Rambo's Rampages...

Here's how we started out the new year... Recognize the background? That's us back at Hopkins. We woke up first thing in the morning to find that somewhere in the wee hours of the morning his Gtube had fallen out (the balloon inside had burst) and the hole was practically closed. We tried several times to get it back in but to no avail. Thankfully we had a great outcome and this was me after they got it back in... A little fragged from very little sleep but happy we were going home! Because the hole had closed so much they had to use catheters starting at a smaller size and gradually increase the diameter until we reached the gtube size. It took a little bit of effort but all in all it added up to the shortest ER trip ever. They were very expedient this time and they even sent us home with some smaller catheters so we can do it ourselves if the need ever arises again. A++ this time, Hopkins.  *Now to our originally scheduled post, which is kind of apprapo.*  

"I feel......cold."  10 points to anyone (except Ben) who can guess what that is from. I do literally feel cold because it would appear that winter has finally hit. But more than that, today I feel heavy. Rambo is thankfully doing well and that cold we were trying to hold at bay has started to move from him to me. I would rather it be that way but I feel this cough deep down in my chest. You know that kind where you feel it but you can't quite get it? Yup, that's the one. Other than that I feel fine and Rambo seems to be settling back into normal. Yesterday was trying to say the least. We had to take Rambo to the doctors to get his monthly shot in each leg. No big deal. But the nurse must have mentally gone on vacation because she did a horrible job. I don't say that lightly. On the first shot she didn't have his leg down well enough so the needle came out and she had to put it in again. Actually, I can't say for certain the needle came all the way o

Everyone please stop what you are doing for a moment. Put down your pencils and look up. Because I received something for Christmas that is worth some attention. Something breath taking. Life changing. Dream making. Epically epic. It's okay to be jealous. I know they are awesome.  My dear cousin and her husband got me THE mugs. And guess what.... Yup. That's eggnog. Just call us Clark and Eddie. Thanks, Theresa and Dewey! Ben and I are gonna get you something "*wink* real nice." I must say those mugs really did round out our Christmas nicely. We were extremely busy Christmas weekend visiting both sides of the family, opening presents, and eating copious amounts of food. Moving Rambo isn't the easiest thing in the world. Especially when you're taking ALL of his stuff.. not just the portable. Which of course, we had to because we were going to be gone for hours at a time. But last night, we were finally able to s

For those who don't know... the past two weekends we have been without a nurse. Now, in the scheme of things that's not so bad. It really isn't. I mean, I was up with him day AND night for the first two months after we brought him home. I'll take three nights a week... if I have to. And the company called today to say that they finally found a nurse to fill in on the weekends. This weekend, at least. Not Christmas Eve but tonight and Sunday night. And I need to do orientation with the nurse they send tonight so I'll still be sleeping downstairs BUT we have a nurse. I repeat, we have a nurse.  Back to what I was saying before: Having to stay up on the weekends with the boy isn't that bad. Or.... it could be worse, let's say that. I'm keeping my head up and trying to not have a pity party. But this does lead me to all the wonderful little things I forgot I would be dealing with through the night. Cats. On the couch. On top of me. Sleeping on the couc

  Can you smell the cookies baking? (Or in our case right now, the bacon... No relation to Christmas. Just what we were in the mood for.)   Do you hear Bing Crosby singing Mele Kalikimaka, the Hawaiian Christmas song? It's the thing to say, you know.    Are your stockings hung by the chimney with care?? Did you remember to water the tree? Nobody wants a thousand dry dead needles to pick up in a few weeks. We all know the vacuum cleaner does not work. (You're welcome.)   Have you stopped and breathed it in and remembered? Holler!!! We have!! And Christmas will be here soon!  It took me a little while to 'get into the mood' this year. Maybe it was the warmer weather. Maybe it was the fact that we are home this year. Maybe it's because I started buying presents in September. Maybe I'm just a cottonheadedninnymuggins. In any case, I am now officially in the mood. Bring on the crowds (I say this becau

Something a little different for today. Linking up with  Ann Voscamp . You may have seen this under my Daily Cup page. Using it as a reminder.  Reminding myself to live. Right now. Take each moment, each new circumstance. Jump in with both feet. Rambo is here. Rambo is home. Life is different. Embrace. Don't wait. See I have placed the land before you; go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to give to your fathers; to Abraham to Isaac, and to Jacob. See the Lord your God has placed the land before you; go up, take possession, as the Lord , the God of your fathers, has spoken to you. Do not fear or be dismayed . The Lord your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you just as a man carries his son, in all the way which you have walked until you came to this place. The land is before me. Indeed I am IN the land,

