Questions page

Hey guys!  Just wanted to let you know that I changed my "Contact Me" page to "Your Questions."  That way I can try to post the answers to your questions one by one as they come to me on that page so I don't have to wait so long to answer them.  So if you ever have a question for me, just shoot me an e-mail and I will try my best to keep up with them.  Thanks again.

OH... and we went to the ZOO today!!!!  Post and pictures to come... going to try and rest with Tripp from the long day :) I will try and post them tonight or tomorrow.  But don't get too excited, it's just the back of his head with some animals in the background. Ha.

Jonah's surgery was a success and he has his brand new feeding tube!  Yay Jonah!! Bring on the calories :) Thanks to everyone for all of the prayers.  Check out Patrice's updates here.

Love,

Sound the sirens...

Peek-a...

...boo!

Guess what I got to do?

Since you know mom loves a good deal, she couldn't pass up 31 cent ice cream scoops at Baskin Robbins. And it just so happened that the proceeds were benefitting a group of my favorite guys. The local firefighters. {Note reflection in window.}

It was my dream come true.

I didn't even eat the ice cream because I was so excited to check out the big truck.

Being a little boy is so fun. And so is being the mom of a little boy :)

Answering Your Questions.

First of all, I would like to say Thank You to everyone who sent a question.  It really means a lot that you care enough to take the time to "ask" about Tripp and our family.  I didn't mention any of your names because I know some people don't like that.  But thanks so much... and here it goes...

1.  Could you give a brief background on like...where you grew up, how you met your hubby, how long you've been married, etc?


I grew up in the small town of Ponchatoula, LA.  I lived there my whole life until I was married.  I LOVE Ponchatoula and hope to maybe be back there one day.  I was raised Catholic.  I have probably the greatest family ever (well I think so).  We are extremely close- from my immediate family, to 2nd and 3rd cousins.  I love it... I LOVE a big family.  I attended Ponchatoula High school and was a cheerleader for all 4 years.  I miss that so much!  Talk about the best times of your life... if I only would have realized that then:)  I then went to Southeastern LA University.  I started a job at the local Mexican restaurant as a hostess... and that is where I met my hubby.  He and his friends came in one day while I was working and when he left, he gave me a note that he had written on a napkin.  It went something like..."I think you are really beautiful and I am really shy (YEAH RIGHT) and I would love to get to know you... call me (and his number)"  So I called, and we have been together since (with a few break-ups here and there... you know how college goes. Ha).  We dated for about 2+ years and then were engaged for about 8 months before we married.  We married in August of 2008 and I found out I was 8 weeks pregnant in October.  Honeymoon baby?  I think SO!  But I wouldn't trade Tripp for the world.  In August Randy and I will make 2 years... it's been ROUGH and everyday is a new struggle.  But we are making it.  We hope every day is making us stronger.  


2.  My daughter is 1 week older then Tripp, and I know some of her dirty diapers are so bad I have to just take her and hose her off in the tub, how do you clean Tripp when you have dirty "Sticky" diapers without harming his skin?


Ugh, this is a tough one.  There is NO easy way to clean his dirty diapers.  Right now, his little bottom is SO raw.  He's not getting new blisters, but the sores that are already there are deep and raw and don't heal.  He is in so much pain when I clean his bottom. He uses cloth diapers and I load them down with aquaphor and desitin, so I think that helps loosen the poop off of his bottom... but I use very soft 3x3 gauze and squirt some water on them (I can't use wipes because they burn.. alcohol-free or not, they have all that other stuff in them).  I can "wipe" off the first layer of poop, then after that I "dab" and "pat" until it's all off.  Honestly, I just HAVE to wipe some to get it off... there is NO way I could just hose him off without changing all of his dressings.  Right now, we are already having to change some of his leg dressings with every single diaper change because they get urine/stool on them.  SO, I use a lot of water... and it takes a LOT longer to get all of it off.  


3.  I have a question for you. I don't know a lot about EB, but I do know that trauma or pressure to the skin can make it slough off. So, my question is this: how MUCH pressure? If you were to hold his hand (like crossing the street) when he's older would that damage him? If you were to hug him tightly? Catching him at the bottom of the slide? Going down the slide even? How about walking? Would that hurt the bottom of his feet? Or peddles on a bike? 


