Thursday, August 27, 2009

Max's Surgery

Here's a recap of our week...

Monday:
-Max got upset during the school day because I told him he was having lasagna at school. Well, turns out I looked at the wrong day and it was really hot dog day. He told his teacher he didn't feel good after art but she thought he was still upset about lunch and told him to splash some water on his face and he'd feel better. When he got home he was laying on the couch and said he didn't feel very well. He sat up and puked. He went and laid back down on the couch for a while. When he woke up he had a fever and couldn't stand up straight because he belly hurt so bad. Nate and I thought he probably had some virus and intestinal cramps.

Tuesday:
-Nate woke me up before 6:00 am saying Max still couldn't stand up straight and that he'd had to carry Max to the bathroom because it hurt him too much to walk. I got up and made an online appointment to see the pediatrician (I love that our pediatric office does that!). I got a message later than Max had a 9:00 am appt. with Dr. Payton. After Dr. P checked him out he said that Max was exhibiting all the syptoms of appendicitis but he wanted to wait 6 hours to make sure. He said he didn't want Max to have unnecessary surgery but he also didn't want to wait too long so that it ruptured. He said to come back around 3:00 pm if Max didn't feel any better to get examined again. Max tried to convince himself and me that he felt better knowing that he'd probably have to have surgery if he didn't get better but I could tell he didn't... he was still grimacing any time he moved, still couldn't stand upright, etc. When I told him I called the doctor and that we were going back in he teared up and admitted he felt worse.
-Dr. P checked him out and ordered a CT scan which he got done around 4:00 pm. It confirmed that his appendix was enlarged so he sent us over to the ER to get checked in at 4:45 pm. This is where the real fun began.
-WRMC has no communication among itself. Dr. P had already talked to Dr. Hudec (the surgeon) and we were told that everything was getting prepped for the surgery. Well, the ER sent us to admissions where we waited at least a half and hour because they had no clue who Max was. Then, we got sent back to the ER (where we had tried going initially) to get his vital signs read. We waited over an hour before we finally got sent back to a room (in the meantime Max starts to cry saying it's hurting more). At this point I realize that my definition of "emergency" isn't the same as the hospitals. Dr. P made it sound as if Max would be in surgery immediately. Nope. There's no sense of urgency in the ER. They just stroll around, chatting on the phone, without a care in the world.
-After we finally got sent up the surgery prep area they weighed and measured him. The nurse doing these tasks told us they do this so they know how much anesthesia to give him AS SHE IS WRITING HIS HEIGHT AND WEIGHT ON HER HAND. Back in his little holding area she transfers the results to a paper towel and gives them to another nurse. The other nurse leaves then sticks her head back in asking, "Now, cm is height and kilograms weight, right?" Really?! These are the people prepping my baby for surgery? We then get asked the most ridiculous questions including but not limited to: If he needs to go to the bathroom what words would he use to tell us? Max's response, "ummm... I need to go to the bathroom?"; How much TV does he watch a day?; How many times a day does he brush his teeth?; Does he have a job?; Does he smoke? Seriously? A) he's 7... think about it before you ask. B) What does any of this have to do with his infected appendix?
-Dr. Hudec comes in and talks to us. He tells us we're in luck because the pediatric anesthesiologist just happens to be on call tonight. He tells us it won't be too long.
-A while after that we learn that there has been an emergency that involves a man bleeding internally so it's going to be awhile. I asked the nurse what "a while" means in hospital terms because we've already been waiting 3 hours. She says, "Oh, probably another couple hours." Super.
-Max finally gets back to surgery at 10:15 pm and is done by 10:45 pm. Dr. Hudec said his appendix was longer than normal (reached below his belly button) and was pusy but hadn't perforated. Thank you, Jesus! (We knew it hadn't ruptured at the time of his CT scan but since that had happened 6 hours before don't think the thought hadn't crossed by mind that while these people were trying to find their heads and we were waiting forever that it might.)

Wednesday:
-In the hospital.... not a great experience. A nurse who couldn't care less, his wrestlers got thrown in the laundry when his sheets got changed, only given pain meds once, promised an Xbox at 9:00 that he didn't get until after 1:00, etc.
-Dr. Hudec came by at 3:15. He said Max looked great and we could go home.
-At 6:00, I request more pain meds for Max and tell the nurse he has blood in his IV line. She nonchalantly says, "Oh, I'll just take it out and he can be discharged." So why didn't that happen 3 hours ago?
-Discharged around 6:30ish.


Ready to move on to the next adventure... but hopefully not for a while because we are tired!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

It's official: I'm a Soccer Mom

We've known the day was coming and it has finally arrived. All 3 boys are playing soccer. Well, I use the word "playing" loosely. Two of the three played today. Jack sat on the sidelines with his head buried in the chair. At least we had the majority on the field.

The Tiny Titans (being watched by a cranky kid... oh yeah, that's Jack).

A Transformer and a Biscuit (Yes, Max's team is the Biscuits but they're sponsored by Pioneer Brand so it's not quite as bad as it sounds. At least it's better than the gravy boats...)

The McGoo trio.


That cranky kid again.

Finally, after 5 years, Max is playing REAL soccer. They have posititions and a clue!

Let the fun begin (until October 24th, but who's counting?)

