Ivan turned SIX!!

Ivan turned SIX!!! We had a small family party with a Scooby cake made at the last minute!
More than anything this year-and I mean ANYTHING-Ivan wanted a party at The Jump Zone. He wanted friends and cousins to come and he wanted to sit in the "king chair". In the past we've done family parties or had friends to our home. It was new to go somewhere and invite more people. I tried dropping all kinds of hints. But, Ivan said I didn't need to get him a present, just have a Jump Zone Party. So, we did. I'm posting just a few of the pictures of him posing in the king chair. I actually forgot my camera, so these are with my phone and I don't have any of the kids jumping. But, there were friends, there was family, there were cupcakes, and presents, and a King Chair!! He had a blast! He also lost his first tooth the week he turned six!

Boys will be boys

We had some friends(Chandlers from AR, now Cincinnati)over and they are parents of three girls. The girl Ivan's age followed him to the bathroom as they were palling around all night. When she realized he was pulling his pants down, she stepped out and off to the side politely giving him some privacy. Then she said, "I won't look." What a lady.

Ivan then took a step out in the hall, holding his penis like a weapon, and says, "why, cause I might shoot you down?!"

She looked scared.

Ivan looked... well, like a boy.

We're Penguins!

So much snow!! We're turning into penguins, or at least the weather gave us some inspiration!

These seemed like the perfect cupcakes to take to Ivan's class...

When the weather is like this on your 5th birthday!!!!

This was taken on the 7th-his birthday-we have about a foot more now!

an Ivan Update

For those of you who follow my blog and have been worried about Ivan (as I have)-I want you to know we have great news!!

He has gone over 10 days without symptoms, and it is believed that the virus just took longer than usual to leave his hip. So, no bone scan is indicated right now. Of course I'll keep watching him.

Josh gave him a nice blessing which sounded very positive. And many prayers have been offered. His name was also on the temple prayer roll.

Thanks everyone!

relax, Lara.

Time to try and relax and enjoy the holidays. Ivan is doing fine with random knee pain episodes. I'm determined to try and video the next one-that way I can show a physician. Then again, I'm hoping he won't have a next one.

Bone scan won't be until the 7th because of holidays. That is okay. Patience.

We'll go forward with plans and look forward to getting some answers later.

First, dinners need planned, clothes folded, kids loved, trips taken, marriages made, and a new niece to meet. In short, I need to get out of my funk and have some fun!

Merry Christmas, and thanks for all of your comments. I'm thankful for you!

ps. I'm eating sugar. It IS the week of Christmas ya know!!

Low-Key to this Sucks!

Remember my previous post about a low-key Christmas and how I kept putting,

"Hmmm."

Life has taught me when you get an all is well period-life will whop you up the side of the head!

So it is again-and this particular whop sucks.

Sorry, (I know you hate that word mom). But it is so true.

Ivan was diagnosed with a viral infection in his hip. It was supposed to clear up within a few days-possibly a little longer-but max week to two weeks-it has been 17-18 days.

AND-I thought he was doing better, although when I'm honest, he had some minor aches and pains 4 or 5 days ago and I gave him Motrin.

Then-last night he has another episode of extreme knee pain-this pain wakes him up (he never wakes up). This is a huge concern. Still no other symptoms, injury, fever, etc.

This could (though I am trying my best not to panic) be more serious.

Dr. appointment today yielded: Bone Scan.

Then we'll know more.

I should get a call tomorrow for a time, but I'm not sure how soon this will happen with the holidays.

So much for a low-key holiday. I'm a basket case. Now I'm juggling getting the things done like our dinner and presents with appointments and the wedding trip to Dallas on the 29th and a room full of laundry, and kids who don't have school-which means I need extra patience.

Prayers are welcome for me and Josh. We are both concerned about our little boy.

Mom, I can't walk.

Not exactly what you want to hear first thing in the morning. I had no idea what was going on with Ivan. (Of course it was Ivan-it is ALWAYS Ivan when it comes to medical problems).
Symptoms:
Leg pain, knee pain, couldn't walk
NO
fever.recent illness. injury.swelling.redness. bone protrusion. etc.

What the heck?

I worried all day, finally took him to urgent care since the pediatrician couldn't do an x-ray anyway. (and though a little hysterical inside thinking that maybe that cancer did get away and show up in his bone somehow....) I actually held it together pretty well.

Turns out, I guess he has a viral infection in his hip, that is sending referred pain to the knee. It should clear up on its own over the next several days.
If not, we will worry again.
For now, all is well.
Phew!

ps a hundred thank you's to Jimett for watching my other two boys tonight!

Pretty Sweet

Ivan called me over to him while I was volunteering with his class.

"Mom, come here. I want to tell you something."

"What do you want to tell me, Ivan?"

"You are pretty."


This sweet boy made my otherwise stressful week-so much better! Thanks for your kind words, Ivan.

With Thankful Heart

I'm happy to report that Ivan's MRI today looked "normal". Normal, by the way, is a beautiful word. I always get nervous when he has these six month pictures done--wondering maybe, just maybe, that ugly tumor is starting up again--just one little cell got away...

So, it is always a great relief to hear that he's okay. We'll do this again in April. And October. Then maybe just in Octobers. I hope. I worry and worry and buy him special treats, and get movies, and wash his blanky, and pray. Oh, and worry (did I mention that?)

In addition to that, I took Orlando to his field trip. I made him a wonderful sack lunch, got him all excited, made sure he was dressed for the pumpkin patch and then took him to school at 8 when he usually goes in the afternoon....only to find out it is next week.

