now?) =0)

"Not Me!" Monday

Yes, it's that time, again! It's time for that wonderful blog carnival started by McMama (in fact, for some more "Not Me's", hop on over to McMama's blog. =0) I know the use of "not" has confused some people, so I wanted to briefly explain that the "not's" in italics are sarcastic - meaning this stuff really happened . . . =0)

Okay, so here goes . . .

We did not go to Orlando for yet another doctor's appointment. When that doctor (that did not exist) did not walk into the room and did not sit down only to have my son not pull my shirts (yes, I had 2 shirts on . . . to prevent this) down to flash the non-existent doctor. Nope. Never happened. The doctor did not get embarrassed, and I most certainly did not get embarrassed. Obviously, 'cuz it just did not happen. =0) (I've been scarred for life! I'm not so sure that I can look the guy in the face the next time I see him!!!) =0)

Speaking of my son who most certainly did not pull my shirt down, he also did not lift up his own shirt and say, "Wook! It's a bad toot!" ("look! it's a bad tooth!) while pointing to his nipple. He did not just discover that he has one . . . he still hasn't discovered that he has another (seriously - he thinks he only has one) . . . and he did not ask me to put a band-aid on it to make it go away. The non-existent doctor did not have to cover his face to keep from showing us that he was laughing so hard tears were starting to form. Nope, never happened. Right???

We did not find out today that Isaiah will be having an endoscopy and a sigmoidoscopy in just a few weeks. We also did not find out that he will have to be sedated with gas and intubated for the procedures . . . and that the recovery will take longer because they will have to use gas instead of the usual propofol. Nope, he most certainly is not at risk with the propofol because 1) it is a known masto trigger (as in, it is known to cause anaphylaxis in masto patients) and 2) propofol has soy in it . . . one of many things Isaiah is allergic to. He will also not have to have an IV and will not have to be given prednisone, benadryl, and IV zantac to make sure he will not have a reaction during the procedures - Isaiah is most certainly not at high risk for anaphylaxis. =0( (Please pray for Isaiah and this procedure - he'll have this done in April and needs to be steroid-free for at least 8 weeks).

Our pharmacist does not know who we are. She not only does not know us, but she also does not know us by name - first and last - and does not know Isaiah's birth date by heart. She does not go get his meds as soon as we walk in the door and have them ready for us to just walk out with them. That would be absurd! They are also not in one of those large brown paper bags (you know, the ones you get at the grocery store), and some of the pharmacy techs do not try to shove them into the little drawer only to tell us that we have to come inside . . . and we most certainly have not completely given up on going through the drive through when we pick up Isaiah's prescriptions . . . and this is totally not funny. =0) (C'mon, you have to see the humor in this . . . big brown paper bag, the tech trying to shove the thing into that little drawer and then trying to push that little stick to make the drawer deliver the meds - I'm laughing at the thought of it - seriously . . . or not so seriously) =0) (another side note . . . it would be kind of fun to mess with the new techs, though - tee-hee!) =0)

My son did not decide to show the Schwan's delivery man his new "Buzz Lightyear" underwear and proceed not to tell him that he just went potty . . . and yell, "To ifibidy an be-yon!" ("To infinity and beyond!"). Nope, not my little man - he's too proper for that! (e-hem) Of course, I did not laugh when he said that either. I mean, why would I positively reinforce such talk??? =0)

I did not totally forget to write a post this past week about my in-laws being here and we did not completely have a wonderful time with them being here. It was not a relaxing time and not fun taking them on a tour of our town . . . and the beach . . . and to see the space shuttle. I so did not want them to stay longer. (miss you guys - it was good to see you!!!)

I did not totally trip over my own feet while in the store in front of a whole bunch of people. I was not laughed at, and did not turn red and laugh at myself . . . nope, I'm too graceful for such a thing to ever happen to me. ;0)

I do not have a week off from classes and do not have only 2 classes left until I graduate with a Master's degree in TESOL (teaching English to Speakers of other languages). Nope, and I most certainly do not have a 4.0 with 100% in my classes . . . and I'm not completely in shock about that, either! =0) (Hey, c'mon - I'm shocked and completely excited!!!!) I'm also not a member of Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor's society either . . . eeek!!! =0)

Isaiah did not make a new friend at the non-existent doctor's office today. This non-existent friend in the non-existent doctor's office was not 5 years old and smaller than Isaiah . . . my son also does not weigh 41 pounds (he lost 5 pounds) and is not 46 inches tall. Nope, and he's not 3 1/2 either. =0)

Anyway, those are all the not me's for this week. . . I think. =0) Hopefully, I will remember to post some next week. Now that I let you in on my "Secret" (it wasn't really, I just didn't say much about it until now . . . no idea why either) . . . well, now you know why I was slacking on all my posts. Hey, the last 2 classes were doozies - English Grammar???? YIKES! You'd think I'd be better with my grammar after that class! HA! ;0) In all honesty, it's actually been a lot of fun! =0)

