Life the Broberg Way: July 2012

Jul 31, 2012

Ventura Beach Day 4)

Just enjoying the beach and always being SILLY!

Mom and Asher being Aliens at Chiptole

Jul 24, 2012

So yesterday we had our appointment with Loma Linda Medical for Tate's pediatric cardiology appointment. Thus far we had been at Rady Children's Hospital running tests and our next step was a sedated echo (I was nervous about the sedation) but we wanted to try to change over to L.L. since we knew it wasn't as urgent as first assumed and it was closer to home.

So by myself with the 3 kids I attempted to attend what I thought was just an intake appointment. But I was actually happy when they decided to just run ALL his tests that day to see what was going on, I wanted this, so was pleased. So I did the EKG, x-rays, etc. by myself with the 3 kids and it got a ~~lot~~ little crazy.

Asher putting a penny in Tate's mouth, was the straw that broke the camel's back.

So Ned rushed out early from work (which he really couldn't do) but my knight in shinning armor always comes through when I need him. So he was there in no time to take the 2 rascals while I was able to stay with Tate while they performed his Echo. (Which they did NOT sedate him for). They said they would try it without sedation first and see how he did and only if he screamed too hard then they would sedate. I was SO happy at this point. Getting this test done, no sedation, and Ned had the big kids! Maybe Tate could sense my happiness because he was AWESOME!

He was just happy as a clam!

Seriously the only issue we had with him moving was because he was laughing and talking and smiling SO much! He was just chatting it up with the tech and she LOVED him and just kept commenting on how cute and good he was and how she wanted to take him home!

So diagnosis is:

Pulmonary Valve Stenosis (mild case)

Technical Information: Pulmonary valve stenosis is a heart valve disorder in which outflow of blood from the right ventricle of the heart is obstructed at the level of the pulmonic valve. This results in the reduction of flow of blood to the lungs. Valvular pulmonic stenosis accounts for 80% of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

Lame Man Explanation: the tissue/flap allowing blood through is VERY thick on one side so the blood has to work extra hard to push through that "gate" (thus causing the heart murmur or sound the doctors hear). It will not get "better" but typically in his mild case his body will catch up with it and no future issues. Worse case scenario is it will get worse and he would need invasive surgery to expand or repair (but only a 2% case that it would get worse).

from our doctor

So from here...we go back to the doctor in 6 months to do the tests all over again to see how he is progressing. If normal (or no changes) then again in a year. If normal again after a few years we can start about every 2 years for life. But no impairment on his future activities, heart issues, etc.

Glad to know all this and blessed to be where we are today!

Jul 17, 2012

Day 3 (My Broken Toe)

So we spent MANY a day (I think we did it everyday) going on the Pirate Ship Zip Line, which was only 2 minutes (tops) walking from the house and beach.

Ned on top getting Asher going

Ella on the zip line (who was a wimpy, and tried to jump off mid run her first time alone).

Asher looked SO tiny flying across, people thought we were evil sending him off alone on it, but he of course LOVED it and did it OVER and OVER.

I also am pretty darn wimpy but my 1st time across I leaned back really far and when I hit the tire at the end my pinkie toe hit just right and broke. It hurt so bad I wanted to cry (but I didn't!) but even worse I was so dizzy for about 10 minutes and thought I was gonna puke. But the next day I knew I had to get back on and do it again so my kids would not be scared and would keep doing it.

Warning this video may be disturbing (not my broken toe time) just after I got back on, I am a nerd..

Ned and I also happened to celebrate our 8th Anniversary while on the trip, we are extremely romantic so we snuck out that night to see MIB, and I DID cry. But I did tell him for our 25th that I wanted THIS house. Which has THIS view.

More pictures of our FUN!

Jul 14, 2012

Ventura Beach HOUSE - Day 2

I stand corrected. We did NOT go beach "camping" it was a HOUSE, so I tried to cheat a little bit but didn't get away with it. And although I actually LOVE camping, it was VERY nice to have a washer & dryer, nice beds and fresh linens, a full KITCHEN (ahhh), television, chargers for electronics, and all the amenities that camping does not afford.

On day two of our vacation we decided to celebrate fathers day. Just in case you don't know I still LOVE HIM!!! I mean how sweet to OFTEN find this happening in our home OR on vacation. They love their Daddy and I have to agree he is the BEST!

We also ate at Wood Ranch which had excellent food, the rolls about killed me with JOY! But we had horrible service, it was actually comical and we will forever remember our two monies ($$) service! Can you tell Ella loves her Nana & Boppie?

BTW (ALL my pictures from this trip are on my iPhone, I forgot my good camera at home) but at least I had this camera, don't know what I would do without it now!

We then took a walk on the pier which Asher and Ella had a grand time posing like crazy.

Jul 12, 2012

Ventura Beach Camping - Day 1

We were so fortunate this year to snag the beach house in Ventura or Marina Park aka Pirate Park as my kids call it. The long of it IS: Ned's cousin (GK)'s wife (Susanna)'s parents & siblings own a few beach houses they only rent to family. So since we are family we were lucky enough to get in on beach front property for an entire week. Yeah! Thanks (in short) to my cousin Susanna!

My parents were able to come with us on our week getaway which was nice for our kids to have Nana & Boppie all to themselves. They had great bonding and great fun. The kids LOVE to make Nana "Pants" laugh and lots of soda from the Boppie.

So we spent day one just getting settled in, walking the beach, eating at Seaward Fish & Chips (which had good reviews on Yelp) and we agreed.

Then we drove around downtown Ventura getting our bearings and took everyone to our secret spot up the hills to look out over the ocean and city. It was beautiful!