My three beautiful boys

My three beautiful boys
August 2010

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

11/30/11

I thought it was time for an update!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thankgiving Holiday! So much to tell! So much has happened in two weeks!  Hmmm where to start... well we are still battling colds, and sinus infections but we will get better soon... these past few days have better rather rough for Conner.  He has been battling a fever ranging from 101-103 nearly 104.  Yesterday he had a blue spell, his extremities were cold and dusky as were his lips.  Needless to say, I rushed him to his doctor. Turns out it was because he was cold and his fever after being gone all day came back with a vengeance at 102.  His oxygen saturation levels were fine.... thankfully!  But that was a super scary moment bringing me, for a few minutes, back in time.  Once his amazing pediatrician Dr. M and her awesome side kick Aja determined that Conner was okay and just needed a little motrin I finally exhaled and had a minor.... I repeat minor meltdown. Conner has since then broken into a rash of sorts... if its not gone by tomorrow I was instructed by his homecare nurse to notify his doctor.  On the bright side of things, Conner his walking now!  Well 95% of the time he his! He is a determined little guy too!  If he decides he is going to walk across the room and his makes it 3/4 of the way and falls... guess what he does!?  He fusses for a minute, crawls back to his starting point and tries it again! He tries until he succeeds... He loves singing "Itsy bitsy spider" too!  He cant quiet say the words yet but he tries!  He attempts that hand gestures too! Its super adorable! He has started dancing and giving high fives!  He says "thank you" now too!  He has said "Where is it" and "I see it" his favorite one is "Whats that?". Earlier this evening he was sitting on his knees next to the couch, playing with a car saying "vroom vroom vroom" Im so thankful for all these milestones, because there was a time when we werent too sure if he would ever be able to meet any of these milestones!  He is surely amazing! He and his older brothers are SUPER close, its clear to anyone just how much my boys love one another! Granted there are times when Leo and Alex argue and bicker and fight.... seeing as Leo is 9 going on 16 and is very into "this belongs to me".  Ah the joys of independence.... he calls himself a "Tween" WHAT on Gods green earth is a TWEEN you may ask?  Yeah... I know... I asked the same thing and in the words of my 9 year old....eh hem....I mean my tween... "its when you arent a teenager yet but not a kid anymore"......I KNOW RIGHT! Makes ya feel old and SO behind on times. <insert nervous chuckle here> He is in the phase of "Yes, mom girl cooties ARE real! Every girl has them!", "thats my spot", "sigh can you PLEASE not stare at me" and the "SIGH.....nothing, nevermind" Reminds me of me when I was 16 going on 25 and I thought I knew everything.  Im in for it... I know. But I love that boy with all of my being!  Oh Alex my sweet little character.... he is LOVING kindergarten!  He is learning to READ I cant believe it!  In October I volunteered in his classroom but since the end of October I have been battling one cold after another and these arent little colds, they are knock you on rear end kinds of colds! I am determined to go to his class tomorrow and volunteer. Im not 100% but nothing a little cold medicine cant fix! I have been some what out of comission for the last few weeks but Im getting there! Alex is getting taller and losing all his baby chubbers :-( He loves to dance and sing and make people laugh!  When he brought home his Thanksgiving art project, in his handwriting it said four things he is thankful for and in this order he wrote 1.Food 2. My Mom 3. My dog and 4. My hows (I think he meant house)...  I made the list!  Im doing something right!

These next few weeks are going to be hectic and filled with chaos.... we are moving, Alex' birthday is coming up (birthday party on moving day) should be interesting.... boy when I plan something, I plan BIG.  Ugh... LOL.  Well we will see how it goes!  Then organizing our new place and Christmas... fun stuff!  Time to get into gear! 

Well if Im not able to get on here before Christmas....MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Smiles and Hugs,

