THE BLOG HAS MOVED!!!

We've got a new home....well, at least the blog does.  Come visit us at http://www.thehallsofinsanity.com/!  Work is still in progress so please excuse the mess while I make changes and learn some HTML and CSS.  :) 

Back to the Grind

Summer has officially come to a close here in Alabama, even though the weather and temps don't seem to agree.  And, oh, what a summer it was!  It was wonderful because we were able to enjoy the fact that Layla is still gracing us with her presence, which we weren't sure would happen.  Here's a brief synopsis, with pics!, of our summer:

Sean and Addie had birthdays; his on June 12th and her's on June 13th.  She knows no better so we celebrated them both on the 12th.  We got Addie her own cake so that made her happy enough.  He turned 8 and she turned 2.  Lord, help us.

The "blur" was the best money I ever spent!  Those balloons were here favorite gift....

Layla with Daddy

After Sean's birthday, he drove back to Texas with John's parents, who were gracious enough to drive up here for the birthdays and to get Sean.  He was very missed here but he had a fantastic time with them just hanging out and getting to see his cousins, Cameron and Maddison.

Cameron, Sean and Maddison

Then, at the very end of June, we drove down to Texas in a van with A/C issues, loaded to the hilt with oxygen clyinders.  Good times.  But that's for a different post.  We drove down not only to get Sean but to take our annual trip to Surfside Beach.  This is the 5th year we've gone but only the second year we've stayed a full week.  Surfside Beach isn't commercial (at all) with only a few mom-and-pop shops, but that's the allure.  You do have to make a  trip to the grocery and stock up,  which is a chore for 10 people (Layla brings her own food; she's picky like that).  It's probably the most relaxed I am all year, which was much needed after pretty much the whole month of May.  The beach was tar ball free and the tropical storms and hurricanes stayed away.  It was a great time. 

At the end of the jetty when a storm was rolling in....not sure Sean was digging the crashing waves

Double Trouble

John thoroughly enjoying himself; notice the beard. I don't think a razor touched his face all week

Layla going for a dip in her "beach" (usually bath) chair

Cameron, Layla and Maddison

Addie with Grandad and watching the waves at our waterfront, and sometimes depending on storms and tides, over-water house

Grandad with Addie

Daddy holding the swimming beauty

Yes, it really was a doulbe rainbow

Grandad and Grandma with Layla enjoying the windy,humid night

Addie getting pushed along by the breeze?  No telling with her......

A future twirling dervish, but with bubbles!

Addie checking on Layla and surely telling her, "You ok. You ok."

Packed like sardines on the way home.  I think they had a good time.

Fundoplication! Say it with me!

I figured I had better post an update sooner or later.  I apologize.  I can't remember what day it is, much less when I told what to whom.  It's so confusing! 

Short story:  Layla is home!  YAY!  She was released straight from the PICU on Friday afternoon, two weeks to the day of being admitted there as she was quickly slipping away.  I think per the last post, she had been put back on the regular ventilator.  As she began to wake up, she was none to pleased to have a tube down her throat, which was a good sign.  I can't even remember what day she was completely taken off the ventilator (see first paragraph of this entry for the reasons why).  All I remember is that she was and she did great.  She was, and still is, on supplemental oxygen, but only between 1-2 liters, which is pretty much what she had been on at home. 

The only minor setback, which ended up being a blessing in disguise, was that after she was taken off the ventilator, she began throwing up.  She has a very strong gag reflex and so even some strong coughing (which she needed to do) would make her vomit.  A procedure we've been contemplating for a while is a Nissen fundoplication (pronounced: fun-dough-pli-ca-tion).  Sounds fun, huh?  Try saying somewhere in public and I guarantee people will look at you like you just said a really ugly word.    Anyway, the "fundo" is a procedure where the top of the stomach is wrapped around the bottom of the esophogus.  This prevents things from coming back up, which will hopefully do away with any threat for aspiration (see previous post).  Needless to say, we were a little worried with her having surgery, which was done laproscopically, so soon after being so very sick.  However, we knew that we did not want her to end up again in the state that she had been in.  So she was operated on this past Wednesday (26 May, I think?) and came through with flying colors.  In fact, once Dr. Gilbert (awesome pediatric surgeon extrodinaire!) came to see us before he got started, John and I figured we had some time so we went to the main hospital to get something to eat.  By the time we got back, the people at the information desk were able to tell us that the surgery was done and was very successful.  I later asked Dr. Gilbert if he could tie his shoes that quickly!  She did come back to the PICU on the ventilator, which we were expecting.  And again, she was none too happy.  We could only imagine what her little body was thinking:  ok, first I couldn't breathe and you guys weren't paying much attention, then you stuck this tube down my throat so I didn't have to breathe, then you took the tube out to make me breathe and then you put it back in again.....make up your minds, people!!! 

