Heart Cath in December 2012

Gerald had a heart cath today. He has been swelling on and off for less than two months. His cardiologist called me before Christmas to see how is doing. At that time Gerald was still swollen. So he increased his lasix dose from two times a day to three times a day. A little change do the trick for my little man. The swelling had been down now. But Dr. N. want to make sure what is going on with Gj, so he ordered to have a heart cath. I was a little nervous for everything and most especially for Gerald to get through with all the hassle and procedures, but it is better than being sorry later.  Today, the Dr. confirmed that his heart is functioning well ( a sigh of relief). We are very fortunate that Gerald has been under with the same cardiologist Dr. Graziano every-time he have a heart cath. So, I am very trilled with his prognosis when Dr. G said that today was THE best heart picture of Gerald. We are both very grateful! No change for the medication so far and we are just gonna wait until the swelling finished it course!

Lasix and Swelling Issues

Three months ago, Gerald had his sixth month window visit with his cardiologist. Gerald had a wonderful visit and all the test ( EKG, ECHO ) were normal. So, his cardiogist decrease his lasix dose and eventually discontinue the meds. After two months we discontinue the lasix. During the weaning off process Gerald hasn't shown any swellingness or anything. Therefore, during the time for us to stop giving his lasix my husband and I was so glad that his medication is one less. However, after few days I noticed that he grow bigger around his belly and face. I ignore because I thought it was just me probably think too much. Then a week later when we visit my friend, they told us that Gerald got big so fast and not only that the little girl that help him sometimes mention specifically the belly is big. So, I told my husband that we have problem. Gerald is swollen. I took him to the peds doctor because his testicle was bulging. But it was not because he have hernia it was because the swelling was going down to his groin.
Well, to make the story short the our pediatrician called the on call cardiologist and Gerald was put back to his lasix. Not only a .5ml dose but 2ml dose for couple days and continue to have lasix 1ml every day.
He had seen his cardiologist last week and just to make sure that everything is alright he ordered blood test, stool test, ECHO, and Halter monitor. If everything still normal and he only swelled up with discontinuing the lasix his cardio said that they will level him as a lasix sensitive.

Congenital Heart Walk 2012

This time of the year there are a lots of "walk to raise awareness" and as well as fundraising events. Since my son is born with the heart defect I am more likely to raise awareness with the group of people who have the same passion as mine. Raise awareness of the CHD or Congenital Heart Disease. Every year we join the walk. I also joined the fundraising campaign towards the ACHA a few years ago.

The walk was held at the Tempe Diablo Stadium. I think this will be the third year that ACHA and other affiliates hosted this event. I think there are more people joined us this year to raise CHD awareness. I'm glad that my family (except my husband @ work) was able to go to this event this year since it was hard to control three younger children ( at least for me). So, I asked my friend Rose if she could help me with one of my kid at the walk. It was so nice of her that she could help me. My children had different agenda than mine once they saw all those inflatable bouncer. One would like to go to the slide and the other one just in the bounce and the other one love to walk around the field and expecting me to chase her. Overall, we had fun at the heart walk!

Here are some great photo at the event.

My eldest daughter

 My son (HLHS)

 My friend Rose and my kids

Achievement Award's Day and Field Trip 2012

It was so nice to spend a lone time with my boy. He never have a lone time with since the girls are more demanding than him. Once they saw me and Gerald are together they get jealous every time. So today I was able to be with Gerald at the Az State Fair. It was a school feild trip to the Fair.

But before we went to the fair the school held an achievement award day. I am so proud of him for trying to learn new things. Way to go baby G!

 He was been with Ms. Stone for couple years now and I see and she sees a big improvement in everything. Most especially the attention span before he only pay attention for less than a minute and now he can actually do his homework without forcing to do it.

 At the Az State Fair. He was able to do four rides before we head out to the lunch area.

My boy and I... just love the day we spent today baby G!

Happy Friday!

Happy Halloween 2012

Happy Halloween to all!

Halloween day sneaked up on me this year even though I made all my children's costume. It seems that the days was pretty fast! I didn't even send any candies for children to school ;(. I also bought less candy this time.

Anyway, I think my children had a great time trick or treating in the last few days of Halloween week. I made their costumes this year and I even put an DIY tutorial for my boy's costume huh. 

 Here is the college of my children wearing their DIY Halloween costume. Kathlyn chose to have the purple dress and even pointed it to me from a magazine add. So she got the purple dress!. Gerald Jay loves trains and for three years he has been wearing Thomas and Friend costumes. Couple of his costume was made by me. Madisen was her very first halloween costume. Since she is too young to be choosing of what kind of costume she want. I just made her a simple snow white dress. She looks really good in it.

 Here is KC wearing her full outfit for Rapunzel's costume. I also made her hair too and add some flowers to give more colorful look.

 My little Snow White and Rapunzel in KC's class room.

 The Halloween night! I took them for trick or treating around our neighborhood in which we found out the most of my neighbor doesn't give candies this year. So we went back home and give candies. It's just a shame that most of our trick or treaters are adults.

