Lincoln's Recovery

Recovery has turned out to be harder than we anticipated.  We were led to believe that Lincoln's pain would be minimal and that he could potentially be walking and going to school this week.  That has not been the case.
Friday went well but everything seemed to fall apart on Saturday morning (4:00 am) when Lincoln's pain woke him up.  Ricky went at 5:30 in the morning to pick up a codeine prescription which has turned out to really have no effect on Lincoln.  He's been on Ibuprofen round the clock since surgery. After several calls to the doctor on Saturday, it was decided that we should take off all of the dressing around his foot.  To our surprise we found what we later learned was a pressure wound.  He got it because the dressing was too tight.  It was the cause of his pain.  Once the wrapping was off, and we just had a band aid on the incision, Lincoln's pain seemed to be relieved pretty quickly.
Since Saturday, everyday has been getting better than the day before. Last night Lincoln took Ricky's walker from his back surgery and walked around the kitchen five times.  Tutus are coming tonight to spend time with Lincoln and help him with rehabbing his foot. We are very grateful and excited that they are coming. The goal will be to get Lincoln back in school next week.  More updates to come shortly.

 This is the incision on the outside of his right foot. 

 The pressure wound on top of foot at the ankle - its's the bluish circle.

 Lincoln trying to walk on Sunday. Daddy had to help him so he wouldn't fall. 

Walking on Monday night with the walker was much easier for him.

January Randomness

Here are some random things that have been happening around our house this month. 

Funny Story: Logan loves SpongeBob.  (Don't judge me.) We were driving in the car last week and were stopped at a red light. On the side of the street, out Logan's window was a Red Lobster restaurant.  Logan perked up and exclaimed, "Look, there's Mr. Crabs!" It took us a second to realize what he was looking at until we saw the red lobster on the front of the restaurant. It was so funny and neat to see him try and put the pieces together in this crazy world. 

 Logan used the word "fortress" all by himself without the prompting of anyone.  I had no idea he knew that word or where he learned it from.   We were sitting in my office and he said, "look Mom, I made a fortress."

I was sent some cake pops for my birthday that were just divine. I don't think I've ever had a better cake pop.  The boys loved them too - as you can see from this super cure and huge smile on Logan's face.

 Both boys got awards from school that got them free pizza and tokens from Peter Piper Pizza. We took them there one night to use their award coupons and they had a great time. 

 Lincoln made this picture of guys shooting arrows. 

 Logan's very first drawing from his first week in Sunbeams at church. 

Lincoln came into my office one day and made this picture for me. So sweet. 

January School Work

The boys have brought home a ton of different pieces of school work this month. I love to see what they've been working on at school and it's so fun to see their progress over the months.  Lincoln is busy passing spelling tests and Logan is busy learning how to write his name. Here are some pictures on their work.

 Logan's first attempt at writting his name totally by himself. 

They just finished a two week unit on everything "A"

 Logan during his nap at school. 

 They have also been learning about fossils. 

 Logan loves to paint and draw. 

 Another attempt at Logan writing his name. 

 Logan's monster truck. 

 The Arizona snowman. 

 Logan and his friend working with a pumpkin. This was 2012 but we just got the picture. 

Logan made us a cute little bookmark for Christmas. 

   Since school started Lincoln's never had anything less than a 100% spelling test. 

 Another spelling test. 

 Lincoln doing some artwork. 

This was a cute little drawing that Logan made for me. 

Lincoln's Right Foot Surgery

On most days an hour doesn't seem like a long time...unless your precious five year old baby is under general anesthesia. Then it suddenly feels like every second seems to tick slower and slower.  Lincoln went in for a planned surgery on his right foot this morning and we were away from him for an hour and a half. 

He was not happy when I woke him up at 5:10 this morning in order to get him to the hospital by our 5:30 am check in time. Once we got to the hospital he was already back to his pleasant self.  Lincoln was not happy that he had to wear a peach colored hospital gown. He said he looked like a girl and it took a lot of explaining, coaxing and negotiating to get him into it. We got him settled into his bed with some warm blankets, his teddies and his Nintendo DS and he was good to go. 

