A Fun Spring Day

Today was a beautiful day. The boys enjoyed spending time outside with daddy while mommy spent her last day in grad school!!! The weather was so nice that daddy decided it would be fun for the boys to run through the sprinkler. They had a blast!

Good News

J. just had his first appointment today following surgery. His doctor is very pleased with the progess he is making. His has been cleared to get out and exercise again. Looks like he will be running and biking again soon! He has lost close to 30 pounds so far. He is able to eat a normal diet again.

J's First Weekend Home

Daddy and #2 spend some time playing on the computer.

Aunt R. and Uncle D. brought over some exercise equipment for J. to use for his physical therapy. The boys loved trying it out.

#1 wanted to "relax" a little bit after "working out"!

#2 was swinging like a monkey on the tread mill.

J. has been feeling very well. This weekend we just hung out at home. J. is down 20 pounds. He is starting to be able to eat more foods. He will be able to eat more than just pudding and jello.

#1 was so cute this week. We went to KFC and he said, "Mommy, you only have to get 3 meals this time. But maybe you can ask them if they sell chicken broth for Daddy." As I was driving away he asked if I got the chicken broth.

The boys have been very helpful with Daddy. They are starting to act up a little bit now. We don't know if it is because of all the changes that are happening, but they sure are testing the waters.

J. will be home this week and will return to work on the 23rd. It seems so early to go back, but he is healing very well. Sometimes he needs reminders that he just had surgery a little over a week ago and he needs to relax.

Kindergarten Round-Up

Tonight was Kindergarten round up for #1. We had to take him to the school that he will be attending to register him for starting in the fall. I didn't think that we were going to make it. #1 was refusing to go. He was telling us that he was going to stay home and aunt B. was going to take care of him. He was not going. We had to persuade him to get into some clothes that were decent. He was not going!!! "You can't make me!!!" He yelled, he pouted and with bribery, we won! On the way to the school I told him that he needed listen and not crawl on the floor like a puppy or bear (which is what he does when he gets nervous). He promised me that he wouldn't do any of those things. We started the evening with a meeting in the gym. He asked if he was going to be able to play basketball in the gym. I told him, "Yes". He asked if he needed to be quiet like he was in church. I said, "Yes". Finally, the moment happened that made him decide that he wanted to go to Kindergarten. He got to ride on the school bus. We went around the block and came back. He was so excited. We then took a tour of the school. He loved seeing the classrooms. He saw bugs in some, plants in some and posters with Harry Potter and Spiderman. Wow! He was excited. Finally we ended the evening with the principal reading two stories. He got to sit in the music room with the other soon to be Kindergarteners. I was nervous, wondering if he would do it. I went and sat with the rest of the parents and he did really well. He found his place in the front row and listened really well. He didn't raise his hand when they got to the letter that his name started with, but he also didn't crawl all over the risers or crawl off of the back of them like some of the other kids did. He listened very well. When we were done, he saw uncle J. and cousin L. As we were walking out of the school, he said that he loved it there and asked if he was starting tomorrow. I had to explain that we needed to have the summer first and after that he would start. It was a big day for my big boy. I was so happy that it went so well, but also so sad that my baby is growing up. The summer seems so long...but I will cherish every day of it home with the boys. I can't believe how time has flown by and will be so sad the day that #1 climbs on the bus by himself and starts to be independent!!!

Update of J.

Just to let everyone know, J. is doing well. He is on a full liquid diet. He is eating things like pudding, yogurt, jello, broth. He has lost a total of 15 pounds since his surgery. He is trying to do more than he should and needs reminders to rest.

#2 Cleans Up

Today #2 decided that it would be a good idea to take all of his and his brother's left over corn from lunch and throw it all over the floor. He didn't like the fact that he had to vaccum it all up. When I handed him the vaccum cleaner he said, "A little help please!!!" I told him that he made the mess, now he has to clean it up. He did a pretty good job and probably won't do that again!

J is Home

J. is home. He is so excited to be here.

Coming Home

J. is coming home today!!! Yeah!!!

Easter

J. got to eat today!!! Yeah!!!

The boys sitting by daddy's bed.

#2 dressed in his Easter Bunny costume by Daddy.

When we first arrived at the hospital today, #1 asked Daddy if he wanted to go for a walk. They walked the halls together.

#1 took Daddy to a window to look at the planes. He gave Daddy a quick hug and told him that he loved him!

