Physical Therapy, Rheumatology, Ophthalmology, Oh My!

I’ve been wanting to update…but my God we have been busy.

Last week went like this…

Saturday- The Walk

Sunday- Baby shower

Tuesday- Everett’s 4 mo appt

Wednesday- Ellie’s Physical Therapy

Thursday- E’s Rheumatology appt

Saturday- Family Gathering

Sunday- Mother’s day breakfast

Then this week…

Tuesday- E’s physical therapy

Wednesday- Visit from my cousins and aunt

Thursday-E’s Ophthalmology appt

In between all that I ran errands, grocery shopped, changed diapers, hauled babies on my hip, carried sleeping babies in heavy car seats, carried sleeping toddlers from the car, changed diapers, made meals, fed babies, had my hair done by a 2 year old, built castles, pushed strollers, kissed boo boo’s, dried tears, changed diapers, read stories, sang songs, danced Ring-Round the Rosies, filled out preschool paperwork, vacuumed, dishes, bathed babies, filled sippy cups, dispensed medications, changed diapers, attempted to bathe uninterrupted, updated blogs, took pictures, cleaned up endless toys, blew bubbles, researched JIA medications, watched cartoons, supported my fellow mommy friends, changed diapers, cleaned up cat vomit, cleaned up cat poop, let the dog out 2,371 times, sent out over 100 “thank you” emails to Team Esella Donors, listened to venting husbands, played peek-a-boo, enjoyed a couple grande non-fat Chai Tea lattes, put toddlers on time out, sang the ABC’s, changed diapers, made Mother’s Day presents for the grandmothers, soothed toddlers plagued by nightmares at 2am, fed babies at 2:30am, fed babies at 5:30am, cried, screamed, worried, loved and laughed.

Wait…what was this post supposed to be about again?

Yes I am that exhausted.

Anyway….Everett’s 4 month appt went well. He is in the 60^th percentile for weight and 94^th for height! He is meeting all the milestones and FINALLY rolled over with purpose on Thursday! and is really a very happy baby.

Except when you put him in the car. Not a fan.

He LOVES his big sister, and loves snuggling with mama. He is awesome at grabbing things and putting them in his mouth, and can sit up for a few seconds unassisted! I am so in love with this little man.

 

 

In Esella news…last week at her rhemy appt they recommended that we add a more aggressive medication to her regimen as her finger has not responded to the naproxen. So as soon as it arrives, Esella will be starting a low dose of Methotrexate (MTX), a chemotherapy agent that is widely used in the treatment of JA and RA. We will be starting by giving her the injectable medication orally. After 8 weeks if there is no improvement, we will need to move to injections.

Side effects can include nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, headaches, hair loss and photosensitivity. Let’s hope that with SUCH a low dose Ellie will not suffer from any of these.

Some good news: Esella’s eyes continue to be free from inflammation, so we go back in September. 

Poor Esella took her first MAJOR fall and busted her lip and gums...thank goodness for Otter Pops!

Before the fall...snuggles with her big cousin Geoff...

I think that about covers it all for now! Until next time….remember that no outfit is complete without a Tutu, Teddy, and a Sippy Cup.

 

 Hope you have a relaxing weekend!!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Second Cousins...

Dancing Feet

Had a fantastic time. We miss them.

Arthritis Walk 2011

Well yesterday was the Arthritis Walk 2011 that we have been working to raise money for. In just 11 weeks, Team Esella raised....

$17,152 DOLLARS!!!!!!!!

Yes, we were BUSY. We worked HARD. And in the end we were the #1 team in the Bay Area! WOO HOO GO TEAM ESELLA!!!

The walk day was fun, but exhausting! Most of our team walked the three miles (some did the one mile). Almost 40 people came out to support Team Esella.  It brought tears to my eyes later that day looking at the pictures of all the friends and family who love our daughter so much.

Here are some fun Team Esella Fundraising Facts:

Amount raised the first DAY of fundraising: Over $1000

Amount raised the first WEEK of fundraising: $4330

Amount raised in the first TWO WEEKS of fundraising: over $6000

Amount raised in the first THREE WEEKS of fundraising: over $9000

How many days it took to raise $10,000: 24

How many days it took to raise $15,000: 66

How many donors: over 300 people/families/businesses

How many fundraising events: 3 (Casino Night, Jewelry Party, Lemonade Stand)

Amount Katie’s mommy groups contributed: Over $1000

Amount our neighborhood donated: over $1000

The feeling we got every time another dollar came in….priceless

This whole experience has been so rewarding. A lot of work? YES. But rewarding. Spreading the word…creating awareness about this silent disease has been the most rewarding of all. 

And now....some pictures!

The finish line! We did it!!!

 

John and Makena...John and Justin were friends at Chico...

The Meyers Fam

These guys used to carry around beers and now they carry princesses in TuTu's....priceless

Melissa, Chris and CJ (and Babylegs #2 in Mel's belly...)

Katie with Megan and Lilyn..down from the 'ville.

My brother and Niece

FAMILY

Me and Darienne

Esella and Mak in the bounce house in TuTu's

Back into the bounce house!!

And yes...dogs get Arthritis Too! My cousin's dog Bandit decked out in the most amazing jacket EVER. TuTu included!

Jake also donned the awesome jacket!

Our little man slept through most of the festivities. Check out his onsie!

People have already asked “what did Esella think of it all?” Well…she thought the bouncy house at the walk was AMAZING and she loved seeing all the people…but she had no idea that all those people were there for HER. That all those people were walking for HER.

But we know. And we are beyond thankful to everyone. There really are no words.

You know how people say births and deaths bring family together? Apparently chronic diseases have the same effect. In the last month I have been able to spend time with my aunt (who also happens to have a form of RA, something I never knew until recently) and with my cousin...and it reminded me how much I love spending time with them...hearing the stories of childhood...and then add my brother to the mix and we had some amazing and HILARIOUS conversations about projectile pee over an amazing Dim Sum lunch...

Followed by relaxation and play...

My little man loves his feet!

Yes, it was a great and exhausting day! Thanks to all of you for your support!