Updates on Life

Just wanted to let everyone know what's going on over here...

Eden is doing GREAT.  If you saw her, you would never have guessed that a week ago she was in the hospital with a fever of 104, getting an MRI, x-ray, blood tests, and having an IV put in her arm.  She's pretty much back to her normal self with the exception of a small residual cough and a slight stuffy nose.

Leila's birthday is coming up on Saturday.  Her only request is that she wants a blue cake.  I've been online searching "blue birthday cakes" for days.  I'm struggling.  Cakes make me nervous.  Can I admit that I've NEVER made a cake except in a 9x13 pan with a box cake and canned frosting?  Its true.  Here goes nothing.  But I am planning on having waffles with whipping cream and BLUE berries for breakfast and chicken cordon BLEU for dinner.  That's about as far as my creativity is going to expand.

Tyson's been studying like a mad man for an upcoming major test he needs to take.  He has four weeks off "work" to study.  Basically he spends about 10-12 hours a day inside our bedroom listening to lectures, taking notes, doing practice tests, and reading medical books.  Busy bee.  But on the positive side, he's OFFICIALLY DONE with his 3rd year of medical school and is now on to his 4th and FINAL year!  WAHOO!

As for me, I've basically been sick for 3 weeks straight.  I'm finally starting to improve.  My hacking cough is a little less hacking...so I consider that a positive thing.  I've developed a pregnancy symptom that I didn't know existed until I started to get it and looked it up online....a HORRIBLE metallic after taste in my mouth that only partially goes away if I gargle baking soda and water.  And the after taste is worse if I eat foods that are sweet tasting.

But really, I'm doing pretty well.  I have an ultrasound tomorrow to find out a more accurate due date for the baby. And since I'm about 17 weeks along, I technically may be able to find out the gender of the baby!  I am extremely nervous, which is funny because I wasn't nervous at all the first two times around.  This pregnancy has been so weird that I honestly feel like we're going to go and find out the baby is missing a limb, has a major deformity, or has some kind of problem.  I'm also nervous to see if its a boy or girl.  Currently, I admit I want another girl.  Why?  I'm not really sure.  And in all seriousness, I don't care if its a boy or girl in the end.  I'll gladly accept either.

Osteomyelitis

(I told Eden to show me a face of how she felt about the hospital gown....she wasn't a big fan...she told me it was "boring".  Once she realized the functionality of it, she was fine.)

The last few days were crazy...

Wednesday

3:30 am - Eden complained of really bad leg pains...but after dad poked around a bit she decided it was better and less painful to just go back to sleep than to have daddy feeling around.

7:00 am - Eden woke up, came in our bedroom, laid on our floor, then decided to go back to bed.  (First sign that she was sick)

7:30 am - Eden had a fever of 104.  Still complained that her knee hurt.

8:00 am - We called our primary care doctor to set up an appointment because Tyson knew from his med school education that only having symptoms of a high fever and hurt knee could potentially mean really bad things.

10:30 am - I had my first OB appointment.

12:00 noon - I met up with Tyson and the girls at the primary care doctor's office.  The doctor checked her out and decided to run lots of tests immediately.

1:00 pm - Went to Community Hospital.  Saw the radiologists to take x-rays of Eden's knee.  The radiologist told us to go to an orthopedic surgeon and set up an appointment at 3:00.

1:30 pm - Went to the lab at the hospital to get her blood drawn.

2:00 pm - Eden doesn't do good with needles...so she had to lay back and was given oxygen. She basically passed out, the blood drained from her face, and we waited until she got some color back and was able to walk again.

3:00 pm - Went to the orthopedic surgeon's office to get check ups on the knee.  Even after Tylenol, her fever was still 104.

3:30 pm - The orthopedic surgeon sent us straight to the ER at St. Mary's Hospital where we were 

admitted to the pediatric care unit and told we'd need to stay overnight, have an MRI and drain the fluids on her knee.  Eden was THRILLED that she gets to "sleep over with the doctors" and gets "breakfast in bed with a movie" the next morning.

6:00 pm - Eden made a request...she wants to the be the person to CALL the cafeteria and order her own breakfast of muffin, jello, and hot chocolate.  I told her that was a great idea.

6:30 pm - Eden was put under and sent to surgery and to get the MRI.

9:30 pm - MRI was finished and Eden was awake.  She kept telling the nurses how brave she was because she got an IV.

10:30 pm - Our home teacher came over to give Eden a blessing.

11:00 pm - Leila and I got home to sleep while Tyson stayed with Eden at the hospital.

Thursday was lot of waiting around, ordering food from a menu, watching movies, and trying to keep Leila from pulling out IVs, pushing buttons, playing with the bed remotes, etc.  Until finally I was able to get a babysitter to help take her....

