Asthma

Solomon has asthma. We spent 2.5 hours being checked out by a doctor/nurses, recieved his first breathing therapy, got his lungs x rayed, got prescriptions, and loads of stickers!
I had noticed his coughing especially after being active like playing soccer in class has been sounding worse and then he started coughing even without doing something physical. I made an appointment for him to see a doctor for May 14th to rule out allergy or any other reasons for excessive coughing. He started yesterday with a lot of consistent coughing- I thought it would get better overnight. This morning was really bad but I already had an early appointment for the boys to go to the dentists and so we planned to see a nurse afterwards. However, the dentist and her assistant both pointed out their concerns- the way his chest went all the way in so you could see the ridges on his rib bones, the coughing, and the right questions to ask Solomon to find out that he was having trouble breathing. Both women have children with asthma and encouraged me to take him to urgent care. So I re-scheduled their dentist appointments for next week and drove to the clinic. Solomon was checked out and given the diagnose of having asthma and he was experiencing an asthma attack. He got his first breathing therapy- and his numbers didn't go down as much as they would like so we are going back in Friday for a check-up. He one medicine that he is taking for 5 days and will make him "wound up" starting tomorrow to calm the inflammation down. An inhaler thing that he has to breathe in twice a day for about 2 months to help prevent the attacks. Then he has another inhaler [the one that non-asthmatic people know about] for those emergencies/difficulty in breathing moments and what he will take before a sport class or practice/game- I already had to use it because after the attack was mostly gone by the breathing therapy- it flared up after lunch [with the first medicine dose was given]. The boys are taking a nap after all that excitement. I am learning all about asthma with my cool readings from the doctor [the medical staff was great which is nice to have especially being new to this medical insurance].
Some kids do outgrow this so we'll see how he is doing in one month, two months, and a year from now...

Want a slice of pie?

Made another pie: Raspberry and Marionberry
I have to confess- learning to make pies is an awesome new year resolution and I can't believe I didn't like pies growing up- it was the packaged stuff that I don't care for. Recipe from my favorite book: Pie
My next adventure will be bread...
Yummy!

Tigers

In honor of poetry month:
William Blake. 1757–1827

The Tiger

TIGER, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies 5
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder and what art
Could twist the sinews of thy heart? 10
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand and what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? What dread grasp 15
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears,
And water'd heaven with their tears,
Did He smile His work to see?
Did He who made the lamb make thee? 20

Tiger, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

Fun, fun, & more fun

Friday afternoon, May 16th to Sunday afternoon, May 18th I will be "vacationing" at Oregon's coast. It is the steering retreat for my MOPS group that I will be returning for another year in the Publicity position. It will have work involved- mostly on Saturday- and there will be some fun times such as socializing with other women/moms, eating, taking a walk on the beach, etc

A very special thank you to my Dad who is coming up to spend time with his grandsons while Dan works that weekend- Dan will be able to help with dinner [take out of fridge and heat according to directions] and putting the boys to bed while I will be taking my much needed break!!!

So excited!!!

Creatures

Cyrus is very much into pretending to be a squirrel and at our favorite place: OMSI, there is a forest play area and Cyrus can dress up as one- store nuts, and otherwise being "squirrely"

Solomon getting "bug eyed" [glasses that allow kids to see how a bug sees]:

New Skill

I have just taught myself how to knit.
I am using a website: Knitting Help and a book: Stitch 'n bitch [The Knitter's Handbook] by Debbie Stoller
Check out my beginning skill:









Knitting is a great activity to be productive while watching television.

Happy Anniversary!

Dan and I are celebrating 6 years of marriage!

Happy Birthday!!!

Tomorrow is April 20th and my dear friend, M- 's birthday.

Happy Birthday!!!

I got your letter and writing one back. I will send out your box Monday!
Love you!
-M

A Saying

I don't know where he heard it but when Solomon is pleading for something he wants he'll say, "Pretty Please, With a Cherry on Top."
How cute is that! I get to smile when saying no- at least he is trying to be clever!