She's such a little trooper.  All she needed was some help, and the entire staff of the PICU and respiratory threapy at Huntsville Hospital for Women and Children are responsible for her getting better, along with all of the love and prayers that were sent her way.  Layla is back to the bright-eyed, beautiful sweet little girl that she was before becoming so very ill.  (Note:  If you are ever looking for a place to make a donation, please consider the awesome PICU at HH Women's and Children's.  They completely deserve all the love and support they can get.)

Sean's summer break officially started yesterday.  He's been up at about 7 am every day (much to my dismay).  But it's so very nice to be able to kick off the summer at home, the way it's supposed to be. 

Homeward bound!

(28 May 10)

A new meaning to "tough little bird"

It was a Mother's Day I'll never forget.  I think that was Layla's plan.  It was a well executed plan at that.  This year, Layla decided to get sick for Mother's Day.  What turned out to be really, really sick.
We think Layla may have aspirated (i.e. sucked some stuff that doesn't belong into her lungs) sometime on the 8th.  She was admitted to the hospital on the 9th, for what looked like a small pneumonia.  She was treated with antibiotics and received breathing treatments and chest pt.  However, this time seemed different.  She was having difficulty breathing, very labored, and couldn't keep her oxygen levels up.  In the early hours of Friday (14th) morning, she was rushed to the PICU. 

Getting phone calls in the middle of the night is just not a good thing.  John called me (I was home with Sean and Addie) to tell me that she was not doing well and would be admitted to the PICU.  We arrived around 2:00 am.  The doctor met with us in what I now call the "bad news room".  The prognosis was not good.  Her lungs were fully whited out and they had a very difficult time intubating her.  She was on a ventilator. We were told the first 24-48 hours were critical.  If she made it through that, then her odds would improve.  As you can imagine, this was devastating.  Sean and Addie were with us and Sean heard, and processed, every word the doctor said.  We finally got to see her around 3:30 am.  She did not look good and did not look like our Layla bird.  She was puffy and blue and had tubes and wires everywhere. They let Sean come in and see her, and we will forever be grateful for that. 

One thing I never wish on anyone is having to call your family at 3:30 am and tell them that they need to get to the hospital asap.  It's just not fun so avoid it if at all possible.  But what an awesome family we have; within 12 hours of those inital phone calls, parents had arrived from Kentucky and Texas and John's brother and his family were driving up from Houston.  The outpouring of support was incredible.  We had many visitors that Friday, many I am not sure I will remember.  It was a difficult time, and that is putting it mildly. 

John and I didn't leave the hospital for those critical 48 hours.  She was put on an oscillating ventilator which in my mind is somewhat like blowing up an air mattress but with short, quick puffs of air.  If you pull away your air source, the mattress deflates.  Same thing with Layla's lungs.  In those first days, she didn't have much tolerance for anything: medications, suctioning, etc.  But little by little, she began making improvements.  Medicines were weaned down, air settings were turned down so she could work harder, and xrays showed little bits of improvement every day.

I will spare you al the details and emotions of the weekend, but will skip to the events of today and say that today was a glorious day.  She was taken off the oscillating ventilator and put back on the mechanical ventilator.  I know it's strange because she's still on life support, but this was a MAJOR step in the right direction.  They also put in a chest tube to drain off some fluid (a good thing) so that her lungs could expand better.  Her sweet little heart is now pumping better.  Previously the right side was enlarged due to having to work so hard.  She's back on her feeds and is pooping (it's amazing what I get excited over now!). 

She still has a very long road to recovery but John just let me kwow that it seems like she's beginning to breathe on her own a little.  Who would have ever thought that a little girl without a brain could overcome such a nasty infection (which was a pseudomonas infection; nasty little opportunist).  We have been absolutely overwhelemed by the outpouring of love and support given to us by not only family and friends, but people who have never met Layla, let alone us.  She is our little missionary.  She will bring every soul she can touch closer to Him. 

Please continue to pray for our little bird.  She is such a strong and brave fighter but we know that she could not have come nearly as far as she has if it weren't for the power of prayer.  I will try my best to keep the blog updated with the new and wonderful changes. 

I am so glad I got this picture but it will forever break my heart just as you can see Sean's breaking here.  This was taken after she was intubated in the PICU and we got to see her.  (14 May 10)

So sick and so puffy..... (16 May 10)

What a tough little bird (Sean picked out the bird holding the suction tube for Layla)

(17 May 10)

Daddy with Layla while she's heating up under the "french fry" lamps to help keep her body temp up

(16 May 10)

Layla's nurse, Karen, braided her hair.  I don't think anyone has ever looked so good on life support!

(16 May 10)

Tough little bird

A much happier picture of Sean and Layla (17 May 10)

It's amazing all of the equipment used on her (17 May 10)

Sean picked out the bird for her.  He is doing a great job of holding the suction tubing.

(17 May 10)

A tough little bird on the road to healing.  She is absolutely beautiful, even with all those tubes

(19 May 10)

It's not easy being Layla

Today is one of those days.  One of those days where it's not easy to be the parent of a child like Layla.  It's days like today that I realize just how stressful her health issues can be. 

