Maya and Kai love anything to do with markers or paint. During Kai's recovery after his palate surgery, painting became almost a daily activity. Here are my little Picassos using the great outdoors as inspiration for their paintings.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Last Pics from the Hospital
Pic #1. Maya and Kai very excited to see each other the day after surgery.
Pic #2. Maya, Kai, DiDi, and Papa hanging out in the gym area.
Pic #3. Maya and kai enjoying the swings with Daddy.
Pic #4. Maya swinging ever so high.
Pic #5. Kai getting ready to check out with his goodies.
More Hospital Pics
Pic #1. Playing on Shriner's playground the night before surgery
Pic #2. The roller slide was his favorite
Pic #3. Goofing around before bedtime...hospital beds are cool when they move up and down.
Pic #4. Kai and Mommy in the pre-op. room (only minutes before surgery)
Pic #5. A happy Kai despite all the wires and machines in the PICU the morning after surgery.
Pics from the Hospital
pic #1. Driving to the hospital
pic #2. Kai trying out his new hospital bed
pic #3. Kai and Daddy
pic #4. The last supper
(before his surgery)
pic #5. Kai talking to Maya before bedtime
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Kai's Palate is Closed...and We're Home!
Although we knew it was going to be an intense experience, we never imagined just how intense, time consuming, and emotionally draining the whole stay would be.
Kai was an absolute trooper throughout his hospital stay. Until Monday at 11:00 when he was wheeled in for surgery, Kai acted as though he was at Disney world. He had his mommy and daddy all to himself, got to eat all he wanted in the cafeteria, played until his heart's content on the beautiful outdoor playground, and messed around in the huge indoor gym area equipped with air hockey, basketball, a tree house, a huge train, and piano. I haven't even mentioned the part about being treated like a star. Everyone in the hospital seemed to know Kai by name, gave him tons of gifts, and basically treated him like royalty.
The day of surgery was rough. Kai was taken in around 11:00 from the pre-op area and was fortunately given a "kiddy coctail" before he was wheeled into surgery. He left our side not even realizing where he was going which was great for him. We of course wanted the same "coctail" so that we could forget everything as well. Unfortunately, no such luck. It was extremely difficult watching him being wheeled away. He looked so tiny in his little tiger hospital gown on such a large bed. Then the waiting began. The surgery was only supposed to take 3 hours. Finally, 5 hours later, the surgeon and surgical resident came out to discuss Kai's surgery. Fortunately, we were frequently updated by phone from a circulating nurse throughout the procedure.
Everything seemed to have gone well. His ear tubes were in and his palate had been closed.
He woke from anesthesia in the PICU very agitated and unhappy (which we were told is very normal). He was calmed by being held by Dom and Me. That night, Kai and I tried to get some sleep, but were frequently awakened by beeping machines and visiting nurses. By morning, Kai was feeling much better and began eating "go-gurts" like you wouldn't believe. He even splashed around in a small sponge bath tub. We were going to go home on Tuesday, but Kai was scheduled for a hearing test on Wed. morning so we needed to stay an additional night. I'm so glad we stayed. By Tuesday afternoon, Kai was clearly in a lot of pain and not feeling well. He didn't sleep well at all Tuesday night and continued to be crabby this morning. It was great to be under the care of a nursing staff during this time.
Fortunately, his hearing test was within normal limits (a huge relief after the first test he had) and we were released to go home. When we arrived home, Kai got a huge burst of energy and seemed to really enjoy being at home. He'll have to continue to wear his arm splints (which prevent him from bending his elbows and placing his hands or other objects into his mouth) for 10 days. He's also on a full liquid diet (fed by a syringe) for 10 days...which he HATES! For a while, he cried in the hospital when he ate probably because he was sore. Tonight, he cried during his entire dinner because he so badly wanted to use a spoon and eat what Maya was eating. It's going to be a Long 10 days! We're hoping each day will get a bit easier from here.
We can't say enough about Shriner's hospital. From the time we arrived, we were treated so well, and never once felt like a number. Kai's care was top notch and everyone really went out of his/her way to ensure that his needs were met. We just can't say enough about this place.
We can't forget about Maya. She's also been a real trooper. She came to visit us each day in the hospital and always had a smile on her face. She loved swimming in the "fancy hotel" and even learned to jump off the side and touch the bottom of the pool. She also learned to float on her back. She has been so great with Kai and even shared a little made up story with him tonight... "Don't worry Kai. When I was a baby and I had my cleft lip and 'palap" surgery, I had to use a syringe too. When it gets better, you get to use a spoon...OK?". How sweet is that! Thanks also to my parents who stayed with Maya in a nearby hotel during our hospital stay. What a relief to know that she was in good hands and having a great time with her "DiDi" and "Papa". Finally, thank you to Kristi, Kenna, and Michal for taking the time to visit us in the hospital. Even though Kai wasn't feeling well at the time, your visit really brightened our day. We also really appreciated all of the e-mails, phone calls, and well wishes during Kai's hospital stay.
As Maya said to me in the car today..."It sure is good to be home!"
Kai was an absolute trooper throughout his hospital stay. Until Monday at 11:00 when he was wheeled in for surgery, Kai acted as though he was at Disney world. He had his mommy and daddy all to himself, got to eat all he wanted in the cafeteria, played until his heart's content on the beautiful outdoor playground, and messed around in the huge indoor gym area equipped with air hockey, basketball, a tree house, a huge train, and piano. I haven't even mentioned the part about being treated like a star. Everyone in the hospital seemed to know Kai by name, gave him tons of gifts, and basically treated him like royalty.
