Haleigh's Forever Long Day

Last Tuesday was an extremely long day. We spent the entire day at TCH with Haleigh. Haleigh was diagnosed with bilateral kidney reflux at 18 months of age. To make a long story short, she has been having recurring infections this past year and her urologist thought it was time to check things out again.

Our morning started out bright and early in nuclear medicine. They were nice enough to rub some numbing cream on the vein they were going to inject the dye. So, they applied the cream and we headed down to McDonald's until it was time to receive the injection.

After waiting almost 3 hours it was time to get on with the first x-rays. We had to wait 30 minutes for the actual injection after receiving the numbing cream, then another 2 hours after receiving the dye. They have to give the dye plenty of time to filter through the body and deposit in the kidneys.

Haleigh was such a trooper. She had to be very still while this machine continuously circled her body coming millimeters from her face. She was strapped down to make sure she stayed still. She had some anxiety about the machine coming too close and not being able to move. I would too! But she did it like a pro.

Then after lunch it was time for her renal ultrasound. This was the easiest of the three procedures. Cody and I both found it very strange to be looking at the screen and not looking for a baby. Ha. Haleigh was becoming slightly uncooperative about me taking pictures by this point in the day.

The third and final procedure was the worst. This was the one I had been dreading since the day we made the appointment. It's called a VCUG. That's short for a really big long word. This is where they insert a catheter into the bladder and fill the bladder with contrast. They fill it as full as it will go and snap continuous pictures. It is extremely uncomfortable. Then they make you hold it for some positional pictures and then ask that you empty your bladder while laying under a large machine and a room full of people. Haleigh was extremely through the entire procedure and had trouble emptying her bladder with an audience. She was crying because it hurt and she was miserable, and of course I was trying to hold it together for her. Cody was insisting that they help her. Let's just say we were really thankful for the child life specialist that was with us. She was great from start to finish. She really helped get us through in one piece.

At this point she didn't want a picture at all. This was prior to the VCUG. I wasn't going to ask for one after. None of us were in any condition for a picture.

Then it was more waiting...and more waiting. Our last appointment was with her urologist. It was all worth it because we got to hear some great news. She has outgrown her kidney reflux!!! The best news ever. No scarring, and no damage. Two perfectly functioning kidneys. Wonderful news. We still need to stay on top of her potty break habits because she is still getting infections. But, we can handle that. Thank you God!

Caden In The Evening

These were just too cute to save for Friday.

Caden's Curl-Less!

Bittersweet it was. We finally took Caden to get his first hair cut. His curls were so adorable but it was time to clean him up.

We were warned when we walked into the salon that it is not unusual for the parents to have to hold the child down for their first hair cut. I wasn't really willing to go that far for a first hair cut but I was still willing to risk it. Caden was awesome. He loved it. He sat there and let her do everything without any problems. He is such a ham. He even giggled a little when she put the razor on his neck.

Here he is during the actual haircut.

And here are some I snapped after we got home.

Friday Faves 5

The Art of Ages

Art has been prevalent from the very beginning in the Moyers' household. When the girls were little, I will admit, that it was not cute in any way. When their art was expressed on the appropriate medium it was wonderful and cute, but when it was on the walls or doors or floors...not so much. And that seemed to be the most popular choice; on the wrong medium. Cody found it even less amusing than I did.

This is from a few years ago, this is the earliest record I could find. There was plenty more before this...it is just un-documented. Maybe that's a good thing. This is all BC, as my good friend and fellow blogger puts it. It means Before Caden. That is important to note, so his name is free and clear. For now.

As I have began experiencing toddler artwork again, I don't find it near as bad as I did when the girls were little. I have actually acquired an appreciation for it. No, I'm not losing my mind. I will show you why I say that.

Because it turns into this. I liked it much better when it had a sweet innocence about it.



Finally Gone Fishin'

I got to go offshore fishing this weekend with some awesome people!! My husband, father-in-law, and sister. I had so much fun! I forgot what it was like. I haven't had an opportunity to go fishing in a looooong while. In fact, all the years my husband and I have been married...we have never been fishing together. Sad isn't it?

The morning starts out early. Real early. Like 4:30am early. Luckily, though, the fish don't care what the fisher(wo)man looks like. It takes a whole 10 minutes to throw on a swimsuit and some old clothes. That's nice. The downside, they don't stop for breakfast. I am not a happy camper without food. I like to have a full belly to start the busy day. Next time, I know to get up about 15-20 minutes earlier and drive my bootie through Whataburger first.

I go back to the importance of eating a substantial breakfast because it would have been so nice to have had some fuel in my body for the very first fish of the day. Yes, I had the privilege of catching the first fish. It was a Jack Cravell (crevalle jack is the formal name).  Boy, that sucker gave me a run for my money. I even got a pretty nice rash from the rod on my stomach. My abdominal area feels like it's bruised smooth to my bladder. Not whining, just saying. It wasn't until after this took place that they pull out the "sissy belt". Thanks!

The rest of the day we caught a few king mackeral and drank a couple beers. So much fun!

Ashley caught herself some king too.

Here is the captain and his first mate doing their thing.

My mother-in-law kept the girls Friday night, so they were there anxiously waiting. They had a blast watching the Justin Bieber movie over and over on Friday night. She also took them to get a manicure. Their nails were so adorable; black and white zebra stripes. That's something they NEVER get to do with me. I don't even get manicures for myself, I am just not a manicure type of girl. They had so much fun, but I think Grandma was worn out! :)

Then it's time to clean the catch.

The girls couldn't get enough of the slimy, scaly creatures. They were rubbing their pretty fingers all over them, and poking their eyeballs. Yuck!

What a great day it was. We came home and had fried fish. Mmmmmm...it was good! I can't wait to go again.

I also feel the need to say that Friday night my mom kept Caden. It was his first time ever to spend the night anywhere, and definitely the longest he and I have ever been apart from each other. After 15 months of being together, I figured we could handle it. We did. And, it was a nice break.