Update

Thanks so much for everyone's support and prayers over BJ's health.  Even if we don't have a ton of information more, it has helped immensely with peace for me over what is going on.  Thank you so much for that!!  (Even the sheer numbers of people who read the blog- 110 views is astounding.  Thanks for caring enough to read) I don't have a ton of answers for my update today, just some more info.  Tomorrow we head to the cardiologist for them to check out his heart size.  I'm half expecting the cardiologist to say we don't need to be there, and half expecting another slew of tests to be ordered.  We'll just have to wait and see.  Our insurance company doesn't want to cover the genetic blood test our pulmonologist wants to have done, so we did a sweat test and it came back negative.  Negative, as in, BJ does not have cystic fibrosis, definitively (within whatever false negative rate the test has).  Yay!  But he could still be a carrier and have similar issues to what he is having now, with less negative impact for his future.  Praise God!  Then next week we had to the gastroenterologist to see what they have to say about his poor gut.  He's had a bad week last week discipline-wise, but it may be just all the chaos.  That's really all I have for you right now.  I'll see what time/energy I have to update tomorrow after cardiology.  Thanks again for your support.  It has been amazing.

Health

I'm really hesitant to write this post for a lot of reasons, but the whole point of the blog is that this is our family, our life, so I'm writing it.  I am unbelievably thankful for BJ's health (and improved health).  I had no idea what to expect back in residency with a sweet asthmatic baby, pulling long hours at work to come home and do neb treatments, stressing about taking more sick days, etc.  We could have it so much worse.  Plus, there are countless moms whose greatest nightmares have come to life in their kids awful diagnosis or worse.  In no way am I trying to compare myself to them, or belittle them.  Their strength is amazing on a daily basis, and they deserve years of pampering.  But, I'm also allowed as a mom to feel and be frustrated :)  And today, I'm tired and frustrated.  It came to our attention quite a while ago that BJ was having some issues with his gastrointestinal tract.  I, being the lovely Dr. Mom, didn't panic and took forever to make an appointment for him to be evaluated.  So, we had him evaluated and found out he was horribly massively constipated.  A total shock to both of us, but I saw the proof, so I have to agree.  We brought him back home and set out to "clean him out."  Anyone who has ever had a colonoscopy, bless you- that stuff is dreadfully disgusting.  We spent the day in tears.  BJ crying because it tasted awful AND he wanted to eat AND he didn't want to drink anymore.  I cried trying to explain why he had to go through the awfulness AND trying to rack my brain on how to make it better.  And Anika cried because she wanted to drink what her brother was drinking :)  Prototypical Anika!  We survived, the medicine seemed like it was doing the trick, and we hoped and prayed we never would have to do that again.  He got set up on a daily regimen to stay cleaned out and we went on our merry way.  Except, it didn't seem to be changing any of the original issue, and now BJ was complaining of belly pain.  So, back to the doctor, another x-ray, another eval, and we find out, the clean out didn't do a lick of good.  Not one iota of change.  I could have cried.  Seriously.  So, back to the drawing board on why my poor kiddo is so constipated. We completely dropped dairy from his diet.  We had a thyroid study drawn (gotta love blood work in this age group- I cry because he cries), and were sent back to the pulmonologist to evaluate for cystic fibrosis.  (Side note to catch up- we've had the sweat test for CF done twice before with no results- and it isn't the diagnosis you want your kid to have, if you have a say in it.)

