What's the deal with our kidneys?

Instead of birthday celebrations, we had a party at the ER on Sunday night. We were watching a movie and Steven said his stomach was hurting. We had enjoyed some cheese and chocolate fondue for birthday dinner so I figured that was the culprit. After about 30 minutes of Steven rolling around the floor in severe pain, and us self-diagnosing him with a probable kidney stone, we needed to go to the emergency room. I called our neighbor {it was 11:00 PM}, and she graciously came down to our couch so our sleeping children would not be left unattended. Once at the ER, Steven was doing such a great job of being in pain, they wheeled him back to a room immediately. The nurse started an IV and gave hime some pain medicine and he experienced instant relief. He stopped sweating, uncurled his body and could actually talk. I said, "Now you know why I love an epidural." After a CT scan, urinalysis {what is with our urine lately?}, a liter of fluid, a couple prescriptions for pain and nausea medicine, we were on our way home at 2:30 AM. **As I'm writing this, Elle is making her stuffed lamb "tee tee in a cup". Seriously.**

Steven left a mere 4 hours later for the airport to fly to Orlando for an auction. I also got up for my job as a single parent for the next couple of days. I'm glad to report he is doing well, has been pain free, and has been drinking more water than he ever has in his life.

My repeated calling to the urologist office finally paid off and I took Reese to an appointment Tuesday afternoon. I was able to get a babysitter to stay with Elle and Grady. It is so much easier to manage doctor's visits with only one child. Maybe because I am rarely able to do this, I appreciate it so much. Now Reese is scheduled for surgery September 7th.

**Just because I like to put pictures with posts, here are a couple from our trip to the McWane Center a couple of weeks ago.**

I am excited to say that I will be meeting my mom and sister for a weekend in Atlanta tomorrow night. And no children are invited:)! We don't have much on the agenda except relaxing, shopping, and a Sunday matinee of Phantom of the Opera. Mom and Madison moved this week, under less than ideal circumstances, so they are in need of a relaxing break as well.

Beautiful

That's how the pediatrician described Elle's urine this morning. All clear. No trace of anything that shouldn't be there. We'll do another check when I take Grady for his 3-yr check up next month, just to be safe. Thank you for your prayers! And praise God for answering this way! Happy weekend!

House for Sale!

We are selling our house! Or I guess I should say, we're trying to sell our house. We spent the majority of our Independence Day weekend painting and cleaning and working in the yard and painting and cleaning. It was long and a bit painful, but the results were well worth it. At least we'll have a very clean, freshly painted home if we can't get a buyer. We decided to try by owner because we can't afford an agent in this market. But, we are offering a nice $500 referral fee for anyone who sends us a closer! Here are a couple links for pictures and more information: here or here.

It's also birthday week around our house. I just celebrated 32 (seriously?) glorious years on this earth and Steven will turn 33 Sunday (which also happens to be his sister's birthday as well!). We are going out tonight to the movies! And there will be a few more celebrations over the weekend.

Elle had her 5 year old check up about a week ago. Things went almost perfectly. We prayed and prayed and had friends and family praying because she had to get shots and I was unable to take her solo, meaning I had all three with me. It was one of the first times she's been able to see us pray for something and then see God tangibly answer (at least personally). We prayed for self-control, that even if she was scared and crying, she would lie down and take the shots bravely. And she did just that! We went to Dairy Queen afterwards for lunch and ice cream....

The bad news was they found blood in her urine. We are in the process of finding out what the cause could be. The facts are: there was a significant amount of blood, enough to warrant further investigation. Beyond that, we're not sure. The sample did come back otherwise clear (no infection, no protein), except for a slightly elevated calcium level (possible kidney stone?). We are taking her back tomorrow for another sample. If it comes back clean, then we'll just recheck in about a month. If it comes back with blood, she'll have to have blood drawn to check kidney function and probably have an ultrasound on her kidneys as well. I told her that her pee pee was not "healthy" and we have been pushing fluids like crazy. She's not the best drinker in the world. Wonderful eater. Not so much with the liquids. But she has done awesome and has not complained with the constant reminders to drink, drink, DRINK!

Still no earlier appointment for Reese, even though I'm almost on a first name basis with the office staff:). He's hanging in there, literally, and the pediatrician seems to think he'll be okay for another few months.

And Grady, well at least we're not having any health issues with him. Just normal almost-three-years-old boy aggression. He's still hilarious as ever. And obsessed with Buzz Lightyear now. He pushes imaginary buttons on himself all day long. And every now and then, he will break in to Spanish Buzz and dance.

Summer Dancing

Elle finished her first dance class this past week. It was an introductory class to ballet and tap. Five evenings in June and she's hooked. She's played ballerina for a long time. My sister is a dancer and we have tons and tons of hand-me-down leotards, recital outfits, and tutus. I loved to see what Elle would pick out for her ensemble each night of class. All the other girls would have on the standard black or pink leotards and tights. Elle would wear a blue leotard, red sequined skirt and white tights. This light blue number was one the teachers let her put on for the classes' "performance" the last night. All the girls got to wear fancy leotards. Then, they generously donated it to our dress up box!

The ever supportive and encouraging younger brother. Grady ran out when she was finished, gave her a huge hug and said, "You did awesome Elle!". Elle acknowledged him briefly and then told him to go back over to us and get off the dance floor!