She's been recovering from strep throat (not sure how she picked that one up) and stopped antibiotics on Wednesday.  That night, we forgot to give her medicine to her and she was up all night long coughing (no, we never made the correlation that she might go to sleep if we gave her some medicine).  The next morning, she had a seizure or two, they were small.  We didn't think anything about it.  However, she had more last night and quite a few this morning.  Those, along with a small fever, have me worried.  Then she threw up all of her medicine, including anti-seizure meds she needed to keep down, about 2 minutes after I gave them to her.  That's always fun because you never know if anything stayed down so do you need to or even can you give her more meds...and if so, how much?  A full dose again or cut it?  But by how much?  Arrrggghhh!

Today was supposed to be a day when her nurse, Sharon, comes to care for her so I can get out, usually with Addie in tow.  But those plans changed right after Sharon showed up and Layla decided to throw up everything in her little belly.  I think she took sweet Sharon by surprise but really that was mild compared to most incidents with Layla.  She has since had more seizures, which have taken on a weird quirk:  she starts seizing after a big yawn.  Only Layla. 

Needless to say my plans have drastically changed from the nice day out I thought I would have.  But that's not what gets me down; it's the not knowing what's up with Layla and what it will take to fix it.  That's the worst feeling in the world: the not knowing.  She'll never be able to say that something hurts or feels yucky or she just doesn't feel well.  It's always the guessing.  Is it this?  Is is that?  Is it a combination of both or maybe not any of those at all?  It's stressful to say the least.  Soon we'll leave to go to the pediatricians office to see what she has to say.  Here's hoping for a quick and easy fix! 

UPDATE for you followers:  Addie just published this post for me without me proofing or anything.  How kind of her.  I feel more gray hairs popping up.

Glances, Looks, and Stares

I usually try to keep this blog pretty light-hearted and funny with things like the Sean-isms.  However, tonight our family had an experience that's still bugging me. 

I realize that we are interesting.  Well, at least that's my best guess as to why people would stare at us all the time.    As I told John today while we were enjoying a great day at the park, we are the circus freaks.  We are the family with the little girl in the wheelchair.  We get glances, looks, stares.  Even after all this time, it's still unnerving, like you have indeed forgotten to put on pants.  Most of the time, the stares at Layla are met with  a kind smile or gentle touch.  And we understand that children will stare; it's just their nature.  We're perfectly ok with that (to a point because there are parents out there totally oblivious to their childrens' actions; don't be that parent!).  Children are so honest, they approach Layla and ask questions.  Unlike adults, who just prefer to gawk with no regard to how rude they are being. 

Case in point:  an obnoxious "lady" ( I so want to use many other ugly words for her) that we enountered tonight while going out to dinner.  We were coming into the restaurant as she was walking out with her family.  She was probably old enough to be Layla's grandmother, thus old enough to know better.  However, upon her eyes seeing Layla, she seemed to lose all sense of class and politeness because she just stared at Layla.  And I mean stared.  She stared at her so long, while moseying out the door, that John and I both noticed and stared back at her.  We both caught her eye as she was passing Layla and made eye contact with her.  I hope she was so ashamed of herself.  And I so wish I would have said something.  I don't know what, but I need to come up with something witty and sarcastic to put people in their place at moments like that.  I hesitated to say anything because I didn't want to embarass her in front of her family.  But, then again, it was she who was making us feel like we had a child with three heads and 86 eyes.  Don't I have the right to put her in her place? 

Most of the time, moments like this sting, but I usually just let them roll off my back.  But she really, really bugged me.  I'm getting tired of it.  Layla is a beautiful, precious little girl and should be treated as such.  I know people wonder what is wrong with her.  I wonder the same thing when I see children like Layla, except now I usually ask.  I'm not sure I would have done that before having Layla, but I certainly would not have stared. 

I will work on coming up with something for us to say to those low-lifes who choose to stare at Layla rather than asking about her or telling us how beautiful she is.  I may just go with John's idea:  tell people she's the next Stephen Hawking and is working on completing her thesis on cold fusion.  Oh, the irony. 

Jump, Mom, Jump!

I am a slow learner, as evidenced by today's events.  I know, I know good and well that I should, every day, get up early, work out and shower before the kids rise.  Because things happen.  Things like what happened today.

It's happened before.  I get lazy and get caught off guard by our daughter.  No, not Addie, but the one without the brain.  You cannot tell me that she doesn't know what she's doing.  I think she finds it very amusing that she can stress her mother out so easily just by having a fever.  A fever that has no outward cause or origin.  I'm sure you're wondering what this has to do with me getting up early and getting the meanial tasks out of the way, so that I am free to do her bidding.  Well, today she spiked a fever of 102.  Not good for our little bird.  I tried to get it to come down but decided  that since it's a holiday weekend (ahem, Layla!)  that we should probably go see the doctor just to be on the safe side.  When I called at 8:15, they wanted me there at 8:30.  What?! Sean was still in pj's, same for Addie, I was dressed but certainly not ready, nor was Layla.  Thankfully, John was able to come home and watch the other two while Layla and I hurried to the doctor. 