Before I answer this one, I just want you to know that EVERY single "EB baby" is different.  But I will tell you about TRIPP.  As far as his hands and feet, the only parts that have blisters are his nail beds.  His actual hands and feet are clear.  SO we are hoping that with time, this will still be the case.  Hopefully, walking or holding hands won't bother Tripp... but this isn't the case with all EB kids.  As far as other parts of his skin, yes.  All of those things... hugging too tight, the slide, would hurt his skin.  BUT that is what the wrapping is for.  Don't get me wrong.... sometimes EVEN with all the wrapping, he still gets blisters and I'm sure he always will.  But I wrap every single part of his body from his neck to his ankles.  I use something called Mepilex Transfer (it's a thin, foamy, safe-tac dressing).  I first put a thick layer of Aquaphor, Polysporin, and Baby Ecezma Cream on his skin, then a couple layers of Transfer, then I wrap in in 2 layers of soft roll gauze, and then pull the stockinette over it all.  And so far, this has worked out great for him.  He does not get new blisters very often.  We are holding him like a normal baby (most of the time) and hugging him.  As far as the slide and bike, it will all be a learning experience for us, too. We just take one day at a time and protect his skin as much as we can.  And if he gets new blisters from something that we've tried... we won't do it again.  It stinks, I know.  


4.  I was wondering if you planned to have any other children down the road, and if so, what were the odds of them also having EB? 


I DEFINITELY want more children.  I have always been a baby-loving person and always said that I wanted at least 4 kids- and Randy said the same.  Now, of course maybe that won't happen.  But we definitely want more kids.  Our odds of having another EB child is 25% (1 in 4).  SO, we will NOT be having any other children by just "trying."  When we decide that we want to have other children, our only option will be PGD (Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis) and IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization).  Pretty much meaning that they will test the fertilized eggs for EB before they implant them.  I would NEVER want another child to have to experience this terrible, horrible disease. 


5.  I remember a while back when you guys were thinking of taking out all of his teeth because he was just causing too much damage with them. but in recent pictures he definitely still has all of them. So I was wondering why you decided against it? 


I am SO glad we decided not to take out his teeth... they are so precious and I love seeing them!  I changed my mind about taking them out the day before the surgery was scheduled.  I don't know why, I just had a bad feeling about it.  He had been (and still is) on steroids, so it keeps the swelling down from the sores in his mouth.  His mouth actually looks the best it's ever been.  He has about 18 teeth right now and still cutting the rest of his molars.  They do still make sores, but like I said, the steroids help with the swelling and the Ibuprofen helps with the teething pain (I hope).


6.  Are you and Tripp sleeping any better or is it still pretty interrupted all night long? 


The nights have been MUCH better, Thank GOD.  At one point I was actually getting up every 15 minutes.  Ever since he started having problems with his eyes, I moved his crib right next to my bed and took the side rail off so he is right next to me.  This has helped tremendously since I don't actually have to get up out of bed to suction.  His suctioning has gotten a lot better.  A good night probably consists of suctioning about 4-5 times... a bad night, a little more often.  But overall, he is sleeping very well other than if he is feeling bad (his eyes, or something else).  He doesn't have any type of bedtime, though.  We kind of just go to bed whenever.  I guess that's because I can't work and we don't have to be up at a certain time.  But overall, I feel much more rested.


7.  When Tripp got his trach, you said that one of the worst parts is that you couldn't hear him cry anymore. As much as parents complain about their babies crying, we all know those cries are sweet. So, I'm wondering if you got that little filter (? I don't really know what it's called) thing yet, so that you can hear his sounds??


It's called a Paci-Mur speaking valve.  And I have one, he just isn't able to use it yet.  The valve works by placing it over the trach and it will let him breathe IN but not OUT.  He has to breathe OUT through his mouth.  Either he can't understand the concept yet, or his airway is still too swollen for him to push air through.  When we think it's time and he's old enough, we will get speech therapy in and try to work on it, but right now when I try it, he has a LOT of trouble.  I think that is the worst part about the trach.  Like you said, most parents complain about their baby crying, but I have no idea what Tripp's cry even sounds like (even before the trach, it was very very hoarse) and I can't hear him ramble and laugh and scream.  It's really hard and I try not to think about it, but sometimes it just really gets to me.  I want so bad to hear him laugh and say "Ma Ma" and "Da Da" and I cannot WAIT until the day that he can. 


8.  I'm curious (based on one of the things that my 18 month old loves the most about his day) is Tripp ever able to be nakkey or do you go one dressing to another? My son loves the minutes leading up to a bath and dancing around the bathroom, is this an option for Tripp (not necessarily the dancing part, the nakkey part).


Naked = Trouble.  The only time Tripp is naked is when we take him from the tub and lay him on the table.  We try and let him lay there naked for a few minutes (because he LOVES it) but he is so active that it can cause too much damage to his skin.  And we definitely can NOT pick him up naked.  We scoop him onto the towel after bath with one hand under his head and one under the upper part of his bottom (above the sores).  Other than that, there is NO picking him up naked.... Big Big trouble.  Now, hopefully when he starts walking this can change (as long as his feet don't blister) maybe he will be able to just take a few laps around the house without bumping into anything to "air out."  I hope so!