So glad that I took them for truck or treat to of the church and they had candies and experience a nice Halloween night! Plus at school they did trick or treat too!

Happy Halloween!

HopeWalk 2012

It was a beautiful morning to support HopeWalk 2012.

It was a fulfilling and very rewarding experience plus we had fun!

I'd like to thank Bridget and her team for all they do for us... thanks a lot!

 I invited my friend Rose to join us to the walk. Since I have three kids I can't see my self walking with them without anyone with me. For one thing my boy takes off easily ( my only problem). If he behave like my little girl I think I can handle three of them. But thank God Rose rescued me.

 My kids and I before the walk starts!

 They had fun playing in the bouncer

 ...and Kathlyn curiousity ended with few photos with all the mascot at the event.

 The walk started! Yes, It felt so good!

 Just love this photo

 ...got hope?

 my little girl sleeps the entire walk.

and at the finish line there were few Rattlers Players the waited for us as well as Ms. Az 2011.

My boy with Jennifer ( Ms. Az) 

Isn't she beautiful? Beautiful inside and out! Thanks to her for supporting HopeKids every step of the way. God Bless her always!

Dentist Appointments

Dentist Appointments

My three kids had their first dentist appointment early this morning. I didn't realized how much paper work that I have to filled for three patient. Men, that was not fun paper work. I wouldn't recommend to have three kids seen at the same time. Although it was a great visit, but it was a little overwhelming.
Anyway, Gerald did a great job opening him mouth for the dentist to check his teeth. He doesn't have cavities but he needs a cleaning, not urgent.
Kathlyn on the other hand had cavities! Yes major failing on my part. I normally ask her to brush her teeth and when she says "yes" I don't really check if she did brushed her teeth. Now, she on schedule to have cleaning in couple months.
Madisen was great. She only have 8 teeth and she let me brush her teeth most of the time.

Saying more words

Yes! He is talking!

Gerald Jay have PT every Thursday afternoon. So, I took him to the therapy today since Ralph was taking a nap after  working building Gerald's loft bed. Before the PT session was over, another lady called and told me that my therapist was requesting my presence in her room ( with Gerald). So much to my surprised I murmured to my self " what did Gerald do with her now?" while walking towards the room. So, as I entered I asked Ms. Nancy what did he do? She said "no, I was just gonna show you that Gerald has been talking more lately and he knows every thing that I show to him". I told her that I noticed that too. Well, had puzzels with her and Gerald named them all. Normal if he doesn't know the stuff he would cry for frustration. Not anymore! He tried hard to talk so that everyone can understand him. I am so proud of him!

Cardiology visit

Gerald has been doing so well and his visit to the cardiologist has been moved to 6 month window. He had his annual ECHO last week also. Today, Gerald Jay visited Dr. Nowleen at the cardiac clinic at CRS. We like his cardiology very much and his whole team (APCC) that Ralph was excited to see him and what he is going to say about GJ.  Gj's heart is working well or I should say doing very well :-). I love to hear those words from our cardiologist. Also, we are going to wean off GJ from one of his meds and increase the other one. All in all, Kuya is doing awesome health wise. Thanks God!

" Hard!"

When my son came back from school, my girls were all napping. Gerald Jay was alone playing in the living room. So, I sat on the floor close to the couch and I told him if he want to sit on my lap for mommy time. So he did sat on my lap. Every day I always ask him with this " how was your day at school?" I normally didn't get any answer. I don' know if he really understand me but I was hoping that one day he will give me his answer. well, today was the day that I was waiting for. I don't if it will happen again tomorrow, but he was very precise and straight forward when he told me the his day was HARD! he said, " oday HARD!" big grin on my face and thanking God that he understand me. Praise God!

My kids having so much fun in the mud.

Kathlyn's first Day to School

Kathlyn's First Day to go to School

Kathlyn has been asking me if she can go to school like Kuya Gj. I always tell her that she will be going to school in her time. I told her when she turned 3 years old she will going to school like kuya Gj, but not at the same school with Kuya. Normally she would response by saying " ahhhhh" with her droopy shoulder kind of thing. Last night, I told her that she will start going to school tomorrow. she said happily, " really? I go to school? " I said, " yes, so go to bed now and wake early tomorrow morning". She did.  

Anyway pictures will tell what happens the rest of her day today.

 She's so ready for school!

 We celebrate her first day school with lots of chicken nuggets and fries

 Then later in the afternoon, the played bike with Madisen in the walker.

My precious children..thanks a lot God for the blessings!

Used bike

No more fight over a bike... KC normally wins. Today, I found a used bike at the garage sale for $10 (expensive) plus I bought the training weels for $10 = $ 20 for the red bike. The blue bike I paid $ 4 over a year ago sa garage sale din and still working. But $20 is worth it 'cause it eliminates my kids from screaming and fighting over a bike at 7:20 in the morning... I know neighbors hates us!