pull up

Hot Shot 19 WOD

Leave a comment

Happy Labor Day.  Hope everyone had a day of rest.  We are having a break in hot weather and I am loving it.  Took the girls on a 3 mile walk to play in a park this morning.  I am looking forward to doing more of that this fall.  Unfortunately it looks like our hot weather is coming back again.

Today I completed my second Hero WOD (workout of the day).  My first was a MURPH on Memorial Day earlier this year in honor of Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy who was killed in Afghanistan in 2005.

My second Hero WOD was the Hot Shot 19.

30 squats
19 power cleans 135#/95# (I started with 60# and dropped to 50 for last 2 rounds)
7 strict pull ups (assisted with bands)
400 m run (1/4 mile)
6 RFT (rounds for time)

Hero WOD’s were formed by CrossFitters to honor the memory of the fallen.  “It’s not just about fitness but the struggle and the misery.  Most Hero workouts should make you want to quit—but you don’t.”

Today’s memorial WOD was for the nineteen members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots firefighting team who tragically lost their lives on June 30, 2013, while fighting a fire in Yarnell, Arizona.

In Memory Of

  • Jesse Steed, 36
  • Wade Parker, 22
  • Joe Thurston, 32
  • William Warneke, 25
  • John Percin, 24
  • Clayton Whitted, 28
  • Scott Norris, 28
  • Dustin Deford, 24
  • Sean Misner, 26
  • Garret Zuppiger, 27
  • Travis Carter, 31
  • Grant McKee, 21
  • Travis Turbyfill, 27
  • Andrew Ashcraft, 29
  • Kevin Woyjeck, 21
  • Anthony Rose, 23
  • Eric Marsh, 43
  • Christopher MacKenzie, 30
  • Robert Caldwell, 23

hotshot 19

HERE is where you can make a donation to support the families of the lost heroes. Your support will be collected by the CrossFit Foundation where 100 percent of the donations will be distributed to the families.  CrossFit has raised $336,365.50 since 2013.  Gotta love the CrossFit community!!  

pull up.JPG

 

How did you all spend your Labor Day weekend?

Has anyone ever completed a HERO WOD?  Details please.  I can’t wait to do more.

 

76745-brad-pitt-happy-dance-gif-imgu-ln90

And runnin’ runnin’ and runnin’ runnin’

Leave a comment

Here I go again …  November 13th.

bak maryI have started my half mary training plan.  I will kick off week 3 today.  Week 1 was a bust due to me being sick.  I put in 0 miles out of 17 planned.  Week 2 sucked due to me not running in two weeks and still recovering from sick time.  I ran/walked 17 out of 19 planned.  Fingers crossed things pick up from here.  Good thing I am following a 12 week total plan.  I need time to get back in the game.

vontaze-burfict-butt-slap

Not looking for an officer to swat my rear end but a really good run would help get my head out of Negative Nancy Land.

One thing that has already helped is fun mail.  Fun mail is when something arrives via post office that does not require me to send money back via check or credit card.  This past week’s fun mail came from Run Lites.

13532788_1069299356493187_2029443895099571819_n

The folks at Run Lites gave me an opportunity to try out their product and share my thoughts with all of you fine people.  Run Lites are gloves with rechargeable built in lights.   The gloves come in different colors and sizes to accommodate runners, cyclists, and outdoorsmen.  The material is light with reflective strips and a removable light unit.

RunLites - night running gear
Due to kids, 100 degree weather, and life I cannot always run during sun light.  In the past I would skip run days if I could not get out during day light.  That is not the case anymore.  I used my gloves last week on a night run.  I needed to get 5 miles in and left my house right before sunset.  I wore both gloves and started with only one light on.  I turned on my second light once I became the only person out and about.  At first I thought the bouncing light would make me sick however I learned to look past it.
14184538_1383434251684714_65945184068044183_n
Personally I love the gloves!  I felt confident in them in the sense of less worrying that the boogie man may sneak up on me in the dark.  Never mind the fact that I looked like I belonged in the 80’s with my fanny pack and neon gloves.  (side note, I wear a fanny pack when running more than 5 miles to hold my phone, music, chap stick, and fuel).
76745-brad-pitt-happy-dance-gif-imgu-ln90

Thank you Run Lites for the gloves and letting me expand my running hours into the night!  Friends, check them out HERE.  An answer to all our bulky flashlight or little dim light answers.

Stay tuned for more updates on my journey to another 13.1 miles!
bday 2

Two, Two Year Olds

Leave a comment

HAPPY HAPPY SECOND BIRTHDAY IRELYND AND KYLLIAN!

