Friday, July 30, 2010

Blood clots, relo-cubes, and raspberries

What kind of post is this?? Well, you'll see...

Our moving pods, "relo-cubes" technically come on Monday. I feel like I am 90% ready for them. I suppose I should finish something while Greg puts Aimee to bed. But I've got 2 1/2 days left to wrap up packing! And I really don't think baby boy will come this weekend. Even though I'm starting to have an occasional contraction that makes my lower back hurt. With Aimee, I only felt them in my lower back. Maybe that's a sign we're getting closer?!

I have a lot to be grateful for. As always. But especially these last few months. The other day we took Greg in to see his orthopedic surgeon to check up on his leg. It started swelling again and was looking a bit purple. Greg's mom noticed more than I did, so I'm glad she raised the alarm. The doctor told us to expect swelling - even for a few months. The back of Greg's calf and knee were getting sore again and the swelling had gone down, only to go back up again. That worried the doctor. He ordered an ultrasound. We took Aimee home (had her with us), then went back to the hospital. After lots of scanning, picture taking, live video sent to the radiologist, and a phone call to the doctor - we were told there was a blood clot in Greg's leg. I never did think to ask how big it was. But it was a little above the knee, so they sent us over to the ER right away.

You can't do that to a 9 month pregnant lady! I felt fine dealing with all of this until we had to go to the ER. Umm... yeah, blood clots are
kind of serious. We were in and out of there pretty fast (thankfully). Greg has to give himself shots twice a day for 10 days and he started taking some blood thinners. Not sure how long he'll have to be on those - a few months at least. Craziness.

When it rains, it pours I guess. I think I should be more stressed out than I am. I mean, I don't feel super stressed. Greg might be able to tell you otherwise... but maybe it's just not hitting me yet?
Greg's knee surgery, now the blood clots, TONS of hospital bills - and more to come after the delivery... I have to pack up most of our stuff (except what I think I'll need for the baby, me, and Aimee for the next few weeks - but not so much that I can't take it all on an airplane). I'm going to have a baby by August 10th/11th for sure... my husband will be driving across the country without me in 2 weeks, and I'm leaving the place I've called home for the last 4 years in just another month... not to mention getting settled and situated in a new place with a new baby and a 2 year old.

Yeah. Lots going on.

But I feel really blessed. I know the Lord has been guiding and directing us. He's blessed us with amazing family members and support. I know we'll get through it all - somehow!!

Really, I meant to start this post to jot down some of the things that Aimee does lately - before I forget. She's changing so fast!

Lately, because of my large baby belly I make the more-than-occasional grunt or sharp intake of breath. ANYTIME I do that within earshot of Aimee she asks, "Mommy what happened? What happened mom?" And if I don't give her a satisfactory answer, she asks again - but uses this growly monster voice! It's so random!
Also, when I'm frustrated with her (which happens frequently these days) and tell her not to do this or that, she looks at me, makes "claws" with her hands and growls at me! "Raaarrrww!!" What the heck?! Makes me wonder if that's all she hears when I scold her.

There is lots of "Doo-do-do-doo-Doooora" watching at our house too. We DVR the show. Probably a bad idea. She knows if you have the remote "shmote" you can turn Doooora on. And if I won't turn it on - she begs Poppy to! "Come on Poppy, come here" as she pulls him by the hand to the TV. "Where's the shmote, Poppy? I watch-ah Doora!"

She's already not doing this as much, but it's so sweet when she does. If she's in a cuddly mood sometimes she will take your face into her hands and say, "Oh, I love you soooo much!" It's one of my favorite! I think she learned to say it like that from Nanny.

She wears her emotions on her sleeve. When she's excited, she'll let you know! I love when she squeals/screams with joy! With just as much energy, she'll let you know when she's angry. Tantrums are a normal occurrence these days. They are explosive, but usually short lived. And this girl can pout. My father in law told me that he feels sorry for me when she's a teenager. Don't I know it!



Eating raspberries we picked from the yard. She stuck her whole face in the bowl... like a dog. That's my girl!






Saturday, July 24, 2010

Happy Birthday Greg!

Happy birthday love! So while in Provo, we've taken advantage of Tucano's birthday club promo - for a few years now. Buy one meal, get one free! Endless tasty meats and buffet for under $8/person (if you go during lunch) and something like $12/person if you go for dinner. Not too shabby!!

Tucanos throughout the years...

(Aimee at 6 weeks)

(At one)

And 2!


And some more pictures from our outing:



Aimee arguing with Greg about her middle name being "Jean". Greg was saying something like, "Is your name Aimee Jean?"
"No! I NOT Jean!"
Haha.



The arguing didn't last long. Aimee wanted to be held and Greg was making this goofy face with his glasses. Aimee thought it was hilarious.



I love my babies!


Oh and PS!! Congratulations Laura to baby girl number 2 this morning!!! I have like, zero details other than she's 8 lbs, 9 oz. Uncle Greggie is excited to share a birthday with you!!

