Family Science Night & Arthritis Update

We had a great time at the Little Rams Preschool Family Science Night a couple weeks ago. Educational family fun is always a good time in my book! Jack and Lia loved all the different experiments they could do, animals to see and touch, and lots more things to explore! We have loved our experience with Little Rams, and even though Jack is going on to kindergarten next year, we already have Lia enrolled to start as a Little Ram in the fall.

We also met with our new rheumatologist last week. We are no longer going to St. Paul, due to insurance reasons, and are now seeing someone at the U of I Hospitals in Iowa City. I am excited about the shorter drive, but wasn't excited to meet yet another doctor and have everything transferred from one hospital to the next....but it went really well, and we like the new doctor. Our appointment didn't render the news we were hoping though. We found out that Lia still has active arthritis in both of her knees and some in the top of her left foot. We are starting a new medication, methotrexane, given through weekly injections. The injections come with lots of twists...labs (in Des Moines) every 4 weeks to check liver function and other organs, careful watch over spiking a fever (trip to ER if it goes higher than 100.4), and no more 'live' vaccinations until she is off the medication. We did not do a steroid injection this time, but may consider one when we go back in July, depending on results of methotrexane. In addition to the new medication, we are starting physical therapy on her calf muscle. Due to all the limping she did earlier this fall, one of her calves is much smaller than the other, SO, now we add physical therapist to our inner circle. YAY! (note sarcasm).

We gave our first injection last week, and will do another one on Saturday. My mom came over and watched me do the first one to make sure I was doing it correctly, and for moral support too! Lia of course hated it, but she took it like a champ. She's pretty used to being poked and prodded.

Our new rheumatologist gave us the option of doing warm baths every morning or rice pouches to wake up Lia's joints before she starts her day. The way mornings are around here--we opted for the rice pouches. Grandma Sue whipped some that strap around the front and back of Lia's knees, and also for her ankles. We couldn't leave Jack out, so he's the proud owner of some new rice pouches too. These things are great. You heat them in the microwave, strap 'em on, and it's like an instant heating pad.

I'm also including some new pictures of my new cousin, Arbor! Born 7 weeks early, she finally got to go home this past week. She's adorable. Dan and Ashley are wonderful parents. She's a great new addition to our family.

Enjoy the pictures!