chimney diving

Hoping everyone out there in cyber land had a great holiday season. 

Christmas came and went, and I enjoyed every second of the down time with my family.

Lex and I packed up Friday after a 1/2 day at work then went and stayed at my parents for 3 nights. It was great. Got to see Ally on multiple occasions (and she got to meet Davis!). 

  Don't judge, I know we're no pro bakery, but still ... decorating sugar cookies are a tradition in my family. Just about one of the only one's I remember doing every year. The other, the Hershey kiss reindeer. The Hershey kiss reindeer is a little cloth reindeer who's mouth pops open and my mom hides kiss inside it. Growing up, who ever woke up first would get to eat the kiss. We've done this for as many years as I can remember, and this year, all 3 kids got their own Hershey kiss reindeer. AWESOME. Picture to come soon. Swear. 

After a day of rest, a day of celebrating, then came the day FINALLY getting the living room in order. And, as promised, here are the newest pictures.

 --Stellar new coffee tables included --- 

Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah from me & Sir Lexicon ... he's worn out from all the chaos! 

posted from Bloggeroid

strength & scars

Davis is a rockstar. He's 3 days out from his open heart surgery and he's already smiling and laughing .. granted he's still on some pain medicine .. but rightfully so! 

I love this little guy!

posted from Bloggeroid

heart strength djk

Today's motto:   Today is not about me ... today is not about me .... today is not about me ....

Today is about Davis. Davis had his open heart surgery this morning and flew through it with no speed bumps. Tonight, he's resting peacefully (aka heavily sedated). He's still on a respirator and they're planning to take it off tomorrow morning. Till then it's just sweet dreams for this strong kiddo.

It's been a long day. I went to work this morning instead of sitting at the hospital for 10 hours with my family -- no one seemed to mind. When I show up to the hospital the parking lots full, but I go in anyway. I sit for 10 minutes while a mom puts her 4 kids in her minivan only to have some punk old lady and her 2 guests steal my parking spot (after acknowledging that I was indeed going to park there). I rolled down my window and the gentleman said 'ha, that sucks, go find a different spot'. FUMING because at this point all I want to do is see my nephew, I drive off. I find another spot, park, then get in the elevator .... with the people that took my spot. They start snickering (not very becoming of a 60 year old woman). I turned to them behind me and say 'look, it's just rude, inconsiderate, and i hope that you have a nice day'. they instantly were confused and thankfully my floor had arrived. WHO DOES THIS ... .At a children's hospital non the less!?! Americans, sometimes you suck.

Got to spend roughly 3 hours hanging out with Jackson. We played trains in a long empty hospital corridor most of the afternoon, then one of the Children's Playrooms opened. This volunteer was great. She was very into playing with jax and he really needed that kind of attention with all those toys. Sitting in the playroom across from the library (on the 2nd floor MJH) all of a sudden there was a beep and a code blue announcement for in the library. One of the parents was having a seizure... Now, I know what you're thinking, good timing/place to have a seizure, but the amazing part of this was that we were in a hallway with no rooms/units/hospital beds and within 20 seconds after the beep there were at least 45 people in this hallway. I kid you not, people were running from all directions and within 20 seconds over 45 people had responded to this page. It was pretty amazing. I know code blue is the 'oh, shit' code, but seriously ...45 people, 20 seconds. It was really reassuring that Davis is in the right place to have a heart condition.

Again, the motto of the day: today is not about me .... today  is not about me ....

Insights: Every family has their own dynamics, whether good, bad, great, ugly, functional, disfunctional... to each their own. Stress runs high in hospitals, I get it. People turn off filters, they let emotions  run loose, they show their not so humane side. Myself included. It was a stressful day for my family. I'm a super understanding and patient person ... but when I'm stressed out  I just can't deal with other peoples BS. Like the nonsense, no need BS. The legitimate crap and complaining and yelling is understood .. None the less, I was very happy to get away from the hospital last night. Wish I could have seen my nephew & godson ... but tomorrow is a new day.

.... tomorrow is a new day .... tomorrow is a new day .... tomorrow is a new day ....

