handsful

Just a quick update on how today went for Miss Lainey.

We started the day absolutely SURE surgery would get cancelled.  She woke up coughing A LOT and sounded congested.  Randy even suggested we just call someone and tell them she’s too sick.  But, we went and amazingly as the morning went on, the coughing went away and the doctors cleared her for surgery.

She went in at 12:15pm.  Dr. G finally came to us about 3:45 and told us all went great, no complications, no surprises.  Praise God!

Lainey was moved to her room around 5pm.  She’s been sleeping on and off since then (mostly on) and honestly seems a little miffed about the whole situation.  Can’t say I blame her.  She has a sore mouth (which we’ve not seen the inside of yet), a bruised and swollen  ear (from where they took the cartilidge out), stitches in 3 places on her nose holding a wad of gauze in her nostril, and stitches above her lip.  I’d be having mood issues myself!

It’s 8:20pm now, Randy has gone downstairs to get us some dinner and then he’s heading home to be with the big kids.  I’ll stay here for the night, Randy will bring the kids to the hospital tomorrow.  She’s beginning to wake up more as the night goes on, so we’ll start giving her more water with the syringe (she’s had that once so far).  Today she’s allowed only clear liquids, tomorrow she can upgrade to full liquids.  Woo hoo :)

Seeing your child wheeled into surgery isn’t fun, and the tears came as usual.  I’m so thankful it’s over…her 3rd surgery in her 3 years.  With at least that many to come in her life.  Thank you to those who thought of us and prayed for us.

Hope to share a few pics tomorrow :)

This is a shot of the outside of our bathroom window.  Look closely, and you’ll see a sweet little bird perched on the window.  Isn’t he cute?  Actually, no. 

This bird has a love affair with our window.  Every morning – EVERY morning – this bird shows up at the window AT 7:30am and begins pecking furiously at the window, flying up and down, peck, peck, peck.  I think at this point, he must have permanent brain damage.  And, it’s LOUD.  He usually flys away sometime late in the morning, only to return a few times during the day to peck again.  Maybe he’s in love with his reflection?  Thinks it’s a potential mate?  Thinks we have yummy food inside that he must get at?  Randy has tried to shoot at it with the boys air soft gun…no luck.  I can’t believe he’s still doing it, it’s been months.  Persistant little guy.  Our very own rooster. 

Lainey’s surgery is tomorrow, lots to do today to prepare.  Which is exactly why I’m posting about a deranged bird.

This sweet face will change next week, when Lainey goes in for surgery.  Hopefully for the better, but I’ll actually miss the crooked nose and little imperfection above her lip.  Maybe the difference will be subtle…maybe big. 

The surgeon will also be closing the fistula that popped open from her last repair in May 08.  We are praying that this will greatly improve her ability to make speech sounds, drink from straws, and blow out birthday candles. 

Though we’re trying to prepare her for Wednesday, she’s pretty much oblivious…she was too young to remember her last surgery.  She’ll know that we’re going to the “doctor”, that she’ll wear a funny nightgown, and that the boo boo in her mouth will be fixed.  And, that we’ll be there every minute that we can.

What would you do if you saw these warm, yummy loaves of amish friendship bread cooling on your kitchen counter? 

Yeah, that’s what I’d do, too.

I realize it’s halfway into January, and I still feel like I’m trying to recover from Christmas in some ways.  Our normal activities are, as of this week, back into full swing.  So, life is ramping up and there just hasn’t been time to blog.  Sigh.  I want to do a better job with this…maybe I can learn to sleep less?  I wish I was one of those folks who only needed 5 or 6 hrs a night to feel normal. 

What have we been up to?  Randy and I have been trying out his new 50mm lens for his Nikon D70 and getting a few good shots.  Randy took the one of Abbey above…she’s such a beauty, looks just like her daddy.  Here are a couple more…

Resident tom boy, Marley.  If you tilt your head, squint a little, and have a couple of drinks beforehand, you might think she looks a little like her mama. 

To quote Erin Walton, “she’s just a crazy” (I’m a huge Walton’s fan, don’t feel bad if you don’t get the reference)

no squinty eyes here, just big and blue. 

Didn’t get a decent one of Payton yet, but I will.  He’s a ham for the camera and tries to jump in any and all shots.  Yes, Payton, you DO. 

Taking the Christmas lights out of the drake elm…Payton flashes that winning smile! 

My favorite Christmas presents that weren’t Christmas presents.  While I was at my parent’s house in NC, I mentioned how much I love their oil lamps.  I remember being a kid and loving how they looked when they were lit.  I told mom I’d love to find one, and she told me that we could have one.  I was thrilled, and even more surprised when they gave us two!  These lamps are old, one of them came from my great aunt Eunice and uncle Wilbert’s home – did I mention I’m southern?  They now grace our mantle and just make me smile.  I love old things. 

What else has been going on around here.  Well, today we watched the Chargers BLOW the playoffs and lose miserably to the Jets.  Drat.  The Steelers and the Chargers, out.  Double drat. 

Marley starts horse riding lessons again on Monday and she’s ridiculously excited. 

I’ve been in a purging fit lately, and have a growing pile of “stuff” for charity.  With 7 people in the house, clutter builds quickly and it drives. me. nuts.  If something lies around for long without anyone using it, beware. 

Randy’s mom Ann had major surgery last Thursday so we’ve been thinking of and praying for her.  Randy was able to drive up to NC and be with her for a couple of days.  It’s hard living this far away from family, we feel the need to be there and can’t as much as we’d like.  Randy will more than likely head back sometime soon. 

I’ll leave you with a shot of a budding guitar player, working hard to rock it out like her big brother. 

I think she was in the middle of a rock ballad.  I’ll wait while you go get your lighter to hold up :)

mama’s got a hip new baby sling.

Will I EVER catch up posting about our Christmas??  After this post, I should be about there…I know you’ll all be relieved. 

First stop, Granma and Granpa’s house. 

Granpa’s a goof. 

With Great Nana, my grandmother.  She’ll be 89 this year :)

Next, we headed to Nana and Paw Paw’s house…

Presents there had a nighttime theme :)

Apparently someone told Lainey to laugh. 

The kids with Memaw, Randy’s grandmother.  She’ll be 90 this year :)

And, finally, the last grandparents house.  Gram and Pa-Paul. 

The boys and some of their cousins…would you trust these boys at the dessert table unsupervised?

Abbey and her cousin Samara cheesing for the camera.   

11 of the 17 people there.  And, that only includes our family of 7, Randy’s brother’s family of 8, and grandparents. 

Payton and cousin Caleb…he goes to college this year.  Gracious, I’m getting old. 

Our last big get-together was seeing Randy’s mom’s family.  We were able to see Randy’s aunts and cousins, some we haven’t seen in years.  It was loud…tons of kids, and a whole table full of teens this year.  Did I mention I feel old?

Gram and her boys. 

See?  Lots of kids. 

Marley with her cousin Anna Grace, enjoying the evening. 

Other than our Christmas celebrations with all the grands, we had time to see old friends (Hi, Debra!) and just relax and spend time with family.  Our kids loved their time with cousins, but never seem to get enough.  We had a wonderful visit!