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And, to discuss the upcoming "surgery" for Isaiah, the doctor just wants to have a look around in Isaiah's esophagus and stomach as well as his lower intestine. He has a sneaky suspicion that Isaiah's severe constipation is being caused by an overly sensitive bowel (sensitive because of the masto and allergies). He also wants to make sure that Isaiah's tummy is doing okay on the dose of ranitadine (compounded zantac) and that he doesn't have anything else going on in there. Isaiah is on a lot of meds that he did sort-of want Isaiah to be off of for the procedures, but he really doesn't want to mess with the meds - it's strange how each one works with the other to keep Isaiah alive . . . seriously. Off the meds, Isaiah's reactions would be worse and more frequent . . . which would also mean that they would have more potential for being fatal. Masto and allergies stink!

The doctor we saw today was so nice and relaxing. He was doing his best to make a serious procedure (simple procedure, yet serious because of the anesthesia and Isaiah's anaphylaxis issues) seem very easy and normal. He was trying to make the situation sound less intimidating. It worked, but I can't say that I didn't get teary-eyed at the thought of Isaiah being intubated. The procedure itself (a camera being inserted through the mouth to look into the throat, stomach, and upper portion of the intestines; and a camera being inserted into a very small portion of his lower intestine) doesn't sound all that bad - I have even had an endoscopy. The procedure is really no big deal. It's the anesthesia and the intubation. Even IVs don't phase me anymore - even with it being Isaiah (he's so brave and calm when he gets them). I guess it's just strange to think that a machine will be making sure my son is breathing during the procedure and that they will have access to his airway for the "just in case." Ugh. I don't think I even want to think about this anymore . . .

I was also thinking a lot about the amount of meds Isaiah is on. It's an insane amount - 12 meds. Each one given to try and help a particular symptom (whether topical or ingested/inhaled), and each one working together to try and "control" all the other symptoms as well. Even still, it's a lot of meds. Yet without them - even without one or two of them - Isaiah's symptoms would not be managed and he would end up in the ER yet again. Yes, that still happens, but it could be much, much worse. It could be happening more frequently and the episodes could be more severe. Six Epi Pens (epinephrine injectors) sound so unnecessary, yet when one, two, or three just don't seem to cut it, then you have four, five, and six as backups - life saving, yet scary backups. It's horrifying to give one Epi, but even worse when you realize that you need to give another, and another . . . I don't ever want to go beyond that. I don't ever want to see that.

Also be praying for Isaiah's health right now. Last Wednesday, we had a birthday party for my nephew. My nephew had his cake and ice cream, and I baked a cake for Isaiah to have and had his special ice cream on hand, but still Isaiah ended up having a slight reaction that night. I really have no idea why, but I have noticed that we just can't go anywhere near the bakery section in Wal-Mart - he gets itchy, splotchy, rashy, and sometimes flushes. It only took a couple of times to figure out what was going on. Anyway, I gave Isaiah hydroxyzine and the more immediate matter was resolved, but Isaiah hasn't been the same since. He hasn't been sleeping well (last night he itched the entire night - he couldn't even fall asleep until he was absolutely exhausted . . . which ended up being around 3 in the morning). He has also been complaining of pain and hasn't been eating . . . except for popcorn . . . and a special hot dog today. Of course, he has also been irritable, but that's to be expected. I wish I could make it all go away for him - the itchies, the ickies, all of the stuff that goes along with this masto and allergies.

Anyway, I'm really in a good mood . . . I know, you can't tell, can you? =0) I am so not sleep-deprived and not at all slap-happy. ;0) I have shed a few tears today, but really, I'm not surprised that the doctor wanted to do the tests - I knew that he would. It's more of the other stuff that got to me. But, really, I'm in a good mood. =0) Well, I can't let a post go without posting a few pictures . . . and I can't end without posting a good one that will make you smile, too! =0)

He's pretending to be the "halo-docter" (halo-detector, from Wall-E) =0)

Goodnight!

Flashback Friday

This post is especially meaningful in that this morning I thought I had lost all of my files . . . all of them. Who knows what happened, but thankfully God fixed it and all of my files are still on my computer. Really, I had started crying because I thought I had lost everything on my computer. Frustrating as these electronic gadgets are, they store a great deal of our life stories . . . at least in pictures. Yes, I do backup my files, but I haven't done that for a couple of months, so everything that I had placed on my computer from the last couple of months would have been lost. Again, thankfully, it's all there . . . or here. . . you get the picture. =0)

Anyway, what better time for a Flashback Friday than a day where you think you've lost the majority of your photos (yes, I have a lot of printing to do). =0)

Hmmm, let's see . . . a photo from February 2005 (the photos when we first learned that Isaiah was going to be a boy - though that picture will not be posted): =0)

