Tonsil Drama

Madison had her tonsils out! It all began many years ago when I was told by every dentist I went to that she had major gag reflex and that her tonsils were huge. I ignored it until about 3 months ago I realized that Maddie had a nasal twang to her voice whenever she spoke and she seemed to always make a swishing sound. Reminded me of friends who had braces and were always full of spit!
I took her to our doctor for her 11 year old check up and had her throat looked at. My doctor agreed that yes, her tonsils were huge and sent us to a ENT doctor. This doctor took one look at her throat and was astonished to see that they were so big. He even had me look at them and I was shocked. They were as big as golf balls! The good parent award goes to me when he told me that Madison was probably a restless sleeper due to her brain waking her up at night due to the lack of oxygen she was receiving because of her enormous tonsils. Nice!
Maddie had surgery 5 days later to remove her tonsils and her adenoids which happened to fall over spring break. This worked out great since she has dance competitions coming up, Sea Camp, and still school so she didn't miss that many days.
Here's a rundown of our week:
Monday-Nerves are setting in for Maddie. She had to get blood drawn so that kinda freaked her out. I had two super neat men from my ward come over and give her an awesome blessing which she requested to have before surgery. It's amazing to realize how much an 11 year old really understands and believes in the power of the priesthood. She felt much calmer and had a good night.
Tuesday- Surgery day. We have to be at the surgical center by 11:00 AM so no eating or drinking. Maddie is good until we get to the parking lot and she breaks down crying due to being scared. We said another quick prayer and she called her dad which always seems to relax her. She's prepped for surgery and given her wristband, gown, hat, and booties. We both got a good laugh during this time.
Then oooh the dreaded IV. Super nice nurse pricked the top of her hand to numb the area before they put in the big needle and she freaked. IV got in and once again everything was smooth. We met the anesthesiologist and then Dr. Foggia arrived at 12:00PM to talk to me and help soothe Maddie. At 12:10 she was wheeled in and the surgery began.



12:45PM-Dr. Foggia finds me in the waiting room to tell me surgery went well and Maddie did great. Huge tonsils removed.(I'm sick since I wish I could have kept them!)
1:00PM-I get to sit with Maddie during recovery watching Finding Nemo. Nurses are so nice to her and Maddie is still kind of out of it from the anesthesia. We get to go home by 2:00pm. She sleeps the whole way home and pretty much the rest of the day. She's not in too much pain and I've gotten her drugs so she's pretty comfy.
I'm so proud of Madison that she was able to get through this and not once complain about anything. She had a good night's sleep which was good for me.
Wednesday- I'm keeping a schedule of what times to give her medicine since she can have pain medicine every 4 hours and has to take an antibiotic 3x's a day, plus she has to have a specific fluid amount each day otherwise she can get dehydrated and develop a fever. Pudding, applesauce, and soup is her food of choice right now.Dr. Foggia called today to see how she was doing.
All of her medicine minus one bottle that's already been used.
Thursday-Today Maddie had a shower and tried to eat some solid food which she really wanted, yet it seemed to hurt too much. Slurpee's and a cupcake make us all very happy!
Friday-A lot of pain today. Nothing seems to help her today and she's getting tired of all of the soft foods. She's doing good about staying in bed and resting. Watching TV and reading a lot. The surgical center called today to see how she was doing. They told me that the third day is usually the hardest and I would have to agree with that. Her voice is already so different and I can't wait to hear it when she is healed.
Saturday-Not a good day for my little girl. She was in a lot of pain today and asking me before the 4 hours were up for more pain meds. Very emotional today. I told her she wouldn't be going back to school until next Thursday and that made her cry. She also found out that she wouldn't be going to church on Sunday for Easter and that made her cry. We had pizza for dinner and because it's acidic (tomatoes) she couldn't have any so that sent her for another good cry. I'm hoping tomorrow will be much better.

