Friday, April 30, 2010

The BIG day

We have been anticipating this day for about six weeks.  The day that Nathan would have his first surgery and hopefully only surgery to repair his "plumbing". We journeyed down to Colorado Monday morning after we received a clean bill of health from our pediatrician in Laramie.  His ears were clear of infections, his lungs and heart sounded "strong", praise GOD!  Our first stop was the Denver Zoo.  It was Nathans first time to the zoo and we were so excited to introduce him to the world of wild animals.  Unfortunately Nathan wasn't so jazzed about the idea the first 30 minutes of the adventure.  He woke of from a 40 minute nap and was a little groggy. Once we got to the monkey exhibit he began to perk up.  He jibber jabbered the rest of the time we were there.  It was a lot of fun for the whole family.

 


After the zoo we were off to NeeNee and Uncle Jared's house for dinner and conversation.  Once we got there Nathan began playing with Mattie, the Dryers beagle.  Which confirmed to Brandon that Nathan needs a dog : ) Nathan got a bath, dinner and a bottle and was off to bed.  We stayed up and chatted for a while and then hit the sack too.  Nathan didn't sleep so well in the pack and play and was much more cozy in bed with us.  Secretly I was hoping he would wake up so I would have an excuse to cuddle with him all night.    4:00 a.m. came to quickly but we knew we had to face the day.

We arrived at The Children's Hospital by 5:30, got checked in and we were back prepping for surgery by 6:30.  Many nurses and doctors came into meet us and Nathan to reassure us and give us a run down of the events that would be taking place.  Nathan was wonderful!  He did great when nurses would check him out.  He would just look and you could see the wheels turning, wondering what they were doing, so cute.  He played with his Grandma and Grandpa Ahrenholtz, read some books and cuddled with us.  At 7:40 a nurse came to get him to take him back and he waved bye-bye and we stood stunned.  He has been rather clinging but not this morning, he went right to the nurse.  I know it was God telling me that everything would be fine.  Thinking about it makes me tear up, goodness. Once he left we shed our tears and bucked up and went to have breakfast and attempt to take our minds off of the surgery.  We were blessed to have both sets of Grandparents, Aunt Rene and our Pastor Brad Eakin sit with us while we waited.

Nathan pre-op playing and having fun
It was after 10:00 a.m. when the doctor came out and explained what they had done during the procedure.  Nathan had a kink in the "tube" that allows the urine to flow from the his left kidney to his bladder. Once the kink was cut the bladder relieved a large amount of fluid. The problem was a little more serve then they first thought.  They had to put in a stint to make sure things didn't swell and close up during the healing process.  We will have to return to The Children's Hospital in 6 to 8 weeks to remove the stint.  It will be an outpatient procedure, they will need to put him to sleep but he should be good to go after a few hours.

We were moved to Nathan's room around 11:00 a.m and that was when Nathan was finally starting to come out of the grogginess.  My parents were his first visitors and he was so happy to see them.  It was cute to see his reactions to all of his guests.  He loves all of his grandparents and aunts and uncle.  We just love to see him interact with them.  Nathan was smiling and laughing and enjoying his company before his afternoon nap.  He didn't have any bad reactions to the anesthesia  he was given.  He had 8 oz of juice, 4 oz of formula and had a few yogurt melts,  less than an hour after he woke up from surgery.

As the day progressed Brandon and I learned how to change the dressing covering his drain.  Nathan finally went to bed around 8:30 p.m. and Brandon and I soon followed.  Unfortunately our night was interrupted at midnight, 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. by nurses coming and going.  I understand it was necessary I just wish Nathan could have got a little more sleep.  On Wednesday morning we were discharged around 10:30 a.m.  Nathan was fast asleep before we reached the interstate and didn't wake up until Cheyenne.  We were all happy to be home.  Nathan had a ton of energy when we got home and was so excited to play with all of his toys.  We put him down for a nap and you could just tell he was relieved to be in his own bed. Home sweet Home!




We are so blessed that everything went well and that he is continuing to heal.   We are so grateful for such amazing friends and family members that continue to support us.  Thank you! Thank you!  We can't say it enough.

You Capture-Spring

Ah spring....I would love it if spring would show up.  Unfortunately we live in Wyoming and it is still snowing here.  Someday......

We did have the opportunity to go to the Denver Zoo and experience spring time in Colorado, oh how I miss you Colorado weather. 

It was the perfect day not to cold not to warm.  All the animals were out and active.  What a great day with my boys!

Spring time in Wyoming

Spring time in Colorado
 
Spring time at the Denver Zoo

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Thursday, April 22, 2010

You Capture-Sweet

I have a major sweet tooth, I love ice cream and cookies almost anything that isn't good for me.  Our new alternative is a jello cup or pudding with yummy whip cream.  Don't get me wrong I still splurge and eat ice cream!

I can't get enough of this sweet, sweet boy!  Nathan loves to look outside, I love to watch him and wonder what he is thinking.
Sweet moments I get to spend with my monkey playing Peek-a-Boo!

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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Spring colds are NO fun!

