Day 29

Day 29:  January 29, 2013

WOW!  What A Day!

Today was the day to finally take my National Registry Exam!  So all morning I was trying to study, but Thaxton was being a little pill.  He decided to dump Cheerios all over the floor!  :)  Hey, I guess he was having fun right!!  

So, I studied until I was just making myself crazy.  So, I dropped the kids off at Lacey's and went to Hastings to grab some lunch before my test.  I even got to meet Tommy for lunch.  So, that was an added bonus!

I was soooooo nervous for this exam and the check-in made it worse.  I had to have two proof of identification.  They took my picture made me sign a contract.  Had to empty my pockets and even had to take off my watch.  I was lead into the "dungeon".  And then finally, I got to begin the test.  It is a computerized test.  Basically it makes you go until you pass.  It could be anywhere from 70-120 questions long.  It seriously was the hardest test I have ever taken.  After question 70, it just shut off with a little note that the results will be available in 24-48 hours!  Yipppeeeee!  More waiting.  :)  So with answering just 70 questions, I either did pretty good or pretty bad!  :S

So home I go.  They kids came home from school.  He had some killer eggs sandwiches for super and got the mess cleaned up.  The kids were picking up their toys (a.k.a. playing) before getting ready for bed.  I was sitting at the computer seeing if I would find a solution to my broken camera UGH!!!  Anyways, and Tommy was sitting next to me on the phone.

Kyson comes walking up between us, and he starts coughing.  I look down, and he is choking on something.  Tommy grabs him and starts patting his back.  I wanted him to keep coughing and to get it up.  But, no such luck.  He soon quit coughing, and he couldn't breathe at all.  Now at this point, everyone is freaking out.  Adelyn is screaming that he was eating a fruit snack.  Parker is getting Thaxton out of the way.  It was chaos.  I grabbed him and somehow my training just kicked in.  But, he quickly became blue and limp.  Tommy called 911, and he had the ambulance on the way.  I'm still trying to get it out, and I'm really staring to panic.  He finally started to puke!  He puked and would start choking again, then puke again!  Finally, he could breathe.  THANK GOD!!  I have never been so happy to be covered in puke in my life.  The ambulance pulled up and the amazing volunteers came streaming into my kitchen one after another.  I have never been more relieved.   They took Kyson, who was fine now, out of my arms to just check him out.  I walked into the kitchen.  I was so glad that someone else was there to be in charge.  I was shaking, and it was time for Mom to freak!!!

The only thing that concerned me was that he never puked up the fruit snack.  I was scared he inhaled it.  So since he was breathing fine, we drove him to the hospital.  They checked him out and did a chest exam to be safe.  He was fine.  I think the whole ordeal traumatized the rest of us more than him.  He was running all over the exam room.

 

My sweet little boy on the way home form the Hospital.

I am so thankful for the awesome members of Clay Center Rescue!  Now, I know they will all say it is their job.  But they choose that job!  They choose to help people.  Within minutes, I had 8 people who dropped what they were doing running in my kitchen door to help my son!  There is never enough thanks for that!  Now I hope I never have to be on this end of a call again!  But if I ever am, I know we'll be in great hands!!  I am so happy that I am apart of this group!  I only hope that I can learn enough from them to someday be as great as they all are.  They have all set the bar pretty darn high!

Now that this entire situation is done and over, I can reflect a bit!    I honestly can't think of a time that I have ever been this scared in my life.  We all were.  This situation could have turned out much worse.  I'm thankful it didn't.  I'm thankful for all my kids!  I'm thankful Tommy was there to help out!  I am thankful for the CC Rescue Squad.  And honestly, I'm thankful for the training I had.  Everyone needs to take a CPR class.  It takes only a few hours, and it could save a life!  (totally a commercial, but it is true!!)

Day 24-28

Day 24: January 24, 2013

I love the few moments when all the kiddos (well minus Parker) are hanging out together and NOT FIGHTING!!!  :)  They are just chilling watching Bubble Guppies!

Siblings are the people we practice on, the people who teach us about fairness and cooperation and kindness and caring - quite often the hard way.  ~Pamela Dugdale

Day 25:  January 25, 2013

 

My Origami Owl locket came in today!  I was soo excited to get this.  It is absolutely amazing!!!  Abby was awesome and helped me figure out just what I wanted!  I can't wait to add more to it! 

You can find Abby on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/abbys.OrigamiOwl

Day 26:  January 26, 2013

Oops!  I forgot to take a picture today!!



