Free things!

I love free things!! I have been trying to save money lately and we are doing anything we can to save. So, I have been checking out lots of websites and have been getting lots and lots of goodies.

Today, Eric and I got free tickets to Tuacahn to see Aida! Those tickets are normally $25 each (those are the cheap ones, and the ones we got, but they were free!). I guess October is see a theater show for free. The tickets are gone now, but we are so lucky to go see it!

Eric also got free Jazz tickets today for the whole family. Ryan only lasted through the first quarter, but we didn't feel bad leaving because they were free. I think he didn't like feeling cooped up in a building. He especially didn't like the beginning when all the lights went out and they introduced the team. Ellie on the other hand didn't mind it at all, she loved the lights and the action. Although we didn't see much action because of how far away we were. We were less than 10 rows from the very top. But it was free!!

I really need to get a camera so I can take pics of all the fun things we are doing! If only I had my other one still!!!

I am so glad that I decided to have a private blog. I am not as worried about posting pics and updating on all the fun things we are doing!

We have season tickets again to the Utah football games. We LOVE going with Ryan and Ellie and have so much fun. As we were going to the game last week, Ryan saw the stadium lights and was so excited to go watch football. He immediately looked at Eric and I and said "Come on, Lets Go! Follow Me!" We (along with everybody else around) just died laughing. He is the funniest kid. Ellie was amazing at the game also. She didn't cry at all and was so happy to see everything going on. She is a very demanding baby. She is good, but wants attention and to be held a lot.

Our house is still on the market! If anybody knows anyone who wants to buy a cute little townhome please send them our way!

I'm going Private!

Yesterday I lost my purse! My wallet, cell phone, camera, etc. are all gone. I have spent hours today and last night taking care of little details, closing bank accounts...etc. Knowing that somebody has my camera with pictures of my kids and my drivers license I am completely freaked out! So, I am going private.
Please let me know your email if you would like to continue viewing the blog. I don't want anyone left out, but it creeps me out knowing that someone out there has my personal info! I'm going private in a couple days so please give me your info!

Updates!

So, I have been updated the blog today! Hooray for me. There are a couple of new posts after this one, all with pictures!

Ryan's fingers are healing so well. He uses them to play basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, football...what other sport is there? The finger that the surgery was on looks great! It will be interesting to see it when it is completely healed.

Eric had his golden birthday last week 09/09/09. We had a fun little party outside with our neighbors. It was so much fun to visit with them and spend time outside before the weather gets crappy! I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends/neighbors.

Some new news for us is we have our house under contract to sell. Closing is scheduled for the beginning of October. We have lots of packing to do! We are going to miss our house and neighbors so so so so much. I am not excited to leave, but we know that it's time.

My cute little Ellie

Ellie has been growing like a week lately and is SOO cute! She is just happy and happy and happy. She has the cutest little smile and we are so enamored with her. I just had to post some pics of her cute self. This is for you Haley!

Nikki

Nikki is my niece. Her and Ryan are like brother and sister! They see each other often, and bicker like brother and sister. We were helping Kara and Andrew move into their new place and the kids were upstairs "taking naps." Eric saw Nikki from just the forehead up and told Kara that she needed to see Nikki. So, Nikki came downstairs and we saw this! I literally couldn't keep a straight face. It was hysterical. I think the thing I love the most is her dress is unscathed! So S0 So Funny! Don't worry Kara, one day you can look back at this and laugh!

Ryans Fingers

I am so sad that I didn't take pictures of Ryans fingers before he had surgery. We were finally able to get some pics of it after his bandage came off, a week after his surgery! It's amazing how much better they look in these pictures than the day it happened. He was so funny and so willing for us to take his picture!

This picture was shortly after it scabbed over. Right now the scab has completely fallen off the ring finger and index finger. It looks great! I was worried it would be a little deformed, but it looks great. Thanks to Dr. Wang and her team!!

The Aftermath!