Monday, July 5, 2010

The Infirmary

On June 30th Greg went in for his ACL (repairment) surgery. We dropped Aimee off at Greg's cousin's house. (And I just want to say right now, Rebecca, Geoff, THANK YOU so so so much for watching Aimee all day!)
Anyway, we were asked to be there by 8 am. We were actually early, so go us. But then we spent most of the time waiting... and waiting and waiting. Who knew that waiting could be so utterly exhausting??
Greg got to have his leg shaved (the leg-shaver lady was really nice and funny) and an IV put in... and that's pretty much all that happened until around 10. They took Greg back to get a nerve block in his leg and I got to go with him for this part. Then we waited some more. Greg started to doze and I don't know if it was because I was already tired, not to mention pregnant, or a combo of both - but I cried. Yes, and I totally couldn't help it. A nurse came in and brought me a box of tissues and chatted with me for a minute, I think to help me feel better. It wasn't like I was scared that the surgery was going to go wrong or anything...

Anyway, they told me it was time to say goodbye. I gave Greg a kiss and off he went.

Then more waiting.

And waiting.

Greg probably went back into surgery around 10:30. The doctor told me that the surgery should only take about an hour. So after about 2 hours of waiting for them to wheel Greg into the recovery room - I got antsy. I finally asked a nurse what the hold up was. She went to check and it turns out that my husband has a very low tolerance for pain. Either that or the surgery is super painful. Probably both.

They said that he wasn't handling the pain well. They gave him morphine and had to wait to see how he'd react. Apparently that wasn't enough because they gave him 2 percocet (sp?) and had to wait some more. They ended up bringing him back into the recovery room around 1pm anyway. Poor, poor, Greg. He was miserable. And really out of it. I gave him sips of sprite, tried to make his leg comfortable... there isn't a whole lot you can do.

More waiting...

Oh, they gave him a shot of demoral (sp?) too! I thought, there's no way we're going to make it into the house, he's SOOO doped up!
In the midst of all this Greg told me, "Thank you. I love you so much."
And then there was some more tears on my part... I was on a roll.

After chatting with the doctor (who said everything went super well), and filling Greg's prescriptions, we finally got the OK to go home!

When we were all home and settled, I think I cried a little more. I was so exhausted. I don't know the last time I've felt so drained in my life. The day took its toll. Aimee was pretty wiped out too. She didn't nap that day - but that only meant a nice and early bedtime for everyone.

Greg is doing pretty well now. He's had 1 round of physical therapy, which didn't kill him. I was surprised. Everyone had us braced for the worst. He's getting more mobile everyday. Which is a good thing, because it won't be long before it's his turn to take care of me.

Here are some pictures the day after surgery. Aimee was Greg's little buddy. She would cuddle right up next to him. In this one, she put herself down for a nap :)



Another shot... you can see the brace we call "ro-bo" leg.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Cousin Days!

Last week, Greg's sisters and their families came up to visit us! Ryan went to the temple and spoke in our ward last weekend. Greg and I also were asked to speak. This was also kind of a "don't know when we'll all be together again" visit. (Sad!) Laura is due to have a baby later this month, then Ryan leaves for his mission in the beginning of August, my baby comes mid-August, and by September, we move! We tried to squeeze in as much fun as we could. Took all the kids swimming A LOT (but not once did I think to bring my camera - of course). I did take a few other random pictures and tons of video while they were all here.


The girls hanging out in Aimee's bed

All the babies and Poppy. Notice Aimee is throwing a royal fit.


Playing under the giant parachute


Aimee and Breanne swapping popsicles


Even Greg's cousin's baby Kirsi got to visit!


Addison, "I looooove popsicles"

I'm not sure when we'll all get together again. I think we're really fortunate to be able to see each other as often as we do. I think for most people, you move away once you start a family - whether for work or for school... that's how it was for my family anyway. But I really love that Aimee has been able to develop relationships with her cousins. I'm determined that it won't be 3 whole years before we're all together again! That is way too long!

Party Pictures

I have neglected to upload pictures from Aimee's birthday - so here are a few.

In her Toy Story chair... looking like such the little lady

Presents = Pure Joy

Tasty cake (thanks Steph!)

Aimee is quite the Dora fan

Hand over the presents, dad.


Thanks to all the family that came and helped out! Aimee thoroughly enjoyed her birthday!

An observation

What do this:


And this:


Have in common?


Well, according to Aimee, this common bath-time hairstyle is known as "temple head."

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to some very special fathers in our lives...

Aimee and Poppy
(Any time Aimee hears or sees a motorcycle, she calls it a "poppy-cycle")



Aimee and Papa
(More recently known as "panda" papa)




And a very special Dad indeed...








Daddy loves Aimee "doot-dee-doot-dee-doot"
Aimee loves Daddy "doot-dee-doot-dee-doot"

Happy Father's Day B!! I love you.