more excitement... NOT! I've had my fill...

So in thinking that with Audrey's previous track record...we were in the clear for at least another 10 days so... I decided to go to work tonight. Jordan had school so, I left the kids with my parents and went to work for maybe a little getaway, if only for my brain. calling doctors is not fun. I'm tired of calling, waiting, not knowing what is going on and why this is happening. So as I'm cleaning away, letting my brain rest before it explodes....
 I get a call from my mom letting me know that Audrey's having another seizure! "are you serious?!" is all I can think to say... "yes" my mom replies, "what do I do?"
 I can't begin to describe the clarity I get at this point in time. I know exactly what to do now and I'm not sure if it's because this is my new routine, or a hidden talent I've been blessed with. Perhaps both. Another trip to the ER. Another blessing that my mom and dad were home together. Luckily, Audrey was able to pull herself out this time... only 8 min. Improvement from 37... but still not super great. I know it was a long but fast 8 minutes for me as I waited for them at the ER, ready to grab and go.
 I work for such great and understanding people who let me walk out the door in the middle of cleaning. So grateful for parents that can handle a stressful situation. Sorry mom and dad. my life is crazy right now...
Now, we get to call more doctors tomorrow. What's in store...
-possibly a different medication.
-we now have 'rescue medication' as I like to call it, so that as soon as she hits 5 min. I can give it to her and stop the seizure. no more driving like crazy people to the ER.  YEA! (the down side is it's rectal.)     nice. this should be interesting. :)
the things you never thought of doing as a parent and family member... sorry guys :)
-more appts and I'm sure more tests.


Hopefully we can get to the source of the problem and soon. until then...stay tuned for more updates and excitement. Thanks again for all the support and prayers. We have been truly blessed this far with our trial.

my sweet baby girl...

Riding the ups and downs

*** I'm mainly doing this as a record for myself. For those who want to stay informed, enjoy.
Just to keep updated.... We made another exciting adventure to the ER last night. Audrey had another seizure. This one was longer. About 37 minutes to be exact. One word to describe it: scary. I'm so grateful for the times we live in and the modern medicine and knowledge we have to help us in these difficult trials. Once was now the new norm... Will now become a different new norm. I feel as though this is just a trial and error phase of this process. We have more tests to do, different dosage to try, possibly new medications in the future, and more questions and discussions with the doctors. I'm still so grateful for the power of prayer and the peaceable comfort HE offers us in our most desperate time of need. where would I be, and in what state of mind without the gospel? I'm so grateful for the gospel and the covenants, promises, and knowledge it brings to my life. Please keep Audrey in your prayers. She is ok for now, and hopefully back to her happy smily self in the morning. I will keep the updates coming. Thanks for all the love and support!

Pic- brother and sister enjoying their morning. And my sweet baby girl- happy as always! :)

The new normal...

Just an update for you all....
We went and had an MRI for Audrey and it came back normal! A relief :) so now she will be on seizure medication for most likely 1 year. She's doing great and the hope is that she will just grow out of them.
Thanks again for all the support and prayers!


Pic- being an angel before the MRI

The Adventures of Audrey

  So it's been a great (and whirlwind) almost 5 months since Audrey was born. For those who would like to know more about the current prognosis and have sent messages of your love and support, here is an update on the latest going on... first some cute stuff (since I haven't blogged forever) then the other. Also a record for myself.

We have been getting used to having two kids...

I love these two pictures. Garrett went from being unsure about having a sibling, to fulfilling his role as an older brother who looks out for his sister perfectly. Their relationship has been one I love to see develop more each day. Audrey knows Garrett and loves to watch (and have) anything he does or play with........ already.

Garrett loves Audrey, and Audrey loves Garrett. There is nothing more a mother could ask for between siblings.

A coordinated nap time however, wouldn't hurt most days..... ;)


Now the other....


The Story:
This past Sunday (Feb 3, 2013) while hanging out before church, Jordan noticed Audrey acting a little weird. As we both watched her, we noticed some signs that she might be having a seizure. As we recorded the event on video, researched a little, and talked to the on call doctor, we were advised to go to the ER where she was diagnosed with having a Focal Seizure. After the seizure she recovered quickly and has returned to her normal happy, smiley, social self. We made an appointment with Primary Children's Hospital where we had a EEG done and talked with our pediatric neurologist (Tues. Feb 5). The EEG went smooth and we were grateful that it was able to show the doctors she was having seizures and also to be able to give them the information they needed to help Audrey. I am so grateful that Jordan was able to have a clear mind that morning to help me get through it as well as think clearly and remember exactly what happened.

