A Gift of Experience

Last night I gave Chris a gift of experience for his birthday, celebrated late so Luke's day had due focus. I hired a personal chef I came across through planning work events. We hosted 11 people at our home and the chef prepared 8 courses for us to enjoy. Everything from the shrimp appetizers to the tomato salad to the pasta and fish dishes were amazing. We gathered around the kitchen and were served "Top Chef" style as a particular dish was ready. Chris has had increasing focus on cooking and so watching this pro was a lot of fun for him. Plus the chef is a character himself having left the world of being a Cincinnati attorney to be a maple grove farmer in Lebanon, Ohio. Casual storytelling over food and wine set the tone for a wonderful evening with friends.

Here's to another great year with you Chris! Happy birthday!

Baby Shower

People are still asking me about a shower I helped organize for my sweet friend Dora (above) who is expecting her first child and who happens to be an event planner extraordinaire! The girls involved knew it was a challenge to create an experience fitting for our friend with great taste and talent. We did have the benefit of working with some of her vendors, but overall a lot of love was poured in too resulting in a fabulous afternoon.

With inspiration from a family tree theme, we asked shower attendees as they arrived to grace a pretty tree with words of affirmation for mom and baby. Next up...a fancy non-alcoholic drink and lunch. Then of course the showering of gifts. She got so many cute things!

In the evening, the shower hostesses and spouses came over to our home where we had moved the tree. In turn each couple wrote an inspirational word on a rock and put it beneath the tree. (Special thanks to Chris for scrubbing the rocks Luke and I gathered from the creek behind our home with bleach so they were clean enough for this!) The word represented the blessings their family has received and prayers that same blessing would serve as a foundation for Dora and her husband Steven as they grow their own family. They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. (Psalm 78:35)

When I think back on this day I reflect on why I love planning things like this. I love marking moments and creating memories.

A special if not a bit exhausting day! You know I would do it all again! Love all the girls involved, too!

Pictures at: http://chadmoon.com/slideshows/babyshower/

Find out more about Dora's work at http://www.vivabellaevents.com/

P.O.A.

I've been doing a lot of P.O.A. = Parental Over Analyzing. Luke's told me some interesting things lately about other kids. Like, "I don't want to play with him. He doesn't know things." When I asked him what he meant, he said, "He's bossy."(Before you stress...no, it's not your child, I wouldn't post something like this if I knew the parents might read!)

A couple days later he said about another kid he met. "I don't like X, he doesn't listen." I asked more to find out Luke doesn't like that the child doesn't listen to his parents.

Wow, these are pretty mature comments about acquaintances. I'm astounded and proud and completely confused about what to say about things like this. While astute, I don't want Luke to be judgmental or a know-it-all. I found myself muttering, "You know we all have things to work on." He didn't answer when I asked him a work-ish question, "What do you work on in yourself?"

Switch to soccer. Luke is on his first team with a local Y. He's gone to 1 game and 1 practice. He does well during drills and when the coach is working with him one on one. But he's also run to me and Chris at the sidelines saying, "I don't want to play, I am not as good as others. I trip on the ball." I try to explain that he can't compare himself to Santiago and Tomas on his team, sons of affluent ex-pats from Mexico whose agility makes them look like they've already won the junior world cup. Luke appears to be a patient competitor and only wants to play when he knows he can do well, he also likes to take time to assess a situation. He is a kid who knows his boundaries and doesn't take risks. Being thrown into anything like a Family Camp experience to soccer can throw him momentarily. We need to understand him, while not giving an out too quickly on an activity or a relationship.

It's obvious these parenting situations take a bit more finesse than say potty training. I've relied on my skills of persuasion and selling thus far. I've mastered the redirect. Now I have to step up and figure out more complex situations from a parenting perspective.

There are many times when I am charmed by Luke's awareness of things. We grocery shop together, he with a little cart, me with a bigger one. He likes to take things out of his cart and put the items on the check-out belt. Yesterday while doing that he went to set down some packaged ears of corn. "Ah, Mommy...this corn has a bug in it." I looked at it and he was indeed right. I would have never seen it. The Kroger employee looked at me and said, "He's unbelievable." And of course I know she's right!

4 & 44

August 23 is a day for not one, but two birthdays in our home. This year Luke turns 4 and Chris 44. Friends gathered at Jump Zone for time in the inflatables, pizza and cake. Luke's thing right now is Army men and jeeps so we added that as the theme. We and others came in our camo, but Chris trumped us all by donning one of his old military uniforms. Quite the hit! The battlefield decorated cake with edible rocks was pretty neat too.

Luke is a joy to watch interact with others and exclaim excitedly "Oh my gosh" after opening each and every gift he got.

