Little girl's skirt

Tonight, around nine o'clock I didn't hear any noises around the house. I locked-up my self in the study room and let my husband takes care my kids. Well, hubby had a good sense of taking care the kids :-) they put them in bed. Well, normally between 8 pm to 9pm my kids are saying " night night".

Anyway, since my kids are in bed, I feel bored. So I decided to take all my scrap fabric and laces, I laid it on the floor and stared at it for 15 minutes thinking of what to do with it. Then I finally came up with making a new skirt for my little daughter. I read some blog that have tutorials for making skirts from this blog . It was very easy to follow. So, here is my finished product...

Cardiology Follow-up visit

Gerald had a cardiology visit and everything went well. Although the kids behavior was the worse behavior I ever seen. But my son was very cooperative during the vital signs, EKG, and body check.

 Kathlyn on the other hand didn't score a good point from us tsk tsk tsk. As you can see in the photo.

Anyway, Dr. Nowlen was happy to see us and Gerald Jay. We are gonna start weaning Gj from the sildenafil starting on Monday. I am excited about it, because one less meds the better. But our Dr was very conservative which we love about him :-). He want us to watch closely for some signs of fatigue and etc from the .01- 0 dose because that is where we see some difference. He will have 3 echos within 15 weeks and follow-up visit with Dr. Nowlen on the 16 weeks. All was good and it was a great cardiology visit!

Psychologist visit

Greetings!

As I mentioned in my previous post that Gerald is going to be busy this week and this is one of them. We had a psychological evaluation since our last eval was couple years ago. But this time we mentioned the doctor about the result of the kindergarten transition meeting. Which he falls on the mental retardation category. The doctor is just gathering all the information from all our providers and will help us to determine if he is or not. Some providers that I talk too are not agreeing with the MR category either. Anyway, there are more visitation to the psychology to be done and don't know who would really diagnose him as MR. For as parents, he looks really good rather than not talking Gerald is fairly a happy kid.

Typical Gerald! When we arrived at the clinic he liked to check out every corner of the clinic and get on the chair. We are discouraging him to do that, but he still does it. Anyway, Daddy helped him get off the chair and he stayed playing on the floor with his sister and the other kid that was there before us.

During the evaluation the doctor brought out the blocks in which he wasn't interested at all. Only Kathlyn played with in and Gerald focuses on the dual phone which was located on the corner of the office. After 10 minutes Gerald started to get bored and tried to find something else to in such a small office. But he couldn't helped himself whining a little bit. When gets really tired whining he sat on dad's lap and feel asleep :-). We ended the visit with a peaceful Gerald in dad's arms.

This is it for now. Thanks for stopping by!

Appointments

The week is a busy week for Gerald Jay. He will have the psychology evaluation by tomorrow and on Thursday he will have his cardiology follow-up. So far, Gerald is doing real well and can't complain. Thanks to our Almighty God!

Chicken intervention

We have chickens in our backyard for almost five years now. So its basically since Gerald was born. As far as I can remember Gerald jay has been feeding those chickens everyday. It is a good job for him. Those chickens has given us lots of organic eggs for years and just really sad that some of them died during summer when it get really really hot here. Anyway, everyday after school Gerald jay come out the yard and visit his chicken friends. The chicken knows him well and they are excited all the time the see him. Here are some chicken bonding moments.

Gerald and the chicken

I don't know what kind of meeting they have that day, but it sure looks very serious lol.

Every meal after Gerald tasted the food, he give it to the chickens. As you can see the chicken what really anxious what he got for them :-). At least he learned how to share!

Pre-K to Kindergarten Tansition Meeting

Greetings!

It has been awhile since my last update, and I'd like to apologize to all my followers and visitors for not posting anything here. I was a little occupied of lost of things here at home and with my family.

 

UPDATE

Gerald Jay is doing very well health wise and as well a his daily activities. He had a huge progress on his feeding issues. He can now lick and suck every food that we offered him and take a bit of some cookies and crackers. As what the speech / feeding therapy at school said that he ate a birthday cake at school. I was really happy to know about his progress.

 

 Another, we had a new feeding button on his belly. It is called the mickey button. We changed it from the bard button to a mickey one and I like it too although it is a little bigger than he had before. But it is also easy to take care of.

TRANSITION MEETING

Also today, we had a transition meeting at school from pre-k to kindergarten. My husband and are very thankful to the whole team (total of 12 persons) that everyone had a chance to express their opinions and concerns about my child. I also would like to thank his current pre-school teacher Ms. T Jonhson for being an awesome teacher for our kids.

