I did it!!!

In honor of Breastfeeding Awareness Month (August), I would like to pat myself on the back for successfully breastfeeding both of my boys!!

I have been steadfast in my dedication to not only saving money spent on formulas over two long term breastfeeding journeys, but also in giving my children the best source of nutrition there is!

I nursed Jaxon for 13 months and Liam is in the process of weaning after 18 months!!

Through our journey, I not only educated myself with all the benefits associated with breastfeeding, but I also educated friends, family and strangers to help with their journeys. I nursed two preemies who most said I would not be able to. I also donated enough expressed breast milk from Liam's NICU days to help and nurture a donor preemie plagued by GI issues and rejecting all formulas for six months!!

While its been daunting at times, and hard on my body through countless growth spurts, teething and illnesses, I DID it!!

I am very much looking forward to reclaiming my body, and tossing the nursing bras once and for all, but I know there will be times I miss the bond that only I could continue to give my children after evicting them from my belly!!

I hope I have helped those who have asked, I thank those who have helped me, supported me, and encouraged me along the way. I pray that now that I am done, that I can finish up the classes I started to become a certified counselor. I would really like to help as many mothers as I can, and especially to dedicate my knowledge and experiences to the tiniest babies of the NICU, whom most are told "they're too tiny".

A special THANK YOU to my friends and family who have put up with my preaching, warming bottles to give my children, smiling through spit up of "you know what" and mostly my husband for your loving support for me and our children and never complaining on the duration, and the fact that our babies co-slept for almost a year each just to give me extra sleep!

Good luck to those who try, and for those who simply can not, please remember that formulas are NOT the devil. They are formulated after the "best" and as closely to it as possible. There are reasons to why some can't, personal decisions and health factors, but if you try, you have done your best already!!

Here is a link that has several good articles about the benefits and the how to's if any of you have questions!!

http://www.fitpregnancy.com/motherhood/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-awareness-month

Shylah

Learning about Wobblers...

Since I have been home from WA, I have noticed that Argo has been really uncoordinated. He had gotten sick while we were in WA with GI issues that were explained by his hunting/eating habits, but after meds/antibiotics he seemed to clear up.

The day after we got home, I noticed that he was walking very gingerly, and I assumed it was discomfort due to his tummy issues. So another round of medicine and he seemed to perk back up. After a week, he was still walking around, hobbling, and I couldn't imagine that he was still "backed up", so I took video of him clumsily falling down the stairs, walking in a straight line, and overall just looking drunk from the waist down.

I took him back into the vet after researching illnesses that could cause his clumsiness, and had found two possibilities that were both treatable, but that sounded like something he could have. After getting him checked over, our vet did a simple leg/foot check where he rolled Argo's feet under him to see how he responded. The front legs did what they were supposed to, and immediately came back to a normal standing position. The back legs however, stayed turned under, which prompted Dr. Claiborne to do some x-rays of his neck area to rule out a condition called Wobblers Syndrome.

So I left him to have the images taken, and after a few hours, received a call confirming that Argo had several areas of degeneration to his cervical vertebra that were essentially pinching his spinal cord, which is diagnosed as Wobblers.

I came into pick Argo up, and learned from Dr. Claiborne some options we had to go forward with the treatment. Wobblers in short: is a degeneration or malformation of the cervical vertebra that cause the vertebra to lose their shape, creating a point, which usually pinches or puts pressure on the spinal cord and slowly paralyzes the dog from the back up. We were both a little stunned that he had a moderate case, and even more so, that this is typically a disease that effects large breed canines: Great Danes, Doberman Pinchers, Rottweilers, etc. It is also the same disease that horses are notorious for developing. Argo is 47lbs, he is a lab/coonhound mix, and of course we don't know how big his parents were, but typically other breeds and small dogs are seen in less than 5% of all Wobbler cases.

Here is a link that I found that describes this disease in plain english. http://www.petassure.com/newsletters/011510newsletter/01152010Article4.html

Unfortunately the best way to correct the issue is by surgery, which looking at his x-rays, he wouldn't be a good candidate for. There is medical treatment with steroids that should alleviate some of the pressure and swelling around the spinal cord, and possibly help him not be so clumsy, but since it's a neurological disease and there are nerves involved, the damage that has already happened won't get better. The steroids also don't prevent the damage from moving forward, and so we were told in his case, he could be happy and healthy otherwise for weeks to weeks or weeks to months on end.

The past week, I have educated myself on this disease, and come to grips that sooner than later, we will have to make the dreaded decision to say goodbye before he gets to the point of pain and or looses his ability to use the bathroom, and the paresis moves forward. I only pray that I know when, and that it's not sooner than we are ready.

