Frazzled But Happy

Little Gaines seems to be healing with no problems. It certainly has not slowed him down one bit. I don’t think he had any pain medicine after Wednesday and before that he was really only getting Motrin. When we got home Tuesday, I fixed a little pallet on the floor with lots of pillows and toys all around so that he could play in one spot but Gaines was not having anything to do with that. He took off and has been crawling, climbing and cruising since then. I prayed for an easy and quick recovery but I would have never hoped for this. Oh…and he’s doing awesome with this oxygen right now. His next pulmonology appointment is in early November but if he keeps doing so well, I think I might call and see if we can wean something.

He was feeling so good that late in the week we decided to head to Andalusia to visit my family. Can I please just tell you how much I enjoy going down there? I just love being home and with all of my family. I didn’t get to see all of them this time (there are a lot) but I did see about half. There is just something about being with people that know your life’s story and still love you. Plus they all think my kids are as great as I do (or at least they are good at pretending they do!) so that doesn’t hurt.

I’m kind of taking it easy this week at home. Just trying to relax and get caught up on some things. I feel kind of frazzled at home these days. Not with my family…just lots of projects going on. I used to be so on top of things…Oh well…I’d rather have my children. Reed has a birthday coming up in a few weeks and Thanksgiving isn’t to far behind that and most of you will think I’m crazy but I’ve kind of started working on Christmas shopping. I haven’t bought much yet but I’ve got a budget going and lots of ideas that I’m putting on paper. I have to have everything on paper because my brain won’t hold it all anymore. Then later, I can just stare at my paper for a good 30 minutes and soak it all in, process it and work from it. Crazy…but it keeps me sane.

I think that’s about it for now. I’ll try and post more about the boys later. My brain just isn’t focused right now…things to do. Tonight’s projects are to dust the dining room, put all my fall decorations (hence the dining room dusting) and ironing clothes. Because you needed to know all of that.

Love to all,

Brittany

Home

Gaines had his surgery yesterday and we are now at home.  Everything went really well.  The doctor said that his hernia was "huge" and he had to make two incisions but other than that, everything went as expected.  He went on and came off the ventilator fine. 

Poor Gaines is now in the recovery period.  I think he's doing remarkably well considering his circumstances but he's definitely feeling it.  They kept us in the hospital overnight and Gaines slept most of the day yesterday.  He seems much more himself today.  We get little smiles and he's playing some.  Gaines on Loratab is not that bad of a deal.  He's sweet and snuggly and not all of the place.  I'll be glad when the real Gaines is back but I'm enjoying this snuggly one right now. 

I better run, I just got up from a nap and its my turn to care for the patient.  I tell you...this was one of the worst nights sleep in a hospital for me.  None of them are ever good but Gaines slept so restlessly...it was rough.  And I'd estimate that Gaines pulled my hair 837 times.  By pull, I do not mean a gentle tugging, I mean he grabs a handful of hair and yanks with all of his might. We've really got to work on that. 

Thank you for all of the prayers.  Gaines did great and so did I.  I know it was because of all the prayers yesterday. 

Love to all,

Brittany

One Year Ago...

We've had Gaines home for one year today.  Sometimes it feels like its flown by and sometimes it feels like its been 5 years.  Just wanted to let y'all know.  He's come so far in the last year.  I tell you...nobody makes me madder than Gaines Daniel (used to be my sister but she got dethroned when Gaines and his attitude showed up) but nobody loves that child more than me either...I'm sure Beau would argue with me on that but you know what I mean. 

Hernia surgery is next week.  Please keep Gaines in your prayers...and his mama.  I was fine until anesthesia called last week and told me they'd probably have to put him on the ventilator.  I am not excited about that at all.  I cried...at work...it was lovely.  I'm ok now but I know I'll be a nervous wreck the next few days.  I just cannot wait to put this behind us. 

That's all for now.  I've got a football game to watch.  Roll Tide!

Oh...speaking of.  I proved myself as a good mother and wife yesterday.  I went to a consignment sale and saw a little Auburn jersey (I'm a big Alabama fan while Beau is Auburn).  I looked everywhere for an Alabama one and could not find one but I knew that Reed would think a football jersey was awesome so I sucked it up and bought it for him (I almost put it back two or three times).  He loves it...but much to Beau's dismay, he kept calling it is Alabama football shirt.  Anyway, it occured to me today that this experience is kind of like the first time you let your child throw up in your hand.  You do a lot of gross things for your kids. 

And he'll have an Alabama one soon.  Reed and I were actually on the lookout for one today. 

Love to all,

Brittany

Life Is Good

So I'm back.  I haven't actually gone anywhere...just haven't spent a lot of time on the computer outside of work.  We had a good Labor Day around here.  Beau's sister and her family spent the weekend with us and his parents spent all day Saturday with us all.  We had a great time and actually relaxed most of the weekend...well, as much as you can with four kids in one house.  There was a touch of fall in the air (although its gone now...I hate a weather tease) and college football started.  Just a good weekend all the way around. 

Life has been pretty good lately.  The kind of good where you actually enjoy and appreciate your family.  Its amazing what a long weekend can do for you.  I think I'm still in a relaxed state of mind...either that or I am living in an alternate universe where I have time for painting projects, can't see the random toys strewn arouund my house, and oatmeal cream pies don't have calories.  Either way, I'm soaking it up.

I got a renewed since of hope this weekend with Gaines' walking.  Anytime he'd hang on my legs wanting to be held, I'd just take one of his hands and make him walk a little.  He did great and its definite progress because he's never really been able to walk well with just one hand.  So, I'm excited about that.  Please keep the walking in your prayers...they are helping.  Oh, also prayers for his hernia surgery.  This time next week, we'll have that all behind us.  I'm nervous, but ready to get it over with.

This weekend we got Reed's powerwheel Jeep out for the kids to play with.  You may remember seeing pictures of it on here about a year ago.  We put it up after its initial outing because Reed was just too little for it but got it back out this weekend.  To say he loves it is probably the understatement of the year.  The kids played on it all weekend long and had a blast.  This morning, I saw Reed putting on his shoes (while still in his pajamas) and his "baseball hat" (which he likes to wear backwards ???) so I asked him what he was doing.  He told me he "needed to check on something in the backyard" which is code for, "I want to ride my Jeep". 

We talked him out of it this morning with a promise that he could ride if he had a good day at school.  He did, and the pictures below are of Reed and Gaines this afternoon.  It was Gaines' first time on the Jeep and I think he liked it as much as Reed.  Just look at those faces. 

I'm sorry, but have you ever seen two more beautiful boys?

Love to all,

Brittany