Noah's 1st Birthday(s)...Party #1

I am truly blessed to have met so many wonderful people this year. Looking back, I know my time spent away from home would have been so much more difficult had it not been for the many wonderful people I met while Noah was at Primary Childrens Hospital. That is why I decided to not only celebrate Noah's birthday here in Idaho, but also in Utah where so many people also love and care about my little Noah! I want to thank each and every one of you {you know who you are!} for your kindness and friendship...I couldn't have done it {without losing my ever-loving mind!} without all of you! :)

P.S. THANK YOU ABBY for all the wonderful pictures! You're the greatest!

Santa

Last week, a very special visitor came to Storytime at the Library! It was so fun to see how different kids reacted to Santa, and to hear what each one asked for! My funny men however, through Santa for the biggest loop I think! Any guesses what they asked for???

Ryder asked for a cow.....a real one. Seriously. :) Not sure how I'm gonna pull that one off. Maybe the old "The cow wouldn't fit in Santa's bag!?"
And Ridge asked for a tiger.....really. Hmmm....just had an Aha moment! How about Ridges tiger must have eaten your cow Ryder.....Shucks. :) I'm open to ideas if any of you think you have a better one!

Oh, and if you're wondering why the separate pictures, I kind of forgot I had three kids! Noah was off somewhere crawling around when the boys jumped in line. Oops! I couldn't get Noah to look at me, all he wanted to do was pull at Santa's beard and take off his glasses. :)

What if....

12/17/09 Noah's Birthday!!!

• Upon arriving at University of Utah hospital, there were numerous ultrasounds, consultations, medications, and monitoring, none of which were very promising. Our first ultrasound revealed a possible Diaphragmatic Hernia...not a good thing. The ultrasound guy asked if I was aware and had discussed it with my doctor, um..........NO! What the heck is a Diaphragmatic Hernia?! How will it affect my baby? What caused it? Is it life-threatening/treatable? Ultrasound guy..."Well, lets not jump to conclusions here, its just a possibility." Then why would you tell a mother {Especially, one dealing w/pregnancy-induced hypertension, i.e. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE!} anything in the first place?
• So 48 hrs {the amount of time the steroid shots for baby's lungs need to have the best affect} have passed and we are preparing for the c-section, when one of the doctors come and sits at my bedside and gives us about a 10 minute spiel on the problems our baby will most likely face throughout his life. Statistics, probabilities, and timelines for babies born at 25 wk gestational age are NOT GOOD. In fact, they are downright TERRIFYING! And when he wraps it up he looks right at Chase and I and asks us if we would like them to rescucitate our baby. Seriously. What if we had said no??? What if we didn't know God and had let fear make our decision? What if we didn't want to fight the fight we knew was coming? What if?
• And so we said Yes, we would like to give our baby every opportunity to live, because we believe that ultimately it was not our choice to make...Thank you GOD!

So we have a birthday, although I can't say it was truly happy. We welcomed Noah River McBurney. Just 1lb 3oz, and 12 inches long. Not breathing....the fight is on...


P.S. pictures of his birthday party this year are coming!!! {A Happy Birthday!}

A year ago today......12/14/2009

Little did I know, a year ago today our lives were about to be changed forever. Life as we knew it would cease to exist for what would seem like forever. The following is a summary of the chain of events that started a ball rolling that grew bigger and Bigger and BIGGER!

12/14/2009

I had a routine doctors appointment scheduled....that turned into a nightmare.

• Peed in a cup {a normal thing} Doctor McKinlay came in and told me I was spilling protein {4+.....a not so normal thing} He assured me it could be from something else, and lets not jump to conclusions....yet.
• Nurse took my blood pressure......it was high, like really, really high. 155/105 How I was not feeling or seeing any symptoms I don't know.
• Okay, we are starting to jump to conclusions. Dr. McKinlay says lets get labs and an ultrasound scheduled to make sure baby is still thriving and doing well.
• I go down the hall and get labs drawn...
• I have an unscheduled ultrasound next....no ones talking, no ones smiling, no ones happy.
  
