Celebrating Tiffani

Tiffani is turning 15 in less than a week.  So we decided to throw her a surprise birthday party with her friends. I think she was surprised.  Her friends were waiting for her to come home (she & I went shopping).  When Tiff walked in, they all yelled SURPRISE!  She was surprised.  It was great.

Today we had a party with our family.  She had fun spending time with everyone.  We all got together to give her 1 big gift.  MONEY!  But instead of giving that to her first, everyone brought 15 little gifts for her to open.  They were not the normal kind of gifts.  So I know she was wondering what everyone was doing.  But Tiff was great, she did not question anyone.  Then the big box came.  She opened it and could not believe her eyes!  It was priceless.

I can not believe she will be 15 on April 22.  Where has the time gone?  Tiff is not going to be home for her birthday. She is going to Atlanta with the band for a few days. I pray she has a wonderful time with her friends!

Happy Birthday Princess Tiffani.  I love you very much.  I'm so proud that you are my daughter!  Love Mommy

2nd surgery-Complete

Yesterday Ethan had the Latham appliance put in his mouth.  The surgery took about 10 minutes.  He did great.  It took him longer to wake up yesterday than it did the week before.  He was upset, but not as angry.  He slept most of the time in recovery, and this week he wanted Daddy. 

We (meaning Bill) have to tighten the device 4 times a day. This is something we were not aware of, until after the surgery.  I was nervous about this, because Ethan fights us just to put ear drops in his ear.  Well, Ethan still fights, but not as hard. And Bill is able to tighten it.

Ethan did not sleep well last night. Cried out a lot between 12-7 AM  He was not in pain, he just did not want to sleep. 

He's doing great today. Is eating and drinking. He's playing.  It does not seem to be bothering him.

We have an appointment with the orthodontist on April 26 and then the surgeon on April 27.  They seem to think we'll be having the lip repaired in a few weeks. 

Here are some photos from the hospital.  Thanks for your prayers!

First Surgery Complete

We are finally beginning with surgeries for Ethan.  Today's was not too bad.  But he was still mad about it.  He does not like anyone touching him. So he screamed and pushed them away (or tried to). 

We arrived at the hospital at 6 AM.  They got us signed in and called us back around 6:30.  Several people had to check Ethan out, and ask us the same questions over & over again.  No big deal. 

Around 7:30 we are still waiting for the 2 doctors to come in to say good morning. I guess they have to see us before they can take Ethan back.  At 8:00 we finally saw the ENT and Surgeon and we were walking Ethan back to the area to say goodbye. 

At about 8:30 the ENT said she was done.  Ethan had an infection in his left ear.  It "erupted like a volcano".  She said the right ear had fluid but was not as bad. 

We were then given a pager to walk down to get something to eat.  We did not even make it to the food area and we were paged.  The surgeon was finished.  So we walked back and he said Ethan did great.  They will put the Latham in next Friday. That will be a little painful since they are screwing it into his palate. 

We were given another pager to go eat while he was in recovery.  We were able to order our food, sit down and get ready to eat when the pager went off.  So we go back.  Ethan woke up fighting. So I got him and calmed him down. We were able to give him some apple juice and then pediasure.  He was then happier. 

At 9:30 we were discharged.  Ethan did great!  He was still very tired. He fell asleep in the car on the way home.  He slept till 11:30.

I asked Ethan if he could hear me.  He shook his head "YES".  :-)  So sweet! 

Here are some photos from this morning.  We'll be back next Friday.  Keep praying.

Tubes

Today we are taking Ethan to the hospital to get tubes put in his ears.  I have heard from several friends that once the child receives the tubes, they are happier.  I'm praying this is the case for Ethan.  Not that he is not a happy child, but he is frustrated.  I know that is why we have a lot of screaming during the day.  Praying that this morning will go smoothly.

While they have him under, the surgeon is also coming in and molding  the top jaw for the Latham device.  Not sure how long this will take, but I can't imagine very long.  Next Friday they will be putting the device in, so we'll have another early morning next Friday. 

The hospital told us to plan on being there for 5 hours.  From check in to check out.  We have to be there at 6 AM.  That means waking up at 4 AM and leaving by 5 AM. Well I've been awake since 2:30 AM.  It's going to be a very LONG day.  Thank goodness it's the beginning of Spring Break this afternoon. 

Here is a photo I took of Ethan the other night when I went in to check on him. I love how he snuggles with a stuffed animal.  This bear was given to him by Nanny (Bills mom) on Easter. 

I will try to update the blog later today with photos from the hospital, and with a report on how he did.

Until then......

Easter Sunday 2010

Happy Easter!  Today is such a beautiful day. It reminds me of all Christ has done for me and is doing for me.  He died for ME!  For my children, for my family, for my friends!  I'm so thankful that I have a Savior who loves me enough to die for me.  Thanking Him today for all He's done.

Today was not a typical Easter Sunday for us.  We do have the Easter Bunny come to our house.  But this year he did not hide eggs. We just did not have time to hunt them.  Bill had to leave for church at 6:50 AM.  Ethan was not even awake when Bill left.  We woke the girls up early and they received their Easter baskets. They were a little sad they could not hunt for eggs, but we told them the bunny left the eggs for me to hide for them.  That seemed to be okay.

Everyone went to church except me & Ethan.  He is getting tubes put in on Friday and I'm trying to keep him away from germs.  So we stayed home.  I know he misses having his sisters here.  They will be home soon.  I'm bummed because the girls are singing in church today and I'm missing it.  Hopefully Tiffani is able to record it for me. 

Yesterday we colored eggs. The girls were so excited. They can't wait to eat them.

I did get some photos of the girls in their Easter dresses.  They each picked out their own dress. I was surprised that Abby & Jadyn chose the same dress, just different colors.  They usually do not like to look like "twins". 

We plan on eating lunch when Bill gets back from church, having an egg hunt, and relaxing around the house as a family.  I'm looking forward to it. 

Happy Easter!