IMG_2039 IMG_2041

Seems just like yesterday when your Dad and I were in tears over your arrival.  Now we cry for different reasons.  Kidding.  Kinda.

IMG_2029

I just cannot believe my little babies are toddlers.  I waited so long to have you.  Months and years went on at snail pace.  And although I have not slept in two years I feel as if they went by in a blink.  My little babes are now tiny humans.  Shrunken versions of your Dad and I.

bday 4

Irelynd,

You my dear are a hoot.  Your little attitude is amusing.  I am always wondering where you learn things from.  (I am not that funny.)  We hope the terrible two’s don’t hit you too badly, yet I get your little frustrations.  You understand rules but can be very strong willed.

You are somewhere around 27-29 pounds.  You are wearing size 6 shoe, 2T clothes, and size 5 diapers.  Potty training is a work in progress.  I had it in my head to get you there by your birthday, but I am learning that it will happen in your time.  Not mine.

You talk at your own terms too.  This is where your stubbornness kicks in.  Currently your fave words are “Mom-Mom, Daaaaaaaaaaaddddd, and Pop”.  Your Dad thinks you are saying Bob and that Bob is my secret boyfriend.  Your bad habits are now blamed on Bob.

Irelynd you are becoming quite fearless.  Your fave activities when Mom and Dad are not looking are climbing up and down the stairs, running on the couch, and standing on your little person table.  I don’t think my anxiety can handle much more.  It may be time to bubble wrap the floor or get you in a gymnastics class.

Favorite toys of the moment are books (you have always loved them), the step stool your Pop Pop TuTu made you, a little rooster from a birthday gift last year, and stuffed animals.  You sleep with about 10 different animals of various sizes and insist several hang out with you ALL day long.

Food time is easy.  You like to eat.  You rarely turn your nose up at items.  Yay for Mom’s cooking!  Bananas and Ketchup are your go to’s right now.  Not together although I wouldn’t put it past you.  You are my daughter.

bday 1

Dislikes include taking pictures (see above), long car rides, and Kyllian crying.  I am looking forward to turning your car seat around!  And I will continue to work on your picture taking.  Sorry love bug, there is not much I can do about your Sister.  When she cries – she cries.

Irelynd, I am blessed by you.  I love getting you out of bed every morning and snuggling on the couch before sister gets up.  I love watching your brain work thru the day.  You are absolutely beautiful and I am excited to watch you grow this next year.  Now if only I can keep your Dad from signing you up for hockey!

Kyllian,

From one whole pound to 22 pounds.  The past two years haven’t been easy yet we survived and are doing better than most thought.  You are taking a science diagnosis and crushing it with what God has planned for you.  To know you is a blessing and to be your Mom is an honor.

You really do have such a good personality.  Not so much at 1am, but it is all smiles during the day light hours.  Your demeanor is special.  One smile or little wave from you can change a person’s day. You love life and people.  Just being present is good enough for you.  That is a gift.

bday 3

Kyllian you are also stubborn like your sister.  It is good to be strong willed but not so much when bed time rolls around.  YOU NEED TO SLEEP.  Mom and Dad need to sleep.  Please.  This mommin’ thing would be a breeze if I had two perfect sleepers.  Apparently I forgot that part in my prayers when I was begging for a baby.

Who am I kidding?  Mommin’ at easy ever.  I can’t even get a picture with you two.

bday

All jokes aside, I am thankful for my extra time each day with you.  One day you won’t fit in my lap or you won’t want to cuddle.  I am learning to hold on tighter these days.

Kyllian, you weigh around 22 pounds.  Wear size 4-5 shoe, 4 diapers, and 18-2t clothes.  You are catching up to sister – who is finally starting to come around more now and accept you for her buddy and not pesky little sibling.  Yay!

Verbal language is not here yet but you still communicate well.  You have caught on to some sign language and we will continue to teach you.  You Tube has a few good videos we watch when up all night.  And you like to point to things now.  It has made you loose your adorable “thumbs up” but I am glad you are becoming more curious by pointing out things.

Eating is going well too.  You are not as picky as you used to be.  We are still going to work on feeding therapy but we are not running into as many problems as before.  Fave foods are any fruits, mac-n-cheese, yogurt, and soda out of Dad’s straw.  (yes, soda.  don’t judge).

