Update

It's been quite a busy month for us.  As most of you know, we will be adding on to our little family of four! 

Giles' baby #3 is due to arrive April 6, 2013.  We will hopefully find out what we are having on the 9th of November, but the doctor says that this baby is super active...hopefully we can sneak a peak at the gender in between all the somersaults! 

Doug and I have had a blast the past two weekends!  We were able to attend two Halloween parties that were amazing!  The first one was a Hero/Villain party where you had to dress up, one of you the hero, the other the villain.  So Doug and I decided on being King Triton and Ursula the Sea Witch from the Little Mermaid. 

Doug won a prize for the most original costume!  I have to say I was proud, since I made the costumes myself! 

The next party we were able to attend was an 80's style murder mystery!  The hosts did a wonderful job in putting this together!  And what a blast it was...even though I was a terrible actress!

Here are some fun photos of that party! 

Preston playing soccer

Ok, so here is a video of Preston playing soccer.  I'm not sure why blogger won't let you post more than one video at a time...unless it's just my computer. 

I'll hopefully have a video of one of the boys scoring a goal this Saturday! 

Soccer

Our boys have started playing soccer.  Drew has really gotten into it this time around.  I remember when he first played soccer and he spent more time skipping around rather than going after the ball.  This time though, he is all in it.  Last Saturday, Drew scored 4 out of the 5 goals that were made.  Talk about a confidence boost! 

Preston is playing as well.  And let me say...it's absolutely hilarious watching a three year old try and play soccer.  He pouts whenever he doesn't get to kick the ball.  But he also thinks that this is tackle soccer!  Preston is a little aggressive at times!  I'll post a video of Preston later, blogger won't let me post more than one video at a time.  

New additions

After a long wait...and I mean long.  We have added two new additions to our family.  We had been having a lot of car trouble for quite a while, and in March we finally decided to get Doug a reliable car.  Since Doug drives 80 miles three times a week, he desperately needed something that we didn't have to worry about.  The pictures that I took were done in the garage since it is raining like mad here today.  So here you go...Doug's baby:

 



Doug absolutely loves this car.  It's his "Dream Car."  Too bad it couldn't have been brand new!  Anyway, it's a 2007 Lexus IS 250.  And I have to say it's really nice and really fun to drive.  But as nice as it is, it is not a family car.  It may have four doors, but the poor boys are squished in the back seat!

So now that Doug got his car, I got to drive the Altima. I would have driven the Rodeo since it's an SUV, but the Rodeo was in the shop and they wanted more to fix it than it was worth.  The only thing with the Altima is that the reliability factor was not there, it stuttered and it had no air conditioning and we were always wondering how much longer we could handle it...being that it had been in the 110s-120s. 

So finally, two weeks ago, the check engine light came on in the Altima and I'd had enough.  Preston and I headed straight for the only car dealership in town.  And with a friend's help, we traded both the Altima and the Rodeo in for this:

It's a 2010 Ford Escape and I love it!  Plus, the best thing about it, besides it's completely reliable, is it has air conditioning!  I didn't care what car I came off the lot with as long as it had air!  I have to say that I have missed having an SUV.  I won't go back to a car if I can help it! 

So there you go.  The two new additions to the Giles family!  I hope you've all had a great Wednesday.  I'm going to go sit on the couch next to my hubby with a good book in hand and enjoy the rain! 

Internet

It's official...we finally have Internet!  We realized just how much we needed it, so we caved.  But lucky for me, that means I'll actually get to blog more often.  Before, I had to tether my phone to my computer in order to get the Internet, which meant I couldn't upload pictures, or blog.  So now, I can do both! 

We had family pictures taken the other day, thanks to my amazing dad!  The pictures turned out pretty awesome!  So, without further ado, here is our 2012 family picture:

He also took more of the boys... here is their mission impossible pose!

My caption for this picture would be, "Are they coming after us?"  It seriously looks like Drew is reaching for a gun behind his back!  I absolutely love these two boys! 

Well, that's it for now.  My next post will be about the two new additions we've added to the family this year! I wish you all the best! Have a great Tuesday! 

US

It's been so nice having our family back together. Although, I keep telling Doug that I am going to move back north just for a job. I have been looking for a job since I've been out of school and still have no luck. I'm not sure what to do anymore. I've applied for probably 20 jobs, and haven't heard from a single one. I've done the calling to see about my application status, but no one will tell me what's up. So...if anyone out there knows of someone hiring nurses either in St. George or Las Vegas, PLEASE let me know.

Also, one more HUGE favor. I'm in need of some help. We have been potty training Preston (for the fourth time) and he is doing well...sort of. He gets the idea of going pee in the toilet, but as far as pooping...he doesn't get it. I am at a complete loss. We've been at it since January and I'm not sure where to go from here. Any ideas would be so great.

