My little Valentine!

W A R N I N G ! Rude skate boarders with attitude.

As you can see, Collin and Connor have taken up sk8 boarding! Thank's to uncle Steve for the boards.

I think Collin and Cooie are going to be right handed, what do you think? FYI they were totally posing for the camera with fingers up the nose......boys will be boys.

We are home from Collin & Cameron's Children's Hospital visits

Here's the scoop on the Children's hospital appointments for Collin and Cameron. Collin had his appointment with a Kidney specialist (Nephrologist) to determine if we were in fact dealing with HSP. He said Collin "thankfully" does not have HSP. This is great news. Kind of strange since he has had so much pain in his joints. Looks like some sort of allergic reaction. So, now I move forward with other "specialists" to figure out what he is allergic to. Even though this is a better diagnosis I still am worried about him and what he is allergic to. More blood work was also done and results can be expected in about a week to determine other cancers not prev. checked for.

Cameron is still a bit of a mystery. He was seen by "the" Dr. for the N.W. on cases of an Orthopedic nature. He ruled out tumors or anything cancerous. He said it could be Lymphatic and after an ultrasound was completed that was ruled out. There is a possibility that it's Hemi Hyper-trophy (one side of the body grows larger) and that is really scary to me. So, I will be seeing the Dr. about the next step in figuring out if he has this. Otherwise, Children's said they want to do an MRI at 1 yr of age as they need to put him to sleep.........: (

He mentioned this could also be something that corrects itself as he gets older. I am still not at ease, but happy that they were not concerned and did not feel urgent about it in the slightest.

Here are some pictures of my poor babies. They both have been through so much. I just feel so thankful to have you all keeping them in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks so much.

Looks like it's Cheeky Monkey Photography, but keep voting!

Keep posting your votes, it's really helping me. I am anxious to start all my business cards and price sheets. Cheeky Monkey is fun beacuse while it isn't really "photo" related it has been in my life since Collin arrived. Also, I am mostly interested in Children's Photography so it's a fun name for kids. Here's a shot of Collin, Cooster and Cameron's current footwear. I must post some of the silly pics I have of the boys in just undies and these boots. It's just about the cutest thing you ever did see. Or at least in my opinion. Cameron looks so cute in these little booties and everywhere we go people just smile at his tootsies.

I finally captured Cooie and here are the pics.

Hey everyone! I am so happy today because Cooie was in such a cute mood. Active and fast, but cute! He was so fast that unfortunately some of my favorite shots limbs are cut off. I guess I can't complain since I actually got something. Taking pictures for me is helping me forget about everyting else.

My therapy is this little guy!

Collin is recovering from HSP (Henoch Sohonlein Purpura)

The doctors either have a hard time communicating to me or I am just not understanding the words that come out of their mouth. They say he has Hives one day the next it's HSP and so on. So, today he has HSP. I have copied below a web page about HSP. Thankfully, Collin seems on the road to recovery. He still has the rash but the joint pain has subsided, which was horrible. His kidneys don't seem to be affected. Really, it's a waiting game. I am not sure, why are all the problems with Collin and Cameron so strange. They don't see too many of these cases and are completely odd.

What is HSP?Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP or anaphylactoid purpura) is a form of blood vessel inflammation or vasculitis. There are many different conditions that feature vasculitis. Each of the forms of vasculitis tends to involve certain characteristic blood vessels. HSP affects the small arterial vessels called capillaries in the skin and frequently the kidneys. HSP results in skin rash (most prominent over the buttocks and behind the lower extremities associated with joint inflammation (arthritis) and sometimes cramping pain in the abdomen.
What causes HSP?HSP occurs most often in the spring and frequently follows an infection of the throat or breathing passages. HSP seems to represent an unusual reaction of the body's immune system that is in response to this infection (either bacteria or virus). Aside from infection, drugs can also trigger the condition. HSP occurs most commonly in children, but persons of all age groups can be affected.
What are symptoms of HSP?Classically, HSP causes skin rash, pain in the abdomen, and joint inflammation (arthritis). Not all features need be present for the diagnosis. The rash of skin lesions appears in gravity-dependent areas, such as the legs. The joints most frequently affected with pain and swelling are the ankles and the knees. Patients with HSP can develop fever. Inflammation of the blood vessels in the kidneys can cause blood and/or protein in the urine. Serious kidney complications are infrequent, but can occur. Sometimes a biopsy of skin and/or kidney is used in assisting the diagnosis, which is typically made based on the clinical findings.
Symptoms usually last approximately a month. Recurrences are not frequent, but do occur.
What is the treatment for HSP?While HSP is generally a mild illness that resolves spontaneously, it can cause serious problems in the kidneys and bowels. The rash can be very prominent, especially on the lower extremities.
The treatment of HSP is directed toward the most significant area of involvement. Joint pain can be relieved by antiinflammatory medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Motrin). Some patients can require cortisone medications, such as prednisone, especially those with significant abdominal pain or kidney disease. With more severe kidney disease, cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) has been used to suppress the immune system. Infection, if present, can require antibiotics.
What are the consequences of HSP?The prognosis for patients with HSP is generally excellent. Nearly all patients have no long-term problems. The kidney is the most serious organ involved when it is affected. Rarely, patients can have serious long-term kidney damage or an abnormal bowel folding called intussusception. A few patients have recurrences of symptoms for a couple of years after the onset of the illness.
Recent data shows that HSP in adults is generally more severe than in children. Adults have more severe kidney involvement and can require more aggressive treatment. The ultimate outcome, however, is usually very good for both adults and children.

