Pictures Of The Week (6/22-6/28)

This week was jam packed with excitement from playgroup and getting ready for Andrew's surgery but I still managed to take a few pictures of the kids playing around the house that I thought were worthy enough to display. For the most part, I'm happy we can put this past week behind us. Between Andrew's surgery (pre, during and post) as well as Jocelyn's fever this weekend (along with a lovely cold)...and can't forget my sudden migraine last night...well, I'm exhausted!! Here's to a new week. Make it a great one!

{Andrew loves to fall asleep with blankets on his head - STILL! :) I usually wait until he's fast asleep and then I sneak it off. Just to be safe!}

{My tired boy!}

{One of her favorites! Jocelyn loves to "read."}

{And Aubrey does too! I'm so glad we've raised our kids to be book lovers.}

{This is Jocelyn's creation for me. When she gets out her legos, it never fails that she builds me a red tower with the cat in the window and a flower on top. What a sweetheart! She'll come back within a few minutes to take it back so I don't get to admire it long - hence the photo! :)}

{Here they are reading again. And let me tell you - Andrew's not left out of this book loving business. He sucks away on his books any chance he gets!}

{This was when we returned home from the hospital after Andrew's surgery. He wasn't feeling well at all here but it was sure nice being home! I'm sure if he could talk, he'd agree!}

{Again, who needs toys? Boxes are FUN! Until they're recycled anyways. :)}

Andrew Sitting

Watch out! We Andrew took the plunge today and decided it was time to practice sitting UP. All on his own! He's actually been doing really well for the past little while sitting on our laps but we felt he was ready for more. He did awesome today and I suspect he'll do really well here on out. I just love his cheeks...and hands...and feet!!! (Don't mind me. I'm just relishing his babyness - while it lasts.)

Andrew's Surgery

All went well today with Andrew having oral surgery. We're all pretty exhausted to say the least! Yesterday our friends that were so kindly taking our girls overnight for us called and said they were going to pick them up around 5pm. Which ended up being a huge lifesaver as I had more packing and cleaning to get done before our drive up north for Andrew's surgery. John hadn't gotten home from work yet to see the girls off before they had to leave, so we thought we'd surprise him with this picture:

{He loved it by the way!}

I've been meaning to write about Andrew needing to have surgery for months now but have fallen short doing so as other things kept coming up. It all really started right after he was born. About a week into nursing, Andrew and I went in to see a lactation consultant. During the exam, she noticed that when she was checking his palate for his sucking strength, that his tongue wasn't protruding as far as it needed to for proper and efficient latching during nursing. Which would explain the feeding difficulties. His tongue was shaped like a heart or a "w" instead of a round or pointy tip. We then had his pediatrician refer us to an ENT specialist. It wasn't until May that we were able to get him in. After the ENT doc had a check into his mouth, he was able to confirm that he did indeed have Ankyloglossia - also referred to as tongue tie. Surgery was recommended within the following month or so. I learned that because of this condition, it was the likely culprit for nursing him to cease at 2 weeks. I have to say that a huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders when I learned this bit of information at his appointment. With every one of my children, nursing was not a question. It was important to me to go as long as possible. At least for the first 6 months. But for some reason or another, it didn't last as long as I had hoped with Andrew. I now know full heartily that I did everything in my power to make it work. So his ENT doc recommended that he has surgery called Frenulectomy where they clip the frenulum under the tongue. Without this procedure done, he could face serious problems in the future. Some including: speech and eating difficulties, cavities, not being able to stick out the tongue past his lips, etc. Hind sight is definitely 20/20. Had I known of Ankyloglossia, I would have had it checked right after he was born. The girls never had it so I never thought to look. The good news is he's healthy and happy. I'm very thankful for the awesome doctors that have had the opportunity to be partners with in Andrew's care.

{Andrew and I at my cousin's house last night getting ready for bed.}

Surgery was scheduled for today, Thursday June 25th at 8am. We checked in at 7am and went through the admitting process. Once we were taken back into a room to get him dressed into a gown and answer pre-surgery questions, I started to get a bit nervous - but it surprisingly went away rather quickly. Andrew's surgeon was well reputable with 30+ years experience so I knew he was in good hands. He also had a blessing given to him a few days before which calmed our fears and nerves and I believe was the main reason why I was as calm as I was. The nurses came into our patient room where we then handed him over - pacifier secured in his mouth and all. (Yes, he was called a girl on accident because he was wearing a peach gown!) It was hard watching him leave down the hall but I knew it was going to be a fast procedure and we'd see him in just a little while. John and I were taken to the recovery waiting area. That was the longest 30-45 minutes I've had to endure in awhile. Unfortunately, reading material wasn't on the priority list at the hospital but I did managed to fumble across an old issue of People Magazine. I had to have something to distract me until his surgery was done. His surgeon came out. Told us the surgery went really well and he had to have 3 sutures and needed to be on antibiotics for 5 days in the event of infection. Moments later we were called back to be with him as he was awaking from anesthesia. I couldn't wait to hold him! His heart rate was still being monitored by his finger but I was surprised to see that he was wire free elsewhere. Apparently, they weren't lucky enough to get an IV started so they had to give him a shot in a muscle to help with the oxygen flow (which raised his heart rate quite a bit and then returned back to normal once the surgery had ended) and due to the lack of an IV, he wasn't able to receive anti nausea medication so that made for an interesting first feeding after surgery. To skip the hype, let's just say I was happy that the bottle was diluted. Once he was cleaned up and changed, we made for our way back home. It did take us about 3 hours due to traffic issues but we were just happy to finally get home. I was even happier once my girls returned and I was able to hug them and hear all about their fun sleepover at our friend's house. We're very lucky to have so many amazing friends here that are like family to us, especially when immediate family doesn't live close by. Thank you Dani and Brent. We sure do appreciate and love you guys! Especially for taking them for us on such short notice. Our girls had such a great time. :)