Last Tuesday I  felt the start of a nasty cold coming on.  I drank an E-mergency and hoped it was just allergies.  The next morning I woke up stuffy and feeling miserable.   I was hoping that this cold would go quickly like the one I had a few months ago, but no luck.  I was also hoping that Nathan wouldn't get sick, but that didn't happen either.

I went to the doctor on Thursday and got antibiotics to treat a sinus infection. Friday morning Nathan woke up stuffy and with a fever.  Poor little guy, he sounded horrible.  He wasn't eating well because he couldn't breath.   Unfortunately Nathan and I weren't doing any better by the weekend.  Saturday was Brandon's Birthday and we ended up spending the day sleeping and hanging out.  I felt so icky all week that I didn't even get out to get Brandon a gift ( I'm a bad wife).  Thankfully my mom came to the rescue, again, she made Brandon's favorite, green chile, potatoes, and beans, she also brought us dessert.  (I have the best mommy!)  He had a few cards to open and a present from his grandma so we celebrated a little.  I am planning on doing something this weekend to make up for the bummer of a day.  (If you have any ideas pass them along.)

On Monday we decided to take Nathan to the doctor because he had been messing with his ears, a lot!  My main worry was that he wouldn't be well enough for surgery April 27th so that was my motivation to go to the doctor.  He is being treated for double ear infections and our doctor wants to see us next Monday morning before we leave for Colorado to give us the o.k. Nathan and I still aren't feeling 100% but slowly we are getting back to normal.  Hopefully he will continue to heal so the surgery can still happen next Tuesday.  I am not excited for the surgery but I just want it over with.  I would hate to have to postpone it.
Yesterday I decided to take out the camera and document our sick day play.  Nathan loves to walk his wagon all around the house.  He also likes to be silly during meal time.  We usually don't let Nathan watch TV but since he is sick he needs a break and the only way we get him to do that is by putting on  

Monday, April 12, 2010

The JOY of family

This morning I woke up with a headache and not feeling very motivated. On days like today I am reminded about how lucky I am to live in the same town as my parents. My dad came over this afternoon and brought lunch with him. Soon following was my mom, they played with Nathan after lunch which allowed me to take a nice long hot shower. Abuelita and Pompo played Nathan hard. While I was putting him down for his nap he was rubbing his eyes along with some big yawns.
My parents have always been there for me no matter what. They raised me in a loving home, provided for me above and beyond my basic needs. Things aren't always easy, but that is the beauty, through it all we are still there for eachother throught the ugly, the messy, the joy, the happiness. I love you dad, mom, and Rene you guys mean the world to me, Brandon and Nathan. Thanks for all that you do for us.


Saturday, April 10, 2010

You Capture-Comfort


Now that I have decided to join the blogging world I wanted to be challenged and have a purpose.  As I was viewing a friends blog I noticed that she was participating in a project that sounded fun.  It is called "YOU CAPTURE" and it is hosted by Ishouldbefoldinglaundry.com .  Each week there is an "assignment" to take photos of objects that represent a specific word given for the week.  The word this week is COMFORT.  Our task is to demonstrate this in anyway we see fit.  I am a novice when it comes to photography but I don't want that to stop me.  I am fascinated with photography and this will give me the opportunity to try new and fun things with my camera.  
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Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Sweet Dreams

I should be sleeping but my mind will not shut off.  I have already done my nightly routine of checking in on Nathan and now I am sitting in the dark listening to Brandon breath so very softly (the snoring will take place soon.)

I love to tip toe into Nathans room and just sit at his crib and put my hand on his belly or stroke his hair oh so gently.  I sit in amazement and think about this beautiful gift I have been given.  It's a great way to end my day.  To forget about the naughty boy that didn't want to take a nap or the stinker who dropped the picture frame he knows he wasn't' supposed to touch.  It is the time in my day to forget about all of that and remember how blessed I am to have such a sweet, determined, brave, thoughtful little boy.   

Monday, April 5, 2010

Easter Sunday



I was so excited to wake up and show Nathan his Easter basket early Sunday morning.  He may not have known what to do with it all but he at least was interested in seeing what it was all about.  We got him two books (I picked one and so did Brandon), bubbles,  banana puffs, cheddar goldfish, and sports balls.  He loved it all, it was great seeing his face when Brandon blew bubbles.

We went to church and celebrated Easter Sunday with our church family, came home had lunch with Grandma Sanchez and Aunt Rene.  We ended the day with dinner with Grandma and Grandpa Ahrenholtz, Uncle Chad, Aunt Shaunna and Great Grandma Charlotte.   We are so blessed to get to share life with such amazing people. (Poor Grandpa Paul had to work and then returned home and ended up in the emergency room with pneumonia. He got some good drugs and is on the mend now.)

We started our day some family fun and ended it as a family sharing truth and love.  We spoke to Nathan about how blessed we are that Christ died on the cross and how someday he will be given the opportunity to thank him for that sacrifice himself. I love getting to pray with my boys and sing songs with them before bedtime, it feels my heart with joy to share Christs love with my family.