Hall o weennn

""Tonight a lot of creatures will visit your door. Be open minded. The child who is grabbing more than one piece of candy might have poor fine motor skills. The child who takes forever to pick out one piece of candy might have motor planning issues. The child who does not say "trick or treat" or "thank you" might be shy or non-verbal. The child who looks disappointed when he sees your bowl might have an allergy. The child who isn't wearing a costume at all might have SPD or autism. Be nice. Be patient. It's everyone's Halloween. Make a mom feel good by making a big deal of her special child.""

 Love my little monkey nephews! (And Davis's face!)

hop a plane

Vacation & face time with the boyfriend.

Much needed & a complete success. 

Now ... when's the next one?

En route: Vacation started with a cup of coffee and 30 minutes of catching up on life with a good friend who's crazy enough to drive me to the airport at 6:2am (and pick me up at close to midnight when I came back). 

ATL --> DEN --> VEL

The flight to Vernal was .... tiny. I'm talking walk out onto the tarmac, 6 steps up into the plane, 8 rows back in the tiniest aisle with 1 seat on each side, the pilot is your stewardess and reviews the safety info with you, TINY. The entire plane seats 18 people ... including the pilot. I swear I took a photo, but it didn't save in my phone. So instead I'm stealing this one from the boyfriend from when he flew out of the same seat I did a few months ago. 

 

Finally landed in one piece and greeting in the smallest 1 room airport I've ever been in by the boyfriend. From there we headed to lunch. While in Vernal we went to Dinosaur National Park, some pretty lake that I don't remember the name of, saw where the boyfriend lives, then to dinner with a ton of his coworkers at the nicest place in Vernal. 

                                                                                                         FromVernal we drove east into Grand Junction, CO. Grand Junction is home to the Colorado National Independence Monument, the Grand Mesa, and a tasty winery. The drive there through Douglas Pass was the definition of fall; colored trees, windy roads, and windows down with the heat on.  Went to Canyon Wind Cellars winery just outside of Grand Junction, bought a bottle of wine, then went on a 'hike' (more like a drive .. but still) around parts of the national monument park.

   

After a night in Grand J, we take a 90 minute back road back over the state line into Moab, UT. Moab is one of the adventure capitals of the world. Pretty hikes, big red rocks, and fun off roading in a jeep rental, and gorgeous views of the Colorado River. The lodge we stayed at, Red Cliffs Lodge, was right on the river. So we did a lot of playing around there, and I even learned out how to skip a rock! If you know how well I can throw a frisbee, you know this is quite an amazing feat for me. It took me like a billion tries, but thankfully the boyfriends a good teacher .... or I'm just awesome.  

                                                                                                                     From Moab we drove to Park City, UT. Home of the 2002 Winter Olympics to crash for the night and tour the city the next day. They were prepping for the upcoming snow season and I was just entertained by all the colors of the trees!

Words don't really do the trip justice .. not that they ever do any experience justice .. but all in all, it was a great trip to a part of the US that I had yet to experience AND I got to see the boyfriend. It was great to spend 5 days just being us .. which mostly includes mocking one another. 

behind me

I have been a super bad blog updater lately ... my apologies for those of you that have been on pins and needles wondering how i'm doing. Haha.

First of all, happy birthday weekend to some of my good friends, mentors, and most importantly, my big sister turned 29 yesterday. Yeah, Steph, I just told everyone how old you are. :)

My hips been doing great --- get to and plan to start running tomorrow! (SLOWLY .. and most importantly PAIN FREE).

Work is really great. Performance reviews were this week, and it really couldn't have gone any better. Well, I mean they could have given me a million dollars ... but yeah. I'm still really happy about all of the things that went down on paper in my personale file.

Boyfriend: I GET TO SEE HIM IN 5.5 DAYS. Oh man, I am excited! 


Okay, really ... I'm trying to do laundry and clean up the house a bit ... more later. SWEAR.

the only girl

Communication, money & matters of the heart.

That about sums up my life lately. To elaborate let me write you multiple more than 2-sentence-paragraphs-followed-by very few photos with no captions. ;) It's hard to separate the the 3 categories since they're so closely intertwined. But here goes! 

 

Communication: @ work, @ friends & family, @ boyfriend. 

I am so fortunate to have a general overall people pleasing attitude as far as getting along in social settings. I do what I say and say things how I mean them. That'll get you far. Do not be fooled, I have my moments ... 

