Greta had her 6 month follow up appointment with our neurologist in Fort Wayne.  This time, we saw the nurse practioner, Ms. Janet, who was so nice and wore fun glasses.  Double bonus.  I had some concerns recently because Greta's sleep has been a bit wonky lately, and she has also been rolling her eyes a bit.  While eye rolling is not that big of deal for 99% of kids, a person affected by a seizure disorder can sometimes exhibit this which indicates seizure activity.  Greta usually rolls her eyes to the right, and it is definitely NOT when she is trying to be cute, funny, silly, or sassy.  She's had some moments where she will space out.  Again, while most children do this to be silly, in Greta's case, it is a bit different.  With all these new observations, I was concerned she needed to be bumped up again on her Keppra.  Welp, she is now bumped up to the max dose, and with that, there is a strong chance they will start her on another medication.  She has only gained 1.5 pounds in the last six months, so she is metabolizing more medication without more body weight.  Again, time for possibly a new medication.  This is very normal with anti convulsants, so I am not freaked out or scared by this. 

I also mentioned to the nurse that I am concerned about her snoring, and episodes of "apneaic breathing," which are disrupted loud bouts of sleep where her snores collectively mount to a large disruption.  For kids with seizures, this is a bad news, because they are not getting enough oxygen during sleep.  Less oxygen means more seizures are likely to happen.  SO, she ordered a sleep study test.  She also recommended getting her tonsils out.  I guess they are scaled between a 1-4, and her tonsils measure large at a 3 without signs of illness or infection.  She thinks this is the reason she looks so tired.

We talked about her constipation issues and she thinks it is related to her poor muscle tone, which can manifest itself in poor digestion.  I guess your bowel muscles are different, but they too can be compromised with any sort of head injury/brain delay response.  It is common with kids who have cerebral palsy and Down's syndrome.  We never had her diagnosed with CP, because we didn't need to.  Now, the diagnosis of a mild form would be easier explaining all of mild symptoms to practitioners.  Again, she has MILD symptoms.  She has really come a long way with any motor delays, though some of these larger functions can still be complicated (sleep, digestion, speech).

Once we get her seizure stuff under control and her tonsils out, she should be golden for a while.  In the meantime, she is currently wearing big girl pants.  They are dry.  It  has been 20 minutes.  #winning

I signed Gertie up for preschool yesterday.  I wanted to cry.  She said she was happy because her classroom has a pet rabbit named Truman.  I guess things are looking up.  No, she is still not potty trained.  Bad parent over here.

"Happy now?":  Her question while participating in a fun activity where Mommy or Daddy are watching.

"Neat!":  An interjectory statement made when Greta is experiencing something new and fun.  I have no idea where she got this.  I don't usually use this word.

Greta and her neighbor accomplice, Lily, showcase their sweet fashion finds.






We were snowbound, once again, yesterday, after 10 new inches of snow fell.  The school district here is on their 9th, (NINTH) snow day.  Thankfully, Greta celebrates such holidays, knowing Lily can come over and play with her.  Usually, Lily goes to Big Girl School and leaves Gertie behind to play with Mommy.  On this particular day, we headed off to Target to find some baby wipes and sunglasses.  Miss Gertie is going to the ophthalmologist on Friday to have her eyes checked.  I am hoping this is a mere formality and that glasses won't be necessary.  This trip was under the direction of our neurologist, just making sure all of her systems are "a go."  I, on the other hand, will be heading to my own eye doctor appointment next week for some new fresh specs.  My Sarah Palin glasses are no longer cool and I am surely ready for something different.

Greta is now sleeping in her BIG GIRL BED.  This is a VERY big deal around here.  Big girl bed, big girl school, etc.  We get the point.   We are happy to report that she is sleeping very well in her big girl bed.  We do have to put a gate up at night so she doesn't get out.  It is very dark in the hallway, and the last thing we need is someone falling down the stairs.  I suppose our next course of action is getting rid of her Sucky (pacifier) and then onto the biggest challenge:  Potty Training.  For the record, she is totally NOT INTERESTED.  I am very serious in not rushing her.  The last thing we need is a controlling toddler who refuses to go treekle on the potty. 

Big.  Girl.  Bed.  (Please notice that Lamby, Sam the Monkey, and Puppy Baby are facilitating the change of bedding.)






 

We visited a potential preschool for fall this morning.  I almost cried on my way out the door, knowing Gertie will be at "school" next year.....back pack and all.....arts and crafts.....snack time.....NOT OKAY.

Greta decorating cupcakes during polar vortex round #2
 

Not only is she growing fiercely independent, everything is already 'BIG', 'MY OWN,' and 'I DO IT.'

