My baby has reflux!

We just got the results from some tests on Alisea that confirmed that she has viscoureteral reflux. Basically, urine backs up toward the kidney on her left side and it's not supposed to. The problem with it is that it can lead to kidney infection and possible scarring and other problems over time. The tests were ordered initially because she had a bladder infection and the VCUG test is recommended because she was so little to be getting one. Anyway - its a level 3 out of 5 - she'll be on an antiobiotic in a low dose to prevent infection, and probably be evaluated again in a year to see if it has improved any (it can correct as she grows). We don't think, and surely pray, that she won't need surgery to correct it. We haven't actually met with the urologist yet - so I'll update that if he changes the plan.

I am so sad that my baby has to have this in her sweet little body. On a positive note - she gained almost a pound and a half in the past 5 weeks! She was still under 20 pounds at 14 months and not gaining. She is by far our most active little bugger, but it was a concern. Anyway - she has been getting pediasure and it seems to be doing the trick in helping her put on a little weight. While these are the negatives going on with her, she is really very healthy otherwise. If I moved around even a fraction of what she does, I'd lose some weight too!! The monkey figured out, after just a couple of days, how to get herself onto the trampoline and through the net after watching Ethan climb up on a chair. She gets on, and off of chairs, tables, couches, out of the van, over any obstacle, really, and it is absolutely amazing! Ethan's bed has a slide, and we worried about her getting hurt, but she crawls up, and slides down backward, forward, on her belly, just about any way, just fine. She's fearless. I'm scared to death.

I need a phone!

I can't believe how lost I feel without my phone! The good news is I am getting it replaced (long story) but it won't happen till Friday. In the meantime, it's driving me nuts. We didn't get a home phone, so I'm totally disconnected except through email so if you happen to have tried calling, I really didn't ignore you! It doesn't seem that long ago that we didn't have cell phones, and I thought nothing of it. Then we did the car phone thing (like 12 years ago) and thought we were up to speed. Now, I don't know anyone who doesn't have a cell. Things change so quickly! I was picking up Caitlyn from volleyball practice today, and saw at least 10 different girls talking on theirs. These are 7th graders, mind you!! The rest probably had one in their backpacks (except Caitlyn- big grimace).

Ahhhhhh ALI!!!!!!

Well, I not only need to replace Caitlyn's cell phone, but now, I get to shop for a new one for me too. I love mine! However, "little miss into everything and then some" managed to dip mine in the toilet yesterday. Thank heaven it was flushed! I couldn't tell for sure, but I don't think she fully submerged it - but it probably won't matter. Ethan rarely remembers to flush, so for that, I'm grateful! I have little hope that it will work again. I already know all of my schedule and contact info has been wiped out. It powered on, but then acted all wacky, so there you go. We just got these in April! Now I feel Uncle Mark's pain - although I think he's the one who dropped his in the toilet (hee-hee)

I guess I should have known better. A few days prior, she was stirring toilet paper with a brush. It's hard to limit her access to it since Ethan uses it all day, and doesn't close the door behind him. It's a good thing I love her so much. GRRRRRRR.

Stay tuned. I'm sure she'll do something else of note before long!!

OUCH!!

Ethan took a nasty tumble out of the back of a wagon at preschool on Monday. His nose took the brunt of his fall! He's been a trooper - and his teacher, Miss Sally, said he was very strong and other than some tight lipped whimpering, he didn't even cry. Thata Boy!

Alisea is becoming a screamer! Help. I was mortified at Wal-mart (it really is the only place to buy anything around here!) when she started screaming at the top of her lungs every time we tried to move away from whatever had her interest. And trying to leave - oh boy. Then Ethan got going (no nap today!) and if you could have seen the looks of disgust, sympathy, amusement, etc. depending on who was around at the time. These aren't little screams, they are the kind that leave your ears ringing! We'll be stepping up the "you need to learn to talk" lessons pronto!

Caitlyn lost her cell phone last week. It took her a couple of days to "fess up"- but it's gone. Our dilemma now is that we really liked having her on an electronic "leash". Since she hasn't had one, it's been a pain. How do we teach her to be more responsible, though, if we replace it? We intend to have her pay for a new one, but she really doesn't do anything much to make money. If we wait till she has the money, it could be a long time! hmmmmmm.

Casey left for Las Vegas today for a mini practice "deployment". To Las Vegas???? Whose idea was that?? Seems someone important from base is Carrot Top's brother (you know, the comedian) and they are all going to his show and actually plan to hang out with the guy. That could be interesting. He'll be back Sunday.

We finished the fence!! Well, we do still have to put the pickets on the big gate when Casey gets back, but it would be done if the guy who welded it for us had shown up the six different times he was supposed to. No Kidding, are we in Italy or something??? We seriously waited around for this guy day after day - and he didn't even call to say he'd not be coming. Casey would drive to his workshop, get a new time, and then nothing. He just didn't show. The gate, however, is awesome. Casey designed it with some input from Caitlyn. We know the design was a lot harder than the guy anticipated, so we didn't want to make too big a deal of it, but it looks great! He put it up today - and Casey missed it.

What we've been up to.

It's been a little while, but we've been busy.

We are currently working on our privacy fence. It's been a little slow-gowing, but is coming along and soon, I'll post a finished project photo. It's truly been a family project! Every free moment is spent out there working on it. We don't get much accomplished when the kids are awake (Ali mainly) so we get about 3 hours of good work time, as long as the battery on the drill doesn't die too quickly.

We bought 2 fairly big trees for the backyard. They were delivered and planted yesterday. It's amazing what a difference they make. We got pretty big ones so we could actually enjoy them before we have to sell our house to someone else. I was sad that Ethan was at school when they brought them. He missed the bulldozer in the back yard

Caitlyn is in school, full swing. She lugs around 50 pounds of books and stuff which can't be good for her back! She is on the 7th grade volleyball team and loves that. It's a HUGE team, subdivided into 3 teams.

Ethan loves preschool. Ali loves me!! and Life is good!