Surgery

Taylee had surgery this morning. The procedure took about 2 hours, and she was in Post-anesthesia by about 10:30. She did well in surgery, but has had lots of pain since she woke up. We are trying to get on top of it with alternating Morphine and Tylenol with Codeine. I think we are making progress, as she will now sleep comfortably for 20-30 minute stretches when held. We are soo glad she made it safely through her surgery, and are hoping that she starts to heal and feel better quickly. Thanks for all the kind thoughts and prayers. Pictures to come when we get home. They anticipate that we will be here in PCMC for about 2 days. She needs to eat well to go home, but her mouth seems to be bothering her too much to eat at all yet.

5 Years!

May 21st was our Five year anniversary! We had a great weekend celebrating. On our "versary" as Kent and I call it (this stems from the foreign waiters on our honeymoon cruise serenading other passengers with a "Happy Versary To You" tune. Yes, we were treated to a Happy Honeymoon serenade as well!), Kent brought me a dozen roses. Oh what a guy!

Apparently I was SHOCKED by these flowers!

We dined at Olive Garden, which was sooo peaceful, cuz Taylee slept through it! We used to dine out a lot, but since the arrival of our little sweets it has been a little harder to do. We thoroughly enjoyed this dinner. Mmmm!

Saturday my mom came over to stay with Taylee, we dropped Skyler off at his mom's house, and Kent and I headed to Park City and the outlet mall. We both got a few new things, but I must say I got spoiled! Kent insisted that we were shopping for my birthday (which came and went when Taylee was 8 days old - shopping wasn't high on the priority list then!) But I'm not so sure I should have been quite so spoiled. And a husband who tolerates 3 hours at the outlet mall?! Whoa! I also picked up several cute new items for Taylee.

We headed down to SLC after shopping, and we encountered SNOW in Parley's Canyon. Jeez, isn't it supposed to be May?! We checked into our suite at the Anniversary Inn when we got into town. I booked "Romeo's Retreat" to celebrate. Yes, we go ALL out for our anniversaries. It has been a priority in our relationship to make each other feel special for birthdays and anniversaries. It's too easy to get wrapped up in the day to day stuff. I'm so glad we are able to do such fun things. Anyways, our room was amazing. We had dinner at PF Chang's (I know, 2 dinners in 2 nights!), and it was DELICIOUS, as always. We tried a new dish - the pepper steak - and true to it's name it is SPICY! Next time we plan to order it MILD. And of course we had our old standby Chang's Spicy Chicken, and those nummy lettuce wraps.

We got to SLEEP IN on Sunday morning, and enjoyed our breakfast in bed. We headed home to get the kids at about 10:30. It was a fabulous weekend getaway!

Random Ramblings

Ok, fair warning - this is a 4 am night shift post. Sorry. So, this weekend was our anniversary - also our FIRST night away from the baby girl. Eeeek! I should know better. She has either developed a cold or allergies or some stress-induced illness?! Yes, that's right, surgery is 2 days away and she appears to be sick. Crap! Well, here's hoping it's only allergies. I REALLY do not want to reschedule. For anybody who knows me well, change is not my strong point. I have been planning on May 26th for months now, so that's what I'm hoping for. Obviously, I will be watching her closely, and if I think that she DOES indeed have a cold, we'll reschedule. It's all about the baby girl, and we will do anything we can to make sure all goes well.

So, later today (after I've slept!), I will post some photos from our anniversary date, and talk about all the FUN we had! But while I'm griping, let me just mention, Taylee got up every hour for my mom, and was up for good at 0530 am. Sorry mom. They did have a great day together though.

Also, does anybody know if they make baby dentures? Taylee is ten months old now, and shows NO signs of ANY teeth. I am going to ask her surgeon if he can do tooth implants while he's working in there.

By the way, Taylee got up A LOT for my mom, which was mean, but the 0530 wake-up call wasn't uncommon for her lately. We have been starting our days between 0530 and 0600 a lot lately. So, now she sleeps through the night, but we are up BEFORE the roosters. Any advice? Anyone?

Family Photos

We had family photos taken this weekend. It's sure an adventure trying to get good shots with a 10 month old! We had lots of fun. This would also be a great time to announce that Skyler cut his hair!! I know that the shaggy look is popular these days, but Kent and I just weren't digging it. We like his faux-hawk MUCH better! Enjoy -

Two Weeks

Taylee's surgery is two weeks from today. She is having her cleft palate repaired and tubes in her ears. I wrote a novel of a post about my feelings, but I have decided not to post it because, frankly, I was annoying. I see babies go through major surgeries every day, and parents who handle it with strength and grace. MY baby is having a minor procedure, and I want to handle it with just as much ease. Let me just say that I am excited to have it done, and terrified about having it done. And please, please, let everything go well.