As for the rest of us. Drew is loving school and learning more everyday. He loves having lots of boys here to play with. Doug is working hard. His boss has bought a new building and they will be moving into it the first part of March! We are really excited since this place will have double the space. I can't wait to see it when it's complete!

Happy February!

RN

I can't believe it, in fact it hasn't really hit me, but I'm now a licensed RN! I'm sure it will hit me once I get a job and start to work, but for now it seems like a dream. One of those things that you never thought would actually happen. Something you always wanted to do and never thought would come! But it has come, it's weird and exciting all at the same time. I actually accomplished something. Something that has taken a long time is now done! I never have to test for a license of this nature ever again! It's crazy!

Thank you so much for all of you who stood by my side and helped me through this. Especially my family. My family is the most incredible family in the world. They stood by my mood swings from lack of sleep and stress over exams. My incredible family who took care of my boys without ever complaining. I love you all so much! There aren't enough "Thank yous" I could ever say that would make up for all your sacrifices. But THANK YOU! You are all the best! I never could have done this without you.

2012

It's amazing that it's 2012. I feel like I just left for school in 2010! I can't tell you how glad I am that that part of my life is over! Now all I have to do is take my boards exam!

We have been really busy here. I decided to go through the boys toy room and get rid of things they no longer play with and make room for all the new things they got for Christmas. This job ended up being bigger than I imagined it would be!

While I was doing the toy room, Doug decided to keep Drew occupied by teaching him how to play chess. If anyone knows my husband, he really likes chess. He has quite a few chess boards and takes every opportunity to play. For Christmas this year, I found a chess board and pieces that I couldn't pass up...they are GIANT!

Drew was having a great time learning and Doug was having a great time teaching him.

I wish all of you a healthy and happy new year! Go 2012!

Two words...

WE'RE HOME! I have finished school and the boys and I are now home with Doug! It still hasn't hit me that I'm here for good...other than graduation next month. We got in last night and the boys are loving it (for now)! We'll see how it is once the holidays are over and they are bored out of their mind.

I finished nursing school on the 16th of December. It's such a nice feeling to not have anything to study for. All except for my nursing boards. I'm playing the waiting game right now for authorization to test, until then it's studying the review books and playing with the boys!

I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Drew's first week

We survived our first week of kindergarten! Drew is absolutely loving school and asks everyday if he can go back. His teacher is fantastic! I couldn't ask for anyone better. She is so great with the kids and knows how to keep them interested and wanting to keep going. He comes home everyday with something new to share with us. In fact, the other day he asked a girl at school if her name was Ashley. She said, "How did you know my name?" Drew said, "I read it on your backpack." This was so awesome for me to hear that he read her name! I didn't even know he knew that "S" and "H" made the "Shh" sound!

On Wednesday, Drew was given the "math bag" to take home. He had to put something in it to take to school that they could do math with, and come up with a question(s) for them to solve. So Drew got some candy and each kid got four pieces. The questions: If you have four pieces of candy and you gave two to a friend, how many pieces do you have left? If your friend gave you one piece back, now how many do you have? Drew was able to solve both of these questions and then teach his class how to solve it.

On Friday, he told me that his teacher gave them green magic potion to drink and it turned them all into Spiderman with invisible webs! His imagination is getting bigger and it's only been the first week of school!

I have become a very proud mother! This week will be interesting since I start school again and now we'll both have homework to do. I can't wait and neither can Drew!

1st Day of Kindergarten

I can't believe it, my boy started kindergarten today! It's so amazing how time flies by. One minute you have these little kids, and before you know it, they are in school.

Drew has been so excited for this day. He has talked about it non stop for the last week. Last night I couldn't even get him to go to bed because he was just too excited! Drew said, "Mom, I get to start kindergarten tomorrow. And that means I am going to be a grown up boy now." It's true, my boy has grown up!

Well Drew isn't the only one excited for this day, I have to say that I am too. Drew gets bored really fast now and needs something to keep his mind going. I am so excited that he will now be challenged a little and learn so many new things.

Drew is in the afternoon kindergarten class and we did it this way because the daycare that he goes to, the owner buses the kids to this school. So Drew is in a class with some of his friends from daycare, which for me is nice because he already has friends. In fact, when we first got there, he was able to see the older kids from daycare out at recess, and they were telling him that they can't wait until afternoon recess so they can play together!

Preston was so cute this morning. When he saw Drew with his backpack, Preston had to get his as well. When I took Drew's picture this morning, he had to have his taken as well. And then when we dropped Preston off at daycare, Preston looked at Drew and said, "I love you Drew!" It made my heart sing to hear him say that!

