Posting

So apparently I don't post enough. Some days I just feel like nothing else is really new so why really blog about it? Well, I guess I should give it more effort so here's a post just because ;)

I am training people at work. I know - what??? Aren't I still technically "in training"? Well, I'm flattered but have to admit, it takes a lot of patience when I'm trying to do my own job and explain it at the same time.

Kaitlyn is full of words and understands basically everything you say to her. Her favourite word right now is a tie: "ball" (she loves to play fetch with Daddy and I jokingly say we no longer need a dog), or "owy" (she's always got an "owy" somewhere on her body). She made me laugh the other day when Ryan went over to help Brad with the bathroom remodelling while Kaitlyn was down for her nap. We were getting ready to join them over at Becca and Brad's house for dinner - shoes on, jacket on, when Kaitlyn suddenly looked very worried and said "Uh oh - where's Daddy?" and went running from room to room, fearing we would leave him behind. I explained to her we were going to see Daddy and she was like "oh" and happily got in the van.

Anyways, off to eat some dinner and watch the Nucks. "no nana no" (in Kaitlyn's language this means "go Canucks go").

Kaitlyn has Bronchitis

I feel pretty bad for having missed this one. Kaitlyn has had, what I thought, a dry cough for about a week. Yesterday she threw up after her nap and I'm not sure if she coughed so hard she threw up, or if there are other things going on. She was also running quite the fever yesterday but after giving her Tylenol, she seemed like her normal, happy self, even eating well, so we thought it was an isolated incident. This morning she woke up and sounded like she was wheezing and I was concerned. We decided that Ryan would go to church for the morning service, we would take her to the walk in clinic between services, and then I would go to church in the afternoon. Well, the walk in clinic on a Sunday is not the place to be apparently. When we walked in there were 5 kids Kaitlyn's age or younger, all sick, plus the sick adults too.

The doctor was very good and quite concerned as soon as he listened to her chest. Right away he said "oh, it's very moist in there". With no hesitation, he prescribed penicillin plus a puffer (which we also have to use the attached chamber for since we can't control when she will breathe in). We are to give her no non-prescribed drugs (cold meds) besides Tylenol and she is a little cranky. The first time we administered the puffer, she smiled and wanted more. The second time, she screamed the entire time and we had to hold her down to get her to inhale it. Hopefully things improve by Tuesday or she will be taken for a chest x-ray!

So that's our life right now - just thought I'd post an update in case my parents are checking up on us on their cruise. I'm not even sure where they are this time. What a bad daughter I am, but sometimes it's hard to keep up with their travel life. Hope you're having a good time and don't worry, I'll tape Amazing Race for you tonight.

Christmas

I am taking a couple days off to do "normal" things which is nice for a change of pace. Today I did some laundry, finally saw the eye doctor and ordered some new glasses and contacts (a little overdue, especially if you saw the condition of my current glasses), tomorrow will consist of more laundry and a hair appointment.

Ryan has received some preliminary results from his tests which indicate a parasite. Although this is very treatable with a medication with some side effects, the doctor is also still not ruling out Crohn's and we are awaiting the results from his day exploratory surgery still before he starts treatment for the parasite, to see if there is anything else which should take precedence for treatment. Unfortunately the specialist is away on holidays so we probably won't hear anything for at least another week.

We had a wonderful Christmas with family this year and Kaitlyn was spoiled. She has a new doll which she loves to feed bottles to and takes with her everywhere she goes. She even has a Dora hockey stick and puck (you know you're Canadian when...). Here are a few pictures from our holidays. I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and has a wonderful 2008!

You know you're a big Johnny Cash fan when people start buying you Johnny action figures??


It's amazing how quickly she figures things out:


Her new best friend:


Hamming it up:


Being a goof:

Some New Pics

Kaitlyn helping decorate the tree:



She loves bathtime. Here's a pic pre-tubes. She now hates the beginning of her bath when she has to get her hair washed. She won't keep her plugs in her ears so one of us has to cover her ears while the other dumps water over her head to rinse.



And here's one of Kaitlyn in her "new" (used but still good) Gymboree outfit. She's our little ballerina.

Job

Well, I just got the letter confirming I did not get the job. All I can say is I gave it 100% and there's nothing I can do about it I suppose.

Diagnosis and Perspective

Firstly, I want to say that our family's thoughts and prayers are with Nick and Lisa right now and the trials they are facing with Amryn's diagnosis and now as they take her home until the Lord calls her home. Wishing you God's strength today and always.

Which brings me to perspective. We've been so wrapped up in our lives, it's hard to believe sometimes we get so caught up in what we believe is so important. Money troubles, disagreements, body discomfort and job interviews... It's really all so trivial yet we get so wrapped up in it. Sometimes it's so hard to just let go and let God, and I'm one of the worst ones for over worrying about the little things.

And now to update you on the little things ;)

Kaitlyn is above and beyond at her 18 month checkup. She's healthy and developing above par which is great news since I was worried about her language development.

My job interview went okay. I absolutely hate job interviews and like I said, I over worry about everything. The news should be out mid-next-week about who got the job.

Ryan has been 99.9% diagnosed with Crohn's disease. He has to back to the hospital for further investigation (which involves day surgery again) in the next few weeks. The good news is we finally have a diagnosis and now they can form a treatment plan. He was not able to run the physical test for the sheriff program as he was still recovering from surgery but they were very gracious about it and told him they will contact him with the next physical test date and hopefully he can get into the April program. (Which the sheriffs tell me at work is better anyway because then you're not doing pushups in the snow!)

So that's our update for now. Hopefully we'll have some good news to post next week about my job!

Finally - Some Halloween Pics

First, an update on us. Ryan went back to emergency on Monday because of more bleeding and pain. He was admitted into emergency surgery where they cut out a hard mass from his intestine which turned out to be a calcium buildup which should have been apparent from his ultrasound. Of course, they haven't yet called us with the results of his ultrasound... The good news is he is on the road to recovery and the bleeding has stopped. The pain is less and less everyday and he is scheduled for his physical test for the sheriff program on Nov 21.

I have applied for another job - same job title I had in Court of Appeal and I am hopeful to get it. It would mean more time off with my daughter which is the most important thing. Will keep you updated!

And now for some pics from Halloween. Kaitlyn was dressed as Snow White complete with a dark wig - until she started eating and choking on it. Ryan carved the pumpkin which Kaitlyn immediately recognized as her favourite fiction character Dora...

With the wig on...



Sans wig:



And Dora Pumpkin: