Sorry.  No pictures with this post.  Just an update.

We had clinic on Monday.

It went pretty well.  For the most part, Ike is normal!

The IV start went pretty good.  They got it in one poke, and he didn't attack me this time!  But, it wasn't drawing perfectly, so they had to mess with it a bit.  So by the time it came to leave, Ike had enough.  He did attack me then.  Oh well.  We will just keep working on it!

The biggest change is this. 

We usually get an hour long infusion of this antibiotic called Pentamidine.  Well, there is a national shortage, so they had to put Ike back on bactrim.  Now, I am all about not having to do hour long infusions.  But what I AM opposed to is going to the hospital.

When we put Ike on Bactrim at the beginning of maintenance, it caused a huge drop in his counts, and we ended up in the hospital.  For a week.

 

The docs seem to think that he will tolerate it better this time around.  We go in for a count check in about a week to hopefully catch any drastic drop in counts before having to go to the hospital.  

 

I can't say I am super thrilled with the decision.  But there really is no other better option at this point.  But, hey.  If it works, and doesn't bother Ike too much, it will save us an hour at clinic!  Which I am totally fine with!

 

Sunday marks Ike's 2 years since diagnosis, and I am sure I will post more about that later.  But for now.  One crazy thing at a time!

 

Adios!

Wow.  We have been doing a whole lotta this....

We have gone from one kid to the next with being sick.  First it was Laney with a fever of 101.  This is never good in our house.  Because if Ike spikes a temp that high, to the hospital we go!  So, with lack of sleep and worry, you can imagine how fun it has been around here this past week!  We are not completely out of the woods yet, but thankful for no fever higher than 99.7 for Ike!

Well, lets back it up, BEFORE my house caught the plague!

 

We had the Rodriguez family over!  We went to Harvest Days at Blanford Nature Center.  Complete with hay rides, scarecrow stuffing, crafts, and lots of junk food!  Thanks Mom for treating us!  And Jamie for all your help!  (pregnant Mom vs. 5 kids would not have happened!)

These next pictures are a little blurry.  With my iphone, I can let the kids see themselves as I take the picture!  This has resulted in some of my better pictures of the kids, but grainy.

 

 Seriously. If I could sum Charlotte up in one picture.  This would be it!

 

Jacob has been teaching Ike to fight.  He is pretty aggressive!  And I think Jacob has been enjoying it!

I also had a practice run with our costumes.  Gabby HATED hers!  So we picked a different one for halloween.  Plus, in these pictures, Ike wanted to be a bat like Laney.  He chose a pumpkin for Halloween.  Not exact.  But cute none the less!

These kids will do ANYTHING for candy!

And some random happenings.

Just every day life here.

And last but not least.  The day Ike and Laney had to throw away ALL their markers and crayons...

 

Hot pink Tu-tu and all.  Laney was in time out for a while.  Plus, they colored on my walls.  Sigh.  It's only a season, right?!

We have also had Laney's first conferences.  I was super worried about it.  You see, Laney is just, Laney.

It was better than I expected!

Her behavior is a pretty much it.  Laney does what she wants.  And there is not a lot you can do to change her mind.  You pick your battles!  When she is "on" she is great!  Her teacher confirmed what I already felt.  That Laney is super sweet and she is not malicious with her behavior.  But, we need to get her to focus.

That just continues to bring me to my knees.  I know God can help her.  That He knows her heart.  So, I leave it at that.

Ike has been alright.  He has been complaining a ton about his legs hurting and now it is his arm.  This totally freaks me out.  The docs are not concerned yet, but I constantly find myself keeping my mind in check.  Our next clinic visit is this Monday, the 5th.

So, for now, we are just hunkering down.  Preparing for winter.  Which I do not enjoy.  Stuck inside a lot.  Boots.  Mittens.  Hats.  All while being pregnant.  Bending over is really not my favorite thing to do right now.  But until everyone can put their own shoes on, I get the joy of being constantly out of breath!  9 more weeks right?!  (Praying I go early.)

