Our pediatrician called and left a voicemail Thursday. He was working up at the hospital that night, and said to page him when I got the message. I got it the next day...oops! I hate the phone, and tend to ignore it. When he called, we spoke about the KP ENT -vs- the hospital ENT and he said it hasn't yet been determined that she needs those tonsils out. He said that was one opinion. And basically, after a bit of song and dance, and sorry ... the company line, I lost the request to skip the KP ENT even though I reiterated it a "colossal waste of my time." My argument did not fall on deaf ears, but, I gotta go through the system. LAME! In any case, we have an appointment with a specific KP ENT at the end of the month. This ENT works out in B.F.E., a.k.a. 15 miles away- one way. Luckily, our appointment is after a hearing test, so we'll already be halfway out there. TREAT. If it is determined that we need to go to the hospital ENT, I wish I could send KP a bill for my wasted time, energy and gas. Oh well. We'll see what happens. Ultimately, the most important thing is Andi and her well-being and everything else doesn't matter. It shouldn't anyway.
I played a bit with the design of the blog and voila! it's changed. I left the "three Bean salad" photo header though... those are just too cute to replace. Seems like it was yesterday, but, it was so last year! Never want to forget how far we've come though. So, with that being said, they stay!
4th Birthday Photo Session
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Make That 18.5 lbs
Beano weighed in today at 18 1/2 lbs at feeding clinic. Everything else is still the same. They were thrilled with her progress, although, they would like Andi to start getting regular speech visits through Early Intervention. Hey, whatever helps the Bean.
Lastly, I got a call today from the KP ENT scheduler. I'm about to stick my foot up some KP ... anyhow, I've re asked to see the Doernbecher ENT that would indeed do the surgery. Spare me the time, money and energy wasted on another fricken consult, puhlease! *annoyed!* I think my request was rather well reasoned with the kicker, 'Andi is already a multi-million dollar patient, this is not the time for KP to get thrifty.' Fricken HMO's... Wait... fricken health care system. IT'S BROKEN, PEOPLE!!! You may not need it today, but trust me, one day you will be knee-deep like us and see what I'm talking about. And if you saw how much is billed... yikes!!!
In any case, we're awaiting to get in to see the ENT/surgeon and see what her recommendation will be. Feeding clinic agreed with the swallow study lady, Nancy, that Andi's tonsils have got to go. One night stay at hospital = $300., not to mention all the out-of-pocket co-pays we haven't yet touched for the year - probably $500. *insert string of overused cuss words here!* However, I will not stress about something that hasn't yet been even confirmed to be happening. *Bring back the happy dance.*
Hey, I've got an 18.5 pounder... heading in the right direction. We went to Costco again last night to pick up some gift cards and found this on an endcap:
I love the 'WTF?' expression. She's still not getting the massive teddy bear ... our house isn't large enough to house that beast! We kept the Bean and left the bear. Although we did practice the sign for 'bear'! There's always a lesson, right?
Lastly, I got a call today from the KP ENT scheduler. I'm about to stick my foot up some KP ... anyhow, I've re asked to see the Doernbecher ENT that would indeed do the surgery. Spare me the time, money and energy wasted on another fricken consult, puhlease! *annoyed!* I think my request was rather well reasoned with the kicker, 'Andi is already a multi-million dollar patient, this is not the time for KP to get thrifty.' Fricken HMO's... Wait... fricken health care system. IT'S BROKEN, PEOPLE!!! You may not need it today, but trust me, one day you will be knee-deep like us and see what I'm talking about. And if you saw how much is billed... yikes!!!
In any case, we're awaiting to get in to see the ENT/surgeon and see what her recommendation will be. Feeding clinic agreed with the swallow study lady, Nancy, that Andi's tonsils have got to go. One night stay at hospital = $300., not to mention all the out-of-pocket co-pays we haven't yet touched for the year - probably $500. *insert string of overused cuss words here!* However, I will not stress about something that hasn't yet been even confirmed to be happening. *Bring back the happy dance.*
Hey, I've got an 18.5 pounder... heading in the right direction. We went to Costco again last night to pick up some gift cards and found this on an endcap:
I love the 'WTF?' expression. She's still not getting the massive teddy bear ... our house isn't large enough to house that beast! We kept the Bean and left the bear. Although we did practice the sign for 'bear'! There's always a lesson, right?