Well, there you have it. My oldest is now a school goer just like his mom, and we couldn't be more excited!

It's me again...

Time is getting so far away from me that I feel like I'm losing my mind...I probably am losing my mind! A quick update for Drew. Since he has been on his medicine we have not had a single seizure...knock on wood! The medicine seems to be doing it's job and I am so thankful for that. The only noticeable thing is that I feel like I have a teenage girl at my house sometimes! His mood swings can be all over the place. But if this is the only side effect we are facing, then I can handle it.

Preston is still Preston. As mischievous as ever and oh so full of attitude! But I'm loving every minute of it! He loves to be outside, and we are so thankful that Utah has finally graced us with some warm weather.

As for me, school is taking up most of my time. When the boys aren't around, (they spend the days in preschool), I can usually get my studying in, but when they go to bed, I am frequently found with my face in a med/surg book, or working on a case study of some sort. I am doing 12 hour clinical rotations on Saturdays at Timpanogos Hospital and am loving every minute of it. I couldn't ask for a better instructor, especially since my instructor last semester was so rotten. This is my second to last semester and I am super excited...and super nervous!

On another note, my sister-in-law comes home tomorrow from a year or so deployment in Iraq! We are so excited to see her and can't wait to hug our soldier! Thank you Jayme for all you have done for our family and this country. You rock!

Day 1: A choice was made

Well, the neurologist decided that the right medication for Drew would be leveriracetam (Keppra). He will be on the lowest dose to start out with and if he does ok, then he'll stay on that dose. If not, then they'll increase it. The good thing about this drug is that the side effects are minimal (tiredness, sleepiness-which will go away, irritability, and sometimes insomnia) and you can't get toxic off of it. The aggression and irritability are a couple of my biggest concerns, but the doctor said that if he shows signs of this, call them back and they can adjust things. My other big concern is that being on drug therapy requires a two year commitment. Drew has to be on the medication every day for two years. If in that time he has no seizures and a normal EEG, he can come off of the meds. I'm hoping this works, and that I don't forget to give him his medicine. That would be bad. So, today was day one of the drug and so far so good. Even though it was day one, and it's not really in his system yet, I have felt much better. Drew did good today, but it was only day 1! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this drug works. Love you all so much!

Drew's results

Ok, so here is the big update about Drew. Tuesday we went to his appointment for his EEG. This is where they put about 27 electrodes on his head, then covered the electrodes with a gauze wrap to hold them in place. It looked like he was wearing a bicycle helmet!

He was then asked to do all sorts of things, open his eyes, shut them, open them, shut them. They then asked him to blow on a pinwheel for 3 minutes. It was such a long time for him! He would blow little bursts of air, and then a few long ones! After that the technician told him to close his eyes and try to rest. I ended up having to lay in the bed with him to calm him down. He was so restless. After they did that, the technician came back in and did a strobe light test. This test is done to try and cause a seizure. Well, Drew handled it just fine and no seizure happened.

When that was over, we headed down to have his MRI done. They were initially going to sedate him because they needed him to be really still. But they decided to do a trial run so see if he could in fact hold still. They put headphones on him and goggles which played a movie. I went to the recovery room and waited. They came back about 30 minutes later saying that he was able to hold still and the scan was done. We could go home. This was about 10:00 in the morning.

Later that afternoon, about 1:50, he had another seizure. This was probably due to his lack of sleep (they wanted us to sleep deprive him a bit before the EEG). I was so glad that we had an appointment with the neurologist the next day, Wednesday.

Well, when we got to the neurologist's office on Wednesday afternoon, the most wonderful PA came in and did a full neurological check on Drew. She was fantastic. The results to the tests the day before were in and she and the Neurologist gave us the news. Drew's MRI was normal. No tumors or lesions were found...Yay! Then the EEG. They found an abnormal burst on his EEG during his rest period. So what does that mean? It means that the likelihood of Drew having a seizure again in the next 6 months in 90%. It also means that since his MRI was clean, he has a great chance of outgrowing the seizures!

Another thing we found out is that he has Epilepsy. The definition of epilepsy is two or more seizures. Also, epilepsy is basically a diagnosis for idiopathic seizures, meaning they have no idea why or what causes them. And since Drew has had two unknown seizures within 10 days of each other, this is his diagnosis. So, now what do we do? The neurologist said that it is a good idea to treat him with medication. He told Doug and I to think it over and decide which drug route we wanted to start with. The drugs will prevent him from having seizures. Which, being that summer is coming and he'll want to be swimming, he should be medicated. What else does this mean? That this will require a two year commitment. He must be on the drug for two years. If within those two years he doesn't have a seizure or any severe side effects, then he can be taken off the medication. This also means that we will be experimenting with the drugs and their doses, since the side effects can be tamed with dosage adjustments.

