Friday, March 15, 2013

Marchness

Something's up with blogger, I can't get this post to format the way I want. Oh swell. Picture on the left- Before surgery Picture on the right- Eating shrimp for breakfast the morning after surgery. Holy Smokes I can't believe March is half over, and 2 weeks is Easter, crazy. Hallie had her surgery on the 4th at Primary Childrens Hospital. We went up the night before and stayed with Jake's parents. She was nervous, I was nervous, but things went well. Just as planned. We had to be there at 11:45 am, but because they were backed up with surgeries, She didn't even go into surgery until almost 4:00. It was a long wait, and the poor thing was starving, hadn't eaten since the night before and couldn't eat until after the surgery. The surgery took a little over 2 hours. I hated waiting. They told us that they would call us half way into the surgery and give us an update, which they never actually did, so of course I was worrying. But all went well and eventually I forgave the nurse that told me that and didn't do it. :) While we were waiting there was this family waiting next to us for their little girl to get out of surgery, she had a brain tumor that was cancerous and she had been in surgery for 5 hours. We were there when they got the news that they had been able to remove the cancer and that she would be ok, she lost some of her vision in one eye, but that she would be ok. It made me so happy for them and grateful for amazing doctors and also that even though this surgery that Hallie had to have was a worry, she was going to be just fine and wouldn't have to worry about this reflux problem anymore. The surgery itself is called Ureteral Reimplantation. They actually crossed her ureters and reimplanted them into her bladder so that the reluxing of urine back up into her kidneys won't happen anymore and she will be able to go off of the antibiotics she's been on since she was three. Yay! It took her awhile to wake up after surgery and was pretty sleepy until about 10:30 that night, then she had a rough time. Having to get up and go to the bathroom every half hour to an hour, pain, bladder spasms, and antsy, tingley legs (from the epidural shot). All normal things but hard to handle. I felt so bad, it was hard to watch her be so miserable. It was a rough night, but by the next day she was feeling better. I knew she was doing better when she wanted shrimp at 9:00 in the morning! This girl and her shrimp, I tell ya. I was happy she was eating though, good signs. They watched her close the rest of the day and decided she could go home Tuesday night. We went to Jake's parents house, stayed the night and then made it home the next day. We had some rough days and nights last week, but everyday has gotten better and she went back to school on Wednesday for a few hours. I've let her go a few hours each day since. She's been happy to go, she was getting pretty bored. I feel so thankful that things went well and for all the support of those that love her have shown the last couple of weeks, so many of her cute friends have come to see her and bring her little surprises. One of her sweet little friends even fasted for her, so sweet. She's had lots of love and prayers on her behalf which I know have helped her so much. I feel so blessed. We've had some bumps in the road the last little while, but many blessing and tender mercies as well. Wow this is so long, I'm so sorry to anyone that reads this. Does anyone read this? I'm not sure, but I apolgize for all the details if you do. This is sort of my way of journaling I guess and I wanted to write it down before I forget. Anyways.....on another note, the Saturday before Hallie's surgery was a beautiful day so we headed down to Zion for a hike. It was beautiful and so great to get out after being cooped up all winter. Here's some pics....

Sunday, February 24, 2013

The last couple months...

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

*Mckay had a tube put in his good ear ( that was not so good, but is now good again). After a couple months of not feeling good and a couple of hard weeks after the surgery he is finally our happy Mckay again. I am so glad to have him feeling better and hearing better! His speech has improved dramatically which has help everyone's frusteration. He is getting better at communicating his wants and need which is so great.
*Jake's Dad came down and sheet rocked one of the rooms downstairs. It is now ready for some paint. Exciting! *Sadie was kid of the week at school, and in the same week was Mrs. U in the Mr. Q and Mrs. U wedding. It was the cutest thing ever and she was such a cute little bride. She and Mckay got their groove on at the dance after the wedding.
*We got to hear the heartbeat and see an ultrasound of our sweet #4 about a week ago. So tiny and so amazing. That little heart was beating so fast. The kids were so excited to actually see the tiny baby. Mckay said, "Ohhh, cute baby." I'm pretty sure he couldn't make out that it was a baby, but whenever he talks about babies he always adds the "Ohh cute." which is super cute.
At 12 weeks I'm finally starting to feel better and like I can actually do some extra things, like blog instead of just surviving. The last while has consisted of lots of time in bed, the kids watching lots of T.V, lots of cold cereal, lots of throwing up, and lots of sweat pants. So happy to be on the up and feeling better.
*Hallie made it to the school spelling bee. Two from every class made it. We practiced all 110 of the words on the list over and over. She did awesome. She made it through about 5 rounds. I was so proud of her. Such a scary thing, in front of the whole school and parents.
For activity days, they had a Diva Derby. They girls had so much fun. Her butterfly mobile did pretty good and won a few races.
And that's about it I guess, Life is good and I'm so thankful for everyday, I'm very blessed.
This week I'm hoping for some nicer weather, please please :) I really want to get out and do some fun things with Hallie before her surgery next monday. We've been making a list. :)
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Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Christmas

This is quite overdue, but Christmas did come and go.
It always comes and goes way to fast and then
January and cold come and stay for way too long.
Gosh it's been cold here lately. I'm getting cabin fever bad.
It's just been so cold to get out with the kids.
 

The Nativity on Christms Eve
 
Cookies and milk for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer of course.
 
New jammies to sleep in
 
 
They're not very excited to go see what Santa brought.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jake trying out his new toy, a remote control helicopter.
 
Cinnamon rolls for breakfast
 

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas

For unto us a Son is given...
 
 
 
Merry Christmas
from our home to yours.
Love,
the Holm family
 


Monday, December 24, 2012

A Christmas house...







Excited children making cookies for Santa, one with
goofy eyes.

mouths full of cookie dough


We're ready! Bring on Christmas!