Day 27:  January 27, 2013

Today, I spent most of the day studying.  I even took my books out pheasant hunting!  LAME!!  But on Tuesday I take my National Registry Test to become an licensed EMT!  I'm sooooo nervous.  How to you study a 1200 page book.  I figure I either know it by now, or I don't.  But yet, I'm still studying!!!



Day 28: January 28, 2013

HA HA HA!  Thaxton learned how to do the magic broom trick!!  He was so excited.  He kept running around in circles around the darn thing.  That is until Kyson went and knocked it down!!!  Got to love little brothers!

On a awesome side note:  I got voted on the Clay Center Rescue tonight!  So, now I am officially a member of the squad, just got to pass my test on Tuesday.  How awesome is that???  I have only wanted to do this for the last 8 years!!!!

Day 18-23

Day 18: January 18, 2012



We made mini apple pies after school today. I have never made a pie in my life, and they turned out pretty darn good. The kids loved them. So, I am pretty proud of myself!!!  We followed this recipe that I found on Pinterest!

http://www.littlebitfunky.com/2011/10/what-i-made-for-monday.html


Day 19: January 19, 2013

Today, we had a fire call.  Thaxton was sleeping when Tommy and I left for it.   But when I got home he was up.  The kids were asking where I was.  I told them I had to go to a fire.  Thaxton was MAD!!!  He kept saying "Me Go!  Me Go!"  I hold him he couldn't go.  Then he told me "Me hat!  Me coat!"  He had his Fire Chief hat and coat on.  So, I loaded him and Parker up and drove them to the fire hall!  The guys were still cleaning up, so they let him watch and then he got to go for a short ride when they backed the trucks in!  He was so excited!  It totally made his day!  Then, he got to put on Blake's "real" helmet.  He wanted to take it home, even though he could hardly hold his head up in it!  :)    He had a good day!!!!!!!



Day 20:  January 20, 2013

Today we met Terri, Brandon, Owen, & Ella in Hastings.  We took all six kids to Valentino's for supper.  Then, we went bowling!  I don't think any of the my kids have ever been bowling before.  They all did really good.  They all beat me!!!!  :)  It was a lot of fun!  I may use the bumper lane next time. 

Day 21: January 21, 2013

Parker finally got to shoot the shotgun he got for Christmas! He was so excited! He did really good too! He even hit some targets out of the air! He is growing up way to fast!!


Day 22:  January 22, 2013

Hey it's late and I need a picture!  :)  Hopefully I am actually an licensed EMT soon!!! 


Day 23:  January 23, 2013

 

He is so adorable!!!

Day 14

Day 14:  January 14, 2013

So, I know the last few post have been about Thaxton, and today is the same.  But he had a long tough day today.  Heck the entire family did! 

Here is a run down of our day:

6:30 a.m.
FINALLY woke up to the alarm that I managed to hit snooze on for 30 minutes without even realizing it.  We made a mad dash to get up, get dressed, brush teeth, and pack our stuff, and load the car.

7:03 a.m. 
We arrived at Children's Hospital.  Hey only 3 minutes late!  :)  We checked in and were lead back to the C.A.R.E.S. Unit at the hospital.  They weighed him and measured his height.  They checked his vitals, and I changed him into his cute little hospital PJs.  He got to play around with some bubbles for awhile when the nurses were getting the rest of his stuff ready!!

8:00 a.m.
They then started an IV. The poor little guy.  He was such a trooper.  I had him sitting on my lap with his chest against mine and his arm pinned under mine.  There was 2 nurses, a PA, and a Child Life Specialist trying to assist with the IV.  It took 3 tries to get it in, and my incredible strong, brave little boy never once shed a tear.  He was absolutely amazing.  IVs hurt like heck!!  All the nurses were amazed at how strong he was.  Our main nurse told me she had never seen a 3 year old take that the way Thaxton did.  I am soooo proud of him.

8:20 a.m. 
They gave him two different medicines to make him go to sleep.  The first one he drank like it was good, and then the second one they had to spray up his nose.  He took everything in stride.  He was such a good boy.  We didn't have to fight them at all.  After the meds, they turned out the lights and he cuddled with Rob.  It didn't take long, and he was sound asleep. 

 

8:45 a.m.