Collin is feeling so much better!

Thank you all for keeping our little Collin in your thoughts and Prayers. He is better today and getting his energy back. He told me his legs are working and he is fixed. It is so great to see him walking. You have no idea how scary it was to see him in that much pain. Now, I hope things start to look up around here.

Please say a prayer for my little Collin!

It has been a rough 4 days (and counting) for my little Collin. He woke up crying in pain from a rash all over his body. When I took him to the Doctor that day they confirmed that it was hives. He was so itchy and uncomfortable but was told to take him home and give him Benedryl. Took him home and tried to make him comfortable. It just kept getting worse. By the time the evening rolled around he could hardly walk. I rushed him to ER and they took him back right away. They gave him a steroid treatment and some tylenol. We went home and to my surprise the Hives were remarkably better. Unfortunately, when he woke up again at 2 am they were back in full force. I spent most the morning again trying to make him comfy but nothing helps when you have hives. The welts move all over the body and they itch and hurt according to Collin. The ER doctor mentioned if you start to see the spots change colors to bring him back. Of course, they started to change colors and I knew it was time to visit the ER once again. This time 2 ER docs looked at him and said they thought it was HSP (a form of vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels). He was admitted to the pediatrics floor for more testing. We stayed over night and allowed them to draw blood (not fun) only to have them come back and say it's Hives. I am getting Collin ready to go home and the poor boy can't walk. His little knees are so swollen you can see bruising. He cries when you slightly touch his legs. They say this can last for another week. Now, I must go home and hope I don't feed him what caused this allergic reaction. I would give anything to take this away from my sweet little boy. He only wants to have a good time and he is confined to the couch indefinitely. So, while not life threatening it is so horrible to see him like this. Please Pray for Collin!

Here's a Cooie shot!

I started looking thru some pics from the last 2 weeks and had to share this one of Connor sitting on Daddy's lap while holding Cameron. It cracks me up because Cameron looks so big on his lap.

Cameron Pictures with white backdrop

Here are some pictures of Cameron with my new backdrop this time in white. I am working only with natural light so it's hard to get it right. Practice makes perfect. The last picture on this post is my favorite. I love his expression. I know it seems like Connor barely makes it on here. That's because right now he is 2 and that's all I will say about that. If you see any pics of him it will be a miracle.

Did I say I was going to be positive?

As I sit here at 2:20 am typing with one hand because I am feeding the baby. I srtuggle with my statement "I am going to try to be more positive" because it's always something. Collin woke up crying 10 minutes ago with what I am guessing is hives. Who needs doctors anymore, just ask me!
It started with me on New Years with Bronchitis/flu. NASTY! When mommy is sick she does not have the luxury of sleeping. Next was Collin, yet another trip to see the Doc. Next was Connor, who by the way 2 weeks before this flu had a full day of vomiting. Tony was next and seems to have the worst lingering congestion out of all of us. Yet, to add to it all Cameron got the flu. When a four month old gets the flu they send them to ER. 5 hours later we left the ER only to go home and struggle to make the baby comfortable while getting over the flu. In the back of my mind the entire time I am wondering what's wrong with Cameron's arm. I hope all this "illness" leaves this house. Stay home and be healthy if you can help it. There seems to be some extra bugs out there.

Cameron will be seen in 2 weeks!!!

Finally, I have managed to make an appointment for Cameron's arm. He will be seen at Children's January 25th @ 1:30 pm. I am so happy to finally get somewhere with these Doc's. Now, let's just hope they can tell me what this is and let's hope it's something really simple.

My backdrops and stand arrived!!!!

Yeah! I finally received my stand and backdrops so I can start messing around with portraits. I am so excited. Here are a couple of my most willing subject. Collin is such a funny little posser.

Doctor's don't want to help me diagnose Cameron's arm!

I am at my final straw today with dealing with Doctors and Nurses. No one wants to help me with getting Cameron a diagnosis. Why is there no urgency on this. He's only 4 months old! They now want me to wait for some "guy" to come to Yakima in mid March to look at his arm. It seems simple to me and they make it so complicated. I mention I am going mad with self diagnosis. As a mother you google "swollen arm" and tell me the thoughts that run through your mind when looking at a man with one arm the size of an elephant and the other normal. I am getting nasty with these people and if they don't like me now I just simply don't care. They have no compassion for me or my baby. God forbid anyone gets sick or has a problem in Yakima. They have to wait months to be seen by someone who actually knows what they are talking about. On a happier note look at that little sweet boy! I am so blessed not matter what happens I will cherish every moment. "As soon as I get off this computer and stop freaking my self out with the possibilities".

The latest news with Cameron's arm.

Cameron still has a very swollen left arm. It's double the size of his right arm. It is very scary and frustrating to not know what the cause of this is. He has had 2 x-rays and the Doctors seem convinced it's not broken or fractured as first mentioned by a radiologist. We have an appointment in February for further testing. Meanwhile, he is growing and using his hands very well. I will keep this updated so you can see what comes of it.