Yea....She's happy!!
Sunday-Easter bunny finds us. We spent the day together as a family by taking Maddie to breakfast (not a good idea) and then driving around town showing our kids where mom and dad grew up and where we lived when we were first married.
It's been a very tiring Spring Break yet I'm proud of Maddie for being such a trooper and getting through this. Just a couple more days of pain and she will be all healed. No school for 10 days and medicine every 4 hours for 10 days. It's been fun!!!

Our life for the past three weeks:

We were busy one weekend laying seed in the grass, painting the house trim, and other yard stuff. Jaxon broke out with this huge rash all over his body and I think it was either from the grass or the fertilizer. It looked like I beat him! Zyrtec (allergy medicine) made it disappear by the next day. What a mess a 2 and 4 year old can make when not being watched like a hawk. I thought I had put all of the markers, crayons, and pencils out of reach but this is what they were caught doing on different days. Stinkers! Because of the cold and wind (yeah, I know it's not that cold) I resort to letting my kids ride their scooters in the house. We have a lot of tile so they get their exercise, plus gives them something to do. Jaxon is hilarious when he rides his bike. For some reason he hoists his leg up the entire time he's riding. Funny kid. I'm hoping the video will show him in all his glory.

For family night we took the kids bowling. Now those that know me well know that I don't go to many places with my little ones. Too hard to deal with so this was their first real outing in a loooong time. Of course, Tanner wasn't thrilled that he had to go, but the kids all loved bowling and especially got a hoot when their dad fell down. Too bad I didn't have my camera ready! Camryn decided she never wants to bowl again either once she fell down on her bottom too. Who knows why Jaxon was on the floor crying. Probably because it wasn't his turn to bowl. Paul and I took advantage of going on a date. We went to a restaurant that he'd heard about from a friend so we thought we'd give it a try. It was called Texas de Brazil and it was yummy! Men are walking around with different cuts of meat on a big skewer that you get to choose from and eat as much as you want. It was pure carnivore heaven!



Madison had her tonsils out! The doctor was so concerned with them being so large that she had surgery 4 days later. That post will come soon

Maddie Turns 11

Happy 11Th Birthday to my first born daughter Madison Patsy, who was named after my oldest sister who died six weeks after she was born. Madison came into the world with a BANG. My easiest pregnancy, but by far the worst delivery. Weighing in at a honking 9 lbs. 10 oz. I was given morphine for three days to help the pain. I was put to sleep for her birth and I awoke when they were wheeling me to recovery. Yes, imagine no epidural to numb the area and nurses frantically injecting me with needles to numb the fire pain of my gut. I went into shock due to the pain and didn't get to or even want to see Madison until the next day.
Any hoo, Madison is 11 years old and such a joy in our lives. When she was younger she was a show off and loved to perform for other people. She started dance when she was 8 and now is professionally trained in jazz, ballet, tap, and others. She has placed first in many competitions and enjoys the excitement of performing and winning.
Here are 11 funny or interesting things about Maddie that maybe you didn't know about:
1. At Thanksgiving she always has to have the turkey leg to eat, that's her tradition.
2. She's never had to taken an antibiotic for sickness since she's never sick. Except for the common cold or the stomach flu, she's been extremely healthy. Although we just found out she may be getting her tonsils out due them being abnormally large and blocking her airway. Yea, no more snoring!!
3. Madison was climbing a slide while at a swimming pool and slipped from the middle rung. She landed on her bum and cried for hours. The bruise that surfaced covered her entire bum cheek.(OK, not funny or interesting, but something that came to mind!)
4. Maddie loves roller coasters and will scream the entire time out of excitement.
5. Madison received a welcome announcement from President Bill Clinton when she was born.
6. She will try any type of food and once tried frog legs, yet did have a melt down once she knew what they were.
7. Madison's mom was her 4Th grade teacher at Betsy Rhodes ES.
8. Madison is terrified of the ocean and refuses to ever go swim in it. She tried snorkeling last year, but didn't last because she was so terrified.
9. Madison is a Great American and just received that prestigious award for it. She earned it memorizing the 50 states/capitals, Declaration of Independence,and other stuff that I went crazy having to listen to her repeat non stop.
10. Madison loves to cook and is always helping me in the kitchen. She makes really good pancakes.
11. Finally, Maddie LOVES to karaoke and does a mean "Livin on a Prayer."