9. You have mentioned maybe getting tripps teeth pulled out. Why?


As soon as Tripp started getting teeth, they started causing problems.  The teeth rub against his gums, inner lips, and tongue and cause horrible blisters.  Before we started him on steroids, he was in so much pain and the blisters were so big that he looked like he had 4 lips.  The steroids made everything look so much better, so we decided to change our minds.


10. Is the contact a permanent thing? Or are you just waiting on his eyes to heal?

Right now he has a contact in both eyes to heal the abrasions.  The doctors said they plan on changing the contacts out every 2 weeks, but checking first if the eyes are healed.  If they are healed, we will talk about leaving them out.  Personally, after watching the traumatizing way that they have to get them in, I wish there were contacts you could leave in forever and not have to worry about infection.  We go back to the doctor on May 4 to change them out or try to leave them out and see what happens.  Cross your fingers :)

11. I often see pictures of him taking a bath but he still has his bandages on, do they ever come all off??


Before we put him in the tub, we take off just about all of his dressings except his leg ones (this gives me a little more padding to pick him up and put him into the tub).  In the tub, all of the bandages come off.  Sometimes he will have a good bath with no fussing and other times, it is horrible and he is in so much pain. I am not sure why.  I use salt in the water to help with the sting (it makes a "saline" mix like your bodily fluids) and I also add some Baby Ecezma wash, which I find is also soothing.  We take him out of the tub very carefully and he gets to stay naked for just a few minutes before we bandage him back up!


Well, I think that was it.  Please feel free to e-mail me any more questions you have and I try and do a post and answer them when I get enough!  Thanks again for your concern!  The more education and the more awareness spread about EB, the BETTER!

Love, 

Prayers for Jonah

Hey guys... as you know already (if you read Patrice's blog)  Jonah is due to have his feeding tube placed tomorrow.  Please join me in saying LOTS of extra prayers.... for Jonah, Matt and Patrice, the doctors, the nurses, the anesthesiologists, and anyone having to do with the surgery.  I know from lots of experience how hard it is to trust your baby with EB in the hands of anyone else.  It is terrifying.  Please pray that Matt and Patrice have the courage and the strength to get through this and be strong for Jonah.  We already know that Jonah is a tough little cookie and he will pull through anything.  I pray that everything goes EXTRA well and that Jonah and his Mommy and Daddy will get to have TONS of snuggle time instead of struggling to feed him.  I know Tripp's g-tube was a blessing... and I'm hoping that is the same case for Jonah.  WE LOVE YOU BUDDY!!  Be strong, you will be GREAT!
And we love you too, Patrice and Matt!  And will be thinking of you ALL day tomorrow!  Check out Patrice's blog and read the paper she wrote up for the doctors with the help of all the EB Mommies who have been in and out of the Operating Room.  It's awesome... I think EVERY hospital should have this list!!

Love,                   

On/Off

Over the weekend, on Sunday precisely, a switch was flipped. That switch was labeled Terrible Twos, and for the longest time I was pretty sure that flip would never switch to the "on" position for my sweet little boy. I thought he'd always be well-mannered and laid-back, the easy-going-est of the bunch.

That's what I get for thinking.

Little did I know that once that switch flipped, I would be exchanging compliance for a tyrannical slew of No! No! No! followed by physical defiance of the kicking, hitting, back-arching kind. He also decided that he would only eat when he wanted to, and would serenade us with Get Down now! Get down now! Hold you! set to the tune of whining during dinner. Dinnertime is henceforth extremely pleasant. {Sidenote: he does say our nightly dinner prayer now which slightly compensates for being downright un-cute as he kicks himself away from the dinner table.}

I've always heard "pick your battles" from every parenting guru I've ever looked up to (hi, mom!), and unfortunately battling out your two-year-old when it comes to right and wrong is one of the small wars you have to wage as a parent. I, personally, see this as a foundational stage, wherein Becks will learn the ground rules for acceptable behavior and where we set standards and expectations we expect him to abide by. However, this is also the age where children want to assert their independence and take ownership for the few things in life that they can.

Choosing applesauce over pears or wanting to wear rainboots to church? No big deal. But kicking your mommy when she's changing your diaper just ain't happening, and Becks has found himself in his crib paci-less and G-less for the duration of 1-2 minutes at a time. He doesn't enjoy it. We talk about it when I'm carrying him back downstairs, and how it's not nice to kick mommy because it hurts (and also makes diaper changing seem more like pig wrasslin' than anything else). I also tell him to say sorry and I tell him that I love him :)

Is this the best way? I haven't a clue. But I do want him to know that there are repercussions for being disobedient. It's kind of cute to hear him repeat good listener too.

What are your parenting strategies for getting through the terrible twos? Or have you been blessed with a terrific two-year-old instead?

A New Season Begins

My Thoughts on The Hills...

