Well, between new jobs and new schedules it is hard to find time to update the site.  Just know that no news is always good news with us!

We’ll go from youngest to oldest:

Continue reading →

Maddie & Olivia had their annual checkups with Dr. Friedman on August 1.

First Maddie – she’s 41 lbs and 43″ tall. She is VERY healthy minus some issues with frequent urination that we’re still trying to work out. And she seems to have developed a “tic” in that she blinks her eyes often. Dr. F doesn’t seem concerned about it and said it should go away on it’s own. Maddie needed a chicken pox booster – she didn’t even cry! Brave big girl that she is.

Now Miss Olivia – she’s 26 lbs and 33″ tall. She is doing GREAT. She was a bit “bluish” but we believe it’s related to this terribly hot weather we’ve been experiencing. She was due to receive an adult dose of the pneumonia vaccine but they weren’t in yet. So we’ll have to go back to get that when they come in.

Overall it was a GREAT appt and I’m so proud of my girlies!!!

Olivia has been sick so I’m going to update from the beginning. Note that she’s doing great – just likes to make things interesting for everyone.

April 29 – May 6: We’re in Disney. Olivia had a GREAT time and was so easy going.

May 5: We note that Olivia’s coming down with a cold.

May 17: Olivia is very fussy over dinner. I take her temperature and it’s 101º+ after tylenol.

May 18:

102º+ fever. I stay home and take her in to see Dr. Friedman. Ears are clear and throat is red. Assumption is sinus infection and we’ll treat her with 3.5ml of omnicef (antibiotics – 250 mg / 5 ml) once a day for 7 to 10 days.

May 19: Still running a fever.

May 20: Fussy but no more fever.

May 21: REALLY fussy. I noticed she had a rash behind her ears which I assumed was relating to not rinsing enough after the bath so I put some lotion on it. I had to take her out of church during Mass because she was REALLY fussy which has NEVER happened before. I then notice the rash is EVERYWHERE (belly, back). Her cheeks were red.

Arnie calls Dr. Friedman after Mass and she feels it’s just part of the virus (fever, rash) so not to worry. Olivia ate next to NOTHING all day and then was up more than half the night. This is SO not our Olivia so we’re both a bit freaked. No fever but definitely not herself. We finally put her in our bed at 2AM because we’re all exhausted. An aside Maddie comment: the next morning we told her we were tired because Olivia was awake all night. She said “Why didn’t you wake me up?” HA!

May 22: Rash is much lighter in the morning but gets worse as the day goes on. Arnie stays home and takes her back in to see Dr. Friedman. She believes it’s still related to the fever but just in case she recommends stopping the omnicef because it’s a new drug for her and maybe that’s causing the reaction. We start her on benadryl as well to help.

Olivia finally ate decent last night (pasta). So I think we’re over the hump. I don’t like things that can’t be explained with her – it’s scary stuff.

Now on to the good stuff!

Talking
Miss Olivia is a talking fool! The girl doesn’t stop. She says so much it’s unreal. A few highlights:

• Fresh (as in Maddie’s being fresh)
• STOP IT!
• Bad
• Mickey Mouse (comes out as “Mi-ee Mouse”)
• TV on?
• TV off
• stickers
• color (comes out like “yellow”)
• Duck
• Bird
• Kitty
• Hot
• Hot (for cold)
• Water
• Brush teeth
• ketchup
• ketchup (for toothpaste)
• Markers

There are a ton more, but these are the ones she’s most recently picked up.

I’ve been very bad about updating!  We’ve been so busy with life and everything in general that Olivia’s site is last on the list and gets put off.

All is well with us.  Olivia had her first double ear infection last Wednesday (4/12/06). She had been running a fever on and off for about 5 days and I figured it was time to bring her in due to the long holiday weekend.  Never have I seen a parent and doctor cheer over a child having a double ear infection!  But we did. And we’re thrilled it was something so “simple” and she didn’t need to go in for bloodwork.  Olivia took zithromax for 5 days and is now back on her amoxicillan.

