The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 5

[rosiejo]

I just went to the post office to pick up a parcel... it was my croc knocks!!!

Now I can join the payless club

I was only half way through the front door by the time I'd ripped the package open and now they're on my feet

They seem to fit fine - might have to do the dryer trick to stretch them a little because of the back strap.... but I love em already

Thanks so much for sending them Kate I'll pm the money straight away



DH is gonna have a fit - I went shopping on Sunday with my mum and bought 4 - yes count them 4 pairs of new shoes!!! Now I have 5 new pairs in 3 days and I usually hate buying shoes

 

[rosiejo]

I know what you mean about the flag folding ceremony. We had that for my husband's funeral. 21 gun salute. The whole nine yards. When the soldiers came to give me the flag, I had them present it to his mother. She gave him life, I felt she should be honored at his death....

Steffy that was a beautiful thing you did for your MIL

 

[rosiejo]

UPDATE on SIL



The Dr told her that there is a 37% chance that the chemo will work, she will do chemo for at least three full months. If after 6 months ( I was told the chemo can stay in your system for three extra months) it hasn’t done it’s job then she will have a less than 50% chance to live.

She has started her chemo on a 24hr drip and they will test her in a few days to see if it has started to work.



That is all I have for now. DH sends his thanks for all the PD and prayers from you all. He is still in aaaww how you all care for people you have only met over the net.

Sending more and your way. Keep us informed - we're here if you need a chat

 

[Tammi67]

Denise - If you pop on this morning, please give us an update on how Rees did last night. I hope he was able to sleep.

 

[mommy2emmersNmo]

I have been fooling around with an xmas design for our trip...what do you think?

This is very cute!

 

[mommy2emmersNmo]

Loves Dumbo - I'm certain you don't get the room discount, but you still get all your AAA benefits...Diamond Card, Character Storytelling, etc..etc.. (I'm running out of Diamond Cards to mail to you all!!)

Amy - Thanks for the new recipe! I planned on chicken tomorrow so I'll have to try it!

If anyone want's a killer meatloaf recipe just let me know! It came from a 1920's cookbook and is one of the best Dutch Meatloafs I've ever had. (I'm slightly bias though!)

Would love to have the meatloaf recipe, we are very big on trying to make it as many different ways as we can. Mainly because DH and I love leftover meatloaf sandwiches.

 

[mommy2emmersNmo]

Okay, I posted on the dining board, but thought you all might be able to help more quickly. I currently have an ADR for dinner at Boma in October. I have been wanting to try it, but wonder if it is asking too much of Terra. She generally does really well in sit down restaurants and will eat almost anything. However, not having been to Boma or AKL I don't know if it is a little too dark/quiet/adventurous/long/whatever for her. Should I wait until she's a little older or go for it now?

This is on our list to try in December. We strolled around AKL on our last visit and fell in love with the lodge. That is one place we are going to be staying. I think Terra would be fine there. The restaurant was bustling!

 

[PNO4TE]

Denise - I thought about little Rees all night long. I hope you all were able to get some sleep.

Speaking of sleep... KATE... when are you going to get some of it? I noticed that you were posting designs at 3:30 this a.m. I know you don't have the luxury of staying in bed until noon!

I worry about you all

 

[mommy2emmersNmo]

DDA, I could use some serious prayers for Rees (and me) please. Here's some background so you'll understand the seriousness of this issue.

When Rees was born, he was our healthiest until day 2 when he crashed. He was so sick, and the doctor's didn't know if he would make it or not. They could not get him off the ventilator, and it was extremely touch and go. He had horrible time feeding, and was diagnosed with severe reflux (GERD). He literally spent weeks at a time in the hospital, with one stay 45 days just before his first b'day. He vomited up to 40 times per day, was in agony, on all types meds, had so many nasty procedures done it breaks my heart, was on feeding tubes... oh, it was just horrible. We would call the GI doctors at 2am with him screaming in agony, refusing to eat at all, arching his back. We'd end up in the ER, get admitted again, go to the PICU. It was a vicious cycle and some very dark days. Finally at age 17 months he had a major surgery called a Nissen Fundoplication. A Fundo is a drastic and last resort surgery for these kids. They literally go in and wrap the child's stomach around their esophagus to physically prevent any acid for regurgitating out of the stomach. It has lots of side effects, and the kids are unable burp or vomit afterwards, so you must be very careful with stomach flu, food poisoning, swallowing pennies (ok, that is funny). It was MAJOR surgery. He was in the hospital for 10 days, has an incision from his breast bone past his belly button (looks like open heart surgery). Up to that surgery Rees was Failure to Thrive and only weighed 15 pounds. The reflux and long hospital stays and pain are a major reason he is developmentally delayed.

