Ah, School...AKA Audio Relief

I am so happy that Parker is in all day school this year. I absolutely HATED having to go to the school 3 times a day. Granted, I only cut out one trip, but it was the one that broke up my day and made it impossible to really get anything done. So school has started, the boys like their teachers, and me and Jack are spending LOTS of time together... He likes playing with Riley and Parker better. His favorite time of day is when we go pick them up and still insists everyday that he has to take his backpack in the car too. He still has 3 more years until he is in kindergarten! I don't think I like fall birthdays.

Before school started and before Rob went back to work (he was very

excited to get out of the house and go back to work!) we took the boys camping. It was only for one night, but that was enough. They got to fish and I got to read. When we went to bed it was freezing and they both decided that all they wanted was to sleep in their warm, soft cozy beds the next night. It was fun but we were glad to get home.

Oh, I almost forgot! We finally got the piano from my mom's house (thanks for all who helped!) and I refinished it. If you didn't see it before this won't mean much, but it's tons better. Rob's sister even came out and tuned it. Me and the boys have started taking lessons (also from Rob's sister) and can already play a few songs. I think I like it more than the boys though.

Home Sweet Home

So after what seems like a really long time I am home and can update you on the gimp and show a few photo's of the progress.  This first one is the first walk he went on after the surgery.  You can see all the crap they had him hooked up to, well almost all of it.   Some of it they left in the room and just hooked him back up when he finished.  This only shows the 4 IV's (still 3 more hanging on the bed) his catheter and oxygen.  It doesn't show the heart monitors... there were a few.  They had to put him on this cool blood pressure monitor thing that was actually inside his vein in his arm.  It would show what his pressure was with every beat.  They had to keep a close watch over his pressures (obviously), but especially because the heart/lung bi-pass machine chewed up his aorta a bit and they had to put a patch on it. 

He spent 2 days and 1 night in the SICU (surgical intensive care unit). Stewart was his nurse... so good.  If you have to spend some time in SICU I totally recommend him.  Then they moved him up to the 4th floor.

  The boys were finally able to come up and visit for a few minutes.  They were so excited to give Rob the pictures they made him.  Apparently they were all afraid that Rob would forget Chewy, because that is what they all drew.  Jack's is a little abstract.  I love it. 

We came home this morning.  This is what he has been doing since then.  

Here is a close up of his chest along with notes.  

Big thanks to everyone for helping us out so much!!!  (Especially Jodi for letting me crash in her hospital room.)

the Count Down is On

 Tonight is Rob's last night as 100% human.  This time tomorrow he will be squealing like a pig.  We report to the hospital early tomorrow morning where he will promptly be prodded in places he'd rather not think about.  Soon he will be stuffed with tubes and hospital paraphernalia.  I'm pretty sure he's rather be on a beach on the big island reading a book or napping, but at least he'll have the book and a nap... briefly interrupted by blood pressure cuffs and temperatures not to mention those cute hospital gowns.  

He seems to be handling it all alright.  The only sign of anxiety that I've seen was last night around 2:30 am when he woke up looked at me and said "FIVE!"  When I just looked at him unknowingly he repeated "FIVE, FRENTLY!"  I was laughing at this point and he just kept repeating it and then said "is that what I've been fleeing?"  I still have no clue as to what that all meant.  My only guess would be his subconscious is trying to find the right "F" word for the situation, but since he's never dropped an F-bomb it doesn't know how.  

All in all he's doing good, he has been going to bed around 9:00 every night, but still in good spirits.  We were talking to the boys the other day and telling them what is going to happen and explained that while they were fixing his heart a machine will be pumping his blood and breathing for him.  We finished talking and left it at that.  Then yesterday when Rob came home from the hospital from doing his pre-surgery blood work, the first thing Parker says to him is "Are you half robot  yet?"  We laughed and told him no and he honestly looked a little sad.  When all is said and done, I think the boys might be a little disappointed with the whole thing.  We (I) will let you know how it goes, but let me just tell you all now how much we appreciate the help you have been and will be in the next few weeks.  It has truly been wonderful to feel the concern and love from everyone.  Thanks to all of you.

We had Parker's Birthday party last night.  It was kind of an Indiana Jones fest.  He already had the hat and the whip, so I made him the over the shoulder pack the you apparently HAVE to have in order to play Indiana Jones.  He LOVED it.  My dad seemed to enjoy it as well.  

We also finally found a good use for the basketball hoop.  

My favorite thing about this party is that the kids all had a great time throwing away the wrapping paper and trash so clean up was almost non-existent. 

I also really loved seeing Parker open his presents.  Ellie gave him a spiderman marker set and coloring book.  He jumped out of his chair, (pausing the opening of more presents mind you,) grabbed Ellie and gave her a big hug and told her thank you.  He didn't do that for any of the boys that came... but I'm glad that he is such a grateful kid. 

And this is the cake.  I don't know if you can really see it in the photo, it's indy's pack with jewels and coins spilling out, his whip (made out of black licorice whips) and of course his hat.  

 I think my favorite thing is that the coins all have COPY printed on them just in case you had in mind to try and use it in a store.  He had a great time and I think Rob and I needed the distraction from everything else.  

A good day overall.

july 1st

So the date of the surgery for Rob is going to be July 1st. And the good news is, is that he will not have to have it done open heart. They are going to go through the ribs on the right of his chest. So he will only be out for two to three weeks instead of two to three months. Hooray for technology. 

A Little Sureal

 Yesterday we found out that Rob is going to be having open heart surgery in the very near future.  It was a little weird sitting in that doctors office listening to him saying that if we waited until fall we would be stupid.  

Life is precious.  Enjoys those you love.  Everyday.

Heaven or Hell?

Ok, I'm throwing out a disclaimer before you get to into this post.  Read at your own risk.  This is a delicious treat that you will want all the time once  you know about it and I will not be responsible for any weight gain... Heck, I'm not even taking responsibility of my own.  

So last summer my friend Kelly introduced me to this and I'm not sure if I am grateful or not because I like it a little too much.  I think it just took me by surprise, I am NOT a sour cream person.  I don't put it on tacos, potatoes or anything.  So when she told me to try it I didn't expect anything.    

A little sour cream, a little brown sugar, and of course the 

strawberries... and there you have it. 

Now that I've talked  it up it won't be the same for you, so lets pretend I told you it was gross.  Then maybe you will love it as much as I do.  

I want this to be an ice cream flavor.  If anyone has an ice cream maker try it and let me know how it was. Well, maybe tell me. Ok, tell me.