Getting to Oregon

The day before we left June had her 9mo well-baby check-up. She was 28.25in & 18lbs 10oz (same weight as the previous month). It was 83 degrees in Tucson that day. Lincoln went shirtless, and June & I were in tank tops all day long. It was strange to think that the very next day we would be in weather 40 degrees colder!

The next day we got on the airplane at 11am. Andy got a gate-assist pass so that he could help me get the kids through security. That worked out great!! It would have taken me forever without his help. Lincoln fell asleep while waiting for the airplane & actually slept until we almost landed in San Diego. I had a hurcules move picking him up from the stroller at the bottom of the boarding ramp while he was dead asleep, with my 23 week pregnant belly, June strapped to my chest, a stuffed backpack on my back and a pillow in my other arm. It was actually kinda scary, once I was down in the squat, my legs said "Nope, not gonna stand back up!", and I was like "Hell yes you are! I am not falling on my ass with my kids in my arms!" And I did it, but I did have to groan a little bit, kinda like those professional tennis players & their grunts. The guy behind me in line even said "Wow". I probably looked a little ridiculous, and my legs were sore for days afterwards, lol. After Lincoln's feet kicked the first several rows of passengers a stewardess asked me if I needed any help. I said yep, and let her carry my sleeping Lincoln to his seat. Once we were settled we were good to go for our 5 hour journey with 2 stops.

As I already said, Lincoln slept the first leg of the journey to San Diego. June fell asleep, after much encouragement during the second leg of te journey to Sacremento. And then Lincoln fell asleep on the final leg of our journey to Portland. All in all it went well. There were no huge screaming fits, and we had plenty of toys, snacks and bottles to keep everyone happy for the duration. And were no poopy diapers while in flight, thank goodness! The hardest part was keeping Lincoln in his seat instead of climbing on my lap while June was sleeping in her baby carrier on my chest. I really needed her to get some rest or she would have been a mess! Lincoln did not appreciate this, but we survived and I managed to keep her asleep for almost an hour.

We went out to eat with my Grandma in POrtland that night, and the kids did wonderfully! I have nver had such a good experience with both of them in a restaurant before! I think they must have been showing off for my family! However, they were so wired by the late dinner, and th enew surroundings in Salem at my parents home, that they did not go to sleep that night until well after midnight! June's latest night ever!

Winterhaven Hayride

On December 12th we went to look at the Christmas lights in the Winterhaven district of Tucson. They shut the whole place down to cars, and you can either walk the neighborhood or go on the wagon rides. Last year we did the wagonride and Lincoln LOVED it, so we knew we had to do it again this year. Luckily we were still in town when Winterhaven opened the second weekend in December.

This year they liked it quite a bit, but Lincoln didn't squeal like he did last year. So that was a little dissapointing for us, but I would venture to say that they both had a great time as judged by the smiles, and we will be doing it all again next year!

Here are some pictures. I was so busy taking pictures of the kids that I didn't get any pictures of the lights at all. Oh well.

We are home!

We had a blast, but we are all definitely glad to be home in our own house & our own beds!

Look for more detailed posts about our adventures and happenings in our time away in the days to come.

Here are some teaser pics!

Merry Christmas!

We will be leaving Tucson for Oregon on Tuesday, but until then we will be very busy packing, so this will probably be my last post until we return in the new year.

Here is our Christmas card for this year (click on the image to make it bigger). I did manage to get a couple of good photos of the kids afterall, huh?! ;)



Merry Christmas & see you next year!! :)

Year In Review

For those of you who haven't seen this on my FB page. Here is a snapshot of our year (via FB status updates). It is amazng how much can happen in a single year! :)

Ketogenic Diet

is a go.

We will be having our first consult with the dietician Jan 25th. It will take several pre-appointments to get his calories, meal plans, and fat:carbs:protein ratios worked out. I am pretty nervous about actually managing his diet...but pretty excited about the possibilty of this working for him. I actually have hope again...it has been a long time (last April) since I have had any real hope of him being seizure-free. I am scared of the negative impacts this diet may have on his growth & development, as well as our home-life...but the possible gains, if the diet is successful, are huge! If he were to become seizure-free, I can't even begin to imagine what new things he might have the chance to learn!

I am very nervous that I am setting myself up for heartbreak when this diet turns out to be unsuccessful...or unmanageable for some other reason. I have so many "what-if" thoughts running through my head, but the hope & excitement remain.

We will be on the diet for at least 30 days. If there is no improvement at the end of 30-days then we will reassess. If there is improvement, then the minimum length of time to remain on the diet is recommended to be 2 years. I can't even imagine a course of treatment that lasts so long! He would be almost 5 years old before he could have soda or eat mac n' cheese again (his current favorites)! :( The thought of depriving him of these foods makes me cry, but the possibility of success is so much more powerful & important to me...and to him. Our neuro says that some people remain on the diet indefinitely throughout childhood. One of his patients has been on it for 17 years! I really don't know if we have the commitment for that, but I do think that 2 years and possibly a bit longer if necessary, can be done. I hope.

My cutie pies in November