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Beating My Head Against A Wall
Some days, I wonder why I even bother getting out of bed. Days like today have me beating my head against a wall, taken back, and really frustrated with disappointment. This morning started with that rather emotion-stirring drive up the hill to the hospital. This visit is to do a swallow study, #4 or 5, I lost track. However, you know you're there too much when you recognize everyone, especially Tom the radiologist, whom has been there for many tests from the start. After the swallow study, while we were reviewing the videos, the next team was setting up for their swallow study, and of course, we recognized all of them too. "Hi Steve!" I wish I was exaggerating, but, I'm not.
Andi's swallow study didn't go as well as I would have liked. However, today's exam showed that Andi's tonsils were large, and almost an obstruction. She asked if Andi snored. "Oh y-e-a-h she does!" I continued... 'she seems to work really hard while sleeping.' The speech specialist said the large tonsils were probably to blame. She asked if we'd ever discussed a sleep study, I said yes, it had been mentioned and we were just about to follow-up on that at feeding clinic on Thursday. She said, I think you should go directly to ENT and have them look, as it would bypass the need for a sleep study...the tonsils, as she saw it, are to blame. So, we came home and wrote our Dr. for a referral to see the ENT at the hospital who did her last choanal atresia revision and ear tubes last September. We asked to bypass the whole KP (Kaiser Permanente) ENT system, and just stick with the hospital. If there is a surgery to remove the tonsils, the hospital is the only one that will touch Andi, so why not keep us up there and consulting with those whom will be doing the work. So, sitting around (this was yesterday, as I didn't finish the blog)... I kept thinking how that was the 4th or 5th swallow study. I'm wondering if her tonsils were large on those previous studies and we just didn't see it, or if this is a new issue, maybe brought on by allergies or such? This is something I will be asking tomorrow at feeding clinic. In any case, the referral is in, and we're just awaiting the scheduluer to call us for a consult with the ENT. Yea, another appointment! But wait... it gets even BETTER! Remember, this post is entitled, "Beating My Head Against A Wall!" Yesterday afternoon, we had our consult with a Urologist. At 2 months old, Andi was admitted to the hospital with what turned out to be a UTI. We had a VCUG (Tom did it!) and it was determined she has bladder reflux, grade 3. (1 = mild, 5 = severe). Bladder reflux is when the muscle that controls the tubes doesn't squeeze tight and it allows urine to go upward, and shoot from the bladder into the kidneys. It's generally considered muscle weakness. The easiest, most effective way at managing this and preventing UTI's - which can lead to scarring in the kidneys, is a prophylactic or as we know it, an antibiotic. Andi has been on a low dose antibiotic (amoxicillan) since August 2010. Initially, they told me that kids tend to outgrow the reflux (as the muscles grow and strengthen) and so, I asked our pediatrician to refer us to urology, so we can start that dialog to see if she's possibly outgrown her need for antibiotics. As I've really outgrown the need to go to the pharmacy every two weeks! This Dr., whom I will call Dr. P, (yes, I'm perpetually 12 years old), was rather on the ball. He works clinic on the other side of town at Kaiser, but, he also works up at the hospital three times a week. He said he wished our paths had crossed sooner, as he could've had our new VCUG prior to the swallow study, and had them all done on the same day. In any case, we're doing a new VCUG and ultrasound to check her kidneys, her reflux, and he took her off amoxicillian, and put us on a new antibiotic. He is going to save me a trip back out to B.F.E. and have our follow-up scheduled up at the hospital, in conjunction with the VCUG, which is mighty considerate.
