Playing Catch-Up

Jennifer reminded me the other day that I promised to post something new last week. I figured that it's about time I got around to doing that.

So here's the skinny on Lorelei--Last week was our 5 month follow up with the endocrinologist. He is very happy that she has had no more broken bones. (broken bones would be a sign of the osteopenia getting worse). He is pleased with her lab work. All within the normal ranges (vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus levels, along with how her parathyroid is functioning). That means she is getting her nutritional needs met and her body is absorbing everything. At this point there is no explanation as to why her bones aren't mineralizing so for now we just watch her and treat the symptoms. The doc said the best thing for her is weight bearing exercises. So now in PT she wears little 1lb wrist weights on her ankles. Big moment on Sunday.......she started walking!!! With a little push-off from mom she can take up to 5 steps on her own (if she isn't laughing too hard, for some reason walking gives her the giggles). Yea!!!

Houston is enjoying life as much as he can. Bedtime as become a real battle lately. I've decided that as long as he stays in his room (playing with Lorelei or his toys) I consider that win. Eventurally he wears himself out and either flops on his bed or falls asleep under it. He's doing better with breaking himself of the habit of sleeping with me in my bed. (That's started in Germany when he was 14 months old and I am still paying for it) Most nights he stays in his own bed all night. If he does get in bed with me it's rarely before about 6:30am. Since Lorelei gets us up for the day between 7:30 and 8 I feel like it's a big improvement.

Brian and I went to a one day marriage conference hosted my Dr. Gary Chapman. If you have never heard him speak and you get the opportunity you should go for it. It was amazing!! The next day Brian flew up to Indiana for two weeks for Allison Engine School. He had a pretty good time. The Saturday in the middle he and the guy he was up there with went to the race track. (They were in Indianapplois). After he got back things were quiet for about a week before we went to Texas. Brian and his dad share a birthday (May 29) and Brian's dad turned 50 this year so we were there to help him celebrate. Not to much of a celebration since he dad had to work the whole weekend, but what can you do.

There, I think that's everything. (are you happy now Jenn :) )

The Old Mill

Just wanted to share some pictures that I took a few weeks ago. In North Little Rock there is a histical site called "The Old Mill". It's a big deal because it is in the opening credits/sequence in "Gone With the Wind" and is believed to be the only remaining structure from the movie. Anyway, I know the pictures aren't the best (I'm not quite as talented as Alan), I'm still learing how to use all the features, but a few of them tured out pretty good! Sorry about the sideways picture of Brian and Houston. It was the right way in my files, but it rotated it when I uploaded it to the blog and I couldn't figure out how to rotate it back. Oh well!

Van Features

Forgot to mention a really good feature that the new van has. One that I know Dad is greatfull that I have now. The van has..............(drumroll).......Backup Assist!!!

Real Quick

Lorelie's pedeatrician called last week. The blook work came back and she does not have Turner Syndrome. Going to make a consulation appointmet soon. I need to be reasured that we are doing everything that we can for her and that we are doing everything right.

New Van

About three weeks ago we all drove down to Texas with our truck and our car and came back with a mini-van!! Brian's dad was so wonderful and he helped us to get it. Trying as hard as we could, but there was just no way to fit three carseats into either one of our vehicles. So now we have a 2007 Chevy Uplander LT. Brian's, and mine, favorite feature is the DVD player. It made that 6 hour drive home a lot more enjoyable.

Labwork Mistake

OOPS! Turns out the lab at the base who drew Lorelei's blood was wrong with their timeline. They told me two weeks. I called on Friday for an update so her doc, Maj. Klegg who we all love love love!, called down to Keesler AFB where the work up is being done. It's going to take 4-6 weeks to get the results back. We'll let everyone know when we get them.

Busy Busy Busy

A lot has been going on with us these past couple of weeks. Lorelei got blood drawn, again. After finding out about Brian's aunt having Turner's Syndrome she got tested. The test will take about two weeks since the blood had to be sent to an outside lab. Monday, the 16, puts us at the two week mark so hopefully any day now we we have an answer. In the back of my mind I want to her to test positive just we that we finally have a diagnosis and can put a long term treatment plan together.

Houston seems to be spending most of his time in time out lately. Whenever he thinks he can get away with it he chases the cats around the house with his foam t-ball bat telling them to "Come back! I want to hit you!" If he's not picking on the cats he's hitting or kicking somebody. The boy is going to drive me crazy one of these days. Although he has learned that when he really screws up he can't play outside for a whole day and that seems to be getting through to him.

Brian is busy as always at work. At the end of next week he goes to TDY to Pope AFB. (it's either in N. or S. Carolina, I can never remember) four 4-5 days helping to train army guys to jump out of planes. His job is just part of the flight crew. He's kinda hoping that he'll get to yell at somebody though. He really want to lay into some newbie and say "get off my plane!" In May he goes to Allison Engine School for two weeks in Indiana. He's excited about the school, he's been waiting for a slot for about 5 years now. As a plus, the school is in the same city where is brother-in-law and sister just moved to.

These next couple of months will be busy for me and Lorelei. She still has PT three days a week. On the 18 on this month she has her follow up swallow study. In May she sees the endocrinolgist for a follow up to talk about doing a bone density scan. In June she sees her doctor at the growth and development clinic for a follow up. They wanted to re-test her after 6 months of PT and this trip they're also looking at doing a speech eval.

Anyway, that's it for now. Will post again when we get the blood tests results back.