What an eventful evening I had last night. I had planned on going home and making breakfast for dinner, since it was Scrambled April Fun Day on Sprout, I thought I would follow their lead! We got home and I ran to Fred Meyer to pick up a couple things as well as Adrianna's prescription (see previous post). When I got to Fred's the line for the pharmacy was super long, not a big deal I thought I will go and get my grocery items and then the line will have gone down. I was wrong...the line was even longer by the time that I had checked out with my groceries.
I took my place and line and began the LONG wait, when it was finally my turn I had been in line for 40 minutes. Apparently they are upgrading the computer system which is supposed to speed things up, UM I don't think that the upgrade worked - so the girl asks me the patients last name, I say "Chavez - and spelled it" the girl types it into the computer and then just stared at her screen (never a good sign). She them asks me (still looking at her screen) "UM was it called in today?" I responded "Yes, this morning around 9:30AM" (please note that the time is now 7PM plenty of time for the RX to be filled) she then says "we don't have it" My fuse was already pretty close to the end after standing in line for 40 minutes. So I asked the girl to please check again, she says she is going to check another area. I immediately get on the phone to Joe, "where did you have them send the RX?" he says Fred Meyer - OK I hung up on him. I called Latouche which is supposed to be open until 8PM - I got the voice message that says "If you have reached this recording our office is closed" WHAT THE HELL??????
The girl comes back and says they don't have it and have not received anything. Profanity flew out of my mouth - I apologized to the girl and said it wasn't directed to her, said Thank you and off I went.
I get home to make breakfast for dinner and am LIVID, Adrianna is crying because she 1) doesn't feel good and 2) she heard my voice and knows I am home and wants me.
I pick her up and she is BURNING UP - I strip her down to her diaper only change her and take her temp 104.3 - HOLY COW - now not only am I mad I need to figure out what to do about this fever. I call the nurse line (which by the way is located at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, WA) leave my information and wait for the nurse to call me back. I get Quentin his waffle, strawberries, sausage and orange juice. Joe is also eating at this time and I am feeding Adrianna.
8:18 PM the caller id says Sacred Heart, I answer it was Joyce, she starts asking me all these questions you know typical, how much does Adri weigh, is she on any medication - my answer to this was very rude (again not towards Joyce) "Well she should be on Amoxicillian, but the NP didn't call it in" Joyce responds with "what?" I tell her the whole saga - she keeps saying "OH MY GOSH, I can't believe that" then she says she is going to call the doctor who is on call, Dr. Tappel, and then she will call me back.
9:00 PM the caller id says Latouche Pediatrics - I say "Hello" it was Dr. Tappel, he says that he isn't sure why Fred Meyer didn't have the script because he could see it was sent, my response "HMMM" then he asks if we were at home. Yes Ding dong you called my home number, that was just my thought. He asks if it is possible that we come to the ER and pick up the RX, that would be fine we only live 5 minutes away. He said to hold tight and that he would call me back.
9:15 PM the caller id says UNKNOWN - "Hello" the voice on the other end says "This is Bruce calling from Providence ER?" I say "yes Bruce?" he explains to me that Dr. Tappel has a prescription for Adrianna and that the admissions tech needs to take some information from me, hands the phone to the lady who takes my information. I verify that the patient is Adrianna Norma Chavez and she is my daughter. Bruce gets back on the phone and gives me the phone he has with him and tells me to call him when I get to the ER - he also said he would call me when the RX was ready for pick up. I asked if I needed to bring Adri with me, he said yes.
9:30PM the caller id says UNKNOWN - "hello" - "Hi Mrs. Chavez it is Bruce, you all can head on over, you still have my number?" I tell him yes and we would see him in a few minutes.
9:35PM we arrive at the ER - I call Bruce and let him know I was walking in, he meets me at the door and says "I called you too early, the RX is not ready yet, sorry" no problem I can just hang out - "how long do you think it will be" I asked. His response "well it shouldn't be long"
10:00PM - Still waiting
10:20PM - Still waiting - Bruce comes out and says it won't be much longer (UM IS THAT ER TIME OR NORMAL TIME? LOL)
11:00PM - Still waiting - by this time I was being amused by all the nut jobs that had appeared in the ER! Adrianna slept through the whole thing (THANK GOD)!!!
The police brought in a couple people - the one officer sat his convict right next to me - HELLO WHAT THE HELL? I just looked at the officer like - move this dude, I have a baby here! He must have gotten the drift because he moved the guy - who then glared at me the whole time and growled a couple of times.
Then there was the lady who came in holding her croch yelling "I HAVE A BLADDER INFECTION AND CAN'T STAND IT" I could not help laughing out loud at that one.
11:15PM - Still waiting - update from Bruce - Dr. Tappel will not need to see Adri and the medication was almost ready. I thought I brought my baby to the damn germ factory and no one is even going to look at her? WHAT THE HELL?????!!!!!
The couple sitting across the lobby had a toddler who was coughing like crazy - and then the girl in triage who had a 4 year old who was screaming because she didn't want her temp taken - the mom said that either she takes it in the mouth or the bum bum. What the hell is a bum bum?
11:40PM - BRUCE APPEARS WITH MY RX!!!!!! We are out of the nut house!! I tell him thank you for the efforts and off we go.
In the car I call Joe and tell him we are the way home - at that point I realized from my growling tummy I never ate dinner. We got home and Adri woke up as I was taking her out of the car seat, I gave her a dose of her medicine, changed her diaper and off to bed we went.
Showing posts with label MISC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MISC. Show all posts
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Another trip to the doctor and April Fool's Day......
Joe took Adrianna to the doctor today because last night she felt warm and was fussy so I took her temp, it was 103. Normally this should alarm any parent, although because this is our what seems like millionth time with a high fever I self diagnosed. I assumed it was an ear infection AGAIN.
