The weigh in and a little birthday party

Asher weighed in at 16 pounds 8 ounces, a weight gain!
He saw the gastroenterologist on Wednesday.
After a million questions and a physical examination, she said that his tonsils looked enlarged.
She said this could be causing all the gagging and the not being able to swallow more solid foods.
She referred us to an ear, nose, and throat doctor.
(Doctors, please get in line to see my baby boy and wait your turn.)
She also had him get some more blood work done to check something to do with celiacs disease.
If this comes back positive then they will have to do some extensive testing.
She also gave him a prescription for an anti-acid medication.
I think in hopes that it would help with the vomiting.

Well, this little guy will be 1 year old on Tuesday. We did a little birthday celebrating yesterday.

Here are the pics.

Not so fond of the birthday hat.

Whose cute chicken legs are these?

 

He didn't actually eat any of the cupcake. He did taste a little frosting.

 

 

Just for fun.

 

 The birthday chair.

This is Noah's first birthday in the birthday chair. Just to compare.

"Sisters, now more than ever, we need women to step up and be strong. We need women who declare the truth with strength, faith, and boldness. We need women to set an example of righteousness. We need women to be 'anxiously engaged in a good cause' (D&C 58:27). We need to live so that our lives bear witness that we love our Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ and that we will do what They have asked us to do. We need to rescue 'all that is finest down deep inside of [us]' so that as daughters of God we can do our part to build the kingdom of God. We will have help to do this. As Joseph declared, 'If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restained from being your associates.'"

-Barbara Thompson, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency

Crawling, Noah says and Happy Birthday to Heath

Asher
Asher is crawling a little now. He struggles because of his nerve injury and he tires out pretty easily but he's doing it. A week before his first birthday.

He loves to walk. I hold his little hands and he'll walk in the living room to the kitchen and back.
I do it until my back hurts and he cries for more.
He is eating a little better. We started with one shred of finely shredded cheese.
He chewed it and swallowed, not gagging. We've progressed to a pinch of cheese.
He likes the Cheetos white cheddar puffs, too. He sucks on 'em til  there soggy. yum.

He feels heavier (I think). Tomorrow is another weigh in. I don't want to get my hopes up but I really think he's gained. 
He's got such a little personality and makes me smile until my cheeks hurt. 
Even though today he didn't want me to put him down and he only took one nap.
Me, no shower, mash potatoes on my shirt, on my face, and in my greasy hair.
Yep, that's what Heath GOT to come home to.


Noah
Noah has been so funny lately. His speech has improved so much.
He loves to sing and dance. Sometimes at the same time.
He knows all the dances in the new Willy Wonka.
He loves to sing Twinkle, Twinkle, The Itsy Bitsy Spider, Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam, and I am a Child of God.
I think I'll start a new section of my posts called NOAH SAYS.
Noah Says:
"I luf gwapes" (from the new willy wonka, the crazy grandma randomly says it)
"I said good day, sir!" (at the end of the old willy wonka)
And yesterday he said to me, "Jesus Christ, Amen?"
He wanted to say a prayer so I said OK.
He told me to close my eye so I did. 
He started out saying,"Heav'nly Father" I couldn't help but open my eyes.
I saw the cutest thing. Noah had both of his hands on Asher's head. 
He continued, "nank you forw today. Jesus Chwist, Amen. 
He has seen Asher get a few Priesthood blessings so he thought he would try it, I guess. 

For some reason Noah thinks it's great to get the roll of scotch tape and wrap it around his waste. (until it's ALL gone).   Tape around the waist + daddy cutting it off = hole in the sweater vest. nice!

He calls these his shark teeth.

Heath

Well, It's Heath's birthday tomorrow. Happy Birthday you cute, camo wearing, pottery making, sandwich loving, great guy. We had a little birthday party for him on Sunday. Some friends from church were coming over for dinner and the surprise was on them. When they got to our house I decided I was going to make a cake. I found three candles and we sang happy birthday. It wasn't much but Heath starts school this week, Asher has 2 appointments just tomorrow and we have church.

  

Singing 

Our birthday guests. Sister Rowles and her son,Chase.

Noah helped cut the cake. Great Job!

HAPPY 29th BIRTHDAY HEATHY!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

Good day, Sir!

Good News!

First, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SIS, MELISSA!
Second, Asher had an appointment with the radiologist - swallow test.
it was intense.  they strapped him to a table and made him drink some stuff.
They told me to step around "the corner".
It was a piece of wall with a window, some controls and a monitor.
At first I was peeking through the window and then my eyes met his.
He looked at me like mom aren't you going to save me.
I had to hide the rest of the time. I thought it would be easier that way.
He cried, I cried, he threw up and then we cried some more and then he had to swallow some more.
It lasted 5 long minutes.
We made it  and the radiologist said he didn't see any blockages. GOOD NEWS

Then, we were off to the lab to do a sweat test.
He had to wear little electrodes that were medicated to  increased the production of sweat - 5 minute.
then he had to wear a little patch for 30 to catch all the sweat. He slept soundly for that 30 minutes.
The lady came back into our room and I asked her what was next.
She said she was going to take the patch, weigh it, and put it in this little machine.
The results would be mailed to the doctor tomorrow. Tomorrow?
She said she couldn't "legally" tell me what the results were.
I asked how the machine worked. She told me. I asked about the numbers.
Anything 39 and below = normal, 40 - 60 border line, 61+= cystic fibrosis.
Measures the chloride (I think) anyway
There was a sink near the machine that was reading his sweat.
I happened to need to wash Asher mimi (pacifier) at the same time she was getting results.
I looked, she saw me, then said, "yes, they are low"
they took sweat from two spots.
His arm measured 17 and his leg measured 19, both normal. MORE GOOD NEWS!

