Hospital and Doctor Visits, Self Care, & Family Outing

Monday, July 12th, was a super busy day! Josh, Theo and I got up early and headed to the hospital in Peoria at 6:00 AM. We arrived just before 8:00 AM and got all checked in for Theo's appointments. We then waited until 9:40 AM for Theo to get called for his bloodwork. At this point I was sweating because Theo's ultrasound was scheduled for 9:00 AM and his visit with oncology and hematology at St Judes was scheduled for 10:00 AM. And I HATE being late! While Theo was getting his blood drawn I headed to the ultrasound area and waited in another long line. Finally Theo and Josh showed up and they started his ultrasound at 10:30 AM. 

[Theo did not like the cotton ball on his arm]

After the ultrasound we headed to the St Judes wing to see our friends there. I felt horrible. But they were so nice about it all because it wasn't our fault. But, still. While we waited to see the doctor, a guy came to our room and offered us food. He gave us hot dogs, fruit, and cookies while we waited. It was so nice! We then met with the doctor. She went through Theo's bloodwork results (the ones that were done) and everything looks normal. She then did her physical exam and noticed everything was good too. We still have to see our friends at St Judes every three months until Theo is seven, BUT Theo doesn't have to get his blood drawn anymore, just do the ultrasound and physical exam. YAY!

After St Judes we went on a 45 minute drive around town. Luckily, Theo fell asleep and had a pretty solid power nap. 

We then went and saw Dr. Steve (Ophthalmologist). He was very happy with how Theo is looking in his glasses and determined that, for now, these are the correct prescriptions for Theo. We will see him again in three months.

We then headed back to the hospital to see Dr. M with GI. Theo’s weight is 47 lb 6.4 ounces and he is 3’6. He’s a big boy. The doctor wants to decrease his calories SLIGHTLY. So, she is asked if it was okay for her to talk to Theo's Dietitian to come up with a plan. Of course that was fine and after they talked the determined that we are going to decrease Theo's calories just a bit and see how he does. We want Theo at a healthy weight, so having him hit a plateau is a good thing right now.

On our way home we got a call from Oncology informing us that the rest of Theo's bloodwork came back normal and his ultrasound was also normal. 

On Tuesday, July 13th, Theo went to OT and I finally went to the dermatologist. I've had a cyst on my back for a long time and I'm finally going to get it removed next month. The doctor also did a full body check and she didn't see anything concerning. Good news!

Our cleaning ladies came that afternoon so Theo and I went for a drive and then we met Josh at Costco. It was nice to take Theo to Costco. I don't think he's been in a LONG time. Good thing he likes to be in his wheelchair!

On Wednesday, July 14th, I had a Zoom with Theo's dietitian and we went over Theo's calories and his new feeding amounts. We are taking him from 24 ounces of Kate Farms a day to 21 ounces. It's not a huge amount, but it should stop him from gaining weight for a few months. That afternoon we saw Theo's PT and his feeding therapist.

We've been focusing on "food play" for a long time. Since Theo is comfortable with playing with food, we thought it would be a good time to get a wee more aggressive. I bought him two Honey Bear Straw Cups, so we are going to give them a try.

[Honey Bear Straw Cups]

On Friday, July 16th, I went and got my eyebrows waxed. I haven't had anyone touch them since December of 2019! The esthetician was very excited to take care of my "quarantine brows" and asked if she could record it for her IG 🤷‍♀️🤣

[I think they look pretty good!]

 On Saturday, July 17th, Theo, Josh, and I went to the White Willow Farmers Market. They only have it once a month and there were a lot of people there selling their goods! We got some wax, jerky, cookies, strawberry & rhubarb pie (for Josh), and bread. After the market we went to Verizon so Josh could pick up his new phone! He upgraded from an iPhone 7 to a 12 Max Pro. He's pretty excited!

Theo and I have been watching the Tour de France very religiously this year. Today, July 18th, was Stage 21 and it was fun to watch as the racers entered Paris and fight to cross the finish line first. Tadej Pogačar took the Yellow, White, and KOM jerseys (second year in a row), while Mark Cavendish won the green jersey. Congrats to all the racers!

