Frosty Fun

Holiday Pictures

Lauren decorating her own mini tree for her bedroom.

The first ornament goes on, then finally the star.

Thankful and Blessed

I can't believe it is that time of year again. Thanksgiving is over, our tree is up and FINALLY it is snowing.

Thanksgiving was different this year. My Zeyda (grandfather) was not here. My first holiday without him. I missed standing over him while he cut the turkey begging for a piece of crunchy skin. Our tradition, he and I. But I know he was with us in spirit. Looking down on us, knowing that despite missing him dearly we are all doing okay.

So aware of the things that are present which I am thankful for.

My amazing daughter. How in the world did I ever live without her in my life. She never stops amazing me. Her sense of humor, her intelligence, her energy, her beauty. I am so thankful that her surgery went well. Her recovery is going so much better than I could have ever imagined.

My husband. Although I make him crazy most days..can we put up the tree today....? He always comes through for us. He is such a great dad. I may never know the depths in his heart for our daughter.

My mom. She helps us so often and I'm not ever sure I tell her thank you enough or maybe sometimes not at all. She not only gives to us but it seems to everyone and never expects anything in return.

My grandmother. Such an amazing woman. I can only hope that if I live to 83 I can experience half the things she has.

I could list everyone else, friends, family, in laws, etc. but this blog would go on forever. I am thankful for each and every person who is a part of my life. Because of each of them, my life has been blessed.

I am thankful for the roof over our head, the clothes on our backs, the food on our table, because I know that not everyone is afforded such luxuries.

Thankful. Simply Thankful.

A Visit from Aunt Cheryl

Lauren thought it was great to go all the way to the airport to pick out new rocks for her special rock collection. After she had satisfied herself picking out some new rocks, we decided we would just sit by the fountain and watch all the people. It was fun sitting and watching all the friends and family re-uniting with each other.

Then, surprise, there was Aunt Cheryl. Lauren loved that she got two such wonderful surprises in just one week. We had a great time with Aunt Cheryl, although Lauren was a little grumpy during her weekend visit. As we were driving to the airport Lauren fell asleep in her car seat. Once we woke her up she was her old self again, being cute as can be.

Aunt Cheryl, thanks for coming to visit me and help take care of me after my surgery. I Love You!! Lauren

Recovery

We knew Lauren was starting to feel better when Thursday morning she got off the couch and decided she wanted to have a movie star photo shoot with her stuffed doggies. She thought since she was wearing sunglasses that her dogs would like to as well.

Thursday evening she decided that is was everyone elses turn to have some work done on them. She got out her doctors kit and healed us all. She had so much fun bandaging us and giving us shot to make us all better. Thanks Dr. Lauren we all feel great now.

On Friday, my mom and grandmother came over to join us for an early Thanksgiving dinner. Lauren loved having all three of her grandmas with her at the same time. After a great dinner, Lauren put on a magic show for us.

Abbra Cadabra...you are feeling so much better.

Jeff's parents had to head home this morning, which Lauren handled much better than I thought she would.

Jeff's sister is coming from Oklahoma to spend the weekend with us, but it is going to be a surprise to Lauren. She thinks we are going to the airport to go to the special store that we go to to get rocks for her special collection.

Post Surgical Day One

Lauren had a fairly good night. She awoke a few times during the night needing her eyes to wiped down with a wet wash cloth. The only comfort she can find for her eyes. She spent most of the night sleeping with her "cataract glasses" (as we have termed them) on. Today she has been watching some tv and is finally off the couch playing with some toys. Amazingly she still has not mentioned anything about her hernia surgery. She has a fairly large bandage on her stomach, but hasn't even noticed it is there.

Watching a movie in the waiting room. Waiting or the day to begin.

In our room, waiting to see the doctors.

After talking with the doctors Lauren spent some time in the great playroom.

This is the way our evening looked. I am so proud of her.

Whew....I Can Breathe Again

Lauren (we) survived her surgery. All went reasonably well today. After arriving at the hospital and getting done with necessary paperwork and a few vital signs, she had a great time playing in the play room until she they were ready to bring her back to the operating room. A few minutes before we went back they gave her a little medicine to help her relax (wish I could have had some.) I was able to take her back into the operating room until she was under. They gave her some laughing gas, which they said makes some kids laugh, which Lauren did. She was laughing so hard, then 3, 2, 1....out. Her eye surgery was first, followed by her hernia repair. Both doctors said everything was very routine and went well. About 3o minutes after she came out of surgery, Jeff and I were able to go back and be with her. She was pretty upset, mostly because she couldn't see. Then we were moved to a private room where she was able to fall back asleep for a while. She slept for about 45 minutes then woke up and was ready to go home. Now we are home and she is watching a Shrek movie. She says she "see's 2 Shreks". Double vision is a common short term side effect of the surgery.

Thanks to everyone for your kind words, love and prayers.

I will post some cute hospital pictures soon.

Surgery Countdown....13 days

13 days until the dreaded surgery. Today Lauren and I went on a tour at the hospital to help her understand what will be happening the day of surgery. I am so thankful that we are able to have this done at Children's Hospital, because everything there is clearly directed at providing the best care possible for kids. It is also a humbling experience to walk the halls and see all the kids, who truly are sick. Kids attached to IV's, kids with no hair.... Although Jeff and I are very nervous about Laurens surgery, I am counting my blessing that what she has is curable and relatively minor, compared to.... I don't even want to think of what.

The tour was helpful and hopefully will ease her fears a little. I'm not sure she completely understands what is going to happen, but we are trying to talk about it a little each day.

Also on the tour was another 4 year old girl who was having some dental surgery done. She and Lauren bonded immediately. We took a stop along the way in an operating room and thought it was a perfect photo op.

HOPE

I am so proud to live in a country with so much hope and a chance for some much needed change.

I let Lauren stay up late to see history in the making and she was excited when our 44th President, Barack Obama was announced.

The New "Do"!!

Several weeks ago Lauren decided that she wanted short hair. While at her Nana's house one day she began cutting her hair with some scissors she discovered in the bathroom, but luckily got caught before too much damage was done. Today, we went and had it professionally done. She is so happy with her new "do" she has spent much of the evening in front of the mirror.

Happy Halloween

Halloween was a fun filled day for Lauren. At preschool they had a parade in the morning and a party in the afternoon.

Once we got home for the evening, we geared up to go trick or treating. The weather was amazing. For the first I can ever remember, it was not only not snowing, but actually warm out. We took her around to the neighborhood houses. She rang the doorbells, and then proceeded to scream "TRICK OR TREAT" before people even got to the door. We tried to tell her that not only the people couldn't hear until they opened the door, but it wasn't polite. By the end of the night after repeatedly telling her, and her continuing her routine, it was just humorous. Sometimes you just have to let a kid be a kid.

Lauren finally asked to go home because her candy bucket was too heavy, but wouldn't let Jeff or I carry it for her. Did she really think we would take her candy?? Guess she knows us better than we think.

So we went home and sat on our front porch and handed out candy to other trick or treaters. Lauren dug into her own candy bucket and found chocolate heaven!