Poor Ava-Doodle

Ava-Doodle is the pet name our pediatrician gave Ava (yes, we see them so often, that they have pet names for our children). This picture is from her hospital stay back in December, and it looks like we may have a few more visits.

Ava has been suffering terribly from intestinal cramping. They have her on 4 medications now, but we are finding very little relief. They did some more bloodwork today, and are going to schedule another colonoscopy/barium enema as well as some colon biopsies done surgically. Please keep her in your prayers, and we'll keep you updated!

Happier posts to follow.

Floor and more

Well, here they are! The "Before" and "After" pictures of our floor. Unfortunately, they aren't the best pictures due to some lighting issues, but hopefully that will be resolved soon! We are finding little paper pieces of the black tar stuff EVERYWHERE! Even in Ava's diaper. Fortunately, I think it was stuffed down there, and not passed TO there.

Monday was a marathon day in the Hepworth house! 5 eye appointments, 1 dentist appointment, a shopping trip, a dollar store trip, and EVERYONE LIVED!! I even had HAIR left by the time I got home! GOOD FOR ME!!

Well, found out a new quirk about Aidan (as if he needs more)- turns out he's color "deficient" (the new term for color blindness that isn't TOTAL color blindness). He can't tell the difference in color variations, and has a hard time between his reds/greens. He can tell the difference between a green sheet of paper and red sheet of paper, but when they do the little color bubble test, that have the numbers in them, he can't see them. Wow! That may explain why his favorite color is pink! Or maybe that's just wishful thinking!

Kate got her spacer in at the dentist. It anchors one molar, up and over(or would it be considered under?) the roof of her mouth, to the other molar, to keep it from moving forward where they had to pull her two molars. She's trying desperately not to "eat" anything using her molars or the roof of her mouth, and it's quite entertaining to watch. She does very well with mandarin oranges. Just sticks them in her mouth and lets them slide down the back of her throat. My, how attractive.

Until next blog...

Into the Sickly Woods

Mia and I had a date last Friday night, and went to the Arts Center in Fort Wayne to watch their theatre production of "Into the Woods". I've seen it several times, and the kids have heard the tape over and over (and over and over). Because we had a BOGO free coupon, we weren't able to get tickets ahead of time, and had to suffer the hands of fate by getting them at the box office. Turns out, the hands of fate were in our favor! Right before we got up to the window, someone cancelled their seats and we ended up four rows back, dead center. It was GREAT! There were quite a few children there, yet during one of the absolute quietest "kissing scenes", mine was the only one to giggle hysterically- and LOUDLY. Ahhh, the joys of youth!

Well, Scott and I are better understanding why they don't call two parents into two presidencies at church. We've been playing "tag teaching" for the last couple of weeks with the kids being sick, but this week both Scott and I were conducting AND teaching. Sure enough, the night before Aidan gets a roaring fever. Scott took Mimi (in her PJs) to church with him for his early morning meeting (she brought her stuff to get ready there), and we stayed home until the last hour. I just laid Aidan on the couch in the foyer- what could I do? It worked out okay, but now we realize that there are several meetings we are both supposed to be in attendance for. AAaarrgghh! The worst part is, I wouldn't want to be released even if I COULD! I love my calling, just need a few extra arms (and legs, and brain cells...the list goes on).

Back to Aidan- turns out he has a roaring case of strep throat, and when I return from his 3 hr long Drs appointment (apparently every kid in Fort Wayne is sick and they all go to OUR DOCTOR) Amelia is laying in our bed, red cheeked and hot as...well, you get the picture. I asked the Doctor if we could just have a long-standing appointment every Monday at 1pm. Chances are, we'd use them, and if not, I'm certain they could find someone to fill our spots. This is the fourth week in a row we've been in his office. You'd think they'd name a wing after us. "The Hepworth Wing for Sick and Confused Children" (I thought "weird" would be too strong of a term - appropriate, but strong). Has quite a ring to it, eh?

Well, back to the pharmacy we call our kitchen. 6 doses of liquid, 5 pills, 4 cups of water, 3 kids, 2 Chocolate bribes, and 1 tube-fed medicine. BLAST-OFF TO CRAZY LAND!!


This is a day only superman can save!

What's going on in class?

Last week, Kate brought home some of her school work. While looking through, I noticed that there was a sheet that asked the children to list some of the classroom rules. One of Kate's? - "Do not kill."

The funniest part? The teacher checked it wrong.

Make's me wonder what's going on in HER class!

