Monday, November 30, 2009

The Good (No Bad or Ugly)

We got Ryker's test results and the good news is that he does not have celiac disease or cystic fibrosis! Don't get me wrong- I am very glad that he does not have a serious disease. We just can't help him becuase we don't know what is wrong! So so frustrating, but now we wait until we go see the great doctors down at Primary Childrens (December 12th). Thanks for all the support and prayers- they are very much appreciated.


In other news- we have chosen a house plan!! We still haven't got the lot stuff all squared away (hopefully by late January) but since the owner kind of likes us we think he is still game to have us as neighbors :)


Anyways- let me have your input- the good, the bad and the ugly.

Here is the outside- it will be jazzed up a bit with some rock and hardy board. It will be darker too. There will also be 3 dormers on the roof. Basically, it won't look like this :)


Here is the houseplan itself. Horrible picture but I don't know how to get a bigger one. Anyways, there are a few changes that I tried to write in. They are just small: double sided wood burning fireplace, mudroom, walk in pantry and possibly a half bath added to the back of the house near the laundry and minor changes in the master bath.



  • Things I LOVE about this plan:
    Huge master (16X21) and large bedrooms (12X12)
    Nice open living area with a large island in the kitchen (don't be suprised if I never ever leave that kitchen).
    Fireplace and nice sitting area in back- I can envision myself sitting in my sunroom (I have always wanted one!) sitting with a book, blanket, hot cider and a nice fire reading a book while the snow falls. *sigh*
    Large walk in pantry for all of my future canning.
    Bonus room for crafts and lots of family fun!
    Dustin just loves the 3 car garage and we will be adding a lift for him to perfect his Camaro.

There is also a bonus room above the whole house that doubles our space (YEAH!) Since we can't have a basement due to the high water table, we are building up.

Seriously, tell me your input because living in this cracker box, I have no real ideas as to what makes a great house!

I CANNOT WAIT!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

A Start

We went to our much anticipated doctor's appointment today. He is a great doctor and has given me some hope. He is running test to check for: lactose intolerance, milk protein intolerance, celiac disease and cystic fibrosis. Those last two scare me to death but I am not going to worry until we get results next week.
My little guy is so tough- literally! We had to do a sweat test for the CF and he HATED having his arm held for 5 minutes. We then had to let him run around for 25 minutes (just what he loves!) but he touched a hot piece of metal when on his adventures :( Then came the hardest part, we had to do the blood test twice, so he has battle wounds on both arms :( :( The nurses were amazed at how strong he was and how hard he fought. That's my man!
So now, we wait...wait for the results and wait for our doctor's appointment at Primary's on December 21st....but at least it's a start.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Failure...

I will get to the failure part but I thought I would throw in a little bit of the craziness in our lives lately.
I am still trying to finish up with school (only 2 more weeks!) I have tests, assignments, papers, discussions...something due everyday. I will be so glad when this is all over! If you hear a loud "WAHOO!" on December 12th, don't worry, it's just me letting everyone know that I am free!
I have also been super busy with AVON. I had two boutiques this weekend and they both went well. I also now have 7 people working under me so that keeps me busy but I am really enjoying it!
On to the not so fun stuff that isn't looking like we'll have answers soon.... As you know if you read my blog, Ryker has acid reflux. We don't know what has happened in the last few weeks but it has gotten much worse. He is now on a fairly restricted diet and on the maximum medication that his little body will allow. Good news- he has increased in height quite a bit and is at the 57th percentile for height. He has not gained weight for three months and hadn't gained for the previous three months either. I think he is maybe a pound heavier than he was at 6 months.
Anyhow, the doctors up here can't do anything so we are scheduled at Primary Children's on December 21st. What a long wait when my little guy is in pain! I have an appointment with Dr. Armstrong up here next week because I hear he's the best.
I think this may be the hardest thing I have ever been through. I can't do anything for my sick baby and his cry is so sad because he is in pain. The constant wiggling to try to get comfortable, gulping swallows to try to keep the acid down and inability to sleep is all really getting to me because I can't do anything! Perhaps the worst is when I called the doctor last week and they repeated his notes to me. Included was the diagnosis of "failure to thrive". I can't think of a worse term. To a mother (or at least me) it sounds like "well, you don't do enough or feed him enough or take care of him well enough!" I know I know, it's a term to describe his poor weight gain but come on- FAILURE to THRIVE?!?!
Hopefully next week holds the answers we are looking for.
PS- happy post below about birthdays.

Let's Party!

At our house, late October and November are busy with birthdays! Dustin turned 24 on October 22nd and we went to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate.
Ryker's first birthday was November 5th! I cannot believe it has been a whole year! We had a party that Saturday. Thanks to all the family who came! We had a potato bar and a frogs and snails and puppy dog tails theme. It was really fun and he sure got a lot of fun stuff. I was busy setting up so I didn't get my own pictures, so I am just waiting for my Grandma's pictures.
Ryker got a push car, lots of clothes, cowboy boots, camo suspenders, a cute toy puppy dog, rocking chair.... I am sure I am missing something!
For my birthday, on November 11th I had a fun day with the girls making necklaces at Beadles. We went to (where else!) Texas Roadhouse that night also! Thanks for all the gifts and love on my birthday!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

1 YEAR!



One year ago today, I first held the cutest little boy ever. It has been such a crazy year and I can't believe it has gone by so fast! He is full of life and is so interested in everything. I love that he can't miss a thing and know that in the future he will be so successful because of his enthusiasm.

I have had so much fun being a mommy. I am blessed to be this crazy kid's mommy and know that in the next year it will be just as fun and filled with suprises as this year.

Happy Birthday Little Man! We love you!

Thanks Nikelle (Ryker's Cousin) for this great Happy Birthday Song!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Halloween


For Ryker's first Halloween we had to spread the festivities over two days! On Friday we went to a carnival and our ward's trunk or treat. Ryker was very excited and kept waving his hands because he was so happy. We got a lot of candy that he has been bringing to me to open for him ever since.


Halloween wasn't the best day. He had been up a lot the night before and I had a cold. We didn't do much during the day but then went and ate pizza and trick-or-treated at Grandma and Grandpa Nielsen's. We went to Grandma and Grandpa Baer's and he got his favorite- animal cookies! Then it was off to the Nielsen Great Grandparents. It was a fun night and Ryker was so cute in his outfit!


We had no trick-or-treaters at our house and it was too bad because I had rice krispy treats to give out! Oh well, more for me!