After all was said and done, they diagnosed her with Osteomyelitis.  It's not 100% positive that is what it is...but its pretty certain.  Osteomyelitis is, in short, an infection that grows on your bone or bone marrow.  The only reason it isn't 100% positive that its osteomyelitis is because it was caught so early that all they could catch from the MRI was lots of white blood cells fighting at something but the bacteria hadn't grown large enough to get a sample.

We lucked out.  Thank goodness Tyson's in med school and knew that fever + hurting knee = go to doctor quickly.  I would have never done that.  Apparently it may only take a few days before the infection on the knee can get so large that it can break through the bone, cause major deformities, require a major surgery, and Eden would have needed to stay at the hospital for 3-4 weeks with a constant IV stream of antibiotics to kill the bacteria.  There are even several cases where the leg needs to be amputated.  So, we definitely were lucky to get out the next day with only oral antibiotics and a bunch a few more doctor's appointments for blood tests.

Although, Eden isn't going to be happy about the blood tests.  She told me that at the hospital she had a bad dream that they had to give her another blood test and she wanted me to tell the doctors to not give her any more blood tests.  I can request all I want....but in the end, she's gotta get a few more done.  Poor girl.

She also was a little sad to leave the hospital because she really enjoyed the moving bed, lots of movies, and of course all her meals served right in her bedroom (that include ice cream, cake, jello, juice, cookies, etc.).  She was a little sad to leave, but in the end she was more happy to get the IV taking out of her arm (it was in her right arm so she couldn't draw, open things, fed herself very well...etc) and being able to sleep in her own bed again.  I admit, I liked not having to cook and clean up the meals as well.

I'm so grateful for all the people who helped me out last minute.  La Shana for babysitting Leila so she could get a much needed nap and I could go to the doctor's appointments, Shad for coming and giving Eden a priesthood blessing late at night, Michelle for babysitting Leila when I was about to have a mental breakdown if from 2 year old pulling and pushing things in the hospital room she wasn't supposed to and having many tantrums, and Alicia for making us a wonderful dinner the night we came home when we were all ridiculously exhausted.

Seriously, I love my friends.

Now things are starting to get back to normal.  I've been doing lots of cleaning around the house because even when it seemed we were never home, our house STILL managed to get ridiculously messy.  The kids are back to sleeping on a regular schedule.  And we can relax.

And my OB appointment was good.  I was so happy to just get an appointment (I'm 16 weeks along now) and hear the baby's heartbeat.  That was the good part of my day.  We also have an ultrasound appointment in a week to see if we can get a more exact due date....and maybe we'll be able to take a peek at the gender early!  Actually, when we took Eden to the radiologists Tyson was able to talk to all the people he worked with and they said that they wanted to test out some new equipment and actually would LOVE to have me in sometime next week to just have an ultrasound for fun.  Then I also have a 20 week ultrasound scheduled the beginning of July.

I admit that I'm a little nervous for the ultrasound....its just been such a weird pregnancy that I keep being afraid something is wrong.  I'm also a little nervous to find out the gender.  For some reason I'm more nervous about this baby than any other....I kind of really want another girl.  But honestly, I'm totally happy with a boy as well.  I don't care all that much...but mostly I just want to know if its a boy or girl and that the baby is doing alright.

Temple Trip

Before leaving, the grand kids on the Finlinson's side went on a temple trip with their Nana.

I admit, I was SO SAD to miss this event because I LOVE visiting temples.  Plus, to miss seeing the girls' reactions to visiting each temple, touching them, visiting the grounds....sigh.  Not to mention Leila's love for temples....I missed her first time going out to see the temple close up.

But I was really sick that day.  And as sad as I was to stay home, I was really glad to have a day to recover from this sickness.

But these are the pictures that were taken.

This picture is adorable.  Looking at the temple.

 I love this picture below because Eden and Eva both struck this same pose when told a picture was going to be taken.

Now we're back in Colorado.  Its been a lot of fun being back home.  Eden's been able to spend time with friends, go to all of our favorite placed around town, and just spend time as a family.

14 Weeks

I'm totally stealing this idea from a blogger friend of mine who is a much more diligent blogger than I am and writes these weekly.  BUT, I'm going to do it to sum up of....

*Drum Roll*

The completion of the first trimester of pregnancy!

*Crowds cheer*

Size of Baby:  Baby #3 is the size of a lemon.

Total Weight Gain:  The last time I checked...which was probably quite a while ago....I had already gained 5 lbs.  F.I.V.E.  And that was like WEEKS ago.