I finished getting dinner ready and called the doctor for an appointment this morning when the girl at the scheduling desk said what is the problem, I told her high fever and most likely an ear infection. Set the appointment for this morning at 8:30AM made a mental note that the morning would be rushed but we could do it.
The night went on with a fussy baby, we slept on the couch for most of the night until she was asleep enough that I could put her back in her bed, this was close to 3AM, my alarm went off at 5:30AM I hit snooze way too many times. I got up and ready for work, got Quentin up and dressed, then woke up Joe and then got Adrianna up and ready for the doctor.
As I was blow drying my hair I turned on Sprout we watch this in the mornings and then at night we watch the GoodNight Show, only a couple shows and then off to bed.
Quentin came into the bathroom and said "Mom is it night time?" I looked at him and said "no silly, why?" he said "UMMM the GoodNight Show is on" I thought he was kidding me, so I go to the living room and sure enough the damn GoodNIght Show is on, scrolling on the bottom of the screen it says that today is Scrambled April Fun Day (APRIL FOOLS DAY) so I explained to Quentin that is was backwards day and that is why the GoodNight Show was on in the morning. He sweetly said "OH" and went back to watching and eating his breakfast.
We will see how it goes tonight when we are watching the Sunny Side up show and it is time to go to bed, hopefully he sweetly say "OH" again and go to bed but I am not holding my breath.
The doctor confirmed that indeed Miss Adri has an ear infection, AGAIN - so we will do the antibiotic thing, AGAIN and pray that her damn teeth get done popping through so no more ear infections.
I hope that everyone is having a good Wednesday, I am ready for this week to be over.
I finished getting dinner ready and called the doctor for an appointment this morning when the girl at the scheduling desk said what is the problem, I told her high fever and most likely an ear infection. Set the appointment for this morning at 8:30AM made a mental note that the morning would be rushed but we could do it.
The night went on with a fussy baby, we slept on the couch for most of the night until she was asleep enough that I could put her back in her bed, this was close to 3AM, my alarm went off at 5:30AM I hit snooze way too many times. I got up and ready for work, got Quentin up and dressed, then woke up Joe and then got Adrianna up and ready for the doctor.
As I was blow drying my hair I turned on Sprout we watch this in the mornings and then at night we watch the GoodNight Show, only a couple shows and then off to bed.
Quentin came into the bathroom and said "Mom is it night time?" I looked at him and said "no silly, why?" he said "UMMM the GoodNight Show is on" I thought he was kidding me, so I go to the living room and sure enough the damn GoodNIght Show is on, scrolling on the bottom of the screen it says that today is Scrambled April Fun Day (APRIL FOOLS DAY) so I explained to Quentin that is was backwards day and that is why the GoodNight Show was on in the morning. He sweetly said "OH" and went back to watching and eating his breakfast.
We will see how it goes tonight when we are watching the Sunny Side up show and it is time to go to bed, hopefully he sweetly say "OH" again and go to bed but I am not holding my breath.
The doctor confirmed that indeed Miss Adri has an ear infection, AGAIN - so we will do the antibiotic thing, AGAIN and pray that her damn teeth get done popping through so no more ear infections.
I hope that everyone is having a good Wednesday, I am ready for this week to be over.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The Right Thing
I have been working in the Health Insurance industry for 9 years, this is an industry that has its own language and rules and is very confusing for those who don't speak "health insurance"
Many people know that they have insurance they may not understand their plans but they have it and use it, receive EOB's (explanation of benefits) in the mail when a claim has been processed, most toss them and some hang onto them since they know that they are important.
On any given day I answer questions for many of the member's of the health plan I work for and walk them through the way a claim was processed. Most of the time they are happy with what I tell them, with a few instances of people being angry because something wasn't covered.
When I had Adrianna in September I had a c-section which require not only my doctor but also an assistant surgeon. I knew this going into the procedure as this was my second c-section.
Adrianna was born on September 9 at 9:58 AM - the atmosphere in the OR was so fun, the anesthesiologist was cracking jokes, Dr. Whitefield (my doctor) was talking about his trip to Brazil, the assistant surgeon was talking about Mexican food she had for dinner the night before. At one point I looked at Joe and said "I hope that they don't forget the task at hand here" he just laughed. They remembered because my beautiful daughter was born with out any problems, beside the cord being around her neck 3 times.
I had a wonderful recovery at Providence Alaska Medical Center, the care was great and the nursing staff top notch.
In November I received a bill from my doctor's office that stated I owed $447.18 for the assistant surgeon fees. I pulled out the EOB that I had from my health plan to see what they had paid. I was covered at 100% at the time Adrianna was born and should owe nothing. The EOB showed the total billed was $1435.00 for the assistant surgeon my health plan paid 25% of the surgeon's fee (standard payment for any asst. surgeon) at 100% so my health plan paid $987.82. Now standard practice is that the amount that was denied as assistant surgeon reduction is written off and not balance billed to the patient, so I ignored the bill in November.
In March I received a statement from my doctor's office showing that the balance owed for the assistant surgeon was +120 days and now due. I called and spoke to the billing office and was told that they were not networked with my health plan and that I would be responsible for the denied amount. They also said that they bill 35% of the surgeon's fee for assistant surgeon. This surprised me as I was expecting the balance to be written off as it had been when I had Quentin in 2004 and as is the standard. I politely said thank you to the billing clerk and hung up.
Red flags were going off all over the place in my head because of my background in insurance. I knew that the industry standard is to bill 25% of the surgeon's fee and that the patient should not be balance billed. I also knew that in Alaska we do not have a network and our plans are written that we can see which ever doctor we want to see without being penalized.
I thought a bit and decided that I would write my doctor a letter. I have learned through dealing with the pediatrician's office that the doctor's don't always know what is going on in the administrative part of the office. I had a feeling that Dr. Whitefield didn't know that the policy his office was using was outside the standards in both the community and the industry and was penalizing his patients financially.
The worst that would happen was that I would have to pay the statement, the best outcome would be that the office would do the right thing and write off the balance owed.