So, there you have it. Our son has epilepsy. But don't be too afraid by that word. If you don't like it, use seizure disorder...it's the same thing. Epilepsy isn't as scary as people think it is. It just means that from now on, Drew needs to stay hydrated, have enough rest, and needs to have some sort of supervision. Other than that, he is a normal kid who can do normal things, like play T-ball-which he had his first practice yesterday!

Thank you to all of you who have prayed for us. It has meant the world to me. Please keep us in your prayers that we might find the right drug for Drew and that it will control his episodes. I love you all. I couldn't ask for greater family and friends.

Update on Drew

Drew has been doing really well since the seizure on Saturday. In fact, he has more energy than he has had in a long time. It's the weirdest thing. We are on a waiting list to see a Neurologist and they are booked at least two weeks out. So who knows when that will be. But I did get an appointment for his EEG and MRI. He will be having those done on Tuesday. He will have to be sedated for the MRI, but I am really glad we are having it done. I'll post the results whenever I hear. Thank you to all of you for your prayers and support. It has meant the world to me. It's nice to have friends and family that love you so much. You all are absolutely wonderful!

scariest moment of my life

Just thought I would let you all know that last night at about 5:00pm, Drew had a seizure. We were on our way to dinner when he had it. I can't even begin to tell you how terrified I was. In fact, I was sobbing so hard, so much that I couldn't keep myself together. You think I would be able to handle that, but I couldn't. He was taken to Primary Children's Hospital, where he was checked over and observed. Today he is doing fine, although he is under constant supervision. The poor kid can't even go to the bathroom by himself. He will be seeing a neurologist sometime this week to determine the cause, but for now he is doing well. Thank you to all of you who have been there for us and who are praying for us. I will update you when I can.

what's happenning

Things here have been quite busy. We are in the process of getting Drew registered for kindergarten, signed him up for tee-ball (he is very excited for), and I have been quite engrossed in school. In fact, I just finished a huge paper...23 pages...and am getting ready to begin another one. Oh how I can't wait for this semester to be over!

I've been doing my clinical rotations at St. Mark's hospital. It's been a great experience clinical wise, not so much on the paperwork side! I have been able to go to every unit except two right now. Those two would be ICU and the Women's Center. We will actually do the Women's Center next semester.

My favorite place so far has to be the Emergency Department! I have been able to assess patients, start IVs, run IV fluids and lots of other things. It is definitely the place to be to learn how to do things. And the nurses that work there are so willing to teach. They love having students around, and I love that they love having us. It makes for a really great time.

Drew and Preston have been playing outside as much as they can. The weather here has been so "bi-polar" in a sense. It's good one day and the next is crappy. A couple of weeks ago, we had a huge snow storm. We had 14 inches at my grandparent's house! So the boys put on their snow gear and headed out to play.

They were having fun making snowballs. Well, I was the one making the snowballs, they were the ones throwing the snowballs!

Drew was loving that the snow was piled on top of the deck railing. He would take his snowball and throw it at that pile to make a hole in it. This made for some entertainment for him!

Preston loves the snow. He didn't want to come inside at all, even after his gloves were soaked and he wanted them off. That kid could play anywhere in any kind of weather!

Preston the other day came up to me because he had to show me some artwork he had done. He was so proud that he was able to make such a unique picture. "Mommy, look! I did it!"

Yep, at least he was honest!

Well, we are doing pretty well here, just waiting for the weather to warm up.

Ready for spring

Oh spring, where for art thou? The boys are chomping at the bit to get outside. So, the other day we played in the snow. Drew will play in it for only so long, but Preston on the other hand, could stay outside forever.

Preston either wants to be in the deepest part of the snow, or eat it! I'm trying to teach him that if he is going to eat it, it has to be "clean" snow. Drew tells him all the time, "Don't eat the yucky colored snow, it's not good for you!"

Things here are going well. School is getting really busy. I feel bad for my boys, they don't get a whole lot of time with me. They are in daycare five days a week from 9-4 and then on Saturdays they are with their grandparents until 3. I can't wait until I'm done and can actually be a mom again!

Doug, I believe, is doing well. He and Daisy lounge on the couch in the evenings watching Sport's Center or some movie! I know he gets bored, but he is doing well. We sure miss him.

remaining open

Due to the influx of people who have enjoyed viewing our blog, and the amount of requests I have been getting, I have decided to keep it open. I didn't realize how many people liked it, so for now, the blog remains open. I hope you will all enjoy reading about our adventures here. Thank you everyone!

going private

I am making this blog private. All those that would like to view this blog please email me at dandcgiles@msn.com. I promise, this new blog will be updated at least weekly. I have made it a must, so please, come and visit us!