I'm beating my head against the wall because it's a lot to deal with all these appointments, and our need to see specialists. I try to keep everybody on the same page, and yet, I still feel like we still slip through the cracks in the medical system. We are very versed in both the Kaiser and hospital personnel and systems, yet, those two systems don't work together in conjunction to spare us any oversight. For example, the hospital system thinks Andi needs to get current on a lot of vaccinations, yet, we are current - but it's in the Kaiser system. Or when we go up to the hospital for something, we have to bring them current on all the appointments we've done at Kaiser. Kaiser can look into the hospital system, but the hospital staff cannot look at the Kaiser system. Well, unless a Kaiser physician on-site grants them temporary access to review a file or such. At some point, I would hope that these two systems would talk to one another, yet, my suspicion is that it is due to security issues on the Kaiser side. For patients like us, whom are eight people deep on both sides, this lack of a complete visual on all things Andi flat out sucks.
Lastly, Andi only weighed 17 lbs, 5.5 oz's, which is down. I've given her Nutella and ice cream in between breakfast and lunch. Hopefully, it will help. But more so, I hope that we figure out what is causing her to work so hard sleeping, if it's the tonsils, bring on surgery #7... and let's allow her to at least hit 20 lbs by her birthday for crying out loud!!! Hopefully we can get some answers and all the powers that be can align and let Andi thrive for a change. This stagnate one step forward, two steps back is so frequent and overdone that might head might actually break through the wall.
Andi's swallow study didn't go as well as I would have liked. However, today's exam showed that Andi's tonsils were large, and almost an obstruction. She asked if Andi snored. "Oh y-e-a-h she does!" I continued... 'she seems to work really hard while sleeping.' The speech specialist said the large tonsils were probably to blame. She asked if we'd ever discussed a sleep study, I said yes, it had been mentioned and we were just about to follow-up on that at feeding clinic on Thursday. She said, I think you should go directly to ENT and have them look, as it would bypass the need for a sleep study...the tonsils, as she saw it, are to blame. So, we came home and wrote our Dr. for a referral to see the ENT at the hospital who did her last choanal atresia revision and ear tubes last September. We asked to bypass the whole KP (Kaiser Permanente) ENT system, and just stick with the hospital. If there is a surgery to remove the tonsils, the hospital is the only one that will touch Andi, so why not keep us up there and consulting with those whom will be doing the work. So, sitting around (this was yesterday, as I didn't finish the blog)... I kept thinking how that was the 4th or 5th swallow study. I'm wondering if her tonsils were large on those previous studies and we just didn't see it, or if this is a new issue, maybe brought on by allergies or such? This is something I will be asking tomorrow at feeding clinic. In any case, the referral is in, and we're just awaiting the scheduluer to call us for a consult with the ENT. Yea, another appointment! But wait... it gets even BETTER! Remember, this post is entitled, "Beating My Head Against A Wall!" Yesterday afternoon, we had our consult with a Urologist. At 2 months old, Andi was admitted to the hospital with what turned out to be a UTI. We had a VCUG (Tom did it!) and it was determined she has bladder reflux, grade 3. (1 = mild, 5 = severe). Bladder reflux is when the muscle that controls the tubes doesn't squeeze tight and it allows urine to go upward, and shoot from the bladder into the kidneys. It's generally considered muscle weakness. The easiest, most effective way at managing this and preventing UTI's - which can lead to scarring in the kidneys, is a prophylactic or as we know it, an antibiotic. Andi has been on a low dose antibiotic (amoxicillan) since August 2010. Initially, they told me that kids tend to outgrow the reflux (as the muscles grow and strengthen) and so, I asked our pediatrician to refer us to urology, so we can start that dialog to see if she's possibly outgrown her need for antibiotics. As I've really outgrown the need to go to the pharmacy every two weeks! This Dr., whom I will call Dr. P, (yes, I'm perpetually 12 years old), was rather on the ball. He works clinic on the other side of town at Kaiser, but, he also works up at the hospital three times a week. He said he wished our paths had crossed sooner, as he could've had our new VCUG prior to the swallow study, and had them all done on the same day. In any case, we're doing a new VCUG and ultrasound to check her kidneys, her reflux, and he took her off amoxicillian, and put us on a new antibiotic. He is going to save me a trip back out to B.F.E. and have our follow-up scheduled up at the hospital, in conjunction with the VCUG, which is mighty considerate.
