Play Time with Baby Titus

Titus

My friend Heather came over last week on our day off for a few minutes. Isaac and her little boy Titus had a good time together. He enjoyed "tasting" all of Isaac's toys and Isaac enjoyed "reading" to him. We don't see nearly enough of each other, but it was fun to have a few minutes together with our boys!

Daddy and Me

Isaac and Daddy

Isaac has gotten to spend a lot more time with his daddy since he has started his new job! They love having fun together. The only thing that bothers Isaac is that his Daddy does not get to pick him up a lot like he did before. Isaac loves that daddy is a firefighter, but he does not like it when he is at the "spend the night station". That's what Isaac so lovingly refers to it as!! We are just all so glad that Russell is happier :)

My Crazy Organization Kick-The Proof

It's all Vera Bradley's fault. That's how it all started. First I organized my makeup in my new hanging organizer bag that Mom got me for Christmas, then it just exploded from there. I am still working on the pantry and a few other spots. This is what I have done so far. I really wish I had taken before pictures, but just picture so much stuff everywhere that when you opened the doors things fell out on you!!

Now everyone has their own medicine basket!!

I can't turn the picture, but this use to be a crazy mess and we couldn't find anything!!

I even changed my hangers so that they are all white!!! How scary is that???? I can't tell you how much better it makes me feel :)

Now instead of things being slopped on shelves they are in baskets and even labeled, what a difference :)

Medicine Galore

This is a picture of Isaac's current med's. Since I took it we have added one so we are now up to 7!! 3 of them are twice a day, the rest are only at night time. What fun we have. Actually, we are very lucky, because Isaac is a great Medicine taker. He can do most of it himself and doesn't fuss. There are a few liquids that he will make us hold his nose for, as he is convinced this makes them taste better. We will go to the allergist on Friday to have skin tests for time #2!! I dread this, but Russell will be able to go with us. My fear is that either we will get no answers, which is what has happened so far, or that we will just be put on more medicine that will cover up the problem.

The Learning Room

My class at OP Earle Elementary School has caught Blog Fever!! They are so excited to have their own blog to share their thoughts, feelings, ponderings, etc. I hope that you will check it out and leave them comments so that they will know what you think!! They are really excited to get to do something so real that will be out there for other people to see! They chose the name The Learning Room because they said that's what we do here, we learn! What great thinkers they are :) I love what I do!!!!!! Check it out and let us know what you think: The Learning Room

Chef Isaac

Isaac and I finally got to make cookies together! This was his pan he said because it was just his size and he could hold it. Of course we made a big mess and he thought that it was hilarious when we spewed flour all over the kitchen. He proceeded to sweep it up with his little broom. Isaac was very excited to share the cookies with his Daddy. Maybe he's a budding chef :)

Headaches beware

TopAmax

This is just one of the many medicines I have been on since my hospital stay in November. I went to see my Neurologist Friday and he decided to tweak some of my medicines. I have been taking 50 mg of Topamax 2 times a day and then Imitrex as needed. The problem is that I need Imitrex too much and it doesn't always last long enough. He has decided a 4-Prong approach:

1. DHE-45 Infusions-that take up to 3 hours a time :)

2. Relpax-instead of Imitrex, I've tried it once, we'll see!

3. Frova-on top of the Relpax if it doesn't make the headache go away

4. Increasing Topamax

So far we are working on 1-3. I am waiting to hear from the nurse about scheduling my infusions and I am really dreading this. It means I will have to take a 1/2 day off from work and it will probably make it feel bad before it makes me feel better!!

I don't want to go to the Doctor!!!

These were Isaac's mad faces after a visit with Dr. Blake today. He woke up this morning barking. I really thought that he was having another attack like he had before, but after a breathing treatment it seemed to clear up some. Of course I did go ahead and make an appointment-at which he was diagnosed with Croup and a sinus infection. This beautiful mad face is because he had to have a shot of Decadron to help his chest. Luckily his daddy is off tomorrow and will keep him home and do every 4-hour breathing treatments to keep the Croup at bay.

Our New Regular House Guests

Carla and Nicholas

Carla is my college roommate who has put up with my shenanigans for almost 10 years now and comes and stays with us every now and then for a few days. She came the day after Christmas and we went to a New Year's Eve gathering and she met Nicholas. Russell new Nicholas through some friends from high school, but hadn't seen him in years. Now, Nicholas and Carla are nearly inseperable and have spent every weekend together. They currently inhabit our guest room, which is now named Nick and Carla's room. Isaac loves when Nick and Carla are here because he has someone fun to play with. He thinks they come just for him!!!

