One week left

Tomorrow is 1 week prior to the dreaded surgery! I hate surgery! I hate the idea of making my happy baby so miserable! I hate that she is going to be outta it for a couple of days and then so limited for 2 weeks. She is eatin table food every day. How do I tell her she can't eat that? I don't even know if I'll put her in her highchair. Seriously, what's the point?!?! She will just be mad that I can't give her anything more than a sippy cup with liquids in it. This just sucks to say the least.

On a positive note, the kids are playing soccer again. This is Madison's first year. She likes it thus far! Owen loves soccer. Tonight was their first game. We unfortantly missed the real first game so it seemed they were a little outta sorts today. I'm really hoping Tuesday will be a better and cooler day.

Pre-op appointment

We took Paige to visit her plastic surgeon today for her pre-op appt for palate surgery. I love posting these updates because when people (no names) complain that their lives are so bad, I would love to remind them that they are idiots and that it could be worse. My poor 10 month old baby didn't ask for any of this, she didn't do anything to deserve it. And yet she will have to endure more than most adults do!

Her surgery is scheduled for July 16th. It will last about 4-5 hours. She will be on a clear liquid diet for 2 days afterward. She will then be on a liquid diet for about 2 weeks, depending on how well she heals. Then she can resume to soft foods. She will have a breathing tube throughout surgery and for 24 hours incase her tongue swells. She will have an IV with the option of morphine if she needs it. She needed it for lip surgery so I anticipate palate surgery also. She will have her tongue stitched down so it can't swell into her air way. She will also have a tube inserted into her nose to keep her air way open further. She can use tylenol when we go home but I'm going to ask for tylenol with codeine, although her surgeon doesn't usually use it. But, Paige had a lot of pain the last time. She will be in the hospital as long as it takes for her to start to drink fluids regularly.

So basically we are taking a good natured baby and taking her food away, inserting crap, medicating her, and then telling her that she can't touch her mouth for 2 weeks with no-no bands. Her nurse practioner told us, "I'm not going to lie to you, it's really rough." Oh so glad to hear that! :(

Basically we are not looking forward to this at all. It's going to be absolutly miserable for Miss Paige. She is going to hate us afterward, I think. I just hope it's the last surgery. There is always a chance that she develops a fiscula (hole in her palate), infection or that the muscles will not connect together properly and require additional palate surgery. They stated that they generally assess her speech 3 months after surgery to see if additional surgery is necessary. I guess those speech classes better pay off! I'll be working with her even more than I already do!

SO prayer is definitly needed. Needed during surgery and to ensure that we make it through without grey hair. Ensure that Paige heals and recovers quickly! Lots and LOTS of Prayer!

I have made arrangements for the other two kiddos during surgery. They are going to have fun with Grandma and Aunt Alisha. Their basially two favorite people anyways. So it all works out there. I'm still thinking I may perhaps send Maddie and Owen to daycare after surgery so we can take care of Paige without them feeling left out. I took off 2 weeks after surgery (well working from home basically). But, we are not sure what Hal will be working. That's the tough part. If I'm home alone then I will definitly be sending them to daycare for a reprieve. I don't want them to feel neglected or worse, mommy is mean because I'm stressed. I'm SOOO glad this is all taking place over summer and I can treat the kids to fun times when Hal is home or vice versa. I don't want to think what this would all be like if it was during the school year again. We did that once, don't want to try it again. Lip surgery was nothing compaired to palate surgery. People don't think of it that way because you think the lip is the most noticeable and therefore the most important. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Palate is required for so much and there is still a chance of aspiration with an open palate, lack of speech, etc. This is an important one.

Joys of Life

What are your joys in life?

Being a mother is one of the best things in life. Having a child look at you for guidance, support and love. Having days where you just sit and talk, paint toe nails, play soccer in the yard, cook smores and catch lightening bugs. Those are joys in life. With school out, it's so much fun doing different things with the kids. We have waterpark days in our yard, get fire works, have friends over, go on picnics, ride bikes, go to the park, and so much more. Those are what makes me smile. I love being able to provide my children with a home that is rich with activities, fun and love. While I admit, we have our days of fustration over the summer with the constant, "I want to watch a movie!" But, we spend a great deal of time outdoors and doing things we wouldn't normally have the time to do.