• Love the suspense surrounding Heidi's big reveal by not showing her face in her opening scene. Like we all haven't googled it and seen it in People by now. Srsly.
• I do want to look like Barbie. She's going to turn into the Cat Lady if she's not careful.
• Good for Heidi's mom for being honest. I would be. I thought Heidi was pretty before.
• Heidi, elective pain is the key here. You chose this pain. You paid for this pain. And you will continue paying for it as people comment on your very public life. I don't believe you got DD boobs just for your own benefit or for that creepy husband of your's.
• KCav looked a little rough the morning after the Super Bowl.
• Awkward turtle was totally swimming at Heidi's family dinner.
• I honestly think Heidi has regrets about what she's done to herself. That's what all the tears are about. If she felt as confident about her new look as she says she does, I don't think she'd feel like she had to defend her actions to anyone.
• Is the bra-showing look the latest trend? {Noted it in The City too...} Mine are certainly not trend-worthy...

My Thoughts on The City...

• I just can't tell you how much I love Kelly Cutrone.
• And she cried! In the show! Kelly Cutrone cried. And now I love her even more.
• Whit's show was great.
• I will miss the drama between Erin and Olivia.
• But the newly forming drama betwen Olivia and Whitney, now that I look forward to!

I loved scripted reality TV. It's my weakness.

A Full Plate

My word, I am a blog slacker. I have been so stinkin' busy lately though.

Here's the gist of the past few days...

Friday: We find out B's car is not totalled, much to my dismay. $3800 worth of damage. Oy. It should be ready for pick-up in a couple of weeks. Until then, he is driving a new Chevy HHR, which is the modern day equivalent of a Bonnie-n-Clyde mobile and looks a lot like a PT Cruiser. If you drive one personally, you are a rockstar, but seeing my husband in one is rather hilarious. I just tell him to imagine that he's Michael (from The Office).

Also, filled out two different FAFSA forms for grad school. Which starts in 14 days. Gulp.

Saturday: I had been secretly planning a surprise engagement party for my BFF, Allison, who got engaged right before Christmas. I am the Matron of Honor in her wedding in October. Since she reads this blog, I obviously couldn't talk about it nor give away any details of our weekend leading up to Saturday night. We all met at a restaraunt in Lex (she thought she was going out to eat with her fiance's boss), and seriously surprised the heck out of her. It. Was. Awesome. Probably one of the best surprised reactions I have ever seen. Of course, we both were crying. It was wonderful time for all. {And for those interested, I wore the skinny jeans.} I would love to post a picture of me with my wonderfully funny husband, but he is doing something inappropriate in every picture I took with him (unbeknownst to me at the time). So typical.

Sunday: Breakfast with the fam bright and early, church, lesson planning, and an extremely disappointing Red Wings game. Cross your fingers and toes for a win tonight.

Monday: School, state-testing meeting after school, dinner with my boys, and new carseat shopping. {FYI: If you're in a car accident and there is a carseat in the car, your insurance company will likely want you to replace it. Even if a child wasn't in seat (he wasn't), and it appears to be damage-free. Internet research tells me there can be hairline fractures/cracks in the carseat base which could compromise its safety.} We, again, purchased a Britax Roundabout (that they now make in Cowmooflage - yay!), but this one will go up until Beck is 50 lbs to accommodate a recent change in laws governing carseats. I forgot how much fun it is to adjust carseat straps and install a seat into the car with the latch/tether system. Like 45 minutes worth of knuckle-bleeding fun.

I also registered for classes, and will be taking NINE hours this summer and another SIX this fall. I will be halfway done with this program (and another $7000 in debt - yippee!) by December. I will eventually have an Masters of Education with a concentration in school leadership. My lofty goal be a principal someday. Someday = 20 years.

Today: School, picked up Beck from his Nana's and presented him with a hand-me-down kitchen from someone I work with. He LOVES it. So much that I couldn't get him to eat lunch. Little does he know there is a whole box of food that goes with the kitchen that I'm waiting to give him when he wakes up!


Also called university to talk student loans. Always a fun conversation.

There are a mere 27 days left in this school year and it is going to take every ounce of my being to get through them. Did I mention that I'm getting a sub for FOUR DAYS next week so that I can assist with testing? Oh, yeah, that too. Writing lesson plans never ranks high on my list, so writing lesson plans for a sub is pretty much torture.

Lastly, I am so excited about The Hills and The City tonight I can hardly wait for tomorrow so that I can watch them online! I need a little Speidi in my life.

And we get to start #ATFT again next month too - and Ali will be The Bachelorette!

Happy Tuesday!

