The scope, Steps (not the kind you're thinking) and the SWAGGER WAGON

When Heath was young he always wanted steps in his hair. (Remember steps from the 80's ... I think they might be coming back, yikes). Anyway, his cousins always had them but Heath's mom wouldn't let him get them. Soooooooooo, he is living the dream through his son. Nice, huh? Oh, and they are only on one side.

Also, Asher's scope was today. They weren't going to let me go back when they put him out but I pretty much insisted. I got to wear a cool jump suit and a blue hat. It didn't take near as long as the MRI. It wasn't as scary for me either because I knew more what to expect. He got to wear a cute, little hospital gown this time that was just his size (tiny). Another one down. The doctor said everything looks fine. Now we just have to wait for the results of the biopsies and the pancreas fluid.


This is really funny. Found it on my friend Carrie's blog.

The garden and Asher's weight.

We planted the garden this week. 

It has been a little cold so we'll see how it goes. 

Potty training is going pretty well. 

no potty accidents in 4 days

wish I could say the same for the BM's

He's scared

He even sleeps in his undies and wakes up dry. 

When he's done he says, "I need to splush." (flush) funny, huh?

His girlfriends will thank me for this picture someday. 

Asher had an  appointment on Wed. 

no weight gain

I was pretty shocked, I thought for sure he would have gained.

When the medical assistant told me the weight (17 lbs. 3 oz.)  I must have looked confused

because she asked me if I was ok. 

I started to tear up but I was able to stop myself from crying.

He is eating so well. He will try anything.

I concentrate so hard on making his meals so that they will have the most calories possible.

Plus, he hasn't been throwing up lately. 

The doctor came in and asked a few questions then said she would like to get a scope done.

She wants to take it in through his mouth all the way to his small intestine taking biopsies along the way.

This is suppose to check for allergies.

I asked if she could coordinate it with his MRI. She said she would see what she could do. 

I kept reminding myself that he is happy and doesn't seem "sick".

He's been blessed so much so far.

plus, this touches my heart.

I am the young women's president in our ward. 

Wednesday 3 of my girls who are sisters told me that they had called 5 different temples and put Asher's name on the prayer roll there. They each called one, their mom called one, and their older sister called one. 

Their mom is not even active.  

I know there are lots of people thinking about us and keeping us in their prayers and I feel so grateful for that, so grateful! I have no doubt that is why he hasn't thrown up in about 3 weeks. The longest span EVER!

I know that through our trials we are strengthened and we come to know ourselves and become more acquainted with God.

It's true that Heath critiques my sewing projects like he would a piece of art. He tells me what he likes then he tells me how they could be improved. Most the time he's right. He's smart. Also true that we have an apple tree in our yard and that Asher's vocabulary seems to increase daily.

sick & tired of him being "sick" and me being tired

Today I feel like enough is enough. He's been to enough doctors enough times.
He's been poked, prodded, and tested too many times. I'm tired.
Is he really "sick"? Is there something really wrong?
I realize he has a hard time swallowing things and that he still throws up.
But the major things have been tested for, right?.
Can't we just continue with the occupational therapy to strengthen his arm and work on feeding
and forget about the rest?
Forget about Shriners every other week for weigh in's? He's only actually lost weight once.
Forget about the pediatrician there who is very nice by the way but wasn't doing the testing we needed anyway?
Forget about the dietitian that seems to think that taking him off of formula and switching to D milk is a good idea right now? He won't even swallow regular food and the formula has the most complete nutrition.
I'm trying, I am. I try EVERYDAY to give him solid foods. We are progressing at our own rate.
It's slow but we are progressing.
Dear dietitian, Please don't be too pushy. Mother's instinct is way better than anything  that can be learned.at any school..

Readers: Don't get me wrong the kid loves mashed potatoes and a few other things but anything that's much more solid than that he has a hard time swallowing and mostly just spits out.
I see the emotional effects it all has on him.
It's been about a year now. Pretty much his entire life.
I will be glad to see the reflexologist when we get to Texas.
They did weigh him yesterday. 17 pounds 1 ounce. Not a lot of gain but it's in the right direction.

Well, I found my camera (well, Heath found it in my coat pocket - I'm still not sure what he was doing wearing it but I have my camera back)
ONLY I have lost my wallet.
I tore up the house yesterday looking for it. I hope it's not lost, lost and that it's just misplaced.
Speaking of Lost. I hate that show. Heath borrowed it and I watched an episode and it sucked me right in.
As I watched another episode I kept saying "I'm not watching this anymore" then I watch the next.
In all I've seen about 6 episodes of season 1 and about 7 episodes of season 4.
Heath had to fill me in on the in between.
Now that I finished season 4 I'm done.
I don't mind if someone tells me what happens but I'm done watching.
It's also a little too scary for me. I don't do scary.

