Wednesday, July 15, 2009

playing catch up

Wow, where have the past two months gone? How awful of me... not like I've had anything other to do than update my blog! :) I can tell you this, during these past two months, I would have MUCH rather been updating my blog than dealing with some of life's hurdles that were thrown in our direction.

To make a long, drawn out story, semi-short... I had an abnormal pap at my yearly checkup. And, after a biopsy and a few tests, the results were that I had high-grade, pre-cancerous legions on my cervix. So, after discussing all my options, I opted for the LEEP procedure. (Doc cut out the infected pieces of my cervix). He said he had to take more than he would have liked, but the results came back from the LEEP procedure that the sample had clear margins (VERY good sign, meaning that all of the infected legions were taken in the procedure and that none were left in me!) This has been going on since April, so it's been a stressful road. We're not sure if it will affect me having future children or not (depending on how much it weakened my cervix). But, we'll jump that hurdle if/when we get there. BUT- I'm okay now and the moral of the story is to ALWAYS GET YOUR YEARLY EXAM!!!!!! I went from normal to high-grade, pre-cancerous legions within one year... Scary!

Then, a few weeks ago we noticed that Ivy had a bit of a fever on a Sunday afternoon. So, we got the kids cleaned up at my parent's house (we were over there for our weekly family get-together) and headed home. By the time we got home (about 18 minutes) Beau got Ivy out of the car and said she was burning up. Within the 5 minutes it took to get the already-jammied kids upstairs and start brushing their teeth, Ivy was having a seizure in Beau's arms. It was the most horrifying moment in all my life. I had never seen a seizure in person, nor did I want to, let alone my 16 month old baby! So, we called 911 and the firemen came within about 5 minutes! Ivy seized for about 2 minutes, but came to. She was groggy and didn't seem really coherent, but the fireman did a glucose test and said her blood-sugar levels were good, but to take her to the ER to get checked anyway. (Why would a baby seize for no reason... there had to be a reason, right?) So, my parents and Adam came over (it's about 10:30 by this time) and watched the other kids while Beau and I and my Dad took Ivy to the ER. After a catheter, some Motrin, and a Popsicle (she came to finally around midnight and LOVED the Popsicle) we were on our way home with still no answers as to why the seizure.

Well, her fever went up and down from about 101-103 for the next few days. We took her to the pediatrician who said that since she didn't have any other symptoms of anything, to just keep an eye on her because it may be a viral infection. And she seized because her fever got hot too quickly, not because she got too hot. (Good to know) So, we kept her cool, undressed, and full of liquids for the next few days. By Friday morning I gave her some Tylenol for her fever (only 100.5 at this point), the fever went down, and never came back! YAY!

So... the moral of THIS story is 1) If you ever see anyone having a seizure, lay them on a flat surface, tilt them to the side, and call 911. If the seizure lasts for less than 10 minutes (in children) there's no need to panic, cancel the 911 call, but STILL take them to get checked out by an MD. and 2) ALWAYS HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE!!!!!

...man... that was the MOST EXPENSIVE dose of Motrin and cherry popsicle that ever existed!!!

Needless to say, when it rains, it pours. The kids are all healthy now, Beau and I are plugging along with new business ventures and still settling into our new home (of 7 months!) And we are seriously looking forward to a family trip to Del Mar this Saturday for a few days. It's about time to unplug, unwind, and realize that we already have what is most important in this world... Each other.

I'm so grateful to know that my family is eternal and that no matter what trials may be thrown our way, there is always someone right by our side to help us through. And, as long as we see the light at the end of the tunnel, it's a good day. :)

Here are the absolute most current pictures of our beautiful kids... these were taken tonight right before bedtime.

My children are amazing, my marriage is blissful, and my life is full of joy. Let's try this again tomorrow!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Happy Mother's Day!

We had such a fun Mother's Day! Saturday night, Beau took me out for a GREAT night! Thanks to the gift cards and free movie tickets that have accumulated in my wallet, we had dinner, a movie and a show (at Red Rock by the pool) ALL FREE! Doesn't get any better than that! And then Sunday rolls around... With church being at 9am and our building being 20 minutes away, we get up at 7am to get ready and out the door ideally by 8:30. Unfortunately, it was one of THOSE mornings and we didn't leave until 8:50, for no good reason other than we just couldn't get our act together. But, the primary children sang in Sacrament Meeting and it was so beautiful. It makes me so happy to see Isabelle break out of her shell and go up on the stand with the other kids. I could tell she was nervous, but very proud that she had done it!