New blog, Mall trip, and Pics

So, do you LOVE my new blog?  I DO!  The nicest and most patient lady ever helped make it so cute!! Thank you, Jenifer, from the bottom of my heart.  You are so great and now I have a blog that fits me :)

Yesterday my mom, Tripp and I took a ride to the mall.  This was Tripp's first trip to the mall and he was so so good.  He just LOVED seeing so much going on.  And if we had a dollar for everyone who passed and thought we couldn't hear them anymore when they said, "Oh, did you see that baby??" then we would be filthy rich. Haha.  I don't mind, really... it just makes you think about how when he gets older and everyone is staring and pointing at him.  Right now he has no idea.  But I know I have to take one day at a time.  I hope that he will realize how very special he is instead of thinking "something's wrong with him."  I hope he will know that he is God's special angel on earth.  On the other hand, we met some really great people yesterday.  There was one lady that stopped us in the mall and said, "I know this baby!"  It ended up that she was the sister of someone that we know and she reads the blog.  It was really really nice to meet someone who follows the blog whom I've never met.  She was so very nice and hugged us and told me that she thought I was wonderful.  That's a feeling that I can't explain.  And it definitely made me tear up.  We also met some other women who were so so nice and so interested in "what was wrong."  I handed out his little cards a few times.  Those cards work out so nice.  

I just wish I could hand them to everyone we pass that stares... I don't mind the staring because I understand... but I just want everyone to KNOW what's wrong instead of assuming things.  

On a funnier note... there was one woman who stopped us in a complete panic.  She scared the "you know what" out of me.  

Woman: "Oh my God, did SHE throw up.. Look at HER honey, SHE threw up everywhere." 

I stopped strolling and looked at HIM.

Me: "No, HE'S fine, thanks." 

Woman: "Oh, ok.. it just looked like SHE threw up everywhere.  Poor baby."  

I think she saw his arm bandages and thought it was throw up... but O my Goodness!  Why does everyone think he looks like a girl!  Haha!  I just don't see it!  O well, I guess that means he's just beautiful.  

This is what he looked like yesterday... Check out the "car seat cover" that we used for a stroller cover!  It worked out GREAT.  We always have to cover the stroller in blankets to add padding, but now we can put this cover over it and it adds extra padding and cuteness, too :)  Did you check out Rachel's store where the cover came from yet?  If not, please do!  I had the wrong address in last time.  

Here's the site: www.michaelmooodesign.etsy.com 

.  

Ok, right... the DOG!  haha... there was a man in the mall with his dog in a doggie stroller!!  They were in the shoe store and as soon as we walked in, Tripp was infatuated with the dog.  The guy was so interested in Tripp and was like, "Could you please take a picture with the baby and my dog... He just loves childrens."  I could not stop laughing.  It was hilarious!!

This could be my favorite picture of all time. 

Papa's hat.

Tripp watching the trucks pave our new road!  

This was when his eye was bothering him so we couldn't go outside... He was dying. 

My whole fam was here hanging out outside yesterday... 

and that doesn't happen often.  

So I set the timer and got a pic of all of us

 (except Randy, but he's not big on pictures anyway. ha)

Love, 

Owen, cart cover, and videos.

Last night we drove to Houma for baby Owen's wake services.  My sister stayed outside with Tripp while my mom and I went in.  This was the first time I had been to a wake for a baby and I was scared at what it would do to me (especially a baby with JEB). But I knew I had to be there for Katie and Allen. And to my surprise, it was okay. Of course it was sad and we cried, but there was also an "at peace" feeling about it.  Katie and Allen amazed me at their strength.   But like they said (and like I know ALL of us EB parents feel) they knew their baby was no longer in pain and that he was in a safe place.   Just like Leah, and all the other EB angels in heaven.   Meg, Leah's Mommy, wrote a beautiful post about this. Read it here.

We were BLESSED to have gotten to meet Owen, Katie and Allen. They are such kind, caring, and wonderful people. God puts certain people into your lives for a reason... and I feel like God did just that with this family... Because just as we had taught them "EB" things and how to bandage, etc, etc... They have shown us how lucky we are to have gotten to spend 11 months and counting with our son. You know, you always try and think of the good.. but it's hard when you have a sick child who is in pain all of the time. But God brought this family to us so that we would be grateful. I hope to God that we will remain in touch with this couple and I pray that with time they can come to peace with the whole situation. I can imagine you ever understand why God takes a child away from you... that has got to be the hardest thing to comprehend. All I can do is pray for them and be a support system for them. I just wish I could do more. Even though you've come to peace with things and you know your baby is pain-free, there still has to be the feeling of unending sadness. My heart breaks for them. I think about them all day long. Join me in praying for this couple and for their families. Thanks :)


Yesterday I received the nicest gift. A very kind lady named Beth sent me the sweetest email about a week ago after reading my blog. She said that she reads my blog and she saw Tripp's picture in the cart at WalMart. She said she was so glad to see Tripp out and about and she wanted to send me a shopping cart cover to make our trips out a little easier and more comfortable for us. I was touched.
Beth ordered the shopping cart cover for Tripp from another very kind lady named Rachel. Rachel has a store online with all kinds of precious items. She said she would be happy to make the cover and she also included extra batting at no additional charge to make it more comfortable for him. The cover is BEAUTIFUL. We didn't go shopping yet, but we did go to Olive Garden last night after the wake and got to use it in the high chair. It worked out great and all the extra padding made it extra comfy for him and even gave him a little play area in front to set his toys. See?

