Crazy Month of Travel

Well, we will actually be back in New Mexico in a few days after spending basically the entire month on the road. It has been a pretty stressful month for the both of us, but especially Mimi. We started in San Diego getting in on the 3rd so I could recruit while Mimi worked from my mom's house. We were going to stay out in San Diego until the 20th or so then fly to Iowa, but then Mimi learned of her Mom's emergency brain surgery so she flew out asap on the 11th. I got out to Iowa on the 19th. Luckily everything turned out well, and Mimi's mom recovered and was her normal self when I got there. Both Mimi and I continued to work from Iowa, I am taking a break right now from watching film and making recruiting calls while we wait for our flight from the Omaha airport to Phoenix. We will get home around 11:00 PM tonight, do a little family deal in San Diego tomorrow morning then head out for Silver City in the afternoon. It will be nice to get home and have a few days to relax (in between film and recruiting calls), and it will be really nice for Mimi who is getting bigger by the day with a growing Caden in her belly.

--ADAM

Cool article on my Dad from the AEA

Dave Krupke Receives Highest Honor

On October 29, 2010 Dave Krupke, Speech-Language Pathologist, received Honors of the Association from the Iowa Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ISHA). This Honor is the highest recognition given by the ISHA; only 30 people have received the award since ISHA was formed in 1947. The award is given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions, over a significant period of time) to the fields of Speech Pathology and Audiology in the state of Iowa, as well as nationally.

Award winners must first be nominated by someone who already holds the Honor of the Association. Once appropriate information is collected the nomination is presented to the Executive Board of ISHA. If approved, the award is given at ISHA’s annual convention.

Dave Krupke received this award for the following contributions over the past 40 years:

• Worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist in Iowa Public Schools
• Worked as a Clinical Supervisor at Augustana College, the University of Iowa, and currently St. Ambrose University
• Served as ISHA’s Vice President for Schools
• Presented over 100 seminars, workshops, and conventions on a wide variety of professional topics
• Recognized by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for his expertise in the area of technology and appointed to the Committee on Educational Technology

In the mid 1980’s Dave was instrumental in convincing ISHA in the need to embrace technology. He, along with some others, created ISHA Computer Resource Group (now known as the ISHA Technology Resource Committee). Dave taught workshops, published newsletters, wrote articles, and shared his knowledge to help ISHA feel more comfortable with technology and how it could be used.

Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists in the state of Iowa have benefitted tremendously from Dave Krupke’s knowledge and will continue to benefit from his many contributions. Please congratulate Dave when you see him.

Happy being home

It's nice to be back in Iowa.  Although it's super cold, it's nice to have be taken care of and to be around my family.  Everyone is relaxing and having a good time!

Adam enjoying an edible arrangement

Carrie and Ella

Me working

Mom and Molly

Healthy Mom

Great results!  Happy Mom

Today my Mom had another CT scan-it came back GREAT!  Her brain is aligned like it should be and there were no signs of anything leaking!  She had her stitches and staple out and doesn't need to come back for another 3-4 weeks.  We are so blessed!
 

Gerard watching the stitches coming out

 

 

 

 

Blood Work

Great news today.  My mom's blood work came back normal-this was fantastic news!!!  We're so happy and blessed!  Next week we will go to Iowa City to try to figure out what caused all of this.  Thanks for the prayers!

1 entire week

1 week ago today my Mom had brain surgery!  It's unbelievable and she's still recovering but I'm so thankful she is still here with us.  We have a long way to go until we figure out what has caused this but all I care about now is spending time with her and her little dog.

Hilarious Pregnancy Photos

OMG so I thought these were so hilarious.  I copied this from the blog of Pregnant Chicken another baby blog and thought it was hilarious.

 

Adam and I want to get some photos taken and I can only hope they will be as good as below.

 

Enjoy!  

"Karen, seeing as you're pregnant, let's put you at the top of the family photo where the air is thinner. Karen? Karen?!?!"

