Funny things from Thursday

Yesterday Quinlynne had an allergy skin testing done. She was pitching a fit, she thought it was going to really hurt. I finally bribed her with Mozzarella Sticks from Sonic. She loves those. I had to take this picture so she could actually see what was going on back there.Turns out, she does not have any allergies. I know!! Weird, huh? The child does have some sinus issues, and she will most likely develop allergies as she gets older. She has vasomotor rhinitis. I'd never heard of it. The CT scan did show that she has some chronic sinus infection that has most likely been up in there for a while. She also has this inflamed area on her septum which severely impedes the flow of oxygen. We're supposed to use a nasal spray to try to reduce the inflammation.

Last night as my sister in-law & I were in the living room talking, we banned Quinlynne & Abby to Quin's room. They decided they were going to clean the room. Whatever- as long as they were out of our hair. It wasn't until I heard something being sprayed in the room that I was concerned. I asked Quinlynne what she was spraying. "It's that stuff in the bathroom that we spray after we poop." She meant Lysol. I had to contain myself.

Adorable sayings

I wanted to write down some things Quinlynne has said recently so I didn't forget them.

We went to have a CT scan of Quinlynne's sinuses on Tuesday. I was trying to prepare her for how it would work. She, of course, was concerned with whether she was going to be poked with any needles. Anticipating that she would not need any contrast for a scan I told her NO. I told her how she would lie on a table and the table would slide back & forth into a big machine, but only her head. I had referred to it as either a CT scan or a CAT scan. She was asking questions, like if it was going to be like the x-ray she had when she broke her arm. She says "Momma, am I going to have to remove my clothing?" Now I ask you, what 5 year old says things like 'remove my clothing'? So, we get to the children's hospital and check in. As we're sitting there waiting, Quinlynne says "Momma, is my kitty x-ray going to hurt?" Inside, I was dying. I thought it was hilarious. As it ends up, we had to walk over to the radiology department in the main hospital (There was no tech to come over to the Children's hospital to perform the scan.) for her scan. So, I made Quinlynne tell the people there what she was there for. The lady at the window thought it was so cute, but didn't let on that she thought it was hilarious. She went to get the other ladies in the office & had Quinlynne tell them the name of her procedure. It then evolved to a Kitty Scan. Too cute, I tell you.

Last night I made stir fry. It's nothing too fancy. I just throw in onions, bell peppers, garlic, polish sausage, and then some portobello mushrooms. I had cut the mushrooms into chunks. I then served it with some pasta (rigatoni) I had boiled with chicken flavor bullion. As I dished it up and gave it to Quinlynne, she said "Momma, I don't want the dead meat." I thought that was what she said. I looked at her bowl to see what in the heck she was talking about. She was pointing to the mushrooms & again said "Momma, I don't want the dead meat. Ya know- this dead chicken right here." I have no clue where she has seen chicken look like that. But- apparently she has.

How cute is this?

Last weekend my brother's family was down. One of my nieces always calls the sofa as her bed. Well, I was walking through the living room to take something to the laundry room and this is what I saw:
How cute is that? Izzy & Abby cuddled right up together. I tell ya- those kids make me smile at times.

I'm sorry I haven't been posting anything really. And when I tell you my excuse you'll just roll your eyes. You know I'm in my last semester (hopefully) of nursing school. It sucks. Plain and simple. There is light at the end of the tunnel- but I am completely unmotivated & that's difficult because the majority of our lectures & everything are things we have to do on our own time. NOT happy. But, there's no use crying over something which is not going to be changed.

Quinlynne has said some pretty cute things lately. Yesterday morning I was trying to sleep in, and I was in the recliner in the living room. Q had the TV on the Disney channel I get so tired of that being on constantly & Q knows this. She said "You don't want it on the Disney channel, Momma? No problem!" And she turned it to Nickelodeon. Oh yes- what a huge difference. Then today Mom and I were walking through the living room and Q was watching TV. We all commented on something that was cute. (I wish I could remember what it was. Apparently I've got early onset Alzheimer's.) Mom & I were in the kitchen and we heard Quinlynne say "You know that, Grandi!" (Instead of 'you know it'!)

