Boy was some computer advice guy about to have a good laugh on me for the weekend! You know how laptop cords come in two pieces? Why? Anyone? Anyway, I've had a couple of incidents with that darn cord in the last couple of weeks.
First, I ended up in Detroit with only half of it, so Devon had to FedEx it so I could use my computer during our 4 day visit at the hospital. I would have gone crazy without it!
Then today, mid-afternoon, my computer went ka-put! It was on the coffee table, plugged in, then just died. I unplugged it and tried the battery, then I plugged it in again, nothing. I flew down stairs to Devon's office in a panic. He suggested calling customer support. I had been on hold for a little over 13 minutes when Devon came up & discovered the problem: The cord was unplugged in the middle. Voila! It worked, and I was spared the embarrassment, and some computer technician was spared another "dumb customer" story.
Now, can ayone tell me way those cords come in 2 pieces?
20 October 2006
October Alan
Really, I don't know what it is, but we just can't seem to get away from Alan in October. In 2003 it was a major kitchen/living room/great room remodel, starting on 29 October. In 2005 it was the bathroom (starting on 25 October). And now, in 2006, it's the garage being transformed into a play room (that will eventually be a dining room, once the toys are gone. And Alan has been with us through them all.
They started demo and framing today, and I can't wait. AND, this one, compared to the other 2 remodels, will be relatively unobtrusive & straightforward. The electrical is already there, and there is no plumbing to move. Hopefully we'll be done within two weeks, that's the plan anyway. And, they'll get alot of it done while we're in LA next week.
The pics will have to wait for tomorrow. We have a PRIDE meeting for Jordan's IEFP (I can't remember what it stands for, but it's a plan for her care) in the morning. Conan is almost over and I should have been asleep long ago. I better get some shut eye while the sleepin's good.
I ended up having to buy a $30 memory card for my phone, so I can transfer pics. I haven't seen any of the 47 I took yesterday while fooling around with it, but now that I have a card I'll figure it out. If you e-mail them to your personal e-mail, or to a webpage set up to transfer them it's
is &0.25 per picture anyway, so I'd already be 1/3 of the way there already (first day!).
Funny Avery: She convinced me to play "snuggle" this morning, until I really was asleep in her bed (and Jordan in her bucket right beside me & the bed, also sleeping). Then Avery slipped downstairs to bug Devon on a conference call, and I was BUSTED. Seriously, I canNOT be held responsible for staying awake before noon, especially when tempted with a snuggly blue blanket, Avery, and even her Ahhhhh.
Also, Avery decided to take up dishwashing as a hobby tonight. Did you hear me yell Woo-hoo!!! Alright!!! Of ourse all of the dishes were already in the dishwasher, so she got some out of the drying rack to wash. They're doubly clean now, I suppose.
Pictures to come.
They started demo and framing today, and I can't wait. AND, this one, compared to the other 2 remodels, will be relatively unobtrusive & straightforward. The electrical is already there, and there is no plumbing to move. Hopefully we'll be done within two weeks, that's the plan anyway. And, they'll get alot of it done while we're in LA next week.
The pics will have to wait for tomorrow. We have a PRIDE meeting for Jordan's IEFP (I can't remember what it stands for, but it's a plan for her care) in the morning. Conan is almost over and I should have been asleep long ago. I better get some shut eye while the sleepin's good.
I ended up having to buy a $30 memory card for my phone, so I can transfer pics. I haven't seen any of the 47 I took yesterday while fooling around with it, but now that I have a card I'll figure it out. If you e-mail them to your personal e-mail, or to a webpage set up to transfer them it's
is &0.25 per picture anyway, so I'd already be 1/3 of the way there already (first day!).
Funny Avery: She convinced me to play "snuggle" this morning, until I really was asleep in her bed (and Jordan in her bucket right beside me & the bed, also sleeping). Then Avery slipped downstairs to bug Devon on a conference call, and I was BUSTED. Seriously, I canNOT be held responsible for staying awake before noon, especially when tempted with a snuggly blue blanket, Avery, and even her Ahhhhh.
Also, Avery decided to take up dishwashing as a hobby tonight. Did you hear me yell Woo-hoo!!! Alright!!! Of ourse all of the dishes were already in the dishwasher, so she got some out of the drying rack to wash. They're doubly clean now, I suppose.
Pictures to come.
