Natalie at Play

I was going to stay in and do nothing tonight, but I had watched Madeline while her parents went pool shopping. So I took her back over and we hung out and had dinner then played Scrabble (I lost). They got some great pictures of Natalie having dinner, playing on the slide, and signing I Love You to daddy on the phone! She says it too, although it comes out "IIIIIIIIIIII YOU!" It's super cute!

"Dumpster" diving

Not sure if you can call it that if it is sitting at your neighbors curb...but I did it anyway! I came home last night at 10pm and saw all this sitting out, so I took it! I'm sure with all the kids we have over for playgroup and stuff it will get use, even though it's faded. That's like $300 new for it and it all fades anyway...

Ballerina Hair Bow Holder

Made this tonight with friends. We tried it after seeing them online for $50. Only cost about $10-$20 in supplies. You hang the bows on the strings coming down the tutu. You can use the top as a message board or clipping on other bows. I like it!

We took Natalie to the dermatologist today. He said since it is on the midline of her body it was probably an embryonic occurrence and is sending us to get an ultrasound to see if it is attached to anything deeper. If they don't get a clear picture, they will sedate her to do an MRI. He didn't tell us what the next step would be since there is no point if it is not attached. From birth to age 9, hemangiomas have a 10% chance of dissapearing on their own. So at age 9, 90% of hemangiomas are gone. So there is a lot of hope in that too.

More Projects, Sick of Me Yet?

I made a purse for one of Natalie's teacher's at church. They get a little better each time I make them.

I stole this idea from Martha and a few of my friends. I took a couple old T-shirts and made them into reuseable shopping bags for all my deal hunting.

Memorial Day BBQ

We had a BBQ with friends for memorial day, including roasting S'mores. It was fun!

She was NOT enjoying the water. She did like riding in the wagon and she climbed up the swingset and went down the slide by herself which was cool.

My friends and I tried to retake our 'circle of friendship' picture because we were off center last time. The sun was really getting to us so we tried some with sunglasses too.

Random Pics

Natalie modeling her strawberry outfit!

Natalie in her new blue bow. Don't mind the Eggo waffle in her mouth, but I like her blue eyes in that picture!

Updating again

One more appointment done! I went to have my results analyzed and apparently no big deal really. It's a small lump and they will have the biopsy in about 1-2 weeks, but it may be gone by then, he thinks it's shrinking. Probably pregnancy related, so watch for it on yourself ladies having/have had babies.

Next appointment is on the 29th for Natalie's birthmark. Here is a front and side view for those who have not seen her mixed-type hemangioma. Part of it is on the skin and part of it is under the skin, hence the lumpy look.


Natalie must be growing because she has been asking to go down about 15-30 minutes early for her nap and sleeping 4-5 hours in the afternoon and 12-14 hours at night. Here are some cute pictures of her today taking care of her baby doll. She is a good little momma.

Outfit

I made my first swingtop and pant outfit, complete with bows. It turned out cute, I made it for Natalie's friend Maddie, but the rise in the pants was a little too short (came out like low rise). I need better measurements next time, I didn't use a pattern...

Update

I had the ultrasound and picked up my results to take to the doctor on Wednesday. It is a 'partially cystic complex nodule' and it is 1.2 cm by .8 by .8 in size. The recommend that I get a fine needle aspiration done, which is when they numb my neck and take fluid from the nodule and send it out for a biopsy.

Changing it Up

So to add to my bad day Friday, I came home and saw the spring Ant Invasion. While we had everything moved around to clean and spray, we decided to rearrange. Here's the results (not that most of you knew what it looked like before)

Living Room from Dining Room

First Floor from Front Door

Dining Room from Kitchen


Natalie also had a stomach bug this weekend. She threw up 3 times and had many icky diapers. I washed sheets more than I can count. But she's back to normal now.

I AM SOOOO MAD. I got the records and they told me I needed to get an ultrasound done today. So I go over to the hospital after convincing Ryan to get off of work to sit with the kids. They said they have no appts. I tell them NASA sent me over and said I could get it done since I have an appt Wed. They call over to NASA who acts like they never heard of me. Tell me to call Ft Eustis or Portsmouth. Fuming, I get in the car and call Ft. Eustis who are closed until 12:30. Get home, cry all the way home and get Ryan to beg for the afternoon off. Finally reach Ft. Eustis who has no appts until June and can't get me in unless I talk to the dr. to authorize it. Call his office, he is closed until 1. Call the dr. I have to see off base to check and see if I need it and they are closed until 1:30. UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH. Ryan sent it up his chain of command but I'm ready to write Congress. I am sooo sick of getting second class care and getting the run around.

Finally I get to the Dr. I saw on Friday, he makes one call to Ft. Eustis X-ray who can't get me in today, but got me at the local hospital at 8:30 am Monday. Geesh.

Natalie at Play

Natalie has spent some time with her friend Maddie this week. Here is a picture of them watching Backyardigans and sharing a snack on the TV tray. They alternate between being thrilled to be together and fighting over a toy. Madeline is 6 months older than Natalie.



I also took some pictures of Natalie the other morning during breakfast. She sure can get a 'look' when she wants!