Fast forward to today.  We have an appointment at Children's with pulmonology.  No appointment at this facility is cheap or fast, but they are amazing with kids- so we keep driving the 45+ time to come.  Plus, BJ knows the place, and his favorite doc is there.  We haven't even had vitals done when the nursing assistant helping our doc out today tells us to head down for a chest xray.  Not what I expected, but they are pulmonary, and I know enough to not argue (too much) with our docs.  Head down, back up, pulmonary function testing- hysterical in a 4 year old, back the room, meet with the nursing assistant, wait for the doc.  (Might I say as my sweet guy who normally naps is fading fast at my side).  (But clearly I feel I need to draw out the drama because this post is already longer than it should have been.)  So anyway, he thinks the chance of BJ having CF is extremely small (mental sigh), but that he might be a carrier and thus having some issues because of his carrier status.  He wants to run an expensive genetic test to see if BJ is a carrier and get him in to GI.  Great, fabulous, done.  Until the next part.  And oh yeah, we did a chest x-ray because his heart looked big on his abdominal x-ray and it is big on the chest xray too.  I need you to see cardiology.  I totally laughed.  Seriously, out loud, laughed.  I think he misunderstood me, because he started to explain why it was important  But I understood, just was shocked and overwhelmed at the idea of another issue to figure  out.  My sweet child- the proof that you can do everything right, breast feed, make your own baby food, have a dog, get rid of the dog, feed him a diet that is healthy and full of fiber, and pray over him- and still have things not go right.  I smiled, thanked him, walked out, attempted to schedule 2 visits, scheduled one, called Brandon, got Beej buckled in his seat, and cried.  Cried that my sweet "healthy, normal" son has more in his continuing health saga.  Now, at the ripe old age of 4, will have a PCP, pulmonologist, allergist, ENT, general surgeon, gastroenterologist, and cardiologist.  Some days, I find that exhausting.  And some days, I remember my friends and acquaintances who are morning a loss of a child, or praying he or she will leave the hospital and live a life as normal as BJ has it. Thank you Lord, for keeping him safe AND healthy.

Our little gentleman

This post is in no way a "bragging" post.  I have made countless mistakes parenting (Brandon has made a few) over the last 5 years, but despite that and because of God's grace, we are seeing a sweet little gentleman emerge from BJ lately.  It is so great to see glimpses of what we are working for over time.  Lately, he's been doing much more mature things, like asking how he can help, helping watch out for his little sister, offering affection/complements on on his own, and rubbing backs/giving hugs when he can see I'm getting frustrated.  I'm so proud of the little man he is becoming and thank God regularly for the blessing of BJ in our lives.

BJ's war wounds

It has been a bang up week at the Workman household.  I slipped down the stairs and jammed my little toe to the black and blue, semi limping stage.

Anika fell backwards off a chair (after being reminded repeatedly to sit down).

As I was reveling with an acquaintance about how great it was to have just one child with me at the library, Anika pulled a large computer monitor over onto her thumb.  I was panicked on the bill of the monitor (which was fine), Anika walked away with a stamp and an ice pack (way to reward my negligence).

But BJ wins the prize for the most significant "owie" in the house.  We attended an au pair party (think 75 or so families plus au pairs) at a local splash pad park.  BJ (I think) was really showing off for Brandon since he hasn't gone with us to this particular park.  He decided to climb a 6' tall rock tower and wave at his mom from the top.  Brandon warned him that he needed to be careful, he might hurt himself, but he reassured his father- 'I got this, Dad' and then proceeded to fall off, slamming his face into the rock on the way down. Brandon was right next to him, but couldn't grab him. Luckily he landed on his feet, but was spitting blood everywhere when he landed.  Sweet boy was in a ton of pain and very scared, but has been brave ever since.  His face looks really bad, but the worst is a cut inside his lip- all the way up.  No stitches, but lots of ice, soup, and Popsicles.  He has really struggled with eating ever since- only soft, small foods- and nothing acidic- he's definitely missing eating our wonderful cherry tomatoes this week. But after driving home from the incident, he did decide to visit the neighbors for some extra sympathy- so I think he'll be okay.

Day 0

 Day 1 (you can tell, he's still not happy with it).

Anika "2"

Nicknames: Sister, Baby Girl, Little Miss

Weight & Height: 24 lb 8 oz, (I'll have to check, I've forgotten)

Hair: Blonde

Favorite foods: hummus fingers, fruit, muffins, bread, desserts, (but she really isn't picky)

Favorite toys: BJ's toys (including his cars), her babies, stroller, phone, purse, bracelet, necklace

Favorite stuffed animal: her baby

Favorite animal: doggies

Bedtime: 7:00 p.m.