Olivia was exposed to Fifth Disease

earlier in the month. This is a typical childhood virus that causes a child to get bright rosy cheeks (looking like they have been slapped).  We believe this was part of the reason for the fever. My sister, brother in law, both nephews and my mother have it this go around. It hits adults much harder than children.  Ironically it was my exposure to Fifth Disease that brought about Olivia’s diagnosis of her heart defects when I was pregnant with her.

Olivia is definitely going to be 2 this year. She is testing boundaries and has her own opinion on how things should be!  She wants to walk all the time (no time for carriages or strollers in stores anymore).  She tells you NO if you ask her to do something she doesn’t want to do.  She’s a bundle of energy and a joy!

Swimming has been a lot of fun with her recently. She has NO fear and LOVES the water. She actually will put her face in the water, take it out and then laugh hysterically.  Her instructor, Miss Kimberly gets such a kick out of her.  We’re trying to get Olivia to be able to stay upright in the pool without me having to hold on to her.  We are now using a bubble and a quarter (floatation devices) with the one full bubble on her belly (a first for Miss Kimberly).  We’re not sure if it’s just that Olivia likes to put her face in the water or it’s the way her muscles are from the surgeries, but with the one bubble on her belly and the quarter bubble on her back, we’re finally to the point that I can let go of her for a second and she doesn’t end up face down in the water.

Olivia’s newest trick is removing her diaper in the middle of the night.  On Sunday morning Arnie found her without a diaper and soaked from the waist down. And this morning I found her in a similar predicament but her diaper wasn’t fully off. Thank God for that one because she had a little present in there for me.  A good friend of mine suggested I put her diaper on with the tape backwards so we’ll try that tonight.

T-10 days until Disney. I am very unorganized this time around – or I feel unorganized. I have the major things ready but I feel I’m forgetting something.  I need to review my lists again.

So that’s all from here. We’ll update again after Florida unless anything comes up in the meantime!

Olivia had her 20 month checkup today with Dr. Friedman.  Olivia was just shy of 24 lbs and was 33″ tall.  25 – 50th percentile for weight and 50th to 75th percentile for HEIGHT!  Go Olivia!  Dr. Friedman got a blood pressure reading of 80/40 on her so the analapril is working!  And so no need to go back specifically for frequent blood pressure readings.  Her heart rate is 129.

We talked about whether or not we should switch her to 2% milk. Dr. Friedman said her LAST concern is clogged arteries and that if when Olivia is 75 years old she has them, she can dig up Dr. Friedman to yell at her.  It made me smile to hear her talk about Olivia in such long term figures.

We talked about vitamins. Olivia is still on poly-visol with iron (a liquid form).  I felt that despite brushing her teeth we’re seeing some staining from the iron.  Dr. Friedman confirmed the staining and suggested we use a battery powered toothbrush on her. We are switching her over to a chewable vitamin once this bottle of vitamins is finished.

Arnie brought up the pacifier (aka “pluggy” or “duck” or “rah rah” (for the dog)).  Arnie wants to get rid of it. I’m just not ready yet.  Dr. Friedman sides with Arnie and said now is as good a time as any.  Especially since she has no procedures for a while.  I’m just not ready to give it up.  It’s her one vice.  Plus she’s most likely our last baby so it’s that much harder.  Maybe when we get back from Florida?

The most exciting part of the appointment was that we were able to get an oxygen reading of 89% on her! WOOHOO!  Everyone was clapping and cheering!

Our next appointment is not until August 5!

Arnie brought Olivia in to see Dr. Friedman today. She’s had a cold for a while now and it seems to be moving into her eyes. She had those “goopy eyes” relating to a cold – not pink eye. Plus she’s been having a tough time sleeping at night.

