'Need To Get Movin...

I was over visiting Jennie's blog (Hi, Jennie) and shook my head in agreeance (apparently this isn't a recognized word to anyone but me) over the many projects I have in the works. All to be done before Mother's Day. I have a lot of ideas, but no ambition to do any of it. Actually, the last thing I am lacking right now is ambition. Kris and I just made it through our little league football's first ever spaghetti dinner fundraiser and it went very well, thank you very much! We ended up selling 170 dinners and are able to donate 170.00 to Chris and Angela!! (over to your right...are you clicking daily??) This week we are also in charge of concessions for our school's walk-a-thon fundraiser coming up Saturday...yes, I do know the percentage of rain falling has been upped from 60 to 80!! Sunday the staff appreciation committee meets to decorate both Shoreline and Ealy for the week long festivities happening Monday for our lovely teachers and staff. That ends on Friday and Saturday I have an all day cheerleading coach clinic in Lansing...yep, I bit the bullet and decided to coach other parent's girls since my boys are still boys and I ain't havin' no more! (babies or boys!!) Sunday is Mother's Day and I am waking up extra early to go to Abbi's baptism (I must really love her myself) and then am hosting an annual cookout at my house. Monday the 12th...(you thought I was done, didn't you??) Kyle is scheduled for surgery, which will be an interesting week, and that Saturday is our family's annual yard sale. So. I. Am. Ambitious.

I guess I should explain Kyle's surgery before I go any further. Kyle has had big time breathing problems since birth. He has had many prescriptions, including an inhaler and other steroids. He has had croup 7 times (hospitalized once) and more than a dozen ear infections. His pediatrician has talked about allergies and asthma but couldn't test Kyle until he was 2. Timing is never on my side, and many visits took place at the med center right around his second birthday, so when Kyle had his last episode, I had to see another doc because ours was sick. He referred us right away to an ENT...finally! I should mention also that the last time Kyle saw his doc he told me Kyle's tonsils were enlarged and that could also be the culprit behind his problems. The ENT scheduled Kyle to have his tonsils and adnoids removed. He doesn't need tubes, which surprised me, but he will need to have his ears drained-lots of fluid built up in there! The doc said it'll be a tough week for Kyle and for us. We will have to make sure he is careful about what he eats and we have to make sure he gets plenty of fluids or his throat may get too dry and it'll bleed and we'll end right back up in the hospital. I do not yet know if it is outpatient surgery or if he'll have to stay overnight. I just know I will be home with him all week. (and I can work on the yard sale thingy)

This post is going to be long. The project I am currently working on at home is switching out my ugly kitchen hardware. Not to offend, but they were the ugliest shade of shiny you've ever seen. I decided if HGTV decorators can spray paint metal hardware, I can too! The worst that'll (another unrecognized word) happen is I'll have to buy new. I roughed 'em up, sprayed primer on 'em, and sprayed my first coat of metallic bronze spray paint on 'em! I know that sounds a little over the top, but the color really is pretty cool. And spray paint rocks! I hope they look as good in the kitchen as they do in the garage. And even with my terribly busy schedule, I managed to get all that done between yesterday afternoon and this morning! I told Keith if he'd help me unscrew all the hardware, I'd promise to have them all done by Mother's Day. I like to start a project and finish it months later. (just ask me about my Christmas Tree...on second thought, DON"T!!) At this rate, I will have the second coat on tonight and have them ready for hanging tomorrow after work. Impressive. Really.

The Pacemaker Is In...

