I Don't Believe It........!

Where has the summer gone? Can it really be August already? It has been such a busy summer with camps,amusement parks, the zoo, baton twirling, and horse riding! In just 3 weeks school starts again, it seems like the kiddos just finished up! Let's


This summer both kiddos were able to go to camp! Teddy just loves it! He can't wait to get there, and play! His favorite thing is water day. He also got a chance to swim in Uncle Tom's pool this summer. He had so much fun swimming, and riding in Uncle Tom's truck! He is so happy go lucky, the simplest things please him!


Emma rode in her first little horse show at the barn, and won 1st place for walking and trotting! Horses seem to be her passion! She really looks like she was born to ride. She also started twirling baton with her friend Hope. They did their first little show on Tuesday, and did an awesome job!

It's really something how Em and Ted have grown over the summer. They are turning into beautiful children, with wonderful personalities. I am so blessed to have them, and be their Mom.

Lions, and Tigers, and Bears.....Oh My!

Yesterday the kids and I went to the zoo.....Yes, I drove on the Schuykill, and hell did not freeze over....I swear! It was Emmy and Teddy's first time ever at the zoo, and they were so excited! The whole way there they kept talkinb about what they wanted to see, and Teddy said he wanted to see cows of all things! Em wanted to see the zebras, because they were the closest thing to a horse! They would run over to all of the exhibits, point, and squeal with delight!

It was a very fun day, Teddy slept the whole way, and Em talked about her day until pulled into our driveway! So glad we got a membership, it is going to be such a great summer!

MAY!

As you all know Teddy was scheduled to have surgery last wednesday at DuPont Hospital for Children in Delaware. I am happy to report is doing well, he came home friday. He is having some pain,and spasms of the bladder, but so far so good!


Last Sunday we had a party to celebrate Teddy's road to recovery. It was so nice to have all of our close family and friends to come and celebrate with us! We feel so blessed to have all of you!

This process has been hard, but was made easier knowing we had tons of friends and family in our corner. We appreciate it very much!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

There has been a lot going on in our day to day life. As you all know Teddy is getting closer to his surgery date. It's only 2 weeks away, we have now started breating treatments everyday to keep his lungs clear of junk. With the weather being so inconsistent we are having ashthma troubles....Keeping our fingers and toes crossed we can get his lungs all clear before May 5th. Teddy seems to be taking to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles these days....his favorite Turtle being Michaelangelo. He has been running around the house saying "Turtle powper". He is really funny, he takes two little tennis rackets, and sticks them down into his diaper pretending he is a turtle......He is a total crack up, and we get a lot of pleasure watching the wheels of imagination constantly turning.

On a positive note, Emma has decided to throw a "Road to Recovery" party for her brother. We have lots of family and friends coming out to wish Teddy well. She is becoming a second mommy to her brother. Telling him everything is going to be okay, and holding his hand through his breathing treaments. It is really a comfort to know that they are best friends, and lean on each other for support. They are truly amazing children, and she is one amazing big sister!

As April is coming closer to an end, we are looking forward to the month of May....There are so many positive things coming our way!

Moments to Remember.......

Last night we took the kids to Chik-Fil-A for dinner, and Merrily the clown was there painting faces, and making balloon hats for the kids. Emma and Teddy were very eager, and excited to have their faces painted. Emma had hers painted like a tiger,and Teddy wanted to look like a cow (his new obsession being the Chik-Fil-A cow)

This morning, when I went to clean their faces they were upset. Teddy pleaded with me to let him wear his to school so he could show Mrs. Ellis (his teacher). Why not? After all so many of us stand in front of the mirror every morning "painting" faces so to speak, so why couldn't they go out with their painted faces. That is exactly what they did. I had the cutest little tiger and cow by my side today!

They are only little once, and now is the time to make our memories. It made me think of the lyrics to a song called "Moments to Remember", though summer turns to winter and the present disappears, the laughter we were glad to share will echo through the years.

Room for 2....Uh Maybe 3.

For the past week Teddy has taken up residence in my bedroom. It started last week when Em decided to tell him there were ghosts in his room (what a nice big sister prank...NOT). I am beginning to wonder who the butt of this joke really is Teddy or me......I vote me! It has been complete murder trying to get him to go back to his room. He shakes, and throws a fit that could honestly make the hair on the back of your neck stand straight up , and then some.