I'm beating my head against the wall because it's a lot to deal with all these appointments, and our need to see specialists. I try to keep everybody on the same page, and yet, I still feel like we still slip through the cracks in the medical system. We are very versed in both the Kaiser and hospital personnel and systems, yet, those two systems don't work together in conjunction to spare us any oversight. For example, the hospital system thinks Andi needs to get current on a lot of vaccinations, yet, we are current - but it's in the Kaiser system. Or when we go up to the hospital for something, we have to bring them current on all the appointments we've done at Kaiser. Kaiser can look into the hospital system, but the hospital staff cannot look at the Kaiser system. Well, unless a Kaiser physician on-site grants them temporary access to review a file or such. At some point, I would hope that these two systems would talk to one another, yet, my suspicion is that it is due to security issues on the Kaiser side. For patients like us, whom are eight people deep on both sides, this lack of a complete visual on all things Andi flat out sucks.
Lastly, Andi only weighed 17 lbs, 5.5 oz's, which is down. I've given her Nutella and ice cream in between breakfast and lunch. Hopefully, it will help. But more so, I hope that we figure out what is causing her to work so hard sleeping, if it's the tonsils, bring on surgery #7... and let's allow her to at least hit 20 lbs by her birthday for crying out loud!!! Hopefully we can get some answers and all the powers that be can align and let Andi thrive for a change. This stagnate one step forward, two steps back is so frequent and overdone that might head might actually break through the wall.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Flat Charlie & The 4th Annual Charge It For Charge Fundraiser!
We are participating in a Flat Charlie project with other CHARGE families. I'd never really heard of this before, so if you're like me, Flat Charlie is a beloved paper boy that travels from family to family. He is given a new article for his 'outfit' and gets his picture taken in various places around town. Later this year, Charlie will be visiting us in the "Rose City", at which point, we will play tour guide to him and show him the sights, sounds and smells of Portland. We're debating our "addition" to Charlie's ensemble. Anyone familiar with the show Portlandia, knows we want to "put a bird on it!" But, not everyone will get that. Then there's the itch to give him a bike, a six-bin recycling system, or simply a rose with solar panels that will provide power for the next 60 homes he visits. Yes, the noggin' is brewing with the options and plethora of opportunities that we will embrace with our hippiesque gusto. Well, seriously, Portland isn't just that - it's the home of Nike, Addias, Intel, the largest bookstore west of the Mississippi river, the microbrew capital of the U.S.. So, we'll likely doll Charlie up in a variety of sportswear, get him drunk, buy him some books and get him a tattoo that will one day be completely inappropriate.
That being said, this Flat Charlie Project is really a fundraiser for the CHARGE Foundation. Guaranteed that most of the people that read Andi Bean, had NEVER heard of CHARGE Syndrome before meeting the Beano. I know I'd never heard of it prior to Andi. Everyone has heard of Autism, or Down's Syndrome, even Trisomy has garnered more press... that all boils down to $MONEY$, in my mind. The more money a syndrome has, the more money they can use to educate the masses. Until I write my book and gain the attention of the big daytime shows, I can use my voice here and ask you to break out your wallets and donate to our Flat Charlie Project - as it all wraps around and embraces CHARGE Syndrome, awareness, education, and most of all, the love, laughter and smiles of the little girl you read about here -- Andi Bean. She's been through seven layers of hell, and yet, she smiles bigger than most. She refuses the word, "no!" and she keeps fighting every single day to do the things that most of us never think twice about, like standing up without fighting balance issues. So, with that being said, please consider breaking open your checkbooks and giving under 'Anna Miller' to support the Flat Charlie Project. Even if you give $5., every dollar will help! We would appreciate it. And trust me, I know for most, even $5. hurts... so, give if you can... and if you can't let's go out and donate some blood in honor of the Bean and some blood she received during heart surgery. There are ways to contribute, even if it's not financially.