Maternity Clothes:  I've actually just gone to comfy dresses.  I can't handle things on my belly.  Even when pants FIT I didn't like to wear them much.  But I did just get out the box of maternity clothes that I left at my parent's house to take back with me to Grand Junction.

Gender:  Leila insists its a girl.  Eden ONLY wanted a boy for a while but now she's changed and has lately wanted a girl.  Tyson and I both feel like its a boy.  But then again we thought that with Leila too...

Movement:  I don't think I've felt any movement yet.

Sleep:  My sleep has been good...with the exception when the girls wake up in the night....which really isn't too often, but does happen.


What I Miss:  Not always thinking about food.  I've found that when I eat gluten or sugar my morning sickness seems worse (sugar is much more of a problem than gluten thank goodness).  So, I'm constantly wanting to eat but having a hard time finding things TO eat.  Tyson's a little afraid that I'm going to gain 80 lbs once I once again am able to eat sugar.  I'm always saying "mmm...Haagan Dazs...", "Oooh...chocolate cake...", etc.

Cravings:  Towards the beginning I would crave a Beto's Breakfast Burrito.

Symptoms:  Today is a bad day.  I must say, I lucked out....the first 10 or so weeks I didn't feel a thing.  I think Tyson was worried about my sanity cause I kept wanting to re-take a pregnancy test to make sure I really was pregnant.  Then I got a bit sick and then a little more sick, but I found that with my no gluten and no sugar diet I was pretty much able to hardly be sick at all.  But I've had a few days (today being one of them) where every symptom comes at me with a vengeance!  I'm ridiculously sick, throw up everything I eat (and even when I haven't eaten), my back KILLS, heartburn, etc....bleh.  I have definitely been iron deficient and very weak, keeping me from doing too much.  I need to up the iron.  Steak had been my friend.

Best Moment of First Trimester:  Going to the temple.  I've been doing a lot of thinking and pondering about "birthing" and the spiritual significance it truly has to God's plan.  Tyson's mom gave me a book for mother's day on that subject as well.  There was a chapter on Eve and her decision to partake of the fruit and being the mother of all living and so on and so forth.  After thinking about it all, I really wanted to go to the temple. It was awesome.  And since then I've come to many thoughts, decisions, and conclusions.  And I've grown a greater appreciation for pregnancy (even though I complain about the symptoms) and the blessing of being able to bring one of Heavenly Father's children into this world.

What I'm Looking Forward To:  A doctor's appointment.  I still haven't had one.  Our insurance is in Colorado and we've been in Utah for the past two months.  But I do have an appointment set up for when we get there.  Although, I admit I'm scared to death to go back to Colorado because I've had so much help with the kids and they have LOVED having so many people around as well as a bigger house to roam around in with a backyard.  Things they will have to do without when we go back.

Trimester Thoughts:  I mean, I really don't like all the symptoms...but overall I've really felt so blessed to be pregnant.  I decided that something I love about being pregnant is the mystery of it all.  Who will this little person be?  What will they be like?  What will they look like?  What do they have in store for me?  When will I go into labor?  What will be my delivery story?  What is the little person going to teach me over the years?


Sibling Rivalry:  Well....for Eden and Leila....they do have a lot of girly fights.  More often than not it goes like this....Leila pulls hair (or scratches or hits or pinches or bites or rips apart something Eden's working on) and Eden comes running to me "MOM!!!".  But occasionally Eden is the one to do something and Leila is SUPER dramatic when a wrong has been done against her.  Its a very dramatic scene where she'll end up saying "Cry!"  cause Eden made her cry.  But they also have developed a love for each other over the past few months.  Since Leila's able to talk a little more and play a little more, Eden has a much greater appreciation for me.  And Leila really does love Eden a lot.  She's a bully out of love.  Whenever she gets a special treat or something good she always makes sure that I give one to Eden.  She never wants to leave Eden out.  She follows her and wants to play with her often.  Overall, life is good.

Lots of Good Times, One Bad Time, and the Ugliest Cake Pops You've Ever Seen....

We've had so many things happen since my last post.

And my pictures aren't in chronological order....

Oh well.

May 12th was Eden's 4th birthday.  WHAT?  She's FOUR!?!  Yeah, crazy.

She no longer thinks "cake" is cool for birthdays, she always wants cake pops.

And because Eden is....well....EDEN....she wanted cake pops in the form of Leukocytes and Salmonella.  That's normal for a four year old, right?  Okay, so may be a LITTLE quirky.  But we love her.

 The left in leukocyte and the right is a salmonella.  They were definitely not very pretty or appetizing...but they did taste delicious.  And I think my family got a kick out of being able to say they ate salmonella on purpose.