• Dr. says while he waits for and reviews labs/ultrasound to go home and get off my feet, take it easy....
• I leave, grab a Chai tea {drive-thru} and head home....never made it.
• Dr. calls and says labs are not good {a gross understatement} and that baby is measuring 2 wks small. Only 4 wks prior baby was measuring term. Dr. also sees a reverse flow in the unbilical cord....also not good.
  
• Dr. says to turn around, drive {very carefully as my platelets were so low he was afraid that if I were to get in an accident there would be no stopping any bleeding} to the hospital, he had already spoken to University of Utah specialists and Lifeflight was on their way to get me.
• Turned around and heading to the hospital, still in complete denial. Make a phone call to Chase and say don't worry, they probably just want to run some tests and send me home, no don't come w/me, stay w/the boys and I'll be home soon. Ha!
• Arrive at Bingham Memorial and strip down to a lovely hospital gown and get the full workup.....IV, Blood Pressure, Fetal monitor, Steroid shots {for baby's lungs} and started on Magnesium. If you have never had the privilege to be on Magnesium, be ever so thankful. It's awful stuff meant to prevent seizures from high blood pressure but it makes one feel positively dreadful! Dr. McKinlay waited and visited w/me until Lifeflight arrived.
  
• Lifeflight arrives and I am transported via ambulance to our teeny, tiny airstrip in Blackfoot.
  
• To be continued......
  

We're home

in pre-op

getting dressed {which he hated...it might have been the worst part!}

killin' time

at the moment....

What a day! We left at 3 am this morning, surgery check-in was at 6:45, surgery at 8:15...

The drive was good, roads were clear the entire way. I left Noah and Ridge with Chases mom {Sheri}... Thank You Grandma!!!! It made the trip nice and easy to only have to get Ryder and I out of the house.

Ryder was amazing! He was so composed this morning before surgery, even in pre-op, where they go through details of the surgery...emotions got the best of him when the Dr. that was performing the surgery {Dr. Randall...who we see a few times every year, so Ryder is very familiar w/him} came to talk to us before surgery. Ryder saw him in full surgical attire, and told him that he looked weird today and that he usually wears gray pants! Ha, so funny! He started to get a bit teary but overall did so good!

Surgery was scheduled to take 1 1/2 hrs, but only took 1 hr....things went very smoothly. Ryder was very sleepy in post-op. I think alot of it had to do with the fact that we left home at 3 am! But recovered quickly and we left the hospital about noon I think...

On the road again

Getting ready to hit the road for Utah {Primary's} again. Ryders surgery is scheduled for this morning, check in is at 6:45 am! We should be in and out fairly quickly. Ryders spirits are high, and I feel he is going to do great!

Giblets and such...

WE FOUND THE GIBLETS!!!...while we were carving our perfectly cooked juicy turkey. I guess my turkey DID come with giblets, and its a good thing too. Because I paid way too much for my night before Thanksgiving, already thawed turkey...So giblets had better be part of the {not so good} deal!!! Even though they are NOT part of our Thanksgiving spread.

Funny story...Chase and I were talking about the neck {the turkey's} and Ryder and Ridge overheard us and being the wonderfully curious boys they are wanted to see "it". So I pulled it out of the garbage can so they could get a good look...In unison, as if on cue, they both take a few steps backwards....HILARIOUS!!! You would have thought I was pulling a 15ft Python out of garbage or something.

Change of Plans

Wow...what a whirlwind the last few days have been! We are all home safe and sound. Our Utah trip had its ups and downs. We were supposed to go visit with friends (fellow NICU parents) and their sweet little flock in Heber....didn't quite work out. I am so bummed! Darn blizzards anyways! I ended up just making it to Ogden and staying with The Craguns an extra night. Thanks for that Chet and Abby!!!

