Swings

So yesterday Ethan let me know that he won't do the swings at school anymore because if you "match" up with someone on the swings (going the same pace) that means you are married. I started telling this to Jim and he finished the "getting married" part. I guess this fun story tradition has been going at least since Jim was in school. Ah, the fun traditions in school. Ethan has also been told to watch out because there are ghosts in the bathroom and writing will appear on the mirrors. I think the older kids like to tell the younger kids and then some of the 1st graders think it is cool to tell everyone else, some get really freaked out by it and some just don't care. Luckily, Ethan knows that one is just nothing to worry about. "Mom, I know that one is not real."

Such fun things to experience once your kids are out of your fishbowl.

Lizzie update

Today Lizzie is doing so very well. She has been really good the whole time leading up to surgery with the fact that she knew she was going in for surgery. When we got there yesterday she was really good until they started doing pre-surgery stats and the blood pressure machine set something off and she started freaking. It must have brought back some memories. Luckily they have this great relaxation medicine called Vestra (I think) and she was calm before they wheeled her off. Surgery went well and afterwords the surgeon said it was actually kind of fun because it was more complicated than usual. Aren't you glad when you surgeon thinks it is fun to have that extra degree of challenge :)

When she woke up she was quite a bit anxious and her eyes hurt too much to open so that made her a little more anxious. We got home around 6 or so. She stayed in bed and just rested.

I do need to mention what a good big brother Ethan was. He was all for taking care of her and brought her popsicles, got her toast with butter on it and was even reading books to her with a flashlight (her eyes were too sensitive to light). All this without being asked. He just did it.

Today at the post-op consultation everything looks great and her swelling and redness is much more minimal that the doctor thought. She perked up around 11 today and is back to her self but with a little puffy eyes. I bought her some princess sunglasses today and she thinks that is cool since she is still pretty sensitive to light.

So my girl has had a surgery in 2007, 2008 and now 2009. I am hoping three times is a charm and she is good with all medical stuff for a long time. Plus it will take Jim and I that long to pay off all these medical bills :)

Every time I go to Primary's I am reminded of how even though we have these challenges we really are blessed. There were some parents that had a child in surgery since 8 that morning (we were around them around 3 in the afternoon so they had already been there awhile), another lady talking on her cell phone telling someone they thought it was benign... and just stuff like that.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you to my mom and dad for coming up to take care of the babies and Ethan for the day so both Jim and I could be up there!!!!

Also yesterday was a big day because Jim got his first PROFIT from his business he started and got paid. Exciting stuff!

black and white pictures

So each year we take pictures of the kids in the same outfits so we can see how they are growing. They each have their own book with their "yearly" photos. No, I haven't put last years in the book but at least they are taken. I am behind on so many things. Anyways, here is a sampling of some of this years pictures of the kids. I think they are pretty cute.


AFTON- 1 YEAR OLD

LILLY- 1 YEAR OLD

LIZZIE- 5 YEARS OLD

ETHAN- 7 YEARS OLD

medical dates

May 20th- Lizzie will go in for her third surgery. It should be a same day thing. We will find out the day before what time it is at. As the doctor said though "Hers is a little more complicated than usual." I guess her eyes go a little every which way. She will have both eyes worked on and four muscles affected in one eye and 2-3 in the other. Usually with a lazy eye they just have to tighten or loosen one muscle. There is an 80%ish success rate. Unfortunately, Jim and I hate numbers. Her first surgery had a 85% success rate and that one was AWFUL!!!! Not only was it unsuccessful but she had an awful recovery. Those who were here and saw her know what I am talking about. I cried so much for her during that month or so of recovery.

June 1st- Lilly goes in for her VCUG and renal ultrasound. We will find out if she has urinary reflux and if so we need to see to what degree it is to see if she will need surgery.

I know these are minor things (compared to other things) but I still worry for my sweet kids.

got deductible?

So this morning we found out Lizzie will need to have surgery on both of her eyes. The new prescription on glasses and the patches 3 hours a day are not helping her eye issues and lazy eye. Unfortunately, our deductible is insane.... Plus this will be the 3rd surgery for this girl (and Jim and I) and she just turned 5!!!!! I know there are a lot worse things that we could be dealing with but I am still a little bummed.

A few weeks ago we also found out Lilly is having syptoms of urinary reflux. It has a high chance of running in siblings. We need to get her up to Primary's soon for the awful round of tests to see what the verdict is for her. I am procrastinating making the phone call because I REALLY do not want to do that again. I cried when Lilly had to be cathetered because it brought back a lot of memories with Liz.

Afton and Ethan seem to be healthy :)

On a funny note- yesterday after church Lizzie and Ethan were having a sibling moment. Lizzie said "I am going to ask Santa to bring me a nicer brother!" without skipping a beat Ethan's reply was "Lizzie, I am the best present you ever got!"