Friday Fail!

So I have been really trying to get a decent amount of exercise in lately.  I went through a period of time where I just wanted to be lazy!  Paddling season wore me out and I needed a break.  I have to say I have been pretty good about hitting the gym, watching what I eat and taking better care of myself, between work and life there is not a whole lot of extra time in the day. So today being my friday off I had high hopes in the exercise dept.  I was going to go to Pilates at 7:30am and then hit spin class at 9:30am, so I got up got dressed and was out the door at 6:50am, so I could get my Starbucks.  I walk into Starbucks looking like this…..

Yes, I look like something the cat dragged in and NO, I don't normally post full body selfies or selfies without a cute kiddo in them, sorry, I hope I did not scare you.

Anyways I walk into Starbucks looking far from beautiful in anybody's standards, order my coffee and notice this random guy looking at me, I quick go through my brain of all the possibilities of who this dude could be and no luck, I have no idea who he is until I walk out of Starbucks.  I walk out, he is waiting for me to leave, he starts making small talk, tells me I look beautiful (clearly he had not had his coffee and he is delusional, my hair was a hot mess, no shower has occurred and no make-up has been applied) and asks me out on a date.  And now I remember how I know him, he had waited for me outside of Starbucks a long time ago and mentioned the beautiful thing but did not ask me out.  I politely declined, got in my car, looked in the mirror and just shook my head, poor guy has really low standards.

I drive to Pilates arrive about 7:20am, look at my phone and realize the class I signed up for starts at 9:30am, doh! I am two hours early and it is at the same time as spin class, boo!  I go home walk the dog and go back two hours later.  I could of been sleeping all that time and avoided the awkward moment at the coffee shop, total Friday fail on my part, I guess spin will have to wait till Sunday. 

The End

Baby Paul - CF Won't Stop Him!

Today is Cystic Fibrosis awareness day and what an important day it is!  Everyone is encouraged to wear purple to show their support in finding a cure for this brutal disease.  Meet Paul or baby Paul as he is known as by his 656 fans on his Facebook page!  I have known Paul's mama since high school, she and I were on the swim and water polo team together and being the small world that it is, his Daddy works with the Sheriff but in a different department.  Below is what Baby Paul's mama has posted on his Facebook page, I have deleted a few things to protect Paul's privacy.

Picture borrowed from his FB page.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. An estimated 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide) have CF. 

In people with CF, a defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that: Clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections, obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down food and absorb vital nutrients.

In the 1950s, few children with CF lived to attend elementary school. Since then, tremendous progress in understanding and treating CF has led to dramatic improvements in the length and quality of life for those with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond.

In order for a person to have CF both parents need to be carriers of the CF gene. Even when both parents are carriers, there is still only a 1 in 4 chance of an offspring having CF. Unbeknownst to them, Paul's parents are both carriers of the CF gene. Paul has the most common mutation of Cystic Fibrosis (CF), DDF508. He was diagnosed through newborn screening and we were informed of his diagnosis when he was 2 weeks old. His parents were unaware of any family history of CF carriers, therefore, didn't do any genetic testing during the pregnancy. It was a normal pregnancy and delivery. He was born at 38weeks 6 days gestation, 8lbs, 7oz, and 22 inches long. The diagnosis came as a huge surprise...the kind of surprise no parent wants to get.

Paul has been a more symptomatic CFer for his age and is considered a serious CF case by his team of doctors.

Paul is severely pancreatic insufficient and takes pancreatic enzymes every time he eats in order for his body to absorb food better. Despite taking enzymes he still struggles with food mal-absorption issues.

Paul also does 3-4 breathing treatments/day to help open his airways, loosen the thick, sticky mucus that sits in his lungs and pancreas, and help break up the mucus. Each breathing treatment is approximately 35 minutes long. He has been doing breathing treatments since he was 4 weeks old. When he was 10 months old he received a vest that he wears during the treatment that shakes his lungs and helps to break up the mucus. 

Photo borrowed from his FB page.

He was diagnosed with his first serious lung infection when he was only 8 weeks old. He was 3 months old when he had his first bronchoscopy. At 4.5 months old when had his second bronchoscopy, was hospitalized and received a PICC line for the first time. His parents administered IV antibiotics at home for two weeks through Paul's PICC line. At 11 months old he had a CT scan of his lungs, an Infant Pulmonary Test (to test his lung function), another bronchoscopy, and an upper GI endoscopy. The results were not good. The back of Paul's lungs show significant damage and disease progression and his lung function was only 38%. He also has the start of liver disease. This devastating news resulted in Paul having his second PICC line placed and 3 weeks of IV antibiotics at home.