18 October 2006
My Little Pumpkins
[All photos by Kelly Wood (thanks)]
Well, the rain ruined our outing to the pumpkin patch today. It wasn't supposed to rain until evening! Oh well. Kelly & I braved lunch with the trio -- never again (we always say that). Avery was crawling all over the place, and not particularly hungry. After we couldn't take it any more we convinced them to get under the table and play. Appalling, I know, but you weren't there. It was better to just have them hidden from sight. . . . At least Kate was actually eating, unlike Avery, which made it that much harder for her to sit still.
Then we went to the Children's Museum for some water splashing, clay squishing, kitchen "cooking," grocery shopping. Jordan & I had to leave for a doctor appointment, so Kelly took Kate & Avery home with her. She swears Avery was as good as an angel, until I showed up to take her home. Riiiiiiight.
2 hours at the pediatrician's office. I guess I'm just used to those kinds of visits. They book us for 20 minute appointments (the long ones, regular appointments are 10 minutes), but she's always in there with us for at least 45. There's always so much to discuss, even if it's nothing new. She did say that we need to get to our neurologist soon, as Jordan is really "snowed" on this Topamax. And she's not exaggerating. Oddly, I actually look forward to "decompressing" with her. I'm so thankful she's our pediatrician. It's times like these that it really counts.
I took lots of pics on my new phone camera. Now I'll just have to figure out how to get them onto my computer. I also want to figure out how to get them un-reversed when I shoot them (the image is upside down on my phone screen???). I guess I'll be having to read the book or something. Maybe tomorrow, since it's the only day this week we don't have a doctor or therapy appointment.
So beware, even more October pics to come. I love pumpkin pics (big surprise). Hopefully we'll get a clear day and a big pile of leave this autumn, too.
Well, the rain ruined our outing to the pumpkin patch today. It wasn't supposed to rain until evening! Oh well. Kelly & I braved lunch with the trio -- never again (we always say that). Avery was crawling all over the place, and not particularly hungry. After we couldn't take it any more we convinced them to get under the table and play. Appalling, I know, but you weren't there. It was better to just have them hidden from sight. . . . At least Kate was actually eating, unlike Avery, which made it that much harder for her to sit still.
Then we went to the Children's Museum for some water splashing, clay squishing, kitchen "cooking," grocery shopping. Jordan & I had to leave for a doctor appointment, so Kelly took Kate & Avery home with her. She swears Avery was as good as an angel, until I showed up to take her home. Riiiiiiight.
2 hours at the pediatrician's office. I guess I'm just used to those kinds of visits. They book us for 20 minute appointments (the long ones, regular appointments are 10 minutes), but she's always in there with us for at least 45. There's always so much to discuss, even if it's nothing new. She did say that we need to get to our neurologist soon, as Jordan is really "snowed" on this Topamax. And she's not exaggerating. Oddly, I actually look forward to "decompressing" with her. I'm so thankful she's our pediatrician. It's times like these that it really counts.
I took lots of pics on my new phone camera. Now I'll just have to figure out how to get them onto my computer. I also want to figure out how to get them un-reversed when I shoot them (the image is upside down on my phone screen???). I guess I'll be having to read the book or something. Maybe tomorrow, since it's the only day this week we don't have a doctor or therapy appointment.
So beware, even more October pics to come. I love pumpkin pics (big surprise). Hopefully we'll get a clear day and a big pile of leave this autumn, too.
17 October 2006
Totally Tuesday
Today's exciting adventures: The jelly blob had physical therapy & I got us snazzy (free) new cell phones.
Yes, on Topamax Jordan has transformed from a wet noodle to a jelly blob. Physical therapy was so, uh, ridiculous, I guess. What else can I call it. Her muscles are so loose I don't even want to describe what way she can bend her arms and shoulders. It definitely doesn't seem right. I'm hoping that we'll be able to sort out the seizure & Topamax mystery while we're at UCLA next week. I'd rather she not be on it if she's not really seizing, and I think the Detroit docs were using a rather liberal definition of "seizure."
The rest of the day was taken up with figuring out the new cell phones. Lots of bells and whistles, but the big problem was that Devon's cell was so old that they didn't have a clone cable, so now I'm the one manually programming the 98 entries into the new phone (since the new phones were my idea). And many of the entries have more than one entry. I only have 24 to go. I'll be sure to make the first picture meaningful so I can post it here. . . .
Off to the pediatrician tomorrow for a catch-up meeting. Never a dull moment.
