Isotope

Ryan's dwarf hamster passed away last night. I found his cold, stiff body this morning. I called the kids in to see him and say goodbye. I almost started crying. Then Ryan says "when are we getting a new one?" and Ally chimed in with "I want one too." So much for heart break.

Parents Day, Ryan Update and Isotope

Ally called us this morning (she is in Jal with Grandma and Grandpa Turtle) to wish us a happy Parents Day (she saw this "holiday" on the calendar). She is enjoying her time with her grandparents. They are going to drive into Hobbs to see a movie today.

Ryan is on Day 4 of recovery from his surgery. Yesterday was a hard day for him. We had to keep up on his pain medication or he was in terrible pain. Yesterday Ryan, Henry and I stayed in our pajamas all day. We didn't comb our hair. I don't think we even brushed our teeth (yuck!). We played a lot of Wii Lego Batman (a new game he got for his surgery) and watched a lot of Lego videos on You Tube. Ryan did sleep in today, which Ryan never does. He then fell back to sleep within an hour and slept another hour and a half. We plan on getting out today. Maybe a movie, no popcorn for Ryan :( , or go and walk the mall.

Here is a picture of the kiddos at an Isotopes game a couple weeks ago.

On a sad note, Ryan's hamster, Isotope, is on the brink of death. Last night I went to feed him and give him water. He wouldn't come out from hiding, so I took apart the cage and found him. He looked so skinny and fragile. His eyes are all goopy and look sealed shut. I gave him water with a syringe. But he wont eat anything. We are keeping an eye on him, but I don't think he is going to make it much longer. Ryan cried for a bit last night about Isotope.

This is the only picture I could find of Isotope. Jasper and Toby (who is no longer with us) keeping an eye on Isotope.

Heading off to Jal

Henry's parents, Grandma and Grandpa Turtle, came up for Ryan's surgery. Ally headed back with them today to spend some time with them in Jal. This is Ally's second year going to Jal, without us, to spend some time with her grandparents. Now Ally loves all her grandparents. However, there is something special between her and her Grandma Turtle. It might have to do with the fact that Grandma Turtle was the closest relative she had the first year of her life. We lived in Midland and Grandma and Grandpa Turtle would come up every weekend to see Ally. In Ally's eyes her Grandma Turtle is unconditional love. They have a very special bond.

When Ally was little she would only go to Grandma Turtle or her Auntie Cheryl (besides mom and dad). Ally was the first grand kid that was in close vicinity to Grandma and Grandpa Turtle. She was also their first granddaughter.

This was taken last fall. Ally just clings to her grandma.

I know she will enjoy every minute of her time in Jal.

Ryan's Surgery

Ryan had his tonsils removed today. Henry and I were very excited for this. This surgery came about because a year ago I mentioned to Ryan's pediatrician that he snores like a bear and I did not think he was sleeping very well because of it. She ordered a sleep study for us, which was done in September (3 months later). Almost two months after the sleep study we got the results. The sleep study found that Ryan stops breathing (sleep apnea), an average of 7 times an hour. I was shocked by this. So we were referred to an ENT who was highly recommended. By the time we saw the ENT it was the end of April. He suggested we have his tonsils removed. Which was scheduled for today (a little over a year from when this whole process started). The wheels do move slow.

Here is Ryan waiting to be wheeled to the operating room. Hoppy went with him into surgery. He was really cool and calm before the surgery.

Here he is in recovery. He slept (recovered) for about two and a half hours. Once he woke up he was given a popsicle to eat and some tylenol. Then Ryan said "when can I get out of this stupid bed?" Stupid is a bad word in our house. But given the circumstances, we understood his word choice. He was really hurting when he woke up. But once the tylenol kicked in he was feeling much better. Since being home he has been able to eat some ice cream and some scrambled eggs (not together). He has also been sipping Gatorade. I am surprised how well he is doing so early. He is all ready playing the Wii. Thank you everyone for your prayers.