Jessica

Monday, November 14, 2011

Love, Conner

Hi Guys! Its me Conner, dont tell mom I figured out the computer! I wanted to let you all know that Im doing GREAT!  Im so close to walking!  I also wanted to let you know that Im doing a fundraiser for Congenital Heart Defects and Heterotaxy through Scentsy!  ANYTHING YOU OR FRIENDS AND FAMILY PURCHASE WILL HELP KIDS  WITH CHD AND HETEROTAXY! So when you smell that sweet smell of lavender, vanilla, or whatever you scent you choose it will be a friendly reminder that you are helping one of my friends, who like me, were born with a broken heart! ALL of the the consultants profits will go towards The Heterotaxy Network and CHD research and funding...100% of her profits!! She doesnt do this to earn extra money for herself... she does this to help kids like me! Just click this link https://thn.scentsy.us/Home (or copy and paste into your browser) and then click my mommys name Jessica Lewellen and have fun shopping! If you purchase the Scentsy Sasha Bear, like the one I have,proceeds go towards Ronald McDonald house to help families in need when they are at Childrens Hospital with their loved one.  I hear the plug in warmers are GREAT for bathrooms!  If you need replacement parts or lightbulbs for your warmers they have those too! Send this invite to your family and all your friends too! Christmas is just around the corner wouldnt it be great to purchase a gift and give it to your friend or family member knowing that, that very gift could be the reason a little child like me feels better today?

Even if you cant purchase any items today, please forward this email to all your friends and family... my goal is 500.00 raised by December 1, 2011....... all it takes is to purchase an item that will fill your home with any wonderful scent of your choice! 

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Some pictures to share :)

Conner cuddling with daddy

Alex at the pumpkin patch with me and his class

Conner and Daddy

Leo, home sick a few days ago



Leo and Conner snuggles... these two love one another so much!

Momma and Conner

Alex :)

Conner the dragon

SuperAlex

Leo the Ninja

Look at those eyes! So handsome!

Some of the oils I use :)

Monday, October 31, 2011

October pictures!

Just wanted to share some pictures with those of you who dont have Facebook :)

SuperAlex!

                                                                   Leo and Conner
                  Now, you KNOW momma raided the candy bowl after all the kids went to bed right?
 This is Alex' class :) I volunteer there alot. This was their Halloween Party. Alex is in the back in the middle.
See Zenith on the left of the picture?  He is the classroom dog! :) He was a cow boy for Halloween
                                        Alex and Conner at Alex' classroom Halloween Party...
Counting pumpkins on a fence 

                                    Randy, Conner the dragon, SuperAlex and Leo the Ninja!
Leo, Alex and Samantha (my niece)

Leo 

Alex and his teacher Ms Conte, We went to the pumpkin patch on Friday the 28th! :)

Conner wasnt totally thrilled about his costume... 

And so it begins... unwelcome back cold and flu season... umph.


I just wanted to share this everyone... I made these signs one in the main bathroom as a reminder to the children. And the other sign is where everyone can see it as they walk into the main living space of our home... 

They may seem kind of redundant but its a constant reminder for everyone to wash their hands during this cold and flu season.  Leo was hit pretty hard yesterday with whatever virus got him, he ended up in the emergency room having all sorts of tests done... blood work, UA and xray. They placed a precautionary IV as well.  After about 400ccs of IV fluids my little boy bounced back to ALMOST normal. With every test I became more and more nervous.  Leo is fine now though.  He woke up this morning with no fever and feeling great.  They say he has an ear infection and bronchitis.  I dont believe that though because he isnt coughing and has no ear pain whatsoever.  I will be making a follow up appointment with his pediatrician.  Anyways, let me know what you think of the signs I made :) Also I have included a picture of Leo's xray... I circled the areas of concern in red, the picture is the 3rd one down. 






Sunday, October 30, 2011

Dear little virus...

Please go away and never come back again!  This entire month one of us has been sick! Little virus, you paid Alex a visit on October 6, he was fine the next day, but the day after that he spike a 102 temp..And then you visited Conner on October 13, he spiked a103.2 temp. Randy became sick on October 19,  I came down with something, but I don't think its the same thing everyone else has on Oct 27 and I'm still fighting it.  Now Leo is sick today October 30, his highest temp so far has been 101.4.  Aren't you done harassing us little virus?  Go away little virus!

Cold and Flu season is upon us! Just a friendly reminder to everyone when you come visit us, please wash your hands with warm water and soap.  If you are sick or have been sick in the last 48 hours please come visit us another day!

Tips on staying healthy during this cold and flu season:

Get rest! Try to sleep at least 6-8 hours a day!  Its a proven fact that if you get 8 hours a sleep people live longer!

Eat Healthy!  Never skip breakfast and enjoy healthy snacks! Lots of grains and fiber, along with fruits and veggies .

Get moving!  If you are a stay at home mom, turn on the tunes and dance with your kiddos!  They love it! If you have stairs run up and down those bad boys a couple times a day.  Anything to get moving!

Dont forget!  Hand Sanitizer does NOT kill every germ, bacteria or virus ESPECIALLY tummy bugs like CDIFF!  So wash wash wash those hands!   Get your children into the habit of washing their hands every time you think of it!  I need to work on all of this too! So we can work on this together.

