His genetic results

As you can see in this picture of his genetic test results, Alvin has a c.2682delT mutation. This is what confirms the diagnosis of NF1.

His genetic results

As you can see in this picture of his genetic test results, Alvin has a c.2682delT mutation. This is what confirms the diagnosis of NF1.

Alvin's Big Boy Bed

So, due to my surgery and subsequent inability to lift more than 10 lbs for 4-6 weeks, we decided to go ahead and move Alvin into a toddler bed. I cant lift him out of the crib and I dont want him trying to climb out. Bad juju ya'll. So, Eric and I surfed on the web to see what all was out there. We fell in LOVE with the Little Tykes Thomas the Train toddler bed. Ya'll it's a $300 bed. Yes, you read that right. That's out of our budget range, sort of. We figured we'd just get him a regular wooden bed ($100) and another crib mattress ($80) because we knew he wasnt going to take well to the change. Then, since we were already nearing $200, we decided what the hell, let's go with the Thomas bed. So we called Toys R Us in Waterford to see if they had one in stock. Ya'll, not only did they have one in stock, but they needed to get rid of the display model. If we were willing to take the display, they'd let us have it for 50% off!!!! Yes, you read that right. 50% off!!! So we managed to score the DREAM bed for $139! Alvin just loves his new bed. No clue if he'll actually sleep in it yet, but we'll find out soon enough.

Sorry for the lapse...

But on February 16th, Eric had to rush me to the ER, where I was admitted with acute cholecystitis. When they performed the abdominal ultrasound, they found that my gallbladder was completely impacted with gallstones. This necessitated an emergency cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder). So, I went into the OR around 8pm that night. Unfortunately, I had some complications which necessitated a SECOND emergency surgery the next morning at 7am. Because of this, my recovery time went from a few days to more realistically a few weeks. :( I wasnt released until mid afternoon on Sunday. Thankfully, the Navy is being wonderful and allowed Eric to take emergency leave to help me out at home, since I'm pretty much useless for a few weeks.

Also, a special shout out to two really awesome people for helping Eric and I with the kids while all this was going on. Jackie and Angie, LOVE you guys. Thanks so much! You can read all about Jackie's time with the kids in her own blog post: Emergenices and Extra Children. It has photos and a video.

The Anti Valentine

Yep, it's that time of year again. Time for my annual "I hate Valentine's Day" rant. Only this year, it's short and simple. I. Hate. Valentine's. Day. Period. Hate it. Hate everything about it. Dont celebrate and never will. Actually. I'd like to clarify that. Eric and I dont celebrate it. We do decorate minorly for the kids. Cause I wont impart my hatred of the day on them. They're kids. They like the holiday.

Happy Birthday Grandma

I hope it was a good one!

Genetic Test Results

So..I just got off the phone with the geneticist at Boston Childrens. It's affirmative. Alvin DOES have Neurofibromatosis Type I. *big sigh of relief*

Ya'll it's been 2 1/2 years of ups and downs. We think this and we think that. Now we KNOW! There can be no supposition. (No more anonymous assholes being jackasses cause they're bored.) We still have to wait until Alvin hits puberty to find out how bad this NF is going to get, but now we know what to look out for. Now getting him the scans/test etc every year wont be a fight. Why? Because he has a medical condition that requires them.

So what happens now? Well, not much different than what has been really. Once the pedi here on base gets the paperwork from Boston, we'll enroll Alvin in the EFM program. I have no clue what catergory he's going to be labeled and no clue how the EFM program works, but I'll soon find out! I'll post the doctor's notes/more information once we get it in the mail. I just couldnt wait to let everyone know!

Genetic Test Results

So..I just got off the phone with the geneticist at Boston Childrens. It's affirmative. Alvin DOES have Neurofibromatosis Type I. *big sigh of relief*

Ya'll it's been 2 1/2 years of ups and downs. We think this and we think that. Now we KNOW! There can be no supposition. (No more anonymous assholes being jackasses cause they're bored.) We still have to wait until Alvin hits puberty to find out how bad this NF is going to get, but now we know what to look out for. Now getting him the scans/test etc every year wont be a fight. Why? Because he has a medical condition that requires them.

So what happens now? Well, not much different than what has been really. Once the pedi here on base gets the paperwork from Boston, we'll enroll Alvin in the EFM program. I have no clue what catergory he's going to be labeled and no clue how the EFM program works, but I'll soon find out! I'll post the doctor's notes/more information once we get it in the mail. I just couldnt wait to let everyone know!

Alvin's 3rd Birthday

I apologize in advance, for this will be a VERY picture intensive post.
I cant believe it's been THREE years since Alvin was born. The day he was born he weighed 7 pounds, 2 oz and was 20 inches long. Today he weighs 28 pounds and is 35 inchess tall. *sigh* He is growing up. He is officially fully in 18 month clothes and can wear SOME 24 months. He's starting to pick up more words too. His latest are 'bird', 'train', and 'drink'. He's up to about a vocabulary of 20-30 words. Which is GREAT!

The day he came home fromt the hospital

At 3 years old

So today we had a birthday party for him. Jackie, Ryan, and Than were supposed to come, but illness kept them away. We missed having them, but still had a good time. We decorated the living room with streamers and balloons. Alvin LOVED it! We also got him the HUGE Thomas balloon. It's bigger than he is. It sings to you if you tap it, so he spent most of the day making it make noise.

 The living room

I attempted to make him a Thomas the Train birthday cake. It didnt turn out so well lookswise, but it tasted good. And really, isnt that all that matters?

Then it was time to open his present(s) from us. We got him 25 Hot Wheels cars and 2 Hot Wheels trains. Yes, that's an awful lot of them. However, we didnt spend more than a normal single toy would be. He loves Hot Wheels, so it worked out.

PS...Grandma, I made an appointment for the 19th. I'll mail you the new pics when they come in. :)