Noah is so excited to go on the plane and go to Texas. Although I think he will have a little bit of a hard time being away from his daddy. He's been saying a lot lately, "I want daddy."
My reply to him is, "me too, buddy."
Heath has been so busy lately we haven't seen much of him. We did get a good day with him last Saturday.

Sometimes Noah sings songs. I can't understand the words some of the time but when he stops I ask him If he'll keep going. He does and I get to smile for a little longer. .

Noah loves dogs.
Asher is terrified.
Noah doesn't like to sit still much and likes to touch everything.
Asher is curious but it a very calm baby.
They are different but equally loved

Asher has 4 teeth now. One on top, three on the bottom. He will have the front teeth spread like Noah has.
Good thing it's stinkin' cute. Well, I think it is anyway.

I played a game or two of knock out (basketball game) with the YM and YW last night.
I won a game. Was glad to see I still have a little bit in me. An athlete that is.

It's true that I gave my first talk at church when I was 3. I memorized it and 27 years later I can still recall some of it. Also true that I'm at Heidi's house doing laundry right now. She probably doesn't know that. Thanks Heidi! (and deric, too) Wait, Heidi just got home for lunch. She knows now.

Also, don't take off points for spelling. I couldn't figure out spell check on this computer.

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

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.

.

The weigh in, Santa Claus, and admiration

Asher went to Shriner's today.  He weighed in at 15 pounds 12 ounces which is a gain from the weight loss last visit. There was happiness but no celebration.

We had our ward Christmas party last Friday and guess who was there?  Yep, Santa Claus. I wasn't sure how Noah would respond to him this year. We've been watching The Polar Express and Elf some so he gets the idea of Santa. When the news was that Santa was coming down the hall Noah's face lite up. When he came in the room Noah turned to me and said, "Mommy, look!" We went up front and waited our turn in line to talk to Santa. Noah kept saying, "My turn?, My turn?". We finally got to Santa and Noah was so shy. He didn't sit in his lap but I told him to say hi and he did. I told him to tell Santa that he wanted a choo choo and he did. Then I told him to hug Santa and he did. All too cute.

This is the only shot I got because my camera is a little more than a few years old and it takes a while in between taking pictures.

Asher, however, not so fond of Santa.

I was thinking about how I admire people who are true to who they are under difficult circumstances. Like people that don't fuel the fire of gossip or people that are not so quick to judge others. Here, let me explain or better yet let me give you an example. Just know that I have repented. :)

A few months ago Heath and I were driving down the main road in a near by town. I noticed a yard that wasn't so nice looking. Toys were everywhere, maybe a little trash, and some things that could certainly use some straightening. I commented and said,"Why would someone living on this main road keep their yard so messy?" I didn't expect what came next. Heath looked at me then answered something like this, "Maybe a single mother that works two jobs lives in that home. Maybe she is using the time she does have to spend with her children instead of picking up her yard." Nothing like that had even crossed my mind. What if? My heart softened and my judgmental attitude quickly turned to prayer. A prayer to repent and a prayer for whoever lived in that home. If it was true or not true, it didn't matter. I prayed for whoever was in that home. Heath is a good example to me. 

It's true that I saw a real sugar plum the other day. I didn't even know they were real. Also true that the new Charlie and The Chocolate Factory is Noah's favorite movie right now. And true that Charlie Bucket is really wise beyond his years.  Some more truth is that I wish  that the room where everything is eatable (including the grass) really existed and that I could go in it. I'm thinking I might tend to be a little on the Augustus Gloop side of things.  Don't judge me! :)

Some of Life

I can't believe how fast December is flying.
it's going to be Christmas before I know it.
It snowed yesterday.
when I looked out the window I couldn't help but think it looked like a Christmas card
The week before last Asher was sick with a cold
almost every time he coughed he would gag and throw up
I felt like he was throwing up every feeding
i would say a prayer each time hoping that he would keep it down
last Wednesday's appointment at Shriner's showed the effects.  he lost weight. stink and a few tears!
on top of that, last week he wouldn't eat.
He would cry at the very sight of a bottle.
i found myself trying to force feed him which only worked some of the time.
this is very hard on a mother.
I finally called the doctor on Friday.
She said to take the polycose out of his bottle (used to increase calories) and try a cup
I did
things have slowly gotten better
Sunday he started eating better
yesterday he ate more then he has ever eaten in his life (volume)
he's eating solids with more ease and less gagging
He hasn't thrown up in about a week (which is the best it's been since his birth, i think)
Things are really looking up.
I learned something at last Relief Society session of conference.
we were encouraged to pray to be equal to the task and not always to ask for our burdens to be lightened
that's what i got out of it anyway
I admit at times I really want to ask for my burdens to be lightened, really, really
and maybe sometimes I do
but there is something to be said of asking to be strengthen that you might be able to endure
I love when Noah says mom or mommy. His speech delay still makes this new and precious for me.
This morning he said "I luf you" without me saying it first.
my heart was happy.
He and Asher played a little today
both were laughing and again my heart was happy.