We are really thankful to have connected with families who have children the same ages as ours through the church small group we've been in for the past year. While the kids are mostly girls, Luke doesn't mind and opts to follow a different pretty lady around almost every time we get together! Everyone noticed how well Mitchell looked as he is less bothered by his reflux since on his new medicine.

Thanks to everyone who came. We really had a great time! And HAPPY DAY to both Browning men.

Fun in Cleveland

When we weren't back and forth to the Clinic, we found time to do all sorts of fun things on the way-Eastside of Cleveland. Luke and the rest of us enjoyed visiting the old resort town of Geneva-on-the-Lake, putt-putting and paddleboating. Luke got to swim too. Chris and I found a couple opportunities to sneak out and visit the local wineries. Most of all it was just fun hanging out with my brother Craig and his family.

Cleveland Clinic Visit 2

I wish we had something definitive to report. On our second visit with the specialized neurologist, we got a deeper look at Mitchell's 3 brain MRIs. The more thorough explanation was somewhat telling, but still not diagnostic. Where we are big picture is that the doctor identified 5 possible causes for Mitchell's situation, adding that in 50% of the cases a reason remains unknown. Blood and urine tests were done at the Clinic on Wednesday and we're to have results in 6-8 weeks. In the meantime, we need to schedule a remaining test - the spinal tap - either in Cincinnati or back in Cleveland based on whether Cincinnati can package up the results in the manner our doctor requires. The spinal tap will uncover whether a neurotransmitter issue is at play. Some of the 5 possible causes have associated treatments, some do not.

Back to the MRI, we learned Mitchell actually has part of his corpus callosum absent rather than it merely being thin. The corpus callosum connects the right and left sides of the body within the brain. There also is evident some atrophy of white matter.

Mitchell's other test results were reviewed and it's not clear to this group that it's likely Mitchell has a mitochondrial disorder after all. The doctor felt that the probable diagnosis was reaching. But he has not rule it out entirely as tests have not totally caught up with all the manifestations out there.

So what now? We decided that if these tests come back normal, we'll take Mitchell for routine visits to the Clinic every 6 months and make the doctor we saw our primary neurologist. He is a specialist among specialists and as he said, he is on the cutting edge of discoveries in Mitchell's area of dysfunction. He'll be more aware of new findings that may apply to M and his recommendations more routine based on his normal patient log. Should we get a diagnosis by these tests, we will likely feel just as comfortable remaining with our Cincinnati neurologist.

(Bio of doc: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff_directory/6/staff_5900.aspx)

Emotionally, another roller coaster. But we are so glad we made this investment of time! We also felt very connected to others while there and know so many of you were praying for our family. Thank you for joining us in getting this quasi-medical education!

When I have more time I'll post about the fun with my brother's family we had between the appointment days and share pictures too!

Cleveland Clinic Visit Day 1

I know many are interested, so I'm posting from Cleveland...

We are very impressed with the Clinic. I had not been there since my mom had brain surgery to correct an unruptured aneurysm, and it’s now only bigger and more improved (the Clinic, not my mom's aneurysm!) As with my recent visit to Harvard University in Cambridge, I could sense being among smart people. The floor we went to was uncharacteristically not described. We were alone in the waiting room. We were escorted to a room promptly at our appointment time of 1:00 pm. Not exactly our typical hospital experience.

The Clinic is recognized as being #1 in Pediatric Neurology in Ohio, and the specialty focused on mitochondrial disorders one of only a few in the country. The doctor we saw regularly speaks at national conferences. We started at the beginning. He seemed to rule out and in possibilities very quickly. We focused on a genetic/DNA cause at first. He explained there could be a typo within how Mitchell’s book (or body) is written. Unfortunately tests today aren’t able to spell check very well. He's already has had a genetic micro-array test, but certain defects can be “fished” for. He recommended a couple blood tests. Next, we discussed possible primary and secondary mitochondrial causes. He said what we describes and he sees in Mitchell to be consistent with neurotransmitter dysfunction. That can be treated and improved, but confirmation comes from fluid from a spinal tap. He was going to review all of M’s records before our next appointment Wednesday, but he did send us off to get a full body scan of Mitchell’s bones to rule out that some of the pain he has isn’t coming from a fracture somehow.

Chris said it was being in sophomore classes and suddenly going to a senior level class. This guy was confident and more specific than others. He said he’s seen children like Mitchell and considers his developmental delays moderate. He says they have learned not to prescribe a prognosis when there is so much uncertainty until a child turns 5.

We feel good about coming. Cautiously optimistic. We at least will learn more about Mitchell over the next couple months as we already know some tests will take a month or two to schedule and have results.