Thanksgiving plans for us have changed as well. Chase and Ryder didn't get home until 7:00pm last night! We were supposed to go to Ancherie and Jeffs {Chase's sister and brother-in-law} in Boise, but with the weather, roads, time, and the fact that Chase has to haul another load of cows to California in the morning, it just didn't work out. Another let down.

But there is a silver lining in everything, and I am cooking Thanksgiving Dinner for my sweet little family at our home. I have NEVER cooked a turkey before...crazy, I know. So far, the bloopers have all been minor...I hope. I was told to make sure I take the little bag of giblets and neck out of the cavity.....Ummm, my turkey had no little bag of giblets....I don't think. I wouldn't reach in and check, but Chase did and found nothing. We even tag-teamed it and he held it open while I shone a flashlight inside...still no bag. So we stuffed it...

To be continued..................

Wish me luck!

I'm headed to Utah for good fun, good company, and the PARTY OF THE CENTURY!!! Miss Lucy B. Cragun (Noahs NICU neighbor) is turning 1 and we are gonna get our party on! The roads at the moment are NASTY! All the way...so if you can, keep us in your prayers! Chase and Ryder are also on these AWFUL roads but going a different direction so maybe send a couple of prayers their way too! Thanks!

Saturday night fun!

Saturday night we took the boys out bowling and {surprise} root beer floats afterwards! What an event bowling turned out to be...we went with some good friends, Tyler and Blanca. While trying to pick up the infamous 7-10 split, Tyler fell SOOO HARD it ripped his pants, skinned up his shin and he thinks he chipped his elbow............We were bowling people!

Noah River...

Noah LOVES to be in the "walker"! It is so fun to watch him cruise all around the house. He has gotten really good at learning how to manipulate it to go in the direction he wants to go!

Halloween fun...

Just a few random pictures from the 30th {Trunk or Treating} and the 31st {Costume party}...I made these delightful {and pretty healthy too...} pumpkin cupcakes!

I LOVE this child of mine!!!

This is Seriously one of my FAVORITE sounds in the whole world...

Husbands...

A conversation during lunch today...


Me: I ran to Walmart today for 2 {important} things, A bag of candy for Ryder's Halloween Party, and Tampons...and would you believe I forgot the tampons!

Chase: Wheres the bag of candy???

Really? That's your concern? Husbands.

Sigh...and a miracle.

Well we are back from Utah...AGAIN. More appointments for Ryderman. We have a new surgery date for his legs....December 2nd, if all goes well and he does not have any more relapses from the Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome. Its a double-edged sword. On one hand, the steroids he is on alleviate the negative side effects of the kidney disorder BUT... on the other hand, steroids are also an immunosuppressant, meaning it weakens the body's ability to fight off infections. And infections {i.e. colds, flu, etc.} are what trigger the relapses of the kidney disorder. Which is what has happened again.

During our ortho visit, the x-ray of his legs showed his left leg {the shorter one} caught up to the right leg by almost a 1/2 inch in 4 months! Amazing!!! There hasn't been that much growth EVER! It is still significantly shorter {1 1/4} but we are definitely seeing progress! Thank you all for your continued prayers, we are definitely seeing God's work in our lives!

Noahs black eye...

While playing a couple days ago, Noah fell face first on a lego...the result??? A bit of a black eye. :(

ADORABLE & COZY COUNTRY HOME...

Well, we finally put our house on the market. Kind of exciting...at the same time, most of you know we have absolutely no idea what our next step is going to be. I don't "roll" like that people... I need to have a plan!!! If you would like to check out our website for our home for sale, visit www.pingreehome4sale.blogspot.com. We are trying to sell it ourselves. And as an added bonus, guess who gets the 6% that would have gone to the realtor if we do...ME! For WHATEVER I WANT! {at least that's what I am being told} we'll see...

Following in dads footsteps...

Isn't it amazing that a 40lb child can control a 1300lb animal!? Unbelievable! Ryder has become quite the little horseman lately. He swindled my horse {the one pictured above} from me and hasn't looked back since!

Our Jack-Jack look alike???