Olivia’s right ear looked “mildly” infected to Dr. Friedman. She put her on Zithromax (200/5ML concentration – she’s getting 3ml once a day) for 3 days in place of her amoxicillan.

While he was there he also discussed with her a few concerns I had.

1. Olivia’s fontanelle (the “soft spot”) hasn’t closed yet. Dr. Friedman felt this was nothing to be concerned about at this point.
2. Speech. Olivia’s not talking a ton. She says Mama, Dada, apple, bye, hi, eyes, nose, mouth, but really hasn’t taken off language wise. Dr. Friedman said she should be able to say 3 words beside Mama and Dada at this point so we’re ok. She felt that since she understands both english and spanish we’re in good shape as well – and the fact that she’s learning two languages at once may be the reason she’s not speaking more. We’ll discuss more at her 20 month visit in April.

The entire Belfonti household is battling the same cold and it is a doozy. Even Maddie Rose with her immune system of steel has fallen victim to this one.

Grove Hill Medical Center of CT is EVIL. Just EVIL.   Tuesday, January 24 I called the office to see if I could stop by on my way back from CCMC to pick up the girl’s records.   I sent in a request for their records on December 23.   I was told on Tuesday that they weren’t sure if they could give them out.  I had to speak with Karen Cookish, office manager who of course wasn’t in the office.   I left her a message to call me back.

I called again on Wednesday, January 25 and talked to the nurse.  I told her I felt that Grove Hill was playing a game and both my children’s well being were being used as pawns.  She understood but her hands were tied – she was just listening to her boss, Karen.

I left Karen a message on Wednesday stating that I would be calling her daily until one of two things occurred:  1. She released the girl’s records or 2. She called me back.  Of course she never called back.

I called again on Thursday, January 26.  Erin told me the records were ready to be picked up.  Rather than wait for them to change their minds, I drove over immediately.  What shocked me was how thin the packet was.  I opened them up and this is what they had given me for each girl:

• Immunization report
• Growth chart
• Copy of last office visit’s notes
• Lead testing results (Maddie only)

I wasn’t sure if I should be angry or not, so I waited until Friday, January 27 to drop off the records at Dr. Friedman’s. Dr. Friedman wasn’t there but her nurse Sharon was. Sharon was with Dr. Friedman since day one and therefore we’ve known her since Maddie was days old.  Sharon couldn’t believe they had only given us this and suggested I call back.  Of course on a Friday afternoon, no one was in the office so I had to stew on this all weekend.
I didn’t sleep much Friday night. I was livid that Karen was playing games and involving us in the middle.  Regardless of what happened between Dr. Friedman and Grove Hill Medical Center, it has nothing to do with my children.  So we shouldn’t be involved in any of this.

I decided at 2AM Saturday morning I would contact the Attorney General for the State of CT   Grove Hill wanted to play hard ball, they chose the WRONG woman to mess with. I took on a multi-billion dollar company 7 years ago who wanted to build a power plant in my home town – a piddley medical center is peanuts compared to that.  The point is I don’t take “No” for an answer very easily. And when it comes to my children? Stand back.

I emailed Richard Blumenthal on Saturday and was able to enjoy my weekend.

Today, I called Karen Cookish again.  I left her a message letting her know that I was very unhappy with the games being played and I didn’t appreciate my children being used as pawns. I also would have NO problems going to the media with how Grove Hill won’t release my children’s complete records. I didn’t mention anything about the Attorney General yet – I figured I’d use the media card first.

Miracle of miracles – Karen finally called me back! (sarcasm)  She told me no games were being played and tried to be my best friend.  Told me a bunch of BS and let me know that for 0.45 / page, they’d be happy to copy the girl’s entire records for me.  We went back and forth a bit – she trying to get me to be sympathetic “There are legal issues …” and my response continually was “That has nothing to do with my children”.