5 year old?

I absolutely cannot believe my baby just turned 5 years old. Where on earth has the time gone? I know that before too long I'll be saying "I can't believe my baby is 15." I mean seriously. On Sunday night I had to break the Sabbath. After she was in bed I ran to Wal-Mart to get some cupcakes for her to take to school & celebrate her birthday. I came back & she was fast asleep in her bed. I crawled in her bed with her, admiring how beautiful she and her little spirit are. I had to feel how soft her skin is, and how soft & curly & beautiful her hair is. I started remembering what I had been doing exactly 5 years ago at that time. I cried. I cannot believe I cried. Seriously- am I going to cry like this every time I realize how much she's growing?

I remember after they removed that lovely catheter, I could not urinate. I promised the nursing staff that if I could walk down to the nursery I'd be able to make that bladder work. So, I shuffled to the nursery (in my new robe) and stood there and admired what a beautiful human being Heavenly Father had blessed me with. I could not believe He trusted me with such a beautiful, precious, special spirit. How the Lord must love me, and He knows me....and He still trusts me with this little beauty? I still feel those feelings, and they make me cry. (After I got back to the room, I did produce what the nurses were after.)

So, like other people do, I will write 5 things about Quinlynne in honor of her 5th birthday.

1. "Momma, why does your hair feel like wood right here?"

2. "When I grow up I want to be a hair cutter. Then I can wear jeans, flip flops and a long-sleeve-up shirt every day to work."

3. She weighed 7 lbs 4 oz at birth and was 19 inches long. I made them weigh & measure her again. "Ugh- look at me. I'm not exactly a small girl." (Also, at birth, the brief glimpse I got of her at the time they removed her from my uterus, she looked totally like an all white baby. Not at all what I expected. I thought to myself "Huh- maybe he was right....he didn't have anything to do with it.")

4. Despite being poked 6 times to get my spinal block done & the final product imparing my lung function, I love Quinlynne anyway. (Also- when she was brought into me from the nursery for the first time- I held her for about 30 seconds and was done. I asked if anyone else wanted to hold her. I just wanted to sleep.)

5. Quinlynne began sleeping through the night at 2 weeks. NEVER had any problems with her waking up during the night and needing attention. Now she wakes up nearly every night and needs help with something or other.

6. (One to grow on) Quinlynne's hair did not start curling until she was 9 months old.

7. (A pinch to grow an inch.) "Momma, I want an iPhone for my birthday." "No, Quinlynne." "Okay Momma, you get one & then you can let me use it."

I LOVE YOU, Momma's Precious!

Fishin'

A couple of weeks ago Quinlynne went fishing for the first time. Unfortunately for me, it was during a weekend when I couldn't walk without the aide of a cane, and did not eat or drink anything because that would lead to other bodily function & it was way too painful to walk or sit. I know, I know...poor, poor pitiful me! I was able to drag myself from the bed long enough to take a few pictures of Quinlynne before her first fishing trip with Uncle Charlie! She got a new rod & reel (Barbie) that even came with sunglasses. They were not gone for too terribly long. But, Quinlynne caught a fish! I think it's a perch (sp?). Uncle Charlie didn't catch anything. They were thoughtful enough to bring it home so Momma could take a picture of Quinlynne with the catch of the day!

(Side note: The poor fish did, unfortunately, meet its demise. It could not be released into a pond here by the house even because it had swallowed the hook all the way down into its belly. Dumb fish!)

Daddy-Daughter Dance (little late)

OK, so did I mention that we've had an Internet virus on our computer? I have not been able to access the Internet at home in over two weeks. A little bit of torture, I'll admit. I have several pictures that I had just transferred from the camera to the computer when we got the virus...and more that I have taken since the Internet issue arose. I'll have to get you all caught up.

