Finally A Saturday Together

Scott wanted to look in every motor possible. "This one daddy, this one," he would plead. Scott isn't too fond of getting his picture taken anymore.
Me and Tyler in front of a '67 GTO with a 400 and four on the floor.
Me trying to take the cutest picture of Danny walking with the boys.

Danny has had the last two Saturdays off in who knows how long. We are taking advantage of having a day off before the Saturdays start up again. I had a meet in Pleasanton in the morning followed by a family outing to the car show. I am not much into cars but it is fun to see Danny and Scott so into them and to be with the family.

Daddy's Hats

So often with two little guys it is the small moments with your family that bring so much joy.

Scott saw Danny's hats in the closet and wanted to try them on.

Like Father Like Son

Scott loves working on the car or motorcycle with his dad. He brings his bike inside, opens up his tool box and tells me how he needs to fix the broken wheels. He will then procede to use his screw driver, saw, wrench and whatever else to fix it. I think we have a mini Danny 0n our hands. It is fun to see. I grew up in a house where my dad did all the fix-it projects and Danny is so eager to include the boys in his projects. Tyler loves to hop on his car and drive it back and forth. I love his smile.

Halloween

Sorry for the lack of posts. I have so much I want to write about: halloween, the boys, our condo, elections, on and on. Here I go. Halloween was great. My 3 boys... Scott as Thomas the tank engine as happy as can be. FUN FUN FUN!! Once we got out and started trick or treating Scott didn't want to stop. It was drizzling but warm. He would say real softly "trick or treat" or "candy please" followed by a real loud "THANK YOU, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!" It was cute. People would ask him if he wanted some for Tyler and he would take one and give it to his brother which was so cute. We had a great time as a family. Both boys are at such a fun age. It is so rewarding seeing your children grow up and enjoy life.
Tyler as an adorable lion.

And Danny with his students being a mechanic/bumb/scary teeth/professor....who know?!?! Having fun at work. He loves teaching at the dental school once a week and does a great job. I bet his students love him and are constantly entertained.

My Mood

This morning Danny and I woke up and felt like this....TIRED!! Having to get to Tyler's doctor appt felt like this.....

We met with the cardiologist and doctor this morning. Things are going well and we will do another lung scan in about 6 months to see if we will do another cath. I just might turn into this cat...

For all the people who emailed, sent cards, flowers and phoned who I haven't been able to call back, know that we appreciate and love you. I am not great or even good at being a quick replier or even writing cards. I am actually horrible at it. I am sure that people who get offended by that have found a friend elsewhere and those that are still with me just have come to find something else they like about me. Should I change? Probably. Am I going to? I should, but I just don't know if I will. At least I'm not in denial. Anyway, you often don't talk about the energy, both time and mental, that having a sick child sometimes takes. My Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays have activities for Scott and therapy for Tyler. I also work at night. The playgroups and co-op's have been GREAT for Scott. I wouldn't change it for the world. I didn't really want to go to bible study this week and asked Scott if he wanted to go to pre-school (that's what we call his little school there) and he said yes. Can you believe it? He doesn't complain as long as Tyler goes to his class down the hall. The teachers said that Scott had so much fun. He made a pumpkin and even talks about the kids in his class. This hasn't been an easy adjustment for him. It really helps when he knows Tyler is safe and not at the hospital or doctors. He needs to go wherever Tyler goes, including the doctor, to make sure Tyler is ok. I always plan on relaxing Monday and Friday, however, they have been filled with random doctor appts, assessments and tests. Before you feel bad for us, don't, because we do have it relatively easy. We have so many friends and family who support us, a child that is relatively healthy compared to many, and miniscual financial, familial and other stresses in our life. So part of being tired (a big part) is totally our fault. After the doctors appt, instead of getting babysitters, massages, pedicures and going to lunch, we decided to continue laying laminate flooring in our condo. What is wrong with us? Well, it looks great if that is any consolation. I guess we have some things to learn about relaxing. Until then, I will be learning how to do this....

Rest & Relaxation!!

Danny and I need a vacation. We should just take a couple of days off, hop on a plane and go to Mexico or Hawaii (I prefer Mexico). Now why is that so hard for us to do? I have no idea, but it is. I think one of my resolutions is to ensure that we get away more as a couple and family. We work hard and are able to get away, but just don't. I have a feeling this lesson is going to be a great one to learn. Some of our friends and all of our family are great at this, while some others are in our boat. It must be in my genes somewhere. I must locate those genes. Ok, time to go carve a pumpkin and go trick or treating and perhaps meet friends at trains in the park. Oh the irony of it all.

Pics from the hospital

Sadly I don't have the most fascinating pictures to show of the actual cath. It just amazes me what they can do these days. I will see if our cardiologist can send them over so you can see or I will scan them. You can see the lungs fill with oxygen, heart pumping, balloon expand the artery which is just amazing to me what they can do.

This is Tyler's room. Danny took the afternoon off and came to hospital with Scott. Scott spent a lot of time in the playroom painting, playing with trucks and had a good time seeing Tyler.

Tyler still a little out of it from the sedation but enjoying his 2 lollipops Robin gave to him.
Scott wanting to give Tyler a kiss. He is so compassionate towards him (at least when he is sick)
This was there favorite thing to do. Look out the rooms window at the people and cars going by. It was very foggy in San Francisco.
Robins son is on a mission in Korea. The childrens hospital has artwork done by youth. This was titled "first birthday in korea"We are doing well. Tyler and I are recoving from about 2 hours of sleep in the hosptal. It was no fun but I can't complain. I wasn't the one who had the surgery. Tyler is a champ. He is doing great.

Surgery Update

Tyler is out of surgery and it went well. They only had to put one cath in through his neck. They opened up the PA with a balloon. The stenosis was a result of the conduit from his first surgery. When they took it out, it created a narrowing which is often common in babies with Norwoods. The surgeon is happy with the result. They opened up the stenosis by tearing the narrowing and it will repair itself with a larger pathway. They didn't have to place a stint which they are happy about since it is difficult to take down during the Fontan. They will do another lung scan in about 9 months and see if they need to repeat the procedure or wait until a cath is needed prior to the Fontan which is done around 2.5-4 years. During the Fontan the stenosis will be fixed by connecting the lower part of the heart to the area that is narrowed. There were no seen collaterals so no coils were needed and the aorta looked sufficient. The decrease in oxygen could be a result of more blood going to the brain or something that is common with single ventricle babies that has to do with the liver that I didn't understand but that fixes itself after blood flow is changed during the Fontan. So basically everything is a temporary fix until the Fontan, surgery went well and the surgeon is very pleased with how things went. The pressures improved which by quite a bit which was a good thing. They were not that bad to start off. Tyler is waking up and content in Robins arms. It is hard to come off the sedation. Danny and Scott are visiting tonight so we are excited to see them soon. All is well. Thanks for the prayers. We appreciate all the love and support, many people willing to do whatever to help with Scott and be there for us. We are so blessed to have such great friends and family.