Paul had a PH Impedance test done at the end of July. The results of this test determined that Paul is experiencing acidic and non-acidic reflux. Paul's pulmonary, GI and infectious disease doctors suspect the reflux is draining to the back of his lungs which is why they are so badly diseased, damaged, and full of mucus, despite Paul being rather non-symptomatic (not sounding congested or coughing up mucus plugs, moderate shortness of breath, clear sounding lungs with a stethoscope).
The doctors are optimistic that with a medication adjustment and medication addition the reflex will be under control. The hope is that once the reflux is under control his lung function will improve.

At the end of October 2014, Paul went under anesthesia for the 5th time and the doctors repeated the same tests they did in July (lung CT scan, Infant PFT test, and bronchoscopy). The CT scan showed about a 60% improvement to the back of his lungs. His lung function went from 38% (at the end of July) to 62%. The bronchoscopy showed some improvement, but there is always more work that needs to be done!

Our goal is to keep Paul healthy through cold/flu season and repeat the CT, Infant PFT and bronchoscopy again in April 2015 to see if Paul's lungs are continuing to improve or if we have a good idea what his baseline lung function is. Our hope is that his lung function will continue to increase and the CT scan will continue to show improvement.

Paul has already proven that CF isn't going to get him down. Paul is a happy boy who resilient beyond his years, loves to swim in his pool at his Nana's house, loves his dogs, loves playing outside, has a laugh and a smile that can turn anyone's frown upside down. He is affectionately referred to as "Baby Paul" and/or "Champ" by his family and friends.

You can follow Paul on Facebook here, if you are not on Facebook no problem you can find him on Instagram and Twitter @paulspatrolmama and if you are wearing purple today, take a selfie and hashtag #paulspatrol and #cdcfstrong to show your support, I know I will be wearing purple today.

Five on Friday!

1. Today is my brother Ryan’s birthday, Happy Birthday Ryan!  Ryan got a tattoo a few weeks ago and my parents are still flipping out about it!  LOL!

2. A few days ago my sister and her family had to suddenly goodbye to their dog Mingus.  Mingus with diagnosed with cancer in his heart and there was nothing they could do.  It was so sad to hear that news, Mingus was an awesome dog and my sister and brother in-law were the best pet parents to him. RIP Mingy!

3. I saw this video online and I knew immediately what the Sheriff does at work when patrolling the harbor...

Instead of singing all day long perhaps he should be figuring out how he is going to buy me this…..

4. The twins could be here in as little as three weeks, crazy!  It seems like just yesterday we found out there are two of them and now it is almost time for them to come out and play.  Prayers for healthy babies greatly appreciated!

5. I decided to get a jump on things and I filed my taxes on Tuesday, yay for the refund coming my way!  Now lets hope that I do not get anymore “important tax documents” in the mail cause that would NOT be good.  

Happy Friday Everyone! 

Two Chicks Update - 32 weeks

It has been awhile since I have posted an update about the babies, mainly because their appointments have been going pretty good and I do not want to post anything that Ryan or Shannon have not shared publicly.  So here is the latest update from Shannon, sadly it is not the news we really wanted to hear but we still remain hopeful.  

Twin Update from Shannon:

 It has been quite a few weeks since our last update, but there have been lots of highs and lows, and, in all honesty, it's not been easy to write about.  The good news is that we have made the 32 week mark this Wednesday, which means that the girls could come at any time now and should be fine (with some possible time in the NICU). Madeleine is growing well and is currently measuring 4lbs 2oz. Evelyn's body is also growing well (3 lbs 14 oz); however, the measurements for her head show a possible problem. She measured in the 5th percentile for head circumference eight weeks ago, and although it went up for a little while, she has dropped down to the 2nd percentile. According to our perinatologist, any measurement under the 10th percentile can be a cause for concern. At this point, we will not know the reason for Evelyn's head measurement until delivery. It can range from just a genetic predisposition for a smaller head to a chromosomal disorder and developmental delays. Both Madeleine and Evelyn are very active, though, which is a good sign of a healthy baby. Please continue to keep the girls in your prayers, and we hope that they wait a few more weeks to make their big debut!

Knott's Berry Farm 2015

This month it has been Fire and Law Enforcement appreciation month at Knott's Berry Farm meaning that Fire or Law Enforcement personel get two free tickets and up to six other tickets at a discounted rate ($24), so we took the kiddo's again this year.  Last year it was kind of disastrous as in Mari knocked out two teeth but the Sheriff won her a teddy bear so it was all good kinda sorta, so this year it was our goal to leave there sans injuries especially mouth ones.  All I have to say is what a difference a year makes, this year the kids actually wanted to go on rides, last year they were cool with just walking around the park and checking the shops and attractions out.  This year we hit some of the big rides and lets just say I have turned into a pansy, I screamed like a little girl, closed my eyes and braced myself for every drop.  The Sheriff and I laughed because in every ride picture we each made our own scared/bracing for the drop face, it was pretty funny.  Cole and Mr. Pie were the cool kids with their hands up in the air, lucky for them, they were sitting behind me so I could not see that they were not holding on and lucky for me too, otherwise I would of had a panic attack watching them not holding on.  