On a GREAT note, we love M being on Prilosec vs Prevacid. There is a huge difference. He sleeps better, is more content and best of all he is starting to eat more like he used to. In fact, he took a 4 oz bottle of Pediasure this morning with no balk. Fantastic!

We couldn’t have done this without the help of Craig and Carli – my brother and sister-in-law. They took off work to watch Luke and support us. It’s so much fun to hang out and have our kids together. Big thanks!

Cutest Little Boy

Luke and I decided to sleep together on the night before I was leaving for a work trip. I was very tired and tried to get to bed without changing Luke into PJs. (C’mon…you’ve done this!) He was wearing an Ohio State nylon tank and shorts set that could pass for pajamas anyway. He was insisting he needed to change. I didn’t move, but he got up saying he was going to his room. I thought he decided to sleep there anyway. Nope. Brought back his Batman PJs. I chuckled and said, “You are funny. Grandma said I was just like you when I was younger. I wanted things the way I wanted them.”

He paused as I started getting him out of his shorts then said, “You know, I bet you were the cutest little girl.”

I melted and said, “Now what made you say such a sweet thing like that?”

He answered, “I just used my imagination.”

My heart is still warm thinking of his compliment and of course his obvious brilliance!

Mitchie Quickie

Took Mitchie to see his pediatrician today. She's a good navigator of specialists and a little navigation is just what we need. She took action with some small things - we're going to switch from giving him Prevacid to Prilosec. We're allowed to give some antacids when needed. And she let us know he might be more fussy because he's getting 4 molars at once (didn't realize that), so we should give Tylenol a little more liberally if we think it helps.

Greenhills Class of 1984 Reunion

For Chris it's been his 25th reunion weekend with the usual festivities - Friday night out, Saturday golf and an event with spouses Saturday night. Chris graduated with some very nice people some like Sandy, Ken and Brad we see when we can...

Chris was known to be quite an athlete. He excelled at running and was known to be quite fast. Here he is with his good friend Brad then and now. Notice as I did how Chris' hairstyle would work as well today as it did then!!!

While Chris reconnected, some of us looked at the school newsletters from 1984. Fun to see this...

All and all a very nice time. Greenhills forever. Winton Woods never!

Hammer Time

Luke was asked to join our friend and Mitchie's Godfather, Hammer to his kid-focused company picnic on Friday. He came home with his face painted and all sorts of goodies he couldn't wait to show us. Thanks Hammer!

Accessible Design

I don't send all that many letters, I just like notecards, notepads, writing paper - particularly if it is monogrammed or personalized! I even like most of the pretty packages of paper items you can get from the $1 section at Michael's crafts. I've occasionally given a set of 3 things from this section...like at set matching post-its, notepad and notecards... for a small, but cute hostess gift.

There are more and more creative websites popping up that make sending customized and well-designed "papers" so much more easy. Here are some I really like:

http://www.pingg.com/ - a little more stylish and cleaner Evite. I like that you can send a communication through pingg and not have RSVPs.

http://www.paperlesspost.com/ - new, this one has some grand visuals. I love the look of letterpress and options abound, but is it worth $.25 stamps to send an email invitation void of advertising clutter? Depends.

http://www.expressionery.com/ - this site provides casual, personalized notecards and list papers, with a lot of options for children. Regularly, there are 40-50% discount offers.

http://www.walgreens.com/ - silly, I created imprinted paper pads for Luke from their photo area because I thought Luke had to have his own writing paper for communication with preschool teachers, grandparents and others! ($7.99 each)

http://www.poseprints.com/ - love this one! So easy to make images in a person's likeness.

For cred, one I didn't like as much is www.fabulousstationery.com Supposedly Gwyneth Paltrow uses this site, but I was disappointed in the output that had a great design, but looked like it was printed out on a basement inkjet printer.

Phew - didn't know I knew of so many of these sites!

Weekend with Grandpas

Saturday we had fun with Pop Pop Montagner at the Reds game (great seats, see our vantage below!) and Sunday we had fun with Grandpa Browning at The Beach water park.

Here was our home-boy Luke pre-dinner at the game.

And here is the poser post-pizza!

Once a year friends host an event at the water park when admission is discounted. Even though the skies started out gray and the temperature cool, we were determined to go. Luckily the skies cleared up as expected.

Luke had a ball on the slides and rafts.

And hammed it up for picture-taking Mom as he floated by.

Thanks Grandpa Bobs for 2 great summer days!

Interesting Finds

They are everywhere! Luke likes to set up and hide his Army men anywhere and everywhere in our house. Here are some recent ones I've come across. He has dark green, light green and beige characters, even some pink ones. (source: China by way of $1 aisle at Target)