We have made progress!

ONE year ago today, we busily and anxiously packed things up and prepared to bring the boys home to Dexter for the FIRST TIME. It is amazing to think back and see how far we have come. I can honestly say that I did NOT know how difficult this year would be, especially the first several months but I know that was God's way of protecting me because I probably would have buckled under the weight (but isn't that how God works...he only gives us what we can handle at the time : ). We left our 'safe' world of the NICU and came home to a completely different world. We have had more people (not even counting family -although some feel like it now) in our home than I would have ever guessed. Preston did not know he would have his mother-in-law or sister-in-law living with him at most times for the better part of a year : ) We changed what was the nursery into a revamped hospital room. We (Preston and I) didn't know we would NOT sleep a full night in the same room again (except the times we get a night away).  But on a more positive note, we didn't know the friends we would make that otherwise would never have met. We didn't fully understand how blessed we are to have a one-of-a-kind family. We would never have guessed the amount of support we have received from family, friends, and the community. We have learned so much about the power of prayer and trusting fully in God's plan. We will never be able to thank everyone enough because it was not by our power alone that we survived this first year.

Carson's favorite nurses from the NICU

Ready for the ride home (a year ago)

And to see how much the boys have changed and progressed is truly a miracle! A year ago, Kellen was frequently just held and carried around. Carson was secluded to the nursery the majority of the day (because he needed the oxygen and humidified air that was only available in his room). His alarms went off several times an hour which required our immediate attention. He had to be suctioned approximately 45-50 times a day. We were supposed to trust nurses that we had never met before and someone stayed up at all times. WOW...we have come a long ways! Now, the house is quiet because the boys are both asleep but just a little while ago...Kellen was running around with Carson crawling behind. They were playing in the laundry basket trying to shake it side to side and laughing at each other. Carson is no longer on oxygen and is suctioned 10x or less in a typical day. God is good and I am so glad he gave us these TWO precious boys!

We had another small miracle...Carson went over 24 hours without puking!!! It has probably been two months since that happened. It's the small things that matter : ) The boys also made their second trip to the Petelo and they didn't get sick : ) YAY!

Lunch around Nana & Poppy's table : )

Kellen's favorite toy...Olivia (an old doll of mine : )

Look at this monster truck!!

Checking out the 'farm' with the guys!

Watching Penelope & Tuna...one of their favorite spots!

It was SO great to see some of my friends! Thanks for coming out to the house Erin!

Our favorite PJs

Reading books with Ra-ra

Back at home...Kellen is checking out the plumbing and Carson must be his assistant : )

Playing in the laundry basket...it didn't used to be such a tight fit : )

We have a date!!! Praise the Lord!

YAY!!! I got a call this morning from Cincinnati that we are down for Carson's first surgery Thursday, March 14th. This is actually earlier than we thought and will work out great because Carson should be recovered for Easter! This first surgery will include removal of the suprastomal granulation tissue (just above his trach), as well as a lingual tonsillectomy (removing excess tissue at the back of his throat). They are also teaming up with GI & General Surgery to close Carson' current Gtube site and will relocate it. This means that he will eventually be able to switch over to a button (a lower profile tube) as the new site heals, which also means less care required for us and less tape & 'stuff' on his belly.

SOOO...let the prayers begin for safe travels, good health leading up to the surgery for Carson and all of us, for the surgeons that will be working on Carson, and for ALL the other little details that go into traveling with Carson.

Please also be praying that Carson continues to get better. We are going on a week of Carson being sick : ( he is getting better slowly but surely. It is just amazing (& sad for Carson) but what is only a runny nose and very slight nasal congestion for Kellen is a full blown sickness for Carson. It is hard to understand what this is like for a child with a trach. It means, at times, suctioning his trach every 10 to 15 minutes, him not getting to wear his Passy Muir valve because his secretions get too thick, him coughing REALLY hard, and him not sleeping well which means Preston (or whoever is staying up with him at night) does not get much sleep either. Anyways, please be praying that he continues to feel better. He is now able to wear his valve for a few hours a day. You can tell he likes to have it on because he can then make noise : ) I think it is so much worse for Carson simply because when Kellen is exposed to a virus (say it is through the air) he inhales it through his nose & mouth, where Carson inhales it into his trachea so it starts out being deeper simply because of the entry point, if that makes sense. No doctor has ever explained it to me like that but it makes sense to me.

Here are some more pictures from the past weeks. Happy belated Valentine's Day also! We had a wonderful night...I made filet mignon, along with the sides, for Preston (Mom helped too : ). It turned out very well...Preston even commented at different points "I've had a lot of steaks and this is definitely one of the best!" "I think this is the best meal you have ever made me." I am so thankful that one, Preston is easy to please when it comes to food : ) but he is also very appreciative of the food I do make.

They LOVE books! (especially the one that has wheels : )

...and 'Spot' books

...and the whole box of books!

Papa's new contraption...HORSE rides! The camera's battery died before I got pictures of Cowboy Kellen

Trying out the mohawk (thanks to Aunt Ra-Ra - that's Sarah)

Kellen's 'do

Kellen loves running around without his clothes on...who cares that it is February?!?

Valentine's Day meal! I had some of the best Valentine's!

Checking out their personalized Valentine's Day cookies all the way from Kansas! What a sweet sweet gift!

Still Waiting...

Sorry it has taken me so long to post an update but I keep thinking maybe in a couple more days I will hear the ACTUAL date the next surgery is scheduled. It has now been over a month since we were in Cincinnati and they are STILL waiting to get confirmation from the three doctors on a date and length of time the procedure is likely to take. This means that we do not have a date set yet! If you can imagine, I'm getting a little perturbed and I'm sure the scheduling people are tired of me calling, but come one peeps....!!!!!!

The boys attended their first volleyball game this past week...Sarah and I have been playing on a park and rec team and were in the championship game last week. The boys did really well at the game...I wasn't sure how it would go considering the loud noises, buzzers, and such. We have just been plugging along...using the few nice days here and there to get the boys outside because they spend a good portion of the day standing or playing by the front door or standing by the window staring dreamily outside : ) They absolutely LOVE being outside!

The boys caught a little bug somewhere and where Kellen just gets a runny nose for a couple days, Carson has a cough and his secretions from his trach get thick. It changes the feel of the days because it is frequent suctioning and hearing Carson's cough just makes me hurt. Some of it is that the trach makes his cough sound even worse than it is and so far, he has remained pretty happy with his contagious smile on his face. But I am SO thankful that the boys have remained healthy for the majority of the winter...which is a miracle in and of itself. Although we don't leave the house much...there are lots of people that come into our home.

Here are a few pictures from the past few weeks!

Carson is waving again!

I may not eat by mouth but I know how to make a MESS!!!

Watching the Wiggles with Poppy!

Nana is showing Poppy how to do it : )

Cathy Ching got to stop by and meet the boys : ) Yay!!!

Tasting some of Mems' ice cream

Our two cool dudes! Check out those shades!

After Mommy and Aunt Ra-ra's game! The two best cheerleaders!