i'm so behind!

I have much to blog about, so this will be sporadic.  I have a ton of pictures to post, and I will post some right here w/in this post, and I will post some over here.

Topic numero uno:  Ridge Update:

Two nights ago, Ridge was d-sat-ing some.  He usually does that when he bleeds.  For those of you who haven't lived in a hospital, here's what that means, at least w/ Ridge.  He is having O2 desaturations (i think is what it's called).  His oxygen levels were dropping.  Not perilously low or anything, but they were dropping into the 80s.  He usually does that when he bleeds.  He also was having low BPs, which is a sign of bleeding, also.  He had had a couple of darker greenish diapers, so we figured he was bleeding.  A CBC wasn't due for another day, so we just waited it out.  All day yesterday his diapers were yellow, so things were looking good.  He didn't have any d-sats last night, but he tossed and turned all night, so he didn't really have a chance to be that "out of it".  His diapers were greenish yesterday evening, so I wasn't sure what to expect "count" wise.  This morning, his CBC was this (I will post numbers in previous/current ratios).  Hemoglobin: 9.9/9.1, Hematocrit: 30.3/27.9, Platelets 61K/57K. So, obviously, sometime, he was bleeding.  We didn't see any major signs of it, and his mini poopy diapers have been mostly yellow today.  So it's kind of confusing.  He'll get his next CBC Tuesday morning, so we should know something more then, I guess.  In other news, he is sitting up well, and is usually very happy.  He has his first tooth peeking through the skin.  No one can see it but his mommy, but it is there!  He gets an MRI this week to make sure the d-sats are not neurological (which they won't be), he gets a full skeletal survey of x rays this week to make sure the bone lesions are still looking the same as they have in the past, and he gets his second flu shot.  We still have round 2 of the h1n1 shot in a couple of weeks, so we are still being cautious with visitors who are not vaccinated/have been exposed...since he is on steroids and has lower immunity.  That is what is ahead this week.  

Topic numero dos: Thanksgiving

We have spent the entire Thanksgiving break as a family of four up at the hospital.  I hate being here.  But I love getting to see my family.  Does that mean things aren't stressful in this little confined space?  No, there is much frustration from every angle, but it is still nice to be all together.  On Thanksgiving day, my mom and dad  spent a couple of hours here with us and ate lunch with us- mom made a bunch of food, as did my aunt Alethea (super thanks to Uncle David and Leslee for delivering- especially the PIE!).  It- the food and the time together- was good.  That night my sister and her husband stopped by and brought their contraband (their 9 month old) up to the room with them.  Here are some pictures of our Thanksgiving:

I was taking the picture.  That's why Ridge is all alone down there.  He was the head of the table.

Look how big he is!

Reid and Ridge...and Reid's momma's feet.

yes- he is soooo super cute. and yes, his feet say gobble gobble.

Topic Numero Tres:  In general update/emotional status/what is going on...

So you know the update on Ridge.  That's what I know most of you are checking on,and we sure to appreciate your support.  Here's what else is going on.  Obviously, I am finally getting sick of being here.  I am busying myself with knitting and jewelry projects, and hoping that somehow I can use that maybe maybe to make some extra money because starting Jan. 1, I lose my paycheck bc I will be taking a leave of absence from work.  I hope to be able to go back part time next year, but who knows what will be going on with Ridge then.  I am working on finding out what kind of nurse help there is as far as taking care of Ridge if I were to go back to work.  I don't think I could leave him 3 or 4 hours a day with anyone other than a nurse or myself.  Not every single day.  Maybe every once in awhile, but not daily.  I am stressed thinking about all that has to be ordered/organized/etc. before we are really "set up" to be @ home.  I don't like it that there will be monitors everywhere. I don't like that there are projects I want to do at home, and they are things that would keep me busy in the absence of my job, but I won't be able to do them bc I won't be drawing a paycheck. I worry.  Can ya tell? :)  I know I shouldn't worry, but I do.  We've always made "just enough" money it seems, so now it's frightening that is about to be almost halved.  Yes, medical expenses have been WAY less burdensome due to the support of our community/other communities/people we don't even know, etc.  Daycare expenses have been covered, thanks to the school system I work for.  I totally know that God will provide, but it is still frightening.  And I know that even though I love teaching, I am good at other things, and I could possibly earn a living from other things without sacrificing any time with Ridge.  I'm just not good at putting things into action.  Praise the Lord for Dave Ramsey, before I was even pregnant with Ridge, and our debt snowball that was paid off this summer.  It's nice that we only have to worry about a mortgage and our basic bills, and with two paychecks, that wasn't really a worry.  With one, I am afraid.  So I guess, for me, could you pray that I will have a peace that it will all be okay?  And I'm going to even go one step further- would you pray that some opportunity would open for me to make some supplemental income without sacrificing time at home-- either through tutoring or through crafting things, or through whatever comes my way?  Because I like working.  I do.  I wouldn't leave Ridge to go back to work under these circumstances, but I enjoy having something outside the home to be a part of.  

Whew, I typed way too much this post.  If you are still reading- bless you! :)  If you want to see some more pics, head over here to check them out.