I can appreciate what they were trying to do here but if your Christmas photo looks like it should have a "becka, becka, bow wow" soundtrack playing in the background, then you may want to reconsider the card.

I can't decide whether I like the garbage bag dress, the swamp or his black socks in the water better.

"That's it, Steve. A little further back, a little further. Now crouch down. Perfect!" I think the ex-boyfriend may have been the photographer in this one.

This reminds me of a picnic. A good idea in theory but an uncomfortable mess in practice.

Words can't describe this photo. Oh wait a minute, they can!

Okay, part of me doesn't have a problem with this photo but the toe shoes are the real kicker. Ha kicker!

"It's going to be a good year, Laura. A very Goodyear indeed."

A fertile man that provides for his family. What more could you want?

At first I thought "Nothing symbolizes maternity better than a watermelon and a gun" and then I thought "Actually, nothing *does* symbolize maternity better than a watermelon and a gun". Bravo Mad'am.
Like the previous Christmas card, if it looks skeezy when nobody is pregnant, then a baby bump ain't saving it so don't do it. A helpful holiday tip we can all tuck in our pockets.

"If I'm holding the baby then why do I still feel fat?"

Um, yeah. No. I'm just going to go with a solid no on this one.

Why do I feel like this woman was talked into this? I could see her thinking, "I'm just too tired to argue plus the kids won't be able to take off because hockey equipment will slow them down and I'll hold their heads. I'm sure it will look fine."

So get out there with your cameras and document your blossoming belly, you crazy gals! Happy snappin'!



Update on Sunday, December 12, 2010 at 6:35PM by Pregnant Chicken

A few people have past along some other great photos and I just had to share.
 
First let me say that this couple probably had one of the cutest babies on the planet because they have the sweetest faces but I just love how she's looking at him tenderly while stealing his gun. There simply aren't enough pregnancy/gun pictures.


When I first saw this I was beyond WTF? (and I went to art college) but then I was so damn impressed with this guys agility that I'd rock this over the fireplace!! With a gun, of course. On a separate note, the site that this was pulled from has some really beautiful photographs.

 
Lastly, I wanted to show you all a brilliant shots that these adoptive parents did. To see the whole series, check out the photographer's site. Do you think they would adopt me too because I love them. It's no naked headstand, but I love them.

Baby Thursday!

25 weeks

WOW, I'm starting to get really huge I feel.  Caden has been moving like crazy kicking and moving his arms all around.  I can now tell the difference b/w his kicks and his hands.  His kicks are much more powerful and his little punches feel like he's trying to dig his way out of my belly.  It feels cool and I'm getting more and more excited to see him.

Here is some info from our Baby Center-it provides me with my weekly updates.

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

Last time we went to our doctor (which was before Thanksgiving, Caden was already a foot long and 1 lb.  So, I'm sure he's done a ton of growing since then!

Day 3 Brain Recovery

My Mom has been doing better, but VERY weak, she is being too active.  I'm sure it's hard with me being 6 months pregnant and her being restricted to a lot of activity.  I had to make her to go bed the other night, but last night she was very tired and went to bed on her own at around 8:30 or so.  We changed her head dressing and her scars are healing well and even some hair is budding on them!  She has about 7-8 stitches in each incision and 1 staple where she had her 'brain drain' tube.  I think with much rest and being around Molly will help her make a speedy recovery.  We do to the doctor next Wed for a follow up CT Scan and then Thursday for blood work follow up. Today is kind of hard for her as she is feeling some neck pain and overall weakness.  I think being helpless is the hardest part for her as she want to take care of herself and feels bad asking for assistance.  She has a little dizziness today but is going to eat and rest a bit.

Thank you everyone for your kind words and prayers!

Really meant to put LEFT Side

Molly ready for winter keeping Mom company

QC Eats!

So far I've gotten a lot of my favorite food places checked off my list.  I've introduced Caden to the Happy Joe's Taco Pizza (one of my top favorites), Fortune Garden (my #1 favorite) and Hungry Hobo.