And that is it for now!

Adios!

Oh my word.

Has it really been almost a month!

I will write as long as I can!

We will start with clinic, already 2 weeks ago!  EEK!

Ike is doing well, physically.

His numbers were good.  He is gaining weight.  In general, he is a pretty normal kid.

Emotionally.  We have hit a wall.

When Ike was first diagnosed, he was 17 months old.  So he didn't really remember all the pokes and going to the hospital.

That has changed.

This last visit was AWFUL!

Kicking, punching, screaming, and begging me to take him home.

You can imagine the emotions this pregnant mama was going through.

I cried this time.

I haven't done that in a while.

So, between Miss Jen and I, we are going to work on anger management with Ike.   At home and at clinic.

I am praying for some wisdom and break through in this area, because emotionally, this sucks.

That's all I can say about that.

Ok, lets see here...

Laney is going to be a bat for Halloween.  Where she got the idea?  The only thing I can think of, is my mom is afraid of bats, and she wants to scare here!  What an odd thing for a 5 year old?

And of course, she had to put Ike in it as well....

We also celebrated Gabby's second birthday!

I am never really one to talk about how fast my kids are growing up, but her life in particular seems to be going by fast!  She seems like such a baby to me still!  When Laney was 2, I thought she was so big!

Gabby got babies, the Cinderella movie, duplos, giant ponies, and baby accessories!  I think her favorite part was helping me make cupcakes!  Laney and Ike loved that as well!

Onto the next....

My sister bought my family a membership to the Children's museum which we have used often already!  

And here are some random photos of a life in the Quist family!

We have been really loving watching baseball, so Jacob had Gabby show off her favorite team!

 

And Laney, once again. Sometimes I wonder what she is thinking....

 

This is Thumbelina.  She was a beloved doll.  She must have gotten caught in a fly trap?!

So random.....

I am officially 7 months!  I will put a photo up here shortly.  And I am proud to say, without saying, that we are officially done having kids!  I'm super excited to meet this baby girl!  But am excited to have my body back.

And well, now everyone is awake, and I must move on with my day!  Sorry for the lack of "flow."  But, I had to get something down!

Adios!

Hello blogging world!

Here I am again.

Life has continued on.  Even with insanity.

I am just going to catch you up with pictures.

We have been loving the cooler weather.  I now begin my morning with a cup of coffee.  Well, as much as I can drink of it!  Ike has been joining me during my 6 a.m. quiet time.  Which I find frustrating at times.  But, so is life.

We have been back to baking in this house again!  Halloween has inspired cookie making of all sorts!

Laney and Ike are masters on the i-pad.  And now Gabby is getting pretty good at it as well!

And Gabby is most certainly in the "two" phase.  Although she will not be 2 for another 2 weeks, she is in full swing!  Realizing her independence and enforcing it whenever she can!  I walked into my bedroom for 30 seconds and I walk back into the kitchen to find this.

Apparently she REALLY wanted some bananas!  (Side note, I have taken up calling her Wednesday with all her hair!)

My sister Jamie blessed us with a pass to the Children's Museum, and we are all about it!

They are featuring the animal hospital.  And Laney took it upon herself to put them all in cages.  I asked the workers if I could take some to go!  (Cages that is!)

Also, I am now into the 6 month mark!  24 weeks!

And last, but most certainly not least.  I happened to take a video of the what takes place on a daily basis around here.  So, I will leave you all with this!  ENJOY!

 

Hello blogging world.

Sorry no pictures.  Just some thoughts on life.

Lately.  Things have been.....a little challenging.

Laney.

School is going much better than last year, which I am thankful for.  But, still.  Laney is just who she is.  Laney alone has taught me more about life and people than I ever really wanted to know!

Ya see, growing up.  Although I was very mouthy at home, I NEVER challenged another adult. NEVER.  I was and still am a rule follower.

And then God...

Yup, He is always messin' with me.

He gives me Laney.

