Jacob got weighed today....he's 22 pounds!! woo hoo! We're happy with the gain.
Excitement ...That's all!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Saturday, February 04, 2012
So what is up with that Jacob kid?
I have a picture laden update brewing in the background, but I figured it was time to give the low down on what is going on with the youngest Regina Gerhard. We have been busy with appointments with him and getting some answers and no answers both.
We have seen a paediatric gastroenterologist to look at the possibility of something in the digestive system being the culprit of Jacob's smallness. Jacob didn't show all the symptoms for any one disease but showed symptoms of several, so nothing came of that. The doctor arranged for tests for Cystic Fibrosis (again, and negative --although we had to do it twice because Jacob didn't produce enough sweat the first time to test) and Schwarkman Diamond (which is similar to CF, but was negative too --very good to find out). They also arranged for an upper GI test which was done on after not eating for 12 hours and had Jacob drinking a barium drink in order to follow his swallowing on an x-ray. It truly was a cool thing to see but alas did not come up with anything either. All his upper GI physiology was working just fine. So, nothing came of that...other than Jacob is a fantastic test taker --he never balked at taking the barium and laid perfectly still for the X-rays.
Jacob is still seeing Janice and Denise, our fabulous phsyiotherapist and occupational therapist. They are working with us to help strengthen Jacob's hyper mobile (double jointed) joints. This will help him grasp better with his hands...hopefully assisting with the holding of crayons and pulling on of clothes. We are seeing a Speech Pathologist every 6 months as a way to keep an eye on him seeing that he really isn't that far behind where he should be. Truth be told, his language is blooming!
This January we had two important appointments which took us up to Saskatoon. We did the first trip to see the allergist in one day. Jacob was tested for peanuts, dog/cats, mould, and dust....and came up clearly positive for all of them. The last three really were not a surprise, but the quick positive on the peanut was a bit shocking. No one in either of our families has food allergies. So now we have two shiny new Epi-pens that go everywhere with us.
The second appointment was with the geneticist. it took over 18 months to get this appointment, so we didn't let Sophia's round with Strep throat keep us from going. Our friends Tracy and Greg graciously let us stay with them overnight so that we didn't have to do all the travelling in one day. Anyway, we went to see the doctor (and his team) who took more of our medical histories and Dr. Lemere took a good look at Jacob's physical attributes to see if there were any symptoms of any disorders. The long and short of this look over was that the doctor could not see clear symptoms pointing to a disorder. He had some things but not enough to diagnose anything...some things needed to have mental retardation or other factors mental and physical in order to diagnose. The doctor did order a blood test to take a closer look at Jacob's chromosomes and took our (David and my) blood in order to compare them. If Jacob had an extra or missing chromosomes and if either David or I had the same issue then there was a good chance that Jacob would turn out just fine. The only problem with this is that it takes four to six weeks to get the results...so we are still waiting.
But Dr. Lemere was helpful in giving us something positive. He told us that because there is a disconnect between Jacob's bone age and his chronological age, there is growth potential. It would be worse if his bone age matched his age, and he was still small as that would mean that he wouldn't likely grow. So, Jacob will eventually grow --we just don't know when. This means that we don't have to worry as much about the eating issue as he is probably eating enough calories to maintain his current size. So this was helpful for us to know...relieves some of the stress at dinner time.
One of the only down falls of this month was that Jacob has now developed a very strong dislike of having his blood taken. Just after we arrived home from Winnipeg we ended up back at the ER with a high fever that would not decrease. in order to figure out what was causing the fever Jacob had to have blood taken. He did really well for that, mainly because we had been there for six hours and he was tired. But he only cried when the needle went in and settled quickly. Then he had needle pricks for the allergy test. So by the time we got to the lab at the S'toon hospital to do the blood test for the geneticist, he had had enough. Jacob positively freaked out as soon as he saw the blue elastic band they tie around your upper arm. It was heartbreaking. He has been doing so well, with all the tests etc. Now every time he takes off his shirt, he looks at his arm and tells me: "It is gone now. You and me and Daddy, we all had pokes. All three". So he remembers and I don't think he will be forgetting anytime soon.
Anyway, Jacob is happy --loving preschool, gymnastics and skating. He is chatty, engaging and fun. He is also developing a temper, a strong sense of will and a sense of humour. He plays well with Sophia and fights with her too. We are blessed by his presence in our lives, keeping us centred and laughing.