We went sledding today
I got new boots
They actually keep my feet warm.
my favorite thing that Noah says right now "What cha talkin' 'bout?"
He really has a great imagination
Heath got a sweater, it looks nice.
I found a suit coat in Heath's size at Target for $14.98 - score!
Asher will be 1 soon. I can't believe it.
I hope you are still preparing. Ya know, food storage and stuff for emergencies.
I had a miscarriage January 1st while in Utah. I'm doing fine...really...it's just not my turn yet:)
Some people say that when it rains it pours. Do they mean trials or blessings?...maybe both?

 

 Thanks to all those who are keeping our little family in their prayers.

New Years Handbook!

 I got this in an email and It's on my sister-in-law's blog. I like it


HANDBOOK 2010

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a King, Lunch like a Prince, and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants...
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2009.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours at night & take a nap -or- Sleep 8 to 9 hours with no nap.
10. Start with 10 minutes and work up to a-30 minute walk daily; And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12 Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15.. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.. Don't hate others. The only one you hurt is yourself!
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree....

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything, otherwise you only hurt yourself.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29.. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up..
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy

Some Asher info, pottery shows and Utah

Asher had his first haircut today.
He also had a doctors appointment today. No weight gain.
He had to have blood taken. We are starting all the testing Dr. Marsden suggested.
The test for cystic fibrosis is on the 12th. He will have a swallow study done soon
and will have a trip to the gastroenterologist in Pittsburgh on 20th to check for celiacs disease among other things.
Utah was good but sometimes a little stressful with the boys being sick. 
Heath got into another pottery show. The 4th International small teapot show in Mission Viejo, CA.
More to come on that.

We opened presents before we left for Utah.

He got a train. Can you tell by the smile on his face?

The Stocking.

The mess and cute Asher.

The boys on the plane to Utah.

Noah got a Thomas the Train "shaving" (soap) kit for Christmas from Grandma and Grandpa Papa. 

So cute.

He even makes the funny faces.

Lorie made an awesome chocolate cake for the Christmas party. Yummy! Don't ask what's in it, just eat it.

Noah went to Jumpin' Jax (I don't know if that's how you spell it but that's how I would spell it if I owned the place). It's a big warehouse type place with lots of bouncy houses. Liz works there so we got to go FOR FREE. Thanks Liz.

More jumpin'.

Noah getting ready for an intense game of twister with Grandpa and Lucas.

Yes, I said intense. It's kind of a hard game for kids that don't know their colors. :)

Cute Asher.

Noah learning a little guitar from Aunt Liz.

The jam session.

.

Leaving a Legacy: Julius B. Papa

Meet Julius Barrow Papa. He's Heath's grandfather. He was born March 23, 1919. He served a mission in what was then called the Northern States mission where he met his wife Leona. The story goes like this. Julius was near the end of his mission and was companions with Leona's brother who was the only member of his family at the time. He had helped teach Leona and her family the gospel. He felt something when he was with her so he talked to the mission president and it was agreed that he would be able to go on a date with Leona 1 week before his release. Back then things were different. Elder Papa didn't know if or when he would be able to return to date Leona. One month after his return he proposed over the phone. Leona's answer was, "You'll have to come back here (Michigan) to find out." He did and she said yes. They were married December 19, 1941. In his journals he lovingly refers to her has his sweetheart. Six weeks after they were married Julius was off to World War II which took him to Africa and Italy. He was gone about 2 1/2 years. After the war he did not speak much of his experience. Julius and Leona had 4 boys, the youngest of which is Rex, Heath's Father

He was a Bishop and then the president of the Gridley, CA stake. He was called to serve as a mission president in the Anchorage, Alaska mission in 1981. When he returned he was called to serve as the 2nd counselor in the Temple Presidency of the Oakland temple. He was set apart by President Gordon B. Hinckley.  Three years later he received a phone call from the second counselor in the first presidency, Thomas S. Monson. He was then called to be temple President. He kept a record of ordinance workers he set apart (33) and sealings that he performed (791) which included names and dates.

There are a lot of great stories in his journals. So many that I couldn't pick just one to share. He writes of serving his family and attending little league games of grandchildren. He writes of some terrible things that were happening in the world and says in 1990, "People are really beginning to say that the second coming is not far away." I wonder what he would think if he could see the world today.

One of my favorite lines in his journal is "By the way I am not the best speller as you can see."  It makes me feel like he was humble and that he knew I would be reading his journal (or someone would). Also, I'm with you Grandpa Papa, I am not the best speller either. :)

While reading his journals I've been grateful for the opportunity to get to know this great man.

Julius B. Papa

March 23, 1919 - October 28, 2000

(Uncle Weldon, if there is any information in this post that is incorrect please email corrections to emailerinp@gmail.com)thanks :)

Smile

I guess you can't keep a gummy smile forever (even if it is stinkin' cute). Asher's bottom tooth finally broke through. He's getting closer to crawling all the time, too. He needs a little more strength in that right arm. I think he'll get it.