How embarrassing.

I blame it on stress. Somehow I got the MRI and the field trip on the same date in my head....

Sheesh, I thought Lando might make it to 4th or 5th grade before I started embarrassing him, I guess not!

Well, I'm thankful for my boys even if they may struggle with giving thanks for this scatter brained-worry-wart of a mom.

Therapy?

So Ivan's rehab Dr. has suggested martial arts. I'm loving it and so are the boys!! I milk it for all it is worth (and it's worth quite a bit according to the checkbook!) The threat of not getting to go or of Mr. P-the triple black belt instructor- being disappointed work to my advantage. Plus, they have homework--this week was "accomplishment" and I got to choose tasks around the house. LOVE IT!!

V.I.P.

V.I.P. stands for Very Important Person.  As a stay at home mom I don't always feel very important.  Seem familiar?  Ya know when you try to keep a house in order and it is impossible to tell or when the kids fight despite all your efforts or when you give in to the all too easy TV or the cookies you are trying to resist.  Ya know.  It just isn't always very glam and often it seems life outside the home might be a better place.  Still, I am home because I can be.  This is truly a blessing not every woman enjoys.  My husband supports us both physically and more importantly emotionally in this difficult decision.  I still miss my teaching job and the kids I worked with.  Of course, I also miss my college days and free time and my mission, and many phases in my life.  I am sure they were not always easy yet now they seem but sweet memories.  I believe these young years of my children's lives will also be sweet memories.  Tonight one such memory was made.   During our family home evening lesson we talked about some V.I.P.'s including the pioneers, Joseph Smith, and especially Jesus Christ.  Why are these people so important?   Then I asked each person to look at one other person in the room.  Whoever they looked at they then needed to tell that person why they are important.  We took turns and sweet things were said (like we play together, have fun, etc), but then it was Ivan's turn.  Ivan looked at me.  Josh asked, "why is mommy important?"  Ivan said simply, "because she loves me."  It was clear and beautiful and I confess getting a bit choked up. But, my four year old just taught me that:  I AM important!  Even if I'm not as organized or as thin or as crafty or as healthy, or disiplined, or wonderful as so many fabulous women I know.  I AM important because I love my children!   What a lesson!  Thank you Ivan, I needed that.  

He continues to teach me. . .

Today I took Ivan in for his Neuro check up.  He had an MRI Monday.  I'm so happy to report no signs of cancer at this time and things look good.  Of course, I am always nervous -no matter that statistics for his type of cancer are on our side.  I've also thought a lot about my little Ivan this week.  He teaches me so much.  

Ivan was born with a love of sports.  He played more basketball in our living room by age 2 then most people do in their lives!  So, when his coordination slowed down I knew something was wrong.  Eventually--we got the diagnosis.  A golf ball tumor.  For a few days we didn't know what kind.  We didn't know if he'd be with us or if for how long.  With Josh in medical school, friends tapped into records and did some "searching".  They tried to tell me it should be okay.  I don't think I heard them clearly.  It was too hard to believe anything when something so unbelievable was happening.

Surgery was rough.  And they had to go back in later.  It wasn't surgery itself that caused us so much grief though---it was the effects of surgery.  My little guy couldn't sit up, walk, run, or shoot hoop!

He really worked hard while on the rehab unit for two weeks and progress was made.  Still, I took him home unable to walk without lots of support.  He continued full time therapy for several months.

Ivan wore a helmet to help keep the bumps and bruises to a minimum. (He also sported my sandals occasionally!)

Here is Ivan at age four.  I love this shot because you can clearly see the scrapes and bumps that continue to be part of his life.  In fact, today our doctor said to continue to expect that.   But, what did you see first?  It was the smile wasn't it?  Yes, Ivan continues to teach me.  He has the gift of resiliency.  He will go and go and go.  He will try and try and try.  He will fall.  He will hurt, and he will try again.  Now, of course he's not perfect and I'm not trying to give him sainthood or anything.  He also tries my patience and tries and tries to get out of bedtime!  But, my little Ivan is an example to me.  He helps me go when I don't want to.  He also often says, "it's okay mom-sometimes it doesn't work out"  and then "maybe next time".  I think that is pretty good thinking for such a young kid.  I am thankful to have my Ivan in my life.

Happy Brithday Ivan!

You'll know why the title is Happy Brithday when you get to the end of the post.  But first, who is this handsome boy?  Well, that is my little Ivan.  Who isn't so little anymore.  This is a recent picture taken at the wonderful COSI museum here in Columbus.

Ivan had some friends over for his birthday.  This was the first time we had friends for the party.  Usually it has just been family.  Orlando had a 4th birthday party with friends,  but it was at his school.  So, this was a BIG deal for our family.  Especially the boys.  Lando and Ammon enjoyed the excitement as much as Ivan.
We did some simple decorating and I let the boys help--the anticipation is probably as fun as the event!

This was "the birthday tunnel" made from streamers.  The kids got to climb to the top, put their gift down and then when it was present time they went to retrieve it....what a hit!  Parties for four year olds are fun!  We also danced and sang songs.  

The kiddos also chose a pony or dinosaur to paint and take home.  Another hit!
Okay, here is the cake.  Josh and I decorated on Friday night for the party on Saturday.  It turned out great (considering we had to make a spider!).  We must have been tired by the end though, because the message was Happy Brithday Ivan  instead of Happy Birthday Ivan!  I'm sure Charlotte would never have made this mistake.  Then again Charlotte just had to make the web, not the spider and the web!  Not one of the kids pointed it out, again parties for four year olds are fun!