So, yesterday morning, Ryan had surgery on his left hand. We were told to be at the ortho hospital at 6:30 am, because they were going to fit us in and they wanted to do it early since Ryan couldn't eat or drink anything. We got there around 6:15 and the nurse came and talked with us and checked out Ryans hand. He said that they were hoping to get him in around 7:30 or 8:00, well the orders and paperwork took Forever!! so we didn't get in until around 9:00. They were so wonderful to work us in but it is so difficult keeping a hungry, tired 2 year old happy for 2 1/2 hours in a waiting room. The poor receptionist. It's also hard when there is a water cooler in the waiting room. Try keeping a 2 year old from trying to get a drink.
We were finally able to take him back and get him ready for his surgery. We got in the room and they wanted us to get him into his tiny little hospital gown (I wish I would have remembered my camera!). He screamed and screamed when I took off his basketball shirt. He HATED the hospital gown and just thrashed around. So, they came in and gave him some versed (I don't know if that is spelled right?), and within 3 minutes Ryan was acting like he was punch drunk! It was honestly hysterical. Lots of doctors and nurses kept coming in the room and talking to him and he would just look at them and give them some big eyes and a mischevious grin. The best part is when we laid him on the hospital bed and he started barking like a dog! It was classic!! It sure it made it easier for me to have them take him when he was happy. The anesthesiologist was very reassuring to me and Eric. She mentioned that her entire job was to be Ryans Mommy while he was in there and that he stayed completely pain free and safe. I knew that he was in the best of hands.
About an hour after they took him the doctor came out and said that his surgery went great. She said that they didn't end up having to graft any skin. While they were cleaning it up they actually realized that he had a nerve that was exposed. So, they actually pulled and stretched his skin and pulled it in to suture. They warned us that when most kids come out of anesthesia that they are really cranky! So, they came to get us so we could get him and it took us an hour and 15 minutes to wake him up. He was so tired! When he did wake up, he was so happy and was excited to put on his basketball shirt and have a drink of rootbeer! The nurses were just angels to him. One of them brought over 4 small stuffed animals for him. I asked his nurse if they saw lots of little kids and she said that they really don't, so it was obvious at that point why everybody just doted on him. Well, that and the fact that he is super cute, especially with his dimples!
So, we made it home and were able to get Ellie, Ryan was so happy to see Ellie (Thanks Amanda for taking her during the surgery:). We spent the day trying to keep him from running around too much, like that worked. Within an hour and a half of being home, Ryan had ripped his bandage off. So we will be going to the docs office today to have them rewrap it. He is doing so well though. I am so happy he is such a tough kid. I am currently telling him to stop jumping on the couch, so he can't be doing that bad right??
Thanks to all of you well wishers and visitors! Ryan has loved it and so have Eric and I. It makes such a difference to have the support of so many people. I couldn't go through life without it. Especially this past year!!!!!!! I love you all!

And we're off to the Emergency Room Again!

And it begins...
Yesterday, around 5:00, I was talking to my sister Sammie in the living room and Ryan was playing in the basement. All of a sudden I hear Ryan crying so I start walking to the stairs, then I hear the screaming and start running down the stairs. I enter the basement to find the treadmill on and Ryan behind it screaming. At first he looked fine and so I took the key out (how did he know where the key was? How to put the key in? How to turn it on???). I look at his hand and wanted to puke! The three middle fingers on his left hand were burned, badly, from the treadmill. I don't know exactly how it happened, but it happened. So, I immediately grab Ryan, without his shoes, and throw him in the car. Luckily Sammie was at my house and could help me with Ellie. So we finally get to the docs office in Draper, after 30 minutes of waiting with traffic...argh. As soon as the doctor looked at it, he said we need to go to Primary Childrens because the burn is way too deep (you could see the bone). So, we get up to Primary's, luckily Eric was waiting for us by this point. We get into the Emergency Dept and everybody is super surprised when they actually see the burn. Poor Ryan just screamed in the car, I can't imagine the PAIN that poor kid was in. We called Eric's parents to see if his Dad could help Eric give Ryan a blessing (my parents are out of town at Girls Camp), so they came up, gave him a blessing, and took Ellie (who had already had a blowout in the Emergency Room, so she was pantless ((I am sure the hospital was very impressed.)))
So after doctor after doctor came in. They took Ryan to get some x-rays done of his fingers, just to make sure none of them were broken. Thank goodness none of them were. The x-rays did show that the burn, burned all of the skin down to the bone and part of the joint. So, next we know there is a hand surgeon in the room. They came and looked at his fingers, looking concerned. They said that we could either follow up with them or the burn unit, but we decided if there was a problem while they were in surgery we would prefer to have a hand specialist in on it. They were so so so friendly and got us in early this morning (we need to be to the hospital at 6:30), They bumped some other patients because they want to small ones done first, so they don't need to go all day without food. So, more than likely Ryan will have a skin graft in a couple of hours. They will try to close it up, but don't think there is enough skin to do so. I'm just nervous about the anesthesia. They will, obviously, be putting him under and I am super scared to give him away. The surgery should only take 30-60 minutes. I can't believe how fast this is all happening. Poor Ryan looks like he has a boxing glove on because they wrapped it so big in the Emergency Room.
It kills me how much of a trooper Ryan is. When the hand surgeon came in the room last night, Ryan just put his hand out there for him to look at. He even pointed to where his owie was. He was happy to have so many batman stickers and be able to watch Cinderella and Ariel in the emergency room. What a day, and it has barely begun. So...if any of Haley's med friends are reading this and have some knowledge in hand, ortho, surgery, what am I looking at here???
I am very hopeful that things will go well tomorrow. The hard thing is the uncertainty and the recovery!
Hopefully, next time I write it will be with better news. But this could have been so much worse and we are so lucky that he is going to be just fine. It was his left hand, not his right (that he is prominent with), and it isn't going to be super noticeable. I just need to be done and try to sleep for an hour of so before we leave!