The other day at Primary's, sitting in an office, a lady pointed out that Noah looked liked Jack-Jack from the movie THE INCREDIBLES. I have to admit, there are striking similarities! What do you think???

Oh, where to begin???

What a week we have had. We celebrated Chase's birthday on Monday with dinner {Chase's choice...Sweet n' sour meatloaf, baked potatoes, & green beans...Mmmm!} and cake. It was a great evening spent with close friends and family. Happy 28th Birthday Love! ;) You're the best!
After everyone left, Ryder approached me and out of the blue says, "Mom, I am sure glad they are going to fix my hydro-seal when I have surgery because its been bothering me today..." So I say, "Let me have a look buddy..." Much to my dismay, it wasn't the hydro-seal, but a relapse of the Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome. He was swollen in his groin area again, but not nearly as bad as back in April when he was first diagnosed. I started him on the steroids again, and we headed to Utah anyways the following morning {Tuesday} as planned, as Noah had an appt. as well, and I wasn't sure if it was going to be a deal breaker for surgery. Long story-short, Ryders surgery was cancelled until he is off the steroids {hopefully early November...}. We met with a nephrologist {kidney specialist} Thursday morning and he was very optimistic and reassuring...I liked him.
As for Ryder, he is doing remarkably well considering all he has been through. He is amazingly resilient and strong. He is still swollen and therefore pretty uncomfortable because of it, but is in good spirits otherwise.
As for Noah, his appointment went awesome! Dr. Barnhart was very pleased with everything and cleared him for good! He said unless we have concerns in the future, we don't need to see him again. Yay!
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support of our family. We are so thankful and blessed to have such a wonderful support system around us in trying times like these. :)

"Harvest"...

r



So many kids these days don't know how to just play. Watching Ryder and Ridge today playing "harvest" outside, I was overwhelmed at their amazing ability to just play. They are so creative! I had to take some pictures to share...notice the little rock "eggs" in the eagle's "nest". {The paper in the nest is a little eaglet in an egg cutout the boys made at the Library.} And yes, they are playing with real grain! I love, love, LOVE these kids of mine! :)

Life is good...

Noah today...

- 9 months old

- 12lbs 4oz

- Currently still toothless and hairless! {Boy, that doesn't sound cute at all.}

- Freely exercises his right to freedom of speech...or should I say freedom of "screech"!

- Can roll over when he wants to, {NOT on command!} :)

- Will sit unassisted for about 5 minutes, but usually ends up in a fall, looking at the ceiling, wondering what just happened!? :)

- Loves any and all kinds of food. Some favorites are bananas, carrots, and oatmeal!

- Loves, loves, loves his big brothers! He will get feisty {hard to believe right?} when he can hear them but can't see them!

Its that time again...

We've known its been coming, but it always seems to come too fast. It is time for Ryder to undergo surgery once again on his legs. Our scheduled surgery date is September 30th at Primary Childrens Hospital in SLC. This time around, he will also have a hydro-seal repaired on his groin...ouch! As for his legs, Dr. Randall will be removing the top two screws on the eight-plates* {description & pictures below} on his right leg {the healthy "normal" leg} to allow those growth plates to "breathe" for awhile, and placing a new eight-plate on the distal growth plate of the left knee, as Ryders' left leg is beginning to grow unevenly again, causing it to bow...Phew!



*Guided Growth™ can harness the robust potential of a child's growth plate to correct angular deformities. The eight-Plate^® from Orthofix is a minimally invasive, secure implant that allows speedy postoperative recovery with immediate weight bearing. The eight-Plate uses two holes and diverging screws to function like a hinge and avoid growth plate compression. It gently guides the natural growth process and restores limb alignment without the need for invasive osteotomy.



We are planning on making this a fun trip to Utah before Ryders' surgery. One last Hoo-Rah if you will! :) We are going to go down a couple days beforehand and go to the Hill Aerospace Museum on the 28th, and on the 29th Noah has a 6 month post-op follow up appointment with Dr. Barnhart {Yes, at Primary Childrens...} in the morning and afterwards we are planning on going to Hogle Zoo with friends! The boys are so excited! Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers in the coming weeks.

