More Tests for Ammon

Well, Last Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving Ammon had to do a VCUG and a Renal Ultrasound again. (These are described below, if you are wondering). He has to be checked every 6 months for now to keep a close eye on the kidneys. I hate having to do these tests, because it is just like torture for my Poor little Ammon. It makes for a horrible day, starting out with the VCUG, having to be held down and then get a cathider in and fill his bladder up with yucky dye stuff, then holding him down and turning him at the right times to get the best pictures of the kidneys. The Renal Ultrasound isn't so bad, but he does not want to lay back on that table after the first tests trauma, so he has to be held down again, and he can't stop screaming for the tech to get some good pictures. Anyway, we got that over with & finally today we had to go to Las Vegas to the Pediatric Uroligist to find out the results of the tests. So, it was pretty good news for now. He said they seem to be functioning just fine and the pelvic/ectopic kidney is smaller, but he expected that. The last Ultrasound we did showed some sort of growth or dialated ureter attached to the pelvic kidney. But, it is not there anymore. There is no reflux & he said we shouldn't have to try to do another Mag 3 Renal Scan (the thing we tried to do a few months back where we had a horrible experience trying to get the IV in-you can click here if you liked to read that post) Anyway, so yeah....I don't want to try that again. He said we'll do another Renal Ultrasound in 6 months and we won't even have to do the VCUG next time unless a problem occurs. And then if the next ultrasound is good then we can go a year before we have to do anymore tests!! Yeah!! He has to keep getting checked though, because with the pelvic/ectopic kidney there is more likely for problems. But, I think Ammon will be just fine!! Yeah! Good News!

So, I put a little more info for myself so I can remember all this junk for the future...and for any of you who may be interested.

What is an ectopic kidney? An ectopic kidney is a birth defect in which a kidney is located in an abnormal position. In most cases, people with an ectopic kidney have no complaints. In other cases, the ectopic kidney may create urinary problems, such as urine blockage, infection, or urinary stones. Researchers estimate that ectopic kidney occurs once in every 1,000 births.

What causes an ectopic kidney? During fetal development, a baby’s kidneys first appear as buds inside the pelvis, near the bladder. As the fetal kidneys develop, they climb gradually toward their normal position near the rib cage in the back. Sometimes, one of the kidneys fails to make the climb. It may stop after making part of the climb. Or it may remain in the pelvis. Rarely does a child have two ectopic kidneys. An ectopic kidney may remain in the pelvis, close to the bladder.
What are the possible complications of an ectopic kidney? When a kidney is out of the normal position, drainage problems are likely. Sometimes, urine can even flow backwards from the bladder to the kidney, a problem called vesicoureteral reflux, or simply reflux. Abnormal urine flow can set the stage for a number of problems. -Infection. Normally, urine flow washes out bacteria and keeps them from growing in the kidneys and urinary tract. When a kidney is out of the normal position, urine may get trapped in the ureter or in the kidney itself. Urine that remains in the urinary tract gives bacteria the chance to grow and spread.
-Stones. Urinary stones form from substances found in the urine, such as calcium and oxalate. Urine that remains too long in the urinary tract increases the risk that these substances will have time to form stones. Symptoms of urinary stones include extreme pain in the back, side, or pelvis; blood in the urine; fever or chills; vomiting; and burning during urination.
-Kidney failure. If urine backs up all the way to the kidneys, damage to the kidneys can occur. As a result, the kidneys can’t filter wastes and extra fluid from the blood. Symptoms of kidney failure include swelling in the legs or abdomen, feeling very tired, headaches, or nausea. If total kidney failure occurs, you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant. Total kidney failure happens only when both kidneys are damaged. One ectopic kidney, even when it has no function, won’t cause kidney failure. The body can survive with one kidney.
-Trauma. If the ectopic kidney is in the lower abdomen, or pelvis, it may be susceptible to injury from blunt trauma. People with ectopic kidney who want to participate in body contact sports may wish to wear protective gear.
Ammon has a little bit of Hydronephrosis, where one of the kidneys is dialated. The Pelvic/ectopic Kidney is smaller, so the other kidney has Hydronephrosis, meaning it is dialated. Normally, urine flows from the kidneys down through the ureters and into the bladder. But, if there is some kind of a blockage that prevents urine from draining properly into the bladder or out of the bladder, the kidney overfills with urine and hydronephrosis occurs. The blockage may be partial, letting urine pass, but at a slower rate and with increased pressure.
Tests
-Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) - a specific X-ray that examines the urinary tract. A catheter (hollow tube) is placed in the urethra (tube that drains urine from the bladder to the outside of the body) and the bladder is filled with a liquid dye. X-ray images will be taken as the bladder fills and empties. The images will show if there is any reverse flow of urine into the ureters and kidneys and how well the bladder empties. It is also used to determine if there is obstruction in the urethra.
-Renal ultrasound (RUS) - a non-invasive test in which a transducer is passed over the kidney, producing sound waves which bounce off the kidney and transmit a picture of the organ on a video screen. The test is used to determine the size and shape of the kidney, and to detect a mass, kidney stone, cyst, or other obstruction or abnormalities.
-A renal (kidney) scan (MAG 3 with lasix) - This scan provides very sensitive quantitative information regarding kidney function and drainage characteristics. Along with the IVP, it is particularly helpful in identifying and assessing the degree of blockage.

