Time to update!

Hi blog world.

I haven't updated in a while because..well, I'm a full-time 3rd grade teacher, mom of 2 crazy kids and a wife, that's why!

I was sitting at the doctor's office with my mom and daughter on Thursday and was trying to recap all that Janelle has gone though for the doctor the past two years. My mom said, "You should have blogged all this!" I am kicking myself because I totally should have!

I decided that I'm going to write what I remember over the past two years, then continue updating as we go along!
   
Here we go:

June 2013- 6 Weeks old: Janelle got a high fever (104) and we were not sure what was going on. Of course it was after hours, so the medical staff on the phone suggested we take her to ER.

Once in the ER, they did EVERY test to rule things out. After ultrasounds and the whole sha'bang the final outcome:  Kidney infection and Kidney reflux in the left side of her kidney.

What the heck is kidney reflux? Well, I found out that the ureter that takes the urine in the kidney to the bladder is not connected to the bladder correctly on the left side.

She hospitalized for a few days, was put on antibiotics, and were were told to follow up with a pediatric urologist.

After meeting with the urologist, he ordered another test (VCUG) to be done to see how bad the reflux was (scale being 1-5, 5 being the worst) She also had an ultrasound of the kidney.

Result: Stage 4. (Devastating news...what's next??)

June- 2013
Janelle spiked another high fever...104. After hours again, we took her to the ER. ANOTHER kidney infection. Antibiotics.

This time the urologist decided to her on prophylactic antibiotics (which means she will take a dose every day to prevent infections).

June 2014- Kidney Infection- Hospitalized- She became immune to the prophylactic antibiotics she was on

July 21, 2014- Ureter Re-implantation Surgery- The doctor said the surgery was "Text book" and went according to plan. After 3 nights in the hospital..things were looking up!!!

October 2014-
Repeated the VCUG which showed what stage her Reflux was at after the surgery. The surgery did NOT fix her problem...but it did go from a stage 4, to a stage 2. Sad news.
 Urologist check in- off prophylatic antibiotics (YAY!) Everything seemed great!

March 2015- Met with the pediatric urologist for a 1 yearish check in since her surgery! No infections since the surgery and doing well off the antibiotics! We were released and didn't need to return unless Janelle had another infection! HOORAY! 

April 2015- Janelle spiked at 104 fever and this time (unlike the other times) her urine smelled a little funny- took her to my pediatrician. They did a catheter test......it was a UTI and KIDNEY INFECTION! She was on antibiotics for the infection, then the urologist put her back on prophylatic antibiotics.

Devastated.  :(

May 2015- Met with a NEW urologist from Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. After going over her case, he wants to keep her on the prophylatic antibiotics, do a test which checks the pressure of her bladder (just to rule out that her bladder is okay) then most likely repeat the re-implation surgery, but laproscopically this time (if everything looks good)

Next Steps:The bladder test is scheduled for June 1st. She needs to have 2 enemas the two nights before (which will be awful, blah!) then the test will consist of putting in a catheter and anal catheter, filling her bladder with fluid, and them measuring the amount of pressure it can hold.



Say a prayer for my sweet Janelle. She has been though a lot in her short 2 years of life. I am thankful that she has something that can be fixed-always gotta find the positive!!

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

It's Your Plan.

Hi! :) I'm only updated because I'm at work today...which MAY be my last Saturday here for a while. Not sure if I want to work M-Sat once I start my "big girl" job. We will see!

The past two weeks have been complete and utter MADNESS!! I got the keys to my new classroom on Aug.19 and the hubs and I have been working on it EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. We started from SCRATCH meaning bare walls...materials everywhere and unorganized.
My room looks amazing. I love the way it turned out.

Here is a sneak peak of my Shared Reading/rug/library area!


Now that the room is settled...I'm not quite MENTALLY settled yet. I still have to learn this curriculum that the other teachers have been using for years. Thankfully I'm at least familiar with it all because of subbing.
I'm not going to lie. I'm stressed. Overwhelmed. Could try on cue. Poor Joel. lol I know it will get easier and just going crazy right now.
My lovely, thirty four, 4th graders come on Wednesday...whether I'm ready or not!!

Family News:
Janelle is growing up SO fast!!! Here is here 3 month pic :)


We went to the pediatric urologist regarding her Kidney Reflux (which she was hospitalized for...I dont' remember If I blogged that or not?)
Anyway, she will have to stay on antibiotics until July 2014. In July they will re-do the ink test to see if her reflux has fixed itself (which it commonly does)..but if not, she will have surgery. Want to pray for it? Pray that her bladder gets bigger and the tube connects to the bladder correctly!!!


Jake starts preschool on TUESDAY! Holy. freaking. cow. We went to the parent orientation and his classroom is owl themed and has his name on the bulletin and everything! I'm excited to drop him off on Tuesday and take one of those annoying "First day of Preschool" pics of him on the front porch ;)

Remember a while ago when I said he is NOT into TV at all? Well what a difference a few months makes. He would watch cartoons 24-7 if I let him, which I don't!!

Jake can sing the SWEETEST version of happy birthday you have ever heard, says, "Oh my GEEZE" when he thinks something is crazy, and loves singing along to the song "Easy" by Sheryl Crow.

Here is Jake and Evan. Jake is too busy playing his "Doo-a" (Dora) app on the Ipad.


I'm going to leave you with a song that I've been listening to quite often lately.
Your Plan- Dustin Lynch

Hello, it's been too long

My fault I haven't called

Thank you for picking up the phone

I've been swimming around

Trying hard not to drown

Waiting on my life calling to sound

And I'm hangin' on best as I can

Cause I know this whole crazy ride,

Is in your hands

It's your plan

This is my white flag wave 

This is me handing you the reigns

I know you can steer my hurricane

And I'll hang on best as I can

Cause I know this whole crazy ride

Is in your hands

It's your plan

It's your plan

So I'll hang on best as I can

Best as I can

Cause I know this whole crazy ride

Is in your hands

It's your plan

Slacker Alert!