We began treating him with a low dose steroid to see how he does on that, but with steroids, comes the side effects. We're hoping to see some improvement, and be able to dose him off and on rather than keep him on the steroids long term and prevent any damage that that can cause. He's been on his medicine for five days, and I can't tell if he's doing better or not. We have a follow-up appointment today to discuss further measures we can take in keeping him comfortable longer. There are ways to do a home rehab with rest, a cervical brace and medications, but we also need to make sure it doesn't progress to the point of pain in the meantime. As of now, we were told that he shouldn't have any discomfort, other than the annoyance of when your foot falls asleep. I have been keeping an eye on him, and making sure he's not not doing anything to cause more damage. I also have been carrying him up and down the stairs, which thankfully he knows I am trying to help, so he patiently waits for me to pick him up.

I have never been in the situation of looking at one of my furbabies knowing soon they wouldn't be with us, and it is especially hard, as he is not even three years old. Of course Argo was brought into our family for Nash and Jax after we lost Chopper, but he is definitely one of my boys... The past week I have spoiled him rotten and hope that he sees until we have to say goodbye how much we love him, and will miss him when he's gone. Today we have our friend coming over to take some family photos before he gets too bad, and we are gone.

Dr. Claiborne said that Argo would be fine to travel with and it would be better for him than cooped up in a kennel, so we will resume with our travel plans to MI in a few days, and just make sure he gets a good vacation out of it as well.

I have no idea when the day will come, but I ask that you please pray, think, or just send us good vibes, and that Argo will stay comfortable and happy, and that we will know when it's time.

Thank you

Four eyes are better than two??

I've officially joined the four eye'd club. Still in major denial, but it's not helping any that I swear I see better without my new glasses than with them on.

I was advised to get used to them and verify they were my correct prescription before ordering contacts, which if I do in fact see a difference in the next few days, I will most definitely be getting contacts. I don't see how people wear glasses all the time. They are absolutely annoying!!

I am not sure I see/feel a difference other than being slightly dizzy from seeing both above and below the frames, but in all honestly think they gave me a bogus prescription. I can't tell a difference with things far away, trust me, I'm going around testing everything lol. I am sure it's hard to get someones prescription right on when they can still see REALLY good without correction, but I'm not certain this is all right. :/ I only went in for possible correction for night time driving. I know that I do have a slight haze/blur with things far away, but all it takes is for me to blink real good and concentrate. I mean, I could still read the letters on the bottom of the chart when really focusing, but even when I was told not to over concentrate, was able to read most of the smallest letters and definitely everything above. *sigh*

I have a follow up appt. on Friday, as well as a few other tests to see if the cognitive glaucoma I was developing when I was younger has gotten any worse or better, so I guess I will give glasses a chance until then. So far I'm not a happy camper though.

They also took complete advantage of the fact I had no idea what I was doing with the vision benefits/allowances. I checked our benefits after getting a total of $156 and after thinking I was allowed a free pair of glasses/contacts each year, and I should have, but they pointed me in the opposite direction as well as tricked me into things I may or may not need. So with that, I have a fancy schmancy set of designer glasses, with anti-fog/anti-glare, although they are really "pretty". They are a purple/pinkish marbled color that picks up both black and browns which is what I wear a lot.

I'm not sure glasses are for me, or if this is in fact my "prescription", but if it is, I'm hoping I'll get adjusted quickly! I only wanted to wear them at night/driving, but was told to wear them all the time at least for the first two weeks...

So, all you goggle geeks... another one has joined your club! :$

Good Vibrations...

During our visit to WA, my Aunt Terry and I had plans to see the Beach Boys 50th Reunion Tour Concert that was held at the St. Chateau Michelle winery near Seattle.

First off, when I was a little girl, my Aunt and Uncle got me hooked on oldies, and specifically the Beach Boys. I have been just as big of a fan of them, as the kids growing up when they debuted! I could sing you more oldies and 50-60's music then all the music out while I was growing up and now. I guess I always thought I would be a better doo-wopper than a country singer lol!

During the Grammy's this year, the Beach Boys were guest's and did a melody of their best songs, after they were done, they announced they were reuniting and doing a 50 year reunion. That very night, Aunt Terry and I decided that wherever they were, we'd find a place to see them... it just so happened to be at the tail end of my visit home, and in Seattle so the timing and location worked perfectly.

