The Faire, The Last Day of School, and The Gardens

I seriously got out of the habit of posting after my hard drive crashed. I now have a new hard drive, and need to get back in the habit. So on to the update....

Scarborough Faire

We visited the faire 5-9-09, the Saturday before Mother's Day, with Mimi and Papa. This was the third year I've gone, and Lukas' second year. This year Lukas wandered everywhere and saw everything! Most importantly he stopped to listen to every music show we passed. Although, I think the absolute highlight for him was when he got to ride the pony.



This fountain was just cool!





We barely left without buying a sword. I don't think we'll be able to do the same next year.



He's very serious about his pony riding, but this was his FAVORITE part.




The Last Day of School

Unfortunately Lukas was sick on the last day of school. The Wednesday before he had a viral infection with a fever as high as 104.3, so needless to say he was unable to go Thursday. Sadly on Thursday (5-21-09) he did wake up feeling just fine. Thankfully, I was able to go for part of the day and say goodbye to all my kids. I'm so thankful for Eric's flexible schedule!

Fort Worth Botanical Gardens

On Memorial Day (5-25-09) we visited the gardens with Mimi and Papa. They were beautiful! We were completely worn out by the time we were done, but we got our exercise. Lukas found every water fountain (or puddle) on or off the path. I think his favorite part was the Japanese Gardens where we watched the Koi swim. If we hadn't been so tired already and he hadn't been having so much asthma trouble we probably would have fed the fish. However, he never asked to so we didn't mention it.

Ready to go!



Posing for the first picture...although not so excited about it.



Mimi and Papa!







Beautiful!!







In a place this beautiful it's easy to get great pictures, so I have many more that I didn't post.

Update and a Sandbox

Health Update:

I'll do this chronologically since that will probably help me ramble less.  You'll notice that the appointments are every other day, and that's because we go to school 2 days a week.  And since all the appointments started 4-22-09, we've been going to a doctor every non-school day for 2 weeks.  Can we say exhausted!!

Monday (4-27) - We visited the allergist, Dr. Fitzgerald, for allergy testing.  After making Lukas completely mad and uncomfortable we found he has no allergies.  Lukas was scheduled for a CT scan Wednesday to re-scan the sinuses, and compare to a scan he had done back in January.  She is also treating him for acid reflux because of his recurring (although I think it just one huge one that's never cleared out comepletely) sinus infections and bad asthma.  This treatment is a "treat it and see if it works" treatment since there is no reliable way to test for reflux.  She also ordered a blood immunity panel to be drawn.  She told us these usually come back normal, but "just in case" better to test it anyway.  We haven't done this yet since it's at a blood center because we just haven't had time.

Wednesday (4-29) - Lukas had a CT scan which confirmed that the huge sinus infection that was scanned back in January had gotten worse not better.  This was I think the most surprising news because this was the entire reason we had the adenoids taken out.  So, he apparently falls in that small percent that an adenoidectomy doesn't fix the problem.  He was then put on antibiotic for 30 days and told to see the ENT again.

Friday (5-1) - Lukas was screened for diabetes, which just means they did the quick test in the office to check his sugar level rather than the full tolerance test.  He does not have diabetes.  This was the expected result, but at this point we're not really ruling anything out.  We also did a general follow-up with our pediatrician's office so everyone was on the same page as far as what we'd done and where we were going.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you need a good pediatrician Dr. Debra Naylor at 18 and Under MD is fantastic.  There is one other doctor and a nurse practictioner on staff in addition to herself, and they are all wonderful.  They have been Lukas' advocates (and mine) without fail.  And as many times as I've been in (several of the questioning my own sanity) they've always answered questions and worked to find the answer (even when that meant sending us to another doctor) to his problems.  Ok, minor sidetrack.  This is not a "all hail Dr. Naylor" post, so back to the information.

Monday (5-4) - We visit the ENT, Dr. Murray, to revisit this huge sinus infection, and find out what to do next.  He showed us the CT scans, and in the parts that were supposed to be black (which was actually a fairly large section) there was no black at all.  So, needless to say Lukas' sinus infection is massive.  He extended Lukas' antibiotic from 30 days to 6 weeks, so we can say we gave him as much of a chance to get better as possible.  At the end of 6 weeks Lukas will have another CT scan to determine what to do next.  If the CT scan looks similar to the previous ones, then he will have sinus surgery because at that point it will be obvious that the infection will not clear on it's own without help.  If his scan is clear then we play the waiting game to see what he does.  If he continues to get sinus infections (especially if they are over the summer) then it will probably be sinus surgery.  I don't remember any other options being mentioned.

The number of breathing treatments we've had to give him has decreased, so thankfully whatever had hold of him has loosened it's grip.  :)  We see a new pulmonologist on 5-22-09.  

Sandbox: 

On another note, Lukas got into his sandbox the other day for the first time.  Here are some pictures of him playing, although after I took these he decided to really immerse himself in the sand experience.

2 Years Old!

Since I didn't make a "23 Month" post I'm noting the milestone type things he's been doing since then.  

At TWO years old Lukas:

 - is about 24 lbs (this is currently a fluctuating issue)

 - about 36 in tall (we did our own measurment...the official doctor stats will come later)

 - knows all his ABC's visually (since 23 mo) - He won't always cooperate and tell you, but he does know them.  Thank you Sesame Street!

 - can count to five counting objects and can rote count to 13 (since 23 mo) - He does tend to leave the number 2 out a lot, but he's said it enough that I know he know's it's supposed to be there.

 - can recogize his written name

 - knows his name when asked "What's your name?"

