Willow's Wishes

Well we went out as a family yesterday to enjoy Artprize, something we have done annually since its inception.  We usually enjoy ourselves immensely and have fun talking about it for a few days after about what the favorite piece was among us all. :)  This year though, is a bit different... for a few reasons too.  First we parked our car on the south end of town off of Division and headed north.  Figuring first main stop would be UICA, but hoping to see a lot of galleries on the way.  Well we stopped in to a new location named 'ice cream'.  It is going to be a new gallery in town, that will not only showcase and sell art, but toys too!! The better part of this place (in my children's opinion) is that they got free ice cream! LOL  They have a mini fridge in their and its stocked full of ice cream - drum sticks, ice cream sandwiches, ice cream cups and I forget what else... Normally it will be 1.00/ea, but he gave it to the kids free.  They were so ...

Okay, so it isn't brain surgery and not related to her shunt.... But we are speaking with the ENT to have Willow's tube replaced in her right ear.  It fell out early August and after our trip to DC - that Friday she was diagnosed with an ear infection. So here we sit at week 3 since diagnosis and she still has an ear infection and we are on her second antibiotic.  I hate having to give them to her, I don't want her body to build up a resistance to antibiotics since she is always going to have to have them for her surgeries... Anyway I transgress - so we are scheduling the surgery after they call me back.  My guess will be he will want it done soon, but most likely some time next month.  So she will be 21 months old and have 15 surgeries under her belt.... uggghhh On a side note, we recently got a kitten.  The kids have named her Isabella (I think you may have met her before) well, she is truly quite fond of Willow. She tolerates her toddler tendencies to mi...

You know how people like to say that your life will completely change when you have children?  Yeah well they aren't lying! I love my life, I do - and while I wish there were a few things different about it; there is a lot that I love.  And even with the things that I wish were different, they are in my ability to do so - but at what expense???  And really that has nothing to do with my update that I was going to share... sorry for the train detour. Anyway, a life change with kids... My life did change after Jonathan, and I would like to think it was for the better; but who really knows.  After your second child you become a little more laid back, or at least that is what 'they say' will happen.  By the third kid you just don't care anymore! Well, I am not sure that is true, I know by my third kid we had a lot going on at that time raising a kindergartner and a toddler!  But then came Willow.... A surprise in my stocking you could say.  Willow has ke...

As I stated in my last post, it is indeed National Hydrocephalus Awareness month! :)  A month dedicated to the knowledge of hydro.  So far this week has been a great week, one filled with joy in sharing so many facts.  One with new additions to the Michigan PHF page on Facebook (which means more awareness)! A week where Willow's story will be shared tonight on Fox17 news during their Pay it Forward segment (5 and 6 pm news casts), and also a week where we are reminded in this family how crazy hydro can be... Willow went to the ENT yesterday to have them confirm her ear infection I guess.  Really to make sure it wasn't too bad, and the meds were working, and to hopefully see if the ear drum ruptured or not.  Well they also did a pressure test of both ears and as expected there is pressure behind the ear that has the infection - but the surprise to both the ENT and myself (once I heard about this after coming home from work) was that there is pressure behind the...

Today is the day, and it has begun! National Hydrocephalus Awareness month is finally upon us. :) There are so many great things that I will be sharing this month, such as Willow's journey with hydrocephalus - facts that you may or may not already know - links to stories about others who are fighting this cause with us - links to be able to send donations if you feel so moved to do - chances for you to help raise awareness with us - and many other things this month.  Now I know and understand that there are people out there that by day 5 will be tired of hearing about it, or seeing it, well to be honest there are days I am too.  But this is our life and for one month I am going to talk about it non stop - And I am not going to apologize for it either. There will be many opportunities for my friends to help spread awareness as well - there is a bowling fundraiser on the 9th this month at Westgate Bowl on Alpine and today is the last day to register for the event:  http...