I composed a letter directly to my doctor explained the situation and requested as a long time patient of the practice (10 years) they adjust my bill. I mailed the letter out on March 13, 2009.
I waited for a response, I was pretty sure that Dr. Whitefield would call to discuss my letter with me. Saturday Cassie from the billing office called and said that Dr. Whitefield had received my letter and that my balance was zero - they wrote off the reduction amount. I said Thank you, and her response was that it was the right thing to do.
So the moral of this long story is that if you have questions about your bills and you don't like the answer you get from the billing office go directly to your doctor. Also since I know a thing or two about health insurance and all kinds of plans please don't hesitate to call or email me with a question that you have - I will do my best to help figure out the issue.
Many people know that they have insurance they may not understand their plans but they have it and use it, receive EOB's (explanation of benefits) in the mail when a claim has been processed, most toss them and some hang onto them since they know that they are important.
On any given day I answer questions for many of the member's of the health plan I work for and walk them through the way a claim was processed. Most of the time they are happy with what I tell them, with a few instances of people being angry because something wasn't covered.
When I had Adrianna in September I had a c-section which require not only my doctor but also an assistant surgeon. I knew this going into the procedure as this was my second c-section.
Adrianna was born on September 9 at 9:58 AM - the atmosphere in the OR was so fun, the anesthesiologist was cracking jokes, Dr. Whitefield (my doctor) was talking about his trip to Brazil, the assistant surgeon was talking about Mexican food she had for dinner the night before. At one point I looked at Joe and said "I hope that they don't forget the task at hand here" he just laughed. They remembered because my beautiful daughter was born with out any problems, beside the cord being around her neck 3 times.
I had a wonderful recovery at Providence Alaska Medical Center, the care was great and the nursing staff top notch.
In November I received a bill from my doctor's office that stated I owed $447.18 for the assistant surgeon fees. I pulled out the EOB that I had from my health plan to see what they had paid. I was covered at 100% at the time Adrianna was born and should owe nothing. The EOB showed the total billed was $1435.00 for the assistant surgeon my health plan paid 25% of the surgeon's fee (standard payment for any asst. surgeon) at 100% so my health plan paid $987.82. Now standard practice is that the amount that was denied as assistant surgeon reduction is written off and not balance billed to the patient, so I ignored the bill in November.
In March I received a statement from my doctor's office showing that the balance owed for the assistant surgeon was +120 days and now due. I called and spoke to the billing office and was told that they were not networked with my health plan and that I would be responsible for the denied amount. They also said that they bill 35% of the surgeon's fee for assistant surgeon. This surprised me as I was expecting the balance to be written off as it had been when I had Quentin in 2004 and as is the standard. I politely said thank you to the billing clerk and hung up.
Red flags were going off all over the place in my head because of my background in insurance. I knew that the industry standard is to bill 25% of the surgeon's fee and that the patient should not be balance billed. I also knew that in Alaska we do not have a network and our plans are written that we can see which ever doctor we want to see without being penalized.
I thought a bit and decided that I would write my doctor a letter. I have learned through dealing with the pediatrician's office that the doctor's don't always know what is going on in the administrative part of the office. I had a feeling that Dr. Whitefield didn't know that the policy his office was using was outside the standards in both the community and the industry and was penalizing his patients financially.
The worst that would happen was that I would have to pay the statement, the best outcome would be that the office would do the right thing and write off the balance owed.
I composed a letter directly to my doctor explained the situation and requested as a long time patient of the practice (10 years) they adjust my bill. I mailed the letter out on March 13, 2009.
I waited for a response, I was pretty sure that Dr. Whitefield would call to discuss my letter with me. Saturday Cassie from the billing office called and said that Dr. Whitefield had received my letter and that my balance was zero - they wrote off the reduction amount. I said Thank you, and her response was that it was the right thing to do.
So the moral of this long story is that if you have questions about your bills and you don't like the answer you get from the billing office go directly to your doctor. Also since I know a thing or two about health insurance and all kinds of plans please don't hesitate to call or email me with a question that you have - I will do my best to help figure out the issue.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Olive Juice Bags
Anyone who knows me well, knows that I LOVE handbags!!! Poor Joe is getting inched out of the closet with all the handbags that have taken residence in our home.
I have stumbled upon a company that I am VERY excited to share with you all, I am getting ready to place an order for my first bag, The Anna I just need to decide which sash color I want ! The name of the company is Olive Juice Bags, a company started by two moms who I can tell LOVE a good quality handbag as much as I do!!!!
So I will keep you all posted as I add to my collection with these bags!!!
I have stumbled upon a company that I am VERY excited to share with you all, I am getting ready to place an order for my first bag, The Anna I just need to decide which sash color I want ! The name of the company is Olive Juice Bags, a company started by two moms who I can tell LOVE a good quality handbag as much as I do!!!!
So I will keep you all posted as I add to my collection with these bags!!!
Monday, March 23, 2009
One busy weekend!
We had an unusually busy weekend, we usually have one or two activities but this weekend was jam packed with activites for everyone!!!
Saturday: Hope hair cut, Joe dropped the kids at Grandma's house, after hair appointment lunch at Humpy's and then shopping. Joe needed new jeans and I got some good deals and Gymbucks at Gymboree. After shopping we had dessert at Starbucks and then picked up the kids!
The Before Picture of my hair!
The After Picture of my hair - I LOVE IT!!! Sunday: This was the fullest day for us!
We had a birthday party for Quentin's girlfriend, Maddy at Chuck E Cheese at 11AM stayed for 2 hours then home for a QUICK nap and Quentin and I were off to the circus. It was a fun afternoon Quentin loved the circus. The show lasted 2 hours. Then it was off to Subway to pick up sandwiches for dinner and then home. While we were at the circus Joe and Adrianna were at Joe's volleyball game.