Every night now, his smiling face looks up at me from my bedroom floor, and asks "What movie are we watching tonight Mommy?". This is seriously " Three's Company" gone seriously wrong, don't remember telling him to come and knock on my door! For now the little guy feels secure, and thats all that matters. However, Mommy is seriously thinking of proper punishment for that wildly hysterical sister of his!

An Act of Kindness

Our family has been blessed with having lots of friends whom we care for. However, yesterday, we received an act of kindness from a family we are acquainted with, but do not know very well. Ths family took it upon themselves to make us brownies to let us know they were thinking of our family during Teddy's difficult time. This family is also going through their own family medical cirisis, and it just touched us that they took the time to think of us, while they are going through their own issues. For this we say Thank you so very much from the bottom of our hearts. What a wonderful community we live in.

National Kidney Walk

This year I have decided to walk in the National Kidney walk on October 3, 2010 at the Philadelphia Zoo. My son Teddy is my inspiration.

Teddy is a 3 year old little boy with grade IV kidney reflux, he has 60% kidney function on his left side which refluxes, and 40% kidney function on his right side, which is supposed to be his better side. Teddy was diagnosed with kidney reflux when he was 8 months old. In April of 2008 Teddy had a deflux procedure done to help minimize the swelling in his kidneys, unfortunately this procedure failed.

Teddy is our special gift from above, and goes through each day with a smile on his face! Could you please help sponsor me in this walk? To view my personal page and get more information on kidney disease click here.

Results Are In

Last monday Teddy had his renal scan done. He did very well, but the results were not good. He has 60% function on his left side, and 40% on his right which is supposed to be his "good" side. We are in shock, to see Teddy you would never know this was happening to him. He is such a happy little boy. We go to see the doctor next week to figure out a plan of action. Please keep our little man in your prayers.

Fashionista......

Anyone who knows Emma knows, she is a little diva. Very particular about everything she does, and she is only 4 years old! Her knew obsession is tube socks.....Yes, you read that right tube socks! Now, she is insistant on getting a skirt of some kind just so she can wear her tube socks!



Friday, when we were getting ready for school, Miss Thing looks at me and says, "You aren't wearing that to take me to school?" and I say "Wearing what?" and she replies "Those sweat pants, and that shirt, you can't taking me to school looking like that, It's embarassing. I think we need to make you go on "What Not to Wear" so you can get some fashion sense."





I am totally dreading the teenage years! If she telling me I need to learn how to dress now, she might be signing me up for botox then!

Husbands Just Don't Get It!

As usual my husband and I got into it over the fact that he shouldn't have to do much around the house because he works, and I am home. He just doesn't get it! He goes to work comes home, and he leaves his job!


I have no nanny, no sitter, and no one to come in and clean my home! I DO IT! I also run the kids to school, gymnastics, horse riding, and karate. I do the grocery shopping, the meal planning, and the cooking! ME! There are also times when I am a nurse, a psychologist, and a teacher. Then when the husband comes home I have to listen to him complain about the one job he has, and how I could run a tighter ship! My brain is totally FRIED!

There are days I feel like giving up! This is toughest job in the whole world, and yet the most unappreciated job there is! Those moms on television make it look so easy, but it's not! As moms we could use a little support, and understanding from our husbands! Which may include loading the dishwasher, or taking the kids somewhere.

I am hoping this post on my blog can help my husband understand all of my roles in life! It makes me tired just reading them!

To Jammy Party, or Not To Jammy Party?

Em came to me this past weekend and said she wanted to have a "real" pajama party. In September she had a pajama party, and her friends came in their jammies, played games, and watched a movie, and went home at 7pm. Now she wants a party where her friends actually come and stay. The first thought that comes to mind is "OY VEY". Is she that big already? Where did that little baby go?



There many mixed emotions about this. On one hand I say go for it, what could it hurt. and then I think about all those girls running around my house, and the ghosts of pajama parties past comes for a visit! YIKES!



Today, she went and bought her invitations....Guess we have to give in, and let her grow up some. What could happen (said with much sarcasm)? It's not like four and five year olds are going to put each others underware in the freezer right (coming someone who has experienced this)?



So guess I am going for the gusto, and letting this happen. May God have mercy on my soul......and my head, and my ears, and please, please, please, could you go easy on my sanity?