Laney, who is NOTHING like me.  Who challenges every.single.adult she comes into contact with.  Who has PLANNED escapes from Sunday school because she doesn't like the toys.  Laney, who REFUSED to take the computer test at school.  And every time they opened the lap-top to have her try, she would just slam it shut and say "No."  Who after telling her 5 times to "not pick up other peoples' babies," picks up some random baby and places it on a booth like seat to where the baby couldn't get down.  Why?  WHY?!?!?!??!!?

Seriously. I have read every James Dobson book.  Looked up information on the internet.  Come up with so many creative ideas for discipline to write a book!  And there is nothing I can do.  God has given me a "gift."  A child who will not just do as she is told.  So, I am forced to more patient than ever thought possible.  I have to explain the why and what to EVERYTHING!  Not because I want to, but if I don't, she might come up with her OWN reason why she should do something.  Which is NEVER a good thing.

....deep breath....

So, as I reflect on another challenging day with Laney, I wonder.  "Really, God?!  A fourth?!" 

 (I do want to say, I know there are MANY people out there struggling with having children.  I am really sorry for you pain.  Really, truly I am.  And I want to be sensitive here.  So, please hear my heart!)

I am REALLY just not cut out for this job.  After a day like today, I am so exhausted mentally.  I just really don't want to be in this stage any more.  I hate these training years.

This leads me into my thoughts recently.

After much thought and conversation with friends, I have come to the conclusion that God DOES give us more than we can handle.

Yup.

Because then we so desperately need Him, we would not survive with out Him!  (or our children for that matter!)

That is why Laney is my gift.

She has caused me to seek God in ways I never dreamed of!  I am on my face for her DAILY!  I read the word of God with her DAILY!  I pray with her, DAILY!  I believe God for break through in parenting her.  I ask for wisdom to get into Laney's head, because I know my King knows her heart. I pray a thousand times a day for PATIENCE!

Talk about a way to get my attention!

Not that I wouldn't have sought God, but Laney has FORCED me to seek Him!  I am at a lost most days in what to do!  Trying to force Laney to do anything is a JOKE!

And God, in all His goodness, does give me moments.  Some are things to laugh at.  But, sometimes.  Every once in a while.  God shows me the person Laney will be.  Although it does not change the fact I am frustrated RIGHT NOW!  But, it gives me a glimmer of hope.  Of things eternal.  Of the things that really matter.

Like when Laney cries because somebody doesn't believe in Jesus.  How when I give her a kiss she says, "I am NEVER going to wipe that off!  Because I love you that much!"  Who prays for her little friend in class who is always getting in trouble.  When Laney writes lyrics and sings songs written to HER King, Jesus, from her own heart!  Laney, at her core, is good.

If God have given me Ike or Gabby first.  I would never have appreciated them.  Also, I would most certainly be very proud of the parent I was! Gabby and Ike are very compliant and easily entertained.  They don't tell me things like, "Mom.  You are wrong.  I can hear better than you.  It is "Fairy God Parents", not, "Fairly Odd Parents."  (Remember.  She is 5)  They sit and read books.  Clean up toys when they are asked.  THEY LIKE TO SLEEP!

Any bit of pride I might have had as a parent has been totally burned away.  I can honestly say that if there is ANY inkling of good parenting in my body, it is all from God.  His wisdom. His ideas.  Because apart from Him, I got nothing.

So, as I close another day in the "Life with Laney", I am thankful for her teacher as she sees that Laney is stubborn, but is quick to mention her good heart!  I am thankful for the mom, that as she was nursing, let Laney touch her baby.  I am thankful that Laney will follow Christ all the days of her life.  And not because of what she was "told to do", but because she genuinely loves Him.  I know that seeking God on her behalf will bring a harvest!  I just have to make it through these years without strangling her!

I am thankful to God for His many gifts.  And although most don't feel like gifts at the time, I am thankful that He does allow me to see His eternal in all the trials.

And that my friends, are my thoughts for the day.  A bit random, as I used up all my logic on the person described above!

Adios!

I had clinic today, but I want to stay in order.