There's a big walk for the March Of Dimes -- "for Healthy Babies", coming up here in town at the end of next month. While I'm debating walking in that, I can't help cringe at the idea that Andi is already here, been through hell, and yet no one knew the birth defects that she would be saddled with due to CHARGE Syndrome. March of Dimes is a well-known name. They were in the NICU to offer support when I was so not ready to deal with them. They haven't been a service to us, but yet, they probably bring in big bucks because they are known for doing good helping more healthy babies be born. Well, without getting too angry or political, I can only say, they have the money -- and the CHARGE Foundation does not... so maybe it's time to start funding those smaller, less known syndromes that aren't being adequately addressed. So, again, please consider contributing to our Flat Charlie Project. Here's the link:
FLAT CHARLIE PROJECT DONATIONS
and again, if it's simply not in your budget -- like mine... then go visit your local Red Cross and give a pint. Although - I must admit that when I hear 'pint!' I revert back to my beer-drinking days! So, maybe we'll take Charlie down the street to Widmer Brewery, or Portland Brewing, or maybe we'll take him to donate a pint...as the paper fibers used to make him probably had some sort of beginning in Oregon... he will be embraced and welcomed here. It will be fun.
Thank you!
That being said, this Flat Charlie Project is really a fundraiser for the CHARGE Foundation. Guaranteed that most of the people that read Andi Bean, had NEVER heard of CHARGE Syndrome before meeting the Beano. I know I'd never heard of it prior to Andi. Everyone has heard of Autism, or Down's Syndrome, even Trisomy has garnered more press... that all boils down to $MONEY$, in my mind. The more money a syndrome has, the more money they can use to educate the masses. Until I write my book and gain the attention of the big daytime shows, I can use my voice here and ask you to break out your wallets and donate to our Flat Charlie Project - as it all wraps around and embraces CHARGE Syndrome, awareness, education, and most of all, the love, laughter and smiles of the little girl you read about here -- Andi Bean. She's been through seven layers of hell, and yet, she smiles bigger than most. She refuses the word, "no!" and she keeps fighting every single day to do the things that most of us never think twice about, like standing up without fighting balance issues. So, with that being said, please consider breaking open your checkbooks and giving under 'Anna Miller' to support the Flat Charlie Project. Even if you give $5., every dollar will help! We would appreciate it. And trust me, I know for most, even $5. hurts... so, give if you can... and if you can't let's go out and donate some blood in honor of the Bean and some blood she received during heart surgery. There are ways to contribute, even if it's not financially.
There's a big walk for the March Of Dimes -- "for Healthy Babies", coming up here in town at the end of next month. While I'm debating walking in that, I can't help cringe at the idea that Andi is already here, been through hell, and yet no one knew the birth defects that she would be saddled with due to CHARGE Syndrome. March of Dimes is a well-known name. They were in the NICU to offer support when I was so not ready to deal with them. They haven't been a service to us, but yet, they probably bring in big bucks because they are known for doing good helping more healthy babies be born. Well, without getting too angry or political, I can only say, they have the money -- and the CHARGE Foundation does not... so maybe it's time to start funding those smaller, less known syndromes that aren't being adequately addressed. So, again, please consider contributing to our Flat Charlie Project. Here's the link:
FLAT CHARLIE PROJECT DONATIONS
and again, if it's simply not in your budget -- like mine... then go visit your local Red Cross and give a pint. Although - I must admit that when I hear 'pint!' I revert back to my beer-drinking days! So, maybe we'll take Charlie down the street to Widmer Brewery, or Portland Brewing, or maybe we'll take him to donate a pint...as the paper fibers used to make him probably had some sort of beginning in Oregon... he will be embraced and welcomed here. It will be fun.
