Mia v.s. Alex

Jen put in a request and her you go. Not much of a difference. Picture of me with the pink and green room, is myself and Mia, (she's hiding!) and the brown room is me and Alex (he's hiding too!)

I gained about 8lbs more with Mia, I didn't hold back eating with either one. And both of these pictures were taken the day before I went into the hospital! Mia's was May 31st, yes two days before she was born, but I was in the hospital on the first of June, the Princess decided to take 16 hours and 13 minutes. Unlike her angelic brother, who's picture was taken on April 24th, went in on the 25th, he was born at 4:06 pm, with 35 minutes of pushing.

There you have it. Nice comparison shots!

Not so Wordless Wednesday... Loren

Hey rock star. Yeah you there with my kid.

Just because your the lead guitarist in a country band,

you sing the "Suite Life of Zach and Cody" theme song,

and you just got off tour with Hootie and the Blowfish.

Doesn't mean that your not a regular guy.

A regular guy, with a great big heart, and amazing talent.

But not only musically, but with your conversation, wit and wisdom.

I am honored that you will be Alex's godfather,

that I get to call you family,

and that I have you as a friend.

I just want you to know that we are thinking of you,

and your family.

I am hoping the best for your father.

I can't imagine how painful this is for you right now.

From the stories you tell,

your father was a huge musical influence on your life.

I wish him all the best.

Much love,

Jacki, Ed, Mia and Alex

Stroke

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke... totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Thank God for the sense to easily remember the '3' steps, STR.

Read and Learn! Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify.

Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S * Ask the individual to SMILE.

T * Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (coherently) (i.e. It is sunny out today)

R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your TongueNOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke. A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.

Mia is perfect

No I am not bragging about my Mia. Well just a little but I need to tell you this story for you to understand...

In July Mia went in to the Doctor because she was complaining that her ears hurt. The Doctor looked at them and she was fine. Maybe since we had swam all morning they were bugging her a little.

Dr. B was listening to her, and said "Don't freak out, but I want you to have her see a Cardiologist for her heart. I hear a murmur" Now Ed, thank god was not there with me. It was just me. I knew that both me and my dad had one, and grew out of them. So I was concerned, but not to the level I knew Ed would be.

It wasn't something we talked much about. We won't hype up a situation until it's well underway and we have a better understanding of it. So it sat in the back of our minds, until last week.

A very nice Cardiologist from Rush St. Luke's in Chicago, came to our Hospital and checked Mia out, she needed an EKG and she did SO well, she sat perfectly still, and loved the little black stickers they put all over her.

After the test the Dr. and nurses left the room for about 10 minutes to go over the results. The Dr. came back in to tell us, that Mia does have a murmur, but it is nothing to worry about.

Dr. also said "Mia is perfect. Her heart is perfect. Take her home, and enjoy your family" then he left.

We cried. We could finally breathe again. A sigh of relief filled the room. We hugged and smiled, and just talked briefly. About how happy we were, how we were both worried about a future of nothing but Hospitals and Doctors, specialist and nurses.

The fact that we can move on with our life, attempting a "normal" life with our kids, is not something we have ever taken for granted. Personally speaking, my parents and I have been to way to many Hospitals, Doctors and Specialist. Trying for over 10 years just to diagnose my sister, Susie, with Dystonia. And now another 8 years trying to slow it down.

I am grateful for the family we have, the house I live in and the people that I surround myself with. My heart (no pun intended) goes out to all the parents and siblings that deal with health issues on a daily basis.

And for those of you, who haven't had a direct impact in your life. From someone who is in constant need of a doctor or a hospital. Count yourself lucky, but as Susie says "somebody always has it worse" your right Frances, your damn right.

We love you Mia. And I am glad your perfect.

A few good reasons for my "life change"

See muffin top? See butt stretching pant to there limit and then some? Oh wait I should turn around and you can see the saggy wrinkly tummy that once housed small people. Or the lovely stretch marks (I mean mommy stripes I earned) either way. That is just a few good reasons I need to diet. (And don't get on my ass if your bigger then me, this is me not you.) 4 Days left of eating crap... then 107 here we come!