GOOD NEWS.....So Far!

Yesterday Emma and I went to CHOP to see the urologist to see what kind of treatment he had in mind for Emma's grade 3 kidney reflux. He was a little concerned that Emma was being treated this week for an UTI, but he says he thinks the outcome of all of this is positive! Let me tell you, this is the first shred of hope we have had since we were told she had kidney reflux!




However, the doc would like her to have a renal scan to make sure there is no damage. He says that if the test comes back normal, Em can stay on profrolaxis antibiotics, and that most grade 3 reflux cases resolve themselves! THANK GOD!



Let me tell you, I had visions of being told my daughter would need some kind of surgery, or that the reflux was worse than first reported. After hearingwhat the doctos had to say yesterday, a partial weight has been lifted off!





NNotice , I said partial weight. Now, all we need is for some kind of relief for Mr. Ted, and the world will be a wonderful place.



Thank you all for continued support Emmy and Teddy! We feel so blessed to have each and everyone of you in our corner!

Lucky Mom

Tonight I was watching Emma and Teddy play together. They were playing so well, and laughing hysterically at each other. It made me realize what a lucky mama I am. It was really rough in the beginning with them 12 months apart. It is really starting to get easier now! It is amazing how much they love each other!

Tonight Emma was crying because her tummy hurt, and I heard Teddy talking to her. When I came around the corner Teddy was hugging Emma saying "It's alright Sissie". That little bit of comfort he gave her brought a smile to my face!

My wish for them is to alway be as close as they are now, and to always be there for one another in good times and bad. They make me one very proud Mom!

One Foot in the Grave

Life has taken a new turn i here in the last few weeks, since the discovery of the BBC series" One Foot in the Grave" came into my home! What is this show that has been taking up so much of my attention?



The series follows the many exploits of Victor Meldrew and his wife Margaret. Victor is forced into retirement, and now has to find things to fill his day, which include driving his wife absolutely crazy! The world around Victor drives him completely mad, and he is the type of person everyone wishes they could be, saying the things we all think about saying and never do!



There are definitely some moments in the series that I can really relate to! My husband is a 30 year old Victor himself, and wishes the world was according to how he saw it. However, it's not always the case, and we both find that we are both being sucked in to what we call our "Victor Meldrew" addiction!

One Foot in the Grave is my DVD pick for this week! The series is available on Netflix.

Kidney Reflux.......GO AWAY!

Wednesday Emma had her VCUG at CHOP in King of Prussia, and our worst fear was confirmed, she has kidney reflux too! When we first received the results Dan and I just looked at each other and said "Both of them"! It came as quite a shock! On the bright side we know that this is treatable, and the issue can be corrected. However, we wish that both Emma and Teddy did not have to go through any of this at all!


For now both Emma and Teddy are on antibiotics to prevent infection. Our concern with Emma is the fact that she has had four UTI's in a year, and was hospitalized for one. Teddy has to have a renal scan done to make sure his kidneys are not damaged, because he hadn't been on any medicine in two years following a procedure to correct the issue. We have since learned that his procedure fixed the reflux on his right side, but that his left side did not respond.

So now our goal is to get these two kiddos well. Hopefully one day this thing called kidney reflux will be a thing of the past, and a very distant memory!

Snowy Days, How They Have Changed

So once again the area is having snow dumped on it, which means no school for the kids, and lots of togetherness (hopefully my children survive it). As I was watching the snowfall, vivid memories of past snow days came fluttering back.





I can remember being so excited when that first snow flake fell from the clouds. Then every child in Chester County would watch WCOJ on channel 7, and anxiously await Art Douglas say your school would be closed! I can remember being so excited when he said "Coatesville Area School District, closed".





As adults it's funny how it has all changed. WCOJ is a thing of the past, and so is Art Douglas' voice. We don't look forward to the snow as we once did. I know today I found myself grumbling like my parents used to when school would be cancelled.





Ah, how things change when you grow up. As children we used to play in the snow, and as adults we are now the ones shoveling it. We are the ones having to put the millions and millions of layers on our kids to go outside to play, and are the ones that are frustrated when after all the work it took to get them dressed, they decide to come in after being outside only five minutes.