Again, not okay.



Baby #2 is making quite a name for herself. 

                                                       Yep, we are having a GIRL!

I am receiving wonderful name suggestions, but I am seriously clueless.  She kicks a bit and gives me heartburn, much like Gertie.  I am hoping she is a spitting image of Greta, because any child that resembles me at birth will look like a monkey alien.  But no name seems to come to mind yet.  I am patient.  We have 18 weeks to go......PS, Dave is of no help in the name department.  All he says is "NO" if he hears something he doesn't like.  Thanks a ton. 

We had our anatomy scan this past week and she is looking healthy and measuring right where she should be.  There were moments when I thought I could make out her nose, and it looked like Greta's.  I am hopeful for that.  Greta's nose is a perfect button. 

And speaking of more children.....NO, the baby's room is NOT ready and I haven't even started to think about moving furniture yet.  We have our room above the garage that needs a major overall, and I hoping Uncle Chris will come to our rescue when the weather warms up.  In the meantime, I am doing a mental inventory of everyone I leant baby gear out to.  I am hoping it will return to me in a timely manner.  :)

PS, Greta received a custom tee shirt creation from our special friend, Kady, who makes amazing design shirts.  If you are interested, check her out! She is now a Michigander, so show her some GLOVE LOVE!

So here are a few things that are going on with Gertie:

1.  Everything has to be "BIG."  Big cup of water, BIG bath, BIG serving of crackers.  BIG.  Word of the month.

2.  She insists on doing things herself.  While I am mostly okay with this, it is unbelievable to me that she can pull up her stool, turn on the faucet, turn on her toothbrush, brush her teeth, turn off the water, step off the stool, then move the stool safely out of the path of the door.  She is practically a woman.  I'm NOT okay with that.

3.  She is well aware there is a baby in my belly.  I know she will be very helpful with baby #2 arrives, though I am a bit sad that I might miss my snuggle time with Gertie.

4.  She is a hot dancer.  Best dancer at St. Bernadette's. 

5.  She is definitely my child:  She LOVES the snow.  Sledding, shoveling, stomping. You name it, and she'll do it if is has to do with snow.

6.  She is NOT potty trained and I feel like she is never going to be interested.  However, she does fart a lot and if that is an indicator, we've got a soon to be potty trained lady on our hands.  In the mean time, I ask a few times a day, which is usually followed by a simple, "no."

7.  She is embracing her Dutch Boy haircut. Grammy Goble is her famed stylist and I don't trust anyone else.  I absolutely LOVE her little bob and we have received many compliments. 

 

 

 

Let's cut to the chase.  Gertie's going to have sibling, come late May.  I am feeling tired and lacking energy (in part from a lack of psychotropic support).  Everything looks good according to the OB.  I go back again in two weeks for my 15 week check up.  Offspring #2 arrives on June 8th (actual due date), but really will be here by late May.  I invite a csection after Greta's delivery.  No labor for me, thank you.  This pregnancy is definitely different.  My skin is a mess, I'm tired, pissed off most of the time, and definitely heavier in the butt/stomach department this time around.  My friend Mackinzie thinks I'm having a boy. "When you are prego with a boy, you want to kill people."  That about sums it up for me.  I have NO patience and I will cut someone if they piss me off.  Period.  I am very excited for this portion of the pregnancy to go away, though I feel like it might stick around for some time.

We are coming off a week of Beau/Greta action here in FW.  Beau stayed with us for a week while Jennie and Chris finally enjoyed a long overdue vacation in Mexico.  Beau was great!  Greta absolutely adores him and was very sad to see him go.  He accompanied Gertie to Kiki's twice, and seem to very much enjoy himself on someone else's turf.  I thought it was going to be harder, but it actually wasn't that bad.  I forgot that age--climbing on everything, wanting to get into everything.  I'm lucky Greta is responsive to my requests and rules, not that I have ever taken them for granted.

And a final note, while I love Greta more than life itself, I must say I am getting real annoyed with some people's FB posts that always seem to revolve around their children (and exclamation points).  While Greta is the light of my life and the butter to my bread, I try to best choose those moments that are deserving of a highlight reel on FB (face covered in chocolate, great dance sequence, etc.).  For some, it is constant.  So.  Annoying.  (I know your daughter loves princesses, I know your son loves the Colts. )  I guess that I forgot when others have kids, their personality/interests/hobbies/sense of humor go completely out the window (along with their fashion sense).  ----p.s., I am sitting here in my fleece sweatpants, stained with paint, and a striped maternity top that is way too big.  I am also wearing clogs, with no socks.  CLASSY.