Life on the Inside

here we are, again.  back at children's for the foreseeable future.  wyatt's vomiting and respiratory problems became unbearable for him (and us) through the night last night and so we packed up and have parked ourselves in the PICU.  i am already sick of the PICU.  don't get me wrong, the staff, docs, nurses, therapists, social workers, everyone, is fantastic.  but i am tired.  and so is ben.  and so is our sweet little cowboy.

his battle with the vomit has become increasingly challenging over the summer.  he had a fundoplication done (to stop the vomit) in April and is worked for hmmmm, about 2 months.  then back at it.  he had adenoids out a month ago, in hopes of decreasing airway obstruction and guess what?  he snores worse than ever.  hmph.

so we had planned for a voluntary admission on Sept. 8th to get these issues sorted out.  all the tests condensed into a 3 day hospital stay.  but we didn't make it.  and here we are.  saturday of a holiday weekend and you know what that means.  no one is here to do the tests.  double hmph.

please send a large helping of love and healing thoughts to little wyatt.  he is struggling, but still his smiling self.

Yes we are home

and boy are we spent.  we actually came home a week ago.  Wyatt is doing very well.  he had been snoring extremely loud for the first several days post-op, but is breathing much quieter now.  seems the congestion is still present, and i'm wondering when he will ever recover completely.  but for now we are pleased with how far he's come.  it never ceases to amaze me that the "easy" procedures are so darn tough.  i did actually expect this to be easier.  Wyatt's mommy and daddy are still trying to catch up.  5 days in the icu does NOT do the body good.  i've ended up with "walking pneumonia" and am trying to figure out a way to get healthy.  there's got to be one,  right?  well, for now, enjoy this smiling face, and SOMEDAY, i will get more pictures up.  soon.  really.

More Than We Bargained For

we are going on day 4 at icu.  Wyatt had his adenoids out on friday.  we knew it would be a longer recovery and hospital stay than doctors predicted.  but not in the icu.  and not THIS long!
overall - he is doing ok.  it's just always about the breathing.  as they tell me, the ABC's of the icu start with airway and that is Wyatt's most complicated issue, lately and always.
after getting adenoids out, all kids have swelling.  since Wyatt's airway is a little "floppy" the swelling has taken his usual issues to a whole new level.
today, he ripped out the IV (that was in his NECK) and then screamed until the attendings took out the nasal trumpet that has been in to help expand his airway.  chaos ensued, after 17 sticks they finally placed a new iv (in his SHOULDER). and reinserted the wretched tube int his nose.
he has been extremely fussy and so that isn't helping matters either.
so anyway, we have been getting by, nurses and docs are pretty great here and we have an army of folks that have been coming to spell us for a bit of time.
so that's the little cowboy update.  send us good vibes in hopes of getting the heck OUT OF HERE!

Excuses, Excuses

here it is, smack dab in the middle of a busy summer and i've posted only once!  YIKES!  well, as many busy moms know, especially us moms of super special kids, when we're on a mission, DO NOT get in the way.  and my mission over the past 2 months has been to get the little cowboy through the summer *healthy* so we can have a rootin', tootin' good time at his 2nd birthday rodeo!  and did we ever!

now, it hasn't been all baking and decorating for the last 2 months.  we have had some other adventures.  such as  traveling (a trip to the Poconos for a family reunion, Wyatt's first weekend get-away), visiting family (Grandpa and Grandma Giovengo are visiting for the summer from the exotic country of.... Albania? :) and  friends from all over (the wild west! it's Wyatt's dream to live in Tombstone, you know.)  and we've had some fun trips to the National Aviary, the Greenfield Pool ;) and of course Wyatt's vacation home at Grandma and Grandpa Northrop's house.  In sunny Wexford.

health wise, we've been doing just ok.  Wyatt has not had a seizure since March (KOW).  he has been dealing with lots of respiratory issues.  we placed a lot of confidence in the fundoplication, and it just hasn't been as helpful as we had hoped.  there are still daily episodes of vomiting.  bad vomiting.  it's a yucky cycle.  congested, gagging, vomit, aspirate...rinse repeat.  but, on the bright side, the kid has finally made it into the 25% for height and weight!  (and we're talking about a kiddo who never made it past the 3% until the last check-up!)  we are hoping that an upcoming removal of adenoids will help as well.  but who knows.

but, developmentally, Wyatt is doing great.  for Wyatt.  he has become an interactive kid.  giggling with us, when we tickle him.  using "yes" and "no" buttons to indicate when he wants to play, read, etc.  throwing little 2 year old tantrums when he is tired. overall, just communicating so much better.  i have even heard him say "ma" on more than one occasion when looking right at me.  and i don't care if it is an accident.   we play in the pool , go down slides, run in the tripped out BOB running stroller and have even braved a few hikes with the hiking backpack.  (the jury is still out on that one).  

Wyatt's official birthday party was Sunday.  it was a party with *just* family.  which has grown to over 25 people in just the past few years.  and let me tell you, we feel the love.  sing it Elton.  seriously, the family and friends that have shared in Wyatt's ups and downs over the past 2 years really do hold us up.  so what better way to show everyone we care?  throw a party!!  a real western extravaganza!  don't worry, i will be posting pictures soon!

afterwards, Ben and i shed a few tears, as turning 2 is more than just a birthday for us.  and for Wyatt.  it's a sweetbitter (better than bittersweet) reminder than our time with him may be limited.  so as we move towards 3, we will continue to focus on the positives, snap pictures (and someday post them) and share our lives with the ones we love!

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY LITTLE COWBOY!!

Family Matters!

we've been gone for awhile and busy, busy, busy! lots going on - good things for the most part! Wyatt has recovered from the surgery and is doing very well. we've had a few set backs, but over all Wyatt has been doing some great things. you can see below, he's been spending lots of time with family. and that time has been happy and full of smiles.

Wyatt and his dada have been playing, swinging, and sliding....

nothing makes Wyatt smile more than a little taste of dessert!

Aunt Sue and Guido are some of his favorite cuddlers....

Grandma and Aunt Alyssa brought cousin Ava to visit! He couldn't take his eyes off of her!

Uncle Ben and Shannon match Wyatt smile for smile. What a cute trio!

OMG!

Seriously - this is getting ridiculous! No computer at home is driving me crazy! And blogging while at work?!? Well, I'd never do that.....

Just rest assured that the littlest cowboy is having some pretty awesome adventures and I am taking lots of pictures - so in a few short days (cross your fingers on that one) I will be updating in full color!

Check back in soon....!

Just Real Quick

we have been home for over a week and Wyatt has really recovered well! he is not vomiting. he is gaining weight. he is happy happy happy. so soon, once our internet is bak up and running, i will post pictures and have more time to tellyu what we've been up to!

thanks for all the well wishes!