Things I want to remember

This time of year always seem to sneak up on us all, and it's easy to get caught up in all the hustle and bustle of it all! I'm trying to carve out little memories and soak up every moment that I can, even when I've literally worked two 13 hour days back-to-back and countless hours over the weekend.  I am determined to find the balance and cherish this holiday season!

There is so much that I want to remember about this year; from Jackson's cute little voice pronouncing Santa Sinta, to the morning we made our own gingerbread house, the almost daily trips with Loli & Pop to go visit Santa, and to the magical way Jackson looks at our Christmas tree and lights up the room with his grace and understanding of what this time of year is all about.

Life is too short to not remember all of these small things and create a memory for each new day. 

My parents surprised us with a Christmas trip to Disney World the day after Christmas, so I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year if I don't make it back to blog! Now, go kiss your loved ones and make the best of the moment:)

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CT Scan and Results

Due to Jackson's chronic sinus and upper respiratory infections, and wheezy cough, his pediatrician recently recommended that we seek out treatment with the pediatric ENT specialist in New Orleans again.  After our lovely visit with him in August, I was anxious to hear what he had to say, and I blogged about Jackson needing a CT scan done here.

Checking out the fish while we waited

Fast-forward a few weeks: Jackson had the CT Scan of his sinuses on Tuesday.  We left our house at 6:30AM and arrived at Oschner at 9AM for his prep.  They called us back to the holding area where Jackson was a total ham for a good 30 minutes.  He had the nurses bringing him balloons and toys and then helping him decorate his balloon with stickers.  They even took him around the halls to wish the other patients well before their procedures - and this was all done before he was given "happy juice".

The "happy juice" had the same effect on him as when he got his tubes and adenoidectomy...tired, drunk ol' man.  My nerves always get the best of me when I see the medication start to take it's effect.  I can't help but to worry, but try to always put on a brave face.

They wheeled Jackson away from us at 10:54AM and it was an hour before we were called back to recovery.  After about 30 minutes, I really started to get anxious and worry about the what-ifs.  Luckily, the procedure just took a little longer than expected because the anesthesiologist had a hard time getting Jackson's iv's started.  Poor guy has some beat up little hands! 

Jackson was a pretty typical toddler coming out of anesthesia, crying and super irritated with everything.  Especially the fact that his balloons were gone from his room.  But, after a couple popsicles, he was finally ready to take home.

I thought he'd sleep the whole way home, but that certainly wasn't the case.  He ate almost all of the banana bread muffins we had made together the night before and asked a bazillion times for his balloon, with the Santa stickers on it.  Pitiful.

Such a good lil baker:)

By the time we all got home, it was bath, breathing treatment and bed.  We all slept in our bed, and were out by 8:30...just what I needed!

The doctor called us with the results from the scan last night.  They came back abnormal and showed that Jackson has significant sinusitis aka blockage in his sinus cavities, specifically in his maxillary sinuses under his eyes.  Hence, the reason why he constantly has puffy, dark circles under his eyes.

Considering Jackson's age, he just kept saying it was significant.  He even offered to do surgery to basically drain and irrigate his sinuses.  The downfall to this, is that children under the age of 4 heal so rapidly that the irrigation would close up within weeks.  We discussed this surgery with him in August and he was very against it then, and still doesn't think it's the best option, just offered it to us...

His next step for us is a sweat-chloride test to test him for CF, cystic fibrosis.  While Jackson is a thriving little boy, he does have a good bit of the symptoms and this test has been brought up in numerous doctor's appointments.  So, we have an appointment for the lab test at 1PM tomorrow.

Other possibilities or reasons for the abnormal scan is that Jackson may have a syndrome called Immotile Cilia Syndrome.  This basically means that his cilia's aren't able to move mucus through his sinuses.  We'll have to go back to his immunologist for this test.

The doctor spent a good 20 minutes on the phone with me, which was amazing.  He gave me a lot of medical information on diagnosis possiblities as well as medications to try.  The good news is that Jackson is thriving and developing right on track.  He will eventually get better with age, or grow out of this.  This phase too shall pass:)

He advised us to not proceed with allergy testing because clearly Jackson is allergic so there is really no need.  His orders are to keep a dust free house, no feathers, no pets, no carpet, and no cats.  All of those seem pretty easy to do, and maybe I can convince Mr. that we need our cleaning lady to come once a week now!

UPDATE: Thank you God, the sweat test was negative!!!

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Blood work updates

I finally got the results back from my cycle day 3 blood work, taken a couple of weeks ago.  I called and spoke to the office nurse, which I'm not too thrilled about. I understand that we haven't started an official cycle with them yet, but the nurse did a poor job of selling me on our next step and explaining the results.  I have it on my list to call back and speak with our RE for a better understanding.