Hallie

Recently my sweet Hallie went to Cincinatti to undergo some extensive testing on her bowels and to formulate a long-term plan. If you are interested, her amazingly strong mama has posted an update at http://www.helpinghallie.com/updates.htm. And, you can always link to her website on the right side of my blog (helpinghallie.com).

Mothers Day

I am so lucky to have LOTS of moms in my life. Growing up I was always really close to my mom's sisters, Aunt Ginger and Aunt Tota. When we lived in Colorado I saw them all the time, and although I don't get to see them nearly as much, they are still like my own little personal support system. I wish I COULD see them more. Maybe now that the baby girl is getting more mobile we can get out there a little more.
And, of course, I gained a new mom when I married Kent. (well, probably several years before we actually got married!) Karen has treated me like a member of her family since the very beginning. And that's tough to do, since I was only 19 when I started dating Kent! Plus, she had to accept me not only as a new daughter, but also as a new mommy for her grandson. I am so glad to call her mom.
And last but certainly not least, is my mom. My mom and I have always been very close. Yeah, we had a few rough patches when I was a rowdy teenager, but for the most part we have always been best friends. I didn't realize that we could get even closer until I had Taylee. Now that we share mommyhood, our bond is that much stronger. Plus, we get to share the joy of my little sweets! I call my mom every morning with an update. Plus, it seems like we talk another 5-6 times a day still. It is so nice to have a mom that you can rely on, and talk to, and LOVE so much!
I am one lucky mommy to have such great women to look up to! Thank you!! We celebrated mother's day with a visit with Kent's mom, and enjoyed the opportunity to try one of her yummy desserts. She is always trying out new dessert recipes on us. And I LOVE it! Then we met my parents for dinner at Chili's. We had a good time, although Taylee was a little tired and therefore a little wild. I was worried we were headed for a major meltdown. We made it through dinner just in the nick of time. But the best part of the day?! I got to sleep in! It was a little slice of heaven. But, I will admit, I did kinda miss snuggling my girl while she ate her morning bottle. It's often the only time she sits still all day! She keeps her mommy and daddy moving!

MORE Birthday Fun!

Last Saturday we culminated Kent's Birthday Celebration with dinner at Tepanyaki's. We had a great time. Kent, myself, my mom, dad, and Taylee all went. Skyler was at his mom's on Saturday, and missed out on the fun. But, really, he is such a picky eater that he wouldn't eat anything at Tepanyaki's anyways. We're still hoping someday he will grow out of it . . .

Taylee ate some of Grandma's soup, and tried really hard to eat her chopsticks. I'm excited to someday feed her REAL food, but so far her gag reflex kicks in if we feed her anything other than mush. Maybe when her palate is closed it will be better? Or maybe she will just grow out of it? So for now, it's just baby food for Taylee.

Angel Baby?

I have been thinking about putting Taylee's hair into piggytails. Last night during her bath I was experimenting with how it would look. I'm not sure I got a feeling for pigtails, but I was surprised to find that her hair very easily formed into a pair of devilish horns! Maybe her true nature is revealing itself? You know, there was a time when Kent and I called her our demon baby! (Lovingly, of course ;) Angel or Demon, she is a cutie!

Christmas 2009

We had a great Christmas last year. Obviously, it was Taylee's first Christmas, which is definitely exciting. (For us, if not for her). I did have to work Christmas Eve night, but it's not TOO bad. (as far as working Christmas goes). I just have to survive on little to no sleep, that's all. But with all the festivities, it's not hard. While I was at work on Christmas Eve, Kent, Skyler, and Taylee partied at Grandma Judson's. This dinner was a tradition of Melba's, and we are so glad that Grandma Judson is keeping it alive by hosting every year. (even if I do have to miss it every other year!)

When I came home Christmas morning I got a couple hours of sleep, then we headed up to my parents house. This year Skyler was at his mom's house overnight. We opened gifts and pored over every item in our stockings. This is a favorite family tradition. Our stockings are stuffed full, as well as a couple shopping bags for each person. Recently my mom decided that we should get USEFUL items in our stocking. So, now we get things like toothpaste, dish soap, and toilet paper. Sound kinda boring? Not for us, because we are weird! We Love it! Plus, there are always a few fun things thrown in as well, and plenty of candy! Kent has even been known to find a holiday 6 pack in his stocking. Lucky Dog!

In the early afternoon we picked Skyler up and headed back to Grandma and Grandpa Judson's for MORE gifts and festivities. Skyler got some new Broncos gear, and Taylee got this soft and cozy blanket grandma made for her. And that was only the beginning. Lucky kids!

We ended the day back at our house, where we still had all of our gifts to open. Grandma Deb and Grandpa Dave came to see Taylee open her first Christmas gifts. Skyler got new clothes, lots of video games, and a PS3! We had a great holiday!!

And it looks like all the excitement was just too much for the baby girl . . .