Synagis, Reflux, and a Soapbox...

Today Elsie got her last Synagis shot for the 2009-2010 season. Whoo hoo! BCBS is cheering (can you hear them?). She doesn't get another until September. That sounds like a really long time, doesn't it? She weighed 9 lbs 7.4 oz. Almost 9 and a half pounds!

Over the last week Elsie's reflux has gotten worse. I haven't done anything different...and the poor girl was obviously hurting. So the last few days I have been frah-zzled. Today at her check up our pediatrician put her Bethenachol in addition to Prevacid. Let's hope this works...because GHUL, I don't know what else to do.

There is no way you haven't heard about the historic health care reform bill that passed earlier this week and is now going BACK to the house (what the heck is that about?). My FB friends are passionate about this subject. However, to my knowledge, not many of them have an intimate relationship with a healthcare provider(s) or their health insurer. And since this is my blog; this is where I get on my soap box. If you don't like it...don't read it.

First, I acknowledge there are some great parts to this bill. Especially the item regarding "pre-existing conditions" related to children, and the fact children cannot be dropped when they get sick. Obviously we have seen children who have been denied due to some ''pre-existing condition," and cross our fingers we do not get a diagnosis in the future that would cause our fantastic insurance plan to drop us.

The issue I have is with the taxation to pay for all of this. My husband is blessed with a fantastic employer and a job he enjoys. Even better, he is compensated pretty handsomely for his almost 30 years of age. Our Medicare taxes will go up by 30%. This is my point people. Who decided the line in the sand? Who said that x amount of dollars is enough that YOU have to pay more than someone else? Because let me tell you: that amount that sounds unbelievably wealthy...doesn't go very far in 2010. Definitely not far enough that we won't feel it (like a punch in the gut) when our taxes go up by 30%.

We are blessed even further to have fantastic health care. Which will increase in premiums because they've got to pass the increase in tax on "cadillac" plans to the participants. Why do we have to be penalized for having great jobs that happen to have a great health plan?

All of this makes me want to vomit. I wish our President and Congress had more experience down here, in the trenches. See how far your money goes when you have to work like a flipping maniac for it. Then have to give 30% of it back. See how that makes you feel.

All this being said. I agree there is significant need for reform. I just don't think this is it, peeps. Please let this be a jumping off point.

Love y'all,
Ellen

A Year Ago...

We moved into this house. I still don't have dining room furniture, and the walls are stark white. When we moved in I had all these plans....color schemes, what kind of furniture we needed. What is it they say about "the best laid plans?" Well, they pretty much went out the window.

We were pregnant (barely) when we closed on this house but didn't know it. Ryan and I were so proud. We had worked hard, and were finally purchasing a dream of a first home. We are still proud, and I love this house. Part of me wonders how long we will fit in it, but that is a whole can of worms we'll think about in a few years.


I've been reflective lately. I feel like us moving into this house was the beginning of our story, or at least, the most recent chapters. The past year has been a doozie, needless to say. When I was in Conway a lady who is a regular reader of the blog pointed out what a powerful testimony we have; and how it has changed us. This got me thinking. She is right.

What has occurred in our lives over the past year has been unbelievable. Some awesome (we bought a house! We had a baby!). Some truly hard to stomach; Riley Dog took his leave, and Elsie was born a micro preemie. But the bottom line is we are all alive and healthy (except Riley). After everything Ryan and I are happily married and have a daughter that is doing well.

You really can't ask for more than that. I can't help but wonder what the next year will bring. How will He use us next? How will what has happened impact us going forward?

One thing is for sure. Whatever happens we can handle it. That we know. We will freak out a little bit, but we can handle it. :)

Love Y'all,
Ellen

Road Trip

Apologize for the pause there, y'all. I took Elsie on her first road trip last week! My sister in law is getting married in April and I wanted to attend her wedding shower since I will be unable to attend the Bachelorette Party. I also wanted to introduce Elsie to her aunts and cousins, as well as her great grandmother (and name sake) prior to the wedding. Y'all know how nuts things can get before a wedding. This time we were able to really visit and enjoy the company. I was so glad I made the trip.

I'm not going to lie, the trip up was pretty stressful. So, I stayed with my in laws for a week so I could recover and build up the strength to make the haul home again. For those of you wondering, the drive is eight hours...and yes I drove all by myself. It took us about 10 hours. Any new moms traveling by car with their infants email me and I have all kinds of lessons learned if you are interested!

For those of you who don't know Elsie is named Elsie Louise after Grandmama (Ryan's Grandmother). She finally got to hold our sweet baby girl last week and it was so amazing to see. Grandmama prayed so hard while Elsie was in the hospital. I told Elsie all about Grandmama when she was in the hospital. Now they've met and are great friends. May we all be so lucky, people. To one day be old, and surrounded by our family and friends. My Dad would say "Lord willlin' and the crick don't rise."Amen.

I was also appreciative to see some of the Conway crew who have prayed so hard for Elsie. My family is truly a testament to the power of prayer and they have a lot to do with that. It was great to see them and tell them how wonderful she is doing. Thanks Ladies! If you missed Elsie, her official debut will be at the wedding. See y'all then!

Elsie did not actually go to the shower, but I did dress her up to take pics with the girls afterwards. Here she is in her dress! Her cousin asked "why you got that big dress on that little bitty girl?" Because it's pretty....

Love Y'all

Ellen