Quentin showing his cotton candy tongue during intermission at the circus!Needless to say I was exhausted after Sunday and was happy when both children went to bed - and was not ready for the alarm to go off this morning - Monday always seems to come more quickly than Friday in the work week - why is that?
The Volcano FINALLY BLEW!!!!!
From a previous post in January where we were all on alert for Mt. Redoubt the dang volcano finally erupted last night around midnight. It has erupted 5 or 6 times since then. I have to say that I was proud to be prepared!!! I had my masks, and air filters and emergency kit!! YEAH ME!!
So I wake up this morning because I was asleep whent he eruption occured to find 5 text messages on my phone all about the volcano. The ash was supposed to hit Anchorage around 2 AM it never did and now we will most likely only get a dusting of ash - PHEW!!! ASH is nasty to clean up! The Mat-Su Valley is getting most of the ash - although we are tough in Alaska and all schools are open!!!
I will keep you all updated on the happenings of the Volcano!!!
So I wake up this morning because I was asleep whent he eruption occured to find 5 text messages on my phone all about the volcano. The ash was supposed to hit Anchorage around 2 AM it never did and now we will most likely only get a dusting of ash - PHEW!!! ASH is nasty to clean up! The Mat-Su Valley is getting most of the ash - although we are tough in Alaska and all schools are open!!!
I will keep you all updated on the happenings of the Volcano!!!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Only in Alaska...
My office is located in a residential area so every morning I see the school bus stop in front of our office, nothing unusual about that. This morning I was sitting at my desk and noticed this car hitting the brakes and sliding I look out the window and the school bus has thier red flashing lights and stop sign out not for children crossing the street or getting on the bus but for a moose - yes I said a moose!
I took a picture of the moose after she had crossed the street - only in Alaska does a school bus put thier red flashers on for a moose to cross the street.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
My New Family
In a previous post I wrote about my sister, Brittney finding Ryan and I. Well there is some errornous information in that post that I feel I should correct.
I emailed Brittney after she contacted me again and let her know that I was not upset at her but was caught off gaurd that she has a relationship with our father.
I got a response last night - I was way off - Brittney has never even met our father in fact he is more of a dirt bag than I thought or knew he was - apparently he didn't even acknowledge Brittney until 8 years ago when she was 14 years old.
So moving forward Ryan and I are planning a trip to Spokane, Washington to meet our sister! Apparently we have a neice and nephew as well - this is very exciting!!!
I have a new attitude about this new sister - I will keep you posted on the developments. It will be really neat to be called Aunt Hope from kids that are actually my neice and nephew! Silly I know!
I emailed Brittney after she contacted me again and let her know that I was not upset at her but was caught off gaurd that she has a relationship with our father.
I got a response last night - I was way off - Brittney has never even met our father in fact he is more of a dirt bag than I thought or knew he was - apparently he didn't even acknowledge Brittney until 8 years ago when she was 14 years old.
So moving forward Ryan and I are planning a trip to Spokane, Washington to meet our sister! Apparently we have a neice and nephew as well - this is very exciting!!!
I have a new attitude about this new sister - I will keep you posted on the developments. It will be really neat to be called Aunt Hope from kids that are actually my neice and nephew! Silly I know!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Breaking up is hard to do - UPDATE -
I totally drug my feet on breaking up with my hairdresser Rhonda - explained in a previous post. SHE CALLED ME - I broke up with her and felt totally bad about it.
The thing is that kills me is that she totally damaged my mom's hair and then tried to cover it up. She called my mom too who told her that she was seeing someone else which probably is the reason that she called me.....
At any rate she will not take responsiblity for the fact that she overprocessed my mom's hair and it broke off -
I am totally happy with my new girl and can't wait to go and see her on the 21st. I have requested a totally new do with hair flare (color) so I will post a picture after my appointment!!
I still feel bad about the break up - but I know that it had to be done! Just so you know I didn't go out and buy ice cream or anything - it wasn't that bad of a break up!! LOL!!!
The thing is that kills me is that she totally damaged my mom's hair and then tried to cover it up. She called my mom too who told her that she was seeing someone else which probably is the reason that she called me.....
At any rate she will not take responsiblity for the fact that she overprocessed my mom's hair and it broke off -
I am totally happy with my new girl and can't wait to go and see her on the 21st. I have requested a totally new do with hair flare (color) so I will post a picture after my appointment!!
I still feel bad about the break up - but I know that it had to be done! Just so you know I didn't go out and buy ice cream or anything - it wasn't that bad of a break up!! LOL!!!
A Growing Family
My immediate family has always been very close - we consist of my mom, myself and my brother, Ryan. I consider Ryan one of my very best friends. Growing up in a single family home we had very little contact with our father (Rick) - totally his choice, we did however have great contact with our Aunts, my dad's sisters. When I was in college at St. Martin's I was able to become very close to my cousins who lived in Olympia. Through this relationship with my cousins I learned that Ryan and I have a 1/2 sister. My cousin, Regon, didn't know much about her except that she lived in Walla Walla and her name was Brittney. Ryan and I thought this was pretty cool - and asked Rick on many occasions for her information, we were ignored. Our Aunts, Rick's sisters also would avoid the question - this always seemed very strange to me but whatever. I tried to google her name but nothing ever came up - I would try every now and then but didn't really activley pursue it.
So fast forward 14 years, I am on maternity leave and Ryan calls to tell me that Brittney emailed him, I was totally excited what are the odds that she would find us - Ryan gave her his contact information as well as mine, apparently she contacted Ryan through MySpace. So we didn't hear back from her for about a month, and then she called Ryan - they had a nice chat he then said that she was going to call me, and that I really needed to have an open mind when she called. I said well of course I would why would he tell me this? Apparently Brittney and Rick have had a good relationship her entire life - WTH - this really pissed me off and then Ryan says that she got our contact information from Rick - double WTH now I was pissed and insulted. When Brittney called I ignored her call.
