My poor kitty, Tobey. . .we spent an hour and a half in the vet’s office today (Olivia did surprisingly very well.) Tobey has a condition called diskospondylitis. Here is another link. Our vet has never seen it before in a cat and only a few times in dogs. It’s basically a bone infection and pain caused by a compressed spinal cord. Tobey has to continue on antibiotics as well as pain meds. . .in addition to shots that I will have to learn to give him at home. We are most likely looking at lifelong pain management, which could mean shots or possible surgery (that would cost thousands of dollars.) In addition, he has lost use of his tail and will most likely not regain use of it. Because having a tail that just dangles there can be hazardous (he could get it caught on something, etc) he may have to have his tail amputated. So. . .I got loaded up with a lot of information (and meds) today. I feel so bad for our poor sweet Tobey. Our once very active, very ornery cat now just lays around. You usually find him like this:
So, lots of prayers that we can get rid of the infection and help control his pain and that he regains use of his tail. Poor Tobey is only a year old and is one of Olivia’s very best friends. In fact, most people who meet him fall in love with him. . .he’s such a good kitty.
**Update** Just since I posted this, Tobey began lifting his tail (after one month of no use) This is great news! His first injection may be REALLY helping!
Olivia got a tricycle for her birthday last year, but she has been too small to ride it. I always told her some day, when she’s bigger, she would be able to ride it. The other day, she got on it and started “walking” it. She exclaimed, “Mama!! I’m bigger now!!” She still can’t quite reach the pedals, but that doesn’t slow her down.
I hope you all had a wonderful 4th. We celebrated at home with family and had a blast. Olivia was very into the fireworks this year, but was quick to let me know when it was past her bedtime. LOL.
Today was another scorcher, so I put Olivia in her swimsuit and we headed outside. We went to the splash pad at New Market Square and although Olivia was slow to warm up to it, she ended up enjoying it thoroughly.
And, of course, everything is better with friends!
We headed outside tonight to do a few fireworks. Olivia is not (nor has she ever been) the least bit afraid of them. She actually enjoys them. . .immensely. Here she is enjoying a few snap-n-pops.
I want to draw your attention to. . .her flip flops. I learned last week (after she tried on some of Izzy’s) that Olivia could not wear flip flops. . .even the ones with the strap in the back. She literally could not walk in them. So, we bought a pair and “practiced” in them. Now, she’s wearing them like a pro. LOL!
I’ve been wondering about getting a really good teenage/young adult babysitter for some time. We have a lot of family in town, so the need for one rarely arises. But, I thought it would be nice to rely on one every once in awhile. . .especially now with so much going on in our families. And, I’m proud to say that I snagged the perfect one! Shea is caring, responsible, smart and an all around wonderful person. She has adored Olivia since she was born and Olivia adores her just the same. Olivia’s story has made such an impact on her that she is attending college in the fall with hopes to one day become a NICU nurse. I meant to get a picture of them together today and it completely slipped my mind. So, I went way back and found a picture of them when they first met at the March for Babies 2008. Thank you, Shea, for all of your support over the years. You are the kind of person that Olivia can really look up to.
Shea and Olivia
Olivia and I went with Shelley and Izzy to get pedicures today. I’ll be honest, I was really nervous. Olivia is a girl who used to scream as a baby whenever her feet were touched and cry whenever she got her nails cut. It’s only been in the last year that she has let me paint her toenails, so I had no idea how she would do. She did beautifully and I was so proud of her. She has come such a long way. Sure, she was a little squirmy and has never quite grasped the concept of “letting your nails dry.” But, wow. . .what a big girl. I think she might have even enjoyed it!!
Olivia has sure been brightening my days lately. She is so naturally funny that you can’t help buy laugh out loud when you’re around her. The other day, we took Tobey to the vet. Olivia used to be terrified to go to unfamiliar places, but now she finds it exciting. She found the vet’s office to be just that. . .exciting! First, she asked to get up on the table and our conversation went like this.
Olivia: Can I get up on the table with Tobey?
Me: No, honey, the table is for dogs and cats and other animals.
Olivia: Like elephants?
Me: Well, elephants are too big.
Olivia: What about a baby elephant?
Me: Still too big. The table is for smaller animals.
Olivia: Like caterpillars?
How cute is she? Then, tonight I found my tiara from my wedding and she just had to put it on. Most little girls would then pretend that they were a princess, right? Well, Olivia runs around saying that she is King Juan El Bobo (a character from one of her favorite Dora episodes.) It was hilarious. She is, however, still a princess to me.
I just thought I would give a quick update of everything going on in our lives. Ryan’s mom was readmitted into the hospital because of what they believe are complications with meningitis. As of tonight, she is in a lot of pain and could use a lot of prayers. Ryan’s grandma was finally released from the hospital after being diagnosed with blood clots. My grandma is still in a rehab hospital on oxygen undergoing dialysis. My cat Tobey is at risk for having his tail amputated due to injury. I honestly doubt that will happen, but I was given that as a possibility today during his follow up visit. Whew. . .it’s been an emotionally exhausting couple of weeks. I’m doing okay as the reality of my pregnancy loss is settling in. Some days are worse than others and I’m trying to take it one day at a time. I appreciate all of the prayers and emails and support from everyone. Thank you so very much. I’m just waiting to receive some good news one of these days. My entire family could really use some.
(I was unable to get this to post yesterday, so here it is a day late.)