Anyway, before my husband and I went to the meeting I read the whole draft of Gj's progress from 2009-2011. We all agree that Gerald has come a long way. One of the team member who is his OT met him when he started to go to pre-school, she's also amazed how GJ's progress in two years.

 Anyway, for the first hour of the meeting each of us had the opportunity to share about GJ's progress at home and at school . They have done the evaluation since the 8th of March and today we got the results on when he falls on for the kindergarten. Currently he is receiving all the therapy at school and at home based program.

Here comes the sad part. After all the good news that he is doing well at school and the sweetest student he falls on the mental retardation category. As I was listening to the psychologist when she told us the result my mind went blank and said to my self " oh my Lord, my poor son"! I wanted to cry, but I couldn't. Our meeting went on and lasted one hour and half. When my husband and I finally left the building we held our each other hands and I asked him," did you heard it?" and he said, " Yes, but he's come a long way, and we should be very thankful that he has come this far". My husband understand it more that I do, and he was more prepared for it. As for me, I will do my best to get him where he should be for his future.

Praised God for keeping my son healthy and alive! 

Merry Christmas!!!

glitter-graphics.com

Merry Christmas to all! Wish you all the best!

Winter Party

My kids had a blast at the party today.

Santa and GJ

Santa , KC and I

 KC was wearing a Christmasy dress but she had a stomach problem and throw-up all over her and me. She was wearing no pants and GJ's sweat shirt when meeting with Santa.

Thank you very much to the Atherton's Family for sponsoring the party.

Doing great and storynory

Update: Being sick

Gerald Jay has been feeling real well, although he have problem of soft stool ( which he always have been). Anyway, about the urination problem, he is now urinating normal again...thanks God! I don't have to call the doctor. So far so good!

Storynory online reading with audio

Last black Friday, I met a nice lady at Joann's store as I was choosing some crafts shape (e.g. flower, boat and etc) whatever that called. I told her that I was going to use those shape to teach my son to recognize the shape and that way he can say the word at the same time while the object is there in front of him. The nice lady took the boat shaped off of my hand and told me that " get different kinds of boats. I am a special ed teacher too so I know how to teach special ed students". I was just happy to know that because she gave me lots of ideas to teach my child. She had a lot of information of hoe to get my child catch-up in the real toddler world. She was an angel ! Her name was Freda. I thank her very much for sharing ideas of how to teach my child. So, tonight I sat GJ on my lap and get this stoynory with audio (shared by Freda) and he was listening until it finished. I will do this kind of story telling every night with both of my kids.

Have a great night everyone!

Being sick!

Every parents worried when their kids are sick. As a parent , when my kids are sick I always wish that I am the one who get sick instead of them. Couple days ago, my little girl was throwing up for no reasons. I was really surprised and my surprises turned into a worried state. Anyway, she was puking the whole day and not wanting any food. When she asked for water, she will throw-up as soon it hit her stomach. So, I was so worried that GJ might get what she has. Yup! He did! He was throwing -up to and granting the whole night. I didn't send him to school since he didn't get any sleep at all. Fortunately, the following day GJ and Kathlyn was feeling a whole lot better. They played together and even go out the backyard and swung. Anyway, Gj was fine BUT he was not urinating as he have been in the past. He is on the diuretics and when we give that meds he normally pee more after an hour. So, that is our concerns now. We are watching him closely and sorry to say that I am paranoid about GJ's health. So far, he is urinating a little bit and if that did not change tonight...tomorrow I am taking him to the doctor. I will post update soon!

Christmas Photos

Yesterday, I took my family back in Glendale area to take some picture for my Christmas cards. My kids were just not cooperating with us the whole time, and I have to make some thing funny to catch thier attention. They were running all over the place, and when we call them the more they run away from us. I have to use tripod and timer to take some photos and I took over a 100 photos only these were look nice and acceptable after cropping. Anyway, I hope you guys have a wonderful week ahead!

Cardiology Appointment

After three months it was time for GJ to visit his cardiologist Dr. N. It was harder to get a good reading of his EKG because GJ decided to check what is going on, and he was a little bit anxious to get it done and play. He maintained his weight of 36 lbs which is good. He also cheated a little bit when taking his height, but I gave the nurse a heads-up that he will cheat and tip-toe later. He actually did cheat and if the nurse didn't watch the scale going up very slow we would even noticed it, I think it was funny hahaha. Blood pressure from the right side of his extremities are normal, but we could get a good reading on his left side again he was anxious to go and play again. GJ O2 went up to 99% again, and we're just happy to see his numbers and pinkish toes and fingers.

