All is Well

Colton's surgery went off without a hitch today! It was an early morning (Parker and I had to get up at 4:30.... yuck) and we arrived at the hospital by 5:30 where we got checked in and did some waiting. Around 6, we went up to pre-op where they checked his heart rate and oxygen levels, Colton played with some toys, and got his surgery gown and hat on. They took him back to surgery around 7:30, then Parker and I had to play the waiting game. To help pass the time, we went down and got some breakfast and by the time we came back to the waiting room, it was only 20 before the doctor came to get us. Colton has two fistuala's and the doctor said they would do one, and if it went well, the would tackle the second one at the same time. Well, he said the one they did take out was quite large in comparison to Colton's size. He said it was around 3 inches long so he opted to just do one so Colton's body didn't get overwhelmed. The incision looks like it is about a half inch, to an inch long. Colton was really groggy after the operation and just wanted to cuddle which was so nice, seeing as he doesn't really hold still anymore. Parker and I held him the entire time he was in recovery, which was about 2 hours. We were able to go home around 11:30 and Colton took a nice long nap, well all of us took a nice long nap! He is back to his normal self the evening. He is EVERYWHERE! We love him dearly and are so grateful for the wonderful doctors and nurses who took such good care of our little guy!

Because they only did one of the fistula's, Colton will have surgery again in another 2-3 months. Until then...


Here we are bright and early in the waiting room before Colton was admitted.






































Here they are taking Colton's heart rate and oxygen levels in pre-op.






















We had a bit of a wait before they took him back for surgery so the nurse brought in this awesome ExerSaucer. It was pretty cool, it had piano keys under his feet.... he was just like Tom Hanks in the movie Big!

















Showing off for the nurses!






















Dressed and ready for surgery...... that hat didn't stay on long!






















I think he knew something was up.






















That was the nurse carrying him into the operating room.

















We walked into the recovery room and he was sitting on a nurse's lap. He took one look at us and immediately put his arms up wanting us to pick him up. It was so sad!

















Playing with dad in recovery.

















You can see the steri strips on his neck.






















Here is a close up of his neck. That strip running horizontal is about an inch and a half long.... I don't think the incision is quite that long.

















We gave him juice for the first time in recovery. He liked it and I think it was well deserved!

Tomorrow's Surgery

Colton has surgery tomorrow. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little nervous. I know everything will be fine, but what mother wouldn't worry? He has to be there at 5:30 and surgery startsat 7:30 which means we have to leave at 4:30! Awesome. Not only is it going to be a long day, it's going to be an early day! Surgery takes about an hour and then recovery is anywhere from an hour to three hours. They will monitor him as long as needed to make sure he is stable before we take him home. I will update the blog with his recovery as soon as I can! Keep Colton is your prayers.

Grandma's and Grandpa's

Colton loves his grandparents!

Also, Colton's surgery was bumped to this Thrusday. The surgeon had to have a surgery of his own (I guess he busted his elbow) and I will do my best to update the blog with the results of the surgery. Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers ahead of time!

My kid LOVES paper!

I think all babies go through a stage when they are fascinated with paper, and Colton is no different. I should really stop buying toys....... paper is far more entertaining to him. The only problem is that he loves to eat it too!

Babies, Babies, Babies

Candace (Frank) Duce, and Mackenzie (Krouse) Orgil, and I all had our babies within two weeks of each other! Candace and I actually had our babies on the same day, although Colton is older by about 10 hours (I think). Anyhow, all three of us have stayed in touch so we thought it would be so much fun to get together while I was in town. Although you can't tell in the pictures, Colton was quite a bit bigger than the other two babes, I don't know where this kid gets his height but I like it! It was a blast to have the babies together and it was even more fun for the moms to chit chat about baby stuff. Hopefully we can do this again soon!

These first two are the best we got of all three of them collectively. 

From left to right: Kristie, Colton, Will

Kristie wasn't too sure about Colton...

I think Colton was trying to get revenge!

I love that Kristie and Colton are staring at Will because he's crying. I don't know why but that cracks me up! Perhaps Will felt intimidated?

They Finally Meet

Gabe (as in Colton GABRIEL Lybbert) and Colton got to meet over Christmas break! Gabe is in the Army and he just returned home from Iraq right before Thanksgiving. It was such a treat to visit with him and his wife! Colton enjoyed all the attention and he really enjoyed meeting the man his middle name came from.

The whole crew.

Gabe, Amy, and Colton

Amy and Colton

Gabe and  Colton

Getting to know each other! 

Seminary Reunion

While in Washington, a friend organized a seminary class reunion. It was tons of fun however, we were missing three people. Two classmates and the teacher. We knew two classmates were not going to make it but the teacher bailed on us last minute! We all showed up to her house (where we were supposed to party) and there was a note on the door saying she was spending time with her daughter and grandkids. We were all a little bummed (and I'm not going to lie, seriously annoyed) that we weren't going to see our favorite teacher but we ended up going to a small coffee shop (ironic, since we drink sooo much coffee ;) ) that overlooked the sound. It was great to see everyone and catch up everyones lives. Til' next time!

A little unsure about each other...

Ryan said this is the first time he had ever held a baby. He was a natural.

Candace holding Colton. Candace has a little girl named Kristie and our kids were born on the same day!

Katie and Mallory.

Colton checkin' out Kristie.

The whole class (minus two and the teacher).

7 Months

Colton hit the seven month mark a few days ago! Colton has really gotten great at eating baby food, that has been an uphill battle for a long time and I feel like we have really hit a turning point! He loves carrots but really hates peas.... can you blame him? He is super close to crawling, he can get up on 2 arms and one leg but he always pushes himself backward. I am sure he will figure out how to move forward pretty soon. He is progressing and growing perfectly. We love him so much!

7 Months

6 Months

Sledding

With all the snow, we couldn't help but go sledding! There was a major shortage of sleds at all the stores but Parker called around and found a few at Big 5 sporting store. We picked up the sleds,  picked up Shelly, left Colton with Grandpa and Grandma B. and off we went to the golf course! For those of you in the Mukilteo area, this is on the golf course at hole #11 (also the One Club House Lane entrance, the middle one) and it is a BIG hill! Shelly and Parker had the best video's and here they are for your viewing pleasure!

 

Shelly and I at the top of the hill.

Char and Parker at the top of the hill.

Shelly waiting to go down!

Snow!!!

It was a white Christmas in Washington this year! We were all shocked with the amount of snow that came down over the period of a week. There were certain areas where the snow was knee deep! It was so fun to take Colton outside so he could see the snow, he liked watching the flakes fall but that was about it! My parents bought him a hat and gloves (you can't find hats and gloves in Arizona!) and I thought he looked too cute in them! The snow was certainly a special treat this year.

This is a picture of the street Parker's parents live on.

Here is their back table. I think the metal rim at the bottom is at least an inch and a half to two inches thick.

My boys!

Lookin' fly in Colton's new hat.

So cute.

Before Washington

The night before we left for Washington Parker opened his stocking. He can see the thrill on his face as he opened new dry erase markers for his coaching basketball white board! We just did stockings this year because we got to fly home to Washington which was an amazing trip! More pictures to come......

Watching Dad open presents. I think Colton looks super cute in this picture!

Look at the joy on Parkers face! He loves opening presents......