Abbi's surgery was yesterday morning at 7:30. I heard from Pat in the afternoon. abbi hadn't yet woken up from the surgery. All went well. Last night he called to let me know that her feeding tube was out. If I got this right, her drainage tube needs to come out before they start her on her meds. If that isn't right, well then I think both were supposed to happen this morning. Abbi needs to be on her meds for 48 hours before they hook her up to a transmitter (??) to monitor her. She needs to be monitored for 24 hours (on her meds) before the doctor will discharge her. They do not discharge on the weekend, which means it'll be darn close determining whether she gets to go home Friday night or Monday. These people need to get home. I was hoping they'd get the weekend to be home and get back to any sort of normalcy before Pat has to go back to work and leave Jen on her own. Certainly not that she can't handle it...look at what she has already been through! I just mean that even after 3 kids, I would be a little panicky over staying home alone on the first day after this sort of ordeal. Pat said Abbi's tachycardia was really bad the night before the surgery and that he was more scared that night than about the surgery itself. As of last night, she was doing well, but sleeping most of the time. They are going through so much right now as it is and on top of it, they are missing the boys like crazy! I sure hope they get to come home Friday so they can spend some time with Caleb and Andrew. It'll be good for all 5 of them!!

Bowling Take II...

I tried to talk Andrew into roller skating for his birthday, but failed miserably in my numerous attempts. Instead, we went bowling. With Kyle. And no nap. This is how it went...

Wow!! He was actually very good. I guess maybe it had something to do with Keith being there. The party was a little last minute because of Jen and the baby, and Sara's surprise party for Rick. Andrew invited 3 friends from school. He had no choice about inviting his brothers. They are a package deal. We bowled two games then headed to Ci-Ci's Pizza for dinner. I was exhausted when I finally got home. I thought I was getting off easy by not entertaining at home. I was wrong! I will host a shindig for 15 kids at my house any day! Someone may have to remind me next year that I said that because Andrew turns 10 next year and gets a big party.

Things Are Movin' Ahead...

Abbi's surgery is scheduled for Tuesday at 7:30 in the morning. It is fabulous that things are moving ahead at a good, steady pace, but I can see how any parent would also be dreading that day as well. It is such a tough and emotional time for Pat and Jen. In case you haven't read her blog, the nurse had to move Abbi's IV from her hand to her head. Apparently, the one in her hand didn't "flush" anymore and maybe her other hand didn't either...I am probably getting the meaning wrong. I mean, how does it "flush" or not "flush" when nothing was actually running through it? Maybe the vein closed up...?? At any rate, it'll be another tough week but there is an end in sight. Keep prayin' for them.

On a much happier note, Jen has given me permission to post a few pics of her little lady, as she affectionately refers to her as. Jen, I promise to get you the cd as soon as someone more technically savvy helps me out...

Oh my gosh...I wanted to show Jen Caleb's birth picture to compare it to Abbi's. They look so much alike. I forgot, but Jen was over last night and spotted it right away. Abbi certainly is a Tallquist!!

Abbi's Update...

I took the boys to visit Abbi at DeVos on Saturday after their soccer game. (they did win, by the way, with Caleb scoring a goal within minutes of the start of the game) I am okay with directions, so I made it to the parking ramp without a problem, but from there...We made it to the NICU, well to the floor anyway. The lady at the desk looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language when I told her I was there to see the Tallquists. I had to repeat myself, then actually point to their name on the sign in sheet in order to get a response from her. After she directed me around the corner to room #4, I stopped at the nurse's station because I only saw #3, and asked them to direct me to room#4. The response I got, from an on duty nurse no less, was "This isn't the OB." The story goes beyond that, but it is irrelevant to Abbi's update. I had to put it in there to once again prove that nothing goes smoothly for me.