When Dr. Nowlen came in to the room he was just amazed how well he looked. Us too were excited to tell him how great his progress over few months after the heart cath. Dr. N thought that it will not be possible to close the fenestration that they put during the fontan procedure. But I they did closed it and Gj has been doing so well even since. PINKISH color of his fingers and toes! GJ will be off some medications in few months and will leave three kinds of medication for the rest of his life. So far we have seven different kinds of meds. I am quite excited for him to get off some of them. 

He will be seeing the cardiologist in six month window now! Yehey! Anyway, overall, it was another great visit and Dr. Nowlen was happy to see him progressing well. 

THANKS A LOT DR. NOWLEN

Glendale Glitters

This was the first time we went to Glendale Glitters right after they open it on the Nov. 26. We normal go to that area before Christmas and you can see tons of Christmas lights were lite up. This year we did expect that that place is packed with people and everything vendors and a lot of children's play station. I feel bad because I did not bring any cash to buy tickets for the slides and bouncy stuff. My husband only had a dollar enough for one slide. But anyway, KC and I did try the car slide.

rock climbing

I think kids would have fun if I bring some cash to buy tickets. We let early since it was cold and literally people are every where! I was hoping to let my kids to play in  the snow...but it didn't happened.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

What do you thank for? As of me I thank for all the blessing that we receive everyday, I thank for my children that has been my inspiration and for coming and be with me. I thank for God for saving my son’s life and I thank for my husband for being so understanding and patient on me ;-).

We normally celebrate our Thanksgiving with my husbands family ( at my in-laws house). My mother-in-law cook delicious foods every single time! But this year, we celebrate at home since my husband has to go work in the afternoon so that we do  not need to hurry everyone eating because we need to leave. That was kinda awkward all the time, so my husband suggested to celebrate it at home plus I got a new range this year hehehe.

Anyway, this was our first Thanksgiving dinner at home. I prepared my turkey last night and when I woke up in the morning I just put it in the oven. I cooked yams, stuffings, baked carrots, green bean casserole and some pies. Here are some of our photos at the dinner table.

Our thanksgiving dinner went well, and we all stuffed- up hahaha! I hope you guys had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration!

Who's wearing mommy's shoes?

Guess who was wearing my shoes?

GI Testing and specimen

McDonald at Thunderbird and 43rd Ave

GJ already seen the GI doctor  a week ago. He order to have stool test done since GJ was having bloody stool and diarrhea for almost a month. Anyway, we gave stool samples to the lab last week. We were hoping to get the result of GJ's stool sample this week, but the lab tech called me yesterday that we didn't give enough samples and we will have to provide four more stool samples within couple days. So, It will be impossible to get the result this week then. BUT, the new GI doctor "U" ( I forgot his name but it starts with letter U ) already called yesterday and trying figure out why they haven't receive any results of the stool test. So, I explain to him what happened. Anyway, I am just so pleased that the doctors personally called us and really working with us to resolved GJ's problem. He said that, if all the result came back negative he will have to look at in GJ's colon. Colonoscopy is the best term to describe it. But until then, we will just have to set back and relax and wait for the stool test results. Till then!

Bruises

Ever since GJ was taking the blood thinner, he always have bruises on his body. But lately, I have seen more bruises on him that ever before. He have bruises on his legs, arms, back, thigh, and a big one on his face. I don't know what to do to protect him from bruising. I wonder what is his teacher going to say tomorrow when he go back to school... ^_^ I will send a note in his back pack so that they won't worry about my parenting technique. He was just being a kid, and being a typical boy!

St. Joe's Hospital NyICU Reunion

It was nice to see all the nurses that took care of my little Gerald at the ICU. Today, ST. Joe's NyICU held the annual reunion at the Kwanis Park in Tempe. It was a fun for the kids, because they get to bounce on those bouncy stuff. I was expecting to see more familiar faces, but I guess they are not all there. I forgot they have to work today too :).

I was surprised too that Gerald jay asked me to put him in the fire truck. I always thought that he would never do that kind of stuff like checking out fire engines, police car, or anything. He normally stay away from that kind of stuff. But today was a totally different day, and I was happy to see him interacting more with other kids and willing to try other stuff.

Kathlyn on the other hand, she have no fear! She is more like a matron some kind, Because if she want the toy, she'll get it without asking anyone... I told her to ask for it and she looked at me for a moment and said " please". Anyway, she made on boy cry today at the park :( because she took his toy away from him. I don't that little boy though. I made KC apologize, but I don't really think she understand yet. I will work on it though. Anyway, KC was having so much fun playing with other kids at the bouncy stuff when I told her that it was time to go home. She was not happy about it. I can't blame her too, because she was enjoying and the kids that played with her were not leaving yet. Anyway, she throw fit in the car, all the way home. Imagine that! Well, dad did not get the day off today, so we have to be home before 2pm so that dad can go to work.