I finally broke down and gave Reese his first haircut. It's still a little long, but Steven and I couldn't take the fact that his sideburns were the longest part of his whole head of hair?! This is a "before" picture. It was out of control.

Our Unexpected Gift

Even I got a present for Father's Day weekend:

Steven's sister and her husband (Rhonda and Luke) are expecting their first baby! We are so thrilled for them. We have no doubt they will be great parents. I told her I wouldn't give her any unsolicited advice and yet Sunday, I couldn't bring myself to stop telling her what baby equipment was worth the big bucks, what she could buy off-brand, must-haves for books, what she should have in the medicine cabinet, maternity clothes, online resources, etc., etc. Like the good sports they are, they took it all in and kept listening to me even when their eyeballs were about to explode with overwhelmingness {is that a word?}...

We had a fun weekend at the grandparents' house. The kids did a little digging for worms so "they" could fish. Elle and Grady didn't do quite as much fishing as Steven and his dad, but they had a ton of fun getting the bait:). Elle did catch a turtle. I had to leave the scene when Gran Gran was trying to get the hook out of the little thing's mouth. I sensed decapitation in it's future.

When we got home, Reese's birthday present was waiting.

It was love at first sight.

He had a great check-up Monday morning. He still has a little bit of fluid hanging around in his right ear. We are trying Zyrtec for a couple weeks to see if it can dry him up and get that fluid out! I'll take him back with me when we go for Elle's 5 year old check-up to re-check his ear. Still no earlier appointment with the urologist, but the doctor reassured me he would be fine and we would get him seen before August 31st?!

Weight: 23 pounds, 11 ounces {still maintaining status as biggest Salter baby}

Height: 30 1/2 inches

He made the transition to whole milk with ease. (Can I get a huge Hallelujah for no more formula!) He is also a sippy cup pro now. He still takes a bottle at bedtime, but it won't be long before he drops that. (Can I get another Hallelujah for no more bottle drying rack on the counter!) Two naps, usually 1 1/2 hours each. Bedtime around 7:30 and up and at 'em between 6:30 and 7:00 AM. He is a great eater {not surprised are you? He didn't get to almost 24 pounds with drink alone} although vegetables are not his favorite... yet. He points at everything and grunts. And barks like a dog. Not a huge vocabulary to chose from. I honestly won't be disappointed in the slightest if he is a late talker. I already have two who barely take a breath most days:). Reese is doing awesome and we are so thankful for him and his life and how healthy he is. We pray for a full, blessed life here loving God and loving people!

Confessions

The week started out on a high note. Monday, we celebrated Flag Day complete with crafts and some recitings of the Pledge of Allegiance. I love to hear Grady try to say "republic". Kids were happy and maybe even learning something.

By Wednesday, I was losing a little of my touch {or my mind?!}. I wanted to make up for the fact that Reese's birthday started off less than ideal with the hydrocele thing and that Daddy was going to be gone for the night and there was absolutely nothing resembling a celebration planned. I realize he has no idea that his birthday was any different from any other day but I wanted to do something special for him. So I made him this shirt:

Probably safe to say I don't need to open that screen printing business just yet. **I have done this before, just forgot the "reverse image" step. Sort of an important step:).

Thursday, things were rapidly going downhill. Steven made it home a little early from his out-of-town trip. I was able to leave the boys here while I took Elle to her summer dance class. After a quick trip to the library before, we were running a little behind for class {and I hate to be late!}. I go to grab her dance bag so she can go ahead and put her dance shoes on in the car. The bag is EMPTY! No ballet shoes. No tap shoes. Only a random pair of socks. She was a good sport, forgave me and danced happily in her tights!

But by Friday, things were looking up again. I had no cell phone service the entire day. But that really didn't matter because you know moms don't get to have phone conversations while their children are awake:).

We made cupcakes for Reese.

We played in the sprinkler and ate Popsicles.

We made hand prints with soaking wet sidewalk chalk.

Then we let Reese have his cupcake. And he ate it the whole thing!




We are going to Grammy and Gran Gran's (Steven's parents) for the weekend for more birthday fun and Father's Day fun. Aunt Rhonda and Uncle Luke will be there too--we haven't seen them since Christmas! Happy Father's Day to all the Dads that read my blog:).

Happy First Reese!

Happy Birthday Reese! We love you and are so thankful you are part of our family!

Sorry your birthday morning started off with a trip to the doctor's office at 8 AM. You gave Mommy and Daddy a scare last night when we plopped you in the tub and noticed something wasn't quite right in your "diaper" area. The verdict: a hydrocele with great potential to develop in to an inguinal hernia. The treatment: surgery. We just thought we were getting out of you having to have surgery too?! Unfortunately, the earliest appointment at the pediatric urologist is August 31st! We are praying for an opening before then because otherwise, Mommy will be worrying non-stop that something important is going to fall through that little "hole" and begin to lose blood supply and we will be speeding our way to Children's ER. Thankfully, you are not in any pain and you are your happy, go-luckly self.

Your ear was not totally clear from your pre-Disney infection so we are starting round 2 of anitbiotics. I'll do a more thorough "one year" post after your birthday celebrations and check-up on Monday. We love you so much Reeser!