Abbi looked great. Pat was holding her when we arrived. I cannot remember if I mentioned in my last post that the boys cannot hold Abbi after all with her catheter in her bellybutton. The risk of it being ripped out and her bleeding is too great and medicine wouldn't be administered quick enough...One of the doctors reiterated what Abbi's doctor explained earlier, that surgery could be a week from today and that they were thinking about removing Abbi's catheter and moving her to a crib. We oohed and aahed over her for a few minutes, then headed down for down for lunch. What a wonderful surprise to find the catheter had been removed while we were away and Abbi was placed in a regular bassinet. Pat and Jen were sooo excited. I just kept watching Jen as she talked to the nurse and watched her baby girl. I even took a picture of her face. To anyone else, it is just a picture of her profile...to me, it is a reminder of the happiness she is entitled to but is finally getting to feel! The boys were able to hold Abbi because of the removal of the catheter. They were overjoyed. Abbi's breathing is good. Her oxygen level is at 100% (if I am quoting this correctly) and her heart rate, though low, is steady and good. She is a true fighter. I keep telling people, as I have reminded both Pat and Jen, that she's just being a girl...giving her mommy a run for her money. Jen has been the princess of the house up until now. (I can relate) Abbi is just letting her know that there's a new sheriff in town. Soon enough, after she realizes that everyone gets it, she'll calm down and stop stressing her parents out. She just wants them to know who's boss!! I didn't mention that Abbi's doctor came up with a diagnosis. It is called Long QT Syndrome. Her heart's recovery time between beats is prolonged, causing the tachycardia episodes. This requires a pacemaker for sure, and that is where the surgery comes in. (for those just catching up) Jen has been able to get online and update her blog over the weekend. She has given the play by play of her birthing process. (not the gross stuff) I cannot wait for her to share photos. I guess I should give her the cd of the pictures I took. :) I made her a scrapbook of some of the pics so she would have something fun to look at while she is at the hospital, reminding her of that fabulous day. I should also mention that they came home last night. They needed some good sleep in their own bed. Pat had to go back to work today and the last I knew, the plan was for Jen to get a ride from someone every morning to the hospital and then Pat will go there after work and they will leave together each evening. What a tough thing. Abbi is in good hands and they really do have to have some sort of normalcy for themselves. I believe that in order to take care of your children, you have to first take care of yourself. They need all the sleep and strength they can get for their little angel.

The boys are going to the hospital with pat tomorrow after school for some "dad and Jen" time. They are also going on Wednesday because the four of them have EKGs scheduled to find out if what Abbi has is hereditary. I hope the doctors find the answers they are looking for. It is tough enough to go through this with your child, but not knowing why it is happening is so unsettling.

I hope this all makes sense. I have had to stop and start so many times this morning that I don't know if my sentences are complete. I spellchecked everything but I wasn't about to go back and actually read this!! As I mentioned earlier, Jen is doing some updating on her blog, so you should definitely check it out. She may not have a lot of details on there now, so I will still do my best to inform until she is ready. She has, however, blogged the good stuff minus pictures. (and I'm sure they are coming soon)

Baby Update...

I just wanted to share an update about Abbi...

I talked to Pat last night and Abbi's breathing was stable. This morning Jen called to let me know that Abbi is still doing fine and she is still taking the same dose of meds she was taking at 4:00 yesterday afternoon. Yippee!! Pat and Jen were able to hold her (finally) last night after she was stable for 6 hours. Pat and Jen have been staying at the hospital in a suite of some sort. They are continuing to stay through the weekend. Pat goes back to work next week, and Jen isn't sure what her plans are. The doctors took Abbi off her IV and she is now able to be fed breast milk. If she responds well, they will feed her every 3 hours. The doctors gave Pat and Jen a weight Abbi needs to be to have her pacemaker implanted, and as long as her feeding goes well, she should hit that weight in about 2 weeks...or less!! We are going to visit them on Saturday. I cannot remember if I already blogged this but kids need to be 9 to hold Abbi and Andrew just turned 9 on Tuesday!! Pat and Jen are hangin' in there and, obviously, today is a good day. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. I will continue to keep everyone updated.

Please Pray...

I have been waiting to talk to Pat. I finally did, and he not only gave me the O.K. to tell this, but he asked me to put it on my blog for any and all prayers.

**if I get any of this wrong, I apologize. I am doing some of this from memory only.

I got a call from Pat last night at, I don't know-around 7:30. He was quiet and sad and I had such a hard time hearing him that I had to leave the boy's room to talk to him. He was pretty vague, but told me Jen was in the process of getting discharged because Hackley was sending Abbi to DeVos Children's Research hospital in Grand Rapids. * Ultrasound had detected an irregular heart beat earlier in Jen's pregnancy. I believe her doctor wasn't too concerned originally, but when it was detected again, she sent Jen to G.R. Those test results came back "okay". It was possible that the delivery would correct the problem. Abbi was hooked up to a heart monitor at the hospital...just precautionary I presumed. She was perfectly fine, sleeping in the beginning and waking up later for her visitors. It wasn't until the alarm went off that they knew there was a problem.*

Pat was very emotional on the phone. He didn't offer much info. I told him to keep me posted. It was a hard night. Keith told me not to tell anyone, not even Kristin, (WHAT??) because we need to respect Pat and Jen's privacy.

