Pijamas to Swim Suits

So I realize practically every photo I have posted in the last month has the kids in their jammies. It is true, we are enjoying our more relaxed summer schedule. We do generally shed the pijamas for our swim suits before noon most days. The kids are loving the pool(s), John is more adventurous than RoryCate this year, but even so, he hasn't dared the KayCee slide by himself just yet. We have enjoyed meeting friends at the pool, and look forward to logging many, many pool hours this summer!!

Busy, Busy

I know, I am falling into old habits. Here is a little breakfast cuteness to start the day...




John is doing great. Still waiting on the temporary sutures to dissolve on his eyelids. We have an eye appointment on Monday, so maybe they can take those out for us. I think most of the swelling has resolved itself, a few squishy patches, but nothing significant. Sleep is still good. We haven't seen a snotty nose since the surgery, hallelujah! Heading to the optician today to see if we can get a better fit with glasses.


We have hit the neighborhood pools many times in the past few weeks, and are enjoying playing with friends we haven't seen in a long time. We have vacation church school in a little over a week and swim lessons the week after that. It seems like June is passing us way too quickly!!

I am catching up on so many things that we pushed aside for too long. Letters to family and friends are high on my priority list, I have written about 75 notes in the last two weeks and have another 50 or so to write...it is humbling, the amount of love and support we have received in recent months. I am regretfully certain I will miss a few of you with my "thank yous", I hope everyone knows how much your prayers, emails and calls have comforted us.

Also working on our new benefits, and continue to appeal our ER visit from December...it never ends. I think we have finally completed all paperwork associated with our break-in. It is so great to move beyond these things!!!

Hoping to start a few FUN projects, I am planning a new playspace/theater, some might see it as hanging curtains to hide the clutter of toys, but I think it will be fun, and tidy! And I have had photo frames hung on the wall for years, with our Target family. I am planning to order some pics for those this summer. And of course, I have aspirations to keep this blog as up-to-date as possible.

I love moving into normal to-do lists!!!

Also, if you are really dying to hear more from me ;), I am contributing to a new CCA blog that our amazing friend Taryn has set up. I am not a natural writer and my grammar is horrible. Remember to read this with the knowledge that my brain works as a statistician, if it works at all these days...numbers are my thing, but I am trying this blog writing thing on for size. It is so stressful to write for someone other than myself, my family and friends!!!

Super Hero Jammies

Courtesy of the Super Skaggs Family! Thank you guys! I swear they invoke super sleeping powers!

John is doing great. He went to Speech and OT this week and is really back in the swing. He tends to run out of steam earlier these days and is taking awesome naps, but other than that and a somewhat big head, you wouldn't know he had his skull taken off and put back together 12 days ago. His right eye, aka "The Trouble Maker" swelled shut again after opening, but the swelling has finally resolved and all looks great. The whinies have also returned in full force, so we are working on that...I see lots of time outs in our future.

We have a full weekend ahead with the Ewing/Odom family reunion, church, Lucy Kate's birthday party and Launa's Little Library Memorial Day Bash.

Normalcy

Jousting with heels and a tutu...it doesn't get much more normal than that!

Playing a game...

and we are calling it, "Isn't it fun to try and sleep in the bathtub!?"




The kids thought it was a great game, but John and RoryCate both lost and are now back in their beds. Weather seems to be passing with lots of rain, hail and wind, but the black tornado blob that was on WFAA radar at 75 and Royal/Forest freaked me out. I hate it when the Dish goes out and I have to go with the online radar.

Praying everyone in North Texas is safe tonight!

Lookin' Good

Everything continues to improve around here. Still the occassional emotional moment or complaint of an eye hurting, but all in all things are going great.

A pic this morning with our awesome Ms. Beth...



And tonight at bedtime...

24 Hour Difference

7:30 PM Wednesday May 18th

7:30 PM Thursday May 19th

We had a day...that is pretty much the best way I can sum it up. Our dear Beth came to help this morning, offering one on one defense. Nanny headed home today, but was a huge help with RoryCate, thanks for helping with the little lady, mom. John woke a bit in a funk, despite the fact that the kid slept fantastically with Tate and me, waking a few times to take care of business. Eight am is pretty much a record around these parts. I seriously think his sleep apnea has improved after this vault.

So John was clingy and sad this morning, slow to warm up to Ms. Beth. He was quiet and requested a nap just a few hours after waking. But once RoryCate and I headed out for a lunch date with Tiffany and Brooklyn, he finally acknowledged that Ms. Beth is a pretty awesome friend to have. By 4pm he was having a great time with her and his sister.

Late this afternoon we received a surprise visit from a few of John's best buds and it was just the therapy John needed. Josh, Luke and Nate delivered this special sign for John's bedroom. It is fantastic and with the beautiful card from John's Sunday school class, his room is perfect. This little boy is so lucky, as are his parents, to have so many people in his corner.

I do believe the worst is over...thank you again for all your thoughts and prayers, for the meals, the cards, the emails, the messages. Our blessings are too many to number.

Home Sweet Home

Released tonight at 7, home and settled by 7:30! We are so lucky to live in Dallas!!!

Someone is so happy to have Brother home!

Good Morning

John is having a good morning. He slept well last night. There were some crazy dreams and bizarre conversations but there was rest too. He has been utilizing the facilities such that his doctors are much happier today. Mostly a liquid diet but he did get down a few bites of pancake and is looking forward to a donut later.


He also took a bath and lost one of his IVs, yay! He has been enjoying wagon rides, and is walking around (with help of course) more and more. His swelling seems to have peaked late last night...his sweet ears are ginormous right now and folding over. Last time his cheeks, jawline and neck didn't swell this much. It looks bad, but doesn't seem to be affecting his breathing much, if at all. It is looking good for John to be home tonight!



RoryCate came to visit yesterday. John was a bit blue, but RoryCate was sweet and handled everything well. I know they are missing each other very much.



Thank you for the continued prayers.

...photos aren't loading, i will try again later...

Breaks My Heart

John was moved to the floor at about 1:00 today. He perked up for a bit, and ate some crackers and jello with great success. Still having some pain in his tummy, so we are hoping that gets better soon. His head feels big, but it doesn't hurt. John is quite frustrated that he can't see, but likes his books on tape and classical music (my little braniac, smart and strong, he is something else).


Hoping the swelling is nearing its maximum.

Sad Little Tummy

John had a tough night with his upset tummy, but his O2 levels have been stellar. Quite a bit of frustration that he can't see, but he is holding strong.

The swelling continues to increase, but John is not in any pain. He is starving, and as soon as he can keep his fluids down we will be sure to fill this boy up! So proud of my brave little guy, he has been a trooper all day today.

Recovering in the PICU

Everything went great! Thank you for all your prayers, keep 'em comin'!!!

Update

All is going well...updates are coming as expected and it is looking like they should finish up around 12:30.

Waiting

All went great early this morning. John was very brave and shed only a few tears over the goofy juice! :) They took him back at about 7:45. We hope to have John all set up in the PICU around lunchtime.

Super John, reporting for surgery