Even though having another storm is very frustrating, and pretty annoying, our children are making their own memories now. Will one day look back at 2010 and the endless winter with many memories of snowforts and friends!

A Grandmothers Gift

Today my thoughts shifted to my grandmom, she has been gone for nine years, but my thoughts often float to her. There are so many memories of my childhood that include her, and how lucky I was to have her in my life! She taught me so much in life! My brothers and I were the youngest of her 17 grandchildren whose ages ran from 50 to 16 at the time of her death!



When I was a little girl my dad's sister Marie who I called Aunt Em(she was called this because one of my favorite movies was the Wizard of Oz) would watch me while my parents worked. Aunt Em and I would often spend our days with Grandmom, and we would often go on car rides to Shady Maple or my favorite Kitchen Kettle and take a ride on the horse and buggy. I have to say my fondest memories of Grandmom were when we sat in her sitting room, and listened to the tapes she played on her tape player.


Listening to her music I would try to imagine what was happening when back when. I can still hear the voices of Bobby Vinton, and Connie Francis filling the room! It was magic to me, and those old songs have so many memories tied to them! When the Glenn Miller Orchestra would play Moonlight Serenade I could picture the men coming back from WWII as their wives and girlfriends were greeting them as they came off their ships. It all seemed so real to me! Grandmom would tell me stories as these songs played about the 1920's and what it was like trying to feed children during The Depression in the 1930's. Her stories were brought to life with the voices behind those beautiful songs!



When I was 18 Grandmom died at the age of 91, but those memories of her have stayed with me, and now as Emma, Teddy, and even Dan and I all listen to the music together, we talk about Grandmom, and I share the stories with them that she used to share with me.





PS: I have decided to share some of those songs with you!

Happy Birthday Lois!

For those of you who know my mother-in-law Lois, she is very straight forward and to the point, and doesn't mince her words! We have a very unique relationship for daughter-in-law and mother-in-law. However, that was not always the case.....in the beginning she (unknowingly) intimidated me just a wee bit. Afterall Dan is her only baby. As time went on we have formed a very loving and special relationship, and she is like a second mother to me. I know this is a week early, but I would like to say Happy Birthday to the most wonderful mother-in-law any daughter-in-law could ask for!

Lend Your Voice to Mans Best Friend!

Okay everyone, I always swore that my little mommy blog would not turn into one of those blogs that would rant and rave about little annoyances. However, there is something that I really need to vent about! That HUGE something is the cruelty to animals. I have put it off way to long, and now as my husband would say my hot headed "Italian" temper is coming out!

There are number of animals in this country and all over the world that are used for gambling and money making purposes. A number of them are in fact dogs.

Dan and I adopted our 8 year old cocker spaniel last year from the S.P.C.A in West Chester. We were informed that she was used as a breeding dog, and that she could no long produce a "profitable" number of puppies as she once could, and was surrendered to the shelter. When she came home with us she was in terrible shape. She had a cataract in her eye the vet believes was caused by some kind of trauma, a horrible ear infection, and a prolapsed uterus from having at least 2 litters of puppies a year. Her ears we are told will never be better because whomever had her before us never took care of them! She has thickened ear canals, that can only be fixed with surgery, and because of her age the vet is afraid it could stress her! We would later come to find out that Lissie was rescued from a puppy mill. She was used so some cruel and heartless person could make a little cash selling her offspring! What is this country of ours coming to?

Who can also forget Michael Vick? He used dogs as pure entertainment! How entertaining to watch dogs tear each other apart limb from limb, so a bunch of good all boys can sit around and shoot the breeze while winning some money if the dog they bet on won the fight! Some celebrity he was. He got a small slap on the wrist, and our own Philadelphia Eagles signed him this year! Some punishment for murdering what is supposed to be "mans best friend" What a joke!

We also use greyhound dogs for gambling purposes! These animals start when they are 18 months old, and by the time they are 3 years old they are retired. Most of them are in poor shape from abuse when racing is done with them! It's a total and utter disgrace! Dog racing is not just an issue in the United States, but in England as well.

As "dogs best friend" we should be protecting them not using and abusing them for monetary gain! They are living breathing things just like us, so where are their rights? We need to be their voice, and stop the cruelty! There is no sense in it!

Thank you so much for listening to my rant. For more information on dog racing in the UK (if interested of course) read Annette Crosbie's blog.