Yes, we are still alive!!

So many things have been going on this last month. I can't believe that it has been over a month since I last posted. This post is all over the place...just warning.

I have finally started taking pictures again, so get ready for picture overload.

Sorry, for some reason this picture is sideways and I can't figure out how to rotate it. I just loved this picture of Ellie and her cousin, Nikki.

Ryan had this love for the helmet one day, I love the one with the butt crack showing :)

Ellie's first smile caught on camera!! We soon after realized she had just pooped in the tub. No wonder she smiled!!

Update on Mom.

My Mom, since the last post, spent more time in the hospital and a couple of weeks at a rehab hospital. She is finally home and doing so well. She certainly is not completely better, but she is doing so much better. She is walking with crutches and sometimes takes a couple of steps on her own. Her neck brace came off and she only wears it while she is in the car. At therapy the other day the physical therapist told her that if her vertebrae that broke touched her spinal column it would have instantly killed her. It's amazing how she was protected. I am forever thankful to the emergency workers who were so gentle with her at the accident scene. So that is the update with Mom...

What is new with us??

Eric received his license!! He is now a practicing Architect...Congrats honey!

Ellie slept through the night last night, she went to bed at 10:00 and woke up to eat at 6:30. It was truly wonderful.

Ryan is well. We think he's had some allergies this year, are we surprised? He does seem to get everything and anything.

Eric's brother, Kevin, got married last week. Here are some pics from the wedding.

Here is a pic of our little family

Me and Ellie

Ryan

Updates

What a crazy couple of days!

My mom is still in the hospital and probably will be there for the next 4 to 5 days. They were hoping to move her to a rehabilitation center today, but there were problems with her blood oxygen levels. They took her in for more x-rays today to try to find the problem. They found 2 blood clots in her lungs. They are small, but nonetheless they are there. So they will be putting her on blood thinners to help. They also found that there was some damage to the spleen. So while she is on the blood thinners they will be monitoring the spleen closely, if it continues to bleed they will take her into the OR and remove the spleen. They moved her 2 days ago to a regular room, but they are moving her back up to the ICU today so they can monitor her more closely. I was really hoping we could get her home in the next week, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen. Although, she was able to move herself from her bed to a recliner with the help of a walker and an Occupational Therapist/Physical Therapist. That is a huge step, but the blood clots put her a step behind.

As for what is going on with us, Ryan has been playing at Grandma Jones' house the last couple of days, so we could keep him and Ellie apart so Ellie wouldn't get sick. It was nice to be able to take Ellie to the hospital and let my mom love her for a little bit. It will be good when she is out of ICU so the kids can see her again.

Ellie is just growing and it makes me sad to think that she isn't going to be a teeny newborn for very long. She is just too cute and captures the attention of anybody who gets a glimpse of her. She is sleeping pretty good during the night, considering she is a newborn. Ryan is still adjusting to a little sister, but he has been so good today. My wonderful neighbor Holly came over to day and helped me clean my house. I was embarrassed to have her see it, but it is so nice and clean now...thanks Holly! I just wanted to thank everybody for their calls and sentiments, it has been an extremely emotional week, especially since I just had a baby, and I am so thankful for such wonderful friends and neighbors and especially family who have been here when I need them.