[Man bun in the making!]

Theo likes to scoot off of his mat, but then he gets stuck. Sorry, kiddo! You gotta get back on yourself!

[Trying to motivate him with his ball]

[More bad records broken]

I'm very proud of us this week. We got out of the house multiple times for activities other than doctors or therapy appointments. I just need to be brave and know that it's okay if things don't go exactly as planned.

First Movie Since the Shutdown

I saw Black Widow this week! IN THE THEATRE! It's the fist movie I've seen in the theatre since March 8th, 2020! 🙌🏻🙌🏻 More on that later 🙂

Entertaining Theo all day (minus his nap) is a lot of work. Luckily, Josh has been able to come home early from work and give me a hand. He's such a great guy!

[Food play]

[Theo being super sneaky!]

Theo went to OT on Tuesday, July 6th, and was being quite the stinker when he wasn't on the swing. 

[She got a few smiles out of him though]

On Friday, July 9th, Ms Cody came over for PT. Theo rode his tryke to the park and I tried to set up his swing, BUT it broke. I can't catch a break with this company.

[Snaps broke, but Josh thinks he can fix it 🤞🏻🤞🏻]

While we were at the park, Theo laid on the grass. He actually didn't mind it and we were pretty surprised.

After PT, I headed north to get my allergy shots, go shopping at Target, see Black Widow, AND get Crumbl cookies. I never thought I would wait in line for 75 minutes to get a few cookies, but they are SOOO DELICIOUS! 😋 

On Saturday, July 10th, Josh, Theo, and I went to the Ottawa Farmers Market. We were disappointed to see there were not too many tents, but we had fun walking around town. On our way home we stopped by the butcher shop and bought some filets and king crab for date night. 

[Filet mignon and melted blue cheese]

Last Week of ESY, Canada Day, Road Runner, and the 4th of July

Even though Theo was only at ESY for three weeks he bonded with the teachers and especially with his aid, Nurse Sarah. He would try to hold her hand and get kisses on a daily basis. She was so sweet with him and I appreciate all that his ESY crew did for him!

[Gifts for his teachers, aids, and nurse]

[Theo's artwork from ESY]

It was stupid hot this week. Canada is on fire!

Theo loves to pull on Josh's beard and will do it when ever he can!

I was cycling in the basement and a huge spider was watching me. I covered him with a shoebox, finished my workout, and then send this picture to Josh. I freakin' hate spiders!

Speaking of pest, we have five bunnies running around our house: big sister, little sister, and three little brothers. They were fine until they started eating my flowers! Josh set some traps and we've been able to catch (and release) two of them so far.

Thursday, July 1st, was Canada Day! My mom sent cute Canada Day shirts to all of her grandkids. Here are some of them with their Canadian pride on display:

[Teagan and Hayden]

[Kenna and Porter]

[Cason]

[Cole, Brady, and Dane]

[Theo]

[Look at all that hair!]

[Theo on Canada Day in 2018, 2019, 2020, and this year]

[I bought Theo a new switch activated toy. He seemed to like it!]

Theo and I have been watch the Tour de France. It's been so fun!

On Friday, July 2nd, I went to the chiropractor. He worked on my ankles, upper back, and right shoulder blade. Going to see him every other week has been glorious! I told him I was looking into getting new running shoes and he told me to go to Road Runners. He said I have high arches and getting a custom insert would be good for me. I went home, got Josh and Theo, and we drove up to Naperville.

I walked on the treadmill, talked to one of their trainers, and did some foot measurements. The trainer suggested some inserts, shoes, and socks for me. I am so excited to try them all out!

Two down, three to go!

We didn't do anything exciting on the Fourth of July. All of our neighbors had parties and set off PLENTY of fireworks, so we got to see a show without even leaving the house!

[My guys being silly!]

I asked Josh to pick up some of the twigs from our dying bush. Instead of doing that, he just yanked the whole thing out of the ground and threw it in the trash 🤷‍♀️

Two of my three rose bushes are looking great. I have a feeling the third one is being eaten by the bunnies!

[So sad!]

Hopefully once we re-home the bunnies my flowers will flourish!