Today was a good day for J. He is feeling much better. He got to "EAT" some "meals" today. He had broth for lunch and dinner. He had a new IV put in because the other one was starting to bother him. He is still receiving high blood pressure medication and antiacid medication. He officially stopped taking pain killers today. He was up and walking around. #1 was so excited to get to go for a walk with him today. J's in-laws came to visit after Easter lunch. The boys enjoyed taking them for walks as well as showing them all the sights on the floor. J. seems pretty optimistic that he may get to come home tomorrow. We're hoping that is the case!!! He is missed at home! Thanks again to R & R and G & G for helping take care of the boys! We appreciate it.

Dying Easter Eggs

The boys enjoyed dying Easter Eggs. They really liked the surprises they found on the eggs after they were written on with the wax crayons.

J

Today was a much better day for J. He walked around the halls several times today and tonight. He sat up for awhile in a chair while we were there. They are monitering his blood pressure. They took the oxygen tubes out today. J. is happy to have that out. He got to chew a piece of gum today. Hopefully he will be able to have water tomorrow. Everything else is going well. He was in great spirits.

He was happy to get the news tonight that the problems with the sump pump are solved and that there are no problems at home and the downstairs is not flooded again! Thanks B., Pa and Gator Gal for all your help this morning. We appreciate it!

J's Day

#1 and Daddy...First time Daddy sat in a chair.
#1 was so sweet...holding Daddy's hand.
Daddy's nurse gave #1 a yummy popsicle.
#2 is enjoying his popsicle from Daddy's nurse.

Hanging out with Daddy.
#1 is holding Daddy's hand as he is napping (or trying to).

Today was a tough day for J. He was in a little bit more pain than yesterday. He was dry heaving this morning and ended up getting his NG tube twisted up. This tube runs from his nose to his stomach and removes stomach acids. Because it was twisted they had to pull it out. They are hoping that they do not have to replace it and will keep an eye on it. J. took a couple walks today. He did some physical therapy and went up and down some steps. I was impressed with how far he went. He sure has determination and didn't want to stop. This afternoon he slept a lot. This evening the boys came to visit. #1 sat by J. and held his hand. #2 isn't quite sure of what to think. He is a little scared right now and didn't want to touch J. He did well sitting in a chair by him. J. got very nauseated this evening. His nurse gave him some medication to try to help it. We're hoping he feels better tomorrow.

Just wanted to update everyone on J.'s night. It was pretty tough for him. He started to get a little nauseaous during the early evening. He then had to get up and walk to get his circulation going. It was really painful for him. He started dry heaving when he got to the end of the hall. He did a great job!!! The boys came to visit him tonight. They sat with him for a little while, but then he started to get sick again. We took the boys home. J. is trying to rest right now, but every time he dozes off, his oxygen buzzer goes off. He is not used to sleeping on his back, so this will be an adjustment for him. We'll keep you all updated. Thanks to everyone who has said prayers for J. and our family. Also, thanks to everyone who has helped with the boys or who sat with me at the hospital.

It is now 12:30 and J. will be entering the recovery in about 20 minutes. Everything went fine and he will go to his room on 7b. He will be in recovery for about 1 and 1/2 hours. We talked to the doctor and he said everything went well...no surprises. He was very optimistic. We are very excited with the news and will keep you all posted.

J. entered surgery this am at 0730. He is expected to be there until 1pm and go up to his room at 3pm. we have already learned you need to get to the surgery waiting room early to get the choice seating. Otherwise you are stuck at a table in the middle of the room with no tv to watch. Will continue to update. Posted by sister-in-law.

Just some fun pictures!

Just hanging out with daddy the day before his surgery.

Just hanging out with daddy.

Happy Easter!!!

Do you like my music??

I want to be like daddy!

August 2006

Christmas 2006

Halloween 2006

It's hard to believe that on Thursday the rest of my life is going to change. I will be undergoing gastric bypass surgery through a procedure called duodenal switch. They will be removing a portion of my stomach and they will be rerouting my small intestine. This is the most successful weight loss surgery available. I am excited, scared and have lots of anticipation. I cannot wait for my new life. I know there are lots of risks and I hope things go smoothly. I have chosen to do this surgery because I have never known myself as skinny and neither has the rest of my family. I am hoping that my health improves and that I am able to keep up with my boys,whether it is running, walking, biking, swimming or just playing around. Thanks for your thoughts and well wishes. We will be updating as soon as we have news.