Our time together started after Shannon's baby shower on Saturday, we went to dinner with G & G and then headed home to my house because Mr. Pie was on his way over to spend the night and hang with us.  Mr. Pie and the Sheriff were a bit delayed so I took C & M to get ice cream.

#bestauntever

We left bright and early Sunday morning for Knott's after a quick breakfast, they were pretty excited to say the least.

I was trying to take a fun groupie, but the boys were being buttheads and kept shoving their faces in the camera.

They were a little wild towards the end, but the minute we left the parking lot they dropped like flies and were asleep most of the the ride home.   We stopped at Tony Pepperoni for dinner and then finished the night at Cherry on Top!  Oh and do you see that pink bear? That's right Auntie Erin won that for bear for Mari, yep, best aunt ever!

When we got home, I was cooked, so I put them on the couch in front of the tv, they watched a movie and I fell asleep, once it was over, it was time for bed.

I did not sleep well, I had a horrible sore throat all day at Knott's and all night and for a moment I googled Measles symptoms because we have had a huge outbreak in Orange County and even though I was vaccinated as a baby I am afraid I need a booster shot to be protected. #callingthedoctorinthemorning 

I was too tired to make breakfast so I took them to the doughnut shop, I don't think they minded one bit.

After doughnuts we drove down to HB for a bike ride and lunch before it was time to return the kids back to their parents.  It was such a fun weekend together, I am already looking forward to next year!

Two Chicks - A Baby Shower

Good news everyone our two chicks will be 32 weeks this Wednesday, that means we could be holding them in as little as three weeks (lets hope they stay in longer)!  This past Saturday my Mom threw Shannon a small baby shower of just family members.  It was nice that it was a small group where we could all sit and talk with no silly baby shower games.  I wish I had taken more pictures, my Mom did such a nice job and everything turned out perfect.  

This name banner turned out so cute, I wish I had a better picture of it close up so you can see the detail.

Lots of big gifts for two tiny babies.

The nice and simple food spread.

Big sister Caroline showed up to help unwrap a couple presents.

We don't have many belly shots and in order to not be very annoying I do not ask Shannon to take any, but today was different, it was her baby shower so she needed one taken.

And the big gifts unwrapped!

One of my Mom's high school friends made these turtles, they turned out so cute,

Maybe so Eskimo!

I made these, they are nothing fancy, but they look so cute.

Cole and Mari came too, they hung out with Ryan, Caroline and Grampy during the shower because they were headed to Auntie Erin's for the weekend after the shower was over, more on that tomorrow!

Congrats Shannon, we cannot wait to meet the babes and Mom you did a fantastic job as always!

Why I DO NOT want a puppy!

****Warning**** Major rant below!!

Clearly my last post was not clear enough, I DO NOT want a puppy!  People keep asking me why and make me out to be a horribly cold person because I DO NOT want a puppy, so I am going to list all of the reasons why I DO NOT want a puppy.

- They are messy, no puppy comes to you house broken, I'm not sure about you but my days of cleaning up puppy messes are OVER.  Gracie took FOR EVER to potty train, it was awful and I DO NOT want to go through that anytime soon.

-They are little itty bitty creatures that need you around ALL.OF.THE.TIME, not sure about you, but I work full-time and that means I am gone the majority of waking hours.

-They are EXPENSIVE, they need food, shots, crates, beds, operations so they do not have puppies themselves.

-Speaking of food, I swear other pet parents are MEAN.  What do you mean you do not cook for your dog?  You don't feed your dog a raw diet?  Your dogs food is not served on a silver platter?  NO NO and NO, Gracie gets her food from Costco, call me a horrible pet parent but that is all I can afford that is somewhat healthy, judge away!

- Speaking of food again, Gracie has horrible food allergies.  I spent the first three - four months of pet ownership cleaning up barf because she was allergic to the food I was giving her.  Yep, again judged as a horrible pet parent. I had no idea dogs had food allergies.  I tried everything which included a bland chicken and rice diet, well wouldn't you know she is allergic to chicken. FUN TIMES!

- While dealing with barf and other puppy messes Gracie had to have emergency surgery because she swallowed the skin of a tennis ball, WTF.  That cost $2078, I am still pissed about that.

- Gracie and I live in 675 square feet, NO room for a puppy, especially one that is going to become a large dog.  Cause we all know I will have to help with a new puppy.  I.DO.NOT.WANT.TOO.  

