Well Hello There...

The past 10 months have been crazy for us, but you can not tell that from my lack of blog posts. Because of the complication of our situation, I had stopped blogging. I now realize that was a poor choice. During some rare solo down time the other day I read through my blog, watched the videos, and admired all of the pictures (of varied quality). I realized what a true time capsule my time spent blogging had become. I realized that I wanted to continue this- for memories, record, and pleasure.

Let's play catch-up!

Last October, due to extenuating circumstances, a relative's child came to live with us. Now that we are "legal guardians" I feel that I can and should include Nadya on our blog.

Nadya is a spirited 7 year old. She is artistic and eager to learn. She is full of energy and attitude. We hope to help Nadya grow into a kind, responsible, and loving young adult.

Devin and Nadya have semi-adjusted to their new roles as "siblings." For Devin this has been a whole new world. Devin spent 5 1/2 years as an "only" and was thrown into sharing EVERYTHING in his life with another child- a child a year older than him who has had many bumps in her road. For me, Devin's understanding-heart-of-gold and ability to adapt has been confirmed.

The kids fight like siblings and perhaps this has been one of the hardest things to adjust to. It was not a gradual grow into the arguing, blaming, accusing. It was a flip-of-the-switch. Between their rivalry and my teaching children of the same age- my life became quite an exhausting, stressful whirlwind. I am hoping that as we (I) better learn how to manage all of these roles, it will get easier.

For now I leave you with this picture (from my birthday at the New England Aquarium) and a promise that I will be back SOON!

(I wish Devin were looking in this picture but that would have been TOO easy! LOL)

Devin's Christmas Pageant 12/20/11 at OneTrueMedia.com

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Visits with Santa

Candy Cane Lane Concert 12/15/11

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Busy Saturday

I officially became a "soccer Mom" on Saturday! Devin started his soccer team, the Sting. He is in a Kindergarten league in our town and all of their practices/games are held at 8:00 am on Saturday mornings! Devin LOVED soccer and can't wait to go back.
In the picture below you can *barely* see him in the center of the picture. He is #4. He was running and dribbling the ball in the practice drills. After a 30 minute practice there are 2- 15 minute games.
Last Saturday, after having soccer, Devin had to participate in his karate promotion. He is getting to a pretty advanced level in his Little Ninjas Program. He currently has a white belt with a red stripe and just received a "Junior Leader" patch. He only has a few stripes left in this program! Go Devin!
I also had to buy him a new karate uniform on Saturday (we went for black this time). It was the first time Devin had worn the jacket since spring and he has grown a little (okay, A LOT!) and his sleeves were about 3 inches too short and the jacket barely made it to his waist! ***Big shout out to Memmere for switching over/adding on all of the patches!! Thanks! Love ya!***

Kindergarten Boy!

Devin started KINDERGARTEN on Tuesday!!! What a big boy!! Here he is, ready to go Tuesday morning in front of our house with his pack back and name tag on. We were just about ready to head over to our neighbor's house where he hangs out for about a half hour before she brings Devin and her grand daughter to school in the morning (I pick them up in the afternoon). The kids go to a private kindergarten from 9am to 2pm.

Once he was at school, it seems like the kids got right to work. He brought home a paper in which he copied the alphabet and wrote his name and told me about doing some math- writing his numbers (but I didn't see it). The concept of "seat work" was definitely something that Devin did not welcome with open arms and we had to talk about that Tuesday night and do a bit of practicing. I'm told he did much better with this on Wednesday (yay!). In some ways I do feel bad for the kid with his mom being a teacher and all.

I am super-happy about his teacher being strict and expecting near-perfect behavior from him though. While she expects this, she is also understanding that there is some adjustment time needed and that he is having some health problems (see below). I'm hoping this helps to prepare him with great behavior for first grade in public school next year.

