Neurologist Appointment/EEG results

As predicted, getting all those EEG nodes on Shelby was a terrible ordeal, but somehow we made it through. She was so tired from screaming and fighting with us, that once the nodes were on, she slept through the actual EEG which is ideal for the study. Unfortunately, the EEG results showed several abnormal continuous spikes in Shelby's right hemisphere that were more frequent than in previous studies. Dr. Poplawski thinks this may have to do with the shunt revision, but Shelby's blood work also showed low Keppra levels. Hopefully increasing Shelby's Keppra dosage will help. We'll go back for more blood work in a few weeks to re-check her levels. Dr. P was impressed with Shelby's overall development and commented on how her hemipelegia (sp?) had improved since our last visit.

Appointments today....

Shelby goes to see the neurologist today for her first check-up since the shunt revision, and before that we'll do the dreaded EEG. Helping a technician to hold my screaming daughter down while they attempt to get a whole bunch of nodes glued onto her head in order to monitor brain (and/or seizure) activity is torture for Shelby and for me. The poor girl does not like to be messed with by medical people and I don't blame her at all....I hate that she has to go through stuff like this. Sometimes I want to indulge in a little "It's not fair" moping.... No time for that today though, I've got to go clip Shelby's fingernails to protect myself from her wrath during the EEG...

Raggedy Andy

Harding performed in his school's Christmas program on Tuesday. His pre-K class dressed up as Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy dolls. Harding loves any costume and wore this wig for the rest of the day. He did great in the performance and we were very proud of him...it is hard not to tear up while watching children singing--especially when one of them is your child. If interested, you can check out the YouTube videos linked to this blog.

Weight gain!

 Maybe its all the butter, the extra scoop of formula we've been adding to her whole milk, or the flax we put in her daily yogurt. Whatever it is, we don't care.....we're just happy that Shelby is gaining weight again. We went to see the pediatrician for Shelby's check-up on Friday and her weight had jumped to 24 lbs, 5 oz....she's broken out of the bottom 5th percentile!

We're back!

I'll admit it, I've had a hard time getting into the spirit of the season. We have been going, going, going since Thanksgiving with Harding's birthday, doctor appointments, work (as usual), and my final exams for grad school. We have put up and decorated our tree and the elf on the shelf has made his appearance, but that is where it has ended....no lights outside, no stockings hung, no Christmas china, Christmas snow village, or Christmas cards ordered at all. I have dropped the ball on creating holiday magic for my kids. There's still time though, right?

I turned in my last final this week and we are about to get serious about Christmas in the Kinnaird house. Tomorrow Harding and I are decking the halls, Trip is going to string some lights, we'll begin doing some baking and wrapping gifts. I plan to take the kids to the Grove Park Inn on Sunday to see the famous Gingerbread House exhibit.

And on Tuesday, the fun will really start. Harding's school Christmas pageant is that morning--Harding has been practicing the songs for weeks and I can't wait to see him in his costume (pictures and possibly a video to come soon). Plus, Tuesday is our last day of school and a break is long overdue. 

Also, there is a new Kinnaird on the block. Welcome to our nephew, Landen Taylor Kinnaird. He was born on December 12th and is a big (9 lb, 3 oz) adorable bundle of joy. You did very well Matt and Ashlee. We're looking forward to spoiling little Landen!

Funny anecdote: the kids were not allowed to visit their new cousin in the hospital. Harding was unhappy about this rule and told me earlier in the week, "Its okay mommy, I'll just wear my batman costume to the hospital, and they won't know I'm a boy. I know they'll let me in!" He was glad to finally get aquainted with Landen this afternoon.

Speech eval and Shelby singing!

Last week an evaluation was done on Shelby's speech and language so that she could begin speech therapy. The results of the evaluation put her in the 18-21 month range for both receptive and expressive language. She will begin speech once a week with the same therapist that works with her on feeding. Honestly, speech is not something that we are too worried about. I feel like a great deal of it will come on its own, but since she is already comfortable with this therapist, we thought we'd give it a shot.

She is getting better every day at expressing herself and constantly adding new words and phrases to her vocabulary. Just last night, I asked, "Where are you Shelby?" and she answered, "Here I am!" from under the train table. When we got home from school this afternoon and I was organizing the stuff I needed to bring in from the car, Shelby announced from her car seat, "Want out!". She amazes me constantly.

Shelby has always loved music and has been requesting (or demanding) that her favorite songs be sung to her regularly for about a year now. Recently, she has started doing some of the singing herself. If you can get past the scratched cheek, booger, and snot in this video, it is pretty darn cute. Without further ado, here is Shelby's rendition of Baa Baa Black Sheep:
Also, notice the use of lefty to help hold her Elmo doll!

Failed Christmas Card Picture Attempts

They don't have to have a picture on them, do they?

Sigh.