Sleep issues- Surgery scheduled

We received Abby's sleep study results a few days before her 3rd b-day and it confirmed our fears. Abby has Central Sleep Apnea. Her brain stem is being compressed to the extent that it is not able to send messages to the respiratory system to breathe. The only solution is to do the decompression surgery. We met April 6 w/ her neurosurgeon at UVA (got a second opinion from a neurosurgeon at Children's) and have scheduled her surgery for April 12. Please pray that the surgery will go well, recovery will be free from complications and that she will not suffer from any more Chiari related issues for the rest of her days...

Abby's 3rd Birthday

Bubby brought cupcakes on Mar. 28th to celebrate Abby's birthday with us. She took the girls to see a children's musicain perform while AP and I went to the library to hear a lecture by a female musher who has participated in the Iditarod.

Beautiful Weather

Margaret has been spending weekends at Bubby and Grandfather's to get the extra attention she needs right now in life... She brings Margaret home on Sunday afternoons and takes AP and Abby out to eat. It is working well.

Margaret's pastel piece got chosen for the county art show! There was a nice reception today at the depot with punch and cake. Here she is with her art teacher, Miss Shumaker.

The EHE Fun Fair was Friday night and I took Abby, Ap and our neighbor kids. Abby helped me run the Ping Pong game. I had to crawl around on the floor all night picking up ping pongs... what fun!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Took the kids to the coffee house before dinner for some soda bread and live music. It was a beautiful day! Erin Go Bragh!

Boys weekend

Partners in crime

They don't call it "Muddy Run Lane" for nuthin'!

Even Noah is listening to the adventures of "Pearl and Wagner" Timmy and Mike are ready for Camp Cousins!

With Margaret at Bubby and Grandfathers, AP and Abby were able to have a "boys" weekend. Abby takes on the persona of a "big brother" whenever she is feeling extra brave and mischevious. She usually turns into "Timmy" and makes AP play the roll of "Mike" her side kick.

Strep, stealing and Sleep Lab

Kid's Craft day at Pepperberries...

On the go...

Sleep Lab sleepy head...

The girls had Strep throat last week and missed two days of school. Then Margaret was caught stealing at school (several times- UGH)! Bubby and Grandfather took her for the weekend and have agreed to let her come down for the next several weekends to give us a break...We are very appreciative!

On Thursday, I had to take Abby to UVA for her sleep study. She did really well and was VERY brave. I had to rush to get my workout in before we left for Charlottesville and while I did, she and Patrick played in the sand box and she got sand all over her hair. I had to clean her all up and then just as we were about to leave; the top to her sippy cup popped off and apple juice spilled all over her and the car seat. I had to head back inside and wash her up and change her AGAIN! On the way down, I went through Wendy's and she apparently ate too much Frosty, because shortly after we checked into the Sleep Lab, she threw up all over. UGH!

We are hoping to find out the results when we meet with the neurosurgeon next Monday to discuss his recommendations. We suspect he'll push for the decompression surgery. If so, we'll get a second opinion before proceeding. Keep up the prayers for her, Margaret and us all!

Patrick's birthday

Celebrated Patrick's birthday with pizza and home made presents. The kids made him a cake using a recipe from a library book, "Hedgehog Bakes a Cake!" It was yummy!