Bandages are off!!!

The bandages are off and the hair has been washed...whoo-hoo!!! The ear is still VERY swollen and hopefully over the next few days the swelling will start to go down even more and the ridges of the ear will start to show through. Remember we are ONLY 1 week post op. Nathan is sooooo happy to have that bandage off, and I don't blame him one bit. He is pretty impressed by his ear.....this first picture of him, he looked at it with me and was all smiles about those 2 (count 'em..1,2) ears.

Please pray for continued healing and a successful skin graft! And also add to that prayer list that the swelling starts to subside soon.

A Little Peeky Peek........

Into our Christmas 2009!!!!

We are so very blessed, is all I can say. Not only with what Santa brought us but most importantly with family, friends and the best gift of all....our precious Lord above. I hope this post finds all of you enjoying this holiday season and remembering what CHRISTmas is really all about......with all the toys, food and chaos that comes with this time of year, I know I am guilty of sometimes letting the "big picture" slip out of sight. But what a great day to celebrate a special birthday.....Happy Birthday Baby Jesus! Enjoy some pics from our Christmas morning.

Nathan's new pride and joy, The Green Machine III!

Wilson got that "monster truck" he has been asking for..........EVERYDAY!!!

We then headed to Nina and Papa's for a yummy Christmas brunch and more presents.

Look at this little love bug........My little B.B. (a.k.a Baby Bradley)

Stirling: "Hey Wilson, whatcha got over there?" These two were a hoot.

Then back home to enjoy those Santa gifts!


This is definitely not part of the Dr's orders but we had to let him test it out!

Christmas Cousins!!!

Last night was not our "traditional" Christmas Eve...............we usually have dinner with my family and either go to our church's Christmas Eve service before or after with everyone. But sometimes you just have to have a little change in your life............with Nathan just 2 days post surgery, awful weather, and my mom (Nina) under the weather we decided to play it a little low key. The Wilsons came over for a pizza dinner and Christmas cookies. The cousins had a BLAST..........I don't think I have seen Wilson and Stirling play so well together. It was so cute and the night was perfect! We missed you Nina and Papa! Hopefully next year we can ease back into that wonderful tradition that we all love. Merry Merry everyone!!!!

Nathan and Bradley

The two rascals...........Wilson and Stirling!

The ONLY picture of the four of them that was worthy of posting :) Rascal 1 and rascal 2 were not quite cooperative! Silly is a better word :)

"Night, Night everybody..............Santa is coming to town!!!"

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Cookies, anyone?

The little patient started off pretty pitiful today......this was so different than the other times, but you take what you get I guess. The only thing I can compare it too is a bad hangover (no mom, I have never had one of those *wink,wink* ). Imagine if you drank a fifth of liquor on a completely empty stomach.....you would feel like crap the next day. Well, remember he is 6 yrs old and only weighs 43 lbs, so imagine how bad he feels after all that strong medicine.

After he laid down and took a short nap this afternoon, I promised him that if he felt like it we would do some Christmas cookies --- in preparation for Santa tomorrow night. He got up and was a little bit more like my Nathan, so we pushed on with the cookie baking. He started out helping with the rolling and cutting but quickly decided he would just wait until the decorating part came around.................

This was more like it................

Wilson even got in on the fun.....check out that tongue......total concentration!

So as you can probably see below, I really let Nate take the reigns on the decorating of the cookies.........LOOK AT ALL THAT ICING and SPRINKLES!!!! If Santa doesn't have diabetes, he will after he leaves our house tomorrow night!!!!! Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!!

All Tucked In!!!

The first picture is how we started the recovery process................and look at that forced smile even through tears.
And this is how you can find him now!!!!!!!!!!! Now if I can just wake him to get the bed all turned back for us.

Actually, right after I took this picture he jumped up and SPRINTED to the bathroom............that's right, nauseated and sick (for the 2nd time, first one was in the car-9 miles from Auburn- dang it, we almost made it!). I don't know what is different about this time than the others, but the 1st two surgeries we never experienced this. Oh well, it comes with the territory so I just hope it is short lived. Please pray for a speedy recovery and GREAT results!

Round 3!!!!

Well, so far today has felt like de' ja vue...........but I guess that is to be expected. We should be total pros by now, but like last time, it doesn't get any easier sending your baby off with strangers all dressed with masks for surgery. The only thing we did different today was that I went back to the OR with Nathan, per his request. This was a little different for me, considering I am usually the person hooking up the patients and helping to take care of them.....this time all I could do was hold my baby's hand and tell him it was all going to be okay. He did good and I got through it with out any tears-----until I left the room. I stood with him and talked to him and as they put the gas mask on him, kissed him on the cheek and watched him drift off to sleep........it was something I will never forget. That image will be with me forever!