We stuck a candle in a leukocyte and sang "happy birthday" then we said, "ok, make a wish and blow out the candle!"  Then we could all hear her LOUDLY whisper "I wish I were a princess!" we all her might and zeal before she blew it out.

That sounds much more like a four year old girl.

Then there was swimming in the backyard.

 We also went swimming at the Lehi pool as a birthday present to Eden as well.  But no pictures of that...although it is a pretty awesome pool and the kids had a great time.

Cousin Eva threw a cupcake decorating party which was quite a hit.

 My family had a large garage sale (which I only made about $7....I'm so rich).

But the best part was towards the end of the garage sale we wanted to keep the kids more entertained.  So, we set up a little swimming pool in the backyard.  Then after the garage sale was over, they took their towels and dried off by laying in the sun.  Then Eden came in saying, "can we have a special tropical drink with a fruit on the side?"  Being the awesome mom I am...I gave them a cup of juice, cut up an orange, and Brayden was extremely excited because he had little umbrellas to add to the drinks.  They may as well have been in Hawaii.

And I'm missing a bunch of other awesome events that I failed to take pictures of....

• Tyson and I celebrated our 5th anniversary on May 10th.  He took me out to The Avengers followed by Sushi.  Oh, it was awesome...the dinner AND the movie.  Incredible.
• I went to a Hale Center Theater play with family.  We got free tickets from a friend of my grandma's. We watched Father of the Bride.  Maybe not one of my favorite plays, but still tons of fun.

Then there's mothers day.  That was my "bad day".  I had so much morning sickness (that was really ALL DAY sickness) that I felt horrible.  I couldn't keep any food down.  I really couldn't move from a laying position without needing to throw up.  Saturday night I was feeling really sick.  And today I've also been really sick (but today at least I'm somewhat function and I've been able to keep A LITTLE food down).  Ugh, I thought 13 weeks into pregnancy I wasn't supposed to start feeling this way.  Oh well.

Overall, its been great and I'm glad I wasn't deathly sick for all the fun events that went on this past week and I was able to enjoy it all!

A Little Weekend Trip

The past weekend Tyson had a long weekend.  So, we celebrated by going to St. George.  Oh, it was awesome.  I love St. George.  Swimming every day, temple trip, climbing on the red rocks, and of course Orange Peel boba drinks (for more info on those, go to this post).

Leila wasn't having a good time at the red rocks.  But the rest of us had a blast.

Tyson's sister, Lydia, came with us...we love Lydia.

Leila's favorite part was the temple.  She kept yelling "TEMPLE!"

It was a beautiful overcast day.  Wonderful weather.  Not too hot and not too cold.

A Call to Poison Control

I've never had to call poison control...until today.

Good old Leila...making sure I get all the experiences of motherhood.

I found her in the music room with a little open bottle.  She was pouring the contents all over her arms and legs like lotion.  She loves lotion.  I washed her off and didn't have much fear.  Then she started to cough like crazy and I could smell the oil on her breath.  I took a better look at the bottle and called poison control.

The conversation went something like this...

Poison Control:  "This is poison control.  May I help you?"

Me:  "My daughter just drank some valve oil."

PC:  "Valve oil?"

Me:  "Yeah, for instruments."

PC:  "Oh, ok."

Me:  "On the back it says that it contains petroleum and can be harmful if swallowed."

PC:  "Uh huh."

Me:  "And she's been coughing a lot ever since."

PC:  "Well, it looks like valve oil is only bad if it went into her lungs.  Which if she's coughing probably means it went into her lungs.  You should take her to the emergency room because even a drop in her lungs would spread quickly and could give her pneumonia or perhaps worse."

So, we took a little trip to the ER.

We waited cause the ER was slow, as it usually is.  The doctor checked her lungs with a stethoscope and said that it didn't sound like much was in the lungs.  Meaning, most likely everything was fine and her body would clear up on its own.  But they wanted to do an x-ray just in case.

Again, we waited.  Eventually Leila fell asleep.  The whole experience must have made her tired.

(sorry, I just realized that if you were skimming this post, it looks like Leila was in a coma or something, its NOT how it looks, she just fell asleep)

They woke her up for the x-ray.  It was so sad. They had to put her inside a "tube" looking thing with her legs dangling towards the ground and it forced her arms in the air so they could have her hold still the entire time.  Being pregnant, I had to stand far away behind a wall.  She cried.  Then it was over.

We went back into the room and waited some more.

Eventually Leila started to say "Go.  Nana's."  She wanted to leave.  We sang songs, counted things in the room, found different colors around the room....and eventually, we were told we could go.

But she's on watch for the next 24 hours for worsening symptoms or respiratory problems that come up.