Info. from the specialist

The specialist Dr. Cheval who we love and highly recommend called Brian this morning. This is what he had to say:
There was no sign of reflux so it is one of two things. Either it is partial blockage which we DON'T want him to have as this will require surgery, as Dr. Cheval said this will entail us to sit down and "talk" OR it is just developmental variance which needs no further evaluation.

In six months we will have another test called Intravenous polygram (IVP) - a special x-ray of the kidneys, ureters and bladder that involves injection of a contrast agent that fills the urinary tract on the x-ray and helps the doctor to see the organs. The IVP shows how well the kidneys drain urine. If this shows blockage there is one more test they will do called A renal (kidney) scan (MAG 3 with lasix) - This scan provides very sensitive quantitative information regarding kidney function and drainage characteristics. Along with the IVP, it is particularly helpful in identifying and assessing the degree of blockage.
Let's have faith and pray it is developmental variance! Here is to six more months of wondering and waiting! UGH!

Kidney Reflux Results

Without a doubt, today was one of the most difficult days of my life! I had no idea that it would turn out to be so emotional. I can say that in all honesty, I was strong and ready this morning when I woke up. It wasn't until I watched my baby scream in horrific pain and turn beet red once the doctor stuck the catheter in him that my world fell apart. Looking at your husband who has tears in his eyes does not help the situation either! I don't care what anyone says, having your 4 month old catheterized is HORRIBLE and very PAINFUL for them. Sure they might not remember it, but I forever will!

Anyway - the ultrasound did show fluid still around his right kidney. This is the last frame taken via the ultrasound. The x-ray they performed after the ultrasound the Doctor said didn't show any reflux (yay) and we will officially have those results within 24 hrs. from the specialist. The round circle is his bladder and kidneys are above, not that this picture is significant to anyone.

Where do we go from here? It unfortunately will remain a waiting game with more tests in a few months. (PRE CATH - hince my smile)(PRE CATH)
(waiting for the ultrasound) (after US)(PRE CATH) We took no pics. after he was catheterized - we were exhausted by that point.

I will post if anything changes after speaking with the doctor tomorrow, hopefully. A big thank you for all of your warm prayers, text messages, emails and phone calls! The Gourleys appreciate it greatly. Life is so precious and delicate. Time to uncork my bottle of Pinot!

God- Thank you for carrying me through this very difficult day.

Milestones

I have been meaning to post the boys milestones, mainly for the grandparents for about 2 weeks now.
***Hi Papaw, Grammy, Grandma, Grampa and Nana! ;-)***

Blaine: No more sippy cups, or cups with straws! He is officially using real "big boy" cups and I am happy to say with not one accident! I am also happy that I don't have to wash them and buy them for a little while anyway, until Leelyn is ready for them! Also, we have started to teach Blaine how to take care of his own personal hygiene (if you get my drift). He is a little timid about wiping himself, but practice makes perfect! I say he is doing GREAT! I hope to conquer this by 4! Thanks to supernanny for telling it like it is and getting me started on this right away! We start soccer on August 16th and he is super excited. We practice kicking the ball outside everyday. Swim lessons were booked for the summer, so hopefully fall we can get a spot. I have also found a new school for him. At a local church which was imperative for us! Thank God I got that out of the way. He will go 3 days a week, 8:30-1:30 and that makes for a happy happy mama! ha!

Leelyn: About two weeks back Leelyn started to make raspberries and my personal favorite, his fake cough! He coughs all day just wanting attention and of course he gets it! LOL He is also taking out his binky and putting it back into his mouth. He just started to grab the bottle and pull it toward his mouth also. To date he can roll from belly to back, back to belly, stand with all weight on his legs, cough, blow raspberries, laugh out loud, "talk", and he isn't shy about letting us know when he isn't happy! He is also doing great with the rice cereal and we plan on starting strained foods about 5.5-6 months per our pediatrician. My how time flies! Leelyn and I will start The Little Gym come fall also. Babies are so much fun and I am blessed to spend all of my time with Leelyn, and blessed that I am the main influence in their life! LOVE my boys.

Looking forward to our much needed and highly anticipated vacation, only 9 days.

God- praying for a glorious outcome on Leelyns test tomorrow!

Happy 4th, Happy birthday and we got a Wii, finally!