We love you monkey butt and you will always be our little girl.

To celebrate Maddie's birthday I took her to Disneyland for the day since her aunt and cousin were also going to be there. We had a BLAST and I look forward to going again with Jen and Pam. No men, no little kids, and we could pretty much do whatever we wanted. It was fantastic.


Mom, cousin Jen, Maddie, Aunt Pam


For Maddie's birthday we ate at Blue Bayou which is her favorite restaurant. They gave her a yummy cupcake.


We were all on California Screamin'. We all loved the ride except Jen who cried each time we went on it. Notice my right arm...it's stuck between the bars of the arm strap!

There's my Woody! I'm really obsessed with Woody. Really!

Me and my girl. Love her!!!


Maddie blowing out the candles on her cake. Notice Jaxon's head in the background watching Oswald..his favorite show.


That is one good looking and yummy cake. If I do say so myself!!

A Sick Lil' Girl

Last week I had a sick little girl. A really sick little girl that I probably should have taken to the ER, but didn't.
Last Tuesday night Camryn climbed into our bed in the middle of the night burning with fever and coughing like she had the croup. When she coughs she pukes so Paul and I were jumping up all night taking her to the toilet. The next morning I took her temp which read 104. This is what it stayed for the entire day even with Motrin. She slept the entire day and would only wake up when I gave her medicine or forced her to drink some water.
That evening we took her temperature again and the thermometer read 106!! Paul and I were FREAKING out and wondering what to do. We stripped her clothes and put her in a lukewarm bath while I sent my mom to CVS to get a new thermometer to see what a different thermometer would read since I have never seen a temp go that high. That was our deciding factor as to whether or not we go to the ER.
Anna returned with the thermometer and it read at 105. 15 minutes later it had dropped to 102. Another 15 minutes it had dropped to 101 so the bath and Motrin were finally kicking in. We decided to keep her comfy and put her back to bed and watch her throughout the night. The last time I took her temp it read 99 so I felt pretty good about keeping her at home.
The next morning her cough was horrible and she sounded as if she had just ran a marathon, plus her 104 fever was back. Not wasting any time we left for the doctor who I knew would take care of her.
The doctor knew just by looking at her what her diagnosis was, but he wanted to take proper tests so Camryn had to have a chest x-ray and her oxygen levels were tested. The diagnosis was the beginning of pneumonia! What?! For a 4 year old?
Doc gave her a shot in the booty and the poor girl had to take a decongestant twice a day, Motrin when needed, antibiotic once a day, a steroid once a day, and use her breathing machine 4 times a day for an entire week. It was a crazy week! I've never seen Camryn sleep as much as she did nor eat and talk as little. Those who know my little bundle of energy will agree with me that this is very not normal. The medicine worked and now about 8 days of medicine and staying in the house she is finally better.
Many people asked me how she got so sick and with pneumonia, but I have no answer. Obviously, just a virus in the air that she picked up and it attacked her immune system. Yea, my little girl is better and things are getting back to normalcy. Thank goodness I was on track break so I could take care of her.

About 5 days after she was sick I thought it would be good for her to get out of the house and go for a car ride. She lasted ten minutes until she was fast asleep.


Camryn on her fun breathing machine 4 times a day. She didn't mind doing it since she knew it helped.

I hope everyone else isn't suffering with illness this time of year.