Drink lots of water every day... they suggest 8, 8oz glasses a day!  Sheesh, I don't have time for that but Im gonna start working on that too.

Well thats all I can think of right now, but if you can think of any tips on how to get and stay healthy feel free to post them in a comment.

Friday, October 7, 2011

October 7, 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO NINI! (Auntie Crystal)

Crystal has been our BIGGEST supporter... we love you Crystal, so much.  When Conner was hospitalized those many times the first year of his life, Crystal came all the way from Marysville to Seattle almost every day, even when she was working!  She stayed as late as she could... she even sat in the chair between my bed and Conners bed... many, many times until I fell asleep... then she would ever so quietly tip toe out of Conner's hospital room. I would wake to a text message the next morning telling me she'd made it home safely and she would see me the next day.  Words cannot express how Crystal helped to calm fears and worries... I sit here writing this with tears coming to my eyes because Im so very thankful for Crystal.  Crystal and I werent always close but throughout this journey, she and I have grown closer and closer over the last 16 months... thank you God for that wonderful gift... the gift of an amazing sister in law whom I love with all of my heart. 

Sunday, October 2, 2011

October 2, 2011

This is the first year I have kind of been in the dumps about my birthday... Im not sure why......Today.... I turn 28 years old.  Wow...  amazing how things change... how perspectives grow and blossom... how little ones reward us with smiles,scribbles, amd doodles.  My favorite sound in this whole world is the sound of my childrens sweet laughter.  I didnt have a favorite sound 15 years ago... I didnt have an entire wall dedicated to the scribbles and doodles done by sweet chubby little hands.  This time 2 years ago, I had different friends... different perspectives and different morals... This time 6 years ago... I had one child and was pregnant with my second son... I knew nothing about parenting, but I was trying, and trying hard.  This time... 10 years ago I was about to find out I was pregnant with my first son Leo... he saved my life, he really did... in ways nobody but me will ever understand. These last ten years have been crazy to say the least... Crazy but extremely rewarding.  A wise person once told me "The people in your life that are bad for you, will weed themselves out eventually" and so far, this has proven true....

Leo: WOW he is in FOURTH grade now! Can you believe it!? This is when the real fun begins!  He is 9 and thinks he is 16 going on 25.  Its fun but challenging :)  So far this year, he has started to learn about bone structures in animals and human beings.  He dissected an Owl Pellet the other day and thought it was the coolest thing ever. I, however, did not agree with his thoughts on the matter... ick! Currently he is reading what he calls a "Sticky book" meaning he cant put it down. LOL Its called The Cats of Roxville Station by Jean Craighead George.  This is milestone because he has never found a book good enough for him to call a "Sticky book"  lol

Alex: He started kindergarten this year!  What an exciting adventure this has been!  He has a classmate whose name is Zenith, he is black and has four legs :)  He is young lab that is in his class every day.  The children read to him and interact with him.  Alex LOVES dogs so this is very rewarding for him! When I ask him how his day went the answer is always "Good, can we go to the park?"  ( I take him and his cousin to the playground for 30 minutes or so every day after school.  So far he has been learning letters and how to write them. I had him writing his name when I was pregnant with Conner but during all the chaos I wasnt able to continue working with him the way I wanted to.  Anyways, during the first few weeks of school Alex kept spelling his name XALE.  I was starting to become concerned when one day I opened his folder and he had written ALEX on one of his papers. I was so excited!

Conner: He is 16 months old as of yesterday and 8 months post op and its been almost 6 months since he was in patient! BIG MILESTONE.  He is SO close to walking its crazy! Im hoping he takes a few steps on his own before the day is over.  How cool would it be if he did that on my birthday!  He was talking alot for awhile there and suddenly isnt talking as much.  I spoke with Linda, his Physical Therapist about that and she said that its pretty normal for kiddos to do this when they become more active like Conner recently has.  He is still around 22lbs.  UGH... but Im not going to worry about it unless his cardiologist Dr Sexson or his pediatrician Dr Morris says something.