Sorry about the poor quality pic!  It was from my phone and it was dark in the restaurant!  I promise there will be more pics to come when we get out shopping!! 

Please visit Rachel's store and check out her shopping cart covers, along with all of her other baby products.  www.michaelmooodesign.etsy.com  This cover is top notch. It is very thick fabric and excellent quality! I loooove it!! She also included a seat belt so we wouldn't have to use the yucky one on the cart! 
Thank you Beth and Thank you Rachel. A simple gesture goes a very long way!!

Tripp's eye looks a lot better today and he is actually feeling a lot better. Besides him being spoiled rotten he has had a pretty good day. As of now, our next doctor's appointments are May 4. I stacked them all on one day again, which I like! We see the ENT to check his ears/trach, the dietician (finally), and the eye doctor. So please continue to pray that his eye stays well and that we can have some "normal" days again. Whatever that means! ha.

Here are some videos from last week.

Love,

Siiiiiiiiiiigh.

{I'm going to complain. Be prepared. It's just been that kind of week. And while I'm fully aware of the MANY MANY MANY blessings in my life, it's nice to able to verbalize it all by blogging my stressors. Sorry in advance!}

It's always something...

I can't even begin to describe the reality in that statement.

I always feel like right when I cross one thing off my to-do list, another -usually larger- to-do is there to replace it. Car drama. House drama. Medical drama. School drama. Money drama. The list goes on and on.

Today, it's car drama.

B was in an accident this morning on the infamous cut-in-the-hill (a well known part of I-75 where we live). B is fine (praise GOD), but the car was not. The front is busted up, and the radiator was leaking everywhere. The car's been towed to the autobody shop, so we're waiting to hear the extent of the damage.

Lovely, right?

And could the timing be anymore impeccable? Without going into detail, I'll just tell you it's not. Not at all. It never is.

I am bummed. Majorly. And I wish I had the answers for why this happened right now. I feel bad for questioning God's timing, though I'm positive that this somehow fits into his master plan of making me a better budgeter and a better preparer for life's little bumps and bruises. Because, honestly, my budget was completely not ready for the $500 deductible that awaits us. And I'm sure God's plan is much more detailed than making me more budget-savvy, but that's the only thing I can come up with right now.

Again, we truly are blessed and are fortunate that the car was the only thing physically hurt in the accident.

Drive safe today and always!

Baby Owen receives his wings...

I just wanted to let you guys know that baby Owen (read about him here) received his wings a few days ago.  I do not know all the details, but I wanted to ask for special prayers for Owen's Mommy and Daddy as they are going through this unimaginable time.  We got to spend an afternoon with them to help them prepare for what was ahead, however God had other plans for baby Owen.  He and his Mommy and Daddy will forever be in our hearts.  They are truly very special people.  Owen is now pain-free flying around in heaven with his beautiful wings.
 We love you, Owen.

Tripp's eye and Meg's Online Avon Event

We made a trip back to the doctor yesterday.  He said that the contact looks like it's in place but they couldn't stain the eye to see if there was an abrasion because the contact was already in.  Both of his eyelids are still swollen and red and his eye is constantly watering those big crocodile tears.  I got kind of frustrated with the doctors because they started acting like I just want to take Tripp to the doctor for fun.  They kind of insinuated that "nothing was wrong" there was just a little inflammation.  But they don't have to take him home and watch how miserable he is.  Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they think it's just a little "inflammation" but I know my son inside and out.... I pray they are right and it's not infected.  Because it's sure looking in that direction.

So anyway, his eye is the same.  He now has contacts in both, but his right eyelids are swollen and red.  The doctor wants to change out the contacts every 2 weeks.  Poor Tripp.  UNLESS the eye is healed.  Then we will try him without them.  That would be nice.

I found out this morning that baby angel Leah's Mom, Meg, will be hosting an online event to raise funds for EB through her online Avon store.  She is going to donate all of her earnings for the next month or so in honor of Tripp for his big birthday celebration.  Here's the direct link to her post.  Please check out her website and visit her online store!  The proceeds will be donated to help find a cure for EB!  Thanks, Meg!!  You're the greatest!

Here are a few pics of this past week/weekend and then a few of him this morning with his bo-bo eye, still smiling like a precious angel!!

Pat-a-caking with Daddy

Fell asleep mid-bath. 

Beautiful toes...

Smiling sweet with that poor eye... 

Oh, and I did not forget about your questions... I want to make sure everyone gets a chance to think some up :)

Love, 

Beck Bakes: Pizza Edition

I think I'm going to have to make our cooking endeavors a weekly installment, as we are very much so into cooking together lately. Actually, it's impossible to bake without him dragging his chair up to the sink demanding - in his words - makin' somepin.' And how can I resist a request like that? I can't. Bottom line.