Last week was awful.

Isaac broke our toilet.

2 kids, a preggo and only ONE toilet in the house is not cool.

A new toilet later, we are all happy.  We are doing our best to keep toys OUT of the toilet.  Oh, and Gabby from drinking it.  Sigh.

And some more pictures of a day in the life....

Laney dressed Ike up as Rainbow boy.  She was rainbow girl.  Oh IKE!  How I PRAYED this baby was a boy!  Like every second of every day!  I love my girls, and I am sure I will love this one as well.  But, I am so sorry!  When you are 15 and want to die from all the things your sister have and will do to you.  Forgive me.  I really had nothing to do with it!  I just documented it!

And clinic.

Well, actually. Let me begin with the morning.  Oh, lets say, 5:45 IN THE MORNING!

I got up as usual to get some quiet time, and I was met by Ike.  Covered in pee.  Complaining that he couldn't smell his blankies because they too were covered in pee.  Laundry at 5:45 in the morning is so not fun!

As I come up the stairs, I hear Gabby crying.  Sorry girl.  In bed you stayed!  It was too early, and I had too much to do today!

Quiet time.  Exercise.  Get Laney ready for school.

Oh wait, no.  FIGHTING Laney to get ready for school.  Like, lets change our outfits 3 TIMES fighting!  First, NO, you can't wear a dress that has spaghetti straps and is FILTHY dirty!  Second, NO, that SHIRT is NOT a dress.  Even though you are wearing tights!  FINALLY!  Blue tights, with rainbow polka-dots, a black mini skirt, and a leopard print shirt.  I quit.  By then it was 7:30.  I HAD TO GO!

I go get the ONE stroller my husband did not load up.  (He was being super helpful and loaded 2 of 3 thinking for sure I would use one of those)  But the umbrella stroller was needed, as today was spinal day.  (Which I will get to later.)  Lucky me found it FULL of acorns.  So, I was picking Laney's "friends" out of the stroller and running REALLY late!

My mom grabbed Laney and Gabby and took Laney to school, while I got to the hospital as fast as I could.  I was still 10 minutes late.

From there, it was alright.

We got our FAVORITE nurse, Michele.  She got his IV started so quick, I couldn't believe it!  Ike did alright.  He was screaming pretty loud that he wanted to go home, yet he laid very still.  I was so proud of him!  He was really brave.  And Ike will tell you that!

But, the topper for the day.  Spinal tap day.

I officially hate these days.

He woke up from being sedated just swinging away!  Hitting, head butting, you name it!  AWFUL!  I thankfully had help!  Because with a belly on me, and the mad strength of Ike, I could not contain him!

Hence the umbrella stroller.

We have to strap him in super tight, and this is the only stroller that can contain him!  It was nuts!  I looked like a lunatic mom pushing him back upstairs!  Kicking, screaming, and all the works!  Super fun!

We kept Ike locked up for about 30 minutes.  Usually once he starts to eat or drink, it gets better from there.

And, it did.

We played in the toy room.  Ike is always making friends! His counts were ok.  His ANC was around 900, which is a little low.  We like it to be around 1500.  But, he is feeling alright.  So, I guess I am ok with it.  The past few visits have resulted in upping his chemo, which I hate.  That is probably why his ANC has dropped.

The good news is Ike weighs 34 pounds!  That is 5 pounds in 4 months!  He still won't eat.  But, we are thanking God for Ensure.  Although our wallets don't really like it, we will do ANYTHING to keep him putting weight on!

That was clinic!

And now, the moment you all have been waiting for...(not really, but I took a picture!)

My belly pic.  21 weeks!  Now, I on purpose chose this one because I look somewhat skinny in it.  So, hey, be deceived!  I am ok with it!  As long as I look good!  :)

Not to brag, (but maybe I will), this WAS after zumba class.  That's why my hair is super awesome.  But, hey, it's this or nothing!  :)

And that my friends, is another update!  I hope you laughed a little!  As that is always my goal!

Adios!