This summer may perhaps be the very first summer the kids will have to go to daycare. I have always had the summer off but now that I'm working, they may start going when Hal gets his position at the hospital. This is a tough time for me. I do not believe in summer daycare. I want to be home with the kids! I want to paint rocks, draw on the sidewalk, make bubbles, practice reading, and sleep out in the yard. That's what makes summer fun!

We have big intentions for this summer. We are taking the kids to the Pittsburgh Zoo for the first time. They have been to the Cleveland and Erie Zoo but even mommy has never been to the Pittsburgh zoo. We want the kids to think of Pittsburgh as not a scary place where Paige always goes. We also want to go on some sort of vacation at some point. With Paige's surgery in the middle of the summer, that might be hard. We are going to have a water day for the kids and friends. They love this. We get like 1000 plus water balloons and place them in containers throughout the yard. The kids then go nuts. We set up water stuff in the yard and squirt guns. I think this year we might even do fireworks at the end. Too fun! Not sure when this is happening yet though.

The one thing I do not have time for this summer...NEGATIVITY! I refuse to endulge myself in petty crap during the summer. I will not let other people bring us down. We are going to have fun and surround ourselves with people we care about and people who have supported us through life. No negativity allowed! :)

So while I'm rambling (as always). Take a minute today and think about what you are looking forward to this summer and what brings joy to your life!

Happy Summer!

Go baby Go!

Paige is on the move. This girl is quick. She crawls like a speed demon and she laughs when Mommy tells her NO and she just keeps going. Actually it's more of a evil laugh. LOL And now she is pulling herself up consistently and walking along the couch. She even held mommy's hand and chased Maddie around the living room. She thought it was fun and giggled. She is sooo fun!

On another note, 1 month and 5 days till surgery! Now the million dollar question, who is watching Maddie and Owen for us while we are gone!??!!

Exciting stuff!

I'm pleased to announce that my 9 month old babe is officially OFF THE BOTTLE!! WHOhOOO! Even with a couple of weeks to spare before the one month deadline before surgery! I'm pleased with that. I really didn't think that she was ready. Just one day she ate a sippy for me and then again for Hal and we haven't stopped since then. Bottles got bagged up and put away and she's officially on a sippy cup! I'm super excited! She was drinking juice for a long time in her sippy, a full bottle worth in fact. But she wouldn't drink her formula. Then all of a sudden..poof she wasn't so stubborn! :) I'm happy cuz this means there is no chance that they have for needing to reschedule her palate surgery. They said she had to be off the bottle for a month prior to surgery. Well, we beat this. :) YEAH!

What's going on with us?

Just figured I would give an update of how things are going around here. It's been a long couple of weeks with all the festivities of the weekend and the fact that I'm working a bunch. Which is a good thing!

So here goes...

Owen

Almost done with Kindergarten and has only 2 weeks left of school. Bitter sweet moment as I know we are getting old and Owen is growing up too quick.
He has his very first loose tooth. About time as he is 6 1/2 and now just starting the tooth loss process. :)
He's addicted to his Nintendo DS. It's basically all he wants to talk about.
He's playing T ball and enjoys it. Not sure if he's doing it next year or not. I don't think it's his favorite thing to do.
He starts soccer soon. That is his favorite thing to do!

Madison

We are still waiting to see if Maddie gets into Pre-k. She is on the list but we are not sure what's going on yet. I may or may not call sometime soon to find out.
Maddie caught a HUGE 12 inch Crappie all by herself the other day. Daddy swears he didn't help her at all.
We are still deciding if we are going to send Maddie to dance class in the fall. She is looking forward to it but we are not sure of scheduling yet. :( poohey!

Paige

Paige started speech a couple of weeks ago. I think it's pretty worthless at this point as she can't really do much until after surgery but I'm all for at least giving it a try.
Paige has 5 teeth. One of which is sitting on the site where when she was born there was a cleft there. With the help of that wonderful NAM, she now has a tooth there! Pretty great stuff!
Paige crawls! She was army crawling for a long time but now she's crawling like a pro. She's also starting to pull herself up on things!
Paige is a sweetie!

Hal

Hal graduated college and we are still waiting to hear from the hospital on a position. Right now there just isn't one. So he will be working as a floater at this point until a position becomes available. Pretty much sucks but it's something at least.

Mandy

Still working as a Behavioral Specialist. Love my job but would like a straight 8-3 teaching position in the near future. Sent out applications but haven't heard anything this soon into the summer.

So that's a wrap up of how we all are. Life goes on even when I don't blog. :)

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