Well, 3 weeks ago Rees started refluxing again. He would wake us up at night saying his tummy hurt and point to his chest. He's back on all his meds, but they aren't helping. Tonight, it was absolutely horrible. He was retching, sobbing, screaming!!!!!!!! in pain for over an hour, arching his back, thrashing around in my arms because it hurt so bad. We finally got some meds to stay down. John and I are both panicked and have been sobbing all night. It has brought us back to the worst time in our lives. It was pure h*** and I can't believe it's starting again. So, it looks as if we will be going to the hospital for an emergency Upper GI in the next few days and possibly scheduling him for major surgery to have the Fundo repaired.

Please pray for my Rees. I can't believe this is happening to my baby again. I am absolutely devastated.

Oh, and John looked at me when we finally got Rees to bed tonight and said, "forget going back to school or work. Rees and the kids need you much more than we need money. God has you at home for a reason, and that's where you're staying." Thank goodness I have a fantastic husband who puts the kids above anything else. Needless to say, the whole teaching school thing is on hold for a long while. Rees just is too medically fragile for me to be working full-time and not have the flexibility to be with him.

Denise,

Your story has me crying. My youngest battled reflux for the first year of her life. Although at its worst I don't think it could come anywhere near to all that Rees and you have been through. Please know that he and your entire
family is in my prayers. I pray for a quick and hopefully easy solution to his struggles this time. & as well.

 

[mommy2emmersNmo]

I sure hope so. That's why if it happens again tonight, we're off to the ER. He doesn't remember any of the stuff before (and neither did BK and Davis). We had to explain to them what was happening and why I was crying. They said they were going to draw Rees picture in blue (his favorite color) to make him better. They were really worried about him.

Tomorrow is their Easter Party at school, and he really wants to go. Send prayers he sleeps well and can go to school, please.

Hopefully his night went well. And that the picture makes him feel better.

 

[mommy2emmersNmo]

I have finally discovered the ONE flaw of the DDA - we are just too far apart to help our friends when they need us most.

Denise - we would all fly to Atlanta tomorrow if we knew it would help. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. I wish we all lived closer!

You all are truly an amazing group. It makes me how genuinely concerned everyone is for one another here. I have friends and family that can't even compare to all the generous, thoughtful and just down right nice people you all are. This worlds needs more people like you.

 

[mommy2emmersNmo]

Please pray for my Rees. I can't believe this is happening to my baby again. I am absolutely devastated.

Hello. I don't usually post on this thread because I can't seem to keep up to speed, but tonight I was drawn to read the posts. I came across yours and wanted to share this prayer with your family.

"I said a prayer of healing for you - body, mind, and soul.
That God would bring you comfort to restore and make you whole.
I prayed you'd be surrounded by His awesome love and healing.
Dispelling all anxiety or pain you might be feeling.
Finally, I prayed you'd be uplifted by His grace,
And feel yourself enfolded in the peace of His embrace."

I will continue to ask the Lord for HIS strength, wisdom and comfort for your family as you face the upcoming medical tests, and deal with Rees' pain. There is nothing more difficult for a parent!!!

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not be faint." Isaiah 40:1

Shana

Shana!

 

[mommy2emmersNmo]

Oh Shana what do you mean you aren't going to read 1000+ pages?

Paula,

Your posts always make me laugh. I love your humor.

 

[yellowfish78]

Robyn - I doubt there will be leftovers with this one! Goes good with homemade mashed potatoes and green beans. (But what else would you have with meatloaf?!)