I've also been out of the RE lingo loop for a few years now, so I'm not fresh as to what these acronyms or numbers really mean - nor have I had the time to really look them up and over analyze everything.

FSH: 6.96
LH: 8.25
Estradiol: 26
Ovarian reserve test: scored a 16, which indicates they would be able to retrieve 5 eggs through IVF. The nurse said this is a "good" score.

I asked her about PCOS, since both the RE and ultrasound tech said that I had a text book PCOS ultrasound. She said that these results were not indicative of that and our next step would have to be a HSG test before we could cycle.

As for now, my thoughts and feelings are strongly leaning towards trying on our own for a few more months and re-visiting with the RE if we're not successful. Knowing that my ovarian reserve score was good lifted a HUGE weight off my shoulders. And while I want another child and for Jackson to have a little brother (or sister), I don't feel like I'm fighting against time or my biological clock.  Don't get me wrong, it's ticking, but I feel more in control of it's pace now.

I know this may sound crazy, but I'm suddenly at peace with giving it more time and not rushing into injecting myself full of hormones.  Something has clicked for me lately and I know that God has a bigger plan.  I am totally putting this in his hands and know that everything happens for a reason.

I may need to come back to this post a time or two, but right now I'm letting go and letting God - and I mean it this time:)

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Hosting Our First Thanksgiving

Well, we did it! We survived hosting our first Thanksgiving holiday, and everything was wonderful. Sure, my floors may never be the same and I may be sweeping up little crumbs of food from now until the end of time, but it was so worth it!

The Wilsons - Thanksgiving 201

I've said it before, but having such a large extended "family bush" makes our holidays somewhat hectic.  There is always pressure to head to the next house and disappointment for cutting visits too short, which is why we decided to stay put and invite everyone to come to us!

Mr. proudly carving his first turkey

The inside table setting

One of the outside table settings

You can't have Thanksgiving without football:)

A Thanksgiving blessing before the meal

We've been in our new house for 6 months now, which makes it not so new anymore, but this was the first time for many of Mr.'s side of the family to see it.  Even the Tennessee bunch of Wilson's came home for the holiday!

Mr.'s dad's side of the family

Mr.'s mom and her family were all able to make it, as well as my mom and step-dad.  The guest list was just as full as the dinner menu, I'm so glad to be a part of a family that can cook!

Mr.'s mom's side of the family

Everyone arrived around 3PM and dinner was served around 4PM.  The rest of the evening was spent visiting and watching the cousins bounce in the fun jump and run wild together.  It's not too often that we're all under one roof!

Jackson loves his bounce house, and spent most of his Thanksgiving bouncing:)

Once the sun went down it got just crisp enough to turn on the fireplace outside to keep the adults warm while the kids continued to play.  We were even able to get a few family photos before everyone started to clear out.

And after the last guest left, Mr. and I sat for a minute and reflected on our Thanksgiving.  Jackson fell asleep in Mr.'s arms after his bath and slept straight through his breathing treatment, sweet boy played until he couldn't play anymore!

Then the real fun started...cleaning up Thanksgiving dinner for 30! Cleaning up after a party is much like coming home from vacation - it's so much more fun to pack your bags then to unpack them! We are oh so thankful for my parents, who stayed until the last dish was washed and even took the silver home to polish! Bless you:)

The rest of our weekend was full of family time for our party of 3, Christmas trees, football and garland...more to come!

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A Hodgepodge Post

Call it what you will - a catch up, a catch all, a recap, a hodgepodge or sorts, or a brain dump - here's what's new with the Wilson's:

Jackson is literally leaping off of anything he can climb, trying to fly like an airplane or soar to infinity and beyond like Buzz Lightyear.  Why? you may ask, well that's a simple answer.  He is sick yet again, and had another steroid shot that has him bouncing off of the wall.  Don't believe me - watch the video and you'll see for yourself!


And speaking of hodgepodge, please ignore the hodgepodge of an outfit he's in!

After our last trip to the pediatrician with an ear infection, sinus infection, respiratory infection - and I'm not sure what else because he just said it was all infected - we are headed back to New Orleans on December 13th for a CT Scan of Jackson's sinuses.  I'm sure I'll be back to blogging before then, but could you please keep him in your prayers on the 13th? He has to be put under general anesthesia for this and it will be treated as an outpatient procedure due to his young age. 

The holidays are always hectic for us - as we're truly one of those families with Four Christmases.  In an effort to lessen the stress, we decided to host Thanksgiving this year.  So, as of today, we'll have 28 members of our immediate family over for quite a feast.  The only thing that would make this holiday better is if my dad and sister increased that count to 33, which is just wishful thinking.  We started setting tables and making plans to stuff the turkey this weekend.  I truly can't wait for us all to be together, even though I'm not really sure this is less stress!

