Merry Christmas!

This is what we have been up to in 2008!

Spinal Cord Prob?

So our genetic testing results came back earlier this week, and all looks good with the things I was worried about relating to Samantha's problems. Yeah!

But.....I was informed that my AFP (alpha fetal protein) was positive which is a red flag that this baby could have a spinal cord abnormality called 'open NDT' (neural-tube defect) which means a hole in the spinal cord. This is not the most accurate test and 80% of the time it is a false positive, so it is only a 20% chance that this is even an issue. (Still, scary though.)

I went in to my OB yesterday and she scheduled me for another high-risk ultrasound (this morning) at Utah Vally where they will check the baby again but more specifically for spinal cord problems/holes. Unfortunately you cannot see this in an ultrasound every time, so even if it is there, we will not know for sure until he is born.

We can do another sure-fire test to see if he has it or not called an amniocentesis where they stick a needle in my belly and remove and test some of the babies fluid, but this is very risky (could cause miscarriage or labor) so they really don't recommend it.

If he does have this problem he will be paralyzed or have limited mobility from the point of the hole down. This is a very scary thing to hear and learn about, but hopefully we will go with the odds on this one and he will be fine.

Remembering back to the days of Samantha where we had no idea there was a problem with her until we almost lost her and were completely blindsided by it all. Comparing that to this where we have a chance of having another child with a serious problem and know about it ahead of time. I don't know that I like the knowing, worrying and wondering. I would almost rather assume that this one is perfect until we know otherwise. ??? Modern technology is wonderful most of the time, but at times can cause more worry than needed. :)

Like I said, this is only a 20% chance that the test was accurate, so all involved are very hopeful, but I am preparing and learning what I can about this as best I can just in case.

Awww

Santa

So, she still doesn't like Santa.

My little helper

Samantha emptied my spice cabinet yesterday and put everything on the counter. Then did NOT want me to put them back away. :) Love the cheesy grin.

Thanksgiving

We had such a fun, busy, long Thanksgiving at my partents house. Lots of kids running around, cooking, eating and dishes! Then we hit some black friday sales, and headed down to the elementary school for a family kickball game. Here are some pics of the game.

Pack-rat?

Samantha has been going through this phase lately where she wants to take all of toys with her everywhere we go: in the car, on walks, and to bed, ect.

Here she is right before nap with a calculator, 3 binks, 2 babies and her juice. And she fills her stroller up and loads up the handles and has toys in her hands too. This isn't the best example, but you get the idea. She is so funny.

You're RIGHT!

So, I should have polled you all 6 months ago and wouldn't have had to go through to waiting. It is a BOY! The first thing Ben said after the ultrasound was "Good, now we'll have one of each and can be done. I don't think I can handle another pregnancy." I just laughed.

I have another ultrasound this week that will be much more extensive looking for any problems; and Ben, Samantha, and I will be getting genetic testing done at the same time. I am both excited and nervous for the results.

Ultrasounds coming!

I'm going in for an ultrasound on Thursday and get to take a sneak peek of this little baby! I will be 18 weeks and should be able to find out the gender of our baby! I am so excited, we would love either a boy or a girl! I would like a boy just because 2 boys have been born in our families in the past month and that would be fun. But, I would like a girl because I'm used to doing girl stuff and have everything for girls, not to mention a little scared of the unknown boy stuff (like surprise pee-pee attacks during diaper changes).

My big ultrasound will be Nov. 20 when I am actually 20 weeks. That will be an extensive/high-risk one to check for problems like the ones Mantha had. We also will be getting genetic testing that day to see the percentage of her problems being repeated. (Since what she had is so rare, they could not determine if it was a genetic problem or just a fluke pregnancy problem, during genetic testing they may be able to give us a better idea.) They are being very watchful of this little one just in case, which is good, but makes me nervous that something is going to go wrong.

Vote for your pick boy/girl on the left side. :)

Pumpkinland

We went to a cute pumpkin patch this year to pick out our pumpkins and Samantha loved it!

Mantha being silly at my Dr. appointment, and playing in the leaves.

Halloween Party

We went to a Halloween party last night with some of my friends from High School, it was fun to see everyone and catch up.




Note: Non Wes Anderson fans may have no idea who we are and that's OK.

Swimming with the fam

Went to Farmington this weekend and swam at the new pool, it had kiddie areas and a big slide. Grant took Mantha down the big slide and she loved it-even though you get dunked at the end. She did not want to leave, she LOVES the water no matter how tired, hungry, or cold she gets-she never wants to get out! Then we went to my parents and had tinfoil dinners in the oven and hot chocolate, so good.