Dutch Meatloaf
1-1 1/2lb ground beef
1 cup bread crumbs
1 beaten egg
1 envelope Onion Soup Mix
1 8oz can tomato sauce
3/4 cup water
2T brown sugar
2T mustard
1T vinegar

Mix beef, crumbs, egg, onion soup mix and half of the can of tomato sauce. Shape into loaf in baking pan.
In a seperate bowl, mix the rest of the tomato sauce, water, brown sugar, mustard and vinegar. Pour over meatloaf. (I normally double this and cook the extra in a side pan in the oven, so I have "extra gravy" for the mashed potatoes.)
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/4 hours or until done, basting frequently.

 

[mommy2emmersNmo]

Our (zoo, not personal ) gorilla Colossus died

http://www.wcpo.com/news/2006/local/04/11/colossus.html

I would be a little worried if Colossus was your personal gorilla

It is very sad though. I can remember how upset I was when the giant pandas, Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing, from the National Zoo in DC died. I grew up with them.

 

[yellowfish78]

Ksoehrlein - Glad they arn't the same person! But Bob's a keeper!
I forgot to tell everyone after our talk of rings the other night I had the weirdest dream. It's all this boards fault. It involved Disney, engagement rings, pearl shopping in Japan and the Haunted Mansion. As you can see, it was a weird dream. I woke up laughing. And yes, it was a sad laugh!

 

[bethbuchall]

I wouldn't write off the Toy Story meal yet. The last I read, they were having problems with Buzz moving around from table to table due to his wings. I know that at DL, Belle is in her yellow dress at the Princess meal, but because the dress is so "big," she stands in the center of the restaurant and you go to her. Maybe they'll decide to do the same thing with Buzz, though the whole purpose of a character meal, IMO, is the characters come to you!

I'm also hoping that something will pan out (no pun intended) with Tinker Bell, since she is featured in Disneyland's Parade of Dreams. Of course, I don't think she'll ever be at a meet and greet with Peter, because he is already so small! The Tink we saw in the parade was bigger than him!

Amy

The newest rumor is that instead of the Toy Story meal, they are going with a Playhouse Disney theme. I'm hoping that isn't true, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I really wanted the Toy Story meal for August.

Beth

 

[yellowfish78]

One more recipe...I tried this last summer at a baby shower and had never had it before. I was pleasantly suprised!
Broccoli Salad
2 bunches broccoli, cut into bite size pieces (raw), 10 slices cooked crumbled bacon, 1 medium julianned red onion, 1/3 cup raisins (optional).
Mix all above together and refidgerate.
In separate bowl, mix 1 cup real mayo, 2T cider vinegar, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2t. black pepper.
Mix into broccoli.
Toss in 1/2 cup toasted sunflower seeds right before serving.

 

[mommy2emmersNmo]

My firstborn son is going to be 4 tomorrow. Wow! Where has the time gone?! For his birthday we're just going to do cake and ice cream with the family, but this weekened we're taking him to the park in a neighboring town that has a kiddie train, kiddie roller coaster and a merry-go-round. (This is their website.) We plan on spending the day there. Tonight we took the family out for a pre-birthday dinner at a nice new Mexican restaurant.

This is my boy riding on the train last year (the date's wrong on the photo!)

My youngest turns 2 on the 13th. She loves choo choos. The park looks like a lot of fun. We are going to Strausburg Railway, in PA, in June as Thomas will be there. Molly sleeps with her Thomas Choo Choo among 10 other things every night. Enjoy the weekend!

 

[mommykds]

Okay, I posted on the dining board, but thought you all might be able to help more quickly. I currently have an ADR for dinner at Boma in October. I have been wanting to try it, but wonder if it is asking too much of Terra. She generally does really well in sit down restaurants and will eat almost anything. However, not having been to Boma or AKL I don't know if it is a little too dark/quiet/adventurous/long/whatever for her. Should I wait until she's a little older or go for it now?

Hi,

I don't think Boma's is too "out there" for a small child. My 3 kids have been there & it is actually one of their favorite places to eat. When I asked them where they'd like to eat on our next trip they said Chef Mickey's & Bomas.
They have a childrens section with standard fare..chicken nuggets, fries...
After dinner we went to the animal viewing area & just watched the animals. Also sat on the couch & let the kids watch old cartoons which was a nice rest stop. The kids & DH & I love Bomas.