Whoa. Its been TOO long since I last updated. Why? Oh yeah, because I have a crazy 2.5 year old, a newborn (who isn't exactly a newborn anymore-wah!), and a new job!

Here are a few updates:

We had a little scare and hospital visit with Janelle when she was 6 weeks old- found out she has Kidney Reflux. Shes been on antibiotics since and will go to a urologist next week to see whats next. Shes getting so big and has such a cute personality!!! She is cooing, "singing," and has the CUTEST smile..E.V.E.R.

 
Jake is crazy as ever. With the addition of his new sister, and the terrible twos, its been interesting over here. He has started to LOVE watching cartoons and has been repeating everything..and I mean EVERYTHING! He is starting half day preschool 2x a week and I think will really enjoy it. Do I really have a child who is starting preschool???? I can't believe he will be 3 in December. My baby boy...such a sweetie. He loves waking up his sissy when shes sleeping, has no concept of inside voice, and still weighs less than his cousin who is 1 year younger than him. lol

 My new job has pretty much consumed my thoughts. When the kids are sleeping, I'm researching or ordering decor for my classroom! I can't believe I FINALLY have a job! I can get into my room next week...so I'm anxious to go in and organize and make it my own. FINALLY.

I'm doing a Hollywood movie theme and am going full out. I hope it all comes together! I"ll post pics :)

Decorating my room is only HALF the fun...I now get to think about testing, homework, data, organization,30+ little babies under my care...the list could go ON! I'm not complaining, its just going to be a FULL year!!

Oh and did I mention I have to go back to school to clear my credential?? Oh yep. 25 units of more. added. stress.

I'm up for the challenge. I've got this.

We've had a full and fun summer! I can't believe its almost over and a new chapter begins for me.

Wahoooo!

I've got 3 exciting things to share.

1. I got a job!!!!! After almost 6 years of subbing, collecting tons of teaching ideas on Pinterest, dreaming of running my own classroom and waiting to clear my credential...it has happened.

Ill be teaching 4th grade in Downey with an amazing 4th grade team at a school I love!!! I was lucky enough to work at my school all last year, so I know my team and school and principal well!!! I am going to have to go back to school this year to clear my credential, but I gotta do what I gotta do.

That cartoon pretty much sums it up. Between being a first year teacher, clearing my credential, and being a mom and wife...I'm going to be one busy girl!!! But...I've totally got this (atleast that's what in keep telling used!) lol

God is good!!!

2. Janelle has slept 7 hours straight the past 4 nights!!!!!

I hope and pray this is her new schedule because it's pretty much amazing.

3. Diet- so far so good

It's only been 1 day on my diet, but the first day is always the hardest...so I consider it a success so far!!

Only 2 more weeks till I'm cleared to run again, then it's on!!

I want to shoot for 7lbs by this time next month bc that's when I'm heading to Havasu, which means bathing suits! Don't worry, I'm looking for a cute cover up bc Lord knows..

Anywayyyyy, I follow this girl on Instagram who posts motivation pic and quotes!! If you're looking for that, then follow her!!! Here are a few I like ;)

Happy Tuesday!!!!

Whoaaaa Nelly

Time flies when ya have 2 kids, eh?

These past 3.5 weeks have been an absolute whirlwind. While I'm so in love with "sissy," the transition from one to two kiddos, plus the lack of sleep, plus all the hormones still in me, has made life super challenging.

In the grand scheme of things, life is great. I mean,so what if it completely stresses me out when both kids are crying, or one throws a fit while I'm taking care of the other, or that I could cry at the drop of a hat. It won't be like this for long.

I'm learning to always take help when it's offered.

The past two days I've been feeling better emotionally so I'm hoping my stupid hormones are back on track!!! Joel has been amazing with helping me and understanding I could turn into a hot mess at any given moment lol

When he's not throwing a fit or trying to get my attention, I've seen the sweetest side of Jake. Every morning he wakes up, goes down stairs and looks for sissy. Once he finds her he gives her a kiss. He always includes Janelle in his prayers and always says bye to her when leaving to go somewhere. When she cries he says, "it's ok sissy." In the car he tells me where his side is, and where sissy sits.

The past two days Jake has been "normal" since we brought Janelle home. No temper tantrums, no being completely disobedient. I know his new attitude is a mix of the terrible 2s plus jealousy and its normal...so I'm just trying to roll with it and still discipline him with things he shouldn't do. A good friend of mine who has raised 3 amazing sons suggested a book I should read called "Instructing a Childs Heart." It's about dealing with your child's heart instead of just dealing with their behavior. Sounds like a good one, I'm def going to invest!

Now on to Janelle...my beauty. She is so sweet. She's actually the easy one! She's been sleeping 5 hr stretches...eats 3oz every 2.5-3 hrs. She has really filled out and is now in 0-3/3mo Jammie's and almost ready to move up for her outfits. She looks at me when feeding her and can now follow my finger with her baby blues. Every now and again she will "coo." I'm enjoying her cuddliness because as I said before, it won't be like this for long.

Im hoping to get back to dieting next week! I'm only 10lbs away from my pre-preggo weight, but still want to lose about 20 total. Even though 9lbs doesn't sound like alot...its amazing how you can be a certain weight but your tummy looks like theres still a baby in there(as jake reminds me of often-"sissy in there??!" That being said, I can't wait to start running again!!

Well, I hear the kiddos waking up!!! Hope to update again soon!!!

Janelle Hope

She's here!!!

Janelle Hope
6lbs 15oz
21.5inch
10:18am
5/17/13







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