It's Been So Long!

Forgive me, friends, for I have not blogged in a very long time. I'm sure you were all on the edge of your seats just waiting to hear about the next exciting thing to happen in the Patterson household. Your wait ends here.
I was actually waiting to blog, knowing that we weren't telling everyone about the newest Patterson to arrive in February. I was afraid I might slip and say something since all that has been on my mind was my overwhelming desire to vomit! I think the strangest thing this baby has made me do so far was guzzle applesauce in Wal-mart. I HAD to have applesauce right then. There was no waiting to pay. I couldn't wait for a spoon. I just opened it up and poured it down my throat. And then carried it tightly in my arms until the next moment when I could guzzle again. I've definitely wanted sour flavors--salt and vinegar chips dipped in vinegar and horseradish, pickles and pickled okra and pickle juice. I think this baby might be a little psycho...or maybe it's just me.
So, that's the biggest news for those of you who hadn't yet heard. Zoey will be a big sister at 15 months. Bryce and Evyn may get their wish for a baby brother, which they asked for only weeks before I found out about this one. We got a new Honda Pilot to seat us all. Lynn says we will NOT be filling it. It seats 8...I should hope not! Of course, if you count dogs and luggage, we're already overflowing.

We went to Houston to see my parents last week. It was quite fun. They have this wonderful neighborhood with 3 pools, one of which is actually a water park with slides, high dives, squirting water, a huge bucket that pours huge amounts of water at random times, a perfect little baby area and plenty of seating for moms to watch the festivities. We visited the Space Center and had some delicious meals at a few of Houston's numerous restaurants.

The night before we left for Houston, we got a call telling us that Lynn's grandad was being flown into Lubbock because of a heart attack. Since then, he's had a triple bypass and is in CICU at UMC recovering. While we were in Houston, the reports were sounding better and better. He was doing amazingly well for a 90+ year old man who just had a triple bypass. He's had one or 2 days that weren't as hopeful, but last night he seemed to respond to people more than he had been as well as just looking better. I don't know all the medical details. I just know good or bad. We're praying and hoping for the best. I think his favorite thing to look at is baby Zoey. It's hard for anybody not to smile when she gives you that cheesy grin. We keep telling him he has to get better so he can bounce her on his knees. I believe he's fighting.

The morning that we got back from Houston, my idiot ex-husband called to tell me that he had a court document stating that he was supposed to have the kids for 30 days in a row in the summer. He told me that he had gone to a court hearing on Friday and the judge ordered it. I'm no lawyer, but I'm pretty sure that if there were a court hearing, I would be notified...and if there were a change, I should be notified. Neither of those things happened. Of course, our household went right into chaos mode once I got off the phone. Confusion, anger, crying, barking. When it all settled down, I realized that there is no way that Sperm Donor could handle the kids for 30 days in a row. So, why not let him give it a whirl? I'm not exactly positive what his motive is, but it's not because he loves his kids. I know that. It's going to backfire someday, I know it will. The good guy always wins! And in this case, that would be me...
Later I found out that the "court document" was a paper stating what standard visitation is, which we do not have, by the way...and it applies to the kids he has from a previous marriage that he doesn't even know where they are and hasn't paid their child support either. He's now responsible for 9 children...not a good thing when you don't EVER have a job! What a winner. And by winner, I mean stupid lazy lying loser. but if you know him, I don't even need to tell you that because it's obvious! Now that that's off my chest...

I've had suspicions of Evyn having anemia for quite some time, but didn't think it was an emergency to do anything about it since I just made sure she had her vitamins every day. It seemed to make her not quite as fatigued and a little more emotionally stable. Then I was talking to my mother last week about her symptoms, and she suggested that I get her screened for diabetes. After she slept more than usual and had a complete melt-down yesterday and she had her vitamin, I decided to google diabetes. Not that I don't trust my mother, but I really don't want it to be true, and if I can just convince myself that it's not...well, as many times as I've used that logic in the past, it will not go away. So, my googling informed me that she indeed has many symptoms of diabetes. I'm holding onto the fact that those symptoms can be other things, and I'm not really sure that she's lost weight. And I don't really know if she's going to the bathroom more. And maybe she's eating more because she's in a growth spurt. And she has eczema-that's why her skin is dry and itchy. And she scratches so she has lots of sores that don't heal quickly. But just to be sure, I made an appointment for her to get checked this morning. The kids are leaving tomorrow for 30 days of poor supervision. It's best if I know now, so I don't have one more thing to worry about while they're gone.
The doctor said Evyn is in the 25th percentile in height and 10th percentile in weight for her age group. I never would have guessed that! (Maybe I have them backwards. I don' remember.)
She was very brave when they took her blood. I knew she was scared to death, but I let her call Lynn at work since he is her biggest protector. It helped tremendously. He talked her through the whole thing. The nurse taking the blood actually said, "wow! he's good! I can still hear him talking." Yes, my husband is very good at talking. Look how handy it is!
She got a Hannah Montana sticker and a yo-yo for being so brave. And I bribed her with a piece of gum...a delicacy in our house. She went right back to school and told all of her friends about the blood that they got out of her arm. So, all is well in her 4 and 1/2 year old little mind.
I'm anxiously waiting for the results.

Did you enjoy reading about the drama in our house? I promise to blog more often now that everyone knows about our future new addition.
Don't forget to check out www.patterson-pack.com for pictures from Houston and other random shots of our family.