Another overcast day, another day of cranky kids… Echo seemed to be suffering from some lingering upset due to yesterday’s testing, and I can’t blame her. So we have had lots of cuddles, some extra snacks and lots of compassion. No calls from the hospital means the results cannot be ALL bad and I have to admit I am somewhat clinging to that. I still feel like I have been on a rollercoaster ride and am just getting off (and I HATE rollercoasters).

We have started packing some soft bags and backpacks with some non-essential but useful items to store at Karyn’s until the 1st. It amazes me how much clothing Echo has but yet can still be short on certain pieces (ie. sleepers). There are some bags I had packed over a month ago with toys in them that we will cram in a corner of the van for Sunday as well. That way (best case scenario) we have some extra things when we move on the first. The actual move can’t be until the following weekend as most everyone works a regular week day job. On the same weekend (I think the Sunday) it looks like Ted will be moving into his new condo as well! So it is going to be a busy weekend!

We went on to chapter two today with our chapter book. This chapter was about the swans coming and finding a place to make their nest. Instead of just having them illustrate this time they also had to write out 2 sentences about what was in the story. You can definitely tell who enjoys the assignment more and which parts. Though I am impressed by BOTH boys’ printing skills. And their recall for details in the chapter is improving (well after I had a talk with them about their increasingly frustrating behaviour… which is understandable with the chaos here in regards to moving but in no way ok).

Working on their Chapter 2 assignment

Completed

We got a call from the paediatric cardiologist today as well. Our new doctor simply does not want to leave the issue to her expertise but instead wants us to follow up with someone who specializes in the heart. So there was a minute of panic in this mother’s heart before Ken explained to me about the phone call. We have the ringer off in the afternoons and since we don’t have voice mail we depend on people either calling back or us calling them back during that period of time. So Ken had called back. So I guess we will be back to the city in July for this appointment as well! AND it could take up to FOUR hours!!! WOW!

With the horrible weather we compromised with the twins and after some decent behaviour allowed them to walk with Ken to the nearby Wholesale place. They were rather proud of themselves helping pick out dinner AND carry it home. Properly sweatered and bug sprayed first of course!

Home from the grocery store

We had welcome visitors today – the den Otter kids! Xinny was planning on picking up Alan after work and we are in the middle between his work and their house. Since the visit was rather short to begin with she left the two bigger kids here to go get Alan and then return to have supper here. This has reminded me that we are NOT moving the old drums the boys have (they ARE falling apart after all) and that 2 more kids DO increase the excitement and sound BUT that means all the more joy too! It is tough for them to understand that after this visits with Isabella and Alexander are going to have to be much better planned out as we will be 1 1/2 hours away.

Playing in the boys' room

Alexander and Echo

Izaac

I have seen pictures of my sister’s wedding. It was lovely! I snuck one off of Facebook to share and brag about here!

See my dad looking all suave and sophisticated there on the left side???

So guests well into the early evening, baby feeling the left over frustration of a difficult day and yours truly feeling the strong urge for a little cry… of course that left me a little stitching time to sooth the soul. So much purple right now!

Toe in progress

Well back to stitching and online gaming… anything to sooth the mind for a bit!

Smiles for the camera

We survived the trip to the University Hospital, gambit of tests and back again. And now… now we get onto fixing the sad van. BUT I am sure everyone else is MUCH more interested in Echo and her tests than the van (well most everyone). We started with the test we needed her to be the CALMEST with – the ECG. That was actually an easy one, though a bit of a wait there… you can wait up to 4 hours to get in one of those in the children’s wing! Basically we stripped her down to diaper, stuck stickers on her and then held her arms and legs still when plastic clips are clipped to the stickers and a quick reading is taken. She was rather enthralled with the technician’s bracelet and only cried once the stickers were pulled off (hurt a little) and the results were printed out (loud!). Those results we took with us to drop off at the specialist’s office.

Next we did bloodwork, which had at least a 20 min wait. Echo and I waited in the waiting room but due to limited space the other 4 and Ken waited elsewhere. We lucked out in the ECG waiting room – they had cartoons on!!! To do bloodwork on an infant they take us to a tiny room where there is a bed to lay her on, this time just take one arm out of her clothes. Then with TWO technicians and myself, hold her down… put the tourniquet on her arm and do the bloodwork. One of the ladies held her arm and I got the thrashing bottom half. They took enough for 4 different vials including her genetic test blood. Not a lot in each but still substantial. All the while the ladies were trying to be soothing and after they were done one even stuck around to talk to her until she was much calmer. BUT at this point she was starting to put 2 and 2 together and get a very solid FOUR.

Our last stop, after tidying up our crayons and pictures and waking up a dozing daddy, was to head over to x-ray. There I ran into a lady who I had met first in the ECG waiting room. She was ALSO there for her baby’s heart murmur, though his was so loud you could hear and feel it easily! She also had an 8 hour drive back to B.C. after she completed her testing (she did her x-ray and THEN was going for bloodwork). It was nice to talk to someone who had been there done that with all of this. In fact, in the ECG waiting room there was one lady there with a son who had had 3 open heart surgeries (though looking at him you would not believe it!) and she was sweet to talk to as well.