Quinlynne went to the stake Daddy-Daughter Dance with Uncle Charlie in February. She had a most excellent time, even though she did not dance at all. How in the heck did she come from my womb? She went to a dance and didn't dance???? That is unfathomable to me! She played with the beads, did other art projects that were offered, took pictures, and ate snacks. I think that's all she told me. She is already talking about the Daddy-Daughter Dance next year. Here are some adorable pictures. Notice Uncle Charlie passed out in the chair upon their return home!

This kid just keeps 'em coming

Wednesday morning I was getting Quinlynne dressed for school. Or was it Friday? Either way- she was excited to be wearing the outfit I had for her. She was wearing a black knit skort with red, white & pink hearts on it, a black t-shirt with pink, red & rhinestone sparklies that made a heart. I let her wear a pink bolero style cardigan with that. I also put her hair up in pigtails & tied pink ribbon around those. The kid looked adorable. She was so excited about this outfit. We're sitting on her bed & she said "Hold on momma!" She then cupped one hand over her mouth and put the other hand cupped behind her ear. I could hear her talking. She finished & then said """OOOh- wait one more second!" She repeated this. I wondered to myself if we had an imaginary friend making an appearance. I asked her what she was doing. her response was "Oh, I was just tellin' myself a secret." Do you know how hard it was to just simply nod my head in understanding when I wanted to bust a gut? How cute is that??

The second thing happened this evening. Mom, Quinlynne & I were at Wal-Mart. Out of nowhere Quinlynne tells me she wants a baby brother. I ask her what she wants him to look like. She tells me she wants him to look like her...brown eyes, brown hair- but she thinks his hair should maybe be straight. Then she decides maybe a little baby sister should be the way to go. She asks me when I can do this for her. I'm just baffled- what do I say? She then said "Momma, you gotta get married first?" I reply that I do. She continues asking what these new siblings' names should be. Then she's asking me about her "new daddy". Does this kid know something I don't? Anyhow- we make it home. We turn on the TV a bit later & there is a movie on that has a wedding scene in it. Quinlynne turns to look at me and says "Momma, why are you watching this? So you can learn how to get married?" Again, trying to NOT laugh I tell her that's exactly why I'm watching it. Sometimes I can just see the gears churning in her head!

More

Just thought you'd like to know that we're in for some more bad weather. Oh heavens- joy.

In the meantime- Quinlynne has said some pretty funny things lately.

Quinlynne is already planning her birthday party. Keep in mind her birthday is in August. She was making lists of "good" & "not so good" kids. The kids that make good choices are the kids she is apparently going to invite to her birthday party. She would take a scratch pad and write each kid's name on a piece, then tear it off. She then tried to stick postage stamps on each piece of "addressed" paper. Well- these piece of paper were all over the living room & it was driving me nuts. I asked her several times to throw them away. She did not comply. I couldn't handle it any longer. I finally MADE her throw them away. This apparently just broke her heart & ticked her off. She confronted me in the hallway and said "When your mother gets home, I'm telling her you made me throw away my birfday lists!"

Today, Quinlynne got up before either mom or myself. Quinlynne had apparently helped herself to a small little chocolate shake I had made for her the night before & placed in the refrigerator. She came into my bedroom & told me she had spilled it & I told her to clean it. So, a few minutes later I get up and I see the mess. I squirt cleaner on it. It is really time that Quinlynne needs to get to school, but I don't want to take her. I tell her to go wake up Grandi & ask her to take her to school. The kid stood in front of me, pointed to the mess on the floor and said (with eyes as big as saucers) "I don't want her to see THIS!"

OK, one more.....Last week I was running late for the time I wanted to depart the house. I was not planning on taking Quinlynne to school, but mom assumed I was so...... I was trying to bark orders to get Quinlynne moving more quickly. I said "Hurry Quinlynne! We're running late. We've GOT to go!" She was standing there doing something at her dresser. She said "I'm hurrying. I can't run late to school, or else I'm gonna get fired. Dang it."