Thaxton and I then went down for his MRI & MRA.  I got to stay with him the entire time.  The laid him on the MRI table.  His arms and body were strapped down.  They put ear plugs & headphones on him, and his head was lightly taped down so in the event he woke up, he won't hit his head on the MRI.  I was given a chair, magazines, ear plugs, and some headphones.  He did really good until the very end of the MRA.  Every once in awhile, his leg would twitch so I was watching his leg.  About the forth time, it went from a twitch to a kick.  I jumped up and ran over there to try to keep him calm, but with the headphones and the loud MRI he couldn't hear me.  At that point, they stopped and brought him out.  He was a little freaked, but fine.  He fell right back to sleep when he got him back to the bed.  They missed the last two pictures, but the tech thought they would still be okay.  So back to the room we went.

 

10:10 a.m.

Once back in his room, another tech came in to do his Echo.  He slept through that entire test too!  :)  It was pretty cool to get to see his little heart beat on ultrasound.  It reminded me of when I was pregnant with him! 

 

10:35 a.m.

Thaxton's test were all done, so we had to try to wake him up.  We changed his diaper, wiped him down with a wash cloth, got him dressed, and tried to give him some juice.  He was trying so hard to open his eyes, but they were soo heavy.  He was kinda adorable.  He slowly came around, and was excited when he got to pick out a toy because he was such a brave boy.

 

11:05 a.m.

We got to leave.  I was a little nervous driving home.  He was still really sleepy, and they told me I needed to monitor his breathing on the ride home.  Great!!  How do you do that from the drivers seat?  I moved his car seat to the passenger side of the car so I could see him better and off we went.  I didn't even make it to Interstate 80 before he was sleeping so hard I couldn't wake him up.  His poor little head kept falling forward, and he buried his mouth and nose in his coat.  I couldn't get him to wake up so he could move his head.  So at Gretna I stopped.  I felt like a new mom worrying, but the nurses scared me a little.  I tried to lay his car seat back more, and I shoved a pillow under the bottom to keep it reclined like an infant seat.  It might not have been that safe, but at least I knew he could breath.  He slept through the whole process.  So, off we went again.  I'm pretty sure I checked on him every 5 seconds.  He slept the entire way home.

 

 

1:22 p.m.
We made it home.  He woke up and was happy to be home.  He actually was back to his old self running around the house with his brothers and sister.  He is so resilient, and he totally amazes me.  I love that little boy so much.

7:45 p.m.

The rest of our day was routine as usual.  Thaxton contined to eat everything in sight and had no side effects from the meds.  So bedtime was routine, except for the fact that he got to sleep in his new car bed!  What a great way for him to end the crazy day!  To bad Thaxton had other ideas.  After all he did sleep all day!  :)  So instead of sleeping in his bed, he decided to chill on the couch with mommy and Me.

 

8:09 p.m.

So we are sitting on the couch watching TV.  I was exhausted, and really I was wishing the adorable little boy on my lap would just fall asleep.  My phone rang.  It was an Omaha number.  It was Dr. Oliver calling.  Which to be honest scared me to death.  We were told that we would hear from him within 24-48 hours.  So why was he calling he at 8:10 p.m. the same day? 

 

Well, Dr. Oliver confirmed that Thaxton did in fact have a stroke on the left side of his brain, thus effecting the right side of his body.  His best guess was that either it happened in utero or at the time of birth.  All of his other tests looked normal.  His heart is fine!!  He is at an increased risk of seizures so those precautions need to be put in place.  But, in the end this is what the doctors and Thaxton's therapist thought happened all along.  But now it was confirmed.  There is nothing we can do about the stroke now.  Nothing will change besides quarterly trips to Omaha to see the neurologist.  The only way to help Thaxton now it to continue what we are already doing.  Since he was 18 months old, he has met with Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapists.  And we will continue to do this.  He has a great team that has already helped him soooo much.  He can jump when 8 months he couldn't.  He can speak in small sentences when even a month ago he couldn't. He is constantly amazing me.  I'm confident that he will keep improving.

 

I got off the phone, and I actually kind of wanted to cry.  I have been pretty optimistic through all this.  And, this could have turned out so much worse.  But, still something inside of me wanted to scream!  My little boy had a stroke!  This sweet little boy laying here next to me had brain damage!  Of course, I went through the events of his birth in my head.  Was it something I did, or could have done.  After all, we knew something was wrong when he was born and wasn't breathing, but I never assumed this. 

