Second Eye Surgery

Bryan's second eye surgery took place the beginning of December. There was a lot more to it this time around.  When he had his first one a little over 6 months ago, all they did was poke through a membrane that was preventing his tears from draining out of his tear duct giving him a constant goopy eye.  While the actual procedure went well, it didn't fix the problem.  Within DAYS his eye was goopy again.

Since his eye went back to what it was so quickly, it was determined that his tear duct was too narrow.  On December 3rd, the surgeon put in a small silicone tube through Bryan's tear duct.  It works much like tubes that are put in to help with children who get a lot of ear infections.

Bryan was much less flirty this time around.  In fact, he was down right cranky.  Though you would be too if you were dragged out of bed at 6:30 in the morning, stuck in an overly big dress thing, in a cold room, with all these strange people trying to attach all these things to you and putting stuff in your eye...actually, I don't know how he did so well the last time. 

 Then they gave him something to relax.  Watching that stuff slowly start to work was interesting.  He went from crying, to whining, to staring, to laying, to a dazed"what are those things sticking in the air?"  (they were his feet.  He was sticking his feet in the air)

The relaxer helped him not freak out this time when we went into the OR.  He still didn't want the gas mask on...until he tasted it.  The anesthesiologist told me it was strawberry flavored.  Which explained why my son fell asleep licking the mask.  Which was a silly sight and really helped me not cry this time. (as apposed to screaming. So heart breaking.)

His immediate recovery was a little more difficult in that it took him longer to be fully awake and realize that I was holding him.  He screamed and cried for at least 15 min.  Then more after he was actually awake.  It didn't help that they had to do an IV this time and wouldn't take it out of his foot until we left.

When we got home, he took one little nap and was completely fine.  Spent the afternoon driving cars on the dogs, and cuddling with freckles.  I swear that dog knew something was up.   He never lets Bryan cuddle, but they sat like this for a while.

The best part? It seems to be working!  I mean, we wont know for sure until they take the tube out in a couple months. (no surgery.  Just a plain office visit for that)  But I haven't cleaned nasty green stuff since then.

I'm so thankful for Kaiser and their amazing Nurses and Doctors.  We have been very fortunate in the care that Bryan has received from them since the day he was born.

I'm also grateful that other than this, (and flu last year) Bryan has been a healthy growing boy.

Crazy December

Well, you already know that I had December was a crocheting, sewing, DIY like crazy month.  So what did we do in between?

Bryan had ANOTHER eye surgery.  We are really hoping it is the last.

B has also got even more into music.  He discovered these rock band drums in Uncles room and has been obsessed with them.  I think the drums are his new favorite instrument.  Why wouldn't they be?  He loves music.  He loves hitting things.  It is the PERFECT instrument.

We spent more time with family than usual.  I feel like half of it was at Joann's.  Which never helps my craft store addiction.  Then there was the weekends of Mom teaching the SIL and I how to sew.  Abuela was also able to come back and visit.

This pretty much describes us.

We cant forget the awesome Scentsy party that my SIL hosted.  I love that stuff

We almost became a 2 pet family.  A couple weeks ago, weirdo, the kitty, had a stroke that left her completely immobile.  Poor Bryan was having a hard time with it.  Not because he understood and was sad, but because he didn't understand.  He LOVES her.  More like he smothers her with love...literally.  He was struggling with not being able to pick her up, or snuggle her.
Eventually we got him to understand that there is no touching kitty in her box. Though now that she is up and moving, we have remind him to be gentle.  She can walk (wobbly and sideways mostly) but flops to the ground if she turns too fast (at which I fully feel guilty for every giggle)

This was just the tip of the iceberg for us.  December just seemed too full, and too short this year.  Luckily, we made it out and January has proven to be much more relaxed.  How has your year started?

Goodbye Holiday Rock. I'm Crawling Out.

Oh look!  Here we are.

It hasn't just been a Holiday rock I've been under, but the DIY Holiday rock.  Every year I get excited to make all the nieces and nephews personalized gifts, (you remember the Elmo and the Sock Monkey hats?) Even after starting earlier and earlier, I still am panicked the week before.  Well this year, I started 4 MONTHS EARLY and I still had the worried I wont finish panic.  (Only this time, it lasted the entire month of December, and was still fixing grommets Christmas morning.)

Learned how to sew pajamas too

Other than that, we had a pretty fun December.  Christmas was much more fun this year.  Bryan is understanding more, and actually wanting to participate in things.

Found time in our busy schedule
to make lots of Pie

All of  the bottom half of our tree was un-decorated the first morning it went up.  We still have ornaments stuck under our bed.  So glad they are all plastic.

It was a Hot Wheel Christmas for Bryan.  He couldn't be happier.  My sister got B a "My First Remote Control Car" and he refused to even look at anything else, until Daddy showed him all the other cars the Uncles got him.

The only reason I was  able to capture him opening this box at home was by ripping the paper off the window to reveil...MORE cars!  He dropped everything and ran right over.

We also built some putty snowmen.  And had a visit from some friends.  Uncle Danny brought the boys (Bryan and our friends son) Batman and Hulk toys.  Hulk fists were a big hit with the boys.  Mostly to have one of the guys wear them, and beat them up.

I have already started my DIY Christmas for next year.  Hopefully I wont turn into a hermit again.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. (or if you celebrate something else,  I hope that was also wonderful)
Here is to looking forward to the New year full of challenges, growth and love.