Sizzling Rice SOUP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The first night I came into town we brought back taco pizza to eat in the hospital, it lasted about 2 days which was awesome-I've been craving a taco pizza ever since I got pregnant.  It was so so so good.  I love eating.  Then tonight Auntie Kate and I went to Fortune Garden.  I was in heaven.  I love their sizzling rice soup and everything about that place.  I swear I've gotten the exact same thing for the past 20+ years there.  Although I didn't see our regular waiter (maybe he's moved on) and the large Buddah was gone in the corner, the food was just the same-AMAZING.



Next items on my list:
-Granite City
-Author's Deli
-Filling Station
-Fortune Garden again
...just to name a few.

Day 2 of being home

Yesterday my mom slept most the afternoon and I TRIED to make her relax, but all she could do was go back to doing her usual worrying and mothering.   She was trying to buy furniture, email church things and make sure Molly was OK.  I finally made her go to bed around 8 or so.  She was just trying to do too much.  She slept all through the night with Molly and woke up around 6-she said she had a great night sleep.  I'm sure it was much better than being in the hospital and listen to her neighbor scream out numbers.  This guy kept saying, "87, 88, 89" super loud and we just kept laughing.

Today, she will hopefully rest more and we may make a trip out together to get her mail.  I was talking to her like Blitz and said, "you wanna go for a car ride, Mom???" it was funny, but she didn't have the same reaction as our dog Blitz...her but wiggled less.

All in all I think she is mostly emotional drained and physically drained, but she is doing 100% better!

HOME!

After getting the good news for home

 We finally got the news today that Mom could go home!  We were so excited!  The cat scan came back great.  Her brain re-aligned and there was no sign of blood or leakage!  Her brain had shifted to the left 1/2 centimeter.  We compared the 2 scans, the one from Friday and the one from today and there was a HUGE difference.  We will go back next week for another scan and follow up with her other doctors to make sure no cancer came back.  This was truly a miracle!  Thank you all for prayers!

How is Caden holding up during all of this?  Just perfect.  He's happy to finally hear his Grandma's voice.

Finally reunited with Molly!  At peace!

Brain Surgery

Friday afternoon I got a startling call from my Mom.  She has just left her MRI and was headed straight to the ER for emergency brain surgery.  She didn't know much information and she was very shaken up so I talked to her friend and I was at a loss.  I hung up the phone and I was in shock.  I had no idea what was going on and I was clear in San Diego and didn't know what to do.  After several hours of texting and calling other friends of hers I immediately booked the first flight out of Iowa.

My Mom was rushed into surgery for brain surgery.  My brother and his wife Carrie were rushing from Des Moines to the hospital to try to see her before she went into surgery.  Luckily my Mom was not alone and she had a lot of her friends there surrounding her to help her get prepared for surgery.  The priest came and gave her a last blessing and just as he was finishing my brother and Carrie made it in.  They were able to talk to her for about 5 minutes before she went into surgery.  My Mom mostly talked about where to find things if something happened to her, it must have been terrifying for my brother to listen to that.  How do you take in information you parent is giving you like they may not return.  He was strong though and kept me updated on the surgery.  I'm so glad and thankful that he and Carrie made it in.

Head wrap getting taken off

My Mom had what is called a subdural chronic hematoma-which was not even the worst of it.  The entire thing caused her brain to shift completely from her left side to her right side.  She had about 6-8 weeks of blood and fluids accumulated in there.  The surgeon drilled 3 holes into my mom's head-2 on the right side and one on the left side.  He said when they finally were able to drain, the fluids rushed out like crude oil.  The procedure went as well as it possibly could thanks to the awesome surgeon.  The cause of this is still unknown.  She had no trauma, she had just been having horrible headaches (which after 3 doctors was finally resolved as everyone told her she had ear infections!)

I was able to get in at about 5pm to the hospital the next day (Saturday).  She looked great for just having brain surgery!  I stayed with her until she fell asleep then I made my way back to her house.  It was freezing cold and a blizzard was coming.  Windchill was about -5 below.  Horrible horrible weather!