Fair Week

I love the fair. The boys love the fair. Chase LOVES the fair! All responsibility goes out the window for fair week. I'm talking skipping work, skipping school, the house is a disaster by the end of the week, kind of love...that is how much we love the fair.

I have worked at a food booth at the fair for 8 years called Van's Diner. Some close family friends own it and I love to go and help out every year for a change of pace {fast pace!} This year was no exception! After my wonderful Labor Day Weekend Camping trip with some good friends from Utah {will blog about that later...} I spent Tuesday-Saturday working selling curly fries, deep-fried cheese curds, burgers, and paninis!

Every year, there is always some vendors that insist on selling the some crazy food concoction, and this year did not disappoint! Some of the most memorable were Chocolate-covered Bacon {I think I just threw up in my mouth...again.} Deep fried Snickers, Oreos, Twinkies, and Cheesecake....has anyone had a heart attack yet?! But all the buzz seemed to revolve around the "Bullseye Burger" what is so special about this particular burger you may be asking? Well let me tell you...It is a Bacon Cheeseburger with a donut for the bun. And I'm ashamed to say I ate one {well, part of one} and kind of liked it...Okay, I liked it alot! Don't judge Me! You know your wondering what it would taste like!

Ryders first day of 2nd grade!

Today was our first official day of school. {Our 3rd year homeschooling for those that don't know} It was fast and furious, but kind of exciting too! Ryder wont smile or admit that it was a good day, but it was in fact a good day! :) There is definitely going to have to be some scheduling kinks to work out. I kind of "forgot" to put Noah down for his mid-morning nap and set him down to help Ryder on the computer and turned back around and Noah was sound asleep on the couch!

P.S. Ridge is totally into school! He was right in the middle of things today...making his own school "schedule", counting pennies, "writing" in his journal, and singing the Alphabet!

Noahs' new "trick"...

Fun times!

Noah and Lucy B
Kent, Lucy, Noah and Layton


A little behind on this post, but better late than never. A few weeks ago, Ryder had an appt. at Primary Childrens Hospital in SLC {more on that coming} and we also got to stay and visit with our good friends Chet, Abby and Lucy B! Abby hosted a NICU Barbecue that was way fun! Ryder and Ridge had so much fun! And it was great to see fellow NICU graduates doing so well!

Whoever thought I could do this was out of their ever-lovin' mind!

Before...
After...




We are fast outgrowing our little "starter home". We have decided to sell, but have no real concrete plans as to where to go or what to do. {Crazy, I know} There are a few areas of my cute little home that are not so...cute. So we are doing some repairs to make it more marketable. Our bathroom {yes, the only one} for instance...Has a {not so} beautiful mint green bathtub. The toilet and sink were also the same color, but were fixed a couple years ago on account the toilet "bucked", but that's another story we won't get into...Anyways, we had to refinish the tub instead of replacing it because the doorway is very small and we weren't going to be able to get a new one through it. It also did not have a shower...WHAT!? No, its not a typo...I have lived here 6 years without a shower. So I was nominated to refinish the tub. Bad idea...Ryder took a bath in it today... {we had to wait 72hrs after it was finished so be thankful if you haven't seen us lately! Phewee.} and told me that we should have had someone else refinish the tub because it doesn't look so good. {kids are so brutally honest!} Nevertheless, if you don't look too close, it appears to be just white...not white with greenish undertones! :) And yes, we also installed a shower...FINALLY. Who in their right mind would buy a house without a shower anyways?!

Simple pleasures

Who doesn't love raspberries??? When we bought our house 6 years ago, one of the first things I did was plant some raspberry starts! The boys and I love to get up and pick them first thing in the mornings. One of my favorite ways to eat them is on vanilla ice cream...Yummy! I would love to hear what some of your favorite ways to eat them are!