Crazy Mustache Thursday

D started soccer camp this week and today was Crazy Mustache Thursday. Yesterday was Wacky Hair Wednesday but we couldn't do much with his do.

This is his "I'm a Bad Ass" face.

And this is the face we usually see from D. Except for this morning when he was pissed off that I woke him up at 7am. It's not easy being 7 and having to get up early to go play soccer all morning. Poor baby.

*Mustache artwork provided by yours truly and a wet eyeliner.

Total FRUSTRATION!

I waited about a month to get the results to my brain MRI. When I arrive at the appointment, the doctor told me that she was unable to view the scans on her computer. The worst part about this is that she was the one who told me to go to that particular imaging center and said that they're the only ones they use.

I've scheduled an appointment with a new GP for this Friday. I'm going to take all my labs, scans and test results to her and ask her to refer me to a Neuro of my choice. And if she doesn't, I'll probably kick her ass! So BEWARE lady!

So still, no real answers. Low B12, High Cholesterol, Intermediate Seizures but not severe enough to require medication (since I don't even know when I have them), a spot on my brain, but apparently it's not important enough for my doc to find a way to see it.

Right now, I just wanna scream. But I won't, because my precious Bean is napping and Daddy is bringing me BK! :)

Weekend at Grandma's

Bean and D spent the weekend at Grandma's house. They had a blast and Daddy and I enjoyed our kid-free time as well. More on that later.

Here's Bean wearing brothers shorts.

Knocked out in her playpen. She's mastered the playpen escape but if she's tired enough, she'll kick up her feet and take a little nap.

Update: Tomorrow is D-day. I'll find out the results to my brain MRI and get a few other questions answered. My appointment has already been confirmed for 3pm so we're good to go. Wish me luck.

Highlights for Summer

I was debating between going darker or adding highlights. I change my hair 2-3 times a year and usually when summer comes, so do the blonde highlights. The Hubs preferred the highlights this time so that's what I got. Here's some photo's of me modeling the new do.

My seductive look. I know, it's pathetic, but give me a break I've got 2 kids. I'm rusty.

Cheese.......

I don't love it but I like it. And the Hubs likes it so I guess that's all that matters. Next time, I'm going dark. Maybe in November.

Beautiful Accent

We've been trying to find the perfect accent piece to go in our cutout above the TV. I think we've finally found the right one.

It's a beauty huh!?

It's Been A Long Year

Since moving to California I...

• Severly sprained my ankle after falling down the stairs while holding Bean. She suffered no injuries but I was on crutches for 3 weeks.
• Had a pretty cruddy 26th birthday. I was limping around and the Hubs was away on a training mission. This year, I hope my birthday is a 100 times better. Aug. 22!!!
• Or D, locked us out of our house while Bean was in her room sleeping. The housing office "misplaced" the copy of our house key that they had and a fireman had to bust out the glass in one of our french doors. I slept, without my husband, in a bedroom with a boarded up door for almost 2 weeks. Even though it was military housing, I kept my gun nearby.
• Was the victim of a Hit and Run while enjoying a day with the family.
• I slammed my finger in a 2009 Cadillac XLR Covertible at the LA Auto Show and they had the nerve NOT to give me one. Some people! Ge'ez! ;-)
• I heard the devastating statement "You may have MS.", and have been on the journey of Not Knowing since May 2009.
• I squashed my finger in Bean's stroller. You should see my hands, especially my right one, they're magnets for disaster. By the way, I still have numbess in my middle finger from that incident & it's been about a month.
• July 1, 2009 has officially been named "The Worst Day of my Life". That's a more personal story that hasn't been shared here and probably never will.

The Positives of California

• We have family and support nearby and the hubs and I have been able to get a lot more quality time together without the kids.
• We were featured in Pregnancy and Newborn magazine. And the best part, they asked me for permission to put my product in and I didn't have to pay a dime.
• The kids had a blast when we got tons of snow in the High Desert. I enjoyed it too, but not the time when I rolled down my car window.
• We enjoyed the mountains of Cali with our first go at tubing.
• My family came from Texas to visit us and we went to the San Diego Zoo and spent about 4 days at Disneyland. We had a blast!
• We bought a beautiful house, our first home.
• Lots of fun at Universal Studio's.
• And most importantly, my kids are happy, healthy and safe.

This past year had a few (major) bad points but I think for the most part, it was just life. Shit happens. All you can do is get up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward. I've done that, but I'm really hoping that this upcoming year offers more pleasure then pain.

The Perfect Blackmail Photo

This will teach ya not to fall asleep on our couch. I'd like to blame this one on Daddy but I think this was actually my idea.

We were able to squeeze one of Bean's dolls underneath him.

Maybe this will keep all the girls away.

My Medical Update...