Disney Days

Yes, our family made another quick trip to Disneyland for the weekend. Madison got to perform there so that was our main excuse for going, plus we got to leave Jaxon behind with Grandma so it was pleasantly different to not have to worry about strollers and diaper bags. Since I'm finding myself to be a Disney coniousseur, here are my top 10 tips for enjoying your stay at the happiest place on earth.

1. Buy a season's pass only if you plan on only going to Disneyland for vacation for an entire year. Our family loves to go to Disney and we will definitely get our money's worth, yet we won't be planning any other trips for a year except to go to Disneyland. Unless you have all the money in the world and then you can do what you want anyways.
2. Never go on a weekend! The best days to go to Disneyland no matter what time of the year is Tuesday-Thursday. Those days aren't half as croweded as the weekends and the lines aren't too bad. Try to never go on a holiday. Ugh...need I say more!

3. Don't splurge on a pricey hotel. How much time do you really spend in the hotel anyways? When I book a room I shop around different websites to find the best deal. I won't stay at a one star hotel, but have stayed at a two star hotel and wasn't hightl disappointed. You pay for what you get, but once again if you're only there to sleep then spending a lot of money for a hotel room is silly.

4. Plan to take your own food into the park. Try to have breakfast in the hotel and pack a lunch to eat while in the park. The food isn't that great and it's very expensive. Remember to pack lots of water since a bottle of water at Disneyland will cost you $2.75. I do splurge on popcorn and churros for the kiddos, plus we will either eat dinner at the park or leave and go to another restraunt.

5. Take a thin sweater or jacket for nightime since the weather does turn chilly at night. You can wrap it around your waist or if you don't have a stroller you can rent a locker for $11.00. Yikes!

6.If money isn't an issue I would experience either Goofy's Kitchen or Breakfast with Minnie at least once. This is character dining and the kids will love it. Both places are about $30 a person to eat so again...very pricey.

7. My favorite place to eat is called the Blue Bayou. This is the dark restraunt that you see when you first get on Pirate's of the Caribbean. I never knew it was there until we tried it last year and now we make sure to go there every single time. You need reservations and it's pricey, yet good steakhouse food. The atmosphere is also fun.

8. Only do the water rides in the afternoon since you will get wet! Splash mountain and the River Bend ride can leave you soaked so it's not a great idea to ride on those rides at night.

9. If you're nursing or mom of a baby check out the Baby Centers. They have quiet, private areas where you can feed, plus change the little ones. You can also heat up milk, food, and buy basic baby needs, if needed.

10. Disneyland will be croweded no matter what. Go with a happy disposition and you'll enjoy your day. People will get in your way, no one will move if you have a stroller, and some people are just dumb. All in all you can have a great time and enjoy the happiest place on earth.

Yes, I'm off to the Magical Kingdom AGAIN next week for Maddie's birthday. Just her and I which should be a blast. Look forward for more exciting Mickey photos.

I'm Happy!

Today is a good day....sorta. I'm on vacation for almost three weeks which is always a plus.

I had the great idea to clean out closets since it's starting to get warm here and I want to see what kids can wear what before I go out and buy more. So each room in the house is a complete disaster since I have piles of clothing waiting for me to put in garbage bags.

Camryn is horribly sick with a 104 degree fever along with croup. When she coughs she pukes which makes for lovely messes. Trying to get her to take medicine is miserable unless I bribe her with something.

I'm trying to get at least 45 recipes together to submit for our ward cookbook so I have about fifteen cookbooks spread out and opened all over the family room floor that I have to type up eventually.

I have an endless amount of cords that no one knows what they go to so I've been trying to match ends with ends. Jaxon helps very well with that so cords are strung throughout the house.

I just realized that I sprayed my bathrooms down with cleaner two hours ago intending to clean them, yet never did.
I couldn't begin to tell you the countless messes I've cleaned up that Jaxon has made or the nice bruise on my butt thanks to the kitchen tongs that he squeezed me with.