The nurses oohed and awed over how adorable he is. They even brought him a cute American flag Beanie Baby teddy to add to his collection. The nurses at the hospital were so sweet and good with Lincoln.  They dressed up Teddy in surgical garb and allowed Teddy to go though the entire process with Lincoln...even in the operating room. 

The surgery went very well. The Hyprocure implant was successfully placed and he is now on the mend. No running or jumping for six weeks. Yep, wish us luck with that one. If all heals well, we'll be doing this all again in a couple of months for his left foot. 

Lincoln was so brave and made the hospital staff fall in love with him. Everyone was so pleased with how we'll he did. Not a single tear was shed. He did everything he was asked to do. We are so proud of him.  What can I say, our little guy is a trooper!   

 Lincoln pre-surgery playing his DS and hanging out with Kelsie, Teddy and America. His DS kept him occupied for most of the morning as the doctors and nurses came in and out of the room to prep him for surgery. Kelsie is the classroom bear that Lincoln's teacher sent with daddy to bring to the hospital. 

 Lincoln pre-surgery and the x-ray of the foot post-surgery with the pin in it. 

 Post surgery he got to have a popsicle and ride in the wheelchair with daddy out to the car.  As you can see his foot is nicely bandaged up.

Happy Birthday To Me

The big 3-1.  I'm officially IN my 30's.  For some reason that is a lot harder to stomach than turning 30 was.  Oh well. Such is life.  So, in my attempt to remain young, I celebrated my birthday by going to Disneyland.  Mom and I spent a day there and the highlight was a special fun dinner at Ariel's Grotto. It was SO cold though that we actually left the parks a bit early.  The entire weekend was cold - apparently record breaking cold and of course it was over my birthday.  I'm pretty sure I ended up with frost bite on my cheeks and nose - as you can see from the pictures they were super pink.
While in CA I also got my hair done, met my friend Kim for lunch (I didn't remember to get a picture with her. bummer.) and spent a night with Calee and Mom.  On my way home I stopped and spent some time with Madison, Rachel and Teri. We had a great time at lunch and riding bikes on the beach in Balboa. It was a nice weekend but I did really miss my boys and was glad to get home to see them.

Thanks to my friend, Lisa, I had some sparkly Minnie ears to wear.  

 Riding the new tire ride in Cars land. 

 Mom and I laughed so hard on this ride because it kepts throwing us all around.  I can't wait to take the boys next time we go. 

 Ariel

I don't know why I like to take pictures on yummy food but I do.  This was the appetizer plates we shared.

 I would highly recommend the tri-tip dinner.  Delish!

 Mom and Aurora - taken specifically for our new little Aurora.  

My favorite princess has always been Belle. 

 Birthday cake.  I wish I could say that the desserts were good but we were so full from dinner we didn't even eat the desserts. 

 I [heart] Pluto. 

 Mom and Calee had never been to fondue so we went to the Melting Pot in Brea for dinner. It's one of my favorites!

We had a great time with lots of laughs and some fun memories. 

Me and Madison 

 We took a break from our bikes to walk on the sand and snap a few pics. 

 These pictures don't reflect how cold it really was but we had a great time anyway.  It was so fun for me to get to spend the day with them.

Teri and Maddie. 

Aurora Mae

Our year was off to a great start when our little niece, Aurora Mae was born healthy on January 3rd. Kolissa and Micah are working to adjust to parenthood. We are excited to meet this sweet girl this summer when we are up in Idaho.  These pictures are from her two day old photo shoot.

New Year's Eve

I don't think it's a secret that I'm a social person, I like to dance and I like parties.  My friend, Kareth, was throwing her annual NYE party again this year.  Mostly people from tennis attended. Ricky decided to stay home with the boys (his choice but he was super supportive of me going out) and I went with Bam Bam who didn't have a date to go with.  We had a fun time eating, dancing and just hanging out.

I'm excited about 2013.  There are a lot of milestones to come this year for our family.  Our 10 year wedding anniversary, Logan goes to Primary, Lincoln will go to first grade, I'm looking forward to a good tennis season and Ricky's Photography business will really get off the ground.  All of that in addition to many other things that will come this year.  Here's to a happy, fun, exciting and healthy 2013 filled with laughter, love and great memories!!