We have seen a paediatric gastroenterologist to look at the possibility of something in the digestive system being the culprit of Jacob's smallness. Jacob didn't show all the symptoms for any one disease but showed symptoms of several, so nothing came of that. The doctor arranged for tests for Cystic Fibrosis (again, and negative --although we had to do it twice because Jacob didn't produce enough sweat the first time to test) and Schwarkman Diamond (which is similar to CF, but was negative too --very good to find out). They also arranged for an upper GI test which was done on after not eating for 12 hours and had Jacob drinking a barium drink in order to follow his swallowing on an x-ray. It truly was a cool thing to see but alas did not come up with anything either. All his upper GI physiology was working just fine. So, nothing came of that...other than Jacob is a fantastic test taker --he never balked at taking the barium and laid perfectly still for the X-rays.
Jacob is still seeing Janice and Denise, our fabulous phsyiotherapist and occupational therapist. They are working with us to help strengthen Jacob's hyper mobile (double jointed) joints. This will help him grasp better with his hands...hopefully assisting with the holding of crayons and pulling on of clothes. We are seeing a Speech Pathologist every 6 months as a way to keep an eye on him seeing that he really isn't that far behind where he should be. Truth be told, his language is blooming!
This January we had two important appointments which took us up to Saskatoon. We did the first trip to see the allergist in one day. Jacob was tested for peanuts, dog/cats, mould, and dust....and came up clearly positive for all of them. The last three really were not a surprise, but the quick positive on the peanut was a bit shocking. No one in either of our families has food allergies. So now we have two shiny new Epi-pens that go everywhere with us.
The second appointment was with the geneticist. it took over 18 months to get this appointment, so we didn't let Sophia's round with Strep throat keep us from going. Our friends Tracy and Greg graciously let us stay with them overnight so that we didn't have to do all the travelling in one day. Anyway, we went to see the doctor (and his team) who took more of our medical histories and Dr. Lemere took a good look at Jacob's physical attributes to see if there were any symptoms of any disorders. The long and short of this look over was that the doctor could not see clear symptoms pointing to a disorder. He had some things but not enough to diagnose anything...some things needed to have mental retardation or other factors mental and physical in order to diagnose. The doctor did order a blood test to take a closer look at Jacob's chromosomes and took our (David and my) blood in order to compare them. If Jacob had an extra or missing chromosomes and if either David or I had the same issue then there was a good chance that Jacob would turn out just fine. The only problem with this is that it takes four to six weeks to get the results...so we are still waiting.
But Dr. Lemere was helpful in giving us something positive. He told us that because there is a disconnect between Jacob's bone age and his chronological age, there is growth potential. It would be worse if his bone age matched his age, and he was still small as that would mean that he wouldn't likely grow. So, Jacob will eventually grow --we just don't know when. This means that we don't have to worry as much about the eating issue as he is probably eating enough calories to maintain his current size. So this was helpful for us to know...relieves some of the stress at dinner time.
One of the only down falls of this month was that Jacob has now developed a very strong dislike of having his blood taken. Just after we arrived home from Winnipeg we ended up back at the ER with a high fever that would not decrease. in order to figure out what was causing the fever Jacob had to have blood taken. He did really well for that, mainly because we had been there for six hours and he was tired. But he only cried when the needle went in and settled quickly. Then he had needle pricks for the allergy test. So by the time we got to the lab at the S'toon hospital to do the blood test for the geneticist, he had had enough. Jacob positively freaked out as soon as he saw the blue elastic band they tie around your upper arm. It was heartbreaking. He has been doing so well, with all the tests etc. Now every time he takes off his shirt, he looks at his arm and tells me: "It is gone now. You and me and Daddy, we all had pokes. All three". So he remembers and I don't think he will be forgetting anytime soon.
Anyway, Jacob is happy --loving preschool, gymnastics and skating. He is chatty, engaging and fun. He is also developing a temper, a strong sense of will and a sense of humour. He plays well with Sophia and fights with her too. We are blessed by his presence in our lives, keeping us centred and laughing.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Ah, C'est l'halloween
This year Sophia decided that she wanted a store bought costume...a princess costume. So, I agreed to it, and we found a fabulous Mermaid Princess costume at Winners for far less than I could have made it for. It had a hoop skirt, sea shell and starfish themed gauzy overlay, with a mermaid scale bodice adorned with pearls and silver.
And to go with the princess....we had a dragon
Our pumpkins...
Yes, that is Perry the Platypus (Agent P!) from Phineas and Ferb, beside the pumpkin carved by Sophia.
Trick or Treating.
This went really well this year and even included a break at a colleague's of Davids for hot chocolate and sit down. And it was a terrific night weather wise, which is always a bonus, because it isn't completely unusual for it to have snowed by Halloween! It was cool but clear, perfect for little goblins, dragons and princesses.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
And to go with the princess....we had a dragon
Our pumpkins...