After the block of meetings we made a quick change at home then headed over to my parent's house. My mom made an amazing dinner (yeah... where were my brothers on this one???) and we waited anxiously for "THE CALL". We were able to talk to my brother, Elder Michael Blasco, who is currently serving in the Pennsylvania Harrisburg mission. He sounds like he's doing SO well and is really having a wonderful experience. I'm so proud of him! Talking to him was all the gift my Mom needed, and since there's only one more call before he comes home (March 2010) my mom figures that his homecoming is right around the corner! (Don't tell her it's still 10 months away!)

All in all, we had a special day. Beau got me a watch (thanks Michelle and Tirza!) and he helped the kids make this beautiful card for me that I'll keep forever. Isabelle was such a sweetheart all day, and Camden just wished everyone he came in contact with "Happy Mother's Day". It was so special.

I'm so greatful for my mom. I appreciate her more and more every day. I know I took her for granted while I was growing up, not realizing how much she did and sacrificed for us, but I'm beginning to see a hint of how much she must love her children now. My world is a better place because I have my Mom.

I love you, Mom, Happy Mother's Day!!! xoxoxoxoxo

Sunday, May 3, 2009

it's a GIRL!

No, NOT ME! :) My cousin Emily is due the end of May to have a little girl and I'm thrilled for her! She's going to be such a wonderful mommy! My cousins, Angie and Sarah, and my Aunt Julie, hosted a beautiful baby shower for her. I was so glad to be a part of that. I have been blessed with such a loving and amazingly wonderful family. I'm glad it continues to grow!
Em graciously opening gifts, and Sarah with Sir Oliver :)

Sarah, Oliver, Angie, Beatrice, Julie, Emily, Liz

Isabelle and Amelia

Pierced Ears

All Isabelle has wanted for a year and a half was to get her ears pierced. So, for the past six months, our deal has been, that if she agrees to quit sucking her fingers (bad habit when she gets tired) then we agreed to take her on her 5th birthday to get her ears pierced! Well, she held up to her end of the bargain, so we held up to ours!


On her birthday, we took the kids to dance class, then took them to the mall. Isabelle got her ears pierced and then we went out to dinner at CPK. After that we took the kids to check out the art at First Friday (downtown in the Arts District). We really had such a fun time together!

SO excited in the car!

We got to Claire's and Belle was SO excited. We told her what it would feel like, and she STILL wanted to go through with it. The nice girl there even let her hold the "piercers"


one, two, three! (it was SO nice they did both ears at the same time!)


"OW, OW, OW" she was so brave, and as soon as she took that first glance in the mirror, all the pain disappeared!


cleaning her ears, and showing off her first "diamonds!"



gotta love the Cam, always there to make sure everyone has a good time!
at dinner



Happy Birthday Bellie Boo!

Sweet baby Brendan

Welcome to the world, Brendan Scott Ibarra!!! We were so blessed and felt so privileged to witness the blessing of this special baby. We already love him so dearly! There is something so special about a new baby joining our "family" (yes, Nelson, we consider you family too!) Thank you for letting us be a part of your special day! :)

Bellie's party at the park

Happy Birthday Isabelle!!! Our sweet Bellie turned 5 on May 1st! We had a birthday party at the park for her and her friends to get together and celebrate. Some of her school friends came, some old family friends, some family, and some new friends from our new neighborhood. We had a great time playing! We had a three-legged race (HILARIOUS!), wheelbarrow race (even MORE hilarious!) and a waterballoon-on-a-spoon race. Well, they didn't really turn out to be races, they more turned out to be just good fun for all in the grass. We all really had fun and Belle was so glad to spend it with her friends. Thank you to all who were able to make it, I just wish I were able to take more pictures!






Easter

We had such a wonderful Easter. This is the first year EVER that I made Easter dinner. We invited lots of family over (only my parents, 2 brothers and Grandma June were able to make it) but it was so special to have everyone together (Mickey, I'll make it for you next year!!!) And, I must say, the ham was divine!!!
We all enjoyed decorating easter eggs!

Great-Grandma June and her girls

the gang


Gosh, I love these schmos....



ready to search for eggs!!!


yes, one was hidden in Seth's hair...

more fun to come next year!!!! (hopefully the search will be better next year, maybe we'll have grass and planters!)