We made it to the pediatrician's office, but not by 8:30.  They are kind to us, espeically since we're in there so often.  There's nothing outwardly wrong with Layla so we headed over to the imaging center to get yet another chest x-ray. I realize that we have been there way too often in our short year living in Huntsville, when they recognize us.  I wonder when Layla and I will begin glowing in the dark from all of the radiation.  We're awaiting the results of that and the nasal flu swab.  I pray for no hospital visits. 

People always ask if Layla can communicate and I'm sure they look at us like we're crazy when we say that she can.  But I think incidents like today show exactly how well she is able to get what she wants.  I told her if she wanted to spend time alone with me, a fever was not necessary.  She's such a diva!  

  She just hates the paparazzi

Fundraiser for Addison

There is a wonderful family north of Houston who have a little girl just like Layla.  Her name is Addison and she just turned 3!  (a miracle as you all know).  Addison, like a lot of our kiddos, Layla included, has been having some respiratory issues lately and they have determined that she needs a bipap machine.  However, Addison's insurance has declined the authorization that is needed to purchase the bipap.  Her family has organized a fundraiser to help with the cost of the machine.  I know many of you are not in the Houston area and could not attend, but in these wonderful days of PayPal you can make a donation (information is included at the bottom of the flyer).  It doesn't have to be a lot; just think if many of us gave just a couple of dollars, what that could do.  Heather, Addison's mom, also said that I could share her website information so that you can learn more about this precious little girl: 
http://caringbridge.org/visit/addisonmichellegibson

Click on the flyer below to find out more info and their PayPal account information.  Thank you in advance for helping to make this precious little girl's life better. 

Layla's 4 year checkup

Last week, Layla actually had to have a 4 year checkup.  Strange, I know, espeically since we're in the pediatrician's office at least every other week, sometimes more often.  Layla had to have shots, which she took like a trooper.  No tears whatsoever.  I guess if she can get botox in her thighs and not cry (and they say that hurts) then some measley little boosters can't do anything to her!  She now weighs 35 lbs and is 40 inches long.  Almost a pound per inch.  She's just long and skinny and a beautiful girl.  But, then again, I'm partial. 

Now that is a sleeping beauty!

December 8, 2009

And Wadson makes 4!

One of my dearest friends, Laura, and her wonderful husband, Charlie, have been in the process of adopting a little boy for nearly 2 years now.  The little boy is Wadson and he is from Haiti.  Needless to say, the recent events have altered the normal flow of adoptions there (but they do that on their own anyway).  However, they were lucky enough to welcome him home a week ago today.  He was an orphan at God's Littlest Angels is located in the mountains above Petion-Ville. 

Isn't he precious?!

It seems like all of them seem to be adjusting well after so quickly becomming a family of 4 (Laura and Charlie have a 4 year old daughter, Naomi).  So, there has been some good to come out of so much tragedy.  We couldn't be happier that the Chapin's are now complete! 

The Last Roadtrip of 2009

We have been some travelling fools this year. Or some fools who have travelled. Whatever you want to call it. I personally think both apply. We're heading off to Texas tomorrow. We'll stop in Baton Rouge tomorrow evening and spend the night, all 5 of us, in one hotel room. It's good times, let me tell you. This trip will wrap up our Layla-palooza tour of '09. We went to Texas this summer, Florida in October for fall break, Kansas City for turkey day, Kentucky for one of Layla's birthday parties, and back to Texas for Christmas. We're really looking forward to it. I am going to HEB (the BEST GROCERY STORE EVER!) and I'm going to buy 20+ packages of their fresh-made tortillas. I can't take these store bought, filled with preservatives, taste-like-cardboard tortillas anymore!!! And some of their Houston blend coffee. The best! And it comes in giant packages, which makes it even better. I'm sure there are other things I will bring back but can't think of them right now (hey, cut me some slack, I've only had 1 cup of coffee so far). And it's going to be warmer there than here, which isn't saying too much. I can't say that I'm too fond of waking up to 20 degree temps, especially when it doesn't get much warmer throughout the day. Chilly! Speaking of chilly, last night Sean went back to bed a few minutes before Layla (they sleep together in Layla's bed). The reason he went back early was so that he could warm up her spot for her so that she wouldn't have to get into bed and have cold sheets. He is the sweetest big brother EVER! As John said, talk about sacrificing the body! I have been meaning to post pics but I can't get them to upload. Well, I'm not sure if they'll upload. It's just taking too long and I'm not that patient. My apologies! I'll work on that some more over Christmas break so you can see pics of Layla's b'day parties. I hope all of you have a safe and very Merry Christmas!

What's next, the plague?