 I have been an pretty awful communicator lately when it comes to actually being able to make plans with my friends that live here in town. Either my schedule conflicts, or theirs does, or my phone dies or I just plan drop the ball on what could and would be a great encounter with great people. 

I've been good about keeping up with my family, but could definitely do better.. I need to see my little sister, who btw is now a sorority girl1?! (And I thought we were so similar.. haha) 

The boyfriend communication has been amazing the past few weeks. Can't ask for more than calls, texts & emails that make you smile, smirk & reply with all kinds of sarcastic remarks!

Money: @ work, @ family, @ i hate student loans

I love my job. Unfortunately I feel like I'm drowning in debt and contemplating taking another weekend PRN job to pay some of it down. I figure why the heck not, I'm 25, the boyfriend lives 1700 plus miles away & I'm a true multitasker ... It might interfere with my weekend rowing plans here or there ... but I could always drop the extra job when I needed to .. PS Have I mentioned lately that I'm obsessed with my job at GaHand?!? The pace is fast and the atmosphere is light and fun, but serious and down to business. My co-therapist workers rock! 

Up with Davis' Downs has made over 250 dollars in our (my) quest to raise 1200 to donate to Gigi's Playhouse of Atlanta in Davis' name. They open on Oct 8th and I'm really excited to get involved as an OT volunteer. 

I HATE STUDENT LOANS.. and that I accidentally paid mine twice last month. That's a lot of money. SHEESH!

Matters of the heart: @ work, @ friends & family, @ kujo

I love my job. Enough said. --Okay, maybe not. Honestly who gets lucky enough to find a dream job at age 25 right after 7 years  of schooling!?!? 

My nephews are amazing little boys. Jackson is just in awe of his little brother .. or ignores him. And Davis heads to the cardiologist in the AM again to get checked up on and after turning 2 months old (today!) he's roughly 8 weeks from his open heart surgery. He's a champ for sure. Spent the last 2 Sunday's with them and my sister and Davis is just perfect. PERFECT.
I love my friends. From bicoastal high fives to the cry because some strangers house burnt down, they could not be more supportive of me. 

I miss kujo. I had a moment today where I was doing some mundane task (laundry) and it crossed my mind that she was gone. Then my phone rang. Saved by the really obnoxious droid ringtone.

 

LA fitness

the la freeways on a typical day's commute

la fitness ... los angeles fitness .. I  mean really, it's no where near like working out in smog, traffic, warm, sunny LA atmosphere ... Well, actually, I guess it kind of is. Always busy, sweaty & full of people you'll never know. ANYHOW, not the point. The point is, I'm able to work out again! Granted my 10 min  on a bike the past few days is nothing in comparisson to what I wish I were doing.. BUT today I did 10 min on the bike then swam 16 lengths. That's right 16. My hip, it felt great. If anything, my triceps being so sore from yesterday were the most affected. YAY!!!


Although, part of me still really wishes I would bought myself a cryo cuff -- it's like an ice bath, without all the ice. And without the full body submursion. The cheapest I could find one for the hip (which is also double for the back and ribs?!) was a hundred and seventy five bucks .. which I've yet to decide to part with. Stupid cooler makes it expensive.

etsy

I can talk all the talk I want about being a great Aunt to my nephews, or I can put "my money where my mouth is". 

Officially launched my Etsy website selling handmade, custom scripted bracelets to raise money for Davis' Down's. My goal is to raise $1200 to make a donation to Gigi's Playhouse in Davis' name. 

Wanna help? Spread the word! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ceckelkamp1

Just cut, copy, follow, share, buy, etc with the link above!!

america

10 years ago I was sitting in sophomore high school anatomy when the attacks on the World Trade Center towers happened. When the bell rang we switched classes to art, where there were tv's in the new building of the high school. I remember just sitting there for the remainder of the day. Shocked. Emotionless really. Not really sure why, or to what magnitude, it would affect our country.

Today, the 10 year anniversary of the greatest loss of life in America, I sit here on my couch with my newspaper & coffee watching the Mayor Giuliani special on HBO, emotionless is no longer the word to describe it. It's awful. To watch the events unfold and hear the stories of those who were there is just heart wrenching. It makes you a little angry, a lot sad, and yet still hopefully.