Last week she emailed me and wanted to make sure that she had not upset Ryan or I for contacting us and that she really wants to get to know us. After thinking for a bit and realizing that I didn't have so many raging hormones anymore I responded back to her - and told her my feelings and that I would like to get to know her too. How cool I am a BIG Sister - of course I have always been the Big Sister but now it feels fresh again.
Around the sametime that Brittney found Ryan and I - my Uncle's daughter found him. Long story short my uncle and his girlfriend in college gave up a baby - fast forward 32 years - my uncle and his girlfriend (now wife, my aunt) are still married and thier daughter found them and wants to meet them. HOW EXCITING! The strange thing is that Heather is 32 she was born in October 1976 - I was born in August 1976 - her adoptive parents lived on the same side of town as my family and went to the same catholic church that my family went to - our families probably gave each other the sign of peace and didn't even know it. Anywho my uncle and family moved to Washington - they are coming up this summer to meet Heather and her family - then we will have a family BBQ - for those who know my crazy extended family it will be overwhelming I am sure for Heather but we are all excited to meet her and welcome her into our family!
The fact that Heather's adoptive family and her birth family were in the same area shows what a small world we truly live in.
So fast forward 14 years, I am on maternity leave and Ryan calls to tell me that Brittney emailed him, I was totally excited what are the odds that she would find us - Ryan gave her his contact information as well as mine, apparently she contacted Ryan through MySpace. So we didn't hear back from her for about a month, and then she called Ryan - they had a nice chat he then said that she was going to call me, and that I really needed to have an open mind when she called. I said well of course I would why would he tell me this? Apparently Brittney and Rick have had a good relationship her entire life - WTH - this really pissed me off and then Ryan says that she got our contact information from Rick - double WTH now I was pissed and insulted. When Brittney called I ignored her call.
Last week she emailed me and wanted to make sure that she had not upset Ryan or I for contacting us and that she really wants to get to know us. After thinking for a bit and realizing that I didn't have so many raging hormones anymore I responded back to her - and told her my feelings and that I would like to get to know her too. How cool I am a BIG Sister - of course I have always been the Big Sister but now it feels fresh again.
Around the sametime that Brittney found Ryan and I - my Uncle's daughter found him. Long story short my uncle and his girlfriend in college gave up a baby - fast forward 32 years - my uncle and his girlfriend (now wife, my aunt) are still married and thier daughter found them and wants to meet them. HOW EXCITING! The strange thing is that Heather is 32 she was born in October 1976 - I was born in August 1976 - her adoptive parents lived on the same side of town as my family and went to the same catholic church that my family went to - our families probably gave each other the sign of peace and didn't even know it. Anywho my uncle and family moved to Washington - they are coming up this summer to meet Heather and her family - then we will have a family BBQ - for those who know my crazy extended family it will be overwhelming I am sure for Heather but we are all excited to meet her and welcome her into our family!
The fact that Heather's adoptive family and her birth family were in the same area shows what a small world we truly live in.
BINKY CRISIS - UPDATE!!
SHE HATES THE NEW BINKY! I gave it to her last at bed time and she just looked at me and then spit it out....CRAP CRAP CRAP......
Going to Target this weekend hopefully they will have them, I have not seen them there and the selection at our target for this particular baby supply is very bad.
Going to Target this weekend hopefully they will have them, I have not seen them there and the selection at our target for this particular baby supply is very bad.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
BINKY CRISIS!!!!
I am usually pretty easy going about things, however this is a true crisis for my house. Adrianna will only take one kind of binky she isn't dependent on it or anything but it sure does make car trips and going to bed a bit easier.
Since we just got done with being sick at our house for the second time I decided that it was time for new binkies, I have already boiled the ones we have 2 times so it is time for a fresh start!!! So today at lunch I decided to take a trip to Babies R US, since I have not been able to locate the items at Wal Mart, my beloved Target or Fred Meyers. We originally bought them at Babies R US I thought for sure they will have them. I first went to the aisle that has the breast pump accesories I needed cleansing wipes and bags. I then made way to the wall of pacifiers, I noticed it was pretty empty as I got closer but I was hopeful that they would have what I needed.
CRAP I don't see the package that I am looking for, calm down maybe you just missed it, I thought to myself. I scan the wall again - not only do I not see the package that I need but I don't see a tag that indicates that they are just out of stock.
CRAP I don't see the package that I am looking for, calm down maybe you just missed it, I thought to myself. I scan the wall again - not only do I not see the package that I need but I don't see a tag that indicates that they are just out of stock.
I then stood in front of the wall of pacifiers with a blank look on my face - I had to find a new type to try - she doesn't like the Nuk or the Playtex ones so the choice was difficult. I hope that the one I picked will be sufficient!
I googled the type and found them at Walgreens - hello Alaska does not have Walgreens - so then there are multiple listings on EBAY for the damn things. I am an EBAY addict but I will not purchase binkies on ebay.
So I have attached a picture of the package - if any of my friends in America see these when you are at Walgreens or some other civilized store could you pick me up a package or two? LOL!!!!
Monday, March 2, 2009
I am changing my address...
I have decided that I am going to move my family to the pediatrician's office, they have plenty of space in the waiting room for my family to have a nook! In the past week Joe or myself or both have been at the doctors office with the children in what seems every day. In reality we were there 4 days, however I am a little tired of seeing my children's doctor.
The germ fest started last Friday evening, Quentin was running a fever so we watched him and laid low for the weekend, when he wasn't better on Monday and a runny nose and cough had developed we thought just a cold - no big deal. Tuesday Adrianna started to run a fever - this of course is a bigger deal as she is only 5 months old, fearing that she had another dreaded ear infection so I called my mom to come and hang with Quentin so I could take Adrianna to the doctor, as I was walking in Joe was out the door to work and my mom was already there, THANK GOD FOR HER!