Theodore

Tonight Dan and I had to force Teddy to take his medicine for his kidneys. I hate it, and don't how much more of it I can take! All the tears, and screaming, I really feel for him! I wish I could take it for him. It is so awful, and wish that we could get his renal scan scheduled so we can find out exactly what is going on! He is only 3 years old, no child should have to put through pain and suffering. Teddy always has a smile on his face, and has such a terrific personality, and I thank God everyday for making him such a wonderful little boy! No matter what he will always be the shining light of my life!

Justice for Emma and Luna

Emma and Luna two family pets were found shot to death in Pennsybury township. This is dispicable act! The person or persons who committed this crime should be tried for first degree murder! It's bad enough human beings murder each other, but now they have to hurt two innocent animals that did nothing to them!

If you have any information on this crime please contact The Chester County SPCA 610-692-6113 ext 213.

Blizzard of 2010

The Philadelphia area was hit with it's first blizzard since 1996! Emmy and Teddy loved watching the snow fall. I have it say it does look very pretty on the trees, but, Yes, there is a but. I can surely do without seeing anymore of it for the rest of winter!

Dan shoveled yesterday for hours! Poor Lissie (our cocker spaniel) hates the snow! She can barely walk in it, and doesn't like to get her feet at all!

I don't ever remember the national guard being brought in to keep people off the roads, but in '96 I lived out in the middle of nowhere and when the first snow flake hit we lost power! We have a has over 70 inches of snow this winter! We are supposed to get more Tuesday into Wednesday! Where is it all going to go?

The kids are dying to get out and play in it! I feel a little guilty not letting them go out, but they will get lost in it! Maybe tomorrow we can get out and have little fun now that we are out from under the snow!

Teddy!

After many months of pushing, and switching doctors we finally got the test done for follow up on Teddy's kidney reflux! Teddy went to DuPont Hospital today, and had a VCUG done as a follow up on his deflux procedure almost 2 years ago!



Dan and I had been uneasy because the doctors didn't think there was a need for the test, but after a year and a half of pushing, we finally got it. The result today was that Teddy still has grade 4 reflux on his left side, and that his right side is clear of refulx. However, because the doctors had a need to be right for so long he has to have a renal scan to make sure he has no kidney damage.



The emotions that are being felt right now are shock, frustration, and anger. I think it's mostly anger right now that I am feeling! These people went on for months that it was constipation, potty training issues, not sure if he really has reflux, to finally the parents namely mom is a "nut job"! I just don't get it! Today we find out that he really does have a problem, and that Dan and I were right on with our instincts!



We are not going to dwell on the past, we are just happy that we finally have some anwers about Teddy! The question now is what do we do know for him! Teddy is g0ing to be taking primsol which is an antibiotic that treats infections of the kidneys and bladder until we get the results of his renal scan which has to be scheduled. From there we determine what kind of treatment will be best for him which could range from antibiotics to surgery.



For now keep Theodore Roosevelt Miller in your prayers! He is one tough little guy!

Karate

In December Teddy won a free month of karate at Family Martial Arts Center in Downingtown. Last saturday he was very excited to give it a try. When we got there, he didn't want to do it, we tried everything! Nothing seemed to make him want to go out onto the floor with the other children. Finally, he said he wanted Sissie (Emma) to go out with him. To make a long story short Emma is now taking karate with Teddy. Both of them really seem to enjoy it! They look really cute in their uniforms too!

Hannah Who....

Sadly Emma has said good-bye to her BFF Hannah Montana. Yes, Hannah was quickly replaced by Taylor Swift! Can you believe it! Don't get me wrong, Taylor is a nice girl and all, it just seems a little odd listening to Emma sing Love Story, and You Belong to Me instead of Best of Both Worlds, and Life's What you Make it! Taylor has even taken Hannahs place on her bedroom wall!



Hannah you are in our heart, but not forgotten! After all she is growing up, and will look back in time at the many fond memories you gave her!

Bloggitty, Blog, Blog.....We Have Some Serious Catching Up To Do!

Dear Blog,



How have you been? I know it's been awhile. Have been so busy here in the land of Mommyhood, that it seems that I have forgotten about you. Can you find it in your HUGE cyber heart to forgive me?



Yours Truly,

Lesley



P.S: A few entries will immediately follow!