As someone who was not directly connected with the +3000 lives lost, I can only reflect on the heroic acts of those who didn't have to be there. Our countries service men are incredible, here and overseas. The concept that if my house, not even the World Trade Center, were on fire and about to collapse that someone would still run in and attempt to save my life. It's hopeful.

So, hats off and safe thoughts to all those firefighters, police officers, & military who are at work doing what they do best.

five more minutes

five nights of awesome. Boyfriend awesome that is.

Made it to the opening of the GT football season, spent a great day at the lake, a perfect day in the mountains, and 2 lazy days of just being us. Throw in some family, friends, great food and a major downpour and well, it's safe to say that I'm a happy girl. Well, I mean I could do without him being back in Utah ... but fingers crossed their may be a trip out to visit in the works soon (ish). 

you can make sound

Quick hip update here: Yesterday I worked all day, therefore today I sat at home and did absolutely nothing. Let's just say the two balanced each other out. Working all day tomorrow again and can't really say I'm looking forward to it. What I am looking forward to however is only 1 more week of taking the celebrex (love the 'weight gain' warning on top of the fact that I can't exercise...). I CAN'T WAIT TO ACTUALLY BREAK A PRODUCTIVE SWEAT!!! It's killing me to just sit around all day and watch myself get more and more and more and more and more and more out of shape. UGH!

Kitty update: I still miss Kujo -- a ton. My family brought Tigs over today. So I'm officially the weird cat lady again with 2 massive orange fat cats. Tigs isn't really too happy about being relocated, but he'll be fine in a day or two.

Crafty update: Finished my first metal stamping project today! Once you get the hang of the technique it's actually really simple. Best part about how I made the bracelet is that the washer is completely interchangeable, so you can have 6 of them that say different things and keep using the same bracelet!

photog & love

 Today was a pretty good day -- got/took my stitches out, spent time with my sister and nephews, started some arts & craft projects, submitted a photo to some cheesy contest, and still feeling pretty dang good. The to-do list is getting shorter ... didn't add anything to it today, but knocked 2 and 1/4 more off.  My nephews are getting bigger and more adorable by the day. My hip is tolerating being off crutches 80% of the day. Even walked around Michael's for a while without them. It wasn't pretty, but I did it. Stairs are a pain still, but hey, it's only been a week.

was a time I could move, there was a time I could breathe

 A few things to note for the day:

• Not quite ready for a full day without the painkillers. Holy moly, not ready for that one yet. I'll stick to my 1/2 dose every 5 hrs thank you kindly. 

• Vitamin E oil is the only pedicure I'll ever pay for again. Seriously -- busted open a capsule on my poor cuticles and BAM. It's like magic. 

• Not okay that the vet place that I took Kujo to be cremated sent me a condolences card that has paw prints ... like real paw prints ... stamped in it and says Kujo, an angle with a tail. Seriously. I know that was not my cats feet --- she was WAY tinier than that. AND I'M STILL GRIEVING PEOPLE. 

• I managed to get 1 thing done off my long term to do-list ... and add 7 more. Cross off "add patch to henley shadowbox". Check.

• Big yay to my little sister who moved into her first apartment (dorm) today!! So proud of her -- and I'm sure my parents will actually enjoy the sanity that comes with empty nest syndrome. 

• Only have to get through 13 more days till the boyfriend is back in town!

• Oh, and my crutches gave me a serious case of tennis elbow ... thank gawd i know how to treat it .. but still ..OWW!

Tomorrow: See sister and the nephews, cross a few things off the 'list', and just plain old be amazing.

(This was a really exciting post, I know ...)

posted from Bloggeroid

fasciculations

staring contest ....

Cabin fever has officially set in. Sir Lexicon and I have gone to extreme lengths to entertain each other today. He played in a bag .. I laid in bed. He did turkey laps around the bed ... I sat up in bed. He frolicked in the sunshine on the balcony ... I sat on the couch. He laid on the couch .. I harassed him with a laser pointer. I even caught him playing with a bobby pin in the bathtub. Sigh. We both need to get out. Therefore tomorrow, I will go into work for a bit and he will ..... uhh ... ... .. Hmm ...

found a stow away

to-do .. in next 4 weeks

fix trim around window and crown molding in room

join the LA fitness that just opened by my house

find a new roommate for Oct

new coffee table/end tables!

add lace to other side of board for 2 fold photo holders

patch kitchen ceiling

paint bathroom ceiling

djk bracelets (details soon..maybe)

trim paint on dishwasher

add patch to henley shadow box

re-adopt Tigs

sew curtain seams

adjust electrical socket/light in living room

living room light set up

donate bag of clothes

hide crutches in closet (or sell em to the highest bidder!) 