So the Dr. Hepler (a different one we had not seen before) looked at Adrianna and said her ears looked good and not infected - PHEW, but that there is A LOT of influenza going around so that we needed to watch the temp and if she was still fevering by Thursday to bring her in so they can look at her again. Then he proceeds to tell me that they had admitted 4 children that day to the hospital - GEE THANKS not that I don't have enough to worry about.
Wednesday Quentin wakes up at 4 AM crying and saying that his ear hurt - this freaks me out as we are only 2 months into our 4th set of ear tubes (YES I SAID 4th SET) so as soon as the doctor's office opens I make an appointment for Quentin to be seen - Joe takes the kids to this appointment, Dr. Lyon said his ears were fine, and that he has the viral cold. Adrianna seemed fine this day - still a little warm but not fevering.
Thursday - no visits to the doctor this day! YAHOO, foolishly I thought we were on the path to recovery.
Saturday - again no visits to the doctor this day - Quentin actually had some color back in his face and was running around, I knew he was feeling better. Adrianna was still looking puny, after her nap I was changing her diaper and took her temp 103.6 - CRAP of course the doctor's office was closed by this time, so I called the nurse line. She said that the doctor would want to see her Sunday. The highest her fever got on Saturday night was 104.2 the lowest was 102.3. Saturday night was not a good night for sleep at our house, Quentin finally slept all night!! Adrianna would only sleep in her bouncy chair or on me - we camped out downstairs on the couch.
Sunday - I called the doctor's office as soon as they opened 10AM so we got an 11:20 AM appointment - My mom (AGAIN THANK GOD FOR HER) came and took Quentin to church and then to hang out for the afternoon. The waiting room at the doctor's office was packed for a Sunday I was surprised - anyway finally our turn and the doctor comes in the room and says that he was thinking that we needed to collect labs and urine - HELLO, even in my sleep deprived moment I knew that was not good. Labs for a 5 month old are horrendous enough but urine the only way to collect that is cather. He says that with the fever being so high with the medication there is something else going on. I just looked at Joe and almost started to cry thinking about the labs and urine collection.....Dr. Penman started the exam looks at her right ear and says it was fine - DARN secretly I was hoping for a good infection in order not to have to do the unpleasent labs - he looks at the left ear - BINGO she has a "raging ear infection" (those who have children - you know the poster in the doctor's office that shows ear infections, ok her's is the upper right picture with the bubble of puss- GROSS I KNOW) I was so relieved, no labs needed! He said she also has a sinus infection - he gave us an anitbiotic and ear drops - by Sunday evening she was much better she even slept for more than 45 minutes at a time!!
As we were leaving the office yesterday I did tell Dr. Penman that we would be moving into the nook of the waiting area, he laughed, and suggested that he get a plaque for the exam room and name it THE CHAVEZ FAMILY ROOM - he said that we could reserve our room the next time we came in.
Our next appointment is not until March 10 for Adrianna 6 month well baby check up - I told Dr. Penman that I really did not want to see anyone in thier office until March 10. He agreed!
Hopefully this week everyone will be better! I will be DISINFECTING the house again tonight.
The germ fest started last Friday evening, Quentin was running a fever so we watched him and laid low for the weekend, when he wasn't better on Monday and a runny nose and cough had developed we thought just a cold - no big deal. Tuesday Adrianna started to run a fever - this of course is a bigger deal as she is only 5 months old, fearing that she had another dreaded ear infection so I called my mom to come and hang with Quentin so I could take Adrianna to the doctor, as I was walking in Joe was out the door to work and my mom was already there, THANK GOD FOR HER!
So the Dr. Hepler (a different one we had not seen before) looked at Adrianna and said her ears looked good and not infected - PHEW, but that there is A LOT of influenza going around so that we needed to watch the temp and if she was still fevering by Thursday to bring her in so they can look at her again. Then he proceeds to tell me that they had admitted 4 children that day to the hospital - GEE THANKS not that I don't have enough to worry about.
Wednesday Quentin wakes up at 4 AM crying and saying that his ear hurt - this freaks me out as we are only 2 months into our 4th set of ear tubes (YES I SAID 4th SET) so as soon as the doctor's office opens I make an appointment for Quentin to be seen - Joe takes the kids to this appointment, Dr. Lyon said his ears were fine, and that he has the viral cold. Adrianna seemed fine this day - still a little warm but not fevering.
Thursday - no visits to the doctor this day! YAHOO, foolishly I thought we were on the path to recovery.
Saturday - again no visits to the doctor this day - Quentin actually had some color back in his face and was running around, I knew he was feeling better. Adrianna was still looking puny, after her nap I was changing her diaper and took her temp 103.6 - CRAP of course the doctor's office was closed by this time, so I called the nurse line. She said that the doctor would want to see her Sunday. The highest her fever got on Saturday night was 104.2 the lowest was 102.3. Saturday night was not a good night for sleep at our house, Quentin finally slept all night!! Adrianna would only sleep in her bouncy chair or on me - we camped out downstairs on the couch.
Sunday - I called the doctor's office as soon as they opened 10AM so we got an 11:20 AM appointment - My mom (AGAIN THANK GOD FOR HER) came and took Quentin to church and then to hang out for the afternoon. The waiting room at the doctor's office was packed for a Sunday I was surprised - anyway finally our turn and the doctor comes in the room and says that he was thinking that we needed to collect labs and urine - HELLO, even in my sleep deprived moment I knew that was not good. Labs for a 5 month old are horrendous enough but urine the only way to collect that is cather. He says that with the fever being so high with the medication there is something else going on. I just looked at Joe and almost started to cry thinking about the labs and urine collection.....Dr. Penman started the exam looks at her right ear and says it was fine - DARN secretly I was hoping for a good infection in order not to have to do the unpleasent labs - he looks at the left ear - BINGO she has a "raging ear infection" (those who have children - you know the poster in the doctor's office that shows ear infections, ok her's is the upper right picture with the bubble of puss- GROSS I KNOW) I was so relieved, no labs needed! He said she also has a sinus infection - he gave us an anitbiotic and ear drops - by Sunday evening she was much better she even slept for more than 45 minutes at a time!!
