Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!

Fall Family Pics

We had family pictures taken the week before Lynnlee's surgery. Marshall's Uncle Kory took them for us and he did a great job! I'm really happy with how they turned out.

Balloon Face

Can you guess what movies these pictures are from?

The first one is from "Hitch" and the second one is from "Pure Luck." I remember laughing so hard during these scenes in the movies. Yesterday I found out very quickly that they are more funny in a movie than in real life!

We went to Midway/Heber yesterday. While we were driving up James and Lynnlee were chowing down on trail mix. We stopped at my in-law's house to do a couple of things and James and Lynnlee played on the play ground for about 20 minutes. Lynnlee's skin was splotchy when I was putting her in her car seat when it was time to go. I didn't think too much about it but after putting James in I noticed that Lynnlee had welts and hives all over. Then her lips, ears, and eyes started swelling like balloons. Kind of like in the movies. We drove to the nearest store and got Benadryl and gave it to her. The swelling got so bad that her eyes were almost swollen shut and her lips were the size of monkey lips. We took her to the ER and they gave her Epinephrine and more Benadryl. Thankfully my Mom met us there and took James and Kaden. Lynnlee's swelling went down slowly and by bedtime she was back to normal. We are giving her Benadryl for the next 24 hours and it makes her wired and hyper.

So we don't really know if the allergic reaction was from the trail mix or maybe she got stung while playing. We are leaning toward the trail mix because she never cried like she got stung and we couldn't find a mark anywhere on her body from a sting.

Hopefully I can get her into an allergist to find out what caused it and get some peace of mind.

October Traditions

I love all the fall traditions! There are so many fun activities through the month of October. I'm so grateful Lynnlee has healed so quickly so we can enjoy it.

The first two are random pictures from a night last week when we were out shopping.

 

Cornbellys is always a must. It was a little cold but we still had fun. Betsy came with us and my kids loved having her there.

Kaden was happy in the stroller the whole time.

 

We carved pumpkins for family night. James carved and painted his pumpkin. Lynnlee painted her pumpkin multiple colors and it was like an onion by the end with all of it's layers. I painted mine too along side Lynnlee. Kaden played in the bouncy chair.

   

 

 

4 Must Haves

These are 4 books every mom must have. Well at least I think every mom must have. I don't know what I would do without them.


1. Baby Wise: I have my friend Courtney to thank for all the sleep I've gotten. She told me about this book when I was pregnant with James and I have used it for all of my kids.

 

2. 3 Day Potty Training E-Book: I have to say thanks to Chelsea for sharing this with me. I had no idea how to potty train. She told me about this awesome program and it worked great for James and Lynnlee.

 

3. Teach Your Child To Read In 100 Easy Lessons: My sister Ali told me about this book. It is so awesome and cheap! I bought it for $5 off Amazon. It starts with basics and builds up. Each lesson only takes 5-10 minutes. 

 

4. The Book of Mormon: Thanks Mom and Dad for sharing this one with me! Not only are the stories great for kids - James asks us to tell him the story of Nephi every night, but there is great parenting advice too.

Thank you everyone for sharing these wonderful books with me. They have helped make parenting easier!

Post Op Check Up

Lynnlee rocked her post op check up today! Her chest x-ray looked great, EKG normal, and oxygen high enough so she only has to wear it at night. When she discharged from the hospital a week ago they told us she would be wearing it for 6 weeks so I assumed that meant around the clock. I am so happy she only has to wear it at night now. She will have to do that for the 4 weeks until she has her next check up.

She had a hard time getting around the house with her oxygen tube but today she was able to play like normal and go up and down the stairs with James. Wearing it at night makes me a little nervous because I just checked on her and it was wrapped around her arm and waist.

Hide and Go Seek

I hate to break it to Lynnlee but she won't be winning at hide and go seek for awhile.

Picnic in the Park

It's hard staying home and not getting out with Lynnlee. We don't want her to catch a cold from someone but there is nothing wrong with a little fresh air. The doctor said that Lynnlee can't play on play grounds for the next 6 weeks but I'm pretty sure swings are ok. It's her incision they are worried about and it would be pretty hard to injure on a baby swing.

There is a fun park in Saratoga Springs called Neptune Park. We had a picnic there tonight and played at the park. Lynnlee loves to swing.. She was in heaven. James climbed the rock wall and Kaden was happy in his car seat.

Being Home

It is so nice to be home. It is funny all of the things that I enjoy so much more after not having them for a week. Things like my bed, kitchen, my shower, etc.

I feel like we came home with a fourth child, a.k.a. Oxygen. Lynnlee will have to wear it around the clock for 6 weeks. It is a small price to pay to be home but it definitely is tricky to have. Lynnlee has a 50 foot leash to get around the house and she is constantly getting tangled. I worry about it wrapping around her when she sleeps. The portable tanks are huge and have a dolly to wheel them around. No more grocery shopping with the kids for now. After you put the car seat on the top of the cart, Lynnlee and the oxygen tank in the cart, there isn't room for groceries. Do you like the bungee cords around the concentrator? It rattled and was really loud so Marshall rigged it to make it quieter.