There is no update. :( My appointment that was supposed to be on Friday, July 17th was cancelled because my Doctor was out of town. Thank you Mr. Receptionist for scheduling such an important appointment on a day when my Doctor would be on hiatus.

I was supposed to find out the results to my Brain MRI. She's read over the Radiologist Report but hasn't viewed the actual scans, which was going to take place at that appointment. So now I have to WAIT until July 28th. I.Am.So.Tired.Of.Waiting!

Meanwhile, I'm eating better to help lower my cholesterol, getting B12 shot into my arm every other week, and taking a daily multivitamin. Most days. And the Hubs is making my "No Red Meat" diet very easy to accomplish with his yummy Tilapia. See for yourself.

Mmm Mmm Good!

New Logo

I'm working on opening a new business by the name of Polished Pear Interiors. Above is the logo that I'm going to use for the business. If you have the time, I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on the new design.

From her Head to her Toes

She's all sorts of cuteness!

I Remember When...

• I could walk into a clothing store and look good in anything I tried on. Now, I'm lucky if I don't cry in the dressing room.
• I would come home from school and eat 20 Bagel Bites, a whole bag of Goldfish Crackers, a few cookies, and the next day my jeans would still fit. Now, keep dreaming Sarah, keep dreaming.
• My biggest worry in the morning was how high I could get my bangs to stand up and resemble the perfect wave. Now, diaper changes, dogs to be fed, kids to be fed, the perfect cartoon must be playing on the television, what's for dinner, do I even want to cook dinner....Ahhhh!!!!
• I use to come and go as I please. Now, I can still come and go as I please but now it involves 2 additional (little) people. Who come with a duffel bag of items to keep them quiet and entertained.
• High heels were so hot, painful, but totally hot! Now, they just fuckin' hurt!
• I got paid to do chores.
• I couldn't wait to learn how to drive. Now, I try to beat my husband to the passenger seat.

I have so many more but no time to sit here and type them all out. I was just thinking about how I was so carefree as a child and teen. I guess this is all a part of growing up. We don't always like it, but we have to do it.

Proof

We had some pictures taken over the weekend and the one below is my favorite. The Hubs had to work so we're going back in sometime soon to get more taken of the four of us.

They are just too cute! It was hard to get Bean to smile at first but once I remembered "brush your teeth", she smiled like crazy. If you say, "wanna brush your teeth?" she'll smile and show you all her pretty, clean teeth.


Update: I have an appointment this Friday to find out the results to my Brain MRI. Wish me luck!

The View from Down Here

My Recent Masterpiece

I decided that rather then spending thousands of dollars on artwork to cover all the walls in this house, that I would just paint everything myself. This is painting #2, or painting #2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 if you count all the pieces. It cost me exactly $32.00 to complete. The Hubs is happy with that number.

This is in our family room, a very colorful and cozy room. Or at least it's getting there. Once it's finished, I'll share more pics. :-) My previous painting is for the formal living and dining area. A space that'll be full of black and white family photo's, contemporary furniture and lime green accents. We're far from traditional in this household.

TGIF!

Lazy morning in our home today. Bean woke up still half asleep, D's sleeping in as he seems to do a lot during the summer break, and Daddy is at work.

What's for breakfast?

This Song Makes Me Cry Now

If I were a boy even just for a day

I'd roll out of bed in the morning

And throw on what I wanted

And go drink beer with the guys

And chase after girls

I'd kick it with who I wanted

And I'd never get confronted for it

'Cause they stick up for me

If I were a boy

I think I could understand

How it feels to love a girlI swear

I'd be a better man

I'd listen to her

'Cause I know how it hurts

When you lose the one you wanted

'Cause he's taking you for granted

And everything you had got destroyed

If I were a boy

I would turn off my phone

Tell everyone it's broken

So they'd think that I was sleeping alone

I'd put myself first

And make the rules as I go

'Cause I know that she'd be faithful

Waiting for me to come home, to come home

If I were a boy

I think I could understand

How it feels to love a girl

I swear I'd be a better man

I'd listen to her

'Cause I know how it hurts

When you lose the one you wanted

'Cause he's taking you for granted

And everything you had got destroyed

It's a little too late for you to come back

Say it's just a mistake

Think I'd forgive you like that

If you thought I would wait for you

You thought wrong

But you're just a boy

You don't understand

And you don't understand, oh

How it feels to love a girl

Someday you wish you were a better man

You don't listen to her

You don't care how it hurts

Until you lose the one you wanted

'Cause you're taking her for granted

And everything you had got destroyed

But you're just a boy

If I Were A Boy by Beyonce'

If you haven't seen the video, watch it here...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVTyLqkez6A

Who's that Baby in the Window?

Puppy Love

Vegas Baby!

We went to Vegas for the weekend and took the kiddo's along. D's never been to Vegas and he has been begging to go for almost a year now. When he saw the bright lights he said, "I can't wait until I'm 20." :-( Sorry son but you have to be 21 to truly experience all of Vegas.