What a wonderful weekend! It was filled with good friends, good food, good fireworks and BIG fun! We started off @ our friends, The Magill's house Friday, of course showing up 1.5 hrs late! It seems like since having kids, it is impossible for us to be on time, so late you can't even claim fashionably late! We are usually out of town on the 4th, but the hubby had to stay in town for the new TAC store that opened last week. We had a blast! I must say the fireworks were awesome and the food was great but more importantly the little kids and big kids (parents) had a FAB time! It sure is nice being around other families that are so similar to yours! Love adult time, fun fun! Here are a few pics. from Friday night:Blaine and Mrs. AnnakaBlaine and Malakai Blaine looking up @ the fireworks. He was so tired, he didn't even finish playing his game on the way home. A big thanks to Annaka and Kyle for hosting a wonderful party!
Happy Birthday babe! The hubby's birthday was Saturday. We ventured out for brunch and then hit Best Buy to walk around and just see if they had a Wii system. We have been looking to get our hands on one for about a month or so with no such luck. Well, TA-DA they actually had ONE left on the shelf! We couldn't believe it! All the employees were talking it up, how it was a GREAT day for us! Little did they know it just happened to be his bday also, HA! Last year we found out I was preggers on his bday, this year he got his Wii, AWESOME! He also got to eat Mr. Crabs! Here are two short clips of Brian and Blaine boxing, LOL Pay close attention to Brian sitting on the couch with a drink out of breath on Blaines video, LMAO....can you say OUT OF SHAPE!? YES, we let Blaine play the boxing game, it is what it is! ;-)
http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k173/nicolegib/?action=view&current=BriWII.flv

http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k173/nicolegib/?action=view&current=blainewii.flv
We ended our Saturday down @ our neighbors annual 4th party. Once again, friends, food, fireworks and a great time! Here are a few shots of that days adventure:waiting to hit the pinata. Liliana enjoying her swing to! Another big thanks to the Jarvis's for hosting a wonderful party yet again.
Happy 4th and a thank you to all the men and women that serve(d) and have die(d) for our country!
God - Keep our troops healthy and safe.

How do you plea? Guilty your honor!

So much to talk about! First, Leelyn had his 4 month check-up today. He is weighing in @ a whopping 15.1 lbs and a mere 24 1/4 inches long, WOW! (Blaine weighed 15.11). Growing like a weed that he is. His stats are right in the middle, whereas Blaine was always in the 90%.
Poor Leelyn had to receive FOUR (4) shots today! They were out of two vaccines on his last appointment so we had to make up for them today! As it stands, Brian and I are on the fence with vaccinations anyway, so it was extremely hard to get through this appointment for all of us. Blaine cried so hard once Leelyn started to cry, then I cried! AHHH! It is DONE and I am happy. I will never forget the look on Blaine's face when he saw that they were "hurting" Leelyn - he was NOT happy to say the least. I love that boy! I love both boys! lol

PRAYERS NEEDED PLEASE Leelyn will be going in for his Vesicoureteral Reflux
test on July 9th, next Wednesday.
What is vesicoureteral reflux?
Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is the condition in which urine travels backward from the bladder toward the kidney and may affect one or both ureters.
In most children, reflux is a birth defect and is caused by an abnormal attachment between the ureter and bladder with a short, ineffective flap valve. In some children, an infrequent urination pattern may cause reflux to occur.
When the "flap valve" malfunctions and allows urine to flow backward, bacteria from the bladder easily enters the kidney. A child with reflux is more likely to develop a kidney infection (pyelonephritis) that can cause kidney damage. More severe reflux is associated with greater kidney damage. When urine back flow is more severe, the ureters and kidneys become large and distorted. Although reflux can have these serious medical consequences, it is a "silent" abnormality, that is, reflux does not cause pain, discomfort or problems with urination. Only occurs in 1% of children. How is vesicoureteral reflux diagnosed?
Reflux is diagnosed with a test called a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), which is an X-ray of the bladder. A thin plastic tube called a catheter is inserted into the urethra. Fluid containing an X-ray dye is injected through the tube until the bladder is full, and then the child is asked to urinate. Pictures of the bladder are taken to see if the dye goes backward up to one or both kidneys. The VCUG usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. In some instances, the test is performed with fluid containing a tiny amount of radioactive tracer and the test is monitored with a special camera. Infection related to using a catheter for these tests occurs in a small proportion of children, so the urologist may recommend that antibiotics be given before and after the procedure.
Ways to ease discomfort and anxiety related to inserting a catheter should be discussed with the doctor. A few children become upset and need to be held during the test. (YA THINK?) Performing the test using general anesthesia may cause incomplete testing because it is important to observe whether there is reflux when the child is urinating.
If reflux is found, a isotope renal scan may be done to check how well the kidneys are working and to look for kidney damage. In some cases, a kidney and bladder sonogram may be done to check the size of the kidneys.
How is vesicoureteral reflux measured?
Reflux can be measured or graded. The doctor looks at an X-ray of the urinary tract to determine the reflux grade. The reflux grade indicates how much urine is flowing back into the ureters and kidneys and helps the doctor decide what type of care is most appropriate.
The most common system of grading reflux — the International Study Classification — includes five grades.
Grade I results in urine reflux in to the ureter only.
Grade II results in urine reflux into the ureter and the renal pelvis, without distention (hydronephrosis).
Grade III results in relux into the ureter and the rnal pelvis, causing mild hydronephrosis.
Grade IV results in moderate hydronephrosis. (This was his last result grade)
Grade V results in severe hydronephrosis and twisting of the ureter.