I got an AWARD...Whoo HOo!

Wow! I'm honored to receive this Award! Thanks Misty! Misty has a great personal blog and she also has a creative crafty blog The Creative Itch Boutique Check it out! And Thanks again Misty for this fun award! That's so nice of you to think of me!

Now I'm suppose give this award to 5 fabulous ladies:

Where do I start????

Andrea- She is my niece, although she is only about 4 years younger than me. She is super pretty, has a model body =) and has a cute personality. She has the cutest little girl Emilie and a little boy on the way. She use to sleep over at my house when we were younger and she was just like a little sister. There are lots of fun memories Andrea and I love ya!

Valerie- I met Val my Freshmen year in college. She was one of my 5 roommates. I didn't know any of them and I was so scared. I was so lucky to have some great roommates who became such great friends to me. Val & I became great friends! Such good friends like that are hard to find. We had so much fun for a few years in college together. Chasing the Emery Boys, Beaver Boys and Vernal Boys....haha...and of course going to class, right?....such good times! I haven't actually seen her in years it seems, but we still keep in touch through blogs and email! Love ya Val & I miss those fun days!

Jana- Jana and I met because our husbands served in the same mission. We were both dating our now husbands and we hung out for a weekend in Provo the first time we met. We double dated and went miniture golfing and out for icecream and such. That seems so long ago. Each of our little families visit eachother every other year or so. We always go to each others baby blessings and it's so fun to hang out with them. Jana is a lot of fun and it's funny how much we have in common!

Amanda- Amanda went to the same High School as me. She was a couple years younger and so we never hung out or anything. But, we worked together for a little bit at Valley Leavitt Insurance =) after we both were married. Amanda has such a great personality and is fun to talk to. I wanted to talk about her new blog because it is so coooolll all the money she is saving doing coupon shopping and she is now teaching people through coupon classes how to save like her as well. I just went to one of her classes and I'm super excited to try out the coupon shopping! Check out her blog: The Coupon Class

Gina- Gina and I were in the same class in High School. I don't think we knew eachother that well in High School, although we were friends, we might have hung out a few times...but we were involved in different things. I've always thought she was such a nice person. Someone easy to get along with. It's been fun to hang out more with Gina now that we are married and with kids. She is so easy to talk to and we have a lot in common. She is such a great friend and such a great mother. She is someone to look up to and could be a really great friend for a lifetime!

Have fun ladies... I really do enjoy reading your blogs....Now it's your turn! =)

It's so hard to choose just 5...there are many other fabulous ladies out there!

Now it's time to list my 5 crazy addictions!

1: Blogging, and blog stalking!!

2: Crafting

3: Learning new things

4: Searching on Ebay

5: Popcorn

Here are the rules to receiving this award:

1. You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous blogs in a post.

2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.

3. You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post.

Instructions: On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them. When you post your five winners, make sure you link them as well. To add the award to your post, simply right-click, save image, then "add image" it in your post as a picture so your winners can save it as To add it to your sidebar, add the "picture" gadget.

Also, don't forget to let your winners know they won an award from you by emailing them or leaving a comment on their blog. Now get to it I can't wait to see your creativity in recreating your own blog awards!

Giving Thanks & Counting our Blessings....

This year Thanksgiving was with my side of the Family. We switch off every year. I was in charge of the Pomegranate Salad and a Pecan Pie. The Pomegranate Salad was a big task for me...but convenient since we have our own Pomegranate Trees.