On Wednesday he told me that he worked on patterning and that his was blue, yellow, blue yellow, etc. They got to make their pattern with stamps. He really enjoyed this. They also did a Bible Story with the pastor and he told me about how God made all of us. I'm so glad that he is able to get the Christian aspect of education this year without being in a Catholic school.
Through all of this Devin has been battling an ear infection....since his surgery on August 23. His poor right ear has been so angry that its resisted the Floxin drops, azithromycin (oral antibiotics), and the Cortosporin drops (when used alone). He is now on Cefdinir (oral antibiotics) as well as the Cortosporin drops. I sure hope this does the trick! He is due for some relief (which is what I was hoping for with the surgery!). We are scheduled to go for a recheck with the specialist in Boston next Thursday.

Signing off for Now,
Mom of a Kindergartener....Karla

Surgery Outcome

This was BEFORE the surgery, see how happy Devin looks here? It took a little bribery and reassuring to calm him down, though. We had a great discussion at dinner the night before the procedure where I explained to Devin what was going to take place the next morning and allowed him to ask questions. He seemed fine. We got up early and headed into Boston and all was fine still. Once it was time to put on these pajamas, though, something clicked for Devin and he got REALLY freaked out! I think he was extremely nervous all of a sudden. We talked to him and told him that it was okay to be a bit nervous and okay I admit I bribed him with a new Wii game (Cars 2) if he "did a good job." (Hey, I was desperate!!!! I don't even like for him to play that much Wii!)

Overall, things went fine with his surgery. The biggest surprise was that it wasn't his re-grown adenoids like his Pediatric ENT suspected from the x-rays (she had told us this was possible because of shadowing). It was actually what is called Gerlach Tonsils. They are very swollen (hence the shadowing on the x-rays) and blocking the Eustachian tubes from working properly and causing all of Devin's symptoms (fluid in the ears, nasal congestion/allergy type symptoms, headaches/pressure, hearing loss). The placement of tubes (set #3 for Devin) should alleviate these symptoms for the duration of the tubes. It is likely that the symptoms will return once the tubes fall out and then we will have to discuss action at that time.

Poor Devin had a very difficult time coming out the anesthesia. He was crying and screaming and thrashing around. Three nurses and myself trying to calm him, soothe him. Once he started to wake up a little he started screaming, "I can't hear! I can't hear!" Now, up until that point I was holding it together very well. I was strong, hadn't cried. We've been through this twice before. I'm a veteran. Once he started screaming, "I can't hear anything!" I got scared. I couldn't help it. I felt bad for my baby. I was worried something was wrong. I knew the doctor had to put tubes in his ears because there was cotton in them... but I hadn't spoken to her yet. Erick had just been allowed in recovery with me and he looked worried, said he spoke to the doctor briefly and Devin has some "condition" but he couldn't remember what it was called. Something wrong with his ears.... That's when my tears started flowing. I didn't want Devin to see me crying so I kept my face away from him. The nurses got me some tissues and patted me on the back. Erick took Devin in his lap (I had been trying to rock him) and calmed him down with a Popsicle (got to love distraction).

We waited there in recovery for what felt like forever. It was probably only an hour or two but we were waiting for the doctor because she wanted to talk to us. We watched Devin's stats- his O2 is fantastic considering he has been off of his asthma medication since June! and rubbed his back. We could tell when he was feeling better because he started wiggling his finger enough to make the alarm go off on the stat monitor (is that what its called??) on purpose....little stinker!

She finally came in, once she had a break in between surgeries I guess, and explained to us what the Gerlach Tonsils were doing to Devin and what it meant for him in the future. I was disappointed to learn he had to get tubes put back in, as was he (that means ear plugs when he swims- and he LOVES to swim under water!) and that he will likely encounter all of these issues again when this set of tubes fall out. *sigh* Its been such a long road for Devin and all of his ear problems. I guess in one way its good to know WHY he is having all of these issues. On the other hand, I recognize that it could be so much worse.

We are so grateful to Devin's Pediatric ENT Doctor and all of the fantastic nurses and staff at Mass Eye and Ear. EVERYONE was just wonderful with us, especially with Devin. We have not one complaint. Thank you God for taking care of my baby.