-Speaking of where we live, do you know how many people frown when I tell them I live in a condo, geez, you would think that Gracie can barely turn around in our house when I tell them that.  I lie half the time and say we live in a large house with a yard so the judgie judgkins don't jump down my throat.  

- Puppies bite and destroy things, I like my stuff and I want to keep it nice, call me crazy!  Gracie found a spot in the kitchen that is missing some baseboard and had a small hole, now the hole is huge and it is going to take some serious drywall repair to fix it. AHHHH!  But if I told anyone that Gracie eats the drywall, I would turn into this horrible pet parent that is letting her dog poison herself by eating drywall.  

-They need to be trained, it is so secret Gracie and I failed dog obedience school, why you ask, please refer to the second bullet point, I work full-time and I did not have the time to dedicate to practicing our skills, whatever!  As long as Gracie does not bite small children I call it a win in the training department.  But don't you worry, I have basically been told by many that Gracie is out of control, OK, thanks for your opinion that I did not ask for, plus I could say that about your children, Gracie is just as spirited as your little brat of a child.

- Gracie is now 6.5 years old and finally feel like I can leave her for more than four hours with out worrying that she needs to go out or needs me home, with a puppy that would all change, NO.THANK.YOU.

- A friend of mine got a puppy this weekend and called me on the verge of a mental breakdown and as I tried to talk her off the edge a flood of emotions and memories came back as I remembered everything I hated about having a puppy.  As I tried to encourage her that is really does get better, I tried not to cry myself as I remembered how horrible it was a what a complete failure I felt like. People ask me all of the time why I got a dog and if it was so bad why did I keep her instead of giving her to a loving home?  The truth is I was very lonely and I thought that would help fill a void in my life.  I had no idea it would be this tough.  I was of the mindset that you don't get rid of your pets, once yours always yours and as far as the loving home, really, I cannot believe you just said that.  Thanks for making me feel like the worst pet owner EVER, that dog gets food, a roof over her head, medical attention and plenty of affection, I never said I did not love her, I just did not like her a lot as a puppy.  

- And the number 1 reason why I do not want a puppy is because I HATED every part of it and I am afraid that if the Sheriff gets a puppy it will drive a huge wedge in between us and I don't think I can handle that.  That is why I told him if he gets a puppy we are done and I will stick to that.  And what no on realizes he is still considering getting one, so you can only imagine how I feel about where I stand in our relationship, he might as well just say I am not sure about us, that is why I am considering a puppy.  Ya, it hurts a lot.  When everyone sees this as a big joke or that I am overreacting, I don't.  

NO!

And just in case you are wondering, I cried the whole time I wrote because I really do feel like a jerk when I tell the Sheriff no about getting a puppy.

RANT OVER!

NO NO NO!!!

The Sheriff, Mr. Pie and I went last weekend to look at puppies, why we went to look at puppies you ask? I have NO idea besides the Sheriff really wants one and I do NOT.  I posted a couple pictures on Facebook and that seriously started a firestorm, such a firestorm that I almost went on a rant on the blog and deleted my Facebook page, it was bad, omg!!!  The puppies were super cute and I swear the Sheriff took us there so that I could snuggle them and love them and then say "yes, but it did not work and I explained to him all of the reasons why we should not get a puppy at this time.  Despite my lack of wanting a puppy the Sheriff continues to send me puppy names all.of.the.time. I swear he is trying to break me, thankfully there have been several engagements announced on Facebook the last few days and that keeps me strong and focused.  No puppy until there is a ring and a baby, the.end.

They were cute and I did love holding them, but NO, I still do not want one. 

Happy New Year Everyone!  It is amazing to think that we have all survive since the Y2K "crisis" 15 years ago, lol.  2014 was great, I think 2013 was a tad bit better in some ways, but I am looking forward to what 2015 will be bringing us in the next few months.  Just for the record we had snow in Orange County Tuesday night and some of the residents of Rancho Santa Margarita woke up to a legit amount of snow in their yards, so much so channel 2 news was there.  I worked 14+ hours yesterday and I have a major work hangover headache, I am hoping I am just tired and not getting sick.  I have not been sick in years and I am not about to break that streak now, however I have not moved from my couch since about 10am this morning and we are quickly approaching 4pm, I am starting to get worried.  I just texted the Sheriff to see what time he gets off work, if it is early enough I hope we can go grab dinner and if it is not then I do not need to shower or wash my hair, well maybe I will shower but HELL NO I am not washing my hair.  I have been debating on New Years Resolutions, I don't want to do the typical eat better, lose 15 lbs. and go to the gym more because those are things that should be a regular part of your life so I think I have come up with one for 2015.  I have gotten into the habit if the Sheriff is working on a Friday or Saturday night I just stay home, but in 2015 I am going to start reaching out to my friends more and getting together with them while he is working
and get out.

 I wish everyone a very HAPPY New Year!