Reason to Rejoice

Yesterday was my LONG visit with the neurosurgeon. The first thing I noticed is that they have praise videos playing on the TV. Then, as you are filling out the patient information, they have a sheet at the back for prayer requests because they sit down and pray for their patients on a weekly basis...thought this was neat and very rare in today's society. Anyway....the dr basically said that I have a mild Chiari Malformation. Here is the description better than what I can say: ******The Chiari malformation is an abnormality in the lower part of the brain called the cerebellum. There are several different forms. The most common type is the Chiari I malformation (CM) which this article addresses. Less commonly, it may be known as Arnold-Chiari malformation, tonsillar herniation or tonsillar ectopia. Most cases of Chiari are congenital, meaning they are present from birth. In normal anatomy, the cerebellar tonsils are located just above this line called the foramen magnum. But in a...

Went to the doctor today and by the time I got there I was at peace. I knew in my heart that there wasn't anything to worry about. So...I saw the doctor and basically here were the findings of the MRI: 1. I have what is called empty sella syndrome. Empty sella syndrome is a rare congenital disorder that occurs when an empty space in the brain fills with cerebrospinal fluid as a result of a deformity in the brain. It is not a life-threatening condition and there is no treatment...it just is. 2. I have slightly low-lying cerebellar tonsils. Technical definition: the cerebellar tonsils move downward through the foramen magnum possibly causing compression of the lower brainstem and upper cervical spinal cord as they pass through the foramen magnum. The doctor basically said that it is like a brain hernia. He did say that he did not feel that it is severe enough for surgery and the radiology report even said that mine was "slight." However, the doctor wants me to see a...

Bet you thought you would get the results to my MRI from this post, huh?? Well, WRONG!!! The doctor's office called earlier and they want to see me on Monday. At first I thought that it must not be too serious if they haven't called yet. Well, I have only seen this doctor one time. I don't know much about how they operate. I do know that it took me calling 4 times before they would call me back about changing a prescription that I had from a suspension to a pill. So...track record on calling back - not so good. Now, my thought is that if the MRI was normal they would just tell me that on the phone. I had blood work the day I saw the doctor, they called me and said, "Just wanted to let you know your blood work came back normal." I don't know what to think. I know I am a worrier and having to wait until Monday is going to be hard but I have to trust in God. He is the Author and Perfector of our faith....a friend earlier reminded me of the words to one...

I have never posted a video on here before....let's try...

Isn't this the cutest EVER???!!! LOVE IT!!! When I figure out how to post a link on my page, I can direct you to the lady that made these for me from Etsy.com!!!

Krista turned 30 yesterday and I have been telling her little white lies for about 3 weeks now and with the help of her husband, Heather, and Anita, the surprise was a success!!!! Here are some pictures!!

Well, first thing this morning, I had my MRI on my brain...I am talking, 8:00 am!! Yes, it was early but I was glad to get it out of the way...it's done. Results...later. Oh, and if you have never had an MRI...yeah, it sounds like a jack hammer...not good if the reason you are getting the MRI is headaches! Hmm... Then, off to Dora, Live! we went!! Me, Brice, Rachel, Krista and Chelsea. It was super fun! The girls really enjoyed themselves even though we were in the nosebleed section...really, I wasn't going to spend a bunch of money on something that I wasn't sure my child would even sit through...she did and that means that we might try other venues of the sort...she really liked it. I will post pictures later. Then, she left. Yep, went with Brice's parents to Arkansas. My heart is a little sad. However, somewhere deep inside myself I can't help but feel like a bad parent because I am looking forward to the week where some projects can get done and I can...

This sweet face is the face of my big ole baby!!! Today's doctor visit stats: Length: 26 1/4 inches - 97th %tile Weight: 17 lbs - 97th %tile Head: 16 1/4 inches - 55th %tile Yep, I birth em big and apparently parent them big too! I just knew that this baby was going to be smaller than Rachel...and she actually is if you look at the numbers....Rachel weighed the EXACT same as Lauren at her 4 month well baby checkup BUT Lauren started out 2 lbs heavier than Rachel at birth so Rachel was actually growing at a faster pace. ANYWHO....I just have big babies and I am okay with that as long as we don't get to Lauren's 2 year checkup and the doctor starts wanting to send us to an endocrinologist (like she did with Rachel) because she is so big. Other news from the doctor....she told me that the AAP recommends no baby food until 6 months. Well, that is different from what our regular doctor says, so we are going to continue with cereal and may not start actual baby food until 6 ...

Yep! Lauren is 4 months old! Where did you go? NOT SURE!!! I can't believe she is getting so big! She is in size 2 diapers. She can grab things now and hold them for awhile. We started cereal (yes, I know, a little early but she is doing GREAT!) She is drooling all over the place! Not sure when she will cut teeth but if it is anytime soon it will be before Rachel. Rachel didn't get her 1st tooth until she was 7 months old! Um...she is almost perfect in the church nursery every Sunday and Wednesday and really only fusses when she is dirty, hungry, or sleepy! She sleeps between 8-10 hours every night which is PURE HEAVEN!!!! I just love this little baby so much!! Wednesday is her 4 month checkup with shots, weight and length check! We will see a different doctor because the girls' doctor had her baby boy last week!!! Yay for babies!

So, I said I would catch up....my brain hurts! I can't do it! Basically, we have been busy and I have taken a ton of pictures which I will post eventually. Let me give you the scoop of what we did today... I have been having migraine headaches. Well, what I figured was migraines. I have never had them prior to having Lauren. I take that back...I had one early early in pregnancy with Rachel then I had one early in my pregnancy with Lauren (maybe that's a sign that I will have high blood pressure during pregnancy). Anyway, sorry for that side-tracked random thought. So, I started having these horrible crazy visual disturbances right after Lauren was born to where I couldn't see anything...just blurry and I couldn't focus on anything. It would last for about 30 minutes, the white spots/flashes would get worse before it would go away and as soon as the visual disturbances went away I would have a MASSIVE headache!! Well, I have had about 10 or so since Lauren was ...

Will I ever catch up? Probably not! I have been working really hard on planning my 10 year high school reunion. It seriously takes up my whole day besides playing with Rachel and feeding and playing with Lauren. I am about to have everything mailed out so I will get a break until I start getting money back. But, I think the majority of the time consuming work is done. I still have several people that I cannot find but I can't get them all, I don't guess. We had a good Fourth of July. We had company the week before and didn't do anything on that day but had church outside the day after the 4th. Luckily, it wasn't too bad hot and we enjoyed it! I will leave you with a picture and promise that I will more of an update later.... Isn't this HILARIOUS??!!