Pat's mom called me this morning. She has actually called me three times today to keep me up to date. I also talked to Pat after lunch. The doctors don't know much. Dr. Golz, the pediatrician, says this might be Ventricular Tachycardia. It is a fast heart rhythm that starts in the lower part of the heart. It is not usually known what causes this, especially in young children. In most cases, it is caused by underlying heart disease. I read that, Pat didn't tell me that. The doctors also think it could be hereditary. They discussed the possibility of testing both Pat and Jen, as well as Caleb and Andrew. The doctors had a list of 3 meds they wanted to try on Abbi. They noticed while putting a catheter through her belly button that her heart rate went up and it was actually a good thing. They wanted to mimic that with the meds. Two of the meds failed. Instead of trying the 3rd med, which I think Pat said they called the good drug and bad drug, they opted for a longer list of meds to try first. This GD/BD could be fabulous or it could stop Abbi's heart, causing the need for the doctors to shock her heart. Jan called this last time to say 3 meds have failed so far and one slowed Abbi's heart rate so much so that her feet turned blue.

As of last night, Pat didn't want me to mention any of this to the boys. Today he said they need to know. How are they holding up? Like I mentioned, Pat is very emotional. I asked if Jen was being a trooper or if she was just a wreck. He said it depends on the moment. At one point, she said she wasn't strong enough to handle it. You never know your own strength until you are faced with something that tests it. She is strong and she will make it through. Pat said to me, "We will be taking our daughter home with us!"

For them, I am sorry that I, of all people, get to tell this story for them. I left out all the perfect and fabulous details of Jen's journey to motherhood (Monday) so she can share it all with you on her blog when she comes home.

UPDATE...Pat just called again and said they are still on the 3rd med. It works for awhile and then wears off so the doctors keep upping Abbi's dosage of the same med. Right now, all seems "normal". The doctor isn't 100%, but strongly believes Abbi will have a pacemaker (forever). She is still a bit small to insert one (if that is proper wording) so she will be in GR for weeks, according to Pat. PLEASE KEEP THE TALLQUISTS IN YOUR PRAYERS. They have a long road ahead of them, but are believers in everything good and have faith that everything will turn out the way it is supposed to be.

I may have left out a few things, but the important stuff is here. Thanks for being patient. I will keep you all posted.

Abrielle Cae...

Late Monday night, at 11:17 p.m., Abrielle Cae Tallquist made her way into the world. She weighed 6 lbs 1 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long. The boys were so antsy all day Monday, waiting for any word on whether or not their sister had been born yet. Andrew was super excited about possibly sharing his birthday with his sister...until he really thought about it. Andrew doesn't share very well and when it comes to his birthday, the whole day is all about him and he lets everyone know it! We went to bed that night not knowing anything more than Jen was dilated to a 9 and hangin' in there. I had to send the boys to school the next morning, still not knowing. Jen called just after 8 a.m. to let us know that Andrew's day is still sacred and Abbi arrived the night before! I had already planned on taking the boys out of school and popping over to the hospital for lunch to visit the newest member of the family, so I had sent notes to school with the boys. Funny thing...the secretary asked if I was dropping off or picking up. I told her my boys have a new baby sister and we were going to visit her...can you imagine her look of total confusion?? I then explained the situation and told all the ladies in the office that giving my boys a sister without actually delivering one myself is the BEST gift ever! They all laughed.

We were able to visit for an hour and a half. The boys fell in love with their new baby sister. She is so sweet and little!! I told Jen ahead of time that I would take a few pics and then leave them alone for a bit with the boys. She told me that I was family (awww...) and I was more than welcome to stay. It is a good thing she said that because I never left. I got way too camera happy! I wanted to make sure Jen got pictures she would want later on. All of my pictures of Caleb's birth had everyone else posing and smiling, but as for Caleb, I only saw his hat or the back of his head, and a few times I got a profile. I wanted to make sure Jen had Abbi's face. After we said goodbye, I asked the boys what they thought of their sister. Caleb told me he's surprised at how much he loves her. I'm tearing up now, typing this, and I did then, too, when I hugged him and told him that I wasn't surprised and that he'll never even realize that he loves her more than he thinks he does!!