 

Not even 5 minutes into my pity party, Thaxton looks at me, puckers his lips for a kiss, and says "ov ouuu mommieeee".  That is all it took.  I am grateful for this little blond hair, blue eyed boy.  I am grateful for the fact that he is here, when something so much worse could have happened.  I am grateful that he is just the way he is.  I am grateful that he is strong and brave, caring and thoughtful, loving and patient, and most of all determined.  I am not worried about his future.  He will become the person he was meant to me.  He will push through and conquer.  I have no doubt.  It may not always be easy for him.  In fact, I know it won't.  But, he is loved.  He is my little boy!!

Day 13

Day 13:  January 13, 2013

Thaxton and I are sitting in a room at the Rainbow House in Omaha.  Tomorrow is going to be a big day for us both.  Thaxton has a MRI, MRA,and an Echo all scheduled for tomorrow.  We have to be at the hospital at 7 a.m..  I'm a little nervous.  I'm a little scared. 

As I write this, my sweet little boy is lying next to me snuggled up on my pillow watching Eon Kid on Netflix.  Now, I have never heard on Eon Kid before, but it is kind of a super hero cartoon where the good guys always win.  After Eon Kid does some ninja move flying through the air and kicking the bad guys butt, Thaxton looks at me and asks "Me do that?"  My sweet little boy who has trouble running, doesn't use his right hand much, and is hard to understand unless you are around him a lot wanted to know if he could do that.  My answer???  "Sure, Buddy!  You can do that!"  And, I meant it.  He may never be that graceful, but I have NO DOUBT that this strong little boy can do anything he sets out to do.  He will overcome any obstacle in his path.  He already does on a daily basis.

So tomorrow morning bright and early, we will seek out some answers.   The doctors believe my son had a stroke in utero.  They are looking to confirm that.  So as long is that is truly what happened, nothing will change.  The damage is done.  We will just continue all the rehab and therapy we already too.  As bad is that sounds, I hope that is what they find.  I want answers, and I pray they don't find something worse. 

But no matter what, I am thankful I have this sweet, adorable, loving, little boy lying next to me.  I love him just the way he is.  I will love him no matter what.  He is my son!!

Day 12

Day 12: January 12, 2012 

I know I skipped a day, but I'll add that when I get home.  I am trying to write this post from my iPhone.  I would maybe at least use the iPad, but trying to get that away from Thaxton right now would be a HUGE mistake.  :)

Thaxton's new car bed!  He is super excited about it.  It was a little sad to take down his crib and give him a big boy bed.  :(

 

 

 



Take 2.....Days 1 - 10

 

 Day 1-10,  January 1 - 10, 2013

After a lot of prompting from my 9 year old, I am going to try this 365 project blog again.

 I did truly miss taking daily photos of my children and my daily life.  I came to realize that I looked forward to writing in this blog, and sharing my experiences if not only for myself.  But, last year was a rough one.  I had a ton going on in my personal life.  I wasn't ready and didn't want to share with the world.  It become hard to share my images and talk about my life without talking about the bad too.  I decided to quit.  If I couldn't be honest, I didn't want to share at all.  It wasn't fair to me or my children whom this blog is ultimately for. 

So, here I am.  It is now 2013.  I will give this another go.  I'm sure in time pieces of the last year with make its way here.  It is a story.  It is OUR story.  However painful, sad, joyous, happy, or messed up it is, it is my story.  It is the story of my children.  But, for right now on January 11, 2013 we are in a better place.  So, we are going to look ahead.  I'm going to enjoy my children!  I'm going to enjoy my life. 

It took me 10 days into this new year so finally agree to give this another whirl.  So today, I am starting off with days 1-10.


January 4, 2013

The kids playing Just Dance 4 on the Wii!  They all do an awesome job!

January 6, 2013

Adelyn and Parker cuddling on the couch not even 20 minutes after they were fighting like crazy.  I guess they don't realize just how much they really do love each other.

January 8, 2013

 Thaxton, my little future fireman.  This child lives and breathes any thing to do with a Fireman.  He loves dressing up and playing with all of his 20 firetrucks.  I absolutely love this image.  I have stored this away for the future.  How fun will it be to pull out someday in the event he does go one to be a Fireman.  :)

January 9, 2013

My little Kyson!  He has grown soooo much in the last year.  He has developed his own little personality and attitude as well!  :)  He is so much fun.  He is laid back, sweet, lovable, fun, quiet, and independent.  He has a cute little grin that get me every time!  He prefers to hang back and watch the chaos take place.  I swear he is thinking to himself that we are all totally crazy!!  Don't get me wrong he does have a little developing attitude.  Most times it comes out do to his extreme independence.  But even his fits are extremely adorable.  For now!!! :)

   

 

 

 

January 10, 2013

Parker  is truly an "old soul".   He is caring, passionate, and loving. He is creative and inventive.  He is an awesome big brother, and a wonderful son.  I am truly lucky to have him as my son!  His big brown eyes are complete the window to his soul.  He takes care of his younger siblings, most of the time! :)  And, he tries to take care of me as well.  It is not unusual for me to get breakfast in bed, or a thoughtful card from him.  In the last year, he has grown up way to much.  He loves to hunt.  He is constantly coming up with new things to make.  The most recent venture is making wallets out of duck tape.    What other kid asks for roles of duck tape for Christmas??? 