Being that it was at a winery, I fully expected me to be loopy since that's typically what one glass will do to me, ahem... I wont say that during the show I polished off an entire bottle by myself... lol
There was a group of girls that had Aunt Terry and I laughing the entire show... They were having the time of their life, and we really wanted to join them. Of course, I'm sure wine had a big part of that...
There was one low point of the show. During intermission, I decided to pull my usual Shylah, and see if I could get on stage with the Boys... we walked up to the stage and yelled to whoever would listen, which just so happened to be Mike Love, (s0 I at least talked to an original!!). He told me to come back and talk to Bryan, and that he'd probably let me sing Barbara Ann, which of course he didn't come back until the show restarted...
So we resumed our fun, singing and drinking away... when all of a sudden, I see this other girl with green on, blond hair and in her twenties, up on stage singing (not singing at all rather, being an idiot) during Barbara Ann... I'm sure they were looking for the "cute blond wearing a green top and shorts..." Haha...

For four hours, my Aunt and I danced away singing all of our favorite songs. I had such a great time, and some very much needed Aunt/Niece time!!! During the show, I got emotional a few times, my Uncle loved the Beach Boys, and so I was thinking about him a lot. I am sure he would have been proud of me doing justice to all of our car rides with the window's rolled down and singing along to his "tapes"!
Best concert in a long time... and even though it's been three weeks, I can't get the songs out of my head, and would argue with anyone on how amazing they sounded!! Before we left, my Aunt and I were thanked for being so fun to watch, and one guy even said we were the best entertainment of the show!! :)
Thanks Aunt Terry for a fun night out, even if I did hate our date the next morning!!

Washington Times 2012...

Please forgive me as I am trying to write this post during and after our trip...

At the beginning of the month, the boys and I visited "home" for a few weeks. We originally planned a trip around my 10 year HS reunion, but most of the planned events have been cancelled due to lack of ticket sales. Pretty lame with a graduating class of 450+ that only 3 tickets were sold.

The boys and I had an awful time just getting to WA. We flew out of Nashville, and after our plane was delayed twice, we were told to make other arrangements because if we missed our connection in MN, that we wouldn't arrive in Pasco until three days later... A lot of fun THAT was with two kids flying solo. Thankfully our pilot flew like I drove, and got us there with literally minutes to spare. Had it not been for Jax screaming the gate number and running far ahead of Liam and I, we would have definitely missed our plane. We finally arrived in Tri-Cities around 11:30 pm, which was so hard on the boys and me being three hours behind.

After about two days, we were somewhat on Pacific time, which is probably the fastest we've all adjusted. I do think the more we travel the more the boys just put up with their schedules being whack! The boys adjusted really well and had a blast rediscovering Gramma's house, cats, toys and testing the limits of what they could get away with. They spent a lot of time outside which was really nice, and had so much fun with Gramma! Mom only had to work a few days while we were there, so it was good to get a lot of visiting in with her and the boys. We spent most days at the house, just playing outside, swimming, helping Gramma do chores and bringing lots of smiles! I think we must have gone through three or four boxes of Popsicles!! During the time we were there, I FINALLY got Jax to go under water by himself, Liam successfully learned to go up and down the stairs to the slide, and also mimicked big brother and learned how to hold his nose and go under water. It's amazing how fast they learn things when they have an older sibling around. Jax loved mowing the lawn with Gramma, and following Cinder Loo around every time she braved the noise to come out!!

During our visits to WA, the first thing I usually do after getting the boys and myself comfortable, is to swing in to visit with Grandpa!! Now typically I can show up unannounced and he's always up and ready for visit. NOT the case this time! I was quite surprised to walk into Gramps house the morning after we flew in, and not find him sitting in his chair. After checking the yard, kitchen and a cautious walk to the bathroom, I finally came across him curled up in a ball STILL asleep! Needless to say I was shocked. After giving him the surprise of a lifetime "the cute blonde waking him up" as he said... haha, I ran a few errands with the promise to come back once he was up and ready!! So glad that we were able to have so many dates and visits in the first week we were there. I always look forward to seeing my Gpa, and listening to the stories I love so much. On our date night, I learned all of his near death experiences as a boy and growing up... Grandpa, it's a wonder how you lived past 30!!!

We also got in a lot of visiting with the my brother brain, sister in law, and my sweet, beautiful niece! As much as I love living in TN, and traveling with Dean, it pains me to be so far away from family, with the visits getting fewer and farther in between based on the price of tickets for our family, but it really hurts having the boys only close cousin (age wise) being so far away. I feel like I am hurting the potential relationship they may have, but hope when all are a little older, to at least live a more reasonable distance away.

