Samuel's EEG

Sam's EEG was today. I was really nervous about how he would handle it because even though he's pretty mellow and go-with-the-flow, he can also be a really spunky and feisty kid. He was only supposed to get 4-6 hours of sleep last night so I think that was really helpful in keeping him still, but I was worried it might go the other way and have him super angry and uncooperative. He laid very still and let the EEG Tech put all the electrodes on his head. He did his best to close his eyes and to blow on the pinwheel. When she asked him if he could try and fall asleep he nodded. She then asked if he wanted a pillow, he nodded. And lastly she asked if he wanted a blanket, he nodded. It took a few minutes but he fell right to sleep, thank goodness. I hated waking him up because I knew he was just so exhausted. But he had a pretty good attitude about that, and we washed his hair and went on to meet with the neurologist.

The neurologist read over his EEG and then gave us the results: epilepsy. Not surprising but still crappy to hear. We discussed different medications and things that had worked/helped with Will. We decided to start with depakote. I love/hate relationship with that drug. It helped so much with Will's seizures, but man, it is so hard on a body, especially the liver. Hopefully this will help with the atonic seizures he's been having and also hopefully hopefully hopefully prevent other seizures types from occurring. I will hang on to the hope that his seizures might not spiral out of control like Will's did. That his experience will be much much milder. That he will be able to grow out of this like we are hoping Will has/is.  We go back in 3 months to meet with our neurologist, Dr. Ess. Hopefully this will work and we won't need to see him before that.

Sam cried almost the whole way back home. He was soo tired and really getting hungry. We stopped and got him a gravy and biscuit, cinnamon raisin biscuit, and an orange juice on the way home. I sat him in my lap and fed him till he decided I was moving too slow and took the fork and finished feeding himself. He ate pretty much all of it, and only shared a few bites with me. I love this little spunky boy so much. I hope I can be what he needs.

Snow Day Snuggles

New Cub Scout in Town

Will had his first cub scout meeting tonight. He had been looking forward to getting to go to scouts for awhile before his 8th birthday. When he was finally able to start going though, he was already committed to basketball and practice happened to be the same night as Scouts. Sam and I went and picked up all his cub scout stuff today...can I just say $$$. Wow. Anyway he looked adorable and was excited and nervous all at the same time. When he got home he told me he LOVED it!

Homework

Back to school...back to homework

Stop Scum!

I actually took this before Christmas when I was trying to get the house tidied up and clean. I just got around to editing it yesterday though, so I'm counting it as my photo today for the project 365 I'm attempting to do this year.

I had been cleaning in the bathroom and little man was my shadow--complete in his batman mask and ninja turtle underwear. While mopping the floor on my hands and knees across the bathroom, I saw this. I got my pregnant self up off the floor and went to find my camera hoping the battle wouldn't cease to be over until I got my photo. Luck prevailed! and I am happy to have this moment captured so it's never forgotten. Love being a mom to little boys. I could have never imagined what fun and happiness moments like this could bring. And this picture...it's just so so Sam!

Teamwork

They are beginning to grow out of this building with blocks and cars and trucks and alll that type of playing. Makes a momma's heart a little sad when I think of all the hours they've spent on there knees and the miles and miles those trucks, rescue vehicles, and equipment have covered. It took some encouraging to "go play!" but they remembered pretty quick how to do it and why they have loved it so much.

Football Fan

My Favorite Boys

The boys were very helpful with cutting down some small trees and cedars, while I helped Patrick with putting up the fence. They did a great job of helping us start a fire to stay warm and clear out brush. They paused to take a little break and snuggle up with there favorite big pup.

Crock Pot Hot Chocolate

Before Christmas, I had bought all the ingredients to make hot chocolate, hoping that on or right around Christmas we'd make some. We usually just buy the nestle mix and call it a day. But for something special I thought it might be fun. Until the past couple days the highs have been in the 60's and 70's so we weren't really feeling the need for hot chocolate. But today was COLD, about 42! and wanting to savor the last precious moments of everyone being home from school and work, I made it a point to mix it up as soon as I got out of bed. 

Patrick spent the day outside {brr} putting up a fence around a cave that has a pretty steep drop-off. It's been on the to do list for awhile, but you know how that goes. Will and Jack went fishing with Lane, Ella and Uncle Clinton at a pond just behind the house {brr again} and Sam and I stayed inside for most of the morning putting away Christmas decorations. We went out to help burn some brush Patrick had cleared out around the cave once the temperature had about reached the high.

The hot chocolate was waaaay too rich for me, but the kids loved it! They got to have a cup sometime around lunch and then after dinner that's what they chose for dessert. I must say it tasted better after several hours than it did when it was first "done." But still not a fan. I'll have to look for another recipe for special hot chocolate, I guess. I also made homemade whipped cream to top it off and that was delicious!