Fourth of July

Between four young kids, my parents being out of town, and Ellie being scheduled for an endoscopy tomorrow morning (we get to arrive at 6:15AM), Greg and I decided not to go to a big fireworks show this year.  The kids have had fun playing at home most of the day, and going on repeated trips to Home Depot with Dad, as he's worked on the dryer vent, the drinking fountain and a number of other household projects.  I spent most of the day watching Downton Abbey and getting all caught up on laundry, including changing all the kids bedding and adding new hypo-allergenic mattress protectors, and cleaning the house.  It may not sound like the funnest holiday, but both Greg and I were saying how nice it was to feel a little more 'caught up'.  I just got Owen down to bed (for now, we'll see if fireworks wake him up), downloaded the pictures from my camera, played outside with the kids (Greg and I taught Annie and Ellie how to jump out of the swings -- Ellie got hurt, not super surprisingly, but bounced back) and now I'm taking a few minutes of downtime while Greg plays in the backyard with the kids, all before Uncle David and Aunt Talina come over soon to light some fireworks in our front yard, then we'll figure out getting kids to bed. 
Not the most exciting, memorable Fourth of July -- but it's been nice.

End of First Grade

Annie is officially a Second Grader now -- and we have the 'last day of First Grade' pictures to prove it . . .

And just a couple cute pictures of her little brothers . . . 

Annie with her Spanish class at her 'High Flying Hawks Awards Ceremony'

Cousins

Greg's brother and sister in law came into town with their four kids, and my girls could not possibly be more excited to see their cousins.  Isaac thinks it's fairly cool.  Owen's indifferent :-) 

We've had so much fun with them here, with BBQs, pictures, zoo trips, and several other fun outings planned . . . and (not shockingly) I've tried to capture all the great memories . . . and therefore have countless pictures to share on the blog.  Enjoy.

Three Months

It was March 27th when we first met with a Pediatric Gastroenterologist, and within minutes she said, "Sounds like Ellie has Celiac."



April 2nd, the other three kids met with the same doctor, and the decision was made they also needed endoscopies because of suspicious symptoms.

April 5th was Ellie's first endoscopy. Annie and Isaac were a few weeks later, the 26th.  Owen was scoped last on May 3rd.

By May 8th, I had all of their diagnoses, and my world was completely turned upside down.

Since then I have felt some of my deepest lows, some of my biggest fears, greatest frustrations and anxiety like I never had experienced before.  But, I feel like things are starting to even out.  I'm not as afraid as I was, though it does roll over me in waves at times.  I'm relaxing a little, not on their diets, but on how their diets make me feel.

This Friday Ellie has her follow up endoscopy.  I'm excited (for potential good news), anxious, nervous and slightly bitter and grumpy about the costs.  Two weeks later the other three children will get scoped again (though we may push off Owen's scope for another couple weeks, I'm still waiting to talk to the G.I.'s office about it.)

I can't believe it's been three months since Ellie's first scope.  I can't believe in the last three months I've learned all about this disease, and we've transitioned to such a restricted diet.  I can't believe I've weaned my baby, because of a fear that I was doing him more harm than good.  I can't believe how many times, sometimes daily, I crumple under the pressure and sob to release it all.  I can't believe how many times my children have gracefully turned down food that others are eating, almost nonchalantly, and I can't believe how heartbreaking it is when that's not the case and I have to carry away a crying or screaming child from food other kids are eating. I can't believe how much my two year old tosses around words like 'gluten free diet' and 'we're dairy free'.   I can't believe Owen hasn't gained any weight in this last three months, and I am at a loss of what to do about it.

But, we're on our way to more answers.  Hopefully good ones.  Hopefully not more questions.  Hopefully our hard work and dedication in paying off.  And maybe by the time we go on vacation later this summer, my kids will be able to eat peanut butter and nuts -- 'cause, man, that would make things easier!  :-)