Happy Birthday Antie!

I think most of you have heard that Emma has been having tummy troubles. It is very sporadic, but has been going on since probably the beginning of the year. She gets terrible stomach cramps, throws up here and there and often gets the scoots. It does sound like the stomach flu, but it isn't. It usually lasts 24-48 hours, although she had a 4 day episode in May where we went to the dr. They weren't sure what it was but gave her some acid reflux medicine. (Usually her episodes start in the middle of the night or after she gets up in the morning). She had an episode a couple weeks ago and she had to miss school so we went back in. The doc sent her to a pediatric gastronologist this Weds. He did an initial exam and then they had to do the dreaded blood test. (And of course we kept getting lost in the hospital). They did a bunch of tests including testing for celiac disease (gluten allergy). The women in my family and also some in Steve's family have stomach issues too so the poor thing is probably screwed. Today we went back for an ultrasound and and xray where she had to drink Barium. I thought it was an MRI, but I guess not. They were also checking to make sure the tube to her stomach wasn't twisted. If it is she'd need surgery, although the dr is pretty sure it is probably abdominal migraines. I have never heard of those!

She was a trooper! She asked the cutest questions and was totally adorable. They mixed the barium with Hershey's syrup and she said it was delicious. She did have some trouble getting the pop rock thingies down, but they looked like shards of glass...I wouldn't have wanted them either! After she got all done the child liason lady let her pick a toy. She picked a Beanie Baby anteater..and I will name her Ant she said. We looked at the tag tonight and it's bday is today...how weird is that? Today she drew some ants and cut them out for him and tonight we had a bday party for Ant. She made him a hat and we wore party hats too. We sang Happy Bday to him and we celebrated with slices of cheese with candles in the middle. Of course I didn't have the camera! And she said real seriously to me, "Now Mom, you know I ate Ant's cheese for her don't you?"

We should know the results of everything early next week. The migraines are treatable with medicine (although she would have to have an EKG first, so that's a little creepy) and they also said you can outgrow them. Of course that might not be the problem, we'll wait and see. Right now she's feeling 100 percent!

I'll end this post with a tap dancing unicorn!