Happy Heart Day

Three years ago today,  my 7 lbs, 7 oz baby boy had open heart surgery at 7 weeks old.  He is the strongest, bravest, most amazing little boy I have ever known.  He's strong willed and a little sensitive just like his mama.  His heart is now perfect and I thank God everyday for his life.
Happy Heart Day sweet Paxton.  I hope I can give you the best weekend ever. 

Toy Drive to Benefit Johns Hopkins Hospital

This is an emotional time of year for me.  This year, there is an extra burden with Pax's upcoming procedures and my Dad's cancer, but I still try to remain thankful for the wonderful gifts we have been given.  Three years ago today, Paxton was 7 weeks old and just over 7 lbs. We had found out about his ASD only 3 weeks before and we were being monitored closely by a Cardiologist at Johns Hopkins.  On August 27, 2010, we went to Hopkins for a follow-up/weigh-in and were admitted for failure to thrive.  Pax was given an NG tube to help with weight gain.  We were supposed to be there for only a few days, but miraculously, our Surgeon had an opening on August 30th.  That was the day that my baby's heart was fixed.  While he still has health issues, his little heart his perfect.  I am so grateful and thank God every day for his life, that we were able to keep this little boy that we love so much. 
Knowing what we went through, makes me also think of other families whose baby's have health issues that are not so easy to fix.  I have been following Caleb's story (www.whenyourise) since his mom, Desiree was pregnant.  Some families have had to live seperately to work and care for their other children.  Some children have had to spend time in the hospital alone.  I remember, when I was there with Pax, the child in the bed next to him spent the majority of his time alone.  I'm assuming his parents had to work, but I'm not sure.  He cried constantly.  I asked if I could hold him or play with him, but I was not allowed.  This was heartbreaking.  I'm sure you are wondering why I'm going on and on about this and where this is going so I'll tell you.  After we lost Parker, we decided to use the money we would have spent on his birthday party/gift to buy toys for kids who are stuck in the hospital.  Seeing the kids when I was there with Pax only helped cement that this was a worthy cause.  This year is the 5 year anniversary.  While just writing this alone makes me cry, I want so badly to make this into something wonderful.  Something amazing for other kids.  So, I need your help. 
I will be collecting new unopened toys from now until Sept 10th to deliver to Johns Hopkins Hospital on September 11th.  I will post pictures so you can see all of the toys/gifts that we will be donating. 
If you would like to help, please email me at kfinck4@gmail.com.  You can have stuff shipped to me if you are interested.  If you live in the MD/DC/NoVa area, I'd be happy to try to meet you somewhere. 
Thanks in advance!

The many faces of Mia

I picked up my phone the other day and got a little surprise.  My 4 (almost 5) year old decided to take a few selfies.  Happy Monday!

Wisconsin Recap

We spent 5 days in Wisconsin last week.  The kids had a great time visiting with their Uncle Andy, Aunt Vicki, and cousins Lauren and Connor.  The had a fun filled week of rides, pool/water activities, and checking out Uncle Andy's new plane. 
On a side note--I got my eye's checked and my vision is 20/15.  Who would have guessed?  I thought for sure I needed glasses.  Anyway...here are some pictures from our vacation.

Mia and Barbie puppy are wearing matching night gowns

Uncle Andy's plane is very cool.  Pax LOVED it!

The pool water was cold, but the kids didn't care.

The sprinkler was super fun.

So was the water slide.

Balloon animals.  Pax had an airplane.  Mia's is a flower

Uncle Andy's corvette won 1st place

They loved the rides!

more rides...

Their first roller coaster.

Yup...more rides.

It was a nice getaway and the kids had so much fun.  We were really lucky that the fair was in town! 

What I've learned--and an update from Pax's surgery

First...my son is a champ!  He had an outpatient procedure done yesterday at 8:30am and was up and jumping around by noon.  He did get a little nauseas from the anestesia, but that was because he was running around.  He is still a little swollen and has stiches, but he's doing amazing.

I've learned a lot about myself over the past couple of weeks.  I've learned:

• I hate airplanes even more than I thought.  Our flight had terrible turbulance and I literally cried.  Yup, I cried on an airplane full of people.  I hate flying.
• I also do not enjoy being anywhere for more than 2 days without a car.  I feel trapped.  I like the freedom of knowing I can run to the store if I want...or just take a ride to get away. 
• I have some really awesome friends.  I knew this before, but it really hit home yesterday.  I got emails, calls and texts from a few people asking about Pax and it meant so much to me!  I really appreciated knowing that people had thought of him, prayed for him, and cared enough to ask how it went.  I am so grateful to have met some amazing women in my new hometown. 
• I'm not the hostess with the mostess.  While I've always known this, it hit home the other day when Chris asked if he could host a work party at our house for about 65 of his work friends.  My first thought was "um, sure if you get a porta potty".  Yup, the thought of that many strangers using my bathroom makes me ill.  I could go on and on about why and how I'm not up for the challenge, but I won't.  I realize my hospitality is not up to par. 

