Josh Groban

If you missed the Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, they were actually pretty entertaining. Not the actual awards, but the comedy bits by the presenters. This performance by Josh Groban was great. My favorites are Cops (at min 2.30) and Fresh Prince (at min 2.38).

Phasing out

I am phasing out the diaper bag since Lucy is getting bigger and I only really need to carry diapers and wipes for her. So I made this little pouch to just carry 2 diapers and some wipes. Now I can just put it in my purse.

Here is the pattern I used. I adjusted it a little. I'm not very good at following written instructions very precisely. I use them more as a guide then improvise (especially with recipes). It worked out okay, I just wish the top flap that folds over was a little longer. I'm not sure if it is a flaw in the pattern or my improvising. Oh well, it still serves it's purpose.

The Results

Today was Leland's VCUG at the hospital. She was such trooper. I was amazed by how strong she was acting. I was trying hard to keep the tears from flowing. [Chuck edit: And not very well.] I was very nervous for my little girl. I wanted so bad to take her place. Chuck did well at keeping her entertained with all the fun "toys" - shoe covers and rubber gloves - that he could find. The staff gave her a teddy bear to help comfort her. She was the most excited that we all got matching bracelets. Leland thought it was funny that her dad was wearing a bracelet too.

She then got to drink the "happy juice" that was going to help her relax. The nurse said it was the child version of Prozac, but would also serve an an amnesiac. Tonight, while putting Leland to bed, she revealed that her memory of the day was not gone. I told her how proud I was of her today being so brave at the hospital. She replied, "I pee-peed on the table. That was so silly!"

Leland was excited to take a ride in the bed. She was still smiles when they laid her on the x-ray table. The medicine would soon kick in.

Chuck went with her to radiology. Since they were taking live x-ray pictures, he got to wear the snazzy vest. [Chuck edit: Yes, I know it looks like we were filming a Cindi Lauper video in there.] They inserted a catheter and filled her bladder with a liquid that shows up black on the x-ray. They moved her into different positions to see if the die went from her bladder backwards up through her urinary tract. Finally, they need he to pee to watch and see if that causes things to go backwards.

She had to pee on the x-ray table with 4 people telling her to do so, staring at her and waiting for her to go. Telling a recently potty trained 3-year old, who knows she is only supposed pee in a potty, to pee on demand on a table could create some issues. Chuck says that she got pretty hysterical and was crying. She finally relaxed and peed all over the table.

Before the appointment this morning, when I was telling Leland about the pictures the Dr was going to take of the inside of her belly, she was sure that they would see rainbows.

Well we didn't see any rainbows, but we did see the dye shoot into her left kidney when she peed. She is positive for reflux. So when she urinates some of the urine spits up into her left kidney. Not good.

We are very lucky that this was found early so we can prevent any damage to her kidney this could cause. We are also grateful that only one kidney is affected. My cousin at 3 1/2 years old (he is now 21) who had reflux to both kidneys had a kidney removed because it was detected too late.

Next week, I will meet with her pediatrician for the game plan. Most of what I have read says that this is something she will probably grow out of (at what age, I'm not sure). Until then she will be on a prophylactic dose of antibiotics to prevent infections. The technician did mention to Chuck that they would probably want to do this test again in just over a year from now.

It took Leland a little while for the medicine to wear off. She was very wobbly when she would try to walk and her eyes were heavy. Luckily there was a TV in her recovery area so we got to watch a little Dora, but mostly the Ryder Cup. Poor girl was very emotional the rest of the day. Every little thing would set off a flood of tears.

It was a very emotionally draining day for all of us. We are so grateful that my Aunt was able to watch Lucy for us while we were at the hospital. I am also so grateful for the great friends who thought to bring us dinner and dessert tonight. Thanks it was very yummy.

Look like a Lady

We love going to Aunt Zebra's house. We had such a fun day with her on Monday. After hitting a large children's consignment sale, we went to lunch then back to her house to relax. She has a beautiful garden and Leland loves to help her outside. They picked some beautiful flowers.

Leland was cracking me up with her too big baseball hat. It kept falling over her eyes.

I decided to put a flower behind my ear for a picture and Leland says, "Oh mommy, now you look like a lady!" Apparently that's all it takes - a flower in your hair.

Leland also loves playing the piano, so Barbara gave her a short lesson. It was very cute.

She can now play 3 Blind Mice and Hot Cross Buns. (Are they the same? I have no idea.) She loves playing the piano and now makes up her own songs. Today she played me a song about her preschool friends. It was very cute. Our good friends let us borrow their nice Yamaha keyboard, so now Leland plays that one and Lucy sits on the floor next to her with the little toy keyboard.

How To Raise a Redneck...

Living in Southwest Virgina we live in Race country. If you don't know what that means, you really should come and visit us.

Many Sundays, Chuck likes to watch NASCAR and Leland loves every minute. My Southern Californian husband has embraced the South and all that goes along with it, including raising children that will be a little red.

Our Driver is Jimmy Johnson driving the Lowes 48. Leland and Chuck have other things to love about Lowes, but it started with Jimmy. Leland calls Jimmy the "Lowes 48 man". She can even pick him out of the pack.

She gets very excited watching the race. You can't see the picture on the TV, but she is pointing to # 48. Jimmy came in 2nd place on Sunday, but we still love him.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com