This kid, I tell you what!

Cousins & pictures

The Saturday before Thanksgiving my SIL came down so we could take the girls to get their pictures done together. My mom has been wanting a picture of her grandkids, and she wanted them to send out with her Christmas cards. I decided the girls should wear red & black. I didn't think they should be matchy-matchy. It's hard trying to outfit kids when you don't have them with you....especially Abby; she is just a skinny little twig. Everything hangs on her, poor thing. Mandy and I ran out on Friday night to get the finishing touches for the girls' outfits, and we found this dress for Abby. We weren't sure about it since hers was red, black & white. BUT- it turned out GREAT! The girls did spectacularly...it gives us hope. You know how lots of times when you go to get pictures done- you're lucky if you get one or two you really like? Mandy & I had to seriously narrow it down. We were so proud of our girls! I'm not going to post any of the finished product, but let me post some pics of the girls in their outfits. BY the way, I can't get the pictures to go where they're supposed to go...so you have to put the correct caption with each one. I have faith you can do it.

Cadyn trying to check herself out in the mirror.

Look at that little foot. How chubby & adorable is it?

Abby & Quinlynne getting cookies for being so good.

Quinlynne & Abby watching a movie while Mandy & I made decisions.

Three Little Pigs- new version

"Once upon a time there were three little pigs. Their names were Quinlynne, Abby & Cadyn." (At this point, I'm trying to not laugh. The three little pigs are girls....and cousins??) Quinlynne was VERY smart & built her house out of bricks. Abby & Cadyn were lazy & just built their houses out of sticks & straw." The story went on for quite a while, then apparently "Uncle Aaron & Mandy joined the lazy pigs Abby & Cadyn in Quinlynne's strong brick house, in fact the whole world can just go ahead and join them. The End."

I had no clue there were so many versions of the Three Little Pigs. Also, tonight there were all sorts of questions. "Momma, did you pick me out of the baby store? Why? Did you want a special girl? (I told her a couple of weeks ago the reason she had curly hair is because that is what God gave her. In response to why God gave her curly hair I told her it was because he thought she was really special, and special people get curly hair. She LOVED that answer & has asked me about it repeatedly.) Did you want a girl named Quinlynne? Why did you name me Quinlynne? How did you get my name, when I was in your belly? Did you know I was gonna come out of your potty? Oh yeah- I came out of your belly, huh??" Oh the questions!!!! What a cute way to end my birthday, though. I detest Sunday birthdays, and this was a way to make me giggle on my special day! Thank you, my smart, pretty, funny daughter!

Sorry

I know it's been more than a couple of days since I have posted. But, to tell you the truth- school has kept me hoppin'. The semster is coming to a close, and you know what that entails. Everything kind of starts the downhill trend, speeding up and speeding up! This week was not too bad at clinicals though, even though my patient was one sick guy. I got to go with him to have an EGD & Colonoscopy, and while we were in the PACU, it was great to see a lady from church (who is a nurse) bringing a patient in from the OR. It's always nice to have a friendly face! Soon, my friends, soon I will be able to say (hopefully) "Two down, two to go!" I am close to half done in my quest to become a Registered Nurse. Thank goodness! I just don't know why I didn't do this the first time around in school. It would have been so much easier. But, I didn't think I was smart enough, and I did what was easy for me. Hindsight's 20/20, right?

Since I'm talking about being in the PACU, let me include a picture of my child when she was 11 months old, in the PACU.