{Our car ride so early in the morning - on our way to the hospital.}

{Daddy with his boy before getting dressed into his surgical gown.}

{Andrew sporting his oh so sweet peach gown - ready to go in for surgery.}

{He was out for most of the car ride home. Cheeks still red from his surgery.}

{At home later in the day feeling a little better with his toys and blankie.}

As for Andrew, by the end of today, he's already starting to show signs of his old self with smiles and cuddles. They told us before we left the hospital that especially with the antibiotics and the wearing off of anesthesia, that it may take a few days for him to feel better - with his appetite returning and not being so sleepy. All in all, he's been such a trooper through this whole ordeal and we're so glad he's doing as well as he is. A big thank you to all of those that kept Andrew in your thoughts and prayers. We are very grateful for wonderful family and friends!

Playgroup

Our kids absolutely LOVE the park. The moms in our ward at church just started having playgroup twice a month not too long ago and the kids have so much fun running around playing with their friends. And because of the playgroup, we have found a new park or two that we hadn't known of before that we really enjoy now. Lots of shade and greenery which reminds us of home!

Tonight - John, Andrew & I - are driving up north to stay with my cousin and her family and the girls are staying close to home with some friends of ours due to Andrew having a frenulectomy (clipping the frenulum, known more commonly as tongue tie). So today's playgroup was perfect timing in that I got to spend some fun quality time with my kids before they headed off to their friend's house for the night. Before any of the others from the playgroup showed up, I ended up having some free time with them and took some really cute pictures as they played.

{I love this one with all three of them on the slide. SO cute! :)}

{What a good sister!}

{Andrew's FIRST time in a park swing. YAY!!}

{As you can see, he sure enjoyed it! Had fun being pushed back and forth for a good half hour.}

{I love my kids! They're so fun!}

Starting Summer With BUBBLES

I just have to say this once around here at our house: "Does anyone want to go outside and blow bubbles?" and I hear pitter patters run at lightening speed to get shoes on and head to the back door. They are completely happy to entertain their little hearts out for atleast a good hour. Such a lifesaver on a day when I need a few minutes of peace. :) And I can't forget that it's a win-win. They're happy and so is their mama! I love bubbles. And according to these pictures, I'm not the only one!

6 Months

{Happy 6 months Andrew! We love you!!}

17.6 lbs (50%)

25.5 inches (10-25%)

It's official! My baby boy is 6 months old as of June 19th! And he's looking the part too. I just want to snuggle him and tell him to stop growing for a little while but like that's possible! John on the other hand is looking forward to him growing up so they can do father-son things like watching basketball games and pal around together. I'm really starting to see the big boy in him already and not the baby boy I've been so used to seeing since he was born. For a second or two, I was sad to see him getting so big but then I too focused on all the things I get to experience with him as he grows and gets bigger and it brought me so much happiness. Andrew is truly a blessing to me - as each of my children are. But something about having a boy makes it a different kind of special. I love him more and more with each new day and I'm thankful to be his mama!

Here's what he's been up to:

* still loves to smile!

* rolls over like a pro (started rolling at 5 months)

* scoots on his tummy and back

* starting to sit with support

* has also started showing a bit of stranger anxiety (if I'm holding him with him sitting outward and all he sees are people he doesn't know, he starts to cry until he sees me or his dad or sisters.)

* loves storytime at the library

* enjoys whipped cream on occasion (shhhh!)

* giggles and babbles (has started saying things like "coo". Other sounds too just can't remember what they are at the current moment.)

* enjoys music and being read to

* loves stroller and car rides

* enjoys the wind (who doesn't in warm Virginia summers!)

* smiles at people

* still has very strong legs while we hold him up to stand

* passes objects from one hand to another

* can usually put his pacifier back in his mouth successfully

* starting to drop toys over the side and look for them

* gets mad if he can't reach or find the toys he once had in his hand

* sucks on rattles, books, toys...you name it!

* sometimes sleeps with his blanket or burp cloth over his eyes (like he's trying to shade out the sunlight-it's quite funny!)

* loves bathtime

* really enjoys the attention he gets from his sisters - and his mama and daddy too!

Father's Day 2009

{This picture: Jocelyn's Baby Blessing: October 8, 2006 Gresham Oregon. My Dad: fourth in from the left and my step Dad: third in from the right. It's obviously time to get a more recent photo.}

Wanted to wish the men in our family as well as our close friends who are Dad's a Happy Father's Day today! We love you and are so grateful for you. Thank you for all that you do. We look forward to reuniting with our family back west in just a few short months! :)

{John and the kids after church. Yes, not the best time to take the kids pictures. AFTER church and BEFORE lunch=TIRED!}

{The girls watching the cookies bake}

{Andrew being cute as ever: playing with his toes & smiling}

{John grilling: just for the record. I DID offer to make him dinner. But he was in the mood for some grilling. Who am I to say no to that? :)}

I hope John had a great Father's Day. We spent it by going to church, John (and all the fathers at church) received a pie to take home (YUM!), naps all around, talked to family on the phone, baked cookies for our home teacher, took cookies to our home teacher and hung out with them for awhile, and ended the wonderful day by cramming in a bunch of homework before the midnight deadline. (Again, John - not me!) Whew. What a day. But it SURE was fun! "Thanks honey for being such a great Father to our wonderful children. They sure do love and admire you!"