I really wish that blogger would let me re-arrange my posts so that they flow better. My brain just doesn't work in reverse. I have to think ahead about what I want to write so that you don't read the end before the beginning. They assume that my moments of brilliance are just constant streams of witty banter emanating from my very being. However, they could not be more wrong. Case in point: I just wrote a post about a stomach bug which will be referenced in this post. And when I write it, I will want to write it as if you already know about said stomach bug (which you do now, but for the purpose of me making my point, pretend you don't). I need to be able to re-arrange the posts so that you see the stomach bug post first and then read this one. See what I'm saying? Otherwise, it's like having a conversation with my mother. For those of you who know her, you are now nodding "yes". Those of you who don't, well, you now have a good idea. And Mom, I love you. No harm intended. I know your interest was immediately peaked by the title of this post. And I have mentioned said reference to the stomach bug. A nasty 24 hour bug that went from Addie, to me and then onto Mom, John and Sean on the day of Layla's third 4th birthday party (wrap your mind around that one; you'll figure it out when you read the post about her birthday parties). We all made it back to Alabama and I believe we managed to not leave anyone ill in our wake (thank goodness!). But this past Sunday, Sean complained about his head itching. I noticed that he had a rash on his body, not hives, but a rash. I tried Benadryl but that didn't even help. I (silently) became concerned and searched webmd for answers, none of which I was really crazy about. I kept him home from school on Monday and took him to the dr. The diagnosis: SCARLET FEVER!!!! I know!!!! Who in the world gets SCARLET FEVER in this day and age?!?! My son, that's who! He had severe strep throat (me too. yay.) which goes along with SCARLET FEVER! but I didn't get the rash. Also on the good side, it seems that I am the only other one besides Sean to get strep throat so perhaps we're in the clear. I thought SCARLET FEVER was only something you read about in Little Women or saw in old movies. Apparently not. We are going to Texas for Christmas. I have this vision of our germ-mobile emanating a Pig-Pen like cloud of germs as we speed down the highway, sickening all of those who come in our presence. Good times.

The Birthday Celebrations of Layla Bird

Yet again, I'm not going in chronological order. Sorry, but welcome to my world. I did not post anything on December 1st, because it was a very busy day, but it was Layla's 4th birthday! Woo hoo! She has had 3 parties thus far and will probably have one more when we get to Texas for Christmas.

The first party was on the 1st at John's office. They have a monthly party to celebrate the birthdays for the month with cake and acknowledgements. However, COL Jenkins made this month extra special and had full spread potluck lunch with cake. Layla was recognized as one of the December bithdays. What an awesome group of people we are so blessed to have in our lives.

The second party was that night when my mom came into town to visit. We went out to dinner with her, our friend Tom Ballenger (John has known him for a while and we became good family friends while at Ft. Hood/he was in town on business, again working with John), and three of Tom's coworkers, who probably got more than they bargained for. It was a very nice evening and so kind of everyone to join us for a celebratory dinner in Layla's honor.

The third party was on December 5th in Benton (KY, that is). We had a great party for her at Pleasant Grove Methodist Church in their beautiful new fellowship hall. Well, I'm not sure how new it is but it's new to me since I don't get home very often. It was a great party, however, several of our family members were MIA with a stomach bug that we all caught from Addie. She and I were well by the time of the party but Mom, John and Sean were not so fortunate. Mom even passed out in the Dollar General Store (insert joke here.....).

It was a great party and all who were not there were very missed. We have always had Layla's parties in Texas so it was so nice to be able to have one with those who have not gotten the luxury of celebrating the wonder that is Layla before. Her birthdays are so very precious. We love to share her with people and we were so blessed to be able to do that so far this month. I can't wait until we get to Texas!

Clowns are Evil

Part of a conversation that took place between Sean and me today: Me: You know, evil can disguise itself as things that seem like lots of fun. Sean: Yeah, I know. That's why I don't like clowns.

In Need of a Makeover

Apparently, I'm in need of a makeover. This epiphany came to me one night while sitting at the computer chatting with John who was at the time deployed to Afghanistan. Sean approached me and began with, "You know, Mom, if you want to be popular....". I'll stop there to let you know what was going through my head at this point. It was a bunch of whaaaaa???? Huh? He definitely got my attention. I interrupted him and said, "If I want to be popular?". He replied, "Yeah. If you want to be popular you need to get some popular shoes, some popular pants and shirt, and you need to get an InStyler for your hair". "Ok," I replied. "So I need popular shoes, pants and shirt and an InStyler." "Yeah, so you can have "flaps" (making an upward curving motion with his hands by his ears; think of the Flying Nun and you'll have a general idea). "Flaps?," I say. "Wow. You think I would look good with flaps". "Yeah, I think so. And you can look like you just stepped out of a salon every day". Lord help me the day he figures out how to dial the number and give them my credit card. I'll have every piece of crap sold on tv. But I bet I'll look damn good!!!

A Tale of Two Dick's

Ok, people, get your minds out of the gutter. I know that's right where they went. What kind of a blog do you think this is? Don't answer that. Huntsville is a thriving metropolis with many shopping areas, most of which are very nice. One of the stores in said shopping centers is Dick's Sporting Goods. We have been in there a couple of times to purchase stuff for Sean. While traveling to a new area of Huntsville we'd never been through before, Sean noticed some new construction in a shopping center. He said, "Wow! They're getting a new Dick's! But that Dick's looks a little bit shorter than the other Dick's". I kid you not. I couldn't make this stuff up.