Yes, on Topamax Jordan has transformed from a wet noodle to a jelly blob. Physical therapy was so, uh, ridiculous, I guess. What else can I call it. Her muscles are so loose I don't even want to describe what way she can bend her arms and shoulders. It definitely doesn't seem right. I'm hoping that we'll be able to sort out the seizure & Topamax mystery while we're at UCLA next week. I'd rather she not be on it if she's not really seizing, and I think the Detroit docs were using a rather liberal definition of "seizure."
The rest of the day was taken up with figuring out the new cell phones. Lots of bells and whistles, but the big problem was that Devon's cell was so old that they didn't have a clone cable, so now I'm the one manually programming the 98 entries into the new phone (since the new phones were my idea). And many of the entries have more than one entry. I only have 24 to go. I'll be sure to make the first picture meaningful so I can post it here. . . .
Off to the pediatrician tomorrow for a catch-up meeting. Never a dull moment.
More Pics, Just For Fun
How to relax in the bathroom, while waiting for your sister to get out of the bathtub
Avery & Jordan modelling their new dresses, straight from Kim, Chris, Vivian, & Truman in Korea. Thanks! Avery loves the soft feel.
Jordan gives a grin in her new stroller. I'm never a fan of strollers, bu this one is pretty cool, very adjustable, and good support for Jordan (although many of the support features are not shown because she had just barfed on them)
"Kate's carseat! Kate's carseat! Get Jordan out! You have to go to the store and buy Jordan a new one!" Avery yelled when she saw Jordan in this one for the first time
Snuggles with daddy
Avery & Jordan modelling their new dresses, straight from Kim, Chris, Vivian, & Truman in Korea. Thanks! Avery loves the soft feel.
Jordan gives a grin in her new stroller. I'm never a fan of strollers, bu this one is pretty cool, very adjustable, and good support for Jordan (although many of the support features are not shown because she had just barfed on them)
"Kate's carseat! Kate's carseat! Get Jordan out! You have to go to the store and buy Jordan a new one!" Avery yelled when she saw Jordan in this one for the first time
Snuggles with daddy
Drowned rat Daisy right after a bath. I love her two different colored eyes
16 October 2006
Another Day, Another Doc
Actually, it was a room full of docs up "on the hill" (OHSU). 2 nurses, 1 genetic counselor, 2 neurologists, and 1 geneticist. And no new info, once again. They took a urine sample for some more testing, suggested we go to a genetic opthamologist (wow, how's that for a specialty) to try to associate any diseases with her cataracts, and will wait until we get back from UCLA at the end of next week to coordinate any other tests they might want to run (MRI/MRS, muscle biopsy).
The conventional wisdom these days seems to be a metabolic disorder, not a neurological condition, or a mitochondrial disease. But, if it is a metabolic disorder, it's very rare and is not presenting like a "normal" metabolic disorder, so our chances of getting an actual diagnosis are pretty small at this point. Very small. They said they see about one kid a year "like" Jordan, and that there's probably not much more we can do except wait for the enzyme shortfall to take over her functions.
But we'll keep on looking for answers, and to figure out how this all fits into the big picture of our family. Whatever this disease is that has overtaken our lives now will continue to haunt our family forward. Because some of the diseases don't appear until later in life, and some are recessively inherited, we really want to know what is going on, especially for Avery's sake.
At least they seemed to be a little bit more compassionate today. I was really dreading this appointment, because even though I know what the reality is, I'm never as prepared as I think I am to hear it repeated. The amount I cry & how crappy I feel for the rest of the day seems to be directly proportional to how the doctors treat us, so, all-in-all, it wasn't a terrible day, much to my surprise.
One appointment down, three to go (this week).
The conventional wisdom these days seems to be a metabolic disorder, not a neurological condition, or a mitochondrial disease. But, if it is a metabolic disorder, it's very rare and is not presenting like a "normal" metabolic disorder, so our chances of getting an actual diagnosis are pretty small at this point. Very small. They said they see about one kid a year "like" Jordan, and that there's probably not much more we can do except wait for the enzyme shortfall to take over her functions.
But we'll keep on looking for answers, and to figure out how this all fits into the big picture of our family. Whatever this disease is that has overtaken our lives now will continue to haunt our family forward. Because some of the diseases don't appear until later in life, and some are recessively inherited, we really want to know what is going on, especially for Avery's sake.
At least they seemed to be a little bit more compassionate today. I was really dreading this appointment, because even though I know what the reality is, I'm never as prepared as I think I am to hear it repeated. The amount I cry & how crappy I feel for the rest of the day seems to be directly proportional to how the doctors treat us, so, all-in-all, it wasn't a terrible day, much to my surprise.
One appointment down, three to go (this week).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)