The day of surgery was rough. Kai was taken in around 11:00 from the pre-op area and was fortunately given a "kiddy coctail" before he was wheeled into surgery. He left our side not even realizing where he was going which was great for him. We of course wanted the same "coctail" so that we could forget everything as well. Unfortunately, no such luck. It was extremely difficult watching him being wheeled away. He looked so tiny in his little tiger hospital gown on such a large bed. Then the waiting began. The surgery was only supposed to take 3 hours. Finally, 5 hours later, the surgeon and surgical resident came out to discuss Kai's surgery. Fortunately, we were frequently updated by phone from a circulating nurse throughout the procedure.
Everything seemed to have gone well. His ear tubes were in and his palate had been closed.
He woke from anesthesia in the PICU very agitated and unhappy (which we were told is very normal). He was calmed by being held by Dom and Me. That night, Kai and I tried to get some sleep, but were frequently awakened by beeping machines and visiting nurses. By morning, Kai was feeling much better and began eating "go-gurts" like you wouldn't believe. He even splashed around in a small sponge bath tub. We were going to go home on Tuesday, but Kai was scheduled for a hearing test on Wed. morning so we needed to stay an additional night. I'm so glad we stayed. By Tuesday afternoon, Kai was clearly in a lot of pain and not feeling well. He didn't sleep well at all Tuesday night and continued to be crabby this morning. It was great to be under the care of a nursing staff during this time.
Fortunately, his hearing test was within normal limits (a huge relief after the first test he had) and we were released to go home. When we arrived home, Kai got a huge burst of energy and seemed to really enjoy being at home. He'll have to continue to wear his arm splints (which prevent him from bending his elbows and placing his hands or other objects into his mouth) for 10 days. He's also on a full liquid diet (fed by a syringe) for 10 days...which he HATES! For a while, he cried in the hospital when he ate probably because he was sore. Tonight, he cried during his entire dinner because he so badly wanted to use a spoon and eat what Maya was eating. It's going to be a Long 10 days! We're hoping each day will get a bit easier from here.
We can't say enough about Shriner's hospital. From the time we arrived, we were treated so well, and never once felt like a number. Kai's care was top notch and everyone really went out of his/her way to ensure that his needs were met. We just can't say enough about this place.
We can't forget about Maya. She's also been a real trooper. She came to visit us each day in the hospital and always had a smile on her face. She loved swimming in the "fancy hotel" and even learned to jump off the side and touch the bottom of the pool. She also learned to float on her back. She has been so great with Kai and even shared a little made up story with him tonight... "Don't worry Kai. When I was a baby and I had my cleft lip and 'palap" surgery, I had to use a syringe too. When it gets better, you get to use a spoon...OK?". How sweet is that! Thanks also to my parents who stayed with Maya in a nearby hotel during our hospital stay. What a relief to know that she was in good hands and having a great time with her "DiDi" and "Papa". Finally, thank you to Kristi, Kenna, and Michal for taking the time to visit us in the hospital. Even though Kai wasn't feeling well at the time, your visit really brightened our day. We also really appreciated all of the e-mails, phone calls, and well wishes during Kai's hospital stay.
As Maya said to me in the car today..."It sure is good to be home!"
Sunday, August 17, 2008
The Beach!
Now that Kai's cast is off, we can finally go to the beach and get sandy! This afternoon, the kids had a great time splashing in the waves, building sand castles, and digging for water.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
The Cast is Off...Finally!
After seven weeks (pretty much the entire summer), Kai finally got his cast off. Fortunately, the x-rays showed that his arm healed perfectly.
We celebrated with some trampolene fun, something we had been avoiding most of the summer due to his cast.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Fun in Terre Haute!
We headed to our home away from home and visited friends in Terre Haute this weekend. Once again, I showed up on Don and Nancy's doorstep for a Saturday morning surprise. It was great to see their kids Laura and Jonathon again. They also got to meet Kai for the first time. The kids took Maya and Kai under their wings and disappeared into the playroom until it was time to go. It was great to catch up with Don and Nancy again.
We spent the majority of the weekend with Gregg and Lisa and their daughter Mallory. They were such gracious hosts and we really had a relaxing time. Maya gained her confidence in the pool and swam completely independently with the aid of her swimmies. Kai also really enjoyed the water. They sure did sleep well after two full afternoons of swimming.
Thank you Gregg, Lisa, and Mallory for such a great weekend. We had a wonderful time.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
"A Blueberry Picking We Will Go"
Today, the kids and I met our friends Cathy, Eric, and Luke for some "blueberry pickin" fun. I was so surprised by Maya's interest in picking blueberries. After about 30 minutes, we asked the kids if they were ready to go, to which they very adamantly replied "No. We want to pick more!". Another 30 minutes passed and they were still picking. Maya and Eric were Blueberry picking machines. I was shocked to see their buckets more than half full with beautifully round, ripe blueberries.
Kai had just as much fun picking. He proudly showed me his bucket full of vibrant green leaves from the blueberry bushes. I don't think a single blueberry made it past his mouth into his bucket.
We happily went home with more than 5 lbs of fresh blueberries...perfect for our Saturday ritual of homemade blueberry pancakes.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Kenzie's Birthday Party!
Today, Maya and Kai attended Kenzie's party. They had a great time playing on the slides and climbing over the ropes. The cupcakes were a definate favorite.
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