Now all we do is wait......he went back to the OR at 12:30 est time and Dr. Jones got started on the procedure around 1:30. He told us to be prepared for a 3 1/2-4 hr surgery. I will update as we receive news. Until then, enjoy some pics from yesterday and this morning.

Nathan and Rod showing off Nate's artwork/pics that are displayed in Dr. Jones's office.

The whole display----from Dr. Jones's pediatric patients with microtia! (Christie, look in the top left corner and you will see Nicholas's pic)

Waiting!!!!

And MORE waiting!!!!

ALL We Want For Christmas Is.................

A Successful Surgery!!!!!!

That is right, we are having Nathan's 3rd surgery next week................AAAHHH! right before Christmas. I know it's a horrible time of year to do it but we are hoping the excitement of the holidays will distract him a bit. We thought long and hard about our decision and decided that we didn't want to wait until after the school year and then ruin another summer of fun. The sooner this stage of our life is over, the sooner we can take that long awaited trip to Disney World. Have I mentioned that yet, after all the stages of surgery are over (we will have one more after this one) Nathan gets to take a trip to Disney World with just Rod and I --- leaving baby brother at home with grandparents.

This little fella has been such a trooper and although he is well aware of what is taking place next week he has enjoyed every aspect of the holiday season thus far. We will leave on Monday morning for the normal pre-op appointment with Dr. Jones that afternoon. And surgery is scheduled for Tuesday morning around 11:00 central time. Please keep us all in your prayers.

For those that don't know (note: if you have already heard what this surgery is all about, skip on down) what the Stage 3 surgery is, let me give you a brief run down ---that way I don't have to repeat it a million times in the next few days :) ................As most of you have seen or heard, Nathan right now has basically an "ear-beneath-the-skin" look on his microtia side. This procedure separates the ear from the head with a skin graft (that will be taken from his upper leg/hip area) producing a limited space behind the ear. He should be in surgery for approximately 3-4 hours.

Of all the stages of the ear reconstruction, the new ear is probably the most delicate and vulnerable after this surgery and therefore will require a strict 4-6 weeks "no major activity" recovery.

Specific prayer requests..........For Nathan's courage and bravery, for mine and Rod's anxiety and worry to be lifted, for Dr. Jones's knowledge and skill to be at its highest, for a successful surgery with no complications, for safe travels to and from Atlanta, for minimal pain afterwards, and for a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I hope each and everyone of you that takes the time to stop and read my blog occasionally to have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!

**Check back on Tuesday for updates throughout the day. Blessings!!!!

Christmas Programs!

Well, today proved to me how very different my two boys are! They both had Christmas programs at school. Wilson's was as entertaining as any 2 year old program can be. Imagine 40 2 year olds trying to sing the same Christmas carols......pretty amusing. Well, 39 actually because there was NO WAY you were getting Wilson to open his mouth and sing a single note. He stood up there for only 1 song (out of 4) and when I say stood, I mean stood ---he didn't even want to shake the jingle bell for the dang song. After that, he pretty much sat in his sweet teacher's lap. After the program we headed to their class party --- food and fun!

A little picture opportunity with mom and dad
After we finished at Wilson's school, I headed off to catch Nathan's performance. This is where the boys are so different. Nathan can't wait to sing some songs in front of an audience ---- he doesn't hold back one little bit.

Sophie, Isabel and Nathan

A little Feliz Navidad

And guess who our surprise guest was---------

PAPA!!!! Nathan was very excited to show his papa his talent :)

A little pic of puppy love on the playground :) I couldn't resist!

Santa Fun

Today after church we headed to Moore's Mill to have a yummy brunch and hang out with the Big Elf himself!! The boys were beside themselves. Not only did we get to have lunch with some sweet friends but we got to talk to Santa and Ms. Claus and take some pics. I love watching the look in their eyes (especially Nathan, since he kinda "gets" the whole idea) as they watch the "magic" of Christmas unravel. Of course, having them know the TRUE meaning of Christmas is the most important thing....I will say this, I am a proud mom of a 6 year old who last week in church (during the children's moments) raised his hand and said, "Christmas is all about Jesus's birthday". I love moments like that!

My 3 handsome guys!!!!

Me and my littlest man!

The Reaves....sweet Anne Reynolds was asleep in her car seat so we didn't bother her for a family photo op.

Santa arrives!!!!

My little Rudolph!

We even ran into the Baker Family!

The boys with little Miss Karlee.