So, while he still thinks its cool to be in the kitchen with mom, I'm not going to discourage his efforts. I might have the future Naked Chef on my hands. I mean, the kid would totally cook without clothes if I let him, as going diaperless is all the rage in our house right now. Anyway, here's chef Becks at work...

Anticipating the sauce spreading.

Working his magic with spaghetti sauce, a perfect substitute when you don't have pizza sauce, per se, on hand.

Blowing on the sauce to cool it down. Very hygenic, I know.

Professional cheese sprinkler.

Also, a professional cheese eater. He gets it from his mama.

He could not grasp that the pepperonis were actually for putting on the pizza and not just for eating. I would imagine he snuck 4-5. Stinker.

Voila! Homemade, toddlerific pizza. Mmmmmm.

Your Questions.

So I've been wanting to do a blog answering any questions that you all may have.  I know there are some people that leave questions for me in the comments, but then I don't have an email or contact info to answer you back.  So... every now and then I will try and do a post to answer any questions you might have for me about Tripp or EB or whatever... as long as they are reasonable questions, of course :)  So anyway, either leave them in the comments or shoot me an e-mail... and if I get enough of them, I will do a post and answer them.  I just don't want anyone to think I'm ignoring their questions or suggestions.  Thanks :

Weekend Wedding Extravaganza!

This weekend was super busy. We left on Saturday for Lexington and brought Becks with us to Keeneland for the last Saturday races of the spring. He was totally into the horses but was a little overwhelmed by "lots of people," as he put it. And, of course, he had a hotdog - a must when you're at the track. We ran into Mama Suz and her sweetie pie, Jackson. Of course, we had to pose for the complimentary blog pic :)

Then we went to a wedding and Becks stayed with my sister at the ADPi House, no less. Do I not have some gorgeous sistas? And, yes, you might recognize the famous Dotor Bwomer and Rachie from Babywebbsite. (L to R: Dotor Bwomer, Mer Mer, Allison, me, Rach, and Katie) We are quite the crew when we get together, and only feel a smidge bad for the guys as they have to listen to us reminisce and retell the same stories for the 102nd time.

This is Laurann and Gonz, the bride and groom. They were stunning. It was like watching a real, live Barbie gliding down the aisle.

Wedding weekend didn't stop there. We made it home around midnight, and then it was off to Crestwood for a bridal in honor of Amy, one of my BFFs. (Allison and I are both in her wedding in June. And then Amy and I are both in Allison's wedding in October. Amy and Allison were both in my wedding *gasp* FOUR years ago! Crazy!) (L to R: Allison, cutie preggo, Lins, Amy, me)

It was a great weekend!

Another Contact...

So, Tripp woke up this morning with a corneal abrasion (so we think) in the eye that does NOT have the contact in.  I called to make an appointment and the doctors weren't in clinic today, but the nurse said she and the resident would attempt to put the contact in.  Ugh.  So my mom, my mother-in-law, and I loaded up the car and took him.  He was so miserable, poor darlin.  He was barely opening that eye and it was almost swollen shut and very red.  There are NO words in the English Dictionary to explain to you guys HOW traumatic that is for everyone... that is why we changed the other contact out while he was under anesthesia.  I wish we would have gone ahead and put a preventative one in the other eye, but you hate to mess with something that's not broken, ya know?

Anyway, so between a speculum, about 3 nurses, a resident, my mom and I holding down Tripp, and my mother-in-law trying to console me so I didn't absolutely LOSE it, and TWO attempts... we finally got the contact in.  It looked a little bit better almost immediately but then later on it started looking bad again.  He is sleeping now after his Tylenol with Codeine and his Atarax (like Benadryl).  So I am anxious to see if it really was an abrasion and if this contact will work as well as the one.  I'll let you know.  And then we went to Wal-Mart and bought him about 4 more toys because we all felt so bad that he had such a crappy day.  He doesn't have EVERY toy in the world yet, but he's getting verrrrry close. Seriously.

I think he got the abrasion being outside yesterday.  That's kind of when I noticed his eye starting to get red and then all of a sudden he wouldn't open it yesterday.  I loaded him up with drops and it looked better.  But then he had a HORRIBLE night and I was praying it wasn't his eye... and sure enough, when he got up this morning, he wouldn't open it.  He just cannot catch a break.  He seriously needs a glass room outside that is air conditioned so that he can be outside and enjoy it.  He LOVES it outside, but I can't really bring him a lot because of the heat and the wind and the pollen and etc etc etc.... it stinks.  I am NOT looking forward to sitting in the house all summer and I'm sure Tripp isn't either.

