Update on Megan - 2

I think Megan is turned a corner. She's still got a long way to go, but the fever isn't as high and the rash is starting to fade in places. Her mouth and lips are still really painful, which makes it hard to talk and eat and drink, but her appetite is returning, which is always a good sign. We are pretty much out of danger of being admitted to TCH unless one of the blisters gets infected. Thankfully, she hasn't gotten too many blisters, so we are hopeful.  Thank you so much for all of your prayers and phone calls and emails. Thank you for watching Jared during all the doctor visits, for bringing Megan cards and gifts, for playing Uno and Go Fish, and doing never ending puzzles with her. Thank you Abby and Maddy for coming and doing my dishes and playing with Jared.

You can't really tell, but she was trying to smile in this picture. Her lips just won't stretch that far.

She wanted everyone to see how much the rash has disappeared on her tummy.

Update on Megan

How do you go from this

to this

in two days?

It's called Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

A couple of weeks ago, Megan developed a staph infection in her hand. She was given antibiotics to clear it up. On Monday, she started running a fever and getting a rash. By Tuesday, we were in the ER at Texas Children's Hospital where they diagnosed her with Stevens Johnson Syndrome, which was triggered by an allergic reaction to the antibiotic she had been taking. There isn't anything we can do for her except manage the symptoms and try to keep her from becoming dehydrated. She has a rash from her eyes down to her toes (they are all red and swollen), even in her nose and ears. Her eyelids and lips are swollen. Inside her mouth and throat are covered in sores. It could last one week or it could last several months. No one knows. SJS isn't really uncommon in older people, but it's more rare in children.

If she becomes dehydrated or if the rash turns into blisters, which then become infected, she will be admitted to TCH, but otherwise she'll be at home. She is not contagious, and would love distractions (visitors) in small amounts.

Her mom would love prayers and good thoughts and sleep.

It's been hard to deal with all of this while being so far away from family, but our wonderful church and friends here have wrapped us up with love and caring. We are so very grateful for all of the help.

It's so chic...

My father-in-law says there's a song for everything. I tried and tried to figure out how to post the actual song here, but apparently, I'm not that smart. If you haven't heard it, call me and I'll sing it for you. :D

It's so chic to be pregnant at Christmas
I feel like the "round yon virgin" of yore
'Cause though I have a warm bed to sleep in
There's no room for me when I go to the store

'Cause the aisles are so narrow and crowded
Christmas shopping has never been such a pain
(gasp) Here comes another Braxton-Hicks contraction
And I'm knockin' over knick-knacks again

Oh, the salesclerks are so friendly this Christmas
One said, "Oh please, lady, don't have it here"
Their discretion and manners go right out the door
When I and my stomach appear

People like to put their hands on my fundus
And they want to know exactly when I'm due
I say, "Why do you care? Are you planning to be there?
I could use an extra labor coach or two!"

It's so Biblical to be pregnant at Christmas
No matter what stories you believe
And I may suffer from gravid senilis...and heartburn and nausea and charlie horses and overwhelming fatigue...and frequent micturition and varicose veins and...swollen ankles and shortness...of breath...and that...tired, achy feeling in the grooooooin...

But I won't be alone on New Year's Eve
Fa-La-La-La-La La-La La La

I guess the song sums up our news. I'm due in June. Let the congratulatory comments and phone calls pour in. :D

Halloween 2010

We had a great Halloween. The kids loved the church carnival/trunk-or-treat. They had a great time running around with their friends, getting candy, and playing games. I was a bad mother and forgot to bring a camera, but fortunately I have great friends who took pity on me and emailed me photos from the festivities. :D

My sweet Megan

Megan,

You are such a smart, sweet, helpful girl! You love playing Barbies and Princesses and school. You are kind to your brother, even when you wish he would leave you alone. You love playing with your friends. I don't know where you get such a social streak, but you thrive on parties and play dates and spending time with friends. You love clothes and fashion and accessories. You love art of all kind - painting and ceramics and all kinds of crafts. You are doing so well in school. You are a great speller (you get that from your dad!) and you are so good at math (you get that from your dad too!). You are reading so well. I met with your teacher last week and she said that you are doing wonderfully.

I love you and I'm glad you are mine!

Love Mom

I love my Jared boy!

Jared,

You are such a smart, funny, energetic boy! You talk non stop, even during dinner (that's why you are always finished last). You love spending time with your sister. You love to tease her, torment her, and tickle her. You love to build sandcastles and draw with sidewalk chalk. You love to pretend.You have a new imaginary friend every few weeks - the most recent one is named "Little Mr. Smuchy Face" and is very naughty. You love to build giant marble tracks. You know all of your letters and what sounds they make and are starting to sound out words. You love to write. You love to read books, and to have them read to you. Your favorite songs are "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star" and "Follow the Prophet." You are a hard worker - you are excited to do your job list every day, and you love to think of extra jobs to do when your list is done. You are enjoying preschool, but I am glad that you are still home for some of the time because I love spending time with you.

I love you and I'm glad you are mine!

Love Mom

This picture has a funny story behind it. One night, I told you "Run and get your pajamas." You took me literally - you brought all of the pajamas in your drawer out to the living room! You laughed and laughed because you knew that you had done exactly what I said, not what I meant.

So Blessed!

 
A few days ago, I had a bad day. Things hadn't really gone that well, and I was feeling kind of down and frustrated and ornery. During family scripture study before bed, we read a verse in Alma:

Alma 26:35

Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all ^apower, ^ball wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a ^cmerciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.

Megan looked at me and said, "Mom, we really do have a lot of blessings, don't we?" Some times that's all it takes to shift things back into perspective.

Alma 26:16

Therefore, let us ^aglory, yea, we will ^bglory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his ^cmercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.

I really am so blessed. I have a wonderful husband and children who fill my life with joy. I have sisters who support and love me, who I can lean on in times of stress. I have a dad and stepmom, and father and mother-in-law, and grandparents who are such good examples of service and love and wisdom. I have a church family who have become very dear to my heart in the time that we have lived here. I have friends who are like family, who I can share ice cream and cookies, laughs and tears with. And most of all, I have a loving Heavenly Father and I have my Savior.