2 weeks and 12 walk-throughs later

Well, you know Eric and I, we think/research everything out so thoroughly before doing something, and then we jump in with both feet. The same has been true for our goal of buying a home. With the Arizona market still at the begining of its downward slide correction, and with interest rates falling, we began our search. We aren't in a hurry, and if we don't find the "right" house right away, that's okay. But in the last two weeks I have been through, or driven out to, a dozen houses. Most have been forclosure or short-sell homes (Part of Eric's job is to know about the fiscal impact that the housing slump is having on our economy, so he is privy to information weeks before the public. At a hearing 2 weeks ago, one of the state's leading economists testified that the housing market fell 9.5% last year, and was expected to fall ANOTHER 10% this year. So we are looking at homes that have already dropped their 20%.) Some have been in better shape than others, and some have been in better areas than others. It is such an exhausting thing, looking for the right house. I'll let you all know how it goes.

A Good Experience

We had such a good experience at our first pediatric GI appt for Aidan on Friday. Our pediatrician (whom I love) refered us, and my sister-in-law (a neonatal ICU nurse) said that all of the doctors she works recommend this doctor (not just the practice). Even with such endorsements, I've been a little nervous about this appointment, this doctor, everything. You see, Aidan has been having trouble since at least August/September (bloody stool, tummy cramps 2-3 times a week) and we had already done all of the lab work (blood and other samples) through our pediatrician (all of which came back clean). It took some time (2-3 months) to get in for our first appointment, but it has all been worth it.

Our appointment was for 11 am, we had a 10 minute wait out front, and another 10 minute wait in the room, but then our evaluation/consult lasted 30-40 minutes! We saw the PA at first, with the doctor came in for the last 10 minutes. As the PA was taking down our history, she was asking about "brother and sister" and any similarities with Aidan. When we said that there were some, especially with Davin, she told us that we'll get Aidan all diagnosed and then we need to get Davin in and checked out (we're established now so it won't take so long to get in). They checked Aidan out and we are trying two last resort efforts before we have to get invasive.

Aidan is on children's prevacid, a probiotic, and a very strong antibiotic (7 day course) to see if they help his 2 issues. They have ordered more blood work (to check for food allergies). And I am to call back in 2 weeks with an update. If our last resorts don't produce any change, Aidan will have to be scoped (tummy and intestines) to see what's going on. I'm glad that they are moving quickly with this (2 weeks is nothing), and that, even though our first round of lab work came back clean for infections (and other), they are trying the flagyl, just in case. We are pretty sure (and so is the doctor) that Aidan will need to be scoped, but we are okay with trying one more thing.

We'll keep you all updated with our progress. Eric is betting on a food allergy, and the PA is leaning towards collitis (like his mom).

My BAG

It took me some time to come up with my BAG for this year; and even now as I blog about it, I think that some of it is weak. Oh, well.
B: Only one blessing really stands out for me from this past year. That all of the events unfolded the way they did for my surgery last spring. I am just so grateful that we were here with all of it. I can't imagine getting the same personal treatment if it hadn't been for Eric's dad and his reputation amongst his peers.
A: I had a rather hard time coming up with an accomplishment, I don't feel like I really do much more than be a mom. But I came up with two decent ones. First of all, I finished Davin's quilt. It was my first (and possibly my last) foundation pieced quilt; it used more than 20 different fabrics; and I machine quilted the whole thing. And secondly, I was offered 2 teaching jobs for this year. I turned them both down, and found out a week later that we were finally expecting baby #4.
G: Our goal is a family one for this year. With the Arizona housing market collapsing (it will only get worse through to next year), our goal is to find the right house for us. Eric keeps threatening that it will happen this spring, but I don't think that I could handle moving within a month of baby girl.

Anyway, we hope that you all had a wonderful New Year's, that you have some wonderful memories of last year, and next year will hold just as many for each of your families.