But, to top of the day, we get home and realize that our air condition unit is frozen up.  We run that sucker ALL day, every day... and we knew the day was coming we we would freeze it up.  But what else can we do?  If it's 65 in the house, Tripp is sweating.  I walk around in my fuzzy robe all day to stay warm.  We are in TROUBLE come summer.  With our house above the ground, the AC unit just can't keep up.  So we are going to let it rest for the rest of the evening and try it back on before we go to bed.  Hopefully it will be okay.

On a brighter note, I have had a very special friend named Jenifer (that I've never met!!) that has been working on re-doing my blog for me.  I am SUPER excited.  I have been wanting to change it up for a while and she offered to help me.  SO sweet, right??  Well, I'm not sure when it will be finished, but I am really looking forward to sharing it with you guys!

So please shoot a few extra prayers Tripp's way (again!)  Like I said, the poor angel can't catch a break.  And it is KILLING me to watch him in pain.  I think that is the hardest part to explain to people that don't get to see the pain that this poor child endures... from a piece of gauze getting stuck on a sore to his whole eye sloughing off... it's really really hard to watch.  But I also witness a MIRACLE every time this child smiles.  I really don't know how he is such a good baby.  And I really can't explain to you HOW good of a baby he really is.  I am SO blessed to have him.  And so so thankful he is mine.

Love, 

Listy loo hoo

1. I made a completely spectacular list of things I wanted to accomplish during spring break, and made it through almost the entire thing. I have no desire to complete the last three things, though, one of them being lesson plans. Our spring break was so late this year that I think I am already in summer mode. Seven more Mondays...


2. So, it's a tie right now as to if I should keep the jeans - Jillian wants to buy them and Gina suggested a bloggy auction. Hmmmmmm. Not really helping my cause ;)


3. Big plans this weekend involving horses and weddings. Two cute dresses to wear!


4. I think I just woke Beck up using the blender to make a frozen coffee. Arrrrgh. Desperately needed a caffeine fix though. Out of Diet Coke. (ETA: must've fallen back asleep! yay!)


5. Went to a yardsale this morning. Seller gave me a BCBG dress FOR FREE. {I nannied their kiddos *gasp* TEN years ago!} Um, so lovin' me a deal.


6. Thank you for the nice comments on the room redesign. It should be noted that my fabulous husband picked out the chairs, which pretty much dictated the color scheme for the room. You can buy them at Pier One, if you're interested. Our's were clearanced, so check soon!


7. Can I just tell you that my days were made this week when The Nester commented on one of my blog posts and The Youngsters responded to an email I sent them? They're kind of a big deal, and I'm kind of an even bigger nerd ;)
   
8. If I show you a yellow rug, do you promise not to go and buy it before I can? I just don't want it to sell out like every other rug I've liked so far. Promise? Okay. Here it is:
   

Isn't it totally perfect for the living room? (And don't go and tell me it'll show dirt and not be kid-friendly and I won't be able to do art projects on it like I can with the current one. I vow to vacuum religiously and never let Beckham squish cracker crumbs into it. Kidding. The cracker crumbs are unavoidable.)

9. Why is convenience food so expensive? I do not feel like cooking dinner tonight and a pizza just sounds so easy and delicious. But $15 for deliver plus tip sounds absolutely absurd. Might be making a homemade one instead.

10. Yay for new Wildcat additions! And with a killer combo of names, Brandon Knight is just destined for greatness (IRL friends know why!). Already can't wait for basketball season - we'll have to take Becks to a game this year. Though, he'll be disappointed he can't cheer for any of the roster that we taught him to say this year!

Happy Weekend!

"Shoulders"

So I just found our that I was featured in a beautiful blog called "Shoulders."  I had never even heard of it until this morning.  What an awesome person to have come up with such a blog.  I was nominated by Jenifer, a special "friend" that I have yet to meet, but has been such a blessing to me.  Thank you, Jenifer.  Please check out what she wrote here.  And check out the rest of this beautiful blog as well.  I have the blog button on my sidebar. Thanks :)

You're invited...

I do not want to leave ANYONE out for Tripp's birthday party.  Everyone has been so supportive and so absolutely awesome... that I want anyone and everyone who would like to celebrate the biggest event of the year (to us =) ) to be able to come.  SO...

Please, if you WOULD like to join us in celebrating, please RSVP to courtneyhroth@gmail.com by the 1st of May!  I want to make sure everyone gets a hot dog! haha. 

I want to give a HUGE thank you to my Nanny, Linda, for helping me with the invitations by sewing the felt for me =) AND to the entire staff at my Uncle Larry's clinic for helping cut out Mickey ears!  It was such a big help!! 

I found the invitation online, but it was going to cost us a fortune!  So I decided to make them.  Hope you like!  Thank you to everyone for a year of nothing but love, support and a whole bunch of shoulders to lean on!  I wouldn't have made it through this without you!

Love,