As we were leaving the office yesterday I did tell Dr. Penman that we would be moving into the nook of the waiting area, he laughed, and suggested that he get a plaque for the exam room and name it THE CHAVEZ FAMILY ROOM - he said that we could reserve our room the next time we came in.
Our next appointment is not until March 10 for Adrianna 6 month well baby check up - I told Dr. Penman that I really did not want to see anyone in thier office until March 10. He agreed!
Hopefully this week everyone will be better! I will be DISINFECTING the house again tonight.
Monday, February 23, 2009
An eventful weekend....
We celebrated our Anniversary this past weekend. The acutal day was last weekend however our babysitter, my mom, was out of town so we celebrated on Saturday with lunch and a movie. We dropped off the kids around 11:30 AM and once everyone was settled we were off to lunch at Applebees, we had a nice lunch and conversation, we realized it was the first time since Adrianna was born that we had been anywhere just the two of us. After lunch we decided to catch a movie, I wanted to see Gran Torino but Joe wanted to see Madea goes to Jail I really had no desire to see this movie but gave in and have to admit it was pretty funny, and apparently did very well this weekend.
After the movie we went to pick up the children, when we got to my mom's house she said that Quentin felt warm and had been sneezing and runny nose, my first thought was great another cold. It was around dinner time and mom said that she had been thinking about a Big Mac all day, I told her I would get her one since I needed to go to Carrs to get some medicine for Quentin.
I get the meds at Carrs and drive across the street to McDonald's the drive thru line was way too long so I decided to go in, I order the food and off I go. When exiting the parking lot I noticed something was sticking out of the snowbank, I looked it was a gun, yes I said a gun. I had to do a double no make that a triple take to realize what I was seeing. I called my mom and asked her what I should do, she suggested calling and speaking with the manager at McDonald's. OK I call the McDonald's and a teenager answers the phone, I told her what I saw and she sounded annoyed and just said "UM OK" not feeling confident that the nit wit would investigate the situation I decided to call the non-emergency line for APD. I gave the dispatcher the information, any other time that I have called (which is not a lot) the non-emergency line I have never received a call back, although I have never called for a weapon related matter. At any rate 45 minutes later my cell phone rings, the caller id said PRIVATE CALL, I answered. The voice on the phone said "May I speak to Hope Chavez?" I idenified myself, he then said, "This is Officer Fishback, I understand you found a weapon at McDonalds?" I gave him all the information and he told me to hold the line, he was arriving at McDonalds I told him which snow bank I saw the gun in. I told him that I was hoping it was a fake gun - he then said "no this is real" HOLY COW - a real gun this is what ran through my mind. SO then Officer Fishback asked for my drivers license number, address, phone number and date of birth. He told me that someone would contact me if they needed more information.
I am so glad that I called the police, who knew you could get a burger, fries and handgun at McDonalds? I know not funny but it made for an eventful weekend!
After the movie we went to pick up the children, when we got to my mom's house she said that Quentin felt warm and had been sneezing and runny nose, my first thought was great another cold. It was around dinner time and mom said that she had been thinking about a Big Mac all day, I told her I would get her one since I needed to go to Carrs to get some medicine for Quentin.
I get the meds at Carrs and drive across the street to McDonald's the drive thru line was way too long so I decided to go in, I order the food and off I go. When exiting the parking lot I noticed something was sticking out of the snowbank, I looked it was a gun, yes I said a gun. I had to do a double no make that a triple take to realize what I was seeing. I called my mom and asked her what I should do, she suggested calling and speaking with the manager at McDonald's. OK I call the McDonald's and a teenager answers the phone, I told her what I saw and she sounded annoyed and just said "UM OK" not feeling confident that the nit wit would investigate the situation I decided to call the non-emergency line for APD. I gave the dispatcher the information, any other time that I have called (which is not a lot) the non-emergency line I have never received a call back, although I have never called for a weapon related matter. At any rate 45 minutes later my cell phone rings, the caller id said PRIVATE CALL, I answered. The voice on the phone said "May I speak to Hope Chavez?" I idenified myself, he then said, "This is Officer Fishback, I understand you found a weapon at McDonalds?" I gave him all the information and he told me to hold the line, he was arriving at McDonalds I told him which snow bank I saw the gun in. I told him that I was hoping it was a fake gun - he then said "no this is real" HOLY COW - a real gun this is what ran through my mind. SO then Officer Fishback asked for my drivers license number, address, phone number and date of birth. He told me that someone would contact me if they needed more information.
I am so glad that I called the police, who knew you could get a burger, fries and handgun at McDonalds? I know not funny but it made for an eventful weekend!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Good deed for Friday....
I stopped by Starbucks on my way to work this morning and got a venti apple chai infusion and a scrumptious cranberry orange scone. While I was waiting in the drive thru line a Police officer pulled up behind me, when I got to the window the lovely barista working the window tells me my total is $5.40, I asked if I could pay for the police officer's coffee behind me, she said sure! Then she smiled and said that he also ordered a sandwich was that ok, of course.
My good deed for the day! As I drove off I smiled to myself and hoped that my good deed would help the officer have a great day!!
I have warm fuzzy feelings from my morning! It is amazing that my day started out with my favorite drink and a good deed! Karma what goes around comes around I am a firm believer in that!!
Have a good weekend!!!
My good deed for the day! As I drove off I smiled to myself and hoped that my good deed would help the officer have a great day!!
I have warm fuzzy feelings from my morning! It is amazing that my day started out with my favorite drink and a good deed! Karma what goes around comes around I am a firm believer in that!!
Have a good weekend!!!
Friday, February 6, 2009
One Word...
It's harder than you think!! This was a fun little quiz that I got on email through a forward - thought I would post it!