So, $14.40 and one month and 7 days later I picked up the girl’s records.  And hand delivered them to Dr. Friedman.  I will sleep better knowing Dr. Friedman has our entire history at her disposal.  Of course with Olivia I’ve kept my own notes, but Maddie has 5 years history that I would rather know we have access to.   And of course, just because I have my notes doesn’t mean they’re 100% accurate.

I called Dr. Friedman today as Olivia has had a TERRIBLE diaper rash this week. I think it’s because she can down an entire half pint of blueberries in one sitting. That and she just loves to poop between 7:15PM and 9:30PM.  It’s more often than not that I go into her room to check on her before bed and I end up having to change a stinky diaper.

So we lucked out and Dr. Friedman was available to see us. It took us all of 5 minutes to get there (4 of which were putting on coats, hats and getting the girls buckled into their seats).

Dr. Friedman diagnosed Olivia with a “contact” diaper rash from the poop.  We are to put 1% hydrocortisone cream on it and then balmexon top of that. It should clear everything up by the end of the weekend.

We received our letter from Grove Hill today about Dr. Friedman leaving the practice.  I called immediately to request that the medical records be released to Dr. Friedman’s new practice. Of course it’s not that easy so I now need to wait until they mail me the form so I can then sign it and mail it back.  The letter didn’t state what her new address is – I believe this is Grove Hill’s way of making Dr. Friedman’s life difficult because they put her cell # on there for us to call.  I’d like to call today to see if there is anything settled yet but hate to bug her because I’m sure her phone is ringing off the hook with concerned parents.  Oh well … I’ll survive

Merry Christmas!

I was working from home because Diana’s was closed (another long story I won’t get into but please keep her family in your prayers.  She and her husband had a rough couple of weeks).

First thing in the morning she had felt warm to me when I woke her up, but I was rushing to get Maddie to school so I brushed it off as being “pillow cheek” where it was warm from the bed.  She was acting fine all morning – a bit fussier than normal but I assumed it was because I wasn’t giving her my undivided attention since I was working.  She didn’t eat much lunch and took a decent nap.

When she woke up she really felt warm so I took her temp.  101.2.  Hmmm … cold symptoms for going on 3 weeks and now a fever? My 5+ years of Mommy training told me this was going to go downhill fast.  I gave her tylenol and called Dr. Friedman.

I knew before she said it that we needed to be seen.  She referred us to a new dr to the area, Dr. Matt Lopreiato of Berlin Pediatric Associates.  His practice is just getting started so she felt we would get some very good individualized attention. AND he knew Dr. Heller from residency training.  Music to my ears because it meant he wouldn’t “freak” about Olivia’s heart.

Dr. Matt was able to see us at 3:45pm.  I never in my life prayed to hear the words “ear infection” because I knew we’d be spared the trip to the ER.  Alas, it’s never that easy with Olivia, is it?   He told me he wasn’t worried about her heart but more with her lack of spleen. Super infections and all, I guess.

Unfortunately / fortunately, he was unable to find the source of the fever.  He knew I dreaded going to the ER because I was afraid they would admit us unnecessarily but based on the time of day, it was really our only choice to get the services we needed:  a chest xray and bloodwork.  He told me he would call ahead to let them know we were on our way and he would call them hourly to check in on us.  He would not admit us unless they found something in the tests. (whew).

My sister Heidi saved the day by picking up Maddie so Arnie could go directly to the hospital from work to be with us.

Olivia and I arrived around 5pm and there were at least 8 families waiting in the waiting area.  In my mind I’m screaming “GERMS!!!”. I sign us in and have a seat as far away from all the other people as I can.  Within 5 minutes we’re called into Triage.  I explained Olivia’s anatomy and they told me they were aware and our room was being prepared.  They don’t like to leave their cardiac patients in the waiting area (membership has its privileges).

Chest xray came back “perfect minus her heart being on the wrong side”.  Her nurse was able to get her IV started on the first poke! Yahoooooo.  The preliminary blood work results showed normal so she was given penicillin via IV and then they sent us on our way (3.5 hours later).