Lynnlee is so happy to be home and is doing well so far. She plays with her toys and James. She takes a good nap during the day and is ready for bed early in the night. She takes Lasix in the morning and at night to help drain the extra fluid in her body. Even though it tastes horrible, she is always really good to take it. She takes aspirin every day which she loves since it looks and tastes like candy. Now that it is cold and flu season we will be spending a lot of time at home so Lynnlee can stay healthy.

James has been so cute since we got home. He give me hugs frequently throughout the day and tells me how much he missed me. He was so happy to eat his cereal with Lynnlee this morning.

Record Timing

Lynnlee gets to go home today! Woo hoo! The surgeon said she set a record for fastest hospital stay after having the Fontan surgery. That's my girl! This morning she had an echocardiogram and everything looked great. Do you believe in miracles? If not then you should! Thanks everyone for your prayers! There were so many people praying for her. The power of prayer is so amazing!

Just Hanging Out

The first picture is of a bottle of No Rinse Shampoo. This is the best! I still don't know how it works but I know it changed Lynnlee's hair from nappy and sweaty to silky and smooth.

It has been so nice having Lynnlee's chest tubes out. It is so much easier to get out. Tonight she went for a walk and then a wagon ride. We saw the yellow fish that follows your finger. When we got back to the room she wanted to stay in the wagon. So she did. She spent most of the time showing Marshall what color to color in her book. They are pretty cute together!

Where Did the Chest Tubes Go?

The last two chest tubes are out. Lynnlee was so tough when they took them out.

She will have an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) tomorrow and could possibly go home after or Tuesday.

Thank you for all your prayers! We have seen many miracles while we've been here.

One Down, Two to Go!

They took out one of Lynnlee's chest tubes this morning. We were pleasantly surprised to find out the other chest tubes should come out tomorrow as long as all continues to go well. She might be able to go home next week! She is a super hero!

Saturday morning update

Marshall stayed the night tonight so I could get a normal sleep. Thanks Betsy for letting me come to your house. Lynnlee did good through the night, she woke up only a few times. She wanted Marshall to sleep by her for part of the night but when he asked her questions she said, (very politely) "Please don't talk Daddy."

She woke up happy this morning and was excited for her rice krispies. One of the doctors this morning suggested we get out the center chest tube today. Its supposedly the most painful and its been pretty dry. She is going to confirm with Lynnlee's surgeon then we'll know the plan.

We appreciate all the continued love and support. Lynnlee has enjoyed all the fun presents and activities. It makes the time go by easier.

Princess Ribbit

Lynnlee loves frogs and pretending to be a frog and at some point in the last few months she created the nickname for herself, "Princess Ribbit." Sometimes she doesn't want to be called Lynnlee because she wants us to use her nickname. Last night and today she only wanted to be called Princess Ribbit. Aunt Betsy brought her a crown and wand. So cute and perfect for her!

Lynnlee has come so far today. She's been off the narcotics for so long that she is starting to act more like herself. She walked in the hall four times and is starting to get her appetite back. She got to pick her dinner so she ordered pizza, Mac n cheese, and shrimp. Quite the combination!

The surgeon said she might be able to get one of the chest tubes out tomorrow. Woo!

Brotherly Love

Lynnlee and James are 19 months apart in age. They are best buds at home so they have missed each other. Lynnlee's eyes lit up last night when she talked to James on the phone.

James and Kaden visited today. James made himself at home in Lynnlee's bed. James held Lynnlee's hand on their way to play in the toy room.

Fish Tank

Lynnlee's room sounds like a fish tank or a hot tub. She has three chest tubes and each machine bubbles. It is a relaxing sound. She is still putting out a lot of drainage. It is crazy to think that her little body has that much extra inside.

She went for her first walk this morning and did great. She walked out of her room down the hall. She's a champ!

Ups and Downs

There's always ups and downs of a hospital stay. She threw up a few times last night and this morning. Her bowels haven't started moving and it doesn't help that the narcotics make her constipated. Hopefully we can get that figured out today. Other than that she was able to get some rest as long as I was next to her in her bed. So we had a pajama party. She woke up around 12:30 wide awake so we watched some cartoons and then fell back asleep around 2:00. It is fun spending so much time with her but I definitely miss my boys. They are going to come visit today so I think that will be good for all of us.

Rock Star

Rock Star! That is Lynnlee's nickname around here. She has done so well and has recovered so quickly. Truly a miracle!

It took awhile for a bed to open on the surgical floor. Lynnlee had cabin fever in her room in the CICU so we took her for a wagon ride. We played eye spy looking out the big window.

We moved to the surgical floor around 4:30. She was excited to have a change of scenery.

She still has chest tubes draining lots of excess fluid. When she gets to go home all depends on the drainage. Could be a week or could be as many as 6 weeks. Hopefully it won't be too long.