Wasted Talent

It's December 13th, and, in Texas, that means the winter is starting, which means that it is cool enough to wear jeans and sweaters and fleece jackets (sometimes). Generally, I only miss the snow for about two weeks in December. The missing snow phase starts now and ends on December 26th. After that, I am over it. I mean, I used to say ridiculous things like, "I can't imagine Christmas without snow!" (Um, yes I can. It's really not that different, actually.) As I watched Chicago get nailed with snow during the Bears game on Sunday night, I would be lying (and I sort of hate that I even did this to the city I love) if I didn't tell you that Andy and I watched the game, the snow beating down, and, in the midst of discussing how badly it would have sucked to shovel out our cars the next day, thought, "Suckas!" (It is, I am sure, the same way I would feel if I moved back North and saw news clips of Houston during the hellish summer heat and hurricane season--almost. I mean, really, I have lived in both, and, while the heat of the Houston summer is nothing to be laughed at, it's manageable. When people from here see clips of Erie's lake effect snow, however, they do not think it is at all "manageable." Snow=disaster for winter virgins trying to drive--not at all the same with heat, in my opinion.)

Anyway, but the point of this post is more about Christmas and winter and Eddie Bauer, Lands' End, and L.L. Bean catalogs. I am really, really good at buying winter gear. Really good. I walked a dog in Chicago for 4 years, after all. And I had a kick-ass down coat (that I still own) that goes down to my toes. I did love buying hats and gloves and boots. And so, when I look at these catalogs, I want just a tiny excuse to pick up something new in that department (which would be totally ridiculous, as I have two boxes filled with said gear upstairs in my spare room closet). But anyway, in Texas, my winter talent is wasted. No need to remember my winter driving rules: Beware of black ice! (10 dollars to any of my Texas or Louisiana friends who knows what that is!), Don't pump the brakes if you have anti-lock! etc, etc., Likewise is my talent wasted for picking out cute coordinating winter accessories. Cute hats and scarves be damned. And no, it doesn't get cold enough to wear that swag here, and I personally think you look ridiculous if you do. I saw a woman walking her dog on Sunday with her hat, scarves and gloves on. It was 56, and I had my sunroof open, singing "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman" at the top of my lungs. Maybe my winter talent isn't wasted after all.

Kirby dressed in his balaclava--a winter must-have.
Andy, ready to take Kirby on a walk. He did this every morning at 5:30 before work. Again, rockin' the balaclava and ski goggles.

What a Difference a Year Makes...

A year ago tonight, I was preparing our things to head to Texas Children's early the following morning on December 9, when Mitchell had his "big surgery" (Nephrectomy=icky ruined kidney removed). I can hardly believe it has been a year, and, when I think back to that time, filled with worry and uncertainty, all that anxiety and fear comes flooding back. In the year since he got his bum kidney out, Mitch has thrived. Really, his is the best possible outcome. I belong to a few PUV (Posterior Urethral Valves) information/parent groups, and many of the boys who survive are on hemodialysis awaiting transplants. Sadly, many boys with PUV do not survive 40 weeks gestation. We are so, so lucky. Mitch goes to see his Nephrologist right after the first of the year, and we are optimistic that she will continue to be pleased with his results. In February, we go for our biannual visit to Dr. G and the Urology clinic, compete with renal ultrasound (waaaaaay better than a VCUG!), and we hope and pray that his remaining kidney continues to be the rock star that it is.

Here's a look back at some of Mitch's journey:

Here he is at 10 days old, right before his first VCUG. Little did we know how our world would be rocked that day. The Radiologist came out after she looked at the images and said, "We have paged your Pediatrician, and you are going to go straight up to the 8th floor to meet with Dr. Gonzales in Urology. Your son has a rare condition called Posterior Urethral Valves, and he needs to be seen right now." I will never forget sitting outside of the Urology Clinic, seeing Dr. G come up from surgery in scrubs, and walk past us as we waited. Knowing now what a big shot he is, how busy the clinic is, and how crazy the surgery schedule is, I realize how serious Mitch's condition was.

Here we are in our quarters at Texas Children's prior to Mitch's first surgery. We were admitted the same day as the previous picture, right after we met with Dr. G.

Here we are last year at this time, December 9, 2009, in pre-op with our smiley little man. Even though it was his third surgery, it never gets easier to hand off your baby to the OR nurse.

Mitch, doped up on Morphine. It was a rough 48 hours, and then he was so much better. Kids heal so fast and are so resilient.

It was fitting that today I learned that the National Kidney Foundation has finally rescheduled the Houston Kidney Walk for April 30, 2011. You'll be hearing from me to join our team as a walker (Texas friends!) or to join us as a supporter.