Kenley has gotten so big, or rather Liam hasn't gotten much bigger lol. Her and Liam are just about the same height and size, and according to the family, she is up and walking around now!!! The looks she was giving Liam trying to figure out "how he was doing it on his own" were priceless! :)

I also got to see my brother coach a few baseball games!! It was really neat to see him in the coaches role after so many years of being a player!!! He let Jax come in and sit with him and the players in the dugout, spoiled him with gum, and so it was just a cool thing to finally get to see!

Of course we visited with family friends as well. Jax and Liam got to be the first swimmers in Carolyn and John's pool, and more than spoiled like every visit to see them with snacks, and juice and lots of love! We also had several much needed playdates with some of my friends and their kids! Jax loves playdates, and I love getting to catch up with other mom's on how they do things, and overall how they are doing! I wish a lot of them lived closer so we could do it all the time!

The boys and I got to experience (their) first 4th of July on the Columbia River. Before we had flown out, mom had done some holiday planning and figured out a fun filled day for the boys and us. We started off early at the Pasco Memorial Park with an all you can eat Pancake Breakfast, then followed that up with a less than fun parade. Mom told me to keep my opinions to myself so I wouldn't ruin it for the boys, but it was pretty much a failed attempt at anything patriotic like the parades used to be. I'm sorry, but other than getting to see clasic cars that I missed at Cool Dessert Nights, I can pretty much sum that parade up with two hours of mine, Jaxon's, Liam's and mom's life we'll never get back. That evening we planned on going out to the Pasco side of the river to enjoy the fireworks. Of course leaving behind schedule, which is my usual, we just barely got down he dike in time for the show. To me, there is no place better than watching fireworks on the river, so I was happy to be able to make some memories with my boys. Being that the show started at 10pm, and we had only been in WA for three days, Liam was out the entire time, and Jax had his eyes open just long enough to watch the fireworks before he too was out! We had great seats that were offered up by a sweet family, and other than the run to make it in time, it was perfect!!

The weather was hotter than I was prepared for. I thought I was going to be getting a break from the brutal summer days started in the south. The first few days were great! I think I even had goosebumps a few times, however after the first weekend, it got HOT! It was up in the 100's with just as much humidity if not MORE than what we have in TN! It's funny to hear Grandpa talk about the Tri-Cities weather now a days, and just how much it has changed since the 50's! Definitely not the same Tri-Cities I grew up in!!

The first weekend that we were there, Dean flew in as we got ready for my HS Reunion. I had no idea what to expect, since the only other reunion I've ever been to was Dean's with a whopping twenty-something of a graduating class, and previous to that, I had attended one with my Aunt and Uncle and only went to be the entertainment!! It was a lot of fun though, and a better turnout than I anticipated. I got to catch up with several girls that had moved away prior to graduation, and some that I really never talked with in school, so it was good just to see how everyone was doing, ooh and ahh over each others kids, and just have fun. Needless to say a reunion at a bar with drink specials, haha... it's been TOO long since I had a few mixed drinks, and I'm pretty sure Dean got a good laugh at my lack of tolerance these days!!

I also decided to get my "last" tattoo while we were there, and have got to brag, that it was my easiest, and fastest tattoo yet!!! I have been wanting to get something meaningful to being a mother since Jax was born, and only more so after Liam was born. So after almost a year and a half of thinking about it, finally got it done. I kept with the Chinese Kanji symbols that my other tattoos are in, and had the symbol for "Mother and Son" done! It's definitely my most special one now!

All in all, it was a great visit. It was much shorter than I would have liked, but my next visit will be a longer visit where we can see all those we seem to always miss.

Flying back home was just as "fun" as flying in... After flying out of Pasco and into Minneapolis, we once again were delayed. This time, it was delay after delay, then we finally boarded, only to sit on a hot airplane for two hours before they decided we weren't flying out just yet. Thankfully, one of the flight attendants gave the boys a break from sitting still and quiet, and brought them up to the cockpit where the captain showed Jax everything there is to flying. That was so much fun for Jax, and this woman really saved a lot of us from a lot of screaming! After another 30 minutes, we de-boarded the plane and after another round of delays, food vouchers, tears and tantrums, we were finally allowed to re-board and were on our way. That only meant a whole lot longer day for me, as we had originally planned to land around 4pm, then drive home and be in our beds by "bedtime". We finally landed in Nashville around 6:45, and after getting our damaged luggage, food and coffee, then the tedious drive home, we were all safe and sound and in bed by 2am!!!

Very glad to be home of course and the puppies are glad that we are home too! Now to enjoy the rest of our time in our spacious home with all of our belongings before our next to trip back to MI!!! :)