IT WORKED

Can you believe the picture posting worked!! Scott's gonna kill me! I decided just to try a stupid picture, since it never works anyway, and, sure enough- there it is!! I guess that's the secret for my pictures. They have to be really bad. I'll try another one, just so you can get the taste of the last picture out of your mouth.

Pew Monkeys Update

Ann inspired me.
I guess it's time to get back on the blog wagon and update.

Enoch is, well, Enoch. It's funny, he's not the typical physical tormentor most boys are. He's the intellectual tormentor. Example: Kate says she's going to let her balloon go up to heaven for Heavenly Father, to which Enoch replies: "Actually, once the balloon gets up too high, the pressure from the altitude will make it burst because..." Example: Kate won't eat most meat because it's an animal, but she WILL eat peanut butter and honey sandwiches, to which Enoch replies, "You know, honey is actually bee barf." "No it's not!" I replied, "Quit telling her things like that!" And, in quips Scott (the tree Enoch's apple doesn't fall far from), "Actually, it is. You see, bees regurgitate the honey from their stomaches..." "AAARRRGGGHHH!" So, Enoch's been reading a set of 30 yr-old encyclopedias lately- I'm pretty sure it's so he can correct anything else that the girls get wrong.

Kate's was sick as a dog for about a week and a half. We finally took her in, and they found an ear infection. I was hoping we were all done with that stage for her, but apparently not. Her spirits did perk up when we brought home two guinea pigs last weekend. She picked one up, and it snuggled right into her, as if it had been looking for her all of it's life. I'm waiting to see them come out of their little huts wearing doll clothes any day now.

Amelia has a new found love for her recorder and our piano. I have a new found respect for deaf people. She has taught herself several songs, and written down all of the notes on a piece of paper, then takes the paper to the piano to play it on there. We think that there's a college girl in our branch that will teach the kids piano. I hope it works out, since she's never taught before. Other than that, Amelia will be seeing an Occupational Therapist for her sensory integration disorder in addition to her regular therapist. In April she'll be seen by the Riley Asperger's Center. It's taken 9 months to get into, so I hope it's worth it!

Aidan is crazy 'ole Aidan. More boy than I can almost handle. When people ask how old he is, he holds up his five fingers, and I reply "He's OFFICIALLY a handful now". He's been sick with ear infections as well, unfortunately it doesn't slow him down much. He's as excited as Kate is to have the guinea pigs, and wants to put their playpen up all the time so he can watch them run around. Poor things, must feel like they live in a glass house being watched all the time. Oh, wait. They do and they are.

Ava has found a new passion for table dancing. Once she discovered that climbing on the chairs will get her to the table where she can be even HIGHER, she hasn't looked back. If we don't gate up the dining room, we know right where to find her. I just hope this isn't a peak into her employment future. While she still doesn't talk, she sure can convey a lot. She's learned some signs (more,food,drink) but gets everything she wants from everyone by just batting her eyelashes- so why talk? Of course, I remain steadfast in the belief that if they can't talk, they can't talk back.

Scott's job is going fantastic. They've been busier than ever. His new calling as EQP is keeping him busy as well. We have finally put some tiles on our entryway, so we don't have to walk on the black sticky tar paper any more. It looks UNBELIEVEABLE! We're supposed to hear from an attorney this week to help us with the contract. We'll let you know how it goes!

Oh! And me. Well, I'm doing pretty good. I'm keeping busy with Relief Society, and kids medical appointments/issues. We average 3-5 appointments a week now between doctors, dentists, optometrists, and therapists. I think I should have a shuttle service! It's definately time for a DVD player in the van. Or muzzles and straightjackets. Whatever keeps 'em quiet.

Well, once again, I'll try to attach some pictures, but I have very little expectations. We'll see.

We love you all,
The Hepworths

Why is my water making me sleepy?

Today, I asked Aidan if he would please get me a cup of water. He jumped up and a few minutes later came back with a full cup of very cold water. He then asked if he could change his pants because he got "turkey water" on them (our turkey was defrosting in a sink full of water). I told him, sure, then stopped mid-guzzle. Ummmm. Aidan, come to think of it, I didn't hear you turn the faucet on, and you can't reach the faucet, can you? Nope. Is this turkey water that I'm drinking? The blank stare was the only answer I needed.

This Thanksgiving will be spent nursing my salmonilla wrecked body.

I'm thankful for a boy that keeps me on my toes, and always keeps me laughing (or barfing, in this case).

Happy Thanksgiving, and it's good to be back!