In the past few weeks you have started to frog hop on your hands and knees.  There is no stopping you now.  You are becoming very speedy with hopping and walking with assistance of the couch and parallel bars Pop Pop TuTu made you.  Favorite toys are balls, anything you can bang together or on, and whatever is in the bath tub.  Thanks to Shark Week we have three sharks around the house.  Bruce is your fave.

Dislikes include sleep, sleeping alone, being put to sleep and when Mom walks out of the room.

Kyllian, my velcro baby, you continue to amaze me.  Your development has been incredible but your attitude is awe-inspiring.  When you first started to have seizures you lost your smile and we were devastated.  I am thankful it came back and am more thankful that I get to see it all day long.

Year 3 is going to be the best ever.  As soon as you get the walking thing down I am getting you into ballet.  Dad thinks you are going to be a race car driver, but that is a waste of your long lean legs.

Girls, I am so happy to celebrate you and your 2nd year.  Twins are double the work but double the fun.  Thank you for letting me love you.   Never stop loving each other.

bday 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

th

Up in the club

Leave a comment

15 years ago I never imagined I would be clubbin’ as hard as I am today in my ripe old age of 34.  Let me introduce you to some of my crew.

We party ’til the sun comes up and a little after.

FB_IMG_1470144366936

We play fun games like flipping over car magnets forcing the magnet owner to go on a run before she can turn it upright.

20160812_070623

We normally roll with a tiny human entourage.

IMG_20160616_205159

We have an adorbs clothing line.

IMG_20160802_050241(1)

We are friends.  New and old.  We lift each other up.  Cheer each other on.

20160625_070700

So the cats out of the bag.  The only clubbin’ I do these days is in a world wide running club for females only.  It is called Moms / She Run(s) This Town.

Earlier this year while running I would get lonely.  I wished I had company.  Someone to visit with.  Someone to push me along.  Then I found MRTT/SRTT.  I read the intro on the website and it sounded just like me.  I found my people – I just needed to bring them to Bakersfield.

The club has chapters all over the world.  The mission is to provide a fun club for moms (and really ANY woman – not just moms) to get together, run/walk/jog and socialize.  We hope to provide an online community built of women who will help answer running questions, encourage each other, train with each other and share their personal running experiences.

You can find Bakersfield MRTT on Facebook HERE  and on Instagram HERE.  Please follow if you are in Kern County, CA.  We would love to have you.

ANY skill level is welcome – We don’t claim to be the ‘fastest’ just the ‘funnest’.  Whether you are a walker hoping to start training for your first 5k or an experienced runner training for a marathon – we would love to have you as part of our community.

th

Keep an eye out for future posts on my personal social media platforms regarding MRTT/SRTT events.

 

 

 

k mri

Pachygyria

Leave a comment

Several weeks ago I posted a video on Facebook of our Kyllian walking using parallel bars that my Dad made her for therapy.  The video has received over 100,000 views and has been shared all over the WORLD.  I have received messages and friend requests from Argentina to a family living in a real tree house somewhere in the jungles of Asia.  Language barriers have been difficult however one thing is clear, LOVE. That video of Kyllian has inspired so many.

I now know how important education is on people with disabilities.  I need to educate people as much as I can on what Pachygyria and Infantile Spasms are.  I need to educate on what Kyllian is ABLE to do instead of what she is not.  Kyllian has a smile on her face most of the day while all of us “typical” people do not.  What does that tell you?

20160705_113051.JPG

When Kyllian was first diagnosed at 8 months old I was devastated.  Angry.  I blogged about her diagnoses and told people to Google what Pachygyria was.  I did not want to think about it or write it.  All I could hear were the words of a doctor giving us the worst case and I believed it to be her diagnosis for eternity.  How dare that doctor use the word “retarded” (even if it is a medical term).

Ya know what?  I was so uneducated on “retarded” and disabilities back then.  Looking back I am glad I was given the worst case because Kyllian is beating those odds tenfold. Today I am here to educate you on Pachygyria.  I apologize for being so vague previously.