Be thou humble in thy weakness, and the Lord thy God shall lead thee,
Shall lead thee by the hand and give thee answer to thy prayers.
Be thou humble in thy pleading, and the Lord thy God shall bless thee,
Shall bless thee with a sweet and calm assurance that he cares.
- Be Thou Humble - pg. 130  of the LDS Hymnal

Move over Wonka!

If you are ever in Northwest PA you'll want to stop at a small chocolate factory called Finney's Chocolate Shoppe. (click here to see their website)




It's near my house. It's Located on the side of a home in Cambridge Springs, PA. 24688 Highway 99 to be exact. I always pass their sign and talk about going in and well, today I did.

If you go you'll probably be pleasantly greeted by Bill.  He'll let you try one piece of any chocolate you choose. I chose a piece with peanut butter, caramel, and pretzel. Yummy! Heath stayed in the car with Asher but Bill said he could have a chocolate too, so I picked some sort of cheesecake chocolate (I can't remember the name). Heath really liked it, said it had the crust and all in there.When we left we were told to have a sweet day. A great little shop really!





Bill also HAND paints and air brushes Ganache. They come in hazelnut coffee, chocolate raspberry, coconut, orange, maple syrup, and honey shots (filled with real honey).



We also got a chocolate covered graham cracker called "Mammo-Graham". Part of the proceeds are donated to The NightLight Ministries for Women. This was Asher's favorite.

It's true that normally I would not give my 10 month old chocolate but he was actually putting it in his mouth (which is good) and he liked it. He had an appointment today at Shriner's and gained 11 ounces (YIPPEE!) in one week. He's 15 pounds 11 ounces as of today. 

us

Heath and I went to youth conference last weekend.

Heath spoke twice and helped the kids make lanterns out of clay.

There was a dance and yes I did the running man and the roger rabbit.

We took Asher.

Click HERE to see what Noah was up to.

He had his first sleepover.

We still love the Ence's.

Asher's first youth conference.

Had another appointment at Shriner's.

They weren't happy with the weight gain.

He weighs 15 pounds now.

Added some more stuff to his bottle.

Told us to try Cheerios and mashed potatoes (not together).

He hates anything that's even a little bit solid in his mouth.

Makes him gag and puke.

OT is bringing textured brushes/spoons next week to try to desensitize his mouth.

Back to weekly appointment.

He's still happy.

He still worries me.

At the grocery store today he had the attention of at least 10 women entering the store. (at the same time). They were ooooing and awwwing. It was pretty funny. One lady said, "He is so sweet." I agree.

He's a shy little flirt.

Noah is loving preschool. He walks in, hangs his coat in his cubby, and off to play with the kids.

He started eating lunch there this week. I think he likes it. Mostly the chocolate milk.

He is still in diapers. My sister is sending potty scotty.

He loves trocolate (chocolate).

He is learning lots of great things at school.

He kills me when he puts his hands together and says,"Please, mommy"

It's true that on the way to pick Heath up from school tonight I hit a deer. Not a ton of damage was done to the car but unfortunately the damage to the deer shortened it's poor little life. (please don't cry, Heidi) Also true that Asher is still in size 2 diapers.

"Hey, what cha doin' nere?"

One of the cutest things that Noah says. He's a busy boy with permanent marker on his belly, camo boots on his feet, a stick in his hand, a train in his pocket and Oreo's in his teeth. He'll be 3 soon. I can't believe it. My baby's growing up. His speech has improved so much.  He is able to say little prayers now by copying Heath and me. It's so cute. When we ask him if he wants to say the prayer he says, "My prayer." He's so good at saying please and thank you and is mostly a polite little boy.

 

We finished the applesauce on Saturday. Heath and Deric actually helped us which was pretty awesome. It made it more entertaining with Heath and Deric making fun of eachother. We borrowed Donna's Sauce Master, a nifty little contraption that you put the apples in after boiling them. After boiling, you turn the crank and the applesauce homes out the side and the peel, seeds and stem come out the end. It was aaaaaaaaaaaawsome. We ended up with 48 pints.

Well, my friend Heidi said that if I post anymore spiders on my blog she's done being my friend. Well, Heidi, I'm callin' your bluff.

I've seen some of the weirdest bugs out here. 

Asher is doing pretty well with his weight gain. He had an appointment at Shriner's yesterday and he weighed in at 14 pounds 10 ounces. Asher has a new occupational therapist who he adores.  She is so nice and calm with Asher. He sas been spitting up a lot less and we have finally made it from weekly appointments to monthly.

   

By the way the baby picture in one of the previous posts was Heath. (Michelle Nazelrod, you are the winner...I'll have to think of a prize.) This is a picture of me. I was just thinking Asher probably looks more like me. 

Also, I know I keep changing my blog. I just can't find the right background. I think this will stick for a while but who really knows? It's true that my mom has a new job and I can't really talk to her during the day anymore and it's also true that I'm thinking about getting a greenhouse.