Prayers Again...

The short of it: Tuesday morning, I went to see a retinal specialist because of a blind spot that developed in my right eye Saturday morning. After several tests I was diagnosed with having a blood clot in my right eye...most likely caused by the prometrium (progesterone) that I am taking and the hormones that come along with being pregnant. My doctor has decided to take me off the prometrium and monitor my levels weekly until my 11th week. I also have to take one baby aspirin a day while pregnant to thin out my blood and hopefully prevent anymore blood clots from forming. See bottom for specific prayer requests ;-)

The Long: Saturday morning when I woke up I realized that the vision in my right eye was not normal. I kept covering up my left eye to figure out what in the world was going on. Finally, I realized that there was a blind spot in the bottom right corner of my eye. I have had something similar before when I've had a migraine, but it always went away after a few hours. I didn't pay much attention to the blind spot until I woke up Sunday morning and realized that it was still there. So...what did I do next? Yep, you got it ;-) started googling it. The only thing I came up with was the chance of it being a "floater" which can be serious and non-serious. Of course, my mind went straight to the worst possible scenario. I started thinking about blindness and what a colorless world would be like for me and then the fear and anxiety came. Uggg, why do I do that!

Monday morning I called an eye doctor down the street from us. I didn't have a referral or anything I just went on-line and looked to see who would be best. I ended up choosing a husband and wife team from Bowen Eye Center. I am so glad that I chose him because he was so nice and such a huge help. They got me in as soon as they could and blocked off a certain amount of time just for me so that the dr could focus on what was going on. After a two hour appointment and very little answers he decided it would be best to send me to a retinal specialist the next morning. Dr Bowen had taken pictures of my eye and showed me what he was seeing, but he just didn't have the answers as to what it was. My first question, of course, was........is it from a tumor? His response was that he didn't think so. I still went home worried as ever, thinking I had a brain tumor and giving myself about 3-4 weeks. I only told my dad and Joey's family because I didn't want to worry anyone else...especially the sisters. They would have been a little more optimistic than me...they would have given me 6-8 weeks. lol ;-)

Anyhow, I had my appointment with the retinal specialist yesterday morning at 10:45 and was very pleased with the Dr. He was so wonderful and probably one of the best doctors I have ever seen. First of all, anyone who knows me knows that I hate my eye being messed with....even eye drops can be a challenge! After being probed and prodded the dr. immediately knew what it was and said that after he took some pictures of my eye he would explain further. He basically told me that I had a blood clot in my eye. It was as if my eye had had a stroke. He also said that the clot might get smaller, but that it would never go away. It is also most likely that my sight will not return to that area. I can't really tell there's anything wrong except for when I close my left eye. Otherwise, my left eye compensates for it. My right eye is my dominant eye, but my left eye has taken over that role and I can feel some strain on it, but other than that I can't really tell that there is a blind spot in my right eye. There was some more testing that the dr wanted to do, but decided against it since I am pregnant. He believes that the clot was caused by my prometrium (progesterone) that I am taking and the hormones that come with being pregnant.

Later that afternoon, the Dr. conferenced in a call with my ob, Dr. Flowers. ;-) It was decided that I would go off of my prometrium and would need to take one baby aspirin a day for the remainder of my pregnancy. The hope is that this is an isolated incident, but the fear is always the increased risk of having blood clots when pregnant. With this, I have gone back on the high risk pregnancy list. :-( I have already been to see my dr again today and blood was drawn to monitor my progesterone levels. They will have to be taken weekly until the 11th week to make sure that my pregesterone levels do not get too low.

Things to be thankful for....
1. the blood clot in my right eye was 1 1/2 millimeters away from my vision center...the macula. Had it been in my macula I would have had complete loss of vision in that eye.
2. the retinal specialist is good friends with my OB's husband and actually had dinner over at their house the previous week. Talk about the hand of God!
3. blood clots are quiet...and really, this is the only blood clot that I could have "seen"

Things to pray for...
1. that I would calm down and give it all to God! That I would trust his provision. He has already proved himself faithful to me a countless number of times in my life and I just need to rest in that!
2. that this is an isolated incident and that I would not have anymore blood clots
3. that my vision would be preserved and that my left eye would remain the healthy one
4. for God's protection over me and this baby

I Can't Jump, but....

I can flip ;-)

Gentle Lamb...

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. -Ephesians 4:2

Sweet Moments with Your Great Grandma Barb

Joey's Grandma Barb passed away today and it has been really hard on everyone. She had a sweet spirit and a special love for Presley and I loved watching them interact. A memory that has stuck in my head these past few months is one that happened over Thanksgiving. We were at Joey's uncle's house and Grandma Barb was standing next to the fridge. She knelt down, held out her hands, and called Presley's name. Presley ran right into her arms. I think this image stuck with me because 1-Presley isn't exactly outgoing, and 2-Presley still has bouts of crying when someone, other than mommy and daddy, tries to hold her. This is the image I would like to keep in my mind when I think about Grandma Barb....open arms to anyone and everyone who needed them! Here is just a glimpse into their special relationship...