I'll now attach some cute pics of my little family!!

This is going to be a long one!

To preface this entry...
I am writing this more for my own memory (because I suck at journaling). I am not writing this to get pity from anybody, only to document for myself this day!

Last night Ryan started coughing around 12:30 am. It was a nasty croupy cough and he had spiked a fever. I immediately got paranoid. How could Ryan get sick right now? I have a 5 day old baby at home. He cannot get her sick. I sat in bed crying a good chunk of the night. Eric slept on an air mattress in Ryan's room because we didn't want him near the baby.

So, in the morning, we decided that we were going to take him to the doctor. We did make it to the ward Easter Egg Hunt (Ryan and I). After that was over we went to the doctor. I was given the run down by Karla (the pediatrician...thanks Karla!!). Because I haven't slept in the past week I am clearly emotional and my tears are always near if not on the surface. After giving me a hug and telling me everything will be okay, Ryan and I came home.
We went and bought more Purell and are keeping Ryan as far away from the baby as we can.

I have been so worried about Ellie that my dad came over and he and Eric gave Ellie a blessing. After they were done, they took Ryan so I could have some peace of mind. Eric and I ran a couple of errands and came home. I got everything out to do Easter baskets when Eric got a call saying that my parents and Ryan had been in a car accident. My mom was taken by ambulance to IMC and Ryan was taken by ambulance to Primary Children's. My sister, Kara, came within minutes and took Ellie and Eric and I raced to the hospital because Ryan had been transported by himself. When we finally made it to the hospital and ran to the Emergency Room, they sent us back and I could hear the cries of my little baby boy. The poor thing was terrified. The car was broadsided and Ryan was on the side of the car that was hit. I can't imagine the terror of my little boy as he was in the accident and then taken by strangers to a hospital where he knew nobody. It took him quite some time after we got there to calm down, and with good reason, he was so scared!! After an hour or so at the hospital and after the Doctor finding out I had had a baby on Monday, she quickly released us and let us know that he was completely fine and that we shouldn't have anything to worry about...

On the other hand, my Mom didn't get so lucky. She has a couple broken ribs, her pelvis is broken in a couple of different places and has a broken vertebrae in her neck. Luckily her spinal cord is fine. The doctors will decide in the morning what the course of action will be for her. She is currently in ICU since she has the broken vertebrae in her neck and tomorrow we will know more. Luckily she has no recollection of the accident. She is in lots of pain and her full recovery will probably take a while. She will be fine, but if you've read this would you please remember her in your prayers , even if you don't know her?

I am so grateful that my dad is ok, and that he was able to take care of things after the accident. I am also so thankful for the hand of the Lord in keeping my Mom and Ryan with us right now. I know that it will be a while until things get back to normal and until my Mom is fully recovered, but I am so grateful that she will make a full recovery and that she will be fine.

Sorry if you had to sit through all of this, but again it is for my memory. I really should start writing these things in a journal, but for right now this is going to have to do.

She's Here!!

Ellie Belle Jones

Born 9:15 am

7 lbs 2 oz

21 1/2 inches

The big day has finally arrived!!! Eric and I came into Labor and Delivery last night because I wasn't feeling the baby moving as much and as soon as we got settled, she started moving a ton. So, I was sure we would be going home, but to my surprise my contractions were every 1 1/2 minutes so they decided to keep me. Hooray!!!

We came into the hospital at 11:00, well my body dilated from a 6 to a 10 rather quickly and after 5 minutes of pushing she came out. Screaming and all! It was glorious to hear! She has been so good so far. She just sleeps, doesn't eat much yet and is so cute.

Ryan has some adjusting to do. He was not impressed with Ellie!! He absolutely freaked out when Eric was holding her. These next few weeks will be very interesting.

I have a 2 year old!

I cannot believe it, but Ryan turned 2 years old this week. I thought that I would make the day special and we could do lots of fun things. Well, Ryan had a different idea. He acted like since he had just turned 2, he could officially enter the terrible two's. Wow, he was a handful that day. So, the day finally started to look up around 5:00 in the evening when Eric got home. Who knows, maybe Ryan just needed a break from me. So, needless to say the only fun things we did on his birthday was BBQ in the back yard, open gifts and play outside. Which was so much fun!!!

He was really excited to get his little hammer and nail set. I think he just loves the fact that he can hit it as hard as he wants and he doesn't get in trouble!