Um... no, definitely not. Not this year. The Colts are 0 - shameful, and the Ravens are doing well. Barf. So instead, let's get ready for some pictures!! We celebrated Rambo's first birthday last night with family. We tried to keep it small but when you have two decent sized families, 'small' usually means 20 or so people. But that also means more delicious food!  The night began with..... It began with the making of this cake anyway. The eating came later. Spice cake with sprinkles. It has nothing to do with baby or boy or Rambo or camo, but at least it was made. I am not a baker and have never claimed to be. It was me, a cake mix, a Chinese lady who has never baked a cake, and sprinkles. Lots and lots of sprinkles to cover up the horrible icing job. All I can say is- it was edible. Of course, the night really began with the man of the hour: Then lots and lots of food which we didn't get a picture of. But let me tell you, it was good. Chicke

One year ago I was fat and miserable. I was tired and swollen. I was afraid, anxious, overwhelmed and excited. I was pregnant. Bleh. I don't know that I've ever told you this before but I hate pregnancy. I hate it with a deep passion. I'm not sure how I've managed to get through four of them. Four. Ugh. Just thinking about it makes me shudder. I've tried embracing pregnancy - doesn't work. I've tried enjoying pregnancy - really doesn't work. For me it always comes down to- take it for what it is and get through it. Yes, you are fat, forgetful, and miserable. Deal with it. There's nothing you can do about it.  That being said, I do love children. My children. I love my children. (Let's not get carried away.) I love them from the moment I find out I'm having them until, well, present tense. They somehow find a way to be innately worth all the pains and troubles that come with pregnancy. Not enough to make me forget, but apparently e

Aunt Mary, your sister Dolly wanted you to know that despite her best efforts she was unable to kill the Christmas cactus. Well, left to her own devices she probably would have, indeed, succeeded in killing both of them. But she graciously let me take them home in an effort to raise them from the almost dead. And it appears they are happy. And blooming! Okay, only one of them is blooming but I'm hoping the other one will bud in it's own good time. It is definitely looking up. And, looky here, who's trying to keep up:   I guess he didn't want a plant to show him up. I'm gonna be honest - it was close. I was PRE-TTY pleased when I saw this cactus budding. But it did make me at least just as happy to see him putting weight on his arms. It was only last week when he needed maximum support on both arms. Go, Rambo, go! T-minus 2 days until Rambo: First Year. I can't believe he actually made it. Let me rephrase: I can't believe I actually made it

The occupational therapist asked me the other day if Rambo turns his head when I call his name. I paused. In that moment a list as long as... well, a really long list... of all the things he is called flashed through my mind. 'Which one?' was all I could mutter out. This poor child will never know his name because he never gets called the same thing two times in a row. He doesn't have a chance! And it's all my fault. Below is a list of all the names he gets called each day. Rambo Theodore Teddy-dore Theedo Bubs (I know... this one is awful but it just comes out.) Teeodore (pronounced like his nurse from the islands) Teddy Rambo Theo Teddy And that's just off the top of my head. As if this kid doesn't have enough problems. Of course, he probably only hears half of them. Hahaha - I made a funny. Cause he isn't hearing out of his left ear. Get it? He only hears half.... No?  Aaaaaaaanyway.... his first birthday is arriving quickly. Which just fee

Well, if you're Theodore and you're listening with your left ear the answer is no. Yes, folks, that's right. It appears Theodore is deaf in his left ear.  For the moment. This is an important fact that I am trying to hold on to. You see, he also has fluid in both ears. Why that is there we don't know, but it could be that the fluid is what is causing his hearing to be poor, nay, nonexistent in the one ear. That is what I am hoping. Can you imagine? Deaf in one ear? I mean, I guess that's better than both ears, but seriously? One more thing? My prayer is that is not the case.  Today was one of those days where I just couldn't process that information. I'm trying desperately to fight the 'what ifs' and keep the faith, as it were. I'm trying to think positively. I'm trying not to think about all the things Rambo is missing and will miss out on. I'm trying not to get ahead of myself.  I'm trying. But tonight as I sit here and