It's 12:30 and I'm still in my pj's, haven't exercised, fed my kids lunch, and still need to look for the hamster that has been missing since Friday. Luckily, I just sent my mom to the grocery store and had her take the dog to the vet. Eventually, I hope to shower (yea!), pay some bills, take Anna to get a new cell phone, pick up Maddie and then drive her to dance, come home and fix dinner, maybe say hello to the Wii Fit, listen to the hubby's day, pick up Maddie from dance, play with the little ones, and probably help Maddie with homework.

How do you stay at home mothers do this day after day? I so give credit to you all! But, yes it is a good day!

Scroll Down....I do have an updated post!!!!!!!!!

MIA

Ok, so if I'm not having camera issues it's gotta be something else, right? Yup, now my computer won't read my memory card which means I can't download any photos from playing in the snow, Jaxon's bday, Disneyland (again), and fun stuff. So just to stay in the blogging world I thought I would complete this fun tag that my bffl sent me to do. Yea, don't pass out Carol...I'm finally doing it!!!

Things I Can Do
1) Spend $1000 in a blink of an eye
2) Teach a child how to read
3) Text my friends
4) Plan a trip out of the country in less than a week
5) Reproduce...yep, glad that's done!
6) Shoot an AR15 semi-automatic assault rifle
7) Show love to my kids

7 Things I Can't Do
1) Speak Spanish
2) Skydive or anything that has to do with free falling
3) put my hands in dirty soapy kitchen water
4) balance a checkbook
5) Steal or lie from a friend
6) Part with my perfume collection of 50+ bottles
7) Go to a cemetary at night

7 Things That Attracted Me To My Husband
1) His ringlets!
2) I knew he would always provide a home for me
3) His hairless chest (I know...tmi)
4) His stereo bass thumping from his truck 10 blocks away.
5) I knew we would create gorgeous kids
6) He worshiped the ground I walked on....and still does....haha
7) He always wore good smelling cologne.Mmmmm remember Polo, Drakar, and Ceasar's Man?

7 Things I Always Say
1) Daddy!!
2) Puddin'
3) No Way!
4) My new fav...."I will cut you!"
5) Umm...no
6) I was born at night, but not last night
7) Yea, think again

7 Things I Love To Eat
1) chips and guac
2) good juicy steak
3) McDonald's french fries
4) string cheese
5) white cake with any frosting
6) french toast with maple syrup
7) white custard ice cream with marshmellow topping

7 People I Tag(And ya don't get 7 months to do it in!) :0)
1) Brandi 2)LaDawn 3)Kim 4)Heidi K. 5)Cathy 6)Stephanie 7)Melissa

I'm Back!

It's amazing to think that February is half way over. Here's a recap on what we've been doing since January 1, 2009.

Snow Day
Many people can't fathom the idea that Vegas gets so stinking hot in the summer, yet come winter time it can get cold. Okay, cold to me is in the 30-40's but who would think that you can escape to actual snow and snow ski in only 15 minutes? We went to Mt. Charleston which is literally a 15 minute drive up the mountain where people do go to ski and play in the snow. Camryn has never seen snow so we took the kids to play for a couple of hours. The girls loved it, yet Jaxon was not a happy camper. He wouldn't wear gloves so he was freezing and wanted to be held the entire time. He was happy sitting in the car drinking his hot cocoa. It was a great and fun family afternoon.





Birthdays
Paul and Jaxon's birthday both fall in the month of January and where do you think Paul wanted to spend his birthday? Yep, Disneyland again. Who can say no to that, but it was a long three days since two year olds at the park isn't my idea of fun. I won't bore you with more photos, but in all of the years and times that I've gone to Disneyland there was one character that I've never seen. Last year I even asked a worker at the park why this character was never out. Lo and behold guess who we see?



Yep, Piglet!! This was a first for me and I was so excited. Of course, the little things do excite me.