Thank you!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Social Skills
While my current project downloads, which is projected to only take another 5 1/2 hours, I figured I could afford to steal a minute for the blog while the Bean snores in the other room. Being I don't get out much socially anymore, I've noticed that when I interact with others, I'm rather rusty. It feels like I do the usual Andi progress update "dump" (as in, 'this is what has happened since I saw you last, ...sorry if it seems a little heavy!') which is what I know from interacting with the various Dr's and specialists we work with. I try to keep everyone up to date on all things Bean, because even if it isn't their specialty area, they should still know what is going on. It's a running update that takes several minutes. With people I don't know well, or don't know Bean's history... I do a massive dump of heavy information in their laps. Most blink their eyes and shake their head in disbelief. Some ask questions. Some run in the opposite direction after a simple exit strategy. Okay, so, I'm being a bit dramatic and coloring it a darker shade than it is. My point is, I feel like I've lost the ability to simply chat about anything and everything. I'm rusty. My conversation skills are stale. My ability to gab is rough. And more often than not I walk away and wonder, 'why did I tell them that?' I guess I do have to be thankful that I never took up 'baby talk' and don't mindlessly talk to other adults using baby talk. Now THAT would be annoying. I'm sure a lot of new parents feel like they're losing their social mojo. I know I have, and I'm not a new, nor typical parent.
Today, we took Maddux to see the vet for his comprehensive exam, after which, Andi got her hair trimmed at the kiddy salon nearby. We are going to grow the hair, but it desperately needed a clean-up. Em, Andi would NEVER tolerate clips in her hair. She would yank them out and throw them on the floor in disgust. Yep, she's my baby girl - and thus, not very girly. Actually, I don't know if that's true yet or not. But, I am confident hair clips would not last in her hair.
Andi has taken to not only standing at the tub full of DVDs blocking her from the volume knob on the receiver, but is putting one leg up on the tub, and just starting to get that second leg up onto the box. I haven't been able to get a photo, or video of it just yet. ...I guess making sure she doesn't fall off of it seems more important at this juncture. But soon, I hope to get a photo of the creepy crawling Bean.
Well, the download is taking less time than projected. Only 3.5 hours to go! Yee Haw! Unfortunately, we'll be living high on the hog at our friends house tonight by then. Luckily, they are already aware of & used-to my dusty social skills. *insert sigh of relief here!*
Today, we took Maddux to see the vet for his comprehensive exam, after which, Andi got her hair trimmed at the kiddy salon nearby. We are going to grow the hair, but it desperately needed a clean-up. Em, Andi would NEVER tolerate clips in her hair. She would yank them out and throw them on the floor in disgust. Yep, she's my baby girl - and thus, not very girly. Actually, I don't know if that's true yet or not. But, I am confident hair clips would not last in her hair.
Andi has taken to not only standing at the tub full of DVDs blocking her from the volume knob on the receiver, but is putting one leg up on the tub, and just starting to get that second leg up onto the box. I haven't been able to get a photo, or video of it just yet. ...I guess making sure she doesn't fall off of it seems more important at this juncture. But soon, I hope to get a photo of the creepy crawling Bean.
Well, the download is taking less time than projected. Only 3.5 hours to go! Yee Haw! Unfortunately, we'll be living high on the hog at our friends house tonight by then. Luckily, they are already aware of & used-to my dusty social skills. *insert sigh of relief here!*
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Bean Stands
Unkie Chris 'demanded' more Bean videos. Here's one showing pretty much what she does all day, around various parts of the room.
I was debating growing her hair more, but after watching this video, clearly - the kid needs a trim, and maybe even a brushin'. Yikes.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Miss Pouty Pants Celebrates Ginga!
I just dropped Ginga off at the airport, and honestly, I cried most of the way home. She has been out here all week visiting our Bean. Andi now signs & says "MahMa" (Grandma), it's pretty cute. It was fun for Ginga to see just how much things have changed in the past three months. She agrees with me, that the blenderized diet has been instrumental to Andi's progress! Andi didn't puke once while she was here, and last time (Christmas), she was puking almost every feed. Ginga was also amazed at how much more active and advanced her motor skills are! It was a fun visit, although short! Thanks Ginga for everything! We love you very, very much, and thanks Dad for sharing her!
