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!

Sleeping Beauties

as you can see, we are resting peacefully. Wyatt has been doing well. his pain seems to be managed much better this go around. he was given an epidural and with that, we've had no problems with his oxygen levels (as is often the case when we are in the hospital) and he - and daddy - are getting plenty of rest. mom on the other hand....boy do i get bored. and i'm not a napper. so i twiddle my thumbs, think of all the paperwork piled on my desk, and then go back to surfing the web and reading The Palace of Illusions.

i also have become acutely aware of what is going on in the rooms around us. and this is one of the hardest things to see. babies and toddlers with no parents at their bedsides. no one coming to visit. no one (except a few volunteers) holding them while they sleep. of course, i'm not allowed (i asked) or i would be in there in a heart beat. sweet little things. scared and all alone. it makes me thankful for my life, and grateful to have been given the chance to support Wyatt through all of these terrifying procedures and scary new people.

next post will hopefully be from home! thanks for the support everyone!

Recovering!

Thanks for the crossed fingers, arms, legs and eyes everyone! Wyatt did great in surgery today and everyone is resting comfortably in a private room. Hopefully, more updates to come, but for now, we are happy to have this out of the way and be on the road to recovery. And less laundry. ;)

Cross Your Fingers

We are heading to surgery tomorrow and *hoping* that nothing comes up to prevent it. This will be our third try since January. Every time we set the date, Wyatt decides he doesn't want to go and throws a major kink in the plan. Like a seizure or pneumonia. Little rascal. But he has been very healthy (KNOCK ON WOOD) and so I think we'll make it.

The surgery is for a fundoplication. Pretty standard procedure I think. It is one, however that we have put off in the past. Wyatt's vomiting has become unbearable. For him and for us. It's often, violent and really keeping him from gaining weight. He hasn't been losing any, but is still gaining so slowly.

SO keep your fingers crossed that he doesn't have any excitement tonight, that he makes it through the day tomorrow and he recovers. Quickly. So he can enjoy the sunshine!