Of course these pictures did not come easily. I have to say that I was quite stupid for driving all the way to the doctor's office in a blinding snowstorm (really, no exaggeration, either) - a 45 minute trip turned into a much longer trip considering I couldn't see anything in front of my car until I arrived at the office. I was driven by the desire to see my baby perhaps for the last time before he would be welcomed into life outside the womb. I couldn't resist seeing his little black and white image and hearing the thumps of his heart . . . I was obsessed with the visits! =0)

And another . . . a few photos from February 2006. It was around this time that the words systemic mastocytosis would have been introduced into our vocabulary, and Isaiah would have fully anaphylaxed for the first time (I say fully, because the vomiting episodes and hives before this did not involve breathing difficulties and unconsciousness). Severe food allergies also entered into existence and the words "change your diet so that your child will live" were spoken to me for the first time. Nothing like those words to wake you up to reality and gravity of a situation. Still, such a beautiful and perfect little guy!

And, still, another . . . a photo from February 2007. This month, we were to travel from Maryland to settle here in Florida - of course, we will have been here 2 years in about a week.

Lastly, a photo from February 2008. It's amazing how fast our children grow! I can hardly believe that we couldn't understand the majority of what this little guy was saying. =0) Of course, we still have trouble understanding him, but he says much more now. He also couldn't use a fork or spoon nor a regular cup. It's amazing how far he has come in just one year!

It's amazing to see what God has done with this little man. The life I was told should not have been is in existence - God had other plans. Isaiah is a fulfillment of a promise God made to me a while ago. Yes, I'm young, but it was still a while ago to me. =0) Especially when you find out so young that biological children may not be part of your future. I'm so glad that God had other plans! =0) God is AWESOME!!!!

Wordless Wednesday (and a few extras)

"Gardening" (aka picking up sticks) with a fake wrench =0)

Blowing Bubbles

This is how you throw a "hutbol"

And this is how you run away from the "hutbol" you just threw =0)

A serious "hutbol" face =0)

A crazy-hair-blowing-in-the-breeze-while-you're-running face =0)

The face you're supposed to make before you throw the "hutbol" =0)

Ahhhh, relaxation =0)

Well, it was almost a wordless Wednesday. I just wanted to explain the next pictures. We actually had frost - in Florida!!!! We even had ice! =0) Of course, these were taken a couple of weeks ago when we were having a cold spell . . . but I still really wanted to share them with you! =0) Hey, it's the closest thing to snow this part of FL will ever see on the ground! =0)

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

I know I haven't posted much lately, but Isaiah and I have had colds.

A quick update on my mom, though - all of her tests came back with great reports! Everything was negative!!! She is doing well, still no tummy pain. =0)

I also wanted to say, Happy Valentine's Day! (or ValenSlime's Day as I have heard . . . ) =0)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Please Pray for Abby . . .

Quick update on Abby . . . her mother just called from the hospital to tell Abby's dad to drop everything and come to the hospital. Please, pray for Abby and her family.


Abby is a beautiful little girl who is fighting cancer. She is in the hospital with sores and infections. Her G-tube is leaking and her abdomen is bloated and tender - she has also had a fever today. Since she is on chemo, she also has no immune system. Please pray for this little girl and her family, and please visit her site at http://www.riggsfamilyblog.com/ for more updates (and to leave messages for her family).

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Also, please keep my mom in your prayers as well. She is still having testing done (related to the ulcers and some other testing as well). She still feels no pain in her stomach, but will be having another endoscopy done sometime next week. I will keep you guys posted!

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Since I'm actually finding the time to write, =0) I figured I would give you a little update on Isaiah as well. Isaiah was put on a new med (just in case I haven't told you yet), and it seems to be working. Just a quick recap, in case I forgot to tell you: We had Isaiah's follow-up allergist appointment with his local allergist, and I expressed concern about Isaiah's GI issues (severe constipation, sparing details). Since Isaiah was on Gastrocrom as an infant, the doctor felt that it might be worth a try. Well, it took about a week, but Isaiah is doing much better! He is able to go without any pain!!! It's amazing how fast that stuff works! =0)

This really is a praise report, as well, since his appetite has improved and the rash that was around his mouth is also gone (of course, in addition to the constipation being nonexistent)! I can finally see his beautiful skin on his face!!! =0) He still has a few spots of it here and there (mostly around his eyes and on his cheeks), but the rash around his mouth is gone! He still gets a mottled appearance (red splotches) where the rash was, but I'm guessing that's because his skin is still healing.

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And, since I'm here, my dad is also doing pretty well. He is still having memory issues (which seem to come and go), but he seems happier. He has also had some pain and cold spells, but overall has done really well the past week. Please, continue to pray for him as well.

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That's all for now, but I also wanted to leave you with a flashback . . . since it's Friday. =0)