Pachygyria is defined as a developmental condition due to abnormal migration of nerve cells (neurons) in the developing brain and nervous system.  With pachygyria, there are few gyri (the ridges between the wrinkles in the brain), and they are usually broad and flat. The condition is also known as “incomplete lissencephaly.”  Pachygyria may occur alone (isolated) or as part of various underlying syndromes. Symptoms vary among affected people and may include moderate to severe developmental delay, seizures, poor muscle tone and control, feeding or swallowing difficulties, and small head size (microcephaly).  In most cases it is not inherited, but various inheritance patterns have been reported.  Treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
The first picture below is a real image from Kyllian’s MRI when she was diagnosed.  The second picture is of a typical 10 month old baby with a clear MRI scan.

k mri

normal MRI

Understand it now?  The gyri (the ridges between the wrinkles in the brain) they are usually broad and flat.
So, what caused it?  Pachygyria may be caused by various non-genetic and genetic factors that play a role in impairing the development of the outer region of the brain (the cerebral cortex).  During normal embryonic growth, immature cells that later develop into specialized nerve cells (neurons) normally migrate to the brain’s surface, making several layers of cells. When this process is impaired, the cells don’t migrate to their locations, resulting in too few cell layers and incomplete development (pachygyria) of gyri.
I do wish to say that … Kyllian’s pachy was NOT caused by the following …
*  a mosquito bite
*  me doing drugs or drinking while pregnant
*  lack of breast milk after birth
Just getting that out there because I have been asked.  One too many times.
What now?  Now we do life.  I will always worry about the future and her development, but what Mom doesn’t?  Some children with neurological conditions don’t have a long life expectancy.  Others go to school, get married and have children.
Today Kyllian cried when I washed dishes instead of holding her.  She laughed when her Dad washed her face after dinner.  She bashfully grinned as her Sister kissed her goodnight.  And then she fought sleep.  Sounds typical to me.  Today Kyllian lived and loved.  Tomorrow I will do the same.
20160811_230039.JPG
Questions are welcome …

 

mattel enterence

Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA

Leave a comment

I have mentioned before how much we adore UCLA’s medical facility.  Both the hospital and the outpatient services.  We have been inpatient at the Mattel Children’s Hospital three times and Kyllian has five specialists we see on the regular for various conditions.

20151028_075834

Our inpatient visits have been a total of 5 nights.  Although spending the night in the hospital is no where near a 4 star hotel, UCLA does it’s best to accommodate.  In room menu for food service if you don’t make it down to the cafeteria offering everything under the sun.  Pull out couch and reclining chair in each room.  Full bathrooms in each room.  Cable TV’s with DVD’s and/or gaming systems in each room.  Nurses check on you as well as the patient asking what they can do for you.    Bring coffee, watch your child while you shower, go on a walk, catch some fresh air, and so on.  Some may think that is standard protocol, but you would be surprised.

mattel enterence

One of my favorite things that immediately stood out was the Chase Child Life Program.  Hospitals can be a confusing and frightening environment.  Chase Child Life Program eases that fear by familiarizing young children, adolescents and their families with the hospital experience.  For nearly four decades, this program has been a pioneer and a national model for how to appropriately address the social, emotional and developmental needs of each child and his/her family in a culturally sensitive manner.

Services Provided by Chase Child Life Program are as follows:

  • Pre-hospitalization visits for children and their families
  • Preparation for medical procedures, support during procedures and post-procedural medical play
  • Therapeutic intervention-including music therapy and play to help children cope with issues related to their illness and medical care
  • Consultation with caregivers, siblings and children of adult patients to enhance their understanding of the impact of illness on the child and family
  • Supervision of playroom, Starlight Room/Teen Lounge and outpatient play areas
  • Expert consultation for caregivers and medical team members regarding child development and related issues
  • Special events that entertain and engage children and families
  • Assistance in transitioning from hospital to home and/or school following an illness
  • Coordination and supervision of the Family Resource Room

Child Life Specialists use age-appropriate techniques to prepare children for upcoming medical procedures, presenting information honestly and with examples that a child can understand. Children may try on a mask and gown or lie on a hospital gurney to learn how it feels. Child Life Specialists may use a medical kit, books, dolls and other models while explaining a procedure, giving children a greater sense of control.

Child Life Specialists also spend time with parents and other family members before and during procedures, and afterward they organize therapeutic play and educational programs to help children to develop positive coping skills during their recovery.

Community volunteers are an important part of Chase Child Life Program, helping to coordinate special events and arts-and-crafts or other projects. And they are available to play a video game, read a story or simply sit at a child’s bedside to provide comfort and companionship.

The program also has play rooms and patios for children and parents to escape their hospital bedrooms and feel normal again.  If a child is unable to sneak away toys and other forms of entertainment are brought to the rooms.  Volunteers check on patients daily in their rooms to offer toys for entertainment and comfort.  We were offered crib toys for Kyllian, for example.

There is also a break room for parents with books, magazines, knitting tools, music, etc.  The Chase Child Life Program provides aid for parents as well.  Volunteers also bring a cart by each room daily to offer healthy snacks to parents who may have been too busy to sneak away for a bite to eat.