I figure if I put them out there for everyone else to read then I'll hold myself more accountable to get them done! Stay tuned for a random update.

That's right, you read correctly, re-adopt Tigs -- clearly Lex needs company

he has also been a victim of "when Lex attacks"

every step, a victory it was

''I came in this way and here now I'll stay
If the unknown have to wait one more day
There's often times that it comes out wrong
But luckily I, I got a mind to know
On my way back home''

Today: Day 4 post op. Fun times. Made it into a ridiculously uncomfortable chair at a 8am meeting with the surgeons I work for, hung out sitting on a pillow & a hot pack on the office floor for the majority of the day, caught a ride home then pushed the boundaries and walked down the hallway crutchless -- relatively normal, not perfect, but more a 'sprained ankle' limp than a hip surgery gimp.  So I mean if you needed to know how I was today and still haven't asked, I guess you could get the gist that I'm doing pretty okay. Or at least that's what I'd tell you anyhow .... In other news, I'm super excited to be able to drive tomorrow or thursday. 

Still missing Kujo, it's a little easier every day, and Lexicon is absolutely stepping up his game.

to infinity

Today, which I think is Sunday has been quite boring. My hip is definitely in some pain today -- not the bad kind of pain, but the 'healing' kind -- that achy, burning, all kinds of fun type of pain. I've pretty much accomplished nothing today with the exception of reading blogs about metal stamps and contemplating making this a new hobby of mine. Lexicon is bored as ever with me not having moved much today. He's protesting openly by crushing me with his large body mass.


Did get a chance to get out of the house for 30 minutes earlier with my sister. Her and my oldest nephew, Jax, picked me up and took me to Babies R Us with them. I seriously despise the place, but they did have band aids and rubbing alcohol that I definitely needed. It was about time to get this betadine off of my leg and downgrade to just some toy story bandaids!
 

before rubbing alcohol

finally got it clean ....well, cleaner

to infinity & beyond

posted from Bloggeroid

sx: hip, the 24 hr aftermath

24 hrs after waking up, this is what my hip looks like. Not too terrible. The betadine refused to come off -- although I did give up pretty quickly after soap and hydrogen peroxide didn't work.Today was pretty smooth for the most part. Was up most of the morning, from 5am or so till about 2. Then I passed out all afternoon for some much needed rest. Got dressed and went out to dinner with 2 friends while one's mom was in town visiting. It was super nice to get out of the house, not that Lexicon hasn't been great company and all. "Nurse Lexicon" has been running amuck all over my bed to get me to play with him. He's only pounced on my leg like 6 times, but he means well ((as seen by him using his abnormally large body mass to hold one of my ice packs in place)). 

I'm getting around the house really well on just 1 crutch, but I still need both when I'm out in public -- mainly to get up and down the scary steep steps to my condo, but also because I get tired quickly on just the one. Well, really on both, as I learned quickly yesterday during the shopping adventure. 

(still pretty excited about my LOFT sale buys!!)

postedfrom Bloggeroid

"Nurse Lexicon" goes sti rcrazy ---

wussy banana

Exactly 12 hrs from when they put me to sleep ... my legs pretty bruised and beat up, but all in all I'm feeling pretty good. The doc didn't have to go in and do any 'major' work, mainly cleaning up all the crummy articular cartilage damage that he found and frayed/mini tear in the labrum.  Waking up from anesthesia  was easier than I remember it every being for the other two surgeries & getting up and around is pretty simple except for the crutches (only 6 days to go with those annoying suckers). On the agenda today: begin my exercises, take off this massive bandage, assessing how intense this bruising is, and SHOWER!!! Yessss.

Ps. Me & Lexicon  still miss Kujo. --

posted from Bloggeroid

::meow::

To put it simply ....