 - recognizes Mommy and Daddy's car

 - knows all his colors...or at least the ones most used (since 23 mo)

 - speaks in 2-3 word sentences all the time...and I mean ALL the time (since 23 mo)

 - converses about concepts that are not directly in front of him - ex: L - "I see boat." (as we passed a boat shop one day) M - "Where does a boat go?" L - "Water." M - "What do you do with a boat on the water?" L - "Fish boat."  M - Do you want to fish on a boat?" L - "Yes" M - "Would you catch the fish and eat them or let them go?" L - "Let go."

 - is pretend playing 

 - remembers events and activities for several weeks depending on how deep an impression they left

 - thinks he's 5 (he told me so)

 - loves music, balls, cars, painting, books, tv, animals, and parks

 - follows dirctions well, but certainly pushes boundries.  He usually does not decide, however, to find the boundry line and stand on it.

 - is usually polite, but has definately reached the "mine" stage so sometimes politeness goes out the window.  

 - thinks everyone is his friend.

 - loves his Mommy and Daddy more and more everyday...and tells us so!!

Health Update:  Lukas went to the doctor last Wednesday (4-22-09) for a low-grade fever and a rash.  After getting there, and his doctor observing some puzzling symptoms (one of which was him being really shakey) she sent us over for a chest x-ray.  This showed his asthma to be aggitated, so we went to the pulminologist on Friday.  He told us that based on the x-ray and his observations Friday, Lukas was fine asthmatically.  We are not sure we trust this opinion, and will possibly seek out a second with recommendations from his pediatrician.  But for now, he will go for allergy testing Monday at 8:45am and back to the pediatrician for a follow-up including bloodwork on Friday at 9:30am.  Lukas is currently losing weight (he's lost about 1.5 lbs in the last 2-3 wks) while his eating habits remain the same, and he's had a drainage that is green unless he's on antibiotics since at least December.  There are some obvious questions we are seeking answers for (and some we've been seeking answers for a while).  We will keep you updated as we find them, but until we do please pray for us.  We're all worn out from Lukas being constantly sick, and getting frustrated that we can't find the answers to how to make him better.  Hopefully this next week will be enlightening!

2nd Birthday Party!

Lukas had his 2nd birthday party last Saturday (4-18-09).  This party was originally planned for outside, but due to the weather got moved inside.  It was a bit of a scramble, but it turned out really well.  Lukas' friends Kaleb and Maddie were able to come, along with all our extended family that lives in the area.  Lukas had a Sesame Street party which heavily highlighted Elmo.  :)  The celebration kicked off at 10:00am, and with three two year olds running around it was quite the party.  Notice in the pictures how the kids are set up in the middle as the entertainment, with the adults lining the outside of the room.

He was very proud of his Elmo balloon!

Elmo birthday cookie...yummy! (only $10 at the Kroger bakery!!!)

Maddie, Kaleb, and Lukas...they make quite a trio.

He loved the Elmo hats in the package and on the table, but on his head was another story.

The beginning of the painting...

and the end of the painting.  At this point they all had paint covering their hands and feet.  I think Kaleb was the most "decorated" painter, and Lukas was the least "decorated" painter.  I'm not sure what that says about their personalities.

After washing all the paint off, the kids made visors.  

Lukas blew his own candles out!!  Believe it or not, but I'm not helping him.  I never even told him to blow them out.  I just put the cookie down as we were singing, and as soon as the song was over out went the candles.  I never knew "candle-blowing" was instinctual. 

Lukas and Maddie ate all the icing and some of the cookie, while Kaleb carefully ate his whole cookie.  Needless to say, they enjoyed themselves.  

They took a play break while the adults had birthday cookie.

After playing we opened presents.  I'm not putting up these pictures, but he got some AWESOME stuff!  Thank you everyone!  

This was one of my favorite pictures from the party.  Lukas showing Grandma Smith the great present that she gave him.  

WORN OUT!!

This was his stop sign for the party.  He picked it out at Party City because it was a stop sign.

We took a TON of pictures, so if you were at the party you have been immortalized on "film".  If anyone would like to see more of these wonderful pictures just let me know and I'll be glad to share them with you.

Happy Birthday Lukas!!!

My sweet boy is TWO today!  While that is completely unbelievable to me because I have no idea where all the time has gone, I am having SO much fun!

It's hard to believe we've gone from this,

to this,

>

to this in just 2 years!

Beginning of the Birthday Festivities!

The reason for the lack of posts as of late is my computer died, and I only have access to a decent computer after Eric gets home from work. Things that have happened since my last post that unfortunately probably won't get a post are: Children's Museum with Kaleb and Maddie on 3-16-09, a trip to Houston 3-18-22-09, the Stroll for Epilepsy also with Kaleb and Maddi on 4-4-09, Bluebonnets 2009, and Easter 2009. If I get a chance I'll do a catch up post, but don't hold your breath. :)

Lukas celebrated his birthday party at school on Thursday (4-16-09). He treated all his school friends to Wonder Pets fruit snacks and Sesame Street apple juice.

Mr. Ham ready for school!



Lukas' class eating fun treats!



Opening a birthday present from his teachers.




Our family outing to the Children's Museum (4-17-09) was a blast! We were there with many schools for field trips (and the rain!!), so while it was crazy it was still lots of fun.

At the "tool station"



the xylophone....one of his favorite things at the museum



Lukas the Farmer



Mommy and Lukas watching a movie about the tooth fairy....we only watched about a minute of it.



Sand table...a big hit this time.



Hot air balloon was the FAVORITE this trip. We made it rise MANY times.



He loved the animal costumes, but the dog costume was the only one he'd actually put on.



Soon to come are Lukas' birthday posts!

Drum Solo