Because she's Layla and she can.......

So, since I'm not going in chronological order I'll start with the events of today first. Layla's been admitted to the hospital again. She had a fever of 104.3 (yikes!) this morning. So we took her in (luckily before all of the hypochondriacs got there). I had to first encounter a pissy (sorry, but I could use other expletives here but I'm trying to work on that) admitting dude. He got all bent out of shape because I hadn't finished filling out the forms yet. Gee, I'm so sorry that I can't write faster but I like to actually put down the right answers to the questions. Call me anal. When I finally finished, I handed him the paperwork and quickly told him to hold on, that I had something to go with it. My OCD self, which in essence is lazy, has a completed medical history for Layla with prescriptions, hospitalizations, diagnosis, etc. on it. Saves me a TON of time when filling all of that paperwork out. I needed him to attach it to his stupid form because on the "previous surgeries" and "medications" sections, I had written SEE ATTACHED MEDICAL HISTORY. When I told him I needed to get her medical history he said, ''No, you don't". I told him, "Yes, I do". He said, "No, you don't". Again, I said, "Yes, I do!" WTF dude?! I then told him that I needed to put her medical history with that form. He looked at me and said "Well, if you have it, why didn't you write it on here?". Are you kidding me?!?!?! I looked at him, wanting to punch him in the nose, and said, "Because I can't fit all of her information on that tiny (f*****g!) form". Ok, I left off the expletive. Like I said, I'm working on that. But I wanted to say it and tell him where he could shove it too. But I didn't. Because I'm nice like that. Anyway, the nurses were very impressed with my medical history sheet (suck it, admissions dude!). Layla does not have swine flu but she does have pneumonia in her left lung. I guess it's good it's not both lungs, or a shunt malfunction (which would require surgery asap in Birmingham), or kidney issues. She's been admitted to the hospital where I assume she'll be for several days. Poor baby. It's very lonely without her here. John and Sean are staying with her tonight. I'll stay tomorrow night and we'll go from there. Layla was in the hospital from 28 Aug-1 Sep for vomiting and chest gunkiness, for lack of a better term. I had really hoped we'd go another 14 months without seeing a hospital again. Guess it wasn't meant to be.

It's been a while...........

So it's been a while since I've posted. I know you've all been crazy with anticipation. I don't know why this has taken so long. It's not like I haven't had anything going on since my last post in April. Really. Just lots of tv and bon bons the way a good housewife should. ;) All kidding aside, it's been a busy time in the Hall household. But really, who isn't busy? Seems like there's always something that just has to be done. I have quite a few posts but they will probably not be in order. I apologize but I'm just too lazy to go back and figure out what happened when. You'll live.

Because I'm forgetful

These are just some random pics. Some of them could have been put in with the posts that I've written tonight, but did I think about that? Nooooo......That would require too much forethought.

17 Apr 09: A diva in the making

Easter, Addie and Layla

Easter, 3 beautiful Hall kiddos I think Addie wants to escape

Snug as a bug in a rug

Snug as two bugs in a rug (notice where their hands are; too sweet)

At the Space Center, where Cameron (left) and Sean (right) are learning about all things Physics. Where was this guy when I needed him?

Rickshaw John pulling Cameron and Addie

I think Maddison is destined for pageants.

Hottest Desination for Spring Break '09 is......

HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA!!!! Who knew? Our family in Texas (Jeanne, Jim, Joe, Cameron and Maddison) made the long drive up from Katy the week before John left, which was their spring break. Things just have a way of working out. We had a great visit and were very sad to see them go. Then last week, Jenny came to visit because it was her spring break. Truth be told, I think she just wanted to escape Tater Day and all of it's, um, glory (I mean that very sarcastically). For those of you who have never experienced Tater Day, you can google it. On second thought, don't. Just let it remain a mystery forever in your mind. It's better that way. Trust me. Jenny's visit was short and I was sorry we didn't get to do more. But she got to experience a day in our life: impromptu doctor appointment, followed by chest x-ray (it's getting bad when they remember you, "Y'all just moved from Texas, right?") and then to the pharmacy. Oh, and the grocery too. Good times to be had here in HSV, let me tell ya. Jenno was a HUGE help, and even jumped right in helping with Layla, all unsolicited, even after being warned by Sean that Layla could poop on her. It's just what Layla does. I think it means that she likes you. If so, she likes John. A lot. Jenno left on Tuesday followed by Mom's arrival on Thursday. And then the great influx of company came on Good Friday, made up of the Benton crew: Phyllis, Donna, Susan and Danetta, and then 3 of the 4 Rainens: Mimi, Mitch and McKinley. Friday afternoon, the Benton crew sought shelter with the girls in the hallway of our house when I called them in a panic from Sean's school as I had just heard that a tornado was heading right for us. I felt like I was in the Wizard of Oz. Then Mimi, Mitch, and McKinely showed up looking frazzled after driving for two days in all of that nasty weather. I hope it was worth it. It was a great time and I so appreciate everyone coming to visit. It meant more than any of them could ever know. It was a very nice break and much needed adult interaction. Hopefully, everyone had a good time as well. So, the next time you are looking for a great spring break vacation spot, just give us a call. We're the place to be!