No surprises here, we started the day with a buffet. Everyone pigged out, including myself. And as you can see from the pictures below, we were all pretty happy.

Bean, Me and D

Bean waving with food on her lip, Me again and D

Daddy and Bean

Bean, drunk on beef

We spent the day with the kids. We rode the New York, New York roller coaster, D prefered to play games then ride (so he says) but we all know the truth. We took D to Circus Circus while Bean napped at the hotel with Grandpa. Circus Circus fits it's name. I've never seen so many damn kids in Vegas before. D had A LOT of fun there. He played games, won prizes, and Daddy was hitting every shot on the basketball game and won D a big bouncing ball.

We took some carnival-like stuffed animals back to Bean and hung out in the hotel room for a while. We were able to get away for the night thanks to Grandma and decided to hit the strip and check out a comedy show. We went to Improv at Harrah's and the comedians were hilarious. The drunk chick in the front row who completely embarassed herself and her date, not so much.

Before our date. The after photo would've shown 2 very tired people, one of which was feeling very nice after her their 3 drinks.

We did a bit of gambling, drinking, and a lot of laughing. We had a great time. When we got back to the hotel, poor Grandma was sitting on the couch. Bean, refusing to sleep, had kept her up until almost 1am. Sorry Grandma.

Smokin'

This is my husband, doing his pilot thing. SMOKIN'!!!

Some Results, More to Come

I saw my Doc last Friday and got results to my EEG, EMG, MRI (partially) and Labs.

The Results...

Labs:

I have High Cholesterol - This was a big surprise.
I DO NOT have Lyme Disease or Lupus.
My Kidney's and everything else are fine.
Low B-12 levels.

EEG:

Confirms I am having seizures lasting about 7-8 seconds. Doc say's it could be related to Epilepsy but she wants to view my brain scans first. I didn't know I was having seizures and am wondering if all the times during the day that I'm experiencing blurred vision, if that's a "symptom" of the seizure. Something to ask the Doc on my next visit.

EMG:

Confirmed I have Carpel Tunnel in both wrist (knew I had it in one). She also said I appear to have the beginning or Peripheral Nerve Damage. She did the EMG for the tingling in my finger tips and hands. I also have tingling in my toes but she only did the upper body EMG.

Brain MRI:

Results unknown. She told me (at the appointment) to bring in my scans so she could view them. I assumed that the Doc who ordered my Brain MRI would automatically get a copy of the scans from the imaging center but I was wrong. I dropped off a copy to her this past Monday and am just waiting to hear back. She did read the Radiologist Report while I was in her office and repeated that there was a 7x9mm spot on my brain but she didn't want to say much more until she looked at the scans.

She told me what I needed to do to get my cholesterol down which is no problem. She also said I needed to start coming in for B-12 shots. My B-12 levels were severly low. And to start taking a daily multi vitamin like Women's One-A-Day. The last time I took a daily vitamin it was in the shape of the Flintstones. Yabba-Dabba-Do!!!

Educational Portion:

B-12 - You need B12 to make red blood cells, which carry oxygen through your body. Not having enough B12 can lead to anemia, which means your body does not have enough red blood cells to do the job. This can make you feel weak and tired. This explains a few of the symptoms that I'm having but no where near the 19 I have listed.

Peripheral Nerve Damage - Or Peripheral Neuropathy, in its most common form, causes pain and numbness in your hands and feet. The pain typically is described as tingling or burning, while the loss of sensation often is compared to the feeling of wearing a thin stocking or glove. Peripheral neuropathy can result from such problems as traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems and exposure to toxins. One of the most common causes of the disorder is diabetes.

Your nervous system is divided into two broad categories. Your central nervous system consists of your brain and spinal cord. All the other nerves in your body are part of your peripheral nervous system. Many of the symptoms that are common to Peripheral Nerve Damage are also common in MS. Now of course, I think I would prefer to have the PND but this does not (unfortunately) rule out MS.

Epilepsy - Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain sometimes signal abnormally. Neurons normally generate electrochemical impulses that act on other neurons, glands, and muscles to produce human thoughts, feelings, and actions. In epilepsy, the normal pattern of neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations, emotions, and behavior, or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness. During a seizure, neurons may fire as many as 500 times a second, much faster than normal. In some people, this happens only occasionally; for others, it may happen up to hundreds of times a day. Another question for my doc, how many times a day am I having these seizures? This was the thing that was on my head for 3 days, remember? I didn't know I was having them so obviously I am not experiencing any major changes or sensations when I do have one. And my neurons where calculated at firing 9 times a second.

Sources: http://webmd.com/, http://www.mayoclinic.com/, http://www.medicinenet.com/

Well, that concludes our class for today folks. Going in for my B-12 tomorrow and will see if the Doc is ready to talk to me regarding my scans.