No Dystonia!!!!

After nearly 2 months of waiting for this test result, it came back negative (meaning no dystonia)! I am so relieved!!! Now they want to admit Allie to the hospital for 3 days and see if they can catch her episodes on an EEG. This would diagnose if she was having seizures. Because her episodes are only every 2-3 weeks, this may be hard to time when she would have some. Also, because of respiratory season, they said the hospital is too full so we can't just call when she starts showing symptoms. So. . . the neurologist team is going to discuss what they want to do at this point. Thanks so much to everyone for your thoughts, prayers, and support!!!!

Update on Allie

We finally got test results back!!! Allie's MRI was completely normal. From her lumbar puncture, they found that she had decreased HVA (homovanillic acid) in her cerebral spinal fluid. The neurologist says this is reason for her seizure-like episodes. So. . . we went back up to Primary Children's Hospital to get her blood drawn again yesterday. They are testing her tyrosine hydroxylase level. It has to be sent to a geneticist in Georgia, so it will be another 3 weeks or so until we get results back. This should tell us IF she has dystonia (a neuromuscular disorder which can be controlled by medication) and if she does, how mild or severe it is.

The neurologist said that sometimes babies levels are just off and they can get better on their own (essentially "grow out of it"). It has been 4 weeks since she has had any "episodes" and her neck is doing better so he said he feels optimistic about this.

We are so happy and feeling so blessed that she is doing better!!! I know that priesthood blessings work!!! It is a true power from God.

Some pictures. . .

More pictures. . .

Camping at the wedge in San Rafael Swell.

Lake Mead

Kaden at Discovery Gateway. I think this is the only non-blurry picture of him because he would not stand still there (way too much to see and do).

Allie's blessing day

Kylie in Princess Bootcamp

What a great big sister!!!

Welcome Allie!

Allina Jane was born March 12 weighing 6lbs 3oz and 19 inches long. After 25 hours of unmedicated labor, she entered the world into Grandma's arms (my mom) and Nana (Jake's mom) cut the cord while Jake was by my side holding his oxygen in one hand and my hand in the other. Jake and I both made it through :). So far, she has been an amazingly good baby. Kylie is loving her little sister and Kaden has been a lot better with her than I anticipated.

Less Than a Month to Go!!

Our little girl still does not have a name, but she is due on March 20th!!! We are so excited- and getting a little nervous. I have a cradle that I normally keep my babies in by my bed for the first little while, but decided to set up the crib because I'm worried about safety with Kaden and the cradle. Jake set up the crib and Kaden climbed right in. I'm a little worried. I don't think there's any place in my house I can safely put the baby without Kaden getting to her. We'll figure out something, but I may have to get up extra early or wait until Jake gets home everyday to shower. If anyone has any advice on this or anything else that they've done with a newborn and a 2 yr old, I'm more than happy to hear it!

It's Been A While. . .

Everything is going well here. We're just getting ready for the baby. Kylie and Kaden are now sharing Kylie's room to make space. Too bad for Kaden- it's pink. He doesn't care about that, he's more worried about his old room being taken over by baby stuff. He's very particular and sentimental about "his" things. Our little girl will be in a green room. I know we could paint, but it's just one more thing to do. . . maybe later. It was actually supposed to be the other way around with Kylie and Kaden in the green room and the baby in the pink room, but 2 kids wouldn't fit in the green room. I guess it's not that big of a deal.