First off, this picture always cracks me up and I know I have blogged about it before, but seriously...who gives someone a look like that? Obviously, my daughter does. I always laugh at this photo because Presley just walked up to Great Grandma Barb and made this face. Random!

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. -2 Corinthians 4:18

Gentle Hugs

When Presley walks into a playgroup or a room filled with children she is cautiously cautious. She watches from afar and observes her surroundings. She isn't shy, but she's not exactly "outgoing" either....she usually waits for the other children to approach her. A few weeks ago, we were at Gymboree and there was a little girl in our class who was 12 months old and doing a make up class from one of the snow days. She was the cutest little girl! She had big brown eyes and short brown hair. It was apparent that this little girl was very timid...a bit like Presley. ;-) For some reason, Presley was drawn to this little girl. She watched her very closely and couldn't take her eyes off of her. She followed her around and tried to talk to her a few times. At the end of class we do parachute time...usually a little intimidating for first timers! Anyhow, while all the kids were running underneath the parachute Presley walked over to this little girl (who had a worrisome look on her face) and gently gave her a hug. Of course, all of the moms melted and said, "ahhhhh." I was in tears (blame it on the baby hormones) because I have never seen Presley be affectionate to a total stranger...big or small. The other moms looked at me like I was crazy, of course. If anyone knows Presley then they know how attached she is to me and Joey and how rarely she reaches out like that. She is always loving on me and Joey, but she rarely hugs on anyone else. Sometimes she will love on her cousins and aunts, but never on complete strangers. Last week, Logan came over and she was very drawn to him as well. She leaned over and gave him a big kiss on the lips. ;-) Most children I see are fairly affectionate at this age. Little boys and girls are always trying to hug and kiss on Presley when we are at playgroups...which she doesn't usually like too much. After I saw Presley reach out with a hug to this little girl it made me so excited about her becoming a big sister in 8 months! ;-) I know, kind of a strange blog post ;-) BUT something that I would like to remember. ;-)

A Few of My Favorites ;-)

I went into Teacher's Tools today...big mistake! I can never leave that place empty handed. I bought a few of these things, have some of these things, and WISH I had the rest! :-)
Preschool Prep Pack
Preschool Prep Series and Sight Words
Pattern Blocks
Inchworms
Teddybear Counters
Pattern Cards
Wedgits
Fantacolor Junior
Wikki Stix
Lacing Beads
Jumbo Watercolors
File Folder Games
Story Telling Glove and Lapboards
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Activity Set
Mailbox Magazines
Scholastic Books
What is Grammar Collection

Christmas Album 2010

Click here to view this photo book larger

I finally finished Presley's Christmas album. ;-) Yeah! It took awhile and I really struggled with finishing it these past few weeks, but I finally forced myself to sit down today and finish it...knowing that if I didn't do it today it would never get done. PLUS, shutterfly is having a sale on their 12x12 photobooks for 50% off until the 16th! They only have a 50% off sale twice a year....usually in February and August. Anyhow, there are some things I would like to change about this book, but I just don't have the energy to edit or change anything....so, it'll have to do for now!

"Snow Much Fun"

We were finally able to get out on Friday afternoon and enjoy the snow that fell through the night and into the morning hours. It wasn't too cold...well, it was bearable! It was in the high 20s...who knew the high 20s could feel so warm to us Texans! The wind wasn't too bad so I decided to take Presley out in it to play. I should know by now that it usually snows a handful of times in Dallas every year. You'd think after last year's snow days that I would have been prepared, but not so much. I didn't have anything remotely warm for Presley and had to improvise...socks on the hands, for instance. ;-) We were still only able to stay outside for about 20 minutes or so, but it was still "snow much fun!" ;-P

I had to pick her up and bring her out in the middle of the yard because she wouldn't leave the patio. It took her a few minutes to realize that she could walk in it.

Helping out dad with a snowman

trying the snow out...not a fan!
Not a fan of the Snowman either ;-)

After building a snowman her little hands were freezing...especially with the wet socks on her hands. *sigh* The only gloves I had were mine so I put a new pair of socks on her hands and then put my gloves on over them. She thought it was great fun having humungo hands. She kept clapping them and giving high fives. lol
The socks on the hands ended up confusing little miss P...she asks for socks on her hands every morning when I put socks on her feet. She stretches out her hands and says, "hands"...woops!

Dog Gone Crazy!

To say that Goose enjoyed the snow would be an understatement. He LOVED it and went completely nuts in it Friday afternoon...well, once the sun came out. ;-) Presley couldn't stop laughing at him. She just thought he was the funniest thing running all around with his nose dug down deep in the snow. He ran from one side of the yard to the other. He would jump, hop, and roll all around in it. He was having such a great time in the snow that I had to click a few pics. Silly dog has gone plain crazy!

Not So Nice, Ice Cold Weather!