The Curse of the MilSpouse

Well, John is gone. He actually left on 20 March, but I haven't posted about it. Not sure why. Perhaps the thought of actually typing out the letters would mean he was really gone. Or perhaps I'm just lazy. Yeah, probably the lazy one is more fitting. Anyway, he's been gone about 4 weeks now, which has gone by fairly quickly. He is supposed to be home sometime early August but we shall see. Many people ask me what he does over there. I will have to ask him to give me a break down. It's not that I don't care, it's just the acronyms, there's so many letters, they're just so confusing.....I'll get back to you on that. **Update since posting: John wrote me with a brief synopsis of what he does. Here goes: He's the LNO (liason officer) for the Program Executive Office Intelligence, Elecronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEW&S). He is BG Cole's representative. He works with the units there to ensure the systems are performing as advertised. If not, he gathers the information to send back to the program managers who fall under PEO IEW&S, so they can resolve it. He also keeps BG Cole informed so he's not caught off guard by any issues. *whew* Any questions? No? Good, because I doubt I could answer them anyway.

The curse of the military spouse has reared its ugly head already as well. The first thing was the water leak due to not enough caulking around the chimney. Thank goodness it's a new house (can you say builders warranty?!). Sean managed to severely bruise my nose/possibly break it with his head (accidentally, I think....). I broke my pinkie toe. Yes, it is broken, I can't move it. Ironically, I broke it when I accidentally kicked the step aerobics step I just bought while walking through the room. So now I can't even put on shoes to use the darn step. On that same day at about 11:30 pm, I had a strange dude looking for his cousin "Skip" show up at the door. He rang the doorbell and when I came around the corner into the entry, he was looking through the sidelight (little window on either side of the door). Hell no, I didn't even go near the door. I told him I was calling the cops, he left, didn't come back. Needless to say, I'm now armed and alarmed (that rhymed! how clever of me!).

The kiddos seem to be doing ok with John gone. Sean's not having any issues out of the ordinary for his persistant, stubborn self. Addie is a clown and is becoming a food thief. She says Mama, Dada and Uh-Oh. Too cute. She did just break a piece of my china. Not so cute. Layla's been doing well but has been dealing with some chest crud lately that just won't go away. Poor baby. She's been doing better the past couple of days, which is nice. If anyone deserves to be peaceful and happy, she does.

Despite the fact that it was the Army that sent my husband away, I have gotten the most excellent support from everyone in his office. They had a farewell luncheon for John the Friday before he left. It was so nice to feel such genuine, sincere offers of support and assistance from everyone I met that day. These are people who haven't been working with him that long and who didn't know me at all, yet they offered anything and everything to help us. I left there with an envelope full of business cards with all kinds of contact information. I told John that I would feel guilty choosing one person over another for assistance as I would feel like I was hurting someone's feelings. Not only do they call and check on me, but LTC Pickering has gathered a group of guys who are going to mow the lawn as often as it needs. A good KY boy from Madisonville, and an MSU grad, helped me get armed, and an absolutely wonderful woman helps me with watching the kiddos weekly so I can go run errands. When John deployed the first time around, I was just one of many 1st CAV wives who were pretty much left with only the FRG (Family Readiness Group), which isnt' always great since all of the other wives are in the same boat as you are. Not the case this time around! What an exceptional group of people they all are; I knew God would bless us again. And He has.

A pic of John at Bagram

Standing His Ground

Many of you have met Sean. For those of you who have not, I think I can sum him up by saying he's all boy. He got his father's persistance and my obstinance, which makes for a deadly combination. However, he has an inner gumption, if you will, about him of unknown origin. John and I are both pretty go with the flow, don't rock the boat kind of folks. As for Sean, yeah, not so much. One evening while the Texas Halls were visiting, we were discussing politics. Sean joins in the conversation saying, "Well, ya know, they tried to give me a bookmark of him [Obama] and I told him I didn't want it". Needless to say, this got everyone's attention and we inquired more. You refused the bookmark because it had him on it? Did you get in trouble? What did they say? (Answers: yes, no, and ok) Then he added, "Yeah, and they tried to get me to color his picture and I told them I wouldn't do that either". Sean's not a fan of the president, if you couldn't tell. And despite what your political leanings may be, you have to give the boy major credit for standing up for what he believes in. However, if his beliefs come to include a refusal to clean his room for fear of disturbing its natural state, we may have issues. What can I say? Refusing to color Obama's picture doesn't make my house messy.

Ever Washed a McGriddle? I have.