Chase Child Life Program does not charge for its services.  The workers are all volunteers and the play items are all donated.  Last Christmas Nic and I decided to forgo gifts and donate items to this program instead.  We plan on doing it again this holiday season.  (Sorry Family!)

ucla christmas

We have been picking up items since the beginning of the year as we see fit.  Our gifts are used year round for children hospitalized for only one night or long term.  I am here today to ask you to do the same.  It does not need to be expensive or fancy.  For example, coloring books, puzzles, crayons, and bubbles are sold at any dollar store!

If you are interested, please click HERE to learn more about the program and view the complete wish list.

Some times on the 2016 wish list are as follows:

  • Infant / Toddlers:  crib toys, sensory toys, boppy pillows
  • Pre-School / Elementary School Age:   legos, crayons, dolls
  • Young Adults, age 13+:  playing cards, dvd’s, video games
  • Books:  for all ages.  parents too.
  • Puzzles:  for all ages
  • Board Games
  • Arts n Crafts
  • Music

If you are in Bakersfield I would be happy to collect your donations.  If you are in LA, I encourage you to drop off your donations to UCLA directly.  If you are in any other city with a children’s hospital, please contact them to see if they have a similar program.

We have been blessed by the fantastic care at UCLA and only wish to pay it forward.  This is a good cause if you are looking to do the same.

THANK YOU ALL!!

 

 

 

20160508_171109

Brave Little Warrior

Leave a comment

A little over one year ago Kyllian was diagnosed with Infantile Spasms caused by Pachygyria.  It was a scary time for us.  It has been a year of ups and downs.  Previous posts on her diagnosis can be found HERE and HERE.

Today we give praise that Kyllian is seizure free.  This does not mean that she is healed.  Kyllian will always be in danger of seizure activity.  As she ages her Infantile Spasm diagnoses will more than likely ease into Epilepsy.  Today we celebrate the fact that she has not had any seizures, that we have not had to revisit steroids, and that she is developing.  Infantile Spasms and the medical treatment to stop them are bad news.  Currently we are only on one anti-seizure medication once a day at a low dose.

Over the past year we have been hospitalized twice for possible seizure activity and visited ER’s twice for the same cause and uncontrolled reflux.  We are lucky that Kyllian’s reflux has never entered her premature scarred lungs!

20151204_225641

20151204_203959

20160222_201505

Kyllian’s reflux was confirmed last fall at UCLA over 4 tests.  An upper GI, a gastric emptying test, and two 24 hour probes.

20151028_150217

The tests confirmed she has bad reflux and that her stomach empties at an abnormally slow pace.  Both are being treated by 3 medications up to 8 times a day!!!!!

We met with a surgeon a few weeks ago to discuss possible surgery to aid both problems.  One is laparoscopic and another has to be done by opening her up.  Scary stuff.  It is upsetting that she has had such a rough go of things however if the surgery will stop the reflux then we need to do it.  It is horrible seeing her throw up exorcism style or staying up all night for days on end because she is so uncomfortable.

20151029_134656

Besides her pediatric gastroenterologist and neurologist, Kyllian is also in the care of a pediatric pulmonologist, ophthalmologist, and ophthalmic plastic surgeon.  Yes, you read that last one correct.  Kyllian visits a plastics doctor twice a year.  Her ophthalmologist is concerned her ptosis will interfere with her vision and she will need an eye lift if her eyelid muscles don’t get stronger.

We have been in the care of a pulmonologist since she was released from the NICU with pneumonia.  Currently Kyllian is off a nebulizer and on Singular granules because she won’t use an inhaler.  We keep the nebulizer and inhaler around for emergencies only.

All of the specialists mentioned above are at UCLA Medical Center.  We have had nothing but the best experiences there.  I sing their praises all the time.  The Mattel Children’s Hospital was recognized for excellence in 9 specialties in the 2015-2016 best children’s hospital rankings.

20151028_075834

On top of visiting UCLA monthly Kyllian is doing physical, occupational, feeding and speech therapies locally.  Twice a week a therapist comes to our house and twice a week we go to a kids therapy center.  It is a lot of work but it is worth it.  I learn tricks to use on Kyllian and Kyllian gets to work with someone besides family.

Kyllian wants everyone to know that she is A-OK.  We have one very special girl on our hands.  The future is unknown but today is a good day and we are thankful.  Thank you again to everyone who has kept her in your prayers over the past year.  Family, Friends, Neighbors, and Strangers.

The outpouring of love means a lot. Please keep her lifted up.

20160508_171109