New Updates

As usual, I'm multi-tasking. Even on a Saturday night! Jason and I are on the couch watching Across the Universe, I guess I'm watching/blogging.

Last Wednesday the boys had their appointment at the Newborn Follow-Up Clinic. Big news! Parker is now officially on the chart for both weight and length, and Quinn's on the chart for his length! We had a good report, they just want to continue to keep an eye on both boys' gross motor skills. The good thing about the appointments there is that it opens my eyes to things I can improve on. For instance, I realized the boys do a lot of sitting up and playing. Quinn seemed to always have a fit if he was left to lay on the floor and roll around, so I'd sit him up so he could play. He's already playing mommy for the fool! So, I've been working harder to just let them roll around/crawl instead of sitting up to play so much. As for their weights.. Parker was 18lbs 12ozs and Quinn was 16lbs 4ozs.

I was trying to get all kinds of things accomplished before their appointment on Wednesday (which was at 2:15..this means we had to leave at 1:45 at the very latest). Obviously I had to get them fed breakfast and lunch, I had to get baths done for both of the boys, get them dressed, etc etc. I mention all of this to get the point across that I didn't have much time on that particular day to spend on the phone.

The previous week I had an appointment with a new Rheumatologist. The one I've been seeing since my arthritis was first diagnosed is just too far of a drive. Especially now that I have the boys' schedule to contend with, it's just hard to find a good time to get over there. Anyway, I had a bunch of lab work done that day. The day of the boys' appointment the doctor herself called with results of my lab work. Apparently my Vitamin D level is too low (my children are leeches) so I've started taking extra Vitamin D...but the REALLY crazy news was that apparently I don't have Rheumatoid Arthritis after all, but Lupus. Was very strange to hear after being treated for RA the past almost six years.

The doctor and I talked on the phone about different issues regarding Lupus, one of them being Lupus and pregnancy. (Don't worry I'm not pregnant! :) ) Apparently when someone with Lupus gets pregnant they're considered high-risk. Hmm. Would have been nice to know what I was dealing with when pregnant with the boys. She mentioned that the baby can end up with 'neonatal lupus' which can cause congenital heart block in the baby. Sorry if I'm overwhelming the non-medical audience...basically a baby with heart block would quite possibly need a pacemaker. Long story short...I feel BEYOND fortunate that the boys were born without any of these issues. Yes, they were premature, but from what the doctor discussed with me they could have been very sick little boys. After doing more reading individuals with a couple of different labs that are elevated and more likely to have babies with these problems. Guess who has elevated levels of those labs? Yep, yours truly. The literature did say the risk is 2-5%, which to me doesn't seem overwhelming, but still.

This brings me to the next issue. Which is: what does this mean for us as far as another baby is concerned in the future? I would obviously need to have a detailed discussion with both my Rheumatologist and OB. I go back and forth between.. do we press our luck, or do we feel fortunate that we have two healthy boys and call it a day? It's a lot to think about. I guess I just can't imagine being 'done'. I think if I would have had two children a few years apart I might feel differently, but my two boys were one experience if that makes sense. Jason's feeling is: how would we feel if we had another baby and something happened to him or her because of the Lupus issue? On the other hand can you go through life with that mindset of 'what if''? It's a tough, tough call.

Well then! Sorry if you just came here looking for new pictures! :)

In other news. Last night we all went to Michael's for dinner for Auntie Maria's 26th birthday. The boys had their first 'Michael's Meatball'. Per usual Parker ate (some) of his and Quinn turned up his nose at it. I think they weren't too sure about the spices. Today Jason's parents came over and we all headed to Target where I stocked up on dollar section cards (they are the cutest AND handmade!) We tried to go to Hacienda for lunch but they were on a wait which the boys weren't going to go for so we headed to Panera instead. Tomorrow we're just planning on going to church, which I'm looking forward to. We haven't been in an age just because of trying to coordinate the time of the services with the boys' routine. Monday Auntie Maria's coming over to take Cricket to the vet and is going to cut Parker's hair. Thank goodness! That kid is on the verge of a mullet. Quinn needs his cut again too. That's the thing with boys...you have to keep their hair cut so they don't look like ragamuffins.

Think that's all for now. I should quit before this turns into a regular novel. Hope everyone's having a nice weekend. Who else is beyond ready for Spring??