This was when she had her adenoids removed. I knew something was wrong when it had been over an hour since they took her back to the OR. Seems as though Quinlynne would not start breathing on her own after they stopped anesthesia. I knew she had scared everyone in all of the ORs, because they kept coming out (after I was with her) to look at her, but trying to look nonchalant. What's that old saying "Can't BS a BSer"? I know how to downplay things so people won't worry. I could feel all this gunk rattling around in my baby's chest, and the ambu bag which had not yet been discarded from surgery lying on her bed. Oh well- she came by the adenoid thing rightfully, I had mine removed 3 times, and Adar has always had problems with his. What a combination. So far, Quinlynne has had hers removed twice. I wonder how many times it'll take? Thank goodness for modern medicine and the people who Heavenly Father had with her in the room that day.

I hope that as a healthcare provider, I will be able to be a person patients and their families will be thankful for. It's my goal!

Cast is off

We went to the orthopaedist on Wednesday. Quinlynne's bright pink cast was removed. I took my camera with me so I could document this occasion for Quinlynne. The results: her bone is healing. She still has to wear a splint, and we go back to see the orthopaedist in 3 weeks to check on the progress of her radius.

She's checking out the machine...not sure what is gonna happen.
Going to let her arm be worked on, even though she's not sure of what's really going to happen. (Even though I had explained to her several times the process.)

Sawing, sawing, sawing.

It's off!


Here's my arm, momma!

Rah-rah!

Quinlynne's little Fall program in dance class was Thursday. I was afraid we'd have a repeat of last year....when she just stood there like a bump on a log. I was so pleasantly surprised when she danced her little heart out. They were dressed up like little cheerleaders & even had little pom-poms. If you want to go watch it- I put it on youtube.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0A3eT5dSKw

Here are some pictures of it. I'd really like it if cheerleaders' skirts were this length all the time!

Kinky or straight?

You know how it goes....girls with straight hair want curly hair....girls with curly hair want straight hair. Well, it's already starting at the Hoffman household. I long ago came to grips with the fact that my hair is straight as a board and there's nothing I can do about it. It's straight & boring and blah. Quinlynne, on the other hand, has beautiful curly hair. Learning how to do curly hair has been a bit challenging for me, but we're coping. A few weeks ago, as I was getting Quinlynne ready for bed, she started stroking my hair and said "OOOOh, Momma, you're hair's so silky & soft & straight." She was just running her hand through my hair & did it over & over. Running a hand through Quinlynne's hair is not something you can do easily. Your fingers get stuck in the curls. Since that evening she has repeatedly informed me that she wants straight hair. I keep telling her how lucky she is that she has such beautiful, soft, curly hair.

Saturday we were getting ready to go run some errands. I had the curling iron & the straight iron heated up. Quinlynne wanted me to use them on her. So...I did. It looked TERRIBLE!!!! It looked like she had on a wig. Grandi hated it as well. I couldn't get all of her hair straight because she wouldn't stand still & I was afraid I'd burn her. She was dying to go out with straight hair though. We compromised & I put her straight hair in a ponytail. If she decides to straighten her hair as she gets older- I hope she does a better job.

Been too long

Needless to say, it has been entirely too long since I've posted. I am now in the midst of my med/surg clinical rotations. I'm in Hell.



I have tons of pictures I need to edit & save to my computer. But here's one for you. This is from when Quinlynne's eardrum had ruptured & we were having to put ear drops into her ear. She hated it. I remember having to get eardrops put in when I was her age & how much I detested it. Poor thing. And look at her curled up on her changing pad. Definitely not the 19 inch long baby girl I brought home from the hospital.

Poor little thing

Quinlynne spent the weekend with Charles & Connie so I could study for my exam today. Saturday Uncle Charlie called me to tell me that Quinlynne fell out of the swing. She was crying and wanted her momma. Being the World's Greatest Mother that I am, I told him to just give her some ibuprofen & see what she was like in 20 mins. He called me back & told me that she was doing better.

Let's just fast forward to last night. Mom went to pick up Quinlynne. She got home with her & I did notice a few things about her arm. It was a bit swollen and she was very protective of it. She would not put any pressure on it. I put her to bed & the child woke up a couple of hours later crying because her arm hurt. I noticed her arm was a little crooked. (It is by her wrist on her right arm.)