Randy and I are doing great! He is working alot and Im still a stay at home mom... (whoever said being a stay at home mom wasnt hard work is nuts)  Im involved in the PTA, the Parent group and I volunteer at the boys' school as often as I can.  Laudry is a never ending battle so I just decided to not hate laundry anymore... that was wasted energy lol! Currently my biggest goal is to figure out how to keep my carpets clean without having to carpet clean once a week... all my plans have failed so far. UGH. Conner has his bi-weekly sometimes weekly nurse appts and his weekly Physical Therapy appts, and between the three boys and myself I have been at the doctors office at least once a week that last month.  There is a possiblity that I may have Rheumatoid Arthritis.. my levels were "slightly elevated" so I have to see a specialist in Everett.  I have already decided that if I do have RA Im NOT letting it bring me down.... what kind of an example would that be to my children?  Keep me in your prayers please.  Needless to say with school starting, doctor appts, nurse appts, PT appts, school meetings, play group and house cleaning (laundry included) I have been one busy momma! 

I will try to update as often as possible... hugs all around

Jessica

Monday, August 8, 2011

August 8, 2011

Hi Everyone! Sorry I havent been updating alot lately...

Hmmm where to begin...  im a nutshell summer has been great!  All the boys are doing wonderfully, Conner has been off the NG tube now for about 7 weeks.  He is THRIVING!  Leo and Alex are enjoying summer, riding bikes, getting dirty, hanging out with friends, swimming. Ya know, the works!

Conner went on his first air plane ride and we are in Ohio visiting another heart family :)  We have seen some really neat things here!  I love Ohio, just gotta talk the hubby into movin here! :)

Sorry to make this such a short update, but all is well and everyone is thriving!!

PRAYER REQUEST

Sweet Luella Hamm (Lulu) isnt doing well she is very sick and is in the hospital please keep her in prayer!

Much Love and Heart Hugs all around,

Jess

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Friday, June 24, 2011

Thursday, June 23, 2011

June 23, 2011

Well here we are the first full day of Summer break for Leo... and well Alex too since he starts kindergarten in September!  Leo and Alex were more interested in playing with their friends then hanging out with me while I did my normal every day chores around the house... can I blame them? Haha!  Tonight while Leo was determind to build a go kart out of Lego's, Alex and I snuggled on the couch and watch movies.  It was nice to have that chill time with him! Im cherishing these moments with him because he too will be a big boy soon interested only in Lego's! LOL Ahh how fast they grow!

Conner had his one year well child appointment today... I cannot stand immunizations!  He did well though! He is gaining weight and his doctor is very pleased! He is 30.1 inches tall (51%) and weighs 22lbs 5oz (37%, up from 25%) his head circumference is 18.5 (63%) He had the MMR vaccine as well as the Chicken pox vaccine.  Fun stuff, NOT!  Today I removed another pump feed from his diet and I will bring him in to his doctors office to weigh him again next Thursday on her scale there... so now Conner is down to 3 pump feeds and only using his NG tube three times a day! I will wait another 3-7days to remove another pump feed from his routine (all depending in how he does, its all up to him) .... the next one will be his 8 pm pump feed!  At the point we will be pump free from 10am-10pm! Keep him in prayer please!  At this rate that darn NG tube will be gone in no time!  I will, however, keep supplies on hand just in case!  I have noticed he is thirsty more now so this is all going as planned! He is starting to drink and eat more and he is taking all his meds by mouth (with the exception of nap time and bed time, like the old saying goes 'Never wake a sleeping baby') I may be inpatient to get that tube out but, Im not dumb! haha! I am, however, half tempted to leave it out the next time Mr Conner-love pulls it out!

~Thought of the day~
Im thinking about starting a group for siblings of children with special needs... these little kiddos need to have friends who have gone through what they gone through. They all need friends that understand... at first I think I will start with Heart families and then branch out and have moms or dads lead groups or playdates... I dont know Im working the kinks out in my head... its food for thought I guess... hmmm

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer... its not much of a summer here in WA.  I can hear the rain falling outside... so much for a nice early morning walk!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

June 21,2011

Hello everyone,

After a two month break, Im back!

On April 5,2011 Conner was discharged from the hospital and has not been back! He goes to cardiology once every two months.   He is doing GREAT!  He is so close to having the NG tube removed! He is rolling around EVERYWHERE and SO close to crawling!! He talks alot too!  He is eating and we finally found a tippy cup that he likes!  He lifts up his arms when he wants up, he has started waving bye bye too! As I type this Conner just clapped for the first time!!!

Leo's last day of school is tomorrow and warm air and blue skies are FINALLY here!  Its wonderful! We are hoping for a summer filled with fun!   Alex starts kindergarten this September, he is very excited!  I, however.... cannot believe how fast these little guys have grown up!

Im going to wrap up this post for now I have a few things to do around the house!
Heart Hugs!