YES - he will need a catheter for the test on Wednesday. Pray for Brian and I also, PLEASE! As some of you may know, we have been watching his kidneys since he was in utero.

I also had a couple of doctor appointments. While chatting with my PCP, she asked me if I have been getting any breaks.......HA! That was HILARIOUS for me to hear! A full time SAHM who's husband works 55 hours a week that has no family in town.....ya, what is a break I ask. So she started to share ways for me to get a 5-15 break: Run to the corner store, purchase magazine and sit in car for a addt'l 5-15 mins. to give myself time to "read", LOL....GUILTY! Stay in the shower for an addt'l 5-10 mins. and act like I needed to shave....GUILTY! Tell the hubby my nail polish is chipping so I can eescape to the spa for some needed RnR...GUILTY! I love my OB and PCP! Here is to going out to dinner with the hubby ALONE tonight. Thank you MaryJo and girls! XOXO

God- praying for healing, strength and courage.

You are what you eat!

By every word of this phrase, it simply is true! We are what we eat. I have ended the Vegan Cleanse for a few reasons. First and foremost, Leelyn has been spitting up like crazy, projectile spit up and I can only associate his new found hobby in connection with my new found way of eating - ha! Second, I have a dinner date and vacation coming up with several parties which is just an excuse I know. In all honesty, I have really learned a lot about my body and food through this cleanse. I am pretty educated on all natural, organic food - I have to be, the hubby is after all a store manager for Whole Foods making it a way of life for us. That doesn't mean that we don't fall victim to Doritos, Cheetos, Lucky Charms and such disgusting food items because trust me -we do. I am addicted to McDonald's french fries.
The book I read titled Skinny Bitc* really reeducated me on things that I have turned my back on. I can't be ignorant and let myself or my family put such harmful, cancer causing man-made chemicals in to their precious bodies. Moderation is key. We as a society are okay with cloning food, really?! Thinking back to my Great Grandparents and what they ate, which was straight out of their garden, wholesome good food made in their kitchen from scratch - which is why they lived to be in their 80-90's, and one GGM out lived almost all of her 12 some children! We literally should live to be like 120, but all this processed crap we eat has really changed the number of years we live.

I will take away these key items: Eat natural, eat organic eat wholesome as much as possible. Eat for fuel, eat for nutrition. Eat junk in moderation. Don't eat what you can't pronounce. I could list some scary ingredients and what they are derived from, or I can just recommend the book Skinny Bitc* and let them break it down in a more vulgar manner for you!

Thanks to everyone for your support and well wishes during the 10 days I managed to easily cleanse myself of such harmful toxins.

Everyone has their own view on eating, diets, food and fitness - and I choose to stay educated and feed my family right in my own rightful view! Bon appetit.

The phenomena of a curl

There it stands, alone. No hairspray, no gel, and no mousse required. It stands strong, letting us know it rules the head of hair, that it does. With it's gentle swoop that glistens ever so softly when the sunshine brushes it. (RECORD SCRATCH) Look at this! That hair is CRAZY!

Poor child has his moms hair which in turn is my fathers hair, bald spot included!Had Leelyn been a girl, the stores would have LOVED me because I would have purchased every last bow on the shelf! We might end up with a "pretty boy" LOL we get asked constantly if he is a boy or girl, all I care about is that he is healthy and adorable!