I decided I didn't want to wait until Monday afternoon, she had waited long enough. I packed up my study materials & my child and headed for St. Francis. We got there and heavens, let me tell you...it was full. Quinlynne was crying, she was scared. Since she was using her arm and had a good ROM in it, no body seemed to think anything was wrong with her. She coughed when we checked in, so the nurse said we'd have to have a chest xray & Q had to wear a mask. She certainly didn't want to. But being the good child she is- she did.

We were called to have xrays done. As Quinlynne was being positioned for the chest xray, she started crying a little and said "I don't want to go to heaven right now." Poor little thing thinks when you go to the hospital, you die. Isn't that sad and cute all at the same time? I assured her she wasn't going to go to heaven right now, we were just going to take some pictures. We took chest xrays and xrays of her wrist & arm.

We waited a few more hours before we were called back to an exam room. (We thought we'd be out of there before 3 am, as that is when the pediatric portion is closed.) Nope, we didn't even really go back to the room before 3 am. Ugh! The nurse & doctor were GREAT with Quinlynne. They let her go with them to look at her xrays & explained them to her.

Sure enough, Quinlynne has a buckle fracture of her right radius near her wrist. The doctor said it was just a little break since her bones are still pliable. We now have to go to an orthopedist. I'm trying to get all of that taken care of today. She is faring well in her splint right now. She just got up from her bed. Poor little thing....keeps on crying out in her sleep.

She did tell me that she thought she'd be okay because Uncle Charlie gave her a blessing when she fell. I'm glad she's learning faith in priesthood blessings at a young age!

more little things

Today as Quinlynne's dance class. This is the first year that we've had dance class on a week night. In the past they've always been on Saturday mornings. So, previously, Quinlynne has been allowed to get a doughnut after dance class. She seems to think this carries over- even though dance classes are in the evenings now.

When I picked her up from class tonight she asked if she could get a doughnut. I asked her if she wanted a doughnut of tasty chips. ("Tasty Chips" are won tons from a Chinese restaurant.) She told me she wanted a doughnut. I had to run across the intersection and pick up a couple of things at the Walmart Neighborhood Market, so I told her we'd get her doughnut there. NO....that was not good enough. She wanted a doughnut from the "good" place. She loves Krispy Kreme.

Now, I'm going to make a confession here that may render me a freak in some of your eyes. Here it goes....I do not like doughnuts. Really never have. I will admit- a warm Krispy Kreme, or a chocolate iced creme filled from Krispy Kreme is tasty....but I've only craved doughnuts when I was pregnant. They do nothing for me but make me want to puke. That being said, I try to be a good mom and not force my food opinions onto my daughter. (Hence the reason she eats raw tomatoes like they are french fries. Seriously??? Raw tomatoes??? My stomach is turning just me thinking about them.)

As we pulled up to Krispy Kreme Miss Thang already had her seat belt off. I asked her what she was doing. I informed her we were going though the drive-thru. She quickly covered for her mistake by saying that something had been wrong with her seat belt and she was just trying to fix it. I checked out the parking lot status and decided it was dead enough that we could go in. I pulled into a parking space and turned off the engine. I told Miss Thang to get out. She said "Are we going in?" I replied in the affirmative. As she's walking to meet me on the sidewalk she said "I LOVE you momma" in the dreamiest tone I've ever heard her use. I stifled my laughter. Oh how cute....letting her go into Krispy Kreme elicits proclamations of love from my child. How sweet! It's those little things.

Memories

Oh how I miss these days:

This was at Logan Salat's birthday party. Her bib was bigger than her. But- it was red, white & blue. So was her outfit. She was about 7 weeks old here.

Look at those little leg rolls.

Hat & mittens from Grandi & Poppa on her 1st Christmas. She went right down for a nap after this.