3 cuts and 1 hole for the tube

Over the last few days I've been spending time at the hospital taking care of my Mom.  My brother and Carrie left Sunday afternoon-it was great having them here to help take care of my Mom's dog Molly, her and Ella loved playing together and kept each other company.  My mom was thankful to have their support too.

New scarf!

She has been recovering well and got the tube (we call it the brain drain) out yesterday (Monday).  She had a little more than a 1/2 cup of blood that had accumulated but the doctor felt comfortable taking it out.  This morning she had another cat scan to see how things were going up there...right now we are (or at least I am) patiently waiting the results, my mom on the other hand is very jittery like usual.  Everything is a waiting game and we just are thankful that she has made it and is here with us right now.  It is a scary thought to have something happen like this so quickly.  I'm just thankful that everything has gone well so far.  It's just another reason way you should cherish every moment you have and not take anything for granted.

Thank you so much to every ones prayers and thoughts headed our way, I greatly appreciate it!

Finally the weekend!

I'm so happy it's finally the weekend.  I've been working in San Diego this week at Adam's Mom's house and it's been so beautiful outside-it's hard to get any work done.  I just want to be outside and sunbathe.  It's supposed to be 80-90's this weekend.  So I plan to take Blitz and Caden to the beach and tan all day long.  Adam will be recruiting of course, but at least he only has to work from 11-6pm tomorrow  on home visits, much better than his 14hr days.  It's so nice being back in a big city and having stuff to do around the town.  Tonight I think we are making Ginger bread houses with Jon, Cory and Petra-hopefully Adam will be back in time to join.  

After that Monday, I am headed back to Denver for work and a baby shower!  I'm so excited!!  It will be my first baby shower.  I can't believe that the year is almost over and before we know it our little baby will be here :).  

The 19th we fly back to Iowa for the holidays and will be there until the 30th.  It's been so long since I've seen my family-except my Dad who came out for a football game.  I'm excited to see them, I'm sure they will be surprised on how big my belly is!  Caden has been moving around and kicking like crazy still.  I have been feeling really well and I caught up on some sleep last night.  I think i was in bed by about 7pm.  

PS I officially can't zip my jeans anymore-LOL

The cutest booties in the world

Jill and Jon-Christmas Time!

Yesterday Jill, Jon and I went to see some Christmas trees and hidden in all the stuff were the cutest football booties EVER.  I'm totally going to have Caden wear them home form the hospital.

San Diego

Well we made it safely back to San Diego again!  I decided to take the venture with Adam and work out in San Diego while he recruited.  He was going to be gone too long and I was going to miss him too much so I decided to take the plunge.

We got in around 10:30 on Sat night.  The ride went will except for all the bathroom breaks of course.  We decided to take all the pets and for the first part of our trip we are staying with Adam's Mom.  She set a little room up for Java as Ellie (their cat) and Java won't mix well.  Java is pretty much scared of everything and not the nicest cat in the world.  Blitz was excited as usual to see everyone.

Blitz, Beach, Baby and us

Sunday Adam, Jon and myself all went to the beach to take Blitz for a swim.  Cory, Mark, Petra and Bosco (their dog) all met us up later too.  Blitz swam for about 2 hours and was so sore and tired after wards.  Jill made him a little bed the next day for recovery.

Blitz's Beach swim

SO HAPPY!

Grandma's bed for Blitz for his recovery after his swim.

Blitz and Bosco-best friends and cousins

Petra making a sand angel

CAKE!

Later that day we celebrated Jon's (Adam's older brother) birthday.  It was really fun.  The entire family came over and we ate some awesome home cooked (compliments of Jill) Mexican food and hung out. 

Lynn, Jill and Birthday boy Jon

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Adam, June, Jim, Cory, Brent and Mark

Now, it's back to work for both of us.  I'm working out of Jill's office and Adam's is recruiting all day!