The Thanksgiving Invite (with our address marked out)

And since my body loves to mess with me, on top of planning Thanksgiving for 28, I of course started my period this weekend.  I would be lying if I said that I wasn't hoping for a Thanksgiving pregnancy announcement, but I've closed that door and moved on.  I even went in today for my CD3 blood work at the RE's office to begin down that path, wherever it may lead us.

Jackson loves his big boy bed, and I promise to take some pictures and dedicate a post just to that.

I wish my almost 2.5-year-old was ready to potty train, but it looks like I'll be wiping butt's for a while longer.

I am having the best time playing Santa already this year, it's amazing how children can change you.  I normally don't even start thinking about presents until after Thanksgiving, but the UPS man has already delivered a few packages to the Wilson address!

Speaking of Christmas, have you seen these cute Reindeer pillows that Sweet Meredith is making?!? I haven't placed my order yet, but I just love love love them:)

I'm helping out with Thanksgiving Lunch at Jackson's school and am so excited, as this is my first mom-opportunity to do such a thing!

And if you're still reading, I promise to get back to blogging - as I foresee a lot to blog about in the upcoming months!

Lastly, I'm so thankful for each and everyone of you! I love reading your sweet comments and emails, and reading your blogs as well!

Loves,
Kristen - aka Momma

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Saints & Sinners Masquerade Bash

One of the perks of working in advertising is some of the amazing events we get to attend, and even better when it's done in trade. Our small agency was recently given a generous bunch of tickets to a Saints & Sinners Masquerade Bash in exchange for designing the print collateral for the fundraising event.

When I found out the date and theme of the event, I immediately called up my neighborhood ladies and invited them all to attend.  Great band, free food and open bar - it wasn't a hard sell:)  The event was last Thursday night, so Mr. was already out of town for the LSU @ Alabama game {days before the actual game, which I don't have much to say about} but I tried not to let that bring me down!

I found a sinfully, amazing red dress and put on my highest high heels for the night out! The band was Bag of Doughnuts out of New Orleans, and I don't think I've danced so much since my wedding.  Sad, but true! It was totally a night to remember, and one that will never let me look at tea lights without cracking up again:)

Being the responsible ladies that we are, we hired a couple of babysitters for the kiddos and a couple of drivers for the adults.  Best decision ever, by the way.  It was much cheaper than taking a cab home and we didn't have to leave our cars anywhere! 

Snap shot before we left the house, loved my dress!

The band from our private balcony viewing area

The Villas Krewe

My date for the night, and partner in tea light stealing crime:)

Love these ladies:)

No night is complete without a group shot with the band, and our tea light:)

We got home in the late hours of the night, which made for a rough day at work on Friday.  Being a slightly hungover and ridiculously tired single momma was not fun, but oh so worth it!

The kiddos all snoozing away in Jackson's big boy bed:)

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Jurassic Jack

I hope y'all had a great Halloween, I love seeing all the posts with your kiddos all dressed up. Even though I hate to dress in costume, Halloween is one of my favorite holidays to celebrate. I guess that's why I was so excited we got to do Trick-or-Treat twice this year!

Our neighborhood community had Trick-or-Treat on Saturday night, and the front part of our neighborhood hosted on Halloween night. It really worked out well since Jackson was too sick last year, so we made up for lost time:)

I made a deal with Jackson one weekend in Target that if he'd stop throwing a fit so CPS wouldn't get called on us dress up as the Cowardly Lion one night, he could be Jurassic Jack for Halloween.  I started to get a little nervous as Trick-or-Treat got closer, and my toddler seemed to forget our little deal.  But, with the help of a little candy, the dino costume was completely forgotten about on Saturday night!

Jurassic Jack - ROAR!

already eating some candy:)

ROAR'ing to scare away the birds flying over the pond

True to my word, I let Jackson dress up again on Monday and we loaded the wagon on a mission to get more candy.  I was so surprised that Jackson didn't get more into character, but he was so funny walking around with his strap-on-dino! He is so social and knows no stranger, which is a little scary.  The more ghosts and pumpkins and Frankenstein costumes he saw, the more he wanted to stay and visit with each house.  He may or may not have come home with a pumpkin or two in addition to the bag full of treats.  Who can turn down a dino roaring for pumpkins:)

Momma & Jackson self portrait on the back porch

Never without an airplane in hand:)

Pouncing the pumpkins with his friends

Hey look, you're a dino too - RAWR!

Thanks for the sucker, I'll be back next year for more candy:)

It makes my heart so happy to see my little man growing up to have such personality and character.  I am so thankful that he'll still cuddle up in my arms at the end of the day and want his momma, otherwise I'd be a basket case for sure!

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