Brotherly Love

Brandon, Russell's brother, was actived with his National Guard unit and sent overseas in April. The day he left Greenville was actually the same day Isaac was put in the hospital last time. This picture was taken before Brandon left after his leave time in November.

Russell and Brandon did not get to spend a lot of time together while he was home in November on his 2 week leave from Afgahnistan due to my stint in the hospital. Brandon will be on Active duty until May. We hear from him every few weeks via a pay per minute cell phone that he bought while overseas. Please pray for his safety and the safety of the unit that he his with.

Long Over Due

Those of you that know me know that I love Isaac's long hair! The only thing that bothers me is when he starts to look a little girly, and we were so there!!! And this time the hair was even in his eyes. But being my child Isaac wavered back and forth between wanting an Uncle Brandon hair cut and wanting his long hair to be left alone. I finally took him to get a haircut any way and just asked them to leave the length and get the hair out of his eyes. We've tried this before and they've chopped it all the way off and then he just doesn't look like himself. So we tried again and this worked much better. Isaac sat very still and was a very good boy! The funniest thing was that he told everyone that he had a mohawk just like his cousin Daven, which was what he really wanted.

2-Hour Delay!

We got the call last night that we would have a 2-hour delay today. Isaac didn't understand why he had to still go to school when there was snow on the ground. I am kind of looking forward to getting to hear what all of my students did with their time. It has been such a long time since we had a good snow!

What a great snow!!

Isaac hugs his football playing Frosty!

Isaac and Nana roll the bottom of Frosty.

Isaac and Nana love the snowman!!

Let's try again!

Well, when school started I tried this, did it one day and then never had a chance to come back to it. With all the things that happened this past year it was just impossible to keep up with a blog too. So we will try again and see what happens!!

Snow is falling!! Yippee!

Isaac catches snowflakes with his tongue!

We waited to go to bed until the 1st snowflakes had started and how exciting it was!!! There wasn't a school closing announcement, but by the time Russell left for the Fire Department we had seen it on the news and gotten the phone call from Mrs. High telling us to roll back over and go back to sleep! What a treat!!

Thursday 13: A Fresh Start with lots of changes

1. Russell's new job: Russell is now a full-time firefighter at Spartanburg City. He will complete his training in March and April and will be "official" at this point. He also still volunteers at the Landrum Fire Department and works their in a part-time capacity on his days off.
2. A new schedule for all: The hardest part of Russell's work change has been adjusting to his 24 hours on 48 hours off. It's not been the easiest thing to plan around :)
3. A new lease on life for Russell:This change has been a long time coming for Russell and came at a crazy time, right after I got out of the hospital and right before Christmas, BUT, it has meant a much better way of life for Russell, which makes us an even better family!!
4. Nights Alone: I thought that it would be very difficult for me to be alone at night, but it has been an easy transition so far. Of course I would prefer that Russell be home, but I love that he has found a job he loves!!
5. Life after Meningitis: I am still struggling to fight the after effects of my meningitis from November. I have gotten my energy back, but I still don't last very long, hopefully my stamina will return soon!!
6. Headaches Everyday: The worst effect of the meningitis has been dealing with daily headaches. The best part has been that they have not made me naseous, but when my head hurts it hurts all the way down the back of my neck and even makes my face hurt. I am working with the doctors to get my medicine straightened out and hopefully keep these headaches at bay!
7. Isaac's College Plans: Isaac has decided after much thought that he will go to Clemson instead of Notre Dame. He is still considering doing 2 years at each, we will see what the next 15 years bring :)
8. My Organzing Tirade: This I blame on my mother who bought me a Vera Bradley hanging organizer for my makeup. I put all of my stuff in it and then the wheels begin to turn. We shall see how long this holds up!
9.Isaac's Medicine: Isaac is now down to about 5 medicines twice a day. This is a big improvement from the 10 we were up to at one point!!!
10.Carla has a boyfriend!
11. We get to spend lots of time with Carla now!
12. We are finally remodeling our master bathroom!
13. Isaac's Doctors: We will visit the allergist on January 25 to begin another round of testing. At this time we will also get results from his Immune Titter tests that were done after Christmas.