And let me tell you, the end result ain't pretty. Why, you ask, did I wash a McGriddle? No, not just for poops and giggleho's, as John would say. It is a tale. A tale of having three children, one of whom sees the doctor. Many doctors. A lot. Yesterday, we went to Birmingham (henceforth referred to as B-ham because I'm lazy) to meet Layla's new neurosurgeon, Dr. Blount. Yesterday morning started early, as her appointment was at 10:30 am. B-ham is not far away but with traffic, we were uncertain of travel time. Sean complained of not feeling well in the morning but we assumed this was a tactic to get one of us to take Layla and the other parent stay home with him. We will not be duped so easily!!! We made it to B-ham in plenty of time and decided to grab a bite to eat at McDonalds (you see now where the McGriddle is coming into play?). After dining in the parking lot of the medical complex, we drove around aimlessly looking for a handicapped spot (I will hold my tongue, or fingers, and not rant and rave about the people who have handicapped tags and don't really need them, when we, as a family with a child in a wheelchair do. Grrrr.....I digress). We managed to get the Hall Family Circus up to where we needed to be and waited. During this time, in this room filled with children (let me tell you, there is no place more sad than a children's medical facility), Sean actually came over and said he didn't feel well. He actually lay down on the floor. Hmmmm.....odd for him. We told him it was because he downed the sprite we got him with breakfast (hey, it was McDonalds....what do you want from me?) and didn't eat anything (said McGriddle was in his pocket). Finally, we made it back to the exam room. Just a side note: Sean typically picks Layla's appointments to act like a total bafooon. For example, when John and I were trying to learn how to change out Layla's g-tube button, Sean ran around the room with spit in his mouth, cheeks puffed out, making awful noises. No reason, not about to faint or throw up, as one might think. Nope, just being a bafoon. Changing out her button is a time-sensitive task as the hole will begin to close up. Eeks! So, we gave Sean the "talk" about behaving and being quiet so that we could hear what the dr. had to say. Dr. Blount came in, was very nice and knows both of Layla's previous neurosurgeons and spoke very highly of Layla's new neurologist who we will meet later this month. It was a quick meeting, mainly a "Hi. How are ya? Here's Layla.". It did get hot in the room. When it was over, we praised Sean for being good and started to pack up the girls. Sean wandered out into the hallway. All of a sudden, I heard a splattering noise out in the hallway. Yup. Sean tossed his cookies. I can remember only one other time in his 6 1/2 years on this planet that he has thrown up. Everyone was so very kind, and told me that there was a 24 hour bug going around. Super. Guess it was a good thing he didn't eat the McGriddle. I guess Sean is going to be pretty immune to stomach bugs because he got to feeling great on the way home. He actually wanted us to stop and get him 24 chicken nuggets (yup, you guess it: from McDonalds). What happened to the McGriddle you ask? Well, I washed everything he had on last night. Another side note: I do not check pockets. I feel it is the responsibility of the wearer to remove all items from their pockets lest they be washed. And John just has way too many pockets on his ACU's and all that stupid velcro. Anywho, when I opened the washing machine (and it's a front loading one) I wondered what was that strange stuff in the rubber lining. McGriddle. The word ran through my head in the same manner Seinfeld would say "Newman", with complete and total disdain. Then I hung my head and thought, "This is what my life has come to: I washed a McGriddle.".

Gotta love change!

The Army upon making a decision usually changes said decision. Case in point: John's August trip to Iraq. He will now be going to Afghanistan in April for 4 months. He'll probably leave sometime in mid-March and come back sometime in August. Oh well. At least we'll get it over with that much sooner. My only trepidation is not being here with all three kids, especially Layla; it's being here with all three kids, especially Sean.....ALL.....SUMMER......LONG!!!! Must go now and find entertaining and exciting activities/camps/sports for Sean before all of the spots are taken and I am reduced to a life of Pokemon cartoons and hearing about Bionicles and their great and wonderous abilities every day ALL......SUMMER......LONG!!!

Hi! Welcome to the Arsenal. Here's your ticket to Iraq!

Ok, so that's not exactly what they said to him, but it might as well have been. John started work last Tuesday. He came home to tell me that he was traveling that week (last Wednesday through Friday), this week (Tuesday through Friday) and that he would be going to Iraq in August. Only for 3 months. But it's the Army, so I'll plan on 6. I'm not really surprised as I knew this could, and possibly would, happen. I just hoped it wouldn't. And at least it's not 12 months, or 15. Gotta look at the bright side, right? On a very funny side note is that fact that John has to be one of the only people who, while flying this week, carries on their luggage but still manages for it to get lost. When he was flying out of Huntsville yesterday, the plane was too small for overhead bins so they took his luggage along with that of 5 other passengers and stored it below. Well, at least that's what was supposed to happen. Sounds like someone forgot to put their luggage on the plane so he made it to Fresno sans suitcase which meant sans uniform. The suitcase finally arrived this afternoon with enough time for him to change and make it to his meeting. I bet he'll keep tabs on it after that.