We were going to take the Motorhome up to Crystal hot springs and eat and swim up there, but the Motorhome broke down. So this was plan B, my Dad said at the end of the night 'this was way better than camping! ' It was, we had so much fun and it was so relaxing and simple. Thanks fam, your the best!

Number 2 due in April

I am pregnant!! Due April 10, 2009, and so I'm currently in my 13 week. We are super excited, I will keep you updated.

Sorry about lack of posting lately, I've been pretty sick and not up to it. Hopefully I will start feeling better soon so I can post more often.

Surgery was a success!

Thanks for all the prayers and fasting in our behalf on this day. The surgery went better than hoped for. The Dr. was able to get the stint out and he thought the duct looked open which means it worked! We went in expecting the worst and miraculously everything worked out. Heavenly Father was truly watching out for Mantha as he always does.

Rough Day

Today was the day we had scheduled to get Samantha's tube out of her eye, it was supposed to be a very easy procedure to be done in the Doctor's office. But the tube for some reason is stuck and could not be taken out. I held her down as the Doctor and assistant used tweezers to yank on that tube as hard as they could. She SCREAMED and KICKED and looked at me with eyes of betrayal. This went on for a very, very long time before the Doctor gave up and said it isn't coming out. Now the tube is stretched out and hanging out of her eye, so needs to be removed asap. He called the Operating Room at Primary and squeezed us in for tomorrow. We got a late time slot (6pm) which is rough because Mantha won't be able to eat after 10am (because they will be sedating her), and that is really rough for a short gut kid as she is used to eating several meals every day.

The Doctor is concerned that the tear duct is shrinking down again and that is the reason he can't get the tube out. (The tube is in a loop and knotted to itself, the knot is the part getting stuck.) If that is the case, we are back to square one with 3 failed surgeries!! I'm getting the feeling that Samantha is our Murphy's Law kid.

When this problem started they told us it usually clears up by the time they are a year old....it didn't.

They proceeded to do surgery on it which is very successful and works over 90% of the time....it didn't.

They tried a more intense surgery leaving a tube in for three months which is always successful if they have to do it......will it be? We shall see.

I am pretty optimistic that they can get the tube out (they will try to go through the nose, or through the eye again, just not have screaming kid and Mom watching and be able to be more aggressive). I am only worried that once they get the tube out, the tear ducts will shrink back down. The Doctor is worried about this too. Wish us luck tomorrow.

Sorry this is so long and sob story, it has been a rough day.

Mission Call

My Mom and Dad have been called on a mission for our church. They have posted about it on their new blog. They leave for their 'first' mission this Friday to Romania and Albania. Love them and with them luck.

Ice Blocking

We went Ice Blocking for mutual with the Young Women. It was so much much fun and no injuries this time!!

Youth Conference

I got to plan and attend Youth Conference this year. It was lots of work, but the kids had lots of fun, made lots of memories, and most importantly-their testimonies grew!

July 24th

I know we're a little behind, but here are some things we did July 24th weekend.



Fireworks at Adam's




















Fingerpaints, swings, and swimming!

Losing it!

We LOVE movies and watch lots! That being said we totally score on Blockbuster's Total Access program. We pay $10/month that gives us one movie at a time, then we exchange it in the store for free so we have one to watch while we wait for the next one on our list to be sent to us (takes 2 days). So we ALWAYS have at least one movie to watch.

Anyway, here is why I am losing it:
The other day we went to drop off movies at Blockbuster and I just about threw one of our movies in there too, good thing Benj was with me. The sad part is, when he told me it was ours I didn't believe him for a while. Sorry honey, now we know where all our movies go. :)

Grandma Sandi's

We had a fun weekend at my Mom's last week. The kids played so much and slept so good!

Samantha and Porter look mischievous.








Grandpa Barry told stories to the kids after they swam and ran through the sprinklers. We all sat on the deck and listened.

















Army guys and paints!







Pretty girls all ready for church.
Dad came up to join us, "yeaaaaaa!"

Bubbles

If Samantha could blow bubbles all day she would. But, what is interesting about these photos is her fleece jacket on in the 90 + degree weather! I must have really taught her she can't go outside without a coat in the winter, cause now she WON'T leave the house without her coat and shoes! Thems are da rules!

Memories

Here are the rules:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Girls Camp!

I just got back from Girl's Camp with my YW! They are amazing and after a lot of hard work it turned out wonderful! As you can see we had so much fun! The girls learned a lot and their testimonies grew so much.......success.































I love these girls!