Diagnosis:
She has been diagnosed with having Simple Partial Seizures. As far as we can tell, these do not hurt her other than maybe an occasional mild headache (said by adults who also have this condition) and no damage to her brain. She has been prescribed anti-epileptic medication to help stop the seizures from happening. She will be on this medication for at least 6 months to 1 year and until we can further determine that she is no longer having seizures.  This will take time in order to make sure the medicine is working and if it is the right dosage and right medicine for her.

For the Future:
We will be getting and MRI done in the next two weeks to rule out possible causes why she might be having these seizures. There is a 60 % chance that we may never know why. As far as we know she may just grow out of them. Until we know more or time has solved the problem we are just going through each day like any other day.

We will keep you all posted as we find out more in the next month or so.


We know the Lord has blessed our lives with Audrey, and with allowing us to see the signs of this illness in her life so that we may help her in every way we can as parents. We have also been blessed with the strength to endure what has come to pass as well as what will yet come our way. We are so grateful for the knowledge of the gospel and the healing powers of the priesthood. I have seen the miracles that come through priesthood blessings and prayer.

We are so very grateful for family and friends that have shared their love, support, hospitality, and prayers in our behalf. It is such a source of strength for us. Thank you, Thank you. We love and appreciate all of you!!

Jordan, Arica, Garrett, and Audrey

glam shot :) my favorite.

More of the goings on...

Getting ready for Baby #2: 

Nursery is pretty much done, still need dresser for clothes which are washed, and folded in organized piles... 

car seat and gear ready, as well as a few pinterest projects
Garrett moved into new room, painted, and now equipped with glow stars... Loves it!

taking advantage of sleeping in... oh YEAH!

name ideas.... None... might be a problem...

Prepped Garrett the best we can... who thinks he has a baby in his tummy too. Will be a great big brother!! 

Retired from cleaning... Loving it, and getting tons done (including a nap for me!!)

our guess as to when she'll come...

jordan- Sept 4 

me- Sept 5

Celeste- wants the 7th (her b-day, which would be cool since Kate (her 1st) and I share same one)

mom- anytime after Sept 1 when she gets back from vacation... :) 

Actual due date:  Sept 16

1 year ago...

 Ali Jane was born... so cute!!! we love her, and can't wait for another girl to join the crew! 

 (Celeste's baby #2)

 What garrett looked like a year ago... time flies!!!

 I get asked a least once a week if we can go to Grandma Helen's and drive the dune buggy. 

 "can you see me drive dad?! you do it like this"

 4 wheeler... oh yeah

 giving Tigger a ride...

Always wears a helmet (and loves dads) when he rides his motorcycle! 

"I gotta wear my helmet and be safe" - Garrett

A Lovely Summer So Far...

It's been a fun summer so far and Garrett and I are making the most of it. Pool days are a regular occurrence in the back yard on those nice hot days. And he's always helping water the plants, grass, himself, and anything he can pour water on.

 checking out the boxelder bugs... which are aplenty 

 Enjoying some front yard picnic in style...

 he's learned how to spray with his finger... and likes to spray mom and dad, who don't like it... haha

doing the slip-n-slide... he wasn't too sure about it so jordan took him through. his favorite part was the goggles.

My favorite thing about garrett currently is his little imagination. He came up with a way to shave like dad. and it was pretty authentic for what the kid had to work with.

 "Goggles, check"

 trying out dad's socks

 milkshakes in california!! mmm, good!

 raspberries on the fingers... he likes them as much as his mom! (my favorite part about summer)

 airplane ride at the park

 first, and last time boating this summer. Garrett bounced a little and when I asked him how he liked the tube, his response was...

 "I went way super fast, mom, out there, did you see me? I did big trick, it was cool!" what a great time we had!! next year mom can go on it with him.... tubers for life!!

And because I cleaned houses for my job, and finally retired (gotta love early retirement), my house finally gets cleaned every week! I have the best helper, and Garrett LOVES to help clean. Especially when mom lets him spray the cleaner and use the sponge. Hoping that his enthusiasm to help clean will never go away!

Another favorite is drawing with chalk. He always asks in more of a statement, such as: "Lets do chalk mom. you want do chalk with me? (no waiting for response) here you go." and we draw train tracks and cars, and trains.

It's a girl!!!!

Baby #2 is going to be a girl! We are so excited!! Still can't believe that we now will have one of each, but I'm so excited for the everything girly part! Of course boy stuff is fun and I have some redecorating to do (YEA!) but I love to walk by the girl isle in every store ( and in some it's like 3/4 of the entire store) and find something that is just too cute! Plus I'm going to need a shopping buddy later in life. Garrett does pretty good but he gets bored fast, and is more then ready to hand the credit card over when it's time to pay. I believe I have trained him well :) but Jordan might disagree. Now for all the cute projects to start: room, quilt, bows!, and maybe an outfit here or there. I'm super excited!
And if you ask Garrett what's in mommy's tummy... He will tell you it's a girl, but is having a little brother. We'll fix that soon enough :)