Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Prove it

I can't believe we are one week post-op. Evey has done amazing and looks like a whole new baby. Nate and I both cant stop saying how cute she looks. It's amazing what a new head shape can do for a face, who knew? She's still a little out of it and not her usually smiley self, but there's only a little swelling left and her scar is looking better by the day. Our plastic surgeon is a genius. We feel super blessed she didn't need a blood transfusion which everyone was convinced she would. Even the plastic surgeon came out post-op shocked and said she was so dry. That's our Evey, tough as nails and out to prove everyone wrong.







Thursday, November 22, 2012

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee

Gratitude. Evey beat the odds and came home with us tonight just 3 days after her cranio vault reconstruction surgery. The doctor also injected botox all around her neck to help get rid of her torticolis and help her neck stretch comfortably without pain. Not to be too redundant, but this girl is so tough and strong. Her head is swollen like crazy and she looks like a mix of sloth from goonies and a professional boxer, but she's still as mild and pleasant as ever.
We had a lovely thanksgiving up at primary's with just the supreme team and it was so nice for Nate and I to just sit and watch our kiddos in all their toddler glory eat up their dinner provided by primary children's hospital. We have so much to be thankful for today, but here's a little of my list for this month.
For my parents and siblings that watch the fearsome threesome while Evey does hospital stays.
Prayers all over the world for our little family.
For doctors and nurses and hospital staff that come to work and treat our family like their own.
For our Owen, Eli, Zoey, and Evey who continue to teach me invaluable lessons on the glory of parenthood.
Last and most importantly. The infamous question continues to come up on how I handle all this? The answers two-fold and so simple. The answer is and will always be I have a husband that is constantly at my side and is my partner and best friend through it all. He makes me laugh until I pee my pants and can read me like a book. He is my rock, my strength, my better half.
Lastly, I know my Savior knows me. I know he knows our family and is constantly watching over us. We feel the Holy Spirit through all of these earthly adventures and we know this is just one part of the grand eternal plan. We are truly happy, blessed, and thankful beyond words. What a happy thanksgiving. I can't wait to see what will be on our thankful list for 2013. Thank you, thank you to all our friends and family.













Sunday, November 18, 2012

Banana Stand

We put up Christmas decorations as soon as we got home from Disneyland to help ease the detox. Best idea we've ever had. There's something about seeing those 6 stockings hanging that make me love our little supreme team even more than I knew I did.

The week before surgery is always super introspective for Nate and I. We walk around almost in reverence for the blessings that we are about to receive and that we know we need from The Lord. We also know he's the only one that can give them, so I guess the week before surgery we try extra hard to be worthy of those blessings.

On a fun side note look who got creative with the banana holder and is using it as Evey's iv pole. Judging by Evey's smile, I'd say she gives me an A+ for creativity.

Next post will be from primary children's hospital. No where I'd rather spend our thanksgiving. It's the ultimate remind you to be grateful place.





Sunday, November 11, 2012

Disney detox

It has been two years since our last Disney trip and for those that know Nate and I, that's two years too many. We dropped off our Zoe's nose who didn't make the cut, because we all know how 20 month olds love to hold still and sit in a stroller and ride quietly on a plane. Thanks to my sis in law and sister who I hope still love Zoey after spending several days and evenings with her.

It was such an amazing fun trip. We left and it was 95 degrees in Anaheim and came home to snow and 30 degree weather.

Evey did amazing and was the perfect baby. We had no feeding pump issues.  She slept on the plane and so far she seems to not have gotten any virus which will set us up for her next surgery in 10 days.

The trip was also a reminder about our little Owen. Truthfully, since Evey has been born Owen's autism has taken a back seat.  He has come so far in all of his therapy for the last two years and most people don't even notice, nor do we tell them that he has Autism. There's a fine line as a parent where you don't want Owens autism or even Evey's koolen syndrome to define them and you also don't want to talk about it all the time because there's so much more to our supreme team. Needless to say, our first day in Disneyland we were confronted full force that our little Owie has some unique quirks. After several screaming, shaking and yelling tantrums, with the help of cousins and nana and papa we finally convinced him to go on just one ride. We baby stepped our way through Disneyland, until we finally took him over to the new cars land in California adventure and that was it, he was sold on Disney madness.  Subsequently, we pretty much stayed in Cars Land the rest of the trip and had a blast.  It was so amazing to see our boys grinning from ear to ear on everything cars, especially after all the bouncing around they've done these last 6 months with Eveys surgeries. They deserved this trip more than anyone, except for Nate that is.

So thanks sisters for the amazing time and for reminding me that I'm not the only ridiculous one out there having too many kids too fast. Until 2014 ladies.