End of Summer

The end of summer is here.  Today is my last official day off.  I say “official” because I’ve been working like crazy since we got back from vacation to get my classroom ready.  Ready for 22 precious kindergarten faces to walk through the door next week. Anyone that teaches knows that you can’t really walk in on that “official” first day of preplanning and get it all done.  I’ve worked like crazy and decided that I wanted to stay away today and be ready to get back to work tomorrow.  Now to catch the blog up…
He’s okay!
I posted that Reid has RSV and because we get so crazy I didn’t get to update.  Reid stayed out of the hospital this time!!!! He recovered at home and this time it seemed like a really bad cold.  In fact, I caught a cold right after him so then it was a mission of “get everyone healthy” to go on our annual summer vacation to Charleston, SC.  But first let me back up and mention our trip to Baltimore and D.C.  By the way…thanks for the thoughts and prayer for our little man.
Baltimore/D.C. Trip.

 

We go to Johns Hopkins every six months to see Reid’s specialists.  When we were up there for his last visit we decided to coordinate this summer’s appointments with the LPA National Convention.  The convention was in Washington D.C. this year and since it was so close to Baltimore we thought…What the heck, let’s do both!  Reid was scheduled for his first ever MRI at the beginning of the week at Hopkins.  We left here on a Saturday and got to Baltimore on Sunday.  First thing Monday morning…MRI. 

About to go back!

Waking and having some juice!

They told us that the whole procedure would take around and hour and a half.  So, after Reid was sedated we headed down to the cafeteria to feed Spencer and Briggs breakfast.  One and a half hours later…no news.  Two hours later…no news.  Two and half hours later they FINALLY came and got us and took us to the PICU.  I was livid!  I wanted to know exactly why it had taken so long.  Plus, no one ever came back to say why.  According to the first doctor I saw in the PICU, Reid’s CO2 levels were elevated at the beginning after he was sedated.  It took them a little while to figure out why and get things (his numbers) back on track.  The doctor explained that everything went really well and they got all the scans they needed.  Still, some reassuring news during would have been nice.  Moving on! Reid was a bit cranky when he first woke up and later that afternoon he became nauseous and threw up a couple of times.  They decided to keep him overnight for observation so Rico, Spencer, and Briggs went over to D.C. to check into our next hotel where they convention was at.  They came back the next morning and by noon we were discharged.
LPA National Convention in Washington D.C.

When we first arrived as a family on Tuesday we quickly ran up to the room to grab a shower and dress.  Reid  had two medical appointments that day to see Dr. Tunkel (ENT) and Dr. Hoover-Fong (genetics).  We weren’t able to see Dr. Tunkel because he had to unexpectedly go back to Johns Hopkins.  We ended up seeing another ENT.  The conclusion from these two appointments…Reid is doing well but behind in speech (which we already knew and have started speech therapy), he seems to always have fluid in his ears which could be causing the speech issues, time to look into tubes.

After appointments we were able to meet up with the Condons and the Grandshaws for dinner.  Both families are blogging friends and it was great to meet the Grandshaws and always great to hang out with the Condons!  We also bumped into Alex in the lobby along with many others.  It was great to meet some of these sweet faces!

Wednesday morning we had an appointment with Dr. Ain (orthopedics) and then it was off to explore D.C.!!!  By the way, Dr. Ain thinks Reid looks great and should be walking in a month or two!  Now, jump on the metro and head to the Smithsonian Natraul History Museum and the Smithsonian American History Museum.  Followed by a LONG walk to the White House and the Lincoln Memorial.  Que pictures and GO!

Did I mention that Reid did not get a nap on this day?! Sheesh!

This shot cracks me up! Briggs is my photographer, Rico is instructing him on how to use the camera, and Reid is taking the opportunity to dig in the nose when no one is looking! Haha!

Georgia Ya’ll!!!

That night we went out to dinner with Miss Madison and family!  Reid fell asleep during dinner no nap and all.

July 4th it was time for the zoo and some time hanging out with the Holders.

We got up really early on Friday to drive home.  We wanted to attempt to drive the whole way in one day.  Mission accomplished! A few days after we were home Reid started feeling yucky and that is when the RSV started.  Thankfully everyone was well in time for our annual family vaca!
Family Vacation to Charleston, SC!
We always look forward to our trip to Charleston every summer!  We arrived at the Isle of Palms on Sunday and then it was beach time, pool time, dinner with family, trip to the market downtown, and dinner with friends! 

Thanks to my wonderful photographer (Mom)!

More family beach pics on the next post.  I didn’t want to overload this post with one evening worth of poses.

Mornings on the beach are the best!

A little birthday celebration for a special set of twins we love!

A little Sweet Cece’s and High Cotton downtown on night!

We just HAD to go see a little Despicable Me 2 while in town!  We saw Despicable Me three years ago while in Charleston!

Hangin’ out with Miss Madison and family!  The boys LOVED learning how to play “half rubber” on the beach.  Thanks Craig!  Briggs was amazed by the horseshoe crab that washed up.  I couldn’t get enough of this girl!  She is talking so much now and not nearly as shy as last summer!  She read all her books to Reid and we tried to come up with a plan on how to get Mr. Reid talking.  She tried to get him to say “Thank you” when she shared her veggie straws…no luck. Oh Reid!  We discussed pedicures and polish colors as well as baby dolls.  Girl fun. *sigh

We grabbed breakfast with Connie and Jim on our last morning and then went in Celadon on our way out of town!  Thanks for telling me about it Sarah!  I want to redo the whole house now! EEK!

Charleston Ya’ll!!! You gotta go!