Wake-up time: 6:30 a.m. or 7ish

Naps: one nap a day for 2-3 hours, pretty much every day

Favorite person: BJ, Daddy, Papa, Grammy, Mommy, Angie, Paola

Latest Accomplishment: potty training (she does really well with Mom 95% of the time, less with others), working on putting up "2" on her fingers
Likes: playing with BJ, playing outside, spending time with Daddy, coloring, swimming, doing ANYTHING BJ does

Dislikes: sharing, finding self control, being left at home when Daddy or BJ goes somewhere else

What she is saying: alot! Baby, potty, Daddy, night night, Mommy, all done, look at that, read the book

What gets said about Anika most often: how much she looks like Mommy, how pretty her eyes are, how fearless she is

Fears: not much!!  being left, not a big fan of the vacuum  but she will jump in the pool, down the stairs without someone catching her

Health: she has been very healthy

How she's like Daddy: likes her cars, likes to go fast (and encourages Daddy with a "whee" from the backseat), her laid back, enjoy the ride attitude
How she's like Mommy: she likes to work out with Mommy (2 year old push ups are pretty cute), likes her veggies, how quickly her emotions can change :)

Funny things she's done lately: her constant dialogue, I can't tell you how many times with BJ's recent injury she has related "Brother, owie, fell down, hurt lip",her laughs, grabbing any phone and saying "Hi, hello, hi, hello"

Baby doll scooter from BJ

 Birthday dessert at restaurant 

 Pretty pink toes on her birthday

 Monster truck with BJ

 Anika's party decorations

 In the crib with her new baby

 She loves to smell the flowers :) 

The World According to Anika. . .

We have had major changes in our house in the last few weeks.  Angie, our amazing au pair for the last year and 9 months left to return home to Mexico and continue her studies.  So, last Friday, Paola, a great new au pair from Colombia, moved in with us.  I was worried about the transition for the kids, especially Anika since she really hasn't had anyone but Angie watch her.  The kids have done great and accepted Paola quickly.  I keep reminding myself that they are 4 1/2 and almost 2 and that having them be excited about someone new does nothing to negate their love for Angie.  In essence, celebrating the new chapter is not dishonoring to the last.  Tonight while snuggling before bed was the first time I heard Anika talk about the change.  (Mister Josh was Angie's boyfriend here in the states)

A: "Paola, bye-bye"
Me: "No, Anika, Paola isn't going bye-bye, she's just downstairs.  Do you love Paola?"
A: "Yes"
A:  "Angie, bye-bye"
Me: "Yes, Angie went bye-bye.  Do you love Angie?"
A: "Angie, bye-bye"
Me: "Yes, Angie went bye-bye, but she will always love you.  Do you love Angie?"
A: "Yes"
A:  "Mister Josh bye-bye too"
Me: "Yes, Mister Josh went bye-bye too"

It was said with all the tenderness a little girl of almost 2 can muster, but proof that there is love in her heart for both the old and the new, Angie and Paola.  Angie, we miss you, things are not the same without you, and we will never forget you.   Paola, welcome to your new home, we are excited about your addition to our family and can't wait to see what the next year has in store.

Angie and the kids

 The kids attacking Mister Josh

Paola and the girls today

Anika

So I think being the firstborn, BJ continues to get a lot more exposure on the blog- big triumphs, learning to put his head underwater, riding a two wheeler, etc, but Anika is pretty stinking cute herself.  Right now she speaks in short choppy pharses.

While watching me do an exercise video:  "Mom.  Run.  Push. Stroller."  She's worse then Pedro in guilt tripping you for an inside workout.

When she's stuck home with mom instead of everyone else:  "Bro?"  He's gone baby.  "Daddy?"  He's gone too.  "Work (knowingly)"  "Angie" she's not here  "Mister Josh"  He's not either.  Just stuck with your mom.

Daddy has been priming her lately for the favorite answer.  "Anika, who's the best"  Big grin "Daddy"  (Although tonight, Angie stayed for dinner-which isn't her normal lately.  Her answer on who's the best?  "Angie" then laughing and watching Daddy's reaction)

Picking up any phone and saying "Hello, hi, hello, hi"

She wants so badly to be a big girl, she was heartbroken all week while BJ got to stay at church for VBS and when we went to pick him up and see the final songs, she insisted on finding him in the crowd to sit or stand by him (and he sweetly welcomed him, although mom was asked to go back to the back :))

The other thing is she is so quick to apologize. I'm sure this is just because she wants to get on with playing, but after 30 seconds on the steps she was "trol" [self control] and is ready to say "rorry"

Last thing, not a speech thing, but needs documentation.  Her "help" while making brownies resulting in a laxative in my coffee pot. Her affinity for all things lotion- sunscreen all over her, vaseline everywhere- 4 days to wash it out, and motor oil on the carpet- but that's another story :)

What a sweet blessing she is to our lives.