I love Pomegranates. They are so yummy... and it reminds me of the time when I was young and we'd always pick pomegranates at my Grandpa and Grandma Leavitts house. We'd crack them open on the sidewalk and eat lots and lots of pomegranates! Artie doesn't even like them

=( (what a weirdo...he doesn't like popcorn either....another one of my favorite things =). Anyway, we always let a bunch of people come and pick some off of our trees since there are way more than we would ever eat. But this year we needed a bunch since I was making the pomegranate salad for about 40 people! The kids had fun helping me pick them...... I shelled pomegranates for 2 days..... the kids helped me a little bit....Ammon loves pomegranates... he would try and just take a bite out of it like an apple =). Then while I was shelling them he would stick his hand in the bowl and take a fist full and try to shove them all in his mouth.... he then would go after the ones that fell on the ground. When he got full he would start throwing the ones I hadn't got to yet out of the box like they were balls..... he had a blast... but it was hard for me to get anything done! =) The kids and I also had fun making Turkey Cookies out of oreos and candy cornThanksgiving Day was fun hanging out with family and having the Best Meal Ever!!! I love being with my family. It's always a lot of fun! I'm so thankful for all of them!!Alley was playing Soccer with the "big" kids! The kids had so much fun playing with cousins, as always. It was rainy all day and they played and played and played outside...they got soakin' wet! But, they had soooo much fun!

The rest of the weekend was a lot of fun too! Artie got up at 2 am on Black Friday to go to St. George with his brothers....I think it's becoming a tradition that he and his brothers go up waaaaayyyyy early. Rocki and I and the kids then met all of them in St. George at the Mall around 8:30 am and did a little shopping with Artie's Family. That's also becoming a tradition. We all shop with his Parents every year and they buy us stuff..... yeah =) So Nice!! Later that day we went back over to my parents house and had leftovers....(Thanksgiving dinner all over again =) Saturday we put up Christmas Stuff... and Went to Dinner at Wolf Creek with my side of the Family (Adults only)! We had a great Thanksgiving and a fun weekend! Now, I can't believe it's almost Christmas! I love being surrounded by family. We are so lucky and grateful. Our kids love playing with cousins and I'm glad they can be near all of their Grandparents and even their Great Grand parents.

New Calling

Well, I have received a new calling in our ward. I am already the Choir Pianist...we practice Every Sunday, even when there is not much to prepare for! =) And sometimes I fill in at the Organ for Sacrament meeting. I was the Primary Piano player and that was seriously like my 5th or 6th time in that position. My first time was when I was in High School. I played the piano for the Spanish Branch Primary. Anyway, since I'm rambling about callings... I've also been in the young womens class presidencies while I was a young woman =),the Young Womens Laurel Advisor, The Sunbeam Teacher and the Nursery Leader. I really do enjoy each calling. So, now I have a new one, one that I never thought I would have because I always end up behind the piano where I am comfortable. I am now the Primary Music Leader. Wow! I am excited and a little nervous. I love music! And not many people know I also like to sing rather than always playing the piano! So, I am excited to have a change. I know every calling is from our Heavenly Father. It's so weird, actually a couple months ago... out of the blue, for some reason... the thought popped in my head that it might be fun to be the Primary Music Leader. I don't know where that came from or why I even thought of it. And now that's what I am.

I'm a Good Driver Now.....

When the girls play with their car it's always been Alley driving, because Ashlyn was a crazy driver =). She would just go all over the place and push on the gas and let go, push and let go...so it was a little crazy. Now...with Alley in school, Ashlyn has had a lot of practice. She is doing great! Ammon loves to ride too, but I wouldn't let him go until Ashlyn had some practice =) Ammon always looks a little nervous while Ashlyn's driving as they go around and around the house lots and lots of times....But he loves it! He never wants to get out and he cries when they finally have to stop!! Ashlyn is so happy she can drive the car! She says, "I'm a good driver now!"

I can SEE....

I took Alley to get her first checkup from the eye doctor! I figured it was time since she is in Kindergarten. But, I never really thought she would need glasses!

