NICU Grad Party

Last night was the annual NICU grad party and the kids had a lot of fun again this year. It was very busy and a little crazy at times but it turned out to be a good time.


This is the photo they took at the party. I had to scan it into the computer. I can't believe how good Nikki and Garrett are smiling. And all 3 of them were looking at the camera! I love this picture!

Yay, they get to color on the wall! Okay, not really...just the paper that was taped to the wall :)

Time for some fishing!

Our little ghost had a ghost painted on her face.

Jack having lots of fun sucking on whatever he can find. And he loves that his grandma is holding him.

They decorated their own cookies and Nikki is loving hers, except you can't tell by the look on her face in this picture.

Everybody loves a slinky! Garrett had fun decorating the cookie but he didn't want it so Gma Laverne and Mommy shared it.


So we came home with a few little toys, candy, a bike helmet & t-shirt for Garrett, and a first aid kit. That's right, they had a raffle and I was the first winner of the night and won a first aid kit. I think it will go great in one of our 72 hr kits at least. I was happy to win something but a little disappointed that I didn't win something better like Roaring Springs passes, Anniversary Inn, Scentsy products, train ride, etc. etc. But at least I won something.

Hospitals and Airports

At the Hospital
Yesterday was a long day for us. After waking up every hour and not getting much of any sleep I had to wake up at 5 am to get over to the hospital by 7am for Garrett to have his cath procedure done prior to his surgery. They had to go in through two different areas to get to his heart and lungs to take measurements of pressures and flows of the blood so they will have a better idea of what they need to do with his final surgery. They went in on his neck and his groin.

They gave him his mask to play with before they started anything. He put stickers all over it and then he chose a strawberry scented chapstick to rub on the inside so it would smell good.

He loved the smell so much he wanted everyone to smell it. He let the nurses, doctors, Jack, and me all have multiple turns putting the mask to our faces to smell it. Well, he's actually the one that put it up to everyone's faces. They also gave him medicine that helped relax him so he wouldn't care what was going on. He was so funny when they were wheeling him up to the ICU. He was just laughing and then starting to fall around. Acting a little loopy and drunklike. It was so funny to watch.

And this is him in recovery after they were finished.

Here's where they went in on his neck.

After having 3 popsicles it was finally time for some real food! Chicken tenders, Macaroni and Cheese, lemonade, and a chocolate chip cookie. He devoured most of it and I had a few bites.
I guess you could say we're getting a little preview and practice before the big surgery.


At the Airport
Sunday morning we went to church for about 40 min or so and then it was off to the airport to say goodbye to my dad who was flying down to Houston and eventually Iraq. I had to go home and change because the boots I were wearing were killing my feet. So I traded for some more comfortable shoes and jeans.

Jack with Grandpa and Grandma. Jack will be a bit different the next time Grandpa gets to hold him. Good luck Dad!

This and That

It has been a very busy week and weekend. Here are a few pictures of some things that went on.

This morning we had our Super Saturday at the church. These are two of the projects I did. There are two more that I didn't get to today so you'll have to see those at a later time.

I love these Halloween count down blocks. Nikki told me they were dirty and that she needed to wash them off. I kept telling her they are supposed to look like that. She's so funny.

This week Jack has graduated from his little baby tub to sitting up in the big tub and I must say he LOVES it. He just sits there and splashes his hands in the water and then sometimes he'll grab a toy and suck on it.

Garrett had to get an MRI done on Friday prior to the cath procedure that will get done on Monday which will be in preparation for his surgery in December. This is him after he woke up from sedation after the MRI. He was watching one of his favorite movies, "Toy Story 2" and eating a graham cracker. He did very well for the most part.

I bought two of these ghosts headbands at Savers for Nikki and Garrett to wear with their costumes. Jack wanted to try them on too. He won't actually need one because his ghost costume has a hood. But it was so cute on him!

Garrett was so tired he went and put himself down for a nap on the couch and this is the position I found him in. So cute!

Nikki had picture day at school on Wednesday so we curled her hair. I haven't curled her hair very often so it's not the best job but it looked cute anyway. We decided not to buy any pictures since they are sooo expensive and we have our own personal family photographer anyway :)

Birthday fun!

A week ago today was Garrett's birthday. On that day we decided to go out to eat with my in laws to help celebrate. His big party wasn't going to be until Friday and my in laws weren't going to be able to make it then. Anyway, we went to eat at Golden Corral. It was nice for the kids to be able to pick out what they wanted to eat and to have lots to choose from. They enjoyed it! Then after dinner we went back to our house where Grandma and Grandpa gave Garrett his birthday present.

A giant Toy Story coloring book!

Garrett and Nikki both loved it and immediately started coloring. Even grandma got down on the floor and colored for a little while. Thank you grandma!

And here is the birthday boy with his cake and balloons before his big party Friday night.

Family picture before the guests arrive.

The decorations!

My sister in laws with their adorable babies :)

Nikki and her cousins.

Everyone relaxing and talking. I think they were all having a good time.

Playing with cousins before the birthday celebration.

Licking the candles after singing the birthday song.

Time to open presents!

"To Infinity and Beyond!!!" He loves his new Buzz pajamas. He ran all over the house after he got them on with his arms spread out like he was flying. The next morning the only way I could get him out of his Buzz pjs was to get him into his new Buzz shirt. He also received Book of Mormon puzzle blocks, two green shirts, Sunday socks, a regular sized Toy Story coloring book, a toy phone w/Dash from the Incredibles on it, Woody and Spiderman action figures, 3 small toy boats for the bath, and new Sunday shoes.

A BIG Thank You to all who came and made this birthday special for Garrett!!