Elementary school .... Me & Kujo

Middle school ...Me & Kujo

High school ... Me & Kujo

College Dorm ... Me & Kujo

Bought my condo ....Me & Kujo

Moved to Los Angeles .. Me & Kujo

30th street apt 9 ... Me & Kujo and Lex

Back to GA ... Me & Kujo and Lex 

Yesterday .... Me & Kujo and Lex 

Today ........ Me & Lex .... I love you, Kujo. 

me and kitty at christmas circa 2004

 Needless to say I'm taking it a little hard.  Better than last night ... but still .... 

Oh & despite how much Lexicon loved to use Kujo as a moving target, he misses her too.  

love.

Spending time with my nephew Jackson & my nephew/godson Davis

What a whirlwind of the past week. Spent the last few nights at the hospital with Davis before he came home! Spent my days at work treating patients, working on behind the scenes stuff and trying to schedule things around my surgery. Uhh, surgery. This week. Fun times. Not really looking forward to the boredom that will ensue by not being mobile for a week, but really looking forward to the fact that my hip pain will be gone sooner than later.

A letter from the Kohl's

As some of you already know Stephani and I had our second son Davis James Kohl on Wednesday July 20th. As some of you might not be aware of Davis was born with some complications. Davis has Complete AV Canal defect with his heart. Basically his heart is not fully formed correctly. As you know a heart has four chambers that oxygenate and circulate blood to your body. Davis' heart chambers do not have the full development of the individual chambers. The interior walls that separate the chambers have not fully formed and joined in the middle of his heart to form the four chambers. They call this a "hole in the heart" because of this he has needed to be on oxygen, not a machine to help him breathe but an additional oxygen supply to allow his body to get al the oxygen he needs. So the good news and the bad, with surgery in the next 6-8 months his hear should be fixed and only need minor ongoing maintenance surgeries during his life. The bad news is hat he has to have heart surgery and with any surgery there are risks and concerns. They are waiting to perform the surgery so his heart can grow larger and stronger. If for some reason there are additional complications they can do the surgery at any time, they just prefer to wait. The surgery is one that they do a lot and is pretty routine for infants with this defect. Davis is currently still in the NICU at the hospital and is getting the best care possible. We do not know a definite time when he will be able to come home but we and the doctors that are taking care of him are hopeful that it will be sooner apposed to later. In addition to his heart defect, as if it wasn't enough, Davis has been diagnosed with Down Syndrome. We do not know the severity of the diagnosis and we not fully understand the full severity of the down syndrome until he is older. Currently, Davis is no longer on oxygen and is beginning to nurse and eat from a bottle in quantities that the doctors and nurses like to see from infants with his diagnosis and age. He is improving every day and we are hopeful he will be able to come home soon. Stephani is recovering quickly from her c-section and has been walking since 24 hours after the procedure. She is a champ and we have been visiting davis daily a couple times a day when possible. We will continue to visit him and be with him multiple times a day until he his discharged from the hospital and is home. We will be starting an ongoing update website that will allow Steph and I to keep everyone up to date on his progress and share pictures when possible. If you would like to receive these updates please send me your email address and once the site is up and running you will get update alerts. We appreciate everyones thoughts, prayers, and support that we have been getting and continue get. I apologize for the late update on Davis condition but things have been as you can tell a little complicated and busy.



::: I love my sister and her babies! :::

posted from Bloggeroid

moose tracks

Love this little babe!

Davis update: He got taken off the oxygen today! ... Then put back on it ... but he's still doing great. Took a bottle in 15 minutes (used to take 45 just 2 days ago). Got put on the list of people who can visit him without a parent present today so I went to his 8pm feeding. Changed him, hung out with him, cheered him on through his bottle, then held him till he passed out in full on milk coma! So nice to spend quite time with my nephew, but I did miss the bonding time with my sis. I can't believe how amazing he is. Tonight was the first time I've seen him open his eyes super wide and just hang out. I think his extra 21st chromosome just makes him extra adorable! 

"Love doesn't count chromosomes"

posted from Bloggeroid

Davis James

My new nephew is perfect. Still in the NICU, but perfect.

 
It's been a busy week with the arrival of nephew #2. My sister is doing great, and Davis is thriving more and more every day! As the amazing sister and Aunt that I am (hehe), I've been taking the late night shift to spend some one on one time with my sis and her babe. Sleep deprived yes, worth it, totally.

posted from Bloggeroid