Alley is Farsided & she has an Astigmatism. So, she can't see things up close and the Astigmatism make things blurry anyway. So, Wow! My little girl needs glasses. Dr. Brotherson said she needs to wear them the whole time she is in class and she can take them off when she is playing outiside, but that she may just want to wear them ALL the time because she'll see SO Much Better!! Ashlyn thinks she needs to wear glasses now too, so she always puts on her sunglasses =) Alley is very proud of her pink case! Alley wore her glasses for the first time to school on Tuesday! Her teacher said she did so good and that she was very careful to put them in the case before she went out to recess. She also said that usually Alley would sit way up close when they are copying things from the board and this time she was sitting far away and finished so fast and held her paper up and yelled out "look Mrs. Mickelson, I'm already finished." She was so proud!! Alley is doing so good and I can tell she can see so much better with them on, she'd much rather have them on all the time then go with out them! She was a little nervous that the kids would laugh at her because she looks different with her glasses on =( But, we told her it doesn't matter because we think she looks cute and the most important thing is that she can see so much better now! I also recently got new glasses. My eyes have gone down a step with each kid =( I've had reading glasses since I was 5 (they had little strawberries on the side...haha, cute, cute) & I also have an Astigmatism. I have never been good about wearing my reading glasses =( but now that my eyes keep getting worse I love my glasses, especially when driving at night... scary!! Anyway, so Artie says it's my fault that Alley needs glasses, because I had glasses when I was 5 and I have an Astigmatism =) (Just for the record...he is way Blinder than me) So there! =)

okay... I'm doin' it, "The GrEaT 8"

8 Shows I like to watch: 1- Friends Re-runs 2- So you think you can Dance 3- Biggest Loser 4- The Bachelor/Bachelorette 5- George Lopez (late at night- Nick at Night =) 6- Sometimes I'll watch Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the team 7- Something on HGTV 8- Yes....I guess I'm mostly a reality show junky =) 8 Restaurants I Like To Eat At: 1- Texas Roadhouse 2- Cafe Rio 3- Pizza Hut 4- Cracker Barrel 5- Wendy's 6- Golden Corral 7- Pizza Factory 8- Olive Garden 8 Things That Happened Today: 1- Showered 2- cleaned the house 3- organized the downstairs rooms 4- made the downstairs family room a play room 5- went to the store 6- went to a baby blessing & dinner 7- gave the kids a bath 8- checked e-mail 8 Things I'm Looking Forward To: 1- Thanksgiving 2- Ammon's 1st b-day 3- Christmas 4- The Twilight Movie 5- My all of a sudden break out on my face to go away =) 6- Family Christmas Party 7- 8- 8 Things On My Wish List: 1- That Ammon's kidneys are functioning perfectly 2- new carpet and floors 3- new curtains 4- a wall around our house 5- Clear skin 6- to Lose 15 lbs 7- to not Age and get wrinkles 8- a Newer and Bigger Car! 8 People I Am Tagging 1- Steph 2-Val 3- Andrea 4- whoever!! 5- 6- 7- 8-

A Little GetAway!

Alley had No school on Monday or Tuesday and Artie also had work off. So, we decided to take a little trip to Kanab to visit Erica & Nick (my sister). It was a nice little getaway and it was COLD! The kids had fun and it was nice to see them, because we don't get to as often as we use to.

"King Kong" Ammon (he loved climbing on and standing on this doll house)

Ashlyn's favorite thing is to swing

Aunt Erica & Ammon Alley, Ashlyn & Lyndsey

A Few Family Pics!

So, these last couple of days we were in Kanab, visiting my sister and we had her take a few pictures of us as a family! We are not professionals for sure! =) But, with a grumpy husband who hates taking pictures and trying to get all the kids to smile and stay happy.... I think we did pretty good...hahaha! So, here are some of them!

Ammon's First "REAL" Haircut

So, I've actually had to trim Ammon's hair about 3 or 4 times already. I decided it was about time to take him to the Professionals =) So, he got his first "REAL" Haircut on Halloween Day!

Jenna and all the girls at Valley Curls were dressed up as inmates for Halloween (as you can see) and the outside windows had Jail Bars painted on them! It was very cute!

Ammon did so good. He loved it! He loved looking at himself in the mirror and thought it was so fun! What a good boy! All my kids think it's a real treat to go to the Beauty shop...hahaha, they're funny!

Here is our Shaggy Boy Before:

And here he is After, ready to be the Hulk:

He is getting so big....and growing so fast! He has learned a few more things lately:

He claps his hands, Can shake his head "Yes" now, as well as "No." Always puts things up to his ear and jabbers like he is talking on the phone... he always says "dadadadad" when he is talking on the phone. He started walking at 10 1/2 months. He has taken about 10 steps by himself at the most! He also loves to point at everything now! I can't believe he will be one year old in a month!