Happy Thanksgiving!

Hospital School and a Dog Named Tiger

When Noah was told he could probably go home today (a day early!), he was excited because he thought he'd be able to go back to school. I informed him that he wouldn't be able to and he was kind of bummed. That's when a Child Life Specialist walked in and told him about the hospital's school. Noah of course wanted to go down immediately, so off we went in his first wheelchair ride out of his room. (Side note: He got a roommate last night around 1:30 a.m. Our already cramped room is now even more cramped!!!)

Once at the school, a teacher named "Big Mike" got Noah started making a Thanksgiving craft. A few minutes into it, a volunteer named Greg brought in a cute little dog named Tiger. Noah was super excited. Ever since seeing pictures online of dogs visiting the patients while in the hospital, he's been asking if he would get to. Child Life pulled through again. Greg sat Tiger on Noah's lap and had him perform a couple of tricks. It was awesome to see Noah light up and it helped that the dog just chilled there.

After about 45 minutes of sitting in his chair, Noah decided he had had enough and that his butt hurt (I think his leg was probably starting to bother him, but he didn't admit it because he doesn't like the taste of the medicine). He's now resting back in his bed while we wait for his walker to arrive. Then, hasta la vista Phoenix Children's, we are going home!!!

What a Champ!

Noah underwent hip surgery again this morning to correct the position his leg had healed from an earlier surgery. His surgery only took about 1 hour 40 minutes this time compared to the almost 8 hour surgery 4 years ago. This time the surgeon cut his femur in half and rotated it to the correct position and then secured it into place using a couple of screws and a plate. He also loosened the tendons around his groin area to allow better movement. It is expected that he should be in the hospital 2-3 days, but if all goes well, he might be coming home Thanksgiving morning.

Noah is such a champ... physical therapy already visited and explained about the walker and wheelchair he'll be using for the next 6 weeks. He then surprised us all by getting out of bed (with our help) and using the walker from his bed to the bathroom and back again. That of course wore him out, but how awesome it was to see his determination. Hopefully once the anethesia starts to wear off he won't be in too much pain and will be able to sleep well tonight.

Noah's Hip: Looking Back

Four years ago we found out that Noah had hip dysplasia in his right hip. Even since he had learned to walk, he had a slight limp. Our family doctor reassured us he was fine, but when we switched to a pediatrician, he discovered it right away. His right leg was shorter than the left and after numerous x-rays with a pediatric othopediac specialist, it was determined that he would need surgery to correct it. So in October 2006, just 2 months after Alora was born, Noah underwent an almost 8-hour surgery at Primary Children's Hospital (Salt Lake City) where his femur was shortened, his hip socket carved out, and bone was grafted into place. He was left to recover in a full body "spica" cast for the next three months. A year later his hardware was removed and we thought all of his hip troubles were over.

We were wrong.

About two months ago, we took Noah back in for his yearly hip check-up and x-ray; this time with a new specialist here in Phoenix. We thought everything would be progressing as normal, but the specialist informed us his leg was not rotating properly in the socket. After more x-rays and a 3-D cat scan, it was determined he would need surgery again. This time, however, the surgery isn't supposed to be as complex and his recovery should be much easier. Poor Noah has to report this coming Tuesday, November 23rd for another hip surgery. His femur will once again be cut, turned the proper direction, and then secured in place with some plates and pins. Hopefully all will go well and his hip heals how it should.

One of the first things the pediatrician did was compare Noah's legs side by side. You can see the discrepancy in height.

He also stretched out Noah's legs to check the length. The discrepancy is again very noticeable.

Halloween was just a couple of weeks after his surgery. My mom customed-made Noah's pants as well as this cowboy costume. (Because of his full body cast, he was unable to wear normal pants.)

January 8, 2007: The removal of cast #2! Wa-hoo! Goodbye annoying cast, wearing diapers, and having the most horrific wheelchair!

August 8, 2007: The area where his hardware was removed.

Just a Big Ole' Teddy Bear

Max is definitely our chubster! At his recent 15-month check-up, he weighed in at 27 lbs!

Homemade Apple Pie Filling

While my sister was visiting from Colorado, I thought it would be fun if my mom came up and helped us can apples. We had over 70 lbs of granny smith apples and managed to make just over 60 quart sized jars in just a days time. Thanks for helping Mom and Kenya!

Apple Pie Filling

4 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup cornstarch

2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp salt

3 tbsp lemon juice

2-3 drogs yellow food coloring

5 1/2-6 lbs tart apples (cored and sliced)

In large pan, blend sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Stir in 10 cups water. Cook, stirring until thickened and bubbly. Add lemon juice and food coloring. Pack apples into clean, canning quart jars (wide-mouth work best) leaving 1" at top. Pour hot syrup over apples. Use knife to help distribute syrup in jars. Adjust lids. Process in boiling water bath-- pints for 15 minutes, quarts for 20 minutes. Allow to fully cool 24 hours. Makes about 6-7 quarts.

Alora's Big Lie

Alora came downstairs to us, holding something behind her back. This automatically alerts us that she must have done something naughty.

Me: Alora, what's behind your back?
Alora: Nothing.
Me: I see something. What are you hiding?
Alora: (quickly shows me a flower and butterfly and then hides it behind her back again)
Me: Alora, did you break that off the Laugh and Learn house?
Alora: No, Max did it.
Me: Max? Max didn't do it. He's asleep (and has been for 2 hrs).
Alora: Yes he did. He woke up and broke it and went back to sleep.
Me: How did he get out of his crib then?
Alora: He grew taller and taller and broke it.
Me: Alora, tell us the truth. Did you break it? Don't lie.
Alora: (sad look on her face) I broke it.

What a stinker! She totally made up the most ridiculous lie especially when it involved her sleeping little brother. It was kind of funny though, because she tried to be convincing even though she wasn't at all.