What's funnier than funny, is that usually when Ginga visits, Portland weather gets cracked out whacky. Once again, this visit did not disappoint. We saw snow, rain, sleet, hail, wind, more rain, more snow, and to borrow from Oprah!, some "crazy-ass" weather. All the while, Ginga's friends reiterated how glorious the weather back home was... 80's. I think Ginga saw everything BUT sunshine here. It just bites my butt how sucky the weather in the PNW is... I absolutely HATE it! Spring shouldn't be shades of grey, but warmer temps, knee length skirts with sandals, and not layers of sweaters, vests, and hooded jackets. SO SICK OF IT! This time of the year is the hardest time for me to accept the weather. *insert eye roll here!* Things might be easier to tolerate if we were able to get out of our grey sky doom, i.e. go anywhere but here! We're itching for a trip to New Orleans, smell the jasmine (since mine died over winter!), and savior the sunshine in flip flops and sensory overload. We love us some New Orleans! Anywhere, but here. Daddy Bean is busy with a massive project and traveling all over these next few months. If my checkbook wasn't empty, I'd be happier than happy to pack up the kids (Bean & Mad) and head out on the open road. How great would that be!? I can do my work from anywhere, and yet, I can't afford to go anywhere. Sucky-suck-suck. I think Andi would benefit from some natural vitamin D processing.
Wowza, I think Miss Pouty Pants needs to get ovah! herself! I think I'm pouting cuz Ginga's on her way home. For someone who treasures her family, having them all so far away breaks my spirit when I get a small dose of having them around. Therefore, we're gassing up the truck and heading your way!
*kidding Dad! don't panic,
...yet!*
:0)
Thanks again Ginga for everything!!! So glad to have you out here! Next time, we're meeting in Maui where we can enjoy lots more swimming with Beano! I'm already packed! ;0) ...Least it won't snow!
Here's Andi in her new swimsuit:
What's funnier than funny, is that usually when Ginga visits, Portland weather gets cracked out whacky. Once again, this visit did not disappoint. We saw snow, rain, sleet, hail, wind, more rain, more snow, and to borrow from Oprah!, some "crazy-ass" weather. All the while, Ginga's friends reiterated how glorious the weather back home was... 80's. I think Ginga saw everything BUT sunshine here. It just bites my butt how sucky the weather in the PNW is... I absolutely HATE it! Spring shouldn't be shades of grey, but warmer temps, knee length skirts with sandals, and not layers of sweaters, vests, and hooded jackets. SO SICK OF IT! This time of the year is the hardest time for me to accept the weather. *insert eye roll here!* Things might be easier to tolerate if we were able to get out of our grey sky doom, i.e. go anywhere but here! We're itching for a trip to New Orleans, smell the jasmine (since mine died over winter!), and savior the sunshine in flip flops and sensory overload. We love us some New Orleans! Anywhere, but here. Daddy Bean is busy with a massive project and traveling all over these next few months. If my checkbook wasn't empty, I'd be happier than happy to pack up the kids (Bean & Mad) and head out on the open road. How great would that be!? I can do my work from anywhere, and yet, I can't afford to go anywhere. Sucky-suck-suck. I think Andi would benefit from some natural vitamin D processing.
Wowza, I think Miss Pouty Pants needs to get ovah! herself! I think I'm pouting cuz Ginga's on her way home. For someone who treasures her family, having them all so far away breaks my spirit when I get a small dose of having them around. Therefore, we're gassing up the truck and heading your way!
*kidding Dad! don't panic,
...yet!*
:0)
Thanks again Ginga for everything!!! So glad to have you out here! Next time, we're meeting in Maui where we can enjoy lots more swimming with Beano! I'm already packed! ;0) ...Least it won't snow!
Here's Andi in her new swimsuit:
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