Where is your cell phone?......desk
Your hair ..........Short
Your father? ........Jerk
Your favorite thing? ...........kids
Your dream last night?..... ?
Your favorite drink? .......... Margarita
Your dream/goal? ..........
The room you are in? .....Office
Your fear? .........snakes
Where do you want to be in 6 years?.....rich
Muffins? ............blueberry!
One of your wish list items?.......
Where you grew up? .......Anchorage
The last thing you did? ......filed
What are you wearing?......clothes
Your TV?..........home
Your pets? ..........none
Your computer? .....Dell
Your life? .........Good
Your mood? ........calm
Missing someone? .......yes
Your car? ....black
Favorite store?.....Target
Your summer? .....rainy
Your favorite color? .......purple
When is the last time you laughed? .....today
Last time you cried? .......?
Where is your cell phone?......desk
Your hair ..........Short
Your father? ........Jerk
Your favorite thing? ...........kids
Your dream last night?..... ?
Your favorite drink? .......... Margarita
Your dream/goal? ..........
The room you are in? .....Office
Your fear? .........snakes
Where do you want to be in 6 years?.....rich
Muffins? ............blueberry!
One of your wish list items?.......
Where you grew up? .......Anchorage
The last thing you did? ......filed
What are you wearing?......clothes
Your TV?..........home
Your pets? ..........none
Your computer? .....Dell
Your life? .........Good
Your mood? ........calm
Missing someone? .......yes
Your car? ....black
Favorite store?.....Target
Your summer? .....rainy
Your favorite color? .......purple
When is the last time you laughed? .....today
Last time you cried? .......?
Friday, January 30, 2009
Volcano
I have spent most of the day today calling around to pharmacies to find masks that we will have to wear if and that is a BIG IF - Mt. Redoubt erupts. The damn volcano has been on code Orange since Sunday so who knows when it will blow. My mom called me today and said that I needed to get my emergency kit in order if the volcano blows.
We have an emergency kit for the BIG earthquakes that I put together 4 years ago - I will just need to add some items.
THis is what is suggested to be in your emergency kit
In my kit are the following items: I think it is pretty good
Clothing for myself, husband and Quentin (although they probably don't fit the child since it was put together when he was an infant LOL)
Cash
Bottled water (does this go bad or have an expiration date?)
Formula (this for sure has expired and we don't need it)
Food - mostly canned and dehydrated
can opener
diapers
First Aide Kit
Battery Operated Radio (although I am not sure if the batteries are still good)
Copies of my id and husband's id along with a copy of Quentin's birth certificate (in case they have to identify us)
flash light
candles (I didn't see any matches though- LOL)
blankets
SOOOO when I took the inventory earlier this week I came to the conclusion that I should probably update this stupid thing once a year. I put it together because my mom was insistent on it, especially when Quentin was born. Although my thought hasn't changed, if there is a big earthquake - will I even be able to get to the damn kit? Same thing with this volcano if it blows who is to say I will be at home to access the freaking air masks that we will need to put on. I guess I will need to get several masks and just carry them with me.
I will be updating my kit this weekend! Hopefully that will make my mom happy!
We have an emergency kit for the BIG earthquakes that I put together 4 years ago - I will just need to add some items.
THis is what is suggested to be in your emergency kit
In my kit are the following items: I think it is pretty good
Clothing for myself, husband and Quentin (although they probably don't fit the child since it was put together when he was an infant LOL)
Cash
Bottled water (does this go bad or have an expiration date?)
Formula (this for sure has expired and we don't need it)
Food - mostly canned and dehydrated
can opener
diapers
First Aide Kit
Battery Operated Radio (although I am not sure if the batteries are still good)
Copies of my id and husband's id along with a copy of Quentin's birth certificate (in case they have to identify us)
flash light
candles (I didn't see any matches though- LOL)
blankets
SOOOO when I took the inventory earlier this week I came to the conclusion that I should probably update this stupid thing once a year. I put it together because my mom was insistent on it, especially when Quentin was born. Although my thought hasn't changed, if there is a big earthquake - will I even be able to get to the damn kit? Same thing with this volcano if it blows who is to say I will be at home to access the freaking air masks that we will need to put on. I guess I will need to get several masks and just carry them with me.
I will be updating my kit this weekend! Hopefully that will make my mom happy!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
OK so I caved and now have created a profile on facebook - I can see myself getting hooked, as I have seen and requested to be friends with many people who I had lost contact with!!
Anyway not much to say just waiting to be approved as friends, which always cracks me up!
It is snowing here today - I am so done with winter - ready for spring and summer!
Have a great Wednesday!
Anyway not much to say just waiting to be approved as friends, which always cracks me up!
It is snowing here today - I am so done with winter - ready for spring and summer!
Have a great Wednesday!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Help St. Jude's Research Hospital
Quentin’s preschool class is having a little competition between the classes to see which class can bring in the most pounds of spare change. The proceeds will be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital to aid in the research for a cure Pediatric Cancers.
I was hoping that you all would be able to help in collecting change for this Facility and to help Quentin’s class room win!!!
For the friends that are out of town, if you would like to send me a check as your donation, I can take it to the bank and get the change from the bank.
I have included the link to St. Jude’s Hospital in case you are not familiar with the great things that this facility does for children who are receiving treatment for cancer.
www.stjude.org
Please let me know if you have any questions, the competition and change collecting is going through the month of February!! Every penny (yes the pesky coins that we toss aside) counts!!!
I was hoping that you all would be able to help in collecting change for this Facility and to help Quentin’s class room win!!!
For the friends that are out of town, if you would like to send me a check as your donation, I can take it to the bank and get the change from the bank.
I have included the link to St. Jude’s Hospital in case you are not familiar with the great things that this facility does for children who are receiving treatment for cancer.
www.stjude.org
Please let me know if you have any questions, the competition and change collecting is going through the month of February!! Every penny (yes the pesky coins that we toss aside) counts!!!
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