Anyway… the x-ray and the greatest indignity of the day… Well, we didn’t wait too long before they came to get us. Then it was BACK down to diaper… of course, by this point white coats and a paper covered bed meant she was NOT going quietly. Once her clothes were off one technician took her and placed her in what honestly looked like a big plastic tube with the back open. I had to hold her legs straight through the holes until they strapped her in somewhat like a corset with her tiny arms up and her hands over her head! She was NOT happy about it. Then behind the glass for me and 2 x-rays later she was back in my arms and being dressed back up.

The x-rays go right into the computer system and soon after our doctor’s office and check them out. We dropped off the print off for our doctor and double checked that we were good to go home. Our follow up to all of these tests (except the genetic which is ANOTHER appointment we have not yet had scheduled) is July 25th, though I am sure IF there is something pressing we will be notified way sooner.

Recovering after her ordeal with a snack

We had TONS of compliments on Echo (her lovely pink ensemble by the lady with the baby boy who missed dressing a baby in pink, and technicians who thought her impossibly perfect and pretty) and our family as a whole. An older woman came up to me to share that she too had twins – though after her first was 9 months old and that we were doing a marvellous job and she was very impressed. Even Trinity got reminded that she was a VERY pretty girl. The kids were all pretty good, there was some whining and some not watching where they were walking but for being there over 2 hours that was to be expected. Much longer and we would have had to have lunch there I think.

I didn’t take pictures during tests etc, but I DID get one of my family on the way out of the hospital. Today was another blustery and cold day so everyone was bundled up a little more than usual, well except Ken and myself in our shorts… not smart!

On the ped-way

So we survived the ordeal and even managed to keep the kids somewhat occupied and out of trouble. They each did up a drawing by the end of it as well… can you guess which is Trinity’s?

The finished art

The boys started their newest and simplest ongoing project – reading the chapter book The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White. We borrowed the book for Karyn and finished the first chapter today. Then each of the boys did an illustration. I am thinking of doing a couple sentences copy work for the next chapter. It will depend on how we all feel, and what the chapter is about.

Our book

I am not sure why the funny faces

I have to admit there is a bit of frustration after all of these tests… even with meeting other moms dealing with issues there was no one like us… all these babies and little ones were so not… well… little. Even the little boy who has had THREE open heart surgeries and is on the the donor list looked so healthy and large. Some days I just want to meet someone ELSE who has a tiny, healthy baby. My heart feels lighter though talking with other moms facing stuff like this… and the nurses and technicians were all so nice. A big part of me wanted to run home to my daddy or mommy myself though. Sometimes it is tough being and adult and a parent.

There is so much that I want to do before we move and the time is quickly ticking away. Worst of all, we are facing the fact that the van is going in tomorrow to be repaired and then we hope it is a fast fix. Thank goodness I have the stocking to keep me busy!

Stocking

I am ready to have everything be done and over. BUT on the plus side – one thing already is – her tests are done… results are what they are… and the next appointments are scheduled. Next is the van, then on the weekend Sunday School and that (fingers crossed) rental. I am just so glad that the specialist wrote up a requisition to get her genetic bloodwork done now as well, it makes me feel a little bit ahead of the game. I just want to move on and keep going FORWARD. There is still so much to do this summer and I need to regain my feeling of peace and control.

BUT lets focus on the good…

1. Echo’s tests are DONE DONE DONE…
2. We at least are 10 steps closer to our rental in the new city
3. Packing is getting accomplished and I have a plan to take some extra stuff to Karyn on Sunday to hold for us until the 1st as an optimistic measure
4. The stocking is progressing
5. Ken is still smiling! BIG ONE!!!!
   

And with everyone’s prayers, support and positive thinking life is turning back around for the Reinsch-Johnson family and for that I thank you all!!

Gavin and his Lego creation for the day

It was a rainy, overcast Victoria Day and this morning Ken had the kids well in hand so I curled back up into a warm little ball in our lovely fuzzy blanket and had a sleep in. I do so love the sound of rain on the roof. That did put a bit of a stop on the moving of stuff out of the basement and into the garage though until it passed. Thankfully Ken had Ted over today to help out which has sped along the progress. As you can see the apple trees have finally bloomed. I am going to miss the tree and the raspberry plants.

Our damp backyard

I have to admit a certain amount of amazement at the amount of stuff there really IS in the house. And to add to the excitement the owner coming by with a contractor to peek at the basement… the kids are just not exactly anywhere NEAR perfect angels. BUT  we are looking at a rental that, once we meet them next weekend, could be ours! Ken has had some email conversation with them and they just want to meet us and discuss the deposit. So… we keep looking (just in case) and sort everything out here for the 1st and stay positive. Ken is feeling pretty good about it.

I finished a bit more of the stocking… I am working on the heel right now!

Heel

Our Miss E is facing a whole battery of tests tomorrow… I have a bag of brand new crayons, paper and some easy to read books ready for the bigger kids and will probably bring along our old church toy bag. I have no idea how quickly these tests will be done. BUT it will be an adventure! As usual please keep us in mind over tomorrow… I am sure she will be ok but at the same time there is that little niggle of fear!

Trinity making sure Echo gets her treats (she only ate ONE herself after all)

Now to take some time to rest, relax and attempt to think positive thoughts!

Gavin and his pictoral representation of the game Minecraft