One of the Many Unblogged Events of this Summer

My Grandma died earlier this year and I was going through my photos and realized I didn't blog anything about it. Not that a funeral is a hot topic or anything, but it happened and here it is. I am sort of at a loss as to what to say about it. For the past few (quite a few) years, my grandmother and I have been shall we say, at odds. It was actually really nice to go to the funeral and listen to Michelle talk about her. It was really just random memories, but they weren't the ones I always think of when I think of her. It was nice have someone elses thoughts floating around in my head, rather than my own. She would have been 100 years old this fall, it's hard to imagine all the change she saw in her life time.

The boys actually had a good time. They didn't really know her, so it was really just a good get together with cousins for them.

They all found gravestones with their names on them, Parker actually hung out with his for a while.

I have also decided that I want a black and silver casket... not for a while, I hope.

There was actually a really funny moment when Bus leaned in to giver her a kiss before they closed the casket and just about knocked it over. I don't think I have ever seen comic relief work so well as it did on my dad at that moment.

Come to think of it, I guess the kids aren't the only ones that had a good get together.

RSVP

Just so you know Saturday Riley is getting baptized.... the date was changed kind of last minute and haven't had time to really invite anyone... so if you would like to come please send me an email or call me and I will let you know where and when.

A Funny

Since Rob's surgery we have heard most of the pig jokes out there.... from swine flu to canabalism, to oinking, sweating like a pig, etc. This is however my favorite so far. From my mom.

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.