The best cousins EVER!

Mason, Tanner & Carter sent Ryder a post-op care package....ENJOY!

For those that can't tell what it is, it is a giant, black rubbery spider!

Another one down, and who knows how many to go......

Ryder had surgery again on Tuesday at Primary Children's Hospital in good ole' SLC.  His strength and self-control in such a trying time never cease to amaze me.  His surgery was scheduled for 7:30 AM with check-in (pre-op) at 6 AM!!! Arghhh! We packed up little brothers and they went to have a sleep-over at Grandma and Grandpas house (Chases mom and dad) so we could leave Blackfoot about 3 AM.....NOT COOL!
Ryder handled himself well up until we had to part ways...us into same-day surgery waiting room (via the Rainbow Cafe for some much needed chow) and Ryder into anesthesia with an uber cool anesthesiologist (he was a die-hard Denver Broncos fan!)  I think that was the moment it hit Mr. Ryder...he cried for a few minutes, then bravely pulled himself together, and headed into surgery...:(
Surgery lasted about an hour, and everything went well.  Only manipulations on his right leg this time (the long healthy leg)...a couple screws were placed back in the existing 8-plate in his leg, and two new 8-plates were placed on the lower part of the leg.  If you have no idea what I am talking about right now, refer HERE. 
We are day 3 days post-op, and he is getting stronger and more mobile every day.

Getting some stylish new duds :)

 In Recovery...he was SO sleepy, but I think he was faking us out because when I pulled open an eyelid, a fist swung up my direction!

 On the way home with his fruit punch slushy...

Greyson & Noah

These two bundles of energy were in the NICU together! During that time, it was near impossible for me to picture our kiddos out of the hospital and doing things like swimming together! I sure wish we lived closer together!  It was a blast getting to see you Newkirk Family!

A trip back home

When I think of my Opa {grandpa} I envision a Strong, Well-Respected businessman.  A couple months back, my brother called and informed me that Opa's health had taken a turn for the worse. He has since stabilized and is back home and doing okay. No solid "answers" from the medical professionals as to why. *Sigh* Incredibly frustrating! I have to tell myself its called "practicing" medicine for a reason!  Nevertheless, it got my feet-dragging behind to book a ticket for Noah & I {flying isn't cheap these days!} and visit.
We stayed with my brother Joe & his sweet family.  They were very accommodating and excellent hosts.  I am very glad I was able to go and see everyone.  Here are a few highlights!

Noah on Uncle Joe's Boat

 Noah and Cousin Koltyn

 Noah loved the airplane ride! He asked if I could put the tickle back in his belly...

 After take-off he slept the entire time! I had to wake him up for landing...oh ya! I was that mom :) You know you're jealous!

2012 Young Farmer & Rancher Summer Picnic {and kiddo rodeo!}

 

Fathers Day

A bit late, but better late than never right?  The boy LOVED making this card for Chase for Fathers Day.

 The candy bars are a bit wayward in this picture, but you get the idea right? We had a wonderfully relaxing day celebrating the BEST daddy EVER! Thanks Chase for all you do!

P.S. LOTS of catch up posts coming soon...

Doin' much better :)

Noah is doing SO much better!  He was on oxygen for a total of 5 day....5 DAYS PEOPLE! THAT was tough!  He has a bit of a lingering cough, and his follow-up chest x-ray last week showed some lingering "junk" in his right lung, but overall is doing fine.  He did however lose some weight...and on his tiny 22 lb frame, every ounce lost seems like a pound.  He seems so frail.  His doctor noticed too....UGHH!  I told him he was looking chunky {Relatively-speaking people! You had better not have the same facial expression right now that his doctor had when I used the word "chunky" in reference to Noah} before he got sick with Pneumonia.  My opinion was based on the fact that a few months ago I was having to roll the waistband on his swim trunks to get them to stay up on his little bum....and just before he got sick, we had gone to Lava Hot Springs {ahhhh...} and I didn't have to roll his trunks to stay up.  But now were back to rolling the waistband :(  And fattening him back up...any ideas or tips for me?