Have you learned anything about yourself lately?  Stop by tomorrow for a recap of our Wisconsin trip.

1st Day of Preschool

Just a few pics of Mia's first day of Pre-K and Pax's first day of preschool.  They didn't change schools, I just finally started documenting it.  :)

Happy Friday!

Back from Vacay--just in time for Paxton's surgery

Today is Paxton's 1st surgery of the year.  He is having a small repair after his previous surgery for hypospadious.  Please say a prayer for him...that he will not be in pain and that he will have a quick and easy recovery. 

Preschool Bible Lesson: Isaac's Blessing

Last week we learned about Isaac's blessing. 

The story is about Isaac's sons Esau and Jacob.  Isaac wanted Esau to receive his "blessing", but his wife, Rebecca wanted Jacob to receive it.  So, when Esau went out hunting for food-to make Isaac some soup, Rebecca made Jacob hairy - so he would feel like Esau and tricked Isaac into giving him his blessing. 

We did a couple of activities.  I found these worksheets online.  Mia had fun with them. 

She loves practicing her letters so this went over well.

To reinforce the lesson, I tried to re-enact the scene.  I used Chris's hat from the warrier dash and recreated the hairy arm scene. 

I had Mia close her eyes and feel the hairy arm.  I think this really helped to re-enforce what we learned this week.

Disney Planes and Back to school

This past weekend, we got ready for "back to school" and had some family fun.  We took our kids and our 6 (almost 7) year old nephew, Noah to see Disney Planes.
First, we got hair cuts.  We got 3 inches cut off of Mia's hair.  It was so long!  

Mia will start the "big girl" preschool class August 19th.  She is so excited!

Pax went a little shorter as well for his second year of preschool.  He loves his teacher.

The kid line up at Planes!  So fun and such a cute movie.

Pax fell asleep during the last 5 minutes.  He really did love the movie. 

This was right after the credits.  I love this little man. 

and...just because...these are from Sunday after church

Helpful Advice - when talking to a mom of a child with eating issues

If you know me, or have read my blog...you know that my 3 year old son, Paxton has been diagnosed with severe "feeding" issues.  With this said, he does not eat solid food.  His diet consists of stage 2 and stage 3 baby food, yogurt, and milk mixed with carnation instant breakfast.  We do make him eat (in accordance with our plan from feeding therapy) 10 cheerios a day--which is often a battle. 

Over the past few months, I've become, angry, hurt, and most of all frustrated by comments from friends and family.  I thought about just venting on my blog, but decided that ....I want to try to turn this into something positive and help others instead.  So, I thought I'd make this into a --how you can help... and a -What not to say post. 

First...how you can help:

• Be a friend.  Be supportive and allow the family to vent to you without offering advice (especially if you know nothing about the problem) unless asked. 
• Ask how you can help.  Maybe it's helpful to provide a distraction for the child during a feeding.  Maybe you could help by playing a quit game or doing a puzzle with the child.

What is not helpful--and often hurtful:

• Do not say "give me 24 hours with him and I'll have him eating".  This is not only not helpful, it is offensive.  Do you not think that as parents, we have done everything possible to help our child?  Do you not think our team of Dr's, Psycologists, nutritionists, and therapists are more experienced and knowledgeable in this area? 
• Do not say "he doesn't have a problem--it's all behavioral".  I do not believe for one second that a child chooses to puke up his food and gag on certain foods-consistently.  It is no more fun for him than it is for us.  While there are behavioral issues surrounding the problem, the underlying issue is not behavior. 
• Do not suggest we "force feed" him or make him sit in a high chair until he eats.  Force feeding results in gagging and puking.  I do not see how this would be helpful in getting a child to want to eat food.  Our Doctors have said numerous times that making him sit in a chair until he's hungry enough to eat is not helpful.  Children with this issue will not eat.  They do not care about starving.  And...as a parent, this would be horrible to watch. 