Giving Thanks

In the "fort" with Henry and my Veuve. Yum!

Big boys eating dinner
Say "TURKEY!"
Lowering the bird into the hot oil, complete with high tech kitchen town arm protector.
And...prepping the forearm.

We boycotted traveling for Thanksgiving pretty much one year into being married. At the time, we were in Chicago, and, after fighting holiday traffic to get to Erie, only to head back a few weeks later, we decided we'd break out all the lovely china people got us for our nuptials and host our own Thanksgiving. This year were were solo, which, while sort of sad, was actually nice and relaxing. We decided to forgo the traditional oven-roasted bird for one injected with cajun butter and deep fried in our outdoor kitchen. I also made the expected trimmings, with a new addition of a sinful brussels sprouts recipe from my friend, Michelle.

Back from a Break!

I am back from a 6 month blogging hiatus. Mitch turned 18 months the other day, so I snapped some pictures and figured I should share. Mitch is gregarious and fearless--which means I spend most of my day chasing him. His last appointment with his Nephrologist went great. His labs are normal, and the ultrasound of his kidney showed that it is growing larger, which is a great sign. Mitch continues to see his Urologist every six months. We are hoping that the visits continue to be completely uneventful! We continue to feel so blessed by the care Mitch received at Texas Children's Hospital. The new West Campus of TCH is opening right near us in Katy, and we have been involved in some efforts as a thank-you for all TCH has done for our family. Andy participated in some landscaping projects, and we donated a Founder's Brick, which is in the entry plaza of TCH--West Campus.

Henry turned four in October, and he has spent the Fall following in the Zone boys' footsteps by playing soccer. He was lucky enough to have "Coach Andy" helping his team, which made for a fun experience for all.

I will try to be better about blogging. I have started my Ed.D., so my free time has become more limited, and I am documenting more of our "everyday lives" in a journal for the boys. I like the posterity of the blog, but I remember my best friend's mother talking about how much she cherished recipes written in her own mother's handwriting. (Her mother died quite young.) So, I am trying to preserve some memories outside of the techno-world!

We are looking forward to the holidays (all of which we are spending in Texas). Our plan for next week is to fry our turkey in our outdoor kitchen!

ONE YEAR OLD!

Our May and June have been busy and fun! We celebrated Mitch's birthday on May 19th. We had a party at our house, complete with water fun in our backyard. Mitch loved his cake and the pool, as evidenced by the pictures! May in Texas is HOT, but, luckily, it was not too bad, so all the kids stayed outside. It is hard to believe that Mitch is a year old. He had his fair share of trials in year one, so we are hoping that means his kidney issues are behind him and that he continues to grow and thrive. Mitch is not yet walking, but he is a major climber--much more so than Henry was. He is a good eater and sleeper. He goes to bed around 6:30 at night and sleeps until 6:30 in the morning. In the last few weeks, I have worked to get him on one nap a day, so he naps for about 2.5 to 3 hours in the afternoon. Mitch is a very happy boy who loves his big brother and his dog. We are enjoying him so much!

Spring Fun

Here are some shots of recent activities:

Henry and Mitch, acting as "clean-up crew" after Mitch spilled some Puffs on the floor. Don't worry--we had just had the floors cleaned. This activity is a good immunity builder. ;)

Henry and me at the Cinco Ranch Nature Adventure last weekend. One perk of living where we do is that there are lots of family activities. Note the pool behind us. That is our favorite pool to go to in the summer.

Here's a shot of the boys in matching PJs. I love having two kids of the same gender so I can dress them in matching outfits.

This pic was taken on Mitch's 11-month birthday, right before bedtime. He is a busy boy, who is a thrill seeker. This kid climbs up and into everything.

More Good News!

Mitch saw Dr. B last week. It was a great visit. It was the first time we've seen her since his ultrasound (post-surgery), and she was really pleased with how good his left kidney looks. The hydronephrosis has gone down considerably, and she thinks his remaining kidney has responded very favorably since the nephrectomy. The tone of this visit was so positive, which was great, as Dr. B tends to be quite a realist. She doesn't paint a rosier picture than warranted, so, for her to be so pleased is a good thing. Mitch is still on Bicitra three times a day, which manages his acidosis. His labs showed that his CO2 is holding steady at 25, even as he grows, which means he is not outgrowing the dose and that signs are pointing to being able to eventually be off the meds entirely! Considering that Mitch has been on some type of medication since birth, it is very liberating to think that he could potentially be off of the Bicitra. In all honesty, though, even if he has to stay on it, we are ok with that, as long as his kidney function remains so solid. His Creatinine was .3, which is perfect! We go back to Dr. B and the renal team in June. Until then, we are enjoying our almost-one-year-old!