Happy Easter

I took the boys to see the Easter Bunny yesterday. As you can tell from the picture...they weren't very excited to sit on his lap. They were excited to wave at him from a distance :)

Play Date

We had some friends over to play and have lunch with us. It was a blast!

This Week...

We've been enjoying the warm weather from the comfort of our beautiful backyard!

Another Surgery

Dusty has had a hernia for about 10 years and decided to have it repaired on Monday. The surgery was at San Antonio Hospital and I spent the day with him. I think I'm getting more "Operating Room" time than most first year residents. However, this surgery was fairly easy. Dusty is a champ and was ready to go home about 1 hour after the surgery. He felt so well he even created a happy face with all his Hospital Garb just before we left. Dusty had to take a week off from work. So, I am enjoying the week at home with my 3 guys, loving all this time together!

Before

After

Happy Face

So What Happens Next?

Yesterday Lincoln had a post-op appointment with Dr. Ishiyama, his surgeon. He said Lincoln is healing great! We were able to remove the bandage around his head which brought much relief to Lincoln. He is left with a 3 inch, C-shaped incision behind his right ear.

The doctor asked us not to bath him until Monday, so needless to say, Lincoln has been rocking a very greasy bedhead hairdo the past few days.

The next step is "Activation Day." On April 2nd, we will meet with Lincoln's audiologist who will turn on his cochlear implant. We were told that a baby or toddler may cry from the sudden shock of hearing things, or may simply be bewildered by the experience. We do not expect too much at first as we need to give the brain time to get used to processing new sounds. The device itself was inserted and working correctly but it is up to each individual to determine what they make of the implant. It will be about a year long process of adjustments to the software and classes to for both Lincoln and myself to teach his brain how to use the implant correctly. However, we are really excited for this next step and I will be sure to keep you updated on our journey.

Wordless Wednesday at Lucilles

Surgery Day

Yesterday's cochlear implant surgery went very well! We checked in to UCLA at 6:00am in the morning. We read books and played with Lincoln, distracting him from his hunger pains.

By 7:45am Lincoln was taken into the operating room. He was so brave and was happy to be held and taken in by a very pretty Anesthesiologist. Dusty and I waited in the waiting room for two and a half hours, biting our nails. About 10:00am the Surgeon came out to tell us that the surgery was done and everything went great. He said Lincoln did very well and was waiting for us in the recovery room. When we got there, he was slightly awake and very unhappy. For the next two hours we held him and tired to keep him happy.

He has a turban looking dressing on his head that will hopefully stay on till Friday. With his hair sticking out the top, he reminds me of a troll. Around noon we were discharged and able to head home. Although we were exaushted and thankful to be going home, we couldn't believe they were sending us home so quickly - like being in a factory. Once Lincoln was in the car he was much happier and slept the whole way home.

At home, Lincoln was starting to feel the pain. He was prescribed Tylenol (that's it? Are you kidding me?).

We loaded him with pain meds and within a few hours he was back to his normal self - crawling all over the house, up and down the stairs, and that big cheesy smile!!

Thanks you for your prayers and happy thoughts! We are so relieved to have this day behind us.

The First of Many

Gavin and Lincoln made their first trip to Disneyland this week. I had a wonderful time and was so excited to take them. My Mom went with me and bought me an annual pass. My sister Melissa, her husband Eric, and their two kids Evan and Macy joined us too! I've been waiting to take the boys until the were old enough to really enjoy it. They had a great time but I think it was still a bit overwhelming for them. They were in a trance just taking in all there was to see. We went on a few rides like: Pinocchio, Snow White, the Jungle Cruise, and Buzz Light Year. They had the most fun running around in toon town and checking out all the other kids. WE can;t wait to go back!!

Highlights from my 29th

Thanks to my hubby I am addicted to Rock Band

I'm now 10 lbs heavier after devouring this beautiful cake Les made for me

I'll be hanging out at the Happiest Place on Earth all year long, thanks to my parents

Loved hanging out with my family

Thanks to all my friends and family who helped make my 29th birthday special!