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

The big boys 1st day of school

Sing with me, "It's the most wonderful time of the year..." Besides the whole getting up and out of the house by 7:30 it really is wonderful, isn't it? We are down to only paying for childcare for one child! If you add that to the fact that we don't have to buy diapers anymore you'd think we could retire... you'd think.

Today I officially have two children in elementary school. The morning went without an emotional hitch. I didn't cry and Grant didn't throw a fit!

When I was leaving Grant gave me a hug and kiss then casually said, "Bye, Mom" without even glancing back. That my friends is what you called answered prayer.
When we got to school I told Max we'd walk him to his class first then I'd walk Grant to his. Max said, "Why? I know where my class is. I can walk myself."

And again, "It's the most wonderful time..."

Monday, August 17, 2009

J's 1st Day

Much to Jack's delight, today was the first day of preschool! He has been looking forward to this day ever since his "teacher conference" 2 weeks ago. He has seriously asked, "Is my school open?" every single day since we met his teacher and visited his classroom. He threw a fit when we left that day because he wanted to stay, see "his people" and eat a snack. We were driving home from somewhere at 9:30 pm last week and passed the street where we turn for his preschool. He gasped and said, "Is it time for my school?!" Poor guy. I promise we tried to have some fun this summer.


I tried to take his picture before we left the house this morning but as soon as I said it was almost time to go he was in the car sitting in his booster seat. He would have gotten in the car at 6:45 am if I'd let him but I told him he had to eat breakfast and wear clothes before he could go to school. This picture next to the parking lot right before we walked inside. Can you sense his giddyness?
When I dropped him off he layed on the floor behind a table and wouldn't get up to play dinosaurs with the other kids. He didn't cry. Apparently he just wanted to observe from afar first. Nate picked him up and the first thing Jack said was, "Daddy! I not done playing yet." I hope his positive school attitude continues for the next 15 years.

Kindergarten newbies

A whole bunch of us had babies around the same time... and now, the time has come to send them all to school! In honor of the upcoming Kindergarten year we had a pool party for our soon to be school age kiddos.
Davis, Elle, Molly, Owen, Grant, Malachi, Emma and Ben... eagerly anticipating Wednesday. Their moms may not be quite as eager...

Friday, August 14, 2009

Are you ready for some football?

There's nothing quite like watching a 1st & 2nd grade Kiwanis football game. It's like watching a really bad Razorback game... missed tackles, lots of penalties and the one kid who gets the breakaway touchdown run down the sideline (from the other team, of course). I'm going to go nuts in 10 years when it's REAL competition. I may or may not have been jumping up and down screaming repeatedly during the game. I'm just saying....





How is Max old enough for all this? (FYI: his daddy taught him not to smile for pictures when he's wearing his football gear. Something about being "in the zone".)

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

More Lake

Really, for my boys, there's not much they'd rather do than spend a week at a lake.




Ava held her own with the sticks and the mud. It's a good thing she doesn't mind doing "boy" things because she'll be even more outnumbered when her little brother is born in a few weeks.

The amazing celebration cakes in honor of the afore mentioned event.

We also celebrated Ava's 2nd birthday.

What better gift to receive on your 2nd birthday than a tu tu?

McGoodens


Parrish's

the Lake

My parents rented a house on Beaver Lake so we could ALL enjoy the fun.

Matt & Leah (it may have been a little Hall family overload for poor Matt...)

Adam and Annie... we celebrated their "happy one year until your wedding day" while we were there.


Mom and Dad

Nana and Papa with their grandchildren... which just so happen to be (at this moment) exactly opposite of their own children (3 boys, 1 girl).

The "original" Halls.

What cute cousins.

I'm sure Jack was trying to hug Ava and not really wring her neck.

Does it get any better than fishing with your Papa?

And Nana and Mom got a nice little break when Papa took the boys :) So long fellas, take your time!

Now, if we could just convince them to BUY a lake house....

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Batman Party

I thought Jack's accomplishment this summer was worthy of its own post...

I would like to proudly announce that after 7 years and 10 months of purchasing and changing diapers we are a diaper free house!

After much pleading, bargaining, bribing and threatening I was given the great idea (thank you Emily) of rewarding Jack with a party after a week of no accidents. It only took ten days (one start over) to earn his Batman Party. Why didn't I think of this idea months ago?!

Jack was so proud of putting stickers on his chart. He meticulously chose and placed them every night.

He pooped aqua colored poo for a week after eating this cake but hey, it was in the potty.


The grand prize: Batmand underoos. Life is good for potty trained boys.

Did I mention I never have to buy that huge box of diapers at Sam's again?

Summer?

What happened to the summer? I obviously haven't been keeping up with it...

Here's a rundown of what we've been doing (not necessarily in order).

1. Playing in the creek (we've lived in our house for 5 years and just discovered the fun of Mill Creek).


2. Family Poker Night(Grant took us all.)

3. Jack is potty trained! (Can I hear a woo hoo?!)

4. The drive-in (with Matt & Leah).

5. The Sprinkler

6. Square foot garden... thanks to the Henrys. (We still haven't planted anything in it but hey, it's there.)

7. Football

8. The lake (with ALL my family)

9. Soccer practice
Seriously, is it REALLY time for school already?