Please just take a moment to put yourself in their shoes.  You would want your child to be treated with respect and with love.  I'm sure all parents in this situation are trying their best.  I know we have had consultations and some of the best hospitals including Johns Hopkins, Kennedy Krieger Instittue, and Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital.  We have also paid for (out of pocket--insurance was not accepted) outside therapy with a Occupational Therapist who specializes in feeding therapy.  This is not easy.  It is not fun.  Mean comments (though not meant to be offensive) are hurtful.  Before you speak, think about what you are saying and how your words might impact the family who is already struggling to deal with this issue.  Lastly, be supportive.  Ask how you can help and follow through.

Helloooo Wisconsin

Tonight, we will be boarding a plane to Boscobel, Wi.  Ok, we'll actually be flying into Madison as Boscobel is about the size of the town I currently live in.  It's about 2 hours south.  If anyone has any recommendations on kid friendly activities in the area, please email me! 

Best Sunday Schoo/Bible Apps for kids

It's a busy week - we had family in town last week, we are leaving for vacation tomorrow, and the week after is Paxton's first surgery.  So, in lieu of a Sunday School lesson this week, I'm going to talk about my kids favorite bible/Sunday School apps.  My kids love technology.  They especially love my phone.  They love to take pictures and play games.  While we have a ton of games loaded (paper toss, talking tom, dress up mermaid, etc.), I've been really happy to see that they really enjoy the bible heroes apps.  There are several (and a few are free and the rest are only $1.99).  You can find:
Bible Heroes: Noah
BH Daniel
BH David
BH Joseph
BH Jonah
BH Esther

Each app comes with a story and other activities (some have puzzle, games, etc.).  I've been really impressed and the kids really enjoy the stories.  So...if you want to try them out, I definitely recommend them.  Try the free one to see what you think (I think Noah is free).
Have a great week!

Karen

My thoughts on the Bachelorette

Call me crazy, but I'm happy for Des and Chris.  Brooks always seemed a little wishy-washy for me...  Chris and Drew both seemed so sincere.  Though I am not a fan of poetry, I thought some of his poems were sweet and I liked that they had something so cute and special to bond over.  I'm sad for Drew, but I'm sure there will be hundreds of girls at his doorstep just waiting for the opportunity to meet him. 
Moving on...I'm totally excited for next seasons show with Juan Pablo!

c.a.n.c.e.r.

I feel like I am on a roller coaster.  Up one minute, and barreling down a giant hill the next.  One minute, we get some positive news...the next, it's terrible.  This is taking an emotional toll on all of us, but especially on my Dad.  Here is the update.
On Tuesday, he got the results of his CT Scan.  We were told the 3 nodules in his lungs had grown, which we expected due to the increase in his CEA numbers.  He was then sent to a "lung specialist" to get his opinion on the nodules.
My Dad met with the lung specialist yesterday and in his expert opinion, he said it most definitely looked like metastasized colon cancer.  Of course, we they cannot start any treatment until they determine 100% that the cells are from his colon and that the lungs are not a new primary.  You see, my Dad was a fireman for 20+ years.  Before that, he was an aircraft mechanic and served in Vietnam.  While he was not really a smoker (he smoked for about 2 years while serving in Vietnam at age 18 or 19), they still need to be sure as treatment would be different for each cell type.
So, moving forward, he goes in for another CT scan September 25th (which is his birthday btw).  After that, if the nodules are big enough, he will be sent for another biopsy to determine treatment options.  Here is where I need your help:
My Dad does not want to do this anymore.  He is tired of feeling like a pin cushion.  He doesn't "do" doctors well.  He does not want another biopsy and is seriously considering giving up already.  Also, if he does go through with the biopsy, his plan is to refuse chemo.  I think--in this case--he doesn't know there are new treatment options out there that may not include sitting in a room hooked up to an iv drip for 8 hours while puking.  We will see.
Lastly, please pray that he will seek comfort and peace in God.  I'm not sure that my Dad has ever been religious so I am really worried about him. 
Thank you

Preschool bible lesson: A bride for Isaac

Mia has loved learning about "Father Abraham" (as she calls him).   Last week, we learned about his son, Isaac and how he met his wife, Rebecca.  Abraham sent a servant to his homeland to find a wife for his son.  He said that the woman who would marry Isaac would get water for him and his camels when asked.  Abraham sent his servant with gifts for Isaac's future bride, including jewelry. 

This week, we did a camel coloring sheet.  Pax refused to participate in this one.

We also made jewelry.  I definitely need to go over this lesson again with the kids as they got a little side tracked with the jewelry, but overall, I think it went pretty well.

 



For your listening pleasure...Mia sings