Jaxon's Birthday
My baby turned 2!! So sad for me since I'm realizing that I'll never have another child at this age again. For his 2 year old check up I have no idea how much he weighs or what his height is since he refused to cooperate and let the nurse or doctor check any of his vitals. He was sick with the flu during this visit, but I'm guessing he weighs about 22 lbs and is who knows how tall. Here's a funny thing about Jaxon and my mother would DIE if I shared. For some odd and strange reason Jaxon doesn't call my mother grandma or Nana. He calls her...I don't even know how to spell it...rhymes with bike only with a /d/ instead of a /b/. We have no clue what he is trying to say or why he is referring to her as this name, but it's pretty embarrassing especially in church when your two year old is screaming for dike. Gotta love him!
For his birthday we went to dinner at our favorite restaurant, opened presents, and ate cake and ice cream. My sister from UT was in town with two of her kids so we had a fun celebration for him.

I will admit I've been lazy with the camera. Not one photo during the month of February!! I know...shocking. I'll be better. Promise!!!

Introducing....Jaxon My OCD Child

Those of you who know me well understand where I'm coming from when I call my almost two year old my "OCD" child. Jaxon is definitely a different child who is extremely unique and set in his ways in everything he does. Do I medically think he has OCD? No, he just has some weird characteristics that crack us up and make us go insane with his actions.

For example:

1. Jaxon has always used a pacifier, yet now only uses it when he sleeps. He must have two-three pacifiers with him at all times or he throws a fit and won't go to sleep.

2. When he wakes up in the morning we've done the same routine since he was one. He calls my name, "MA," and then when I go and get him he has to have his pacifiers, a blanket wrapped around his shoulders, and whatever stuffed animal he slept with for the night. Next, we go downstairs and he sits on the couch while I make him warmed up chocolate milk. Once its heated at exactly 45 seconds I have to hold him on the couch while we watch 45 minutes worth of Oswald and Wienie. The pacifiers, animal, blanket, and milk MUST be on his lap. This routine is every single morning. If Paul or my mom try to get him out of his bed he has a fit and refuses to get out. Also, don't forget any of his items or he'll freak.

3. He understands directions. When I tell him we are going somewhere and I happen to go a different way he starts crying and pointing to the opposite way that we should be going. One day he thought we were going to Costco, but I just drove through the parking lot and he had a fit because I was going the opposite way.

4. When he eats at the table he must have a fork and spoon to use. If he's having cereal...he needs a fork.

5. If the telephone is laying on the ground he makes sure that Paul or myself is holding it. If he goes off to play and then notices that we're not holding the phone he stops what he's doing and goes and gives us the phone to hold. This would be the same for the remote to the TV.

6. Bath time is a joy. You can put him in, but don't make him sit in the water. Yes, I do force this issue on occasion since I don't want a smelly butt boy, but he freaks out if you make him sit in the water. When he gets out he must have his towel wrapped around him and he must then lay down on the floor with a pillow and blanket to watch....yep, Oswald. He'll lay there for a good half hour watching TV.

7. Jaxon repeatedly has to call my name to find out where I'm at. Except when I'm at work he won't do it since he knows I'm gone, yet when I'm home if he can't see me then or even if he's playing on the floor and I'm on the couch he still calls my name over and over to make sure that I answer and I'm where I should be.

8. When I'm at the computer (of course, he's right there) he thinks its time to put on lotion. He'll go and get one of my many lotions to put on and he rubs it on him and then on me. Only when I'm on the computer.

9. He doesn't talk really well yet, but is building a good vocabulary. Food and drink= Num. Everything is num. If we're eating dinner....it's num. When the dog is eating....its num. When he wants a snack...he wants num.

10. When Jaxon has socks on he must have shoes on. He'll go and pick out his shoes and kick/scream until we put on his shoes.

Yes, yes I love this child! He's just got some very different characteristics that I'm not used to, but Jaxon is such a loving sweet little guy that I can handle anything "odd" that he does.