Tuesday morning we had a not so nice ice storm that came through Dallas. School was canceled and the city just about shut down. Oh, how dramatic we are ;-) up here in Texas. Good-ness! It was ridiculously cold and the constant 30-50 mile per hour winds did not help. I don't think I have ever felt anything so cold in my life...even when visiting my grandparents in Colorado. It was just miserably cold. Tuesday morning, Presley woke up to see a blanket of ice on the front lawn. We have been reading lots of books on snow and so she immediately knew what she was looking at when she saw the ice/snow packed lawn. First thing in the morning, I opened the front door so that she could get a better look. She immediately looked up at me and said, "mama, it's cold outside!" Ahhhh, one of her first complete sentences. ;-) It was so cute! Later that afternoon I bundled her up, as best I could, and headed outside for a few minutes. When I say a few minutes, that's exactly how long it was....it was dangerously cold outside for us Texans! Presley was hesitant to leave the front porch because every time she walked towards the front yard the wind would blow her off balance. She wasn't too thrilled with the front yard so I tried taking her out in the back, but she stayed close to the back door as well. It was just too cold and icy to enjoy the outdoors on Tuesday! But it was still fun watching her experience the "not so nice, ice cold weather" :-P

"It's cold outside"

Thinking about playing outside...
um, not so much...back inside!

Daddy Daycare

While Sara and I were enjoying our time away last weekend at the Scrapbooking retreat the boys were holding down the fort at home. On Saturday, they were able to get out and enjoy a beautiful day at the Ft. Worth Zoo. I was pretty impressed that they went to the zoo with 3 kids attached to them....not that they aren't capable of going on an afternoon outing or anything. ;-) I was just surprised they ventured out to the zoo because there's always a lot of preparation that is involved when spending the day at the zoo! I don't have much to blog about because I am not sure what all went on there, but Joey took 126 pictures so I am sure they all had a great time! ;-) Here are a few pics...

Grant and Presley looking around together
Reid and Brian in front of the new dinosaur exhibit

lots of walking...

Presley, discovering her shadow. Also, I am very impressed with Joey's pony tail ability...what a dad. ;-)
Joey said the kids loved this saltwater crocodile

There is also a new reptile exhibit that just opened up recently. Reid was a little hesitant to touch the snake....ewww, I don't blame him!

Answer to Prayer

Today went great! I love, love, love my new doctor and I am so glad that I switched over to her. I wanted to get into her when I first moved here in 2003 because Sara went to her, but she was not taking new patients at the time...unless they were pregnant. Anyhow, we were there for 3 hours and I am pretty sure I worked myself up into an anxious ball of stress. While I was there she did a new patient interview, a complete panel of blood work analysis, an exam, AND a transvaginal ultrasound. She was so sweet! She sat and talked with me about my past history and all of my concerns about this pregnancy. At one point, I felt a little like a test case. lol. She was very interested in my ovarian pregnancy. She said that she had never known someone to have that type of an ectopic before. She also confirmed that I was very lucky to have things turn out the way they did! She said that they are the rarest form of an ectopic...which kind of made me feel better. During the ultrasound (the ultrasound that my previous dr said would not show anything because it was WAY too early) we were able to see that the yolk sack was in the right spot. We were also able to see, what looked like, a little flickering of a heartbeat. I am 6 weeks along to the day and she said everything looked great! I was in tears by the end of the appointment. I had no idea that I was so overwhelmed with anxiety. I had not been sleeping very well since I found out I was pregnant a few weeks ago. I thought I was doing a good job of giving it all to God, but apparently I was not doing as good of a job as I thought. lol. I go in again next week for another ultrasound to confirm what she saw today. I will have to be on progesterone for this pregnancy...I was with Presley as well. I am not looking forward to this because I was feeling really good and progesterone makes me as sick as a dog. However, anything for this little life inside of me is worth it. So it's official :-) I am 6 weeks pregnant and my due date is September 29th!

Oh, something cute I want to remember...
Presley was so good today...especially for being there for 3 hours right in the middle of her nap time. After I got my sonogram ;-) they gave me a little print out of the baby and Presley grabbed it out of Joey's hands. She was obsessed with looking at it and kept it in her hands until we got home. :-) Love it!

Thanks to all of you have been praying for us these past few weeks. God has been so faithful in guiding my steps. I wasn't even looking to change doctors, but I was lead right to Dr. Flower's office. I am so very thankful for God's provision. :-)

Scrapbooking Movie Marathon Retreat

This past weekend Sara and I went to a scrapbooking retreat. It was lots of fun, but we literally scrapped ALL day every day...only taking a break to eat and sleep. My eyes were crossed by the time we left on Sunday! I ended up helping out a few people with digital scrapping so I wasn't able to get done with as much as I would have liked. I was, however, able to finish most of Presley's Christmas/Winter Album. Along with hours of scrapping came hours of "chick flicks." I have never watched so many movies in that short of a time period in all of my life. I think this weekend should have been called A Scrapbooking Movie Marathon Retreat. :-) It was a great time and the weather made it that much better! It was in the 60s and so beautiful! I can't believe we have been iced in for the past 3 days...only in Texas!!!