His little T-ball set. He takes it with him all over the house. He even put it in his room last night when he went to sleep. He is so funny!!

This was our attempt at making a basketball cake (hey don't judge, I am no artist!!!). I loved this picture of him blowing out his candles. I love my little Birthday Boy!!

I had a doctor appointment on Thursday and the doctor checked me and I am now 3 cm dilated. Still 25% effaced. Who knows, we may have our little girl within the next little while!!!

Another baby update!

So, I feel like this baby has completely taken over our lives, and she isn't even born yet. The latest news with her, is she ended up turning on her own. Hooray!!! I am also 1 1/2 cm dilated and 20% effaced. Let's hope she'll stay in for another week and a half, and then as far as I'm concerned I'm ready! I have been contracting like crazy and am so excited to finally have her. Especially now that a c-section is unlikely!

Ryan turns 2 years old next week and I just can't believe how big he is getting. He is talking so much more and one of the funnest sayings is "I don't want to." Oh wait, maybe it's "my turn," yeah he is getting really good and talking back. But he is still such a sweetheart and helps me out so much. He helps me clean and hates being messy. I am so lucky to have him and are so excited for this little girl to come into the fam. We'll keep you posted.

Breech

So our little girl is breech!! I am 32 weeks along and she doesn't have much time to move into position. So, our options are to try to turn the baby around in a couple of weeks or to schedule a c-section. The doctor was giving me the pro's and con's of both. Any suggestions???

Valentines Day

Yesterday was such a fun Valentines Day!! I got up early and made a yummy breakfast, full of french toast, bacon and strawberries.

I think Ryan ate more bacon than either Eric or myself. But we had a great time, Eric and Ryan opened their little gifts from me and then we just played the rest of the day.

Eric's parents were so sweet to come watch Ryan for us so we could go out. We were able to go to the Temple, which was so wonderful, then we went to Stake Conference (don't we know how to celebrate?). We didn't quite make it through all of that, after all the sitting we had done, my body needed something soft to sit on. But then we went to Leatherby's and shared some cheese fries and a strawberry shortcake. I've never had that there, but it was so delicious!!!

I just want everybody to know that I love my cute little family and we are anxiously awaiting the birth of our little girl.

Good times at home

Since we can't leave the house we are looking for some fun things for Ryan to do. We watch lots and lots of PBS kids and Little Einsteins. We have also been doing some baking. Yesterday we made some cinnamon rolls. They were soooo good!!!!! The batch made around 50 cinnamon rolls. Yeah, way too many! Eric's work is in for a treat today.

Even with the Pertussis, things are going really well. Ryan isn't coughing much and I am done with my antibiotics. I can leave the house, but Ryan still can't until Wednesday morning. But that does mean that I get to go to work tonight, who knew it would be so exciting to get out and go to work.

It would only happen to me!

I feel like, with me, if it is not one thing than it is another. So true!!!

There has been lots of positive Pertussis in my office. We've had lots of patients positive as well as some staff. So, I am being treated for it and I had Ryan tested while I was picking up my medicine. I got a call at 7:00 this morning, telling me that Ryan's test was positive. Yup he has Pertussis. Seriously? So, now we are quarantined to the house for 5 days. Yea, no leaving the house at all. What do I do with a not quite 2 year old for 5 days? He (and I) are going to go stir crazy!

I feel like after this is over and we can finally leave the house, I'll be put on bed rest...knock on wood. Really, if it isn't one thing it is another.

It's been a while

Yeah, so I don't know why I haven't updated the blog...maybe I'm just lazy. We had a wonderful Christmas this year. It was nice and small and very fun. Ryan couldn't have been more excited with the toys he got.

Ryan did not like Santa this year. Maybe next year.

Eric and I had a very small Christmas between the two of us. He actually blew up the picture of me and Louie Sakoda (see older posts) and had him sign it. My friends husband is the special teams coach at the U and they had him sign it. Yeah, I feel kind of freakish, but it was an awesome gift.


This is Ryan's new toy from Nikki. You can see that they both LOVE it!!

We also got the nursery all put together. We painted it green and it looks so darling. We are now ready for her to be born, although we don't want that to happen until at least the beginning of April.

I'll try to be better keeping you all updated. It just doesn't seem like anything super exciting is happening right now. Although my sister came in town last week and it was awesome to see her! We miss you already Haley!!