 My Adelyn with the bright blue eyes!  She is a ball of fire.  She knows what she wants and goes until she finds a way to get it.  She LOVES her brothers.  She is caring, lovable and thoughtful.  She has an attitude much bigger than herself.  She loves to talk, and does that REALLY REALLY well.  She has went from my little girl hanging on to my leg into a strong, independent kindergartner.  I have loved to watch her blossom. 

Day 59 of 366

Day 59: February 28, 2012

Some new photos for my Mudroom!  Thanks Sarah for the idea!!  

Day 56 - 58 of 366

Day 56: February 25, 2012

 Adelyn and Thaxton enjoying a nice day with a Tea Party by the window!!  I love my children.

Day 57: February 26, 2012

Kyson sitting up all by himself!!  Way to go kiddo!  But, please slow down.  Mommy wants you to say little for awhile longer, please!


Day 58: February 27, 2012

 It was one of those day to relive old memories.  My college life are contained within these pages.  I was obsessed with my camera even then.  And now, the book is nicely locked back away, so my children don't see it for another 30 years if ever!  :)

Day 51-54 of 366

Day 51: February 20, 2012

Teaching Parker to do laundry!!!  This was the smarted thing I have EVER did!  He does a great job!  His motivation......he can keep any money he find.  Which with Rob, Parker will probably be rich soon.  Good job Parker.  I'm very proud of you for helping out.   (p.s.  Don't mind the really crappy iPhone pictures)

Day 52: February 21, 2012

 

So, now you get the rest of the story. I know this is coming a week and a half late and way after Rob hinted to it on his post, :) but I'll fill in the missing details.

Rob and I went out to eat for our 9th Anniversary.  On the way home we stopped in Aurora at the truck stop.  Rob ran in and came out with this incredible cheesy left over from Valentine's Day, on clearance, fake rose.  It was awful.  :)  It smelled of cheap perfume in the intoxicating way.   And if you know Rob, he totally added to the cheesiness with his smartalec comments and attitude.  Anyways, we continued home.  Just as we were turning at the four mile corner, we ran out of gas.  Yes, we were just at a gas station, but I guess Rob thought running out of gas seemed like a better idea.  Wow!! It was a memorable Anniversary to say the least!!

Day 53: February 22, 2012

Happy 9th Anniversary Rob.  There is no way I can top your post, so I won't even try.  I am thankful for the last 9 years and the 4 beautiful children that came with it.  I love you!

I am taking a studio light class.  And, my first assignment was to take a photo of myself for my profile picture.  I will admit it was incredibly awkward and difficult.  I am extremely to critical of myself and my photography, so adding them together was a disaster.  :)  But, I made it.  

Day 54: February 23, 2012

This was an exciting day.  Due to a little emergency, I had 5 extra children.  Until after school was out, I had 5 children under 4.  And then after school, I added 4 more.  :)  It was a crazy but fun day.  My house, the children, and me all made it through alive.  And when Dakota came and helped out for awhile, I even got a shower.  Thanks Kota!!!

Snack time!

Adde, Jag, & Brynna watching a movie.

Day 48 of 366

Day 48: February 17, 2012

My mom came over today to be my model for my Lighting class I am taking.  But I can't show those as they are top secret.  Or in other words she would kill me for putting them up here since she hasn't seen them yet to approve.  :)

I had all the kids running around while we were trying to do this.  And of course once they seen "G" getting her pictures done, they wanted to also.  I can never get them to sit still on their own.  So here is some of the photos I took today.

I LOVE this picture!!!

Parker was so funny.  He had to go get his hair wet,
because he said it looks better wet!  :)  And he is
only 8 1/2.  Oh boy!!!

Thaxton was so adorable.  He was being silly all by himself.  Once we put his hands over his ears and mouth, we had to get him to put them over his mouth too!!  Hear no evil, See no evil, & Speak no evil.  :)