My Signs

As you know, about a year ago, I discovered that I love to paint.  I've been busy making paintings and signs ever since and have learned so much this past year.  Last month, I became a vendor at a local craft store and I am selling my signs there as well as from my facebook page Show Me A Sign Designs.  I've loved the creative outlet and hope to paint for many years to come.  Here are some that I have made recently:

More Pics

Olivia and her best friend, Aubrey

Abigail and her best friend, Selah

Spring School Pics

Spring School Pics

Hard to believe that in the fall, I will have a 5th grader and a kindergartener.  Crazy!

Recent Pictures

Here are just some recent pictures of the girls.  Abigail is 5 years old, Olivia is 10 years old (and Daisy is 5 years old.)

Show Me A Sign Designs

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShowMeASignDesigns

Happy New Year

Update on everyone. . .

Olivia - She is in the 4th grade and doing well.  Next year, for 5th grade, she leaves the school that she has been at since preschool and has a lot of anxiety about that.  I know, however, that she will surprise even herself and do fabulously.  She still deals with gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying) and is on growth hormone injections.  She started those this past summer and finally made it past 50 lbs for her 10th birthday.  She does have mild autism and adhd, but to me she is just Olivia.  I couldn't (nor would I want to) imagine her any different.  She has the kindest heart of anyone I've ever met.  She loves cats and peacocks!  Her dream is to be a preschool teacher someday and her compassion and empathy would make her a great one!!

Abigail - She is in her last year of preschool and will go to kindergarten next year.  She is growing by leaps and bounds and has a very engineering/mathematical mind like her daddy.  She could do addition and subtraction problems all day (unlike Olivia and I) She also likes to build things and draw (and watch YouTube videos and tutorials.)  She once made a dress for Barbie out of a sock because she saw it on youtube.  Ha!  She loves horses and unicorns!  My girls are SO different and yet are the very best of friends.

Ryan - He is still working as a software architect where he has been for almost 10 years now.  I can't believe that he has been there that long (and we finally made it to our first company Christmas party.) I'm so proud of how hard he works to provide for his family.

Me - I started substitute teaching part time in November.  It provides me with a lot of flexibility and allows me to be involved at my daughter's school.  It is scary to walk into unknown classrooms and have 10 minutes to learn how the day will go.  Subbing has been kind of a fear of mine that I'm trying to overcome.  I'm still painting and making signs, but not nearly as much as I had been.  I do enjoy the creative expression and still have an etsy shop at showmeasigndesigns.  I've still been dealing with some health issues that my endo is trying to get to the bottom of . ..migraines, weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, etc.  Currently, he thinks it is due to my thyroid, but time will tell.

Anyway, that is kind of what has been going on in a nutshell.  I look forward to the blessings that 2018 will hold (even though that means I will turn 40. Ha!)

Happy 5th birthday Abigail

One of the most beautiful cakes I have ever seen!

 Pin the horn on the unicorn

Happy 10th Birthday to Olivia

First Day of 4th Grade

Ever since Olivia was 2-3 years old, she has loved the name Lilly (always with 2 L's.)  It's similar to Abigail's name "Dessa."  Every doll and stuffed animal was named Lilly and Olivia hopes to have a daughter named Lilly someday.  So, it's pretty special that she got Mrs. Lilly for 4th grade.  Her first day was today.  I can't wait to hear all about how it went.

And, yes, she wore a dress for the first day.  She has NEVER worn a dress to school before.  I was in awe.  She is maturing by leaps and bounds. 

Quick Update

Well, we are doing well.  Olivia has been on growth hormones for almost a month.  It has been a tough transition, but we are all adapting.  Plus, she has grown an inch since the beginning of June!  And it's quite possible that she could make it to 50 lbs by her 10th birthday!! 

Also, I am still painting and making signs.  Be sure to check out my etsy shop called Show Me A Sign Designs!!  Here are a few that I have done lately.  I have really enjoyed this new hobby of mine!!

Growth Hormone Injections

For many years, I lived in denial over fear of growth hormone injections for Olivia.  She still hardly tolerates haircuts and having her nails cut and teeth brushed. . .how in the world would she do daily injections.  So, even though she has never been above the 3rd percentile, I never pushed the issue because I didn't want growth hormones to be the answer.  Well, I finally pushed and asked and questioned.  She had a growth hormone stimulation test last November and surprisingly passed with flying colors.  Her body makes enough growth hormone.  So, why is she falling off of her growth curve and is now in less than the 1st percentile?  My daughters, who are five years apart, are now only 3-4 pounds apart.  After many tests over the past year, it is determined that she makes enough growth hormone, but her body resists it. . .it does not utilize it like it should.  Yesterday, insurance approved her for growth hormone injections.  I was expecting a fight and lengthy appeals with the insurance company because I've heard that once you pass the stimulation test, they don't want to pay for it.  But, they approved it without any problem.  Within the next few weeks, we will get trained on it because it is reconstituted and has to be mixed, etc.  So, it doesn't sound like a simple "dial the dose."  One fear of mine is knocking on the doorstep, but it doesn't seem so scary up close (to me, I can't speak for Olivia.)  It is not just about her being small or being short and wanting to make her taller.  It is a health issue as some of her internal organs do not seem to be growing at normal pace either so it affects more than outward appearances.  And I pray and pray that this is what her body needs to grow and thrive.  It is heartbreaking to watch your daughter get older and struggle to grow.  It's like climbing a mountain with a really really heavy backpack and no matter how much you try or how determined you are, you can't get anywhere.  We've tried OT, feeding therapy, increasing calories, etc. and NONE of it has made a difference.  To be honest, she is a better eater than Abigail at times.  But, it doesn't make a bit of difference and for the past "almost 10" years that has made me feel like a failure of a mom.  So, I just ask for your prayers as we begin this long journey of daily injections for the next 5-6 years at a minimum.  I pray that Olivia tolerates them well without side effects and adjusts to them easily.  Hopefully soon they will be just another part of life.  No one ever said parenting was for the faint of heart. . .