Friendships

It has been brought to my attention lately, by numerous people, that I haven't blogged in a very long time. And it is absolutely true. It's been since Feb 2013. So much has happened in the past 9 months. Heck I could have had a baby! I didn't though! Caroline had her teeth done, which was in the last blog, she had her tonsils and adenoids out, Robert Joseph turned 2!, and Caroline had her 3rd surgery putting 2 new rods in her legs. Needless to say, we have been slightly busy in the Browne home. Not that our crazy busy life is crazier and busier than others. I am not saying that at all. And it's not that I haven't had a lot to say. I usually just say it to myself while I'm driving. Yes, I am that mom that talks to herself while she drives. And to tell you the truth, we have just had so much going on that I didn't want to sound like an exhausted mom who is looking for a pity party, because that's not true. I love my life. I love my husband, my 2 beautiful kids and of course, our sweet dog who is definitely aging and over dealing with kids! But something has been pulling at me to blog again. It's literally been on the top of my brain, if that makes sense, for a couple weeks now. But where would I start? What would I say? Would I sound desperate? Would I sound tired? Would people roll their eyes? But then yesterday I had this overwhelming deja vu. I was texting with a college friend, who just received news that her sweet son had a rare disease as well and she was just given the official diagnosis. It literally stopped me in my tracks and all these emotional feelings came over me. I remembered being in our genetics doctors office when Caroline was just 5 days old and having this horrible lump in my throat. I remember hearing at the orthopedics office that she might never walk. I remember thinking this is the worst case scenario that we were kind of told about. How could this happen to me? Yes, I have done many wrong things in my life, but surely GOD is not repaying me this way? I would rather take a bullet than watch my child endure this life. And as I was texting my friend with my little advice, I kept thinking how is this happening? How can in our small group of friends could 2 of us have kids with rare diseases? And of the 2 of us with these children, why us? Why not, so and so? I have no idea. I do not have the answers. I don't believe me and my friend are any stronger than our other friends. But here we are. I guess all we can do is continue praying, continue being our children's voice and advocate. It is times like yesterday that make me realize how important my family really is to me. Yes, Robert is all boy and 2 and he drives me batty sometimes, but he's still just 2 and I have just a few more years with him before he goes off to school and doesn't want to hug me anymore. Or ask for a kiss every time he has a boo-boo. And Caroline is already at big girl school! She actually took her lunch to school today and as I saw her walk out the door with Web to go to school I got teary eyed thinking this time next year she'll be at school ALL DAY, not just a few hours in the morning. So, instead of dwelling on this rare diseased child we have, we need to enjoy the time we have with our kids. Our future is going to be rough and tough, but it's also going to be blessed. And really what more could a mom ask for? Love to all! And of course, I had to add a couple pictures of the kiddos! They really do love each other and are best friends! (for now at least!!) 4th of July: Wishbone Day: Waiting to swim: Dancing: Robert is 2: Caroline is 4:

2 in one week?!?

Hi! Just a quick update on our Sweet Caroline. We finally found a pediatric dentist that we not only like, but who will do proactive surgery on Caroline! She will be getting silver caps on her 8 molars in the back of her mouth. The top 6 teeth will get crowns as well but the front facing crown will be white. The bottom 6 teeth will have crowns, but we aren't sure if they will be crowns with white facing or a "strip". The crown is our 1st pick because of the stability of a crown, but her teeth are small and wearing down so he isn't sure if he has small enough crowns that would work. He is also going to talk to a pediatric dentist in Atlanta, GA that we suggested who has done surgery on other OI children. He was more than willing to call that doctor. This dentist was recommended to us from OI Clinic in Omaha. He went to school there and is familiar with the OI clinic and knows Dr. Esposito personally. So we feel very good about this doctor. It's amazing how a little faith and prayers will finally send you the right person. And I flat out told him, that it is mainly a vanity issue for me. Caroline deserves a pretty smile. At first, we talked about keeping her lower teeth as is, and just see where it goes. But we want to do one surgery, and be done. Now you're probably asking yourselves why do this surgery on baby teeth? Yes, it is quite a bit of $ for teeth that will be gone in 3-4 years. Caroline already has an upper tooth that all the enamel is gone. And she has a lower tooth that the enamel is chipping away. It's kind of like OI. It's not a matter of if she will have another break but when. It's not a matter of if another tooth will chip, but when. If all of her teeth follow the same direction, Caroline would have "nubs" and she could also have permanent nerve damage. So we are going to bite the bullet. We can just continue to pray that her permanent teeth will not have DI, but if they do, then we'll deal with that just like everything else! We are very lucky that her teeth have never stopped her from eating. We know of other sweet kids, who are very picky eaters, because their teeth hurt too much to eat. And now that they have had this surgery they are thriving! I can't imagine what Caroline will eat next. Probably more ice, suckers and heaven knows what other hard candy she can get her hands on. Caroline will be having this surgery the 6th of March and from what we have been told, she should be ready to eat the following day! Crossing fingers and toes! Love to all! Kristine While I am here, I'm going to post of the kids last month in Santa Fe sledding in the driveway. They had so much fun!

Boo! Gobble Gobble! Ho Ho Ho! Happy New Year!!

Well I have no excuse. It's been since October since my last post. OCTOBER! Hence my title of this post. I'm trying to hit all holidays at once! We have had a very quiet last couple of months. /KNOCKING ON ALL THE WOOD IN THE HOUSE/ Caroline is thriving in her walking, dancing, she is even doing yoga. Robert is HUGE. There is no other word to describe him. But he is seriously the sweetest boy ever. He loves to blow kisses and give hugs. I can't wait for him to start talking and hearing him and Caroline have conversations. Right now, they have their own language. That and they also know how to make each other tick. Which is normal, which is exactly what I am going for these days. We are also about to have a "normal" surgery. Caroline is getting her tonsils out! She snores likes no ones business, and only breathes out of her mouth. We are hoping once we nip this in the bud then she will start sleeping better. Her snoring is waking her up in the middle of the night! As most moms would be, I am nervous. It's a different nervous this time though. I know she needs this surgery, but it's the unknown. Our wonderful surgeon in Omaha has done surgeries on numerous of our OI friends and we trust him wholeheartedly. Our ENT surgeon, we just don't know him that well. I trust him but still I'm nervous! Today when we saw with him I asked him to please not break her jaw when he takes out her tonsils. Who says that?!?! Me. I have no filter sometimes. I can only imagine what I'll say to the anesthesiologist the morning of the surgery! DO NOT BREAK HER ARM! Anyways, life at the Browne house is loud, chaotic and cluttered with toys! Just how I like it! Please keep Caroline in your prayers for her tonsil surgery on Thursday, and prayers for my sanity for those short 45 minutes! And while you're at it, prayers that Robert understands Caroline won't want to play for a couple days after and Web's sanity too! Love to all! Kristine