*Cough*

It was bound to happen. Azer said about 4 of his classmates were absent from being sick, and two of them said they had the flu.



Reema came down with it first, feeling nauseous and feverish. She was out of school for a day, the next day she felt better, but come the weekend, they were both suffering from fevers, headaches, and just feeling overall miserable. If they fight and argue a lot feeling great, imagine how lovely they were to each other when they felt terrible? Felt like calling Dr. Phil.

To my relief, they both got their flu shots last week. Reema cried (screamed) like someone was coming in to kill her. She even cried the next morning worrying about any other shots that might be planned for the future. It's mildly humorous, but I'm not going to tell her that.

Azer seemed slightly dehydrated through the feverish weekend. He had no respiratory symptoms at the onset of this, but his cough started to get wet yesterday. The doctor prescribed a general antibiotic to offset any infection that might try to stick around in his lungs. I'll be sending Azer to school with a good supply of Gatorade (although I actually feel like going to school with him and doing treatments every half an hour, and pour Gatorade down his throat like there is no tomorrow).

I'm not worrying.

Another Clinic Visit & School Children!

Azer had a CF visit in the middle of a school day (that was fun.) Both Azer and Reema missed almost the whole day. I took Reema out of school expecting the hospital to have the flu shot in, but they hadn't received them yet. So ... no flu shots yet. We are scheduled to get them next week. I've been nervous about the flu and the swine flu scares, especially now that they are in school. Obviously I can't keep Azer in a bubble. I don't think he'd like that. He doesn't look like the "live in a bubble" type child... right?




On the news there is a story about a girl somewhere in North Texas that died from the swine flu within a few days. That is very frightening.

Anyway ... the updates of Azer: His lungs are the same, clear and pretty much healthy. His weight, they say he didn't gain any. I didn't get my usual print out of his weight and height, as the whole clinic was in a chaos putting medical records into a new computer system.

School has been going well for them. Everyday they come home with new knowledge, and I am impressed with how much they have learned in less than month. Kindergarten is very intense, though. They are learning so many things, even so early on in the year, that I didn't learn until second grade, if that. It's both amazing and shocking, in my opinion.

First Day of School

Today marks one of the giant milestones in my kids', and my life.

The day went off without a hitch. They seemed to automatically know what to do. They got on the school bus without a hint of fear or apprehension. I met them at school a few minutes later, and they seemed to be much more occupied with their pencils, and "projects" and the fact that I was standing there saying goodbye. While it is difficult to "let them go", I'm proud to see that they were so well prepared for that day, that they didn't feel nervous about facing new challenges.




Still, after being with them almost every single day ever since they were born, I really do miss them. It's a good thing to have them back at home at the end of the day.

Happy Birthday Reema!

It's those odd few months in my life, where both of my children are the same age. I have two five year olds right now.

Happy Birthday Princess!

Allergies

Azer has been having a lot of trouble with allergies lately. That's what I assume they have been. There has been no fever, or symptoms other than having a stuffy nose. One day, it was so bad, it sounded like his nose was totally clogged up when he spoke. He takes Zyrtec on a regular basis to keep the symptoms from coming, but it hasn't been working. So, the doctor prescribed an allergy nasal spray. Yay! A new medicine to add to the list. Ha! But seriously, it does seem to be helping.


At clinic day, Azer was giving the nurse an earful about cars. And he began to tell her what he considers "cool" cars... Chevy Silverados, Hummers, Corvettes .... So the nurse mentioned that she owned a Ford. If only I had a video camera recording at that moment. His smirk and stiffled laugh was hilarious. Apperently from that reaction, a Ford is not on his "cool car" list. Maybe he'll come around when he notices a few Mustangs.

Great Clinic Day

So, Azer gained another pound and he grew a bit too. He's finally made it over 40 pounds. Wow! He weighs twice as much as the cat now. His eating has been coming along. The doctors always ask, "How's his appetite?" I explained it like this, "It's like eye floaters ... you think you see it, but you can't quite capture it, and keep it." Overall, the doctor was very pleased. Azer did very well on his PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) today and we finally got an accurate reading.

He learned to swim last summer, he needed a little refreshing. Now, both Azer and Reema are swimming like little whales in the pool.

He joined T-ball last month, and has been doing very well. He is keeping up with the other kids better than I expected. (Honestly, half of the team is either playing in dirt in left field, or looking at the sky). He is very focused.


Along with running bases, he guzzles the Gatorade like ... water. I think it's because of his need for sodium after sweating. Around the border of his baseball cap is a white border of salt. It's kind of neat to see that.

Great Strides Day!

We have raised a total of $202 for the CF Foundation! Thank you to everyone who has donated! You are making this possible for Azer!
We hope to raise more money at the walk. We're pretty excited! I'm glad Azer will get to meet other kids with CF. That way, he doesn't feel like he is the only one in the world with CF.

Again, thank you to everyone for helping make Azer's life and the life of other CF people better! Pray for a cure!

Good Clinic Day

Azer gained some weight since the last clinic visit. At least he's not loosing. His X-ray looked great, no changes or progression. Azer's appetite has been nearly non-existent for the past few weeks, but somehow all his nutritional levels from the blood test turned out normal. Whatever little bits he is getting here and there somehow keep him going.

His pitching has been right on target, lately. He can knock a bottle off a target from about 25 feet away. It's pretty cool. T-ball registration will start very soon, and I think he will be going this year. Azer is very excited about it.

Our walk is coming up the week after next! I hope we can raise just a bit more money!

Tooth #2 Is Out!

And the second is out!

Lost His First Tooth!

Mr. Azer lost his first tooth today!

Great Strides

This is going to be the first year we actually walk in a Great Strides walk. In the past, we have only raised money.

The walk is at the 2009 Keller/Southlake/Grapevine - Bear Creek Park walk on 03/27/2009.

We just receiving our first donation today!! Thank you!

Received $7.

I am asking that people donate only $1. It really does go a long way. Thanks everybody!

http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/dsp_DonationPage.cfm?walkid=5891&idUser=83899

Feel free to forward that link to anyone you know!

Interesting Christmas Songs by Azer

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all da way. It don't make sense, it don't make sense, da da da da da da HEY! (Yes, he really says "It don't make sense" in the song. I have no idea where he heard this version.)

We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and a happy "ear".

Do not cry, do not cry, do not cry, I'll tell you why, Santa Claw is comin' to town.

Frosty the Snowman was a jolly ... HEY MOMMY, can we make a snowman?
Reema: Yeah, mommy, can we make a snowman? Paleeeez?
Azer: Peeeeeeeez??
Mommy: We live in Texas, it doesn't snow much.
Azer & Reema: awwwwww.

Cooler Days are on Their Way...

The kids have been making comments about how Christmas is coming. They keep asking when we are going to put the tree up.

Yes, we live in Texas, and yes, people here do seem afraid of the cold. I grew up in New England. When I first saw the signs that said "Freeze Warning" on them, I really had a good laugh.

But, alright. I did have to stop writing this and bring in the few surviving plants I have outside, since tonight might be a "Frost Advisory" night.

Anyhow, I'm writing this mainly to show you these pictures. A week ago, we decided to enjoy the last remaining 60 degree evenings.

Reema's version of the Statue of Liberty. More like the Statue of Disco.


We have a swing on the patio. The kids decided to get snugly.


And then they actually fell asleep.


Nighty night.