Wordless Wednesday...

Shoes, Balls and Blisters...

Sunday we went bowling for Ashley's birthday. I was so excited to take Kyle since he has never bowled before. He anticipated the event all day. At first, all was well. He liked his shoes and he liked picking out his green ball with Uncle Jimmy.

Kyle couldn't wait to roll his ball, and although he wanted to do it "all by myself", he let me help him the first time.

After that first 1/2 of the first frame, he used a lift to roll the ball down. That was a much better idea.

By the time frame two came and went, we were on the same downhill spiral that Kyle's ball was on leaving the ramp. I was ready to go home at that point. Okay, I kind of like to bowl. I also kind of get a little competitive. On a side note, ask Keith sometime about losing a bet with me and what he had to do...hilarious! Anywho, I was sooo flustered chasing Kyle around the bowling alley and figuring out where he ran off to (a few times) that I couldn't concentrate on my game...you know, the one I was bowling for the fun of it for my niece's birthday! Kyle got so mad because he wanted to use the blue ball, but the blue ball weighed twice as much as the green ball weighed. I told him it was Uncle Jimmy's blue ball and even though there was more to that sentence, Uncle Jimmy stopped me to point out what I had just said...oops! In the end, or so I thought, I put my sandals on and packed us up, only to find the game wasn't even done yet. I let the TenBrinkman children (as I like to affectionately refer to them as) bowl for me...yes, you heard me right...BOWL FOR ME!!!! I know you are feeling for me right now. I mean, how could I possibly let another bowler, let alone two children, take over for me unless the consequence of me bowling would be more detrimental?!? God help me! In case you are all wondering, and I am sure you are, I bowled a 67!! yeah, as in 6-7!! All 5 TenBrinkmans beat me, as well as Kyle...go figure! I can confidently say I've NEVER bowled a 67 in my entire life!! Now my chances of bowling on Sowa's team next year are null and void...GREAT! We got home just short of 2 hours after our start time (yes, 1 game) and I told Keith I was NEVER taking Kyle bowling EVER again...not even when he is 16! I don't know where that came from. i was just sooo mad. That, and I had a blister from my sandals! Now that can really ruin a girl's day!

Can you tell we're havin' fun??

Happy 3rd...

Happy Birthday to my dear, sweet niece Ashley! Today she is 3 years old. Isn't this the sweetest, most angelic picture? In actuality, she is all of that plus...! (plus Kyle's equal, evil twin!) Happy birthday, darlin'. Love you tons...Auntie Jodi

Look, Jode...

I told these yahoos I wanted to take a picture of them together and Kyle started running in the other direction. Keith yelled to him, "Kyle, wanna do a shoulder stand?" (what the...?) Andrew was on Keith's back at the time, so he told Andrew to assume the position on his knee, (they've done this before?) and swooped Kyle up and, oh no he didn't, flipped him right up onto his shoulders! Keith then yells, "Hey, Jode, look...we can do a cheerleading pyramid! At least he was holding onto Kyle's legs by this time, becaususe he originally had him by the boots!



Maybe these goofs can run a mounting clinic this summer for the cheerleaders. I can honestly say that I've never seen anything like it in my life!

Spring, Glorious Spring...

Spring has sprung and the boys (all of them) wanted to run. I was making dinner the other night while the boys played outside. While the lasagna was cooling, I decided to join them, only to take a few pics. Keith attempted to split teams, but Andrew didn't want to be Caleb's teammate. Surprisingly, everyone wanted Kyle on their team! The only fair thing to do was to flip a coin.

Caleb won the coin toss. He started out with Kyle, but traded him shortly after the start of the game for none other than Andrew! Me, I got too cold. They just laughed at me as I waved and walked into the house.