More Doctor Venting

So Langley referred me to an endocrine clinic in NN. Got my appt set up for the 21st. They want my blood work I had done, so no problem. I send Ryan with a letter from me and my ID to pick up my records. They tell him patients can not hand carry records they ahve to get the info printed at the clinic they were seen at. So I call Ft. Eustis who drew my blood and they transfer me to Patient Records. I call them, and they tell me that I have to get it at my Primary Care Facility. I call NASA clinic and ask them to fax it to the NN doctor. They tell me I have to come and and sign a release or have the NN docs call and request my records. I call the NN doc and get Bon Secours answering service who tells me that the office is only open on Tues and Wed so they have me call the Chesapeake location. Get the answering service who tells me to try again in 20 minutes. FINALLY get them on the phone and they tell me they can't call to request my records, patients have to bring them in. I explain that my clinic said I can't bring they they have to be requested. She bascially tells me the same thing 50 times. Also tells me I can't come without my records. So we go through it again and again and I hang up on her. UGH.

Busy Weekend

We had such a fun weekend! After Thursday's graduation, we had a birthday celebration for our friend Sondra. We had dinner at the Melting Pot (my first time, there were 8 of us and the bill was about $490...yikes, my bargain hunting self had a small heart attack!). We then went to Manhattans, a bar with live music. It was mostly couples so Ryan and I had a good time out together.

Then on Saturday we went to Saddleridge for my friend Chrissy's birthday. Ryan stayed home to watch Natalie while I hung with the girls.

We spent today cleaning, going to church, serving at evening church, getting bargains at the grocery and Walgreens. Ryan got me a nice organizer for the toys and stuff in the van (plus my camera I already received). We went to Plaza for dinner and got 10% off for Mother's Day.

Here's a few pics!

ALS Graduation

After 5 long weeks, doing school all day and homework all night, we finally have a graduate! Ryan earned 10 hours of credit for his Associate's Degree, as well as completing the requirements for him to sew on his Staff stripes in June or July. I was very proud!




On second thought, his class looks like they had too much fun!

Doctor Updates

Hmmmm...they had to refer me to a civilian dr for the thyroid issue - but I have to wait 5-10 days to get the letter with my authorization code in the mail before I can make an appointment.

They have not finished reviewing my files at the orthopedic dr, and they are closed for training so I am supposed to call back tomorrow.

Natalie's derm had an appointment yesterday or May 29th, so I took the 29th because it was too hectic to run over there last minute yesterday!

Oh, the pills I got on Wednesday cleared up the issues I went in for, so yay for that. 1 problem down, 3 to go!

Tricare

For those of you who are not blessed to be in the military, let me give you a quick schooling on their medical system...Tricare.

Bascially you are assigned to a primary care manager (PCM). This is one doctor at one clinic that serves you. Mine is called the Nasa Clinic at Langley. Natalie's is at Ft. Eustis. You call a 1-866 number, repeat your social, address, phone number and all other information like a quiz. Then they make an appointment with your PCM. If they are full you get to call the clinic at 8am everyday until they have an opening.

So most of you know that for 14 months now I have complained about my tailbone pain. I've gone to my PCM 3 times, doing physical therapy. Now I complained on Friday at my yearly check up and she told me we couldn't talk about it because I was there for a well woman exam, not back pain. So I went through the ordeal of trying to get an appointment so they can refer me to Pain Management. Still nothing available.

In the meantime, Natalie has weaned from nursing the past week, and I've had pain and issues with that, so I sat in urgent care for the usual 3 hours last night, because you can't bring kids to any of your appointments unless it is for them. Long story short, they referred me to an OBGYN at Ft Eustis (yay, I get better service there) for today.

I went to see him today. Got all the meds for my current issue, and thought I'd ask him about the tailbone. He pulls up my x-ray said it is NOT normal pain, and I should have been put under to have it rebroken or had injections. Immediate referral to an orthepedic clinic. He also noticed a growth on my thyroid and sent me for immediate bloodwork and gave me a referral to an endocrine clinic. So in an hour and a half I got 2 referrals, 4 bottles of pills, 4 tubes of blood drawn.

I am so mad. I called the Tricare gods and asked to be moved from Langley to Ft. Eustis and I am denied because there are no PCM's available. UGH. So I'm going to have to wait for an opening, or just go to the Urgent Care and make them refer me. What a pain! At least I have some answers, and unfortunatley some new problems!

Sunday Best

Here's a few pictures of Natalie after church. We took advantage of the nice light to show her off, she was doing some of her new signs!

Natalie and Daddy


Eat


More


Please


Hat

Retreat Ceremony

Ryan is still in Airman Leadership School. He had a ceremony on Thursday for retreat. Ryan was the narrator and told the history of the ceremony, where the lower and put away the flag each night at the end of the duty day. Natalie saw him up at the podium, heard him talk, and she yelled "Daddy" and tried to run up the lawn! I had to grab her and bring her back. Everyone said she was so well behaved, I guess when you are the mom you just get nervous about what they are doing!

Natalie in Oma's Paper *CLICK TODAY*

Scroll down the homepage for the Belleville News Democrat and you can see Natalie for the section of reader's photos.
http://www.bnd.com/

Then, if you click on 'more' she is on page 7 of the gallery!

http://www.bnd.com/317/gallery/65308.html