All in all...it was fun to see the nurses wearing regular clothes than scrubs. They are looking great without the scrubs! To Ate Liberty who chased us before we left... thank you so much for your care and service! God Bless!

Gifts from ISRAEL

Thank YOU very Much to my friend Nelia for the early Christmas gifts. It was very thoughtful of you! I am so blessed to have friend like you!

 I never thought that I would have a souvenir from Israel without even stepping on the Holy land. But I did :) Thanks a lot to Nelia for her thoughtfulness. These religious items were already blessed (catholic tradition) at the church in Israel. The rosary smells really good, and my friend told me that it was the smell of Jesus tomb.

 She sent each of us (total of four t-shirts). I will use the oil to cure my kids eczema... I believe that if you pray for God"s healing power it will happen even your faith is just like the size of a mustard seeds.

Here is one of them... glad my model was in a good mood :)

GOD BLESS and Have a wonderful time!

Congenital Heart Walk Event

Posing at the fence where GJ picture posted

We had a great time participating at the very first annual Phoenix Congenital Heart Walk. All the heart kids that I met when GJ was still a baby are so big now and full of energy that you wouldn't think that they are born with heart problems. I was very mice seeing them again. God bless their hearts!

Also, I would like to thank those who donated in GJ's name: Nelly and Brian, Rose and Jeff, Chrissy and Graham, Susan. Without their generosity I could have not met my fund-raising goal. Thank you so very much!

My kids were very happy to play and run around in the big field. It was just very tiring to chase them all the time most especially if they know that you are following or chasing them.

I was glad that my sister-in-law Susan could join us to support our family in this kind of event. It was very thoughtful and kind of her.
Thank you very much Aunt Su!


Aunt Su brought Dolly (dog) with her. Dolly was very patient and nice dog. Kathlyn likes her very much!

Kathlyn walked probably more a quarter mile when I put her back in the stroller. A mile walk was fun because you get to chat with other heart moms. I think if you walk it alone it kinda tiring and boring, but if you go with bunch of people you would not even notice that you already at the finish line.

IT WAS A LOT OF FUN!!!

After the walk the Arizona Swing Kids group performed some nice dance and music for the walkers. My kids were really enjoyed it most especially when the little boy asked my princess to dance. Oh boy, after the boy left, Kathlyn want him to dance with her again.




Anyway, my family had a great time at the walk today. It was a blast! It was also my very first time to join the fundraising! Glad that we participated! Thanks to all sponsors of this event and God Bless!

Congenital Heart Walk

Kathlyn's shirt

Kathlyn's shirt

My shirt

Gerald Jay's shirt

These shirts will be our attire for the 1st Congenital Heart Walk tomorrow. We are so excited! Also, in this event I started to join the fund-raising, and I thank to all my friends and family who donated. God bless their hearts! Thank You Very MUCH for your Support!

GI appointment

I finally made an appointment for GJ with the GI doctor after 3 weeks of attempting to make an schedule , we finally got one. Thank God! But still I am very disappointed to the ER doctors and GI doctors. They seems not care about my son's current health issues. Although, GJ looks fine he still have bloody stool 4 to 5 times a day. Every time I see the bloody stool, my heart is just furious to those doctors. I am so used to see doctors that are really care for my child in times you need them, and this time I guess is quite different than I used to see, hear, and receive.
Anyway, here in a few day he will finally see a GI doctor, and I hope he is a lot better than the ER doc.

Support our Walk--- help us raise money for research

 Please help us reach our goal and support our walk on Saturday November 7th, 2010.

Every little amount helps our goal of $100 for this event. Your support will help more patient with congenital heart defect like my son who was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
 I am 50% on the way to my goal. Please help! Thank you very much!
http://congenitalheartwalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=429992&lis=0&kntae429992=ECD162994F834320BBAB82321A4306A2&supId=307921845

bloody stool

GJ been dealing with blood in the sputum and stool in the past few weeks, and we still don't know what causing it. We already  been in the ER for couple times and still can't figured out whats wrong with my boy. All his lab works are fine and doesn't show any changes in his blood, so I guess we are just dealing with something different here. I made an early appointment with his pediatrician today and they are heading that way right now. Hope everything is well with him. We are just throwing an idea that his G-Tube might be irritating his stomach and needed to be replace. If that the case, it is not a major problem because the pediatric surgeon can do that in few minutes. I hope that's the problem. God be with him!

Congenital Heart Walk ARIZONA