Yes, that is Perry the Platypus (Agent P!) from Phineas and Ferb, beside the pumpkin carved by Sophia.
Trick or Treating.
This went really well this year and even included a break at a colleague's of Davids for hot chocolate and sit down. And it was a terrific night weather wise, which is always a bonus, because it isn't completely unusual for it to have snowed by Halloween! It was cool but clear, perfect for little goblins, dragons and princesses.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sparks
Upon turning five, we told Sophia she could join Sparks, which is the youngest branch of Girl Guides. She decided that she would, and well the rest is history. Sophia has started her Guiding career and seems to love it so far. The best thing is that there are five girls from her school who are part of the group and that includes one of her bestest friends, Rebecca.
There are 28 girls in her group and three leaders. Seeing that I was going to be taking her every week, I decided that I could offer another pair of helping hands each week. Well, I had two choices...parent helper or official leader. I decided to take the plunge and renew my involvement in Guiding and have become a Sparks leader (once all my paper work is in!). It feels great to be going back to something that was such an important part of my growing up. I love Guiding and all that it has to offer. Hopefully, Sophia will love it as much as I did/do.
So far the unit has done program work and one volunteer activity where we teamed up with the Food Bank here in Regina and helped with their campaign. Sophia and another Spark, and I, went door to door in a little area gathering food donations. She and her pal, Kira, had a great time, and I think they got a feeling for what it means to help others.
We've also sold Mint Chocolate cookies (yummy!!). Sophia was so pumped to be selling cookies that she took her case door to door in the neighbour hood. In about half an hour her case was sold. She went on to sell to more cases to family and friends, and unsuspecting University students and faculty.
this is a photo from the video David used to help sell the cookies at the university. Her cuteness won over many a person.
Enrollment took place just last week. This is the ceremony that marks the first year girls' official membership in the unit. Each girl receives a Trefoil pin, a year 1 pin and a "Being a Spark" keeper (aka badge). The girls got to choose the theme for the event. Can you imagine what a group of 28 five and six years old wanted? "Pink Purple Sparkle Princess" party. Yup. Each girl made a crown, and little paper dolls of herself. On the night, each girl waited patiently in line and walked through the castle that one of the leaders had made. The castle led the girls to the waiting leaders (all four of us --I had just been enrolled as a leader right before the girls--colour me surprised!) who gave them their certificate, pins and keeper. Then we had cake. I had made a pink strawberry lemonade cake which was iced with purple icing and decorated with a cut out fondant princess (in pink and purple!) and covered with sprinkles and silver balls. It was a hit. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture....
that's me doing my first official Guider role...giving out the keepers to each girl.
waiting for cake
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
There are 28 girls in her group and three leaders. Seeing that I was going to be taking her every week, I decided that I could offer another pair of helping hands each week. Well, I had two choices...parent helper or official leader. I decided to take the plunge and renew my involvement in Guiding and have become a Sparks leader (once all my paper work is in!). It feels great to be going back to something that was such an important part of my growing up. I love Guiding and all that it has to offer. Hopefully, Sophia will love it as much as I did/do.
So far the unit has done program work and one volunteer activity where we teamed up with the Food Bank here in Regina and helped with their campaign. Sophia and another Spark, and I, went door to door in a little area gathering food donations. She and her pal, Kira, had a great time, and I think they got a feeling for what it means to help others.
We've also sold Mint Chocolate cookies (yummy!!). Sophia was so pumped to be selling cookies that she took her case door to door in the neighbour hood. In about half an hour her case was sold. She went on to sell to more cases to family and friends, and unsuspecting University students and faculty.
this is a photo from the video David used to help sell the cookies at the university. Her cuteness won over many a person.
Enrollment took place just last week. This is the ceremony that marks the first year girls' official membership in the unit. Each girl receives a Trefoil pin, a year 1 pin and a "Being a Spark" keeper (aka badge). The girls got to choose the theme for the event. Can you imagine what a group of 28 five and six years old wanted? "Pink Purple Sparkle Princess" party. Yup. Each girl made a crown, and little paper dolls of herself. On the night, each girl waited patiently in line and walked through the castle that one of the leaders had made. The castle led the girls to the waiting leaders (all four of us --I had just been enrolled as a leader right before the girls--colour me surprised!) who gave them their certificate, pins and keeper. Then we had cake. I had made a pink strawberry lemonade cake which was iced with purple icing and decorated with a cut out fondant princess (in pink and purple!) and covered with sprinkles and silver balls. It was a hit. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture....
that's me doing my first official Guider role...giving out the keepers to each girl.
waiting for cake
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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