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so,
He called it ... Dad
- Author Unknown
Today, we celebrated Grandma Sailing’s birthday. Since Father’s Day is tomorrow, we celebrated that as well with pizza, cake and outdoor fun.
Grandpa Sailing
Olivia and Grandpa Sailing having a swinging good time.
Izzy is loaded and ready to fight!
Let the water fights begin!
Watch out Uncle Donnie! Your daughter is gonna get you!
Watch out Grandma Sailing!
Taking time out for a splash in the pool.
Olivia absolutely loved sliding down into the pool.
She could have done this all day.
But, they were ready for cake and ice cream.
Happy Birthday Grandma Sailing!
Eating and sleeping, eating and sleeping. . .two things that I’m finding great comfort in right now. The sleeping is acceptable, but the eating I have got to get a grip of. . .being that I am diabetic. I don’t know how many more cheeseburgers and fries and ice cream my body can handle. But, for some reason it makes me feel better. I tried to eat healthy when I was pregnant and now I’m sort of granting myself permission to eat horribly. I will get back on track soon, though. I promise. Just as soon as I stop feeling sorry for myself.
I’m really doing okay. I’m pretty down, but nothing more than most people feel under similar circumstances. Miscarriage is unfortunately a very common occurrence. It seems lately I have known many more people than usual who have suffered through one. And my heart breaks for every one of them. As you know, I would love to have another child. I do, however, feel unbelievably blessed with the daughter that I have. She is the light of our lives. And, if I never get the privilege of having another child. . .I am more than blessed with what I have.
But, I tell ya. . .the good news keeps rollin in for our family. (I’m being sarcastic if you can’t tell.) Ryan’s grandmother was taken to the hospital by ambulance last night. She currently has some blood clots that are being monitored and addressed. Lots of prayers for her and her family.
This is one of those really hard posts to write and I’ve written many of those over the past few years. Today was going to be the day. I didn’t know yet how I was going to announce it, but I was finally going to let everyone know. . .that I was pregnant. Would I post a sonogram picture? Maybe. Put Olivia in her big sister t shirt? Possibly. It all still seemed surreal to me. We tried three years and almost a dozen fertility treatments to achieve my first pregnancy. This time. . .it was a complete surprise. What an amazing blessing among the many hardships of life! God was giving me a second chance at being pregnant and I was so grateful. I would hopefully be able to experience all that I missed the first time when my pregnancy was cut short. Olivia was being given another sibling that she could grow up with. . .handpicked by her brother in heaven. I was due in January. Life began to make a little sense again. Until today.
Ryan and I went to my OB appointment in hopes to hear the heartbeat for the first time. Instead, we learned that we had lost the baby. I am feeling pretty numb and angry. Why would God surprise me with a pregnancy only to take it away? I still struggle with why God gave me Logan only to take him away. I don’t understand and can’t quite wrap my mind around it all. I am devastated and heartbroken. Yet, I am grateful. I’ll never forget the morning when I got the positive pregnancy test and the joy of sharing it with the few people that we told. It was such an unexpected and wonderful surprise. I’ll never forget the belly shots that my husband took of me every Sunday to mark the beginning of another week. I was just “barely” starting to show. I’ll never forget my cravings for garlic parmesan buffalo wings. . .I could have eaten them every day. And, I don’t even like buffalo wings. I’ll never forget how Olivia would tell people that she was “going to be a big brother.” She had no idea what was in store for her, but she would have been a great big sister. Yet again, Olivia will pull us through this deep dark hole we’re in. Somewhere in the midst of my confusion and anger. . .there is gratitude. I never took a second of my pregnancy for granted. I embraced it. I rejoiced in it and I will forever remember my second pregnancy and all the hopes and dreams it carried. I have my wonderful husband, my amazing daughter and a God who loves me (even when it feels like He doesn’t.) I will be okay.
My last belly shot. . .
It cracks me up how young children think out loud. For instance, I told Olivia that she didn’t need anymore toothpaste and she muttered, “I’m going to go get more toothpaste.” Then, she looked at me like, “Did I just say that out loud?” And, she is really into making up words. We were looking out the window at Subway the other day and a water pipe was sticking up from the ground. She said it was a tweetbelt. And, the other day she said she wanted jam-o-rama for lunch (so I made her a peanut butter and jam-o-rama sandwich.) She’s always cracking herself up with funny words.
I also wanted to ask for prayers for my mother-in-law who was admitted to the hospital yesterday with viral meningitis. Please pray for a quick and full recovery.
Tobey came home from the vet yesterday. They believe that he injured his tailbone when he was a young kitten and it never healed properly. Then, he must have recently aggravated it. They believe the pain from it was preventing him from going to the bathroom which caused more problems. But, he is home and doing well. He’s still not back to his old self, but in time I hope to see that Tobey spark again.
and hails and breaks your basement windows.
We had awful storms tonight and the worst hail that I’ve ever seen. It broke three out of our four basement windows and I hate to even think about how our roof is holding up.
I took this picture after it had been hailing for 20+ minutes, so the really large hail had already started melting. But, it was insane!
On top of this today, our cat Tobey had to spend all day and night at the vet’s office. Last night, he could barely walk. He would just collapse on the floor. After running a multitude of tests, they found that he was severely constipated/impacted. They saw something suspicious near his tailbone on an x-ray, but are going to further investigate tomorrow. We’re not quite sure what is going on with him, but our house isn’t the same without him. Please pray that he can come back home soon. . .healthy and ornery as ever!
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